Yan Shaoning looked at the Prince’s instantly chilling expression, carefully shifted his steps, and considered making a tactful exit without bidding farewell.
Honestly, Yan Shaoning found General Zhao more nice to be around. Although Zhao Tuo was a man of few words, he didn’t radiate an icy aura like Lu Bohuan always did. Even in the scorching heat, as long as Regent Lu wasn’t pleased, he could summon up a massive ice cellar on the spot. No one dared to be bold in front of Regent Lu, from top to bottom in the court.
In fact, Regent Lu wasn’t always like this. It was just in recent years, with the progression of his illness, that his temperament underwent a significant change. He became more firm, ruthless, and merciless, as if all the tenderness inside him had departed along with Zhao Tuo.
What remained was Lu Bohuan, an empty shell bearing the title of Regent.
He fulfilled his duty but lost himself in the process.
Yan Shaoning felt that the self he had lost was Zhao Tuo. From the occasional appearances of Zhao Tuo in the beginning to the increasing frequency now, it reflected Lu Bohuan’s inner world.
He seemed to grow tired of the Regent’s identity, more willing to appear as Zhao Tuo. If this continued, Yan Shaoning didn’t dare to imagine; there might come a day when Regent Lu Bohuan would be killed by his own hand.
“You’ll stay in the palace for now.”
“Alright.” In his distraction, Yan Shaoning didn’t catch what Lu Bohuan exactly said. After agreeing, he realized something was wrong. “How could I stay in the palace? What about you? The Emperor is well, and there are so many imperial physicians in the palace. Why should I stay there?”
Lu Bohuan gave him a look, an unmistakable look of refusal.
“Fine, fine, I’ll stay.” Yan Shaoning didn’t want to argue, only retreat. “If there’s anything happening at the mansion, I need to be able to leave the palace at any time. And your medicine, remember to take it.”
Even though the medicine might not do much, it could provide some emotional stability, which wasn’t without its benefits.
“Starting today, I’ll also reside in the palace.”
“Huh?”
Yan Shaoning watched as Lu Bohuan turned and entered the Emperor’s sleeping chambers. Internally, he was taken aback. The Regent staying overnight in the palace wasn’t a significant event. Lu Bohuan had stayed before, even in more than one residence. When the Emperor had just ascended the throne, Prince Lu often lodged in the Emperor’s side chambers while assisting His Majesty in reviewing memorials. Over time, His Majesty even directly bestowed the Moonlight Pavilion, the nearest to the former dynasty, to Prince Lu.
Lu Bohuan was the first outsider to reside in the imperial harem, and there probably wouldn’t be another.
Fortunately, His Majesty was still young and hadn’t chosen any concubines to fill the imperial harem. Thus, Regent Lu’s stay was permitted, and no minister dared to comment.
Lu Bohuan remained within the imperial harem for two full years. As the court situation gradually stabilized, he moved back to the Regent’s mansion. Yet, whether it was the Moonlight Pavilion or the Emperor’s side chambers, they were always kept ready for Regent Lu, regularly cleaned and maintained, not to be slighted.
Yan Shaoning gazed at Lu Bohuan’s receding figure, a daring speculation taking root in his mind—what if he didn’t want to be the Regent Prince? Could he be contemplating a superior role, a position unmatched throughout the realm?
When Lu Bohuan entered, Qin Yuanxi lay reclined upon a plush cushion, engrossed in a captivating folk tale. The tale was as engaging as it was sensational, detailing a band of river pirates plotting to raid the imperial tribute. The plot was just unfolding, various factions stirring with anticipation, and Qin Yuanxi was absorbed by the narrative. Then, the book he held was abruptly snatched away.
“So, this is the military text Your Majesty is engrossed in?”
Qin Yuanxi lied down, while Lu Bohuan stood, his cool expression casting a disapproving gaze from his elevated stance. Lost in the conspiracy of the tribute heist, Qin Yuanxi’s mind was somewhat baffled. Instinctively, he reached to retrieve the book, only to realize midway what was happening. With an oddly twisted gesture, he stumbled off the cushion.
In that unbalanced moment, Qin Yuanxi felt doomed. This was a colossal embarrassment.
After all, he was the Emperor, and while it was acceptable for the Regent Prince to catch him reading something frivolous, stumbling off a cushion in the Regent Prince’s presence was a different matter. Where was the dignity of the Emperor? He could endure his own embarrassment, but he couldn’t bear to tarnish the reputation of the Emperor of Qin.
However, the embarrassing face-first incident that Qin Yuanxi anticipated didn’t occur. Instead, he fell—fell into the embrace of the Regent Prince. Or perhaps, the Regent Prince’s mercy had come into play, as he casually retrieved Qin Yuanxi, saving him from an intimate encounter with the floor. Qin Yuanxi sighed in relief, patting his chest instinctively.
“Your Majesty, are you afraid of me?”
“Afraid of you? How could I, I, the Emperor, fear you?” Qin Yuanxi’s movements were stiff, and he tugged at his slightly disheveled attire, attempting to restore his imperial appearance. It was hardly fitting for an Emperor to appear disheveled before his subjects.
Watching his small adjustments, Lu Bohuan’s gaze grew slightly darker. In the past, the Emperor had indeed been afraid of him, a fear accompanied by a certain distance. There had even been a guardedness and resentment between them. Lu Bohuan had no doubt that if given the chance, the timid and weak Emperor of Qin wouldn’t have hesitated to treat him harshly, perhaps even with cruelty.
Alas, It’s a pity that he lacked that capability. Not only did he lack it, he was both timid and spineless. Without the Regent Prince’s support, he wouldn’t survive the court, let alone maintain his grip on the imperial throne. This much was abundantly clear to all.
Lowering his gaze once more to Qin Yuanxi, who was now making a show of tidying his clothes on the soft couch, Lu Bohuan could confirm the difference. It wasn’t the same. In this moment, Qin Yuanxi’s gaze held none of the previous fear; rather, he appeared frightened, but this fear was much more superficial.
Qin Yuanxi’s fear was only surface deep. Indeed, Lu Bohuan had even noticed a few times how Qin Yuanxi would sneak childish gestures, akin to making faces, when he thought he wasn’t being observed, behaving much like a child.
Furthermore, as Lu Bohuan regarded the now-composed Qin Yuanxi, he sensed, despite whether Qin Yuanxi himself recognized it, that there was something unusual in the way he looked at him—a look akin to a child spotting the candy they yearned for, eyes hooked and yearning.
“Prince? Regent Prince?”
Qin Yuanxi, met with the silent figure of Prince Lu before him, his dark expression looming, couldn’t help but feel dejected.
“What’s the Regent Prince up to?” Qin Yuanxi’s gaze remained fixed on the book in Regent Lu’s hands. He hadn’t finished reading it yet – the plot was just getting exciting. “Regent Lu, if you have something to say, hurry up. If not, kindly leave. Spare me the trouble of tidying up to indulge in my novel.”
That face, it was just irritating – annoying beyond measure!
Qin Yuanxi had a fairly clear understanding of his own position. He was a puppet emperor – well, being called a puppet emperor might undermine his essence. Yet, let’s be real, he wasn’t cut out for any real tasks. So, why not just play a puppet? With a prominent male lead running the show within the court, he could casually represent the imperial family.
He can spend leisure time perusing storybooks. A bit dull, yes, but it’s not impossible to live this life. The former puppet emperor had accumulated a collection of sensational and extravagant tales, enough to keep Qin Yuanxi entertained for a while. Then, he’d adjust his mindset accordingly.
“Assignments meant for Your Majesty go untouched, yet Your Majesty finds time to indulge in these ordinary folk tales. If Your Majesty remains so unambitious, how can you face our late Emperor or our ancestors?”
“Why label them as ordinary folks?” Qin Yuanxi’s discontent showed, a furrow forming on his brow. “It’s just a novel. Is it really such a big deal, making such a fuss? Come on, it’s not that important!”
Claiming he lacked ambition? He did want to make progress, but was he capable? Could he even do it? Did he stand a chance?
Initially, he had a loyal and sturdy general protecting him, and Qin Yuanxi wondered if he could make some impact in this fictional world. After all, he’d received an education spanning thousands of years, more than these rigid characters within the books, right? Perhaps he could even usher in an era of prosperity.
But now, look at this mess. The loyal general was all talk, no action. He promised to eliminate the wicked and be a support for him, the Emperor, but it was all empty words. No foundation whatsoever. Now it’s just him, a puppet Emperor, against two others? Did they think he was living too long or something?
Now, after enjoying his novel for a bit, he was being scolded for not being ambitious. Qin Yuanxi truly wanted to slam the book into someone’s face.
Useless chatterbox, only good at talking nonsense. Annoying!
“Your Majesty, neglecting the state affairs, jeopardizing the royal foundation by venturing out, and now showing no remorse or intent to change. Your laziness is deep rooted, and your conduct is awful. I request that Your Majesty go to the Ancestral Hall, reflect upon your actions before the late Emperor and our ancestors, and reconsider your path. Return when your duties are fulfilled.”
Listening to Lu Bohuan’s emotionless warning, casting him as an ignorant and indulgent emperor, as though he had become a parasite in the imperial realm, Qin Yuanxi’s expression soured. He abruptly stood up, his chin raised boldly, glaring at Lu Bohuan.
“Humph, Ding Yi, to the Ancestral Hall!”
Challenging Regent Lu wasn’t within his capacity. It was just the Ancestral Hall, not some unknown territory. He’d been there before, familiar with it. Except for its gloominess, it was still a splendid hall, meeting all necessary conditions. It might not be as comfortable as his chamber, but the lingering autumn heat made it a relatively cool choice.
Lu Bohuan observed Qin Yuanxi rise, full of protest, his expression rather fierce. Lu believed a lecture was imminent, yet Qin Yuanxi turned and walked away, sulking as if he was holding a grudge. After a few steps, he abruptly spun around and retraced his steps.
In the blink of an eye, Qin Yuanxi snatched the book from Lu Bohuan’s grasp.
Lu Bohuan glanced at his now-empty hand, his fingers rubbing together, a faint, mysterious smile curling his lips.
Quite audacious, daring to snatch things from him directly. And so straightforwardly. Wasn’t this an indirect form of resistance?
Good, very good.
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
