TERTSGTGBFC Chapter 9

It seemed as though Xiao Linye’s coronation ceremony had taken place only yesterday. The Imperial Court was already bustling with preparations for the New Year.

Normally, with Emperor Fengming’s death still less than a year past and the Deposed Emperor’s bones still warm, the year should have been observed quietly.

But Xiao Linye refused. First, he had little affection for his father and elder brother. Second, as a newly enthroned emperor, he needed such an occasion to proclaim his legitimacy to the world.

After discussing it with Pei Lanqing, he issued a decree to the court: not only would the New Year be celebrated, but it would be celebrated with extraordinary pomp and ceremony.

Thus, as the year drew to a close, the princes from their fiefdoms, whether willing or not, gradually arrived at the Imperial City, awaiting Xiao Linye’s summons.

Xiao Linye kept them waiting, watching the restless ones with cold eyes. Every few days, he sent them a trivial decree, slowly wearing down their patience like a dull knife cutting flesh.

Finally, on the eve of the New Year, the day of the grand imperial banquet, Xiao Linye formally summoned them to the Chengqian Palace.

Inside the palace, Xiao Linye had already changed into his black ceremonial robes for the evening. His hair was swept up into a high bun beneath a nine-dragon gold crown, revealing his sharp, imposing features. The aura of a ruler of all under heaven emanated from him, leaving no one daring to underestimate this emperor who had been on the throne for less than a month.

At this moment, the normally cold and stern Xiao Linye, who was as unyielding as a demon king, gazed tenderly at Pei Lanqing, who was changing in the inner chamber.

For the year-end palace banquet, Pei Lanqing, the Grand Tutor who had been absent from public view for months, had finally decided to accompany Xiao Linye.

Xiao Linye had personally chosen the fabric pattern for the occasion: intricate silver phoenixes embroidered on snow-white silk, silently declaring Pei Lanqing’s status in the emperor’s heart.

He was nearly seven months pregnant, and his belly had grown noticeably larger recently. The soft fabric draped over his body, and even without a belt, it still outlined the prominent bulge in front.

Pei Lanqing frowned at his reflection in the bronze mirror. Xiao Linye had already approached him from behind, wrapping his arms around his waist.

“This child is growing too fast lately…” Pei Lanqing sighed, rubbing his side as he felt the fetus move. “Ye’er, do you think I look strange?”

“How could I?” Xiao Linye kissed the back of Pei Lanqing’s ear and joined him in gazing at their reflections in the mirror, two figures standing side by side, one in black and one in white. “The Grand Tutor is still as beautiful as ever, still as perfectly matched to me as can be.”

“Ye’er, you’re talking nonsense again,” Pei Lanqing said, turning around to tap Xiao Linye’s lips with his fingertip. “Who told you to say such things?”

Xiao Linye only smiled, wrapping his arm around Pei Lanqing’s waist and carefully helping him to rest on a soft armchair. “This is only natural. The Grand Tutor is carrying the Great Qi’s imperial heir. Who would dare find it strange?”

“They may not say it aloud, but they’ll still think it,” Pei Lanqing said, shaking his head with a soft sigh.

“Then I’ll issue an order: No one is allowed to think about it at all,” Xiao Linye said, knowing Pei Lanqing was struggling with conflicting emotions during his pregnancy. He deliberately spoke nonsense to cheer him up. “Rest assured, Grand Tutor. If you see anyone at the banquet later with ill intentions, just tell me. I’ll have them thrown out immediately.”

“Very well. Then I entrust myself and our child entirely to Ye’er,” Pei Lanqing said, finally cracking a smile at Xiao Linye’s words. He leaned contentedly against Xiao Linye’s solid chest.

+++++

In Prince Ning Xiao Jingheng’s temporary residence in the capital, he examined the items his subordinates had presented. His trusted advisor urged, “Your Highness, do you truly intend to submit the gifts sent by the Third Young Master of the Pei Family?”

“In my humble opinion, the Third Young Master of the Pei Family is using you to eliminate Pei Lanqing. This object will only enrage Your Majesty and offers us no real benefit.”

Prince Ning Xiao Jingheng chuckled lazily, one hand holding a wine cup as he leaned bonelessly against his beautiful concubine. “Of course I know. But that Xiao Linye is so full of himself, he wants us all to travel to the capital to kowtow before him, doesn’t he?”

“I’m determined to ruin his New Year’s celebration, humiliate him in front of the court, and see how that bastard dares to strut his stuff then.”

Hearing Prince Ning’s disrespectful words, his confidant broke out in a cold sweat. He pleaded earnestly, “Your Highness, why risk such a great danger just to vent your anger?”

“What if Your Majesty flies into a rage and holds you accountable?”

“You needn’t worry about that. Though they all say I’m not the brightest, I’m not an idiot. This matter certainly won’t be traced back to us.”

Prince Ning finished speaking, pulling the beauty beside him closer and revealing a malicious grin. “I can’t wait to see that arrogant bastard’s face fall, to see that self-important Grand Tutor humiliated and disgraced. Hahaha—”

++++++

Inside the palace, the court officials had gathered in Chunxi Hall, awaiting the emperor’s arrival.

This grand hall, originally designed for lavish banquets, had been decorated with extraordinary splendor under Xiao Linye’s orders.

Though it was still winter, the crimson azaleas cultivated in the palace’s heated chambers had already filled every corner of the hall, arranged alongside exquisite palace lanterns.

Palace maids in new silk and satin robes moved silently and gracefully through the crowd, delivering dishes covered with golden lids to various tables.

Finally, after several deep tolls of a bronze bell, the eunuch in charge of announcements ascended the imperial steps and proclaimed in a loud voice, “His Majesty has arrived!”

The courtiers, who had been chatting among themselves, immediately fell silent and knelt in unison. “Your Majesty, we humbly welcome you,” they chorused.

But when they rose, they were stunned to see a silver-haired figure following closely behind the emperor, who was clad in a black ceremonial robe and radiating imperial authority.

It was Pei Lanqing, the Grand Tutor, who had vanished months ago and whose pregnancy as a man had become the talk of the Imperial City!

Xiao Linye, standing on the raised platform, naturally observed the courtiers’ reactions. But he made no attempt to conceal his actions. Instead, with the same casual familiarity he displayed in private, he supported Pei Lanqing’s waist, guiding him step by step up the imperial steps.

“Ye’er, this is impossible!” Pei Lanqing had agreed to accompany Xiao Linye to the palace banquet, but he had never imagined the emperor would insist on having him sit beside him on the imperial throne.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Xiao Linye said, his grip on Pei Lanqing tightening. His strong arms held Pei Lanqing close, leaving him no room to escape. “Tonight, the Grand Tutor will stay here with me.”

Pei Lanqing stared at him in surprise, but Xiao Linye’s gaze remained as gentle as ever, unwavering, and impossible to resist.

Xiao Linye then helped Pei Lanqing to the Phoenix Throne beside him, where they received the ministers’ bows together. Only then did he wave his hand toward the hall and intone, “Rise, my dear ministers.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty—” The ministers still hadn’t recovered from their shock. Prince Ning’s gaze grew even more sinister, but he suppressed his impatience, waiting for the drama to unfold.

Ignoring the reactions around him, Xiao Linye calmly raised his wine cup and declared the banquet open.

The court music, like celestial melodies, echoed through the magnificent hall as dancers in colorful robes gracefully took the stage, their movements captivating and alluring.

Yet few present had the heart to appreciate the performance.

“Are the dishes tonight not to your liking?” Xiao Linye asked, noticing that Pei Lanqing had barely touched the food the palace servants had served. He reached out himself to add a pair of chopsticks of vegetarian eight treasures to Pei Lanqing’s plate.

Pei Lanqing shook his head, sighing softly. “Ye’er… you know it’s not because of the food.”

“You’ve gone too far for me today.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Xiao Linye laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials with cold indifference. “I want the world to know the Grand Tutor’s place in my heart.”

“I want them to think twice before daring to gossip, lest they bring disaster upon themselves.”

“What? Is the Grand Tutor afraid?”

Pei Lanqing stared deeply into Xiao Linye’s eyes, gazing at the young man he had raised, the lover he could now rely on. After a long moment, he shook his head. “Never mind… do as you wish.”

“As long as Ye’er is here, I have nothing to fear.”

A flicker of joy flashed in Xiao Linye’s eyes. He hadn’t expected the always proper and reserved Pei Lanqing to cast aside his restraints for him, to rely on him completely.

He held Pei Lanqing’s hand tightly, their gazes locked in the presence of the highest authority in the realm.

Despite its unexpected beginning, the palace banquet proceeded smoothly.

After the officials offered toasts and New Year’s greetings, it was time for the various prefectures to present their auspicious gifts.

Palace attendants carried golden platters, circulating the gifts before everyone until they reached the emperor. Eunuchs announced each item aloud.

Xiao Linye had always been indifferent to such things. He leaned slightly to the side on the dragon throne, half-embracing Pei Lanqing as they watched the gifts being presented. One hand gently caressed Pei Lanqing’s belly, as if consulting with the child within, planning to toss these mundane trinkets to him to play with once he was born.

But at that moment, a eunuch’s resounding announcement froze Pei Lanqing in place.

“Auspicious gift from Feng Prefecture: a pair of jade wild geese from the Xuanyang Pei Clan!”

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