# Chapter 5
Li Congqing and Wei Xiaomiao's group traveled thousands of li,跋涉nearly a month before finally approaching the southern border of Chu.
When they checked into the relay station and prepared to continue into Chu the next day, they were startled to find that the Seventh Prince, Song Wei, was already waiting for them.
"This official Li Congqing pays respects to the Seventh Prince."
"Your subject greets the Seventh Prince."
Li Congqing and Wei Xiaomiao bowed to the Seventh Prince.
"Xiaomiao, you've finally arrived." The Seventh Prince's gaze burned as he stared at Wei Xiaomiao, treating Li Congqing as if he were invisible.
"Seventh Prince, long time no see. His Majesty specially instructed this subject to convey his greetings to you on his behalf." Wei Xiaomiao spoke with utmost deference, keeping his face lowered and avoiding eye contact.
Standing to the side, Li Congqing clearly sensed the strange atmosphere between the two men. Though he'd long since learned to mind his own business, the Seventh Prince's expression was one that seemed ready to swallow the rabbit-like Wei Xiaomiao whole—leaving him in such a predicament simply wouldn't do.
"Ahem, Your Highness, Lord Wei has traveled all day. He must be hungry and exhausted." Li Congqing didn't mention his own hunger or fatigue, as the Seventh Prince would most certainly respond with an icy "What does it have to do with me?" glare.
Upon hearing this, the Seventh Prince finally led them to dinner. He also took a seat at the table with them, though he seemed more interested in eating Wei Xiaomiao.
The tasteless meal was hastily finished. Wei Xiaomiao then called for hot water and a bathing tub to be brought to Li Congqing's room, intending to personally attend to Li Congqing's bath and change of clothes.
The Seventh Prince's expression turned foul. Only then did he deign to look at Li Congqing, glaring viciously at him.
Li Congqing remained unruffled, calmly waiting. He even wanted to show off to the Seventh Prince, saying that sometimes Xiaomiao and I sleep in the same room, that Xiaomiao's sleeping face is so sweet and cute, hehehe... But it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble. It was smarter not to challenge the Seventh Prince's jealousy.
After a comfortable bath, he climbed into bed. Incredibly, he actually... couldn't sleep?!
He tossed and turned like a fish being fried. After frying for quite a while, the fish was burnt, but the old man Zhou Gong still refused to visit. In frustration, he draped a coat over himself and walked outside to watch the starry sky.
Gazing up at the twinkling stars across the heavens, he couldn't help but recall the times he and the Emperor had watched the stars together at night.
He liked to lean bonelessly in the Emperor's arms, or rest his head on his lap while looking at the stars, chatting idly about stories of the constellations. His imperial lover would always wear an indulgent smile, not watching the stars, but watching him.
Was he also looking at this same sky right now? Ah, he missed him so much. If the Emperor didn't miss him as much as Li Congqing missed him, there would definitely be a tremendous temper waiting when he returned.
This thought made him want to laugh. He was not an arrogant or conceited person, yet he acted so willful around the Emperor—and the Emperor tolerated everything, submitting to his every demand. (Except in the bedroom, that is.)
Submitting to his every demand... Pfft! He couldn't hold back a snicker. How had the great and wise Emperor become like a little wife in his description? Hahah!
He let the sweetness stew in his heart, easing the pangs of longing a little.
Finally feeling drowsy, he turned back toward his room. Suddenly, he caught sight of someone stepping out of Wei Xiaomiao's room. The two came face to face.
"Your Highness." Li Congqing bowed to him.
"Mm." The Seventh Prince coldly acknowledged him with a grim face, still ignoring Li Congqing completely as he walked past.
"Your Highness, this official has something to say to you. I hope you'll forgive any impertinence."
"What words?" The Seventh Prince stopped and斜睨ed at him.
"A强行扭下的 melon isn't sweet. A forcibly picked flower will wilt quickly."
"Hmph!" A heavy snort, then he swept his sleeve and stormed away.
Li Congqing returned to his room, climbed back into bed, patted his pillow, and lay down. "Sleep, sleep."
Finally, old man Zhou Gong came knocking.
When he woke the next morning, he found Wei Xiaomiao as usual, already in the room preparing to help him up.
Li Congqing casually glanced and noticed several small bruises on Wei Xiaomiao's neck, as if from being kissed. He was no stranger to such marks—the Emperor often left such imprints on his own body.
After washing up and getting dressed, he casually said, "Xiaomiao, would you fetch me a neck scarf?"
"Yes."
Wei Xiaomiao pulled out a silk scarf with a dark blue pattern from the clothing chest and moved to wrap it around Li Congqing's neck. But Li Congqing took it and gently tied it around Wei Xiaomiao's slender neck instead, covering those ambiguous marks.
Wei Xiaomiao froze.
"The pattern doesn't suit me. It looks much better on you." Li Congqing said lightly.
"I'll fetch another for you, my lord."
"No need. I just thought of it when I saw the scarf—I don't suit wearing a neck scarf. I'd look like a monkey wearing it." He self-deprecatingly laughed. "I see that Chu's southern lands are full of barren mountains and wicked waters, and nothing but unruly locals. Let's take a couple turns around, mark our 'been there, done that,' and leave."
"My lord..." Wei Xiaomiao started to speak but stopped.
"What is it?"
"This subject may need to stay behind for a while before departing."
"Did the Emperor order you to stay?"
"No..."
"Do you want to stay yourself?"
Wei Xiaomiao remained silent.
"Xiaomiao, are you certain you want to stay?"
"I..." He shook his head. "I don't know."
"Then think it over carefully these few days. No one can force you, and don't you force yourself either." Li Congqing patted his shoulder and said nothing more. He was an outsider, with no standing or qualification to interfere.
After years of acquaintance, he knew that though Wei Xiaomiao appeared delicate on the outside, he was more resilient than anyone inside. And he was quite intelligent—otherwise, how could he have overseen the inner palace and kept the secrets between Li Congqing and the Emperor so watertight?
Was this clever, nimble-hearted Wei Xiaomiao truly going to remain in this southern wasteland? Never mind. It wasn't his concern. Why think so much? Wei Xiaomiao was quite the figure—did he need to worry about him? In a few days, he'd head to Erhe to visit the third brother, play with the adorable little nephews, then make his way back home.
At the very least, back to the capital before winter.
After being stabbed by that "Great Hero, Brave Warrior, Assassin Brother" years ago, his shoulder would occasionally throb in winter. The Emperor would massage it for him, warming the old injury with his palm.
Mm, he absolutely had to return home before winter. Return to his lover's side, make him hold him through the long, cold months.
◇
In subsequent autumn hunts, the Emperor would summon Li Congqing and several other civil officials to attend.
Li Congqing's riding skills hadn't improved, and every time he came away empty-handed. Yet each time, he received a piece of meat as the Emperor's gift, making many others green with envy.
And each autumn hunt, he and the Emperor would meet on the vast grassland under the cover of night—almost like a secret midnight tryst, though the two simply idly chatted about trivial matters, sometimes in comfortable silence without exchanging many words, with no improper or inappropriate behavior whatsoever. Yet seemingly intentional, yet seemingly unintentional, an ambiguous atmosphere quietly sprouted, grew, and intertwined between them.
Li Congqing felt both confused and troubled by this, having the错觉that he was like a woman sneaking around with a lover. He really wanted to laugh—once loudly, then scream with his head in his hands: I'm not a woman啊啊啊—
The Emperor was equally frustrated. He was ordinarily a steady, mountain-like man, never rash, never lustful. Yet now he had this terrible impulse to pin Li Congqing to the ground and devour him completely. The ancestors had clearly instructed that a good emperor cannot pounce on and eat his ministers in such a manner...
Both told themselves they wouldn't go again. But damn their legs wouldn't listen, carrying them toward the grassland, giving the only moment of indecision in their entire lives to each other.
Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents surged. To speak plainly, it was simply something called "repressed passion" fermenting.
After one frost-laden dawn, the weather swiftly turned cold and hunting became unsuitable. Li Congqing finally no longer had to eat meat like it was poison, no longer had to meet the Emperor secretly as if doing something shameful. He breathed a huge sigh of relief, yet in his heart, there was a faint, inexplicable sense of loss.
The stars on the grassland sky that had nearly dazzled his eyes became the little secret of his autumn that year.
Shortly after, the first snow of winter drifted down from the gray sky.
Li Congqing hated the cold, and the early morning court sessions in winter were pure torture. Though many braziers burning charcoal were placed throughout the great hall, he stood closest to the door with no protection at his back. The bone-chilling cold poured directly onto him, making him huddle and shiver constantly. The sleep-inducing drowsiness was either hibernating or frozen solid.
The Emperor naturally noticed, though he gave no instructions. But Wei Xiaomiao's heart was clever indeed—the next day, he had the doors on both sides of the hall installed, leaving only the center open.
The hall had six door panels, not the sliding kind but whole panels that could be removed. During morning court, all panels would be taken down, then reinstalled after court ended, winter included. But from that year onward, every winter, only the center two panels were removed; the four side panels were all kept in place.
Wei Xiaomiao also specially placed an additional brazier beside Li Congqing so he wouldn't have to endure the cold.
With doors blocking behind him and braziers warming his sides—though they didn't lay out bedding on the floor for him—the winter morning court sessions became warm and comfortable. The hibernating drowsiness revived once more.
Watching Li Congqing doze off again, the Emperor couldn't help but wear a barely perceptible smile.
The court's New Year holiday began at the Start of Spring and lasted until the Lantern Festival. However, some high-ranking officials could not leave the capital during this period and had to remain on call for imperial summons. So being a senior official wasn't actually that easy—24/7 on standby with no days off.
This didn't apply to Li Congqing, though. Officials below the Minister in the Six Departments of the Ministry of Works only needed to take rotating shifts, so it was quite relaxed. The duty officials usually gathered to play chess or gamble to pass the time.
On the ninth day of the first month, the Ministry of Rites was assigned Li Congqing and two langzhong officials for duty. Li Congqing dozed as usual, while the two langzhong went to visit colleagues in the Ministry of Works.
While in the depths of a pleasant nap, someone gently patted him. "Lord Li, Lord Li."
Li Congqing勉强opened his eyes, slowly sat up, and blinked his drowsy eyes at the visitor. "Lord Wei, what brings you here?"
"His Majesty requests your presence at White Crane Temple to view the flowers together." Wei Xiaomiao said.
"This subject obeys." Li Congqing slowly rose, slowly整理his clothes and hat, touching this and that.
Wei Xiaomiao waited most patiently, not urging him.
The残雪of Start of Spring was about to melt but hadn't yet, and the temperature was extremely cold. Before departing, Wei Xiaomiao opened a purple velvet cloak with fur trim and carefully wrapped it around Li Congqing. The cashmere wool was both light and warm.
"Thank you." Li Congqing thanked him.
"Lord Li is too客气. His Majesty specifically instructed this subject to drape this over you."
Li Congqing fell silent and followed Wei Xiaomiao out of the Ministry of Rites. Even wearing the thick coat, the cold air that entered his lungs still made him shiver, and he trembled as they walked.
After half a刻 of walking, they entered White Crane Temple. The peonies planted within the temple grounds were already in full bloom—one after another of魏紫姚黄 blossoms competing in splendor, a冷香芳尘of magnificent brilliance.
Wei Xiaomiao led him through the flower garden paths to a bamboo pavilion. It was here two years ago that Li Congqing had plucked the Emperor's peony to present to him.
The Great Shao Emperor was required each year to personally plant a peony as an offering to the ancestors, praying for national prosperity. The Emperor now held a golden pair of pruning shears, carefully trimming the leaves of a peony bud that was about to bloom. The bud was as large as a baby's fist; one could imagine how stunning its blooms would be, breathtaking all other flowers.
"This subject pays respects to His Majesty." Li Congqing stood outside the pavilion and bowed.
The Emperor didn't put down his shears, continuing to trim while speaking. "This peony is the one you pruned two years ago. I thought that since you cut it that year, it wouldn't bloom again. I didn't expect it to sprout buds after two years, blooming even better than before."
"That is Your Majesty's great blessing."
The Emperor turned to look at him, with a faint smile. "Every time I see it, I think of that year when you acted like a cow eating peonies."
"This subject is ashamed."
"I don't see any shame in you. You're quite坦然." Li Congqing.
"This subject is惶恐."
"Li Congqing, do you think it's better to pick the flower and keep it in your room, or to let it wither and die on the branch?" The Emperor asked, his words seemingly carrying deeper meaning.
"Your Majesty, though there is a saying that one should折花堪折直须折, a picked flower never lasts as long as one on the branch."
"So..." The Emperor put down the shears and gently caressed the flower bud. "Bringing it pot and soil into the room might be best. I wonder if Minister Li agrees with this reasoning?"
Li Congqing pondered for a moment, then respectfully replied, "If Your Majesty says it is good, then it is good."
The Emperor had more to say, but was interrupted by an announcement in the distance. "The princes, princesses, and consorts approach for audience—"
Soon, three children and several palace ladies gracefully approached.
Speaking of the Emperor's wives and concubines, most people imagine a palace full of beauties. But Emperor Dezhi's harem did not contain countless beauties—only the four consorts were established according to ritual when he ascended the throne. He had not yet established an Empress. Each year afterward, though twenty-four caiü were selected into the palace per regulations, only those the Emperor had favored would remain, promoted to guiren or fei. If after a full year they still had not been summoned, they would receive gifts, be sent back unchanged, and allowed to marry others.
In the six years since his ascension, only five caiü had remained. Adding the original four consorts, the Emperor currently had nine wives. Among them, three had borne him two sons and one daughter. Compared to emperors of past dynasties whose children came in droves, he had clearly failed his duty to expand the imperial lineage. This also rendered futile the schemes of many who had painstakingly sent their daughters into the palace to consolidate power.
That said, with the Emperor's concubines present, Li Congqing, being male, shouldn't be there. He bowed to the Emperor to take his leave. But the Emperor kept him there. He had no choice but to step aside.
The princes, princesses, and consorts bowed to the Emperor. The Emperor lifted his two-year-old daughter, with his two sons flanking him, the consorts following behind. The family of over a dozen individuals treated each other with respect, living in harmony as they toured the spring flowers together.
Li Congqing watched from afar. He saw the Emperor's gentle smile, the beautiful family scene—so distant it felt like a play. Something in his chest felt vaguely oppressed, uncomfortable. He disliked having these莫名奇妙feelings, as if something sour and astringent was rising from his stomach.
"Lord Li, it's cold outside. Please come inside and wait." Wei Xiaomiao came over to tell him.
"No, I'm going back." Li Congqing replied coolly, disregarding the Emperor's order to stay, and turned to leave on his own.
Returning to the Ministry of Rites, he wanted to continue his nap, but the sleep-inducing drowsiness had collectively left home. He只好 picked up some pending documents to review.
When the two langzhong officials returned from their visits, they were astonished to see him—usually half-asleep—with both eyes wide open, seriously reading official documents. Their jaws nearly dropped to the floor.暗自揣测, has our sleepy Minister turned over a new leaf?
"Lord Li, what's wrong with you?" Langzhong Jia asked.
"What's wrong with what?"
"This is the first time I've seen your eyes so wide open." Langzhong Yi said.
"Is that so? No wonder my eyes feel strained." He set down the documents and rubbed his eyes, stretched, and his eyelids immediately dropped back to their usual half-open state.
"Aiya, why did they close again? I just noticed your eyes are actually quite handsome."
"Yes yes, an energetic Lord Li looks quite handsome too—quite the dashing gentleman."
The two of them competed to shower him with compliments, bordering on sycophancy.
Was I usually dog-like, cat-like, or some monster? Li Congqing smiled inwardly, lazily replying, "Keeping your eyes wide open all day is exhausting."
Casually chatting with his colleagues, that闷闷的, uncomfortable feeling still hadn't faded, following him all the way until the Lantern Festival.
The Li family, like other families, would take the elderly and children to the bustling streets during the Lantern Festival. But the siblings would scatter the moment they stepped out the door, each doing their own thing.
The eldest, Li Congyin, never missed a chance to make money, engaging in seasonal businesses. Third brother Li Congxuan took his wife and children to the temple fair. Fourth sister Li Congtong disappeared to some wild place. Fifth brother Li Congzi was probably busy bullying people in the streets. Second brother Li Congqing had no choice but to take the youngest, Li Congbai, along.
The streets were packed with crowds, tourists flowing like织, expensive carriages filling the roads.
Li Congqing held his little brother's hand as they wandered aimlessly. Lanterns lined the streets like千树花东风吹, flutes played, jade pots shone, and fish dragons danced all night.
Walking, strolling, his heart suddenly stirred without reason. He stopped without thinking, gazing out at the crowd, as if searching to find that most important person among the countless strangers.
Who would be his most important person? He shook his head, inwardly mocking himself for being idle and delusional. He turned to continue walking, when in that instant, two gazes unexpectedly met and converged in the bustling crowd.
Neither could look away. Heaven and earth fell silent in that moment. Nothing could be heard except one's own heartbeat and breathing; nothing could be seen except each other.
Searching through the crowd a thousand times, suddenly turning back... that person is there, at the dim lantern light... right?
"Second brother, what's wrong?" Li Congbai tugged his brother's sleeve.
Li Congqing snapped back to reality and收回视线. "Nothing."
Just as he was about to move on, the other person had already pushed through the crowds and stood before him. "Li Congqing."
"Third Highness." Li Congqing respectfully bowed.
Needless to say, the beloved emperor had secretly left the palace in civilian clothes to celebrate with the people. Though in commoner attire, he couldn't conceal his innate imperial majesty—remarkably outstanding among the mortals.
"Third brother, don't suddenly walk away like that. What if we got separated?" Sixth Prince Song Xuan hurried over with Wei Xiaomiao and two other people, surrounding and protecting Song Yu.
"Sixth Highness." Li Congqing bowed again.
"So it's you. What a coincidence."
Li Congqing苦笑ed inwardly—this coincidence made the不明悸动in his heart beat even more wildly. He dared not look directly at that person.
And so, this group just happened to walk together.
If one had to call it a coincidence, it truly was a coincidence that left Li Congqing in helpless amusement.
First, they encountered Li Congyin, who was leading people to sell lanterns along the street. Prices ranged from a few cash to dozens of taels. It went without saying that the people with Song Yu's group would have more lanterns in their hands, and certainly the most expensive ones. Li Congyin had attended the Spring Sacrifice Banquet a year ago and recognized the Emperor's face. Being sensible, he didn't reveal his identity, handed the business to his subordinates, and joined their group.
Next, they bumped into Li Congzi, who was lecturing a pampered young lord. "You blind fool, what are you looking at? Still looking! Today young master here will beat you until your parents won't recognize you!"
Li Congqing很想pretend not to know him and walk around, but Li Congzi's eyes were sharp. He immediately dropped the bruised-up pig head he was beating and ran over to them. "Eldest brother, second brother, little brother, I finally found you!"
Not yet twenty, Li Congzi was extremely handsome, like a finely carved jade statue. His addition immediately made this already conspicuous group even more eye-catching.
Then, Li Congtong waved at them from a third-floor window of a tavern. "Eldest brother, second brother, fifth brother, sixth brother, I'm here!" No sooner had she called out than she leapt over the windowsill.
The Li siblings were neither shocked nor frightened, letting the crazy girl jump from buildings with a生死由命富贵在天attitude—if she wanted to die, that was her own business.
Song Xuan, however, was terrified and rushed forward, spreading his arms heroically to catch the fairy-like beauty descending from the sky.
The beautiful fairy not only failed to thank him for saving her life, but instead glared at him, cursing him for butting in—a whole small朝天椒that was both spicy and pungent. Of course, the siblings were reunited. Joyous occasion, most joyous. (Or not!)
Li Congqing silently questioned heaven, thinking, the third brother should appear last, right?
And wouldn't you know it, Li Congxuan's family of three appeared shortly after, self-consciously joining the group.
This crowd—except for Li Congqing and two unknown guards—had everyone handsome or beautiful, with remarkable bearing. They looked like immortals stepped out of paintings, more eye-catching than even the dazzling lanterns.
When Li Congxuan's beautiful wife saw Song Yu, she actually went up and affectionately linked her arm with his, excitedly saying, "Third brother, long time no see!"
"Now that you're back in the capital, why not go home?" Song Yu said.
"I've already broken from the family. It's not appropriate for me to return."
"You yourself left a letter saying you were severing family ties and just ran. None of us agreed." Song Xuan interjected, scoffing. "Silly girl, only see your third brother, don't see your sixth brother."
"Sixth brother, sister missed you so much." Song Xi switched to clinging to Song Xuan's arm. Then she took a baby from Li Congxuan's arms and tried to hand it to Song Xuan. "Come look at your nephew."
Li Congtong suddenly snatched the baby away, her beautiful eyes glaring fiercely. "This clumsy man might hold our precious one too roughly."
Song Xuan stared at her blankly, then傻呼呼地smiled at her. This made Li Congtong curse angrily, "Why are you smiling at me so weirdly? So disgusting!"
Li Congyin was discussing economic topics like expenditures with Wei Xiaomiao, trying to convince the Chief Steward of the Inner Palace to let the Li family handle some daily supplies.
Li Congzi would occasionally roar at people who secretly looked at him, "Stop staring at young master or young master will gouge out your dog eyes!" He even pushed people blocking his path, kicked over several stalls, and swaggered around like a little tyrant with his thumbs in his belt. Unfortunately, he was too good-looking. Even with his fearsome expression, he was still so pretty it was ridiculous—his intimidating effect wasn't as good as imagined.
Li Congbai walked beside him, constantly pulling at him, saying, "Fifth brother, please stop. You're scaring people." Li Congzi snorted: I want them to fear young master... That fat pig over there, yes you, if you dare stare at young master again, watch young master poke out your dog eyes!
Li Congqing looked at them speechlessly, not knowing what to say. It was总之a tangled, messy situation.
"Your family is quite interesting." Song Yu suddenly spoke.
"I apologize for the laughter."
"You seem quite different from them in personality."
"Mm, even in looks I'm not as handsome as them."
"You're very handsome."
"Huh?"
Song Yu looked at him and repeated once more: "In my eyes, you're very handsome."
Li Congqing stared blankly, momentarily unable to respond.
"Ah, our second brother is actually quite clever. If only he would strive a bit harder." Li Congyin suddenly interjected. "Last time he took an assassin's sword for the great, noble, wise, and divine Emperor, he should have used it as an opportunity to soar to great heights. But he's too kind-hearted, didn't open his mouth wide, and was satisfied with just a minor侍郎position."
Li Congqing couldn't be bothered to respond to the theatrical sighing, treating it as wind passing by a horse's ear.
"Second brother's personality is so lazy it's deadly. If eldest brother hadn't forced him to take the imperial examinations, he might have been a pig that just ate, slept, and slept, and ate all his life." Li Congtong also chimed in.
"Hmph, eldest brother just wants to sell his brother for glory." Li Congzi disagreed.
"Your big brother is selling brothers for glory, so what!" Li Congyin理所当然. "If the great, noble, wise, and divine Emperor likes men, I'd definitely have him clean up his bottom and present himself on a silver platter."
"Eldest brother, you're so obscene!" Li Congtong cursed, but laughed happily, without a shred of a young lady's shyness or restraint.
"What would you send your bottom to the Emperor for?" Li Congzi didn't understand.
"For the mouse to dig holes in the ground." Song Xi answered, laughing so hard tears nearly burst out.
"That would hurt a lot!" Li Congzi clutched his bottom with both hands and shrieked.
"Don't worry, I won't make you send your bottom to the great, noble, wise, and divine Emperor. You're too stupid; the Emperor won't like you." Li Congyin patted his head, then continued recklessly and indiscriminately, whether intentionally or not: "If anyone's sending bottoms, it should be your second brother. Though his face isn't as pretty as yours, his brain is smarter than yours, and his bottom is much more worth looking at."
Li Congqing finally couldn't bear it anymore and rolled his eyes, completely懒得理this scheming merchant with his filthy mind—truly without restraint, completely chaotic!
Li Congxuan, who had been silent the whole time, continued to be silent,酷着一张俊脸and letting his son use his hand as a chicken leg to gnaw on.
Song Xuan tried憋住his face, wanting to laugh but not daring.
Song Yu's expression didn't change much, still smiling gently, not angry at all, finding it rather amusing. Growing up in the ritually strict palace, when had he ever heard such blunt, vulgar marketplace language?
The young Li Congbai didn't understand the乌烟瘴气nonsense, tugged his second brother's sleeve, and seriously said, "Second brother, you must help the Emperor become a benevolent, wise ruler."
Finally, someone said something decent.
Li Congqing smiled with relief and said, "I'll勉强remain in the palace just for your sake."