Chapter 4: The Emperor’s Audacity Part 1
Wei Wanlan forced his eyes open wider, his vision hazy, his consciousness gradually dissolving, reason succumbing to instinct, then he snuggled closer to the Regent.
A soft, pale pink hue suffused Wei Wanlan’s delicate skin, then his pliant little body pressed against him of its own accord. The soft white hand covered Su Jingzhi’s long, bony fingers, Wei Wanlan whimpering, desperately needing the Regent’s inherent coolness to relieve the heat.
“So hot…” His voice trembled.
Su Jingzhi’s body stiffened slightly. His gaze fell on their overlapping hands, his brow raising slightly, his eyes growing deep, not knowing what scheme the young emperor was up to now.
If anyone dared remind the emperor, they would tell Wei Wanlan that the Regent had now become very dangerous: “Remove your hand.” The voice was low.
But Wei Wanlan had just discovered that as long as he clung to the Regent, the drug effect could be alleviated, how could he let the Regent move away? He even clung tighter, the soft palm carrying warmth and itchiness, repeatedly caressing the back of Su Jingzhi’s hand. The nails lightly scratched, causing a lingering itch.
Su Jingzhi’s throat felt a bit dry.
It was he who had committed the impolite act, yet Wei Wanlan tilted his head, long lashes like feathers, with a touch of innocent smile, his actions carrying an indescribable innocence and purity.
Su Jingzhi had to withdraw his hand: “Sit properly.”
But Wei Wanlan refused to listen, reaching out to grab, actually pressing his hand on Su Jingzhi’s waistband. The palm felt the metal beast head in the center of the waistband, cool and tangible, even colder than Su Jingzhi’s hand.
Wei Wanlan cherished it like a treasure, the scorching hand carefully tracing the pattern of the beast head, the fingertips occasionally lightly circling the protruding parts, as if teasing the wild beast, or simply just greeting it in a friendly manner.
Su Jingzhi gulped down some wine. The sensation of being caressed through the fabric was even more distinct.
He put down the wine cup, his voice even lower: “Earlier this king thought you had become a coward, but now it seems ‘audacious’ would not be an overstatement.”
The audacious Wei Wanlan “mm’d” a few times, his fingers reaching the bronze ring buckle on the waistband, the beast head originally locked in the bronze ring, after Wei Wanlan’s twists and turns, trying to free it from the ring.
Just a little more force, the emperor could undress the Regent.
The young emperor’s breathing grew more sticky.
At this time, the eagle-eyed eunuch noticed the subtle interaction behind the dining table, frightened, he directly let out an “ah”, then was harshly glared at by Su Jingzhi, quickly shrinking back, pretending not to have seen anything.
Su Jingzhi abruptly stood up—
The Linde Palace instantly fell silent.
All the officials under the high seat immediately froze, their gazes turning to the Regent, fearing this powerful lord would be displeased, and the grand banquet would again be drenched in blood.
Everyone held their breath, the hall maintaining a strange silence for a few breaths.
After the silence, the Regent half-dragged, half-carried the emperor up, and Wei Wanlan’s claws were still clinging to Su Jingzhi’s waist, making it appear as if they were intimately embracing.
The atmosphere in the hall became even stranger, the civil and military officials sprouting various conjectures: Wasn’t the emperor very afraid of the Regent? The emperor just now had even served dishes to the Regent’s deputy! Has the young emperor wised up, learning some appeasement tactics?
Su Jingzhi’s voice broke the silence in the Linde Palace: “His Majesty is drunk. Take His Majesty back to the palace.”
“Yes, yes.” The eunuchs responded.
The entire court watched as the Regent and emperor departed. The young eunuchs hurriedly followed.
Su Jingzhi’s strides were long and quick, soon reaching the palace. With the Regent by the emperor’s side, the attending eunuchs dared not approach, all keeping their eyes averted, silently waiting outside the palace.
Wisps of sandalwood fragrance seeped through the narrow palace doors. The waiting eunuchs and palace maids caught the scent, feeling it was similar to what the emperor had just exuded, their thoughts restless, throats parched.
***
The powerful AOE effect of the Ruler’s Charm Pill had fully targeted Su Jingzhi alone.
If previously Su Jingzhi had only a faint, unshakable sense of irritation flowing in his blood, now it felt like a huge beast in his heart, almost bursting through his chest.
He carefully and dangerously scrutinized Wei Wanlan.
His gaze finally resting on the flushed skin, feeling it was like a juicy peach, beckoning someone to take a bite.
Su Jingzhi felt his reaction was too abnormal.
Unexpectedly, Wei Wanlan was oblivious, the drug’s effect now at its peak, no longer lying passively on the bed, but sitting up, lightly embracing Su Jingzhi’s neck, reluctantly refusing to let go.
Su Jingzhi wanted to push Wei Wanlan away, but when he gripped the youth’s collar, it became pulling him closer. He warned: “Do you know what you’re doing?” Speaking, he grasped the boy’s chin.
The other, however, obediently opened his mouth, a few strands of saliva connecting, the moist, pink lips gently enveloping the small pale tongue, both soft and pliant, lightly moving in his mouth.
Su Jingzhi could not resist, his fingertip tracing Wei Wanlan’s lips, feeling the wetness, Wei Wanlan’s tongue tip touching his thumb, lightly sucking on it.
The slight tingling on his fingertip was like a raging fire, Su Jingzhi’s breathing slightly quickened, completely convinced he had lost his mind. He tapped several acupuncture points on Wei Wanlan’s body, the young emperor immediately nailed to the bed, crying and wailing: “No, I want to move, let me move…”
The voice carried through the door, drawing a collective gasp from the eunuchs and palace maids outside.
The head eunuch timidly instructed outside the door: “Quickly prepare hot water, have it ready to bring into the palace later. Also go…”
Su Jingzhi interrupted them, ordering the outer palace: “Summon the imperial physician.”
“What?”
“Also go have Tong Tuan investigate the celebration banquet’s dishes, if there’s any news, report back immediately. Prepare five bowls of iced tea.”
“Yes, yes…” Though unaware of the exact situation inside, it seems they had misunderstood, the eunuchs hurriedly complied. Rapid footsteps resounded outside.
Soon, the door flickered open, cautious footsteps, then the court physician came to diagnose the emperor.
“Greetings to His Majesty, Your Highness.” As the old physician entered, his brows couldn’t help but raise, this scene seemed familiar, but even more exaggerated than the last time he examined the emperor:
The Regent had the young emperor completely wrapped in the quilt. The emperor’s eyes were moist, trying to break free of the Regent, but unable to, his face flushed red. On the low table by the dragon bed were five empty bowls, particularly eye-catching.
The emperor’s restless legs were rubbing inside the embroidered yellow quilt. Displeased, he used his nose to lightly nudge the Regent’s chin.
The old physician’s eyes widened, then he quickly bowed his head. Sinful, sinful.
“What kind of drug has His Majesty ingested?” Su Jingzhi went straight to the point.
In fact, there is no need to take the pulse, Master Fang is an experienced physician who has seen and heard it all. Merely by observing the young Emperor’s intense desire, Master Fang already had a hunch, and he knelt down to kowtow, saying, “This old servant dares not speak.”
“This minister knows it is a love potion. How do we resolve this?”
“It is not just any love potion, but the Jade Dew Spring!”
“…” Su Jingzhi’s expression grew somber.
The Jade Dew Spring was renowned, a stimulant used by the courtesans and young male entertainers in Ping’an Alley. Even the Regent, though immersed in state affairs and indifferent to romantic pursuits, could not escape the potion’s notorious reputation that had spread throughout the capital.
Master Fang looked up, “The love potion is not a poison, although its effects come on strong, they will naturally weaken over time.” The old physician then glanced towards the several empty bowls by the dragon bed.
He then quickly interjected, “Your Highness’ strategy of using iced water to remove the potion’s effects is indeed an excellent one, but Your Highness has already made His Majesty drink five bowls of cold water, and His Majesty is of a frail constitution. Further ingesting icy water may harm his lungs and viscera, and he must not drink any more!”
He then intended to arrange a nourishing soup to soothe the Emperor’s spleen and stomach.
Su Jingzhi thought excessive treatment unnecessary and stopped him, “It’s not what he drank.”
“Then who? Could it be that someone else has also consumed the potion?” The old physician eyed Su Jingzhi, “Could it be that Your Highness is also affected by the poison?”
“No.”
“Then… Hmm—”
Master Fang fell silent. Very good, he understood.
After all, the Regent was in his late twenties, in the prime of his youth, yet still unmarried. With all that youthful vigor with nowhere to vent, and encountering the young and beautiful Emperor, the two coming together was like dry tinder meeting a raging fire. It was no wonder the Regent could not resist.
The old physician became more and more convinced of his speculation.
But for the sake of the black hat and his head, Master Fang decided to keep all the amorous conjectures to himself. He simply provided a few suggestions to alleviate the potion’s effects, then hurriedly bowed and withdrew.
***
The Taiyi Pool, a natural cold water bathing area.
Tang Tuan strode over, but upon reaching the brocade screen, his steps suddenly halted. He could only see two vague figures on the other side of the screen, their silhouettes reflected on the peony design.
Tang Tuan scratched his head. If the screen wasn’t there, it would be fine, but with it blocking the view, he could only hear the gentle sound of the water, which sparked endless thoughts. His tanned face flushed red.
“Big Brother.”
“How’s the investigation going?”
“The eunuch and lady-in-waiting responsible for preparing the Emperor’s meals have denied adding any love potion to His Majesty’s drink. No one is admitting it.”
The ripples of the floating ice in the Taiyi Pool stirred, and Su Jingzhi’s silhouette moved slightly. “No one?”
Tang Tuan thought he was displeased and hurriedly supplemented, “I’ve used torture, but they really insist they didn’t do it. Of course, your subordinate understands that admitting to poisoning the Emperor would mean execution for the entire family. But these people don’t seem to be lying. Moreover…”
Suddenly, a soft whimper was heard from inside the screen: “Mmm, no, I’m completely soaked, please let me go.”
Tang Tuan hesitated, his throat constricting.
“Continue,” Su Jingzhi said calmly.
Tang Tuan steeled himself to go on, “Your Majesty has been behaving recklessly in the past. To prevent him from going astray, Your Highness has already replaced all the people around him with those under your control. Even the Chief Eunuch Liu Quan was replaced after the failed assassination attempt. Now the Emperor’s entourage is all our people. Who could have obtained the Jade Dew Spring?”
“Although the possibility is small, it does not mean it’s completely impossible.” Su Jingzhi spoke in a low voice, “Wasn’t the Cleaving Sky Sword a variable?”
“That’s true…” Tang Tuan said softly. “…That’s true.”
Maneuvering in the court, the Regent was always a skeptic.
Su Jingzhi analyzed, “If Cui Minghai could plant an assassin near the Emperor to attack me, he may still have other schemes. Perhaps he doesn’t know I plan to kill him tonight, and wants to tarnish my reputation with the Jade Dew Spring first.”
“Your Highness’ speculation makes sense,” Tang Tuan nodded.
Su Jingzhi continued, “If I fall for the trap tonight, Cui Minghai will surely arrange for someone to take my life when I’m in a vulnerable state. The result would be Cui Minghai’s victory.”
Tang Tuan was not the sharpest tool in the shed, but his loyalty was admirable. Following Su Jingzhi’s words, he praised, “Yes, that’s exactly it! Your Highness is truly wise!”
Su Jingzhi snorted, evidently unaffected by Tang Tuan’s unsophisticated praise. “Go quickly investigate those eunuchs and court ladies, see if any of them have backgrounds related to Cui’s faction. Punish the accomplices severely.”
“As you command!” Tang Tuan immediately bowed and withdrew.
The sound of his footsteps had barely faded when several more sets of footsteps approached from outside, stopping at the edge of the pool’s enclosure. “We pay our respects to Your Highness,” the three men spoke in unison.
These three were the heads of the Three Judicial Agencies: the Grand Supervisor in purple robe and golden sash, the Minister of Justice – a middle-aged man with a kind face, and the Grand Censor – an old man with white hair, holding account books.
They stood respectfully.
Su Jingzhi briefly acknowledged them, “How goes the search of Cui’s residence?”
The three men all beamed, “Our humble selves have reaped a bountiful harvest!”
Participating in the confiscation of a corrupt official’s home was indeed a pleasant task, not just for the opportunity to pilfer a few items, but also for the insights gained. Especially when investigating the homes of major embezzlers, the things found there could astound one.
Su Jingzhi simply said, “Speak.”
The Grand Supervisor, Xin Buyi, reported, “The capital has one hundred and eight districts, and Cui Minghai has businesses spanning across them all. Not only that, he has utilized the officials’ inability to prohibit visits to the pleasure quarters, and has acquired seven brothels in Ping’an Alley, controlling the flow of information and involvement in human trafficking and slavery, turning them into his private army. Any one of these crimes is worthy of execution, Your Highness. Killing him at the banquet would have been doing him a favor.”
Xin Buyi spoke rapidly and fervently, his righteous indignation evident. He was from a humble background but had risen through the civil service examinations to become the Grand Supervisor. The Regent, recognizing his upright character, had not suppressed his fiery nature but instead promoted him to this position.
Xin Buyi then solemnly continued, “Your humble servant dares to ask, does Your Highness know of the Jade Dew Spring?”
The sound of water movement inside the screen.
The Great Wei Emperor gently stirred the water surface. The cold made him blow a bubble.
But Su Jingzhi would not let him get out, fearing the potion’s effects were not yet resolved and he might cause trouble again. Su Jingzhi gently pushed him back into the water. Weilan clung tightly to Su Jingzhi’s hand with his cheek.
Su Jingzhi’s fingertips rested on Weilan’s smooth cheek, outwardly calm as he asked, “What about the Jade Dew Spring?”
Xin Buyi reported, “The illicit trade in Ping’an Alley is extremely lucrative. Cui Minghai, to make the virtuous women forced into prostitution obedient, resorted to the despicable means of the Jade Dew Spring. In his warehouse, we found a total of three hundred and thirty-five bottles…”
Su Jingzhi’s fingers stiffened slightly, allowing Weilan to hold his hand. “How many bottles?”
“Three hundred and thirty-five. It seems all the Jade Dew Spring in Chang’an is stored in Cui’s residence.”
“The King understands.” Su Jingzhi’s mind was now clear, the pieces falling into place: the love potion did indeed come from Cui Minghai’s estate, and the young Emperor had indeed been caught up in the crossfire of his own grudges, leading to him being dosed with the potion.
The moonlight shone into the Taiyi Pool, the ripples glittering. Su Jingzhi’s brow furrowed, inexplicably stirred by a nameless emotion. The young Emperor was completely drenched, looking even more pitiful. Just moments ago, he had sought warmth by clinging to Su Jingzhi’s hand, but now lay motionless by the pool’s edge.
Xin Buyi continued outside, “Cui’s residence also had twenty sets of armor…”
“Leave for now,” Su Jingzhi ordered.
Xin Buyi fell silent.
“Report again tomorrow.”
“As you command.” The three judicial officials did not understand the reason, but the Regent usually had his own plans, so they bowed and withdrew, “We shall report again tomorrow.”
Inside the screen, Weilan’s hair was covered in ice. He had been soaking for too long.
The bitter winter chill was biting. Su Jingzhi reached into the pool to lift him out, but Weilan’s drenched body felt heavy and limp. As Su Jingzhi’s hand slid under his armpits to lift him, a soft, muffled whimper escaped Weilan’s lips. Then something cool and soft pressed against Su Jingzhi’s neck – Weilan had suddenly bitten him with his chilled teeth.
“Mmm…”
Su Jingzhi drew in a sharp breath, momentarily disoriented, his heart pounding heavily. Then Weilan pulled him down, and both of them plunged into the ice-covered Taiyi Pool!
A splash of water sprayed out.
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