Xiao Linyan longed to be intimate with Pei Lanqing every moment.
Pei Lanqing paused slightly, then quickly curved his eyebrows, understanding Xiao Linyan’s intentions.
“This is an excellent plan. If they come to the Imperial City, they’ll have to submit to you as the new emperor, and you can use the opportunity to test them.”
Xiao Linyan embraced Pei Lanqing, gazing south through the carved window. His eyes held a ruthless glint. “If they refuse to come, it’s defiance of imperial decree. Then they can’t blame me for sending my army to crush them.”
“After all, they caused me no end of suffering in the palace all those years. It’s time to settle old scores.”
“Ye’er…” As the old grievances resurfaced, Pei Lanqing’s gaze softened with pity. He had witnessed firsthand the hardships Xiao Linyan had endured.
To Pei Lanqing, the imperial family were not relatives but enemies.
Noticing Pei Lanqing’s expression, Xiao Linyan smiled reassuringly and rested his chin on Pei Lanqing’s shoulder again. “Don’t worry, Grand Tutor. Ye’er has you, and that’s enough.”
His hands, accustomed to wielding swords and spears on the battlefield, now caressed Pei Lanqing’s belly with utmost tenderness. “I’m not afraid of facing them on the battlefield. It’s those meddling old officials who are the real nuisance.”
“Once the Grand Tutor gives birth, you must join the court to help me.”
Pei Lanqing smiled faintly and shook his head. “I’m not fit to be Imperial Chancellor. When you ascend the throne, I’ll persuade my father to have the Pei Clan assist you.”
“Then what will the Grand Tutor do?” Xiao Linyan suddenly grew wary, gazing at Pei Lanqing in his arms. “You’re not still thinking of going to the Green Pine Academy, are you?”
“How could I dare?” Pei Lanqing saw his tense expression and gently patted Xiao Linyan’s arm to reassure him. “It’s just that my ambitions lie elsewhere. I truly don’t want to suffer in the court.”
“After this child is born, I’ll go to the Imperial Academy to compile books. It’s been over a century since the Vast Sea Records was compiled in the previous dynasty. Great Qi should have its own comprehensive encyclopedia. This was my childhood dream, and it will also become part of Ye’er’s glorious achievements.”
Having been by Pei Lanqing’s side for so many years, Xiao Linyan knew he wasn’t lying. Pei Lanqing’s temperament was like a secluded orchid in an empty valley—he was truly unsuited to the treacherous currents of court politics. Being able to pursue his passion for writing was the best choice for him.
But Xiao Linyan was truly unwilling to let go. He clung to Pei Lanqing, bargaining with him. “At least continue as Grand Tutor, right? I can only trust you to teach our own child.”
Pei Lanqing’s belly had grown noticeably larger, and sitting for too long made his back ache. Xiao Linyan helped him slowly rise and guided him to a nearby recliner, speaking as they walked. “In the mornings, I’ll go to court, and the Grand Tutor can teach the child. When I return, I’ll check his homework at the Hall of Literary Glory to see if he’s been listening to the Grand Tutor.”
Pei Lanqing’s lips curved into a smile as he listened. He coughed lightly and teased, “If the child fails the check, will Ye’er hold me, the Grand Tutor, accountable too?”
Xiao Linyan’s strong arms wrapped around Pei Lanqing’s waist, gently settling him into the soft chair. “I wouldn’t dare. If he really can’t answer, he’ll have to take the Grand Tutor’s punishment along with his own.”
Perhaps feeling wronged by the two fathers’ scheming, the fetus inside Pei Lanqing’s womb kicked twice, causing Pei Lanqing to chuckle softly. “Ouch… Ye’er, don’t scare him anymore. He’s already giving me trouble.”
Hearing this, Xiao Linyan couldn’t help but smile. He gently stroked Pei Lanqing’s belly. “I didn’t expect this little one to have such a temper. You mustn’t cause any trouble.”
Though it was winter, the weather was unusually clear, and sunlight streamed into the hall, bathing them in warmth.
A profound sense of contentment suddenly filled Xiao Linyan’s heart. After years of palace intrigue and battlefield bloodshed, he had finally earned this moment—holding Pei Lanqing close, together awaiting the birth of their child.
Heaven hadn’t been entirely unkind to him.
Pei Lanqing seemed to sense his emotions. Lying on the soft chair, he raised a hand to caress Xiao Linyan’s face. Xiao Linyan immediately leaned down, slowly drawing closer to his lips.
After that night, Xiao Linyan had finally claimed Pei Lanqing completely, his heart overflowing with satisfaction. He longed to be intimate with him every moment.
But Pei Lanqing still struggled with the long-standing master-disciple bond, finding it difficult to fully let go. Xiao Linyan wasn’t impatient. He began with embraces and kisses, gradually guiding his Grand Tutor toward acceptance.
Their breaths mingled, Xiao Linyan immersed in the faint orchid fragrance. He pressed his lips against Pei Lanqing’s cool ones, then slowly deepened the kiss, advancing with deliberate, tantalizing slowness.
Pei Lanqing’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. He initially maintained his composure, but as Xiao Linyan’s caresses intensified, he couldn’t resist reaching up to clasp his shoulder and back, as if issuing a silent invitation.
Only at this moment did Xiao Linyan fully release his restraint. He wrapped his arms around Pei Lanqing’s waist and back, his tenderness turning into dominance, completely disrupting Pei Lanqing’s breath and leaving him no choice but to surrender to Xiao Linyan’s will.
“Linyan… Ye’er…” Pei Lanqing’s body still instinctively craved nourishment, but his years of rigorous etiquette training held his reason in check. “No… not now…”
“It’s only noon…”
Xiao Linyan’s hand brushed over Pei Lanqing’s spine through his clothes, causing the man in his arms to tremble slightly. Despite his forceful actions, he feigned innocence. “But doesn’t Grand Tutor want this right now?”
With that, he leaned down and kissed Pei Lanqing’s slender neck. Pei Lanqing finally lost all control, his limp arms wrapping around Xiao Linyan’s waist in a helpless embrace…
Once December arrived, the entire palace became bustling with activity, making final preparations for Xiao Linyan’s coronation.
Xiao Linyan himself didn’t feel particularly concerned. After all, he already held complete control over Great Qi’s military and political affairs. Whether he ascended the throne or not was merely a matter of title.
However, Pei Lanqing took the matter extremely seriously. Taking advantage of his recent slight improvement in health, and fearing that the Ministry of Rites’ elderly officials might secretly sabotage Xiao Linyan, he rushed around managing the preparations. As a result, his already frail constitution weakened further, and he caught a cold.
Xiao Linyan couldn’t bear to scold him, instead pacing in frustration. He punished several palace servants who had been attending to Pei Lanqing, strictly forbade him from worrying about the coronation any further, confined him to the Phoenix Prosperity Palace, and personally supervised his daily medication.
Finally, the day of the coronation arrived.
Early that morning, with the help of palace attendants, Xiao Linyan donned the brand-new black imperial robe. The bronze mirror reflected his tall, robust figure and youthful, valiant face.
Eunuch Tianrui, his eyes brimming with tears, fastened the jade belt symbolizing imperial authority around Xiao Linyan’s waist—a majestic, elegant, and solemn sight.
But this was not yet over. Xiao Linyan, draped in the imperial robes, slowly approached Pei Lanqing and bowed deeply to his Grand Tutor.
Pei Lanqing reverently lifted the Twelve-Streamed Crown from the golden tray and personally placed it on Xiao Linyan’s head.
The young man he had watched grow up before his very eyes had finally become a true emperor. Overwhelmed with emotion, Pei Lanqing found tears streaming down his face.
“Why are you crying on such a joyous day, Grand Tutor?” Xiao Linyan’s voice, amplified by the weight of the imperial robes, seemed unusually solemn.
His hand, calloused from years of wielding a sword, brushed across Pei Lanqing’s cheek, wiping away his tears. Then, unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed him. “You should be happy for me, Grand Tutor.”
Pei Lanqing nodded, fighting back his tears. He couldn’t help but embrace Xiao Linyan tightly. Ignoring the wrinkles it would cause, Xiao Linyan pressed Pei Lanqing against the bed and kissed him until Eunuch Tianrui, emboldened by the auspicious hour, urged them repeatedly to hurry. Only then did Xiao Linyan finally release Pei Lanqing.
“Wait for me in the palace, Grand Tutor.”
“Yes…” Pei Lanqing gazed at the young emperor before him and nodded. “I’ll wait for you with our child.”
Xiao Linyan took one last deep look at Pei Lanqing before turning and, surrounded by a throng of palace attendants, pushed open the heavy palace gates.
Morning sunlight glinted off his Twelve-Streamed Crown as he rode in his imperial carriage to the foot of the nine-tiered palace. Amidst the thunderous cries of “Long live the Emperor!” from the assembled officials, he ascended step by step to the supreme throne.
Through the swaying jade beads before his eyes, Xiao Linyan gazed at the majestic palace, as if he could see the vast rivers and mountains of his empire. The Minister of Rites at his ear loudly recited the edict Pei Lanqing had personally penned for him:
“By Heaven’s decree, the people’s hearts turn to us, the nation’s foundations shall endure forever, and the imperial domain shall flourish eternally—”
The majestic words resonated within him, igniting a desire to rule all under heaven.
From this day forward, he, Xiao Linyan, would be the sovereign of ten thousand people, the ruler of Great Qi!
++++++
Xuzhou, Prince Ning’s Manor
Though Xiao Jingheng hadn’t entered the Imperial City to attend Xiao Linyan’s coronation, as the King of his fiefdom, he had, along with local officials, performed the three kneelings and nine prostrations in the direction of the capital.
But as soon as he returned to his palace, fury seized him. He kicked over a table, roared in his study, “That useless Xiao Dexuan! How could he let such a mongrel ascend the throne!”
The officials in the palace trembled in fear, unsure whether to intervene or remain silent. No one dared approach him, leaving him to vent his rage.
Just then, a eunuch rushed in, clutching a letter. “Your Highness, a letter from Third Young Master Pei of the Pei Clan in the Imperial City!”
Xiao Jingheng lost control. He hurled a vase at the eunuch, splitting his head open. The eunuch collapsed instantly. Xiao Jingheng merely glanced at the fallen man with disdain, waved for him to be carried away, and retrieved the letter.
