When Cao Xi conveyed the Empress Dowager’s decree to Tantai Yi, he was terrified. After finishing in a soft, cautious voice, he lowered his head deeply, hardly daring to breathe.
Cao Xi had previously been the adopted son of Cao Zhengyan, the former Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. In early winter of the previous year, Cao Zhengyan had offended Tantai Yi and was beaten to death on the spot. Cao Xi had only risen to this position less than half a year ago, and he felt he still did not truly understand Emperor Ren, Tantai Yi. Because of this, he always lived carefully, speaking as little as possible in order to avoid mistakes.
However, after serving Emperor Ren for half a year, he had still learned a few things.
For instance, in this vast imperial palace there was one person whose name could never be mentioned. The Grand Princess of the Northern Territory, Emperor Ren’s birth mother.
Many eunuchs and palace maids had died in the palace before, and among them were quite a few who had once served the late emperor and the Grand Princess. All of them had been silenced by Emperor Ren and quietly disappeared within the palace walls.
The current Empress Dowager was not Emperor Ren’s biological mother, but the younger sister of the Grand Princess, Tantai Yi’s maternal aunt. Even so, she held the title of Empress Dowager, so Tantai Yi had to address her as “Mother Empress” in public.
Clearly, the relationship between Tantai Yi and the Empress Dowager was not close. When he heard that she intended to fill the imperial harem, the handsome, dazzling face of the emperor instantly turned cold.
But the chill vanished just as quickly.
He crushed the brush in his hand, watching the fragments fall onto the ground as he said quietly, “Mother Empress truly has a long reach. Extending her hand into court affairs is not enough. Now she wants to manage my harem as well.”
In truth, since there was no empress in the palace, it was perfectly normal for the Empress Dowager to hold authority over the harem. But in Tantai Yi’s words, it sounded as if she had overstepped her bounds.
Cao Xi sensed the emperor’s displeasure. Just as he was about to imitate Song Pu and offer some flattering words, he suddenly heard Tantai Yi speak again.
“There are indeed fewer people in the palace now,” Tantai Yi said calmly. “I’ve killed too many.”
Cold sweat immediately broke out on Cao Xi’s back, and he lowered his head even further.
Tantai Yi continued, “Never mind. More people will make the palace livelier. Cao Xi, carry out the Empress Dowager’s orders.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cao Xi replied.
Tantai Yi glanced at him, irritation flashing through his eyes. For some reason, he suddenly thought of Song Pu again. That man’s mouth never stopped talking, yet everything he said was pleasant to hear. No matter how much he listened, he never grew tired of it.
Tantai Yi pulled himself back from his thoughts, grabbed the inkstone on the table, and hurled it toward Cao Xi.
“Get out.”
The inkstone struck Cao Xi on the head, drawing blood, but he didn’t dare wipe it away. Trembling with fear, he answered quickly before hurrying out with his head bowed.
…
It was another workday.
Song Pu refused to mistreat himself. Every morning he ate an extremely lavish and nutritionally balanced breakfast. After all, serving the dog emperor required both brainpower and physical stamina. Eating well meant having the energy to work.
As usual, he left the house together with Duke Song. The duke brought up the events of the previous day.
“Your second uncle came to complain to me,” he said. “But I sent him away. That cat was a gift from His Majesty. You could practically put it on an altar if you wished. How could you casually let others play with it?”
Wow. His father had the potential to become a master of flattery too.
Song Pu nodded vigorously. “I think the same, Father.”
The duke also mentioned the Empress Dowager’s plan to fill the harem.
“Our family doesn’t have daughters, so we can relax a little,” he said. “But Wanyu, Qingwan, and Biyu are all of age now. I’m afraid they may all be sent into the palace.”
Song Pu thought about Song Wanyu’s personality and said tactfully, “If Wanyu enters the palace… she might anger His Majesty.”
“I think so too,” Duke Song replied. “We should quickly find her a husband. That would be far better than sending her into the harem.”
Song Pu then thought of the emperor’s age and his empty harem.
“Has His Majesty not selected any consorts in the past three years?” he asked curiously.
Duke Song chuckled.
“Your grandfather once said that when His Majesty was young, he always liked to oppose the late emperor. If the late emperor said something was right, he would insist it was wrong. If he was told to go east, he would deliberately go west. He had a remarkable talent for infuriating people.”
“The reason he never chose consorts is probably because the court pressured him too much to do so. That only provoked him to do the opposite. Now that the court has stopped urging him, it may actually succeed.”
“If things go well, His Majesty might even be holding a child next year.”
After saying this, he glanced at Song Pu. “Just endure for a while longer. Once His Majesty starts spending time in the harem, his temper should improve.”
Song Pu: “…”
There were so many things to complain about that he didn’t even know where to start.
So the emperor was basically a rebellious adult teenager.
Duke Song continued, “When His Majesty was younger, he occasionally displayed remarkable talent, and the late emperor praised him for it. Perhaps because of that, he later devoted himself more and more to state affairs, leaving behind a reputation for cruelty.”
“The late emperor fought wars for decades. Liang is still strong today, but without stable governance the problems caused by years of warfare are gradually emerging. I feel that turmoil may arise in Liang before long.”
“His Majesty invited you to dine and even bestowed an imperial pet upon you. Clearly he views you differently. I believe you have the ability to persuade His Majesty to turn back to the right path.”
Song Pu stared at him. “Father… I think you might have misunderstood me.”
Duke Song smiled slightly.
“Your ge told me about your eloquence. I never saw you display it before. Perhaps serving His Majesty has given you great training. If you continue serving him for a few more years, you may become a truly capable and upright man.”
Song Pu: “…”
My talent for flattery probably comes from you.
…
After parting ways with his father, Song Pu went to attend Emperor Ren, Tantai Yi.
Without their leader Li Zongyi, the other attendants seemed increasingly lost and helpless. Compared with them, Song Pu, who had been nervous like a quail during his first meeting with the emperor, now seemed far calmer.
Fortunately, Tantai Yi did not care much about the others.
When he saw Song Pu arrive, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
“Minister Song, you’ve come rather late today.”
“….”
Late? He had clearly arrived exactly on time. Of course, Song Pu did not dare say that aloud.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” he said respectfully.
“I’m not blaming you,” Tantai Yi replied. “Come here.”
They were meeting in the emperor’s study. Tantai Yi stood beside a desk where a sheet of white paper was spread open. Before Song Pu even approached, he could smell the rich scent of fresh ink.
When he stepped closer, he realised Tantai Yi had been painting a tiger descending the mountain.
“I’ve painted several versions,” Tantai Yi said, “but I’m not satisfied with any of them. Can Minister Song see what the problem is?”
Song Pu studied the painting carefully.
The tiger was magnificent. Its form and spirit vividly captured. Standing before the painting, one could almost feel the ferocious aura of the beast.
If there was any flaw, it lay in the eyes.
Song Pu knew that good flattery must still contain a grain of truth.
So he said respectfully, “Your Majesty’s tiger is powerful and lifelike. However, the tiger is the king of beasts. When it descends the mountain to hunt, its eyes should contain killing intent. A sense of bloodlust.”
“The only problem with this painting is that the tiger’s gaze lacks that murderous aura.”
From the corner of his eye, Song Pu noticed Tantai Yi slightly frown.
He immediately added, “Of course, this is only because Your Majesty has not personally seen a tiger hunting. If you witnessed such a scene, you would surely paint an even more extraordinary tiger.”
Tantai Yi nodded. “You make a good point. There are several tigers in the Imperial Beast Garden, but none display the killing aura you described.”
Song Pu immediately seized the opportunity. “Your Majesty is extraordinary. A dragon among men. Even the king of the forest would not dare show killing intent in your presence.”
“Those tigers probably behave like sickly cats before you, disgracing their title as kings of the forest.”
Tantai Yi’s lips curved upward in satisfaction.
“There’s no need to exaggerate,” he said modestly. “When I once fought the tiger king of the Beast Garden, I was injured as well.”
Song Pu widened his eyes in shock.
Tantai Yi’s golden eyes shone even brighter.
“But I was stronger,” he continued calmly. “I broke all four of its limbs, skinned it, stripped its bones, and made a pot of nourishing soup for the late emperor.”
Song Pu shuddered before finally managing to speak.
“Your Majesty is truly… incredibly brave. To fight a ferocious beast with your bare hands. This humble servant is so shocked I can hardly speak.”
“The current tiger king is the son of that one,” Tantai Yi said. “But whenever it sees me, it turns and runs. Just as you said, like a sick cat.”
Song Pu: “…”
Just how much psychological trauma did you cause that entire tiger family?
Author’s Note:
Tiger: I may not be human, but you’re definitely a dog.
Ah-Gou: Hmph.
