Chapter 69 Birthday Gift: "The winter is cold, and I cannot bear to let the wind hurt you."
"Then, then I'll trust you one more time." Yao Ruyi tried to suppress the smile on her lips, but she couldn't.
"Hmm, then trust me one more time."
Because of the emperor's words, Yao Ruyi kept staring at him all day the next day. From the moment she woke up, her expectant and joyful eyes would frequently sweep over the emperor's gaze.
Gu Huizhou's heart softened at the sight.
"Study hard, I'll come back to keep you company later."
Gu Huizhou walked halfway to the Imperial Study, then turned back to speak to someone, a smile playing on his lips and undisguised doting in his eyes.
"oh."
It turns out we have to wait until evening.
But Yao Ruyi couldn't help but laugh. He told him to wait until night, and he would wait until night.
"good."
He looked up and saw the emperor's large hand about to rub his earlobe again. Yao Ruyi tilted his head to avoid it. He grabbed Gu Huizhou's hands with both of his and patted them in a pretentious manner. "Then Your Majesty should carefully review the memorials."
A helpless laugh.
When did he become so reliant on a mushroom for advice on governance? The man thought to himself, but said aloud, "How about the Nineteenth Prince overseeing me?"
"Then I don't want it."
Why was the refusal so decisive?
Yao Ruyi nodded, "I still want to read books."
"Okay, go ahead." A light kiss landed on the corner of his mouth, and Gu Huizhou turned and left.
Yao Ruyi was in a good mood all day. He read one book after another in the library, but because he was always thinking about something, he didn't read as much as usual.
As dusk settled, Yao Ruyi's mind drifted further and further away from his book. He sighed, closed the book, and inwardly lamented his lack of focus.
"I only celebrate my birthday once a year, so I don't focus on this one time."
In less than a moment, Mushroom calmed himself down. He carefully placed the book on the shelf, slowly climbed down the ladder, and squatted down beside it for a while, munching on some pastries. "Is Gu Huizhou ready yet?"
He spent the whole day in the library and didn't see a man, whereas on ordinary days at this time, Gu Huizhou would be reviewing memorials.
"Why don't we go take a look..."
Yao Ruyi hesitated, and even the pastry at his lips lost its flavor. He hadn't eaten all day, and this was just delivered by Xiao Dezi, sent by Cui Xiangzhu.
It was the plum blossom pastry he tasted for the first time last year in the emperor's bedroom.
Winter is approaching again, and the plum blossoms will soon be in bloom.
Before he could figure it out, it had completely darkened outside the window. The dim light inside the library could only illuminate a small area, and the candlelight on the floor made Mushroom's small face appear fair and translucent.
The orange-red firelight made his hair appear slightly red, which then subtly blended into the red smudges behind his ears and temples.
If Gu Huizhou saw Yao Ruyi like this, he would definitely think that he was not some mushroom in human form, but a fox spirit in a storybook who came to capture people's hearts.
Thump thump thump—
He was alone in the library, lost in thought, seemingly preoccupied with something. Yao Ruyi was startled by the knock and quickly answered, "What is it?"
Outside the door stood Cui Xiangzhu, who always spoke with a smile, "Your Excellency the Nineteenth, it is this old servant."
"His Majesty has already returned to the Cloud Palace and instructed this old servant to summon you back."
Gu Huizhou has already gone back!
Yao Ruyi hurriedly stood up, almost bumping into the ladder in the process. "Okay."
Holding a pastry he had only eaten one or two pieces of, he hurried out the door, following the head eunuch in a very good mood. If he weren't still in the palace, he would have loved to run back.
"grown ups."
Cui Xiangzhu knew he could walk very fast, but he was finding it difficult to keep up with the Nineteenth Eunuch. The head eunuch hesitated, his gaze occasionally glancing at the plum blossom pastries that Xiao Dezi had just taken from him.
He remembered that the 19th Party Congress member used to love this dish the most, so why today...?
"But what's wrong with what the Imperial Kitchen made today? This old servant noticed that you barely ate any."
Yao Ruyi was taken aback. He turned his head away embarrassedly, and slowed down because of this. "I'm not hungry today, so I was reading more carefully."
Cui Xiangzhu breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm relieved to hear you say that, sir." He wanted to say something more, but seeing that they were about to reach the Cloud Palace after passing through the long corridor, he said, "Sir, please go back first. I have important matters to attend to."
"good."
Yao Ruyi didn't bother to ask Cui Xiangzhu what he was going to do. He looked at the bedchamber at the end of the corridor, where candles had already been lit, pursed his lips, and walked quickly toward it.
The closer he got to the bedchamber, the more cheerful he felt. Yao Ruyi seemed to have the same excitement he felt when he first transformed. He pushed open the door and saw that the man was already in the room, fiddling with his collar in front of the bronze mirror.
Yao Ruyi paused. Gu Huizhou hadn't dressed up this extravagantly in a long time. Although he usually loved wearing this red robe, these beads, jade ornaments, and earrings...
Gu Huizhou smiled, and he felt a surge of joy as he looked at him. "Gu Huizhou."
"You're back." The man said softly, reaching out to Yao Ruyi and beckoning her over.
Yao Ruyi stepped forward and was embraced in someone's arms. The image in the bronze mirror was dim and yellowish, making it impossible to discern reality from illusion. The gold and jade pendants on the man's ears were even more indistinct in the bronze mirror, appearing to gleam like candlelight and swaying from side to side with his movements.
Yao Ruyi felt dizzy from staring at it, so she stopped looking at that spot.
"How do I look today?"
"nice."
The emperor of the mighty Great Yun Kingdom was now somewhat like a brothel owner, chuckling, "I didn't have time to prepare for the Nineteenth Prince's birthday yesterday. So today I must make sure the Nineteenth Prince is happy."
Yao Ruyi's eyes crinkled with laughter, the throbbing of her left breast sending shivers down his spine. Leaning against her chest, his heart tingled with a ticklish feeling. "Okay."
"Okay, let's go then."
Where to?
Gu Huizhou put his arm around the man's shoulder and said, "Come with me, I'll take you to celebrate the Lord's birthday."
"good."
The two of them didn't leave the city this time, not even outside the palace gates. Yao Ruyi was led around the palace, and finally, looking at a tall building in front of him, he asked, "How come I've never been here before?"
"Heh." The emperor chuckled through his nose, gently stroking Yao Ruyi's earlobe twice, as if making up for the missed opportunity during the day. "This is my harem."
When do the leaders of the 19th Party Congress plan to come?
Yao Ruyi suddenly felt her face flush. "How should I know?"
“It’s not your fault, sir, but mine. It’s my fault for never bringing you here before. Well then, I’ll take you to see it now.” With that, Gu Huizhou reached out and grabbed the man’s wrist, taking a big step forward first.
The building looked to be seven or eight stories high. The guards on both sides bowed to Gu Huizhou, their heads fixed on the ground, not daring to lift their heads even slightly.
"good."
Yao Ruyi nodded. There were many tall buildings in the capital, and the brothel seemed to have four stories, but none could compare to the magnificence of this place. Red gauze curtains and tassels hung between the carved dragons and painted pillars, and the candlelight flickered dimly, leaving mottled shadows on the ground.
Watching my figure gradually blend into the enchanting candlelight, intertwining with the brilliant light and shadow.
Yao Ruyi softened her breathing.
He asked, "Why build such a tall building?" He had just looked outside the hall and saw the words "Yu Xing Ge" written on it.
"Naturally, it's to celebrate the birthday of the 19th Party Congress member."
The man lied without even blinking. Yao Ruyi scoffed; he didn't believe her.
With a smile in his voice, Gu Huizhou led his people slowly up the steps. The winter night wind howled, and his black and gold fox fur coat exuded indescribable majesty and nobility.
The man's back view alone was enough to make one want to bow down in submission, yet when he turned his head, he revealed an innocent look: "The old emperor built this tall building to please the women in the palace. From the top floor, one can see the grandeur of the entire palace."
His voice was slow, deep, and calm, “But before the building was completed, the old emperor died. I had it finished a few days ago.”
That's actually a bargain for him.
The seventh floor is the highest floor.
Mushroom had never seen the palace from this angle before. It had snowed all night yesterday. The snow covered the rooftops of the palaces, creating a continuous, cold white expanse, while eunuchs carried lanterns along the palace roads.
Looking at this scene from a high-rise building today, it's a blend of cold white and bright yellow against the dark night sky, outlining this magnificent palace.
He leaned on the railing and looked down. The guards below had become tiny figures, no bigger than a little finger, and he couldn't make them out clearly even after looking closely.
The emperor seemed worried that he was cold, so he wrapped him in his arms again. Mushroom was too lazy to say anything. He wasn't afraid of the cold, but he liked being held like this.
Even the oxygen seemed thinner up high up in the building, and Yao Ruyi could clearly feel her heart pounding wildly.
He nestled in the other's arms, reaching out to hold Gu Huizhou's hand. His hand wasn't as big as a man's, but with their fingers intertwined, it was as if he were holding Gu Huizhou's hand.
Gu Huizhou liked him like this, letting himself be held.
The two snuggled together and watched for a while. Then, Yao Ruyi whispered, "Are we going to stay here and watch forever?"
"Your Excellency is unwilling?"
“I’m not unwilling.” Yao Ruyi also enjoys being with people like this; he was just asking.
"Yes, I've always looked at it this way."
After saying that, bang—
High in the sky, a dazzling firework bursts forth. The red and blue halos, or perhaps the stars in the sky, suddenly change color, so bright it's blinding, a spectacle both magnificent and mesmerizing.
"It's fireworks!"
Originally, Yao Ruyi was sitting on a chair with someone holding his waist, but suddenly he stood up. This was the first time he had ever seen fireworks; he had only ever seen them in picture books before.
"It's even better than in the storybooks..."
He murmured to himself, seemingly forgetting that someone was beside him. He leaned on the railing, lost in the sight. The colors that could only be seen in spring were now concentrated in the sky, the hazy mist obscuring its original hues.
Like shattered silver metal, it appeared all over the sky after the yellow-green spring day. By this time, many people in the palace had seen the fireworks, and the cheers and shouts were faint but lively.
The moonlight flickered, and amidst the surging crowds on the palace path, a warm breath enveloped Yao Ruyi from behind. The warmth from his chest and the warmth from behind enveloped him, and at the same time, warmed his eyes.
Bang bang bang—
Fireworks and heartbeats danced in unison; it's unclear who lost their rhythm first.
"Today is your birthday, why are you crying?"
As Yao Ruyi turned around, bathed in an orange-red halo, the man was even more handsome than the sky, captivating all who beheld him.
The exhaled warm breath turns into wisps of white mist in winter, then vanishes in an instant.
"Bang bang bang—"
Fireworks continued to light up the sky behind them. Gu Huizhou asked, "Not going to watch anymore?"
"I want to see it."
Yao Ruyi turned her head to look again, but halfway through turning her head, just as she caught a glimpse of orange on top of the deep blue, a soft, warm touch was pressed against her lips.
"Hmm—"
Even the curve of her cheek was gently licked away, then covered by a warm, large seal. "The winter is cold, and I cannot bear to let the wind hurt you."
"Yao Ruyi, I love you dearly."
As he spoke, Gu Huizhou turned around and hugged the person's waist again, leaning against the railing himself. He lowered his head and kissed the person's neck, sucking gently.
"Hmm—"
My eyes got even redder, I don't know if it was from the heat or something else...
Yao Ruyi rested her chin on the man's shoulder, her hands involuntarily clinging to Gu Huizhou, the softness of the fox fur making it hard to find any support.
He could see the fireworks as soon as he looked up, his eyes filled with ever-changing colors, and the warmth and tingling sensation on his neck felt like he was drunk again.
The sky above was a dazzling display of silver and gold, just as described in poetry and literature.
"The wind blows down, and stars fall like rain."
He asked Wang Qianshan what it meant, and Wang Qianshan described the fireworks to him, saying that they had the roar of gunpowder exploding and the spectacular sight of shattered stars falling.
Amidst the surging crowd, Lord Xing embraced people, as if he had prematurely ushered in a glorious and prosperous era.
Gu Huizhou reached out and stroked his cheek until the fireworks behind him completely fell silent, and the world was once again left with only the last deep blue.
A man's voice murmured in her ear, "Happy birthday, Yao Ruyi."
————————
Note:
The east wind releases a thousand trees of flowers at night
More stars fell like rain.
Song Dynasty poet Xin Qiji's "Green Jade Table - Lantern Festival"
Ahhhhhh I start writing every night at 8 PM. Yesterday I was sleepy, so I said, "I'll sleep for a while and start at 10 PM. I won't set an alarm; I'll definitely wake up anyway."
My roommate said, "I might sleep until this morning."
At six in the morning, I slowly opened my eyes. "Who! Who's jinxing me?!" [Clown]
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