Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)
Chapter 2
Song Hyun stepped inside the Royal Office and saw Li Qing sleeping, his head on the pillow close to the north window and his body was covered by the Emperor’s royal robe. He cannot help but be surprised for a moment, carefully asked: “Third Brother, is this not prohibited?”
“It is nothing.” the Emperor nonchalantly replied.
“Why not ent.i.tle him Shang Jun, and have this out in the open?”
“You should know his temper.”
“Ah Yes, Li’s Family always have been arrogant, stubborn, and obstinacy types.” Song Hyun smiled, shows he clearly understood.
“Little Six, why are you especially here to see me?” Emperor asked
“Do you that Little Seven is in Chu Nan?”
“He’s training an army there.”
“Uh, you already know?”
“This country is mine.”
“Third Brother, I’m admiring you very much, no wonder the commoner called you a Clairvoyant Emperor, and nothing can be concealed from Your Majesty.”
“Little Seven committed no treason.”
“Why has he take such action, it could lead to misunderstanding?”
“He hopes I’ll give him someone.”
“Who is it?”
“Little Miao!”
Suddenly sound of “bang clatter!” was heard, when he turned and saw Wei Xiao Miao stood at the door, a freshly brew pot of tea had dropped at the other man feet, a delicate pale face with a hint of apprehension.
“Pardon for Your servant clumsiness, I deserve to die.” Wei Xiao Miao hurried to squat down to pick up the broken pieces.
“You came here.” Song Hyun walked over and dragged him up and pulled him into the Royal Office, aggressively questioned: “Little Miao, what the h.e.l.l are Song Wei and you up to?”
“Ah…… so noisy……” Li Qing’s delirious spoken from his sleep as he was being disturbed then rolled the body.
“Little Six, hush.” The Emperor walked to Li Qing, he tucked back the robe, pulled the dishevelled hair back behind ears, leaned over and whispered: “OK, you can go back to sleep.”
Song Hyun rolled his eyes several times at the scene, ‘I did not expect the Emperor to have loved Li Qing to this point.’ Sung Hyun was unable to comprehend, how his tall and handsome brother, the Emperor who is talented both in civil and military affairs to fancy someone as mediocre like Li Qing. Although, this man is his second brother-in-law, but truthfully also the most untalented of the family member. Each of Li’s Family is very good looking in different way.Only Li Qing was like an ugly duckling in a group of swans.
Song Hyun was married to Li Qing’s youngest sister, Li Cong Tong four years; his wife is the d.u.c.h.ess, so Li Qing and the Emperor was related by marriage publicly.
Anyway back to present, Wei Xiao Miao was dragged inside, his face did not conceal fear and confusion.
“Little Miao, what is between Little Seven and you? Why have I never heard of your involvement, you’re better honest?” Song Hyun lowered his tone.
“Your Grace, I don’t know.” Wei Xiao Miao quickly restored his calm, respectful temperament.
“Do not be afraid, since we grew up together, the Emperor and I will not ha.s.sle you.”
“Little Six, you’re embarra.s.sing him, do not be concerned with Little Seventh’s issue.” The Emperor turned to order. “Little Miao, you can go.”
“Yes, your servant will be retired.” Wei Xiao Miao withdraws.
“Third Brother, you’re seriously a.s.sured about Little Seventh?”
“You should not waste time to worry about Little Seventh, better concentrate on my sister-in-law; I heard that she is pregnant with your second child. I presume that is what you’re here for today.”
“I’m now suspecting you’re not only a clairvoyant, but could also read minds.” Song Hyun although in awe inside he still taunted and laughed “I did not know when will Rites a.s.sistant Minister, my second-in-law become my sister-in-law, Sire?”
“He is a man.”
“Of course I know that he is a man, Da Shao does have several Shang Jun in the past, the Emperor publicly proclaims his lovers and the status is the same as Lady (rank below the Queen), is it not by ent.i.tling him means that you’ve recognise he as your lover?”
“Have you ever want to force Li Cong Tong to be a concubine?”
“Of course, not.” Song Hyun categorically replied like a fastened nail, continued: “Nevertheless, it is better than without legitimacy, not being able to see each other publicly. Third Brother, do you know what people called this relations.h.i.+p?”
“Lover?”
“Oh! I did not say anything.”
The Emperor smiled lightly and scolded “No one dares to give me lip service like you.”
Song Hyun exaggerates responded. “Thanks to His Majesty who tolerates and loves your brother.”
The brothers had their little chat about family matters but before leaving, Song Hyun, he could not help but advise “Third Brother, I do not know how long you and my second brother-in-law relations.h.i.+p will be hidden but if it was not meant to be in public then better not do it, of course, if it is Sire’s intention, then that will be another matter.”
The Emperor smiled but did not reply.
Song Hyun had gone when Wei Xiao Miao brought another brew tea inside.
“Little Miao, if I ordered you to go to Little Seven, are you willing?” The Emperor asked.
Wei Xiao Miao knelt down. “Whatever Your Majesty’s command, it will be done.”
“ I do not want to give you to Little Seven, but observed him. I will issue an edict tomorrow, three days later you’ll accompany Li Qing in patrolling Chu Nan.”
“Your Majesty, there is a bit of distance between the capital and Chu Nan. Since this is work, patrolling will takes Lord Li away at least for several months.” Wei Xiao Miao reminded him.
“It would be best if occasionally he’s away. I temporarily handling him over to you to take care.”
“Yes, your servant will surely devote to serve Lord Li .”
The Emperor smiled faintly and said “You’re to take care of him, not serve; he would not like you to be a meticulous nanny. Regarding about the Seventh Duke, it is up to your capacity.”
Wei Xiao Miao pursed his lips and justified: “Your Majesty, your servant has been with sire since early age, I’ve little friends.h.i.+p with the Seventh Duke, and there is no hidden motive.”
“I know, when the time comes, whether you choose to go or stay, you’ve to make the choice, and I will not interfere with your decision.” The Emperor said. “You can go and get ready.”
“Yes, your servant retires.
Li Qing sleeps soundly and unaware that he is about to head on a long journey. Finally when he has enough rest, he woken up and the sun at this time located in the west apparently nearing dusk. He stretched and sat up; the royal robe that covered his body had slide down to his waist.
“Wake up.” Song Yu said.
“Ah.”
Song Yu continues to work on political agenda doc.u.ment (correspondence), Li Qing worn his shoes and sat quietly. A royal servant took a small table and put on the couch, another servant brought a bowl of pea’s porridge on a tray and placed it there, the emperor has specially ordered the royal cookers in made them.
Song Yu was well aware of Li Qing food preferences; he did not like exotic food but preferred green vegetables. Even though it is a commoner’s dish, the Royal cook was still able to present it with great delicacies, the pea porridge looks like a beautiful jade paved bowl which gives the diner a greater sense of satisfaction in eating them.
“Eat before it gets cold, a little nibble for the stomach and then later we’ll have supper together.” Song Yu said.
“Alright.” Li Qing was carelessly stirring the warm porridge, although he’d slept and did not eat anything all day. He did not feel particularly hungry and so after two spoons he places it down.
“Why not eat a bit more?” the Emperor’s head did not look up and his eyes was obviously staring at the doc.u.ment.
‘It was very amazing the man knew my every move.’
“I’ve no appet.i.te.”
“Are you unwell?”
“No.”
“Unhappy?”
“……You could have let me sleep at Ting Xia Lou (Summer House).”
‘Let me sleep here and also used the royal robe to cover like a quilt, could be no longer portraying as the Emperor who “loving the people as his children”.’
“You were in a deep sleep so I did not want to wake you.”
“Who came here?”
“Minister Xu, Minister Huang, Left Wing Prime Minister, Generalissimo, General Shen, and your brother-in-law.”
Li Qing’s frown deepen, “And you deliberately let them see me?”
“You’re too suspicious.” Song Yu puts down the doc.u.ment and sat down beside him, took the bowl and started to feed him with a spoonful of porridge, said: “Three days later, you’ll patrol Chu Nan on my behalf.”
“Alone?” Li Qing obediently ate the peas porridge from the Emperor’s hand.
“I’ll have Little Miao to travel with you.”
“I’ve not been that far out of the capital.”
“You can take the opportunity to visit your third brother.”
“When am I to return to the capital?”
“When Mo flowers blossom, you can slowly come back.”
Li Qing’s eyes slightly narrowed and then a ripple of smile appears in his eyes, the taste of salty porridge seems to be sweeter. “Your Majesty, let your subordinate to remind sire; that I am your Rites a.s.sistant Minister and is not your Wu Yue Lady.”
Song Yu puts down the bowl and dragged him over to sit on his lap, and then licks his lips where the residue porridge was lingered. He latched onto the moist sweet glossy lips, pa.s.sionately kisses them and said: “I sometimes want our relations.h.i.+p out in an open, I am an Emperor but have to sneak around to see my lover, it is utterly insulting.”
He always felt that Li Qing’s lips is deliciously sweet and sweeter as days going by. And that is why he always wanted to kiss him and then gobbled him up. Li Qing took the initiative to open his mouth and so Song Yu’s tongue entered, continues their lingering kisses, while Li Qing inarticulately said: “A wife is not a concubine; a concubine is not the same as an external affair.”
“You, ah!” Song Yu was angry and bitten his lips and when they were ending the kiss, he was still slightly annoying but firmly hold Li Qing in the arms. “To be together is that really hard?”
Unwilling? Li Qing’s heart admitted from the beginning he was indeed not without reluctance to enter this relations.h.i.+p, he always play it safe and greedily lazy about anything, he does not look for trouble so trouble is not looking for him.
‘Is it not by having a relations.h.i.+p with the Emperor is the most troublesome thing?’
At first he could not help but be dazed and confused, not sure why the Emperor fancies him. Of course he was unwilling to be under a man body but cannot be bothered to fight back. Who is the Emperor? He is the most powerful man in the kingdom, only in vain to struggle against such a force. He is not like those who would rather die to protect their virginity, he is Li Qing who wants to be like a small sloth, just laying lazy for all day was enough.
He thought the Emperor was momentary newly indulgence with him and will not last. All he needs was to have a little patience and everything will be over. However, the situation was beyond his expectation, their feelings have increased over time, involuntarily they have care for each other a bit more every day, ultimately and currently they could not be without the other.
He’s almost certain that the Emperor does love him, and he too is in love with the Emperor. This concealment gradually becomes a hard thing to do, but if he did not hide then it would have been a hundred times harder.
There was times when he want their feelings to be open, but the other man is the Emperor. To be made public would presumably cause greater deal of trouble and iy will exhausthim. If their secret love affair became public, he thought, ‘I would probably be the first one to run away, where n.o.body able to find me and to hide there forever, and pretending nothing had happened.’
‘Calling me a coward is alright, laughed at my unworthiness is still good; a typical life and just easygoing unfettered path – well, I would volunteer to bury the head in the sand like an ostrich, just ah…’
“Why are we still together then?” Li Qing m.u.f.fled whisper, asking Song Yu but as if he was asking himself.