Chapter 201: Unwilling [Bonus Chapter]

Chapter 201: Unwilling to Add More Chapters

The palace, sustained by the people of the realm, is the place least lacking in food, clothing, and necessities, especially the Emperor's residence, the Hall of Caution.

However, the side hall of the Hall of Caution was unusually devoid of any candlelight, standing silently in the dark night like a monstrous beast.

The summer night could hardly be called cold, but Shiliu woke up from his dream, his palms and back drenched in cold sweat.

He hadn't dreamed in a long time, let alone dreamed of the distant past, of a time when he wasn't called Shiliu.

Today was His Highness's coronation ceremony. Shiliu thought vaguely, still instinctively referring to that person as His Highness when thinking in his heart.

He regarded him as his master, had depended on him for over twenty years, and this person was the pillar of his spirit.

Everyone has their own place in life. Hua Nian has Du Yunse, Gu Gu, and Yang Yang; Wen Huiyang has his disciples and esteemed reputation. Shiliu only wanted to watch them from afar, protect them, and dared not step into their lives.

He couldn't imagine life without being a guard.

Originally, he only needed to continue standing in the comforting darkness, as a loyal dog always accompanying his master, but now...

The side hall's door was pushed open from outside, the sound was light, but Shiliu's sharp ears caught the movement.

No servant announced the visitor's arrival, indicating that the visitor had dismissed the irrelevant people. Hearing the familiar footsteps, Shiliu hesitated to rise.

He rose promptly, silently kneeling in welcome. The dim moonlight shone on him, making him look like a blurry shadow.

Jia Hongyuan's speech was cut short by Shiliu's actions. His gaze fixed on Shiliu, feeling helpless for the first time in his life.

"Shiliu, have you figured it out?"

"No," Shiliu replied honestly.

"..." Jia Hongyuan took a breath, "During the coronation ceremony today, when rewarding the meritorious officials, Wen Huiyang abruptly stood up."

Shiliu's lashes fluttered faintly.

Jia Hongyuan watched him closely, catching every subtle shift, and said slowly, "Wen Huiyang stated that the Mei family of Guzhu had shown him kindness, and he was willing to exchange all his rewards for a reinvestigation of the Mei family's old case. I have consented."

"Shiliu, if you consent to become the Empress, I will posthumously ennoble your father and grandfather as Marquises, and all living Mei descendants shall also bask in wealth and honor."

Jia Hongyuan attempted to sway Shiliu by mentioning his family, but Shiliu stayed silent, utterly still.

That day's absurdity demolished Jia Hongyuan's presumptuous plans. He found that he lost all self-control, couldn't possibly pretend that nothing had happened and continue to keep his distance from Shiliu after such an event.

He couldn't accept Shiliu's alienation, couldn't accept that Shiliu's first reaction after such an event was still to apologize to his master.

Jia Hongyuan wanted to continue the absurdity recklessly, to ignore the so-called curses and risks, and to bind his beloved firmly by his side. To this end, he urgently summoned the Minister of Rites that very night to inquire about the procedures for establishing an Empress, ordering him to devise the most flawless protocol for elevating a convict's descendant to Empress.

He had prepared everything, only to find that the source he thought least needed worrying about had become a problem.

Shiliu refused outright.

How absurd it sounded, that Shiliu would have moments of unwillingness towards his demands, but that was the fact.

As a guard, Shiliu would fulfill any of his master's commands. Even if Jia Hongyuan said he wanted to sleep with him again, he would only silently take off his clothes.

But Jia Hongyuan wanted Shiliu to stop being a guard, to be his husband, his Empress, and Shiliu refused.

Shiliu would serve him as a tool, but not love him as a human.

This realization made Jia Hongyuan's blood surge and his heart feel as if it were being sliced by a knife, yet he had no way to change it. No amount of power could control someone's heart.

Sixteen's heart had long been buried under layers of ash, and Mei Wangshu was unwilling to give it away; no one could take it.

...

Du Yunse's appointment as the prefect of Tianjin Prefecture had been issued, and he was to take office within seven days. Qiu Huanian sent people ahead to prepare the Tianjin Prefecture office while also instructing the servants to pack their belongings.

Tianjin Prefecture was not far from the capital, and one could reach it in a day by fast horse. The first batch of items didn't need to be extensive, as anything missing could be sent for later.

Qiu Huanian was preoccupied with thoughts of Sixteen in the palace, and his mind wandered as he watched the servants pack. Jiu Jiu noticed Brother Hua's distraction and took charge of the packing.

Besides their own family, the residence currently housed Bao Yi's family, the siblings Yuan Jia and Yuan Ruo, and Chi Qinghe. Arrangements also had to be made for them when they moved to Tianjin.

Chi Qinghe's parents and relatives had received imperial favors and were on their way to the capital to express their gratitude. They would reunite with Chi Qinghe in a few days' time.

Bao Yi, having contributed to the delivery of important messages, was granted the title of a thousand-household official, which could be inherited, and he could choose his own station. After much deliberation, Bao Yi decided to return to the northeast, to the land that had nurtured him for decades.

"The place I chose is close to Zhang County. Our Du clan is gradually growing, and someone needs to keep an eye on them nearby to prevent them from straying and causing trouble for you."

Bao Yi smiled at Du Yunse, "Uncle has reached this point in life thanks to you, and I am content. It's just right to go back and keep company with my elder brother."

As for the siblings Yuan Jia and Yuan Ruo, Yuan Jia had gained some fame for her work on the basics of geometry, revealing her talent in mathematics. After the new emperor's ascension, he ordered the Imperial Archives to revive the mathematical research that had been disrupted by the second prince.

The staff at the Imperial Archives, fearing they couldn't meet the emperor's deadline, hesitated before approaching Yuan Jia, asking her to join as a female scholar in the research.

Although this was not an official position that could be recorded in the official registry, it allowed Yuan Jia to pursue her ambitions, continue doing what she loved, and provided her with a secure livelihood. After a deep conversation with Qiu Huanian, Yuan Jia decided to accept the position.

After Qiu Huanian and the others left, the main gate and the main rooms of the residence would be locked, but the Yuan Jia siblings would continue to live in the Jade Bamboo Courtyard, entering and exiting through the side door. They could also help look after the residence in their spare time, preventing the remaining servants from slacking off.

With household affairs proceeding smoothly and without worry, Qiu Huanian frowned in thought for a long time before suddenly standing up.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Xing Mi asked, blinking.

"Prepare the carriage and bring the newly brewed wine from the estate. I'm going to visit the Azure Phoenix Lord."

The Azure Phoenix Lord had previously collaborated with Qiu Huanian to brew wine, one providing the recipe from the Western Regions, the other the vineyard, venue, and manpower.

A small batch was trial-brewed last autumn, and though it wasn't yet fully matured, a jar was brought from the estate for the family to taste, which Qiu Huanian now used as an excuse for his visit.

Upon arriving at the Azure Phoenix Lord's residence, the guards, knowing of the Qishu County Princess's friendship with the lord, invited Qiu Huanian in while they went to inform the Azure Phoenix Lord.

Qiu Huanian sat in the guest hall for a short while before the Azure Phoenix Lord arrived.

He hadn't had time to change into formal attire, his crimson gauze robe casually tied at the waist with a palace sash, his striking features full of exotic charm, and he walked with a lively step.

Qiu Huanian had faintly heard the servants mention that the Azure Phoenix Lord was with the consort, and he subtly observed his expression, but found nothing unusual.

The Azure Phoenix Lord waved for the others to leave, sat down, took a sip of tea, and sighed, "Zi Sui, you must have something to discuss with me today?"

He seemed to already know the purpose of Qiu Huanian's visit, and Qiu Huanian didn't hide it, getting straight to the point.

"I need to see Sixteen, no matter what it takes."