Chapter 109: The 109th Episode

Chapter 109

The three noisy young masters were brought to the Meridian Gate, where the Patrol Commander of the Five Wards Military Patrol was no longer Lu Zhen's father, Lu Qingyan, but a man named Xu Bu'an, transferred from the Ministry of War, just thirty-five years old. Upon hearing that the Grand Secretary had arrested the young heir of Prince Hui's household, the young master of the Minister of Rites, and the young master of the Deputy Commander of the Five Military Commands to be flogged outside the Meridian Gate, he hurried over on horseback.

These spoiled rich kids, in flashy clothes on spirited horses, though they never did an honest day's work, were born behind high walls, raised by women, burning through money daily, had no use for the classics, chased dogs, fought cocks, and roamed wild—they'd been asking for it. Xu Bu'an decided to do the flogging himself.

The flogging used birch rods, which usually didn't risk your life, just hurt like hell. When Xu Bu'an arrived and brought the rod down once, Zhang Xian, who'd been grinning ear to ear, sobered up real quick, howling and bawling for his mommy and daddy.

Lian Cheng, of course, made it back to the palace safe and sound. Lian Xiusheng sent Qiong Hua to grab some clean clothes and bring them to the bath, and had the attendants fill the tub to the brim with hot water. Then he peeled Lian Cheng's clothes off and plopped him in.

"Young Master Lian, let us servants attend to His Majesty," Lai Qing said softly from the side. "The palace gates are about to be barred for the night. You ought to be heading home."

Lian Xiusheng rolled up his sleeves and said, "I'm staying in the palace tonight."

Lai Qing, not thinking much of it, quickly said, "Then I'll have the duty room set up a bed for you, so you may rest comfortably."

Lian Xiusheng: "Don't bother the duty room. I'm staying in His Majesty's bedchamber."

Lai Qing let out an "ah," and stammered, "This..."

Lian Xiusheng glanced at Lai Qing. "Is your tongue a bit longer than most, Eunuch?"

That look from the Chief Grand Secretary sent a chill down Lai Qing's spine and made his skin crawl. He hurriedly knelt, prostrating himself and mumbling timidly, "This-servant... this servant doesn't know if his tongue is long or short. This servant doesn't even have such a thing as a tongue."

"Then go wait outside. I'll attend to His Majesty myself." After saying this, Lian Xiusheng sent Lai Qing to fetch a cup of hangover tea first.

Lai Qing quickly delivered the hangover tea and stood far outside. Lian Xiusheng squatted by the edge of the bath, feeding Lian Cheng the tea spoonful by spoonful. Lian Cheng sobered somewhat, and upon seeing Lian Xiusheng, sank into the water, leaving only half his face above, guiltily blowing bubbles.

Lian Xiusheng lowered his eyes, his eyes a deep indigo. Lian Cheng swam around the bath for a while, seeing Lian Xiusheng still playing dumb, swam over and rested his chin on the edge. "When did you get here?" He was clearly still drunk.

Lian Xiusheng shot back, "When did His Majesty leave the palace with the young heirs and the others?"

Lian Cheng said he'd been in the palace the whole time and never left.

Lian Xiusheng dropped the act and said, "I already had the three young heirs flogged outside the palace gates."

Lian Cheng lifted his wet face. "What?"

Lian Xiusheng: "Li Wan and the others led Your Majesty astray, putting the imperial person at risk. So what if they got punished? Does His Majesty feel sorry for them?"

Lian Cheng stood up from the bath, yet still could not match Lian Xiusheng squatting on the shore. Somewhat angry, he said, "I'm the one who wanted to go out, it's not like they dragged me along. You're using your position to settle personal scores."

"Why would I settle personal scores?" Lian Xiusheng asked.

Lian Cheng was immediately at a loss for words. He sank back into the water, muttering, "If you're jealous, why can't you just say so?"

The two were still fairly close. Lian Xiusheng leaned in, reached out, and gripping the emperor by the nape, drew him close, looking down at that face like a lotus emerging from water. "Since you know I'm jealous, why deliberately provoke me?"

Lian Cheng tried to struggle free but could not, so he squinted, feigning menace as he leaned in. "I'm no immortal; I only just learned of it myself. Grand Secretary, are you questioning my authority? You have quite the nerve!" With that, Lian Cheng slapped the water in the bath with his palm, sending splashes everywhere!

"Even if I didn't punish them, the censors would impeach them tomorrow," Lian Xiusheng said, tilting his head to dodge the splashing water, then turning back. "If His Majesty truly cares for them, you should have less to do with them."

Lian Cheng was incredulous. "Lian Xiusheng, you truly have a gift for twisting arguments."

Lian Xiusheng released his grip and rose. "His Majesty should wash up quickly. Staying too long in the bath will weaken the body. I'll wait for you outside."

He need not have said it—Lian Cheng already felt weak, perhaps from the effects of the alcohol. He did not dare delay, washed quickly, wrung out his hair, and went out. Lian Xiusheng had indeed kept his word and was waiting. Lian Cheng walked over and asked him whether he would return home tonight.

Lian Xiusheng assumed Lian Cheng was trying to send him away—that he did not want him to stay—so he kept his mouth shut, waiting for his third brother to say something even less pleasant.

But instead, Lian Cheng stole a glance at Lai Qing and the other attendants standing not far off, stepped forward, and secretly hooked his finger around Lian Xiusheng's, saying, "Stay in the palace tonight. From now on, stay often. I'll have a courtyard opened for you in the Imperial Inner Court, so you need not lodge in the duty room and suffer the back-and-forth. How about that?"

Lian Xiusheng never expected to hear such pleasing words from his elder brother's mouth. He was momentarily stunned, and when he recovered, mindful of the many eyes upon them, he could only clasp his hands and bow, loudly thanking His Majesty for the great favor, and so the matter was settled.

Lai Qing, knowing the situation, saw the two had come together to speak and sent everyone in the hall out. He closed the door and stood outside, listening to the murmured conversation within. Feeling the weight of his responsibility, he raised his head to gaze at the night sky, thinking to himself: The stars are truly round tonight.

-

Lian Cheng climbed onto the bed and pulled open the covers, not forgetting to look back at Lian Xiusheng with a raised brow. "Have I not treated you well? Were it not for me, how could you sleep in the imperial bed?"

Seeing Lian Xiusheng standing motionless by the bed, Lian Cheng burrowed into the covers. "Have we brothers not shared a bed in so long that you feel awkward?"

Lian Xiusheng untied his sash, holding it in his hand without setting it down, then removed his outer robe and undid the hidden buttons.

Lian Cheng watched dryly, inexplicably parched.

"Tonight we are neither brothers nor sovereign and subject. Lian Cheng, call me Sixth Lang."

At these words, Lian Cheng was struck as if by enlightenment. He sat up straight and said, "I'm not ready."

"I've prepared for you," Lian Xiusheng said.

Lian Cheng was puzzled. "How have you prepared for me?"

Lian Xiusheng, in his underclothes, climbed onto the bed and showed Lian Cheng a small porcelain bottle in his palm. Lian Cheng leaned in curiously. "What is this?"

Lian Xiusheng sat cross-legged, as if expounding on poetry and classics. "A few days ago I obtained from Eunuch Cui certain items for use between men. They are said to stir desire and warm the body, relaxing the muscles. He has used them with others, and I knew they would not harm the body before accepting them. You may try one pill."

Spoken so prettily, Lian Cheng thought to himself—it was nothing but that sort of thing. He would not take it. What if it turned him into a wanton creature? How could he ever lord over the other afterward?

But before Lian Cheng could speak, his cheek was pinched, and a pill fragrant with flowers and fruit was pushed into his mouth. His eyes widened as he was forced to tilt his head up, his throat massaged until the pill slipped down involuntarily. Seeing he could not spit it out, Lian Xiusheng released him with satisfaction, pulled him out of the bedding, and held him in his arms.

"The night is short." Lian Xiusheng bit the other's lip.

Since their relationship was now settled, Lian Cheng had no reason to refuse, yet he was still somewhat shy, unable to lift his head, half-resisting and half-yielding—which only stirred his lover's heart further.

His arms, white as snow lotus roots, draped over Lian Xiusheng's shoulders, his gauze shirt half slipped off. Indignant, he tore at Lian Xiusheng's clothes as well. Lian Xiusheng paid no mind to his mischief, tilting his head up to kiss and nibble at his delicate, translucent neck.

Before the song was half finished, Lian Xiusheng's fingertips knocked at Lian Cheng's vermilion gate. Lian Cheng had felt nothing at first, thinking the pill useless on him, yet he could not withstand that bare hand's single stroke, sending nectar spilling wildly.

Lian Cheng flushed crimson, burying his face in Lian Xiusheng's neck, clenching his teeth, yet oriole cries still escaped between them.

Fortunately, some preparations had been used beforehand. Lian Cheng, with hazy starry eyes, felt as if red coals burned beneath his feet. He could bear it no longer, writhing, but received two slaps. He cried out in pain like a cat mewling, clinging tightly to Lian Xiusheng, saying he had enough, no more.

Lian Xiusheng showed no pity; hearing his cries only stirred him further. He withdrew his fingers, slick with the aftermath of their cloud-rain, pressed down on the other's waist, half lifted him, and reversed their positions, with utmost tenderness making the other's already open gate receive his member.

Lian Cheng pleaded without cease, saying every sweet thing imaginable, but was pinned by his jade-white legs, unable to escape.

And so in the magnificent hall, the bed curtains hung high, spring water rippling within, pressing out the hidden fragrance of cloud and rain—one moving slow and gentle like willow branches skimming water, the other with a bewitching jade face and white hips gently swaying. One heard joy and one heard weeping, coming and going like a relentless storm, repeatedly teasing the spring dew of the delicate flower.

At the crowing of the rooster, the youth finally ceased. Looking down, he saw the bed soaked through, mostly with lovers' tears and morning dew. He brushed his black hair back, bent to lift the flower-marked jade-white body beneath him, but received no response. Turning his head, he saw the other had long since fainted.

Lian Xiusheng called for water. Lai Qing felt as if thunder were crashing above his head, but dared not speak a word of it. He dismissed the other attendants and personally fetched water into the hall. As he left, Lian Xiusheng untied a jade pendant from his waist and gave it to him, saying there would be further rewards to come. Lai Qing accepted it, kneeling and saying, "This servant belongs to His Majesty and obeys His Majesty's commands. No need for Young Master Lian's instructions—this servant understands."

Lian Cheng was already unconscious. When he returned to the bedding, dawn was nearly breaking. Lian Xiusheng did not sleep beside him; they washed together, and he dressed and left the palace, returning to the Lian residence.

After a brief rest, he left the residence again, now wearing the python robe and jade belt bestowed by the emperor. He appeared radiant and composed, betraying nothing—no one knew he had spent a night of cloud and rain before hurrying home to change before attending court.

At court, the dragon throne remained empty. A Censor Zhou among the thirteen censorial circuits stepped forward with his tablet and declared loudly, "I have heard His Majesty has greatly recovered. Should not the enthronement ceremony be placed on the agenda?"

Behind the dragon throne, the Empress Dowager sat behind a screen and said Minister Zhou spoke very well; the Imperial Observatory and the Ministry of Rites had already begun deliberations.

"Since His Majesty has recovered, why does he not appear?" The Duke of Han was most concerned about this new emperor. He had seen him once at Censor Song's funeral—a fine young man, but with innocent eyes. He worried terribly that the emperor's son was being sidelined by the Empress Dowager and the Grand Secretary, so he asked about His Majesty's condition nearly every day. If the Empress Dowager, the Grand Secretary, or that effeminate Eunuch Cui gave any answer he deemed unsatisfactory, he would raise a great fuss.

The Grand Secretary, Young Master Lian, usually ignored him, but today he replied, "His Majesty has only just recovered and should not be exposed to the wind. If the Duke is concerned, wait two days and submit a memorial to request an audience."

The Duke of Han found Lian Xiusheng deeply disagreeable. He tucked his hands into his sleeves with a sour expression. "Grand Secretary, just you wait. When I see His Majesty, I shall file an impeachment against you."

Lian Xiusheng smiled faintly, a look of replete charm on his face that had never been there before. "The Duke may impeach as he pleases."