(BL) Reborn as Lycan's Emperor's abandoned Beta concubine?!

Chapter 26: 26. An envoy visit!

A FEW DAYS LATER

XAVIER

Life in the palace somehow became even stranger. The emerald hairpin never left my hair.No matter where I went, servants bowed more deeply, ministers smiled politely, and nobody dared to make trouble for me anymore.

"It still feels weird." I muttered while arranging breakfast.

"Ding."A system activated.

I ignored the system. Later that morning I was carrying fresh herbs across the courtyard when I noticed Emperor Lang Li walking with Shen. His golden eyes suddenly stopped on me. More specifically on the emerald hairpin. He watched me for several seconds before continuing toward the Empress Dowager’s residence. I immediately pretended to become extremely interested in my vegetables. Curiosity won. About an hour later, I accidentally, very accidentally walked past the Empress Dowager’s garden.

"I am not eavesdropping." I whispered.

"You are." The system answered.

"Quiet."I ordered.

From inside the pavilion, I heard the Emperor’s calm voice.

"Mother."Lang Li said.

"My son." The Empress Dowager sounded unusually cheerful.

"The hairpin."Lang Li said..

"Oh?" She asked innocently. "What about it?"

"You gave it to Chef Wei."He said.

"I did."She nodded.

"It is your personal jade hairpin."He said.

"It is."She smiled.

"Why?"He asked.

I could almost picture the Empress Dowager smiling.

"Because I like him."She said.

Another pause.

"He is kind."Lang Li nodded.

"Yes."She said.

"He is hardworking."He said and smiled.

"Yes." He cooks wonderfully." She deliberately paused. "He would make an excellent addition to this family."

I nearly dropped my basket. Inside the pavilion, I heard how Lang Li gasped lightly.

"Mother."He said.

"What?"She asked.

"You are smiling."He said and sighed.

"I am."She nodded.

"You are plotting."He said.

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."She said innocently.

"You always smile like that before causing problems."He said.

"My dear son..."She laughed. If someone precious slips away twice, you only have yourself to blame."

Silence filled the pavilion. Even I felt awkward.

"I understand."Finally Lang Li spoke.

"Do you?"The Empress Dowager’s voice softened.

"Yes."He said.

I decided that was my cue to leave before someone caught me. That evening, the palace became unusually lively. An imperial cultural gathering was being held in one of the grand halls. Even palace staff were permitted to attend from the sides after their duties were finished. I planned to go exactly as I was, then Ana blocked the doorway.

"Absolutely not."She said.

"What?"I asked.

"You are not wearing that."She said.

"I am wearing clothes."I argued.

"Barely."She shook her head.

"Master Wei."Hin nodded seriously.

"Not you too."I groaned.

"You represent the palace kitchens now."Hin added.

Before I realized what was happening, I was sitting in a chair while Ana fixed my robes. Hin carefully adjusted my sleeves, they exchanged satisfied looks.

"There." Ana stepped back proudly.

I looked down. The robes were still simple, but the dark blue fabric fit perfectly. Silver embroidery decorated the sleeves. My white hair had been tied neatly behind my back, with the emerald hairpin resting proudly above it.

"I look expensive."I sighed.

"You look handsome." Ana corrected.

"Very handsome." Hin agreed.

"I was aiming for invisible."I said.

"You failed."Ana grinned.

The moment we entered the grand hall, people looked, really looked. Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.

"Isn’t that Chef Wei?"An omega asked. "He looks even better tonight."

"The Empress Dowager’s hairpin..."Another omega joined.

"It suits him."The third one said. "I thought he was only handsome in the kitchen. He looks like a young noble."

Several noble ladies glanced my way. A few young omegas smiled, even some ministers nodded politely as I passed. I wanted to turn around and hide behind the dessert table.

"I told you."Ana looked far too pleased.

"I dislike being right."I sighed.

"Master Wei."Hin smiled.

"Yes?"I asked.

"I think..."Hin began. "Everyone is staring again."

"I noticed."I sighed.

Across the hall Lang Li had just entered. His gaze swept across the room, then stopped on me. He didn’t look away.

"Ding." The system appeared. "Visual attraction event detected."

"Oh no."I whispered under my breath.

"Host appearance has caused increased attention to 8%."A system said.

"I can see that."I sighed.

"Emperor observation ongoing."A system added.

"Can you stop narrating my life?"I asked.

"Request denied."A system said proudly.

"Of course." I sighed.

Somehow, without cooking a single dish, I had become one of the most mentioned person at the imperial gathering once again. An hour later, I had realized if there was one thing I had learned about palace life, it was that every event lasted at least three hours longer than necessary. I sat together with the other palace staff along the side of the grand hall, trying my best to stay awake. One dance, another dance, another slow song, and another dance.

"How many performances are left?" I whispered.

"Eight."Hin leaned closer.

"You’re joking."I sighed.

"I am not."She said.

My soul quietly left my body. I was going to die from boredom. Little did I knew, it was being a start of my life becoming even more difficult.

"Ding." The system suddenly appeared.

I immediately became alert.

"That sound is never good."I looked at the invisible screen.

"Special event triggered."A system said.

"Please tell me it is not another problem."I stared at the invisible screen.

"Event: Envoy visit."A system said.

"Envoy?"I blinked as I looked around the grand hall. "Who is coming?"

Before the system could answer, the music suddenly stopped. The entire hall became quiet.

"His Majesty, an envoy from the neighboring kingdom has arrived."A palace attendant hurried forward and announced.

The nobles immediately straightened. An envoy? That sounded important. I sat up slightly, suddenly less sleepy. The large doors opened. A group of people entered wearing unfamiliar royal clothing. At the front was a young noble with dark hair and a confident expression. Beside him walked a beautiful omega woman wearing elegant silver robes. The atmosphere changed instantly, everyone was watching, the Emperor remained calm on his seat, but Shen leaned slightly forward.

"Ding. Event information updated. Envoy visit has a hidden objective."A system said.

"Hidden objective?"I frowned.

"Correct."It said.

"Can you ever give me normal events?"I asked.

"Host probability of normal life remains low."A system said.

The envoy’s daughter looked around the hall politely, greeting nobles one by one. Then her eyes moved and stopped on me. I froze. Why was she looking at me? I immediately looked down at my clothes. Did I spill something? Was the hairpin crooked?

"Attention detected."The system appeared again. "Target: Envoy’s daughter. Interest level increasing."

"System."I nearly choked.

"Yes?"A system asked.

"Why does every important person notice me?"I asked her.

"Host possesses unusual characteristics."A system said.

Across the hall, the envoy’s daughter whispered something to her father, then she smiled. A smile that immediately made my instincts nervous. I had a feeling this event was not going to be simple. Because every time the palace became peaceful, something always arrived to ruin it. And this time, that something was looking directly at me.

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