Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch. 73.1
Xu Heran calculated everything, but she didn’t expect there to be this kind of reasoning. The camera captured her composed face, and everyone saw the flicker of light in her eyes.
What is she thinking about again?
Everyone wondered at the same time.
Before anyone could guess, Xu Heran suddenly raised her hand, and her bright yellow sleeve practically cut through the air with a whoosh.
“But how does that concern me!” Her Majesty Zhu sneered. “I’m super amazing right now, and I want you to serve!”
Her Majesty Zhu’s tone was domineering, the voice of an uncompromising and stern monarch!
Xin Nuo: “…”
Hadn’t thought it could go this direct.
Seeing Xin Nuo give up resistance, Xu Heran hurriedly said, “Someone, get Xin Nuo changed into local clothes!”
Jiang Xiaoqiong rushed over, a dress draped over her shoulder, a towel wrapped around her like a woman helping with back scrubbing in the bathhouse—Xin Nuo sighed for her imagination.
“Your Majesty, you truly are a genius, even knowing my surname,” Xin Nuo’s tone was leisurely.
Xu Heran naturally set herself up, “Because my royal authority is heaven-given, I’m born knowing everything, even fortune-telling!”
“Your Majesty, please tell me the winning numbers for the next lottery draw!” Jiang Xiaoqiong immediately chimed in.
Jian Yueyin: “Your Majesty, how many copies will our next album sell? What are the songs? Could you please write down the lyrics for me?”
“Your Majesty, I want to know the key points for the final exams,” Song Fenghua’s eyes sparkled.
The girls paused for a moment, their eyes shining brightly.
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty—”
“Your Majesty…”
Xu Heran’s head ached from being called so much. She was held by the hand, the wrist, and struggled to get up with difficulty. “I can only tell fortunes for the beautiful person I’m going to serve!”
Empress Jian Yueyin immediately flipped her hair, “Your Majesty, a day as a couple builds up a hundred days of love.”
Cold Concubine Song Fenghua smiled faintly, “Your Majesty has favored me before too.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Jiang Xiaoqiong looked at Xu Heran with a look reserved for scoundrels, and Xin Nuo smiled at Xu Heran.
“I haven’t!” Xu Heran immediately defended her innocence, “I’m not interested in any of you, don’t falsely accuse me!”
“Oh?”
Xu Heran persisted, “I’m ill! You can only do that with someone you like… none of you are allowed!”
Jian Yueyin immediately laughed and probed, “Do what?”
Song Fenghua’s tone was even lighter, “What?”
“Hehehe.” Jiang Xiaoqiong held the duster and watched the show.
“Oh my, I’ve been telling you that you wouldn’t understand!” Xu Heran’s tone was dismissive, she walked out with a red face, “Anyway… I’m going to rest!”
Jian Yueyin leaned back a bit, adjusted her empress’s attire, and said leisurely, “Oh~ so I don’t understand.”
“I really want to see what Her Majesty has experienced.”
Xin Nuo glanced at Jian Yueyin and smiled, “Looks like the Empress and I are enemies, huh?”
“Bold, go change your clothes.” Jian Yueyin deliberately stared at Xin Nuo, making an “I’m watching you” gesture, “As long as this palace is here, I won’t let you steal Her Majesty’s heart.”
“But Your Majesty fell in love with me at first sight, so passionately, it’s quite strange,” Xin Nuo used her tea-like conversation skills.
Song Fenghua supported the “knocked down” Jian Yueyin, “It’s two against one.”
“Hmm~” Xin Nuo’s arm rested on her clothes, and she chuckled lightly, “We’ll see how it goes.”
The shooting was temporarily suspended, everyone took a break, had water, and fixed their clothes, using the restroom.
Xin Nuo returned to the room with her clothes. The cameras weren’t there. As she entered, a pair of hands reached out and hugged her.
“Your Majesty.” Xin Nuo leaned her head to the side, “If Empress knows that you secretly meet with me, my life as a young woman wouldn’t be guaranteed.”
Xu Heran chuckled softly, lightly brushing his cheek against Xin Nuo’s, his eyes shining brightly, “You’re the only empress in my heart.”
Xin Nuo burst into laughter, her fingertip poked Xu Heran’s chest, pushing them apart.
“Your Majesty, quite scandalous.”
Xu Heran raised an eyebrow.
“Isn’t it someone who wrote me an… affectionate letter?”
Her voice was low, and the word “letter” could only be heard by Xin Nuo, who was practically pressed against her. Xu Heran saw it. As her voice trailed off, Xin Nuo’s gaze shifted suddenly, like a butterfly lingering among flowers, flying from one blossom to another. Her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, slowly dancing up and down.
“Your Majesty, you should go back now,” Xin Nuo said softly.
“But I want to hear you read that letter to me.” Xu Heran said with a smile, “I feel a bit confused, need some clarity.”
Xin Nuo bit her lip, her dark gaze landed on Xu Heran’s face. She turned around, opened the door, and forcefully pushed Xu Heran out.
“If you don’t understand, then don’t read it.” the girl swept Xu Heran with a provocative look, her eyes gleaming with a teasing glint, “Your Majesty, once again, I wish you a happy seventeenth birthday.”
Your Majesty: “…”
“Snap.”
The white door blocked the gaze of the two, and the girl standing outside the door and the one inside both awkwardly averted their eyes.
Xu Heran turned his head and met Jiang Qiong, who was standing at the stairwell with a mischievous smile.
“What’s up?” Xu Heran asked, hands on hips.
Jiang Xiaoqiong waved her feather duster as she floated over, patting Xu Heran’s shoulder, “No more arguing!”
“…Jiang Xiaoqiong!”
“Wow, ah, ah—”
In the living room, several people rubbed their ears.
After ten minutes, Xin Nuo, now wearing ancient costume robes, descended the stairs. Everyone sat around the long dining table in the dining room. To the left were Jian Yueyin, Song Fenghua, and Haya. To the right were Xu Heran, Xin Nuo, and Jiang Xiaoqiong.
Hosting this palace drama was Laurel, the chef.
“You’re the chef again?” Xin Nuo asked Laurel.
But this time, Laurel, the chef, was clearly more sophisticated than before. Even the rolling pin had a gold dragon pattern. She raised the cue card in her hand to signal the proceedings.
“As you can all see, we are divided into two teams. The Queen’s team, led by Yueyin, needs to defend their positions. Both teams will simultaneously play the game. The losing team will be demoted, while the winners can advance. For example, Xin Nuo, starting as a beauty, can rise to Concubine, then Noble Consort, and finally, Queen. The Queen will be demoted from Queen to Noble Consort, then Music Consort, Beauty, and even banished to the cold palace.”
Song Fenghua blinked, “No role for me?”
Laurel: “Leaky oil.”
Empress Jian pounded the table, “Can’t this palace rise above everyone else? I want to be the Emperor! Emperor Jian sounds a hundred times better than Your Majesty Zhu!”
“Bold!” Jiang Qiong’s table-pounding was even louder than the Empress’s, “You dare to scheme for power and seize the throne!”
Xu Heran followed with more table-pounding, “Bold!”
Xin Nuo turned her head to look at Laurel, “Yeah, why is it that when it comes to the Empress, I want to be Emperor Nuo?”
Xu Heran: “???”
Haya, who was enjoying the spectacle, laughed out loud, “Hahaha!”
Laurel’s eyes were dead fish-like, “Leaky, no, not allowed, don’t even think about it.”
“Why!“
Everyone was indignant, expressing their protest against the rules.
“Your Majesty, quickly predict who the next Emperor will be,” Xin Nuo said to Xu Heran.
Xu Heran immediately snapped her fingers, squinting and shaking her head amidst everyone’s anticipation, “Divulging the divine plan is forbidden!”
“Tsk!”
“A five-round, three-win mini-game. The winner gets to enjoy a feast, while the loser eats noodles,” Laurel continued, raising her head and addressing the camera, “Green Harvest Nutrient Lunch, kickstart your vibrant afternoon. Green Harvest self-heating lunch boxes are available nationwide, boasting great quality and delicious taste. Taste the deliciousness~”
The crew promptly placed the steaming hot food on a small table to the side, and the camera zoomed in on the sponsor.
Everyone took a look, and Xu Heran immediately said, “Sister Liu is Sister Liu; that familiar taste.”
Little Liu, the director, held her arms, smiling proudly.
Xin Nuo hadn’t eaten anything since getting off the plane. She whispered to Xu Heran, “I’m hungry.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Heran immediately turned to Jian Yueyin and issued a challenge.
“Let’s battle!”
The three on the opposite side followed suit, rolling up their sleeves without backing down.
The game was quite simple. According to the host, as an Emperor, one must have rich literary qualities. So, Laurel the chef brought out what was said to be a piece of advice from Emperor Zhu’s father for Emperor Zhu herself—a treatise titled “Advanced Techniques for Freshwater Pearl Aquaculture.”
“I’m really being both a father and a nosy matchmaker,” Jian Yueyin shook her head.
“For the first round, let’s flip a coin!” Laurel pulled out a coin, “Place the coin on the book. Each person takes turns slapping the book. Everyone must flip the coin face down, only then will it count as a victory!”
“Is that it?” Haya showed disdain for the palace game, standing up first and placing her big hand down on the coin.
Xu Heran: “Hahaha!”
This was a game they had played in their childhood. Xin Nuo whispered, “You have to give the book a good smack.”
Sitting across from her, Song Fenghua heard and quickly rolled up the book.
“It’s our turn. Thanks, Little Fenghua, for your strong support for our team. Once our Nuo Nuo becomes the Queen, we won’t treat you unfairly!” Xu Heran waved at Song Fenghua.
Song Fenghua: “…”
What was it called, making clothes for others’ weddings?
With a warning tone, Jian Yueyin said to Xu Heran, “This is the book you gave as a gift, so be careful to preserve it.”
“Don’t provoke the emperor.” Xu Heran carefully pressed down the inflated book on the table, placed the coin, stood up, raised the wide sleeves to her shoulders, and vigorously slapped downward with her slender arm.
The silver coin flew up with a “whoosh” and landed on the carpet with a “snap.”
Little Pearl and Little Woof Woof stared at each other.
“Hahaha!”
“Jiang Xiaoqiong, we’re on the same team!” Xu Heran shouted.
“Hehe, sorry, couldn’t resist.”
Xin Nuo shook her head, “Our nation is done for.”
“You couldn’t even flip a coin properly.” Jian Yueyin said again, “Let Your Majesty take a turn.”
“You little sprites who covet my throne, I won’t give up the throne!” Xu Heran shouted.
After several attempts, Xu Heran’s team narrowly won, and Xin Nuo successfully advanced to the title of “Beauty.”
“We’re tied?” Song Fenghua’s tone was livelier than before, “What’s going on, Concubine Yin?”
Jian Yueyin glanced at her askance, “I have the ‘noble’ character in my title.”
Song Fenghua looked at Laurel, “I want to advance too.”
“Then you’re the Beautiful Wind.” Laurel said.
Song Fenghua: “…”
“Some people lose right from the start,” Haya shook her head and sighed for Song Fenghua.
Song Fenghua: “…”
“Little Fenghua, help us win, and I’ll make you the Royal Noble Concubine!” Xu Heran incited Song Fenghua to rebel.
Song Fenghua stared at Xu Heran, “No.”
“Grand Pearl Hoof.”
“Pfft—”
Xin Nuo raised her hand to cover her lips.
Amidst laughter, Xu Heran had a question mark above her head.
“Can you bear to use such cruel language to describe the faithful Little Pearl?” Xu Heran grumbled discontentedly.
Xin Nuo chuckled, “Well, you are the Little Pearl Hoof.”
Song Fenghua immediately corrected herself, “Little Pearl Hoof.”
Jiang Qiong chimed in, “Nickname: Little Hoof.”
Xu Heran: “…”
“See, the language of the Huaguo is vast and profound. There is grace in the words. Learn well!” Jian Yueyin picked up the thick 《Pearl Cultivation Manual》 on the table and shook it at Xu Heran. Xu Heran respectfully accepted the book with both hands.
“Don’t tease the Emperor!”
In the second round, Laurel, the chef, indicated that besides knowledge, an emperor should also have money. They played a variation of the game where they tried to pick up coins from the table, and once again, all three had to succeed.
“Isn’t this simple?” Haya was the first to act again.
The flat coin performed on the scene, demonstrating what money you couldn’t catch.
Have you seen this coin? It rolls away without letting you catch it.
Money, is it something you can have whenever you want?
Everyone felt that earning money wasn’t easy. Jiang Qiong was the most diligent one in catching, but unfortunately, victory in this game was taken by the opposing team. She cried loudly, “Woof woof,” in frustration.
“Hahaha, here you go.”
Everyone piled the coins in front of Jiang Qiong.
“That’s about right.” Jiang Qiong muttered.
“Your Majesty, I’ve been demoted,” Xin Nuo sighed and looked at Xu Heran. “I think it’s easier to change the emperor than to make me the empress. What do you think?”
Xu Heran spoke firmly, “No!”
To make her beloved woman the empress, Emperor Zhu, with a determined mind, showed no mercy. She secured two consecutive victories. Princess Nuo was invigorated and sat on equal footing with the Princess of Music.
“We’re not enemies,” Jian Yueyin said warmly, “We all have a common goal.”
Xu Heran looked over cautiously, and Xin Nuo pointed to her chin with her finger.
“True, but I think we can observe for a while,” Princess Nuo smiled beautifully, “What do you say, Princess of Music?”
The former empress sighed, witnessing how easily Nuo Nuo bowed her head to the royal authority.
“So, now our ranks are the same?” The Cold Consort’s eyes lit up, her tone tinged with regret, “Sister Yueyin, your rank won’t be lower than mine, will it?”
Everyone: “Hahaha!”
“Your Majesty, please give the Cold Consort a new name. I want to call her Consort Cha!” Jian Yueyin gestured with a cupped hand towards Emperor Zhu, making her request.
Song Fenghua innocently blinked her eyes.
Xu Heran pondered for a moment, “Then I’ll have to ask Sister Tea.”
Xin Nuo perked up, “You still want Sister Song Yu?”
“…Of course not, I’m just afraid Sister Tea might misunderstand!” Xu Heran explained earnestly.
“Heh, let it go,” Princess Nuo stood up with a serious face, tossing the game props onto the table. “Emperor.”
All the women chimed in unison, “Emperor!”
“Abdicate!”
“Yeah!”
“Step down, step down!”
Xu Heran glared at Jiang Xiaoqiong, who was shouting the loudest, “Look at today’s lunch, all of this is what I fought for you!”
“Ahem, then I’ll leave you for a while.” Jiang Xiaoqiong said with a cheerful smile.
“?”
“Why should I, as an emperor, care about the eunuch’s opinion?” Xu Heran raised her hand, “Heaven above, I’m so wronged.”
Jian Yueyin passed by as she prepared to eat, “Heaven above, who even asked you?”
Three minutes later, the three people with bowls of noodles stood behind the four who were about to enjoy a sumptuous lunch. Each voice was sweeter than the other.
“You are forever our beloved Majesty~ Can I have that piece of braised pork?”
“I want fish.”
“I will always support Emperor Zhu!”
Emperor Zhu beamed, sharing the delicacies with her courtiers and enjoying the festivities with her people.
“Today, I’ll definitely make you the empress!” Xu Heran vowed earnestly to Xin Nuo.
Xin Nuo nodded with a smile, her pitch-black eyes quietly watching her.
“Go for it, your Majesty.”
With their own casual filming, everyone rested after the meal, full of energy as they stood in the garden.
“I sense a strange atmosphere,” Xu Heran whispered.
Others nodded in agreement, recalling several instances of improvisation in the plot, along with the dramatic twists and turns of the “script.”
“To ensure the normal development of the script, we prepared a rough outline in advance. Please follow the script for your performances, but ultimately achieve your inner goals, like Princess of Music reclaiming the phoenix authority, or Princess Nuo desiring to spend her life with Your Majesty,” Jian Yueyin explained.
Xin Nuo said in surprise, “Oh, so I have this goal?”
Xu Heran placed a hand on Xin Nuo’s shoulder and looked down at her.
Little Pearl: (⊙_⊙)
“Well… does that mean I have to get rid of the Princess of Music and the Cold Consort?” Xin Nuo’s tone flowed naturally.
Jian Yueyin and Xin Nuo exchanged a glance, and it seemed as if sparks were flying in the air.
“Interviewing Emperor Zhu, seeing two beautiful women vying for your attention, are you happy?” Jiang Xiaoqiong asked Xu Heran while raising her fist.
“It’s just moderately joyful,” Xu Heran said contentedly.
Xin Nuo exchanged another glance with Jian Yueyin, then Xin Nuo raised her hand to touch the hairpin on her head.
The plot officially began. Xu Heran sat on the grass, pretending that the surroundings were a royal garden. She was sitting in the garden, surrounded by delectable dishes. Emperor Zhu happily nibbled on a chocolate bar.
Xin Nuo sat beside her. Jian Yueyin brought Song Fenghua over. According to the script, this segment involved the Princess of Music trying to drive a wedge between the Emperor and Princess Nuo by offering a beautiful woman.
Xu Heran immediately refused, “Someone in our household has an enormous appetite, and the treasury is increasingly empty. For the well-being of our Pearl Nation, I must reduce the harem expenses!”
She glanced up and down at Jian Yueyin, “Even for the harem members, I have plans to send them back to their families.”
Xin Nuo immediately leaned against Xu Heran, “Your Majesty truly is a wonderful Pearl.”
Xu Heran nodded in appreciation.
Jian Yueyin didn’t back down either and smiled, “Your Majesty is so kind. However, with so many people in our family, instead of sending them back to rely on their parents, it might be better to let everyone develop a side business and earn money to support the Pearl.”
“I eat very little, so I’m easy to take care of!” Xu Heran proudly stated.
“This is where I recommend our Cold Consort. She’s beautiful and dances beautifully. We can open various dance training institutions in the country, leading all the girls of Pearl Nation in dancing. For the older citizens, we can even offer square dance training courses.” Jian Yueyin encouraged with finesse and passion.
Song Fenghua pinched her leg slowly.
From now on, she would be the lead dancer of Pearl Nation’s square dance, Princess of Music!
Everyone held back their laughter.
“Princess of Music is truly worthy of her past as a queen, full of strategic ideas!” Xu Heran praised, “I suggest expanding our professional planning services here.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. For our bright future, I’d also like to introduce a beautiful person I’ve chosen for you,” Jian Yueyin clapped her hands.
A slender girl in a pale yellow dress covered her face as she elegantly approached, smiling before speaking.
“That smile is somewhat familiar. She’s partially concealed and really makes it hard to recognize her as Jiang Xiaoqiong!” Xu Heran said to Xin Nuo.
Jiang Xiaoqiong shrugged her shoulders and waited for Laurel and Haya, who were wearing turquoise and bright red respectively, to take their positions. The music began, and the three of them danced on the grass to the first song from the album released in September.
Xu Heran’s features scrunched up, “My eyes!”
“Your Majesty, hang in there!” Xin Nuo patted Xu Heran and lifted a glass of water, “Drink up, drink some hot water!”
The three girls with intentionally peculiar makeup on their faces threw flirtatious glances at Xu Heran. They approached amidst Xu Heran’s cries of “Don’t come near me!” At this moment, Laurel suddenly pulled out her dragon-patterned rolling pin from her sleeve.
She sneered at Xu Heran, who had been “charmed” by their appearance, and pulled out a dagger disguised as a rolling pin—because she hadn’t distinguished the head from the tail, she performed an empty-handed blade pinch.
“Foolish ruler, you harmed my brother, making him a eunuch. I’ll avenge my brother!” Laurel shouted loudly.
Xu Heran: “???”
Is this how the script was written?
“Where are my guards!” Xu Heran shouted.
“Your Majesty, your guards were caught peeping at fairies bathing and were taken away by the fairies!” Haya said, “I’m Haya’s sister, and if you hadn’t let her become a guard in the palace, she wouldn’t have peeped at the fairies bathing. If she hadn’t peeped, she wouldn’t have been caught. I’m here to avenge my sister!”
“You should think about your logic!” Xu Heran slapped the table.
“What about you?” Xu Heran asked Jiang Feng.
Jiang Feng scratched her head, wondering why everyone was making up stories like this. She shouted, “My beloved is Princess of Music, and I was sent here by her to assassinate you!”
Princess of Music: “… Thank you, you’re very honest.”
Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu
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