Word soon spread that the Marquis of Wuying had offended His Majesty and been kicked out of the imperial carriage. By the time everyone made camp in the Western Hills, the incident was the subject of widespread discussion, much of it teasing and suggestive. Clearly, everyone knew what sort of man the marquis was.
Had this been the emperor of old, the marquis might have offended him with impunity. But now, even the Grand Empress Dowager could do nothing about His Majesty. The upheaval outside Zhaoyang Palace and his handling of the Jiang and Yang families had even earned him a tyrant’s reputation. For the Marquis of Wuying to lust after him nevertheless was truly an astonishing act of lust-driven audacity.
When Cen Huan recounted the incident to Xie Yun as an amusing anecdote, Xie Yun merely sat with his eyes closed, resting as though he could not care less. Only when Cen Huan mentioned that the marquis had also entered the hunt did he open his eyes and ask, “Who else?”
Naturally, Cen Huan understood that he was not asking for the entire list, only those who warranted particular attention. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “Xu Qingye, heir to the Duke of Wei. He has just returned from the frontier to report on his service after distinguishing himself in battle. He was supposed to receive his rewards in the capital, but for some reason he has come to the autumn hunt as well.”
He named several others, all reliable members of the Qin family’s younger generation, whether from the main line or collateral branches. Though somewhat less famous than Qin Huaiyuan, they were far more capable than those previously implicated through their dealings with Jiang Wei. Clearly, the Grand Empress Dowager attached great importance to this hunt. She seemed determined to claim first place and secure justice for the Jiang and Yang clans.
Those familiar with her, however, knew that Lady Qin was both intelligent and resourceful. Had her descendants not been so incompetent, she would never have been forced into retreat after retreat by the little emperor. A woman like her would not stand by as he continued seizing power. Nor would she waste further effort on the Jiang and Yang clans, already discarded pawns. Instead, she would silence him for good, just as she had dealt with the late emperor.
At this thought, Cen Huan could not help asking curiously, “Your Highness, do you think the little emperor knows he is the Qin family’s target at this hunt?”
Xie Yun did not answer immediately. He was uncertain whether Song Liang knew. Whether that man knew or not, he was equally capable of doing something beyond all ordinary expectations.
Taking his silence as an invitation, Cen Huan continued his own analysis. “I don’t think he knows. Otherwise, why would he keep getting entangled with the Marquis of Wuying? I refuse to believe he really can’t see what the marquis wants from him—”
Ruan Chong, who was unpacking nearby, finally lost patience. “Didn’t His Majesty kick him out of the carriage? He probably has no such intentions. Stop making things up.”
“…”
Cen Huan shot him a sideways glance. His colleague truly had no sense of the situation. Was he analyzing the little emperor’s intentions? He was helping their prince see through the little emperor’s false affection!
Ruan Chong hesitated, but before he could speak, someone arrived outside the tent: the Black Armor Guard assigned to watch the emperor’s quarters.
Cen Huan immediately asked, “What has the little emperor done? Did he summon the Marquis of Wuying into his tent?”
The guard shook his head. “No.”
Cen Huan was about to feel disappointed when the guard continued, “But His Majesty has summoned the heir to the Duke of Wei.”
Ruan Chong froze.
Cen Huan was delighted. Slapping his thigh, he exclaimed, “See, Your Highness! That little emperor is like a dog that can’t stop eating shit. Last time it was Heir Helan, this time it’s the Duke of Wei’s heir, and then there’s you—”
He abruptly choked on the rest of his sentence. His expression stiffened as he belatedly realized the appalling implications of his comparison. “…Forgive me, Your Highness. That wasn’t what I meant.”
He had not meant to call his prince shit.
Xie Yun gave him a cold glance. “Send men to watch Lady Qin and the Qin family members. Report any unusual movements immediately.”
“…Yes.”
Cen Huan obediently left the tent.
Ruan Chong glanced at Xie Yun’s expression, then at the Black Armor Guard still standing there. Taking the hint, he excused himself to go on patrol.
Just as he stepped out of the tent, he heard Xie Yun’s low voice behind him.
“What… did they say?”
“…”
Ruan Chong left the tent with mixed feelings. Naturally, he never heard the Black Armor Guard’s next words.
“His Majesty praised the Duke of Wei’s heir as young, talented, and handsome, then asked whether there was anyone he wished to marry.”
Nor did he see their prince’s expression turn abruptly cold upon hearing this.
…
Inside the bright yellow imperial tent, Xu Qingye stared at the handsome young emperor before him, whose features carried an air of bold confidence. He stood bewildered for a moment before recovering enough to answer respectfully.
“Your Majesty, I am still young. There is no one I wish to marry. My only desire is to earn distinction and establish myself.”
“Start a family first, then build your career. There’s no hurry about the latter. As it happens, I already intended to reward you for your achievements on the frontier. Marriage is a separate matter; you will still receive your due rewards.” Without waiting for him to speak, Song Liang continued, “The commander of my Xiaoyi Guard happens to have a younger sister—”
“Your Majesty!” The mere mention of the Xiaoyi Guard made Xu Qingye’s scalp prickle. He hastily said, “I truly have no interest in romantic attachments. I wish only to serve my country loyally!”
Song Liang’s gaze paused. He regarded him with an ambiguous smile. “Loyalty to the country is loyalty to me. Why draw such a clear distinction, my lord?”
Xu Qingye’s expression tightened. Lowering his head, he replied, “I would not dare.”
“Is it that you don’t dare, or that your father won’t allow it?”
“!”
This time, Xu Qingye was genuinely shocked. His heart even missed a beat. He had never expected the little emperor to know that his father had forced him to attend this autumn hunt. He was no ordinary ruler indeed!
Song Liang had no idea what was going through his mind. He was watching an intimate scene between Xu Qingye and the original Li Huai on the electronic screen before him, gathering useful information as he tried to recruit the young general who would later be hailed as Xie Yun’s successor.
Naturally, he meant recruiting him into his service in a perfectly respectable fashion—not into his bed, as Li Huai had done in the original novel.
3085 was not particularly in favor. 【In the original novel, although Li Huai seduced Xu Qingye into bed, Xu Qingye neither liked nor respected him. Later, when he followed Helan Ze into Yanjing, Li Huai wrote to him asking for help. He ignored the letter completely.】
3085: 【To some extent, he bears part of the responsibility for the original owner’s death. So, to avoid the plot’s inertia, I don’t recommend getting involved with him.】
Song Liang paid it little mind. In his view, although he now had the Xiaoyi Guard, it ultimately gave him only the means to protect himself within the palace. He still needed a general who could truly lead troops into battle, and Xu Qingye was the ideal candidate.
As for the original plot, he simply had to avoid doing what the original owner had done: deliberately drugging Xu Qingye, seducing him into bed, then tricking him into taking responsibility.
After considering it, the safest approach still seemed to be finding the man a partner in advance. Once Xu Qingye had someone to love, and the two were happily devoted to one another, surely the plot would not insist on forcing him and Song Liang into a romantic entanglement.
But recalling the man’s earlier resistance, then remembering his attentiveness toward the protagonist shou in the original novel, Song Liang suddenly asked, “Do you prefer men?”
Xu Qingye froze. “I… have no taste for men, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty.” Zhou An’s voice came from outside the tent. “It is time to change for the sacrificial rites.”
By annual custom, on the first day before the imperial hunt began, the emperor had to change into ceremonial robes and perform sacrifices at the entrance to the Western Hills, honoring Heaven, Earth, and the spirits of the mountains. Song Liang had already been informed of this.
He glanced at Xu Qingye and said, “There is nothing wrong with not liking men, and serving your country loyally is commendable. But I would prefer you to be loyal to me as well.”
Xu Qingye gave an awkward smile, not daring to respond.
Song Liang waved a hand and dismissed him.
Zhou An entered the tent carrying the ceremonial robes. As he helped Song Liang change, he chattered on about the rules governing the rites. After listening for a while, Song Liang suddenly asked, “Exactly how long is it until the auspicious hour?”
“Two hours remain.”
“…”
Song Liang stared speechlessly at his trusted attendant. “Then why did you come so early?”
Zhou An paused, then remembered the Duke of Wei’s heir who had just left. Cautiously, he asked, “Forgive this servant… Did I interrupt Your Majesty’s pleasure?”
“…”
Song Liang drew a quiet breath and closed his eyes, asking the system inwardly, 【Is my reputation really that bad now?】
3085 said nothing. It merely kept bringing up electronic screens—
【Current Tyrant Score: 4 (Debauchery Score: 3)】
Song Liang: “…”
3085: 【Try a little harder and get Xie Yun into bed. Then you’ll catch up with Li Huai from the original novel and earn the reader-certified title: Great Yao’s Succubus.】
3085: 【And when your Tyrant Score reaches 100, I’ll explode like fireworks inside your head. You’re not getting out alive either.】
Song Liang: “…”
Song Liang opened his eyes. He was just about to explain to Zhou An that he was not actually that debauched when the eunuch continued, “Forgive me, Your Majesty. Vice Minister Cui of the Ministry of Rites came in person to remind me that the sacrificial ceremony is complicated and that preparations should begin early. That is why I came ahead of time.”
Cui Jin, Vice Minister of Rites. A member of the Prince Regent’s faction.
Song Liang paused, then suddenly looked toward the tent entrance. “How long has the Duke of Wei’s heir been gone?”
“About a quarter of an hour.” Zhou An asked in confusion, “Does Your Majesty have further business with him? Shall I summon him back?”
“No need.” Song Liang slipped his arms into the crimson ceremonial robes, his gaze indifferent. “I doubt he can come just now.”
“Pardon?”
…
Inside the Prince Regent’s tent, Xu Qingye knelt on one knee before the desk, bewildered and apprehensive. He had no idea what stroke of fortune had befallen him—or the Duke of Wei’s household—to earn successive summons from both the little emperor and the Prince Regent.
“Besides offering you a marriage, what else did His Majesty say?”
The voice above him was low and commanding, enough to send a chill through him. Having served on the frontier, Xu Qingye knew better than most that this all-powerful Prince Regent was not merely a master of political intrigue. He had once been a god of slaughter on the battlefield, killing without hesitation.
“His Majesty also said that there was nothing wrong with not liking men, and that serving the country loyally was commendable, but that he would prefer me to be loyal to him as well.”
“…”
The tent fell silent. Xu Qingye’s heart began to race. He wondered regretfully whether he should have revealed the little emperor’s attempt to recruit him. After all, everyone at court knew that the Prince Regent harbored great ambitions, coveted the throne, and was utterly at odds with the little emperor. If His Highness suspected him of siding with the emperor, would he not have brought needless disaster upon the Duke of Wei’s household?
The more he thought, the more frightened he became, until cold sweat covered his body. He was about to declare his allegiance when that low voice sounded above him again—
“What did he mean by ‘there is nothing wrong with not liking men’?”
“…”
Still kneeling, Xu Qingye blinked blankly. Men? Shouldn’t the question be whether he had pledged himself to the little emperor? Why ask about that?
“Because…” he answered in bewilderment, “because His Majesty asked whether I liked men.”
“…”
The entire tent abruptly fell quiet. Cen Huan, who had intercepted Xu Qingye and brought him here, raised an eyebrow at Ruan Chong in gleeful vindication. Ruan Chong glanced at their prince’s dark expression and silently heaved a deep sigh.
His Majesty really was behaving too recklessly, going around asking men whether they liked other men—and choosing only handsome, well-built young gentlemen. First the Prince of Duan’s heir, now the Duke of Wei’s… Their own prince had once been the dashing heir to the Duke Who Guards the Nation, too. He had been even more valiant and accomplished in battle than this heir to the Duke of Wei.
“Achoo!”
Song Liang had barely left his tent when he sneezed. Zhou An immediately tried to drape a cloak over him, saying the mountain wind was cold, but Song Liang refused.
Song Liang: 【I have a bad feeling.】
3085: 【…】
【Ding!】
【Current Tyrant Score: 7 (Debauchery Score: 6)】
Song Liang: “…”
What the hell was going on with this damned Debauchery Score?
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