“The Prince Consort’s Legs Were Clamped Tightly Around the Prince’s Waist.”
Lu Ronghuai mounted his horse and led his men toward the city gate.
This time, Bai Yi had sent ahead an urgent report. Almost as soon as the dispatch left, he set out himself without delay.
He left his soldiers and deputy generals at the western frontier and rode swiftly back to Ye Jing with his daughter and five hundred men.
After waiting a quarter of an hour, Lu Ronghuai saw dust rise in the distance. The thunder of hooves drew near.
“They have arrived!”
The group halted before Lu Ronghuai.
Bai Yi was past forty this year. Frost had gathered at his temples, and the lines upon his face were deep. He appeared much older than his actual age.
“Your Highness Prince Li.” Bai Yi urged his horse forward and clasped his riding crop and bowed horseback.
Lu Ronghuai raised a hand. “Spare the formalities. Father Emperor awaits the General in the palace. Let us go.”
Behind Bai Yi, another rider stepped forward.
“This is my humble daughter, Bai Qingyu. Qingyu, greet the Prince.”
“Qingyu greets Your Highness.”
Bai Qingyu’s voice was somewhat low and husky, likely from long years in the desert. It carried a faint roughness, entirely unlike the clear and lilting tones of the refined ladies of Ye Jing.
She was beautiful, yet not in the traditional style of beauties from the Kingdom of Lu. Her beauty bore the exotic air of the Hu regions. Her eyes were a deep blue, her nose high and sharply defined, and her skin, weathered by sun and wind, was slightly dark.
Lu Ronghuai gave a brief nod.
“Qingyu, lead the men back to the residence first. Father will enter the palace to pay respects and return shortly.”
Bai Qingyu’s temperament was straightforward and decisive. She withdrew to the rear and led the five hundred men away along another path.
Only after she had gone some distance did Bai Yi draw back his gaze and look at Lu Ronghuai, who appeared idly unconcerned.
“Your Highness, this old body of mine has ridden for many days and my bones are weary. Shall we take this stretch slowly?”
“Certainly.” Lu Ronghuai responded lazily. He cast him a sideways glance, a smile forming within.
This old fellow had spent his life campaigning. Such travel would hardly trouble him. He clearly had something to say.
Lu Ronghuai gestured behind him. His subordinates immediately withdrew, leaving distance between them.
“Let us go.” He lightly nudged his horse. It moved forward at an unhurried pace.
Bai Yi rode alongside him.
The main avenue of Ye Jing was bustling with people. The two rode slowly, both maintaining composure.
Only after entering the imperial city precinct, when the number of commoners thinned, did Bai Yi speak.
“That secret letter was sent by Your Highness, was it not?” His tone was certain.
Lu Ronghuai feigned ignorance. “What letter? This Prince does not understand what the General means.”
“Throughout the Kingdom of Lu, this subject can think of no second person capable of crossing layers of defense without a sound and placing a letter within this subject’s chamber.”
“Rest assured, this subject will keep Your Highness’s secret.”
Lu Ronghuai looked straight ahead. “Rather than concern yourself with who sent the letter, General, consider how to resolve the trouble before you.”
Bai Yi laughed softly.
Lu Ronghuai’s words amounted to an admission. Bai Yi withdrew a brocade box from his robes and extended it to him.
“This minister thanks Your Highness. I have heard that Your Highness was wed before the new year. This minister once seized a Lingku elixir pill in battle. I now present it to Your Highness in celebration of your marriage.”
Lu Ronghuai accepted the brocade box without ceremony. “Very well. This Prince accepts the gift. Let the matter end here.”
“Naturally. This minister does not like to owe favors.” Bai Yi looked toward the distant, towering palace buildings, his expression gradually turning cold.
“What does the General intend?” Lu Ronghuai retrieved a flask of water from his saddle pouch and tossed it to him.
Bai Yi unscrewed the cap and drank deeply, draining half the flask. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he gave a cold laugh. “Does this minister still have a choice?”
If he did not obediently relinquish military authority, Bai Qingyu would be sent away in marriage alliance.
“You do.”
Bai Yi turned to look at him.
“The General may choose to cooperate with This Prince.”
Bai Yi fell silent for a moment before speaking frankly. “This subject may be stationed far from court, yet Your Highness’s reputation is thunderous even at the frontier. Moreover…”
“This minister has heard that Your Highness’s military authority is no longer in your own hands.”
Lu Ronghuai smiled. “The General fears that cooperating with This Prince would be a road of no return, does he not?”
Bai Yi returned the flask. “This minister does not dare gamble.”
“Since This Prince dares propose cooperation, I have confidence of victory. The General would rather remain in a passive position than attempt to trust This Prince once?”
They had reached the palace gates. Bai Yi looked at the guards ahead and halted temporarily.
“Your Highness harbors great ambitions, vast as hills and aspires as high as the sun and moon. This subject seeks only stability.”
With words brought thus far, there was nothing more to say.
“Very well. Then This Prince wishes General Bai good fortune.”
Having spoken, he turned his horse and rode away.
Bai Yi watched the man’s resolute, upright figure. The tail of his hair rose with unrestrained arrogance, carrying an innate wild pride.
Such a man feared neither Heaven nor Earth and possessed the courage to stake everything on a single throw. However, Bai Yi did not dare wager.
He greatly admired Lu Ronghuai’s strategy and strength in leading troops.
Yet war and governance were not the same. He feared that a single mistaken decision might one day give the Kingdom of Lu a cruel and merciless ruler.
If that came to pass, he would bear unforgivable guilt even in death.
Having completed his task, Lu Ronghuai circled through the streets and purchased some small snacks before returning to the residence.
Chu Yuan was in the study reviewing account books. Xian Yu assisted at his side.
“Under His Highness’s name are many wine houses. Why is the difference in profit so great?” Chu Yuan finished the ledger in his hands and looked up at Xian Yu.
“His Highness dislikes managing such affairs. They were once handled by Mao Shu. Later they were entrusted to this subordinate. I do not understand these matters well either.”
Chu Yuan furrowed his brows briefly. “After the Wanchao Hui concludes, have all the shopkeepers summoned. I will inquire personally.”
“Understood.”
“As for these estates, their harvest declines year by year. There must be some problem within.”
Listening to him list issue after issue in a calm, gentle voice, Xian Yu felt his head swell. “There are so many problems…”
A smile like a blooming begonia flower spread across Chu Yuan’s cheek. “If small problems are not addressed in time, they slowly grow into large ones. We shall proceed gradually and resolve them all.”
Xian Yu laughed as well. “Prince Consort, you are truly patient and meticulous. Problems I have not discovered in all this time, you uncover in but a moment.”
“No one is born knowing these things. In the past, I assisted Mother Empress in managing the inner palace accounts. I have seen much, so I take to it quickly. You had no prior contact with such matters. You are already doing very well.”
Xian Yu flushed at the praise and scratched his head awkwardly.
Chu Yuan glanced around and closed the ledger. “Where is Le Shu?”
He had not seen him for some time.
Xian Shuang appeared at the doorway. “Reporting to Master, Le Shu has gone to find Vice Minister Su.”
Chu Yuan thought he had misheard. “Vice Minister Su?”
When had Le Shu begun speaking with Vice Minister Su? And even gone to seek him out?
Xian Shuang nodded. “Vice Minister Su came seeking the Prince. When informed that His Highness was not in the residence, he said he would wait in the side hall. Le Shu carried tea and went there.”
Chu Yuan paused and looked toward Xian Yu.
Xian Yu immediately waved his hands. “It has nothing to do with this subordinate. I know nothing.”
“……” Chu Yuan said, “I only wished to ask whether the side hall is far from here.”
He had merely asked a question. Why did Xian Yu look so guilty?
Chu Yuan cast him another glance.
Xian Yu hurriedly said, “Not far, not far. Does the Prince Consort wish to go?”
Chu Yuan took up the wooden cane beside him and nodded. “Mm. Let us take a look.”
Xian Yu led the way. Chu Yuan walked slowly. By the time he reached the entrance of the side hall with the aid of his cane, he found someone standing outside, holding a paper-wrapped bundle and eavesdropping on the conversation within.
“Your Highness?” Chu Yuan halted, tilting his head slightly as he called out, confusion in his eyes.
Lu Ronghuai turned, the corners of his thin lips curving in amusement. He made a silencing gesture, then stepped lightly toward him.
“I heard something interesting. Ah-Yuan should listen as well.” He laughed softly and hoisted Chu Yuan onto his back before returning to the doorway.
Xian Yu stood where he was and slowly covered his face with his hand.
Le Shu, Le Shu. You carry some misfortune upon you.
Inside the hall, paper and brush lay spread upon the table. Su Ruhe’s delicate and upright face bore a look of intense concentration as he writes at remarkable speed.
Le Shu leaned over the table, words tumbling from his mouth one after another.
“The Prince feeds the Prince Consort. He feeds him one bite, then eats one bite himself.”
Su Ruhe’s eyes shone. “Do they share a single pair of chopsticks?”
“Mm. His Highness likes to take little advantages.”
Su Ruhe immediately moved his brush. “Continue.”
“The Prince also likes to carry the Prince Consort. Recently he often holds him in his arms, not the sideways carry from before, more like this.” Le Shu demonstrated with his hands.
Su Ruhe asked, “Are the Prince Consort’s hands wrapped around the Prince’s neck?”
“Yes, yes!”
“The Prince Consort’s legs are clamped tightly around the Prince’s waist.”
“Yes, yes, yes!”
“This manner of carrying is good. His Highness can kiss the Prince Consort at any time.” Su Ruhe appeared thoughtful.
Le Shu nodded fervently. “Exactly! His Highness most loves to steal kisses from my Prince Consort.”
“How does the Prince Consort react?”
Le Shu pondered. “The Prince Consort should quite enjoy it.”
Lu Ronghuai laughed aloud.
“Le—Shu!!!” A voice crackling with shame and anger rang from outside.
Le Shu sprang up at once and turned in panic.
Su Ruhe reacted even faster. He grabbed the papers on the table, crumpled them, and tucked them into his sleeve before rising calmly.
“This official greets Your Highness, greets Prince Consort.”
“You… cough, cough…” Chu Yuan pointed at Le Shu, too indignant to form words, coughing with agitation.
Lu Ronghuai carried him inside, set him upon a chair, and stroked his back. The smile at his lips could not be suppressed.
Le Shu dropped to his knees before Chu Yuan.
“Prince Consort, please do not be angry. This servant was wrong.”
Chu Yuan fixed him with a sharp stare from those beautiful eyes. “Where were you wrong?”
Lu Ronghuai signaled to Su Ruhe. “Come out. This Prince will speak with you.”
Su Ruhe glanced at Le Shu. He had intended to plead on his behalf, but recalling his own precarious position, abandoned the thought.
Following Lu Ronghuai to the corridor, he resumed his usual gentle tone. “Your Highness, this official was merely curious. There was no other intention.”
Lu Ronghuai smiled faintly. “Inquiring into This Prince’s life with the Prince Consort, Vice Minister Su is rather bold.”
“This official was wrong. This official guarantees there will be no next time.”
“There may be a next time, and another, and countless times.” Lu Ronghuai raised a brow.
Su Ruhe raised his eyes in surprise.
“Not only that. This Prince knows why you gather such information.” A profound smile appeared on Lu Ronghuai’s face. “The storybooks circulating secretly among the people about This Prince and the Prince Consort are all written by Vice Minister Su, are they not?”
Su Ruhe, exposed, showed no particular distress and remained calm. “They were. Your Highness now has leverage over this official.”
Lu Ronghuai: “……”
That was remarkably self-aware of him.
Su Ruhe continued, “Yet this official will not be bought by Your Highness. Your Highness may impeach this official and have this official punished.”
“This Prince has no such intention. Let us make a trade.”
Su Ruhe considered carefully before speaking. “This official does not engage in unlawful matters.”
“……”
“You may continue writing storybooks about This Prince and Ah-Yuan. This Prince has only one requirement. The ending must be harmonious and complete.”
“Agreed.”
“What does Your Highness require in return?”
“Write another storybook. Change the protagonists to Nie Siran and… and the Crown Prince.”
Su Ruhe’s eyes widened slowly. “Ah???”
“Is that difficult? Perhaps so. That fellow Nie Siran is not as handsome as This Prince, nor as capable. He may be hard to write.”
“……” Su Ruhe stared at him. “Your Highness, this official does not commit unlawful acts.”
“How is this unlawful?”
Su Ruhe replied uprightly, “To fabricate that the Crown Prince favors men, to slander him with illicit affection for Young Master Nie, to defame relations between ruler and subject, this official has but one head. It is insufficient to lose.”
“……Are you serious, Su Xiao Niao?”
Su Ruhe was startled. “How does Your Highness know this official’s pen name?”
“This Prince not only knows your pen name, but also that you once wrote a storybook about This Prince and the Crown Prince. Your tastes are rather heavy.” Lu Ronghuai’s voice carried the sound of grinding teeth.
Su Ruhe: “……”
“If you truly feared beheading, would you dare write such treasonous things?” Lu Ronghuai sneered, raising a finger.
“This Prince gives you one month. After one month, This Prince wishes the streets and alleys of Ye Jing filled with storybooks of those two.”
Su Ruhe felt his scalp tingle. With his life on the line, he asked carefully, “This official has one final question.”
“Speak.”
“Between the Crown Prince and Young Master Nie, who is above and who is below?”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Dog: A pairing can be obscure, but it cannot be wrong.
Su Ruhe: Your Highness is the top, Crown Prince is the bottom.
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