In 3085’s opinion, its host was currently a complete lecher. His stare was so blatant that his eyes might as well have been plastered to the other man’s face. Even an idiot would have noticed, let alone a powerful statesman of unfathomable cunning.
Xie Yun had originally intended to ignore him. But ever since boarding the carriage, the young man had remained on his hands and knees, staring fixedly at him—as though, unless Xie Yun looked up, he would keep staring until he saw straight through him.
At last, Xie Yun raised his eyes indifferently.
“Why is Your Majesty paying me such a grand obeisance?”
It was ostensibly a harmless joke, but given the extreme sensitivity of their respective positions, it could also be taken as a threat. Xie Yun had expected the young emperor’s expression to change immediately. He would either angrily question his intentions or turn around and leave the carriage.
Instead, the young man grinned and leisurely crawled over to sit beside him.
“The regent has excellent taste. This carriage is wonderful.”
As he spoke, his hand had already reached for the pastries on the little table. He began sampling them.
“The pastries smell good too.”
Xie Yun lowered his eyes to him.
Song Liang seemed oblivious. His gaze settled on the only cup of tea on the table, and he wet his lips.
“If I used that cup, would you snap my neck?”
“Your Majesty is the sovereign. How could your person be compared with a teacup?” Xie Yun replied evenly. “I would merely throw it away.”
“…”
Fine. It was the man’s carriage, after all. Song Liang didn’t want to make a nuisance of himself, so he left the cup alone and simply slowed his consumption of pastries.
Xie Yun paid him no further attention and returned to his book. But the hand resting on the little table tapped twice against its side.
Song Liang stared for a moment at those long, cool-pale fingers and sharply defined knuckles before noticing an inconspicuous seam in the side of the table, along with a delicate gold ring.
He hooked a finger through the ring and pulled. A small drawer slid out.
Inside, various tea utensils had been neatly sorted and arranged. Among them was a celadon lidded cup with an openwork lotus design, identical to the one Xie Yun used.
Song Liang took it out and poured himself some tea. A rich, layered fragrance rose toward him, lingering without fading. The tea was smooth on his tongue and left his mouth pleasantly refreshed.
There was no need to ask whether it was good tea.
The carriage set off again. Whether they had slowed down or this carriage was simply too comfortable, Song Liang hardly felt the jolting. He therefore had the leisure to appreciate the beautiful scenery nearby.
Propping his chin on one hand, he stared unblinkingly at the man beside him.
【…】
Some scenery.
Every day at court, countless people watched Xie Yun openly or covertly. Outside court, palace maids and guards occasionally stared as well. But having someone scrutinize him so brazenly from barely an arm’s length away was another matter.
He looked up from his book and cast a sidelong glance at Song Liang.
“Does Your Majesty have nothing to do?”
“Nothing,” Song Liang agreed with a faint smile. “I’m looking at you to pass the time. Am I disturbing you?”
“Yes.”
“Then pretend you haven’t noticed.”
“…”
Xie Yun set down his book.
“There are several books beside you. If Your Majesty is bored, you may read them to pass the time.”
Song Liang had noticed them when he arrived and chosen to ignore them. Now that Xie Yun mentioned them, he casually flipped through a few pages, glanced down, and froze.
Xie Yun noticed his expression.
“What is it?”
“…Nothing.”
Song Liang wet his lips and closed the book.
“I’m a little tired. I don’t feel like reading.”
Xie Yun hadn’t expected an emperor who had neglected his studies since childhood to develop an interest in books. He had merely wanted to divert his attention and stop him from staring. He therefore asked no further questions.
“Then Your Majesty should rest.”
“Mm.”
Song Liang murmured an answer and turned toward the carriage wall, his expression solemn.
3085 grew nervous too.
【What is it, Host? Has something happened?】
Song Liang: 【Something serious.】
Song Liang: 【Why can’t I read anymore?】
【…】
After a stretch of deathly silence, a stiff voice answered.
【…I forgot the original character was a beggar.】
Song Liang: “…”
After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, 【An emperor doesn’t necessarily have to be literate, does he?】
【…】
Listen to yourself.
Man and system sank into prolonged contemplation of the question: Could an illiterate person be emperor?
Neither spoke. Neither argued.
But both knew it was impossible.
Anyone else could be illiterate. The emperor could not. Whether he could handle affairs of state was one issue. The real problem was that it would expose him as an impostor.
Song Liang: 【How did Li Huai deal with it in the original novel?】
【Cheng Qu brought him back. After returning to the capital, he claimed to be ill and recuperated for a while. He learned to read during that time.】
Song Liang: 【How long?】
【A month.】
Song Liang: 【And he learned?】
【No. But he could write his own name, “Reviewed,” and “Approved.”】
Song Liang: 【…】
Fair enough. The original character hadn’t relied on talent. He had relied entirely on his looks.
In the original novel, Li Huai endured humiliation in the palace for the main gong’s sake. Not only did he impersonate the emperor, he also seduced powerful nobles and officials to obtain the information the main gong wanted. The Earl of Zhongyi, the Marquis of Wuying, the heir to the Duke of Weiguo… There were men and women alike.
It wasn’t that they had never seen anyone more beautiful than Li Huai. But he bore the title of emperor. The exalted sovereign, ruler of all under Heaven, yielding beneath them and catering to their pleasure—what could be more thrilling?
They simply didn’t know that the person beneath them was no emperor of Great Yao, but a despised, worthless beggar of the lowest standing.
Song Liang had no intention of relying on his beauty. He thought himself reasonably good-looking, but he was also genuinely picky. Few of the people the original character had slept with were particularly attractive.
Ah, no. There was one handsome man.
The one everyone in the original novel agreed was the most beautiful of all.
Song Liang turned to look at the handsome man quietly reading opposite him. His features were deeply defined. Long black lashes cast shadows over his dark green eyes, partially concealing them. But the slightest lift would reveal an unfathomable emerald depth that drew people in.
Below those eyes was a straight, high nose, then lips whose rich color was striking without being gaudy. Their firmly closed curve carried a natural coolness. Half the Adam’s apple on his long neck disappeared beneath layered collars. Though clothed in fine brocade, he remained impeccably covered and proper, lending him the unexpected allure of restraint.
Song Liang was staring in a trance when he suddenly felt a chill against his face.
Looking up, he met Xie Yun’s icy expression, faintly edged with murderous intent.
Song Liang: “…”
“Ahem. My mind wandered.”
Remembering several explicit scenes between Li Huai and this man in the original novel, Song Liang felt an inexplicable itch in his teeth. His smiling tone acquired a deliberate edge.
“Does Imperial Uncle usually burn incense? What fragrance do you like best? I like the scent of greenery, preferably with a cool, crisp note.”
Xie Yun clearly had no interest in the subject and no intention of answering. He cast Song Liang a cold glance and turned aside to resume reading.
Song Liang, however, refused to leave him alone. He leaned across the little table between them and brought his face closer.
“Does Imperial Uncle have a spouse? A man or a woman?”
Xie Yun’s expression turned utterly cold. He looked down at the excessive closeness between them.
“If Your Majesty has forgotten proper conduct after so long outside the palace, I do not mind teaching you again.”
Had this been the original young emperor—or the beggar impersonating him—either would have retreated in fright and dared no further impropriety.
But the person here was Song Liang.
So Song Liang reached out, caught Xie Yun’s collar, and leaned right in.
“!”
Shock flashed through those dark green pupils, followed by icy fury. Xie Yun seized his wrist and twisted it outward. The sharp sound of a dislocating joint rang out.
Yet the young man before him seemed not to notice. His fingers remained hooked in Xie Yun’s collar. Only his slightly paling face betrayed anything amiss.
“Insolence!”
Xie Yun’s anger intensified. He was about to push him away when horses suddenly neighed outside. The carriage jolted to a stop, sending both men backward before they could brace themselves.
The young man crashed straight into his arms. A warm, smooth cheek buried itself against his neck, and hot, damp breath brushed his skin, sending a shiver through him.
Before he could push Song Liang away, the young man planted one hand against the carriage wall behind him. Their noses nearly touched, their breaths mingled, and even the ties of their robes had become entwined.
“Imperial Uncle, you smell so good.”
“…”
Xie Yun’s face darkened completely.
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