Author’s Note: Since I received SUCH an amazing response from folks, I have published two chapters ahead of schedule!
Content Warning: Violence between family members, punishment, whipping. Star line warning for the specific section is below. Scroll down to the end for a chapter summary to avoid reading the content but still knowing the details.
“Pei!” Li Changyu exclaimed, his smile growing from ear to ear. He flung his arms around her in an embrace, not bothered at the least to be in her arms. She was one of his long-time friends, after all.
Shen Pei was his trusted Commander who served with him since the start of his military career. She was incredibly tall, towering over most male alphas at 198cm, which proved useful. Having a powerful alpha behind him helped keep others in line until they learned to respect him. His garrison fell in line, and he did have their loyalty, but now he was back to square one, and he needed her again.
Shen Pei’s eyes turned into crescents from how big her smile was. She lifted her head when a commotion arose from the large gate, and Li Changyu wriggled free from her grasp.
“We gotta run!” Li Changyu grabbed her hand and without any other explanation, took off into a run towards the Western Market just as the doors creaked.
This is what made Shen Pei invaluable – she trusted him completely. If he said run, they ran, and Li Changyu was able to keep pace with Shen Pei’s much larger strides. They came upon an intersection where some of the City Garrison loitered around in front of a bake shop, though they seemed distracted by the treats for sale. Li Changyu held out an arm and they both skidded to a halt and turned to a different direction down an alley.
“What did the Lieutenant General do this time?”
“Why are you acting like it’s my fault!?”
“Because nine times out of ten, things happen like this because of something crazy you did!”
Li Changyu only grunted and muttered, “Whatever.”
It didn’t sound like they were being followed at all, but Li Changyu didn’t know how the city’s forces were coordinated – if they were anything like the palace’s, who were likely to put their sword on backwards, then he didn’t have much to worry about. However, Li Changyu was not one to underestimate anyone and came up with a plan to best avoid detection. Li Changyu smacked the back of his hand against Shen Pei’s arm to get her attention and pointed upward. At her nod, they lept upward almost in unison and landed on the rooftops.
The clack of the tiles under their feet was drowned out by the noise of the bustling city. Like this, they could cut across much faster this way, and soon the Li Mansion was in sight. He was about to jump across from a roof to the front courtyard when his shirt was snagged from behind. Shen Pei had stopped and pulled him back with a frown on her face.
“Do you know…” Two perfect circles of red appeared on her cheeks, “…if your Brother is home?”
“Of course Guangzhu is–oh!” Li Changyu stopped himself, figuring that she was actually talking about Li Jiuxing, his middle Brother. He made a sound in his throat and rubbed the back of his head. “I’m…not too sure…”
Shen Pei’s cheeks face turned even redder and she let go. It wasn’t any secret that the two liked one another. Actually, his Brother Li Jiuxing could more accurately be described as worshiping her. He would likely kiss the ground she walked on if he could, but she rejected every proposal he offered. She said it was because she wanted to wait until she was twenty-four to leave the military and settle down with him. Needless to say, patience wasn’t a strong family trait in the Li household, and he still eagerly fawned over her.
“Pei…” Li Changyu whined and motioned towards his family home. “How much longer are you going to avoid my Brother?”
“I am only agreeing to this because of you,” Shen Pei stuck her hands on her hips and glowered down at him. “If he asks me to pick him up over my head again, I’m leaving first and going to the Palace.”
“Alright, alright,” he sighed and waved her concerns away. He made the hop across and landed in the center, where he caught his Mother exiting one building to head to another. With a smile, he cried out, “Mama!”
Li Yuyan, his Mother, looked up from the book she was holding. She dropped it the instant she saw Li Changyu and called out in return, “A-Chang!”
Shen Pei landed behind him as he broke off to a run towards his Mother. Li Yuyan met him half way and gathered him up in her arms and just about swung him around. As an alpha, she was taller than Li Changyu and it often felt like he was still a child whenever he embraced her. She was tall and lithe like bamboo and was fair in complexion like him. Though he looked much like his Father, Li Changyu was often compared to his Mother in many aspects, namely intelligence. She was the brains of the family, after all.
“A-Chang, A-Chang,” she sang and pressed kisses to the top of his head as she squeezed him close. Then, with a gasp, his Mother pushed him back and examined his face closely. “Are you hurt? Is everything alright? Why is there blood on your sleeve – are you injured?! Quick, let me see!”
Li Yuyan met his Father when she worked as a field physician. To this day she practiced medicine for people nearby and personally tended to her family, especially her Sons. He should have known this would have caused a fuss. Li Changyu laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head.
“No, no. It’s not even my blood, Mama.” He turned his head to look at Shen Pei and urged her with a look to come over and help distract his Mother from asking more questions. “Look who else I brought!”
“Shen Pei!” Li Yuyan let go of him to do the same to Shen Pei. However, this time she looked like Li Changyu when he embraced his mom, as her head came to just about Shen Pei’s ample chest. “It’s so good to see you! Both of you!”
“It is good to see you too, Physician Li.” Shen Pei released his Mother and bowed respectfully towards her. She looked left, then right, and asked. “Is…uh…your Son home?”
Li Yuyan gave a knowing smile and winked at Li Changyu, “No, Jiuxing is not home. He went to pick up a new axe from the blacksmith.”
Shen Pei let out a sigh in relief, but she had a small smile. Even with her reluctance, Li Changyu could tell that she liked his Brother. The three of them exchanged pleasantries and Li Changyu explained he wanted to bring Shen Pei to the palace. Li Yuyan assured him that she would take care of the work to transfer her onto a list of family servants as part of his dowry. It felt strange thinking of Shen Pei as a servant.
“Don’t make such a face,” Shen Pei smirked. “It’s not like my pay is going to be any less than in the military.”
“That’s true,” he agreed. As his personal guard, she would be making about the same as before.
“Besides,” Shen Pei placed a heavy hand on his shoulder and squeezed, “I’m kind of happy to be avoiding the front for quite some time!”
Li Yuyan continued to fuss over them, and though their little reunion was pleasant, it was quickly cut short by shouting that came from the main building. The three turned to look, and two maids came rushing out with Father hot on their heels. The maids rushed to the side out of Li Beidou’s way.
Li Changyu and he flinched at the red-faced glare his Father had on as he came straight at him. His Mother tried to step forward, but Li Beidou held out an arm to her to lightly sweep her aside. His Father raised his hand and brought it down to slap it across Li Changyu’s face.
The force of the blow wasn’t strong by any means, but the act alone was shocking enough that Li Changyu lost his footing and fell down. He’d never been struck like that before, even when he almost bit Jiuxing’s ear off during a scuffle. He touched his stinging cheek as he thought, Father must really be angry…
After seeing the blow, Li Yuyan gasped and struck Li Beidou across the face in return. Li Beidou made no move to block it, only closing his eyes and his head jerked from the momentum of the smack.
He opened his eyes and frowned at Li Changyu. His Father yelled so hard that spittle escaped his mouth, “Do you know what a mess you caused back at the palace?!”
“Beidou!” His Mother’s voice rose to match Father’s, “How dare you march in here acting like this!”
The former General turned to his Wife now and pointed at Li Changyu, “That is a weak punishment compared to what he’ll get once he’s back at the palace!”
Punishment? Shen Pei bent forward and Li Changyu took her outstretched hand. He let himself be helped back up while softly rubbing his cheek. Placing a gentle hand on his Mother’s arm to ease her back, but she wouldn’t budge.
Li Yuyan looked between Father and Son, “What are you talking about? What punishment?”
He shook his head at his Mother, “It is nothing, Mama.”
“It is something! I think I know the answer already, but I will ask nonetheless,” his Father’s voice was strained, almost pleading now. “Did you attack palace guards and escape?”
“Escape?” Li Changyu scoffed, “That makes it sound like I’m some criminal. I did attack them, because they touched me first.”
“Why would you do such a thing?!” Li Beidou bellowed.
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 have every right to come visit my family!” Li Changyu grew defensive now, angry that his Father appeared to be siding with anyone but him. “They wouldn’t let me leave!”
Li Beidou’s hand rose again and Li Changyu didn’t turn away or shield himself. He simply glared at his Father, who’s hand hovered in the air. Li Beidou’s twisted face turned into a frown and he balled the hand up into a fist and dropped it. Cursing under his breath, he moved away from Li Changyu and momentarily paced.
“What were you even doing at Court?” Li Changyu frowned. “You never were invested in those stupid politics.”
“That was before you became part of the politics, Changyu!” His Father shot back over his shoulder as he walked, “If I hadn’t been there, things surely would have turned for the worse.”
“You are acting as if I committed a crime – there was never any law forbidding that sort of thing during the Fallen Emperor’s reign!”
“Things are not like how you remember about the Palace, it’s different now!”
“I’ll say they are different!” Li Changyu didn’t bother hiding his frustration or annoyance at the situation. “Do you know how pathetic the guard is? If they were one of your garrisons, you’d have them flogged for three days straight!”
“Those things are not of your concern anymore, you need to start acting like a grown man!”
He reached out and grabbed his Father’s elbow, though his Mother tried to pull him back. “I am acting as a grown man! I don’t need someone’s permission or an escort–”
Li Beidou whirled around, grabbed Li Changyu by the shoulders, and shook him hard. “You are not acting like a grown omega!”
It had been a long time since he’d heard his Father refer to him as an omega. It was not that his birth was a point of shame – far from it, in fact. He was given a pretty name and doted upon as a child until he picked up weapons, wanting to be like his Brothers. Be it out of love or perhaps fear for him in this world, Li Beidou indulged him in this. His Father never thought twice about letting him fight, or train, or join him at his side in the military. He never treated Li Changyu differently, until this moment.
“This has to stop!” His Father continued, “The fighting, the politics, all of it! You are not part of that world anymore! For fucks sake, you’re the Empress!”
Staring at his Father, Li Changyu could see the fine wrinkles at the corners of his weary eyes that had heavy, dark bags under them. He looked like he hadn’t slept a wink since the wedding. A pang of guilt shot through Li Changyu and he remained silent.
His Father did not release his hold, but it softened. Though no longer yelling, his tone carried an obvious tremble, “The Court was demanding you to be punished severely. We were able to talk down the Ministers and the Emperor to agree that your salary as Empress will be what pays for the damages. As for the rest of your punishment—”
A different servant stepped into the courtyard and called out, “His Highness Prince Jin Ai, and His Highness Prince Zhang Wenru!”
Li Changyu’s spine went rigid. Prince Jin Ai was one of Jin Xiyan’s Brothers, and Zhang Wenru was the very same third Uncle who suggested that Li Changyu be the Empress. The servants in the courtyard knelt down, while he, his parents, and Shen Pei bowed to the two Princes.
Jin Ai was Jin Xiyan’s older full Brother who was largely ignored until Jin Xiyan was born. This Fifth Son of the Late Emperor was then granted a title shortly after the Empress Dowager rose to his position. The Prince was just as Li Changyu remembered. He looked similar to Jin Xiyan, but definitely not as handsome, and was a beta. Jin Ai was a smidge taller than Li Changyu, and gangly, with a bookish way about him. He was normally someone who didn’t get their hands messy, so it was a surprise to see him.
Third Uncle Zhang Wenru was an identical copy of his Mother, the Grand Empress Dowager. He definitely looked older, but less imposing than when Li Changyu was a child. He thought that the alpha Brother of the Fallen Emperor was something of a boogeyman, but as an adult, Li Changyu couldn’t help but think that he could take him in a fight.
“Your Highnesses,” Li Yuyan gave another gracious bow and greeted them like a proper hostess. She was calm and collected, but Li Changyu didn’t miss the sweat that gathered at her temples. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“Ah, Lady Li,” Jin Ai dipped forward in a slight bow towards her. When he righted himself, he flicked his fan open that had the words grace and tranquility written on it. “I apologize for interrupting, but as you may have already been informed–”
“We are here in regards to Your Highness the Empress’ punishment,” Zhang Wenru cut his nephew off. “We will also escort him back to the Palace.”
“Your Highnesses,” Li Changyu acknowledged them this time. He felt his Mother slip closer beside him, which made him stand taller. He spoke properly when he addressed the two, “I am afraid I still do not know what my crime is, nor my punishment for that matter.”
“It is forbidden for a member of the harem to leave the Imperial City without permission,” Zhang Wenru stuck his nose in the air, looking down at him even though they were several cun apart. “Punishable by beating. The attack of the guards…”
“Someone in the Court was shouting treason for that,” Jin Ai added and tilted his head. The blood in Li Changyu turned cold. “But First Prince argued on Your Highness’ behalf, and the claim of treason was rightfully dropped.”
Treason? Li Changyu made sure to not reveal his shock, and simply arched a brow, “As I understand it, I am to pay for the damages? And what is my other punishment?”
******TW: Martial punishment, whipping. Kept as brief and non-gruesome******
“His Majesty the Emperor suggested that since Your Highness was in the military, a martial punishment would be familiar and thus warranted.” Zhang Wenru turned his head and jerked it, motioning for one of their members to step forward. Hanging from the man’s hip was a long single tail leather whip which he unhooked from his waist belt and placed in Zhang Wenru’s open hand.
As the whip uncoiled and the end fell to the ground, his Mother cried out and Li Beidou quickly gathered her into his arms to prevent her from moving. The severity of the situation finally hit Li Changyu and his heart began to pound. It wasn’t like he hadn’t been lashed before – usually it was a flogging, and it’d only happen twice in his life and none left any lasting marks because of his family’s medicine.
“…And exactly how many lashes am I to receive?”
Jin Ai shut his fan and held out his hand next, and a man handed him a small scroll. He unrolled it and squinted, “Reports from the guards and witnesses say that you only struck the guards five times, so the punishment will be five lashes.” The Prince blinked and looked back at Li Changyu, “You landed five blows with a group of twelve and managed to escape? That is quite impressive for an omega.”
He didn’t know if Jin Ai was baiting him or not, but regardless, Li Changyu chose to ignore that comment. “I think those facts speak more about the lack of capability amongst the guards than to my own, Your Highness.”
The corner of Jin Ai’s lip twitched into a smirk while Zhang Wenru’s eyes narrowed. Third Uncle walked up to the family, dragging the menacing weapon along the granite of the courtyard, and held the handle to Li Beidou.
“What?!” His Mother shouted and wrenched herself free from Li Beidou. “Your Highness, you can’t–!”
“Is this part of the Emperor’s order?” Li Beidou asked, his lips pressed together.
“Yes,” answered Zhang Wenru, his gaze shifting to Li Changyu and he made direct eye contact. The same dusk colored hue as the Emperor’s looked menacing when it was on the third Uncle. “He has ordered that your Father is to administer the punishment, as it is clearly a failing on the Head of the Li family for his Son’s behavior.”
Li Changyu was not a man to back down, though his anger started to boil his blood. The Emperor himself chose this punishment and went so far as to force his Father to do this. He knew his Father would not disobey an order, but being an obedient subject would not get rid of the obvious guilt that was written across his face. His Mother was severely distraught, clinging to Li Beidou and begging. Before this became more of a spectacle, Li Changyu needed to take charge of this situation and show he had no fear.
He took a deep breath and undid the ties at the end of his shirt while looking directly at his Father. “Let’s get this over with.”
Li Beidou’s dark stare watched him as he disrobed. To Shen Pei, Li Changyu turned and said, “Please take my Mother back to her quarters. As my personal guard and servant, you will accompany me back to the Imperial City. Is this understood?”
He said that for the Princes to hear and not be able to refuse later rather than reminding Shen Pei. Li Changyu could not bear to look at his Mother, as it was hard enough to tune out her crying. Instead, he forced himself to focus on the task instead. He neatly folded his shirt and sat down on his knees before placing it beside him. Leaning forward, he set the knuckles of his closed fists onto the ground, baring his back completely. There was a moment of silence, and he could sense his Father’s hesitation.
“A good soldier knows to identify mistakes, and to correct their own.” He said one of his Father’s many teachings out loud, hoping to pacify the Royalty present and soothe his Father. “This Empress accepts that this is how I can correct it.”
“You may want to take it a little easy on His Highness,” Jin Ai chuckled. Li Changyu couldn’t see anything but their feet as he had his head bowed, but he didn’t need to see Jin Ai’s face to know he was being smug. “We do want him to still be able to serve Brother Emperor, after all.”
Li Changyu clenched his teeth and he thought he could hear his Mother protesting as she was taken away. How he wished he could strangle Jin Ai’s neck until his beady little eyes bulged at such a comment. It was not just openly degrading him, but it confirmed for Li Changyu that everyone did in fact know what he was there for. They probably think all that I’m good for is being on my back. That thought of it made his gut clench, and the last bit of the good feelings he had about seeing his family evaporated.
He heard footsteps draw near and Li Changyu braced himself. He knew his Father could not in fact go easy on him, because doing so would probably make him look partial and disobedient. Pain was something of the mind, and Li Changyu knew he could power through it with his martial arts. What was hardest to ignore was the pain in his heart.
When the sharp crack of a whip sounded and it reared up and then struck Li Changyu across his shoulders. The strip of leather sent a shooting pain not just at the impact but up his spine as well. The only sound he let out was a sharp intake of breath that he sucked through his teeth. He did not want to give anyone the satisfaction of a show, so he remained quiet. Li Changyu’s whole body felt flush in an instant and he prepared himself for the other blows.
His Father mercifully struck him in clean stripes that did not overlap one another. The whip had broken his skin, and had they been bunched together, he was sure that some of his flesh would have been flayed off. The pain did not compare to the shame and guilt that rolled over him. What he did made his Father have to suffer like this – and yes, Li Changyu knew he was suffering. His Mother would also worry about him now, more so than he was on the battlefield. Because of this, Li Changyu wished that he had even more lashings for that alone.
Li Changyu ground his teeth as he bore the pain, but after the third lash he lifted his head to look directly at the Princes. He steeled his features, wanting to give the impression that he was not easily broken while the whip snapped again. The fourth one struck low next to his kidneys and his breath hitched, but he remained steadfast.
The final blow came and he let his jaw hang open so he could take deep breaths through his mouth. His skin felt like it was on fire; sweat poured into his wounds, and blood trickled down along his back. The heavy clatter of the whip as it fell dragged his attention away from the Princes. Li Beidou approached, but Li Changyu raised a hand to stop him.
******END TW******
On a deep inhale, he slowly lifted his waist to sit upright. A fresh wave of scorching pain radiated up his torso until it met the throbbing between his temples. Li Changyu reached for his shirt and slowly slid it on. His wounds protested loudly at being stretched and pulled, and the fabric clung to his aching body as it became soaked in blood.
He stood up without the need for assistance, but when his body twisted in order to turn, he almost lost his balance. His Father took his hands into his, catching him before anyone could readily see him falter. Li Beidou clasped his trembling hands over Li Changyu’s, his eyes red and angry.
His Father’s hands voice rasped like his throat grated against sand, “I’m so–”
“It is okay,” he whispered back and lied with a rueful smile, “I can hardly feel a thing.”
A tear welled up in Li Beidou’s eye which threatened to fall. He leaned to press his forehead against Li Changyu’s and pulled him into an awkward embrace. Though Li Changyu’s body screamed at him to pull back, his Father’s hoarse whisper stopped any of his protests.
“Things are not all as they appear in the Palace. Keep yourself and the Emperor safe. I will try to be helpful as much as I can, but we may not see each other for a while.”
It was unlikely he’d be able to get all the details of what happened at the Court from his Father anytime soon. I may have to pay First Prince a visit sooner rather than later…Li Changyu swallowed down the bile that threatened to rise up and he gently patted his Father’s back. To hint that he understood and will do as he asked, Li Changyu kept his response vague and spoke loudly.
“There, there Father. This Son knows he was most unfilial, and I will take this lesson to heart.”
As they parted, it looked like his Father understood his meaning. Li Beidou gave a stiff nod and turned his head towards Shen Pei who came up to them carrying a small medicinal chest.
“Your Highness,” Shen Pei bowed to Li Changyu, making him cringe internally. “I shall escort you to the carriage.”
He nodded, and with that, they wordlessly parted, as both Father and Son had said what was important. Refusing to look weak, Li Changyu counted each excruciating step he took in order to distract himself from the pain. When he passed by Jin Ai, he caught the other’s curious eye as it watched him pass.
Li Changyu was unsure if he liked the expression Jin Ai had on, but he had other things to worry about. The Princes and the rest of their entourage followed suit, and they led Li Changyu and Shen Pei to his official carriage solely for the Empress.
“Your Highness, please let me assist.” Shen Pei held out a hand when he reached the door to the carriage. With one last glance over at Zhang Wenru and Jin Ai, he took her hand and went inside.
Shen Pei followed him in and set the medicinal chest aside. As soon as the doors and curtains were shut, Shen Pei sat down and Li Changyu promptly fell against her.
“Yanhe!” Shen Pei hissed and cradled him lightly. She shifted around in the seat shared with him and guided him to lay down on his stomach across her lap.
He didn’t have the energy to dismiss her fussing. The carriage ride was bumpy, and felt longer than necessary, which only served to aggravate his wounds and mood. He did not know how much time had passed until they finally came to a stop.
“It looks like Prince Jin Ai’s carriage went elsewhere,” Shen Pei whispered to him and lifted him upright slightly. “Do you want me to carry you on my back?”
“Yeah,” he groaned as she helped him stand up in the carriage. “I don’t want to be carried in like a baby.”
Once he got off the carriage, he held onto the last bit of dignity and wrapped his arms around Shen Pei’s neck when she knelt down. She’d done this many times before on the battlefield, for himself and others, so she carried him with the utmost care. The driver of the carriage had taken the small medicine chest to bring it inside for them. They all crossed through the moon gate and Li Changyu lifted his head. Meimei and Bowen were outside the Phoenix Palace, kneeling by the stairs.
“What are you two doing out here?”
The pair lifted their heads at the same time and cried out in unison, “Your Highness!”
They rushed towards him and Li Changyu frowned at them. He didn’t know why they called him that until a golden shape by the door caught his eye. It was Jin Xiyan standing at the entrance, all tall and regal with his hands behind his back. His pinched expression carried a deep frown, and while he was loath to admit it looked cute, he was. But Jin Xiyan was the last person he wanted to see right now.
Li Changyu prodded Shen Pei to let him down and she complied, but her own frown voiced her disapproval. He sighed as his other two servants fretted and he leaned into Shen Pei as he walked on his own two feet.
Jin Xiyan’s robes fluttered abruptly and he walked down the short length of steps in a hurry. Behind him was an unfamiliar looking elderly man with a long triangular beard and heavy wrinkles around his kind looking eyes.
“Are you hurt?” Jin Xiyan asked. Li Changyu growled at such a stupid question and side stepped the Emperor when he stopped in front of him. Turning, Jin Xiyan continued, “This is the head Imperial Physician, Mu Jiang. Let him–”
“You’re dismissed!” He said to the physician, “I have plenty of my Mother’s medicine, and more than enough hands to tend to my wounds.”
The sudden gasp made him stop and he turned his head to look over his shoulder. Jin Xiyan’s eyes were wide and staring at Li Changyu’s back, his face paled considerably. Oh, right. He was probably surprised at the blood, because again, the Emperor was now categorically an idiot. What did he expect to see if he went so far as to call a physician?!
With a parting scowl, Li Changyu looked forward and entered the receiving room. A little crowd followed behind him which he chose to ignore. It was bad enough that he had openly used Shen Pei to walk.
“Help me to the divan,” he ordered, and pointed to the direction of the one at the far wall. Shen Pei cradled his arm in hers and kept her steps short as they crossed the room. Meimei and Bowen rushed past them, one tending to rearranging the pillows, and the other disappearing into Li Changyu’s room.
The sound of heavy footsteps behind him made him sigh. Without looking, he spoke to Jin Xiyan, “Are you just here to confirm I was punished and drop off a physician? If that is all, you’ve finished those tasks, so run along.”
“You are acting rather flippant for someone who caused so much trouble,” Jin Xiyan’s familiar biting tone returned. “After such a punishment, you dare to not act the least bit remorseful?”
“I am brimming with remorse,” he bit down on his lip as he slowly sat down on the divan. Now facing the Emperor, he glared at him then to the physician still behind him. “Thank you, but you are dismissed. My Mother is Physician Li, and has given me the appropriate medicine.”
He motioned to the driver and the man shuffled inside to drop the chest down beside Li Changyu’s feet. He bowed repeatedly to them both and made a hasty exit. The Physician bowed low.
“Answering Your Highness, only His Majesty the Emperor has the power to call or dismiss me.”
Li Changyu rolled his eyes. Meimei returned with a small basin full of water and a cloth and Bowen started to undress him. Li Changyu stopped him since Jin Xiyan stood rooted in place, and didn’t look like he was going anywhere. Snorting, he gently shooed Bowen.
“Go get a screen and a chair. This is Shen Pei, and she will help me.”
Similarly, Jin Xiyan must have understood Li Changyu wouldn’t budge. He raised a hand and waved it at Physician Jiang. “You are dismissed. If Zhen summons a physician again, make sure it is you who comes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Physician Jiang bowed again. “This humble servant thanks you.”
With him gone, Li Changyu breathed a small sigh of relief. The fewer people in the room, the better it would be. He didn’t trust any of the Emperor’s men, and the last he needed was for them to have ammunition in the form of gossip.
Bowen set down a chair for Jin Xiyan, and Li Changyu ordered them to put the screen between them. “His Majesty doesn’t need to see this.”
Jin Xiyan didn’t protest, but he didn’t stop staring at Li Changyu until the screen blocked one another’s view of each other. Now he let Bowen undress him with Shen Pei’s help to peel his shirt off his bloodied back.
Suppressing a groan, Li Changyu spoke to the Emperor instead. “Treason, huh?”
A heavy sigh came from the other side of the screen. “It was one Chancellor who said, no one else. First Brother and Zhen were quick to stop that sort of talk.”
Ah, that’s right, the First Prince. He had a fleeting moment of relief that at least the Emperor didn’t entertain the idea that he had committed some kind of treason. “What was Lanhu doing in the Court? Aren’t omegas forbidden from there?”
“A servant must have fetched him when the conversation turned ugly. He was permitted to appeal to Zhen on your behalf.”
Li Changyu slowly laid down on his stomach and hissed. He could hear Meimei start to cry so he dismissed her to go into her side room. Bowen and Shen Pei took turns helping clean his back. The burning sensation of the water and cloth against his wounds made Li Changyu sick to his stomach.
“How magnanimous of Zhen.” He replied sarcastically and rested his cheek against his folded arms. “Did you really have to make my Father deliver the punishment?”
“Zhen knew that the Eastern Marquiss would go easy on his Son,” Jin Xiyan sounded like the offended party now, huffing and bristling. “Zhen had to save face. Do you know how embarrassing this was? Not even a week into our marriage, and you caused this much chaos.”
Li Changyu’s scoff of laughter pulled on his injury and he flinched. “You are the naive one to think my Father would be able to go easy on me with your Uncle and Brother there to watch.”
“Uncle?” Jin Xiyan’s surprise wasn’t concealed. “Which one?”
“Third Uncle.” The wheels and cogs in Li Changyu’s head started to turn. “You did not order him to escort me?”
“Zhen sent Royal Brother. If anyone else joined, it was not under Zhen’s order.”
He’s being honest about that, at least. If he did expect his Father to go easy, it would make sense to send Jin Ai who was unfamiliar with Li Beidou rather than Zhang Wenru. Still, Li Changyu did not want to hold the idea of forgiveness in his heart. He clung to his anger and frustration instead.
“Why are you still here?” Li Changyu demanded as pastes and salves were rubbed into his back. They stung then cooled, while others heated up and then stung. He wished he had asked for a piece of wood to bite into before they started.
“To see the punishment and give you a physician, and to ensure that this sort of thing would not happen again.”
“Rest assured, I won’t bully your precious Imperial Guards again.” Li Changyu knew he was possibly treading on a thin line, but at this point, there was not much left to lose so he continued with his complaint. “I bested twelve men, and there is minimal supervision outside of the Phoenix Palace. This would never happen under Xu Wei’s command. Where is he?”
Wei Xu was his Master who he served while being a guard. There was no way that so many guards were green at the art of combat if he was still around.
Instead of answering, Jin Xiyan asked, “…You knew Commander Xu?”
“I see you still don’t remember who I am.” That annoyed him more than it should have, because he didn’t care about the Emperor’s opinion.
“Maybe I would if you told me a bit more.” Jin Xiyan sighed and he surprised Li Changyu by dropping his familiar speech. “Let me explain. I had an accident and there are…gaps, if you will.”
Li Changyu almost pushed himself off the divan at that, but his mind and body protested his instincts. “An accident? When?”
“Two years ago, shortly after Emperor Father passed on and I ascended the throne. I will spare you the details, but there are times where it is a struggle to remember my own Father’s face.” Jin Xiyan’s voice was thick, as if he was trying to mask his emotions. “I want you to understand that I was lenient today because I wanted to honor whatever memory there would have been between us.”
His heart betrayed him by aching. How pathetic am I, the injured one, feeling sad for the one who punished me? Shen Pei nudged his arm lightly and directed him to sit up. Bowen had lengths of bandages ready in his hands, and he helped Shen Pei wind them around his torso and shoulders. Li Changyu lifted his fingers and touched his lips, remembering his first kiss with the Emperor.
…Is the reason he doesn’t remember me really from that accident?
Li Changyu shook his head and pushed aside his feelings. He carefully watched the shadowy outline of the Emperor through the screen, “That still doesn’t answer my question about Xu Wei.”
He could see Jin Xiyan’s shadow shift in his seat. “At around the same time of my accident, Commander Xu passed away.”
He remembered his Father’s ominous words. Two years ago… Two years ago, the Emperor died from an illness, and Jin Xiyan took over the throne. In that same year, not only was there an accident involving Jin Xiyan, but the one person who would have prevented or investigated the incident also passed away.
But then there was Li Changyu himself. He understood that he was a political pawn right now, but that too was also because of events that took place two years ago. Li Changyu was promoted and all the men in the Li family had high positions in the military. Those factors were obviously taken into consideration when suggested he marry the Emperor, because keeping Li Changyu under the Court’s thumb would limit their growing sphere of influence and support.
One or two incidents could be dismissed as mere coincidence, and an attempt on an heir’s life wasn’t unheard of, but each of these things were eerily connected. It became clear that while Li Changyu spent those years securing the safety and well being of the country outside, the stability of the interior city and Court was crumbling.
Bells started going off in his head and he looked to Shen Pei. She too had a peculiar look, and he nodded softly in case Jin Xiyan could see him and mouthed, “I will talk to you later.”
“If you indeed wanted to extend such leniency as a courtesy to me, then this Wife thanks you.” Li Changyu made an effort to sound like he didn’t gag at calling himself that. “I can promise that an incident like that won’t happen again, but I want permission to come and go as I please. I’m not going to run away, but my family means a lot to me.”
He was met with silence and his heart sank, but Jin Xiyan cleared his throat, “Zhen will issue a pass, but will not give it to you until a month from now. This needs time to die down, and it is fair to confine you to the Palace for it.”
“Fine.” Li Changyu wouldn’t argue any further. Jin Xiyan stood up, and he too rose with the help of Bowen.
Jin Xiyan turned, but his step wavered. “Zhen has a birthday celebration coming up…if you are still unwell, please–”
“It’s in five days, I should be fine by then.” The concern brought a tiny smile to him.
“How do you–” Jin Xiyan cut himself off with a sigh. “Nevermind. Zhen will leave and asks that you rest.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Li Changyu peeked around the screen as his footsteps receded, Shen Pei loomed over beside him, whispering into his ear.
“From here on out, we’re going to have to watch our backs, won’t we?” She asked.
He could only answer by way of adding, “And our necks.”
Chapter Summary
Li Changyu runs into his army pal and right hand woman Shen Pei. She is a giant woman who is sought after by Li Changyu’s Brother Li Jiuxing. She does like the Brother, but doesn’t want to get married just yet. Li Jiuxing basically wants her to bench press him for all eternity. Li Changyu visits the Li Manor and is met with his Mother, Li Yuyan. She was an army physician and now works locally around their area of town.
Their visit is cut short because his Father Li Beidou, angry and anxious, comes to warn Li Changyu that he is accused if misconduct for beating up the guards. Zhang Wenru, the Third Prince Uncle (same one who recommended Li Changyu for the Harem) shows up with Jin Ai (Jin Xiyan’s full biological Brother, a beta, and a creeper). First Prince Zhao Lanhu argued for leniency in the Court, and Emperor Jin Xiyan decided for five lashes from a whip, since Li Changyu only landed five blows to the guards. He will also have to pay for the damages out of his Harem salary. Li Beidou is ordered to be the one to administer the whipping. Li Changyu accepts, and handles it in stride even though he’s in pain. He is escorted back to the Palace by Shen Pei, who has agreed to be part of Li Changyu’s list of Servants as a Personal Guard. When they arrive at the Phoenix Palace, Bowen, Meimei, and a nervous Jin Xiyan await him.
Jin Xiyan introduces Li Changyu to a physician, but Li Changyu flatly refuses and is dismissive of the Emperor. Shen Pei and Bowen help patch Li Changyu up with his Mother’s medicine. Jin Xiyan is upset by the wounds, and is surprised as he explains that he thought if Li Beidou did it, they would go easy on Li Changyu. Li Changyu scoffs at him and tells him that Li Beidou would never be able to fool Zhang Wenru of not going full strength. Jin Xiyan is confused, because he did not send Zhang Wenru with Jin Ai, he only intended for his Brother to go. Li Changyu is reluctant to accept this explanation, but understands. Sus Uncle is Sus! Jin Xiyan goes on further to explain that he cannot remember Li Changyu because he had an accident a few years ago, right after his Father passed and he became Emperor. The accident is unsolved.
Li Changyu still does not reveal that he used to be a guard and trained in martial arts in the Palace. He finds the events of the accident strange, because his Master/Shizun Commander Xu Wei who taught Li Changyu should have been there to investigate it. Jin Xiyan tells Li Changyu that close to the time of the accident, Commander Xu died. Li Changyu grows even more suspicious, and concerned. He was promoted to Lieutenant General the same year the Emperor died, and the same year that this accident occured and Commander Xu Wei died. He begins to suspect that something is going on within the Imperial Court.
Jin Xiyan shows concern over Li Changyu, and also agrees to give him a pass in order to come and go freely from the Imperial City to the Capital. However, he explains that he has to save face from this embarrassment, so Li Changyu won’t get that pass for another month as he is “grounded.” Li Changyu agrees to the terms, and reminds the Emperor of his birthday in five days. Though Jin Xiyan is disturbed that Li Changyu knows such an intimate detail, he tells him that if he is too unwell, to not come. Li Changyu promises he will be there. Shen Pei and Li Changyu agree that they have to be on their guard.
why is this emperor doesn’t have any backbone? thanks for the chapter.
sigh sadly, you are seeing him at half the man he is since that accident.
then your writing is amazing 👏 ill wait the emperor character development 😘 thank you for the reply..hwaiting!
You will be upset routinely with the Emperor’s behavior because his internal dialogue will be sweet, but his execution in action often fails.
haha thanks for the heads up..at least im mentally prepared when reading this story in future 😆
He is, also, as people forget, a somewhat spoiled Crown Prince turned Emperor and he lost his memory.
LCY was indeed rash when he ran like thos to find his family but damn does JXY have a loose hold on the court and palace… I hope he’ll get some more backbone soon 😔
Humm now im curious on what happened. That incident must have change something on the emperor
Kind feel bad for JXY now….T3T I smell a conspiracy🤔 Excited to find out what happened! But I suspect that LCY will get into a bit of trouble finding out for himself…
oh gosh now you are reading my story
MUAHAHAHA
My hear was breaking for LCY. He’s so independent that being kept like a bird in a cage will be hard. He’s prideful, too. This is going to be hard on him mind, body, and soul.
That said, he so deeply loved by his family. That made it small bit easier to endure him being whipped.
Sniff sniff. I smell plot thickening. My nose never betray me.😀😀