Chapter 74

Chapter 74

The princess clenched her fists, her nails nearly digging into her palms, her back already soaked with cold sweat.

Suppressing her fear and forcing down the trembling in her throat, she stubbornly insisted, "Your Majesty, the Young Marquis drank until intoxicated and had the audacity to barge into Yueqing Palace without any sense of propriety. I..."

Before she could finish, the Emperor began walking toward her step by step.

His footsteps seemed to strike at the very core of her being. By the time he reached the bedside, the princess could no longer hold her head up, clearly terrified to the extreme.

The Emperor lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on the Young Marquis's open collar. Beneath the loose lapels, a stretch of dazzling skin was exposed, flushed with a faint pink hue below the neck.

"His body is limp like this," the Emperor's voice was not loud, yet carried a bone-chilling coldness, "and he still dared to act indecently toward you?"

The princess's throat tightened. She swallowed unconsciously, her teeth beginning to chatter uncontrollably. She forced herself to defend, "Your Majesty, it's true... He has been fixated on our late father's arranged marriage. Recently, with Your Majesty frequently summoning him to the palace, he has seen me often and has long harbored wicked intentions toward me..."

Her words abruptly stopped.

The Emperor's face showed no obvious anger, yet his expression was inexplicably terrifying.

The princess's face paled, and she fell silent.

It was a look more chilling than outright fury, as if he were gazing upon a dead man walking.

Suddenly, the Emperor let out a low chuckle, devoid of any warmth: "Even I had forgotten about Father's arranged marriage, yet you remember it so clearly."

The princess's face drained of all color as she looked up.

The Emperor glanced down at her: "It was you who repeatedly found excuses to appear before him recklessly, pretending to be mad and foolish, pestering him endlessly. Tell me, sister, how did it become *him* harboring wicked intentions toward *you*?"

"No, it wasn't me!" The princess shook her head vigorously, tears finally breaking free and rolling down her cheeks, mixing with her makeup and leaving her looking utterly disheveled. "If Your Majesty doesn't believe me, the side hall of Yueqing Palace still keeps the casual robes the Young Marquis took off during the farewell banquet in the Western Desert! Even back then, he already had intentions toward me..."

She abruptly stopped, watching wide-eyed as the Emperor hooked a finger and trailed it down from the Young Marquis's chin, lightly skimming over his neck and across his chest.

On that fair skin, faint red marks remained, clearly left when his inner garments were pulled aside.

The Young Marquis on the bed trembled unconsciously, as if trying to shy away, but was too limp to move. Finally, the fingertip came to rest on his abdomen.

The princess's heart skipped a beat. Then, the Emperor's voice sounded above her, terrifyingly calm: "What did you give him?"

The princess's face turned ashen, her voice hiding an imperceptible panic as she denied, "I did nothing! He couldn't handle the alcohol himself. After failing to take liberties with me, he simply passed out..."

The Emperor's brow lifted slightly, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger: "Is that so?"

He paused, his gaze fixed directly on the princess: "How exactly did he take liberties with you?"

Under that stare, the princess's heart clenched, her lips instantly losing all color. She was at a loss for words, unable to speak.

An overwhelming pressure emanated from the Emperor as he watched her with a heavy gaze, his voice carrying a hint of urgency: "Speak."

"If you don't say, how can your elder brother uphold justice for you?"

The princess hastily averted her eyes. After a long silence, as if mustering all her courage, she stammered, "He... he tore open my clothes, tried to... kiss... kiss my neck. I struggled fiercely, so he tried to bite... His hands also groped wildly. Finally, his strength gave out, and he..."

The air seemed to freeze.

Silence spread throughout the hall.

The next moment, right in front of the princess, the Emperor slowly bent down, stopping near Luo Qianyu's jaw.

Suddenly, the man lowered his head and, without warning, bit down on the snow-white, faintly flushed side of his neck.

"Mmph...!"

The Young Marquis let out a suppressed whimper. A strange, scorching heat enveloped his neck, making him struggle instinctively. He raised a hand to push the man above him, but had no strength. His push against the shoulder did nothing, while the man's lips and teeth remained firmly locked in place, never letting go.

His muddled consciousness shuddered at this sudden intrusion, but his body was limp. The unfamiliar sensation carried a burning heat. His sensitive neck being treated like this... after a moment, involuntary tears slid down uncontrollably.

The princess's eyes were filled with shock and horror.

She instinctively took half a step back, forgetting even to make a sound.

When the lips withdrew, a faint silvery strand seemed to linger for a moment between the Emperor's lips and the Young Marquis's snowy neck, swaying lightly in the air before slowly breaking and disappearing without a trace.

Now, a clear bite mark, starkly red, stood out on Young Lord Luo's neck against his delicate skin.

This madman...!

Then, the Emperor stood up and scooped the Young Marquis into his arms horizontally.

Only the princess remained on the embroidered couch, her face pale with terror.

The Emperor glanced sideways at her and suddenly let out a light, ambiguous chuckle, his voice lazy and casual. "Dear sister, *this* is what taking liberties means."

.

The charcoal fire in the warm chamber flickered, casting shifting light and shadow beside the Emperor, before finally merging into the night.

He looked down at the unconscious youth in his arms. Those usually unrestrained, bright eyes were now lightly furrowed. Dark hair cascaded down, his lips were moist and red, and his eyelashes trembled incessantly.

The hand clutching the front of his robe tightened briefly, then loosened again due to weakness.

The Emperor said nothing.

The sable fur cloak he had been wearing, its wide hem sweeping below his knees and carrying a faint scent of ambergris, had somehow wrapped around the youth's slender frame, covering even his toes. The cloak retained the Emperor's body heat, shielding him from the cold.

As his footsteps carried him out of the warm chamber, Eunuch Wang, waiting outside Yueqing Palace, turned at the sound. He was about to bow and report, but the words caught in his throat the moment he looked up and saw the figure approaching.

In all his years, he had never seen His Majesty in such a state... the Emperor holding a court official in his arms.

His expression held a gravity Eunuch Wang had never witnessed before. Even his steps were deliberately lightened, as if afraid of disturbing the person in his embrace.

Eunuch Wang's pupils constricted. His shock was almost impossible to conceal as he hurriedly lowered his head, cold sweat instantly beading at his temples.

Seeing this, the several imperial guards behind him dared not ask questions and could only follow quickly.

Eunuch Wang steadied himself and hurried to the Emperor's side, his voice hushed as he tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, what has happened to Young Lord Luo...?"

Seeing that the Emperor paid him no mind, not even turning his head, Eunuch Wang's heart tightened. He swallowed hard and pressed on, mustering his courage: "Should this servant summon the imperial physician at once?"

The next moment, seeing the Emperor's expression, he quickly fell silent, sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"No."

The Emperor's voice came after a long pause in the silence, low as if rumbling from his chest. He uttered only a few words: "Set course for the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

"...Yes, yes."

Eunuch Wang hastily complied. His gaze fell on the snow-white wrist protruding from the great cloak in the Emperor's arms, and suddenly, understanding dawned on him. He realized something.

His eyes narrowed sharply, but he quickly composed himself and didn't call out.

He swiftly yanked the sharpest young eunuch from behind him closer, hissing in an urgent whisper: "Go! Hurry and clear the way ahead! Inform all palace personnel on duty: when His Majesty's procession passes, anyone not on duty must avoid it—not a soul is to be seen! Go, quickly!"

The young eunuch nodded in a daze, not daring to delay, and scurried off.

Eunuch Wang watched the emperor's figure disappearing into the distance carrying someone, his eyelid twitching, and quickly followed.

.

The wheels of the imperial carriage rolled over the smooth stone path, the surrounding palace lanterns gradually growing denser, lengthening the carriage's shadow.

As the carriage proceeded along the long path, it was only about half a cup of tea's distance from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, yet it was eerily quiet—not even the chirping of insects could be heard, leaving only the sound of the wheels grinding against the stone.

The sound drifted leisurely through the empty path, only to be swallowed by the deep night.

Suddenly, a muffled "creak" sounded.

The carriage abruptly stopped.

"Whoa—"

Along with the startled neigh of the imperial horse, as the carriage halted, the axle also emitted a harsh scraping noise.

Eunuch Wang stumbled, his hand supporting the carriage freezing mid-air. Just as he was bewildered, he craned his neck to see—a figure was standing in the path in front of the carriage.

He staggered, his heart lurching, and pointed at the person, shrilly rebuking: "How dare you! Who are you, reckless fool, to dare block the Emperor's path?!"

He focused his gaze, and upon seeing the person was not dressed as someone from within the palace, Eunuch Wang's expression turned stern, his soul nearly frightened out of him. "Who are you! How did you enter the palace? Do you know this is the forbidden inner court? Trespassing alone is a crime punishable by extermination of your entire clan; daring to obstruct the imperial carriage—how many heads do you have to spare?!"

Yet the person remained motionless, kneeling on one knee, his black, fitted robe brushing against the brick ground: "This servant Wen Yu is the personal guard of Young Marquis Luo."

He added: "This is no trespass, nor do I intend to disturb His Majesty. I have urgent matters to request an audience."

As he spoke, the man raised his hand and produced a white jade token from his bosom, holding it high above his head: "This is a jade token given by the Young Marquis. The bearer of this token is to be treated as if the Former Crown Prince himself were present, and may come and go freely within the palace grounds."

"...Wen Yu." The emperor's voice came from within the carriage as he lifted the curtain, calm yet carrying a chilling pressure: "I have long heard of your name."

Wen Yu lowered his gaze and said nothing.

"He even gave this to you." The emperor's gaze fell upon the jade token, his tone ambiguous. "That is something left to him by his most treasured elder brother, the Crown Prince."

The emperor said casually, "What is this urgent matter you speak of?"

Wen Yu replied, "To bring Young Lord Luo back home."

"Outrageous!" Eunuch Wang rebuked. "If you're here to fetch someone, just fetch them—how dare you block the imperial carriage? How many heads do you have? Do you not wish to live?!"

Wen Yu raised his eyes, his gaze piercing through the gap in the carriage curtain, looking directly inside.

Wen Yu's expression was cool, yet nearly stubborn: "Is the Young Marquis within Your Majesty's carriage?"

"What audacity." The emperor chuckled softly, his laughter devoid of emotion. "Demanding someone from me."

As his words fell, the curtain of the carriage was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Then, the emperor stepped out, holding someone in his arms.

A dark-colored cloak wrapped the Young Marquis tightly, vaguely revealing the outline of the youth. Only a small section of his ear was exposed, flushed with an unhealthy redness, strikingly conspicuous under the lamplight.

Wen Yu's pupils abruptly tightened.

His palm clenched in response.

"He has received my permission to stay overnight at the Hall of Mental Cultivation today." The emperor looked down at him, his voice cold as ice, devoid of any warmth. "You may return."

Yet Wen Yu did not move an inch, his knee pressed against the ground, his spine ramrod straight. He opened his lips and asked, "Your servant dares to ask: after the Young Marquis's coming-of-age ceremony tonight, he appeared normal. Why is he now unconscious, with a flushed complexion?"

...

The surrounding wind seemed to instantly freeze, and even the air grew stagnant.

"Are you questioning me?" the emperor said coldly.

The young eunuchs behind him watched this scene, holding their breath, terrified.

Wen Yu spoke: "Your servant would not dare."

"It is just that my young master has always been in good health. Yet now he is unconscious, feverish, and difficult to rouse. If he has truly contracted a sudden illness, it would be proper for me to immediately take him back to the Marquis's estate for proper treatment, lest he disturb Your Majesty's well-being—that would be a crime for which death would be insufficient atonement."

The emperor remained silent for a long while, looking down at him from above, a cold surge in his crimson eyes. "Wen Yu."

"If Luo Qianyu can give you the jade token, I can take it back." The emperor's gaze was indifferent. "The Former Crown Prince passed away many years ago. The Young Marquis's ability to enter and exit the palace freely with this token relies on my tacit permission—turning a blind eye, that is all."

"You have committed numerous capital offenses; each one is enough to warrant the extermination of your nine clans."

The emperor's gaze fell upon the person in his arms. "The only reason you are still alive and speaking now is entirely out of consideration for the person I am holding."

"I will give you one last chance."

Yet the personal guard did not move.

His fingertip pressed against the hilt of the Jade Spirit Sword at his waist. Wen Yu's cool voice stated: "Your servant is under orders to bring the Young Marquis back to his residence."

"Without the person, there is no reason to return."

...

Eunuch Wang caught sight of the exposed edge of the sword scabbard and was so frightened his body trembled. "He—he has a sword on him!"

"Bringing a sword into the palace is assassination! It is the crime of treason!" Eunuch Wang's voice trembled as he pointed at Wen Yu. "Quick! Seize this assassin!"

With several clanging sounds, the imperial guards behind him drew their swords from their scabbards. Under the glow of the palace lanterns, the surroundings were illuminated with a grim, menacing light.

At this tense, sword-drawn moment, Wen Yu slowly raised his eyes. His cool gaze swept over the encircling imperial guards. Although the Jade Spirit Sword remained sheathed, a fierce killing intent had already risen around him, as if the blade had already left its scabbard, pressing directly forward.

"Your Majesty," his voice was not loud, yet each word was clear, "even if all the imperial guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards by Your Majesty's side were to come at once, they would be no match for your servant."

He paused, his gaze falling upon the youth in the emperor's arms, his tone cool and calm to an almost terrifying degree: "Even before they could draw their swords, your servant's blade would already have taken Your Majesty's head."

"What?"

"...You—you dare utter such treasonous words!" Eunuch Wang was so shocked his entire body trembled, his pointing hand shaking slightly.

Yet the emperor's expression did not change; he merely looked down at the man kneeling on one knee. "You would go to such lengths for him."

"I recall you were forcibly taken into the Marquis's residence back then, signing a life contract. What, have you changed your mind now?"

The emperor's voice was exceptionally clear, word by word:

"Wen Yu, do you harbor improper intentions toward your master?"

Wen Yu remained silent.

The wind swept through the palace corridor, stretching the brief silence unnaturally long.

Wen Yu raised his head, meeting those unfathomable crimson eyes.

He lowered his gaze to the hand pressed against the Jade Spirit Sword, his voice heavy as a falling stone. "Though entering the manor was not my wish, from the day I became his subordinate, he has been the Young Marquis for whom I would go through fire and water, sparing no effort to protect."

"Even at the cost of my life, I will not allow anyone to harm him in the slightest."

...

These words fell with resounding force, like a final, desperate wager.

A hushed silence fell over all present.

The Emperor's hold tightened a fraction around the person he held, and the young man in his embrace stirred slightly, disturbed by the pressure.

The Emperor glanced down at the figure in his arms, and when he looked up again, the coldness in his eyes had deepened to an indelible intensity, yet the corners of his lips curved slightly. "What if today, I intend to take your Young Marquis to my bed?"

"What will you do?"

Wen Yu's expression indeed shifted.

"If Your Majesty, for a moment's pleasure, violates the propriety between ruler and subject and disrupts the natural order, it will not only become a subject of public ridicule but will also ruin the Young Marquis's future career."

Then, Wen Yu raised his eyes to meet the Emperor's gaze, each word sharp and cold as ice. "More importantly, the Young Marquis is strong-willed and cannot abide humiliation. If he wakes and learns of tonight, he would be mortified and indignant, finding life unendurable."

"But your servant wants him to live a carefree life."

...

"If anyone seeks to take advantage of his vulnerability..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the young man in the Emperor's arms. "Even if that person is the Son of Heaven himself, the Emperor."

Wen Yu tightened his grip on the sword hilt, enunciating each word:

"Then I would not hesitate to commit regicide."