Chapter 59 "I adore you."
Lin Yan moved out of the warm, fragrant area of Chonghua Palace. The noisy music and the seemingly tangible gazes inside were shut out by the heavy palace doors. In the suddenly quiet air, only his own pounding heartbeat and the sobbing of the night wind brushing past his ears remained.
It's so cold.
The hall was warmed by an underfloor heating system, as warm as spring. He had forgotten to take his cloak when he came out, and was now only wearing his official robe. The early winter night wind made him shiver, but his mind was still buzzing, as chaotic as the tangled ball of yarn he had to untangle when he was learning embroidery.
Agula asked him to marry her?
Lin Yan forced a smile, which looked more like a grimace.
Staggering to a sheltered corner under the eaves of the hall, Lin Yan disregarded all official decorum and sat down on the cold steps, hugging his knees. He wished he could curl up into a ball and grow into a crack in the ground, becoming a carefree mushroom.
Lin Yan reached out and pulled a few dry weeds from the crack in the stone steps. He pulled hard as if venting his anger, and the grass stems broke with a slight cracking sound.
No, what's going on here?
How long have he known Agula?
All told, from the time we were welcomed outside the city to the palace banquet, it's only been a few hours!
What can you do in a few hours? In modern society, you can't even finish a job orientation, but for this Northern Rong prince, it's enough for him to decide his life at first sight!
Falling in love with a stranger you've only known for half a day?
Lin Yan felt this was unscientific; the probability of it being true was too low, even lower than the probability of the Trisolarans preparing to attack Dayu at this moment.
Even if we take a step back and assume that Prince Agula is truly a love-struck fool who doesn't respect basic principles, he still brazenly demanded to marry a close minister of the emperor in front of the Emperor of Dayu, the entire court, and his own delegation.
This is not just outrageous, it's utterly disregarding the diplomatic relations between the two countries, their own safety, and even basic logic!
Lin Yan simply couldn't imagine what kind of rumors would circulate in the capital tomorrow... no, after tonight.
"Hey, have you heard? Lord Lin Yan, tsk tsk, what a heartbreaker! He's completely bewitched the Prince of Beirong, and he wants to marry him on the spot!"
"Really? Aren't the Northern Rong people supposed to be rugged and unrestrained? Do they actually have a taste for this?"
"Indeed! To propose marriage right in front of His Majesty! How audacious!"
Just imagining those discussions made Lin Yan's scalp tingle, and he felt so embarrassed that he could carve out a side hall for Chonghua Palace on the spot.
In the future, when people mention Lin Yan, their first reaction will no longer be "that somewhat capable newly appointed scholar", but rather "Oh, that handsome femme fatale who was spotted by the Northern Rong prince at first glance"?
If he gets this label, how will he survive in the capital? How will he serve before the Emperor? Will his colleagues still look at him normally?
Just imagine attending court in the future, and the meaningful, hesitant glances from those around you...
Lin Yan let out a desperate wail and buried her face in her knees.
Is it too late to escape this world by carrying a horse-drawn carriage through the night?
I was so angry, but I had nowhere to vent my anger.
You can't exactly rush back into the palace, grab Agula by the collar, and yell, "Are you out of your mind? We've only known each other for half a day, and you're already married? Do you know how much trouble you've caused me? Get the hell out of here!"
Putting aside whether he could beat the other guy in a fight, he really couldn't handle this diplomatic incident.
It's so frustrating, so incredibly frustrating.
Lin Yan could only continue to struggle with those few innocent, withered grasses, imagining them as Agula's hair that might have been messed up by the wind, and pull them out one by one.
Just as he was engrossed in weeding, his mind racing with thoughts of turning into a mushroom and living a life of seclusion, a deep, calm voice suddenly rang out from very close behind him.
"Aren't you cold sitting here?"
"Aww!"
Lin Yan was so frightened that he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, almost bumping his head into the person's chin.
He clutched his wildly beating heart, still shaken, and when he looked closely, he was so frightened that his tongue almost tied itself in knots: "Your Majesty?"
Xiao Che had silently appeared behind him without him noticing, so close that he could almost feel the warmth emanating from the other man, which was different from the warmth of the night.
He was still wearing the same formal attire he wore at the banquet, with only a dark cloak loosely draped over his shoulders, clearly indicating that he had come out in a hurry.
The dim light from the palace lanterns under the eaves outlined his deep-set eyes and brows, his expression indistinct, but he seemed more somber than usual.
"Your Majesty, why did you come out?" Lin Yan stammered, looking around hurriedly. "This...this banquet hasn't ended yet. Is it really...is it alright that you're not here?" Isn't it against the rules for a monarch to leave the banquet midway through?
Xiao Che's gaze fell on Lin Yan's nose and fingers, which were red from the cold, and he took off his cloak and draped it over Lin Yan's shoulders.
He no longer cared about banquet etiquette. When Agula pointed at Lin Yan and uttered that outrageous remark, he had already exhausted all his patience by not chopping off that annoying hand on the spot.
Xiao Che didn't want to see Agula's wild and possessive eyes staring at Lin Yan, nor did he want to see anyone showing that determined look towards Lin Yan.
No one else will do either.
That nameless anger made his heart clench, and almost as soon as Lin Yan came out, he made up an excuse to follow him out.
He couldn't wait any longer; he didn't want to let the situation continue like a frog in slowly boiling water, watching this person right under his nose being coveted by others.
"It's alright." Xiao Che's voice was devoid of emotion, his gaze fixed firmly on Lin Yan. "What are your thoughts on what happened in the hall just now?"
Lin Yan was taken aback by the question, and then a wave of grievance and lingering fear surged into his heart. He disregarded the hierarchy and complained in a very fast voice: "What can I think? I think that Prince Agula must have some problems here!"
He subconsciously pointed to his head: "We've only known each other for half a day and he's already asking to marry me? What is this if not insane? Besides, I'm a man! In front of so many people... this is practically putting me on the spot! How can I face anyone after this? Your Majesty, if there are any more missions involving liaison with the Northern Rong delegation, please don't send me again. I really don't want to have any more contact with that prince!"
Lin Yan became increasingly angry as she spoke, her cheeks flushing red with emotion.
Seeing his angry yet helpless expression, and hearing the undisguised rejection and annoyance towards Agula in his tone, Xiao Che felt a strange calming of the surging violence and jealousy in his heart.
“I will naturally not allow you to have any further contact with him.” Xiao Che’s voice softened, carrying an undeniable tone. “This matter is due to the Northern Rong’s rudeness and arrogance, and has nothing to do with you. You don’t need to be troubled by it.”
"But the rumors..." Lin Yan still looked worried.
"With me here, no one dares to speak recklessly." Xiao Che interrupted him, his tone calm, yet exuding an air of absolute certainty that he was in control of everything.
Lin Yan stared blankly at Xiao Che. The fact that the big boss personally gave his guarantee meant it was indeed something special.
He felt somewhat relieved and was about to express his gratitude when he saw Xiao Che step forward.
The two were not far apart to begin with, and with this step, Xiao Che was almost standing in front of Lin Yan. His tall figure completely enveloped him, and the unique, agarwood fragrance lingered around him more clearly.
Lin Yan instinctively wanted to back away, but his heels were stuck against the cold stone steps, leaving him nowhere to retreat.
Then, to Lin Yan's astonishment, Xiao Che suddenly reached out and pulled him into his arms.
It was a strong yet gentle embrace; the warmth of his body, carrying the scent of ambergris and alcohol, seeped through the fabric, instantly extinguishing all of Lin Yan's thoughts.
Lin Yan's brain buzzed; the CPU had burned out for the second time tonight.
Wait, wait, wait! What's going on?
"Your Majesty, are you going to hug me?"
Why are you hugging me!
Does an emperor need to hug his subjects to comfort them?
Xiao Che's arm was around his back, and his hand even patted him very lightly on his back, which was trembling slightly from fright, as if he were comforting a frightened cat.
He lowered his head, and his voice rang in Lin Yan's ear, deeper than the night wind and more mellow than wine: "Lin Yan."
Xiao Che did not address him as "Lin Qing".
"What Agula said just now, though absurd, made me realize something." Xiao Che's tone was calm, but with a sense of urgency. "If I don't say these things now, I'm afraid I'll regret it later."
Lin Yan was as stiff as a piece of wood, even holding his breath. He could only feel the warm breath by his ear and the heart in his chest that felt like it was about to burst his ribs.
"I adore you."
The four words, crystal clear, struck Lin Yan so hard that his soul was shattered.
“It’s not a king’s appreciation for his subject, but a man’s admiration for his beloved.” Xiao Che’s voice was deep and firm, as if afraid that he might not understand, and he explained it clearly, “I want to be with you day and night, by your side.”
Lin Yan was completely petrified, his eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape, but he couldn't make a sound.
Xiao Che... likes him?
Has the world finally broken down? Or am I just dreaming because I've been drinking too much?
Xiao Che felt the person in his arms stiffen instantly and tremble in disbelief. He loosened his arms slightly, looked down at the person's shocked and blank face, and continued, "I know this matter is shocking, and I know you may find it hard to accept at first. I am telling you this not to force you to respond immediately."
His tone was more serious than ever before, and he was cautious, wanting to approach but maintaining a distance.
"I admire you, but I would rather respect your wishes. I will give you time to think it through. If you are willing to give me this opportunity, I would be more than happy to accept it and will treat you with sincerity and never let you down."
Xiao Che paused, his voice growing deeper, and promised, "If after careful consideration you still cannot accept this situation, or you never can, I will respect your choice. You will still be my Hanlin Academician, and I will not blame you for this matter in the slightest. You and I... will still be a harmonious ruler and subject."
Even the night breeze seemed to stand still at that moment.
The palace lanterns under the eaves cast a dim yellow glow, elongating the shadows of the two embracing figures and casting them blurry onto the cold palace wall.
Lin Yan was completely overwhelmed by these successive, increasingly terrifying "surprises," leaving him utterly unable to react. He could only stare blankly up at Xiao Che, who was so close to him.
His Majesty the Emperor's handsome face appeared somewhat unreal in the light and shadow. His usually deep and unfathomable phoenix eyes now clearly reflected his dazed image, as well as an intense yet restrained emotion that he had never seen before.
I like him.
Xiao Che liked him.
When did it start? It certainly wasn't because Agula spoke up just now that Xiao Che suddenly fell for him.
That would have been even earlier than that.
Lin Yan was in a state of utter confusion. At this moment, he seemed to have found the reason for all the kindness Xiao Che had shown him.
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Author's Note: His Majesty has finally confessed.
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