Gu Yun’s heart gave a sudden jump. He tilted his head to the left, avoiding the other’s hand, and gently shook his head.
Chao Yan looked at him quietly and smiled.
“Your Highness?” Gu Yun said.
Chao Yan lowered his hand. “Let’s go back.”
His gaze was as light as a feather. It swept casually towards the rear, where Xu Jingzhou was secretly peeking with his head lowered. It lingered for only an instant before moving away, travelling from the dense bamboo and trees to the sharply defined roofline of the grand hall.
Gu Yun followed Chao Yan away. Zhao Xun and the others followed close behind.
Xu Jingzhou rubbed the back of his neck and finally lifted his head completely. He stopped sneaking glances and simply stared openly. In his eyes, Gu Yun and the others were nothing more than a retreating group of figures growing steadily smaller.
What was going on? Bro? Your Highness? His buddy had turned into a woman and found His Highness as a… partner?
Wait, why did that sound so absurd?
His thoughts finally caught up with themselves. Turning towards the other monks, he asked, “Do you know which prince that was?”
“The Crown Prince,” they replied.
Then they laughed. “We heard that benefactor was His Highness the Crown Prince’s concubine.”
Xu Jingzhou sucked in a sharp breath. That immediately confirmed most of his suspicions.
As for the remaining small portion, he simply refused to believe it. How could his buddy possibly have changed sex?
He would much rather believe that his buddy had disguised himself as a woman and deceived the Crown Prince…
Xu Jingzhou felt he had uncovered the truth. He swallowed unconsciously.
……
Gu Yun and Chao Yan returned to the small courtyard. The Emperor had only just risen. After everyone had eaten, the Emperor prepared to depart, and Chao Yan would be leaving shortly afterwards. The reason was simple: the Emperor wanted an answer regarding the Ascension Tower as soon as possible.
Just before they left, Consort Shu, Yun Qingzhi, brought out a carved ebony box.
Opening the lid, she revealed a white jade bracelet resting inside. The jade was delicate in texture, rich and lustrous, pure in colour, and obviously extremely valuable.
The bracelet had a rounded design that gave it a light and graceful appearance. She took it out and asked Gu Yun to try it on.
The fresh, elegant white jade set off his complexion beautifully, making his skin seem to glow with a faint radiance.
Consort Shu smiled.“It’s yours.”
Gu Yun blinked and looked towards Chao Yan.
Chao Yan said, “My mother is giving it to you. Accept it.”
Only then did Gu Yun accept it and thank Consort Shu. Tentatively, he asked, “May I come and visit Your Ladyship and Miss Zhao in future?”
Consort Shu smiled.“Of course you may.”
Chao Yan gave an agreeing hum from the side. Having received the answer he wanted, Gu Yun happily followed Chao Yan back.
Even after boarding the carriage, he could not suppress his excitement. His eyes shone brightly, as though someone had tossed a flame into them.
Using the daylight, Chao Yan dealt with official business. He was no longer looking at him, yet he still felt scorched by his presence.
Slowly finishing the document before him, he set down his brush, lifted his eyes, and looked at Gu Yun. “Come here.”
Gu Yun was sitting on one side of the carriage compartment, leaning his upper body against the window. At those words, he turned around. “What is it?”
Chao Yan smiled. “Good news.”
Half believing and half doubtful, Gu Yun walked over and sat beside him, waiting for this supposed good news. Blissfully unaware and utterly fearless.
Chao Yan lifted him up and settled him on his lap. Pinching his chin, he examined his face inch by inch.
If Gu Yun still failed to sense danger at a moment like this, then he would have lived all these years for nothing. Grabbing Chao Yan’s hand, he said, “Husband, my stomach hurts.”
“Does it?” Chao Yan asked.
Gu Yun nodded.
“Say that again.”
“My stomach hurts…”
Long fingers slid into his mouth and pinched his tongue. Gu Yun’s eyes widened.
Within those bright eyes was reflected Chao Yan’s exceptionally calm face. Before his muffled protest could emerge, Chao Yan tightened his fingers around his tongue. A faint pain spread through him.
Unable to help himself, he cried out softly. The grip loosened. Chao Yan gently toyed with his tongue.
His cool voice drifted into Gu Yun’s ears like a breeze. “A-Yun, I am the Crown Prince.”
Gu Yun had no idea what he meant. His teeth rested against Chao Yan’s finger joint. A slight bite would have freed him, but he did not dare. The foreign object in his mouth felt overwhelmingly present. Saliva kept gathering.
Mouth open, he stared at Chao Yan and forced out a few words. “I know, Your Highness.”
Soft warmth coated Chao Yan’s fingers. With one hand, Chao Yan pressed against Gu Yun’s lower back, forcing him closer. Lowering his head, he met Gu Yun’s eyes directly.
“If you truly knew,” he said slowly, “you would never have said that.”
Gu Yun shrank back instinctively.
“Gu Yun.”
The sharp rebuke froze him in place. Tears trembled within his eyes.
After a moment, he wrapped his lips around Chao Yan’s finger and called out ingratiatingly, “Your Highness…”
He more or less understood now. But at present, it was far better to pretend he did not.
Chao Yan let out a soft, slow sigh. Drawing out his wet finger, he tilted his head slightly and pressed his lips against Gu Yun’s. Slowly, he rubbed them together.
The warmth of their breaths mingled clearly between them. Under this kiss, confined entirely to the surface, every ripple of tension gradually faded away.
Chao Yan stroked his cheek. His breathing was slow and steady. “Were you frightened?”
Gu Yun did not answer. His lashes trembled. Then the tears hidden within his eyes suddenly spilled over.
“A-Yun.” Chao Yan called softly. “I was teasing you. I was wrong. Don’t hold it against me.”
His voice was low. His lips brushed over smooth skin. The tip of his tongue emerged and licked the corner of Gu Yun’s eye. The lingering salty moisture stung the wound on his tongue that had not yet fully healed. He kissed him again and again before pressing their foreheads together.
“Still unhappy?”
Gu Yun remained silent. Chao Yan bit lightly at his earlobe.
“Are you unhappy or not?”
Gu Yun shuddered. He struggled to push Chao Yan away, but reality refused to cooperate. Chao Yan was simply too strong.
When he realised he could not push him away and could hardly attack him either, he lowered his head and muttered pitifully, “I’m happy.”
Chao Yan burst out laughing. Releasing him, he reached downwards.
Gu Yun stared at him in alarm. Fortunately, Chao Yan had no improper intentions. He was merely undoing the jade ornament hanging from his waist.
Today he wore ordinary clothing. Several ornaments hung from his belt, including a jade piece. He removed it.
It was a round pendant of mutton-fat jade, carved in raised relief with a qilin. A red braided cord threaded through it, with two cinnabar beads hanging beneath and tassels dangling below.
“Do you like it?” Chao Yan asked.
Gu Yun glanced at it. “I do.”
Chao Yan placed it in his hand. “It’s yours.”
Gu Yun froze briefly. Then he immediately asked, “A voluntary gift?”
“Hm?” Chao Yan replied.
“You’re not going to ask for it back later, are you?”
Chao Yan tapped him on the head. “Do you think I lack something as insignificant as this?”
Gu Yun pressed together lips that had become slightly swollen from all that rubbing. He tried hard to restrain himself. In the end, he failed.
A brilliant smile spread across his face. Holding the jade ornament, he turned it over and over in his hands.
Watching him, Chao Yan immediately guessed what he was thinking. His expression turned helpless.
Pulling Gu Yun firmly into his embrace, he held him tightly. Gu Yun allowed himself to be held. Their body heat mingled together. For a moment, it felt as though they had become one.
……
After returning to the Eastern Palace, Chao Yan first instructed Zhao He to prepare everything required for Gu Yun’s investiture as Secondary Consort.
Afterwards, he visited both the Buddhist Registry Office and the Daoist Registry Office to discuss his ideas regarding the Ascension Tower’s construction materials with the assembled masters and perfected cultivators.
Once the discussions concluded, it was agreed that everyone would be able to determine within five days whether his proposal was feasible.
He then went to the Secretariat, where he assisted the Chancellor in handling state affairs.
During the day he also found time to make an appearance in public, dispelling the rumours circulating throughout the capital that he was gravely ill. He casually visited several close relatives and friends as well.
Now he stood in a secluded corner of Chunhe Hall, reading one secret report after another.
After finishing them, he said to the bowed palace attendant beside him,
“‘A hidden dragon should not be used; conceal your edge and guard your humility.’ Tell Yan Zhao to keep his people under control. They are not to trouble General Bai Cheng’s relatives. Make sure General Bai Cheng’s remains are transported safely back to his hometown. The dead deserve respect.”
The eunuch acknowledged the order.
Chao Yan then asked, “How are matters progressing on Vice Minister Meng’s side?”
The eunuch replied, “Your Highness, your previous remarks caused Vice Minister Meng to suspect that the assassin might be a criminal he had personally tried, convicted and sentenced, but who later escaped punishment through certain means.
“He has only been back in the capital a few days, yet he has already uncovered a case involving an excessively harsh sentence. Yesterday he revised the punishment and used the opportunity to order a review of old case files, hoping to discover which culprit had escaped justice.
“When Yan Zhao sent his secret report, Secretary Ma also sent word that Vice Minister Meng uncovered a case of substitution today.
“This incident occurred when Vice Minister Meng had only been serving as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for half a month. He was still unfamiliar with many aspects of the work.
“At the time, his superior, Minister Zhang, was Grand Chancellor Hu’s son-in-law. Chancellor Meng and Grand Chancellor Hu were then at odds, so Minister Zhang deliberately sought to make things difficult for him and dumped a large number of cases onto his desk.
“Many officials in the Court of Judicial Review were Minister Zhang’s people, and Vice Minister Meng could not command them effectively. As a result, he personally led the investigation.
“Already inexperienced and working in haste, he suffered a brief lapse of attention, and his subordinates pulled a trick behind his back. They replaced the condemned prisoner.
“That condemned prisoner happened to be a relative of Prince Yan’s consort.”
The eunuch continued, “Today’s discovery has shaken the entire Court of Judicial Review. Vice Minister Meng and Minister Zhang have temporarily suppressed the matter. They intend to investigate thoroughly before reporting it.
“I had people watching Prince Yan’s residence. There was no unusual activity at first, but after sunset Prince Yan invited Vice Minister Meng and Minister Zhang to visit his residence.”
After hearing this, Chao Yan said,
“Keep a close watch on the Court of Judicial Review. If Vice Minister Meng and Minister Zhang intend to bury the matter completely, leak it to Grand Eunuch Huang. How can His Majesty be left ignorant of everything?”
The eunuch acknowledged the order and quietly withdrew to his unobtrusive position, preparing to leave the Eastern Palace later under some pretext so that he could instruct Secretary Ma to keep the Court of Judicial Review under close surveillance.
Having finished issuing orders, Chao Yan was finally free.
Squatting beside a fire lit by his personal guards, he burned the secret reports before rising and heading towards the side hall of Chunhe Hall.
Yesterday, Gu Yun had said he wanted to visit Consort Shu and Zhao Xun at Cining Temple. Chao Yan had told him to wait so that he could accompany him. Now that he finally had some free time, they might as well go. If he kept Gu Yun waiting too long, the man would probably jump up and bite him.
When Gu Yun learned that they could visit Cining Temple today, he was delighted. He had wanted to go so badly these past few days that he was practically becoming feverish with impatience.
Rushing back to his room, he stuffed the jade ornament Chao Yan had given him and the bottle of rose dew into his sleeve pouch. When he met Xu Jingzhou, he intended to give them to him. After all, he had little use for them himself.
If Xu Jingzhou kept them and something happened to him in the future, they could always be exchanged for silver in an emergency.
The two had just left the side hall and were preparing to leave the Eastern Palace when Meng Zhao arrived. A young eunuch hurried over to report the matter, saying that Meng Zhao was currently waiting in a pavilion attached to the main hall of Chunhe Hall.
An almost imperceptible frown crossed Chao Yan’s face. Turning to Gu Yun, he said, “Wait for me a moment.”
Gu Yun was somewhat displeased, but this was clearly official business. Suppressing his feelings, he nodded. “All right.”
Chao Yan gestured for the young eunuch to lead the way. They soon arrived at the pavilion.
The autumn flowers surrounding it were blooming in dazzling splendour. Meng Zhao descended the steps and came forward to greet him. “Your Highness.” He bowed.
Chao Yan steadied him by the arm and gave a slight nod. His entire bearing was as calm as still water, his tone gentle as he said, “Third Brother, what brings you to see me at this hour? Is something urgent the matter? I was just about to accompany A-Yun to Cining Temple.”
