Chapter 6
After rewarding him with the zither, the four treasures of the study, and the privilege of entering the Imperial Library, he ordered some small trinkets to be brought. Ling Huanchen's zither and paintings alone were priceless, and any amount of precious treasures would be enough to reward him.
"Your Majesty, I am very pleased with it."
Yu Xi took his hand and led him to sit at the round table. Yun He and Xiao Qi exchanged a glance, even chuckling in unison, before quickly packing up their things and retreating.
"Your Majesty, it's time for dinner." Fu Changshi said afterwards.
"Bring it over here." When he said this, Ling Huanchen's hand was still held in his palm.
The king had given the order, so no one cared where to eat. In a short while, the palace servants brought the meal to Ling Huanchen's bedroom.
Ling Huanchen was holding his hand, and he couldn't shake it back or pull it back, so he had to maintain this position and let Yu Xi hold his hand.
Yu Xi closed his eyes slightly, as if resting his mind, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the back of the man's hand. This was a gesture he usually did, except that now there was another hand in his palm, and the touch was delicate and soft, so he couldn't help but hold it for a while longer.
Unlike those who practice martial arts or do rough work, Ling Huanchen's hands are as soft as cream and as boneless as a bone, making people not want to let go once they hold them.
The meal had been served, but Yu Xi hadn't asked anyone to serve. Ling Huanchen looked down at his left hand.
He had indeed never tried picking up food with his left hand.
Just when Ling Huanchen was hesitating, Yu Xi had already opened her eyes and turned her gaze to him, as if she could see what was bothering him. She paused her hand, then loosened it, immediately relieving Ling Huanchen's troubles.
Before the dishes were served, a shrimp suddenly appeared on the glass plate in front of him. Ling Huanchen was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Yu Xi, only to see that Yu Xi had already moved on to pick up other dishes as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Um."
Yu Xi's expression was impassive. He picked up a piece of fish with his silver chopsticks and put it into his mouth, but he couldn't taste it. The last time he served food to someone else was when he was taking care of his younger brother as a child. It had been over ten years.
Now, the young prince of the merman tribe beside him was to his liking from appearance to talent. Since he wanted her to stay by his side and be his, he naturally had to treat her well. But when it came to how to treat people well, Yu Xi really seemed a little unfamiliar.
If it were in the past, Ling Huanchen would only try to guess the king's intentions, but now he knew that the King of Youcheng was just expressing goodwill in an awkward way.
The already clear eyes were tinged with a smile, and the gaze that could not be ignored made Yu Xi feel a little strange in her heart.
It was as if someone had looked at him like that many years ago.
Fu Changshi waited at the door until dinner was over but Yu Xi showed no sign of leaving. He immediately turned around and ordered his servants to bring over all the memorials that needed to be reviewed.
This was the first time Yu Xi wasn't in the study to handle government affairs. Fu Changshi had to once again look at Ling Huanchen with new eyes. He kept an eye on the goings-on in the room, ready to be summoned at any time.
Yu Xi would often review memorials late into the night. If there were many, he would never put off work until the next day. This was inherently harmful to his health, but the palace attendants dared not disturb him and stayed with him until he had finished reviewing the memorials.
A breeze blew through the half-open window, causing the red candle to flicker, its light and shadow casting a shadow on Yu Xi's slightly sharp eyebrows. The man holding the memorial was completely unaware, as a pile of unread memorials remained on the desk.
Ling Huanchen thought to himself, if I finish reading it, it will probably be almost dawn. Even if Yu Xi is in good health, this is not the way to use it.
"Your Majesty, go to bed early." He said it out loud as he thought about it.
The room was extremely quiet. The palace servants at the door heard his words clearly and were all worried for him.
No one dared to criticize the king, not even to remind him. Perhaps this newly arrived young prince of the merman tribe had become a little spoiled and confused about his own status.
Yu Xi raised her head and met Ling Huanchen's concerned gaze. After a pause, she realized that it was already late at night.
"Come in."
Fu Changshi hurried in and asked, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
"Take the memorial back to the study and review it tomorrow."
Fu Changshi was shocked and without caring about anything else, he hurriedly ordered people to move the piles of memorials away.
Ling Huanchen bowed behind him and said, "Farewell, Your Majesty."
Yu Xi responded indifferently, walked out of the room and went straight to the bedroom.
The palace servants following behind were dumbfounded. There was no punishment, no scolding, and not even a hint of displeasure. Who exactly was this little prince of the mermaid clan?
As soon as Yu Xi left, Xiao Qi and Yun He returned to the house. They had been guarding the door together, not daring to disturb the king until he left. Even when they were sleepy, they didn't dare go to sleep. On the one hand, they were afraid of the king, and on the other, they were worried about Ling Huanchen.
When the king was around, they were worried that Ling Huanchen would be punished for not serving them well enough, but when the king left, they started to worry about other things.
"Master, please have some water." Xiao Qi poured a cup of hot water and handed it over, glancing out the door from time to time.
As Yun He made the bed, he said, "It's already three o'clock in the morning, Master, please go to bed early."
Ling Huanchen looked at Xiao Qi with a puzzled expression and said with a smile, "What are you thinking about?"
Xiao Qi retracted his gaze and said, "I was wondering why the king left." Logically speaking, with such a beautiful woman by his side, having dinner here, and even the memorials in this batch, he should have stayed here to sleep.
Ling Huanchen didn't understand what he meant. "Your Majesty, go back to sleep. What is there to be confused about?"
"I am saying that it is already late at night. No matter how you look at it, the king should stay to favor the master. It is written in the storybook that we can spend the night in the warm hibiscus tent." Xiao Qi spoke with certainty, as if he was very experienced.
Ling Huanchen choked before he could swallow a mouthful of water.
“Ahem…”
Xiao Qi hurriedly calmed him down, "Master, what's wrong with you? Let me pour you another glass of water."
Ling Huanchen waved his hands, his cheeks red from coughing, tears in the corners of his eyes.
Before Ling Huanchen could speak, Yun He finished making the bed and came over. "What nonsense are you talking about? You are being disrespectful to the master."
Ling Huanchen nodded slightly, thinking that Yun He was still steady.
"Don't worry, my master. You are the only one in the king's harem, and you will stay to sleep sooner or later. Although the king has never favored anyone else, he is a man after all. He is in the prime of his life, and he can't help himself with a beautiful woman in his arms." Yun He comforted him earnestly.
Her cheeks were just flushed just now, but after Yun He's words, Ling Huanchen felt as if he was being steamed in a pot.
He was overthinking it. Who said Yunhe was steady?
After this night, the palace was divided on Yu Xi's attitude toward Ling Huanchen. Some were convinced the king doted on the young mermaid, agreeing to sleep with her after hearing her words, a rare gesture. Others, however, asserted that the king's refusal to retain her favor clearly indicated his lack of interest. The king's visit was a fluke, and there was no guarantee he would go a second time.
However, while they were making wild guesses, Yu Xi once again stepped into Ling Huanchen's bedroom. This time, she was not there to have a meal with him, but to play chess with him.
Ever since Ling Huanchen showed his prowess in music and painting, Yu Xi wanted to continue exploring his other talents, such as chess.
The two of them sat at opposite ends of the chessboard, Yu Xi holding the black pieces, Ling Huanchen the white. Black and white each occupied their respective sides of the board, neither yielding. The game had lasted from the early afternoon until sunset, and the outcome was still undecided.
It was originally a mind-consuming task, but Yu Xi became more and more interested in it. Looking around Youcheng, only the Prime Minister could compete with him, and now there was one more person.
Throughout the entire game, Yu Xi basically attacked more than defended, while Ling Huanchen defended more than attacked. Their playing styles complemented and counteracted each other, and it was difficult to tell who was better.
"This game is considered... a draw." Yu Xi placed the last piece and said with a little joy.
The game was finally over. If Yu Xi hadn't announced the result, they would have had to play chess all night longer.
Ling Huanchen reached out to collect the chess piece, but suddenly a large palm covered him.
"Just let them collect it."
Meeting a worthy opponent, Yu Xi was in high spirits, yet inexplicably felt a pang of regret. If Ling Huanchen hadn't been born as a tribute, with his talent, he would have surely become a civil servant and would have immediately won the top spot in the imperial examination.
"My dear, your hands are a little cold."
Ling Huanchen felt the thin calluses and warmth on Yu Xi's palm, and felt a little reluctant to leave.
"I have a cold constitution, so I feel this way all year round."
"So that's how it is. Having you by my side in the middle of summer will cool you down more than ice." Although Yu Xi joked, she didn't let go of him. Her palm completely covered him. Even though Ling Huanchen was cold, he seemed to feel a little warmth.
Could it be that this person is using him as a summer escape...
"My dear, do you know what day it will be in three days?"
Ling Huanchen frowned and thought carefully, and suddenly remembered something.
Three days later will be the seventh-yearly sacrifice day.
"I don't know."
Yu Xi was in a good mood and patiently explained, "In three days, Youcheng will hold a sacrifice ceremony. This king will lead all the civil and military officials to Qingtian Temple to offer sacrifices and pray for blessings. You will see the people of Youcheng lining the streets to welcome us. It will be quite lively."
Ling Huanchen knew that Yu Xi did not believe in gods or Buddhas, but he still had to follow the etiquette passed down in Youcheng over the years.
He remembered that when he first accompanied the sacrifice, a serious incident occurred. Although it was a close call, he could not relax.
He had to get Yu Xi to allow him to go with her.
Before he could speak, Yu Xi spoke first, "Are you interested in going with me?"
It's really like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Ling Huanchen smiled faintly and said, "I am willing to go with the king."
Accompanying the king out of the palace is no small matter, let alone participating in such a grand event as a sacrifice. Careful consideration must be given to everything from clothing to accessories.
As soon as Yu Xi came up with the idea, the Sizhifang sent two maids over, one to make detailed preparations for Ling Huanchen from head to toe, and the other to teach the palace maids in his room how to do needlework.
Ling Huanchen only had one maid, so all the needlework fell on Yunhe without exception.
Seeing Yunhe sitting with the nanny, learning needle and thread very well, Ling Huanchen walked over to her and glanced at the embroidery pattern on the handkerchief.
Xiao Qi couldn't help but be curious and leaned over. After seeing it clearly, she frowned in embarrassment, "Sister Ah He, what are you embroidering?"
Yun He glanced at him and asked, "How can you not see it's so obvious?"
Xiao Qi shook his head like a rattle. Forgive his poor eyesight, but he really couldn't see what was going on.
"Just say you have no vision, the master will definitely be able to see it." After saying that, Yun Hezhen looked at Ling Huanchen with a pair of hopeful eyes.
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Continue Thursday night~
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