Ye Yang looked at the silly and naive-looking mink poking its head out of the box and thought either he had gone crazy or Feng Luan had gone crazy.
Giving a ferret as a gift? What is this dog emperor really thinking? That day, he was merely sarcastic towards Kang Ning. He wouldn’t actually make him wear a live ferret as a scarf when going out, would he?
Ye Yang gazed thoughtfully at the mink, while the mink, on the other hand, wiggled from side to side. When Ye Yang hesitantly reached out his hand, the mink immediately nuzzled its little head into his palm.
……I can’t help it, the mink is really cute. Real men should indulge in some furry cuddles.
Ye Yang couldn’t help but crouch down and gently stroke the mink. He then turned to the palace attendant who had presented the gift and asked, “Did this come from His Majesty?”
The palace attendant nodded incessantly, fervently advocating for Feng Luan, stating, “Upon learning of Yun shijun’s desire for a mink, His Majesty took it upon himself to send someone to the frontier to carefully choose the most clever and charming one.”
Ye Yang couldn’t hold back a smirk and retorted, “That’s utter nonsense.”
Let’s be honest. Given the limitations of ancient transportation, traversing to and from the frontier on horseback would require at least a month’s time. It has only been a few days since he expressed interest in a live mink. Is it plausible that Feng Luan could have procured a mink from the frontier so swiftly?
However, with that thought lingering in his mind, Ye Yang’s hand continued to stroke the mink’s head, his mood noticeably uplifted. He struggled to contain the smile that crept onto his face.
While stroking the mink seemed enjoyable, Ye Yang found himself lacking in experience if he intended to care for it. He reminisced about his childhood, where attempts at nurturing goldfish often led to their untimely demise. Without access to local pet communities or resources, he lacked guidance on tending to a mink’s needs. Concerned about inadvertently causing harm to the mink, after a brief moment of delight in petting it, he couldn’t resist lifting his gaze to ask the palace attendant who had brought the mink, “Where is His Majesty?”
The palace attendant hastily responded, “His Majesty has been either attending court or in the study these past few days. He should be resting around this time. If Yun shijun wishes to visit, now would be the opportune moment.”
After a moment of thought, Ye Yang asked the palace attendant to bring the mink along. He decided to head to the study, thank Feng Luan, and return the mink to him. Ye Yang planned to find someone knowledgeable in mink care to take care of it properly. He figured that in the future, wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to visit and pet the mink without the burden of its upkeep?
Ye Yang hadn’t seen Feng Luan for quite some time, and prior to that, he had rarely visited the study. Curious, he accompanied the palace attendants with the mink in tow. Everyone they encountered along the way showed utmost reverence towards him, presenting an exemplary treatment akin to being deeply cherished in the palace.
Ignoring everyone he encountered, Ye Yang finally arrived at the exterior of the study. Kang Ning, accustomed to waiting outside until summoned, immediately perked up upon seeing Ye Yang approaching. However, wary of disturbing Feng Luan inside the study, Kang Ning continuously gestured to Ye Yang and lowered his voice, saying, “Yun shijun, you’ve finally arrived!”
Shen Shaoheng stood nearby, visibly thinner and paler for reasons unknown, displaying a distant countenance with a vacant gaze. With a feeble smile directed at Ye Yang, he said, “Yun shijun, I’m afraid you’ll need to wait a bit. His Majesty is currently engaged in conversation with the Commandery Prince Jinghuai.”
The mention of the Commandery Prince Jinghuai prompted Ye Yang to recall Wei Shi, whom he had encountered when leaving the palace some time ago. Curious, he waited nearby, while Kang Ning, considerate as ever, fetched a chair for him. As they waited, Kang Ning kept chatting, mentioning, “Yun shijun, your timing is opportune. His Majesty has been having trouble sleeping for quite some time now. He wakes up with headaches, and if this continues, I fear for His Majesty’s health.”
Ye Yang appeared somewhat bewildered and responded, “Why not summon the imperial physicians to attend to him?”
“The medicine prescribed by the imperial physicians has become ineffective,” Kang Ning explained. “But now that you’re here, there might not be a need for them.”
I cannot treat insomnia either……
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.
Kang Ning was about to continue speaking when suddenly, a loud and piercing voice from inside the room yelled in a tone Ye Yang had never heard before, exclaiming, “Do you have to make everyone around you miserable?!”
Vtfc Vtjbtfcu lcvlmjafv atja Mfcu Oejc kjr lc jc jevlfcmf klat atf Jbwwjcvfgs Uglcmf Alcutejl. Jbcrfdefcais, atf nblmf jqqfjgfv ab yf atja bo atf Jbwwjcvfgs Uglcmf Alcutejl. Ca atja pecmaegf, atf Jbwwjcvfgs Uglcmf’r fwbalbcji beayegra jcv jmmerjalbcr abkjgvr Mfcu Oejc, vfilnfgfv lc j tlutis ragecu jcv ofgnfca abcf, rajgaifv Tf Tjcu. Pa qgbwqafv tlw ab rkloais jqqgbjmt atf fcagjcmf bo atf raevs, mbcmfgcfv atja rbwfatlcu wluta ub jkgs lcrlvf.
Shen Shaoheng hurriedly arrived at the door before Ye Yang, but as Feng Luan had not given any instructions or permission, they were not at liberty to barge in.
From outside the door, there was an eerie silence in the study, as if the Commandery Prince’s outburst moments ago had been nothing but a figment of imagination. After a considerable pause, Ye Yang eventually caught Feng Luan’s voice from within the study, laden with a frosty coldness as he inquired, “Jinghuai, do you intend to defy the imperial decree?”
The Commandery Prince Jinghuai responded with a series of mocking, scornful laughs. He didn’t bid farewell, clearly aiming to challenge Feng Luan’s authority by leaving abruptly. He pushed the door open and stepped out, visibly containing a surge of anger, ignoring everyone as he strode straight out. It was apparent that his conversation with Feng Luan had not been a pleasant one.
The Commandery Prince Jinghuai had already left, leaving Ye Yang uncertain whether his presence at this moment was appropriate. As he peered into the study, he observed Feng Luan seated behind the desk, his countenance fatigued and a shade of pallor beneath his eyes. A mountain of folded papers lay strewn on the desk, and Feng Luan was rubbing his temple when his eyes met Ye Yang’s gaze. Simultaneously, both Ye Yang and the mink peeked from the study door, their eyes wide as they looked at Feng Luan. A brief expression of astonishment passed over Feng Luan’s face before a smile appeared. “What brings you here?” he asked.
Ye Yang asked in a hushed tone, “What just happened?”
Feng Luan simply furrowed his brow slightly and replied, “Jinghuai wanted to intercede for Wei Shi, but zhen refused. That’s all there is to it.”
After uttering those words, Feng Luan attempted to rise but did so too hastily. Having gone without proper sleep for several days, he suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented. He hurriedly grasped the edge of the desk for support. Ye Yang, alarmed, immediately rushed over to lend a hand, instinctively asking, “What’s wrong with you……? How come a young lad in his twenties is feeling this weak?”
Feng Luan, “……”
Feng Luan took a deep breath, sat back down, and directly asked Ye Yang, “Why have you come here?”
Ye Yang quickly raised the mink he was holding.
“Why did you give me a mink?” Ye Yang asked. “I don’t know how to look after it. If something happens to it tomorrow, what am I supposed to do?”
Baffled by the inquiry, Feng Luan countered, “Was it not you who expressed a desire for a mink?”
Ye Yang, “……well.”
He had previously joked with Kang Ning about how people from the frontier liked to parade around with minks. However, it was meant as sarcastic banter. Had Kang Ning misunderstood the sarcasm?
“This mink was a tribute from the Kingdom of Rakshasa. The palace has attendants designated for the care of such creatures, so there’s no need for you to concern yourself with its maintenance,” Feng Luan explained. “Given your fondness for it, simply indulge in the pleasure of petting it during your leisure moments.”
Ye Yang, “……”
What an extraordinary stroke of fortune in the mortal realm! Free access to petting a mink at any time, without the need for its care.
Ye Yang felt tempted.
He hugged the mink tightly, ready to express his gratitude to Feng Luan. However, Feng Luan deliberately turned his head and added, “Zhen…… Zhen has also gifted small animals to a few other concubines. Imperial Concubine Shen received a cat, and Imperial Concubine Chu a dog. Rest assured, it wasn’t specifically prepared for you.”
Ye Yang, “……”
Ah, this stinky fart of an emperor has quite the resilient tongue.
He nodded repeatedly to show his understanding, then thanked Feng Luan, concluding the matter concerning the mink. However, Ye Yang recalled the words Kang Ning had spoken earlier.
There’s nothing wrong with him; he just tends to meddle in others’ affairs. Upon hearing Kang Ning mentioning that Feng Luan hadn’t been sleeping well for several days, Ye Yang couldn’t resist asking further, “Has Your Majesty not been resting well these past few days?”
“It’s an old ailment,” Feng Luan said, his brow furrowing slightly.
Ye Yang, in a moment of hastiness, couldn’t help but inquire further, “Is it something serious?”
Feng Luan hesitated slightly but candidly admitted to Ye Yang, “A troubled heart.”
Ye Yang asked, “Then how can I……”
Feng Luan happened to speak at the same time, interrupting what Ye Yang was about to say next.
“Yun Yang, do you happen to have a moment to spare?” Feng Luan inquired. “Would you consider staying to keep zhen company for a brief afternoon rest?”
Ye Yang, “……”
In that instant, Ye Yang’s mind wandered astray.
He blushed and stammered for a moment, saying, “In…… In broad…… broad daylight……”
Feng Luan cleared his throat gently, “That’s not what zhen meant……”
He recalled the night when Ye Yang had been by his side, offering rare respite as he enjoyed a good night’s sleep. These recent days, he was plagued by nightmares and the taxing burdens of state affairs, which left him mentally and physically drained. If Ye Yang were to stay by his side…… he might be able to sleep a little better.
Carefully explaining to Ye Yang, as he seemed worn and almost on the verge of collapsing due to sleep deprivation, Feng Luan showed signs of frailty. Ye Yang softened for a moment and nodded, but insisted, saying to Feng Luan, “……I’ll just move a chair to sit by the bedside.”
Feng Luan nodded.
Within the study, there was no bed, only a couch. Ye Yang sat at its edge, cradling the mink, quietly observing Feng Luan as he struggled to fall asleep. Despite feeling immensely fatigued himself, Feng Luan had already closed his eyes but whispered softly to Ye Yang, “Earlier, when Jinghuai visited…… you witnessed it as well.”
Observing him doze off, Ye Yang felt the weight of drowsiness creeping upon himself. He absentmindedly responded with an acknowledgment, yet he held little interest in the chaotic affairs of the imperial family.
“Zhen commanded Shaoheng to thoroughly investigate Wei Shi’s wrongdoings, which warrant a death sentence. However, Jinghuai is unwilling and finds it difficult to part ways with him,” Feng Luan stated. “Jinghuai and zhen are of similar age. In terms of seniority, he is zhen’s nephew.”
He paused for a moment, then continued, “His late father is one of zhen’s few regrets.”
……
In the sultry afternoon, the imperial study echoed with the distant hum of cicadas. The mink, nestled in Ye Yang’s embrace, slept soundly as it too had succumbed to slumber. Upon awakening, dusk was drawing near. He found himself reclined on the plush couch, enveloped in Feng Luan’s attire. Beside him rested the mink, while Feng Luan, who had been perusing official missives in a nearby chair, folded the documents upon noticing Ye Yang stirring. “Have you awakened? Allow zhen to accompany you back,” Feng Luan proposed.
Ye Yang, still somewhat dazed, lifted himself while holding the mink and obediently followed Feng Luan out of the imperial study. It wasn’t until they had walked quite a distance that he suddenly snapped out of his reverie, realizing he was still draped in Feng Luan’s attire.
That was the imperial robe—indeed, the imperial robe!
He struggled to find words, his mind feeling like it had hit a snag, continually replaying the recent events that had taken place in the imperial study.
He couldn’t have possibly gone to the couch himself; Feng Luan must have carried him there after noticing he had fallen asleep. Even though Feng Luan’s favorability score was only around 70, the ambiguous nature of the situation was rather startling. If he didn’t manage to reduce Feng Luan’s favorability score soon……
Feng Luan halted his steps.
Ye Yang nearly bumped into Feng Luan’s back, puzzled as to why he had suddenly stopped. Curiosity led him to peek around Feng Luan and catch sight of Chu Lian, who he hadn’t seen for quite some time, beneath a flowering tree.
Chu Lian, who was being pulled around by a dog……
Wait.
That dog…… Why does it seem somewhat familiar……
Feng Luan turned around to find Ye Yang gazing blankly at the large dog. He took the initiative to explain, “That is a puppy presented as tribute from the Kingdom of Rakshasa. It’s my initial encounter with it as well. At first sight, it bears a striking resemblance to a young wolf.”
Ye Yang, “……”
What young wolf……
Isn’t this a husky?!
For anyone that doesn’t know, huskies are known to be notoriously obnoxious. They are loud, high energy, and have strong personalities. Chu Lian is not going to have a good time with her new pet.
very true T_T
FL, you doing your job poorly, getting only minus points from YY 😂
Thank You for the new chapter ( ˘ ³˘)♥
The Dog Emperor got his wifey the most intelligent, docile pet, how sweet 😏
Thanks for the chapter!
Emperor: You see, what stresses me out is –
Helpful wife Ye Yang: …snore…
I’m glad Feng Luan explained how Ye Yang helps him sleep, so he’s less likely to avoid him.
Feng luan remains bias towards his wifey as usual =3=