The old eunuch offered some tactful advice, but it was of no use. Seeing he could not persuade him, he said no more, only remarking, “If Your Majesty truly intends to set this precedent and make Young Master Song Empress, you must ensure that all are convinced. Simply promoting Young Master Song yourself will likely have little effect.”
After a moment’s thought, the old eunuch understood that Tantai Yi had already been building momentum for Song Pu, but what use was that? No matter how virtuous or intelligent a man might be, it could never serve as grounds for becoming Empress. If word spread to other states, it would invite ridicule, and the standing of Liang as a great power would be called into question.
For all these political reasons, the old eunuch was firmly opposed to the decision.
Tantai Yi understood this perfectly well. Having been established as Crown Prince from a young age, he had been taught how to be an emperor, and he knew that appointing a male Empress would shake Liang’s foundations. But what did that matter? He had little interest in maintaining a balance with the five great families; rather, he wished to uproot them entirely. He loathed being threatened or constrained, and so had no desire to raise any high-born woman to the rank of consort. The more they pressed him to take consorts, the more he refused, and he had managed thus for years. Yet establishing an Empress would upset that balance and bring no end of trouble.
At the thought, Tantai Yi felt a flicker of irritation.
Still, such matters could not be accomplished overnight. After considering it for a while, he said, “There is no hurry. I have my own plan.”
The old eunuch sighed. “If Your Majesty insists, it would be better to build support among the common people.”
Tantai Yi had thought the same. In that case, his delicate Lord Song would likely have to suffer for it.
For the time being, the matter of establishing an Empress was set aside. As the weather turned colder, the Prince of Yong’an and the Prince of Huainan each sent letters requesting that the imperial treasury be opened and that this year’s winter supplies, padded clothing, cotton wadding, and grain be increased to more than twice last year’s amount.
Such preparations had to be made in advance. Tantai Yi issued an edict instructing the relevant officials to handle the matter. After court, he summoned Song Pu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, drew him onto his lap, and spoke with him.
Song Pu had no trouble accepting this position. Back in his school days, he had often sat on other boys’ laps like this. From here, he could clearly see Tantai Yi’s face, and the longer he looked, the more a strange warmth welled up within him, until a faint smile curved his lips.
Seeing him smile, Tantai Yi asked, “Why is Lord Song laughing?”
Song Pu suppressed his smile and replied solemnly, “Your Majesty, forgive me, I do not know why I am laughing.”
Tantai Yi said with confidence, “Lord Song looks at me with such a lovestruck expression. Do you want me to kiss you?”
Song Pu: “…”
Tantai Yi laughed as well. “I understand. Lord Song is fond of acting spoiled. I truly have no remedy for you.”
Without regard for his reaction, he placed a hand at the back of Song Pu’s head, drew him closer, and captured his lips with precise accuracy.
Doing such a thing in the Hall of Mental Cultivation made Song Pu inexplicably tense. Tantai Yi frowned slightly, drew back a little, and said, “Lord Song, open your mouth. I wish to go further.”
Song Pu parted his lips, allowing him in.
The kiss lingered for a long while. Tantai Yi soon grew unable to keep his hands to himself. Both of them were somewhat carried away, especially Song Pu. Though he had only taken a little of that powder, its effects still lingered. He could feel himself growing warmer than usual; a single kiss from Tantai Yi was enough to stir a reaction.
It was rather mortifying. Tantai Yi, slipping back into old habits, said with a smile in his voice, “Lord Song seems to have reacted before I have.”
Song Pu tugged at his hair in annoyance and said under his breath, “It is all Your Majesty’s fault for making me take that powder. Even now, the effects have not worn off.”
Tantai Yi replied, “You received the coloured jade pixiu, did you not? Why blame me?”
Song Pu fell silent, then said, “It is only a jade pixiu. Which is more important, my body or that trinket?”
Tantai Yi cast him a sideways glance. “Naturally… Lord Song’s body is more important.”
Song Pu said, “Then is this not Your Majesty’s fault? You dared give me medicine of unknown effect and think a single jade pixiu can compensate for it? I have felt unwell ever since returning. Even after taking cold baths, the heat would not subside, and I even caught a chill. Your Majesty knows such illnesses can be serious. If something went wrong, I might never see Your Majesty again. Would that truly not matter to you? Is that all Your Majesty’s regard amounts to?”
Tantai Yi tightened his arms around him. “It is my fault. I will make it up to you. What does Lord Song want? Shall I be gentler and help relieve you a little?”
Song Pu nearly suffocated. “Your Majesty, you must also learn to control your strength. My chest is nearly crushed!”
Tantai Yi immediately loosened his hold. “Lord Song is truly delicate.”
Song Pu retorted with feeling, “I may be delicate, but Your Majesty has never once adjusted your strength. If you truly cared, you would be more careful. How can you hurt me time and again?”
Tantai Yi’s temper flared as well. “I have already been very careful. Lord Song’s body is weak, yet you blame me. Had I not been careful, your manhood would have been crushed last time. Would it have merely hurt a little?”
Song Pu fell silent, only looking at him.
After a while, Tantai Yi said, “I will be gentler. But Lord Madam Songst also train himself. I have already made concessions. Do not grow arrogant through favour and ignore my words.”
Song Pu hesitated, then agreed, “Very well. I will train. But Your Majesty must also learn restraint. Otherwise, should we one day share a bed, I fear I would not last a single round before being battered senseless.”
The remark was rather indecorous, and Tantai Yi’s face flushed faintly. “…Lord Song worries about such things? Rest assured, I will be careful. I will not go all the way.”
Song Pu froze, his own cheeks flushing at once. What had he just said?
Yet he also noticed the flush on Tantai Yi’s face. His skin was so fair that even the slightest colour showed vividly, and now his entire face had reddened.
Song Pu felt both embarrassed and flustered, especially as those golden eyes seemed to burn even brighter.
He had always known Tantai Yi possessed extraordinary beauty. Those long, narrow golden eyes were uniquely striking, almost dazzling when turned upon someone. Even now, Song Pu did not dare meet them for long, as though their brilliance might scorch him. He lowered his gaze instead.
Unaware of his thoughts, Tantai Yi maintained a composed expression despite the colour in his cheeks. “Do not worry. My self-control is as exceptional as my martial skill. I will proceed in moderation, and Lord Song will not suffer.”
Having discovered a certain amusement in such talk, his eyes gleamed all the more. Leaning close to Song Pu’s ear, he murmured a few scandalous words that left Song Pu trembling.
The lingering effects of the drug only made matters worse. He was completely undone, toyed with at Tantai Yi’s pleasure.
Afterwards, Tantai Yi wiped him clean with a cloth and kissed his cheek. Just as he was about to speak, Cao Xi announced from outside, “Your Majesty, the Princess requests an audience.”
Tantai Yi paused, straightened Song Pu’s clothes, and said, “Lord Song, compose yourself. Tong’er has come. Do not let her see you like this.”
Song Pu’s eyes were still red. Taking advantage of a moment, he shot Tantai Yi a fierce glare.
“I saw that,” Tantai Yi said.
Song Pu: “…”
Tantai Yi smiled, clearly pleased. “I practise martial arts. My vision is keener than most. Lord Song has glared at me several times. I saw them all.”
“…I have been discourteous. I beg Your Majesty’s pardon.”
“It is only you who would dare behave so before me,” Tantai Yi said. “Were it another…”
He broke off, then added, “Kiss me a few times, and I shall forgive you.”
Song Pu drew a breath, then leaned forward and kissed him firmly. Tantai Yi’s smile deepened.
When Tantai Tong entered, this was the sight she saw, her cousin smiling, clearly in high spirits.
Tantai Yi turned to her, the smile still present. “What brings Tong’er here?”
Timid as ever, she spoke softly, “Your Majesty is occupied with countless affairs. I feared to disturb you and have not come to pay my respects. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
“Call me tang-ge,” Tantai Yi said. “We are family. There is no need for such formality.”
Tantai Tong had thought he spoke thus only in the presence of the Prince of Yong’an, but seeing his manner unchanged, she relaxed slightly. “…Tang-ge.”
He asked after her recent life and, hearing she had settled well in Yanjing, felt reassured. In truth, he had already received reports, though he had forgotten them. Now, however, he played the part of a considerate cousin quite convincingly.
Only then did he ask her purpose in coming. After some hesitation, she said, “I wished to invite tang-ge to the Yong’an residence.”
“You came to the palace for this alone?”
Flustered, she replied, “My brother wishes to make amends and has prepared a banquet. Would tang-ge do us the honour of attending?”
“Since Tong’er has invited me, I cannot refuse. Has Tantai Yue recovered so quickly?”
“He has. Thank you for your concern.”
After a moment’s thought, Tantai Yi said, “Very well. I shall come.”
Relieved, she took her leave. As she did, she glimpsed Song Pu standing by the desk, and a long, slender hand reaching out to clasp his.
Before she could see clearly, Tantai Yi spoke again, startling her. “I have nothing further to say. I take my leave, tang-ge.”
He gave a brief acknowledgement.
As she stepped out and the doors closed behind her, she glanced back just in time to see Tantai Yi draw Song Pu into his arms and settle him once more upon his lap.
