Song Pu, half-embraced by Tantai Yi, blushed instantly and stammered, “Your Majesty is indeed divinely mighty; even such an unruly giant bow can be tamed. I am truly ashamed…”
He was still holding his breath when he felt the weight on his hands ease considerably. Tantai Yi had borne most of it.
Song Pu immediately felt lighter, yet the closeness struck him. A flicker of panic crossed his face. “Your Majesty, my back may well break. Please have mercy and withdraw the Sun-Shooting Bow.”
Tantai Yi narrowed his golden eyes, looking down at Lord Song. From this angle, all he could see was the other’s fair, smooth forehead, then a straight, upturned nose, and long, thick eyelashes. It was enough to make his chest tighten in an inexplicable way.
Hearing Song Pu’s words, his voice remained bright. “Lord Song rarely has such an opportunity. Why not try once more? I can assist from the side and help you tame the Sun-Shooting Bow.”
Song Pu lifted his eyes, and those beautiful, finely flecked orbs now shone with a hint of pleading, his voice softening. “We mere mortals are already greatly honoured to touch the divine bow. If I were to forcibly tame it, I fear I might shorten my lifespan. If Your Majesty has mercy, please return the divine bow so I may straighten my back.”
In only a few moments, his palms ached. He was close to dropping it, fearful that the bow might fall and be damaged, displeasing Tantai Yi, and so he forced himself to hold on. Even with Tantai Yi’s support, he was at his limit, and his pleading voice grew more urgent.
Tantai Yi knew he could not hold it, and so he stopped the unnecessary words. With a faintly regretful “tsk,” he reluctantly withdrew his hand from Song Pu’s waist and, effortlessly, took up the Sun-Shooting Bow. “Lord Song, if you ever wish to try this bow again, you need only ask. I shall not be stingy.”
Bows and swords were intensely personal items. That Tantai Yi granted him this privilege clearly showed he valued Song Pu’s abilities.
As he spoke, Tantai Yi once more felt a boundless fondness for Song Pu and a certainty that it was reciprocated.
Song Pu was thick-skinned; one needed a strong heart and a resilient face to flatter a man like Tantai Yi. Having done so, he could maintain composure, as if nothing had occurred, especially given Tantai Yi’s evident favour. Their exchanges were a delicate dance of ruler and subject.
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty,” Song Pu said. “Yet my strength is slight; I could never wield such a bow. A fine sword suits a hero, and Your Majesty is so valiant, almost divine. Only a divine bow is worthy of you. Surely it desires only your touch. I would do better not to soil its reputation.”
Tantai Yi’s golden eyes glimmered faintly, evidently pleased. The corners of his mouth curved. “A pity, Lord Song, that one so delicate cannot enjoy the beauty of the Sun-Shooting Bow.”
Then, as if remembering something, his gaze softened and flickered with an almost ineffable emotion. “…By the way, is your injury fully healed?”
Song Pu bowed slightly. “Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, I am well.”
“Look at me, Lord Song,” Tantai Yi said.
Obediently, Song Pu raised his face. His black eyes carried a hint of fear; he did not dare linger on Tantai Yi’s face, and instead, fixed on his clean jawline.
Tantai Yi reached out and brushed the corner of his mouth. “Have you used the ointment I sent to the Duke’s mansion, Lord Song?”
Slightly surprised, Song Pu nonetheless replied sincerely, “Your Majesty’s medicines are of the finest quality, priceless. I have used them carefully. Whenever I think of your favour, I cannot help but shed tears, vowing to recover quickly and return to serve in the palace.”
The very mention of service caused warmth to flicker in Tantai Yi’s golden eyes.
He had always been self-contained; desire rarely found its outlet in others. Yet now, Lord Song was different. Few had stirred his emotions with mere words, much less elicited a reaction as absurdly delightful as this. Even more, he had done so using words that could enchant and elevate Tantai Yi’s spirits.
There was nothing more joyful than this. Yet he was emperor: indulgence in desire could seem base. He had to maintain dignity. Thinking this, his lips curved in a slight, self-satisfied smile. “Now that you are healed, Lord Song, I am relieved.”
He truly appeared to show the utmost concern. But everyone present knew Tantai Yi’s favour for Song Pu was unique, reserved entirely for him.
At noon, Tantai Yi summoned Song Pu to Chunhe Palace alone.
At first, Song Pu thought it was another routine matter of memorials, and paid it no mind. Only after being led to the side hall by Cao Xi did he sense something unusual.
The side hall, part of the emperor’s bathing quarters, contained a large white jade bathtub, hot water gushing from the taps, likely infused with fragrance. The steam carried Tantai Yi’s usual cool scent.
Staring at the clear bathwater, Song Pu was momentarily lost.
Tantai Yi emerged from behind a screen, dressed in a loose grey robe. His exotic, noble beauty radiated, lending him a carefree, captivating charm. Even a woman would find herself exclaiming for him.
Song Pu, a man, could not help but feel slightly swayed.
He rarely dared look directly at Tantai Yi; his beauty was not delicate or effeminate, but perfectly masculine and breathtaking. Skin flawless, features sculpted like a masterwork, radiating an almost predatory allure through his golden eyes.
“Lord Song, how about joining me in the bath?” Tantai Yi asked. His eyes softened slightly with a smile, his tone elegant, almost gentle.
But those accustomed to serving him knew his ‘gentle’ was rare indeed.
Song Pu withdrew his gaze, still respectful. “I will attend to Your Majesty’s bath,” he said.
Kneeling by the bath, he soaked a soft cotton cloth and spoke: “Please, Your Majesty, condescend to enter.”
Tantai Yi stepped in, removing his robe. “You have stood outside all day, Lord Song. I allow you to bathe with me.”
Song Pu froze. “How could I defile Your Majesty’s bath? I shall serve only.”
Tantai Yi’s tone was imperious. “That is a servant’s task. Hurry and undress. I do not argue.”
Song Pu’s fingers trembled over his belt, embarrassed. Tantai Yi, with his perfect physique and eight-pack abs, utterly dwarfed Song Pu’s frail, flat form.
Seeing his hesitation, Tantai Yi raised an eyebrow. “Why dawdle? Do you find me unworthy?”
Song Pu flattered earnestly. “Of course not. Your Majesty’s form is flawless; even the finest jewels cannot match your radiance. We are both men, yet worlds apart. How could I reveal myself before you?”
Tantai Yi smiled, golden eyes alight. “You worry too much. I value talent over appearance. Why trouble yourself?”
Song Pu forced a smile. “Your Majesty is right.”
Blushing, he began to undress, leaving only his white underpants. Sliding into the bath, he kept his distance. The sound of flowing water filled the hall.
Tantai Yi studied his fair, slender frame. “Why leave your underpants on?”
Song Pu hesitated. “I dare not offend Your Majesty’s eyes.”
Tantai Yi smiled faintly. “We have shared a bed before. I have seen enough; why hold back?”
Song Pu froze, his face crimson. “Your Majesty… how could you have seen it…?”
The translator (PurpleLy) has something to say:
Hello, lovely readers. I’ve been uploading a new chapter everyday for this story and now it’s already at 30 chapters. After this, I’ll be uploading new chapters every 2-3 days in order to maintain the consistency in quality while managing my 3 ongoing translation projects at the same time.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.💜
