The Darling of Heaven Owns a Rip-off Shop

”Because humans like things that are fresh and exciting.” Dong Xiao pondered aloud on the side.

”But some humans are nostalgic, and really devoted, too.” Kong Hou retorted, unconvinced.

”That’s why human nature is the most complicated.” Dong Xiao sighed.

”True, human nature has always been the most complicated. How did I forget that?” Kong Hou tapped her own head.

Stop tapping, tap any more and you’ll get even dumber. Dong Xiao secretly complained in his heart.

”That Emperor is actually pretty good.” Kong Hou continued watching the Heavenly Mechanism Mirror as she spoke.

Dong Xiao’s expression grew thoughtful, then he suddenly said out of nowhere, ”Kong Hou, don’t you think that even when the Host is on an immersive mission, she still unconsciously changes certain things?”

”What do you mean?” Kong Hou was puzzled.

”The real Miss Wei of this world wasn’t chubby when she was little. But after the Host entered on an immersive mission, it’s like she implanted some unconscious memories into the people of this world. That’s easy to explain, because it’s for better integration into this world and smoother completion of the mission. Human familial affection can really trump everything sometimes—no matter how good the act, they’ll still sense that this isn’t their real family member.” Dong Xiao explained.

Kong Hou thought for a bit, then gasped in realization. ”It really is like that.”

”That’s not actually what I wanted to talk about. I meant this Emperor.” Dong Xiao looked at the Emperor displayed in the Heavenly Mechanism Mirror, who was currently scolding Prince Kang, and spoke in a low voice.

”What about this Emperor? Is there something off about him? I think he’s great—he really stands up for the Host.” Kong Hou was even more confused.

”It’s precisely because he’s too protective of the Host that something’s off.” Dong Xiao frowned. ”It’s not just humans—every living being values kinship. This Emperor treats Prince Kang extremely well, so he had Prince Kang marry the Prime Minister Wei’s granddaughter. That was his way of valuing, loving, and supporting Prince Kang. Even when Prince Kang ignored the Wei Family and the Princess’s feelings and insisted on marrying the Concubine Qin, whom humans consider too low-class to ever be presentable, the Emperor only tried to dissuade him, but didn’t scold him or lose his temper.”

Kong Hou blinked, recalled the past, then looked at the Heavenly Mechanism Mirror and muttered, ”And now, the Emperor has scolded Prince Kang like a dog...”

”The contrast between before and after is way too drastic. And the difference started showing after the Host became Princess Kang.” Dong Xiao concluded.

”So this Emperor really does have a problem?” Kong Hou frowned as she looked at the Emperor in the Heavenly Mechanism Mirror and asked.

”We can’t be sure yet. It’s also possible that the Host’s aura has influenced his preferences. Even though the Host loses her memories when she’s on an immersive mission, the ’Heaven and Earth as One’ aura on her still affects others. All living beings will naturally like this kind of aura; it’s similar to the aura of their mother body.” Dong Xiao continued.

”Right, in the last world the Host was just a little radish spirit, but that harsh Queen Mother inexplicably liked her.” Kong Hou nodded vigorously.

”So for now it’s just my suspicion. Let’s keep watching.” Dong Xiao said.

...

In the end, it was Princess Kang and Prince Kang who went into the palace to offer birthday congratulations. Concubine Qin had been kicked unconscious by that one kick. Although the injury wasn’t too serious, she felt she had suffered an unbearable humiliation, so she lay in bed all day long, flying into a temper at the slightest thing, venting all the stifled anger in her heart on the little maid who brought her medicine. The maid who cared for her was miserable inside, but didn’t dare show the slightest hint of it, only daring to curse her silently in her heart.