Chapter 69 The Sky Curtain Made Me a White Moonlight in History The Sky Curtain, for publicity...
The emperor's appreciation for Si Qi was obvious to everyone, and the noble ministers around him were envious, but they couldn't do anything about it.
Zhao Ren, who hated Si Qi to the core, was ashen-faced. He never expected that even after pushing Si Qi to such a point, Si Qi could still get back up and even be in a better situation than he remembered!
He gritted his teeth, seeing this man destined to be his enemy, and wished he could rush up and strangle Si Qi to death!
The emperor, who was paying close attention to Zhao Ren, noticed that Zhao Ren's expression was indeed unusual and said meaningfully, "Minister Zhao, if you are unwell, you may leave!"
Seeing his swaying, unsteady gait, as if he could be driven to death by anger, the emperor sneered inwardly, becoming even more convinced of the immortal's words.
Fearing that this fellow might offend Si Qi, the emperor ordered him to leave, lest he offend Si Qi's eyes and upset him.
Zhao Ren's elders were so embarrassed that they stepped forward and took Zhao Ren away.
They knew Zhao Ren's capabilities very well. When Zhao Ren took out those poems and articles, they also inquired about their origins indirectly. Zhao Ren always said that he wrote them himself.
Such exquisite writing could hardly be produced by even an ordinary scholar, let alone a纨绔 like Zhao Ren. However, they were happy to attribute the credit to Zhao Ren, so they praised him to the skies, making him seem unparalleled in the world, only to lose face in public in the end.
Seeing the emperor speak up to drive Zhao Ren away, they quickly stepped forward and pulled Zhao Ren away, so as not to stand there and embarrass themselves.
"His Majesty wouldn't punish our Zhao family for this matter." After leaving the palace, Zhao's father whispered to Zhao Ren, "He's just a newly appointed top scholar now. We've killed countless people before, and His Majesty didn't say anything."
Although the emperor held a high position and wielded great power, being an emperor was not an easy task. In order for his decrees to be implemented smoothly, he still had to rely on his own people to do the work. How could he possibly call for the killing of a wronged top scholar? Otherwise, wouldn't the other nobles feel a sense of shared fate and start making trouble one after another?
You must understand that nobles are nobles; they are the most honored people in the world, second only to the royal family, and are inherently superior to others.
Many nobles rose to power from the generation of the founding emperor. They held heavy troops stationed in various prefectures and counties. The emperor could deal with one Zhao family, but could he deal with the entire court? Wasn't he afraid of pushing them too far and causing them to all rebel?
Then how can the world be governed?
Seeing his father and uncles' indifferent expressions, Zhao Ren felt resentful.
It was because of the father and others' nonchalant and arrogant attitude that the emperor became dissatisfied with them and had the idea of getting rid of the nobles.
They were indeed powerful, but no matter how powerful they were, they couldn't withstand the emperor's growing ambitions against them, nor could they withstand wave after wave of scholars from all over the country entering the court to compete with them for power.
He knew better than anyone how much the emperor favored poor but talented people like Si Qi, and that he himself was destined to die because of the emperor's favoritism. How could he not be anxious!
Even if the emperor can't touch them now, they are destined to be at odds with the emperor in the future because of their positions. If they don't take advantage of the emperor's current reluctance to act, their situation will only get worse!
Blind arrogance will only harm them, but Zhao Ren's anxious appearance puzzled the elders of the Zhao family. They comforted him, saying, "Don't worry, Si Qi is just a nobody. His Majesty wouldn't turn against us for his sake."
At worst, he could join forces with other nobles to put pressure on the emperor afterward, and the emperor, out of consideration for them, would certainly not go too far.
Zhao Ren was furious: "How is that possible!"
Si Qi is not someone to be trifled with at all!
The Emperor and the Crown Prince, too, were completely loyal to Si Qi, based on both their memories and what they had witnessed before. If they were to use the excuse of the deity's words to demand an explanation from Si Qi, they would likely be beheaded right now!
Seeing his son so frightened, Zhao's father could only say, "My son, don't be afraid. I will protect you."
At worst, Zhao Ren could simply retire from officialdom and avoid further conflict with Si Qi. The emperor was kind-hearted; seeing their good attitude in admitting their mistakes, he wouldn't necessarily force them to their deaths.
After that, Zhao Ren remained the heir apparent of the State of Qi, and could inherit the title of marquis in the future, living a carefree and unrestrained life.
After listening, Zhao Ren was speechless.
His father was far too confident.
...
As the emperor watched Zhao Ren and the others leave, he snorted coldly, clearly extremely displeased with them.
Knowing that Si Qi had injured his leg, he specially ordered a eunuch to bring a chair for Si Qi to sit down.
The ministers present witnessed the emperor's two completely different attitudes and knew that Si Qi must have won the emperor's favor, and his rise to prominence was just around the corner.
They turned a blind eye to such "irregular" behavior and didn't make things too difficult for Si Qi.
"Did you see what the immortal revealed, my dear minister?"
Si Qi: "I saw some."
Chu Feng explained from the side, "Father, you can't see the sky from the prison cell."
"Is that so?" The emperor was slightly taken aback, and after a moment said, "Then, my dear minister, do these articles look familiar?"
The emperor beckoned, and a eunuch waiting nearby handed the policy essay that Zhao Ren had presented some time ago to Si Qi.
Si Qi glanced at it briefly, understood the situation, and said, "It is exactly the same as what I was thinking."
The emperor randomly selected a passage to test Si Qi, asking him, "What are your thoughts, my dear minister?"
Si Qi then combined his past experiences as an official or emperor with the article, and analyzed it systematically, citing classical texts.
Whether a person is knowledgeable or not can be determined simply by listening to a few words about the matter.
Upon hearing Si Qi's explanation, the emperor knew that Si Qi must have a thorough understanding of the matter. Otherwise, his approach would not have been so precise, and every word he uttered was meaningful, prompting the emperor to nod in agreement.
The emperor was overjoyed and said to Si Qi, "Minister Si is indeed my capable minister!"
Si Qi cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty flatters me."
At that moment, the video in the sky reached its ending point, leaving behind a preview of the next episode before disappearing into the air.
The emperor looked regretfully at the sky, which had regained its azure blue, and turned to Si Qi, gently instructing him, "My dear minister, you have worked hard. Go and get some rest!"
After saying that, he instructed Chu Feng, who was standing to the side, "Your Highness, accompany me and tell me everything the immortals have said."
Chu Feng was overjoyed, trying hard to hide his inner delight, and said respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"
He looked at Si Qi with anticipation: "Minister Si, please come with me."
"Wait, there's also that case," the emperor said, amused by the crown prince's excited and eager-to-take Si Qi away right now. "You must do your best. Don't hold back during the process."
"Your subject will do his utmost!" Chu Feng said, glancing at the nobles before earnestly promising.
The emperor was satisfied when he saw that Chu Feng understood his meaning.
Before the room prepared for Si Qi was ready, Chu Feng temporarily invited Si Qi and his family to the East Palace. Knowing that Si Qi's family had not eaten yet, he instructed the kitchen to bring up food first, and also asked the serving eunuchs and maids to prepare clean clothes so that they could wash up after eating. Otherwise, it would be inappropriate to let the family leave in prison clothes like this.
The Si family members gradually recovered from the series of shocks they had just experienced, and now they finally realized that they were in the palace, and belatedly felt a sense of unease.
Looking at the carved railings and jade-like walls around them, they were afraid of dirtying the floor when they stepped on the blue bricks.
Chu Feng noticed their unease and softened his tone, speaking gently to them and asking what they wanted to eat and what their requirements were for accommodation. He tried his best to guide them to express their thoughts so that they could relax a bit.
As the Si family members talked, they gradually relaxed.
They were surprised that His Highness the Crown Prince had such a good personality, even more approachable than the village chief.
But thinking back to when Si Qi passed the imperial examinations and became a scholar, even the top scholar, not to mention the village chief, even the county officials treated them with exceptional gentleness. They understood that the Crown Prince and the Emperor were acting this way because of Si Qi.
Therefore, they became increasingly aware of just how powerful Si Qi really was.
The cooks worked swiftly and efficiently, knowing that this food was prepared for Lord Si, and each of them put in their utmost effort. The dishes were served quickly, were nutritious, and had excellent color, aroma, and taste. The aroma alone made the Si family members' mouths water, and they picked up their bowls and chopsticks and began to feast.
Si Qi was pleased to see them enjoying their meal. He slowly swallowed the smooth and fragrant fish porridge, his gaze inadvertently meeting Chu Feng's furtive glance, and he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
"Your Highness, is there something wrong with me?" Si Qi asked, feigning ignorance.
"No," Chu Feng hurriedly added, "I noticed that Minister Si is eating slowly, only drinking porridge and barely touching his chopsticks. Is there something wrong with your appetite?"
"The food is very good," Si Qi said.
My mouth was chapped, and it hurt when I touched the hot food while chewing, so I only drank a few mouthfuls of porridge.
Chu Feng vaguely realized Si Qi's condition, picked up the serving chopsticks, and personally placed a piece of eggplant stewed in meat broth on Si Qi's plate. The eggplant melted in his mouth, making it perfect for Si Qi to eat at this moment.
Si Qi smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Chu Feng's bones melted at Si Qi's smile. He put down his chopsticks, quickly stuffed two mouthfuls of rice into his mouth as a cover, and kept replaying Si Qi's appearance in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Si Qi was truly the most handsome man in the world.
He is good-looking, has a pleasant voice, is very knowledgeable, and has an excellent character. It's such a pity that he didn't get to know Minister Si sooner.
Thinking this, the Si family members finished their meal one after another, and the eunuchs and maids led them to wash and change. Knowing that Si Qi had difficulty walking and had an injury on his wrist, Chu Feng blurted out, "I'll help you!"
Si Qi glanced at Chu Feng in surprise, thinking to himself, "This Chu Feng in this world looks gentle and polite on the outside, but he's actually so proactive?"
After seeing Feng's clear eyes clearly, Si Qi realized he had misunderstood and said after a moment's thought, "Thank you, Your Highness."
He wouldn't hesitate to decline Chu Feng's suggestion just because of the difference between ruler and subject. Having his husband serve him while he bathed—wasn't that a bother? It was practically a perk—a special treat for Chu Feng!
Chu Feng had already spoken, so it was naturally difficult to take it back. On the surface, he appeared reserved and composed, but in reality, he led Si Qi to the private room with light steps and a cheerful back view.
The private room contained a large bathtub, the water inside slowly radiating heat. Beside it was a small bucket of boiling water for adjusting the temperature, a table for placing changes of clothes, and a set of clean clothes.
Chu Feng realized he had overestimated his abilities once he entered the private room. He had never served anyone before, and looking at Si Qi standing in front of him, he hesitated whether he should reach out and help Si Qi remove his clothes.
But when his gaze met that of his superior Qi, he felt shy and embarrassed, feeling that his behavior was too frivolous.
Si Qi didn't make things difficult for him. He leaned against the low table, holding the hem of his clothes with one hand, trying to take off his outer garment.
Seeing that he was having difficulty moving, Chu Feng was afraid that he might accidentally hurt his wrist, so he put aside his shyness and stepped forward, saying, "Let me do it!"
He gripped Si Qi's clothes with his fingers and slowly pulled them up, soon revealing a thin, bluish-purple body beneath the clothes.
Upon seeing this scene, all romantic notions vanished from his mind; only deep heartache remained.
She carefully helped Si Qi up, removed his outer clothes, and carried him into the bathtub, asking gently, "Is the water temperature suitable?"
Si Qi: "It's fine."
There was a stool in the bathtub, so sitting on it wouldn't hurt his feet. He placed his right hand on the edge of the tub and picked up a towel from the side to dry himself, but Chu Feng quickly said, "Let me do it!"
Si Qi readily agreed: "Thank you, Your Highness."
Chu Feng took the towel, wet it with water, and lifted it up to gently touch Si Qi's face.
The movements were gentle, as if wiping an extremely precious porcelain vase.
Si Qi silently looked at Chu Feng and realized that no matter what, the way this person looked at him was always full of cherishment.
He liked Chu Feng for who he was. Little did he know that in Chu Feng's eyes, every move he made also inspired admiration.
Her deep eyes shone like bright stars, and her aloof demeanor was as lofty as a snow-capped mountain. Sometimes she was as detached as the moon falling from the sky, and sometimes she spoke softly, revealing a touch of warmth and humanity that made people linger.
Perhaps due to the water temperature, the young man's originally pale and bloodless lips gradually turned rosy under the misty water vapor, and his thick, black hair made his jade-like, translucent and lustrous skin appear dazzlingly white.
To make it easier for Chu Feng to wipe, Si Qi slightly raised his neck, revealing a slender and smooth-lined white neck that was as delicate as a swan's, possessing an indescribable beauty.
Chu Feng could see the light blue veins beneath his snow-white skin, and the slight rise and fall of them with his breathing.
It's so beautiful that you can't help but want to gently caress it with your fingertips.
He walked behind Si Qi, brushed aside her cascading black hair, and in the flowing water, the dark hair strands spread out, revealing her delicate butterfly bones and her slender, strong waist with smooth lines.
That gender-blurring beauty became even more pronounced at this moment. Chu Feng's Adam's apple bobbed, his mind reeling from the impact of the scene.
It was in that moment of confusion that he finally realized why he had been unable to look away from Lord Si whenever he saw him.
He actually... developed those intimate thoughts about Lord Si.
Previously, the crown prince had received a mainstream education and had his values shaped to be very upright. At this moment, he was like a young man who had accidentally glimpsed a secret. He was overjoyed to finally know his own feelings, but also fearful and afraid of how he could have done this.
His gaze instinctively dared not to look at Si Qi's back, but his averted eyes met two long, straight, white legs under the shimmering water. Those legs were slender and beautiful, like bamboo in the mountains or orchids under the moon, making him stare at them for a moment.
His throat went dry, and if he were to speak now, his voice would be hoarse and low, revealing his true feelings.
He could only be thankful that he was standing behind Minister Si at this moment; otherwise, if Minister Si had seen him, she would have noticed his abrupt idea and they would have clashed.
In a flustered state, he quickly and gently wiped her back, using his dark hair to cover the beautiful sight. He let out a silent sigh, annoyed that his heartbeat was so loud it hurt his ears.
Wring out the cloth and gently lift Si Qi's wrist. The young man's slender and graceful hands were so beautiful that they immediately reminded one of books. The owner of those fingers must often be reading books under the quiet moonlight, or confidently writing beautiful articles on rice paper with a brush in hand.
His gaze was so solemn, as if he were holding the Imperial Seal of the State, and the way he carefully wiped the back of his hand could only be described as pious.
Looking at Chu Feng's appearance, Si Qi's clear eyes held a hint of amusement, like a warm pool in spring. Beneath his cold and indifferent exterior lay a gentle warmth unknown to others.
The room was quiet for a moment, so quiet that only the two of them could be heard breathing and the gentle sound of water splashing.
Si Qi stared intently at Chu Feng, and as he looked, a layer of weariness washed over him. In his drowsy state, he remembered that he shouldn't take a bath immediately after a meal, as it could easily lead to oxygen deficiency and anemia, and increase the burden on his heart.
The ancients didn't have this awareness, but he did. It seems that while he talks about how great Chu Feng is, he himself is the one who is truly blinded by beauty.
He wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep from exhaustion or was dizzy and unconscious. In any case, when Chu Feng noticed Si Qi nod his head twice and then suddenly fall headfirst into the water, Chu Feng realized that Si Qi had actually fallen asleep while he had been avoiding looking at him.
With swift reflexes, he lifted Si Qi and pulled him into his arms to prevent Si Qi's body from slipping down again.
With a warm, soft body in my arms, my palms pressed against her smooth skin, making me reluctant to let go.
Chu Feng's heart raced, and he could almost smell the cool, amber-green bamboo scent of the person in his arms.
He quickly reached out and pulled Si Qi from the water, placing him on a low table beside him. Si Qi leaned against him, showing no sign of waking up. Chu Feng guessed that Lord Si had suffered too much recently, and now that he had relaxed, his energy and spirit couldn't hold up, and he felt a pang of pity for him.
Worried that Si Qi might catch a cold from the water, Chu Feng quickly wrung out the towel and wiped Si Qi's wet hair, his palms inevitably brushing against Si Qi's body.
Holding those bare, white jade feet, Chu Feng was momentarily overcome with desire, longing to lower his head and kiss them to satisfy the surging, burning emotions within him. Yet, he dared not truly defile this sleeping, angelic figure. So, he desperately tried to recall the Four Books and Five Classics to calm his muddled mind, picked up clean clothes from the side and dressed Si Qi, then carried him out of the private room.
There was no mist outside, and the temperature was a bit lower than inside. Chu Feng subconsciously covered Si Qi's forehead with his hand and instructed the eunuchs guarding the door, "Minister Si is tired. Find me a room so that you can sleep."
The eunuch had been startled when he saw Si Qi being carried out in Chu Feng's arms. Hearing that Si Qi had fallen asleep, he hurried forward to lead the way for Chu Feng, asking in a low voice, "Your Highness, shall I come..."
He opened his arms and looked at Si Qi. Chu Feng subconsciously made a dodging motion. "No need, I'll take care of it."
The eunuch was deeply moved—His Highness cares for Lord Si so much that he is even willing to do such a thing; surely Lord Si will no longer suffer hardship and wander in a foreign land as the prophecy foretold.
They led Chu Feng to a bedroom not far from the Crown Prince's palace. Chu Feng placed Si Qi on the bed and asked in a low voice, "How are the arrangements for Minister Si's family?"
The eunuch also reported in a low voice: "They have finished washing up and are waiting for you in the side hall."
Chu Feng glanced at the sleeping Si Qi, and, not wanting to wake him, said, "Let my beloved minister rest here with me today."
After saying that, he got up and went to the side hall himself. He said to the four members of the Si family, "My dear minister is tired and has already gone to bed. I will arrange for you to stay in my residence outside the palace for the time being. You can move in after the Si residence is repaired."
When the Si family heard that they would be moving into the Crown Prince's residence, they were flattered and overwhelmed. After several unsuccessful attempts to refuse, they finally agreed with trepidation.
Without Si Qi by their side, they always felt like they had lost their backbone, and when they saw the Crown Prince, they regained some of their previous nervousness and unease.
Seeing this, Chu Feng didn't keep them talking any longer. He arranged for his men to see them off, stood there for a while, but ultimately couldn't suppress his longing, and his feet couldn't help but walk back towards Si Qi's room.
Si Qi lay quietly on the bed, breathing softly. His dark hair fell smoothly down his cheeks, and his dark eyebrows were closed, making one subconsciously recall his clear and beautiful eyes.
He reached out and tucked the blanket around Si Qi, then carefully sat down beside him. Gazing intently at Si Qi's features, he felt that every part of him was so perfectly suited to his heart, and the more he looked, the happier he became.
He had to thank the heavens for setting up a celestial barrier that altered their destinies, ensuring he remembered Si Qi's existence. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have known what he had missed until the very end.
Si Qi slept straight through until the next morning.
The eunuchs waiting outside heard a slight noise coming from inside the room and knew that Si Qi had woken up. They hurriedly asked respectfully, "Lord Si, have you woken up?"
Si Qi looked around at his surroundings, realizing that Chu Feng had arranged for him to be here. He cleared his throat and said, "Yes, I'm awake."
"Does Your Excellency require any service?" the eunuch asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"It's alright, just bring some clean water."
Then one of the eunuchs waiting outside the door came out, fetched warm water for washing, and brought it to Si Qi.
The other person quickly went to inform Chu Feng, as His Highness the Crown Prince had specifically instructed him yesterday to inform Lord Si as soon as he woke up.
Si Qi had just finished washing his face and changing his clothes when he heard Chu Feng's voice from afar. He looked up and saw Chu Feng striding towards him.
“Your Highness,” Si Qi said gently.
Chu Feng's heart, which had finally calmed down last night, started pounding wildly in his chest again the moment he saw Si Qi. As soon as he saw Si Qi's face, he subconsciously recalled the tender moments when their skin touched yesterday, and the snow-white figure that kept appearing in his dreams. He said to Si Qi guiltily, "My dear minister, did you rest well last night?"
"Excellent, thank you for your care, Your Highness." Si Qi said, "I never expected to fall asleep in front of Your Highness. It was my rudeness."
"It's nothing," Chu Feng said.
He also had to thank Si Qi for giving him the opportunity to openly peek at Si Qi's sleeping face. Yesterday, he stared at Si Qi's face from noon until dusk, and didn't even realize that his eyes were dry.
In other words, he used the excuse of waiting for Minister Si to wake up so they could discuss matters together, and then took paper, pen, and scrolls into the room. Otherwise, the eunuchs and guards waiting outside would definitely have wondered what His Highness the Crown Prince was doing alone in a room with the sleeping Minister Si for so long.
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Author's Note: --
No doubt about it, it's exactly as you think.
Chu Feng stared at the sleeping Si Qi: [Staring—]
Xiuxiu stared at the God who was peeking at his master: [Stare—]
--
Si Qi: No wonder they're from ancient times. Even when I'm just taking a nap after a meal, they describe me as delicate as a willow in the wind, as if I were a banished immortal.
Xiuxiu: ...Isn't it (a deity)?
Si Qi (full of confidence): I can destroy half of the palace with one punch.
Emperor of Qi: ? ? ? What did my palace do wrong?
Xiuxiu (starry-eyed): You look even more like a deity now.
Si Qi: …………
#As expected of a leader who can openly shower others with compliments using the sky as a backdrop#
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