Dad, don't be greedy! My brother climbed into the emperor's bed, and I became famous overn

The screen displayed a list of reward options.

Option 1 [Alluring Beauty - Bewitching Spell]

Once released to the target, the target will develop a strong sense of goodwill and trust towards the host within a day, becoming completely obedient.

Option Two: [Adding Fragrance to the Red Sleeves - The Art of Tenderness]

When the target looks at the host, it will unconsciously experience a rapid heartbeat and blush.

Duration: Half a day.

Option 3 [Indestructible Armor]

Wear it close to the skin; it can protect against a fatal attack.

Gu Mingli's face went from rosy to ashen.

"...This system is malfunctioning."

His finger pointed to the third option.

"I choose protective armor. Physical defense is more practical."

Gu Mingyue slapped his hand away.

"elder brother."

"what?"

"Calm down."

"During the Emperor's birthday banquet, Consort Mei will lac the imperial food with aphrodisiacs. What we need to do is ensure that the Emperor does not touch any food or drink throughout the entire event."

"You're just a seventh-rank editor. At the Emperor's birthday banquet, you might not even be able to get close enough to see him. And even if you did, how could you possibly tell an Emperor not to eat or drink? Would you tell him, 'Your Majesty, there's poison in your food'?"

"You have to choose the charm spell."

Gu Mingli's lips twitched.

His molars were grinding together, making a crunching sound.

"Brother," Gu Mingyue's voice softened, "if Xue Ren dies, the 'Three Treatises on Epidemic Prevention and Control' will be lost. Two months later, the epidemic will break out, affecting 100,000 people."

The room remained quiet for a long time.

Gu Mingli clenched his fists on his knees.

Finally, he closed his eyes and, with trembling hands, clicked on the first option.

The light screen instantly exploded with pink heart-shaped effects.

Petals fluttered down from the screen, accompanied by a gentle guqin melody.

The system popped up a line of large, cursive characters:

[Congratulations, host, on acquiring this skill! We wish you success in winning the Emperor's favor and spending a wonderful night with him~]

Gu Mingli remained expressionless.

"roll."

……

On the evening of the birthday banquet.

The inner palace was brightly lit.

From the Meridian Gate to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there is a palace lantern every three steps, which is very impressive.

Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, filed into the hall in order of rank.

In the center of the main hall, a nine-dragon golden pillar stands tall and firm. The fragrance of ambergris rises gently from the imperial desk.

Emperor Xiao Ye sat high on the dragon throne, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a jade crown that bound his hair. His face was handsome yet imposing.

He rested one hand on the armrest and slowly swept his gaze over the assembled officials below.

King Xiao Jue of Qi sat on the lower right, dressed in a black brocade robe, his posture relaxed.

The two brothers exchanged a few words in hushed tones, their voices drowned out by the sounds of string and wind instruments in the hall, making it difficult for others to hear them clearly.

Xiao Jue's gaze inadvertently swept across the crowd and lingered for a moment on Gu Mingli's seat in the corner.

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Dishes from the imperial kitchen were brought out and laid out on the long table in a flowing stream. A dazzling array of delicacies.

If the emperor didn't touch his chopsticks, no one dared to touch them.

In the main hall, the music ceased, and the Vice Minister of Rites rose to preside over the presentation of the congratulatory gifts from the officials.

First came a long congratulatory message.

Gu Mingli's ears went numb from listening.

Next was the display of the selected congratulatory gifts.

"A birthday gift from Southern Xinjiang... a thousand-year-old blood coral ornament!"

Two eunuchs carried a blood-red coral tree, about half a person's height, into the palace.

The coral was flawless, its branches spreading out like deer antlers, and it gleamed with a warm luster under the candlelight.

The courtiers let out a murmur of praise.

The emperor glanced at it and nodded slightly.

……

One after another, rare and precious treasures were presented to the emperor.

The emperor's expression remained indifferent, occasionally raising his eyelids as if he were flipping through an old account book he had already read three times.

Xiao Jue downed the wine in his cup in one gulp and suddenly spoke.

"Brother Emperor."

Xiao Ye glanced sideways.

"I heard that Editor Gu of the Hanlin Academy personally painted a picture as a congratulatory gift this year, which shows his great thoughtfulness."

Xiao Jue spoke casually, as if he were just chatting about the weather.

"All the officials in the court are offering gifts of gold and jade, but this man alone expresses his feelings through calligraphy and painting. Shall we take a look?"

All eyes in the room immediately fell on Gu Mingli in the corner.

Gu Mingli's hand holding the wine glass stiffened for a moment.

What's going on?

Who ordered him?

He looked toward Xiao Jue, following the sound.

His Highness Prince Qi was looking at him with a smile, his eyes filled with an indescribable interest.

Gu Debai's eyes widened instantly, and a sense of foreboding suddenly welled up in his heart.

When did his son learn to draw?

But the emperor spoke up.

"Bring it here."

The Vice Minister of Rites quickly gave a signal. His subordinates scurried to a side hall and searched through the bottom corner of the gift box for the scroll that had been buried somewhere.

After a long while, the scroll was respectfully carried to the center of the main hall.

Two eunuchs stood on either side, slowly unfurling the scroll.

The courtiers craned their necks, eagerly awaiting the outcome.

The entire scroll was fully unrolled.

The main hall was silent.

On the white Xuan paper, there are several diagonal lines that look like they've been blown by the wind.

Besides.

There was nothing there.

Gu Debai spat out a mouthful of tea.

A suppressed rustling sound filled the main hall.

Some people were biting their lips, some were bowing their heads and pretending to wipe the table, and some were trembling.

The Minister of Personnel was so embarrassed by his laughter that his face turned bright red, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.

The Vice Minister of War turned his face directly to the pillar.

Emperor Xiao Ye's lips twitched twice.

He looked at the painting, then glanced at Gu Mingli in the corner, his expression subtle.

"Editor Gu."

The emperor's voice was not loud, but the entire hall instantly became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"Come forward."

Gu Mingli put down his wine glass and stood up.

He straightened his clothes and walked steadily to the center of the hall. His back was straight and his expression was calm.

The emperor sized him up and asked in a deep voice, "Explain this painting to me."

Gu Mingli cupped his hands in greeting, took a deep breath, and answered in a clear and steady voice.

"Your Majesty, the title of this painting is... 'Ten Thousand Horses Galloping'."

"puff--"

Someone sprayed the tea they were drinking directly onto the table.

Someone burst out laughing and then quickly covered their mouth, their face contorted in the process.

The people at the Censorate table had all bowed their heads, their shoulders shaking like sieves.

Even the usually stern-faced Left Prime Minister turned his face away.

The emperor looked at him coldly.

"Where's the horse?"

Gu Mingli remained expressionless and pointed to the painting.

"The thunder has passed."

The entire room fell silent.

King Xiao Jue of Qi trembled slightly. His lips were pressed tightly together, and his Adam's apple bobbed twice.

But in the end, he couldn't hold it in.

"Pfft—hahahaha—"

His Highness Prince Qi laughed out loud. "What a beautiful and evocative depiction of ten thousand horses galloping!"

King Qi dared to laugh, but his ministers did not.

Gu Mingli pondered for a moment and realized that this might be the closest he had ever been to the emperor.

If we don't use our skills, when will we?

[Alluring Beauty - Bewitching Spell] Activated!