After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 4

In this world, all encounters are reunions after a long separation.

 

In this world, all chance meetings are unforeseen.

 

The Emperor’s screams echoed through the sky, and the sounds of palace servants and guards rushing in panic quickly followed from outside the Yangxin Hall. “Your Majesty! What’s happening…?”

 

“Don’t come in!” the Emperor roared. “Stay away, none of you enter! I’m perfectly safe!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

After the Emperor’s orders, the guards who had intended to rush into the Yangxin Hall exchanged glances and eventually retreated into the courtyard.

 

Inside the chamber, candlelight flickered, casting eerie shadows. Zhou Xun’s face appeared and disappeared in the candlelight. He looked at the Emperor, who had an eerie appearance, then suddenly propped himself up with his left hand and sat up on the bed.

 

Several strands of pitch-black hair slid down his bare collarbone, hanging over his body.

 

“You… you…!” The Emperor immediately covered his eyes and continued to emit cries of agony. “Your parchment… no, where are your clothes?!”

 

His screams were relatively restrained, staying within the range that allowed Zhou Xun to hear his agony while preventing the guards outside from realizing he was screaming.

 

Clothes?

 

Zhou Xun lowered his head and realized that as he had sat up from the brocade quilt, he had exposed the golden-red gauze robe.

 

His eyes darkened, and the voice of Little Li echoed in his mind once again.

 

—With the Emperor, you have a reputation for a chaste and virtuous male image.

 

Hypocrisy.

 

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” he finally demanded.

 

The Emperor choked for a moment, then lowered his hand, intending to speak. “I wanted… uh…”

 

The bizarre scene in front of him flashed in his eyes again, and the Emperor quickly turned his head, covering his face with his hand.

 

Through the gaps between his fingers, his face was visibly flushed.

 

Zhou Xun, puzzled by his behavior, watched him closely.

 

Suddenly, the Emperor turned back, his face still wrinkled in an oddly cheerful manner, but his hands began to undo his belt.

 

Zhou Xun, who had been momentarily puzzled, watched his movements and couldn’t help but curl his lips in a cold sneer.

 

All those words about intellectual companionship, those late-night candlelit conversations… they all sounded so nice, so nice that he almost broke through the icy barrier around his heart.

 

But in the end, this person, like the others… was just the same.

 

He lowered his eyelashes and watched as the Emperor struggled to undo the intricate belt, clearly not very skilled at it. Zhou Xun watched as he tore and tugged at it, and to take off his belt, he even hopped around like a rabbit that had caught fire.

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

Oh well, at least on this point, he was different from the rest.

 

Finally, the Emperor managed to remove his belt with tremendous effort. He tossed it aside and, with his eyes still closed, turned around, throwing his dragon robe onto Zhou Xun’s head.

 

Zhou Xun: …???

 

“Put it on, cover up!”

 

Zhou Xun: …???

 

Holding the dragon robe in his arms, Zhou Xun was utterly bewildered. After a while, the Emperor discreetly opened his right eyelid just a crack. Seeing that Zhou Xun hadn’t started doing anything, he closed it again and began making continuous sounds, “Put it on yourself first!!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

Stabbed the Emperor, sent to the dungeons, entered the study, entered the Yangxin Hall, and now being forced by the Emperor to wear the dragon robe…

 

Wearing the dragon robe was a grave crime, indicating an intent to usurp the throne. Although Zhou Xun had assassinated the Emperor, he had never harbored any intention to become the Emperor himself. The Emperor, seeing that Zhou Xun remained motionless for a while, squinted his eye slightly to observe him, “Why are you on my bed?”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor: …

 

Zhou Xun didn’t say a word, but the Emperor suddenly seemed to recall something. Veins popped on his forehead, and he appeared both furious and embarrassed. “Dammit!! Little Li, I knew it was your doing!! Who gave you the courage and imagination?! You’re dead!! Torture, I must use torture!”

 

After saying this, he finally turned to Zhou Xun, grabbed the quilt from both sides, and wrapped him up, patting it gently. He made a gesture of covering up and said, “Uh, you should leave. I really didn’t mean it, please don’t misunderstand, it’s all my mistake, but…”

 

“I… I wouldn’t dare to go against you, I’m innocent… People shouldn’t, at least they shouldn’t… Damn, who sent that ridiculous fake imperial decree…” he muttered very quietly.

 

Zhou Xun nodded. He whispered, “Would you please find some clothes that I can wear, Your Majesty?”

 

The Emperor nodded in agreement, “Of course!”

 

He rummaged around the Yangxin Hall and wondered aloud, “Doesn’t the Emperor usually have some casual clothes? Why aren’t there many plain garments…”

 

While speaking, as if he recalled something, he looked up, “Could it be that the people in the palace saw you being carried into my room tonight?”

 

Zhou Xun nodded in confirmation.

 

The Emperor thought for a moment and continued, “Never mind, you should stay here. If those people see you sneaking out again in the middle of the night, they might make up even more insults about you… Ah-choo!”

 

He suddenly sneezed loudly.

 

Wearing only his inner robe, the Emperor hurriedly scurried around the room. He mumbled, “Why does this Yangxin Hall have only one bed? Even budget inns have rooms with two beds…”

 

Finally, the Emperor managed to find a blanket from somewhere and patted it, then placed it on the floor next to the bed. He sat down and tested its softness. Eventually, he laid down on it.

 

“Rest assured,” he suddenly turned to look at Zhou Xun, “I’m a straight man, and I… I can’t possibly do anything to you!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor: “I don’t have that ability… It’s impossible!”

 

Zhou Xun: ??

 

Sitting on the bed, watching the Emperor bustling around, and finally lying down on the makeshift bed, Zhou Xun realized that he couldn’t comprehend the Emperor’s intentions with any normal train of thought.

 

—And he was trying to block his own ears because he suspected he had heard some royal secrets.

 

“I’ve thought it over, since I’m here, I might as well make the best of it,” the Emperor said while busy. “There must be a reason for me to be here! Just like you, sigh, such a wonderful celestial being, and I’ve turned you into this…”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor lay on the floor and, seeing Zhou Xun looking at him, he covered his head with the blanket, exposing only his eyes and said, “Goodnight.”

 

Zhou Xun replied, “Come up and sleep.”

 

The Emperor: !

 

The Emperor, somewhat surprised by the invitation, hesitated and quickly waved his hand, saying, “I have no ulterior motives, I promise!”

 

Zhou Xun, who hadn’t smiled for a long time since entering the prince’s mansion, felt a slight relief deep in his heart.

 

“You are the Emperor, you shouldn’t sleep on the floor,” he said.

 

The Emperor responded, “What does being the Emperor matter? It’s just that…”

 

Zhou Xun pulled back the blanket and looked at him, saying, “You’re the one who should come up. Or should I come down to join you?”

 

The Emperor turned his face away and muttered, “Well, I’ll come up then. You’re so fussy.”

 

He muttered quietly, “Just as if it were in high school when I stayed up late studying and put the book under my pillow… it’s just like this!”

 

The Emperor eventually climbed up from the floor. The dragon bed in the Yangxin Hall was not narrow, with plenty of space for both of them to sleep comfortably.

 

Zhou Xun lay on the inner side of the bed, gazing at the ceiling. It had been a long time since he had slept well, especially in an unfamiliar place.

 

Whether it was at the Zhou residence, the Wang residence, or in the prison cell.

 

However, for some reason, tonight he felt an overwhelming sense of weariness creeping over him.

 

He thought it might not be because the dragon bed was particularly soft.

 

Yet for some reason, the Emperor, lying outside and curled up tightly, was nervously edging outward throughout the night.

 

In the middle of the night, Zhou Xun, in his deep slumber, heard a loud crash, as if a deeply ingrained straight man had finally fallen off the bed from the outside.

 

Zhou Xun slept soundly throughout the night and had no dreams.

 

The next morning, as he woke up, he didn’t immediately realize where he was. It wasn’t until he noticed that he was lying on a soft bed, not on straw, that he became aware of his surroundings.

 

He sat up in bed, and on the bedside, a set of moon-white clothes was neatly arranged, made of fine silk, embroidered with dark green bamboo leaves.

 

On the other side of the bed, there was no one.

 

He stared at the outfit for a long time until a serving maid walked in and said, “Oh, Lord Zhou, you’re awake?”

 

She offered to help him change into the clothes, but Zhou Xun declined, saying, “I can manage on my own.”

 

His slender and graceful figure naturally complemented the attire, making him look like a secluded scholar walking in a bamboo grove. The head serving maid smiled and brought a basin of cleansing water, complimenting him, “Lord Zhou, you have such elegant bearing. No wonder the Emperor praises you as an unparalleled scholar.”

 

Zhou Xun: …?

 

“One feels an immediate connection.”

 

“Burning the midnight oil together.”

 

“Sleeping at each other’s feet.”

 

“An unparalleled scholar!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

Hearing the interpretation of the events from the palace maids and eunuchs, provided by the Emperor himself, Zhou Xun silently put down the soaked face towel.

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

Ever since that encounter with the Emperor in the study, he found himself having increasingly indescribable moments of emotion.

 

The day’s experience had been as thrilling as cliff diving. Zhou Xun decided that he needed some time to think deeply about what had transpired.

 

“Hey!”

 

“Yes, bring him over here.”

 

“This tree looks good, it’s quite sturdy.”

 

“This one will do.”

 

“Okay, on the count of three – one, two, three…”

 

Outside the window, there was a cacophony of voices, indicating a lively scene.

 

Amidst the commotion were sounds of impact and the cries of a eunuch.

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The cry sounded like it came from Xiaoli Zi.

 

Why was Xiaoli Zi screaming outside the window?

 

The words from last night suddenly flashed through his mind.

 

“Torture, there must be torture!” the Emperor had angrily declared, “Xiaoli Zi, you’re dead!”

 

Could it be…

 

Zhou Xun quickly walked to the window and pushed it open.

 

Although he was indifferent and repelled by Xiaoli Zi, he didn’t want to witness him dying a gruesome death right before his eyes.

 

This wasn’t about compassion or a saintly heart, but rather the principles he had absorbed from the Four Books and Five Classics, which had been ingrained in him for many years.

 

The self-respect of a scholar.

 

Despite all the years of grinding he had undergone, Xiaoli Zi hadn’t done anything else aside from verbally mocking him. At the very least, his crimes didn’t warrant death, let alone torture.

 

Zhou Xun opened the window and took a look, but was left dumbfounded.

 

“One, two, three—”

 

“Ahh—”

 

He saw several young eunuchs lifting Xiaoli Zi together. They were lifting his shoulders, arms, and legs while spreading them apart and slamming him into a tree.

 

Zhou Xun: ???????

 

What was this?

 

The Emperor said, “This is Aruba.”

 

Zhou Xun turned to look, and the Emperor, dressed in dragon robes, stood beside him with his hands behind his back.

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor noticed him looking and raised his eyebrows with a triumphant smile, then suddenly sneezed.

 

…

 

Early in the morning, Zhou Cai arrived outside the palace gates.

 

Last night, he had returned home with the assistance of the Fifth Prince, limping on his injured leg. When he approached his mansion, he saw someone dressed in deep crimson official attire leading a group of people out. The man had handsome features but a cold demeanor, and as soon as Zhou Cai spotted him, he couldn’t help but grit his teeth in hatred.

 

The person leading them was Vice Commander Lu Xian, known as Lu Daren, of the Vermilion Guards. He relied on his grandmother’s status as a princess and had always been at odds with Zhou Cai. When the Fifth Prince saw him, he shouted, “Lu Xian, the Emperor ordered the withdrawal of personnel from the Zhou mansion half an hour ago and sent a messenger. Why are you still here?”

 

“Lu humbly serves as the Vice Commander of the Vermilion Guards, just fulfilling my duties,” Lu Xian replied neither humble nor haughty. “Since you two have arrived, Lu will withdraw.”

 

He then led a group of vermilion-clad guards out of the Zhou mansion. As they passed Zhou Cai, Lu Xian commented, “I truly admire His Majesty’s favoritism towards Master Zhou.”

 

Zhou Cai, feeling a chill in his gaze, knew that this hawk had failed to bring him, the “smooth talker,” down again. He slightly curled his lips and retorted with a sharp tone, “The pure remain pure, and the impure remain impure.”

 

Lu Xian didn’t even spare him a glance and walked past him. One of the guards beside him chuckled crisply and said, “Lord Lu, don’t be angry. It’s not something everyone can achieve to be like Master Zhou. After we finish our shift tonight, let’s go check out the novelty at the East Huamen Gate. I heard the floor tiles there were polished by Master Zhou with his knees for an hour, and they’re sparkling clean now.”

 

“You!”

 

The Fifth Prince was furious and about to argue with them. Zhou Cai’s knees hurt terribly, but he suppressed his resentment and whispered, “Let it be.”

 

“Zhoucai,” the Fifth Prince felt sorry for him and said, “You are too good-natured; that’s why they treated you like this!”

 

He was genuinely sympathizing with Zhou Cai and had temporarily forgotten about his male favorite, who was currently “tortured.”

 

Zhou Cai entered the Zhou mansion. Everyone was overjoyed to see him return, and his mother even abandoned her usual high-born demeanor, embracing him and shedding tears while calling him “darling.”

 

The entire Zhou mansion was immersed in the joy of escaping danger. Zhou’s younger sister, brimming with pride, said, “I told you, the Emperor loves my brother too much; he wouldn’t allow anyone to bully our family!”

 

“Big brother,” Zhou’s younger brother also admired him greatly, “you’re amazing!”

 

The whole family was filled with joy, laughter, and happiness, completely forgetting about the “troublesome bastard” for the time being. However, in the end, a concubine’s daughter sitting in the corner unintentionally mentioned, “Zhou Xun…”

 

“Ugh! Why bring up that bastard!” Zhou’s younger sister snapped, “If he’s dead, that’s even better! He’s the one who brought our family to this point!”

 

The concubine’s daughter wasn’t particularly concerned about Zhou Xun, just curious. Hearing this, she lowered her head and said with a forced smile, “I was just wondering, is he going to be executed?”

 

Zhou Cai shook his head.

 

“Perhaps it won’t be so easy,” he sighed lightly, his eyes showing a touch of sorrow. “With the Emperor’s protection, who can harm our Zhou family?”

 

“Even if Mother doesn’t mention it, I was planning to go to the palace tomorrow to thank the Emperor. He showed us great kindness by sparing the Zhou family.”

 

“Even if Mother doesn’t mention it, I was planning to go to the palace tomorrow to thank the Emperor. He showed us great kindness by sparing the Zhou family.”

 

“Even if Mother doesn’t mention it, I was planning to go to the palace tomorrow to thank the Emperor. He showed us great kindness by sparing the Zhou family.”

 

He sighed softly.

 

“Thanks to the Emperor’s favor, no one can harm our Zhou family,” Zhou’s younger sister cheerfully embraced her older brother. “Brother, remember to ask the Emperor to deal with that person properly. We’ve been on edge for several days; we need some relief!”

 

Zhou Cai patted her head. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

 

His lips, however, still carried a gentle smile.

 

This morning, as usual, Zhou Cai first went to Donghua Gate. The majestic building of Donghua Gate still stood in the distance. He looked at the sparkling floor tiles, and his previously unhealed knees started to ache again.

 

“Ah, it’s Lord Zhou,” the guard at the gate recognized him and nodded respectfully while opening the palace gate for him. Zhou Cai had the freedom to come and go within the palace, so it wasn’t a rare sight. Kneeling at the gate yesterday was just a performance to plead for mercy. However, as he walked along, he couldn’t help but notice the strange looks on the faces of the palace servants passing by.

 

Presumably, news of his kneeling yesterday had already spread throughout the palace, making him a laughingstock!

 

Zhou Cai maintained a pleasant smile on the surface but had grown bitter towards Zhou Xun and harbored resentment towards Lu Xian. He clenched his teeth and finally arrived at the entrance of the Yanxing Palace. Even the guard who was usually familiar with him seemed stunned and stammered, “Lord Zhou… Lord Zhou, you’ve come…”

 

“No need to announce me,” Zhou Cai smiled softly, “I’ll go in directly.”

 

This was a common practice. From his understanding of the Emperor, he probably had just woken up, and given the bloodshed he witnessed yesterday, it was likely his worst mood. Comforting and soothing him at this time would align with the Emperor’s wishes.

 

However, the guard’s expression made Zhou Cai feel uneasy. Stuttering and avoiding eye contact, the guard said, “Um, Lord Zhou, it might not be very convenient…”

 

“Not very convenient?”

 

Zhou Cai began to feel a sense of panic. Then, he heard the guard say, “The Emperor… well, there’s someone else in the Yanxing Palace…”

 

Someone else in the Yanxin Hall?!

 

You see, ever since he became acquainted with the Emperor, the Emperor treated the palace ladies as if they were old shoes, preferring to chat with him instead of calling anyone else into his presence!

 

Zhou Cai barely suppressed the panic rising in his heart and cautiously asked, “I wonder which lady from the palace… and the Emperor wasn’t angry last night?”

 

In theory, the Emperor was known for his cruelty, so he should have punished Zhou Xun severely. How could he have been in the mood to enjoy the company of another lady?!

 

The guard chuckled, “Last night, His Majesty was indeed in great spirits…”

 

“Be quick and nimble!” came the voice of other palace maids from the Yanxing Palace, “The Emperor said to prepare new clothes, various items for Lord Zhou, and antique decorations… Everything must be ready today!”

 

“Decorations? Use the highest standards. Get the ‘Dream Eulogy Letter,’ ‘Vision of Good Teaching,’… bring them all!”

 

Zhou Cai:…

 

The Emperor’s mood swung wildly, but he was most passionate about collecting calligraphy and paintings. Even Zhou Cai couldn’t see the rare treasures he had acquired every day. And now, he was completely showing them to that person… and Zhou Gongzi…

 

Zhou Gongzi… a lady…

 

Zhou Cai’s face turned pale for no apparent reason, and a highly absurd thought emerged in his mind.

 

Could it be that the person in the inner room… that lady…

 

Is Zhou Xun?!

 

But how… it’s impossible… it can’t be!

 

He was in a state of confusion when he heard another wail from the direction of Xiao Lizhi.

 

Unable to see what was happening over there, Zhou Cai asked Xiao Dengzi, “Is that sound… Xiao Lizhi?”

 

“Yes, it’s Xiao Lizhi,” Xiao Dengzi whispered, “Xiao Lizhi offended the person inside and is being punished!”

 

Xiao Lizhi… he was a prominent figure by the Emperor’s side!

 

Zhou Cai felt his world spinning, and the pain in his knees grew unbearable, almost causing him to kneel down.

 

Zhou Xun… wasn’t he supposed to be helpless, beyond the reach of life or death?!

 

What had happened in just one day?!

 

“Your Majesty,” Xiao Dengzi entered from outside the door, “Zhou Cai is waiting outside the hall. Should we invite him in, or…?”

 

Zhou Cai.

 

Zhou Xun’s gaze darkened.

 

The Emperor remained oblivious and patted Zhou Xun’s shoulder, saying in a casual manner, “Your brother from this life is here. Shall I have him come in, or…?”

 

Zhou Xun shook his head.

 

The Emperor pondered for a moment. “Do you feel that you’ve brought trouble to him, and you’re embarrassed to see him? It’s alright; he won’t blame you. There’s a saying that goes, ‘Having weathered countless storms, brothers will always meet again with a smile, burying any past grievances.'”

 

Zhou Xun looked at him.

 

“That saying was also part of your essay in the ‘Brothers’ series,” the Emperor sincerely patted Zhou Xun’s shoulder.

 

“I never said that.”