A deathly silence fell.
Both Cao Xi and Duke Song could scarcely believe their ears.
Nor were they the only ones. Even Tantai Yi wondered whether he had misheard. Though Song Pu’s speech was slurred and slightly sticky from drink, Tantai Yi’s hearing was exceptionally sharp; it was impossible that he could not understand what had been said.
Precisely because he had heard it so clearly, he could not even pretend he had misheard.
For a moment he did not know how to react. Shame, fury, disbelief, and doubt tangled together, swelling into a blazing fire that burned fiercely within his chest.
Duke Song dropped to his knees at once, his voice trembling. “Your Majesty, my son is drunk beyond all sense. Whatever he says now must not be taken to heart!”
Tantai Yi’s breathing grew slightly uneven. His face was taut, and his thin lips seemed even redder for the anger burning through him. Hearing the Duke’s words, he gave a cold laugh. “Does the Duke not know that a drunk man speaks the truth?”
Duke Song’s breath caught. Bowing his head deeply, he said hoarsely, “Please forgive him, Your Majesty! My son has always been utterly loyal to Your Majesty. He has merely lost his composure and spoken out of turn. I beg Your Majesty to remember the affection between you in the past and spare his life!”
Tantai Yi tightened his grip on Song Pu’s chin. His golden eyes looked as though they might carve a piece of flesh from Song Pu’s face.
Yet his voice softened, almost coaxing. “Lord Song… what did you call me just now?”
The pressure hurt. Tears welled in Song Pu’s eyes. “It hurts… let go.”
Tantai Yi inclined his head slightly. A few strands of hair slipped forward from his shoulder, brushing lightly across Song Pu’s cheek and throat.
“Call me that once more,” he murmured, “and I will let go. How about that?”
My son, you must not say it again!
Duke Song stared towards the bed in horror, cold sweat already soaking his back.
“Dog… dog emperor,” Song Pu whimpered tearfully.
It’s over.
Cold sweat poured down the Duke’s face. His heart sank into utter despair.
Hearing the words again, the fire in Tantai Yi’s chest flared even hotter. His hand loosened from Song Pu’s chin, sliding slowly downward until it rested at the slender throat beneath.
His fingers tightened slightly.
Duke Song cried out urgently, “Your Majesty! Please stop! My son truly holds Your Majesty in his heart. This was an accident. He is so drunk he does not even know what he is saying. Your Majesty must not take it seriously!”
Tantai Yi exploded in rage.
He snatched up the bowl that Qingmei had left on the bedside table and hurled it at the Duke.
“Silence! Do you think I have no ears? Get out! All of you! Get out! If you do not leave this instant, I will exterminate the entire Song clan!”
Duke Song remained kneeling, unwilling to go. Cao Xi hurried forward, pulling him to his feet and dragging him out of the room.
“Duke Song,” Cao Xi said in confusion, “His Majesty has always treated Young Master Song with great favour. Why would he say such things? Anyone might curse the emperor, but Young Master Song cannot.”
But the Duke scarcely heard him. The bowl had struck him squarely on the forehead, the force unrestrained. His head rang loudly, and even his hearing had grown dull.
Inside the room, Tantai Yi’s chest rose and fell violently. His pale, flawless face was flushed deep red. The golden light in his eyes burned even brighter with fury.
Looking down at the half-conscious, drunken Song Pu, he asked slowly, each word enunciated: “Lord Song. I will give you one more chance. What did you call me?”
But Song Pu was far too drunk to respond. Even Tantai Yi’s earlier outburst had failed to sober him. Seeing him silent, Tantai Yi reached out and pinched his chin again. This time it produced an immediate reaction.
“It hurts! It hurts! Let go, don’t pinch me!”
Tantai Yi watched him for a moment, then suddenly released his hand.
Song Pu shook his head unsteadily and opened his bright dark eyes. Tantai Yi’s face was reflected clearly within them.
He sniffed. “So fragrant…”
As he spoke, he lifted a strand of Tantai Yi’s loose hair and brought it to his nose, inhaling. A small smile spread across his face. “This smells so good.”
Though his eyes appeared clear, the wine had blurred his vision so badly he could barely distinguish the features before him. He only knew someone was there.
He reached out and touched Tantai Yi’s face. “So smooth… haha.”
The interruption dimmed Tantai Yi’s anger somewhat. He gazed steadily at Song Pu’s flushed face, his voice lowering.“Lord Song… have you been deceiving me all along?”
Song Pu’s tongue felt thick. “Lord Song? Oh… that’s me. I’m Lord Song.”
He laughed foolishly and pushed himself upright on the bed, staring blankly into space. Then he turned his head toward Tantai Yi and suddenly grinned. “I’m Lord Song… and you’re… you’re His Majesty.”
Tantai Yi smiled without warmth. “His Majesty? Not the Dog Emperor?”
As he spoke, his hand rested on Song Pu’s shoulder and slowly moved upward toward his neck. If he dared say those three words again…
But Song Pu suddenly caught the scent of the emperor’s fragrance. He grabbed Tantai Yi’s hand and muttered drunkenly, “Your servant is utterly devoted to Your Majesty…”
“But why does Your Majesty smell so nice? The same scent as your robes. Even when they’re shut in a cabinet, locked in a chest, the whole room still smells of it…”
He sniffed Tantai Yi’s fingers, pressed his face against them, inhaled deeply, rubbing lightly against his hand. “So fragrant…”
Watching this dazed, lovestruck display, the anger in Tantai Yi’s eyes faded a little more.
Without a word, he sat down on the edge of the bed and quietly watched as Song Pu leaned closer and closer until their bodies touched.
Song Pu lifted both hands and cupped Tantai Yi’s face. Kneeling beside him, he stared as though seeing clearly and murmured uncertainly,
“Could it be that I miss Your Majesty so much… that after only one day apart, I’m already dreaming about you?”
He gazed at Tantai Yi’s face, giggling foolishly. “I’m twenty years old and I’ve never seen a man more handsome than Your Majesty. Did you grow up eating beauty itself?”
Hearing him call him “Your Majesty” again, Tantai Yi wondered briefly whether he had sobered up. But after a moment’s consideration he decided he had not.
Song Pu noticed that the person before him remained perfectly still, as though allowing him to do whatever he wished. His dark eyes immediately lit up with delighted mischief. “So it really is a dream! If it weren’t, why wouldn’t the Dog Emperor say anything?”
At those words, the fire in Tantai Yi’s eyes flared again. He was just about to explode when Song Pu suddenly made a move. Song Pu’s hands slid downward and tugged open his robes.
Tantai Yi froze in momentary surprise but did not stop him, merely lowering his gaze as Song Pu pulled his clothing halfway open. Then he felt a pair of soft, warm hands settle against his abdomen.
Song Pu murmured in amazement, “Even your abs look this good in a dream! What a body… let me count how many you have.”
He began counting earnestly. “One… two… three… eight? Eight!”
He giggled. “Eight-pack abs! The Dog Emperor actually has such a good body!”
Each “Dog Emperor” made Tantai Yi’s eyelids twitch. His fist clenched, relaxed, then clenched again.
Meanwhile Song Pu had already slid down between his knees, his wandering hands drifting lower and lower, until finally they grasped his manhood.
“I want to see how big your penis is!” Song Pu said.
Tantai Yi’s heart pounded, suppressing his anger as he said, “Let go!”
Song Pu looked up at him, dazed, and said, “You actually spoke… Don’t, don’t speak! It’s rare to dream of you, I want to see how much you’ve got. People outside say you’re impotent, why don’t you set that straight? You’re tall, with such a straight nose, and long fingers, you look like you have a peerless sword! Those vulgar people are no match for my discerning eye!”
He touched it with his hand, hesitating slightly, “You’re erect, aren’t you?”
He then lifted Tantai Yi’s outer robe, pulled down his underpants, lowered his head, and stared intently, his eyes almost touching Tantai Yi’s.
Tantai Yi’s heart hammered against his ribs like a drum because of his actions, a wave of tingling numbness spreading across his back. His anger had somehow dissipated completely, replaced instead by a different kind of heat. And from this angle, with Song Pu positioned the way he was, it almost looked like he was… well, giving him that sort of thing… which only aroused him further.
“…A lone peak standing proud, a pillar reaching the heavens, piercing the firmament! In one word—huge. A colossal… root. I concede defeat. Truly a peerless sword; once drawn, it can wound at once…”
Song Pu muttered incoherently, yet every word reached Tantai Yi’s ears. The emperor’s fair, beautiful face flushed a deep crimson.
Seeing Song Pu about to let go, Tantai Yi clenched his teeth and seized his hand. “Lord Song, if you dare let go, I will exterminate your entire family!”
Song Pu blinked blankly. “Exterminate… my entire family?”
Tantai Yi enunciated each word coldly. “Yes. Your entire family.”
Song Pu’s mind was muddled with drink, yet those four words struck him like thunder. His whole body shuddered.
“No, no! You can’t exterminate my family! Your servant is loyal to Your Majesty! I would climb mountains of blades and cross seas of fire for you. Anything! I’ll do anything! Please, Your Majesty, you mustn’t exterminate my family!”
Tantai Yi could not help laughing at the sight of him. Yet after a moment the smile faded. His voice grew hoarse. “If Lord Song does not wish to anger me… then… then continue.”
Song Pu stared at him blankly. “Continue?”
Tantai Yi lowered his voice, threatening, “Lord Song refuses? So you have been deceiving me all along. Calling me ‘Dog Emperor’… clearly you harbour rebellious intentions. Not only will I wipe out your entire household. I will exterminate nine generations.”
Song Pu trembled violently. “I understand! I understand! I’ll do it, Your Majesty! I truly am loyal to you! ‘Dog Emperor’… that’s just an affectionate nickname! I only say it in my heart. I’ve never told anyone else! Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please spare me!”
As he spoke, he obediently resumed his efforts. Tantai Yi’s breathing gradually quickened. Song Pu’s soft, warm hands sent a strange shiver down his spine.
“My hands hurt…” Song Pu muttered pitifully.
Tantai Yi showed no mercy. “…Continue. If you stop, I will exterminate your nine generations.”
Sniffling, Song Pu continued. But after so long his palms truly ached; the skin stung as though rubbed raw, and tears welled in his eyes.
“…It really hurts, Your Majesty. If I don’t use my hands… can I use my mouth instead?”
At those words, fire almost burst from Tantai Yi’s golden eyes. His fingers clenched tightly in the bedclothes.
“…As you please,” he said hoarsely. “Just… don’t stop.”
Hearing this, Song Pu happily changed methods.
Half an hour later, he collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted.
Tantai Yi straightened his robes and stood beside the bed for a long moment, looking down at Song Pu’s face before finally pulling the blanket over him.
Song Pu was fast asleep now. His full lips were swollen and reddened, even the corners slightly split.
Looking at him, Tantai Yi felt a complicated stir of emotion, but recalling how Song Pu had repeatedly called him “Dog Emperor”, his mood gradually cooled.
When he stepped outside, he found Duke Song and Cao Xi still waiting by the door. A faint smile appeared on Tantai Yi’s face.
“I regard Lord Song as a confidant,” he said casually, as though nothing had happened. “In the heat of the moment I lost my composure. Duke Song need not worry. I shall pretend today never occurred.”
He paused. “However, for the time being I do not wish to see Lord Song again. If I do… I fear I might not be able to restrain myself from killing him. After all, in the entire world, Lord Song alone dares insult me to my face.”
Cold sweat streamed down the Duke’s back. “This is entirely my fault for failing to discipline my son properly. Your Majesty’s magnanimity in overlooking the matter is his good fortune. When he wakes, I will certainly teach him a lesson.”
Tantai Yi replied simply, “Handle it as you see fit.”
With that he turned and left. Cao Xi hurried after him.
Duke Song escorted the emperor out of the residence, then rushed back to Song Pu’s courtyard. Seeing his son lying peacefully in bed, breathing steadily, he finally let out a long breath.
Without looking too closely, he called Qingmei in. After organising his thoughts for a long moment, he still could not find the words.
At last he said stiffly, “When the young master wakes, inform me immediately.”
Qingmei wiped her tears and asked timidly, “Master… may this servant continue attending the young master?”
Duke Song paused. “The madam’s courtyard is short-handed. Go there instead.”
Qingmei wiped her eyes and reluctantly agreed.
…
Song Pu knew nothing of any of this.
He slept soundly and did not wake until noon the next day.
Only those who had suffered a hangover understood the misery of it. He struggled upright from bed and was about to call for Qingmei when a sharp pain at the corner of his mouth made him suck in a breath.
He touched it gingerly. “Ah—”
He nearly burst into tears.
Song Pu was extremely sensitive to pain. A small split at the corner of the mouth might barely trouble most people, but to him it felt like countless fine needles stabbing him without end.
For a moment he scarcely dared speak.
Besides the pain, he noticed a peculiar scent lingering in his nose. It was heavy yet fleeting, faintly clinging to him.
After a moment’s thought, he realised what it was. Embarrassed, he pulled aside his undergarment and, sure enough, found traces there.
Just as he was about to change, Qingmei entered carrying a basin of water. Seeing he was awake, she smiled. “Young Master is awake?”
Because of the wound on his lip, Song Pu could only respond with a low hum.
“Young Master should wash up,” she said.
Song Pu shrank back into the bed, cheeks slightly flushed. “Qingmei… could you step outside first? I want a moment alone.”
Qingmei studied him for a moment, then suddenly understood. Her own face reddened slightly. “I will fetch clean trousers for Young Master. You may hang the dirty ones over the screen.”
Song Pu: “……”
How does she know exactly what’s going on?!
Since she was so straightforward about it, he no longer felt quite so embarrassed. He accepted the clean clothes she brought and changed once she left.
Yet when he bent down to wash his face, the scent returned.
He paused, sniffing his palm cautiously. Sure enough, a strong musky fragrance lingered there. Not just his hands. He felt as though the scent clung to his hair and face as well, impossible to wash away.
He groaned inwardly. How depraved must he have been to end up smelling like this from head to toe?!
Unable to stand it, he asked Qingmei to prepare hot water so he could bathe. But Qingmei did not move.
“By the way,” she said, “Master asked that you visit him once you wake.”
She hesitated. “And… I will no longer be serving in Young Master’s courtyard.”
Song Pu stared at her in confusion. She suddenly noticed the cut at his lip. “Young Master! What happened to your mouth? Don’t move. I’ll fetch some ointment.”
She ran out and returned shortly with medicine. Song Pu took it from her hand, indicating he would apply it himself.
Qingmei released it and said, “Also… I forgot to mention. His Majesty came here yesterday evening.”
Song Pu froze. “His Majesty… came?”
“You were drunk, so you probably don’t know,” Qingmei said quietly. “But even from outside the courtyard I could hear His Majesty shouting. Someone must have angered him.”
A bad feeling stirred in Song Pu’s chest. But for the moment he said nothing. After bathing and finally washing away the lingering scent, he went to his father’s courtyard.
Duke Song looked terrible.
Though naturally handsome, the beard he insisted on keeping made him appear older. Now his brows were furrowed and several deep lines marked his forehead.
When he saw Song Pu, he barked in a low voice: “Unfilial son!”
Song Pu froze in bewilderment. “Father?”
“So you still remember I am your father!”
He gestured sharply, and a maid immediately brought forward a bamboo whip.
Song Pu’s eyelid twitched. “Father… what are you doing?”
Madam Song hurried forward to stop him. “That’s enough! Even His Majesty has let the matter go. Why make things difficult for Ah-Pu?”
The Duke pushed her aside. “Is this about whether His Majesty holds a grudge? If Song Pu keeps behaving like this, the entire Duke’s household will be destroyed by him!”
He threw the whip aside and ordered, “Open the ancestral hall. Summon the old master and old madam.”
Madam Song’s face turned pale. “Song Jingrong! Are you truly going this far? Ah-Pu is still so young. You want to drag him before the ancestral tablets?”
“He is seventeen!” the Duke snapped. “Old enough to know what words may be spoken and what words must never be uttered. I thought he understood, but clearly he does not.”
“If not for His Majesty’s mercy, rumours that the Song family harbours treason would have us all beheaded!”
Madam Song wept. “But he was drunk… surely drunken words cannot be taken seriously!”
The Duke sneered. “His Majesty himself said a drunk speaks the truth. If drunken words cannot be believed, then should we believe the sweet nonsense he usually says?”
Song Pu finally panicked. Ignoring the pain in his mouth, he asked hoarsely, “What… what did I say?”
“Think for yourself!” the Duke snapped. “You should know!”
Song Pu’s heart pounded wildly. Though he had no memory of the previous night, he could already guess he must have said something disastrous.
He knew his father. If the emperor had chosen not to pursue the matter, the Duke would still need to show a firm attitude.
Which meant punishment was unavoidable.
Just imagining it made his legs go weak. Before the whip had even touched him, his eyes had already reddened.
Madam Song hugged him protectively. “I won’t allow it! His Majesty doesn’t care, so why must you cling to this? Ah-Pu has always been delicate. When tutors tried to teach him, a mere rap on the palm would make him cry until he fainted!”
“If you have people beat him in the ancestral hall, you’ll kill him! If someone must be blamed, blame me! I gave birth to him weak and sensitive. He’s unable to bear pain!”
“Our Ah-Pu has never been good at flattering others. Yet you sent him to serve the emperor and showed no concern. When Zhao bullied me, you did nothing. Have you ever cared about us? You only care about the Duke’s estate and your brothers’ children!”
Tears poured down her face. Song Pu’s eyes reddened as well. He hugged her quietly.
The Duke looked deeply embarrassed. “Qingling… this matter cannot simply be ignored. His Majesty was furious yesterday—even spoke of exterminating nine generations. Do you truly think he can swallow that insult?”
“If we fail to show our stance now, the Song family will become a thorn in His Majesty’s side. When that day comes… our entire clan will be destroyed.”
Madam Song fell silent.
After a moment the Duke sighed. “Ah-Pu is my son. Of course I feel pain. But a mistake is a mistake… and punishment must follow. I will instruct them to go lightly. At worst he will spend another month confined to bed.”
Song Pu gently freed himself from his mother’s embrace.
“I don’t remember what happened,” he said quietly, “but if Father is this angry, I must have committed a terrible offence. Open the ancestral hall.”
“I’m not afraid of pain. Don’t make them hold back. If His Majesty hears you were lenient, it may only deepen his suspicions.”
The Duke’s eyes grew moist. “Ah-Pu… from now on you must never drink again. If there is a next time… I do not know whether I will still be able to protect you.”
Song Pu felt dazed. Soon after, he followed his father to the ancestral hall.
Because orders had already been given, many relatives had gathered there. Under their probing and gloating gazes, Song Pu removed his outer robe, exposing his pale, smooth back.
If one looked closely, his shoulders were trembling. Song Wanyu’s resentful voice reached his ears.
“I always said Second Ge was useless. Yet somehow he convinced His Majesty to shower him with gifts. Now look what’s happened. Offending the emperor is bad enough, but if he drags the rest of us down with him, he deserves death!”
Song Jian spat contemptuously. “He couldn’t even pass the provincial exams, yet he’s remarkably talented at causing trouble. He deserves a proper beating! If he weren’t born into the Duke’s household, His Majesty would never have spared him!”
Standing nearby, Song Shaoqian frowned at their cruel words and quietly stepped away from them.
At the old master’s command, two servants stepped forward, each holding a thick, rounded staff.
Song Pu caught only a glimpse of them from the corner of his eye, yet fear already rose in his heart.
Soon one of the servants brought the staff down heavily across Song Pu’s back. A burst of agony shot through his mind at once, and he collapsed to the ground, his whole body convulsing.
Madam Song burst into uncontrollable sobs and immediately rushed forward to shield him. “That’s enough! He can’t bear pain like this. Stop beating him!”
The old master shook his head. “There are still twenty-nine strokes remaining. They cannot be omitted.”
To be punished in the ancestral hall was no trivial matter. It served both as a warning to others and as a reminder to the one punished to remember this day and never repeat the offence.
“Then strike me instead!” Madam Song cried.
Duke Song tried to pull her away, but she angrily snapped, “Don’t pull me! You kneel as well! If a son is not taught properly, the father is at fault. You share the blame, so why should only Ah-Pu be punished?”
Song Pu gasped continuously from the pain. If one looked closely, the welt across his back had already swollen and split open, bright red blood seeping out. It was obvious the servant had not held back in the slightest.
Just that single blow had already blurred his consciousness with pain.
The old master ordered someone to pull Madam Song and the Duke aside. Seeing that Song Pu truly seemed on the verge of fainting, he hesitated briefly before giving the servants a subtle signal to ease their strength and continue.
Amid Madam Song’s sobs, the two servants delivered another ten or so blows. Just as they were about to proceed further, Song Lingyun arrived.
He pushed through the crowd of spectators who had gathered to watch the spectacle and said sharply,
“His Majesty favours Ah-Pu greatly. If you wish to beat him to death and provoke the Emperor’s wrath, then continue. If you do not wish to anger His Majesty again, I will take the remaining punishment in his place.”
His devotion to his younger brother was well known, almost to the point of obsession. The old master saw the red in his eyes and the resentment burning within them. He knew Song Lingyun was dissatisfied and rebellious by nature, and he was deeply displeased. However, the old madam loved her grandson dearly and kept tugging at his sleeve, preventing him from speaking further.
In the end it was the old madam who stepped forward and said, “Since Zhiyun is so willing, let him receive the punishment in Pu-ge’er’s place.”
The commotion did not finally subside until close to noon.
Song Lingyun was far sturdier than Song Pu. After receiving the remaining dozen or so blows, he appeared almost unaffected. He simply lifted Song Pu in his arms and carried him back to his rooms.
By then Song Pu had already lost consciousness. His face was as pale as paper, his cheeks and neck damp with cold sweat, as though he had been hauled out of water.
Madam Song’s eyes were red and swollen. She had already sent for a physician, who was now checking his pulse and preparing a prescription.
Song Lingyun asked her, “Why was Ah-Pu punished?”
Madam Song choked back tears. “Yesterday he became drunk. His Majesty came to visit, and… and when he saw the Emperor he spoke nonsense. He called His Majesty a ‘dog emperor’.”
“…I see.” Song Lingyun frowned. After a moment he said, “No wonder. I wondered why Ah-Pu seemed to have changed his mind. So he had grievances in his heart.”
His upper body was bare, his own back also bloodied, yet he seemed not to feel the pain. While a maid applied medicine to his wounds, he added,
“Ah-Pu has such a gentle and honest nature. After being treated like that, it is only natural for him to harbour resentment. Why blame him for it?”
Madam Song said, “His Majesty also said he would not pursue the matter. It was your father, with all his lofty principles, who insisted on dragging him to the ancestral hall for punishment.”
Song Lingyun muttered to himself, “We are merely subjects. Naturally we must try to guess the Emperor’s intentions.”
As he spoke, a trace of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes. He closed them briefly, calculating silently in his heart. Preparations would have to be made. If that foolish ruler truly intended to move against them, it might be better to overthrow him and seek another sovereign.
*
After leaving the Duke’s residence, Tantai Yi returned to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Yet although he had come there to observe quiet vigil, he could not calm his mind.
His thoughts were filled entirely with Lord Song.
That phrase, “dog emperor”, had enraged him at the time. In that moment he had wanted to strangle Lord Song to death. Yet somehow… in the end things had developed into something entirely different.
Not only had he used Lord Song’s soft, smooth hands, he had also used those bright red lips, even forcing him to swallow everything.
When drunk, Lord Song had been especially obedient. The moist eyes with which he begged for mercy were particularly beautiful, and the soft sounds from his mouth had been almost musical, easily stirring his heart.
If he deliberately frightened him, Lord Song would respond with ten times the eagerness, serving him from head to toe, left and right, as though he were some unparalleled delicacy in the world. Even when the corner of his mouth split and tears welled from the pain, he would still remain there earnestly, impossible to pull away, working all the harder.
Afterwards he had even continued carefully cleaning him with his mouth, afraid of soiling his clothes and being punished with the extermination of nine generations.
How could it be… that he was so utterly captivating?
Merely recalling the scene caused Tantai Yi’s face to flush. Heat rose through his body, and below there was already the faint stir of arousal.
He drew a deep breath and forced the heat down. To be thinking such things before the tablets of his ancestors was truly disrespectful.
And yet he could not stop himself from thinking.
The matter of being called “dog emperor” no longer bothered him. It was true that drunken words revealed the truth, but Lord Song had served him so devotedly even while drunk, casting aside his masculine pride entirely at his feet. How could such a Lord Song not be sincere inside and out?
With that thought, Tantai Yi suddenly felt his mood brighten, a strange sense of pride rising within him. He still remembered Lord Song’s words of praise. They had sounded wanton and uninhibited, yet they had also been utterly sincere. For a man, that was the greatest praise imaginable.
The drunken Lord Song had abandoned all the formalities between ruler and subject and seemed far more intimate with him. Even his praise had been outrageously irreverent, yet it suited Tantai Yi perfectly.
The more he thought about it, the more his thoughts drifted, and a faint smile curved his lips.
Cao Xi brought him tea. Seeing the smile on his face and the good mood he seemed to be in, he hesitated. Tantai Yi noticed his gaze and felt a flicker of displeasure.
Cao Xi quickly said, “Is Your Majesty thinking of Young Master Song?”
Tantai Yi narrowed his eyes slightly. Though he did not look at him, his authority was unmistakable.
Cao Xi’s heart pounded as he continued cautiously, “Young Master Song offended Your Majesty greatly. Your Majesty’s benevolence in overlooking the matter is already an immense act of grace. Yet if he receives no punishment, others may grow contemptuous. Over time would that not encourage such behaviour?”
Tantai Yi finally looked at him, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. “You mean I should punish him?”
Cao Xi lowered his voice. “After all, Young Master Song committed a grave act of disrespect. Your Majesty might impose a small punishment as a warning.”
Tantai Yi replied calmly, “Am I the emperor, or are you? Must you teach me how to rule?”
His tone was gentle, but the displeasure within it made Cao Xi’s hair stand on end. He immediately fell to his knees to beg forgiveness.
Tantai Yi said, “Cao Xi, if you simply did your work obediently, I might tolerate you a little. Yet now your courage has grown so great that you dare instruct me?”
“This servant has overstepped! Your Majesty, please forgive me!”
Tantai Yi continued softly, “Lately your mind does not seem to be on your duties. I have tolerated you once or twice, and yet you seem unaware. Let me think. Have you heard Lord Song’s pleasant words and wish to imitate him to win my favour?”
Cao Xi was terrified. Cold sweat soaked his clothes and his face turned as pale as a ghost. “This servant was foolish and presumptuous. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness. I will devote myself entirely to serving Your Majesty.”
Tantai Yi said quietly, “If you truly wished to win my favour, you would not tremble so whenever you see me. I might then believe you a little. When Lord Song spoke to me, he smiled, fearless and unafraid. Every word and gesture revealed admiration.”
“But you possess no admiration for me. Only fear. Fear that I might kill you.”
Cao Xi’s ears rang as he knelt there, convinced that today would be the day of his death.
Yet Tantai Yi did not pursue the matter further. Although he disliked Cao Xi, there was indeed no one else attending him at present, and he could not be bothered to deal with it. Thus Cao Xi narrowly escaped disaster.
Tantai Yi tapped the table and suddenly said, “Go to the Duke’s residence and deliver some wound medicine. The imperial treasury surely has far more of such medicines. Lord Song has suffered, so I should show him some pity.”
Cao Xi was stunned. He had not expected such leniency. A sense of surviving a calamity filled him and he hurriedly accepted the order, knocking his head repeatedly before withdrawing.
Only once outside did he realise he had not even asked what kind of medicine to send. Recalling the Emperor’s words when leaving the Duke’s residence, he made his own judgement. He went to the treasury, selected a large quantity of ointments for external injuries, and personally delivered them to the Duke’s residence.
Sure enough, Young Master Song had been beaten so badly that he could not rise from bed and was still unconscious.
If the Emperor had punished him personally, matters might have been simpler. But when the Emperor refrained from punishment, the Duke’s household had been forced to demonstrate their loyalty, making the situation far more severe.
Still, since His Majesty had shown such grace and even sent medicine, it seemed he had no intention of pursuing the matter further.
Seeing how badly Song Pu had been beaten, Cao Xi felt a trace of pity. When he returned to report, he mentioned it cautiously.
Tantai Yi was startled. “You mean he is still unconscious?”
Cao Xi replied quietly, “It is said the Duke opened the ancestral hall and had Young Master Song receive thirty blows of the family staff. He has not yet regained consciousness. Fortunately, the ointment Your Majesty bestowed can now be put to use.”
For a moment the atmosphere turned deathly still.
Then the eunuchs waiting outside heard the Emperor’s furious voice erupt from within. “Damn it! Who told them to beat him? Did they not understand when I said I would not pursue the matter?!”
