The Little Consort's
Eps. 50: Negotiation

Ever since the royal decree was read, Li Anlan was already unable to breathe with relief. The air in Xingyue Palace was thinning to the point of making her chest feel suddenly tight. Li Anlan was also unable to sleep soundly like ordinary days.

All night, he was awake. His mind floated on something he had not experienced yet, imagining what would happen tomorrow. He only had a little time to do something that could save himself from this beautiful disaster.

If he can get through tonight well, then the coronation tomorrow will be a long and important coronation recorded in the great history of Dongling, as well as a moment when he lost all his freedom.

The extremely special status of the Royal Empress made Li Anlan agitated half-dead. She got her title and high standing just when Xu Lingshu lost her position as the main concubine. How could he who was only a low-level concubine, and had only appeared to the public for the first time even bear such a high status?

Li Anlan did not care if people gossiped about her behind the back. He only needed to close his ears so that the annoying rants were not heard by him. Li Anlan did not care what people said about her. He only cared about his freedom, at the sheer amount of free time he had in this palace.

Just like he did tonight. The woman kept rolling to and fro on her bed. No, he can't be quiet anymore. Li Anlan had to ask Long Ji Man about the purpose and purpose of elevating her to the Royal Empress. Li Anlan had to ask why Long Ji Man chose her to hold the title from the hundreds of female candidates in the Harem Palace.

"Can't! I have to ask myself!"

Li Anlan suddenly got up from her bed. The woman then took her hanfanya in origin and wore it carelessly. Xie Roulan who was sleeping nearby also woke up due to the sudden movements of her master. After Li Anlan finished dressing, she immediately ran towards the exit.

"Mrs, where are you going?"

"Hongwu Palace."

"Little night like this? Madam, isn't this too disrespectful?"

"Fuck with politeness! I have to save my life!"

"Miss, what if Your Majesty is angry?"

"It's just angry. I don't care."

Hard-headed, really. The woman walked down the grounds of Xingyue Palace, then exited the main gate. The guards were about to intercept, but Li Anlan's way of walking too quickly made them unable to catch up to him.

Raising his hanfu skirt high, Li Anlan climbed the rocks on the bridge of Lake Houchi where the water darkened. There was only a bright moonlight that gave a dim illumination to the path it was tracking.

The light in Hongwu Palace which is brightly lit indicates that the inhabitants of the palace are still awake. Li Anlan quickly entered the grounds, ignoring the pleas of the Hongwu Palace guards who asked him to return tomorrow and not to disturb the king's rest. But, it wasn't Li Anlan's name if he obeyed the words of the guards.

"Where is His Majesty?" li Anlan asked Xiao Biqi, who happened to be standing guard at the door. The young eunuch looked dazed from feeling awakened.

"Concubine An, what's wrong?"

"I want to see Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty is resting. Come back tomorrow."

"There's no tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I want to meet him now!"

"Consort An, it's night. It is not good if you disturb His Majesty," Xiao Biqi said.

"I am his wife. What do you call inappropriate? Even if I disturb him while he is in the shower, everything is legitimate! Move over!"

"Concubine An, please don't make things difficult for me" Xiao Biqi pleaded.

Not being physically alert, Xiao Biqi was unable to stop Li Anlan who directly broke through the door. When he reached the room, he saw his king preparing to sleep. Long Ji Man was suffocated in shock because someone suddenly entered his palace.

Without waiting for the man to finish changing clothes, Li Anlan walked up to him immediately. The woman sat on the edge of Long Ji Man's bed, while putting both her hands on his chest. His face was angry and angry.

"Do you have no manners?"

"Party manners are useless in my life. Your Majesty, what exactly do you want?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't want to be Grand Duchess. Your Majesty, revoke your decree!"

Long Ji Man sighed. Previously, he had already predicted that Li Anlan would come to him to ask. But, he did not expect that Li Anlan had come at this time, in the middle of the night as he was about to rest after a day of government. Long Ji Man forgot that Li Anlan could do anything according to his heart.

"Is something wrong?"

"Of course it was a mistake. Your Majesty, why did you choose me?"

"Because I want to."

"You can't do as you please just because you want to!"

Long Ji Man stared intently at Li Anlan. But then, his eyes changed. Appeared a mischievous glint in her black and beautiful eyeballs. Long Ji Man bowed his body, his face he brought close to Li Anlan's face. Li Anlan was on standby, being wary of what Long Ji Man would do after this.

"Do as I please just because I want to? Then what are you doing today, in the middle of the night, in my palace? You came to break down the door and sit on my bed. Li Anlan, do you know your limits?"

"What limits? Ever since I came to this place, I have not known any boundaries. As long as I'm free, then there's no limit."

Long Ji Man was further bending his body. Both hands rested beside Li Anlan and the distance between the two was getting closer. Li Anlan positioned his body backwards, until he was half-sup. Long Ji Man's face that was too close made Li Anlan's heart thump. In fact, the man's breath slowly swept across his face.

"You're sure I can't do anything to you?"

"So Your Majesty said the reason, I might be able to consider it," Li Anlan said, solely so that Long Ji Man would slightly stay away and he could save his racing heart.

This way works. Long Ji Man straightened his body. His position and Li Anlan's position were now facing each other. Li Anlan sat on the edge of the bed, Long Ji Man stood before Li Anlan calmly.

"Well, since you're so curious, I'll say it. I appointed you as the Royal Empress because you saved my life. You've also made me open my eyes that not all of my people live well."

"Just because of that?"

Not really, Long Ji Man said in his heart.

"I think you're the only one who deserves that position."

It would be a lie if Long Ji Man honestly said all the reasons. He only said some, some of it he still mendam in his heart. Appointing Li Anlan as the Noble Empress was not without reason, because Long Ji Man had already carried out various examinations and considerations that were long and tiring.

After Wang Tianshi handed over the proof of identity and the results of the examination of Li Anlan's identity, Long Ji Man was able to exhale a sigh of relief. The woman was indeed the daughter of Royal Noble Li Han, a beloved daughter and had no friends. Li Anlan had no one and was not connected to any power. It was then that he thought of giving Li Anlan the two-year-old vacant Grand Empress.

Coupled with Li Anlan's nature and personality, Long Ji Man was confident that the woman would be unaffected by anyone. A Noble Empress must have a firm stand and a strong heart, so that all the affairs handed to her can be resolved properly. Li Anlan had no ambition to be a strong and positioned person, nor did she pursue titles and honor. Other than money, Li Anlan only cared about the fun and peace of his life.

Of the hundreds of women in the Harem Palace and the thousands of girls in Dongling Land, Li Anlan was the right candidate to occupy the privileged position. For some reason, Long Ji Man had great confidence and a strong belief that his choice was right. Besides, he also had other goals. He wanted Li Anlan to help him find something and uncover the truth.

"You're a different woman than the others. That's why I chose you."

"Well, Your Majesty, you have good eyesight towards people! But, would my life be safe if I occupied this position?"

"I guarantee everything."

"I can accept this position but with some conditions."

"Tell me."

"First, you must return all my belongings that you took the other day. Second, raise my salary and pay on time without being able to cut it. Third, I don't want anyone to bother me at Xingue Palace, including the officials. Fourth, I will only run errands when I agree to it. Fifth, you must grant all the conditions I have given you. Otherwise, I'll run away and hide so well that you won't be able to find me."

"You're threatening me?"

"No. I'm negotiating with you."

"I freed you from the harem, but you made so many requests?"

"That's a fair price for the position of the Grand Empress."

"good. I agree to it."

Li Anlan cheered. In this way, he could still relax in the middle of his task. Long Ji Man was truly an unpredictable person. He looked like a cold and stern king with a strong opinion, but could sometimes turn a hundred and eighty degrees in an instant.

Long Ji Man thought that the woman would leave immediately after saying all of her heart. But unexpectedly, Li Anlan instead lay on her back on her bed quietly.

"Why are you still here?"

"Your Majesty, I'm tired of walking so far. Besides, it's midnight now. Not good for a woman to walk alone."

"I will ask Xiao Biqi to escort you. Get out of my bed!"

"Xiao Biqi's? That little eunuch, despite being castrated already, he was still a man. Your Majesty, what if he suddenly kidnaps me?"

Either it had to be in what way Long Ji Man had to use in order for Li Anlan to leave his bed immediately.

"Anlan, what do you want?"

"I just want to sleep here. Your Majesty, I'm sure you won't have the heart to kick me out of this soft bed."

Arguing with this woman will be endless. It was already midnight, if it continued, then Long Ji Man would only waste his precious time.

"Swipe!"

Li Anlan shifted to the side, leaving a section for Long Ji Man. Long Ji Man laid his body beside the woman, pulled the blanket and closed his eyes. His heart was pounding, but his heart was delighted when Li Anlan was lying by his side.

"Your Majesty, are you feeling awkward?" ask Li Anlan.

There's no answer.

"Don't pretend to be asleep. We've slept together. Your Majesty needn't be so nervous."

"Shut up or I'll really pounce on you!" long Ji Man said firmly. Li Anlan closed her mouth, then turned her body until she was sideways, turning her back to Long Ji Man.

Meanwhile, Long Ji Man smiled faintly as the woman turned her body around.

...***...

...Cie, someone's sleeping together again. Li Anlan requests a lot, more than a wedding dowry! The author wants to say happy busy for Li Anlan, and Author also wants to say thanks to the readers who have listened and followed the story of Li Anlan so far. Stay tuned on! See you in the next episode! ...