PTCQT Chapter 32

Shen Chun’s gaze was steady, while Feng Feibai’s eyes flitted nervously, unwilling to meet his. “I… was overthinking,” he admitted.

It wasn’t overthinking on his part; he had simply misjudged. Once this man had given his word, he had no intention of breaking it.

“Only overthinking? If I truly wanted to leave, Your Majesty, what would you do?” Shen Chun asked.

Feng Feibai grasped his wrist, guilt surfacing in his eyes. “I would keep you here in the palace. If you were angry, I’d accept whatever punishment you wished.”

He had been in the wrong; he was ready to bear the consequences.

The warmth of his wrist pressed against him, and Shen Chun’s fingers slowly brushed over the emperor’s cheek. The ruby ring he wore felt slightly cool, making Feng Feibai swallow hard against his own rising desire. “This… was Your Majesty’s own promise.”

With a firm grip, Shen Chun lifted the emperor from his throne. Instinctively, Feng Feibai wrapped his arms around Shen Chun’s shoulders, but the emperor’s crown was heavy, and it tumbled along with him, clattering loudly against the dragon chair.

“What is Your Majesty’s command?” the chief eunuch called from outside, having heard the noise.

Feng Feibai steadied his breath. “It’s nothing. No need to disturb us.”

Quiet returned to the outside. Feng Feibai steadied Shen Chun by the shoulders and said, “Put me down.”

He was a man, how could he allow himself to act so like a woman?

Yet the grip at his waist made it impossible to break free.

Shen Chun smiled faintly, lifting him up and carrying him toward the bedchamber.

“Shen Chun!” Feng Feibai’s expression tensed.

“Is Your Majesty afraid?” Shen Chun asked with a teasing smile. “If you are…”

“I am not afraid, of course, but…” Feng Feibai didn’t know how to put it into words. He understood perfectly well what that look in the man’s eyes meant.

This man wanted him, he understood that clearly. Yet when he looked at those paintings, he had never imagined he would be the one being lifted.

“Your Majesty, some things depend on one’s own skill,” Shen Chun said, placing him on the dragon bed. His fingers brushed against Feng Feibai’s lips as he smiled. “What you wish to do… you have to fight for yourself.”

As the bed curtains fell, Shen Chun pressed his lips to his. Feng Feibai held onto his shoulders, but his grip gradually loosened.

Outside the hall, the guards were on high alert, yet they had received no order from the emperor to enter. A young eunuch whispered nervously, “Your Majesty… nothing has happened, has it?”

“Nothing has happened,” Jinrong replied firmly, standing his ground. “Do not speculate recklessly.”

Earlier, the emperor’s tone had been unusually calm, clearly, he had resolved the knot with the prince. The impatience of those waiting outside might have been unnecessary; perhaps the two were simply lost in each other’s feelings.

“Yes,” the young eunuch replied.

As the sun dipped toward the west, a carriage remained parked for a long while outside the palace gates. The young attendant grew restless, kicking at the fallen leaves beneath his feet. “Master Xiang, it’s almost dark,” he called toward the carriage.

“How are things inside the palace?” Dou Yun’s voice came from within.

“Nothing unusual… just still surrounded,” the attendant replied.

A heaviness settled in Dou Yun’s chest. After such a long time without emerging, perhaps everything had already been settled. He rolled up the carriage window and looked toward the palace gates. The setting sun hung low, a blood-red glow bathing the palace in crimson light, majestic and towering, yet leaving no path for escape.

Even someone so dazzling and extraordinary could not withstand the will of an emperor’s heart.

“Let’s go back,” Dou Yun sighed.

That day, Prince Yi had called him a confidant… if only he had truly been one.

Today, it was Prince Yi… tomorrow, who knew whose turn it would be.

When the doors of the hall were opened from within, all the eunuchs and guards immediately went on alert. Jinrong cautiously glanced inside, and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of Shen Chun. “Your Highness.”

“Bring in some hot water,” Shen Chun’s voice carried a trace of laziness and satisfaction.

“Ah?” Even Jinrong was taken aback. But when he caught sight of the robe casually draped over Shen Chun’s shoulders through the crack in the door, he hurriedly dropped to his knees. “Yes, Your Highness.”

So this was the end of their two-year pact, but why was it the prince who had come… No, he couldn’t think about that.

Hot water was hastily brought in. After dismissing everyone, Shen Chun cleaned the person asleep on the bed, changed all the bedding, and carefully laid him back on the couch.

The movements were gentle, but the one who had been sleeping stirred slightly, half-awake. Shen Chun considered this, then climbed onto the bed and held him from behind. “Sleep a little longer, Your Majesty,” he murmured.

His voice was soft. Instinctively, Feng Feibai gripped the hand resting at his waist, and his breathing slowly returned to calm.

After days of exhausting troop deployments in the capital, and a recent bout of closeness, it was no wonder he felt so sleepy now that his mind was finally at ease.

Shen Chun propped himself up and lay beside him. The emperor’s dark hair fanned out in gentle waves, some strands pressed beneath his head, others spilling across the bed. Wearing only his inner robes, he slept in complete relaxation, the corners of his eyes tinged with a faint, moist pink, looking entirely harmless.

Shen Chun’s fingers traced the playful strand of hair that curled toward his cheek and lips, sliding over his earlobe and resting just behind it.

The area behind the earlobe was almost never noticed. The emperor, usually clad in formal robes and crown, rarely allowed anyone to truly observe his face, let alone the area behind his ears.

But now, the small vermilion mole behind his earlobe was so bright it was impossible to ignore.

“How interesting,” Shen Chun murmured with a smile, pressing a quick kiss to it.

The one who had been asleep instinctively drew back his neck, and Shen Chun soothed him along the back, calming his reaction.

A special mission, indeed…

By the time Feng Feibai was fully awake, the dragon bedchamber was enveloped in darkness, with only the faint glow of candles from outside seeping in. He shifted slightly, only to find their fingers intertwined. Warm breath brushed against the back of his ear. “Your Majesty… awake?”

Everything that had happened before flashed through his mind at that single voice. Feng Feibai tightened his fingers, but instead of pulling away, he held onto Shen Chun’s hand.

The breathing behind him paused for a moment, then a low chuckle followed: “And now you’re nervous? Too late for that.”

“When was I ever nervous?” Feng Feibai’s chest burned, though he refused to admit it aloud. He laced their hands together, gently rolling over to face Shen Chun directly.

The man wore only his inner robe, the collar loosened from the movement, revealing a long, elegant neck. He looked languid and casual, yet entirely noble and dignified.

Though he was now in a submissive position, from this moment on, this man belonged solely to him.

Feng Feibai held his breath, leaning in to press a kiss at the corner of his eye. He loved this man’s eyes the most, passionate yet tender, each glance capable of drowning him entirely.

“Does your body feel uncomfortable anywhere?” Shen Chun asked, naturally wrapping his arms around Feng Feibai’s waist.

Feng Feibai shook his head. “No.”

There was no dampness of sweat, nor any part of him that felt uncomfortable. Instead, he felt warm and dry, as if he could stay like this forever.

“Since Your Majesty is awake, I should take my leave,” Shen Chun said softly.

“Where are you going?” Feng Feibai instinctively grabbed the collar of his robe. “You’ve been busy all night, rest now and go back tomorrow.”

“If I were to spend the night here, how do you think the court officials would interpret it?” Shen Chun teased, pinching his cheek.

If one were merely powerful enough to threaten the throne, they were a minister of authority. If one flattered the emperor and disturbed the balance of the harem, they were a treacherous courtier.

“But this matter can’t be hidden forever,” Feng Feibai said, holding Shen Chun’s waist and looking up at him. “You’ve taken advantage of me, so naturally you must take responsibility.”

Shen Chun couldn’t help but smile. “For Your Majesty, I would gladly be called a treacherous courtier. But if I do not return before midnight, there may be bloodshed.”

Simply sending out a token would not suffice; someone as stubborn as Liang Wendong recognized people, not objects. Yet for a general, that was a good thing.

Feng Feibai suddenly understood his meaning. He gripped the back of Shen Chun’s robe tightly. “You still have arrangements to make before entering the palace?”

If he were not seen by midnight, those outside the palace would naturally come in to rescue him. He didn’t know Shen Chun’s troop deployments, but whatever gave him such confidence clearly made breaching the palace walls seem effortless.

Shen Chun said nothing, but he did not deny it either. Feng Feibai pressed his lips together, a faint bitterness rising in his chest. “You… were guarding against me?”

“Isn’t Your Majesty’s heavy guard also stationed against me?” Shen Chun replied.

Feng Feibai instantly lost his footing. “But…”

“Before, it was my fault for not trusting you. I was wrong. Let’s call it even, shall we?” Shen Chun lowered his head and asked softly.

Feng Feibai knew that before, they had been on guard against each other. He had arranged the palace banquet, so it was natural that this man hadn’t fully trusted him. “I will never do that again,” he promised.

“Nor will I,” Shen Chun replied, pressing a kiss to him before rising. Yet he felt the fabric of his robe tighten. Turning, he saw that the emperor was still gripping the corner of it, unwilling to let go.

Noticing his gaze, Feng Feibai’s eyes softened. “Stay a moment longer.”

Even holding each other in sleep wasn’t enough. Now that he was about to leave, the emperor shouldn’t indulge in love, but they had promised each other a lifetime, and letting go was simply impossible.

The candlelight was dim, yet the emperor’s eyes shone brightly. Lying there so harmlessly, they glimmered with unshed tears and a silent plea that even he hadn’t realized he was making. Like a small, helpless animal, they seemed to demand that if one didn’t grant his wish, it would be a crime of the gravest kind.

Shen Chun’s fingers traced the corner of his eye as he smiled. “Your Majesty mustn’t look at anyone else with these eyes in the future.”

“What?” Feng Feibai asked, confused.

“Being looked at by Your Majesty like this… I would gladly give my life,” Shen Chun said, taking Feng Feibai’s hand. He removed the ring from his own finger and slipped it onto the emperor’s. “I cannot stay tonight, so let this accompany Your Majesty instead.”

That ring had been on his hand for two years. Though the jade was cold, it still carried Shen Chun’s warmth. Feng Feibai was not unreasonable, yet with Shen Chun gone, the hall felt vast and dark, leaving him utterly empty.

But now… Feng Feibai looked at the ruby ring and asked, “When will I get it back?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Shen Chun replied with a smile.

Just one night of sleep, and tomorrow they would see each other again. Feng Feibai looked at him. “Then you should return early and rest.”

“All right,” Shen Chun smiled.

He dressed and tidied himself, his long hair bound up, returning to his usual appearance. Feng Feibai watched from the bed, fingers twisting the ruby ring, unable to tear his gaze away from him.

He loved this man’s languid, relaxed look, and he loved him adorned in formal robes. Every expression was etched into his heart.

Shen Chun adjusted his sleeves and walked to the bedside, leaning down to kiss the emperor’s expectant face. “I will be going now.”

“Mm, take this with you,” Feng Feibai said, placing the waist token into his hand. “Be careful when you leave the palace.”

“All right,” Shen Chun replied, rising and departing.

The hall doors opened and closed behind him. His footsteps were light, and after a few steps, he vanished. With only a few candles burning, the hall felt dim and empty. Feng Feibai lay back on the bed, hand resting near his face, gazing at the ruby ring, and a soft smile curved across his lips.

So this was what it felt like to be cherished by someone so devoted.

Such sweetness was intoxicating, pulling one in so deeply there was no escape.

Shen Chun moved through the night. The passing guards recognized him at once, though they hesitated for a moment, unsure how to react, until they saw the waist token. After saluting, they made way.

The palace gates were now in sight. Shen Chun asked, [Little cutie, what do you know about the special mission of the Fate Severance Group?]

He had undertaken special missions before, but never in this particular unit. Special missions varied too much to generalize.

The Origin World did not allow just anyone to traverse freely. Aside from assigned operatives, most who could cross over were doing so as part of a trade. If someone entered a temporal-spatial anomaly on their own, it would be classified as a bug.

He could be certain that Feng Feibai had no other chaotic memories, so it was possible this had been arranged by the Origin World itself.

[I’ll check,] 521 reported. [The Fate Severance Group rarely handles special missions. This world is outside the control of the Origin World, so it is classified as a special mission.]

The first time it worked with its host, it was during a special mission. Its host really was the best!

[I see…] Shen Chun paused for a moment, smiling softly. [Thank you, little cutie. You’ve been a great help.]

[I’m just glad I could help my host!] 521 replied cheerfully.

Since this was outside the control of the Origin World, it was very likely not arranged by them.

So… what exactly was it?

[Host, are you suspecting it’s the same person?] 521 asked, having noticed the vermilion mole as well.

[What does it matter if it’s the same person or not?] Shen Chun said with a smile.

[Oh!] 521 flipped through its notes. [As long as they’re good-looking, that’s enough. Don’t be greedy.]

Shen Chun chuckled. [Promising pupil.]

The same soul, possessing different memories, was still a different person. He only cared about the one in front of him.

As for bugs…

Guessing wildly served no purpose. Shen Chun withdrew his thoughts and climbed into the carriage waiting outside the palace. Some mysteries could only be unraveled bit by bit.

The palace was under lockdown. Prince Yi had been summoned inside, and it seemed a major upheaval was imminent. Yet no news came from within, leaving the ministers and their families anxious and speculating, fearing the worst. The cautious Prince Yi now seemed on the verge of a misstep.

The court shared such worries, which made the shock on the following morning all the greater. When they saw him seated safely on the high left-side throne, no one could hide their astonishment.

The ordinary ministers managed to keep their composure, but the senior ministers were so stunned that they repeatedly wiped their eyes, afraid they had seen incorrectly.

Dou Yun stood on the right, holding his tablet to conceal the unusual color in his face. Completely unscathed? Could it have been the emperor who was injured instead?

Yet when the emperor attended court, there was no change at all. It was as if the lockdown of the past few days had never happened, and even his demeanor seemed slightly gentler than usual.

The situation was strange, truly unfathomable to the ministers.

Not all court discussions concerned the people’s welfare; matters such as impeaching officials or ceremonial protocol arose from time to time. While the ministers cited classics and precedents, Feng Feibai’s gaze shifted, passing through Liu Yu to focus on the figure on the right.

He hadn’t slept well through the night, or perhaps he had slept too much during the day. Though he fell asleep, he was always dreaming of something, and before dawn he was already awake, turning and tossing, almost counting the hours until court.

He had once looked forward to seeing this person, but never with the urgency he felt now.

Feng Feibai rubbed the ring between his fingers, yet his gaze remained fixed on Shen Chun’s hand resting against his cheek. Shen Chun was clearly listening attentively to the ministers, not once glancing at him.

Matters of protocol had their own rules, yet ministers liked to fuss over trivialities. For example, a ribbon tinged with red could be deemed transgressive, and the debate over pure red versus coral red could take up a considerable amount of time. Feng Feibai found it tedious, thinking to himself: could such trivialities really be more interesting than Shen Chun?

As he was lost in thought, their eyes met. Shen Chun’s gaze was pointed and playful; Feng Feibai’s heart skipped a beat. It felt as if he’d been caught, and he quickly withdrew his eyes, silently grateful for Liu Yu’s presence to shield him, no minister could glimpse his expression.

“Your Majesty, Your Highness, we await your judgment on this matter,” the senior minister said, his voice firm and commanding.

Protocol dictated that blatant transgressions could not be tolerated, yet occasional inadvertent mistakes were not punishable with severity, light reprimand sufficed. Shen Chun looked at the gathered ministers and smiled. “I am by no means fully versed in protocol. Let Your Majesty’s wise judgment decide.”

The responsibility was tossed to Feng Feibai, yet he could not catch it. He had been daydreaming through the ministers’ tedious explanations, and now that the decision rested on him, he could not speak carelessly.

Feng Feibai’s gaze flicked to the corner of Shen Chun’s lips, noting the playful smile, he knew perfectly well it was intentional.

The court fell silent, all waiting for Feng Feibai to speak. As a wise emperor, he naturally could not openly ask the ministers to repeat what they had just said, both to avoid appearing inattentive and because listening a second time would be agonizing.

Feng Feibai looked at Shen Chun, recalling what he had said yesterday, and a pleading note appeared in his eyes.

Shen Chun raised a brow, the smile on his lips deepening. “Your Majesty does not favor severe punishment either?”

He had given him a way out. Feng Feibai took the cue. “Indeed, that is so.”

“Then a light reprimand shall suffice. If there is a repeat offense, the full penalty will be enforced,” Shen Chun said.

With the decision made, the ministers all bowed and withdrew.

During court sessions, ministers could not freely gaze upon the emperor’s face. Dou Yun usually observed this etiquette strictly, but after yesterday’s events, he could not help stealing a few glances at Shen Chun and the emperor.

Yet those few glances made his heart skip. Something felt off, though he could not immediately pinpoint what it was.

After court, the ministers departed. Dou Yun reached the palace gates and glanced back at the two seated on the high throne. The feelings that had stirred earlier became even clearer. Before he could fully make sense of them, their eyes met, Shen Chun was looking straight at him.

He always wore a smile, yet the emotion behind it sent a chill down Dou Yun’s spine. He could only bow quickly and leave with his attendants.

“What were you looking at?” Feng Feibai asked him.

“Nothing,” Shen Chun replied with a smile as he stood. “I was just thinking, if the ministers knew, there would be no shortage of those banging their heads against the pillars.”

Affairs of the heart among close confidants rarely became public knowledge, but if such a thing involved the emperor, and he might even remain unmarried because of it, the ministers would not stop discussing it until it caused a major uproar. Throughout history, there had been many who dashed themselves against the pillars over such matters. Whether they survived or not, the emperor’s reputation would always take a hit; those called tyrants were far from few.

Prime Minister Dou Yun was stubborn; he would surely lead the opposition.

Feng Feibai had anticipated this outcome when he made the agreement with Shen Chun. Rising, he removed the ring from his own hand and placed it back on Shen Chun’s. “Prince Yi is willing to be called a treacherous courtier for me. And if I become a tyrant for him, why should that be wrong?”

In his heart, Shen Chun mattered more than the throne itself. Naturally, he would protect him, just as Shen Chun had protected him when they were young.

In that instant, Shen Chun thought of Mi Zixi. The emperor’s feelings were no different from any other person’s; it was normal for passion to fade and love to waver. But Feng Feibai’s sincerity now was undeniable, and as long as he remained faithful, Shen Chun would never betray him in return.

Shen Chun smiled and took Feng Feibai’s hand. “I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

“Then we shall eat together,” Feng Feibai said, turning his hand to hold Shen Chun’s.

The two walked out together. Though their joined hands were hidden beneath their sleeves, the guards waiting were not blind. The young eunuchs gaped, and Jinrong, observing the emperor’s expression, bowed his head. “Your Majesty, the carriage is ready!”

Shen Chun had not specially instructed that this be kept secret, and the matter quietly spread throughout the palace. Even so, though rumors circulated, most people did not believe it. Prince Yi had held power for many years, no one could imagine the emperor and him sharing such intimacy.

“Could it be that Prince Yi used some leverage to coerce His Majesty?”

“How is that possible? His Majesty sits on the Nine-Supreme Throne, would he really become the Prince’s favored consort?”

“This matter must not be spoken of. If it spreads, neither of us will live to see another day.”

“…”

Even if nothing was said openly, rumors circulated quietly. Whispers had a way of reaching other ears.

“I will choose a good time to tell my mother about us,” Feng Feibai said, sitting in Shen Chun’s arms.

“There’s no need to rush this,” Shen Chun replied, holding his hand with a smile. “Your Majesty, be careful, don’t let your brush stray.”

No sooner had he spoken than Feng Feibai’s fingers paused. On the canvas, the area that should have been sketched lightly was marked with a heavy stroke. “It’s crooked,” he muttered.

His tone held a trace of frustration. Shen Chun glanced at the marked area and said with a smile, “It seems we can only draw a rock here.”

“Indeed,” Feng Feibai replied after a moment’s thought. He lowered his head to continue sketching, but when Shen Chun kissed the side of his face, his brush pressed harder. He turned to look at Shen Chun, his earlobes tinged pink. “What are you doing?”

“I think it would be better to draw a tree,” Shen Chun said, smiling at the thick stroke.

“Then I’ll draw a tree,” Feng Feibai said, reconsidering. Just as he was about to begin, he looked up at Shen Chun. “You mustn’t disturb me again.”

If he made another mistake, he feared he would have to draw a mountain.

“I just think Your Majesty looks especially adorable when focused,” Shen Chun said, pinching his earlobe gently. “It makes it impossible for me to restrain myself.”

“Let’s finish the drawing tomorrow,” Feng Feibai said, putting down his brush. He wrapped his arms around Shen Chun’s neck and kissed him.

When two people were so deeply in love, it wasn’t just Shen Chun who could no longer restrain himself.

As their lips parted, Feng Feibai’s breathing grew slightly heavier. He lifted his eyes to Shen Chun. “You, my dear, are remarkably skilled.”

Whenever they were intimate, he always thought of what he had read in books. But the man before him was consummately practiced, rendering all his learned knowledge useless.

The thought of where Shen Chun had once practiced on some other beauty made Feng Feibai’s heart ache.

“It seems this drawing will have to be painted entirely black,” Shen Chun said, lifting him from the imperial desk and raising his hand.

The ink on the paper hadn’t yet dried. Feng Feibai rubbed his palm across it, and indeed, the page was a solid black; it had likely stained his clothing as well.

But Feng Feibai cared little for that. He withdrew his hand. “Why didn’t you answer what I asked before?”

“I am naturally gifted,” Shen Chun replied with a smile. “I feared it might shatter Your Majesty’s confidence.”

What had happened before was already in the past. Sometimes, well-intentioned lies were necessary, and sometimes, they weren’t really lies at all.

“Naturally gifted?” Feng Feibai asked. “Have you not been close to other beauties before?”

“Other beauties?” Shen Chun looked puzzled.

“The ones sent to your residence,” Feng Feibai said, his chest tightening with a bitter pang. Though they had all been sent away, he imagined there must have been some fleeting fondness at the time. “Do you dare say you never touched any of them?”

“I truly did not,” Shen Chun said, smiling at him. “Not a single one.”

Feng Feibai froze for a moment, then his heart leapt with joy. “Really?”

“Truly,” Shen Chun said. “If Your Majesty doubts me, you can ask Liang Wendong. He is loyal, but his tongue is easy to loosen.”

Feng Feibai accepted this. For Shen Chun to be so honest meant that there truly had been no one else.

Yet twenty-eight years without closeness to another person had to have a reason. Feng Feibai hesitated slightly, then asked, “Since you say so, I naturally believe you. But why have you never grown close to anyone else?”

His eyes unconsciously flicked downward. Shen Chun lifted his chin. “Your Majesty knows this better than anyone, doesn’t he?”

Feng Feibai’s face flushed crimson, and Shen Chun added, “Or perhaps Your Majesty would like to try now?”

“I know my mistake,” Feng Feibai said, looking at him. “If it’s not for that reason, then why?”

“Because I have never found anyone worthy to stand by my side,” Shen Chun said, lowering his gaze. “Without Your Majesty, perhaps no one would ever stand there for me in my life.”

Feng Feibai froze at his words. After a long moment, he murmured, “How fortunate I am…”

He was unafraid of letting the ministers know, for this was a matter of his own heart, his only indulgence. The only one he feared telling was his mother. She was advanced in years, and a fright might bring dire consequences. Still, the matter had to be spoken of; moved by emotion, guided by reason, it would eventually be brought into the open.

The only person he could not bear to deceive was his mother.

…

Rumors in the palace spread quickly. There were only so many people, someone whispers to you, you to another, and soon everyone knows.

The head palace maid hurried into Taikang Palace and, seeing the Empress Dowager sewing, quickly said, “Your Majesty, do less needlework, be careful with your eyes.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll finish soon,” the Empress Dowager replied with a smile. “It doesn’t trouble me.”

“The Emperor’s clothes are made by the palace embroiderers; there’s no shortage of garments,” the head maid said.

“Embroiderers are embroiderers. How could they compare to a mother?” the Empress Dowager said, looking up. “Ever since Feibai was little, most of his clothes were made by me. He finds them comfortable. I don’t have many years left; while I still can, I want my son to be as comfortable as possible.”

“Your Majesty, what are you saying? You still have many years ahead of you,” the maid said.

“Enough, no need to flatter me,” the Empress Dowager replied. “Weren’t you sent to gather news? It seems things in the palace have been rather lively lately?”

The head palace maid hesitated, unable to speak at once. “Your Majesty…”

“What grand scene haven’t I witnessed?” the Empress Dowager said, looking up at her. “Just tell me. I can endure it.”

A child without a mother is always pitiful. Even for her son, she would endure a few more years.

The head palace maid sighed. “Your Majesty, please don’t take it to heart, or it would be my fault.”

“Speak,” the Empress Dowager said.

“It concerns His Majesty and Prince Yi,” the head maid said.

“Has Prince Yi been oppressing him?” the Empress Dowager asked cautiously.

The head palace maid shook her head. “Rumor in the palace has it that Prince Yi and His Majesty… have been engaged in the ‘cut sleeve and shared peach’ affair.”

After speaking, she lowered her head deeply. The Empress Dowager’s hand paused, a sharp sting running through her finger, and a drop of blood seeped out.

“Your Majesty, be careful with your health,” the maid hurriedly said, removing the needle and applying ointment. “Rumors are just rumors, they may not be true.”

“It’s nothing,” the Empress Dowager waved her hand. She lowered her gaze to the cloth specked with the drop of blood. “Rumors do not arise from nothing.”

‘Cut sleeve and shared peach’… could it be that Prince Yi coerced him?

But although that man held power firmly, he was not the type to oppress others. Back then, when he said he would teach His Majesty martial arts, he had done so with genuine care.

Or… perhaps it was a form of guidance?

Everything was mere speculation. While rumors rarely arise from nothing, the details must be clarified before any judgment is made.

“And Your Majesty, what do you intend to do now?” the maid asked.

“I will see Prince Yi,” the Empress Dowager said, rising. She picked up the scissors from the nearby embroidery basket and slipped them into her sleeve.

“Your Majesty, what are you doing?” the maid hurriedly tried to snatch the scissors away.

“If he truly led my son astray, what harm would it do for me to sacrifice myself and bring him down with me?” the Empress Dowager said, taking a deep breath. “Go and find out where Prince Yi is. I will see him now.”

“Your Majesty, this isn’t the time. Prince Yi is currently in the Imperial Study discussing matters with His Majesty,” the head palace maid said.

“Then I will see him now,” the Empress Dowager said, closing her eyes.

The afternoon sun was harsh, even the guards on duty looked listless. The Empress Dowager’s procession hurried along, and as her sedan chair touched the ground, Jinrong quickly stepped forward, intending to announce her arrival. But the Empress Dowager stopped him.

“Is Prince Yi with His Majesty inside?” she asked.

“Your Majesty, Prince Yi is indeed discussing important matters with His Majesty. Shall I announce your arrival?” Jin Rong said.

“No need. Step back,” the Empress Dowager replied. As she descended the steps from her sedan chair, a flicker of hesitation crossed her mind, yet she still approached the door and peered inside through the crack.

Observing this, Jinrong’s expression changed. He felt a surge of anxiety, but when he tried to step forward, the palace maid blocked his path.

Outside the Imperial Study, the heat was stifling. The Empress Dowager peered through the crack in the door and felt her heart drop.

At the side of the imperial desk, two equally remarkable men sat together. It was a scene of exquisite beauty, yet Shen Chun’s hand was holding the emperor’s chin, while his other hand gently wiped the tip of his nose with a cloth.

If the emperor had resisted, it might have been different. But he allowed Shen Chun to touch his face, his gaze toward the other man filled with a tenderness rarely seen.

As someone who had experienced such things before, the Empress Dowager naturally understood the look in one person’s eyes when they loved another with all their heart.

She had always thought her son was merely close to Shen Chun, but now, only just, did she realize the truth.

The Empress Dowager stepped back two paces. Inside, the emperor seemed to notice: “Who’s there?”

Supported by her attendants, she still worried about being discovered, when another soft voice said, “Who would be outside in this heat? Jinrong is standing guard.”

“But… I thought I heard something just now…” Feng Feibai’s voice was faint.

“Be good, Your Majesty. There’s still ink on your nose, if someone sees you like this, how would that look?” Shen Chun said with a gentle smile.

“This is all your fault…”

Their words carried no trace of hostility, only an easy, intimate warmth.

The Empress Dowager dared not listen any further. She was hastily helped away, and only when they reached a shaded corridor did she finally stop.

“Your Majesty, please don’t get upset,” the maidservant murmured, gently patting her back. “It will only harm your health.”

“I am not angry. I can endure it,” the Empress Dowager said, exhaling slowly. “Go watch, if Prince Yi comes out, have him meet me…”

“Your Majesty need not wait. I have already come,” Shen Chun’s voice came from nearby. To the Empress Dowager, it sounded just like it had all those years ago, back when she and her son were isolated and alone.

She looked over, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Shen Chun. Years had passed, yet he was still as bold as ever. Even though she had seen many people, she had to admit that Shen Chun’s appearance was truly captivating, so much so that countless women who had only seen him once had become enamored.

But of all people, why did it have to be her son?

“You knew I had come,” the Empress Dowager said.

If she hadn’t heard it, how could she have arrived at just the right moment?

“I heard, and I feared Your Majesty would grow anxious in the heat. I made an excuse to His Majesty and came out,” Shen Chun said as he approached.

“What is there for you to explain?” the Empress Dowager’s expression was icy.

“I came out for this very reason,” Shen Chun said with a smile. “But this isn’t the place to talk. Could we go somewhere else?”

“Very well,” the Empress Dowager agreed.

In a pavilion within the Imperial Garden, the attendants stepped back, leaving them alone. The Empress Dowager sat to one side, her expression stern. “What is it you wish to say, Prince Yi?”

“Words can wait,” Shen Chun said, extending his hand. “But first, may I have the scissors from your sleeve, so you don’t hurt yourself and make His Majesty worry?”

The Empress Dowager’s fingers curled slightly. Then, as if hearing something extremely amusing, she exclaimed, “You’re worried he’ll be upset?!”

“Of course. His Majesty has only you as a close family member in the capital. If you were to get hurt, what would become of him?” Shen Chun said gently.

The Empress Dowager had been fearing precisely that; if she were gone, her child would be inconsolable.

Thinking of this, she retrieved the scissors from her sleeve and pushed them toward Shen Chun. “Prince Yi, you truly observe everything with care.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty,” Shen Chun said with a smile as he took the scissors. “In all these years, this is the first time Your Majesty has shown such a stern expression toward me.”

The Empress, later the Empress Dowager, had once needed to protect herself and never revealed her sharpness in his presence. But now, as a mother, she was fierce, wishing she could even die alongside him.

“What exactly have you done to my son?” the Empress Dowager asked, her gaze fixed on Shen Chun as she summoned her composure. “Did you take advantage of him when he was young, lead him astray?!”

“Never,” Shen Chun replied. “I would not stoop to such a thing.”

“You truly are a gentleman, Prince Yi,” the Empress Dowager said, her tension easing slightly. “Then… when did it start? How did His Majesty end up with you?”

“After the Empress Dowager’s banquet two years ago, His Majesty and I made a pact for two years. If, after two years, His Majesty could seize half of my power, I would grant him my life,” Shen Chun said with a smile.

“W-What?” The Empress Dowager was momentarily bewildered.

“Your Majesty need not concern yourself with the details,” Shen Chun said with a smile. “All that matters is that His Majesty and I are mutually fond of each other.”

“Mutually fond…” The Empress Dowager’s eyes were complex as she looked at him. “You are willing to enter his harem?”

Even though she cherished her son, the Empress Dowager could not deny that letting Shen Chun share the Emperor’s attention with others felt like a kind of humiliation.

“Do I seem like someone who would compromise and settle for less?” Shen Chun said.

“Then what do you mean?” The Empress Dowager felt a sudden unease.

“One lifetime, one pair—there will be no one else,” Shen Chun said, meeting her gaze.

The Empress Dowager’s breath caught. “His Majesty… agreed to this?!”

No wonder, no wonder Feibai refused to select a consort, and why he would not grow close to other women.

“Your Majesty, please do not be upset. Hear me out before making a decision,” Shen Chun said. “If, after I speak, you still believe it would be better for me to leave His Majesty, I am willing to part ways.”

“Truly?” the Empress Dowager asked, looking at him.

“Truly,” Shen Chun said with a small smile. “Your Majesty has lived through it all, you know the ins and outs of palace life. For an emperor, one word can command the loyalty of all ministers, yet there are countless constraints. To maintain balance in court, he must marry women from prominent families. Even if he has someone he loves, to avoid scandal, he must divide his attention. Rather than saying the women serve the emperor, one could just as easily say the emperor serves the women.”

Shen Chun paused, and the Empress Dowager, meeting his gaze, turned her head away. “But as an emperor, this is how it must be.”

“And as a mother, are you willing to see your child live this way?” Shen Chun asked. Seeing her remain silent, he continued, “The late emperor had many sons. There was the crown prince, and countless grown princes. The throne was not meant for His Majesty. Back then, Your Majesty likely only wished for him to live a prosperous life, which is why he was so doted upon. But when the palace upheaval came, the late emperor’s sons were nearly wiped out. His Majesty had no choice but to ascend the throne. Talents could not be displayed, sufferings could not be spoken of, and he had to remain cautious, reserved, and wary. Even in childhood, he could not express joy as other children did. Is this what you, as a mother, wished for?”

“What are you trying to say?” the Empress Dowager asked, looking at him.

“When he was young, he had to uphold both his own honor and that of the imperial clan, to secure the throne, and exhaust himself day after day. Now that he has finally grown, gained power and status, no longer bound by others, does Your Majesty still wish him to lose the one he loves, to navigate among a horde of indifferent women?” Shen Chun asked.

The Empress Dowager’s lips trembled. Just as Shen Chun had said, she had once only hoped that her youngest son would live a peaceful and happy life. But reaching this point, so much is beyond her control.

The imperial throne is no place of ease. Even the late emperor, in his youth, endured endless toil. Though his words seemed unopposed, no one could decide matters for the state on his behalf. A single misstep could bring disaster to the people, and he would still have to issue a self-punishing edict.

A lifetime of labor, and in his later years, even the desire to leave a good name could be destroyed by incompetence, leaving the people to cry out in complaint.

“But Prince Yi does not know,” the Empress Dowager sighed. “The emperor’s love is the hardest to belong to a single person. The women of the palace… as beauty fades, so does affection. If His Majesty has a harem, over time, many feelings will inevitably wane.”

“Then if Your Majesty truly believes His Majesty might grow fickle, why worry at all?” Shen Chun said with a smile. “If His Majesty’s heart ever turns, I will leave of my own accord. He can have as many children as he desires, does Your Majesty fear you won’t live to see that time?”

“You are remarkably confident,” the Empress Dowager said, studying him.

“It is not confidence,” Shen Chun said softly. “Feibai understands the hardships Your Majesty endured and will take them as a warning. He will not repeat what the late emperor did.”

“Since His Majesty and you are mutually devoted, why was it not he who came to inform me?” the Empress Dowager asked, a last flicker of hope stirring in her heart.

“He was concerned for Your Majesty’s advanced age,” Shen Chun said with a smile. “He feared that revealing it directly might distress you. His temperament is stubborn, he does not always take detours in speech, and if he truly upset you, he might not know how to console you. Being clumsy with words, it naturally falls to me to speak. In matters of the court as well, my presence ensures his safety. Even over a harem of three thousand beauties, I will always protect him.”

He said much, but it was the final sentence that brought a warmth to the Empress Dowager’s eyes, erasing any trace of resistance in her heart.

 

 

 

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