“Could this blasted emperor be gay? Is he trying to make a move on me?”
As though unaware of his panic, Tantai Yi smiled faintly. “Lord Song is so eloquent. Why not do me a favour?”
Song Pu asked nervously, “Your Majesty, please say what you require.”
“Come with me.”
Song Pu followed him deeper inside. Fortunately, Tantai Yi did not lead him towards the dragon bed, but instead into an enormous study.
Tantai Yi sat down in a chair, swept the neatly stacked memorials on the desk into a pile, then looked at Song Pu and lowered his voice slightly.
“Lord Song, help me review these memorials.”
Song Pu: “…”
Unable to hold back, Song Pu said, “Your Majesty, I am dull-witted and fearful. This seems rather… inappropriate.”
At that, the smile on Tantai Yi’s lips cooled. “Lord Song is unwilling?”
Cold sweat immediately broke out on Song Pu’s back.
The nobody that he was was supposed to review memorials in place of Tantai Yi?
This damned emperor really acted on impulse without considering whether such responsibility was something he could possibly bear.
But Song Pu had already realised that speaking to Tantai Yi required going along with him. Otherwise, the man would simply become displeased.
He gathered his thoughts and said with difficulty, “Your Majesty, I will certainly devote myself with utmost loyalty, even unto death. I only fear that I am too foolish and may hinder Your Majesty.”
“I trust you,” Tantai Yi said. “Lord Song has a silver tongue, a quick mind, and a pleasing manner. Reviewing memorials will surely be effortless for you. Come, Lord Song. Sit beside me.”
When he was not acting strange, Tantai Yi seemed almost like an ordinary person. But Song Pu dared not relax his guard. He carefully sat beside him.
Tantai Yi suddenly twitched his nose, catching a faint fragrance drifting from Song Pu.
“When we were farther apart I didn’t notice,” he said, “but now I can smell a fragrance on you, Lord Song. Have you used some sort of incense?”
“Ah…” Song Pu said awkwardly. “I’m not sure. Perhaps the servants at home scented my clothes without telling me.”
Tantai Yi leaned closer and inhaled lightly, his voice soft. “It smells very pleasant. It suits Lord Song well.”
Why are you leaning in so close? This is ridiculously gay!
Song Pu forced himself to reply, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise.”
Suddenly Tantai Yi asked, “Is Lord Song afraid of me?”
Song Pu looked up at him in confusion.
Tantai Yi smiled faintly. His pale golden eyes were as clear as crystal, yet carried a penetrating gleam. “Li Zongyi and the others are all afraid of me. What about you, Lord Song?”
Song Pu instantly realised this was a fatal question.
Since Tantai Yi was staring straight at him, he could not hesitate for long. After only a few seconds of thought, he answered slowly: “Yes. I am afraid.”
A flicker passed through Tantai Yi’s eyes. “I thought so.”
Song Pu replied carefully, “Because my heart is sincere, and I cannot bring myself to lie to Your Majesty. Though I am afraid, that very fear proves Your Majesty’s majesty. You are the sovereign of all under Heaven, possessing the awe-inspiring dignity of a dragon. Ordinary people naturally dare not look directly upon you and must hold you in reverence. I am merely a vulgar mortal.”
Tantai Yi burst out laughing, clearly delighted. “Lord Song speaks so pleasantly. Why have I never heard you talk like this before?”
Song Pu said awkwardly, “Before, I was too restrained. Now that I’ve become more familiar with Your Majesty, I couldn’t help revealing my true feelings.”
“I greatly enjoy Lord Song’s sincerity,” Tantai Yi said. “Keep it that way in future.”
Song Pu bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty’s command is my duty.”
Tantai Yi laughed again. “In that case, Lord Song, hurry and help me review these memorials.”
Song Pu had no choice but to pick one up and begin reading.
Because he possessed the original owner’s memories, the memorials were not especially difficult for him to understand… though they were still somewhat taxing. He had barely read one line when Tantai Yi beside him had already finished scanning the entire document.
His expression grew cold.
“These ministers keep going on about what the late emperor did, what my ancestors did. As if failing to follow their words would be some unforgivable crime against heaven. Hah. If they all had tongues as sweet as Lord Song’s, the imperial prison wouldn’t be so crowded.”
Well then. This damned emperor really did behave like a tyrant.
Song Pu quickly said, “Your Majesty need not concern yourself with them. Some ministers call themselves loyal, but in truth they lack ability and only wish to leave their names in the history books. That’s why they insist on contradicting Your Majesty. If Your Majesty grows angry, you will only fall into their trap.”
Tantai Yi still looked displeased, his long eyes narrowed.
Song Pu swallowed and continued, “Since they claim to care so deeply about the people, Your Majesty might instead appoint them to real positions and let them accomplish practical work. That would surely be better than merely criticising Your Majesty. What does Your Majesty think?”
Tantai Yi’s expression darkened further.
“Why should I? Since they are dissatisfied with me and miss the late emperor so much, I might as well grant their wish and let them reunite with him in the underworld.”
From the way he spoke, Tantai Yi showed not the slightest respect or affection for the late emperor. It was more like hatred than the bond of father and son.
Song Pu: “…”
His palms were sweating. Internally he cursed, but outwardly he looked utterly sincere.
“However,” he said carefully, “if they die for remonstrating with the throne, then everyone will praise them as loyal ministers and their names will certainly be recorded in history. For a civil official, that is the greatest honour possible. Whether they live or die hardly matters. If Your Majesty kills them, you would only be granting their wish.
“It is said that when striking a snake, one must strike its vital point. The same applies to dealing with people. In my humble opinion, it would be better to assign them important duties. If they fail in their responsibilities, Your Majesty could punish them then. And they would have no argument.”
Tantai Yi stared at Song Pu, eyes shining. “…Lord Song truly surprises me.”
Song Pu knew he had already pushed dangerously far. It would not have been strange if Tantai Yi became angry.
He cautiously glanced at him and said in a small voice, “It is only a trivial suggestion from your subject. But Your Majesty is the ruler of Great Liang. The entire realm belongs to you. You may do whatever you wish.
“In life, one should at least make oneself happy. If even one’s own heart is unhappy, then doing anything else becomes meaningless.”
Song Pu lowered his head, unaware that Tantai Yi’s eyes were gleaming with interest.
From where he sat, Tantai Yi could clearly see Song Pu’s profile.
He had already heard of Duke Song’s famed beauty in his youth. Though Song Pu was still young, his features had already matured. Fair skin, red lips, white teeth, refined and delicate.
His eyes were lowered, but his long lashes trembled faintly. Those red lips that constantly uttered pleasant words were now gently pressed together, betraying his unease.
Suddenly, Tantai Yi reached out and clasped the hand Song Pu had resting on the table.
His voice dropped low and husky.
“Lord Song, I feel the same way. Since I possess the whole world, I should be able to do whatever I please. If even at the highest position I cannot act as I wish, then what is the point of that position?
“But only now do I realise that even an emperor has many troubles. Lord Song, do you understand me?”
I absolutely do not understand, thank you very much.
Song Pu’s face twitched slightly as his hand was held. He asked cautiously:
“Your Majesty… do you want me to understand you?”
“You may,” Tantai Yi said.
Song Pu looked deeply moved. “Truly?”
“Truly. I never lie.”
“In that case,” Song Pu said, “I shall boldly become Your Majesty’s confidant from now on. Whatever troubles Your Majesty has, you may tell me, and I will do my best to share the burden.”
Tantai Yi tightened his grip slightly. “That is exactly what I was thinking.”
Song Pu’s face flushed faintly. The emperor’s grip was incredibly strong. His knuckles ached sharply.
A mist of tears gathered in his eyes, and his shoulders trembled slightly from the pain.
He said tactfully, “Your Majesty is truly mighty. You must be able to shatter stones with your bare hands.”
“I’ve never tried,” Tantai Yi replied.
Song Pu was almost in tears. “…Then could Your Majesty please let go? My hand is about to shatter.”
Tantai Yi suddenly realised what he had done and released him.
Only then did he notice that Song Pu’s pale, beautiful hand had been squeezed red.
Looking at his face again, those clear eyes were actually brimming with tears, making him appear rather pitiful… and oddly endearing.
A strange itch stirred in Tantai Yi’s heart.
He narrowed his eyes and said, “Lord Song is rather delicate. Just holding your hand makes you tear up. You’re almost like a woman.”
Then he added suspiciously, “Lord Song isn’t actually a woman, is he?”
Pah! You’re the woman!
Song Pu cradled his reddened hand. It now practically resembling a pig’s trotter. He then unleashed an enthusiastic stream of flattery.
“It is only because Your Majesty’s strength is divine that a mere mortal like me cannot withstand it. But since this hand has been held by Your Majesty, it now carries Your Majesty’s aura. I’ve decided never to wash this hand again!”
Tantai Yi’s lips curled upward in obvious amusement.
“Not washing it? Are you planning to pass it down as a family heirloom?”
Song Pu immediately panicked, afraid the emperor might say something like Then cut it off.
“Not at all,” he said carefully. “I only mean that I can proudly tell others that this hand was once held by Your Majesty… Please forgive my foolishness. I seem to have developed a rather boastful streak.”
“I don’t blame you,” Tantai Yi said.
“Since you speak so well, a little pride isn’t a bad thing. I can reward you further.”
With that, he picked up Song Pu’s hand again, and then his other hand as well.
He clasped both of them together in his palms and gently stroked them.
Glancing sideways at him, his long eyes curved with a bright smile. “Now both of Lord Song’s hands needn’t be washed.”
Song Pu replied faintly, “…Thank you for Your Majesty’s great kindness.”
After a moment, Tantai Yi released him.
“Since I’ve squeezed your hands sore,” he said lazily, “you needn’t review the memorials today. Instead… Lord Song may remain in the palace and dine with me.”
Song Pu: “…”
What, the damned emperor can’t bear to let him go?
Song Pu suddenly regretted things slightly. Perhaps he had been a little too flamboyant.
Still, he put on a look of overwhelming gratitude. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s favour.”
The imperial meal was naturally filled with delicacies rarely seen outside the palace. However, because the palace followed the rule of eating small portions, each dish was modest, though there were many of them.
Song Pu lifted the cup of wine that Cao Xi had poured for him and sighed shamelessly.
“This is fine wine bestowed by Your Majesty. I truly cannot bear to drink it all. Your Majesty… may I take it home instead?”
Cao Xi immediately said in a sharp voice, “How dare you! How could wine bestowed by His Majesty be taken home?”
Song Pu’s eyes flickered with apparent sincerity.
“Since it is wine bestowed by Your Majesty, I cannot bear to drink it all at once. If I take it home, I could sip a little each day. The rest could be preserved in a cup as a family heirloom—”
Before he could finish, Tantai Yi spoke calmly.
“Cao Xi. Go to the wine cellar and send several jars to the Duke’s residence.”
Cao Xi hid the astonishment in his eyes. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
After giving the order, Tantai Yi smiled faintly at Song Pu. “Lord Song may drink freely. I have plenty of wine.”
Song Pu: “…”
A grave miscalculation.
Author’s Note:
Gong: Doting on his wife.jpg
Song Pu: A heartless, overly flattering person.jpg
