Song Pu’s expression changed the moment a certain possibility crossed his mind.
He thought it over carefully. The entire story in the book had unfolded from the female protagonist’s perspective. After all, the original work was nothing more than a melodramatic romance novel aimed at women, mostly revolving around the heroine and Prince Gong secretly causing trouble and cuckolding the tyrant. Yes, the heroine was also the tyrant’s concubine.
At the time, all his attention had been on the heroine and the male lead sneaking around behind the tyrant’s back, conducting their forbidden and taboo affair. He had not paid much attention to how exactly the tyrant had provoked such universal hatred. But there was one thing he remembered.
The heroine came from the Lin family, one of the five great aristocratic clans of Yanjing. She had originally been regarded as heaven’s favoured daughter. Yet after Tantai Yi came to power, he relentlessly brought down a large number of aristocratic families. Of the five great clans of Yanjing alone, every single one was exterminated down to the ninth degree of kinship by Tantai Yi. Once the rabbit was dead, the hunting dogs were cooked. The sheer ruthlessness chilled people to the bone.
Although Song Pu was a science student, he had studied some history as well. Thinking about it now, eliminating aristocratic families and weakening powerful hereditary houses were both typical methods used to achieve centralised imperial authority.
Only, Tantai Yi’s methods were excessively severe. Even so, the fact that he dared to eliminate those powerful clans proved that he possessed genuine political ambition and aspiration, not merely blind cruelty. As for his current neglect of court affairs, it was impossible to know what considerations lay behind it.
After recalling this small but useful detail, and then seeing that Tantai Yi appeared indifferent to governing while secretly reading through the court memorials, Song Pu could not shake a faint sense of… discord.
Strangely cute?
No, no, no. He absolutely could not think that way. Once that sort of impression took root, it would become harder and harder to stay vigilant against the dog emperor.
All these thoughts flashed through Song Pu’s mind in an instant, yet Tantai Yi seemed completely unaware. He said calmly, “The Jiaozhou granary opens every year, exchanging old grain for the new grain held by the common people. However, the emperor is far away and I do not know the exact circumstances. If funds were granted casually, the national treasury would have long been emptied.”
Song Pu studied Tantai Yi’s expression and cautiously said, “A natural disaster combined with famine means that every extra day of delay brings another day of suffering for the people. Forgive this minister’s dullness. No matter how I think about it, I cannot come up with a suitable solution. Your Majesty loves the people as if they were your own children. I believe Your Majesty must already have a strategy in mind. Might Your Majesty tell me and broaden this minister’s horizons?”
Tantai Yi turned his head slightly and met his gaze.
Song Pu was momentarily dazzled by that excessively striking and beautiful face. He could not help closing his eyes for a moment before opening them again, a trace of unease flickering in them.
“Your Majesty?”
Tantai Yi said, “I merely wish to enjoy a few carefree days. Why must Minister Song always make things difficult for me?”
His tone did not sound reproachful, so Song Pu grew bolder. “How could this minister dare to trouble Your Majesty? If Your Majesty finds it difficult, then this minister is truly terrified and deserves death. Your Majesty, shall we stop reviewing them? How about we leave the palace and go out for some fun? This minister knows a restaurant where the storyteller is especially entertaining. I guarantee Your Majesty will be delighted.”
Tantai Yi snorted in displeasure. “What novel tales could a storyteller possibly tell? Nothing but stories of men and women. Vulgar.”
Song Pu fell silent.
Stories about men and women were exactly what he liked the most, all right. They were exciting.
Was Tantai Yi afraid of women? It did not seem like it.
Song Pu scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Then what does Your Majesty wish to do?”
Tantai Yi fell silent for several seconds before picking up the vermilion brush. “I will listen to Minister Song. I will finish reviewing the memorials, then draft an imperial edict and send someone to Yuzhou. What does Minister Song think?”
Song Pu froze for a moment before bursting with excitement. “Your Majesty’s decision will both address the refugees left behind by the Yuzhou floods in a timely manner and investigate the matter of the Jiaozhou granary. Truly killing two birds with one stone. Truly wise! To serve such a diligent and benevolent ruler must be the blessing of several lifetimes. This minister is practically incoherent with admiration. Might this minister have the honour of watching Your Majesty write the imperial edict? I have never seen it done before and am extremely curious.”
The corner of Tantai Yi’s lips curved slightly. “What is there to see in an imperial edict?”
Song Pu said eagerly, “This minister is ignorant. The imperial edicts my father received are all placed in our ancestral hall for veneration. Ever since I was young I wanted to see them, but my father never allowed it. Now that I have the chance, I would like to see how an imperial edict is written. Could Your Majesty grant this small wish?”
Tantai Yi had not expected that someone already this grown would still appear so unsophisticated. He found it somewhat surprising. Yet that expression of Song Pu’s pleased him greatly. In a very good mood, he indulgently granted the request.
He ordered someone to fetch a brand new blank imperial edict.
The edict was woven from bright yellow silken brocade and felt exceptionally smooth to the touch. The inner silk lining was printed with silver auspicious cloud patterns. At the ends of the black ox horn rollers were dark soaring dragon motifs that served as anti counterfeiting marks. It looked extremely prestigious.
Song Pu could not resist reaching out to touch it.
The eunuch who had brought the edict was about to scold him, but when he met Tantai Yi’s gaze his expression stiffened, his face turned pale, and he immediately lowered his head.
Tantai Yi withdrew his gaze and looked down at Song Pu.
Song Pu cautiously touched the edict and then withdrew his hand again, wearing a somewhat dazed yet excited expression that was rather amusing. Tantai Yi smiled faintly. “Minister Song may touch it as much as he likes.”
Song Pu said embarrassedly, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have never touched an imperial edict before. I did not expect it to feel so nice.”
The eunuch standing nearby could barely endure it any longer. Song Pu came from a ducal household. How could he appear so uncultured?
Tantai Yi smiled. “If Minister Song truly likes it that much, then this edict shall be given to you.”
Song Pu froze and looked up at him, not quite understanding what he meant.
Tantai Yi met his gaze directly. His smile did not change. His eyes seemed to contain some deeper meaning, though it vanished almost instantly.
“This blank imperial edict will be given to Minister Song. If there is ever a need in the future, Minister Song may fill in the contents himself. If the request is not excessive, I will consider it.”
Song Pu’s eyes widened. He wondered if he had misheard. “Your Majesty… what do you mean? This minister does not understand.”
Tantai Yi said, “Minister Song always claims to be dull witted. I thought it was merely excessive modesty. Now it seems Minister Song really is somewhat foolish.”
Song Pu jolted in alarm. “This minister is terrified. I have overstepped my bounds and deserve death. This minister is wholeheartedly loyal to Your Majesty and absolutely had no intention of seeking an imperial edict. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me.”
Song Pu had never knelt before the dog emperor before. But now he was so frightened that he immediately dropped to the ground and hurriedly begged for forgiveness.
Seeing such a strong reaction from him, a faint flush spread from Tantai Yi’s face down his neck. He paused slightly before lowering his voice.
“I am fond of Minister Song, yet I have never rewarded you with gold, silver, jewels, antiques, or jade. I did not know how to express that fondness. Giving Minister Song a blank imperial edict may serve as a small token of my feelings.”
Song Pu grumbled inwardly.
You might as well have given me gold, silver, jewels, antiques, and jade. I like those!
But he did not dare say it aloud. He only trembled as he replied, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This minister does not dare accept it. If my father finds out, he will break both my legs. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare me.”
Seeing how frightened he was, Tantai Yi narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Why must Minister Song be so afraid? Minister Song respects and cherishes me, and I trust Minister Song. Yet Minister Song acts like this…”
He did not finish the sentence, but his tone clearly sank.
Song Pu raised his head to glance at him before quickly lowering it again.
“Your Majesty’s favour toward this minister is too great. This minister feels he has done nothing for Your Majesty. If I were to accept this edict, it would truly go against my own wishes. I would only feel ashamed and unworthy. Your Majesty’s kindness will remain forever in this minister’s heart. I only hope there will be more opportunities in the future for this minister to devote everything to Your Majesty. If one day this minister could die for Your Majesty, and Your Majesty used this edict to mourn me, then even in death I would have no regrets.”
At those words, a gleam appeared in Tantai Yi’s pale golden eyes and a smile touched his lips.
He reached out and helped Song Pu up, this time paying attention to his strength.
“Minister Song is only seventeen years old. Why do you keep speaking of dying for me? I am not so easy to kill, nor will Minister Song lose his life for me so easily. I forbid Minister Song from speaking such words again. Otherwise I may begin to suspect that Minister Song is cursing me.”
Song Pu had genuinely not thought of it that way. He immediately bowed again in alarm. “This minister absolutely had no such intention. It was this minister’s oversight. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Tantai Yi smiled, clearly in excellent spirits. “Since Minister Song has said so, I will not force the matter. I will keep an imperial edict reserved for Minister Song to use in the future.”
Song Pu relaxed as soon as he heard this change of tone, and then an overwhelming wave of joy followed.
Was this not basically a pardon token?
That was fantastic.
His round black eyes, bright like a squirrel’s, instantly sparkled with unconcealed delight and surprise.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty treats this minister so well. This minister must have cultivated blessings over many lifetimes to be able to serve at Your Majesty’s side. If there is anything Your Majesty requires in the future, please command this minister. I will certainly not fail Your Majesty’s expectations.”
Tantai Yi looked him over from head to toe. “Minister Song is so delicate and frail that I cannot think of anything suitable to order you to do.”
Song Pu was just about to reply when Tantai Yi continued speaking. “However, I am extremely fond of Minister Song’s mouth. From now on, use that mouth to please me.”
Song Pu was speechless.
So straightforward?
Naturally, Song Pu immediately put on a fervent expression.
“This minister’s devotion to Your Majesty is sincere. My only merit is speaking the honest truth. That Your Majesty does not dislike me is already the greatest honour of my life.”
After all the commotion, Tantai Yi finally finished reviewing the memorials and even exceeded expectations. Pu mama, also known as Song Pu, was extremely satisfied. Feeling as though the red scarf across his chest shone even brighter, he withdrew in triumph, glowing with pride.
After he left, an old eunuch appeared beside Tantai Yi at some unknown moment. His voice was hoarse.
“The founding emperor once took a male consort. If Your Majesty likes that child, you might as well grant him a consort’s title. Though he cannot bear children, having someone warm and attentive by your side would comfort the Eldest Princess in the afterlife.”
The old eunuch was quite advanced in age. His face resembled the bark of a withered tree, yet his eyes shone sharply, creating a strangely discordant impression.
It was clear he had a close relationship with Tantai Yi. In front of him, Tantai Yi relaxed somewhat.
Upon hearing those words, his beautiful voice, clear and melodious like a musical instrument, carried a hint of irritation.
“What male consort? I have no interest in men.”
The old eunuch looked surprised. “Your Majesty treats that child with such special favour. Is it not because you have feelings for him?”
Tantai Yi snorted coldly. “I have no interest in men. Even if I did, I would not lay a finger on him.”
Author’s note:
Ah-Gou: I regard Minister Song as a confidant. I would never lay a finger on him.
Later:
Ah-Gou: Actually… I think I could. 🙂
