Although A Realm to Rest Upon was told primarily from the perspectives of the main gong, Helan Ze, and the main shou, Shen Yanchuan, the early storyline devoted more space to the struggle among three major powers: Xie Yun, the Grand Empress Dowager, and Chancellor Yin.
At this point, the main shou was still living under an assumed identity because of his status as a condemned man. Helan Ze, meanwhile, was the celebrated heir to Prince Duan’s household. Handsome and upright, yet also gentle and witty, he was praised throughout the capital and enjoyed an outstanding reputation.
Even later, when Helan Ze led troops into the capital and ascended the throne, the common people quickly accepted it.
Compared with Xie Yun, who spent more than half the novel being denounced for treacherous ambitions yet never actually became emperor, Song Liang could only conclude that public opinion mattered in every era.
But knowing that Helan Ze was not as indifferent to power as his reputation suggested made today’s coincidence rather intriguing.
Song Liang pretended to notice nothing. Looking at that refined gentleman’s face, he offered a compliment.
“Heir Helan is certainly handsome.”
Helan Ze paused, clearly not expecting those words. But he quickly recovered and smiled.
“Your Majesty is too kind. I am merely an ordinary man. With the regent’s peerless elegance before us, I would hardly dare praise my own appearance.”
“You’re too modest.”
Song Liang’s gaze settled on the hunting quiver at his waist.
“Were you out hunting? How was your haul?”
“Quite plentiful.”
“Then you must be an excellent archer.”
Song Liang smiled.
“Why not come to my tent tonight and teach me?”
Helan Ze: “…”
His smile stiffened slightly. He did indeed have important matters to discuss with this person, but they could hardly be mentioned so openly. Xie Yun was standing right here. If his suspicions were aroused, not only Helan Ze but the entire Prince Duan household would suffer.
Cursing inwardly, he maintained his smile.
“Your Majesty’s leg is still injured. Physical exertion would be inadvisable. Why not wait until you’ve returned to the palace and recuperated? Once you’re well, I can teach you then. What do you think?”
Song Liang looked reluctant.
“Very well.”
Sweat had broken out across Helan Ze’s back. If this person genuinely failed to understand the hint, he wouldn’t have known what to do. Fortunately, foolish though he was, he remained reasonably obedient.
Helan Ze breathed a silent sigh of relief, turned, and left as though nothing were amiss, pretending not to notice the strange looks behind him.
As soon as he departed, Song Liang tossed the medicine to Cheng Qu and told him to apply it. Before Cheng Qu could move, Cen Huan took it, sniffed it, then poured out a little and tasted it. Only after nodding to Xie Yun did he return it to Cheng Qu.
Song Liang wasn’t worried that Helan Ze would harm him. He was currently the most important piece in the man’s hand. Helan Ze would hardly bear to let him die.
But if something happened to him now, Xie Yun would take the blame. Someone might well want to use his death to frame the regent.
“Do you know who sent the assassins?” he asked Xie Yun.
Xie Yun looked at him.
“Your Majesty does not suspect me?”
“If you acted against me, I’d lose a layer of skin even if I survived. These methods are far too simple.”
“…”
Cheng Qu was still present. Song Liang’s words effectively tore away the last thin veil concealing their relationship. Yet Xie Yun showed no particular reaction.
“Does Your Majesty have any suspects?”
“I can’t think of any.”
Song Liang raised a brow.
“But on my way over, I noticed there weren’t many arrows in my carriage. Lord Cheng’s had even fewer. Only yours was badly damaged. Is it possible you offended someone and dragged us into it?”
“…”
A subtle expression crossed Xie Yun’s face. He had thought the young emperor would fail to notice the peculiarities of this attack. Instead, not only had he noticed, he even dared issue a warning.
“Is Your Majesty calling me to account?”
“Not at all. I merely hope you’ll take a little responsibility for me and do your utmost to protect me until we reach the palace, just as you did today.”
After a pause, Song Liang added, “But next time, you should warn me before picking me up and taking flight. I haven’t seen much of the world. Suddenly finding myself in the sky was bound to be frightening.”
Xie Yun answered mildly, “I doubt there will be a next time. I am not particularly inclined to carry a grown man.”
Song Liang cleared his throat and said solemnly, “There’s no need to give up eating for fear of choking. If you really wish to carry me, you may dispense with the warning.”
Xie Yun: “…”
With a cold, mocking laugh, Xie Yun turned and left.
Cen Huan glared at Song Liang and followed.
Cheng Qu bent to apply medicine to Song Liang’s leg.
“If Your Majesty truly likes the regent, there are ways.”
Song Liang looked down at him. “?”
Cheng Qu met his gaze with a broad smile.
“Your Majesty, I have a plan—”
“I like Helan Ze too,” Song Liang said.
Cheng Qu: “…”
He lowered his head again and sighed.
“Your Majesty is rather greedy. How could the regent accept becoming a consort? Even if he became empress instead, he would never permit anyone else in your harem.”
Song Liang sighed deeply.
“My good minister, you are exceptionally clever. If I acquired a powerful enough backer, would you work for me and gather all the handsome men in the realm?”
Cheng Qu: “…”
He offered a courteous smile.
“Your Majesty jests. What backer could be more powerful than the chancellor?”
Song Liang: “…”
Cheng Qu smiled, straightened Song Liang’s trouser leg, and respectfully withdrew.
【Great Yao has always forbidden the imperial harem from interfering in politics. He wants to use you against Xie Yun.】
“Guessed as much.”
Song Liang hadn’t known about the rule against the harem’s political interference. But he knew Cheng Qu belonged to Chancellor Yin’s faction and could not possibly be offering sincere advice. He was merely digging a pit for Song Liang to fall into.
Besides, even if Xie Yun never entered the harem, an illicit relationship would be enough. With the limited intelligence of either the young emperor or the original Li Huai, Cheng Qu could probably pass off poison as an aphrodisiac, and either of them would happily feed it to Xie Yun.
Not simple. None of them was simple.
An A-rank instance indeed.
“What’s the deal with Xie Yun’s qinggong? I want it too.”
【It has to be trained from childhood. It’s a closely guarded martial art, and only a very small number of people possess it.】
“Who else has it?”
【Both main leads.】
“So I’m the only one who doesn’t?”
【You’re cannon fodder. Stop asking for so much.】
Song Liang clicked his tongue, deeply dissatisfied. But he was also beginning to realize that being emperor would not be as comfortable as he had imagined.
Today’s assassination attempt alone was complicated enough. Someone might have deliberately arranged it to frame Xie Yun.
【Then stay farther away from him.】
Song Liang firmly objected.
“He and I have plenty of intimate scenes together. It’s part of my characterization.”
【And with the others too? The Earl of Zhongyi, the Marquis of Wuying, the Duke of Weiguo…】
“Enough, enough. Any more and we’ll be getting too explicit.”
Song Liang put away the bottle of medicine Helan Ze had given him, lay back inside the carriage, and opened the original storyline.
He began investigating why Helan Ze had suddenly staged a rescue that had never occurred in the novel.
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