Chapter 2
Song Xuan had barely stepped into the imperial study when he spotted Li Congqing lying by the north window, covered with the emperor's yellow robe. Startled, he asked cautiously, "Third brother, isn't this a bit too... irreverent?"
"There's nothing to be reverent about," the emperor replied coolly.
"Why not just make him a Shangjun? Then you could be open about it."
"You know his temper."
"Indeed, everyone in the Li family has the stubborn temper of oxen." Song Xuan nodded with a knowing smile.
"Xiao Liu, what did you come to see me about specifically?" the emperor asked.
"Does Third Brother know what Xiao Qi is up to in Chunan?"
"Reclaiming land, storing grain, recruiting soldiers and purchasing horses."
"Ah, you already know about that?"
"All under heaven is imperial land."
"Third Brother, I'm truly impressed. No wonder the common folk call you the all-seeing emperor—nothing escapes your notice."
"Xiao Qi has no intention of rebellion."
"Then why does he do things that invite speculation?"
"He just wants someone from me."
"Who?"
"Wei Xiaomiao."
A sudden crash sounded from outside the door. Wei Xiaomiao stood there, a broken pot of freshly brewed tea scattered at his feet. His delicate, pale face showed a hint of startled fear.
"This servant deserves death." Wei Xiaomiao hastily moved to kneel and clean up the mess.
"Come in." Song Xuan walked over, pulling him to his feet and into the study, then pressed him urgently, "Xiaomiao, what are you and Song Wei scheming about?"
"Mm... so noisy..." The sudden noise disturbed Li Congqing's sleep, and he murmured as he turned over.
"Xiao Liu, keep your voice down." The emperor walked to Li Congqing, tucking in the robe that had slipped, brushing the disheveled hair from his face, and leaned in to whisper, "It's nothing. Go back to sleep."
Song Xuan couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sight. He never expected the emperor to be so indulgent with Li Congqing. Song Xuan had never understood how his handsome, upright, literary and martial imperial elder brother could fall for someone as mediocre as Li Congqing. Although the man was his brother-in-law, he had to admit honestly that Li Congqing was the most unremarkable among the Li siblings. Every Li man was handsome and every Li woman was beautiful; all had outstanding appearances. Only Li Congqing was like an ugly duckling among swans.
It's worth mentioning that four years ago, Song Xuan married Li Congtong, Li Congqing's sister, becoming his primary consort. So strictly speaking, Li Congqing and the emperor were related by marriage.
Back to the matter at hand: Wei Xiaomiao, who had been dragged in, couldn't hide the fear and confusion in his expression.
"Xiaomiao, what's going on between you and Xiao Qi? Why have I never heard of any connection between you two before? Speak honestly." Song Xuan lowered his voice.
"Your Highness, this servant does not know." Wei Xiaomiao quickly regained his composure, as cautious and respectful as always.
"Don't be afraid. We practically grew up together, and His Majesty and I won't give you a hard time."
"Xiao Liu, you're already giving him a hard time. Don't overthink Xiao Qi's affairs." The emperor ordered. "Xiaomiao, you may go."
"Yes, this servant takes his leave."
"Third Brother, are you really that unconcerned about Xiao Qi?"
"You're better off worrying more about your wife. I hear she's pregnant with your second child. No doubt that's the second thing you came to tell me today."
"I not only suspect Your Majesty has eyes that can see a thousand miles—I think you also have telepathy." Song Xuan was once again filled with admiration,调侃笑着，"I'm just wondering when the Vice Minister of Rites will change from being my brother-in-law to my imperial sister-in-law?"
"He's a man."
"Of course I know he's a man. In our Great Shao, there have been several Shangjun who were publicly acknowledged as the emperor's lovers, with status comparable to consorts. If Your Majesty truly likes him, making him a Shangjun would be tantamount to acknowledging him."
"Would you force Li Congtong to become your concubine?"
"Absolutely not." Song Xuan answered without hesitation, then paused and added, "But I'd never keep him hidden in the shadows without status or acknowledgment, skulking around like something shameful. Third Brother, do you know what common folk call lovers who meet in secret?"
"Mistress?"
"I said nothing at all!"
The emperor laughed and cursed, "Looking across the whole realm, you're the only one who dares be clever with me."
Song Xuan made an exaggerated bow. "I thank His Majesty the Emperor for his tolerance and benevolence toward his humble servant."
After the brothers exchanged some more pleasantries, Song Xuan took his leave. Before leaving, he couldn't resist making another pointed remark, "Third Brother, I don't know how long you and my brother-in-law plan to carry on in secret, but if you want no one to find out, you'd better not do it in the first place. Of course, if you're doing this deliberately, that's a different matter."
The emperor smiled but said nothing.
After Song Xuan left, Wei Xiaomiao brought in another pot of freshly brewed tea.
"Xiaomiao, if I were to send you to the Seventh Prince's side, would you be willing?" the emperor asked.
Wei Xiaomiao knelt. "Wherever Your Majesty sends this servant, this servant will go."
"I'm not giving you to the Seventh Prince. I just need you to check on him. Tomorrow I will issue an edict; three days later, you will accompany Li Congqing to inspect Chunan on my behalf."
"Your Majesty, the journey from the capital to Chunan is long. With the pretense of inspection, Minister Li will need to be away from the capital for several months." Wei Xiaomiao reminded him.
"Occasionally letting him travel is good. For now, I'm entrusting him to your care."
"Yes, this servant will devotedly attend to Minister Li."
The emperor smiled faintly. "Care for him, not serve him. He won't want you to be an overbearing nanny. As for the Seventh Prince's side, I'm afraid it will be a bit more demanding for you."
Wei Xiaomiao pressed his lips together, clarifying for himself, "Your Majesty, this servant has followed you since childhood. I've only met the Seventh Prince a few times. There is absolutely nothing improper between us."
"I know. When the time comes, whether you stay or go, just decide for yourself. I won't interfere with your decision." The emperor said. "Go and prepare."
"Yes, this servant takes his leave."
Li Congqing slept on, oblivious to what day it was, entirely unaware he was about to travel far. He woke naturally, and the sunlight slanting through outside indicated it was nearly dusk.
He stretched and sat up, the robe covering him sliding down to his waist.
"You're awake." Song Yu said.
"Mm."
Song Yu continued reviewing memorials. Li Congqing put on his shoes and sat quietly.
A palace servant set a small table on the long couch. Another servant brought a bowl of fragrant pea porridge on a tray—the emperor had specifically ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare it.
Song Yu knew Li Congqing's food preferences well. He didn't care for delicacies like bear paws or bird's nest. He preferred commoner's food. But food from the imperial kitchen, however humble, still carried an air of luxury. The crushed peas were like scattered jade in the bowl, fresh and green, quite lovely and appetizing.
"Eat while it's hot to line your stomach. Later we'll have dinner together." Song Yu spoke again.
"Oh." Li Congqing picked up a porcelain spoon and stirred the porridge carelessly. Though he'd slept all day without eating, he wasn't particularly hungry. He took two bites and set down the spoon.
"Why not eat more?" The emperor's head didn't lift; his eyes were clearly on the memorial, yet somehow he knew every move Li Congqing made.
"Not hungry."
"Unwell?"
"No."
"Unhappy?"
"...Could you have let me sleep at Tingxia Tower?" Let him sleep here so brazenly and use the yellow robe as a blanket—this couldn't be excused even by saying "love the people as yourself."
"You were sleeping so soundly. I didn't want to wake you."
"Anyone come by?"
"Minister Xu, Minister Huang, the Left Chancellor, the Grand Marshal, General Shen, and your brother-in-law."
Li Congqing's brow furrowed slightly. "Was that deliberate?"
"You're overthinking." Song Yu set down the memorial and rose, sitting beside him. He picked up the bowl and scooped a spoonful of porridge to feed him. "In three days, you will go to Chunan on my behalf to inspect."
"Alone?" Li Congqing obediently ate the porridge the emperor hand-fed him.
"I'll send Xiaomiao with you."
"I haven't left the capital for such a distant place in a long time."
"You could take the opportunity to visit your third brother."
"When do I return to the capital?"
"When the flowers bloom along the country road, you may return at your leisure."
Li Congqing's eyes slightly narrowed, shimmering with a bright smile. The salty porridge in his mouth seemed to turn sweet. "Your Majesty, this humble minister must remind you—I am your Vice Minister of Rites, not the Princess of Wuyue."
Song Yu set down the bowl, pulling Li Congqing to sit on his lap. He licked away the residue on the corner of Li Congqing's mouth, then kissed the glistening, adorable lip pearl, murmuring as he sucked, "Sometimes I also want to be open with you. An堂堂天子 having a secret affair with his lover—it's improper."
He always thought Li Congqing's lip pearl tasted sweet, and increasingly so, so sweet that often as he kissed, he wanted to devour the whole person.
Li Congqing opened his mouth actively, letting Song Yu's tongue enter, and they kissed passionately. While kissing, he spoke含糊地, "A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a secret tryst."
"You!" Song Yu bit his lip a bit harder, ending the kiss. He held him tightly against his chest in slight frustration. "Is being with me that disagreeable?"
Was it disagreeable? Li Congqing admitted in his heart that at the beginning, there was indeed some reluctance. The lazy him had always believed in self-preservation—don't look for trouble, and trouble won't find you. What could be more troublesome than secretly being involved with the emperor?
Initially he couldn't help but be confused. Why would the emperor take notice of someone like him? Though he didn't enjoy being pinned beneath a man, he couldn't be bothered to resist hard. Who was the emperor? The most powerful person in the world. Resistance would only waste energy. That kind of chaste defiance to the death—leave it for others. He, Li Congqing, just wanted to be a soft, limp little worm.
He thought the emperor would be a passing fancy that wouldn't last long. Just endure for a while and it would pass. However, things turned out differently than expected. Their feelings accumulated day by day, drop by drop. Unconsciously, every day they liked each other a little more, until they reached the point where it seemed neither could live without the other.
He was almost certain the emperor wasn't a passing fancy, and he himself truly liked the emperor. Hiding had gradually become hard work. But if they didn't hide, it would be a hundred times harder.
Sometimes he couldn't help wanting his feelings to be out in the open. But the person was the emperor. If they went public, there would surely be a whole basketful of troubles that would exhaust him to death. If their secret affair was discovered, he thought he would probably flee at the first opportunity, hide in some place where no one could find him, pretending nothing ever happened.
Call him cowardly if you will, laugh at him for being spineless. Living a moderate life, getting by day to day, carefree and unrestrained—how wonderful. He'd rather be an ostrich with his head in the sand. But ah...
"How did we end up like this together?" Li Congqing murmured, as if asking Song Yu, as if asking himself.
Sometimes he wondered: if six years ago he hadn't been drowsy, if he hadn't unfortunately been kidnapped by an assassin and stabbed, if the emperor hadn't noticed his existence, would he be抱成一团with the emperor today? Should he be grateful or resent that foolish assassin? Actually, that assassin had kidnapped a powerless little official as a hostage.
The emperor who never sighed暗暗叹了一声. "Fate."
"More like a fate of doom."
"Even if it's a fate of doom, I will make this doom bind us together for a lifetime."
"A lifetime... can we really have a lifetime..." Li Congqing's tone turned confused, his gaze becoming hazy.
"We can." Song Yu firmly cradled his face, gazing intently as he said, "Li Congqing, Li Congqing, in this lifetime you are destined to be mine."
Li Congqing silently regarded Song Yu for a moment, looking thoughtful, then淡淡"oh'd" indifferently. He yawned. "You're busy. I'll nestle a while more. Call me when it's time for dinner." With that, he kissed his imperial lover, then lay back down to do what he loved most—sleep.
Song Yu laughed lightly, pinched his nose in mock exasperation, and helplessly stroked his cheek. He loved his ease and calm, loved his cloud-like purity and wind-like clarity. But this person's overly indifferent and carefree nature was sometimes truly maddening. He could never tell how important a place he occupied in this person's heart.
"Congqing, care about me a little more, okay?" The young emperor whispered very softly to his sleeping lover, a secret confession that might or might not seep into dreams.
◇
How did the Great Shao emperor end up with a mere Vice Minister of Rites? And in secret, no less—this was surely a question many shared.
To tell the fate of these two, we must go back seven years.
In the spring of the fourth year of Dezhi, it was time for the imperial examination, held once every six years. Over three hundred candidates who had passed the county exams from all over the realm, along with those who qualified through the Guozijian preliminary exams, would first take the Spring Enclosure examination, then a hundred would be selected for the Palace Examination under the emperor's direct supervision, answering policy questions. Finally, the top three would be designated as Jinshi of the First Rank, sixteen as Gongshi of the Second Rank, and the rest as Gongsheng of the Third Rank, each assigned or reserved for positions according to their abilities.
In short, it was the highest-level examination for government officials.
Li Congqing was nineteen at the time. Under the coaxing and threatening of the Li family's eldest, Li Congyin, he and the seventeen-year-old third brother Li Congxuan had both entered the Spring Enclosure examination together.
He had no desire at all to be an official; he was content being a shopkeeper in his eldest brother's bookstore. But Li Congyin, in order to expand his merchant empire further, believed that having a family member wearing an official hat would be like adding wings to a tiger. So he forced his second and third brothers to study hard, insisting one of them must snag an official position so he could collude with officials and seek great profit.
When the Spring Enclosure results were announced, Li Congyin was overjoyed—both younger brothers had performed well enough to enter the Palace Examination. Even if they didn't earn First or Second Rank honors, as long as they became Third Rank Gongsheng and secured some minor position, climbing the official ladder later would be no big problem.
Li Congqing had loved reading since childhood, but the classics, histories, philosophy, and statecraft were forced upon him. His eyes saw them but his heart didn't absorb them. What he truly loved were popular novels and miscellaneous writings—the more lowbrow, the more interesting. So every exam he tried his best to squeeze out answers, while watching others turn in thick stacks of essays, he was lucky to produce three thousand characters.
Therefore he couldn't help suspecting that he'd passed through all the levels only because Li Congyin had spent a fortune buying off connections. Li Congxuan was the one who earned his place through genuine ability.
The Palace Examination was nominally presided over by the emperor, but in reality it was conducted by the chief examiner. Few candidates warranted the emperor's personal attention, and usually after hearing the first fifty candidates, the emperor would grow tired and lose interest. So the later one's ranking, the more disadvantaged. Attracting the emperor's attention was extremely difficult.
Li Congxuan ranked seventeenth, in the first batch of the Palace Examination. Li Congqing was ninety-second, in the last batch. The long wait outside the examination hall made him succumb to drowsiness repeatedly. Only when his name was called to enter did he pinch his thigh hard,勉强打起精神.
The young emperor, barely past his twentieth year, sat high on the dragon throne looking down. Li Congqing stood below with head bowed, listening to those ahead of him speak eloquently. They spoke with passion and grandeur; he listened as if facing execution. Once again, the armies of sleepiness launched a major counteroffensive. His half-closed eyes opened and shut, opened and shut—he struggled in agony.
So sleepy... can't hold on anymore... really want to sleep...
"Li Congqing... Li Congqing..."
Such a familiar name...恍惚间, someone nudged him. "Hey, they're calling you."
Oh, it's me! Li Congqing forced open his drooping eyelids and quickly stepped forward.
The chief examiner, seeing his wooden expression and vacant eyes—clearly not a sharp looker—asked him the simplest question: "The emperor's question: how can the world be at peace?"
He didn't speak at length like the others with grand theories. He simply answered concisely: "When the people have enough to eat, the world will be at peace." The people regard food as heaven, after all.
"That's it?"
"Yes."
"Perhaps you could elaborate more. Feel free to speak at length." The chief examiner kindly gave him another chance.
"Cultivate virtue among the people, and the world faces no danger."
"Anything else?"
More? Li Congqing thought hard, then added: "All under heaven is the land of imperial ancestors above. Therefore, when the emperor's heart is settled, the people's hearts are at peace. A benevolent and wise sovereign lives forever."
The great hall fell silent.
Li Congqing couldn't understand what he'd said that made everyone go quiet. He didn't think he'd performed outstandingly in the palace exam. In his heart, he just wanted to leave quickly and go home to sleep. He'd been woken before dawn this morning to rush into the palace. He was exhausted.
The chief examiner looked at him as if seeing a ghost. He thought: This kid has some nerve! Actually daring to ask the emperor to be a "benevolent and wise sovereign"—is he implying the emperor isn't benevolent and wise enough?
"What does the minister consider a benevolent and wise sovereign?" The emperor suddenly spoke, startling everyone once more.
Li Congqing was also taken aback. Without thinking, he replied: "Eat what the people eat, think what the people think, share the people's joy, share the people's sorrow, love what the people love, hate what the people hate, revere the people as one would tigers, view the people as if wounded."
"Does the minister mean that a sovereign without self belongs to all the people under heaven?"
"A ruler often says: 'The realm is me.' The sovereign tends the people of the realm. Without the people, there is no realm."
The hall grew even quieter.
Actually, what Li Congqing said was nothing new—just familiar old wisdom. The difference was whether one dared say it directly to the emperor. Even the irreverent phrase "the realm is me" was spoken—this person was either brainless or incredibly brave. Everyone present held their breath for him.
The emperor showed no anger. Instead, he淡淡一笑 and said, "What the minister says is quite correct."
The chief examiner and other supervising officials watched the emperor's expression. Seeing that the emperor seemed rather taken with this Li Congqing, they circled his name with cinnabar ink.
A blind cat catching a dead mouse—basically. His sleep-deprived rambling allowed Li Congqing to luck into Third Place among the Jinshi, appointed as a 正五品, serving as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Revenue. Li Congxuan, with genuine talent, claimed the top spot, also a 正五品, and was assigned as a provincial inspector in Erhe Province.
Both younger brothers achieved First Rank—one entering the court as a minor official, the other going to a locality as a high-ranking official—both excellent positions. Li Congyin almost laughed his face off. He set off firecrackers for three days straight, hosted grand banquets to celebrate. Though the banquets required guests to bring gifts, those seeking to curry favor were as numerous as fish crossing a river, allowing Li Congyin to profit handsomely. It was a whole celebration of universal joy!
The day after results were announced, the court held the traditional Jinshi banquet by Taiye Lake, with tents set up for a feast. The three First Rank Jinshi had the special honor of dining with the emperor that day. Though called dining together, the emperor's seat was still somewhat separate from others—just in the same tent, with many high officials and nobles also seated.
There was an unwritten tradition at the Jinshi banquet: the Third Rank Jinshi (the Top Scholar) had to present the most beautiful peony in the capital to the emperor, saying: "Heaven's fragrance fills a thousand springs, the nation's color without equal, given to our emperor."
When accepting, the emperor would respond: "Heaven's grace belongs not to high towers alone; spring's beauty returns to the mortal world."
Then the emperor would gift the peony back to the Top Scholar, symbolizing the emperor and people sharing prosperity, praying for abundant years to come—an elegant and poetic meaning.
When Li Congqing, as instructed, respectfully presented a large crimson peony in full bloom, the emperor smiled ironically and did not immediately accept. The previously noisy tent fell silent; every gaze turned to him.
What's wrong now? Li Congqing was completely confused. He'd特意早早上床睡个饱觉 last night, rest well, and asked to pick a peony—he picked one. Why had the atmosphere turned strange again?
Sixth Prince Song Xuan leaned over, exclaiming, "Isn't this the Tianxiang that His Majesty personally cultivated?"
The tent erupted. This guy had some serious nerve—he'd actually cut the emperor's personally grown flower!
Li Congqing was stunned. Only then did he realize he'd made a grave mistake. Recalling that morning when he'd received the task of picking a peony, though lazy by nature, he dared not随便挑一朵 for the emperor. So he wandered by Taiye Lake, unable to decide which plant to pick. Just then, the Zen Master Shangzhi from Dazheng Temple passed by and kindly asked what he was looking for.
He answered: the most beautiful peony in the capital.
The Zen Master directed him: Go to White Crane Temple. The most beautiful peonies in the capital are there.
White Crane Temple was the imperial ancestral temple; ordinary people were forbidden from entering. But our Top Scholar was fortunate enough to have the Zen Master personally guide him in. He successfully entered the temple near Taiye Lake and, 好死不死, chose the emperor's peony. Looking back, this peony was specially cultivated in a large yellow jade pot inside a bamboo pavilion, blooming so red and flamboyant, so fragrant, truly exceptionally noble.
The Zen Master showed no alarm or interference; instead he smiled and nodded, saying repeatedly how good the choice was, how truly excellent.
Good, of course it was good—good enough that his hands might be chopped off!
Rarely motivated to do something well, he'd only made things worse. Li Congqing didn't know what to do. Should he fall to his knees, crying and begging for his life? Or spin some grand excuse, defending himself that ignorance was not a crime?
The emperor quietly watched Li Congqing. Li Congqing stared back. Neither paid attention to the chattering crowd. They gazed only at each other.
Days earlier in the great hall, the emperor had looked down from above, seeing only Li Congqing's official hat. Overall impression: like any other scholarly weakling, quite unremarkable. Li Congqing had kept his head bowed throughout; besides, the emperor sat so high and far, like a distant heaven. So neither had clearly seen the other—whether round or flat, no impression.
Now, at close range, Li Congqing finally beheld the emperor's sacred countenance. The emperor had elegant brows and bright eyes, truly as handsome and outstanding as rumored, with refined bearing. In terms of appearance alone, he was no less impressive than Li Congqing's two handsome brothers, Li Congyin and Li Congxuan. Moreover, he lacked Li Congyin's cunning airs and didn't have Li Congxuan's cold, stern face. Added to that was the innate noble dignity, the bearing of the sea, commanding respect without anger—a person to revere from the heart.
The emperor inadvertently noticed Li Congqing's lips—on them, faintly, a lip pearl, shaped like a flower bud holding a dewdrop, giving his lips a slightly pouty appearance. On an otherwise ordinary face, it created a contradictory sense of both childlike innocence and charm. Especially now, blinking with an innocent expression, those lips unconsciously pouted higher—surprisingly cute, arousing the urge to kiss.
The emperor naturally couldn't act on this impulse. He淡淡哂笑 and finally spoke: "Heaven's grace belongs not to high towers alone; spring's beauty reflects on the Top Scholar."
Huh? The emperor changed the last three characters of the response poem. The meaning was...?
"I've heard this flower is sweet. Perhaps the Top Scholar would like to taste it." The emperor said, ordering a dish of honey brought to him.
Li Congqing steadied himself. He wasn't overly panicked, thinking: if this really is a dead end, crying and rolling on the ground won't help. Better save my energy. So, under the startled gaze of everyone, he dipped the petals in honey and ate them one by one.
The petals were slightly bitter; fortunately the honey was very sweet. The rich floral fragrance paired with the clear sweetness—the taste was unexpectedly good. Hmm... could it be poisonous, so the emperor is poisoning him as punishment?
The emperor watched the light pink lips bite the crimson petals, glistening with honey. He couldn't look away from Li Congqing's mouth, which looked more appetizing than the peony.
Li Congxuan observed coolly from the side, making no comment about his brother's situation—cold as ice.
It was this year's Second Place, Geng Baizuo, who干笑两声 and鼓起勇气 broke the ice with a joke: "Our Top Scholar is属牛的; now he's truly living up to his name—'cow eating peony.'"
The cold joke broke the deadlock. Everyone laughed.
After Li Congqing finished the peony and didn't die from poison, seeing the emperor's kind expression, he guessed he probably wouldn't face immediate danger. So he relaxed and laughed too, showing no embarrassment or distress. He thanked the emperor calmly for bestowing the heavenly fragrance.
When he smiled, his lifted lips were like flowers blooming with dew—fresh and tender, tempting.
No one had ever noticed this before, but the emperor did. He thought: How could there be a man whose lips are like spring flowers? Even more alluring than a woman's cherry lips, and yet it belonged to a man with otherwise ordinary features.
What would those lips taste like?
The passing fancy faded quickly. The emperor轻笑一声 and said, "The Top Scholar chose an excellent flower indeed."
The dragon's heart was greatly pleased. The emperor had Li Congqing sit closer to him. The Jinshi banquet proceeded smoothly and pleasantly.
The Top Scholar sat to the emperor's lower left; the First Place sat to the emperor's lower right—the two Li brothers. When Li Congyin later heard about this, he laughed for days on end. Hahaha—this would surely make their Li family soar to greatness and prosper!
At the time, no one could have predicted that Li Congqing's "cow eating peony" would, in the future, eat into the emperor's heart.