The aroma of wine wafted through Wei Shuang's robes as they rested at noon.
He did take a break, but he rested on the gleaming floor of the Imperial Study.
Neither his attempts to escape with snacks nor his attempts to escape with clothes worked. Xiao Yu couldn't win against Wei Shuang, so he kept a straight face and patiently yawned one after another beside Wei Shuang.
"Snacks, they'll keep you awake." Xiao Yu bargained, rubbing her red eyes.
Wei Shuang had no choice but to have Xiao Yu stand aside to calm down, and then sent a palace eunuch to the imperial kitchen to fetch the snacks that Xiao Yu had been longing for.
When the snacks arrived, Xiao Yu showed no enthusiasm whatsoever. Instead, she held a plate of delicate peach blossom-patterned snacks and chewed listlessly with a blank expression.
The pastries were dry and hard to swallow, so Xiao Yu ordered another pot of tea. He pretended to hold several unread greeting documents in his hands and sat down next to Wei Shuang like a rustling mouse.
The greetings were long and boring, mostly repetitive. Xiao Yu was reading them carefully at first, but after a while, he started playing the role of a chick pecking at rice, with his head, which was covered in loose black hair, bobbing his head against the plate of pastries, determined to expand the area of pastry crumbs on his nose to his entire face.
Wei Shuang couldn't stand it anymore and cleared her throat.
Xiao Yu shuddered, picked up the greeting letter again, and put it in her mouth—
Wei Shuang: "..."
Forget it, old habits die hard, and you can't rush it.
Wei Shuang focused on dealing with the mess that had accumulated over the two days of rest and didn't pay attention to Xiao Yu beside her. She only heard a thud at her feet, followed by the sound of even breathing.
Xiao Yu swayed and struggled for a while before finally collapsing between the open pages of the book. Clutching the empty plate of snacks in her hand, her tightly closed eyes no longer held the shrewdness of her previous schemes.
No one knows what beautiful dream the young emperor was having, but he would smack his lips from time to time, like a docile cat after a satisfying meal.
"..." Wei Shuang became mesmerized as he watched. After struggling for a long time, he finally managed to tear his gaze away from the exquisite face that had inherited the features of the Liang royal family. He sighed softly and draped his outer robe over Xiao Yu's waist.
He's quite clever when he's awake, but he's so unguarded when he's asleep. I wonder how Xiao Yu grew up so much while he was away from the palace all these years.
The fast-sleeping Xiao Yu paid no attention to any of this. He smelled the wine scent on Wei Shuang's body and slept the best sleep he had ever had since becoming emperor. He was not awakened by hunger until dinner time.
Not very hungry, Xiao Yu reluctantly opened his eyes a crack to look at the scene inside the hall. The hall was slightly dim. Xiao Yu subconsciously tugged at the robe in his hand and turned over, but instead produced a slightly heavy breathing sound.
Xiao Yu suddenly opened his eyes, instantly becoming fully awake, and awkwardly loosened his grip on the crumpled purple python robe.
...He not only fell asleep, but also used Wei Shuang's outer robe as a blanket!
Xiao Yu sat up abruptly, trying to smooth out the hem of his purple robe, which was already wrinkled beyond recognition.
Wei Shuang continued to work diligently, seemingly oblivious to everything else. The small folding paper offerings on the table remained standing, while the large mountain beside the table had become a small hill.
Xiao Yu felt embarrassed and didn't want to stay in the imperial study any longer, a place that would make him feel awkward just thinking about it. He coughed lightly and looked at the slanting sunlight shining through the half-closed door: "I...I'm hungry."
"Alright, Your Majesty, please wait a moment." Wei Shuang put down her pen, rubbed her throbbing temples, and handed a handkerchief and a delicate little bronze mirror to Xiao Yu, who had just woken up.
Xiao Yu accepted it without understanding why.
After seeing his reflection in the bronze mirror, his face suddenly flushed red.
The water stains at the corners of the mouth are the least of the problems; the biggest issue is that half of the cheek is covered in crumbs!
What kind of sleeping potion did that traitor Wei Shuang spray on herself that made me fall asleep like this?
Xiao Yu turned her back with feigned indifference, using the reflection in the mirror to peek at Wei Shuang, who was busy behind her. Seeing that Wei Shuang's expression was normal, still with a deadpan look, Xiao Yu finally felt relieved and unfolded the handkerchief in her hand, which was stained with the scent of wine, to shake off the crumbs of pastry on her cheeks.
They're quite sensible. I won't silence them for now. Let Wei Shuang atone for her crimes by helping me with state affairs.
Xiao Yu rubbed her slightly numb calves as she stood up. Turning around, she was surprised to find that the mountain of work piled up on the table had been flattened. Standing to the side, Xiao Yu was increasingly satisfied with Wei Shuang's work efficiency...
"These are all that's left. These memorials may seem insignificant, but they are actually inquiries about Your Majesty's safety. Because I am by Your Majesty's side, they are worried day and night that I might do something disloyal to Your Majesty, which is why there are so many. Therefore, Your Majesty needs to reply to them personally." Wei Shuang arranged the remaining memorials into a neat stack.
Satisfied my foot!
Xiao Yu stood there, stunned: "You just said it so casually?"
This made the courtiers' suspicions seem unnecessary.
It also makes me seem very suspicious.
Even if Wei Shuang really wanted to be good to me, she shouldn't have forced me to swallow the secret medicine in that manner.
However, now they've presented me with a jade tiger carving that's exactly the same as the dolls my mother and I embroidered...
Xiao Yu, displaying the magnanimity of a ruler, completely forgave Wei Shuang's previous offense.
“If His Majesty does not reply promptly, there will only be more and more memorials like this in the future,” Wei Shuang continued nonchalantly.
"I will certainly review them carefully!"
Xiao Yu was jolted awake and immediately came to his senses. Reluctantly, he summoned Feng Shun and sent the newly acquired dirty item back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to help him sleep.
Although there was an extra pile of memorials, there was also good news: Xiao Yu had temporarily confirmed Wei Shuang's sincere loyalty.
The regent is scheming for power, but he won't kill me. Wei Shuang might even want me to assume personal rule as soon as possible.
"I really will see it, Wei Shuang. Come to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and have dinner with me." After pretending to be lazy with Wei Shuang all afternoon, Xiao Yu felt guilty and even more guilty. He covered his empty stomach and took the initiative to eat.
Wei Shuang frowned and waved her hand: "...That's against etiquette."
"Yes, you helped me review the memorials, and I gave my uncle a banquet. It's a good thing." Giving Wei Shuang a banquet was not only to make up for the previous neglect, but also to satisfy the curiosity that had been lingering in Xiao Yu's heart—whether Wei Shuang really wanted to eat three or four bowls of rice.
"Then I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness." Since the emperor's words were so gentle, Wei Shuang had no choice but to follow Xiao Yu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
A sumptuous feast has been laid out on the table.
Xiao Yu said he wanted to give up, but every time he saw Wei Shuang's figure, which was over eight feet tall, he couldn't help but compare himself to her. Then he would start to regret that his own body was too slender and weak to control Wei Shuang, the adopted son who had been separated from him for many years.
I heard that when Wei Shuang passed the imperial examination at the age of seventeen, she already looked exactly the same as she does now, leaving her little time to develop further.
As soon as they sat down, Xiao Yu gestured to Feng Shun to add a bowl of rice to Wei Shuang's plate.
"Wei Shuang has helped me a lot today, so please eat more." Xiao Yu smiled innocently.
Wei Shuang looked away: "Don't talk while eating."
"..." He truly is a ruthless and decisive god of war, utterly devoid of any romantic understanding.
Xiao Yu picked up the newly added thick soup in her hand with a sullen expression, sipping it slowly. In the intervals between lifting the bowl, Xiao Yu's gaze remained fixed on Wei Shuang's face.
A moment later, Xiao Yu opened her mouth wide in surprise.
While Xiao Yu was drinking a bowl of thick soup, Wei Shuang had already devoured a bowl of deliberately extra white rice. The food prepared on the table was also noticeably empty, and... Wei Shuang was still not full. He held out his empty rice bowl to Feng Shun.
It means to add another bowl.
Feng Shun stood to the side serving food to the two, and was unusually busy. In order to accommodate Wei Shuang's eating speed, he almost overlooked the dawdling and leisurely Emperor across from him.
Xiao Yu had some afternoon snacks and wasn't very hungry, but seeing Wei Shuang's chopsticks moving so fast they were practically flying off the shelf, his stomach couldn't help but growl twice. He possessively snatched the last chicken leg from the jade plate and, not wanting to be left behind, also ordered a large bowl of rice.
Seeing that the plate on the table was getting emptier and emptier, Xiao Yu forgot to be picky and quickened her eating speed, fighting with Wei Shuang for food on the plate. As a result, she ate until she was so full that she could hardly stand up before she suddenly realized what was going on.
Why should I compare myself to Wei Shuang in this regard?
Wei Shuang had already started reaching for a third bowl.
Xiao Yu curled her lip.
No more comparisons. It must be that the General's Mansion is so poor that they can't afford to eat. Wei Shuang came to the palace early that morning to freeload breakfast, and he was so rude because I refused to give it to him.
Xiao Yu put down her chopsticks with a reserved air, changed her mood, rested her chin on her hand, and watched Wei Shuang continue to devour her food.
The table full of food was completely devoured. Wei Shuang finally put down her chopsticks. The plates were so cleaned that Xiao Yu inexplicably felt he hadn't been properly entertained. He frowned, hesitated, and then spoke, "Are you full? I'll have the imperial kitchen bring you some more, Feng Shun..."
"I have finished eating," Wei Shuang hurriedly stood up to report, her face still showing no other emotion, but Xiao Yu keenly heard a small burp.
Hmph, it turns out he was just putting on a brave face.
Just one night later, it was Xiao Yu who was forced to stay put.
Perhaps because he was about to personally attend court, Xiao Yu hadn't slept a wink last night. After dealing with the mess on the table with great energy, he tossed and turned on the dragon bed all night.
Before dawn, Xiao Yu sat down on the dragon bed in a daze, her haggard face nearly scaring Feng Shun out of his wits.
"Your Majesty, have you not slept a wink all night?" Feng Shun asked worriedly, handing over a towel to wipe his face.
"It's all Wei Shuang's fault, she made me have indigestion again." Xiao Yu dejectedly took the mouthwash, closed his eyes, and spat it into the basin.
Xiao Yu changed into his dragon robe in a daze, then drifted out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and stumbled into the sedan chair that was already waiting outside the hall.
A chilly breeze blew, and Xiao Yu barely mustered his spirits, swaying pretentiously as he climbed onto the dragon throne high above.
The court officials were already waiting in the hall. Xiao Yu only glanced at them briefly before distinguishing between the military officers and the civil officials.
Xiao Yu's gaze swept across the ranks of civil officials for a long time before she finally managed to let go of her obsession with Wei Shuang's figure.
There are many court officials who are nearly eight feet tall, but compared to Wei Shuang, they are all frail and delicate, confined in their loose court robes, and they resemble me by about 80%.
In order to stop suffering from insomnia, Xiao Yu secretly put aside her immature idea of binge eating.
Having a meal is having a meal, not being tortured.
After observing the civil officials, Xiao Yu searched with great interest for Wei Shuang among the military officers, but to no avail.
Alright, I've caught you red-handed!
On my first day of regency, the Regent Prince is blatantly late! He clearly doesn't respect me at all—
"His Majesty."
The familiar aroma of wine and the cold voice rang in his ears at the same time. Xiao Yu turned his head and saw the Regent's chair placed a few meters below the dragon throne, on which sat the honest and unassuming Wei Shuang.
Xiao Yu: "..."
What a vicious location, in my blind spot!
Another waft of the aroma of wine drifted by, and Xiao Yu forced himself not to yawn.
"All...ha...all my beloved subjects, rise...rise."
Xiao Yu wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and he was certain again that Wei Shuang's incense was indeed poisonous.
Smelling it will cause me to fall into a coma uncontrollably.
A note from the author:
----------------------
Wei Shuang's trust level with His Majesty is steadily rising. [Cat emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
