MTL - The Empress’s Gigolo - Chapter 36 Consolation prize

Davies had just been transmigrated… but he wasn’t happy about it.After all, it was now his fifth life, fourth transmigration, the third time he’s been betrayed and murdered, his second…(oh well… no more lines)Davies: Hey! Where are my second and first times…Author: I already said I have no more lines, so shut up and let me finish the synopsis!…After realizing that he wasn’t destined to be a hero and after many run-ins with the “Fated Protagonists”, Davies totally abhors those crybabies that have their heavenly daddies spoon-feeding them with opportunities to be strong, especially at the expense of himself as he always ended up with the short end of the stick in all his lives.Davies is now in his fifth life, and now has a system that seems to target protagonists. Even though he doesn’t understand why he's been used as a steppingstone for the “fated ones” in all of his lives, or why he keeps on transmigrating, or even why the system is just finally showing up after all the transmigrations he’s been true…According to the system, he was on his last life but at least now with the system at his side to aid him against the protagonists, he can wreak havoc and have his revenge against the protagonists in this world and also find out who is messing with his life… is how the story should have gone, but…“What the hell is with this busted system…!!!???”

Adeline Donovan thought she had the perfect marriage and the perfect husband until the night she walked in on her husband, Theodore, tangled in the arms of his secretary. Humiliated, she takes her young son and returns to her grandfather’s estate.But running from her marriage doesn’t mean she can run from responsibilities. For years, Theodore had been managing her shares in her grandfather’s powerful business empire. Now, with the truth out, Adeline steps forward to claim what is rightfully hers.She demanded to be divorced but her grandfather gave her a challenge instead; to make a proposal to Darien Hawthorne—a rival tycoon with a reputation as cold as the empire he built.Darien is dangerous, a rumored international playboy, and everything Adeline should avoid.How hard could it be?Unfortunately for her, she breaks a bottle of wine on Darien’s head on the first day they meet while in a drunken state.What seems to be a simple, yet nerve-racking business arrangement forms into a dangerous turn of events when family members turn greedy, enemies close in, and Adeline has to fight her feelings for Darien.As her world unravels, only one question remains; will she choose to stand by Darien, or walk away from the man who has become both her greatest rival and her most undeniable desire?And Darien, would he be able to fight his desire for the woman he’s loved since his teenage years especially when he has to make a choice, Adeline or his family?

Xie Chaochao was originally the daughter of a wealthy family who was supposed to grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth.

Yet, her good fortune ended when she met her evil stepmother. When she was less than a year old, she was thrown into a ravine by her vicious stepmother and left to fend for herself!

However, a newly released murderer picked her up and brought her home. From then on, the two of them depended on each other for survival. Xie Chaochao grew up among the animals.

Tigers and snakes were all her friends.

In the eyes of outsiders, Xie Chaochao and her adoptive father, Xie Zhou, were a pair of weirdos. Everyone in the village avoided them.

Xie Chaochao, who did not know her background, grew up without any worries.

When she was five years old, she met a rich and knowledgeable old man and learned a lot from him. Even her adoptive father who was once a murderer became a business magnate. Xie Chaochao had become a true rich daughter, but it was at this time that Xie Chaochao’s family came knocking on her door.

When Xie Chaochao learned of the truth behind her mother’s death, she decided to return home and avenge her mother.

Afraid that the cat would be out of the bag, her evil stepmother tried to kill Xie Chaochao several times. However, Xie Chaochao was no longer the baby at her stepmother’s mercy like she once was.

She had Xie Zhou, her adoptive father who doted on her, and her military advisor grandfather with her this time! There was even a mysterious man who always helped her when she was in trouble…

Persona:

Xie Chaochao: Optimistic, kind, and smart

Gu Pei: A mysterious man who was mesmerized by Xie Chaochao’s ray of innocence

Ananya never expected death to bring her into another life.One moment, she was running her parents’ restaurant in the modern world.The next, she opened her eyes in silk robes, surrounded by hostile stares — the Queen Consort of the empire.But this body was cursed in everyone’s eyes.The Emperor loathed her.The mistress laughed at her.And the court whispered behind her back.Only she wasn’t truly alone.> “Finally, someone can see us!”“What kind of Queen Consort are you, so calm even with ghosts in your chamber?”“Shut up, Wei Rong, let her breathe. She looks like she’s about to faint.”Three ghosts — a stoic scholar, a brash general, and a mischievous noble girl — lingered at her side. They were invisible to all but her. And with them, she learned to survive the poisonous palace.When rumors spread that she was cursed, Ananya stood before the empire’s court.Instead of tears, she offered proof. Instead of fear, she offered dignity.> “If Heaven believes I am cursed, let the fire and smoke betray me. I will not hide.”And Heaven sided with her.Outside the palace, crises struck — starving soldiers, missing supplies, merchants growing fat from stolen grain. Inside, Lady Zhen, the Emperor’s favored mistress, grew bolder by the day, flaunting her beauty and mocking Ananya’s quiet grace.> “Sister, do you still dream of winning His Majesty’s heart? Look at you — plain, dull, unworthy.”“If simplicity is a crime, then let it be mine,” Ananya answered, unshaken.The Emperor indulged Lady Zhen openly… but in the silence of night, he tasted Ananya’s food, lingered at her table, and found himself unsettled by her calm.> “This is not palace fare,” he muttered.“It is lighter,” Ananya replied softly. “Easier to sleep after.”Step by step, conspiracy thickened. At a grand banquet, a poisoned cup was placed in Ananya’s hand. But a ghost’s laugh echoed in her ear — and the cup was swapped. A dancer collapsed instead.From that night on, the Emperor’s gaze changed. He began to notice the woman who never begged for favor, never fought for attention, yet always endured.Still, war brewed at the borders. Betrayals reached even the throne. Assassins crept through the palace halls. And the one person who seemed weakest became the calm at the center of the storm.Through whispered secrets, mischievous hauntings, and quiet resilience, Ananya carved her place in the empire.She would not simply survive.She would rise.And the Emperor who once despised her would one day whisper only her name.