Song Pu was momentarily stunned by Tantai Yi’s words.
After a brief pause, he replied cautiously, “…Distance makes affection grow, but familiarity can breed contempt. If I were to enter the palace and remain constantly at Your Majesty’s side, you would surely come to know all my flaws. But if we maintain a proper distance—where Your Majesty cannot see or know them—you may continue to think well of me. I confess I have selfish motives. I still wish to present the best version of myself before Your Majesty, which is why I’m reluctant to enter the palace. I hope Your Majesty can understand.”
Only then did the slight crease in Tantai Yi’s brow relax. Looking at Song Pu, his tone softened somewhat.
“Why be so cautious, Minister Song? I favour you. Even if I were to know your shortcomings, I would not dislike you for them. At present, you are my most favoured minister.”
The emperor’s tongue is the mouth of a liar. Song Pu didn’t believe a word of it.
Outwardly, however, he put on a deeply flattered expression. “Your Majesty’s generosity moves me… May I ask what plans Your Majesty has for today?”
Tantai Yi thought for a moment before replying slowly, “Let us leave the palace.”
…
For the past few days, Song Pu had been bringing food to Tantai Yi… little cakes, pastries, and whatever snacks he could make from whatever ingredients were available. The result of these frequent offerings was that Tantai Yi obediently finished reviewing his memorials each day.
When Song Pu returned home, the Duke of Song questioned him about the situation and learned that Song Pu had effectively coaxed the emperor into working. Pleased, the duke rewarded him with a generous amount of pocket money.
Gold. Pure gold.
Song Pu was ecstatic. In his entire life, he had never possessed so much gold of his own.
So when Tantai Yi suggested leaving the palace, Song Pu had no objections. The imperial palace was only so large. The dog emperor wasn’t obsessed with women, nor did he indulge in drunken revelry. How could anyone stand staying there all day? Going out to see the world sounded like a fine idea.
…
That day, Tantai Yi wore a black silk robe trimmed with red brocade. His hair was half-tied, half-loose, secured only with a silver crown set with jade. The attire itself was ordinary enough to blend into a crowd, but his face was simply too striking, and the natural aura of nobility about him impossible to conceal.
Anyone who saw him would look twice.
Song Pu watched him for a while, lips pressed together, a trace of worry appearing on his face.
For some reason, Tantai Yi’s attention kept drifting toward him. He quickly sensed something was wrong and lifted his gaze slightly, his expression carrying a faint air of authority.
“Why does Minister Song look troubled? Is it because you do not wish for me to leave the palace?”
Song Pu hesitated before answering, “Your Majesty is… rather dazzling. If you go out, it may attract attention. Perhaps Your Majesty might consider wearing a mask to conceal yourself?”
After saying this, he began second-guessing himself.
Liang was now extremely powerful. Many smaller kingdoms had submitted to it. As the capital, Yanjing frequently received foreign merchants, including many strikingly handsome men of exotic appearance. Tantai Yi’s golden eyes, though distinctive, were not entirely unique here.
Thinking this through, Song Pu quickly amended his words.
“Besides, Yanjing lies beneath the Son of Heaven’s gaze. No one would dare cause trouble here. I was overthinking things.Your Majesty needn’t worry.”
Tantai Yi smiled faintly. “Minister Song is very considerate. But I dislike wearing masks, and I fear no one. You may rest easy.”
Song Pu felt that his smile made him look even more dazzling than before. He drew in a quiet breath, feeling slightly dizzy.
…Putting everything else aside, the dog emperor was truly devastatingly handsome.
…
After a short while, they set out.
Tantai Yi brought seven attendants with him: besides Song Pu and the others, there were Cao Xi and another eunuch, along with two guards. Though this outing was spontaneous, several Black Dragon Guards still followed secretly in the shadows.
The late emperor had favoured Tantai Yi greatly.
The Black Dragon Guard was the imperial dynasty’s private army. Only thirty men, but each capable of facing a thousand opponents alone. Every one of them was among the greatest martial experts in the realm. They obeyed only the emperor who possessed the Dragon Talisman; both the talisman and the throne were required.
The late emperor had given both to Tantai Yi.
Because of this, Tantai Yi’s feelings toward the Liang dynasty were… complicated.
…
“Your Majesty, look!” Song Pu suddenly pointed excitedly. “Someone’s breathing fire over there. Shall we go see?”
Cao Xi immediately lowered his voice. “Lord Song, please keep your voice down.”
Tantai Yi glanced at him before saying to Song Pu, “This is not the palace. Minister Song may call me Yuan Yu.”
Cao Xi’s eyes widened. “Your Majesty, that cannot be!”
Song Pu and the others were also startled. Song Pu recovered first. “…How about I call Your Majesty Young Master?”
Tantai Yi paused briefly. “That will do.”
Song Pu immediately changed his address. “Young Master, shall we go watch the fire-breather?”
Tantai Yi lifted his chin slightly. “Very well.”
…
Song Pu happily hurried forward, squeezing through the crowd to make a path before gesturing invitingly.
His posture looked somewhat fawning, but his delicate features and bright, delighted smile made him seem lively and almost childlike instead.
“Young Master, come quickly! The performance’s at its best right now. We arrived at the perfect moment!”
Tantai Yi walked over with his hands behind his back.
In truth, he had little interest in such things. But seeing the curiosity lighting up Song Pu’s face, he indulged him anyway.
Yanjing’s prosperity lay in its bustling trade between nations. Foreigners with blond hair and blue eyes were common sights, and many extraordinary performers gathered there.
The man performing now wasn’t merely breathing fire. He was doing it while walking a tightrope. Not only that, he even flipped somersaults on the rope.
The rope hung at least six metres above the ground, with absolutely no safety measures. Yet the burly performer showed no fear at all.
Song Pu watched with his mouth hanging open, nearly shouting. Beside him, Cao Xi cast a sidelong glance, privately thinking the man truly had little worldly experience.
But when Tantai Yi saw Song Pu looking at the performer with such admiration, his mood soured.
Why did Song Pu look at everyone with that same expression of awe?
Suddenly, Tantai Yi began to suspect something. Perhaps Song Pu admired him so deeply only because he was a bookworm who had never seen much of the world.
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.
“I’m tired,” he said abruptly.
The crowd was screaming with excitement, so Song Pu didn’t hear him. Cao Xi, however, did.
“Your—Young Master,” Cao Xi quickly said, “there’s a restaurant over there. Shall we rest for a while?”
Tantai Yi’s beautiful face darkened instantly.
Cao Xi’s heart seized. Having served him for years, he knew that look meant anger. Even breathing suddenly felt painful.
“Young… Master?” he stammered.
…
The oppressive tension quickly spread to the others.
Chang Jiangming and Xie Nuoyu noticed something was wrong and hurriedly nudged Song Pu, who was still watching the performance.
“Ah-Pu! If you keep staring, His Majesty will lose his temper!”
Song Pu finally snapped out of it. Turning around, he indeed saw Tantai Yi’s expression dark and clearly displeased.
He immediately composed himself. “Young Master… was the performance not to your liking?”
Tantai Yi looked at him expressionlessly. “I said I’m tired.”
Song Pu froze for a moment, then hurriedly said, “Then let’s rest! Let me see—ah! There’s a restaurant over there. Young Master, remember the place I mentioned before? There’s a storyteller there who tells wonderful tales. It’s still early. He should already be performing. We might even catch a session.”
Seeing Song Pu’s bright eyes turn back to him again, Tantai Yi felt slightly satisfied, though his expression remained stern. “I’m afraid it may dirty my ears.”
Song Pu looked troubled. “Then what would Young Master prefer?”
Tantai Yi raised his chin slightly. “Since Minister Song enjoys it, I will reluctantly listen.”
Song Pu immediately brightened. “Young Master might enjoy it too.”
Tantai Yi’s expression finally softened, a faint smile appearing. “If I find it unpleasant, I will punish you.”
Song Pu grinned ingratiatingly. “Please be merciful, Young Master. I’m afraid of pain. If you must punish me, make me serve tea and pour water. I’ll attend to you with utmost care.”
Tantai Yi glanced at him and laughed.
…
Only after seeing him laugh did Song Pu finally breathe a true sigh of relief.
He glanced regretfully at the lively crowd behind them. On his previous outings he had never encountered street performers, yet today he had, only to leave halfway through.
What a pity.
Still, the restaurant he had mentioned was somewhere he had always wanted to visit.
The storyteller there was said to be extraordinary. Able to make audiences roar with laughter, shout with excitement, or weep openly with his tales.
Song Pu had long admired him.
Today, he had finally found his chance.
…
When they arrived, the restaurant owner recognised Song Pu immediately.
“Master Song! It’s been quite some time since you visited. What brings you here today?”
Song Pu smiled politely. “I was ill recently and wasn’t allowed to go out. By the way, where is Master Qian’s story now?”
The owner beamed. “You’ve come at just the right time! The Ghost-Faced General finished a few days ago. Master Qian is now telling Seeking Immortality at Penglai.”
He led them upstairs to a table by the railing with an excellent view. “Would Master Song like something to eat?”
Song Pu turned to Tantai Yi. “Young Master, are you hungry?”
The owner glanced at Tantai Yi and was startled.
Fair skin. Golden eyes. Noble bearing. Though not quite foreign, he possessed strikingly exotic features.
A guess immediately formed in the owner’s mind, but he dared not voice it. Bowing lower, he held his breath.
Tantai Yi was very pleased with Song Pu’s habit of putting him first.
“I am not hungry. If Minister Song is, you may order something yourself.”
He had not changed his self-address. That alone confirmed the owner’s suspicion. Sweat immediately formed on his forehead.
Song Pu noticed but pretended not to.
“Young Master, would you like osmanthus cake? Or red-date cake? Salted peanuts? Perhaps some cold dishes?”
Tantai Yi’s eyes curved in amusement. “Order whatever you wish. Do not concern yourself with me.”
Song Pu nodded and turned to the owner. “One plate of red-date cake, several cold dishes, and a pot of hot tea.”
“Yes, yes!” The owner hurried away.
After he left, Song Pu smiled again. “We arrived early. Not many people yet. Most wealthy gentlemen and pampered young masters can’t wake up this early.”
Tantai Yi asked casually, “Does Minister Song often come here to listen to storytellers?”
Now that there were fewer people nearby, Song Pu reverted to his usual form of address. “I tend to wander around when I have free time. I’ve explored most of Yanjing already. Its food and entertainment. Master Qian here is truly remarkable. I admire him greatly, so I come often.”
Wherever Master Qian performed, the restaurant was always packed. “Song Pu” had never missed a single session. In truth, he was one of Master Qian’s most loyal fans.
Yet these simple words sounded strangely unpleasant to Tantai Yi.
Author’s Note
The moment when the “playboy” gets exposed (not really):
Tantai Yi: Minister Song, I didn’t expect you to admire everyone you meet.
Song Pu: ??? Stop adding scenes that don’t exist!
