Rumors about Wei Shuang, she smells so good.
Having been stopped, Xiao Yu temporarily abandoned his idea of jumping into the altar to take a look, and rather regretfully boarded the carriage back to the palace.
Xiao Yu returned to his new nest, which was made of soft cushions and a plush blanket. The sleeve of his open imperial robe accidentally draped over Wei Shuang's leg as she entered the carriage. He smelled the wine on Wei Shuang again, but it had changed. Compared to the sweet scent in the morning, it had become slightly astringent. He looked at Wei Shuang in surprise.
“The strange phenomena were not caused by me, and pushing me onto the altar will not cause any more strange phenomena from the sky.” Wei Shuang raised her sleeves and bowed, having learned to answer quickly.
Xiao Yu pulled his sleeve back from Wei Shuang's accidental tangling and said in a good mood, "No, I was just thinking about the enthronement ceremony later."
Wei Shuang: "Your Majesty, the ministers will cooperate with you. There is no need to be nervous."
"It will go smoothly, right?" Xiao Yu said to herself as she lifted the curtain, leaving Wei Shuang with only Yu Zhu's head bobbing.
"Um."
A breeze swept in, dispersing the lingering effects of the wine in the tent, and Wei Shuang reverted to her taciturn and cautious demeanor.
As expected, the final and most important coronation ceremony proceeded without incident. Xiao Yu, dressed in a dark black imperial robe, stood on the steps. Ceremonial music and bells rang, and the golden light falling from the sky illuminated the golden dragon scale pattern that snaked from Xiao Yu's chest to his cuffs. He stood before the majestic hall, solemnly and respectfully accepting the grand ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows from the court officials.
Wei Shuang led the way and knelt down: "Your subject Wei Shuang pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
The courtiers kowtowed in unison, but Xiao Yu's eyes were only on Wei Shuang kneeling at his feet.
"You will protect me, right?" Xiao Yu asked in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
"Yes, I would gladly die for you." Wei Shuang raised her eyes, her voice firm and resolute.
Xiao Yu stepped forward and personally helped Wei Shuang up, smiling as he squeezed Wei Shuang's wrist: "Uncle, there's no need for such formalities."
After the ceremony, the officials were rewarded.
Having just arrived and being emperor for the first time, Xiao Yu didn't recognize anyone. He couldn't rely on anyone at the moment, so he could only put on a kind smile and stand aside, bowing repeatedly, his peach blossom eyes curving into fox eyes.
With everything settled, the assembled officials once again bowed and knelt in unison.
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!
The event was grand and the drums and gongs resounded.
They escorted Xiao Yu back to his bedchamber for dinner.
The ceremony had ended long ago. Xiao Yu was dressed in casual clothes, her long, black hair cascading down to her waist, but the daytime clamor still echoed in her ears.
Xiao Yu bit her chopsticks, staring blankly at the banquet table.
The occasional wide grin from his lips sent chills down Feng Shun's spine, who was serving him, and a bad feeling began to rise in his heart.
"Your Majesty, the soup is getting cold. Shall I get you another bowl?" Feng Shun asked tentatively.
"Okay." Xiao Yu smiled and handed over the bowl, receiving a bowl of greasy, thick soup.
Xiao Yu sniffed it and drank it all in one gulp.
Feng Shun pushed the side dishes that helped cut through the greasiness towards Xiao Yu.
His young prince… no, his emperor has always had a light palate, disliking greasy and meaty foods. Every month, the imperial physicians would come to take his pulse and would say that the young prince was weak and cold, and needed more nourishment. But Xiao Yu never listened. He would only taste a small sip of the carefully prepared soup and never touch it again. Today… today…
There must be a reason for this unusual situation!
Let him find out!
"I want more." Xiao Yu offered his bowl to Feng Shun.
"Another bowl of soup?" Feng Shun took the bowl in disbelief.
"I want meat too." Xiao Yu stared longingly at the large pork knuckle placed furthest away.
Xiao Yu usually eats little, so Feng Shun didn't dare to give him more, but after careful consideration, he gave him another half bowl.
Xiao Yu ate one bite after another, accepting everything offered, and soon the bowl was empty.
Your Majesty's haul for today: two and a half large pork knuckles, three bowls of rich medicinal chicken soup, some vegetarian dishes, and a bowl of rice.
"Should we stop?" Feng Shun counted anxiously, and when Xiao Yu finally put down the bowl, Feng Shun asked uncertainly.
"Mmm, I'm full." Xiao Yu slumped in the chair, satisfied.
Feng Shun: "..."
So happy that I couldn't tell the difference between hunger and fullness, and ate until I was stuffed.
How could she be so happy?! She was even throwing a tantrum the day she received the imperial edict...
Feng Shun was an old servant who had served Xiao Yu's mother for over ten years in the palace, experiencing many ups and downs. However, he rose through the ranks alongside Xiao Yu, and he was the first to weather the storms around the emperor.
Becoming emperor is a great joy for anyone, but His Majesty has grown up carefree since childhood and is now even more controlled than when he was outside the palace, yet he is still so optimistic.
Inside the palace, there are sharp blades everywhere that can kill without shedding blood. His pure white little prince has now been pushed to a high position and has become a coveted prize... Feng Shun sighed with worry.
I don't know whether to be happy or sad.
"Is someone in the palace making things difficult for you again?" Xiao Yu suddenly stood up, his eyes filled with barely concealed malice.
“His Majesty is now the Emperor, who would dare to make things difficult for us?” Feng Shun sighed again.
“That’s right, I am now the Emperor, they wouldn’t dare.” Xiao Yu walked to the bronze mirror, his amber eyes looking as usual. Recalling Wei Shuang’s fearless gaze inside the carriage, he blinked and returned to his harmless appearance.
From birth, Xiao Yu's eyes were different from ordinary people's; her amber-like golden pupils were set in her beautiful face, like scattered gold dust, making her extremely beautiful.
With such good looks, she should have been favored, but because of a word about an ominous monster, she was disliked by the late emperor. Only with the strong protection of her mother was Xiao Yu able to be raised in the palace until she was eight years old.
When he was eight years old, his mother died in the heavy snow. After that, the rumors about the monster intensified, and people in and out of the palace were all afraid of him.
He was moved out of the palace, and only his nanny who had watched him grow up and Feng Shun dared to stay with him.
His nanny was gone when the rebels stormed in, leaving him with only Feng Shun as a trustworthy confidant. And now, the bewildered Wei Shuang has appeared out of nowhere…
The scent of Wei Shuangxin flashed through Xiao Yu's mind.
When it's sweet and refreshing, it tastes just like the peach blossom wine that my mother secretly kept in her palace.
Xiao Yu blinked twice at the bronze mirror, then hopped and sat down on the edge of the dragon bed.
Wei Shuang, a beautiful name, and a very beautiful person.
It smells very good.
——
Before I knew it, it was already late at night.
"Your Majesty, it's time to rest." Feng Shun came in carrying tea for rinsing the mouth.
“Feng Shun…” Xiao Yu’s figure was hidden in the dim light, with only his golden eyes reflecting the candlelight.
“I…” Xiao Yu turned around, saw the worried look on Feng Shun’s face, and swallowed his words back, “I’m going to sleep now.”
Xiao Yu had been living in the palace for some time, and the layout of the Hall of Mental Cultivation had long been changed to his liking. But tonight, having secured his position as emperor, he couldn't sleep soundly after entering the imperial tent.
Xiao Yu woke up intermittently two or three times, tossing and turning, unable to fall back asleep after many attempts. He finally lifted the curtain and got up.
As soon as the bed made a sound, Feng Shun, who had been squatting nearby on night watch, immediately straightened his hat and poked his worried head out at Xiao Yu.
"Your Majesty, is there something you wish to say to this old servant?"
Feng Gonggong's high-pitched, shrill voice completely dashed Xiao Yu's hopes of going back to sleep.
"I can't sleep." Xiao Yu climbed out of bed and squatted down next to Feng Shun, as if she were outside the palace.
"Alas! I haven't been able to sleep for many days either." Inside the bedroom, where no one was, Feng Shun moved the whisk draped over his arm. "Your Majesty, this old servant is not good at speaking, but having served you for so long, I can't help but ramble on. Now that you hold a high position, you can no longer refer to yourself as such."
Xiao Yu smiled at the worried Feng Shun: "I understand."
Feng Shun felt dizzy, and he vaguely saw a tail wagging behind Xiao Yu.
Why are you still laughing?
"Whom did Your Majesty meet today?" Feng Shun asked.
Xiao Yu lowered his head and smiled shyly, "Actually, it's nothing. I just gained a virtuous minister. You know, right? Wei Shuang, the leader of the soldiers who stormed into the courtyard and rescued me. Father Emperor made him assist in governing and appointed him as regent. Today, during the coronation ceremony, he knelt down before me and said he would protect me. His incense smells very nice, like peach blossom wine."
Putting aside the Regent's reputation as a ruthless and decisive ruler, even if we take a step back, what legitimate monarch would spend his days releasing incense and let the undifferentiated Emperor smell it?
Two large warnings about "treacherous officials" suddenly flashed through Feng Shun's mind.
Someone is shamelessly trying to seduce His Majesty in broad daylight!
"Your Majesty, no matter how sweet the Regent Prince Xinxiang may be, he is still a corrupt ruler," Feng Shun gently reminded him.
If she is a concubine, it is not appropriate to bring her into the harem as a consort; His Majesty cannot like her!
Xiao Yu tilted his head, raised his hand and clenched his fist: "I know that apart from Gan Jun, it is difficult to grow up to be like Wei Shuang. After I differentiate in a few years, I should also be as majestic as her."
Ideally, he should be a head taller than Wei Shuang so he could pull her into his arms.
Feng Shun choked: "..."
It was originally my own heart.
But Feng Shun couldn't help but add a reminder: "The Regent's feelings for His Majesty are probably not those of a loyal subject."
"Let's not talk about Wei Shuang anymore. I ate a bit too much tonight and I think I have indigestion. I'd like to go for a walk." Xiao Yu stood up and clapped his hands.
"Then this servant will go and light the lamp for His Majesty." Sensing that things were not so simple, Feng Shun frowned. He did the simple task of adjusting the wick absentmindedly, and the candlelight flickered, blurring Xiao Yu's shadow.
——
The Hall of Mental Cultivation is some distance from the Imperial Garden. Xiao Yu headed north, and under the empty palace walls, a few palace lanterns were sparsely lit. He walked through the long corridor with its vermilion brick walls and glazed tiles, bathed in the cool light of the spring night, and quietly sneezed.
Feng Shun quickly wrapped the cloak draped over Xiao Yu's arm.
"It's only freezing cold in early spring, please wear another layer of clothing."
"It's alright, I..."
"The new emperor is so handsome. I secretly peeked at him today, and he's as beautiful as a jade statue. When will I be able to look like that..."
"You're incredibly audacious! Secretly comparing and gossiping about His Majesty behind his back—aren't you courting death?!"
Whispers of palace servants on night duty could be heard coming from outside the palace walls.
Xiao Yu stopped and put her index finger to her lips.
Feng Shun immediately slowed his pace and held his breath.
"His Majesty was previously kept outside the palace, but now he has been brought back and is under the control of the Regent. He is a pitiful person. I heard that this general is a ruthless killer. How could His Majesty, such a beautiful woman, possibly fight against him..."
Upon hearing news related to Wei Shuang, Xiao Yu signaled Feng Shun to blow out the candle, while he tiptoed closer to the vermilion wall. Just then, he heard that bold voice speak again.
"On the day of the incident, Xiao Liu was on duty before the Emperor. He said that His Majesty's name was not originally on the late Emperor's will, but after the Regent brought His Majesty into the palace, he forced the late Emperor to add His Majesty's name. Before His Majesty entered the palace, rumors were rampant that the Regent was also involved in treasonous activities, and that the current Emperor had also obtained the throne improperly..."
Another, more composed voice promptly interrupted.
"Shh! Little Six can't even read, and he loves to listen to nonsense. Don't spread such unfounded rumors. His Majesty survived the rebel attack on the city; that's a blessing from heaven. If others hear you saying this, neither of us will see the sun rise tomorrow!"
"There's no one here at night. Everyone's saying that His Majesty isn't the only heir to the throne who survived. It's precisely because His Majesty's eyes are abnormal that the Regent can easily control him..."
"Cough cough cough!" Seeing Xiao Yu's face getting darker and darker, Feng Shun lit up the lantern and coughed violently several times.
The two palace servants on night duty instinctively covered their mouths and stared wide-eyed.
"Hey! If you're on night duty, then stop spouting nonsense! Slap yourself!" Feng Shun calmly stood in front of the two men, holding the candle handle.
In front of Feng Shun, Xiao Yuliang stood with half his body exposed, his golden eyes reflecting the candlelight like a wild beast waiting to be hunted.
Who else in the palace, besides the new emperor, could have such eyes? The two girls turned pale instantly and knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly.
"This servant shouldn't have spoken so carelessly! Please forgive me, Your Majesty! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Xiao Yu said in a low voice, "Feng Shun."
Feng Shunxin understood and used the palace lantern to lift the heads of the two girls up.
"My ascension to the throne is illegitimate?" Xiao Yu smiled, his eyebrows curving upwards. "Then let whoever wants to be emperor be emperor! I'm happy to be a carefree prince."
As long as any of his brothers were still alive, he would naturally be happy to abdicate.
But, is anyone still alive?
Xiao Yu smiled warmly, but it frightened the two girls so much that their faces turned as white as paper, their bodies trembling, and they wished they could smash their heads back to the ground. Fortunately, Feng Shun's hands blocked them.
"The coronation ceremony has just ended, and so many rumors are already disturbing the peace of me and the Regent." These were just a few unintentional gossips, which Xiao Yu had heard countless times since he was a child. He didn't take them to heart. He was more concerned about Wei Shuang, who was closely tied to him in the story. "I think it's because Wei Shuang won my favor first, and someone is jealous."
In this vast imperial city, it turns out I'm not the only one caught in the vortex of rumors.
Xiao Yu yawned.
"Let's go, Feng Shun. Take them with you and go back to your bedchamber."
"Aren't you going to thank me!" Feng Shun waved his whisk.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing our lives! Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing our lives!" The two little girls hugged each other, relieved to have survived the ordeal.
——
Daylight broke.
The setting sun pierced through the window early, carrying with it the chirping of Wei Shuang.
However, by the time of Chenshi (7-9 AM), Wei Shuang had already arrived at the Yangxin Hall to pay her respects.
Xiao Yu paused for a moment, then irritably crawled out of the covers with her hair all frizzy.
"You don't hold court in the morning, so why bother me so early? Are you trying to freeload on the palace breakfast?" Xiao Yu was in a bad mood because he hadn't slept well last night.
After a whole night of deep thought, Xiao Yu happily accepted the premise that she and Wei Shuang were in a situation where they were dealing with a tiger for its skin. However, after being woken up early this morning, Xiao Yu decided to temporarily unilaterally tear up the alliance agreement.
Xiao Yu looked up irritably and saw Wei Shuang carrying Feng Shun under her arm as they barged into the inner room.
"It is past Chenshi (7-9 AM), Your Majesty should rise."
What happened at Chen Shi (7-9 AM)? He didn't get up until after Si Shi (9-11 AM) outside the palace!
A note from the author:
----------------------
Cat: [Angry]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com