Tantai Yi continued, “As for such matters, I have no objection to reciprocity. If Lord Song truly wishes it, I can make an exception.”
With that, he used the silk handkerchief at his side to wipe away the wood dust from his hand, then extended his hand towards Song Pu.
Song Pu instinctively covered his private parts and shrank back, shaking his head repeatedly. “Your Majesty’s goodwill is deeply appreciated. It was my own carelessness, not considering that Your Majesty possesses immense strength beyond that of an ordinary man. How would I dare trouble Your Majesty to exert yourself on my behalf? Please take it as though I never said anything.”
“If Lord Song truly desires it,” Tantai Yi said, “I can be gentler. I certainly would not act as I did just now. You may rest assured.”
“……” If one misstep could leave him without descendants, how was he supposed to feel at ease? Song Pu shook his head so vigorously it seemed it might fall off. “Your Majesty’s consideration moves me greatly. It is only that Your Majesty has just come from court and must be fatigued. It would be better for me to attend to you instead.”
Despite Song Pu’s repeated refusals, Tantai Yi instead curved his lips in an uncharacteristic smile and leaned back at ease. “In that case, Lord Song, begin.”
Catching sight of that faintly triumphant smile at the corner of his lips, Song Pu felt a surge of suppressed frustration, yet did not dare say anything further. He could only extend both hands towards him.
What exactly was he doing this for? This was not even as good as inheriting his father’s trade and going back to making cakes. At least then his hands would not suffer, and being his own master, he could take leave whenever he pleased. Unlike now, stuck in endless round-the-clock labour, even having to sell his looks just to coax his employer into working.
Remembering the two treasures Tantai Yi had promised him, he spoke softly, “Your Majesty, those two treasures you promised me, do they still count?”
A low, muffled sound escaped Tantai Yi’s throat. Without even opening his eyes, he said, “Naturally… they count. I asked whether you wanted them, yet you still put on airs, hmph.”
Song Pu’s temper flared quickly and subsided just as fast. He was soft-hearted by nature. In truth, the earlier matter had not truly been resolved. Thinking back, although it had seemed amusing at the time, Tantai Yi’s peculiar way of thinking had still led him to punish Li Zongyi over nothing at all. Even if he could not seek justice for Li Zongyi, he still had to secure some rights for himself.
Tantai Yi might be the emperor, but from another perspective, their relationship was akin to that of employer and employee. Yet Tantai Yi neither gave his ministers due respect nor ensured their safety. In a modern context, he would certainly be condemned by all.
Of course, speaking of such things in this era was somewhat overly fastidious. Song Pu could not expect this world to be like his own. It was said that there was gold beneath a man’s knees, yet the “gold” beneath his had long since been ground away from kneeling before Tantai Yi. Even so, he did not feel particularly aggrieved. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Having come to this feudal society, he had already prepared himself to adapt.
Yet he still could not grow accustomed, whether physically or mentally, to Tantai Yi’s habit of punishing people at the slightest provocation.
From this alone, it was clear that no matter how hard he tried to fit in, he remained fundamentally at odds with this era. Deep down, there was always a voice of dissatisfaction and confusion.
Life ought to be precious, yet in Tantai Yi’s eyes, he saw no respect for it.
Even if Tantai Yi truly liked him, how long could that affection last?
An emperor’s favour was worthless, and serving at his side was no idle saying; it was as perilous as facing a tiger.
He understood all of this, yet he could not bring himself to openly defy Tantai Yi like those outspoken ministers. His bottom line was that his life should not be threatened. Thus, after Tantai Yi repeatedly summoned him back and finally lowered himself to speak gently, Song Pu ultimately relented.
Since he had compromised, he would have to accept the likelihood of being angered by Tantai Yi again. But what he was owed, he would not forgo.
With a faint smile, he said softly, “Your Majesty’s generosity is engraved upon my heart. However, at the time, Your Majesty granted me two treasures merely because I attended to you twice. Then… for the other day, and for today, might Your Majesty show me some indulgence and, in recognition of my efforts, grant me two more treasures?”
“……”
Tantai Yi lifted his eyelids slightly, his golden gaze resting lightly on Song Pu without a word.
At such close quarters, Song Pu could see that strikingly beautiful face had taken on a faint flush, even his eyes carrying a hazy, alluring look. Such a sight made Song Pu’s heart pound uncontrollably.
Tantai Yi gave a low, muffled sound and said, “Lord Song is bold indeed. Who allowed you to grip me so tightly?”
Only then did Song Pu realise that he had unconsciously tightened his grip just now. He quickly loosened his hands and resumed with gentler movements. “My mistake.”
Tantai Yi closed his eyes once more, quietly enjoying himself.
When it was over, Song Pu used the same silk handkerchief Tantai Yi had just used to wipe his hands clean. With a glance, he saw that his palms were indeed flushed red. He sighed inwardly, then turned to Tantai Yi and asked, “Was Your Majesty satisfied?”
Tantai Yi adjusted his robes and gave this “craftsman” high praise, along with expectations. “Maintain this standard. Do not regress as you did last time. Last time, it seemed you had declined quite a bit.”
Song Pu stretched his hands out before Tantai Yi and said boldly, “Your Majesty, look.”
Tantai Yi lowered his gaze, saw the redness in his palms, clicked his tongue, and said, “How are you so delicate?”
Song Pu sighed. “I was not raised in luxury, yet I do not know why my skin is so tender. It is fortunate that Your Majesty has not forced me into bed service. Otherwise, I fear I would either be injured or worse.”
“Lord Song need not make it sound so alarming.” As Tantai Yi spoke, he averted his gaze somewhat guiltily. In truth, he had entertained such thoughts more than once, even frequently. But that would make him seem overly lustful, like a lecher coveting Lord Song’s body. His proud nature would not allow such eagerness, so time and again he suppressed the impulse to try that clever mouth of Song Pu’s.
Only green youths would be so impatient. A mature and steady ruler such as himself naturally could not reveal any such urgency.
Whether from thick skin or sheer self-assurance, Tantai Yi calmly said, “Lord Song should have more faith in yourself. A man’s potential is limitless. I believe Lord Song will surely overcome such difficulties and share in the pleasures between us.”
No, I cannot.
But Song Pu did not bother to argue further. Since Tantai Yi intended to go down that path, he would first secure whatever benefits he could and continue edging towards his original goal.
He pushed his hands forward slightly, putting on a pained expression. “Since I am in such pain, might Your Majesty apply some ointment? Medicine bestowed by Your Majesty will surely allow me to recover more quickly, so that I may serve Your Majesty with even greater dedication.”
Tantai Yi showed no displeasure. He summoned Cao Xi to bring the ointment and personally applied it to Song Pu. “You appear quite a bit shorter than I, yet your fingers are rather long.”
Song Pu smiled faintly. “It is only because Your Majesty is so tall that I seem small by comparison.”
He then brought up the matter of the treasures again.
Tantai Yi’s hand paused slightly. At such a moment, it was difficult for a man to refuse, and his first instinct was indeed to agree. However, he was not foolish. If each time he was attended to meant giving a treasure, would not his private treasury soon be emptied by Song Pu?
Tantai Yi frowned, then relaxed, casting Song Pu a sidelong glance with a smile that did not reach his eyes. He said softly, “Does Lord Song not know that greed knows no bounds? The treasures in my treasury are each worth a fortune. What you have done does not count as sharing my bed. Without that, you are not my consort. How could I continue to reward you with treasures?”
Song Pu immediately fell silent.
Yet even without his speaking, Tantai Yi did not let him off. His ointment-smeared finger brushed lightly against Song Pu’s lips, his golden eyes flickering with fine threads of expectation, his voice lowering slightly, “If Lord Song were to share my bed with me today, I could give you ten.”
Song Pu: “……”
To his shame, he was tempted.
No, no. Even a thousand gold could not buy what he valued. Even if he had to rely on charm, he was still a steadfastly straight man and would not be swayed by such temptation.
He replied tactfully, “I am not yet prepared. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Tantai Yi did not press him on such matters. It had been said casually in any case, and he was not truly willing to give him that many treasures.
Even so, he still took Song Pu to his treasury and allowed him to choose any two treasures.
As the ruler of a powerful and prosperous nation, Tantai Yi’s private treasury naturally contained countless treasures. Pearls and gemstones were the most abundant, along with many tribute items sent from various regions and vassal states. For instance, there was gauze said to be woven by merfolk, its colour like lustrous jade, shimmering with flowing light under brighter illumination; a pink pearl from a thousand-year-old clam, as large as an adult man’s head, of exceptional quality; an entire coral tree as red as ruby; even what was said to be the skeletal remains of a sea serpent dredged from the southern seas.
What astonished Song Pu the most, however, was a bed carved from a single piece of ice jade. When he placed his hand upon it, he could feel a penetrating chill. If one were to sleep on it, who would need ice in summer?
Perhaps he was simply inexperienced, but he had never seen such perpetually cold jade before.
Seeing how reluctant he was to withdraw his hand, Tantai Yi’s eyelid twitched slightly as he said flatly, “Do you like this ice jade bed?”
Having grown up as an ordinary man in his own world and never seen such treasures, Song Pu could not quite pull himself away. Hearing Tantai Yi’s question, he did not sense anything amiss and instead asked excitedly, “With such a treasure, why does Your Majesty not use it? That way, there would be no need to visit a summer retreat.”
Tantai Yi paused, then said, “It was my mother’s dowry. Why would I use it?”
Song Pu immediately withdrew his hand. “I have overstepped. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Seeing his caution, Tantai Yi found it somewhat amusing. “Even I am reluctant to use the ice jade bed, so naturally I will not bestow it upon Lord Song. However, I am not so petty as to forbid you from touching it.”
He would not touch it anymore.
Seeing that he no longer dared, Tantai Yi changed the subject. “Have another look. Choose any two.”
Only then did Song Pu notice that there were indeed many traces of a woman’s presence in this treasury. Tantai Yi’s birth mother’s dowry must have been considerable.
With that in mind, Song Pu did not dare linger. He selected a Buddha statue carved from fine white jade and a piece of emerald before leaving the treasury.
Both items were rather heavy. Tantai Yi even had a young eunuch carry them for him, lest he become breathless and complain of fatigue.
As it came time to leave the palace, Song Pu remembered the erotic illustrations he had not yet shown Tantai Yi. After hesitating for a moment, and recalling how Chang Jiangming had urged him several times, he braced himself and asked, “Your Majesty, I have a request. Might Your Majesty grant it?”
Tantai Yi lifted his chin slightly, signalling him to continue.
Only then did Song Pu dare to speak. “The erotic illustrations I had wished Your Majesty to examine earlier… might Your Majesty return them to me?”
Tantai Yi’s gaze shifted slightly, and a smile curved his lips. “Since Lord Song is to become my empress, such things are of no use. I have already sent them to the imperial kitchens to be burned as firewood.”
