Chapter 39 His Majesty Will Share the Bed with the Young Master

Chapter 39: His Majesty Wishes to Share a Bed with the Heir

On the way, another Embroidered Uniform Guard reported that the Marquis of Dingbei was still about half an hour away from returning to his residence.

Yan Weichu impatiently ordered, "Hurry up."

Since their marriage, he had stopped having people monitor Xie Xiao. Today was an exception, as Xie Xiao had gone to the Earl's manor for dinner.

It wasn't that he didn't want to—he would have preferred to keep his cousin firmly within his sight at all times—but Xie Xiao disliked being watched, so he had no choice but to relent.

That irritating pest Zheng Shize had already left, leaving Yan Weichu alone in the carriage. Amidst the rumbling of the wheels, he lowered his eyes, feeling somewhat out of sorts.

Yet, he couldn't quite pinpoint why he felt this way.

Perhaps it was a loss of face, or something else entirely; regardless, he was in a foul mood.

When Yan Weichu returned to the residence, Xie Xiao had not yet arrived. He didn't enter immediately but lingered at the gatehouse, waiting for a moment.

As soon as Xie Xiao stepped out of the carriage, he saw Yan Weichu standing by the entrance, his figure silhouetted and elongated by the high-hanging lanterns on either side. The hazy light enveloped him, as if he had emerged from the light itself.

Xie Xiao paused, momentarily captivated, then quickly stepped forward. "You're back—why didn't you go inside? What are you doing standing out here?"

"Waiting for you to come home together."

Yan Weichu's voice was subdued; it was rare to see him so listless.

Xie Xiao's gaze lingered slightly. After studying him for a moment, he took Yan Weichu's wrist and softened his voice. "Let's go inside."

Once inside, Xie Xiao ate a little first. Yan Weichu sat nearby, watching. Xie Xiao volunteered that he had been busy these past two days since taking over the Capital Guards, which was why he had returned late. Finally, he asked, "Did you go to the Earl's manor for dinner earlier?"

Yan Weichu pouted. With his husband away, wasn't it natural for him to return to his family? Did they expect him to stay home alone? He wasn't that foolish.

"If you come back this late again, I won't come back either," Yan Weichu said petulantly.

Xie Xiao replied, "I was held up by official business. It wasn't my intention."

"I don't care," Yan Weichu said unreasonably. "Others handle their duties, and so do you, yet you always have more official business. Even my father isn't as busy as you."

Xie Xiao said unfazed, "Then you'll have to take it up with His Majesty. He's the one who assigned the tasks."

Yan Weichu: "..."

You certainly have a lot to say.

Yan Weichu was truly angry now, though he wasn't sure whether he was angrier at Xie Xiao or at himself.

After being attended to by the servants for his ablutions, he went straight to bed, burrowing under the covers and turning his back to Xie Xiao, giving him the cold shoulder.

Xie Xiao also washed up and changed clothes. After dismissing everyone from the room, he walked to the bedside and sat down. Gazing at Yan Weichu's turned back, he twirled a strand of Yan Weichu's hair around his finger, gently winding it. "Going to sleep so early today?"

It was only just past 7 p.m. Usually, Yan Weichu was most active around this time, chattering away without rest. Tonight was an exception.

A muffled voice emerged from under the covers: "Not doing it. I'm tired today."

Xie Xiao said helplessly, "Where did your mind wander? Is that what I meant?"

"..." Well, who knew?

A moment later, Yan Weichu suddenly threw off the covers, sat up cross-legged, grabbed Xie Xiao's lapel, and pulled him closer.

Xie Xiao's eyes flickered, fixed intently on Yan Weichu before him, and he obligingly leaned closer.

He had vaguely sensed Yan Weichu's odd behavior but didn't fully understand it.

Yan Weichu avoided his gaze, letting his eyes drift down from Xie Xiao's piercing dark eyes to settle on his lips.

At this moment, the Young Emperor's mind was in turmoil—

What would a kiss matter? They were married—couldn't they kiss?

But if Xie Xiao wasn't making a move, why should he, with his high station, take the initiative to offer a kiss?

Xie Xiao raised his hand, fingers threading through Yan Weichu's loose hair to cradle the back of his head, gently ruffling it as if to soothe him. "Who upset you today?"

Yan Weichu felt a pang of disappointment and snorted. "An oblivious fool."

He reluctantly released his grip and lay back down, turning his back once more.

Xie Xiao, somewhat bewildered, leaned closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from Yan Weichu's cheek behind his ear. "Are you cursing me?"

So what if I am? Can't I curse you? If I'm unhappy, I'll divorce you sooner or later.

Yan Weichu kept these thoughts to himself and didn't voice them.

Xie Xiao thought for a moment and said, "If you want something, just say it directly. Don't always be so difficult."

Yan Weichu turned back angrily and glared at him. "Who wants anything? Don't pin your own desires on me, you pervert."

Xie Xiao, now cursed at, narrowed his eyes. Yan Weichu pulled the covers higher, refusing to communicate further.

Fine, no kiss then. As if anyone cared.

All that remained in Xie Xiao's sight was a human-shaped lump buried under the covers, with only the top of Yan Weichu's head and disheveled hair visible.

He looked down silently for a moment, then reached out and ruffled Yan Weichu's hair before getting up to put out the light.

Xie Xiao got into bed, pulled back a corner of the covers, and slipped in. He wrapped an arm around Yan Weichu's waist, pulling him closer into his embrace.

Yan Weichu, with his back to him, struggled several times, trying to shake off Xie Xiao's hold, but Xie Xiao persisted, encircling him firmly and using his legs to restrain Yan Weichu's thrashing around.

Yan Weichu finally gave up in defeat. Fine, whatever.

Xie Xiao's breath drew near as he gently kissed the nape of Yan Weichu's neck. "Be good."

Yan Weichu fell silent, closing his eyes. He felt a pang of sadness, his nose stinging. Kissing what? If you have the guts, kiss me on the mouth... Forget it.

He soon fell asleep in Xie Xiao's arms, turning over drowsily and settling into an even more intimate position as Xie Xiao held him.

*

Yaotai.

Below, Junior Grand Secretary Lin Tongfu was droning on with his report, detailing the national treasury's revenue and expenditure for the entire year.

Yan Weichu leaned lazily in the throne, listening half-heartedly with downcast eyes, his emotions unreadable, though the atmosphere around him felt heavy.

This old man was long-winded, repeating the same things over and over—essentially, that the national treasury was empty and there was no money.

Already irritable, Yan Weichu grew even more annoyed hearing this and cut him off: "Just half a month ago, I had five million taels of silver transferred from the imperial privy purse to the national treasury. And now you're telling me there's no money again?"

Lin Tongfu said with shameless audacity, "Just the reorganization and recruitment of new soldiers for the Capital Camp has already cost over a million taels of silver, and the Marquis of Dingbei even told me the funding is insufficient..."

Hearing the words "Marquis of Dingbei," Yan Weichu lifted his eyes and said coldly, "If it's not enough, then give more. What, do you think the Marquis of Dingbei is lying to deceive me for money? Are you trying to accuse him in front of me? How dare he do such a thing?"

Lin Tongfu was speechless. Why are you like a lit firecracker, set off at the mere mention of the Marquis of Dingbei? What did the Marquis of Dingbei do to you?

Naturally, he didn’t know it was because Xie Xiao had gone to the Capital Camp early in the morning, and Yan Weichu woke up without seeing him, coupled with the events of the previous night, that made him so irritable.

Lin Tongfu plowed ahead with his explanation, "That’s not what I meant. It’s just that it’s the end of the year, and military salaries need to be distributed everywhere. It’s not just the Capital Camp—there are also border fortresses and local garrisons. The border generals who came to the capital a few days ago specifically asked me when next year’s military salaries will be issued. Your Majesty previously issued a special decree forbidding delays in military salaries, so I dare not neglect this matter. But it’s not just the soldiers who need to eat; everywhere requires funds. Famine relief funds for Ji and Yu provinces need to be sent again, and the year-end ceremonies also require a significant amount of money..."

"Enough," Yan Weichu said impatiently. "Is the treasury's lack of funds my problem? I haven’t even punished you, the Minister of Revenue, for your incompetence, and you have the nerve to argue with me about this? And as for the longstanding practice of delaying military salaries, I simply haven’t bothered to investigate. Are you proud of that?"

Lin Tongfu knelt with a thud. "I admit my fault. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Yan Weichu said irritably, "I know you’re eyeing my private treasury. My private treasury does have money now, and I can give you some more, but don’t think of me as a money bag. If you’re short on funds, don’t just come begging from me—I won’t indulge you. I’ll point you to a clear path: collect merchant taxes. Follow this plan, and as long as you can collect them, the treasury will surely be filled."

As he spoke, he threw down the new merchant tax collection guidelines that Liu Zhu had drafted and he had personally revised, signaling Lin Tongfu to read it.

As soon as Lin Tongfu heard the words "collect merchant taxes," he felt uneasy. With trembling hands, he picked up the guidelines the Young Emperor had thrown to him. After reading just half a page, his vision swam. Increasing the tax from one-thirtieth to as high as two-fifths? How many people’s means of profit would this cut off? Your Majesty, you can’t play like this!

"Your Majesty, this cannot be done!"

Aside from the impassive Liu Zhu, all the cabinet ministers turned pale after taking turns reading the guidelines and spoke up one after another to dissuade him.

"Such noise." Yan Weichu was in a bad mood and had no desire to listen to these people.

Someone stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I advise..."

"Shut up and don’t advise. I don’t want to hear it." I won’t listen, I won’t listen, turtle chanting scriptures.

Everyone: "..."

You are utterly unreasonable.

Yan Weichu was indeed this unreasonable: "All of you, dismissed. I will issue an edict later. The new merchant tax collection guidelines will take effect from the first month of next year. The Ministry of Revenue should prepare in advance. Devise collection methods yourselves and report back to me."

Everyone thought to themselves, "You want us to come up with ways to undermine our own interests? You think too highly of yourself. This matter is not over."

Yan Weichu couldn’t care less what they thought. Displeased with the sight of them, he waved them away like bothersome flies.

As soon as they left Yaotai, someone immediately complained that the Young Emperor was confused and unable to distinguish right from wrong.

Someone seized Liu Zhu and wouldn’t let go: "Lord Liu, you are the Chief Grand Secretary. His Majesty has taken leave of his senses, vying with the people for profits and endangering the state. You must advise His Majesty!"

Liu Zhu couldn’t very well say that he was the one who drafted the guidelines, afraid he’d be pummeled to death by these people. He said awkwardly, "You all know His Majesty’s temperament. How could I alone persuade him? It would be better if more people presented petitions to advise together. If the opposition in the court is loud enough, perhaps His Majesty will compromise."

Yeah, right. Is the Young Emperor someone who compromises?

Everyone vaguely shared this concern, but the thought of this policy actually being implemented was like a dull knife slicing flesh—if it didn’t kill them, it would make them bleed heavily. It would be more painful than their own mothers' passing...

Finally, Lin Tongfu gritted his teeth and said, "No matter what, we must still advise him. His Majesty is mistaken, and we should stop him and steer him back to the proper course."

Everyone nodded in agreement and then dispersed, eager to return and find allies and colleagues to draft memorials together.

Liu Zhu watched their hurriedly departing backs and sighed deeply. They were truly courting their own destruction.

His Majesty was worried they would be too obedient, leaving him no excuse to act!

After dismissing everyone, Yan Weichu found it was already late in the afternoon.

Zhao Anfu asked if he should prepare a carriage to return to the Marquis' residence. Yan Weichu remained seated, unmoving, sternly reading memorials at the imperial desk. As he reviewed them, his brushstrokes were particularly forceful, and from time to time, he threw memorials that displeased him onto the ground.

All the palace attendants were cautious, not daring to make a sound.

It was easy to guess that His Majesty was unhappy—it must be the Marquis of Dingbei’s fault.

Marquis of Dingbei, you’ve truly brought suffering upon us...

Yan Weichu threw down his vermilion brush, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes for a long moment.

Zhao Anfu signaled with his eyes, and a young eunuch quietly stepped forward to replace the cooled tea beside the imperial desk with a fresh cup.

Yan Weichu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze distant, and asked Eunuch Zhao, "Uncle, do you think my cousin truly likes me?"

"..." Why are you asking this again? Zhao Anfu’s face fell. He really didn’t know how to answer. "...The Marquis was willing to brave the world's scorn to marry you, Your Majesty. Naturally, he likes you."

His words only pierced Yan Weichu’s heart like a knife.

Did Xie Xiao brave the world's scorn for him?

He did it for the entire House of Duke Zhenguo!

At the end of the afternoon, Xie Xiao returned to the residence, but Yan Weichu did not come back.

The house steward informed him that half an hour earlier, the Heir had sent word from the Western Park saying he would not return to the Marquis' residence today and would stay overnight at Yaotai.

Xie Xiao frowned upon hearing this. "He’s staying at Yaotai?"

The house steward said, "That’s what was said. He mentioned needing to finalize the regulations for the new Imperial Guards before the New Year. His Majesty asked him to stay to discuss affairs through the night and share sleeping quarters. The Heir won’t be returning for the next few days and asked you not to worry."

Xie Xiao lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable, and said nothing more.

The house steward bowed his head and dared not speak further.

His Majesty kept him there to discuss official matters through the night?

After a long while, Xie Xiao suddenly asked, "Why has His Majesty neither appointed an empress nor taken consorts? There are even rumors that he keeps no consorts at all?"

...What exactly does he see in A Li?

The house steward was stunned by the question. How could he dare comment on His Majesty? He didn’t know either!

Xie Xiao naturally knew he wouldn’t get an answer. Irritated, he waved his hand and dismissed the house steward.