Working six days a week with only one day off was already exhausting; accompanying Tantai Yi to the summer palace, travelling day and night, through wind and rain, was a misery that a single word could scarcely capture.
He was only seventeen. By modern standards, he was a pure, innocent high school boy, a time for carefree play. Instead, he was prematurely burdened with the torment and drudgery of a corporate slave.
In truth, Song Pu felt less tense around Tantai Yi now than at first, but Tantai Yi was sensitive, and he still had to maintain constant control over his expressions.
Sometimes Song Pu even thought he shouldn’t be here; he ought to be on an Oscars stage accepting an award.
Yet, no matter how unwilling he felt, faced with Tantai Yi’s firmness, he could not speak of his reluctance.
What Song Pu told Tantai Yi was not a lie. He had not been away from home for such a long time before. When he mentioned it to his family, his mother was extremely worried. “Why are you going for so long?” she asked.
Song Pu was already thinking about what to bring. He should probably take Doufu with him, but he didn’t mention it to Tantai Yi just yet. Hearing his mother’s concern, he said, “His Majesty is going to the Summer Palace for a month to escape the heat. As his subject, I must naturally accompany him.”
His mother asked, “Can you bring someone with you? Take Denglong. He served your ge before, and he is quite capable. I feel more at ease having him with you.”
Song Pu was taken aback. “Denglong served ge?”
His mother replied, “It’s normal you wouldn’t know. You’ve always buried yourself in your own affairs, paying no attention to anything else. How could you know who served your ge? I sent Qingmei to my courtyard to choose a clever maid for you, but your ge, knowing this, sent Denglong from his own courtyard instead.”
“Oh,” said Song Pu. “No wonder he’s so efficient. It must be ge who trained him well.”
His mother laughed. “Your ge cares about you a great deal. He doesn’t even look after himself so attentively.”
“Ge has always been the best to me,” said Song Pu.
His mother’s tone became serious. “So be careful not to anger His Majesty. And never get drunk again. If anything were to happen, given your brother’s temper, I fear he might do something rash.”
It seemed Mother Song understood Song Lingyun’s temperament perfectly.
“I won’t,” said Song Pu. “It will never happen again.”
He resolved never to touch alcohol again.
It was now late in the sixth month, just before the hottest time of the year. Unaware of what an imperial summer palace would be like, Song Pu had prepared extensively: homemade mosquito repellent, realgar powder, insect repellent, and wound ointment. He was armed to the teeth.
Yet, once he arrived at the Summer Palace with Tantai Yi, he found it to be a surprisingly ordinary-looking estate. Built at the foot of the mountain, the location and climate ensured a refreshing breeze that instantly cooled the air.
Being an imperial retreat, only about ten people were usually stationed there. On hearing that the emperor would arrive, they had meticulously prepared everything inside and out. Song Pu realised that all his mosquito repellent and powders were unnecessary; the staff had already taken thorough precautions against insects and snakes.
These were matters of life and death, and naturally, they had been handled very thoroughly. Song Pu need not have worried.
Tantai Yi had brought a considerable entourage: an entire army to attend to his needs, along with his personal attendants.
Song Pu had asked Tantai Yi in advance to bring Doufu and Denglong. A cat would provide some comfort; when stressed, stroking a cat could ease the pressure. Cao Xi led Song Pu to the room next to Tantai Yi’s, coughed lightly, and smiled. “Lord Song is currently enjoying His Majesty’s favour. His Majesty specifically instructed me to arrange your residence nearby. I have therefore prepared this room for you. Please take a look. If it does not meet your satisfaction, you may speak up, and I will find a solution.”
Song Pu dared not complain and smiled. “Eunuch Cao is too kind. His Majesty’s grace allows me this proximity; I am grateful beyond words and could never have any complaint.”
Cao Xi said, “Very well. I thought Lord Song might like it, so I took the liberty of arranging a separate room. Although His Majesty enjoys peace and quiet, he will surely be satisfied if it is Lord Song.”
Song Pu: “…”
So you took the liberty of putting me in a separate room?
Cao Xi, pleased with himself, continued, “If Lord Song has any other needs, you may summon me, and I will make all arrangements. If there are no urgent matters, I shall take my leave.”
“Please take care, Eunuch Cao,” said Song Pu.
After returning, Cao Xi hurried to boast to Tantai Yi. “Your Majesty, I have arranged for Lord Song to stay next door. If you wish to see him, you need only knock on the wall; Lord Song will hear you.”
Tantai Yi’s lips curved slightly. “Why knock on the wall if I want to see him? I shall simply call him.”
Seeing Tantai Yi in a good mood, Cao Xi grew bolder. “Lord Song seems in high spirits; he must be very pleased with Your Majesty’s arrangement.”
Tantai Yi said nothing, but felt this to be correct.
It was late, so he instructed the kitchen to serve dinner. Although it was a summer retreat, the kitchen maintained imperial standards, so there was nothing lacking.
Chang Jiangming and the others were lodged far away. With the emperor nearby, Song Pu felt awkward inviting them. When it was mealtime, Tantai Yi did indeed send someone to summon him.
Song Pu was used to this.
Separated only by a wall, he stepped out and saw Tantai Yi sitting in the pavilion.
The night breeze was cool, the moon and stars sparse, and the cicadas and crickets accentuated the tranquil beauty of the summer night.
In this scene, Tantai Yi’s figure appeared hazy and beautiful, and Song Pu momentarily forgot his status, wearing a genuinely contented smile.
Tantai Yi noticed this relaxed smile and, inexplicably, felt a slight dizziness. He blinked and stared at Song Pu’s face.
Song Pu noticed the gaze; his smile froze slightly. Raising his thin eyelids, he asked, “…Why does Your Majesty keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?”
Moonlight, like a shimmering white veil, cast Song Pu’s face in an unusual beauty. For some reason, Tantai Yi had been momentarily captivated by his smile, feeling a slight pang in his heart. It was a curious, unsettling sensation, yet one that lifted his spirits. “I simply see Lord Song is full of energy; I suppose you are as happy as I am?”
“…” Song Pu smiled. “I am truly so happy I feel ready to become a Buddha.”
“Become a Buddha?” asked Tantai Yi.
“A Buddha of Joy,” said Song Pu. “Extremely joyful. One can become a Buddha through sheer delight.”
Tantai Yi’s lips curved, amused. “Lord Song’s words always bring me boundless joy.”
What a fool, thought Song Pu, yet his smile remained.
After a long day of travel, it was a miracle he wasn’t completely broken. His buttocks still ached terribly, probably from a contusion on his femur. Even sitting was painful; he had to lean forward, shifting weight to his thighs to ease the agony.
Tears threatened to spring to his eyes.
Tantai Yi, of course, did not notice. He gave Cao Xi a glance, and Cao Xi came over to pour wine for Song Pu.
Seeing the wine, Song Pu paled slightly. “Your Majesty, I have now given up drinking and fear I cannot keep pace with you.”
Tantai Yi regarded him meaningfully. “You could drink before, and now you cannot? What are you afraid of, Lord Song?”
Swallowing, Song Pu said, “I truly cannot drink. I make mistakes when I do, and if I anger Your Majesty, the fault would be mine.”
Tantai Yi said calmly, “The moon is beautiful tonight. I invite Lord Song to admire it with me. Would it be less enjoyable without wine? I do not mind if you get drunk and err. Why worry?”
Though appearing casual, Tantai Yi exuded an underlying firmness.
Song Pu paused, then smiled. “Since Your Majesty requests it, I shall comply. I only fear that if I get drunk, I may displease Your Majesty.”
Tantai Yi said affectionately, “I have always indulged Lord Song. Even if you offend me, I would treat it as if nothing happened. Why hold a grudge? Do you not trust me?”
Hearing the words “offend me,” Song Pu tensed. “Your Majesty’s favour is always in my heart. How could I not trust you?”
He lifted the wine and drank it all in one go.
Drink, damn it!
Tantai Yi’s eyes reflected approval. “Though delicate and frail, Lord Song also has a man’s spirit. I cannot lose. Cao Xi, refill my cup.”
Cao Xi quickly obliged, and Tantai Yi drank it down.
Somehow, the two began a drinking contest.
Seeing the jug nearly empty, Cao Xi fetched more jugs.
Song Pu drank cup after cup; his fair face flushed crimson, eyes glistening, vision blurred but not yet drunk. He earnestly praised, “Your Majesty has a remarkable capacity; I am ashamed to compare.”
Tantai Yi had drunk similarly, but fared much better. His pale skin was tinged pink, golden eyes bright and piercing. “Why belittle yourself? This is no common estate wine, but my Chun Ri Zui. Watching you drink half a pot and remain sober proves your capacity is immense.”
Song Pu felt a chill. “…Your Majesty’s capacity is also immense! I must concede defeat.”
Tantai Yi smiled slightly. “Lord Song is unfathomable; perhaps I am the one beyond reach.”
