PCA Chapter 170

The first thing Li Shi did after returning to court was to reclaim his regency powers.

 

Liu Cheng had been advocating for the young emperor to appoint regents, struggling with him for a month without results. After Li Shi’s return, he quickly changed his rhetoric, lavishly praising the young emperor’s intelligence and capability, hoping the young emperor would continue to rule personally—a regent like Prince Ning wasn’t needed at all.

 

Unfortunately, the young emperor had already suffered enough from personal rule under the pressure of Liu Cheng’s faction and couldn’t wait to hand over power. Without Li Shi even having to say anything, he used the excuse that “I am still young and not capable of bearing such great responsibility” to personally hand the imperial seal to Li Shi.

 

Regarding this, though Liu Cheng was unwilling, it was within his expectations, so he didn’t react too strongly.

 

Blood relations are etched in the bones, not something outsiders can come between.

 

The strongest reaction came from Empress Dowager Chu, who resided in the rear palace.

 

In Qingning Palace, she smashed a phoenix-patterned screen and a set of glass cups. She alternated between cursing Li Shi for his wolfish ambition and coveting her son’s throne, and berating Liu Cheng and his associates for their incompetence in dealing with Li Shi. When she ran out of people to curse, she lamented that the former emperor had died too early, leaving them as a widow and orphan to be bullied, with wolves and tigers left beside them, eyeing them covetously.

 

Liu Cheng couldn’t help but coldly sneer from the side. Her own son had willingly handed over the imperial seal to someone else, and now she was blaming heaven and earth. Instead of smashing things, she would be better off educating her son.

 

Unexpectedly caught by Empress Dowager Chu’s sharp glance, her expression suddenly changed, “Are you mocking me?”

 

Liu Cheng immediately bowed: “I wouldn’t dare.”

 

Empress Dowager Chu’s cold, beautiful face forced a smile: “Indeed, you wouldn’t dare.”

 

Liu Cheng involuntarily shuddered, a chill gradually rising, as he heard the cold voice echo among the beams of the hall: “You were left by the former emperor to take care of us mother and son. If you harbor other intentions, how could you face the former emperor’s kindness to you?”

 

Liu Cheng lowered his head, his fingertips gradually stiffening and curling.

 

The first thing Li Shi did after reclaiming his regency was to deal with all the ministers who had given the young emperor trouble.

 

Those who had claimed urgent border matters needed immediate decisions were sent as Inspection Commissioners to the Longyu Circuit to “eat sand in the northern desert for two years” before reporting back on whether border matters were truly urgent.

 

Those who brought up trivial old matters seemed to have poor memories, so they were sent home early to enjoy their twilight years.

 

As for those who submitted unnecessary greeting memorials and disturbed the court proceedings, since they had so much free time, censors were dispatched to investigate judicial affairs in their jurisdictions. If there was even one case of injustice, they would be dealt with for dereliction of duty and holding office without performing work.

 

The young emperor watched from the dragon throne, both delighted and astonished. So this was how it could be done; this was what it meant to wield power and look down upon everyone.

 

Thus, the previously chaotic court quickly returned to its former state after Li Shi’s return. Everyone carefully attended to their duties, afraid of being singled out.

 

After several autumn rains, the weather gradually cooled. When Su Cen arrived at Xingqing Palace after work, an autumn rain had just stopped. Servants were busy sweeping up fallen flowers and leaves, their bamboo brooms scraping across the bluestone slabs. After greeting Su Cen, they informed him that the Prince was busy with official business in his study.

 

Considering that he shouldn’t disturb the Prince of Ning’s official duties, Su Cen greeted them and headed toward the back chambers. Passing by the Dragon Pool, he saw withered yellow lotus leaves and tall seed heads. He casually picked a few lotus pods that were near the shore, found a plate when he reached the sleeping chamber, and peeled out the lotus seeds one by one. He then used a needle to remove the bitter centers—bitterness was naturally avoided in favor of sweetness, especially since he had rarely tasted bitterness since childhood and had always maintained an aversion to flavors that lingered unpleasantly on the tongue.

 

When Li Shi returned after finishing his work, he found the little fox leisurely reclining on his bed, holding a book, with a plate of lotus seeds on the table beside him, occasionally reaching out to take a few, chewing with a crisp sound.

 

Su Cen hadn’t noticed Li Shi’s entrance until he reached the table and also tried to take a lotus seed.

 

Only when their hands overlapped did Su Cen look up from his book, his gaze softening as he smiled gently at the person: “You’re done?”

 

But Li Shi didn’t let go of his hand, instead pinching that wrist to make him pick up a lotus seed and guiding that hand to his mouth. His tongue curled around the seed, taking it into his mouth before releasing Su Cen’s hand. “What are you reading that’s so engrossing?”

 

Su Cen calmly put the book aside, “Some old cases, just looking through them.”

 

This statement was half-true. They were old cases indeed, but it was a newly opened investigation—the case of Tian Pingzhi.

 

Fortunately, Li Shi didn’t seem to take much interest, extending a hand to pull him up, asking: “Have you eaten?”

 

Only then did Su Cen realize he had come on an empty stomach. After being caught in the rain and eating a stomach full of raw lotus seeds, he now felt a chill in his stomach, which wasn’t very comfortable.

 

Li Shi ordered servants to bring food, held Su Cen on his lap, carefully selecting the choicest morsels to feed him until he was full before letting him go. He himself ate a few hasty bites before having the meal cleared away.

 

Su Cen frowned slightly, “Why are you eating so little?”

 

Before he could finish his question, Qi Lin entered with a jade cup. Su Cen barely glimpsed the thick liquid inside before Li Shi took it and drank it all at once.

 

“Is that… medicine?” Su Cen stared at the black residue at the bottom of the bowl with a frown. The last time he saw Li Shi taking medicine was when someone had poisoned his food at Xingqing Palace, triggering an old ailment. Since returning from Xuzhou and reclaiming his regency, Li Shi had boldly reformed the administration, naturally shaking many people’s interests. Could this time be…

 

Li Shi seemed to read his thoughts and smiled, patting his back, “Just a cold. Nothing serious.”

 

“A cold?” Su Cen was clearly still doubtful. Just as he was about to smell the medicine residue to see what it contained, Li Shi unobtrusively handed the cup to Qi Lin, who took it away.

 

Su Cen’s suspicions grew. He didn’t actually know much about medicine and wouldn’t have been able to identify anything by smell. But this test had revealed something—Li Shi was specifically hiding it from him, so this medicine definitely wasn’t for treating a cold.

 

But Li Shi’s nonchalant attitude clearly indicated he had no intention of telling him.

 

Su Cen’s stubborn streak surfaced again. That night in bed, he repeatedly refused to cooperate, responding neither to gentleness nor force, steadfastly protecting that small piece of cloth, not allowing Li Shi to touch him.

 

Finally, with bright eyes fixed on Li Shi, he asked word by word: “What’s really wrong with you?”

 

The old fox narrowed his eyes slightly and instead of answering, asked: “And what about you? What case are you investigating now?”

 

Su Cen was stunned, immediately embarrassed. He thought he had hidden it well, not realizing it had all fallen under the other’s gaze, his little thoughts completely transparent.

 

Since he had been seen through, Su Cen met that gaze directly and openly, hoping to exchange truth for truth, “I’m investigating Tian Pingzhi’s case. Now, what about you?”

 

Li Shi narrowed his eyes, looking at the person beneath him—hair disheveled, lips red and teeth white, clearly also aroused, yet with eyes frighteningly bright, displaying an expression of rather dying than surrendering, willing to frustrate them both rather than yield.

 

“You little brat,” Li Shi suddenly smiled, then his gaze suddenly hardened. One hand, like cast iron, grabbed Su Cen’s struggling hands and pinned them above his head, while the other moved swiftly and decisively, quickly disposing of those few pieces of cloth.

 

“A minor illness, and I still can’t handle you!”

 

After a thoroughly satisfying encounter, Su Cen lay on the bed reflecting painfully on his lesson. Bargaining with the Prince of Ning in bed was definitely not a good idea. But seeing how vigorous he was, still able to wrestle with him for half an hour, it seemed his health wasn’t too much of an issue.

 

Su Cen tilted his head and used his last bit of strength to bite that firm arm, then immediately regretted it as he saw the deep tooth marks. He gently leaned forward and lightly kissed the mark like a dragonfly touching water.

 

Li Shi raised his hand to pull him up, placing him on his chest, then held his chin and lowered his head to kiss him.

 

The first few kisses were light, unrelated to desire, like comfort or reassurance. As they continued, it seemed there was still a faint fragrance of lotus seeds between the other’s teeth and cheeks, making one want to delve deeper and extract it.

 

Su Cen responded in kind, opening his lips and teeth to allow the other’s advance, his previously stubborn gaze finally softening.

 

When the kiss ended, Su Cen’s heart gradually opened, no longer fixated on questioning the cause of Li Shi’s illness, but instead asking: “Is the medicine bitter?”

 

Li Shi smiled lightly: “No.”

 

Su Cen stared at Li Shi without blinking, “Does it hurt?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then is it that you can’t sleep at night?” He could clearly sense that the sandalwood scent on Li Shi was stronger than before.

 

Li Shi unusually didn’t deny it, “If I can’t sleep, what would you do?”

 

Su Cen raised his hand to gently encircle Li Shi’s neck, “Then I’ll come keep you company every night.”

 

Li Shi looked at Su Cen’s water-like eyes and brows for a while, finally placing a cold kiss on his forehead: “Alright.”

 

“Then about Tian Pingzhi…” Su Cen bit his lip, but decided to tell the truth, “Previously, you were concerned that the Secret Door was involved and didn’t let me investigate. But now that the Secret Door has suffered such a blow, they shouldn’t have time to worry about me for a while. This is the only unsolved case that Lord Chen left behind, and I want to complete it for him.” Su Cen raised his head and looked seriously at Li Shi, “May I investigate it?”

 

Li Shi raised his hand to press his brow, “If I said no, would you really not investigate?”

 

Su Cen thought for a moment, then nodded seriously, “Yes.”

 

Both fell silent. Li Shi frowned in consideration while Su Cen waited quietly. From the roof came the faint sound of rustling—it was raining again.

 

After a long while, Li Shi pulled him back into his arms, gently patting his shoulder, “Go ahead and investigate. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.”

 

 

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