AYM Chapter 33

Li Xuanming was, in truth, exhausted. Although he had been reluctant to let go of Yan Yihuan last night, morning court still had to be attended, and those harboring hidden agendas still had to be granted audience after it ended.

 

At court today, Remonstrating Official Dong Yingzhuo deliberately used the late spring cold, which had caused poor harvests and widespread hardship in the six southern prefectures, as a pretext to stir up trouble. He wept loudly in court, claiming it was a punishment from Heaven for defying the natural order.

 

It had already been half a year since the new emperor ascended the throne, and yet they still clung to the late emperor’s sudden death, spreading rumors that he had been assassinated and that the Crown Prince had deliberately murdered his father in order to seize the throne early.

 

Faced with this scene, Li Xuanming actually found it rather amusing. He watched as Dong Yingzhuo stood in the court, filled with righteous fury, weeping bitter tears, and even delivering his remonstrance with a resolve to die, pressing him relentlessly to confess to his so-called “heinous treason.”

 

Indeed, by causing such a scene in the imperial court, Dong Yingzhuo was clearly courting death. His only aim was to demonstrate his loyalty to his master, all while trapping Li Xuanming into the role of a ruler who ignores remonstration and executes his remonstrating officials. Even the usually unflappable Grand Chancellor Cui Yan looked visibly anxious, worried that Li Xuanming might lose his temper and fall right into the trap.

 

But Li Xuanming simply listened attentively to his entire tearful complaint, then praised Dong Yingzhuo as a loyal and patriotic minister, and on the spot promoted him to Right Vice Minister of Revenue, a full third-rank post[mfn]正三品户部右侍郎 – “full” (正三品) indicates it is a formal third-rank post, as opposed to a subordinate or honorary one (e.g., 从三品, “sub-third-rank”).[/mfn].

 

Stunned in place, Dong Yingzhuo had yet to wipe his tears before he was immediately dispatched as an imperial envoy to oversee disaster relief in the south, without even having time to change out of his court robes.

 

Everyone knew full well that while the move appeared to be a concession, it was in fact an iron-fisted move that left no room for rebuttal. It was nothing short of brilliant.

 

Yet the calm, strategic smile on Li Xuanming’s face vanished the moment he stepped into the sleeping hall. Even the palace attendants trailing behind him could sense the stormy chill radiating from the emperor. No one dared to breathe too loudly, for fear they might be the one to suffer the brunt of it.

 

Yet the one waiting in the hall remained blissfully unaware, flashing a big, slightly forced smile.

 

A heavy silence filled the room. Yan Yihuan’s forced smile gradually stiffened as the suffocating atmosphere settled in. He glanced around in confusion before suddenly realizing that the emperor had arrived, yet he was still sitting. That was a serious breach of decorum!

 

In a fluster, Yan Yihuan tried to stand up, but the moment he pushed himself up using the table, he gasped sharply. His body was sore and aching all over. He clenched his jaw, preparing to stand regardless, when a command rang out,

 

“Everyone out.”

 

All the palace attendants responded in unison and withdrew in the blink of an eye, vanishing without a trace. Half-supported on the table, Yan Yihuan froze in place, confused as he looked at Li Xuanming.

 

Even though it was noon, the sleeping chamber darkened slightly once the doors were shut. The light in those eyes dimmed with it. An inexplicable tremor ran through Yan Yihuan’s chest, his expression flickering with unconscious probing, even a trace of concern.

 

It was different from the deliberate smile from earlier. A flicker of light passed through Li Xuanming’s eyes, his expression finally loosening ever so slightly. But before Yan Yihuan could register the shift, Li Xuanming had already held his arm and turned to sit down at the table.

 

“H-Hey!” Yan Yihuan gave a startled yelp as he was suddenly tugged down. He thought he was about to land heavily on the cold, hard stool, but in the next moment, he found himself seated in someone’s lap.

 

This position?

 

Yan Yihuan couldn’t help but recall the events of the previous night, how he’d been pinned in place just like this, unable to escape, unable to push him away, unable to scold… not that he dared to anyway.

 

More than anything, Yan Yihuan wanted to question the person behind him, why had he hidden his identity, and why had he deceived him even when saving him.

 

But now he was like a quail. He could only sulk in silence, not daring to utter even one extra word.

 

Fuming quietly on his own, Yan Yihuan didn’t realize that the nape of his pale neck had flushed a faint, suggestive pink, and his ears, from top to bottom, were dyed a deep red, each detail tugging at Li Xuanming’s heartstrings.

 

“You’re so hungry that your stomach’s flat, yet you’re still thinking about that?”

 

This deliberate teasing made Yan Yihuan flustered as he scrambled to deny it. Fearing Li Xuanming might start again, he tried to wriggle free from his lap despite the soreness, but a strong arm held him firmly in place.

 

Seeing that he couldn’t wriggle his way out, Yan Yihuan immediately sat up straight and stayed still. After experiencing it a few times, he knew exactly what more struggling would lead to. Besides, he’d already sensed a faint shift.

 

But what happened next wasn’t what he expected. Under Yan Yihuan surprised gaze, Li Xuanming picked up the pair of chopsticks he had just used, took a piece of the closest dish and tasted it, then brought another piece to Yan Yihuan’s lips,

 

“Not bad. Try it.”

 

Yan Yihuan wanted to remind him that he had used those chopsticks, but seeing that Li Xuanming had already used them, he kept quiet and obediently ate the offered bite.

 

Li Xuanming’s lips curved in satisfaction as he picked up another dish. Just like that, the two of them continued with one pair of chopsticks, you took a bite then I took a bite.

 

Li Xuanming basically didn’t speak again, yet dish after dish was brought to Yan Yihuan’s lips. He didn’t forget that the man behind him was the emperor, nor did he forget the anxious faces of the servants earlier. He didn’t dare refuse, so he ate one mouthful after another, until the growing fullness became impossible to ignore.

 

It made Yan Yihuan feel like a pet cat or dog, to be fed and played with according to Li Xuanming’s mood.

 

“I really can’t eat anymore.” He finally mustered the courage to gently push away the food that had already touched his lips. The hand paused, then brought the bite to Li Xuanming’s own mouth before setting the chopsticks down.

 

Li Xuanming gently touched the teapot with the back of his hand, and sensing that the temperature was just right, he poured two cups of tea, handing one to Yan Yihuan.

 

Yan Yihuan knew this was to cleanse the palate after a meal, but the emperor’s motions were so casual and natural that the phrases he had prepared, such as ‘This humble servant is unworthy,’ felt too self-conscious to say aloud.

 

Yet even Li Xuanming himself was surprised. He had never served anyone before, not even the late emperor.

 

But with Yan Yihuan, these actions all came so naturally. Just holding him like this, doing such ordinary things, was enough to quiet all the turmoil within him and grant him a moment of peace.

 

“Perhaps it’s because you’re just too foolish.”

 

Which is why, at this moment, he wanted to keep him close, so he would never have to learn how to play the cruel game of court.

 

This sudden remark struck Yan Yihuan like a blow to the head, snapping him out of the tender yet tense atmosphere. His fists clenched tightly inside his sleeves.

 

Stay calm. Stay calm. He is the monarch, and I am the subject. The fate of my entire family rests on me now. I must not act recklessly.

 

Taking a deep breath, Yan Yihuan forced a smile back onto his face and turned his head, 

 

“Your Majesty is absolutely right!”

 

Li Xuanming raised an eyebrow slightly, watching with amusement as Yan Yihuan bared his teeth in a strained grin while awkwardly trying to slide off his lap.

 

So eager to please? He must be hiding something.

 

Although he had been just as willing last night, that had been in the heat of passion, coaxed by pleasure. But now, after returning from morning court, who knew what kind of nonsense this little head had been busy thinking about.

 

Crossing his arms, Li Xuanming waited until Yan Yihuan finally stood straight before deliberately asking in a deep, serious voice,

 

“Did you enjoy yourself last night?”

 

“Enjoyed it… huh?!”

 

How could he say something so shameless in such a serious tone!

 

The end of his sentence rose in pitch involuntarily. Yan Yihuan stared wide-eyed at the Son of Heaven before him, his head suddenly throbbing. He inwardly lamented, how on earth was he supposed to handle this man…

 

Author’s Note:

Q: What if you can’t win the game?

A: Then join him and play together, of course!