Chapter 110: Extra: About the Throne 1

Chapter 110: Extra Story: About the Throne 1

Luo Yunchen only let the old ministers announce to the outside that the emperor’s health was unwell and needed rest. Apart from that, he gave them no further information about the emperor.

The court officials could only get a few unclear messages from the old ministers. Having not seen the emperor hold court or issue any decrees for so long, the officials became uneasy and full of doubt, repeatedly submitting memorials requesting an audience with the emperor.

On one hand, the old ministers helped Luo Yunchen manage state affairs, holding court on his behalf, and fielding the courtiers' questions and probing about the emperor’s illness with mixed feelings. On the other hand, they worriedly awaited the former emperor's burial and the new emperor's succession.

They waited and waited, but discovered their new emperor not only showed no intention of ascending the throne but also had no plans to hold a funeral for the former emperor. The old ministers grew even more worried and submitted petitions urging Luo Yunchen to reassure the court and make a public announcement.

Luo Yunchen shoved the petitions aside in irritation and flung himself into Su Zheng's arms, clutching him tight. “So annoying! They all want to take my brother away! I wish I could dig a hole and bury them all!”

Su Zheng wrapped his arms around Luo Yunchen’s waist, tilting his head to look at him. “Let me meet the court officials. And your army should have arrived by now, right? I need to personally welcome you back victorious and host a banquet for you.”

Luo Yunchen pressed his lips together and remained silent.

Su Zheng raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to speak.

Finally, Luo Yunchen let out a sigh and said, “I’m not happy. I don’t want you to leave this place. I’m afraid once you step out, I won’t be able to keep you close. I’m afraid you’ll suddenly leave, afraid I’ll never find you again…”

Su Zheng quietly watched Luo Yunchen as he muttered as if venting his frustrations, until his voice completely trailed off. Then Su Zheng slightly tilted his head up and kissed Luo Yunchen’s tightly pressed lips.

Luo Yunchen froze for a moment, his lowered eyes slowly lifting. After a few seconds, he took the initiative, seizing control of the kiss.

Once Su Zheng had soothed Luo Yunchen’s mood, he picked up the chain from around his waist and placed it in Luo Yunchen’s hand. “Don’t worry. Hold this, and I definitely won’t run away. If you’re still not reassured, you can put a chain on one of my wrists, with the other end wrapped around your wrist. That way, you won’t worry about losing me.”

Luo Yunchen followed the chain up to Su Zheng’s waist, gently stroking the chain. After a moment, he said, “Alright. I’ll arrange for you to meet those old ministers first, so they stop their incessant chatter!”

The next day, Luo Yunchen took Su Zheng to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Su Zheng sat down at the desk, and Luo Yunchen sent someone to bring the snow frog porridge prepared for Su Zheng.

At Su Zheng’s signal, the eunuch went to summon the old ministers who had been waiting outside the hall. Sensing the empty space beside him, Su Zheng turned back and saw that Luo Yunchen hadn’t come forward; instead, he stood guard at his side.

Su Zheng tugged at the chain in his hand.

When they left, Luo Yunchen hadn’t added a chain to his waist, only linking their wrists with a chain.

As soon as Su Zheng moved, Luo Yunchen felt it. He looked at him, and Su Zheng gestured for him to come. “Come over. Sit beside me.”

A smile rippled in Luo Yunchen’s eyes. Without hesitation, he obediently sat on the same dragon throne as Su Zheng.

When the old ministers entered the hall, they saw Su Zheng, alive and well. Shocked, they even forgot to bow, staring wide-eyed at him.

Luo Yunchen cast a cold glance at them, jolting the ministers back to their senses. They hurriedly knelt and prostrated. “Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years!”

Su Zheng waved his hand. “You’ve all worked hard. Rise.”

After the old ministers rose, they exchanged glances and cautiously voiced their doubts. “Your Majesty, is Your Majesty fully recovered?”

Su Zheng smiled and glanced at Luo Yunchen. He spoke seriously to the ministers. “This time, the Grand General Regent returned just in time and used his own blood as a medium. He nearly sacrificed half his life to save me. I am extremely grateful to the Grand General. However, my body still needs rest and is not fit for hard work. State affairs will continue to be handled by the Grand General, with your assistance from the side. From now on, treat the Grand General as you would me.”

Luo Yunchen showed a hint of surprise at Su Zheng’s words, then quickly curved his lips into a smile.

Just then, the eunuch brought in the snow frog porridge. Luo Yunchen stopped paying attention to what Su Zheng was saying to the ministers. He took the bowl and spoon, gently stirred, scooped a spoonful, blew on it, tested it with his lips, and when he felt it was no longer hot, he nonchalantly brought it to Su Zheng’s lips.

Su Zheng kept one ear listening to the ministers’ reports while focusing the rest of his attention on Luo Yunchen.

Smiling, he swallowed the porridge fed to him. When he lowered his eyes, his gaze fell on Luo Yunchen’s wrist.

As Luo Yunchen raised his hand, his sleeve slid down, revealing the chain wrapped around his wrist.

Su Zheng hooked his finger, following the chain up to Luo Yunchen’s wrist, gently stroking the skin where the chain pressed against it.

Half cool, half scorching.

A numbness shot through Luo Yunchen from his wrist straight to his heart, making his hand tremble. He nearly dropped the spoon, gripping it tighter to keep it steady.

Su Zheng caught the movement, his smile deepening. He locked eyes with Luo Yunchen, parted his lips, and extended the tip of his tongue, gracefully and slowly licking the porridge off the spoon. His chin lifted slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Watching Su Zheng’s slightly bulging cheek as he chewed, Luo Yunchen felt inexplicably parched. His throat bobbed. He subconsciously glanced at the old ministers, who were still with their heads down, completely unaware of the pair's actions.

Su Zheng also followed Luo Yunchen’s gaze to the ministers, then turned back to meet Luo Yunchen’s eyes. The smile in his expression didn’t diminish. He opened his mouth and gestured toward the porridge bowl, meaning he wanted more.

Luo Yunchen stared at Su Zheng with dark, intense eyes. His long, slender eyelashes fluttered, and his delicate eyebrows curved into a mischievous smile, making his bright phoenix eyes even more alluring and captivating.

His red lips parted casually, revealing a hint of pink tongue.

The pale, slender fingers were beautiful but restless. Whenever Luo Yunchen’s gaze inadvertently swept over Su Zheng, he always saw that hand-span slender waist.

Seeing Luo Yunchen remain still, Su Zheng hooked the chain with his finger, tugging at Luo Yunchen's hand, signaling him to scoop another spoonful. He wanted more.

Luo Yunchen lowered his gaze, his lips moving slightly. If he said anything, Su Zheng didn’t hear. Just as he was about to ask, he saw Luo Yunchen already bring a spoonful of porridge over.

So Su Zheng stopped asking and opened his mouth to receive the porridge.

But before he could swallow, Luo Yunchen lowered his hand, tossed the spoon back into the bowl, and with his free hand, pulled Su Zheng’s waist closer to him. He lowered his head and kissed Su Zheng’s lips.

“Mm!” Su Zheng gasped, startled. As he was pulled against that burning chest, his peripheral vision instinctively swept around.

They hadn't been caught. How thrilling!