Tantai Yi’s words didn’t seem like a joke. Song Pu asked, “Does Your Majesty truly intend to do this?”
Tantai Yi replied, “Of course. Minister Song is so intelligent; he certainly wouldn’t be truly bullied by that woman. As long as I believe Minister Song has been bullied by her, that is enough.”
Song Pu: “…”
He had already noticed that Tantai Yi was remarkably straightforward in such matters, incapable of thinking in roundabout ways. Even now, with this scheme in mind, it still seemed rather crude.
Tantai Yi didn’t linger on the matter, quickly moving on. “Prince Yong’an has come to the capital with a plan: to find a marriage for Yetong. Does Minister Song have anyone in mind?”
Song Pu hesitated before replying, “I don’t know. Does Prince Yong’an have anyone suitable in mind?”
Tantai Yi said, “Prince Yong’an is far away in the north and has been unfamiliar with Yanjing for many years. He has only one daughter, Yetong, whom he cherishes dearly. If we were to arrange a marriage…”
This truly troubled him, and his brow furrowed as he spoke.
Song Pu recalled how his sister’s eyes sparkled when she saw her brother, and felt uneasy. “Will Prince Yong’an personally ask His Majesty for help?”
Tantai Yi glanced at him. “Of course. If I grant a marriage, no one would dare to bully Yetong.”
Hearing this, Song Pu realised that Tantai Yi could sometimes be quite reliable. Yet marriage was a complicated matter, best left for those involved. Thinking this, he said, “Your Majesty, Prince Yong’an commands a million soldiers. Many may wish to curry favour with him. Those with such schemes probably wouldn’t be good for Yetong. Marriage is a lifelong matter; Your Majesty needn’t rush. Let Yetong see the young men of Yanjing for herself. If she likes someone, then Your Majesty can decide.”
Tantai Yi replied, “That is my thought as well. Yet in this vast Yanjing, I see no particularly outstanding young men. If I had to pick, Shen Yonghe is not bad.”
“…” Song Pu twitched at the name. After a pause, he said, “It’s a pity Shen Yonghe has been disfigured by Your Majesty. He’s still at home, unable to see anyone.”
Tantai Yi noticed the change in his tone, but remained expressionless. “I remember Minister Song and Shen Yonghe had a good relationship. Do you resent me for disfiguring his face?”
Song Pu dared not admit any resentment, yet he strangely wanted to test Tantai Yi’s limits. He said, “How could I blame Your Majesty? You are the sovereign, and Shen Yonghe is the subject. If the sovereign commands the subject to die, the subject must obey. If anyone is to blame, it is Shen Yonghe’s misfortune.”
Tantai Yi was not so blind as to miss the sarcasm. His golden eyes narrowed, the corner of his lips twitching slightly. “Minister Song, you may not know, but in this vast palace, I have indeed killed many. Do you know why I left no one alive?”
The topic was bloody, genuinely frightening Song Pu. His probing retracted immediately. He held his breath, focusing inward, and softly said, “…I do not know.”
Tantai Yi smiled, yet his voice was icy. “Because they were spreading a rumour that could shake the foundations of the Liang Kingdom. Minister Song, you must understand: words can bring disaster. If you truly understand something, do not investigate, nor ask. Otherwise, even you, Minister Song, would anger me.”
Song Pu’s heart pounded. Hearing the rest, he only felt alarm and whispered, “Your Majesty… won’t kill me?”
Tantai Yi stared at him. “Minister Song is to be my Empress, so you must be of one mind with me. Even if you guessed something, as long as you don’t speak it aloud, I would merely be annoyed. How could I bear to kill you?”
Song Pu quickly shook his head. “Your Majesty, I won’t guess. I dare not. I know nothing.”
Tantai Yi, amused, said, “Don’t worry. Your brain wouldn’t go that far anyway. I trust you completely.”
Song Pu: “…”
Is he subtly implying I’m stupid again? Since Tantai Yi had given such a guarantee, Song Pu grew bolder and asked, “Was Shen Yonghe disfigured because of this rumour?”
Tantai Yi replied, “Those who spread the rumour were all killed. How could Shen Yonghe know? He was simply clever and deep-thinking. I said a few words, his eyes flickered, he panicked over the chessboard. I realised he had seen through my inner demons.”
He paused before continuing, “I only whipped him, showing mercy. Anyone else, I would have sent to the underworld.”
Thinking of this, his mind darkened, and the smile on his lips vanished, leaving him expressionless.
Song Pu, unsure how to react, was intrigued but cautious. He valued his life and would never probe Tantai Yi’s limits on such a matter. It would be like reopening old wounds. Though he felt pity for Shen Yonghe, it was inappropriate to dwell further. He said softly, “…Your Majesty, let’s not speak of this. The hunt is in three days. Has Your Majesty finalised the list?”
Tantai Yi waved his hand. “That’s been handed to Lord Ye and General Li. I only need to oversee.”
Song Pu felt relieved. Having read palace dramas, he knew hunts often carried surprises. If Tantai Yi wasn’t worried, it must be safe.
After attending to Tantai Yi, Song Pu returned home. Song Lingyun hadn’t returned yet. He dined with his mother before going to his courtyard. Just after bathing, he heard Denglong announce, “Young Master, the Eldest Young Master has come to see you!”
Song Pu quickly dressed and went to meet Song Lingyun. He had darkened somewhat, but his eyes were still bright. Seeing Song Pu, he smiled. “While I was in the north, Ah-Pu gained some weight.”
Song Pu had indeed been eating well, rewarded with palace delicacies by Tantai Yi. He had grown plumper while Song Lingyun suffered, which made him uneasy. “In a few months, you’ve become even more dashing. If you went out, the number of girls secretly in love with you would stretch all the way to Yanjing beyond the Meridian Gate.”
Song Lingyun laughed, “You talk too smoothly.”
They sat and chatted. Song Pu learned Song Lingyun had thrived in the northern frontier. He had given up everything, starting from the lowest rank. In a few months, he had entered Prince Yong’an’s tent, proving his ambition.
Song Pu, thinking of Tantai Yetong, asked subtly.
Song Lingyun was indifferent. “Prince Yong’an cherishes his daughter. She may be a little naive. Don’t mind a young girl’s nature.”
Song Pu said, “She’s seventeen.”
Song Lingyun looked thoughtful. “She’s your age, Ah-Pu, gentle and naive. If you were together, you wouldn’t be bullied.”
Song Pu: ?
Panicking, he said, “Ge, don’t play matchmaker! I can’t do it!”
Seeing his panic, Song Lingyun smiled, “Why not? Prince Yong’an doesn’t care for family background, only that his daughter’s future husband is obedient and won’t bully her. Ah-Pu fits perfectly. If it works out, I’ll help you in the future. You’ll have a good life and perhaps a child next year!”
Then the Emperor, respecting Prince Yong’an, wouldn’t mistreat his brother.
Ultimately, it depended on his younger brother’s feelings. If he didn’t like her, it could be left alone.
Song Lingyun studied Song Pu, trying to discern something.
Song Pu panicked. He couldn’t play this game; if he did, Tantai Yi would explode. “…Ge, you know Yetong admires you. What would become of me and her? It wouldn’t be marriage, it’d be enmity!”
Song Lingyun asked, “You saw her today. Were you moved?”
Song Pu shook his head. “Not at all!”
The girl was petite, probably under 1.6 metres, beautiful, but he had no feelings for her.
Song Lingyun said regretfully, “Then forget it.”
Song Pu sensed his regret and felt pity for Tantai Tong. Song Lingyun hadn’t considered her admiration seriously, even thinking to match them because she was gentle.
The brothers chatted a while longer before Song Lingyun left.
Three days later came the autumn hunt.
An annual event in Liang Kingdom, like a modern school sports meet. Despite overcast skies, it proceeded as scheduled.
Tantai Yi wore fiery red, form-fitting attire. It highlighted his excellent physique: broad shoulders, slender waist, long legs. His face was dazzling, attracting all attention.
As emperor, he never lost in displays of power. Ministers and their wives trembled with fear, utterly respectful.
Being a unique ancient sporting event, there were prizes. After Cao Xi read the rules, eunuchs brought the prizes. The first was rare Yunluo fabric, cherished by palace concubines. If made into clothing, it shimmered like radiant light. Only ten bolts could be produced annually, but Tantai Yi, having no concubines, produced twenty bolts, astonishing the women present.
Even the Empress Dowager gripped her armrests tightly.
As Empress Dowager, she had long suffered. When she was a concubine, the late emperor hoarded the best possessions for the eldest princess. She had so much Yunluo, she could make curtains; the Empress Dowager had received only a few bolts. Now, as Empress Dowager, she still deferred to Tantai Yi. Having the title without power, yet coveting Yunluo. It was truly laughable.
She suppressed her emotions, glancing at Tantai Yi with a dignified, polite smile.
With Yunluo as a comparison, second and third place prizes were unremarkable.
Yet this sparked discussion. Song Pu could hear women commenting on His Majesty’s generosity.
He laughed, knowing Tantai Yi’s stinginess. He wouldn’t use gold, silver, jewels, or weapons as prizes; only useless women’s items could be offered. Calling him generous was a misunderstanding. He was a miser.
Although Liang was conservative, exceptions existed. Women could participate in the hunt, though their chances of winning were slim. All had male relatives present, and Tantai Yi’s action inadvertently motivated men to compete harder to win favour.
Thus, Song Pu’s first court autumn sports meet in Liang officially began.
Thank you so much