After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 91

The Emperor, looking dusty and disheveled, sat in a wooden chair while Zhou Xun sat beside him, sympathetically watching. The Emperor’s lips trembled, his face was pale, and he gazed at the collapsed side hall with an expression of indescribable defeat.

 

This was the first time the Emperor had encountered such a significant failure since his time-travel. Zhou Xun thought, the Emperor must be very upset.

 

And very sorry.

 

Sorry for… destroying his residence.

 

He heard the Emperor softly say, “Look, this area…”

 

Zhou Xun took his hand, “Don’t say anything.”

 

Emperor: “But…”

 

Zhou Xun: “I understand everything.”

 

Emperor: “Yes, it’s the land I’ve fought for you!”

 

Zhou Xun: ………

 

Indeed, it was a “physical” land he fought for.

 

The Emperor, scratching his head, realized that his attempt at a joke to lighten the mood had not received a positive response from Zhou Xun, and he withdrew his hand. Little Li and others were still sorting through the ruins to salvage what they could. The Emperor rubbed his nose and said, “Given the circumstances, the side hall can no longer be lived in.”

 

Zhou Xun nodded, “Yes…”

 

He was about to use the opportunity to mention his move out of the palace when he heard the Emperor say, “In that case, you can move into Chang Le Palace!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

He almost forgot that the Emperor had previously repaired Chang Le Palace.

 

The Emperor had repaired Chang Le Palace and had said that Zhou Xun could move in and have a more spacious residence. But after a month of waiting, Zhou Xun still hadn’t moved in. Occasionally, Zhou Xun would hear clueless eunuchs asking about it. The Emperor would only hold his book and say that the newly renovated palace had an eerie odor called formaldehyde that needed to dissipate… for a year.

 

“I had the Chang Le Palace repaired for you before, but then I thought it might cause misunderstandings if you moved in. People might think we had a falling out or something, and I got busy, so I forgot to mention it. Besides, what if there’s formaldehyde in the palace? That would be…”

 

The Emperor looked at Zhou Xun’s changing expression, as if fearing he might think too much, and quickly came up with dozens of reasons to persuade him. After finishing, seeing Zhou Xun’s calm expression, he waved his hand and said, “Let’s move your belongings in first, and then…”

 

Zhou Xun thought that if he didn’t speak up now, he might not get another chance. So he shook his head and smiled, “Chang Le Palace is too big. I’m not used to living in such a large place.”

 

Emperor: “It’s fine. I can move in with you. More people make it more lively!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

“Actually, I came to see the Emperor today for something. Now that the house has exploded, it’s just as well.” Zhou Xun said helplessly, “Since the small courtyard outside is already built, it’s time for me to move out.”

 

Emperor: “Why would you want to move out?”

 

Zhou Xun: … Didn’t you promise me before?

 

“Oh, I remember now.” The Emperor slapped his head, recalling something from a long time ago, “You’re preparing for the imperial exams now. We need to avoid any suspicion, right? To prevent accusations of favoritism or leniency…”

 

Since the Emperor had said this, Zhou Xun felt relieved. He said, “I don’t have much to pack up in the palace. A few bundles are enough. Since today is as good a day as any, let’s go.”

 

Emperor: …

 

He hesitated, then finally said, “Fine, just go.”

 

After saying this, he muttered, “Why does it sound so sour… It’s nothing. Don’t worry, I can take care of myself!”

 

Zhou Xun: … Even more sour.

 

Emperor: “I mean, I can handle the government affairs on my own now, hahaha.”

 

The Emperor looked cheerful and his actions were lively. He dismissed the researchers who had blown up Yangxin Hall and began focusing on having Zhou Xun’s belongings packed.

 

He told Zhou Xun, “Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and see if there’s anything you like. Tell the supervising eunuch to include those items as well.”

 

Zhou Xun said, “There’s no need to take so many things.”

 

Emperor: “Even when an emperor’s daughter gets married, she has a ten-mile-long bridal procession, let alone your housewarming!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

Emperor: “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the side hall.”

 

Zhou Xun nodded and left.

 

The Emperor then sat in the well-preserved hall of the side hall, waiting for the eunuchs to pack up Zhou Xun’s belongings.

 

The clothes embroidered with bamboo leaves, which Zhou Xun had worn for the first time, were packed up. Magnolia scent, which Zhou Xun had said he liked, was taken by the kilogram. How many kilograms? Pack as many as there are! Wait, leave some in case Zhou Xun has nothing to do and comes back to the palace… to play in the Imperial Study?

 

Dates and goji berries, packed up! Ginger, packed up! A whole cabinet of books, packed up!

 

The wine cup Zhou Xun had used, packed up. The sofa Zhou Xun loved to sit on, packed up. Zhou Xun’s hair band, packed up. Zhou Xun’s…

 

“In response to the Emperor, Young Master Zhou’s frequently used items are all here.”

 

Looking at it all, Zhou Xun’s belongings filled up five whole boxes. When he came to the palace, he had brought nothing with him. Now, as he was leaving, he was taking away so many items that bore his mark.

 

The Emperor carefully inspected the items and said to Little Li, “What about the calligraphy? The paintings? What does Zhou Xun like? Pack those too.”

 

Several eunuchs and palace maids exchanged glances. After a moment, Lianrong said, “Young Master Zhou doesn’t have any particularly favorite items.”

 

The Emperor thought, oh, Zhou Xun doesn’t have any particular favorites.

 

He was always so indifferent, his emotions and preferences often hard to discern when he wasn’t smiling. Yet when they talked, he had such a low laugh threshold. Over time, his sense of humor had become increasingly apparent.

 

He wondered what Zhou Xun had been like when he first met him. He had forgotten, only remembering Zhou Xun’s face covered in blood and frost. Anyone who thought of that scene wouldn’t find it pleasant, and the Emperor had almost forgotten it too.

 

He seemed to remember only the Zhou Xun of today. With his hair bound, he smiled gently and was very endearing.

 

What did Zhou Xun like?

 

“Perhaps Zhou Xun… likes rice?”

 

The Emperor kicked Little Li, who was pointing at the lush rice paddies in the flower beds, and entered the side hall.

 

Inside the side hall was Zhou Xun’s bedroom. The Emperor sat on Zhou Xun’s bed and thought that soon it would no longer be used.

 

When he got drunk in the future, he wouldn’t find anyone to drag him out of bed for late-night conversations and drunken antics… He had friends who would chat and play with him when drunk, like Chu Tiankuo, but Chu Tiankuo would only laugh and encourage him to go to the pleasure quarters or find something to do.

 

Only Zhou Xun would listen quietly to every word he said, as if every silly remark were grand ideals and great plans.

 

…Thinking about it, Zhou Xun had been quite tolerant of him.

 

He had overheard palace maids discussing Zhou Xun, and some had given him nicknames like “the Taoist” or “the Sage.” To them, Zhou Xun was pure and indifferent, seemingly without any particular likes. He was rarely angered or pleased, never picky or complaining, and didn’t even enjoy exotic delicacies. It was as if nothing material in this world could move him. When he succeeded in fasting, he could drink the wind and eat the dew and ascend to immortality.

 

The Emperor, of course, had no leisure to bother with the palace maids. But he felt they were quite ignorant. To him, Zhou Xun had a low laugh threshold and loved learning. When they were together, it seemed like he enjoyed everything, even grilled meat…

 

But now, sitting on the bed, his iron-blooded, straightforward heart had momentarily become sentimental.

 

What did Zhou Xun like?

 

He comforted himself, thinking, after all, Zhou Xun was leaving. After so many days of living together, it felt like a big chunk was being dug out, leaving it empty. Farewells are usually in early summer, but now it’s almost autumn. Why is Zhou Xun leaving now?

 

Logically, he should be generous, have a feast, drink and toast, and wish Zhou Xun a bright future, a successful career, and everything good… Oh, no need for marriage. For some reason, when he saw “wife” alongside Zhou Xun, he felt a strange sensation.

 

He remembered the anecdote about the princess’s dowry and couldn’t help but mess up his hair, laughing cheekily, “Ah, what’s this? Back in college, we used to call each other sons of bitches and kicked each other’s asses when we had a farewell dinner. We told the little bastards to get lost… so why…”

 

Why does he feel so reluctant to part with Zhou Xun?

 

Zhou Xun wasn’t a necessity. He was the peach blossoms of spring, the grilled meat of summer, and the magnolia scent in the Imperial Study. He was unobtrusive, always quietly there, like the backdrop to everything. When he left, it felt like he was everywhere. His departure wasn’t like closing a curtain but like uprooting all the dense branches and buds from life.

 

“Kid, you’re a bit weird. It’s just the end of summer, and you still have many summers belonging to Blue Rain…” The Emperor mumbled to himself, noticing Zhou Xun’s pillow and thinking of taking it with him.

 

He was about to call Little Li to bring the pillow.

 

Then.

 

He suddenly realized what Zhou Xun liked.

 

……

 

Zhou Xun had no particular expectations from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He himself didn’t like collecting things.

 

However, when he saw the collection of gold-carved rice ears, jade-carved rice ears, and gemstone-carved rice ears…

 

He couldn’t help but have a “…” expression.

 

Who spread the rumor that he liked rice?!

 

As he was thinking this, he suddenly spotted a sneaky little eunuch. Zhou Xun glanced at him, remembering that the eunuch had been beside Consort Zhao when she had tried to hit him.

 

The eunuch seemed to be holding a bottle that looked like wine… Stealing wine for Consort Zhao?

 

Zhou Xun picked a few items—certainly not related to rice. When he returned to Yangxin Hall, he found that his things had all been packed.

 

Five full boxes.

 

The Emperor sat on the boxes and, seeing Zhou Xun arrive, patted the boxes and said:

 

“Let’s go! I’ve packed all the things you like!”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor’s joyous demeanor.

 

He felt a bit annoyed.

 

Very annoyed.

 

How could he still be so happy when Zhou Xun was leaving???

 

But he quickly steadied his emotions and noticed that the Emperor had changed into a new outfit. He couldn’t help but ask, “Why has Your Majesty changed clothes?”

 

The Emperor got off the boxes and boarded the carriage. He said, “I’m coming to your place with you.”

 

Zhou Xun: …

 

The Emperor truly had no sense of propriety.

 

Zhou Xun said, “That’s fine, but you’ll have to pay rent for staying.”

 

Author’s note: Emperor: Am I not a thing?

 

Zhou Xun: ?