Master Qian, unaware that he had narrowly escaped disaster, stepped onto the stage with a graceful air beneath the expectant gazes of the crowd. After taking a sip of water, he began his storytelling. He looked surprisingly young; his skin was fair as jade, his features delicate and refined. He had deliberately grown a beard, lending him an extra touch of maturity. His voice, however, was deep and resonant, strong and full of vigour.
Tantai Yi looked down at the storyteller and remarked indifferently, “Nothing special.”
Song Pu said, “Your Majesty is knowledgeable and discerning. I merely assumed that Your Majesty might enjoy it.”
Tantai Yi replied, “Since we’re here, I would like to hear what he can do.”
With that, he fell silent.
Song Pu felt a tug on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Xie Nuoyu pulling him. He gave him a questioning glance. Xie Nuoyu shook his head and gestured under the table. Song Pu watched for some time but could not make sense of the signals. Xie Nuoyu sighed and fell silent.
Although Song Pu’s memory of Master Qian was vague and indistinct. He had never truly come to the tavern to hear him tell stories. The man was undoubtedly skilled. Even arriving partway through, Song Pu could appreciate the charm of his tale and soon became fully absorbed.
A moment later, someone kicked him under the table, startling him.
Tantai Yi noticed his movement, turned, and asked with concern, “What is it?”
Song Pu opened his mouth to speak, but another kick came. He resisted the urge to look under the table. Facing Tantai Yi, he said innocently, “I saw an insect fly by, so I moved back to let it pass.”
Tantai Yi laughed. “Afraid of insects, Lord Song?”
Embarrassed, Song Pu admitted, “Yes… a little. I’ve been afraid since I was a child. My mother even said I was as timid as a girl.”
Tantai Yi found this amusing, and his smile grew more genuine. “Nonsense. Everyone has fears, even I am not exempt.”
Song Pu was about to ask another question when he remembered Shen Yonghe’s words and stifled himself. His face flushed. “…Your Majesty understands me so well, I am truly gratified.”
Tantai Yi gazed at him quietly. “It’s getting late. Let’s return to the palace.”
Back at the palace, Tantai Yi asked, “I granted you one request, Lord Song. Have you decided what you wish for?”
Song Pu blushed, his eyes flickering, looking both guilty and embarrassed. “Your Majesty… I do not know if it is appropriate to speak.”
Tantai Yi said, “Why should it not be spoken? Whatever you desire, as ruler of the realm, surely I can provide it.”
Song Pu believed him and mustered courage. “Your Majesty… may I receive a piece of Your Majesty’s clothing?”
Tantai Yi remained silent.
Cao Xi, standing nearby, wanted to call out, “Insolent!” but his foot slowly drew back. Lord Song was already the recipient of the Emperor’s favour; speaking now would only irritate both men. Better to stay quiet.
Tantai Yi raised a brow, golden eyes glinting with faint curiosity. “Whose clothing, Lord Song?”
Since Song Pu was intent on flattering the emperor, he would need to play along; at least he might as well treat the emperor as an idol. Asking for clothing didn’t seem excessive.
Song Pu blushed. “Your Majesty… I wish to have one of Your Majesty’s garments. Then, when I cannot see Your Majesty, I may hold it and think of you, easing my longing.”
Seeing his trembling eyelashes and flushed face, Tantai Yi felt a warmth rise to his own cheeks, his mouth dry, though he kept his expression composed. “A bold request, indeed, Lord Song.”
Song Pu lowered his head. “I cannot explain why, but the thought came unbidden. If I have offended, please forgive me. I only… only…”
He seemed too ashamed to continue, falling silent.
Tantai Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Since you desire it, Lord Song, I shall grant it. However… do not do anything disrespectful with my clothing. Should I learn of it, I will punish you severely.”
Song Pu’s eyes lit up, gleaming with delight. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s generosity! I will cherish it and will not disappoint you!”
Tantai Yi said, “Return home for now. I shall have someone deliver my apology along with your gift to the Duke’s residence.”
Song Pu bowed gratefully, then left the palace with Xie Nuoyu and the others. Outside, he dared to ask, “Who kicked me in the tavern?”
Xie Nuoyu lowered his head. “I did.”
“Why?” Song Pu asked.
“You were pretending to be engrossed in Master Qian’s storytelling before His Majesty. Had His Majesty seen that, he would have had Master Qian executed again. All your earlier words would have been for nothing!”
Song Pu finally understood her meaning. Embarrassed, he sighed. “I hadn’t considered that.”
Though thick-skinned enough to flatter the emperor in front of Xie Nuoyu and Chang Jiangming without shame, afterwards he felt slightly awkward. “His Majesty is magnanimous; he surely forgave me. Fortunately, if Master Qian had truly been executed, I would have borne the blame.”
Chang Jiangming, still uneasy from memory, said, “Ah-Pu, His Majesty now favours you above others. I understand that you’ve been granted exceptions. I will remember you even if I grow rich and powerful! My father brought peach blossom wine from Jiangnan. I shall give you a few jars. Don’t refuse. I’m not good with words and will need your help in future. Let me express my gratitude.”
“Why wine? Why not storybooks?” Song Pu asked.
Chang Jiangming looked surprised, then grinned slyly. “I do have storybooks… and that picture… all my treasures. I’ll give them all to you.”
Song Pu smiled slyly. “Jiangming-ge understands me!”
As Chang Jiangming was about to speak, Xie Nuoyu grasped Song Pu’s hand tightly. “Ah-Pu, please, do not praise us before His Majesty again.”
Song Pu: “…”
*
After Song Pu left, Tantai Yi returned to his study. The young eunuch poured him hot tea, which he drank immediately. The eunuch refilled several times, each swiftly emptied.
Tantai Yi’s expression was grim. Trembling, Cao Xi asked, “Your Majesty, what troubles you? If you will confide, I shall do my utmost to relieve your worries.”
Tantai Yi snapped, “What do you know! Get out! All of you, get out!”
This time, he did not throw anything. Cao Xi sensed the displeasure was connected to Lord Song, but Lord Song had left without incident. Why was His Majesty upset now? Cao Xi was puzzled, unable to reason it out, and left the study with the young eunuch.
The old eunuch’s voice sounded, “What troubles Your Majesty?”
“Uncle Qin, something strikes me as strange,” Tantai Yi said.
The old eunuch, having appeared silently beside him, asked, “Is it because of Lord Song?”
Tantai Yi remained silent.
“If Your Majesty desires him, make him a concubine. Then he may always be near, and your worries shall vanish,” the old eunuch suggested.
Tantai Yi said, “Uncle Qin, I am not interested in men! I like women.”
The old eunuch replied, “Why deceive yourself? Three years have passed. You have taken no concubine. The harem is empty, there are no children. How is this liking women?”
Tantai Yi snorted. “Do you think I do not see their schemes? To them, I am a ladder, a stepping stone. They care only for the throne beneath me, my imperial position. Who understands me? They all think I am a fool. I will not grant their desires. Whatever they seek, I will not give.”
He revealed his unreasonable temper without restraint. The old eunuch pressed, “Then Your Majesty must appoint an heir. Without concubines, how will there be one?”
“I do not know,” Tantai Yi replied.
Thinking further, his long golden eyes narrowed. “This throne should not be mine. I do not care. Heir or no heir, it matters not.”
“Your Majesty, caution your words!” the old eunuch warned.
Tantai Yi’s tone softened. “I speak only to Uncle Qin. Consider it mere nonsense.”
The old eunuch sighed. “Your troubles… are with Lord Song, are they?”
Tantai Yi paused. “I… I do not know.”
His long fingers cupped his face, showing only thick, slightly drooping golden eyes. “I admire Lord Song. He understands me, his respect seems genuine. I have had inappropriate reactions, even indulged in fantasies… but I should not. I am not interested in men. Why this…?”
The old eunuch, unsure how to respond, said after a pause, “Your Majesty… follow your heart.”
*
Not long after, Song Pu returned home and received the palace gifts.
The Duke’s residence buzzed with excitement. The gifts were delivered by Cao Xi.
Song Pu examined them. Beyond rare calligraphy originals, there were ancient books. They were a substantial gift for a scholar, but useless for a petty bourgeois like Song Pu who loved money above all.
Tantai Yi had also sent a painting of a tiger descending a mountain, with an inscription and imperial seal. If sold, it probably… would not fetch much.
Finally, there were the garments on Cao Xi’s tray. Cao Xi’s expression was complex, though he smiled kindly. “Lord Song, these are old clothes of His Majesty. Take good care. They were woven day and night by the Imperial Wardrobe. Though His Majesty only wore them once, the materials are precious. Cherish and protect them.”
“Naturally,” Song Pu replied.
After Cao Xi left, Song Lingyun flipped through the books. “His Majesty actually sent you so many rare works! What spell did you use to get them?”
“Why say that?” Song Pu asked.
“No real reason,” Song Lingyun said. “Few can receive such gifts. You are the first in years.”
He frowned, slightly dissatisfied. “Why did you step forward like that? Now that he values you so, how can I… mediate and get you out of trouble?”
Song Pu whispered, “No need. I like serving our Emperor.”
Song Lingyun tapped his forehead. “What spell did he put on you to make you think he’s so good? Who was frightened sick before?”
Song Pu’s expression darkened; the didi he cared for was gone. The more he treated him well, the guiltier he felt. “…Ge, don’t worry. I am not the same. Now I am Niu Gulu Song Pu*. That will never happen again.”
(*TN: “Niu Gulu” (钮钴禄) is a Manchu clan name from the Qing dynasty. The Qing imperial family and many nobles were of Manchu origin, and the Manchu people had distinctive clan names that were often used as surnames or to indicate lineage.
So “Niu Gulu Song Pu” is the full formal way of giving Song Pu his Manchu clan name along with his personal name. It’s like saying “Song Pu of the Niu Gulu clan.” In context, it signals official identity and maturity, emphasising that he’s now fully his own person, rather than the child or subordinate he used to be.)
Song Lingyun was speechless with anger. After a pause, he said, “Didn’t His Majesty send you something else? Open it.”
Song Pu focused on the tray covered with red silk. Lifting it, he revealed the contents.
Song Lingyun’s face showed astonishment. “…What is this?”
Song Pu was stunned. He pinched the collar and lifted it, muttering, “…Undergarment… underpants?”
Author’s Note:
Ah-Gou: Just removed them from myself. Surprised? Shocked?
