Song Pu: “…”
It was the first time he had encountered someone so quick to turn the tables. He felt a flush of embarrassment, unsure whether to mutter a curse, yet outwardly he said with shame, “It is my fault. I slept poorly and have offended Your Majesty. I beg your forgiveness!”
Tantai Yi was still holding him in his arms, but the phrase “warm and soft jade” flickered through his mind.
The man in his arms was completely limp, without a trace of muscle, making him feel like a warm bundle of cotton. The touch was exquisite, and Tantai Yi found himself reluctant to let go. “…I understand that Minister Song cannot help but wish to be close to me. In that case, I shall not hold it against him. I shall stay and sleep with you a little longer.”
Since Song Pu dared admit his fault, Tantai Yi allowed himself to follow suit.
Song Pu grumbled inwardly but wore a mask of gratitude, saying, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
Tantai Yi then calmly closed his eyes and continued sleeping.
Dawn was breaking. Since Tantai Yi had no court duties that day, there was no need to rise early. Still, he kept a set routine. There were morning exercises, painting, calligraphy, and other tasks. Thus, mornings spent lazing in bed were rare indeed.
But Song Pu could not sleep. The weight on his body was almost unbearable. He was not a pillow, so why were legs wrapped around his waist? Did this emperor have no sense of dignity at all?
Just as he pondered this, the arms and legs holding him relaxed. Tantai Yi rolled over, facing away.
The pressure lifted, and Song Pu let out a long sigh of relief.
Seeing Tantai Yi truly asleep again, he closed his eyes and tried to catch a little more sleep. This time, he managed to drift off properly.
Outside, Cao Xi was already dressed and waiting at the door for his summons. Yet at the usual hour for the emperor’s rising, there was no movement inside the bedchamber. Glancing at the dim sky, he had no choice but to wait.
Song Pu woke once more, this time from the heat. He opened his eyes and, as expected, found Tantai Yi’s arms and legs draped over him again, almost entirely enveloping him.
This emperor’s sleeping posture was truly terrible!
Song Pu looked helplessly at the luminous pearl overhead. He could not sleep, sweating under the tight embrace, his forehead cooling as sweat began to evaporate.
Gradually, his expression shifted and his body tensed.
Tantai Yi, eyes still closed, shifted slightly beneath the covers, tightening his hold on Song Pu and pressing him closer.
Song Pu shivered, swallowing hard, eyes wide.
They were both men. He knew perfectly well what sensations this implied.
Tantai Yi, clearly still half-asleep, moved again beneath the covers, sparks of sensation skittering across Song Pu’s skin, making his scalp tingle.
He dared not speak, staring at the luminous pearl and pretending nothing was happening.
Thankfully, it did not last long before Tantai Yi woke, voice hoarse, casually asking, “Is Lord Song awake?”
Song Pu, embarrassed, replied, “…Your subject is awake.”
He did not mention the situation below, yet Tantai Yi seemed reluctant to let go. Lord Song was soft and gentle, and admired him so. He ought to be pleased to be close.
Song Pu had no insight into Tantai Yi’s thoughts, only that the emperor had not released him. The stirring below made his scalp tingle again, cold sweat soaking his back. “Your Majesty… please release me. I am sweating; I fear it may trouble Your Majesty.”
Tantai Yi, eyes closed, murmured hoarsely, “Lord Song smells lovely, fragrant. How could you trouble me?”
Song Pu: “…”
Is that really the focus? Isn’t the point your peerless sword?
He rolled his eyes and stayed silent.
Fortunately, Tantai Yi did not move further. He lingered briefly between Song Pu’s legs before slowly withdrawing.
Song Pu finally exhaled. “Your Majesty, it is time to rise.”
Tantai Yi opened his eyes. “Mm.”
His golden gaze, still heavy with sleep, was a little blurred. He withdrew his assertive limbs and called to Cao Xi, voice husky. Cao Xi promptly entered, followed by several eunuchs carrying Tantai Yi’s clothes, hair ornaments, and toiletries. Naturally, Song Pu also received attention from them.
Cao Xi personally dressed Tantai Yi, while Song Pu was assisted by the eunuchs.
Once dressed and washed, Song Pu accompanied Tantai Yi to breakfast. Palace meals were indeed far superior to those outside; some delicacies were exclusive to the palace.
Still, Song Pu’s appetite was large, and he felt somewhat restrained in the palace, so he did not eat much.
Seeing him put down his chopsticks, Tantai Yi asked, “Minister Song usually eats well. Why so little in the palace? Is the food not to your liking?”
Song Pu was mildly surprised but not shocked. After all, Tantai Yi had ample reason to observe him. Yet to witness such blatant surveillance was infuriating. He masked his irritation with a show of astonishment. “Your Majesty actually knows I have a large appetite?”
Tantai Yi paused, then said enigmatically, “I know everything about Minister Song.”
Song Pu: Then do you know I want to hit you?
Outwardly, he said, moved, “Your Majesty’s concern is truly touching; I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”
He continued, “Palace meals are delicacies I cannot find elsewhere. How could I dislike them? On the contrary, I enjoy them greatly. I only hold back to maintain a gentlemanly air before Your Majesty; eating too much might seem vulgar and offend you. I hope Your Majesty understands.”
Tantai Yi said, “If you enjoy it, eat more. Seeing you eat well improves my own appetite.”
He glanced lightly at Cao Xi, who immediately moved to serve Song Pu.
Song Pu said gratefully, “If I can improve Your Majesty’s appetite, then I have done my part. I shall give my utmost without hesitation.”
With that, he began eating again.
His appetite indeed returned. Though mornings required moderation, working closely with Tantai Yi demanded sustenance; otherwise, he would be hungry well before noon, and only he would suffer.
Seeing him eat heartily, Tantai Yi could not help but smile. Like his physique, Tantai Yi also had a large appetite, unconstrained by palace etiquette. The kitchen had to prepare two to three times the usual portion for him to reach eighty per cent satiety.
Still, wishing to maintain some decorum before his favourite minister, he restrained himself slightly.
After breakfast, Song Pu and Tantai Yi went to the training grounds. Before Tantai Yi could even lift his sword, he had a sudden idea. “It’s been some time since I visited the Hundred Beasts Garden. Let’s go see it today.”
Song Pu remembered the tiger king Tantai Yi had mentioned long ago.
Softly, he asked, “Your Majesty, may I ask a question?”
Tantai Yi looked at him. “Speak freely, Minister Song.”
Song Pu asked, “I am curious. Does the Hundred Beasts Garden still have the tiger king?”
Tantai Yi recalled the earlier discussion and smiled. “Since you are so curious, I shall take you to see him.”
Without delay, he led Song Pu and the attendants to the Hundred Beasts Garden.
The emperor’s zoo, built with the resources of the entire nation, was divided into sections to prevent carnivores from preying on herbivores.
The variety of species was impressive. As Song Pu walked alongside Tantai Yi, they saw leopards, red foxes, long-horned deer, giant turtles… almost everything he could name.
The last area was the tiger king’s domain. Its enclosure differed from the others: artificial hills and a lush forest created a pleasant habitat.
The eunuch attending the tiger king knew the emperor was coming and threw a live chicken over the wall. Soon, the tiger’s roar rang out. Fear gripped them before they even saw him.
Tantai Yi instructed the eunuch, “Open the gate.”
The eunuch paled but dared not disobey. He stepped back and opened it.
Tantai Yi entered, glancing back at Song Pu and the others with a smile. “Do not be afraid, Lord Song. The tiger king’s father was a defeated foe of mine. Should he dare strike me, I shall dismember him and make a soup to replenish your manly energy.”
No need. Tigers were first-class protected animals, and eating one was a crime.
Song Pu inwardly grumbled, but before he could speak, a magnificent, glossy-furred tiger appeared.
It was enormous, limbs visibly powerful, each step exuding regal authority. Before hunting the chicken, it confronted Tantai Yi.
Song Pu knew he might never forget what happened next.
The once-dominant forest king hesitated, seemingly remembering something. With a howl, it arched its back in threat and retreated, eventually disappearing into the forest.
Song Pu: “…………”
So Tantai Yi had not exaggerated; he really had traumatised this tiger king.
Amused, Tantai Yi’s face glowed with smug satisfaction. Looking at Song Pu, his eyes gleamed. “It seems this tiger king dares not face me. Your tonic soup, Lord Song, will remain unmade.”
Song Pu replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am healthy enough; I need no tonic soup. Please spare the tiger king.”
Tantai Yi said, “Since he refuses to play with me, I shall hunt a deer for you instead.”
Before Song Pu could reply, he added, “Deer are full of treasures. The antlers, venison, even deer penis are all beneficial for a man’s energy. Lord Song, being frail, must take tonics.”
Song Pu sensed Li Zongyi and the others glancing oddly at him. “I am grateful, Your Majesty, but I dislike these tonics and feel robust. I need none. Please rescind your order.”
Seeing repeated refusal, Tantai Yi frowned slightly. “I act for your own good, Lord Song. At your age, your blood and energy should be at their peak. You must take tonics now, or you will regret it later.”
