Five Big Bosses are Too Clingy After Transmigrating into a Book - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Fifth Husband

If she let the three men leave the palace now, she would immediately lose three power bases, which would complicate things greatly. She couldn’t let them go.

Chu Xingchen was marriage-phobic, but she was more afraid of death, so for now, she had to keep them.

Coming from the modern world, Chu Xingchen could only accept monogamy, and even that terrified her. However, they were all handsome and pleasing to the eye. Looking at their faces could slightly lessen her fear.

Chu Xingchen’s apology was sincere, and surprise flashed in the eyes of Shen Cangzhu and Xiao Wang. They studied Chu Xingchen, finding her somehow different.

Ling Zhou’s reaction was much more straightforward. Looking at Chu Xingchen as if he’d seen a ghost, he asked, “You actually apologize? What’s going on?”

He looked around, suddenly noticing Xie Ziqing was gone. Guessing that Xie Ziqing had rejected her again, he pouted. His eyes then landed on the Imperial Physicians standing invisibly in the corner.

“Why are the Imperial Physicians here?” Ling Zhou hadn’t known they were present. He simply had sharp ears, heard the commotion, and assumed she was trying to kick them out again.

The Imperial Physicians were once again the focus. They glanced at the suffering Chu Xingchen, bowed, and quickly explained the situation.

The three men’s expressions became strange upon hearing this. None of them expected the marriage consummation attempt to result in so much trouble. Looking closely, they noticed the unnatural flush on Chu Xingchen’s face and their expressions subtly changed. Could she possibly want one of them to attend to her tonight?

This was technically their duty. Before entering the palace, both their families and they themselves felt it would be best to be the one to take Chu Xingchen’s virginity. If they could conceive a son quickly, all the better.

However, seeing how obsessed Chu Xingchen was with Xie Ziqing, and hearing her previous insulting remarks, they imagined the trouble she might cause afterward, and those initial thoughts dissipated.

They simultaneously began to search for excuses. While women had the excuse of their menstrual cycle, men did not. Just as they hesitated, they heard Chu Xingchen say, “The Imperial Physicians exaggerate; I am fine.”

Chu Xingchen was indeed suffering. Transmigrating meant a flood of memories and problems, a splitting headache, and a persistent fever. Worse, she had to constantly gather her wits to deal with the continuous stream of visitors. She had been secretly pinching her palm to stay calm.

It was frustrating that there was an immediate solution to her discomfort, and the individuals who could solve it were right in front of her. Frankly, hooking up with any of these three men would be a “win,” and they were her rightful husbands.

But she couldn’t. According to the plot, she would get pregnant after having intercourse today, indicating she was in her fertile period.

She did not want and could not afford to get pregnant. Furthermore, they were unwilling; forcing them would be wrong, and the situation would become incredibly awkward afterward.

When she refused, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, Ling Zhou still felt slightly irritated, believing she was still rejecting them, still only caring about Xie Ziqing, and insisting on only having him, even in this situation.

The air was quiet and awkward for a moment. The three men were preparing to take their leave when a commotion erupted outside the hall. It was Xie Ziqing’s people who had arrived.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, please, go and see Consort Yu. Consort Yu is unwell!”

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow. “Is he dead?”

These three words froze Zhu Mo, the attendant who had finally entered. For a moment, he thought he had misheard. The three men who were about to leave immediately stopped. A flicker of interest crossed Shen Cangzhu’s eyes.

Xie Ziqing had been waiting in the Jade Splendor Hall for Chu Xingchen to yield and apologize. Unexpectedly, she never came, and he heard that Ling Zhou and the other two had gone over.

Xie Ziqing naturally panicked. If Chu Xingchen actually slept with them, his plan would fail. With his plan disrupted and his physical discomfort overwhelming, he finally grit his teeth and sent his attendant over, humbling himself to Chu Xingchen for the first time.

Zhu Mo wasn’t lying. Xie Ziqing was indeed soaking in ice water because the drug was too intense. He was waiting for Chu Xingchen to pity him and suffer for him.

Because the three men—Ling Zhou, Xiao Wang, and Shen Cangzhu—were present, Zhu Mo couldn’t be too explicit. He spoke vaguely, his eyes constantly darting toward the three men, hoping Chu Xingchen would tell them to get lost immediately.

Chu Xingchen acted as if she hadn’t noticed. She simply raised an eyebrow when she heard the news. “He’s soaking in ice water, is he?”

If the incense makes me feel this uncomfortable, Xie Ziqing, who inhaled more, must be suffering from a much stronger effect. No wonder he was soaking in ice water.

Zhu Mo kowtowed. “Please, Your Highness, quickly go and persuade Consort Yu. Consort Yu’s body cannot withstand being immersed in ice water.”

He was asking Chu Xingchen to go and persuade him, but in reality, he was asking her to go and serve as the antidote. Everyone present understood this. A trace of mockery flashed in Ling Zhou’s eyes. He knew she must be itching to rush over, but then he heard Chu Xingchen say:

“If he likes soaking in ice water, let him soak a little longer.”

Chu Xingchen’s tone was indifferent and casual, as if discussing something inconsequential. Her words utterly shocked Zhu Mo. He raised his head in disbelief and cried out, “Your Highness, how… how could you say something like that?!”

Zhu Mo not only accused Chu Xingchen but also glared at her, completely abandoning all propriety.

Chu Xingchen’s face turned cold. “Presumptuous! How dare a mere attendant speak to me like that? Who gave you the audacity?”

She then looked sharply at Xiao Wang. “Lord Xiao, you manage the affairs of the Eastern Palace. I ask you to deal with this person according to palace rules.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Wang’s eyes. He looked at her deeply, then quickly stated, “Those who offend the master, according to palace rules, shall receive thirty strokes of the cane.” His delivery was clean and decisive.

Chu Xingchen understood. Drag him out and beat him with thirty planks, much like the ‘Thirty Red Strokes’ punishment.

Zhu Mo snapped back to reality and was about to jump up, but Xiao Wang’s men immediately clamped a hand over his throat. In his panic, he looked to Chu Xingchen for help, but she didn’t even look at him, much less intervene or plead for him.

She beat Miaobi, and now Zhu Mo. Did they think I had no temper? Ridiculous.

These two attendants deserved the beating. In the future, they would both be accomplices in the tragic deaths of the Crown Princess and her daughter.

Because there were only two official ‘Side Consort’ slots, Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang were sealed as Shaoging. To show her regard, the Empress ordered Ling Zhou and Xiao Wang to handle the palace affairs of the Eastern Palace. However, Ling Zhou was better at fighting, not managing palace affairs, so only Xiao Wang handled the responsibilities in the end.

Xiao Wang’s men were incredibly efficient. Soon, the sound of smacks echoed from outside, along with Zhu Mo’s weak struggles.

Inside the Golden Splendor Hall, Xiao Wang, Shen Cangzhu, and Ling Zhou looked at Chu Xingchen, their expressions varied, and the silence was profound.

“Stop it!” Soon, the owner of the two attendants, Xie Ziqing, arrived uninvited.

Xie Ziqing was still in white. He had come in a hurry, his clothes a little disheveled. His long white cloak trailed on the floor, and his hair was half-wet, showing he had just climbed out of the ice water. He trembled, looking somewhat wretched, yet his spine was held straight, making him appear even more aloof and isolated.

Xie Ziqing shouted to stop them, but no one listened. He knew he had truly angered Chu Xingchen, and she was deliberately punishing his people to spite him. He hadn’t expected Chu Xingchen to change her attitude so drastically, but he was certain he had to handle the current situation.

“Your Highness the Crown Princess, could you allow me a word with you alone?”

His eyes flashed with stubbornness and grievance. In the past, the Crown Princess would have felt distressed. But Chu Xingchen’s heart was completely unmoved. “No.”

Xie Ziqing’s hands instantly clenched into fists, and anger flashed in his eyes.

Chu Xingchen’s temper instantly flared up too. “I forgot to deal with you just now. Your presence is a reminder.”

Chu Xingchen looked at Xiao Wang, “Lord Xiao, in the Imperial Palace, how should one be punished for using foul objects to bewitch the Crown Princess according to palace rules?” She was experiencing this drug for the first time, and since it was so uncomfortable, she couldn’t let him off easily.

Xie Ziqing looked up in astonishment. Xiao Wang and Ling Zhou simultaneously looked at her. She actually dared to punish him?

Shen Cangzhu narrowed his eyes, his thumb and forefinger habitually twitching. What kind of provocation did the Crown Princess receive tonight?

Xiao Wang paused, then quickly replied, “According to palace rules, he should be demoted and confined to his residence.”

As for the degree of demotion and the length of confinement, that depended on the mood of the punisher.

It was obvious Chu Xingchen was in a terrible mood. “In that case, let Consort Yu be demoted to Attendant Xie and confined to the Jade Splendor Hall.”

Although Side Consort and Attendant are only one character different in Chinese, their status is worlds apart. This was a straight demotion of three ranks, just shy of the lowest-level Xuan Shi (Elected Attendant), and his title ‘Yu’ was also revoked.

No one expected Chu Xingchen to be so ruthless. Everyone thought it would just be a simple confinement. They didn’t know that Chu Xingchen wished she could throw him out of the Eastern Palace entirely; this was actually light punishment.

For Xie Ziqing, this was utter humiliation. His eyes turned red, and he stared fiercely at Chu Xingchen. “Chu Xingchen, how dare you!”

“I am the Crown Princess. Is there anything I dare not do? Or would you prefer to be an Elected Attendant male favorite?” Chu Xingchen looked at Xie Ziqing coolly, then waved her hand. “Drag him out.”

Xie Ziqing, trembling with rage, was dragged away, along with Zhu Mo, who was unconscious and covered in bl00d from his thirty strokes.

…

A quarter of an hour later, Chu Xingchen finally felt less miserable soaking in the water. Without a specialized antidote, soaking was her only recourse. Cold water was absolutely out in the middle of winter, but warm water was acceptable.

Leaning against the tub, Chu Xingchen sorted out the situation. The State of Chu she was in had a unique period where women were honored, even though men were still numerically dominant due to the gender imbalance.

The State of Chu was from an era Chu Xingchen had never heard of, where the preference for sons over daughters still existed. Decades ago, it was a typical male-dominated society until the emergence of the ‘Son-Bearing Pill.’

The pill was developed by a female physician who was expelled from her family for having seven daughters and failing to produce a son. The pill guaranteed the birth of sons, one after the other. It became highly sought after, and every family happily welcomed fat baby boys.

However, the crisis of gender imbalance was seeded here. By the time it was discovered, it was too late. Or rather, some did notice, but they couldn’t stop the mania for sons.

Twenty years after the pill appeared, when these boys reached marriage age, everyone was desperate. There were almost no girls left to marry.

Scarcity led to value. The status of girls was forcibly elevated. The Son-Bearing Pill was banned, but whether due to its long-term effects or not, giving birth to daughters became increasingly difficult.

Later, situations of one wife and multiple husbands began to appear. Powerful men could have multiple wives, and women could also have multiple husbands. The latter situation became more common—either women had power and charisma, or in the countryside, several men would pool resources to support one wife to ensure reproduction.

It was the elevation of women’s status that allowed the legendary First Empress to appear. Strictly speaking, she was Chu Xingchen’s maternal grandmother. She originally entered the palace as a consort, but the Emperor died young, leaving only a young son and daughter.

Both children were hers. The son ascended the throne first at the age of five, with the former Consort acting as Regent. Ten years later, the young Emperor was murdered by his own Empress. The former Regent then ascended to become the first Empress.

Her only daughter became the Crown Princess, who is Chu Xingchen’s mother, the current Empress. The Empress gave birth to two daughters. Chu Xingchen was the second. There was originally an elder sister, who was the Crown Princess and very capable, but she died in an accident four years ago, making Chu Xingchen the new Crown Princess.

She gained the title of Crown Princess, but her temperament and knowledge did not keep up. Her heart remained focused on trivial matters of love and affection, completely fixated on Xie Ziqing.

As Chu Xingchen thought, she accidentally fell asleep from exhaustion. Since she had been thinking about it before bed, she then had a vivid, firsthand experience of the original Crown Princess’s suffering in her dream.

After the Crown Princess dissolved her harem for Xie Ziqing, she was tricked into many more foolish things, her reputation grew worse, and eventually, her military seals were coaxed away, allowing Xie Ziqing to completely control the palace.

On the day of the Crown Princess’s difficult childbirth, after giving birth to a daughter, her world had already crumbled. The Empress, whose health was failing, was killed. Xie Ziqing and his true love, Chen Ruoshui, revealed the whole truth to her. To avenge Chen Ruoshui, he destroyed the Crown Princess’s face before her death and killed her baby to swap it with Chen Ruoshui’s child.

The Crown Princess watched it all, vomited bl00d, and died with her eyes wide open. The gut-wrenching pain and soul-deep hatred surged through Chu Xingchen.

Chu Xingchen had only possessed the Crown Princess’s memories before, but this dream allowed her to fully empathize by experiencing the suffering. The despair, the suffocation, and the self-reproach almost made her unable to breathe.

“Hah…” Chu Xingchen struggled and felt increasingly suffocated.

Just then, with a splash, Chu Xingchen was pulled out of the water by her arm. Gasps of air brought her back to consciousness. She realized she had accidentally slipped into the tub after falling asleep.

The suffocation she felt was not just from the painful dream but also because she had slid completely underwater.

Chu Xingchen realized what had happened, then quickly hugged her chest and let out a short, startled yelp. Why was she being pulled out of the water by a man?

Most people would react to this situation, but the man showed no change in expression upon hearing her surprised cry. He simply grabbed a nearby cloak, wrapped her in it, and lifted her out of the tub.

He did all this as if she were a puppet, completely disregarding her beauty and good figure, as if he didn’t even notice.

Chu Xingchen stared at him blankly. Even in this situation, she had to marvel at his appearance.

He had a lean, strong youthful body, and as her rescue showed, his hands were incredibly powerful. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, with exquisitely sculpted features. Yet, there were several old scars across his forehead, adding a hint of tormented air.

Combined with his expressionless face, he looked like he had been broken… No, he looked like a robot. But he wasn’t a robot. He was the only one of the five husbands she hadn’t met: Young Master Zhou, Zhou Buyan.

Meeting for the first time in such a ‘candid’ manner was truly thrilling.

Zhou Buyan’s face was extremely handsome, perfectly fitting her aesthetic. With his looks and appearance, he would undoubtedly be a campus heartthrob in the modern world, the ‘Cool Guy’ type.

He was indeed very cool. By the time the palace maid Wan Dong rushed in to beg for forgiveness, he had already floated up onto the roof and vanished, not uttering a single sound from beginning to end.

Chu Xingchen looked down at herself. This body is attractive enough to make other women’s hearts flutter, yet he looked at me like I was a piece of wood. She looked up at the roof and silently gave him a thumbs-up. Brother, you are amazing.

Zhou Buyan was the most unique of the five husbands. He belonged to no faction, came from a humble background, and had the lowest status among the five. He was a shadow in the Eastern Palace, acting only on her command. Rather than a husband, he was more like a Shadow Guard.

He was from the Dark Shadow organization, a loyal dog raised by the Imperial Family, hated by everyone else. He was the Empress’s armor and sword for the Crown Princess, there to protect her and be used by her.