I, The Substitute, Am With The Main Character Chapter 68

Xueya’s mouth was forcefully covered, and a dagger was pressed against his neck. The blade was so close that just a slight movement forward would cut him.

He didn’t recognize the palace servant who had suddenly seized him—it was an unfamiliar face. Just as he approached and was blocked, feeling confused as he had never seen this person before, he was dragged into a hidden corner with the dagger at his throat.

“Don’t recognize me? Or have you forgotten?” the person behind him let out a chilling laugh. “But surely you remember the pearl fan.”

Xueya’s eyes widened.

The pearl fan?

Wasn’t that the possession of Empress Lei?

No, more accurately, it belonged to the fake Empress Lei.

A year ago, Xueya had been forced to the Empress’s palace after being caught by the fake Empress Lei while getting intimate with He Xulan at the Qianfo Temple. Eventually, Cui Lingjing discovered what had happened.

Hiding under the bed, Xueya had overheard a few words from Cui Lingjing and realized the empress was an imposter. Though he didn’t know how the fake empress had infiltrated the palace without being discovered for so long, he knew it was a serious crime.

When he was punished and sent to the laundry department, he thought the fake empress would be executed and the real one deposed.

However, when he left the laundry department, he learned from Little Pingzi that the empress was still officially Empress Lei, though she had fallen ill and stayed in her palace most of the time, seldom coming out.

For a brief period, Xueya was uneasy, but since he hadn’t seen Empress Lei again, he gradually forgot about her, along with the entire ordeal involving the fake empress.

“Remember now?” the person behind him whispered.

Xueya’s hands trembled beneath his sleeves, but he didn’t dare move, afraid that any slight motion would bring the dagger closer to his neck.

The fake Empress Lei laughed again, “Looks like you remember. Where is He Xulan?”

The fake Empress Lei was Lei Dongmiao, the twin brother of the real Empress Lei and the sole heir of General Lei. Out of love for his sister, he had entered the palace disguised as her when the opera troupe came to perform, temporarily swapping places with her.

While he played the role of empress in the palace, Lei Dongmiao didn’t keep a low profile. On the contrary, his behavior was arrogant and flamboyant. Part of it was to match his sister’s personality, but he also enjoyed watching the entire palace remain unaware of his deception.

However, he hadn’t expected to be exposed because of a mere palace servant.

Lei Dongmiao was a notorious libertine who indulged in various affairs, regardless of whether it was with men or women, as long as they were beautiful. Yet after seeing too many beautiful people, even the most gorgeous no longer excited him—such as He Xulan, whose beauty failed to captivate him.

It was then that Xueya, a palace servant, caught his eye.

Lei Dongmiao had never seen a man wear women’s clothing so fittingly, and he was instantly intrigued, wanting to claim him. But he didn’t act rashly, knowing that Xueya was either always with He Xulan or Cui Lingjing.

That is, until he accidentally witnessed Xueya and He Xulan together. Hidden behind a rockery, he listened to the noises coming from within and finally couldn’t hold back anymore.

He thought he had grasped Xueya’s weakness, assuming that Xueya, as a lowly-born palace servant, would be easy to manipulate. But he didn’t realize it was a trap—one he willingly walked into.

After the plot was uncovered, Lei Dongmiao wasn’t executed but was imprisoned in a palace for a full year. During that year, his sister snuck in once to visit him. She had always been radiant, but on that day, her face was pale. She told him their father was trying to find a way to save him.

From that meeting, Lei Dongmiao learned that their father had grown frail, unable to eat or sleep well because of his imprisonment. Worse still, his father’s authority was being undermined, and Cui Lingjing was even eyeing his military seal.

Lei Dongmiao’s anger only grew, and he longed to kill Cui Lingjing, but his sister warned him to be wary of He Xulan.

“Why?” Lei Dongmiao asked, slightly taken aback.

The Empress Lei whispered, “Father says with Cui Lingjing’s cunning, he would have sent you back to the Lei family after punishing you to let off steam. But instead, you’re being kept in the palace to hold Father hostage. Only someone as malicious as He Xulan could have done something like this. Father also recently revealed that he was the one the late emperor ordered to wipe out He Xulan’s entire family. Though it was done secretly, it’s likely He Xulan has known for some time.”

“And there’s more. The palace servant who caused your downfall—Xueya—didn’t die. I’ve seen him myself. When rumors spread that the emperor and I weren’t sharing a bed, Father sent people to kill him, but they failed. That night, the body of the assassin was left at our back door. Father realized someone was protecting Xueya, so he didn’t make another move.”

“Knowing that Xueya was the cause of your disgrace, Father can’t tolerate him being alive. As long as he lives, he remains a witness, but Father hasn’t been able to find him. He thought Xueya had been executed, but he saw him at the Little New Year’s banquet, where he seemed to be in the emperor’s favor.”

“Brother, Xueya was a prostitute bought by the late emperor when he left the palace. After the late emperor’s death, all the servants who attended him were executed—except Xueya, whom He Xulan brought back to the palace. We can see Cui Lingjing’s affection for He Xulan, and He Xulan is even more aware of it. So he brought this look-alike of his back to the palace, using him as a stand-in to seduce the emperor while plotting your downfall and the Lei family’s ruin.”

As the Empress Lei spoke, Lei Dongmiao’s rage swelled bit by bit. His hatred for Cui Lingjing and Yi Yefeng was nothing compared to the loathing he felt for He Xulan and Xueya.

He wanted to kill those two despicable people who had conspired against him.

For every day and night that followed, Lei Dongmiao chanted He Xulan’s name in his mind. He Xulan had ruined him and wanted to destroy the entire Lei family. Even if it cost him his life, Lei Dongmiao was determined to kill He Xulan.

At dawn yesterday, a young eunuch sneaked in, carrying something belonging to his father. He said everything had been arranged, and he had come to rescue him. Lei Dongmiao was told to follow the vegetable cart out of the palace later. The eunuch also brought him tools for disguising his appearance.

Back then, General Lei had sent Lei Dongmiao to learn the arts of disguise and bone-locking techniques to protect this only son.

Lei Dongmiao didn’t want to escape yet. Even if he lived, his life was meaningless unless he avenged himself on He Xulan. After sneaking out with the eunuch, Lei Dongmiao knocked him out, switched into the eunuch’s clothes, and disguised himself with the eunuch’s face, seizing the chance to slip into Ningfu Palace.

When Cui Lingjing suddenly appeared outside Ningfu Palace with a group of eunuchs, Lei Dongmiao quickly joined their ranks, blending in. Once inside the palace, he found a place to hide temporarily.

He planned to sneak into He Xulan’s chambers under cover of night. If he charged in now, he feared he wouldn’t even get close to He Xulan before being stopped by the palace servants.

However, Lei Dongmiao was pleasantly surprised to spot Xueya.

***

Lei Dongmiao loosened his grip on Xueya’s lips slightly, but warned, “You can try calling for help, but I guarantee I’ll slit your throat before anyone arrives.”

Xueya’s face paled, and his palms grew slick with nervous sweat. “I… I don’t know where…”

A sharp pain interrupted him as his neck was cut again, and his lips were covered once more.

“You’re quite the loyal lapdog. What did he promise you to make you so devoted? No matter. If you don’t talk, I’ll kill you first, then find him. Even if you won’t tell me, others might.”

Lei Dongmiao pressed the knife harder against Xueya’s skin, causing more pain, and he felt blood trickling from the wound.

Realizing the man was serious about killing him, Xueya pointed ahead.

They hadn’t gone far when they encountered a young eunuch. This eunuch, a friend of Xueya’s, was about to call for help, but before he could make a sound, a dagger flew into his chest, and he collapsed backward.

Xueya watched his friend die right before his eyes and nearly fainted from shock.

Lei Dongmiao easily took care of another man and continued forcing Xueya to lead the way. He used several more flying daggers to eliminate a few more eunuchs, but by the time they reached the study, he had run out.

At the door stood Huang Gonggong, who immediately noticed Xueya and the knife at his throat.

Lei Dongmiao, saving his last dagger for He Xulan, didn’t harm Huang Gonggong but asked, “Where is He Xulan?”

Soon after, He Xulan appeared from the study. He ignored Xueya and fixed his gaze on Lei Dongmiao. “Who are you to dare trespass in Ningfu Palace?”

“You don’t need to know who I am. I’m here to give you a choice. Empress Dowager He, decide now. Will it be your little lover who dies, or will you die? Only one of you can live today,” Lei Dongmiao said coldly.

He didn’t think He Xulan would sacrifice himself for a mere pawn, so as he spoke, he discreetly reached into his sleeve for his last dagger and swiftly threw it toward He Xulan’s chest.

Huang Gonggong, seeing the dagger, didn’t hesitate to leap forward, using his body to shield He Xulan from the blade.

He Xulan quickly caught the falling Huang Gonggong, tearing a piece of his clothing to press against the wound in his abdomen. Huang Gonggong’s apprentice shakily rushed over to help stop the bleeding.

Lei Dongmiao’s face darkened when his last dagger was blocked. Realizing he might not be able to kill He Xulan today, he began looking for an opportunity to escape when he suddenly heard He Xulan’s voice.

“I’ve made my choice. I will die.”

A nearby eunuch cried out, “Your Majesty, no!”

Lei Dongmiao’s first instinct was to suspect a trick, but then he couldn’t help but think that perhaps He Xulan truly did care for Xueya. If he didn’t, why would he get intimate with Xueya himself when he could have just sent a guard to do it?

Either way, Lei Dongmiao’s desire to kill He Xulan overshadowed his doubts.

Meanwhile, the Imperial Guards of Ningfu Palace, alerted to the disturbance, had already surrounded them with swords drawn. Seeing the guards approach made Lei Dongmiao tense up, and his hand holding the knife trembled, causing Xueya to let out a cry of pain.

More blood flowed from Xueya’s neck, staining his collar.

Hearing Xueya’s cry, He Xulan gritted his teeth and issued an order, “No one is to move without my command!”

Lei Dongmiao was surprised that He Xulan stopped the guards, but then he burst into laughter.

Amusing! How amusing!

He had thought Xueya was merely a pawn to He Xulan, but now it seemed He Xulan had developed genuine feelings for him. No wonder He Xulan didn’t place Xueya by Cui Lingjing’s side and kept him close.

“Empress Dowager He, kindly step forward,” Lei Dongmiao said, knowing now the best way to exact revenge.

He was going to make He Xulan’s lover kill him.

He Xulan left the eunuch to tend to Huang Gonggong’s wound and walked alone toward Lei Dongmiao. One of the Imperial Guards couldn’t help but shout, “Your Majesty, you mustn’t!”

But He Xulan paid no attention. As he approached, Lei Dongmiao stepped back a few paces.

Xueya had never looked so pale. He Xulan figured he must have been terrified; apart from that one scream, Xueya hadn’t said a word and now stood trembling, helpless tears in his eyes.

Lei Dongmiao chuckled darkly, “Empress Dowager He, a little more pressure, and his neck will snap.”

“Why are you retreating? I’m standing right here. You can kill me now,” He Xulan said coldly.

“I don’t trust you, He Xulan. Have someone tie your hands, then come closer,” Lei Dongmiao replied.

He Xulan complied, showing Lei Dongmiao his bound wrists. “My hands are useless now. You can rest assured.”

Lei Dongmiao inspected the belt binding He Xulan’s wrists before finally relenting, “Come closer.”

As He Xulan stepped forward, Lei Dongmiao stopped him again, “That’s enough.”

Lei Dongmiao switched hands, gripping Xueya’s neck with one hand and pressing the dagger into Xueya’s hand with the other. He then forced Xueya to hold the blade and said, “Don’t be stupid. If I so much as squeeze, your little neck will snap. He’s willing to die for you, so you can be the one to kill him.”

He made sure He Xulan could hear him too.

Lei Dongmiao raised his eyes to He Xulan, “Now, step forward two more paces.”

He Xulan complied without hesitation, while Xueya stood trembling, gripping the dagger. His breathing grew rapid, and his heartbeat thundered loudly in his ears.

Thump—thump—thump…

The sound echoed in his head, quick and unrelenting.

Lei Dongmiao guided Xueya’s hand, aiming the dagger at He Xulan’s heart.

“Stab him!” he ordered, loosening his grip on Xueya’s hand, his eyes alight with excitement.

Xueya’s hand trembled violently, but he couldn’t do it. Lei Dongmiao, enraged, threatened, “If you don’t stab him, I’ll kill you right now!”

Feeling the pressure tighten around his throat, Xueya finally closed his eyes and plunged the knife forward.

The sound of the blade piercing flesh was painfully clear in Xueya’s ears.