Gold Digger, but Forced to Marry the Big Boss Chapter 66

If Line 04: Tyrant vs. Enchantress

Gao Bochong never thought he would fall for anyone.

Before becoming emperor, he was the crown prince, busy dealing with his treacherous father, full of sarcasm and deceit. After ascending the throne, he became the wise ruler, busy governing the country and outsmarting the old ministers, handling countless affairs daily. He didn't even have time to establish an empress, let alone fall for someone.

Until one day, he was invited by the prime minister to admire flowers at his residence. At the banquet, while the flowers were in full bloom, Gao Bochong had no interest in them, focusing instead on his mental sparring with the old fox of a prime minister. Their conversation was unproductive, and as Gao Bochong looked at the prime minister's old face, he secretly thought it might be better to just get rid of him.

Perhaps sensing the murderous intent in his gaze, the prime minister wiped his sweat and suddenly said, "My daughter has a peony in full bloom. I'll have her present it to Your Majesty."

Gao Bochong was uninterested. He had seen many beauty traps before and didn't expect the old prime minister to use such a trick.

Gao Bochong forced a smile and said, "Prime Minister, you are too kind, but I am not interested in flowers and plants..."

Before he could finish, Gao Bochong noticed someone approaching from a distance. The person wore a light, sky-blue gauze dress, as light as silk clouds, as thin as mist, enveloping a slender and delicate body. The wide belt accentuated an extremely thin waist, looking incredibly flexible, as if no matter how it was twisted, it wouldn't break.

The person's face was also like clouds and mist, white and slightly glowing, with hair as dark as ink, and eyes bright and clear, except for the slightly upturned corners, which were alluring and almost seductive.

Gao Bochong's words got stuck in his throat, and he forgot what he was about to say, just staring at the face. The person approached, bowed, and presented a pot of flowers, not peonies, but camellias.

The prime minister was surprised, "Why are you here? Where's your sister?"

Gao Bochong heard the voice, clear and quiet like flowing water, yet it made his skin crawl—later, Gao Bochong realized it wasn't fear but an instinct urging him to possess the owner of that voice immediately.

"My sister is unwell, so I came in her place."

"Nonsense!"

The prime minister frowned, but the silent emperor spoke, "Prime Minister Wang, who is this?"

The prime minister quickly replied, "This is my son, here to deliver flowers for his sister. But didn't Your Majesty just say you weren't interested in flowers and plants?"

"Who said that?" Gao Bochong suddenly smiled warmly, a rare expression on his usually stern face, "What's your name?"

The person glanced at him, somewhat nonchalantly, "Wang Zhi greets Your Majesty."

Gao Bochong asked, "Wasn't it supposed to be peonies? Why camellias instead?"

Wang Zhi replied, "Peonies are my sister's cherished possession."

The implication was that he brought the less cherished camellias for the emperor.

The prime minister's face turned pale with anger, "Nonsense!"

But Gao Bochong laughed, "How do you know that my cherished flower happens to be camellias?"

He didn't know.

Wang Zhi's eyes widened slightly, looking at Gao Bochong for the first time.

This tyrant, as his father called him, seemed very amiable at the moment, not only smiling but also kindly taking the flower pot from Wang Zhi's hands. His fingers brushed against Wang Zhi's fingertips, leaving a burning trace.

Wang Zhi instinctively withdrew his hand, hearing the tall emperor laugh, "This is truly a meeting of minds."

Later, Wang Zhi realized that having a meeting of minds with this dog emperor was not a good thing because, although he claimed to like camellias, he actually preferred to cover Wang Zhi in camellia fragrance and then slowly nibble and tease him from the fingertips until his skin also turned the color of camellias.

But this was their first meeting, and Wang Zhi didn't know Gao Bochong's true nature yet. He just thought he was quite approachable, not afraid even when scolded by his father, and argued, "Sister doesn't even like him. Why do you insist on her climbing the social ladder? I think the emperor is quite nice, Father, you're just overthinking."

The prime minister was so angry that he blew his beard and glared, turning to hear the butler rushing in, shouting, "Master, something's wrong! Someone from the palace said our family is going to have a noble consort!"

The prime minister exclaimed, "Oh my, what a twist of fate, a good match indeed!"

He glared at Wang Zhi again, "You are not to cause trouble. Go and call your sister out."

He thought the emperor had seen through his intentions and wanted to marry his daughter, but the butler said, "No, Master, the envoy said the emperor has taken a fancy not to the eldest daughter but to our eldest son!"

The prime minister: "Ah?"

Wang Zhi: "Ah?"

In the palace, Gao Bochong was in an excellent mood.

It was rare for him to have leisure time, yet he didn't review memorials. Instead, he patiently soaked in a hot spring, had someone groom his hair and beard, and even changed to a more pleasant incense.

The imperial edict had already been issued, and Gao Bochong couldn't even wait for the next day. He drafted it as soon as he returned to the palace. For the first time in his life, he wanted someone so much that he couldn't be bothered to hide it, wanting to bring him back to the palace that very day.

Wang Zhi.

How could such an old fox of a prime minister have such a beautiful and delicate son?

He seemed quite bold, not afraid of me. But summoning him to the palace so hastily might be unfair to him. Should I open the middle gate and let him enter from there?

Gao Bochong completely forgot that the middle gate was for welcoming the empress. But since there had never been a male empress, he could only temporarily make Wang Zhi a noble consort. After a few years, when those old ministers were subdued, it wouldn't be too late to promote him to empress.

Thinking of Wang Zhi standing by his side, receiving the court's homage, Gao Bochong was extremely pleased, no longer the tyrant who allowed no one to touch his power.

He waited and waited, eager to bring out all the treasures from his private vault to welcome Wang Zhi. The little eunuch was run ragged, but Wang Zhi still hadn't arrived. Gao Bochong was losing patience when the chief eunuch finally returned. Gao Bochong impatiently asked, "Why did it take so long to deliver the edict? Where is he?"

The eunuch knelt on the ground, trembling, "Your Majesty... Young Master Wang burned the edict and said he..."

"Said what?"

"Said he doesn't want to marry an old man."

Gao Bochong: ...

-

Wang Zhi slammed the door shut, fuming.

Did his father really want him to marry that emperor?

Are you kidding! How old is he, and how old is the emperor! Besides, they've only met once, isn't this a blind marriage?

Wang Zhi angrily picked up a vase, looked at the pattern, remembered it could sell for a dozen taels, and put it down. Then he picked up an inkstone, remembered it was a gift from his teacher and also expensive, and carefully put it down. Finally, he chose a pillow, threw it on the bed a few times, and ended up with goose feathers flying out.

Wang Zhi felt a bit sorry, quietly put down the pillow, stuffed the feathers back in, patted it, and then lay down.

What a comfortable pillow, how could he take out his anger on it?

Wang Zhi regretted it deeply and sincerely apologized to the pillow, "Sorry, sorry, I won't take my anger out on you next time."

A chuckle came from the side, startling Wang Zhi. He turned his head to see someone sitting by the window, tall and with sharp, cold eyes—it was the old emperor Gao Bochong, who had repaid kindness with enmity during the day.

Wang Zhi was so scared he let out a "meow," choked on his saliva, and started coughing. Gao Bochong strode over, patted him heavily twice, making a "bang bang" sound, and finally, Wang Zhi stopped coughing, looking at him with red eyes.

Gao Bochong, who was initially full of anger, had it all dissipate under Wang Zhi's watery gaze, leaving only tender thoughts. He gently asked, "What, are you so surprised to see me?"

...

How could he not be surprised?

Wang Zhi was shocked, "Isn't this my room? How did you get in?!"

Gao Bochong "coughed" and said lightly, "I am the Son of Heaven, where can't I go?"

Wang Zhi's eyes turned red with anger, "Did my father let you in?"

"No." Seeing him so angry, Gao Bochong had to coax him, "I climbed over the wall."

Wang Zhi thought his father was so bad, actually letting the emperor into his room, wasn't that sending a lamb into a tiger's den? Unexpectedly, Gao Bochong actually climbed in himself.

Thinking of the dignified emperor, climbing over the wall with his royal behind sticking out, Wang Zhi couldn't help it.

Wang Zhi: "Pfft."

Seeing him smile, Gao Bochong finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Not angry anymore?"

Wang Zhi said coldly, "How dare I be angry with Your Majesty. I was just too surprised just now, that's why I spoke rudely."

Gao Bochong also smiled, "What's this rudeness? You even called me an old man, these words are nothing in comparison."

...

Wang Zhi timidly said, "I was just speaking casually."

Why did that eunuch even report such words?!

Seeing his shy and timid look, Gao Bochong couldn't help but use his finger to hook his cheek.

Wang Zhi shivered but held back from dodging.

The dog emperor, why was he suddenly being so forward?

Gao Bochong suddenly said, "I heard you like collecting antique jade?"

Wang Zhi replied perfunctorily, "Just a slight interest."

Gao Bochong said, "I see... Actually, I just received a batch of pearls and corals from the Kingdom of Poluo, and there's a new jade stone from Mingshan County. If you're interested, why not come to the palace with me to take a look?"

Wang Zhi's ears perked up, but he remained cautious, "That's against the rules."

Gao Bochong smiled, like a big bad wolf coaxing a little white rabbit, "I am the rules."

He added, "It's late today, tomorrow morning, I'll send someone to bring you to the palace."

...

The incense burning in the palace was rich yet elegant, priceless outside, but here, it was just the fragrance of a side hall, something the little palace maids could enjoy in their spare time. As for the main hall, it was said that the incense there was personally blended by the emperor, changing with the seasons, just to make the noble consort smile.

The little palace maids chatted and laughed, "Really? Our lady was really tricked into the palace like this?"

"Of course," the older palace maid laughed, "Our emperor loves the lady to death, not even angry when called an old man, still fawning over her, asking about her well-being a dozen times a day. After chasing for over half a year, he finally married the lady into the palace."

The little palace maids giggled again, and a senior palace maid came in, scolding them, "What are you doing? The emperor's rewards have arrived, go help, don't just laze around, or the lady will kick you all out."

The little palace maids hurried out, only to see the courtyard already filled with new rewards. Initially, they were amazed by the emperor's generosity, but now they were used to it—

Even the most shocking things become mundane when they happen every day.

Before they could finish tidying up, the chief eunuch announced, "The emperor is here—"

According to protocol, the main figure of a palace should come out to greet the emperor, but in this vast palace, there was only this one lady, and she never came out, so the little palace maids didn't know this rule, they just knelt down to welcome the emperor.

But this time, the emperor came in with a fierce momentum, the slight breeze from his steps lifting the hems of the little palace maids' clothes. They looked at each other, but weren't afraid.

Sure enough, from inside the hall came the emperor's angry voice, "What did you say to that blind musician? Why is everyone saying he has feelings for you!"

The emperor's anger was overwhelming, but the noble consort's voice was lazy, with the drowsiness of just waking from a spring nap, softly saying, "What blind musician? You mean Master Jiang Xubai? He has feelings for me? I didn't know."

The emperor said, "The song 'Seeking the Phoenix' he composed for you is being sung everywhere!"

"How come I haven't heard it?" The noble consort laughed, her voice gentle, and the sound of rustling silk came from the hall, as if a white face flashed by the window, just a glance, and one could see such unparalleled beauty, "Look at you, Your Majesty, shall I peel grapes for you?"

Gao Bochong stood there coldly, watching Wang Zhi sitting crookedly by the window. He was afraid of heat, still wearing a gauzy dress like clouds and mist, the collar half-open, revealing a long, white neck and a bit of snow-white skin. Sitting so casually, beckoning to Gao Bochong, he was still dazzlingly beautiful.

Gao Bochong walked over with a cold face, sat beside him, and Wang Zhi complained, "You're squeezing me."

Gao Bochong sneered, wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him into his embrace, rubbing him heavily until both of their breaths were a bit chaotic, then finally let go.

Wang Zhi glanced at him sideways, kicked him with his bare foot, "Didn't I say, no touching for half a month."

Gao Bochong said, "You said it, I didn't agree."

Wang Zhi rolled his eyes to the sky, "My waist is about to break from you! Who told you last night... to insist on that position..."

Gao Bochong looked at the starry kiss marks on his skin, like fluttering butterflies, and suddenly felt very good, "You were teasing me."

Who teased him!

Wang Zhi couldn't stand his self-righteousness, didn't want to listen to him, casually plucked a grape and stuffed it into his mouth, not expecting Gao Bochong to catch his fingertip, mumbling, "It's sweet."

Grape juice dripped down his jade-like elbow, Wang Zhi's body was also made a mess by Gao Bochong, and by the time Gao Bochong was satisfied, Wang Zhi had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Gao Bochong carried him horizontally, his hair like flowing water slipping down Gao Bochong's arm, cool and soft, like a spring, and his face was a bright lotus blooming in the dark spring.

Gao Bochong thought of the memorials from the previous dynasty, saying Wang Zhi was an enchantress, bewitching the emperor's heart. Gao Bochong only glanced at it and had the person who submitted it stripped of their official robes, beaten with twenty boards, and banned from court. Since then, no one dared to speak ill of Wang Zhi, only daring to say privately that he was a tyrant, and Wang Zhi was an enchantress, the two were a perfect match.

Gao Bochong didn't mind, instead, he was quite proud.

Only an emperor like him was worthy of an enchantress like Wang Zhi. If it were someone else, wouldn't Wang Zhi drain them dry?

The Wang Zhi in his arms let out a soft whimper of discomfort, and Gao Bochong quickly softened his expression, gently saying, "What's wrong, my dear?"

Wang Zhi half-opened his eyes, scratched him, "You just hurt me."

Gao Bochong, as if scratched by a cat, didn't mind at all, even laughed, "Next time I'll be gentler."

Only then did Wang Zhi fall into a deep sleep, curled up in Gao Bochong's arms, truly like a little fox. Gao Bochong loved him so much he couldn't help it, wanting to kiss him hard, but couldn't bear to disturb his sweet dreams, finally only awkwardly holding him, gently kissing his forehead.

-

The envoy from Siam was visiting the capital for the first time.

They were a small country, far from their suzerain state, and this was their first visit to the capital in many years. Siam was poor, and their tribute was only cat's eye stones. This time, they specially selected the best batch to present to the emperor.

The envoy was confident.

Such fine cat's eye stones would surely please the emperor. After all, it was said that the emperor, though diligent in state affairs, was also indulgent in beauty, favoring a single noble consort, giving her all the best things, and the noble consort was known for her extravagance, even called an enchantress. In previous years, the cat's eye stones offered as tribute were likely all given to the noble consort.

Such a person must be stunningly beautiful, yet also utterly obedient to the emperor, otherwise, how could she maintain his favor for so many years?

The envoy thought of their own king, with countless beauties in the harem yet still unsatisfied, and in a vast country like this, beauties must be countless, yet the emperor only favored one. No matter how beautiful a face, seeing it for a long time would be just so, the noble consort must be soft and skilled in seduction.

Thinking this way, would the cat's eye stones he brought be good enough?

The envoy was a bit nervous, for the more of an enchantress, the more likely to be domineering, and if he offended her, he might be kicked out of the palace.

He wasn't the only envoy in the capital, many envoys gathered, and the emperor specially hosted a banquet for them. The Siamese envoy, visiting for the first time, was cautious, afraid of making a mistake, while the envoy from Songying, skilled in navigation and having visited the capital before, was more at ease. Seeing the Siamese envoy's nervousness, he mocked, "The emperor is always kind, why are you so nervous?"

The Siamese envoy whispered, "I'm afraid of displeasing the noble consort."

The Songying envoy was surprised, "You're well-informed. Indeed, in this imperial city, offending the emperor might still leave a chance of survival, but offending the noble consort, you wouldn't even know how you died."

The Siamese envoy was nervous, "Is she really so domineering? Doesn't the emperor care?"

The Songying envoy rolled his eyes, "Who do you think would take action?"

Offending the noble consort, of course, the emperor would personally deal with you.

Fool.

Music played, and the banquet officially began.

The emperor walked with a majestic stride, dignified and imposing. The Siamese envoy sneaked a look, but saw an empty seat beside him, curious, "Where is the noble consort?"

The Songying envoy, familiar with the scene, said, "It's still early, the noble consort is delicate and precious, she wouldn't come out so early."

...Is the emperor not as important as the noble consort?

The Siamese envoy had an indescribable feeling but didn't know where to start.

Suddenly, music played again, clear and ethereal like celestial sounds. A jade-white hand gently parted the peony branches and walked out. The Siamese envoy instinctively looked, and under the high-burning candlelight, the face was so radiant it was hard to look directly at, only able to vaguely see the tall, slender figure, and that face, even if unclear, felt more dazzling than the peonies.

The Siamese envoy was momentarily stunned, muddled, feeling as if he had ascended to heaven, otherwise, how could he see such unparalleled beauty?

The Songying envoy snickered.

This is what happens when you see the noble consort for the first time, so dumbfounded you're about to drool.

After a while, the Siamese envoy finally came to his senses, involuntarily saying, "Is there really such a stunning person in the world?"

The Songying envoy chuckled, looking at him like a country bumpkin, "You're just finding out?"

He's not like this country bumpkin, he's seen it before.

Though every time he sees it, he's still a bit shocked.

The Songying envoy quietly wiped his drooling mouth.

The Siamese envoy longingly said, "The noble consort is so beautiful, she must be gentle and dignified..."

Before he could finish, he saw the noble consort suddenly raise her hand and slap the emperor.

The Siamese envoy: ...

The Siamese envoy: ?

The Siamese envoy: !

The Siamese envoy was shocked, "Is this okay?!"

That's the emperor, being slapped by the noble consort in public?

Even if you want to hit, at least don't hit the face?

The Siamese envoy's thoughts subtly drifted after seeing the noble consort's face.

But no one present was surprised, as if it was a common occurrence, and the Songying envoy even reminded him, "Hey, don't stare at the emperor and the noble consort, or the emperor might think you're coveting the noble consort."

The Siamese envoy: ?

Sure enough, as soon as the Songying envoy finished speaking, the Siamese envoy saw the emperor on the high platform suddenly lower his eyes and look over, his cold eyes extremely sharp, looking at him from afar.

The Siamese envoy quickly lowered his head, not daring to look again, only catching a glimpse of the emperor solemnly peeling crabs for the noble consort.

The Siamese envoy: ...