After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 101

Zhou Xun fell into a deep sleep only after a night of careful contemplation and bold imagination. Yet, even as he drifted off, he remained unaware of two things:

 

The first was the Emperor’s attire for the next day.

 

The second was that, at a distance in the Zhou residence, his half-brother was maliciously speculating about the reasons for his sleeplessness.

 

However, Zhou Xun was unaware that, a mile away in the imperial palace, a group of advisors was nervously and excitedly preparing for the Emperor’s date the next day.

 

“Based on my many years of experience in the flower beds, the type of man most admired by women falls into three categories,” Chu Yunkuo, resembling a strategic advisor, adjusted his Western-style glasses and said. “The first type is the overbearing and cold man, wealthy and powerful, who is aloof and domineering but treats her differently.”

 

The Emperor, turning a wrench in his hand and reflecting on his years of watching soap operas, nodded. “This could be worth a try.”

 

“The second type is the dashing and talented scholar, who can compose poetry effortlessly and charm with his literary skills. People have a psychological admiration for talent. By showcasing overwhelming talent, he can win her over.”

 

“And the third type is the gentle and considerate man, who takes care of all her feelings and grants her every wish…”

 

The Emperor twirled the ring on his finger thoughtfully and nodded profoundly.

 

He looked at everyone in the room, who had stopped their tasks and were now looking at him.

 

Among them were a dashing scholar from Jiangnan who exchanged poems for wine, a handsome and refined middle-aged man with a roguish charm, and Chu Yunkuo, a well-traveled and experienced friend in romantic affairs…

 

There were even a few women, veiled, sitting among them.

 

Yes, everyone in the room was an expert in romance whom the Emperor had hired at great expense from the capital after his initial attempt to date Zhou Xun had failed.

 

“From my perspective, using the first strategy is the best,” a veiled woman said in a delicate voice. “The Emperor is the ruler of a country, commanding and supreme. In terms of power and wealth, who can compare to the Emperor? Women yearn to be favored and conquered by strong men…”

 

Chu Yunkuo coughed. “But Zhou Gongzi is a man.”

 

“Well, that’s close enough. Who doesn’t like domineering love?” The woman smiled sweetly. “I have a list here of the finest exotic treasures in the capital. Tomorrow, Your Majesty…”

 

“Take Zhou Gongzi in and buy everything he likes? Or buy the whole store?” The scholar in green sneered. “How vulgar!”

 

“Money is no problem for the Emperor; buying an entire street would be nothing to him. What’s most important in romance? It’s the novelty! The kind of novelty that makes people take notice!” The scholar waved his fan and continued, “Zhou Gongzi is a talented person. Talented people prefer to meet their match and find a soulmate who understands them. Since the Emperor rarely discusses poetry and literature with Zhou Gongzi, if the Emperor were to suddenly display his talents during the date, Zhou Gongzi would surely be surprised and develop a deeper curiosity about the Emperor! And what’s crucial in romance?”

 

He snapped his fan open with a flourish. “It’s the sense of mystery!”

 

“Maintaining mystery keeps the curiosity alive, and maintaining curiosity sustains passion. During the day, you can talk about poetry and literature, losing track of time. At night, you can change the setting, talk intimately, and then…”

 

The scholar in green intertwined his fingers, showing a lecherous expression.

 

The veiled woman snorted. Just then, a monk spoke up: “In my humble opinion…”

 

“Wait a minute, what kind of people have you brought me?!” The Emperor grabbed Chu Yunkuo’s collar in alarm. “Why is there a monk here too?!”

 

The monk, with a kind expression, joined his palms together. “My monastic name is Jie Se. In my youth, several female devotees fought over me, so I resolved to leave the secular world for the peace of the world.”

 

The Emperor eyed the monk’s bald head with suspicion.

 

“In my view, if you wish to court Zhou Gongzi, you must use targeted strategies and tailor your approach. If what His Majesty said is correct, Zhou Gongzi is not someone who values wealth and status.”

 

The Emperor nodded. The veiled woman snorted again.

 

“And Your Majesty… I must speak frankly, Your Majesty does not seem to be particularly gifted in literary arts…”

 

“Is this a problem?” The scholar in green interjected. “I’ve already prepared all the poetry that might be needed for tomorrow!”

 

“Compared to mundane things, Zhou Gongzi is likely to value spiritual needs more. Therefore, from my perspective, if Your Majesty were to appear more gentle and considerate, it should…”

 

The arguments between the experts continued, each presenting their own views, while the Emperor sat in his chair, growing increasingly troubled.

 

“This is the first time I’ve realized dating involves so much expertise… Never mind!”

 

He slammed his hand on the armrest, and the entire palace fell silent. Everyone looked at the Emperor eagerly, waiting for his decision.

 

“All your methods sound good. Let’s try them all, each one,” the Emperor declared decisively. “Start with gentleness, then be overbearing, and finally show your talent. We’re bound to find the right approach!”

 

“But…”

 

Chu Yunkuo was about to say something more when the Emperor banged the table: “It’s settled!”

 

Everyone: …

 

“By the way, have the venue and streets been arranged?” The Emperor asked his aide, Xiao Li.

 

Xiao Li quickly responded, “Everything is arranged, all set. We’re just waiting for you two to arrive!”

 

“Good!” The Emperor nodded in satisfaction. “Everything is ready, just waiting for tomorrow! Oh, and the clothes I asked you to prepare, are they ready?”

 

Xiao Li immediately replied, “Everything is ready! However, Your Majesty…”

 

He hesitated and then tactfully said, “The outfit for tomorrow, might it be…”

 

“Not look good?”

 

“It does look good and makes you look exceptionally gallant, but…”

 

“Don’t just stand there. Tomorrow, everyone will follow Chu Xiong’s arrangements and be on standby at the Congyun Pavilion,” the Emperor said, patting Chu Yunkuo on the shoulder and addressing everyone. “The effort of a thousand days is for this one moment. Everything we’ve worked for this whole week is right here, right now!”

 

Everyone: “Yes.”

 

Emperor: “There will be great rewards once we succeed!”

 

Everyone: “Yes!!!”

 

Xiao Li: …

 

Oh well, as long as the Emperor is happy.

 

By the time the roosters crowed, both the Emperor and Zhou Xun were asleep. The entire capital was immersed in sweet dreams, and the joys and sorrows of the Zhou family went unnoticed by everyone except themselves.

 

The next morning.

 

When Zhou Xun opened the door, he was startled by the sight of the Emperor.

 

To be fair, the Emperor’s outfit today was far better than he had imagined. It was even quite beautiful.

 

The outfit had a white base with black lining and gold thread embroidered with lotus patterns. The design was understated, but there was a subtle shimmer with every movement. It seemed perfectly tailored to the Emperor, accentuating his tall and slender figure.

 

The Emperor’s head was adorned with a white jade crown, while his black hair, black eyes, and black eyebrows were contrasted with the white jade-like chin and crimson smiling lips. Yet, the Emperor’s appearance had an austere, almost stone-like sharpness to it—sharp and strikingly handsome.

 

However…

 

Black fur?

 

Zhou Xun glanced at the bright autumn sky and then at the fur around the Emperor’s neck, looking confused.

 

“On your neck…”

 

“Oh, it’s a mink,” the Emperor said, reaching up to touch the fur around his neck. “It was a tribute recently. This one mink is worth a fortune, even more expensive than the gold chains!”

 

Zhou Xun: …………

 

Emperor: “You can touch it if you want; it’s quite soft.”

 

Zhou Xun: …………

 

“I won’t touch it,” Zhou Xun said, smiling wryly. “Aren’t you hot?”

 

The Emperor shook his head. “Not hot, and look, am I not—”

 

He was about to say “stylish,” but he remembered the dating experts’ advice from a few days ago.

 

“Don’t just think about yourself; think about your date! Consider your date’s feelings!”

 

“Appropriate, gentle compliments can bring you closer to your love interest.”

 

The Emperor immediately changed his expression, adopting the most heartfelt and sincere tone he could muster: “Zhou Xun, you look very beautiful today as well.”

 

Zhou Xun: …………

 

He looked anxiously at the sky, then at the Emperor’s head, worrying that the Emperor might be overheating.

 

“Have you had breakfast?” Zhou Xun asked.

 

“I have…” The Emperor replied promptly, then seemed to remember something. “Have you not eaten yet?”

 

Zhou Xun nodded.

 

“Oh, it’s fine.” The Emperor waved his hand. “You go ahead and eat; I’ll just wander outside for a bit and wait for you…”

 

Just as he finished speaking, he noticed a flash of silver in the distance at the end of the alley.

 

This was the signal they had agreed upon. Whenever he made a wrong choice during the date, the dating experts would use a small Western-style mirror to reflect sunlight and signal him.

 

Emperor: ?? Did I just say something wrong?

 

Zhou Xun smiled. He hadn’t expected the Emperor to arrive so early, so he felt a bit apologetic. “Well… why don’t you take a walk in the garden? We’ve planted some flowers there recently; you might want to take a look…”

 

The Emperor was still pondering the silver flash.

 

Suddenly, he had an epiphany!

 

He realized he shouldn’t let Zhou Xun eat alone! As a boyfriend, he should always show concern and care for his partner!

 

That’s what being considerate is!

 

Just as Zhou Xun was about to ask Lemon to show the Emperor around the garden, he heard the Emperor’s deep and mellow voice.

 

“No need for that.” The Emperor said with a low, affectionate laugh. “I want to go to the dining place with you.”

 

“But…”

 

“I want,” the Emperor’s voice grew even more magnetic, “to watch you eat and see how you look while eating.”

 

Zhou Xun: …………

 

“From now on, I want to watch you eat every day.” The Emperor said with deep affection.

 

Zhou Xun: …………

 

Zhou Xun hesitated, glancing at the Emperor and then at the blazing sun. He seriously suspected that the Emperor might be a bit overheated.

 

…And feeling the goosebumps on his arms, Zhou Xun doubted he needed a mink coat himself at the moment.

 

“Come… inside.”

 

Zhou Xun hurriedly said this and turned to go inside. The Emperor watched his hurried departure with great delight, a broad smile on his face.

 

‘He’s shy!!’ The Emperor thought happily, ‘I succeeded in flirting!!’

 

**Author’s Note:** Emperor: What a perfect date!

 

Zhou Xun: (worried) Let’s go to the Imperial Hospital first.