The room remained silent for a while, until Ye Yang slowly spoke, asking, “……Why is Shen Shaoheng allowed to come and go freely here?”
“In moments overlooked by his previous inattentiveness, he……” Feng Luan paused, raising his brows, and with a sincere refinement, he amended, “He shall not indulge in such liberties henceforth.”
The infuriating Shen Shaoheng, always one to spoil his endeavors! The next time he barges in without knocking, rest assured, he shall demand the severing of his audacious intrusion.
Initially engaged in playful banter, the arrival of Shen Shaoheng disrupted the atmosphere, diminishing the initial allure. Feng Luan released his hold on Ye Yang’s hand, retreating a step back, assisting him as he sat up.
Ye Yang’s lingering anger had yet to find its voice when suddenly, he noticed a subtle reminder blooming atop Feng Luan’s head.
「Feng Luan’s favorability score has increased by 5, current favorability score is 75」
Ye Yang, “……”
When did it increase again! It was way higher than the last time he had checked his score!
Ye Yang felt a sudden unease creeping in.
At first, he was worried that the emperor’s favorability score was too low and might lead to his demise. However, lately, Feng Luan’s score had been steadily rising, accompanied by numerous ambiguous gestures, not to mention his recent attempt to kiss him……
Why did he feel that, even though Feng Luan’s favorability score hadn’t surpassed 100 yet, it seemed like he had already developed feelings for him?
No, he must nip this budding wickedness in the bud. He had no desire to spend his entire life in this imperial harem; he must find a way.
First, he needed to express his resistance to Feng Luan’s jesting of such degree, ensuring that his gestures of affection, particularly those involving physical proximity, left him noticeably discomposed.
Yet, for the first time in his life, he found himself on the receiving end of an initiated kiss. Though Feng Luan merely brushed against the tip of his nose, strictly speaking, not reaching his lips, for a staunchly single man who had spent over two decades without such encounters, it proved sufficiently perturbing.
Gritting his teeth, he earnestly contemplated for a moment, his tone revealing a hint of difficulty. With a serious and solemn demeanor, he said to Feng Luan, “Next time, could you please refrain from—”
Feng Luan, however, seemed to suddenly recall something, furrowing his brows inquisitively. He asked him, “What did you just scold me for?”
Ye Yang was momentarily taken aback.
What did he just…… scold Feng Luan for? Dog emperor?
「Feng Luan’s favorability score has decreased by 1, current favorability score is 74」
Feng Luan frowned, “Zhen does not appreciate the way you speak.”
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.
Ye Yang, “……”
Fine! He just enjoys it when Feng Luan doesn’t like the way he speaks!
Tf Tjcu tjv jc lvfj.
“Qtja jgf sbe vblcu? Pr cbk atf alwf obg lcveiufcmf?” Tf Tjcu rqbxf rfglberis, “Ktf wjaafg bo atf jrrjrrlcr gfwjlcr ecgfrbinfv. Ljnf sbe mbcrlvfgfv kts atfs kjcafv ab jrrjrrlcjaf sbe?”
Mfcu Oejc kjr ajxfc jyjmx. “Qtja……”
“P wfgfis rmbivfv sbe bcmf,” Tf Tjcu rjlv. “Ljnf sbe fnfg mbcrlvfgfv atja atf mbecaifrr qfbqif lc atlr kbgiv wluta tjnf megrfv sbe j atberjcv alwfr bnfg?”
Feng Luan, “……”
Ye Yang sighed heavily. “But what about now? Here you are, indulging yourself—”
「Feng Luan’s favorability score has decreased by 1, current favorability score is 73」
Well done! That’s the way!
Ye Yang almost wanted to applaud himself for his cleverness.
In the midst of the ambiguous atmosphere, he struggled to bring up work-related matters. Such a method seemed irksome just to think about, but he hadn’t anticipated the recent gradual rise of Feng Luan’s favorability score by five or six points. However, the decline in score was consistently slow, dropping by one point at a time. He wondered whether it was Feng Luan’s mood deteriorating or if there was a glitch in the system.
……
Shen Shaoheng had just come to report on the matter of the assassins, inadvertently stumbling upon the emperor and his concubine in an intimate moment. Feeling awkward, he quickly moved away, concerned about the potential impact on his career. However, before he could get too far, he received a summon from the emperor, instructing him to return and discuss the issue of the assassins.
The emperor’s mind was inscrutable, and Shen Shaoheng felt a deep sense of anxiety.
Reflecting on the peculiar scene and contorted postures he had witnessed earlier, Shen Shaoheng found himself unable to locate a matching scenario in all the books he had read over the years. He could only marvel at the emperor’s extraordinary abilities as he reluctantly made his way back to the emperor’s tent.
Ye Yang was also curious about the aftermath of the assassin incident. He rose to put on his clothes, but unfortunately, feeling dizzy and unsteady, he could only sit at the edge of the bed. Feng Luan, frowning, observed him for a moment. Deliberately pulling down the canopy, he securely shielded him from view before turning to summon Shen Shaoheng inside.
Ye Yang, “……”
Aren’t we all men here?!
Shen Shaoheng, tasked with investigating the assassin incident, received strict instructions from Feng Luan not to use torture. Employing some artful persuasion, he managed to extract information. Given that those individuals already harbored grievances against Feng Luan, they vented their frustrations through a barrage of insults, allowing Shen Shaoheng to discern some meaningful insights.
Most of these assassins were refugees, victims of the recent natural disasters that had plagued the country. Despite Feng Luan’s orders for the Ministry of Revenue to provide relief, corrupt officials at lower levels had been embezzling supplies, leaving scant resources for the populace. Forced to leave their homes, these people became refugees. In recent days, their plight had brought them to the vicinity of the capital, only to encounter relentless eviction by the imperial forces. Regardless of their circumstances, they were sternly prohibited from advancing even an inch closer.
While it might be understandable if the capital region was considered a crucial area where refugees were not allowed, Ye Yang was completely unaware of this matter. No one had ever mentioned the issue of refugees to him—
He furrowed his brows slightly, recalling a few incidents.
The inadequacy of relief efforts, the scattering of refugees, and the officials deceiving him by covering up the truth—these matters had indeed been alluded to before.
Shortly after ascending the throne, Prime Minister Yun had submitted memorials several times, enumerating instances of local officials embezzling and colluding for personal gain. Ye Yang was greatly angered, but being new to the throne and still somewhat inexperienced in governance, he delegated the matter to Grand Preceptor Chu, who was then appointed to assist in the administration by the late emperor.
Grand Preceptor Chu did, indeed, provide him with a list of corrupt officials, and he enforced the law, believing he had acted justly. Subsequently, Prime Minister Yun continued to bring up matters such as bribery and corruption involving refugees, which were mostly left for Grand Preceptor Chu to address. As time passed, Prime Minister Yun gradually stopped raising these concerns, and other officials in the court avoided discussing them. He thought that peace had returned to the realm, and he, as a wise ruler, should have achieved that.
It wasn’t until this year, after the highest imperial examination, when the top scholar, second-place scholar, and third-place scholar were admitted to the Hanlin Academy and remained in the capital. The second-place scholar, in particular, periodically submitted memorials, articulating the grievances of the common folk to incite his displeasure. The language employed was incisive, and during moments of indignation, the expressions became hastily penned, with the occasional use of unconventional characters. He dismissed this scholar’s efforts as a result of excessive devotion to studies, deeming him a cynical individual, and paid it scant regard.
Of course he paid it no mind.
He left the palace several times a year, witnessing scenes of prosperity and abundance. Naturally, he felt that the words of the third-place scholar were biased. However, upon reflection now…… it seemed that this matter was evidently not as straightforward as he had initially thought.
After the incident with the third-place scholar, Ming Yan deceived him into leaving the palace to watch a play, he witnessed Wei Shi, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, using his position for personal gain. Only then did he order Shen Shaoheng to investigate further and found that Wei Shi was involved in corruption, bribery, collusion, and abuse of power. Before the trial and sentencing were concluded, during the fall hunt, he encountered these refugee assassins.
Feng Luan was starting to grasp the situation.
The third-place scholar is a disciple of Prime Minister Yun; Ming Yan went by the pseudonym of Lord Mo Hou in literary circles, enjoying considerable fame among literati. She had left behind numerous anecdotes of elegance and charm. One of them involves Lord Mo Hou and Prime Minister Yun engaging in poetic camaraderie, leading to the creation of a plaque in the Prime Minister’s residence bearing the inscription ‘Two Sleeves in Gentle Breeze,’ crafted by Lord Mo Hou himself.
From beginning to end, it appeared to be a deliberate act by Prime Minister Yun. It seemed he could not speak openly and could only subtly hint at these matters. Yet, there weren’t many in the court who could keep Prime Minister Yun from speaking his mind directly.
If that’s the case, there was another person crucial to this matter.
Yun Yang, too, made his entrance to the palace this year. The matters involving Wei Shi and the recent occurrences during the autumn hunt were both intertwined with him. Was it conceivable that Yun Yang was yet another calculated move by Prime Minister Yun, strategically positioned to subtly caution him?
He initially admired Ye Yang’s candor, thinking him the most straightforward and uncomplicated person he had encountered in the harem. However, now it seemed that every action and gesture from Ye Yang might be part of a performance.
While Prime Minister Yun’s intentions might be noble, aiming to make him see the affairs of the court more clearly, the Prime Minister’s calculated maneuvering had revealed that Ye Yang was not the person he initially appeared to be.
With a significant portion of his heart growing cold, even the gaze upon Ye Yang gradually lost its former warmth.
……
While Shen Shaoheng was still present, Feng Luan’s gaze occasionally drifted towards the bed curtain. Ye Yang, on the bed, felt uneasy under Feng Luan’s intense scrutiny. Unsure of Feng Luan’s intentions, he watched as his favorability score took a significant dip with an audible ‘crack.’
「Feng Luan’s favorability score has decreased by 15, current favorability score is 58」
Ye Yang, “……”
Ye Yang was ecstatic!
Even though he had no idea why Feng Luan’s points took such a nosedive, Ye Yang couldn’t be happier with this unexpected turn of events! The heart of the emperor was indeed elusive, but he was more than content with any noticeable shifts in this delicate dance!
Unable to contain the smile on his face, Ye Yang grinned, and behind the layered curtains, Feng Luan observed him. On his face, a faint smile played, laden with meaning, as if a well-devised scheme had succeeded. This person…… truly vexing!
「Feng Luan’s favorability score has decreased by 10, current favorability score is 48」
Ye Yang’s joy only deepened with his laughter.
Having failed in his initial romantic endeavor, Feng Luan, after Shen Shaoheng concluded his report on the assassins and exited the tent, turned his attention to Ye Yang. His gaze and demeanor, once tender and affectionate, now reflected the frigid demeanor of their first meeting. In a composed tone, he stated, “Now that Yun shijun is awake, it is fitting for you to take your leave.”
Ye Yang was eager to leave the situation and hastily nodded in agreement with Feng Luan. “Your Majesty is right! I’ll leave right away!”
Without a trace of reluctance, he hastily grabbed his clothes from the bedpost, eager to get dressed and leave immediately. However, as he stood up, a hint of dizziness overcame him, causing a slight sway in his stance. Feng Luan initially considered reaching out to assist but, observing the joy on Ye Yang’s face, felt a pang of frustration. Consequently, he stood with his hands behind his back, refusing even to glance in his direction.
Kang Ning stood dumbfounded on the side. Just a moment ago, the emperor was showing such care and affection for Yun shijun, and now he wanted him to leave? He had no idea what had transpired. Concerned that Ye Yang might not have fully recovered, he quickly found palace attendants to assist Ye Yang back to his tent. Taking advantage of Feng Luan’s distraction, he quietly comforted Ye Yang, saying, “Yun shijun, sometimes, His Majesty…… does indeed have unpredictable moods.”
But the emperor’s unusual behavior today was genuinely something Kang Ning had not witnessed in all these years. Having developed a fondness for Ye Yang, he couldn’t bear to see him distressed, prompting him to concoct a small white lie to comfort Ye Yang.
Ye Yang couldn’t help but let a smile creep onto his lips, nodding reassuringly at Kangning. “Eunuch Kang, there’s no need to worry. I understand.”
Kang Ning, “……”
Turning his head to look at Feng Luan, he regarded him as if he were an unfaithful lover.
Despite Yun shijun’s evident distress, he forced a smile to his face.
In the realm of heartless imperial power, one would have thought that after confronting the complexities involving the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine, the emperor would have displayed a more nuanced response.
As he watched Ye Yang leave with light and cheerful steps, a sudden wave of sympathy flooded his heart.
T/N
thank you Kiki for the ko-fi! here’s the promised bonus chappie <3
Ah jeez Ye Yang is digging his own grave this time!
lolol he’s been working at his grave since chapter 1! my boy never learns
What a mess 😂
Thank You for the new chapter ❤⃛ヾ(๑❛ ▿ ◠๑ )
Great now we’re back to square one 🤦