The emperor shifted his gaze away from his son and turned to confront the ex-general. “Shi He, you suggest. Do you believe it’s fitting for Li Jie to maintain a harem? You are well aware of the underlying reasons for my peculiar discourse. Your assistance holds more value than that of all these ineffectual individuals combined.”
The emperor tossed his words about with a casual air as if discussing a forthcoming celebration. By this point, nearly everyone had grown accustomed to his capricious demeanor.
“A harem?” Li Jie was certain he discerned a fleeting hint of surprise in the ex-general’s eyes, yet the alteration in expression was so fleetingly subtle that he pondered if his senses were deceiving him.
“Yes,” the emperor responded, a joyous smile gracing his countenance. “I have waited two decades for Li Jie to mature and embrace love, and now…” He sighed wistfully. “If he cannot discover it himself, should I, as his father, lend him a helping hand?”
“Imperial Father…” Li Jie lowered his gaze, this time unable to conceal his emotions in time. Not because of the notion of a harem, but owing to his father’s conduct.
The emperor… he is clearly aware… he… he…
“Does Your Majesty wish to assemble a harem for His Highness in accordance with His Highness’s wishes?” Shi He was renowned for his candor, unafraid to voice his opinions regardless of the circumstances. This trait was one of the reasons why the emperor placed trust in him and valued his discernment.
“I wish that were the case,” the emperor sighed once more, causing Li Jie’s countenance to darken, his gaze still averted. “Is there truly no one in your heart, my son? If that is the case, then at least entertain the idea of a harem for the time being, until you find someone to stand by your side. There is no edict stipulating that you cannot augment it, is there? The more, the merrier!”
The emperor laughed, and those in attendance joined in, laughter resounding, compelling Li Jie to force a chuckle despite the wounds the emperor was reopening in his heart.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“I currently have no attachments,” Li Jie declared, finally lifting his gaze and embodying the same genteel and refined demeanor for which he was acclaimed. “But why must that translate into a harem? With Imperial Father still youthful and vigorous as he is, there would be no need for me to take over the imperial harem, would there?”
“Li Jie.” The emperor’s smile waned a bit. “Earlier, I inquired about your desire for a harem,” the emperor elucidated matter-of-factly. “You declined. I asked for the reason. You stated that you are exclusively drawn to men. I inquired if you envisioned a harem of same-sex partners. Again, your response was negative. I questioned if there is someone you hold affection for, and your reply remained unchanged. What recourse is left but to establish a harem, hoping that you might develop sentiments for at least one individual?”
Shi He had silently observed the crown prince throughout this exchange, finding his shifting countenance rather amusing, studying the unfolding scenario for additional insights into the nuances of the royal court that he might have overlooked. However, there was an unsettling undercurrent to Li Jie’s expression during the emperor’s discourse.
“But—” the crown prince attempted to interject, only to be curtly interrupted by his father.
“No ‘buts’,” the emperor’s frown deepened slightly. “Shi He, I know you seek the best for the kingdom, as do we all. Do you not believe the crown prince should establish a harem? Would that not be the optimal way to contribute to calming the chaos as well?”
Normally, Shi He would readily accord his approval to the emperor’s propositions, given his usual conviction that the emperor’s decisions were sound.
Yet, those present couldn’t help but notice the ex-general’s momentary hesitation on this particular matter, igniting a glimmer of hope in the crown prince that the outcome might align with his own desires.
However, Li Jie had, once again, permitted his hopes to ascend too high.
The counselor’s frown deepened, his eyes darkening as his expression reverted to its customary emotionless state.
“I believe it is what our people currently require,” Shi He spoke, his voice carrying a slightly hoarser tone. “They need to witness His Highness with a prospective partner, something to divert them from the recurring chaos. Allowing the populace a subject for discussion and speculation might be the most prudent course of action for now. Of course, it is disheartening that His Highness may not favor the idea, but in the grand scheme, Your Highness, as a homosexual heir, won’t you gain more from these preparations?”
Li Jie remained silent, unable to divulge anything, and the emperor was well aware of it.
“Then it is settled,” the emperor declared, his voice resonating with unwavering authority, leaving Li Jie with no room for objection.
“I have stated, whatever father decides, I shall adhere to,” Li Jie bowed his head, a twinge of pain coursing through him over the predicament.
Li Jie’s lack of control over the course of his own life bore heavily on his heart. As a prince, and particularly as the crown prince, every decision, no matter how inconsequential, about his own life should have necessitated prior discussion and approval from him. Initially, he had embraced this arrangement, convinced of its necessity for the greater good of the kingdom.
However, at present, he couldn’t shake off the sense of revulsion and humiliation that lingered in his thoughts. Even from his youth, he comprehended that his marriage and personal affairs were to be aligned with the kingdom’s interests. Nevertheless, witnessing his father’s conduct and the paucity of autonomy he wielded, it never became easier to endure such circumstances.
He had naively believed that his father had changed, that he had evolved, and that, given everything, he would, at the very least, afford him the time and liberty to move on naturally. Yet, ultimately, Li Jie acknowledged that his actions, particularly in matters of the heart, were nothing more than instruments for his father’s gain—a reality he should have grown more accustomed to by now.
“If Father no longer requires my presence…” Li Jie considered fabricating an excuse to excuse himself from the meeting, but he quickly abandoned the notion. “I will take my leave,” he declared with candor, fully aware that, like everyone else, he couldn’t depart without the emperor’s permission.
“You may depart,” The emperor smiled gently, resembling the epitome of generosity. “After all, everything has been decided. Your presence is no longer necessary.”
With a nod from his father, Li Jie bowed respectfully and exited the grand room. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of rage flashed across his countenance, swiftly concealed as soon as he caught sight of his friend.
Stepping outside, he was met with the exuberant embrace of Huang Yiming. Li Jie playfully pushed him away, laughing as though his life hadn’t just taken yet another unfavorable turn. “Ouch! How many times have I told you not to do this?”
“Say it a hundred more times, and I may actually consider it.” Huang Yiming smirked mischievously and casually draped an arm around Li Jie’s shoulder, strolling beside him. “So, how did things go?” he inquired, his eyes reflecting genuine concern.
Li Jie divulged the news without hesitation, his voice laced with feigned embarrassment. “Imperial Father is contemplating establishing a harem for me.”
Huang Yiming’s expression faltered momentarily. “A harem? Haven’t you told him about…?” He trailed off, uncertain if it was appropriate to broach the subject openly in public and directly with Li Jie himself.
Rolling his eyes, Li Jie shifted into a different demeanor when in the company of his closest confidant. “About me being attracted to men?” he finished, a dark smile playing on his lips. “Yes, I have. Surprisingly, he accepted it.”
Huang Yiming’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Then why would you need a harem?” he carefully probed, each word measured as he navigated the delicate topic, still unsure about discussing such matters so openly within the walls of the main palace.
Li Jie averted his gaze. “Oh, I haven’t told you yet. It’s going to be a harem of… men,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “And… it’s supposedly for the future of the kingdom. I have no choice but to comply.”
Li Jie yearned to share more, but he remained rational enough to recognize that he couldn’t divulge the emperor’s plan to deceive the people—not here, at least, and not now.
At this moment, Huang Yiming and his sister, Huang Baozhai, were the only ones who still saw him in his innocent light, and he needed to bask in their warmth.
He still longed for his sanctuary to remain the same—warm and sweet.
