Song Pu flushed with shame, his whole body burning, his voice hoarse with emotion. “…What did you see?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. What else could possibly make that pervert’s nose bleed?
Tantai Yi calmly wiped the blood away, as though it were nothing to do with him, entirely unembarrassed. In the same tone one might use to remark on fine weather, he said to Song Pu, “I saw Lord Song’s rear flower.”
Song Pu: “…”
A suffocating feeling surged up, blurring his vision. “How could you…!”
He could not go on. It was too humiliating. He himself had never even looked at that place, and yet Tantai Yi was so perverse as to sneak a look. Truly… truly…!
Song Pu found himself at a loss for words. He wanted to kick him, but did not dare, and could only swallow it down until his face turned red.
Seeing his flushed, bashful expression, Tantai Yi felt heat stir again in his nose. He raised a fist to his lips, his voice slightly hoarse as he said, “Lord Song’s rear flower is far too tight. No wonder you can only accommodate the smallest jade insert.”
Song Pu hurriedly pulled his trousers back down, dragged the quilt over himself, and covered his head. From beneath the covers he muttered, “Your Majesty, I am tired. Please excuse me for retiring first.”
Seeing that he refused to face him, Tantai Yi said nothing further and lay down as well. Turning his head to the mound of quilt beside him, he said, “Lord Song may sleep, but do not steal all of my covers.”
Song Pu: “…”
He poked his head out, shot him an indignant glare, and tugged half the quilt back towards him. “Your Majesty should sleep as well.”
Tantai Yi smoothly slipped under the covers beside him, reached out to draw him into his arms, and said softly, “I want to hold Lord Song while I sleep.”
Song Pu did not reply. Tantai Yi pulled him closer, holding him tightly, and closed his eyes.
Yet even with his eyes shut, that scene lingered vividly in his mind. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he lowered his head, nuzzling the back of Song Pu’s head and pressing a few kisses into his soft hair.
His dear Lord Song, soft and flushed everywhere, truly adorable.
*
After returning home that day, Song Pu requested sick leave from Tantai Yi and shut himself away.
Chang Jiangming and Xie Nuoyu came to visit him. Li Zongyi brought him a puzzle box, Chang Jiangming brought several of the most popular erotic picture books on the market, and Xie Nuoyu brought some food.
They had already been on leave for some time, and as Tantai Yi had not summoned them again, the group of youths looked far more spirited than before, practically glowing.
Chang Jiangming looked Song Pu up and down and said, “I wondered how you’d fallen ill, but your complexion looks rather rosy to me.”
He gave a sly grin and lowered his voice. “Ah-Pu, are you deceiving His Majesty?”
Song Pu’s complexion was indeed rosy. No matter how troubled he felt, his appetite did not suffer much, so he still ate and drank well. At Chang Jiangming’s words, he gave a cold snort. “You traitors, I have no wish to speak to you.”
Chang Jiangming took the erotic picture and said to him, “Don’t be cross. I brought you the latest erotic picture book to cheer you up.”
Song Pu was silent for a moment before replying, “You bring this sort of thing to a patient? Are you worried I’m not delicate enough?”
Chang Jiangming said, “I don’t think you’re delicate at all.”
Yet Song Pu’s complexion was ruddy, and his spirit was lacking. Chang Jiangming looked at him again and asked, “Did His Majesty make things difficult for you?”
“No, not at all,” Song Pu said.
He had asked for leave on the pretext of recuperating, but in truth he was overwhelmed with shame. Seeing Tantai Yi reminded him of the time he had been peeping at him, and he found it almost impossible to face him.
Chang Jiangming was about to press further, but Xie Nuoyu tugged his hand, signalling him to stop.
Song Pu looked at Xie Nuoyu and asked with concern, “Nuoyu, your exams must be coming up soon. Have you managed to prepare?”
Xie Nuoyu smiled. “Now that I no longer have to attend to His Majesty, I have more time to prepare, and I feel more confident.”
“That’s good,” Song Pu said.
Chang Jiangming sat beside him and suddenly noticed a strong medicinal scent. He exclaimed, “Ah-Pu, you smell strongly of medicine. Where are you injured?”
Song Pu paused, glanced at Chang Jiangming, surprised by his keen sense of smell, and said, “I tripped and fell, just scraped my skin.”
At that moment, Denglong knocked and entered, saying, “Young Master, His Highness Prince Gong has sent you another invitation. He wishes you to attend a gathering at his residence.”
Song Pu had been humouring Prince Gong for some time, but he had no inclination to continue.
After all, it was awkward to admit he was straight, and the empathetic joy he once felt for Prince Gong had faded considerably. He sent Denglong to decline politely, citing ill health and promising to visit another day, and promptly forgot about the matter.
Chang Jiangming and the others played mahjong with him all afternoon. Song Pu won all their pocket money, which lifted his spirits considerably. Just as they were about to switch to a few rounds of cards, Denglong came to report, “Young Master, Prince Gong has come in person to see you.”
Song Pu looked speechless.
Chang Jiangming and the others were puzzled. “Why is Prince Gong being so friendly with you, Ah-Pu?”
Before Song Pu could answer, Prince Gong entered the courtyard. Seeing Song Pu, his lips curved into a smile, and he strode towards them.
“Ah-Pu, I heard you were ill, so I came to see you.” He nodded to the guards behind him, indicating they should place the box he carried on the ground. “These are some herbs I found to replenish your qi and blood. You may take some to help your recovery.”
Song Pu blinked. “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I only suffered minor injuries. I don’t need these herbs. You should take them back.”
When Prince Gong heard him say “minor injuries,” his smile faltered and he looked down at him. “Minor injuries? How did this happen, Ah-Pu? Was it my elder brother…?”
Song Pu hurried to reply, “Of course not. I merely tripped and fell. It was not His Majesty.”
Prince Gong sighed, feeling deeply concerned. “Ah-Pu, you need not spare the medicine for me. My constitution is strong, so I don’t require it. If it will help you recover, I would even find celestial elixirs for you.”
Song Pu, now completely unlike his previous flamboyant self, resembled a dignified and virtuous gentleman. “Thank you, Your Highness, but I truly do not need them.”
Prince Gong sensed his coolness. He glanced at Chang Jiangming and the others with a hint of apology. “I have something to discuss with Ah-Pu. Could you please give us a moment?”
Xie Nuoyu said, “Ah-Pu, it’s getting late. We won’t disturb you any longer. We shall take our leave.”
Song Pu called to Denglong, “See them out.”
Denglong promptly escorted Chang Jiangming and the others from the courtyard. Only Song Pu and Prince Gong remained, the guards having withdrawn.
Prince Gong’s beautiful amber eyes regarded Song Pu tenderly, his voice warm yet gentle. “Ah-Pu, why have you been so cold to me these past few days?”
He reached for Song Pu’s hand, but Song Pu naturally avoided it. After all, Tantai Yi would probably have someone watching. Though he had no proof, Tantai Yi’s self-absorbed nature always revealed when he knew of Song Pu’s interactions with Prince Gong, hinting at the spying.
Seeing Song Pu dodge his hand, Prince Gong’s eyes darkened slightly, and he adopted a sorrowful expression. “Why have you grown so distant, Ah-Pu?”
Song Pu spoke seriously. “I’ve thought it through. To avoid suspicion, Your Highness should not seek me out. If His Majesty discovers it, I will also suffer.”
Prince Gong paused, then asked, “So, Ah-Pu, are you going to forget our past friendship?”
He could sense that Song Pu’s earlier coquettishness had been partly deliberate, a mutual arrangement within his tolerance. But now, what was Song Pu intending? Was he trying to withdraw?
“My ge is very strict. If he knew of my intimacy with Your Highness, you might not even remain close friends with him,” Song Pu said.
Prince Gong laughed. “Ah-Pu, there is no need to worry. Precisely because Zhiyun and I are close friends, he will understand our feelings.”
Pah, nonsense.
Seeing Song Pu maintain a dignified, austere appearance, Prince Gong felt a strange unease, like a swarm of ants nibbling at his heart. He had always been the one teasing Song Pu and had never seen him so resolute and untouchable.
Prince Gong clenched his fist, a flicker of struggle passing over his eyes before disappearing. When he looked up again, he was composed, calm, and in control, his gaze fixed firmly on Song Pu. He smiled. “Ah-Pu, come to Wangyue Tower tomorrow. I want to give you a surprise.”
Seeing his expression, Song Pu felt a vague sense of foreboding. He said, “Your Highness is aware I am still recovering from my injuries, so I fear I cannot attend.”
Prince Gong poured a cup of water and gently pushed it towards him with long, elegant fingers. “It is I who have neglected you, Ah-Pu. If you come tomorrow, I shall make it up to you.”
Leaning closer, he lowered his voice. “I shall do even better than my imperial brother, and send Ah-Pu to the heights of ecstasy.”
Song Pu: “…”
A look of alarm flashed across his eyes, but Prince Gong mistook it for bashful delight and immediately felt reassured. “Whatever Ah-Pu desires, I can provide.”
Having said this, he rose to his feet and smiled again. “Come to Wangyue Tower tomorrow, and be sure to keep it from everyone. What we do must not reach my brother’s ears.”
After Prince Gong left, Song Pu remained dazed for a long while. He had never imagined that Prince Gong would actually… damn it, he could not even bring himself to say it.
Covering his face, Song Pu let out a laugh of exasperation. This entire family was mad.
Meanwhile, upon returning to his residence, Prince Gong instructed his steward to bring him a stack of materials.
Seated at his desk, his gaze fell upon the pile of erotic illustrations. He hesitated for a long time before opening them. Only when night had fallen and a servant lit the lamp did he finally move his fingers and open the first volume.
