“Say Thank You Again and I Shall Kiss You.”
At dawn, Lu Ronghuai carried with him the scriptures that he and Xian Feng had copied through the night and rode to court.
Upon arriving at Qianzheng Hall, Emperor Hongjia was as he had always been. Unless the appointed hour had arrived, he would not enter the hall in advance. He would even delay a short while.
The ministers, left waiting, grew somewhat bored and spoke among themselves in twos and threes.
Lu Ronghuai’s gaze swept across the hall. Those who had been secretly peering at him immediately withdrew their eyes and pretended to converse warmly with their colleagues.
Lu Ronghuai did not mind. His posture remained at ease as he strolled to Prince Qi’s side.
When Prince Qi saw him approach, his expression tightened at once, and his voice sank. “What do you intend to do?”
Lu Ronghuai smiled with courtesy. “Elder Brother speaks strangely. This prince has not seen Elder Brother for many days and has missed you greatly.”
Prince Qi nearly burst into curses. These past days he had been unable to attend court, all because of him, yet he still had the face to mention it!
Prince Qi forced the foul words back into his belly and expelled a heavy breath of white air from his nostrils. “Do not pretend to be a good man before me. This prince does not wish to speak with you.”
Lu Ronghuai replied, “Just so. In truth, this prince does not wish to speak with you either.”
Prince Qi snapped, “Then why did you come over?”
Lu Ronghuai said unhurriedly, “Upon second thought, this prince quite enjoys seeing Elder Brother suffer a misfortune. Therefore I came to watch the spectacle.”
“...”
Prince Qi’s upright and proper face flushed into a pig-liver color.
“His Majesty arrives!” The eunuch’s sharp and high voice rang out. Everyone hastily straightened their robes and adjusted their crowns before returning to their positions.
After appreciating Prince Qi’s expression, Lu Ronghuai stepped behind him and stood in place. He even offered a kind reminder.
“Elder Brother would do well to control your complexion. It looks… not very elegant.”
Prince Qi’s lungs nearly burst from anger.
How could his face possibly look good? This scoundrel had nearly frozen his body some days ago, and now he spoke in a tone half mockery and half insinuation. Prince Qi drew several deep breaths in succession, his fists clenched until they sounded with faint creaks.
He recalled his birth mother’s admonitions and forcibly suppressed the hatred in his heart.
A wise man does not suffer immediate loss. Only by enduring could one accomplish great undertakings.
Emperor Hongjia arrived late, supported by Grand Eunuch Yuan Sheng. After reaching his seat, he took two breaths before slowly straightening his body. His complexion appeared somewhat pale.
Duke Liu stepped forward at once. “Has Your Majesty’s dragon body been unwell?”
Zhen caught a slight chill last night. Upon rising this morning, Zhen took a medicinal pill and has now improved considerably. My loyal minister need not worry.
Duke Liu spoke further, urging the Emperor to cherish his dragon body and not overexert himself, expressing concern and devotion with earnest words that moved the heart.
Emperor Hongjia felt greatly comforted and sat a little straighter.
Lu Ronghuai raised his eyes for a glance. His eyes were calm and indifferent, unmoved by the touching scene of ruler and minister before him.
When the exchange concluded, those below also voiced their concern in unison, and only then did the matter cease.
Afterward, Grand Censor Ye stepped out from the ranks.
“Your Majesty, this subject has a matter to present.”
Emperor Hongjia said, “What matter does Censor Ye present?”
“This subject presents that Prince Li has disturbed public morals and conducted himself without restraint, bringing shame upon the imperial house. He should be punished.”
Lu Ronghuai: “...”
He had only just been released from confinement, and this old man had already come to stir trouble again.
Emperor Hongjia looked surprised. “Conduct without restraint? Disturb public morals?”
Grand Censor Ye gave a slow nod.
Another remonstrating official stepped forward. “Your Majesty, this subject concurs.”
Seeing him step out, Censor Ye withdrew half a pace and yielded the position.
This official had only recently taken office. Filled with fervor and zeal, he never spared any injustice or impropriety in court and would deliver impassioned denunciations.
Many ministers had already suffered under him. Now that his spearhead pointed directly at Prince Li, all waited to see the spectacle unfold.
The official said, “These past two days, while passing through the market, this subject heard people discussing Prince Li wherever he went. Out of curiosity, this subject paused to listen and learned that among the common folk many storybooks concerning Prince Li have begun to circulate.”
Emperor Hongjia asked, “What sort of storybooks?”
The official appeared reluctant to speak. After struggling briefly, he finally said, “Without exception, they tell the tale of two men, namely Prince Li and his male favorite. The contents… are not fit to be described.”
“Prince Li, are you aware of this matter?” Emperor Hongjia asked.
Lu Ronghuai said, “The storybooks write of this prince and a male favorite?”
“Yes.”
Lu Ronghuai asked, “Are they well written?”
“Pardon?”
“For example, do they describe this prince as especially doting upon that male favorite, fearing he might fall if held in the palm, fearing he might melt if held in the mouth, embracing him day and night, whispering sweet words and clinging tenderly…”
“Exactly so. Could it be that these were written at Prince Li’s instruction?” the official interrupted, his words charged with agitation.
“Certainly not.”
The official would not relinquish this opportunity. “Even if not, Your Highness must have read such contents and tacitly permitted these filthy things to circulate among the people.”
“Filthy things?” Lu Ronghuai’s brows grew cold. “If the common people enjoy reading them of their own accord, could this prince stop them? It is plainly a love that moves Heaven and Earth. How has it become filthy when it reaches your mouth?”
“This is not love. It is evidence that Your Highness toys with a male favorite,” the official said, his expression growing ever more indignant. He then pointed toward Su Ruhe, who stood not far away observing the scene.
“When this subject investigated the matter, I happened to encounter Assistant Minister Su. He purchased several volumes and must have retained them as evidence.”
Su Ruhe: “...”
Brother, if you seek death, do not drag this one with you.
All eyes turned toward him. With no choice, Su Ruhe stepped forward and spoke slowly.
“This subject did indeed purchase several volumes.”
“Has Assistant Minister Su read them through?” the official asked earnestly.
Su Ruhe revealed a set of white teeth and enunciated each word. “I have read them through. They are compiled excellently. They move Heaven and Earth, their feelings are sincere and profound. The imagination is abundant and lingering. Amid the melodrama there drifts the fragrance of love. This subject nearly wept while reading.”
The official: “?”
The ministers: “??”
Lu Ronghuai let out a laugh.
The official grew anxious. “Vice Minister Su, do not fear offending Prince Li. As ministers, we must disregard powerful authority, step forward bravely, and rectify public morals.”
Su Ruhe looked even more helpless. “Every word this subject has spoken is the truth.”
Lu Ronghuai raised a sword-like brow. “Assistant Minister Su has already spoken truthfully. You refuse to believe him. Why grow so angry?”
The official fell silent.
He launched into another impassioned denunciation. “On the Lantern Festival, Prince Li publicly flirted with his male favorite and toyed with him from head to toe. The people witnessed it with their own eyes. Now the storybooks spread wildly and their contents are unseemly. Prince Li cannot escape blame.”
“Flirtation there was. The term ‘toying’ is improper. This prince suggests you read more books and learn accurate wording.”
“Prince Li conducts himself without restraint, openly promoting the male romantic fashion among the people. The storybooks cause widespread harm. In recent days the male pleasure houses have been crowded nightly. There have even been several brawls have broken out over the competition for companions. The impact is grave!”
Lu Ronghuai asked at an even pace, “How do you know those establishments have been doing better business?”
The official lifted his chin, righteous in bearing. “In order to investigate the truth, this subject led from the front. Why should that be improper?”
“How admirable. Next time, let this prince undertake that particular hardship”
The official: “??”
This man did not follow ordinary logic.
Emperor Hongjia frowned. “Third Prince, is the matter of a male favorite true?”
Before the new year he had just issued an edict commanding Lu Ronghuai to marry the prince of Chu. Shortly thereafter he had taken a male favorite into the residence. Spoken aloud, it did not sound proper.
“There is indeed one who is beautiful and obedient. This prince likes him very much.”
Emperor Hongjia: “...”
You are quite candid.
Emperor Hongjia spoke with tact. “Even if you like him, you must not be so ostentatious that the entire city knows. You are already married. At least leave some face for your Prince Consort.”
Lu Ronghuai said, “Father Emperor, what this son brought out that evening was Ah-Yuan himself. The common people did not recognize him, so misunderstanding is understandable. What this son does not comprehend is how Your Majesty’s ministers have grown blind at such a young age.”
“...”
They had not been present. How would they know it was the Prince Consort?
An entire impeachment, and the result was an embarrassing misunderstanding.
The official’s face alternated between green and white. Standing in the center of the hall beneath the gaze of all, he felt such shame that he wished to burrow into the ground.
“Furthermore, the customs of our dynasty are open. The male romantic fashion has long flourished. Before this prince married, none of you raised this matter. Since you find it intolerable, when Father Emperor issued the marriage edict, why did you not step forward to object?”
“Father Emperor, the remonstrating officials you keep, aside from stirring trouble where none exists and picking bones from eggs, what other ability do they possess?”
His words were arrogant and unrestrained, yet at this moment none of the censors dared step forward to rebut him.
“Censor Ye, what say you?” Emperor Hongjia turned to Ye Qi. As the matter had begun with him, he must now provide an answer.
Ye Qi stepped forward. The wrinkles upon his face lay calm as ever. He spoke slowly. “The circulation of storybooks is a fact. The disturbance of public morals is a fact. Prince Li openly flirting with the Prince Consort at the residence gates is likewise a fact.”
“Exactly so!” the previous official interjected, seeking to recover face. “Prince Li, as an imperial son, committed conduct that offends propriety and morality, becoming a topic of idle chatter among the people and gravely diminishing imperial dignity. This subject requests that Your Majesty impose punishment to serve as a warning.”
“You repeatedly speak of imperial dignity. Tell me, can those four characters guarantee the prosperity of your official careers?” Lu Ronghuai mocked without restraint.
“Prince Li would do well to learn from your two elder brothers what it means to be steady and composed, benevolent and tolerant,” Ye Qi said. His drooping eyelids concealed a sharp gaze.
“Censor Ye’s bones may have grown brittle with age, but his bite remains impressively firm. This prince admires it.”
“Enough. The Third Prince’s conduct has indeed lacked steadiness. Let it be so. Deduct three months of salary.”
“As for those storybooks, you shall handle them yourself. You are a dignified prince, yet you are written as a lustful and mindless fellow. You do not find it shameful?” Emperor Hongjia shook his head.
Lu Ronghuai replied, “What shame does this son bear? To covet wealth and delight in beauty is human nature.”
Emperor Hongjia: “...”
“Speak less!” Emperor Hongjia pressed a hand to his forehead.
Lu Ronghuai persisted. “This Prince is considerably more upright than most of the men in this hall. They not only keep household full of concubines, but they also frequent those establishments we were just discussing.”
The ministers: “...”
Lu Ronghuai added, “This prince has never set foot in such filthy places.”
“...”
“Alas. The world grows murky, yet I alone remain clear. The virtuous have always been especially vulnerable to the envy of others,” Lu Ronghuai said with a sigh.
The entire court fell silent.
Nie Chouwen listened throughout, sleeves folded together. When all others had ceased speaking, he stepped forward to present a memorial.
“Your Majesty, the Spring Examination approaches. Candidates from various regions have entered the capital in succession. Many inns and shops have seized the opportunity to raise prices. Impoverished scholars cannot afford lodging and at night must remain in dilapidated temples beyond the city. The sight is pitiable.”
Emperor Hongjia immediately said, “These scholars have studied in cold windows for over ten years. There must be no mishap at this juncture. Does Prime Minister Nie have a suitable solution?”
Nie Chouwen replied, “There are many Daoist temples outside the city. The majority with rooms standing empty. This subject respectfully petitions Your Majesty to permit the temples to receive these scholars and grant them a place of shelter.”
Emperor Hongjia nodded. “Excellent. It will also be a great benevolent deed. This matter shall be entrusted to Prime Minister Nie.”
With temples now mentioned, Emperor Hongjia took the opportunity to add, “Daoist temples serve many purposes and bring convenience to the people. Zhen wishes to construct a Daoist temple within the city to serve hereafter as the principal site for prayers and sacrificial rites.”
Nie Chouwen’s lips twitched slightly. He glanced at the Emperor, who was in high spirits, and ultimately said nothing further.
Seeing no objection, Emperor Hongjia declared aloud, “The construction of the Daoist temple shall be overseen by Prince Li. The Ministry of Works will obey his dispatch. Funds shall be drawn from the national treasury. The temple must be built grand and orderly.”
*
After court was dismissed, Lu Ronghuai rode straight to the Ye Jing marketplace.
He brought men with him and confiscated every storybook they could find upon the market, transporting them all back to the residence.
Chu Yuan sat by the window reading. Suddenly he heard commotion outside, as though many people were moving in and out. It was somewhat noisy.
“Le Shu, go see what is happening outside,” he said, turning his head toward the doorway.
“This servant goes at once.”
Le Shu had scarcely been gone long before he returned at a run.
“Young Master, Xian Yu Shu has ordered many bookcases to be brought in. He says it is His Highness’s command to convert the eastern side room of Fuju Courtyard into a small study.”
“I see. Prepare tea for them. When they finish their work, send it over.” Chu Yuan lowered his head again, his gaze returning to the page.
Le Shu said, “Young Master, perhaps this small study has been prepared by His Highness for you.”
Chu Yuan turned a page calmly, his profile tranquil. “I am now confined within the inner residence. What use would I have for a study?”
Hereafter he would have no connection to the court. How could Lu Ronghuai possibly prepare a study for him?
The servants remained busy until evening.
Lu Ronghuai visited the Ministry of Works and, upon returning, asked, “Has the study been arranged?”
Xian Yu nodded. “The shelves and books have all been placed in order. All other items are complete.”
Lu Ronghuai nodded and strode toward Fuju Courtyard in high spirits. “Delay the evening meal tonight,” he instructed as he walked.
He entered the room. The light within was dim. Chu Yuan had read by the window for a long while, and his eyes felt slightly sore. He had just set down his book when Lu Ronghuai strode in and lifted him into his arms.
Chu Yuan: “?”
“I will take you somewhere.” Lu Ronghuai carried him out with a beaming expression.
He bore him to the eastern side room and kicked the door open with his foot, signaling him to look. “From today onward this will be Ah-Yuan’s study. Take a look. Do you like it?”
“This… is this subject’s study?” Chu Yuan was stunned.
“Naturally.”
“Thank—”
“Say thank you again and I shall kiss you.”
“...”
Chu Yuan pressed his lips together and lifted his eyes to look within the room.
The tables and chairs were crafted from exquisite materials. Upon the desk lay paper, brush, ink, and inkstone, each a rare treasure.
He glanced over these costly items and calmly shifted his gaze elsewhere.
The entire northern wall was lined with shelves. Upon them books were densely arranged, placed in neat order.
Chu Yuan’s eyes were drawn to those books and lingered there.
Lu Ronghuai curved his lips and carried him closer.
“Take one down and see. These are all the most popular volumes upon the market today.”
“Mm.” He had wished to see them as well.
Chu Yuan casually drew down a volume and opened it to the front page.
《Prince Li Loves Fiercely; The Male Favorite Must Be Naughty》
“……?！？！……”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Yuan Yuan: Subway. Old man. Looking at phone. Maybe it’s this one? lol That caught me off guard ahaha
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