When Shi Qing woke up, he was surrounded by a familiar scent of incense, the kind he liked, not too overpowering but just right.
Closing his eyes and reaching out, he felt a soft, thin blanket underneath him.
Opening his eyes and looking around, he saw a red fox fur blanket on the bed, and he was covered with a light quilt.
Red fox fur was always precious, and even noble families rarely had such a large piece of fur. The royal family even raised red foxes.
"Wow," Shi Qing exclaimed.
He got out of bed barefoot, which didn't bother him much since the floor was covered with soft blankets.
It was summertime, yet the entire hall was refreshingly cool. He walked around and saw ornate bronze cauldrons placed around the hall, each filled with ice.
"Has he finally couldn't resist and started kidnapping people?" Shi Qing mused.
He shook his head, yawning, and the system cautiously reminded him, "When you were drunk, he just barged in."
Shi Qing wasn't surprised. He took a stroll around and realized that this hall was decorated entirely to his liking. He knew that Yuchen had been plotting to bring him back for quite some time.
The system was still a bit worried; it was the first time it had encountered someone being forcibly brought back like this.
"Host, are you sure everything is okay?"
"What's the problem? It's fine, isn't it? This is great!" Shi Qing happily sat back on the red fox fur blanket and rolled around on it. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Stat, go watch TV; didn't you want to watch 'Temptation in the Village'? It's time for you to watch it."
The system hesitated but obediently went to watch TV.
Shi Qing got up and started banging on the door. Outside, the attendants heard the commotion and immediately reported to Emperor Yuchen.
Emperor Yuchen hadn't expected Shi Qing to sleep in so late. He was currently entangled with the Prime Minister and as soon as he heard that Shi Qing had awakened, he immediately got up.
"Prime Minister, rest assured. I have a deep bond with Shi Qing, and this time I've only brought him to stay in the palace temporarily. If everything goes well, I won't keep the Prime Minister away for long."
After saying this, the new emperor quickly left the hall.
Prime Minister Shi exclaimed, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
He couldn't fathom what kind of deep bond the emperor was talking about, as the information he had found clearly showed that Shi Qing treated the new emperor like a servant.
If Emperor Yuchen scolded or punished Shi Qing, or even used him as a scapegoat, it would be somewhat acceptable. But what was going on with this direct abduction into the palace?
Prime Minister Shi immediately thought of his own son's increasingly effeminate appearance. Over these four years, Shi Qing had not been idle, and if not for him being the Prime Minister's only son, with his looks and frivolous personality, he would have been confined long ago.
Shi Qing, already at this age, hadn't settled down because of these reasons.
Everyone knew Shi Qing's preference for beauty and his frequent visits to the brothels. His good looks did not align with the current elders' standards for a son-in-law.
Families looked for sons-in-law who were either handsome and cultured or tall and robust. Shi Qing, however, was even more beautiful than most women, and he had the temperament of a troublemaker. Families of good standing were reluctant to have such a son-in-law.
Those who were interested in Shi Qing were not up to Prime Minister Shi's standards.
Prime Minister Shi had only one son, so he naturally wanted to choose a daughter-in-law from a well-established family with a proper upbringing.
And now, it had dragged on until today.
Prime Minister Shi regretted it so much!
If he had known that this would happen, he should have arranged a marriage for Shi Qing hastily. Now, he didn't know what kind of situation his son and the new emperor had gotten into!
Emperor Yuchen no longer cared about Prime Minister Shi's thoughts. He was naturally tall, and he had a foundation in martial arts. Right now, he was preoccupied with thoughts of Shi Qing's hurried steps, and the eunuch following him couldn't keep up.
It wasn't until they reached the emperor's bedroom that the new emperor stopped.
He stood outside the door, listening to the familiar scolding inside. His fists clenched nervously.
He felt a bit out of place.
For four years, he had struggled through countless life-and-death situations, and he had always kept Shi Qing's name in his heart.
He had been spoiled and carefree, always carefree. If Emperor Yuchen died, maybe Shi Qing would be sad, or maybe he wouldn't, but one thing was certain: with Shi Qing's personality, he would soon forget Emperor Yuchen.
He couldn't die. If he died, Shi Qing would forget him.
He had endured countless days and nights of battle with this thought in mind.
And now, it was finally time for him to reap the rewards.
Inside, the young master had fallen silent when he saw who had entered.
Emperor Yuchen, however, paid no attention to his shocked expression. He was like a child who had gotten a perfect score and couldn't wait to share it with his most important person. Without any reservations, he pushed open a hidden door.
This door had been arranged by the previous emperor to serve as a temporary hiding place in case of emergencies. After Emperor Yuchen ascended the throne, he had it renovated.
Such a hidden door was a royal secret, known only to the emperors of past generations. The people who built the door were silenced to protect the secret.
Emperor Yuchen didn't care about any of that. He was like a child who had scored a hundred points and couldn't wait to share it with his dearest friend. Without any concern for Shi Qing, he pushed open the door.
As soon as the door swung open, a rush of cold air filled the room. The young man stood at the doorway, staring wide-eyed at the scene inside.
In the vast space, the walls were stacked with ice blocks to maintain a low temperature. The purpose of this was to preserve various ice sculptures displayed inside the room.
These ice sculptures were incredibly lifelike, so much so that if it weren't for their transparent color, they would have looked like real flowers of various kinds.
Emperor Yuchen stood among these ice flowers, his eyes bright as he looked at Shi Qing.
"Do you like it?" he asked softly.
Shi Qing responded, "…"
Shi Qing sneezed. The cold wind had made him start sneezing.
Yue Chen-nian quickly closed the hidden door and lifted the young man onto the soft red fox fur. "Are you okay? Did the cold get to you?" The Emperor was anxious, checking the young man's temperature with his hand repeatedly.
He was regretful. How could he forget? The pampered young master had always been fragile. He couldn't stand extreme temperatures, neither too cold nor too hot.
The Emperor gazed at the young man, lost in thought. Over the past four years, the once delicate young man had matured and blossomed. He used to complain about his lack of height, but now he had a good stature. His limbs were well-proportioned as he lay amidst the red fox fur. Even in the summer, Shi Qing still wore a long robe, revealing only his delicate neck and collarbone.
His fingers, devoid of any calluses, caressed the fur. Shi Qing's nails were well-groomed and slightly dug into his palm, a sign of his nervousness. The young man's slender fingers contrasted beautifully with the soft fur beneath him.
Shi Qing's eyes, bright and wary, gradually filled with fear as he seemed to realize that the young man he used to toy with had now become an emperor. When they parted four years ago, Yue Chen-nian had revealed his unusual feelings for him.
Now, Yue Chen-nian had taken him by force. Shi Qing's beautiful eyes began to show signs of fear.
He tentatively reached out and tugged at Yue Chen-nian's sleeve, putting on a soft, appeasing smile. "I'm fine. I caught a chill these past few days."
Like a kitten separated from its mother, he dared not resist and could only soften his tone and voice, trying to please. Shi Qing had always been adaptable, especially obedient to those in a higher position. However, he seemed excessively frightened now, slowly shifting his body backward.
Yet, Yue Chen-nian's full attention was on him, and even his slow movements could not escape the emperor's gaze. Yue Chen-nian approached him slowly, wanting to hold him, just like four years ago.
He yearned to embrace him, to sleep peacefully for a while. He had been exhausted over the past four years, and he meant that quite literally—just to sleep. Until Shi Qing consented, Yue Chen-nian would not do anything to him.
However, Shi Qing seemed to misunderstand his intentions. The young man screamed in shock and quickly retreated, but his lack of control caused him to fall back onto the red fox fur. He stared wide-eyed, his delicate face filled with fear.
He seemed to realize at this moment that the young man he had once toyed with at will had grown into an emperor. And when they last parted, Yue Chen-nian had shown unusual affection toward him.
Now, Yue Chen-nian had him in his arms again.
Shi Qing's eyes widened in fear, and he carefully extended his hand, gently tugging at Yue Chen-nian's sleeve. His face wore a soft, pleasing smile. "I'm fine. I just caught a little chill."
He was like a kitten taken away from its mother, not daring to resist and only capable of speaking softly and pleadingly. This reaction had been expected by Yue Chen-nian.
Shi Qing had always been adaptable, especially submissive to those in higher positions. However, now he seemed excessively frightened. He continued to move slowly, almost imperceptibly, backward. But even in his slow retreat, Yue Chen-nian's eyes never left him.
Yue Chen-nian gazed at the young man, who now lay among the red fur, appearing innocent and confused. Shi Qing's beautiful face displayed a hint of timidity.
Yet, Yue Chen-nian's heart had softened completely.
Even though he had witnessed firsthand how arrogant Shi Qing could be, how quickly he could change his attitude, Yue Chen-nian couldn't bring himself to refute any of the young man's requests when he looked at him with those innocent, hopeful eyes.
"Yes," Yue Chen-nian whispered softly, trying not to startle Shi Qing. "I won't do anything to you as long as you don't want me to."
Shi Qing, who had always been adept at pushing boundaries, immediately said, "I want to go home."
"Can you stay here with me for a while?" The Emperor tried to appease him gently. "As long as you stay, I'll give you anything you want."
Perhaps due to Yue Chen-nian's gentle approach, the young master's stiff body began to relax slightly. He used a soft and coaxing tone, sounding almost like a spoiled child. "You don't hate me, do you?"
"They all say that I bully you. After you ascended the throne, that Zhao Wulang, who doesn't get along with me, teased me. He said I'm like a grasshopper in autumn, unable to jump, and he even joked that the first thing you'd do when you had time was to deal with me."
No wonder Shi Qing had such a strong reaction when he saw him. He seemed to be afraid of that.
Yue Chen-nian mentally made a note of this Zhao Wulang character.
On the surface, he softened his voice even more and gently reassured the timid young man, "How could I ever hate you? Back then, you were the only one who treated me kindly in the entire palace. You even blocked others from mistreating me."
As he recalled the past, the Emperor's eyes became so tender that they seemed on the verge of shedding tears. He lowered his head and affectionately nuzzled the young man's fragrant hair.
"Even if I have to deal with people from all over the world, I won't deal with you."
This assurance caused the young man to relax his body further. He even snuggled closer to the man, like a coquettish kitten, rubbing his face against Yue Chen-nian's clothes.
His voice remained soft, as if he had suffered great grievances. "When I woke up, I found myself locked up, and I was really scared."
This fragile and pitiful appearance made it seem as if he had not been the one to hurl insults and scold others in the palace before. This transformation tugged at Yue Chen-nian's heartstrings.
He gently patted the young man's back with guilt in his heart. "It's my fault. I should have been by your side."
The Emperor's exceptionally kind attitude caused Shi Qing to feel more emboldened.
"When I woke up, I was hungry, and there's still nothing to eat. I'm still hungry now. Feel it; it's all flat."
The young man grabbed Yue Chen-nian's strong hand and placed it on his stomach, looking especially pitiful. "I'm so hungry that my stomach hurts."
Yue Chen-nian felt even guiltier. Looking at him, it seemed as though he wanted to offer the best in the world to make amends.
"I'll have them send food right away."
While he carefully and gently massaged Shi Qing's stomach, he called for someone to come in and prepare food from the royal kitchen. This confirmed for the young master that Yue Chen-nian was indeed completely devoted to him.
Still, he had some doubts and cautiously peered at the Emperor, who was holding him in his arms. He tested the waters, saying, "I don't want to eat the palace food; it's terrible. I want to eat the big pork knuckle from the East Building."
Yue Chen-nian readily agreed and instructed the palace servants to buy it.
The young master was delighted.
He continued to make demands, raising his head high, his tail metaphorically curled up, and he coquettishly requested, "I also want the famous 'Lien Shuang Ji' from there, and the red and green soup, and 'Si Xi Yuan Zi'!"
Yue Chen-nian didn't stop massaging his belly and agreed once more, "Alright, I'll have someone buy them."
The young master became even more self-assured. He even leaned in, giving Yue Chen-nian a big kiss on the face.
Yue Chen-nian froze.
His heart raced, and his blood seemed to stop flowing, except for the spot where Shi Qing had just kissed him. That area felt like it was burning due to psychological factors.
"Shi Qing, Shi Qing..."
He hugged the young man tightly, and the situation had taken a complete turn.
Because of the change in position, Shi Qing was now sitting on him.
The young man felt something strange and lowered his head in confusion. "What's this?"
Then, Shi Qing unintentionally shifted and changed positions.
Yue Chen-nian: "…"
He was really on the verge of exploding.
However, he managed to hold back and squeezed out a smile. "It's okay, you can take a nap for a bit. Those things will be bought soon."
Now that he knew that Yue Chen-nian was like a submissive puppy in front of him, when he saw the Emperor get up, he obediently leaned against the red fox fur, lifting his soft face and asking, "Where are you going?"
"It's gotten a bit hot."
Yue Chen-nian replied calmly in the cool palace. "I'm going to rinse myself with cold water."
"Then I'll go with you."
The young master stood up excitedly, muttering to himself, "I heard there's a hot spring in the palace, but back when I was still a subject, I couldn't mention it to the late Emperor. Actually, I've wanted to go for a long time."
He happily got out of bed, not forgetting to please Yue Chen-nian by hugging his arm, softly begging, "Can you take me there? I heard that the place where they release the water is carved with a dragon's head, and there's a night pearl in the dragon's mouth. I want to see it too."
Immediately, a picture flashed in Yue Chen-nian's mind. The young man stood in the water, facing away from him in the mist, revealing his smooth, white back...
Yue Chen-nian: "..."
He couldn't control his warmth any longer.
In the end, the Emperor forced himself to sit back down in a way that wouldn't reveal anything. "Suddenly, it doesn't feel hot anymore. We can go another day."
Shi Qing immediately showed an unhappy expression on his face.
It was a good thing he remembered that Yue Chen-nian was the Emperor now. Since his wish couldn't be fulfilled, he didn't resort to kicking up a fuss like he used to. Instead, he acted spineless, leaning against Yue Chen-nian's chest and dragging out his words in a coquettish tone.
"You promised me that I could have whatever I wanted. Yue Chen-nian, Yue Chen-nian..."
Yue Chen-nian almost couldn't resist.
In his mind, countless thoughts of taking Shi Qing onto the bed flashed by. He was the Emperor now. The world was his, and naturally, Shi Qing belonged to him. He could keep Shi Qing in the palace, give him everything he desired, dress him in silk, and let him stay in his arms...
"Ah!"
The young man's exclamation interrupted Yue Chen-nian's thoughts.
Shi Qing looked panicked. "Are you having a nosebleed?"
The Emperor lowered his head, and a drop of blood fell onto his clothes, quickly blending into the fabric.
Shi Qing took the opportunity to pull out a handkerchief from his pocket and approached, using his delicate hands to dab at the spot where the blood had landed.
"I'll wipe it for you."
He wiped it, lightly and tenderly. He wiped it again, equally gently.
After less than three wipes, the clothes beside the area had started to puff up.
Yue Chen-nian: "..."
The Emperor suddenly stood up.
No! He couldn't force Shi Qing, nor could he let Shi Qing despise him.
Yue Chen-nian struggled to control his breathing. "I... I'll go outside to get some fresh air."
After saying that, as if there was a flood behind him, he hastily left the hall.
After trying hard for a while, Shi Qing thought to himself, "Men..."
Once Yue Chen-nian stepped out, a eunuch carefully approached and said, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Shi is kneeling outside and refuses to leave. He says... He says that if he doesn't see Young Master Shi, he won't leave. What should we do?"
The cold wind blew, and Yue Chen-nian regained his composure.
Of course, he couldn't take any drastic actions against Prime Minister Shi. After all, he was Shi Qing's father.
Kneeling for too long wasn't an option either. Shi Qing was Prime Minister Shi's only son, and at his age, if something happened to him, it would be disastrous.
Besides, releasing Shi Qing was not an option.
Yue Chen-nian said, "Have someone bring the Prime Minister here so he can see Young Master Shi and be reassured."
The eunuch quickly complied. The main hall and the sleeping quarters were still quite a distance apart. Prime Minister Shi had been extremely anxious the whole way there.
He had only inquired casually about what had happened when Yue Chen-nian ascended to the throne, but he hadn't gone into details about how Shi Qing had been bullied.
He only knew that Shi Qing had been treated like a servant.
The new Emperor was clearly someone with a thin skin. As soon as he ascended the throne, he stripped all his living brothers of their titles and confined them, regardless of what was said outside. This was a clear sign of his pettiness.
If he could treat his own brothers this way, what would he do to a courtier like Shi Qing?
In Prime Minister Shi's mind, he immediately pictured his only son being subjected to various forms of torture or imprisonment, or covered in injuries.
The new Emperor had been on the battlefield. If he used the methods he had used in battle against Shi Qing, how would his pampered son endure it?
It was all over...
Even if this young man acted recklessly, he was still Prime Minister Shi's only son.
The eunuch beside him noticed that he was sweating profusely and cautiously asked, "Are you alright, my lord?"
Prime Minister Shi replied, "I'm fine, I'm fine."
He was trying to reassure himself. He was an old courtier, a member of a prominent family. Shi Qing was his only son, and even if the new Emperor held a grudge, he had to leave some face for him.
Now he was mentally prepared. No matter how much suffering his son endured, as long as he survived, it would be enough.
Prime Minister Shi walked quickly, but no matter how fast he walked, it took quite some time to reach the entrance of the main hall.
When the palace attendants waiting outside saw him, they immediately called out, "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Shi is here."
Inside, Yue Chen-nian's voice sounded indifferent, "Let him in."
Prime Minister Shi became even more nervous.
The eunuch beside him saw that he was trembling while walking. "My lord, are you really alright?"
Prime Minister Shi replied, "..."
"I should be... fine..."
He was anxious and walked cautiously into the grand hall.
What he saw was his son sitting cross-legged at the table, devouring an elbow of pork with no decorum whatsoever. Beside him, the new Emperor, who had killed countless people since ascending the throne and had always been cold-hearted, was personally peeling a shrimp for him.
After peeling it, he handed it to Shi Qing with an indulgent look.
The joyous young man didn't even lift his eyelids and didn't notice his own father's expression, which was about to suffer a myocardial infarction. He just opened his rosy lips and naturally ate it, then coquettishly pointed out, "You forgot the vinegar; it's not tasty without vinegar."
The eunuch on the side watched the trembling Prime Minister Shi and hurriedly supported him, saying, "My lord, are you really alright?"
Prime Minister Shi replied, "..."
"Should be... fine..."
He was uneasy and cautious. He walked gingerly into the grand hall.
What he saw was his son sitting at the table, legs crossed, devouring a pork knuckle with no restraint whatsoever. Beside him, the new Emperor, who had executed countless people since ascending the throne and was always cold-hearted, was personally peeling a shrimp for him.
After peeling it, he handed it to Shi Qing with an indulgent look.
The happy young man didn't even lift his eyelids and didn't notice his own father's expression, which was about to have a heart attack. He just opened his rosy lips and naturally ate it, then coquettishly pointed out, "You forgot the vinegar; it's not tasty without vinegar."
The eunuch watched Prime Minister Shi, who was about to collapse, and quickly supported him. "My lord, are you really alright?"
Prime Minister Shi replied, "..."
"I should be... fine..."
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