After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 27

“Mr. Xie? Mr. Xie?”

 

The puzzled voice of the eunuch brought Xie Zhengqing back to reality. He shook his head slightly and said, “It’s nothing. Please continue leading me to the Imperial Garden, Gonggong.”

 

With that, he couldn’t help but glance upwards towards the distance, where the group heading towards the Imperial Garden had disappeared into the woods.

 

Xie Zhengqing: …

 

Somehow, even on this hot day, he felt a cold sweat trickling down his back.

 

…

 

Zhou Cai was painting in his room.

 

The paper he used was top-quality Xuelang paper, large and absorbent. With a smile on his face, he carefully used the meticulous brushwork technique to paint on it stroke by stroke.

 

“Mr. Xie is a decent person. After hearing those words yesterday, he went to the palace today, and now he should be with the Emperor.” He muttered to himself.

 

With his head bowed, he suddenly smiled.

 

“I didn’t actively say anything to him. Even if the Emperor asks, it’s none of my business.” He gently blew on the ink that hadn’t dried yet. “But now that the Emperor is so fond of Zhou Xun, if Xie Zhengqing touches his mold at this time, I’m afraid there will be a tough battle to fight…”

 

“Brother Cai!”

 

Zhou Wanwan bounced out in front of the study, surprised to see Zhou Cai’s painting, and exclaimed, “Brother, what kind of banquet is this picture for?”

 

Zhou Cai just smiled, put down his brush, and politely asked her, “Little sister, what brings you to me?”

 

Zhou Wanwan’s emotions were quick to change, she was happy one moment and calm the next. As soon as Zhou Cai changed the subject, she forgot about the painting and said excitedly, “The Yan family has sent people over, I think they’re here to discuss the marriage between Miss Yan and you.”

 

Miss Yan from the Yan family was engaged to Zhou Cai two years ago after he rescued her from kidnappers on her way to Yunshen Temple. Originally, they were supposed to get married two years ago. However, before the details of the marriage could be discussed between the two families, Mrs. Yan passed away from a cold. In order to observe the mourning period, their marriage was postponed again and again.

 

Now, it seemed that Miss Yan’s mourning period was finally over. The Yan family, as a fifth-generation Marquis, would bring many benefits if Zhou Cai could marry Miss Yan.

 

Zhou Wanwan had long heard about her brother’s heroic rescue of Miss Yan and their subsequent engagement. Seeing that Zhou Cai seemed to be in a good mood, she started gossiping, “Brother, how did you save Miss Yan from the hands of the villains back then?”

 

Zhou Cai tapped her head with his fingers, “Have you finished your embroidery work? Come to ask about your brother’s affairs.”

 

Zhou Wanwan felt a bit wronged, but still happily said, “I’m just curious, you and Miss Yan, one is the top scholar and the other is the daughter of a high-ranking official, you fell in love because of your heroism, and later recognized each other at the flower appreciation party because of a jade pendant… It’s just like a story from a book.”

 

“Master Cai, the madam is calling you to the reception hall.”

 

As the two were chatting, the voice of the maid outside the door came in. Zhou Cai concealed his expression upon hearing the words “jade pendant” and casually dismissed his sister, then left the study.

 

… I wonder if Xie Zhengqing has seen the Emperor yet? He thought to himself.

 

…

 

At this time, Xie Zhengqing had not yet met the Emperor.

 

Along the way, he inquired about Zhou Xun in great detail from the eunuch, remembering every detail.

 

Before entering the palace, he knew that Zhou Xun was the Emperor’s favorite, and advising the Emperor against him now would likely lead to a tough battle. After entering the palace and learning more about Zhou Xun’s “deeds” and appearance, Xie Zhengqing deeply felt that he was indeed in for a “tough battle”.

 

… Not only with words, but also physically.

 

The Emperor had issued a gag order regarding the “assassination” incident, so Xie Zhengqing had not heard about Zhou Xun’s attempt on the Emperor’s life. What he knew was only this: Zhou Xun had behaved improperly in front of the Emperor and accidentally pushed him into the lake (considering Zhou Xun’s physique, Xie Zhengqing found this “accident” quite reasonable). The Emperor had originally intended to punish him, but upon questioning him, he fell in love at first sight with this uniquely boned man and kept him in the palace.

 

From then on.

 

The harem no longer had colors of rouge and powder, and one half of the palace people scattered.

 

From then on.

 

Day by day, he accompanied the Emperor, living in the Xingxin Palace.

 

From then on.

 

He could enter the Imperial Study and the Military Affairs Office at will.

 

From then on.

 

The Emperor, out of jealousy, harshly rebuked Prince Wu, Rong Fen—Zhou Xun’s former husband, and confined his beloved brother under the pretext of misconduct in front of him. Not only that, but he also reached a new level of jealousy—he ordered the removal of all beds from Prince Wu’s residence and forbade anything that Zhou Xun had slept on to remain there.

 

… Considering the Emperor’s previous mental state, Xie Zhengqing actually found this matter quite reasonable.

 

However… all for Zhou Xun…

 

It turned out that both the Emperor and Prince Wu had such peculiar tastes in beauty. Truly, aesthetics were hereditary.

 

Thinking about the royal family tearing itself apart for the sake of Zhou Xun, the scattered pieces of Xie Zhengqing’s heart felt utterly lost.

 

Perhaps due to the immense pressure, halfway through, Xie Zhengqing felt some stomach pains. After learning the location of the nearby latrine from the little eunuch, Xie Zhengqing decided that before saving the world, he needed to solve his own personal problem first.

 

Clutching his stomach, he entered the latrine.

 

…

 

“Has that Xie… Xie… Zhengqing not arrived yet?”

 

On the green field, the Emperor sat on a chair, with Hongling and Luoyao fanning him beside. He raised his hand to look at the sky and said to Xiaodengzi, “Wasn’t General Xie supposed to discuss something with me? Where is he now?”

 

“The servant sent Xiao Quanzi to fetch him, but halfway there, General Xie suddenly had stomach pains and is now in the latrine,” Xiaodengzi replied respectfully.

 

“Oh, everyone has their urgent needs…” the Emperor nodded.

 

The servant continued, “Does Your Majesty need this servant to go and urge him?”

 

“No need to urge him, personal matters come first,” the Emperor waved his hand understandingly. “By the way, if General Xie hasn’t come out for a long time, send someone over at regular intervals to bring him some toilet paper.”

 

The servant was touched. “Your Majesty is truly considerate!”

 

The attendants left. The Emperor saw that the person led by Xiao Li had already stood on the field, and he became excited. “Let’s not wait anymore, let’s start directly here.”

 

Zhou Xun sat at the Emperor’s side, looking at the crowd of palace concubines on the field.

 

… Although before seeing these palace concubines, he had never thought he would use the term “crowded” to describe the people standing here instead of “singing and dancing.”

 

Objectively speaking, the palace concubines standing here were all quite good-looking—even Zhao Yue, who had caused trouble before, was born with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and her features were sharp… although a bit too thick and sharp.

 

The palace concubines standing here also faced the same problem as Zhao Yue, but they hadn’t reached Zhao Yue’s level yet. But this couldn’t be blamed on them. When women became palace concubines, they practiced dancing and walking diligently to make their figures appear more graceful and delicate. Under the misguided aesthetic guidance of Zhao Yue, these palace concubines also worked hard to refine their figures to appear more… robust.

 

In the past, the Emperor’s heart was always focused on Zhou Cai, and the male favorites in the Xingxin Palace rarely saw his face. After Zhou Xun arrived, the Emperor even ran away when he saw the male favorites. The male favorites hadn’t seen the Emperor for a long time, and when they did, they inevitably became excited and eagerly wanted to seduce him.

 

“Damn.” The Emperor’s voice sounded in Zhou Xun’s ear, and he deliberately leaned over, whispering to Zhou Xun, “Was I really a tyrant before?”

 

Zhou Xun: ?

 

After thinking for a moment, he replied, “Why does Your Majesty say so?”

 

The Emperor: “Look at those palace concubines, they all look like they’re ready to roll up their sleeves and fight me.”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

“The palace concubines may be excited from not seeing Your Majesty for a long time and are eager to please,” he said sincerely.

 

The Emperor: “Oh, then I can rest assured… wait a minute, excited? What do they want to do to me?”

 

In the Emperor’s horrified expression, Zhou Xun couldn’t help but smile. “The duty of palace… male performers is to please the Emperor, so they want to… please the Emperor…”

 

Emperor: “…Their duty is?”

 

After Xiao Li finished organizing the lineup of male performers and reported back to the Emperor’s side, he happened to hear the conversation between the two, so he said, “Their duty is naturally to please Your Majesty!”

 

Emperor: …

 

Xiao Li: “To make Your Majesty happy and pleased is the duty of the male performers.”

 

Emperor: …

 

Zhou Xun cleared his throat. “Your Majesty…”

 

Emperor: “…Then, are other forms of happiness acceptable?”

 

Xiao Li, excitedly: “Yes, all are acceptable. Where does Your Majesty intend to start?”

 

“Only children make choices,” the Emperor said, “adults naturally want everything.”

 

Xiao Li was shocked: ??

 

“Your Majesty,” a eunuch came with something, “the leather ball for cuju has been brought.”

 

Xiao Li: ??

 

He showed a relieved expression but also felt somewhat disappointed for some reason.

 

The Emperor was oblivious to his reaction. He patted the ball with excitement.

 

“Oh, and,” he suddenly remembered something, “bring them a prize to add some excitement to the game.”

 

“What prize does Your Majesty want?” Xiao Li asked.

 

The Emperor smiled mysteriously at them.

 

“A cup,” he said firmly, “bring the most expensive cup as a prize.”

 

Half an hour later.

 

“The Emperor wants us to…” one of the male performers said incredulously, “play cuju with him?”

 

“Yes,” Xiao Li confirmed.

 

He instructed someone next to him to lift up a luxurious cup. “The Emperor said that today, whoever performs the best will not only receive a reward but also be rewarded with a ‘World Cup’ adorned with carved flowers!”

 

The male performers looked at each other and exclaimed confidently, “We will do our best!”

 

Zhou Xun sat and watched the game of cuju for a while, feeling a bit tired.

 

After the commotion caused by the Emperor last night, he hadn’t rested well. The afternoon sun shone down, and he even felt a bit drowsy.

 

The sound of the whistle echoed in his ears, and when he opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was the Emperor’s face.

 

Zhou Xun struggled to sit up. “Your Majesty…”

 

He found it strange too. The Emperor was clearly enjoying himself playing football, so how did he notice that he was about to fall asleep here?

 

“I looked over to your side when we scored a goal and found you sleeping,” the Emperor waved his hand in front of him, “Are you feeling unwell?”

 

Zhou Xun replied, “Just a bit tired.”

 

“Oh, then would you like to go back and rest first?” the Emperor asked, “Xiao Li, escort him back?”

 

Zhou Xun nodded.

 

Shortly after he left, the Emperor, who had been happy just moments ago, suddenly lost interest. He looked at the football field and suddenly felt bored.

 

“How about…” he blurted out a bold idea, “tonight, with him…”

 

Xiao Li glanced at the Emperor’s expression from the side. Seeing that the Emperor had been staring blankly at Zhou Xun’s empty seat, he suddenly felt like he understood something again.

 

…

 

General Xie’s stomach ache didn’t completely go away after the first time. After coming out, he had to visit the restroom three more times.

 

The royal restroom was truly befitting of its name. After coming out, he got lost and couldn’t find the little eunuch who had been guiding him anywhere.

 

General Xie: …

 

He looked around left and right, wanting to find someone to ask for directions, but he couldn’t see anyone.

 

Finally, as he walked down a small path, he spotted a person coming from the direction of the Imperial Garden in the distance.

 

The person was tall and slender, and from afar, Xie Zhengqing couldn’t make out his features clearly, but he felt that the person was quite pale and handsome.

 

…Could this person be a minister? Xie Zhengqing thought. He hadn’t been in the capital for many years, so many ministers were unfamiliar to him.

 

“Excuse me,” Xie Zhengqing approached him and asked, “Do you know the way to the Imperial Garden?”

 

The man raised his eyes to Xie Zhengqing, and to Xie Zhengqing’s surprise…

 

He had seen this person before.

 

“How come you’re here?” he exclaimed in astonishment.