Chapter 39C
Li ZeChen gripped Ye Ming’s wrist tightly as he brought him back. His chest was heaving as he closed the door and threw Ye Ming onto the bed!
Is this person so eager to court death? Why would you go to the Empress’s palace, don’t you know how heavy the consequences could have been, don’t you know that a round of beating from the board could have left you crippled, if not dead?
During this period, Li ZeChen had done some thinking. It’s not that he hasn’t tried his best to convince this person to accept him, but he (YM) was amenable to neither coaxing nor coercion, and all his efforts had led to this person to hate him even more.
He didn’t want to face Ye Ming’s hostile gaze, and had painfully suppressed his impulse to visit. At most, he waited till Ye Ming was asleep before sneaking a few furtive looks at him.
He had even contemplated letting go of Ye Ming, but…. when he envisioned this person living his life without him (LZC), smiling gently at another woman, going to bed with another woman, revealing all that was good and beautiful about him to other people, whilst he himself (LZC) can no longer reach out to touch him…. jealousy and resentment would rear its head like a viper ready to strike, its coils wrapped around his heart.
Let him go?
Not possible…. He would rather drag this person down to the abyss with him, than let him go.
A world without you is nothing but an endlessly cold and silent void to me, at least you are here by my side. We will never be separated, we will live and die together, alright?
[Ding! Li ZeChen’s blackening value +10, current blackening value is 70]
Ye Ming watched the play of emotions on Li ZeChen’s face, and saw the gleam of madness surfacing from the depths of those pitch black eyes. He felt as if he was being enveloped in something dark and terrifying, and tried to shrink back, but was caught by the shoulder by Li ZeChen and pressed down onto the bed.
Li ZeChen’s voice was hoa.r.s.e, “Have you been thinking of zhen?”
Ye Ming pressed his lips tightly together. Has he thought of this person? Maybe, if hating him could be considered as thinking about him.
Li ZeChen laughed softly, “Zhen thinks of you everyday, over and over again, but still zhen can’t let you go.”
Li ZeChen gazed lovingly at the person in front of him, they had only been apart for but a few days, but he was already in an infatuated frenzy, how was it possible for him to let go? Even if you can’t love me, you still belong to me at least.
Even if what I have is but an illusion that could shatter at a touch, it is still better than nothing.
He swept his fingers under Ye Ming’s chin, lowered his head and kissed him.
………………
Ye Ming finally fainted, when he woke, he found himself in a familiar room. He was back in Feng Yang palace.
He turned his head a little, and found himself held within Li ZeChen’s arms.
Li ZeChen was still asleep, his handsome face calm, his jawline sharp. Even while his eyes were closed, he looked forbidding and commanded respect. Ye Ming rarely got to see Li ZeChen’s sleeping face, and was somewhat dazed.
Something inexplicable flickered in his eyes.
As a stream of memories rushed to the surface, Ye Ming suddenly recalled the time when Li ZeChen was still an unfavoured prince, the Crown Prince would often invite him along to drink. One day, the Crown Prince and Third Princess was playing in the garden, and Third Princess’s hydrangea fell into the lake. It had been winter then, but the Crown Prince had ordered Li ZeChen to retrieve the hydrangea for Third Princess, and Li ZeChen had jumped into the lake without hesitation.
He (YM) had stood by and watched the thin figure submerged in the icy water, and had felt strangely distressed.
Both were princes, but because of their different birth statuses, there will always be a world of difference between them.
From then on, Ye Ming grew to dislike the Crown Prince’s overbearing att.i.tude, and began paying more attention to Li ZeChen from time to time. Occasionally, the Crown Prince would have a mind to bully him (LZC), and Ye Ming would take it upon himself to approach the Crown Prince and engage him in conversation. The Crown Prince enjoyed his (YM) company, as long as he stepped forth, the Crown Prince would highly likely forget about bullying Li ZeChen.
More than ten years has pa.s.sed.
The skinny child has grown into a cold, ruthless man.
Li ZeYuan had been stripped of his t.i.tle and ousted from the palace, Li ZeChen had risen to take the Emperor’s place, and he (YM) had been happy for him. No one would dare offer Li ZeChen insolence anymore, and Ye Ming believed he would be an even better Emperor.
But it had never occurred to him that Li ZeChen would desire him.
Did he really hold no feelings for this person? No… but the feelings he held were not of that between men and women, he had merely wished for the best for Li ZeChen. Over a decade ago, he had hoped that he (LZC) could live well and not suffer any grievances, a decade later he hoped that he (LZC) would be a good Emperor, as a paragon of the world.
As for marrying me, this choice would not benefit either of us.
Because we have led completely different lives.
Instead, you tie yourself to the people you should not entangle with….
Ye Ming reached out a hand to gently touch Li ZeChen’s face, but was seized in a fierce grip. Li ZeChen’s eyes opened, his dark pupils chillingly sharp as a raptor’s. After a moment, the piercing look dissipated to be replaced with tenderness, his voice was hoa.r.s.e from sleep: “You’re awake.”
Ye Ming lowered his gaze to conceal the sorrow in his eyes, and answered coldly: “Yes.”
Li ZeChen did not mind Ye Ming’s cold indifference, he does not expect this person to treat him the way he used to, probably because he (LZC) himself was no longer deserving of sympathy. It could be that Ye Ming treated him kindly back then out of pity, he likely treated everyone else much the same way.
And his own foolishness led him to think that he (LZC) was different, that Ye Ming’s actions hinted at a deeper interest…. when in fact, he was no different from everyone else in Ye Ming’s eyes.
But now, he finally had the means to monopolise this gentleness.
Li ZeChen looked fixedly at Ye Ming, and suddenly said: “Could you give zhen a kiss?”
Ye Ming’s eyes widened, he didn’t expect Li ZeChen to make such a request. Being forced to submit was humiliating enough. It was impossible for him to kiss Li ZeChen! He couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing.
Li ZeChen smiled a little: “You are now zhen’s person, but how is it that you have never tried to please zhen?”
Ye Ming turned his face away, he had never had any intentions of pleasing the other from the very beginning. Just then, he felt a tickle on his ear. Li ZeChen had shifted closer and huffed out a sigh, then he laughed mockingly: “If you can’t do it, zhen might just request for Lady Zuo, let her take your place to please zhen instead.”
Li ZeChen smiled serenely at him, waiting for him to make his choice.
Ye Ming closed his eyes, after a while, he slowly raised his head and gently pressed his lips against Li ZeChen’s. He remained still for a moment, before quickly pulling away. Just this short moment was enough to make his face heat up, to think that he actually made such a shameless move!
Li ZeChen felt the soft, cool lips sliding over his own, like the faint brushing of feathers over his heart. He closed his eyes to savour the sensation.
You don’t know how much I’ve longed for you to take the initiative.
Why is it necessary for me to have to twist your arm for such a small thing. I would never actually harm the people you hold dear, but you still fall for my threats because you won’t take any chances with their safety….
And he himself (LZC) is like a thirsting man at an oasis, delighting in the stolen sweetness, while at the same time being jealous of all those people in your heart, becoming completely irrational.
Even knowing that this was poison, it was still sweet to him.
Li ZeChen did not want Ye Ming to see the sorrow in his eyes, it was a long while before he opened them again. His emotions were no longer discernible from his gaze. This is fine… at least you’re still by my side, what else can I wish for? People shouldn’t be too greedy.
[Ding! Li ZeChen’s blackening value -20, current blackening value 50]
Ye Ming watched as Li ZeChen got up and left the bed. A flurry of maids immediately flocked over to attend to him.
Ye Ming ate his breakfast expressionlessly, without asking why Li ZeChen has allowed his return to Feng Yang palace. It was as if it mattered not where he was housed or what treatment he received from others.
Li ZeChen sighed, kissed Ye Ming again, before leaving for the imperial court.
[Ye Ming: Ah, I’m finally back at my presidential suite, the cold war is over, so happy!!!]
[888: …….]
[Ye Ming: Many thanks to Concubine Liang, many thanks to the Empress Dowager, my deepest grat.i.tude for these selfless and dedicated women for their devotion in finally letting His Majesty figure things out!]
Since that day, Li ZeChen was back to treating Ye Ming with his previous gentleness, no longer putting up a cold and aloof front. Since nothing he did was able to change his mind, what use was there in doing so?
Even if you refuse to be my Empress, living without standing or prestige, I can still keep and indulge you forever.
Feng Yang palace was much quieter on the inside, the other women were not permitted past the main doors, even the Empress Dowager was barred from entering. It was much safer here, where Li ZeChen has ensured that no more accidents were allowed to happen.
These quiet and uneventful days pa.s.sed quickly.
[Ye Ming: Ah, it’s so boring. No doubt it’s more comfortable living here, but there’s not even a single catfight around, it’s too well shielded, oh the loneliness!]
[888: Weren’t you the one who plotted to dominate the harem and ended up here?]
[Ye Ming: Yes……]
[888: Then don’t do it.]
[Ye Ming: Uh….. although it’s very comfortable living here, I’m getting bored of this place. I think it’s time for His Majesty to take me outside for a breath of fresh air.]
[888: He’ll let you out???]
[Ye Ming: But of course! Big brother, in this, you’re lacking a bit. He just doesn’t allow me to leave his side, but he has never said that he will keep me locked up in the palace forever. As a 24/7 husband, if I want to go out, wouldn’t he rush to accompany me? Compared to the likes of Bao Si and Daji, they can’t even hold a candle to me, hahahahaha!]
Note: 褒姒 (bāo sì) and 妲己 (dájǐ) – 2 famous femme fatales blamed for the downfall of kingdoms.
Bao Si was one of the concubines of the ancient Chinese sovereign King You of Zhou. She was considered one of the most beautiful Chinese women ever. In order to please her, King You abused the trust of his n.o.bles by repeatedly lighting the summoning beacons to summon the va.s.sal’s armies to amuse Bao Si. After several times of this, when there was a genuine attack, none came to answer his call.
Daji was the favorite consort of King Zhou of Shang, the last king of the Shang dynasty in ancient China. She is portrayed as a malevolent fox spirit in legends as well as novels. She is considered a cla.s.sic example of how a beauty causes the downfall of a dynasty in Chinese culture.
[888: …….] I have faith in your wickedness.
Of course, Ye Ming would not be so overt as to say Husband, take me out for a walk. He began to mope, his expression sullen, and would stay for long hours in the study room to practice writing.
Li ZeChen thought of various ways to coax Ye Ming, willing to even pluck the moon from the skies for him, but Ye Ming remained despondent. One day, he came back to find Ye Ming standing at the desk with a brush in hand, his side profile radiating melancholy.
Depressed at the sight, Li ZeChen walked over and hugged him from behind. He asked softly: “What did you do today?”
Ye Ming casually pushed away the piece of rice paper in front of him, answering faintly: “Nothing.”
Li ZeChen’s sharp eyes caught sight of the beautiful lines of Ye Ming’s elegant and powerful calligraphy strokes on the rice paper. A few lines of poetry were written on it, the words conveying a deep longing for the vast outside world, but was trapped and unable to leave. He immediately realized that Ye Ming wanted to go outside.
He (YM) has been kept in the palace for so long, how could he not be bored? This was an oversight of his (LZC).
Li ZeChen’s eyes flickered as he remained silent. The next day, he did not leave in the morning as usual. Instead, he laid out a set of outdoor garments for Ye Ming, saying: “Zhen will be going out hunting today. Wen Qing, you will accompany zhen.”
Ye Ming’s expression finally showed some changes, eyeing him doubtfully. Li ZeChen meant to bring him out of the palace? Didn’t he mean to cage him (YM) here?
A trace of helplessness flitted pa.s.s Li ZeChen’s eyes. If you had wanted to go out, you could have just told zhen…. did you really think zhen would keep you locked up in the palace for life, without permitting a single step outside? How could zhen bear to treat you that way.
If you would be zhen’s Empress, zhen could even let you rule the world with zhen…. but you are unwilling.
Ye Ming’s eyes lit up at the thought of finally being able to leave the confines of the palace, but then he recalled that he would be with Li ZeChen. To be seen by others by the Emperor’s side, would that not make all his efforts at concealment be in vain? He dimmed in an instant, his voice cold: “This minister cannot go.”
Li ZeChen understood Ye Ming’s concerns, he allowed a servant to bring a hat to Ye Ming and fastened it on. It had a wide brim with a thick veil attached, which completely concealed the face. Then he ignored Ye Ming’s struggles of resistance, and brought him out!
Ye Ming and Li ZeChen were seated in a carriage, their hands tightly clasped. Even under the cover of the hat, Ye Ming still felt uncomfortable. Any glance sent his way made him tense up for fear that he would be recognized, it was nerve wracking.
He had wanted to leave the palace, but not like this with Li ZeChen. How would the people view him? They would definitely know that he is Li ZeChen’s male pet…..
Thinking of this, his eyes turned red with humiliation and anger. It would have been best to have continued staying in the palace, it’s not like he could escape from Li ZeChen’s clutches, what difference does it make whether or not he was permitted to go outside.
The floor of the horse drawn carriage was covered with thick tiger skin rugs, which were extremely soft, and made the ride much smoother, but a few b.u.mps were inevitable. Jarred by a particularly rough jolt, Ye Ming fell against Li ZeChen’s body. Before he could move away, Li ZeChen circled his shoulders in his arms, and held on tightly to his hand.
Li ZeChen remained silent, and held on to him all the way through the ride. His chest was strong and firm, his palms hot, and Ye Ming couldn’t help the warm flush from rising in his face.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the hunting grounds. Surrounded on all sides by the scions of other families, the imperial bodyguards and the imperial soldiers, Ye Ming was nervous and tense, too afraid to utter a single word lest he be recognized.
Li ZeChen noticed Ye Ming’s unease and dispelled the crowd, telling them to begin first. He turned to Ye Ming with a smile: “Come with zhen?”
Ye Ming shook his head. All he wanted was to keep his distance from Li ZeChen, how would he be willing to go with him.
Li ZeChen sighed inwardly and did not force the issue, he turned and mounted his horse. Since Ye Ming wanted to be left alone, he will grant his wish. After all, the purpose of today’s activity was to bring him outside for a respite.
He sat tall and straight, both legs nudged once at the horse’s flanks, and very soon his figure disappeared into the distance.
Ye Ming watched Li ZeChen leave and finally breathed out a sigh of relief. He began to make his way towards the edge of the crowd for a more secluded spot, unwilling to be surrounded by so many people.
[Ye Ming: There are quite a lot of familiar faces here today.]
[888: Indeed.]
[Ye Ming: Speaking of which, is my brother-in-law here today?]
[888: Who’s your brother-in-law?]
[Ye Ming: Zuo Yu ah! Even though I’m not bound to them by marriage, he’s still considered my brother-in-law ^__^]
[888: …….]
[888: Turn left, 200 meters.]
Zuo Yu was currently serving in the Imperial army, and so happened to be accompanying the Emperor on a hunt today, but the Emperor unexpectedly brought someone with him, a man. The man was wearing a wide brimmed hat with a thick veil concealing his face, but based on his posture alone, one could expect the person to be beautiful….. seeing the intimacy between him and the Emperor, he could only be the Emperor’s male pet.
Zuo Yu has always looked down on such men who relied on looks to win the favour of others, but he couldn’t help feeling that the figure seemed familiar, and snuck a few more looks over.
It wasn’t long before the Emperor left to join the hunt, the man stayed back by himself. He seemed unwilling to be in a crowded area, and turned to seek solace in a corner not far from where Zuo Yu was standing.
The man stood quietly, not noticing Zuo Yu’s presence. Although not a word had left his lips from the very beginning, he gave off a melancholy air, full of sorrow and bitterness, attracting sidelong glances from the others. A strong breeze suddenly lifted the edges of his veil, before it drifted back down.
Although it was for but a moment, just a brief glimpse offered of the handsome face before it was hidden again…… Zuo Yu’s expression suddenly twisted!
(End Chapter 39)