Chapter 2: Over-the-top Praise

The present ruler of Great Liang, Tantai Yi, did not have a background that was truly secret among the upper aristocracy. His birth mother had been a princess of a northern foreign tribe who came to Liang. Rumour said that the people of the Northern Regions were all strong and powerfully built, possessed of immense strength. Whether man or woman, young or old, they were said to be warriors by nature.

Whether the rumours were true or not was unknown, yet Tantai Yi, bearing that foreign bloodline, indeed possessed the prodigious strength attributed to the northern peoples. He was tall and somewhat slender, his appearance strikingly beautiful and flamboyant, the sort easily underestimated. Yet anyone who had witnessed his martial prowess would never dare look down on him.

What was more, he had just demonstrated it before Song Pu.

Song Pu had no doubt that if that arrow were aimed at him, it would blast his head apart. He might even be carried several metres away by the force of it, like something out of a traffic accident.

He was truly frightened. Both his legs felt weak and soft. At the same time he feared that trying to dodge might anger the emperor instead, so he stood trembling like a little quail caught in a cold wind, shoulders slightly hunched, and spoke in a fearful and humble voice.

“Y Your Majesty?”

Tantai Yi looked at him.

Song Pu had red lips and white teeth, and a pair of jet black pupils like obsidian that gleamed brightly in the sunlight. Tantai Yi liked glittering things. He kept many pieces of coloured glass, agate, pearls, jade and gemstones in his collection. Now that he looked closely, Song Pu’s eyes, filled with fear, were hardly inferior to those jewels.

Tantai Yi stared at him, his pale golden narrow eyes slightly narrowed, a burning glint within them.

“Is Lord Song afraid?”

Bloody dog of an emperor. What a lunatic.

Song Pu cursed furiously in his heart, yet his face still wore a frightened and respectful expression. A bead of cold sweat slowly slid down his forehead.

At some point his back had already broken out in a cold sweat, soaking through his clothes.

Before he could even decide how to answer Tantai Yi’s question, the emperor shifted the bow slightly. In the next instant the arrow shot out with a sharp whistle, tearing through the air. Like the previous shot it pierced the target, splitting the earlier arrow clean in two and pinning both halves firmly into the tree trunk.

The entire shot happened in a single instant.

Tantai Yi’s gaze had not even shifted away from Song Pu, yet he still managed to strike the very centre of the target with such precision. Such strength and control made Song Pu unable to help feeling impressed.

…This dog of an emperor might be a dog, but he truly does have some ability. It would be a waste if he never set foot on a battlefield.

“It has been several months since I last saw Lord Song, yet your courage seems to have grown smaller and smaller. You should practise it more in future.”

As he spoke, Tantai Yi casually tossed the great bow aside. The chief eunuch Cao Xi hurriedly caught it. The bow was evidently quite heavy, for even Cao Xi nearly failed to hold it. Two junior eunuchs beside him had to lend a hand before they managed to steady the bow upright and keep it from dropping to the ground.

Song Pu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, forced out a smile, and said with utmost respect,

“Your Majesty speaks most wisely. This subject will certainly practise strengthening his courage in future and will not disappoint Your Majesty.”

Tantai Yi’s expression softened somewhat. He stared at Song Pu’s lowered head for a moment before saying,

“I noticed Lord Song staring at my bow just now. Do you wish to try your hand at it?”

Tantai Yi’s voice was unusually pleasant, touched with a hint of languid ease that made it sound almost gentle and could easily lull a listener into relaxing.

But Song Pu did not dare relax.

In the blink of an eye he organised his thoughts and replied carefully,

“This subject was only thinking that under heaven there is perhaps only Your Majesty who can draw that treasured bow. If I were to try, even if my tendons snapped I still might not be able to draw it.”

The corners of Tantai Yi’s lips lifted, revealing a smile tinged with satisfaction. He reached out, took the bow back from Cao Xi, and lightly weighed it in his hand.

“This bow is called She Ri, the Sun Piercer. It is the national treasure of the Northern Regions. It requires the strength of twenty nine dan to draw it. With it, they say even the sun in the heavens may be shot down. Under heaven there is indeed only one man who can draw it.”

Song Pu heard the pleasure hidden within his voice. A flash of inspiration passed through his mind and he seemed to grasp something vaguely. Before he could think it through properly, however, his mouth had already begun moving on its own.

“This shows that Your Majesty is endowed with extraordinary gifts and is no ordinary man but heaven’s chosen son. With Your Majesty present, it is the fortune and blessing of Great Liang.”

A trace of surprise flickered in the depths of Tantai Yi’s pupils, yet he soon laughed, revealing a row of bright white teeth.

“Does Lord Song truly believe I am Great Liang’s fortune and blessing?”

Cold sweat slid from Song Pu’s temple into his eyes. He narrowed them slightly but did not dare raise a hand to wipe it away. Instead he continued along the emperor’s line of words.

“Truly. More genuine than pure gold. With Your Majesty here, should foreign states ever invade, Your Majesty could take the enemy commander’s head from a thousand li away with this bow in hand. With their leader slain the enemy army would fall into chaos and surely collapse without a fight. Not a single soldier of Liang would need to be sacrificed, and the common people would be spared the suffering of war. If such a ruler is not the fortune and blessing of Great Liang, then who could be?”

No one disliked being flattered.

Even the tyrannical and brutal Tantai Yi of the original story felt exceedingly comfortable after hearing such praise.

“Lord Song speaks well. If the officials of my court were all as perceptive as Lord Song, I would not have to spend my days idling in the harem.”

As he spoke he lowered his gaze to Song Pu, whose head remained bowed. “Lord Song has been ill for several months, yet your tongue has grown much more nimble.”

Song Pu bowed once more, lowering his posture further, his tone almost overflowing with sincerity.

“Every word spoken by this subject comes from the depths of his heart. There is not the slightest exaggeration.”

Tantai Yi smiled. “Duke Song has raised a good son.”

He looked at Song Pu a few moments longer before adding, “In future Lord Song may raise his head and look directly at me. I wish to see your eyes.”

Look at his eyes? Why?

Song Pu felt puzzled, yet obediently raised his head and met Tantai Yi’s gaze.

Seeing those clear eyes like still water, a vivid sense of pleasure rose again in Tantai Yi’s mind.

“Cao Xi.”

Cao Xi hurried forward. “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”

“Prepare a banquet. I wish to invite my ministers to enjoy a dance.”

Cao Xi immediately acknowledged the command.

Tantai Yi cast Song Pu one last glance.

“I shall remember what Lord Song said today. In future I will see whether your heart truly matches your words.”

With that he turned and left.

Only after Tantai Yi departed did Song Pu finally let out a breath of relief. His body, which had been tense the entire time, suddenly lost its strength as the tension vanished, and he collapsed onto the ground.

The attendants who had been waiting nearby hurried over.

The leader among them was Li Zongyi, the legitimate son of the General’s household. He was the oldest, already nineteen. His courage was the greatest and his martial skill the best. The emperor usually spent more time with him, and the two often sparred together. Of course Li Zongyi always lost. Whether he was truly unable to win or simply did not dare to defeat the emperor was another matter.

Although he appeared favoured on the surface, he had still angered the emperor before and received a beating, lying in bed for several days at home while recovering.

In truth, almost none of the attendants present had escaped punishment. Compared with the palace maids and eunuchs who had been beaten to death, however, they were still fortunate enough at least to remain alive.

As for Song Pu, he had served the dog of an emperor for a full month and yet had suffered no physical punishment at all, merely falling ill from fright.

Li Zongyi, being older, carried himself somewhat like an elder brother. He first pulled Song Pu to his feet and offered a few comforting words before saying,

“How did you dare say so much to His Majesty? The less you say, the fewer mistakes you make. What if you had angered him?”

Song Pu nodded with a smile.

“I panicked. I hardly knew what my own mouth was saying.”

“Luckily His Majesty seems to be in a good mood today. Even if you said something wrong he probably would not pursue it.”

Li Zongyi and the others had been standing far away and did not know what had been said, so their concern was understandable.

“A few days ago a group of dancers arrived from the southern frontier. Their dancing is extraordinary. His Majesty has been spending every day in the harem watching them perform. Now that you have come today, you will be able to feast your eyes.”

Song Pu had no real interest in watching dances, yet since Tantai Yi had arranged a banquet he had no choice but to attend.

Before long a young eunuch arrived to summon them.

Li Zongyi and the others were already familiar with such occasions. Knowing it was Song Pu’s first time, they even found him a seat in the front row with a clear view of the performance.

Song Pu noticed that his seat was only a few steps away from the foremost position and could not help glancing at Li Zongyi. For a moment he suspected the man might be trying to set him up. However, when the others also took seats in the front row, his suspicion quickly faded.

Although it was called a banquet, only a handful of them were actually present.

Soon afterwards Tantai Yi entered. He had already changed clothes and seemed to have bathed. As he passed by Song Pu, a faint moist fragrance drifted over.

Song Pu glanced at him once before quickly looking away.

Music from the musicians began to sound. Accompanied by the melody, a group of masked women dressed in revealing foreign attire flowed out from behind the curtains like water and began their dance.

Their slender waists swayed, flat stomachs decorated with glittering beads. Every movement carried a bold and passionate exotic charm.

One dancer extended her graceful arm, a red veil fluttering in the air as she gradually approached the youths seated at the banquet in rhythm with the drums. Her fingers lightly touched a young man’s wine cup. Her eyes were soft and electric with allure.

The still inexperienced youth beside her flushed crimson at once, not knowing where to place his gaze.

Compared with the embarrassed and flustered reactions of Li Zongyi and the others, Song Pu’s calm and unmoved expression instead made him stand out.

In truth the dancers were quite skilled, but their style was too soft and delicate. Having seen too many modern K pop girl group performances, Song Pu preferred the bold, powerful stage style where every movement carried strength and confidence. That kind of sexiness looked far cooler to him.

Of course he was not saying the dancers were bad. They were artists in their own right.

It was simply not his taste.

The shy and awkward expressions of the young attendants all fell into Tantai Yi’s eyes. He watched the dance below with apparent indifference before suddenly speaking. “Cao Xi. Pour the wine.”

Cao Xi immediately obeyed and lifted a wine jar, but Tantai Yi pressed his hand lightly.

“Bring Chun Ri Zui*.”

(*TN: Spring Day Drunk, the name of the wine.)

Cao Xi promptly replaced the jar and poured a cup for the emperor.

Then Tantai Yi said, “Cao Xi, pour wine for Lord Song.”

Song Pu heard this and turned his head, meeting Tantai Yi’s gaze by chance.

Tantai Yi gave him a slight smile, appearing every bit the gentle and considerate ruler.

But Song Pu knew it was all false.

The dog emperor was a lunatic. A complete pervert.

He only glanced once before quickly lowering his eyes and raising his cup as though drinking.

Wine in ancient times was not very strong, perhaps only a little stronger than beer. Song Pu drank two cups without any obvious reaction. When Cao Xi came to refill his cup, he simply allowed it.

Cao Xi filled the cup to the brim.

Song Pu lifted it with both hands toward the emperor seated above and said politely, “This subject thanks Your Majesty for the gift of such fine wine.”

Tantai Yi glanced at him. His long pale fingers held the cup as he slowly swirled the wine within. His voice remained as elegant and low as ever, like music played upon a fine instrument.

“So Lord Song recognises good wine. This jar was sealed in the late emperor’s cellar for more than twenty years. The mood today is just right. There could be nothing better than sharing it together.”

Tantai Yi’s manner when speaking to Song Pu grew noticeably more relaxed and casual. Cao Xi, who attended him at his side, naturally noticed this shift in attitude and could not help looking at the previously inconspicuous youth with newfound regard.

Song Pu himself also sensed this attention, so different from before, and it gave him quite the headache. His nerve had certainly been impressive. He had showered Tantai Yi with rainbow flattery for so long that he had nearly dropped to his knees and shouted, “Heaven bless Great Liang, long live His Majesty the Emperor.”

It was unbearably embarrassing. Far too sycophantic.

Not only had he attracted the man’s attention, the emperor had even said he would examine his “true feelings” again in the future. Good heavens. Was he really heading down the path of becoming a professional flatterer?

He could not think about it any further. The more he thought about it, the more mortified he felt. The sort of shame that made one’s toes curl.

After filling his cup, Cao Xi received another signal from Tantai Yi and went on to pour wine for the other youths. Since Song Pu had clearly pleased the emperor, Cao Xi even arranged for a young eunuch to stand beside him and attend to his wine.

All the young men present were served Chun Ri Zui. Some had already gulped it down as if it were water. Cao Xi was sharp-eyed and whenever someone finished a cup he promptly refilled it, as though determined to keep the wine flowing without limit.

After one cup, Song Pu quickly felt warmth spreading through his stomach.

Tantai Yi spoke unhurriedly.

“This Chun Ri Zui has quite a powerful aftertaste. An ordinary man would collapse after a single cup. It seems all of you drink rather well. Lord Chang has already finished three cups and does not appear drunk.”

The slight smile at the corner of his lips made it sound like praise.

Chang Jiangming, whom Tantai Yi had addressed as Lord Chang, flushed bright red with excitement and stammered, “This subject can still drink!”

Tantai Yi replied mildly, “Then drink to your fill. Cao Xi, pour.”

Cao Xi obediently continued filling Chang Jiangming’s cup. The others were also attended by young eunuchs, and before Song Pu realised it he had already drunk several cups himself.

At first the wine seemed harmless, but the later effects were much stronger. Song Pu could feel himself nearing drunkenness. When the eunuch came again to refill his cup he refused to drink any more, secretly tipping several cups onto the carpeted floor beneath the cover of his wide sleeves.

His alcohol tolerance was not bad, but his behaviour when drunk was terrible.

At his high school graduation dinner he had once drunk himself senseless, mistaken the head of discipline for the girl he secretly liked, clung to the man while sobbing out a confession, and finally even patted the man’s bald head in confusion while asking, “Why are you bald?”

The incident had been filmed by his best friend and spread everywhere, utterly ruining his reputation.

That alone showed how dreadful his drunken behaviour could be.

Even in his old world he did not dare drink recklessly. Now that he had arrived in this unfamiliar place where people could lose their heads at the slightest offence, he was even less willing to get drunk.

If he became drunk he might end up committing treasonous disrespect before the emperor and die on the spot.

Fortunately he poured the wine away very discreetly and no one noticed. Since he also drank slowly, he still appeared perfectly composed.

Chang Jiangming, however, the very one Tantai Yi had praised, was already flushed red from face to neck. When a dancer came to tease him, he grabbed hold of her thin veil and tugged it lightly towards himself.

Li Zongyi remained relatively clear-headed. Seeing that Chang Jiangming was no longer sober, he quietly reminded him, but Chang Jiangming merely grinned foolishly and began holding the dancer’s hand.

It was not only Chang Jiangming. Apart from Li Zongyi and Song Pu, the others had also gained reckless courage from the wine and secretly began clasping hands with the dancers, drawing bursts of coquettish laughter.

Tantai Yi seemed completely indifferent to the scene. He did not even glance toward the floor below. Instead he shifted slightly in his chair, sitting sideways as he drank his wine at leisure.

Perhaps because the atmosphere in the hall had grown increasingly heated, one particularly bold dancer spun lightly several times. The bells at her ankles rang out crisply as she fluttered toward Tantai Yi like a bright butterfly.

Song Pu, seated nearby, caught a strong and fragrant scent. Watching the tall dancer approach, he absent-mindedly wondered whether she might be like the assassins in television dramas. A dancer on the surface, but in truth a cold-blooded killer simply waiting for the dog emperor to let down his guard.

The thought amused him.

When he looked again toward the head seat, Tantai Yi had already taken hold of the dancer’s delicate hand. A faint smile lingered on his lips and clear interest showed in his eyes.

The expression emboldened the dancer. Leaning across the table, she moved closer to him with alluring grace.

The smile at the corner of the man’s mouth deepened slightly. He gently squeezed her soft fingers and examined them for a moment.

“Your hands are quite pretty.”

The next instant his expression turned cold.

“Cao Xi. Come here at once.”

The change in Tantai Yi’s temper came so suddenly that it was as though someone had pressed pause on the heated atmosphere. Even the musicians stopped playing. Chang Jiangming and the others instantly sobered, cold sweat appearing on their foreheads as they dropped to their knees without even knowing what had happened.

Cao Xi hurried over in quick steps. With a single glance he understood the situation. Raising his sharp voice, he summoned two young eunuchs to drag the dancer away.

“You wretch, have you a death wish? His Majesty’s sacred person is not something you may approach.”

Before coming to Liang the dancer had only studied the language for a few days. Yet seeing the situation she understood that she had made a mistake. She fell to her knees with a thud, pleading for mercy in a foreign tongue no one present could understand, her whole body trembling.

Tantai Yi’s long narrow eyes carried an aggressive intensity, yet his features were strikingly beautiful. When he smiled he resembled flowers blooming in spring, dazzling and radiant, yet also like the scorching sun of summer, capable of burning those who drew too near.

He smiled again and spoke as though nothing were wrong.

“Let me think. Lord Bai of the Court of Judicial Review is most skilled at death by a thousand cuts. I have heard that even after the punishment is finished the victim still lives. I have long been curious about it. Today I shall invite you all to watch the execution.”

As he spoke, his gaze settled upon Song Pu again. His tone was gentle.

“Lord Song must do his best to hold steady this time. If you faint again as you did before.”

The tolerant expression on his face vanished.

He stared at Song Pu and said each word slowly and clearly. “Then I shall have to punish you.”

Song Pu: “…………”

Author’s note:

Song Pu: The dog emperor’s mood changes faster than the weather.

This chapter contains an excessive quantity of rainbow flattery. He was only one step away from kneeling and shouting “Long live His Majesty the Emperor.” (facepalm)