Chapter 132 - Grape Flavored Imperial Gong (11)
Translated by Hua Li ^_^
Today’s my birthday (*/ω＼*) ….Aish This year it just had to fall on a Sunday…I am quite busy this month…So forgive me in advance for late updation in this month
On July 20th, all the va.s.sal princes arrived in the capital. The Emperor did not deliberately neglect them; instead, he summoned them the very next day.
Since the late Emperor’s mausoleum was being rebuilt, there would be a ceremonial worship after the repairs, the decree specifically stated that all male members of the royal family had to partic.i.p.ate. Previously, the Emperor had shown no intention of reducing the va.s.sals’ power, and over the years they had coexisted peacefully. Now, with the sudden order for them to bring their families to the capital, the va.s.sal princes were filled with unease.
But as the Emperor reiterated the matter of the mausoleum, he suddenly changed the subject: “I recently acquired a rare piece of calligraphy. I would like my royal brothers to take a look and see if they can identify the master who created it.”
Eunuch Tong signaled the attendants, and soon two young eunuchs brought out a six-foot-long yellow silk scroll, which they unfurled in the study.
The va.s.sal princes did not understand the significance at first, but upon seeing the content printed on the yellow silk, they were terrified and hurriedly knelt down.
The silk bore eight large characters:
“Committing Patricide and regicide, Heaven will not tolerate.”
The Emperor glanced at the trembling Prince Qin and said in a calm voice, “Why are you all kneeling? Or is it that each of you has written such words before?”
“We dare not!”
“Your Majesty, please quell your anger!”
The va.s.sal princes were terrified; whatever thoughts they had previously harbored, they no longer dared to reveal.
“Even if you have written such things, it doesn’t matter,” the Emperor sneered. “You can present it to me or to the people of the world, there’s no need to bury it in the Emperor’s Mountain, disturbing the peace of our ancestors.”
The va.s.sal princes were once again shocked and repeatedly proclaimed their innocence. They cursed the fool who had committed such a heinous act, getting caught by the Emperor and nearly dragging them down as well.
The Emperor did not accept their apologies and instead said, “I still have state affairs to attend to. As for the mausoleum I mentioned earlier, take it seriously. Once the mausoleum is completed, I will not keep you long. Once you return to your fiefs, whether you claim to be destined by Heaven or diligently manage military affairs like Liang Gang, as long as you stay hidden, I will leave you be.”
The va.s.sal princes, profusely apologizing, left the imperial study in a cold sweat.
The youngest, Prince Yang, glared angrily at his older brothers while rubbing his sore knees, saying, “If any of you want to die, I don’t care, but don’t drag me down with you!”
In Yangzhou, he was surrounded by beautiful women and lived a life of luxury. If these foolish actions of his brothers ended his happy days, he would fight them to the death before the Emperor had a chance to act!
Prince Yang had always been a frivolous and straightforward person, and hearing his words, the other princes took the opportunity to loudly curse the mastermind behind the plot. Even Prince Qin joined in, cursing the harshest and most malicious, perhaps out of a guilty conscience.
When He Taiji relayed Prince Qin’s words to the Emperor, the Emperor was leaning on his hand, watching with interest as Gou Liang sat upright on the dragon throne, copying the Emperor’s notes written in wild cursive with his own neat regular script.
Hearing words like “disemboweled and torn apart,” Gou Liang’s pen paused, and he solemnly said, “Human life is paramount. For Prince Qin to treat life so lightly without a hint of remorse is truly…”
Prince Qin’s vile curses were merely attempts to save his own life, not seeing anything wrong with his actions.
Such a person is unworthy of his position!
Swallowing the harsh rebuke he wanted to utter, Gou Liang looked indignant.
The Emperor, smiling, pinched his stern face and embraced him, saying, “So, I must thank Lord Chu for his intervention. Without your vast knowledge and compa.s.sionate heart, they might have already been in dire straits.”
Blushing, Gou Liang tried to avoid the Emperor’s kisses on his ear, stealing a glance at the lowered heads of the servants below, and said, “Your Majesty overpraises me. You love your people like your own children and care for the world. Even without me, you would have protected the common people from Prince Qin’s ambitions.”
His face was slightly red, but his tone was earnest, speaking from the heart rather than flattery.
The Emperor had heard such praises countless times, but this time, it filled him with joy.
Holding Gou Liang tighter, the Emperor softly asked, “Does my dear minister admire me solely because I am a wise ruler? Not because of my handsome appearance that keeps you enthralled?”
Embarra.s.sed for him, Gou Liang muttered, “I didn’t know that at the time.”
The Emperor knew he was referring to the time when Gou Liang had fallen for him without knowing he was the supreme ruler. Thinking of the affection hinted at in his painting, the Emperor felt a surge of tenderness and couldn’t stop kissing him.
Gou Liang resisted, pointing out that they were in the imperial study and such displays of affection were improper.
The system, floating up and down in the rippling sea of consciousness: …It’s really exciting, huh.
The Emperor paid no mind to his struggles; after all, such resistance was futile against him. The thought of taking his dignified young scholar right there in the solemn setting invigorated him. Just as he had Gou Liang pressed against the dragon throne, lifting his official robes and pulling at his pants, Eunuch Tong’s voice rang out from outside the hall: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is on her way to the imperial study, she will arrive in two quarters.”
“Mmph!”
In the heat of the moment, Gou Liang shivered, pushing the Emperor away forcefully.
The Emperor held him tight, refusing to let him go. Gou Liang struggled, “Stop it, Your Majesty!”
Seeing him truly distressed, the Emperor, unwilling to frighten him, patted his b.u.t.tocks and reluctantly pulled up his trousers, calling out, “I understand.”
Gou Liang jumped back a few steps, straightened his clothes, and bowed, “Your servant takes his leave.”
The Emperor prevented him from kneeling, pulling him into an embrace and softly saying, “Go spend some time in the library. Don’t leave the palace tonight, alright?”
“I’m afraid I can’t.” Gou Liang replied, “My Mother was unwell this morning. I must go home to see her.”
Only then did the Emperor relent, saying, “Take Physician Zheng with you.”
Gou Liang shook his head, suppressing a laugh, “Father hasn’t been home for six days; I think she’s lovesick.”
“Naughty.”
The Emperor knocked his forehead lightly against Gou Liang’s, then instructed Eunuch Tong to issue an order allowing General Chu to return home. After thanking the Emperor for his grace, Gou Liang firmly refused the Emperor’s attempt to kiss him, and left the palace under He Taiji’s escort.
As Gou Liang’s carriage departed, the Empress Dowager arrived at the imperial study.
She had come urgently regarding the va.s.sal princes’ audience.
No one knows a son better than his mother. The Empress Dowager always knew the Emperor had little affection for his father. Previously, when she asked the Emperor about summoning the princes to the capital under the pretext of repairing the mausoleum, the Emperor had not explained his intentions, and she did not press further. However, upon hearing that the princes left the study with sour faces as if the Emperor had reprimanded them, she came to confirm if he truly intended to reduce their power.
If the princes were to be retained in the capital, the Empress Dowager would need to make several preparations.
Other matters aside, the neglected harem of the past ten years was a potential time bomb. If someone with ulterior motives were to exploit this issue, it might not threaten the throne but would certainly cause the Emperor to lose face before the nation.
The Emperor said, “Whether they stay in the capital or return to their fiefs, they won’t cause any trouble. There’s no need to let them be an eyesore.”
The Empress Dowager understood.
He had no intention of reducing their power, which meant someone must have committed an offense, and the Emperor was using this as an excuse to warn them.
With this realization, the Empress Dowager relaxed slightly. However, having made this special trip, she naturally had other matters to discuss. She hesitated slightly before saying, “My son, do you remember your young cousin from your maternal family? You met him as a child; now he has grown into a handsome young man. I saw him yesterday, and he is very pleasing to the eye…”
The Emperor interrupted her, “Since you like him, Mother, I will arrange a position for him in Fengning Palace, so he can stay by your side. How does that sound?”
The Empress Dowager was taken aback.
Gou Liang laughed out loud. He loved how the Emperor, without hesitation, would make someone a servant in the palace.
Returning home, Gou Liang exchanged a few words with Lady Chu before General Chu arrived home on orders.
Lady Chu was overjoyed. Gou Liang took his leave without being held back. However, her joy was short-lived as General Chu immediately inquired about the preparation of the dowry for their twins, asking if anything was still needed.
Lady Chu’s smile froze.
How could she possibly neglect the dowry for those two? She prided herself on never having wronged them!
Besides, those twins were not the type to suffer any losses. Otherwise, why would they endure the pain of separation and carefully select their husbands over the years?
Lady Chu could not reveal her displeasure towards them and had to respond cheerfully to his questions, secretly hoping to marry them off quickly to trouble their future husbands instead!
Meanwhile, on his way back to his quarters, Gou Liang was invited over by the twins.
Unlike Lady Chu, who had always warned him to be wary of his brothers, Gou Liang had a good impression of his three elder brothers.
Although their relationship wasn’t particularly deep, there was no ill will between them, and they got along fairly well.
The twins mentioned that there was an item needed for their dowry that only their brother could prepare. While Chu Qian could handle it upon his return, they disliked his taste and wanted Gou Liang to select it instead.
Gou Liang readily agreed, but upon arrival, he discovered they had another plan.
“Cousin, are you here to pick out a vanity item for Cousin Chu Jian and Cousin Chu Jia? I know their preferences best, let me help you.”
It seemed there was never a shortage of cousins. Just as the Emperor had dismissed one cousin, Gou Liang found himself meeting another.
This one was Zhou Xun, the nephew of General Chu’s deceased wife and cousin to the Chu brothers. It was reasonable for him to call Gou Liang “cousin.”
Unlike the original Gou Liang, who was serious and upright, Gou Liang quickly realized that this cousin, who often visited the General’s residence under the pretense of seeing the twins, had ulterior motives.
Gou Liang marveled that even someone as beautiful and delicate as the original owner could attract admirers. With a polite smile, he declined Zhou Xun’s offer, claiming he had already made the purchase. Ignoring Zhou Xun’s disappointed expression, Gou Liang turned his attention to the young boy Zhou Xun was holding, who barely reached his knees: “Is this Zhou Xing? You’ve grown so much.”
Zhou Xing, who didn’t remember Gou Liang, was aware that the man before him was the highly esteemed seventeen-first rank scholar. He quickly let go of Zhou Xun’s hand, bowed, and said with an admiring tone, “Student greets Master Chu.”
Gou Liang was amused by the boy’s earnest yet childish demeanor.
Zhou Xun felt bringing his bookish younger brother had been a great idea and smiled, “Cousin, please forgive him. Like you, he has loved reading since childhood. If he hadn’t insisted on going to the bookstore across the street today, we wouldn’t have run into you here.”
Before Gou Liang could respond, Zhou Xing said, “Brother, if you have other things to do, go ahead. I can manage on my own.”
Zhou Xun: “…”
Gou Liang couldn’t help but laugh, developing a fondness for the little boy and offering to help him pick out some books.
Zhou Xun was delighted but soon realized that Gou Liang was entirely focused on guiding Zhou Xing with his book choices, not sparing him a single glance. This left Zhou Xun both loving and resenting his brother.
Just as Zhou Xun mustered the courage to ask Gou Liang for advice on a book he had selected, another person interrupted.
“Brother Zigui, fancy meeting you here. What a coincidence!”
Tang Qingfeng exclaimed in surprise.
Who wants to meet you here! Zhou Xun was nearly fuming with anger.
Gou Liang enjoyed the show and didn’t refuse Tang Qingfeng’s invitation to dine together. They chatted happily until dusk before Gou Liang returned home.
The Emperor had been waiting in his room for a long time, leaning against the windowsill in the evening light, admiring one of Gou Liang’s new works.
“Your Majesty!”
Gou Liang, already walking quickly, hurried forward to s.n.a.t.c.h the painting from the Emperor’s hands.
The painting depicted a pair of mandarin duck pillows on the dragon bed, with long, black hair draped over them, tied into a lovers’ knot, filled with suggestive longing.
The Emperor, already placated and content, let him take it without question. He didn’t inquire about who had accompanied him to buy books or his conversation with Tang Qingfeng. Instead, he opened his arms and asked, “My dear, how do you find my outfit?”
Gou Liang rolled up the scroll, blushing silently.
The Emperor lifted him up, kissing his neck with a laugh, “You did a great job; the fit is perfect.”
Gou Liang glared at him, “Why are you rifling through my things, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor just laughed.
Seeing this, Gou Liang couldn’t hold back a smile either. He leaned in and said, “If Your Majesty likes it, I’ll make you a few more outfits.”
“A few won’t be enough. I want you to make them for a lifetime.”
The Emperor carried him to the couch.
Just as they were about to enjoy a tender moment, Gou Liang suddenly remembered that General Chu had called for him. He had planned to change his clothes upon returning home before heading to see his father, and he couldn’t delay any longer.
The Emperor reluctantly let him go but urged him to return quickly.
“Father, you called for me?”
Gou Liang bowed respectfully.
General Chu had called for him regarding the Emperor’s sudden decree for his leave of absence. He had been diligently performing his duties, and with the princes recently arriving in the capital, it was an especially busy time. He couldn’t fathom the reason behind this.
Suspecting that Gou Liang, who had recently gained favor with the Emperor, might have some insight, he wanted to know if he had done something to displease the Emperor.
Gou Liang straightened up and said, “Father, do not worry. His Majesty has always valued you highly, and his favor towards me is a reflection of his deep respect for you. I have not heard of any dissatisfaction from the Emperor towards you. Upon reflection, it might be due to a casual conversation I had with Eunuch Tong during my reading duties today. I mentioned that Mother had been feeling unwell recently. Eunuch Tong, out of kindness, probably mentioned it to His Majesty, leading to this gracious reward.”
“She’s sick?” General Chu frowned, thinking over this explanation, but couldn’t come up with any other reason. He felt somewhat relieved.
He then asked Gou Liang about his duties, advising him not to become complacent due to the Emperor’s immense favor and to remain cautious and diligent in all matters when serving the Emperor.
After Gou Liang left, General Chu abandoned his plan to stay in the front courtyard and instead spent the night in his wife’s chambers.
Meanwhile, Gou Liang and the Emperor also settled down early.
Since they were in the General’s residence, they couldn’t be too audacious. Gou Liang didn’t allow any inappropriate behavior, and only helped the Emperor relieve himself with his hand.
After their intimate moment, the Emperor brought up an issue: “When I arrived today, I saw your mother looking furious in your courtyard. From what she said, it seems your two elder brothers treat you like a servant, ordering you around. And with Chu Qian back, it seems you have no place in this household… Is that true?”
Gou Liang blushed, “Don’t listen to her nonsense.”
He briefly mentioned his errand to prepare dowries for his two brothers, adding, “Mother has always been compet.i.tive and strong-willed. When I was born, my mother was injured and couldn’t have more children. Given my condition, she impulsively lied about my gender…”
Saying this, he glanced uncomfortably at the Emperor. Although the Emperor had never blamed him, they had still broken the law.
The Emperor didn’t mind this at all. Frowning, he said emphatically, “What do you mean, ‘your condition’? You’re perfect as you are, and I like you just this way.”
He knew how embarra.s.sing and unaccepted hidden ident.i.ties could be, but he wouldn’t allow anyone, not even his own mother, to look down on Gou Liang.
Gou Liang smiled shyly and snuggled closer to the Emperor, sighing, “In fact, Father and my three brothers treat me well. It’s just that my mother always felt that Father favored them and neglected us. I think she felt guilty for lying about my gender and tried to prove her decision wasn’t a mistake by striving for perfection in everything.”
The Emperor sighed too, “If not for that, you wouldn’t have come to my side. But because of it, I can’t keep you openly… Xiao Keng’er, what should I do?”
Gou Liang’s expression changed, but the Emperor laughed, “I’m just teasing you. You’re so talented; I wouldn’t want you wasting away in the harem.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Gou Liang smiled. He had no desire to serve in the Emperor’s harem.
Early the next morning, unable to bear a long-distance relationship, the Emperor took the still-sleeping Gou Liang back to the palace, leaving Lady Chu to find an empty room.
That night, Scholar Gou spent the night in the palace, working on doc.u.ments. When he returned to the mansion the following evening, Lady Chu was already waiting in the courtyard.
She said, “Your father talked to me last night about your marriage. You’re not young anymore; we can’t delay this any longer.”