Li Xuanjing’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Yan Yihuan enter. He instinctively raised a hand to greet him. Yan Yihuan smiled and waved back, but walked straight towards Yan Zheng.
Of course, he would go to his real brother. Li Xuanjing awkwardly lowered his hand but kept his eyes on Yan Yihuan, watching the delight on his face and the joy in his eyes, looking as lively as ever.
He thought to himself that King Wei was truly up to no good. Earlier, he had tried to harm Yihuan in an attempt to sow discord between Li Xuanming and King Yan. Now that that plan had failed, he was trying to stir up trouble with him instead. If it weren’t for the fact that the time wasn’t right yet, he really would’ve liked to shoot an arrow straight through him.
Li Xuanjing’s expression as he looked at Li Xuanyu did not escape Yan Zheng’s notice either. Without saying a word, Yan Zheng quietly picked a few of his younger brother’s favorite dishes and placed them on his small plate,
“I didn’t get a chance to ask just now. How’s your post as Grand Historian going?”
If it had been anyone else asking, Yan Yihuan would’ve brushed it off with a joke. But in front of his older brother, he was completely honest.
“Not very well,” Yan Yihuan said, using a sip of tea to cover his awkwardness. “But since I’m working for His Majesty, I’ve already been trying very hard for the future of the Residence of King Yan.”
Yan Zheng naturally knew his brother’s capabilities. It was no surprise he wasn’t doing well. Hearing him mention the residence’s future, he couldn’t help but smile, “Whether or not you do well in your little Grand Historian post won’t shake the Residence of King Yan. But has the emperor been making things difficult for you?”
Making things difficult?
Yan Yihuan’s expression shifted slightly. At first, it had indeed been rather difficult, but now…?
Thinking of how he had just taken the initiative to extend an invitation, he felt a bit embarrassed. But how could he tell his elder brother about something like this? Besides, his little post was nowhere near as easy as his brother imagined. If not for their secret schemes, would he even need to work this hard to curry favor?
With that thought, Yan Yihuan suddenly felt much more at ease. His initiative stemmed from this very cause. It was all for the safety of the Residence of King Yan. People only saw him eating, drinking, and playing, unaware that the hardships were more than they could imagine.
Seeing him fall quiet, Yan Zheng had a bad feeling. Could it be that the emperor really was making things difficult for him, even threatening him not to speak of it?
“Yihuan.” Yan Zheng suddenly grew serious. “Since you were young, I’ve always told you, no matter what happens outside, you must tell your family. Even if someone threatens you, do not hide it. With your brother here, you have nothing to fear.”
Hearing this warmed Yan Yihuan’s heart, and his nose stung a little. He thought of how, ever since he was small, his family had always shielded him, shouldering every trouble and worry for his sake, while all he ever did was seek pleasure, never contributing anything useful.
Now that he could finally do something for his family, how could he give up so easily and make them worry?
“No, nothing like that!” Yan Yihuan leaned toward his brother, pressing tightly against his shoulder. “His Majesty treats me well. Even when he saw my writing wasn’t very good, he didn’t make things difficult for me. But I know I can’t bring shame to our residence, so I’ve been working hard to learn.”
“Just a few days as an official, and you’re already a different person.” Yan Zheng found himself both surprised and gratified, “You’ve made me see you in a new light.”
If it weren’t for you all insisting on those treasonous schemes, would I even need to go through all this?
Yan Yihuan still couldn’t help grumbling to himself, feeling the weight on his shoulders grow heavier.
“I’m full.” Yan Yihuan patted his stomach, “You have to do your best this afternoon, Big Brother.”
“Stop pretending,” Yan Zheng gave him a sideways glance. “Didn’t you tell Xuanjing not to team up with me and take the top spot alone?”
Yan Yihuan fumed inwardly at Li Xuanjing for telling his brother everything, wasting all his painstaking efforts.
Forget it. Thinking about how he still had to go butter up the man in the main hall, Yan Yihuan grit his teeth and accepted the blame, saying goodbye to his brother.
But by now, he had completely forgotten that he was the one who had taken the initiative to extend the invitation, instead wearing an expression of tragic resolve. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the doors to the main hall.
As soon as he entered, he froze. Li Xuanming, who had originally been dressed in full dragon robes, had changed into a dark, close-fitting riding and archery outfit, a valiant and spirited look Yan Yihuan had never seen before, almost stealing his breath away.
So he was serious when he said he would take him hunting. Then that invitation…
With the sun warming his back so comfortably, it truly would be a shame to waste such a fine day. He turned to fetch his own bow and arrows, but was stopped by a sudden command from Li Xuanming,
“Put it down!” Then, as if realizing his tone was too sharp, his voice softened, “You don’t need to bring that.”
Not understanding why, Yan Yihuan still obeyed and put his bow down, only to see two eunuchs carrying out a bow nearly as tall as himself, their steps slightly unsteady.
The bow’s body curved like a crescent moon, made of some unknown material that looked solid and sturdy. Inlaid gems sparkled along its body, arranged like the stars of the Big Dipper.
Li Xuanming reached out with his left hand and lifted the bow in one smooth motion, then hooked his right hand on the shining string and drew it back fully. A sharp twang rang out as he released it, like a blade slicing through the air, making Yan Yihuan’s heart skip a beat. He swallowed hard.
One look and it was clear this bow was no ordinary object. It took two people to carry, yet the Emperor easily lifted it with one hand and even drew the seemingly weighty bowstring to its full extent.
No wonder he could restrain him with just one hand. Yan Yihuan unconsciously touched his own wrist, suddenly realizing that the emperor really had been holding back before. The thought alone left him with lingering fear.
Glancing at his own bow, it seemed little more than a child’s toy in comparison. Yan Yihuan could not help but step forward to touch the emperor’s bow. Against the dark body of the weapon, his pampered and delicate hands looked especially pale and soft.
He glanced at the hand gripping the bow. Although it was clenched, Yan Yihuan could still clearly imagine the shape in his mind. Long, slender fingers with well-defined joints, especially the faint calluses at the fingertips. It seemed the emperor truly had practiced.
“This is way more impressive than Jing ge’s,” Yan Yihuan praised, eyes filled with open admiration. “Truly worthy of belonging to the Emperor.”
It was probably the only time mention of his Brother Jing sounded pleasant to Li Xuanming’s ears. Slinging the bow across his back, he naturally took Yan Yihuan’s hand and walked towards the door. Yan Yihuan had taken several steps before realizing and quickly pulling away.
“Your Majesty, there are a lot of people outside.”
Li Xuanming glanced back at his nervous look, then simply took his hand again without a word and kept walking.
Startled, Yan Yihuan tried to pull free, but it was useless. The thought of everyone seeing the Emperor holding his hand made him so tense he squeezed his eyes shut, stumbling along as he was pulled outside.
From ahead came Shen Zhao’s clear voice announcing the Emperor’s departure. A moment later, sunlight touched his face, and Yan Yihuan knew they had stepped out of the hall. Yet all was silent. There was no murmur of gossip as he had feared. He secretly opened his eyes, only to see that everyone around them was kneeling with their heads bowed low to the ground, not a single person dared to look in their direction.
Right, the one holding his hand was none other than the Son of Heaven. Who would dare stare at them?
Yan Yihuan lowered his gaze to where his hand was tightly held in that palm. He could clearly feel that, the instant they had stepped out of the hall, the grip had only tightened, pressing hard enough to make his bones ache.
Yet, for some reason, a faint trace of joy bloomed in his heart along with the pain. Stealing glances at the people around them, all with heads lowered, he found his own back held straighter than usual.
Han Zhen led over a tall, glossy black stallion. Li Xuanming swung onto the saddle in one smooth motion, his back straight, the imposing longbow slung across his shoulder.
The midday sun blazed down, gilding him in a brilliance almost blinding. Even after seeing him every day, Yan Yihuan still found himself struck dumb. He stared for a moment, until the man on the horse turned his head to look at him, then reached out the same hand that had just pulled him along.
A sudden force shot up from his wrist, making Yan Yihuan’s heart jolt. The next moment, he was lifted steadily onto the horse. Then his waist tightened, his back pressed against the chest behind him with hardly any space in between. At his ear came a low, tingling murmur:
“Sit tight.”
