In Another World, Everyone Want to Kill Me!-Chapter 209: Copying as Punishment

It seemed that without using drastic measures, there would be no peace in his future.

If things were going to collapse, let them collapse fully; it would be better to end it decisively than to be constantly annoyed by this old woman.

"Your Highness, I truly cannot help you. You and Imperial Consort Hua are inherently different. If I offered you any advice, it would likely backfire."

Detecting the disdain in his tone, Imperial Consort Zhou’s anger flared. "How could I be any worse than that seductive, shameless woman? Yue Mingxuan, tell me plainly."

Yue Mingxuan secretly smiled but deliberately put on a fearful expression.

"I dare not speak," he said.

If he spoke directly, he probably wouldn’t be allowed to leave this place again.

Imperial Consort Zhou waved her hand.

"Say what you have to say, and I will pardon you."

She wanted to see just what Yue Mingxuan could come up with. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Yue Mingxuan lowered his head and thinking for a moment before speaking. "Let me tell Your Highness a story. Long, long ago, there was a small village. In this village lived a girl named Xi Shi, who was born a great beauty. It was said that whenever she washed clothes by the river, the fish would sink in shame. But even such a beautiful girl was born with a heart condition. Whenever she fell ill, she would clutch her chest and frown as she walked through the village. The villagers who saw her in this state, thought she looked even more beautiful than usual. In the same village, there was another girl named Dong Shi. Seeing the villagers praise Xi Shi, she imitated her, clutching her chest and frowning as she walked. Yet when the villagers saw her, they all said she was hideous." Yue Mingxuan paused deliberately before continuing, "But actually, Dong Shi had imitated Xi Shi very accurately. Why, then, did the villagers’ evaluations differ so drastically?"

Imperial Consort Zhou who is not realizing she had been ensnared in the story, instinctively asked, "Why?"

A faint smile appeared on Yue Mingxuan’s face. "Because Dong Shi was ugly and Xi Shi was a great beauty. Their appearances were entirely different. Recklessly copying another only invites ridicule."

When Imperial Consort Zhou heard this, she suddenly realized what Yue Mingxuan meant and flew into a rage. "How dare you, Yue Mingxuan! You actually said I am ugly?"

Yue Mingxuan shook his head. "The emperor selects beauties every three years. Those chosen and able to maintain their position in the harem could never be truly ugly. Your Highness should not belittle yourself."

His words slightly eased Imperial Consort Zhou’s expression. "Then what do you mean?"

Yue Mingxuan glanced at her face and spoke deliberately. "Your Highness is not ugly, but you are old."

Hearing this, Imperial Consort Zhou’s face contorted in fury.

What Yue Mingxuan had said was exactly what she had long worried about and felt insecure over.

Now it had been exposed so plainly as if a sharp slap had been delivered across her face.

"How dare you, Yue Mingxuan! I will punish you for great disrespect!"

Seeing Imperial Consort Zhou on the verge of losing control, Yue Mingxuan had no choice but to kneel. "Your Highness, just now you pardoned me from all blame, yet now you intend to punish him for great disrespect... Moreover, everything I said was only in response to your repeated questioning. If my guilt is determined just like this, not only will I not accept it, but I fear it would also be difficult for others to accept."

Imperial Consort Zhou glared hatefully at Yue Mingxuan kneeling on the ground.

Now this man was favored by both the Emperor and Rong Qinglei.

Forgetting that she had just spoken herself, saying he could be pardoned, even if he truly offended her, the Emperor would probably treat it as a minor matter and let it slide.

Thinking this, she forced herself to restrain her anger and said, "I lost my composure for a moment. Prince Yue, you were startled."

Hearing her say this, Yue Mingxuan knew he had escaped a major crisis. He slowly rose to his feet. "Mingxuan is timid and truly cannot endure such fright. I hope Your Highness will show some leniency in the future and not startle me again."

Imperial Consort Zhou looked at Yue Mingxuan’s slightly smug expression, so enraged that her hands trembled.

But considering how much the Emperor had recently favored Imperial Consort Hua, if she went against his wishes again, the days ahead would hardly be easy.

"However, Prince Yue, your words and actions are unruly. As the Flower God, you should be a model for all Ger and women in the Four Kingdoms. Very well, then: you shall copy the book Instructions for Ger and Women ten times and properly cultivate your character and virtue."

It had to be said, this move by Imperial Consort Zhou was brilliant.

Without an Empress, she was effectively the ruler of the harem.

Punishing a Prince under the guise of moral cultivation by making him copying the instructions book was hardly a serious matter.

Even if the Emperor wished to reprimand her, he could hardly do so.

After all, this wasn’t a true punishment, at most a warning.

Yue Mingxuan’s earlier pride and good mood instantly vanished at her words.

My heavens, he had always hated copying books as a child.

How had he traveled to another world only to end up copying books again?

Had he known, he would have made up a clever suggestion for this old woman instead of having to copy books now.

Seeing his sullen expression, Imperial Consort Zhou seemed to vent some of her anger, speaking with a hint of satisfaction.

"What’s this? Prince Yue seems unwilling? Do you find ten copies too few?"

"Yue Mingxuan dares not," he answered, restraining the impulse to roar.

Imperial Consort Zhou picked up her teacup.

Now that matters had reached this point, she saw no need to waste more effort on Yue Mingxuan.