Chapter 8
At the moment, there were two explosive news circulating throughout the court and country of Da Shao.
The first one was about the Turpan King bringing the precious, rare, and matchless national treasure of Turpan—the Turpan Hami melon—to request a marriage alliance with Da Shao, hoping to marry the youngest brother of the emperor, the Twelfth Prince, Song Shuo, who was only sixteen this year, as his queen. As a result, Song Shuo smashed that precious, rare, and matchless Hami melon onto the Turpan King's head and said, "Go die!" The entire nation applauded and raised their thumbs in unison, praising how cool their little prince was!
The Turpan King refused to give up, persisting with unwavering determination, and was still in Da Shao chasing the little twelfth prince every day, driving the boy nearly insane.
The second piece of news was even more sensational—yes, congratulations, dear reader, you guessed correctly. It was the emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites' scandal.
Whether high-ranking court officials or local commoners, men and women, old and young, the entire nation was discussing these two matters. They typically used their afternoon leisure time to discuss how fragrant and juicy that legendary Turpan Hami melon was, and then during evening tea and after dinner, they would gossip in whispers about the imperial-subject affair that had already made it onto the list of the court's top ten scandals.
It had been a long time since anything new happened under the sun of this prosperous age, so how thrilling these two pieces of news were! They were even more sensational than the incident two years ago when the university scholar Lou Chuyun's nude paintings were leaked.
What? The neighbor's daughter eloped with some wild man? Hmph, that was nothing important—matters of whether the emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites were involved took priority!
The emperor's emotional life was not merely a personal matter; it was a matter concerning the royal family, the court, and the nation—great Da Shao's hundreds of thousands of people watching with wide-open eyes.
Men being with men went against the natural principle of yin and yang merging, but in Da Shao it wasn't considered such an unforgivable sin. In this prosperous era, southern customs were prevalent, and some even held proper ceremonies to marry male wives and concubines. From the court's perspective, this violated good social customs, so their marriages were not recognized. However, under the major premise of not affecting the quality and quantity of the national population, as long as it was mutual, they could be happy together. There was no need to be heartless and separate the lovebirds, nor to force harmony upon them.
Before Song Yu, there had been several emperors in Da Shao who did not appoint a Shangjun (imperial consort). Everyone speculated whether the eighteenth emperor, Detian, would let Li Congqing occupy this position.
Therefore, Li Congqing didn't want to publicly acknowledge his relationship with the emperor—not because the heavenly principle condemned men loving men, and not to maintain good social customs either. It was simply because he was lazy and feared trouble. Once he became a Shangjun, he would no longer be able to live his leisurely, carefree life. Every move a Shangjun made would become the focus of everyone's attention and the subject of gossip.
So, as the emperor had predicted, Li Congqing really did run away. No, to be precise, he hid—inside the back courtyard of the Governor's residence in Erhe Province.
Li Congqing could be considered the last person in Da Shao to hear about this scandal. When he left Chunan with Wei Xiaomiao and arrived at Erhe Province, the taciturn Li Congxuan saw him. Before even saying a greeting, the cool guy tossed him a sentence: "Your secret's out."
Out? The overly悠闲 Li Congqing was bewildered. "What thing?"
"The emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites matter."
"Huh?!" Li Congqing's face changed dramatically. "No way..."
"Did you really think you could keep it airtight?"
"Did you tell Eldest?"
"No, but he's more cunning than a fox—wouldn't he notice? Before, only a few people knew. Now everyone knows." Li Congxuan added one final painful jab, tossing him a book titled *Unofficial Tales of the World*.
This book was quite famous. It specialized in reporting celebrity gossip and tales of unusual people, especially loving to expose sensational and sensationalized news. It published monthly and sold nationwide. And on this issue's cover, in huge bold letters—Vice Minister's Secret Love Affair Exposed!
Like thunder from a clear sky, it struck Li Congqing dizzy. His face displayed a magnificent spectrum of colors.
Accustomed to their clandestine, furtive mode of dating, without psychological preparation and suddenly exposed to the light of day, it felt momentarily like being caught in the act and paraded naked through the streets. Before, when he was still in the capital, he often had secret trysts with the emperor and nothing happened. How did things unravel the moment he left?
Denial to the death!
Yes, he absolutely refused to admit it! The emperor definitely wouldn't admit it either. Li Congqing was determined to deny it categorically, but later he heard that the emperor himself had confessed to the Empress Dowager that there truly was something between him and the Vice Minister of Rites. Li Congqing didn't know what to do.
Ahhhh! Why did he admit it?! He was the emperor—nobody could do anything to him, but he was just a tiny vice minister. If this came out, he'd be skinned alive. Though it wasn't a matter of life and death for the nation, this was the first time in his life Li Congqing experienced what it meant to be panic-stricken. Even when the emperor had "eaten him dry and wiped him clean" back then, he hadn't been this disoriented. He spent an entire day burrowed in his quilts, refusing to see anyone.
He stayed like that for nearly half a month. Except for meeting basic physical needs, he barely touched the ground. He was a complete mess of mud. He didn't want to face reality, didn't want to think, didn't want to do anything—just wanted to sleep himself to death.
Yet, he couldn't cut off the increasingly intense longing. Longing for his lover who was far beyond the horizon, so much it made his heart ache. How he wished to return to that person's side, but he lacked the strength and courage to face reality. Just thinking about facing others' gazes and questioning, he was about to go crazy.
"Li Congqing, how long are you going to stay buried?" Li Congxuan asked, not hiding his disgust.
"Until I die. Don't bother me." A despondent voice murmured from beneath the quilt. He, who loved sleeping, had become even more extreme since hiding here, utterly indolent.
"Second brother, if you don't come out to get some sun, you're going to grow mold." Song Xi entered with a smile, one arm cradling her little son, the other hand holding her eldest son's.
"Get up. Someone wants to see you." Li Congxuan said coldly.
"I said, no one."
"Must see."
"I said no, I don't see anyone."
"Rong'er, go wake Second Uncle." Song Xi released her eldest son's hand.
"Okay." The three-year-old child bounded over cheerfully and jumped onto the mound of quilts, hopping and yelling happily. "Second Uncle Second Uncle, wake up! Wake up!"
From beneath the pile came sounds of pained groaning. Li Congqing couldn't withstand the little jumping shrimp's assault and finally stuck his head out to beg for mercy: "Rong'er, stop jumping! You're going to crush your uncle!"
"Second brother, get up quickly. This person you must see." Song Xi said again.
It seemed if he didn't get out of bed, they wouldn't leave him alone. Li Congqing sighed heavily and reluctantly rose from bed, shuffling slowly as he dressed. "Who wants to see me?"
"Second Uncle, it's Grandpa!" Li Yourong answered on behalf of his parents.
The child's maternal grandfather was Song Xi's father... um, that meant the current emperor's father's father—the Retired Emperor?!
Li Congqing froze.
"Quick, go." Li Congxuan forcibly dragged him away.
Reluctantly stepping out the door, the bright sunshine after a long time made him squint, the sting almost bringing tears. Half-dragged, half-pulled to the inner estate's garden, he saw a man about fifty sitting in a pavilion. He was cultured, kind, yet carried an inherent aura of dignity. Wei Xiaomiao stood beside him in conversation.
It was said that when the Cultured Emperor retired and abdicated when Third Prince Song Yu turned seventeen, after the abdication ceremony was completed and the new emperor established the reign title "Detian," he and the empress traveled together throughout the great rivers and mountains of Da Shao, rarely returning to the palace. Thus, Li Congqing had never met the Retired Emperor. But one could naturally discern the noble figure in the pavilion's identity.
"Grandpa Grandpa!" The little boy pounced over to show affection.
Li Congqing's head swelled to the size of a wok. He hesitated, unwilling to move forward. Li Congxuan simply shoved him into the pavilion. He had no choice but to kneel and bow: "Your subject greets..."
"We're all family here, no need for formalities." The Retired Emperor interrupted, helping him up and examining him with a smiling gaze.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down Li Congqing's forehead. This... was clearly the expression of a father-in-law sizing up his daughter-in-law... The Retired Emperor had indeed specially come to see what his son's secret lover looked like.
"Come, everyone sit and talk." The Retired Emperor invited them to sit. He lifted Li Yourong onto his lap and, like an ordinary elder, chatted casually with them. Though he didn't mention the scandal even by a single word, his gaze kept landing on Li Congqing.
Though Li Congqing didn't appear flustered or panicked, maintaining an outwardly calm and leisurely demeanor, in truth he was extremely uncomfortable being watched. He couldn't find an excuse to leave early, so he simply sat quietly, listening to their conversation.
"Xixi, among your brothers and sisters, you're the most willful. You demanded your brother grant you a marriage, and when he wouldn't, you wanted your brother to strip you of your princess title and demote you to commoner. Finally you secretly left the palace—tell me, is there such an audacious princess?" The Retired Emperor laughed as he scolded, his expression showing not a trace of anger.
"Father, this is called traveling the world for love." Song Xi didn't think she was at fault at all. "Congxuan said he'd rather become a monk than be a son-in-law, so I simply stopped being a princess."
"Silly girl, so stubborn-hearted."
"All of us Song family members are stubborn-hearted. Once we've decided on something, it's for life—no separation, no abandonment, not even until death." Song Xi said, then suddenly turned to Li Congqing and asked: "Second brother, isn't that right?"
"Ah? Yes..." Li Congqing agreed absently. He didn't have the surname Song, so why ask him?
"Alas, my Third Brother is so pitiful. He's decided on someone, but that someone might not have decided on him. His heart is even more stubborn than mine." Song Xi sighed dramatically. "He's the emperor—how can he complain about grievances or tell others? He can't flee, can't hide. He has to swallow his suffering in silence. So what's good about being emperor? It's better to be an ordinary person, free and happy."
Li Congqing felt her words pierce him like a blade. His heart ached and throbbed, and he felt extremely depressed.
All along, he usually only thought about himself and rarely considered Song Yu's thoughts and feelings. He always thought he was the emperor—he should be all-powerful, unshakeable. But he overlooked that even an emperor was human, had a vulnerable side. His position at the summit was even more isolated and helpless than that of ordinary people.
—*When the flowers bloom along the country roads, you may return slowly.*
The gentle words of instruction before leaving the capital still echoed in his ears.
Song Yu had predicted this would happen, hadn't he? The so-called blooming flowers referred to their secret being exposed?
You could keep a secret for a while, but not forever. Eventually, both of them had to face this problem. But he had first pushed Li Congqing out of the storm's center, not giving him a chance to possibly be harmed, bearing all the enormous pressure of rumors alone.
How could Li Congqing not understand? His imperial lover was always caring for him and protecting him meticulously. And he knew Li Congqing's temperament too well—he would never be able to calmly think things through if he stayed in the capital. Or he might not even think at all, just run away. He was always the passive, cowardly one, wasn't he?
Recalling carefully, he had always been the one who merely enjoyed his lover's devotion, squandered the tenderness and care his lover gave him—the one who had been spoiled rotten... Sigh, the emperor was now alone in the capital facing enormous pressure. Was he suffering? Would he resent Li Congqing for迟迟不归, for not standing by his side, sharing the burden?
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel self-loath. He truly was selfish.
—*When you're ready to come back, then come back.*
After silently considering for a moment, Li Congqing finally understood. He told himself in his heart—time to go back.
"I..." He looked up at the Retired Emperor.
"Yes?" The Retired Emperor watched him gently.
Not knowing how to say it properly, Li Congqing simply stood up, bowed respectfully. "I'm very sorry. Please forgive me, I must take my leave first."
"Second brother, where are you going?"
"I'm going back." Li Congqing said, and walked away quickly with unusual speed.
Wei Xiaomiao also hastily bowed to the Retired Emperor and hurried after him.
Among the remaining three people in the pavilion, some shrugged, some smiled. No one stopped his resolute, enlightened stride.
Li Congqing walked quickly, but his mood gradually became clear and calm.
He had always thought he wasn't that attached to this relationship he didn't want to see the light of day. He often hypothesized in his heart: if someday the emperor stopped loving him, he probably wouldn't be too sad, wouldn't be too embarrassed, because not many people knew.
But now that he thought it through clearly, he suddenly realized he cared far more than he imagined—so much that... he couldn't bear to lose it, couldn't lose it!
He thought, this life he was destined to be unable to leave that person, just like a fish couldn't leave water. Once separated, he thought, he might wither and die.
Returning to his room to hastily pack his luggage, before mounting the carriage, Li Congqing said to Wei Xiaomiao: "Xiaomiao, although I don't really know what happened between you and the Seventh Prince, I still want to offer you a word of advice. Don't escape or retreat like I did."
"Lord Li..."
"Seize what you should seize. If you want to pursue something, pursue it bravely. Don't hesitate because of fear and inferiority." Li Congqing patted him and sincerely added: "Xiaomiao, you're the same as everyone else. You deserve dignity, and more importantly, you deserve happiness."
Wei Xiaomiao was silent for a moment. A decisive light flashed in his eyes. "Lord Li, please return to the capital yourself. I want to go to Chunan."
"En, go." Li Congqing nodded.
"Please take care on your journey.保重."
"You too."
They smiled at each other, silently offering sincere blessings.
Thus, the two parted ways, each heading to pursue their own piece of sky.
◇
"Can you go faster?" Li Congqing kept urging the coachman, wishing he could sprout wings and fly back.
"Lord, that's fast enough already. Go any faster and the carriage will fall apart!" The coachman was already working hard to whip those two可怜 horses running at full speed.
Li Congqing had originally thought riding would be faster, but his riding skills were quite poor. He was afraid that before he could return to the capital, he might accidentally break a limb or twist his neck halfway. Although his heart yearned to return, he乖乖 sat in the carriage—it was safer.
Sitting in the carriage, he reminisced about the events between himself and the emperor, piece by piece. Finally, he thought about that night six years ago and what happened afterward. Even though he had been thoroughly enjoyed, he was still undecided afterward. Should he really follow the emperor like this, become the emperor's... male favorite?
When he first entered the imperial court through the civil service examination, he only wished to be a闲官, slack off and while away the hours. Who would have thought he would inexplicably end up on the emperor's dragon bed—just how convoluted and bizarre could things get?!
He remembered that dawn, the sky not yet bright. Because he had to attend morning court sessions, he had developed the habit of waking at a fixed time regardless of when he went to sleep. But he would still laze in bed until the little servant came to call him, then reluctantly get up.
Half-asleep, half-dreaming, his hand touched something warm and smooth... Hmm... What was on his bed? It felt quite comfortable.
The emperor was disturbed by the touching and woke up. He caught the hand that easily sparked flames and said softly: "It's still early, sleep some more."
"Mm... Little Pot, remember to wake me later..."
Mistaking him for a servant in his residence? The emperor smiled faintly. "Okay."
"Your Majesty, it's time to change clothes." Wei Xiaomiao was already waiting outside the bed curtain.
The emperor tucked in the covers for the person who was still lazing about before getting out of bed. He let Wei Xiaomiao attend to his washing and dressing.
After a while, Li Congqing murmured drowsily again: "Little Pot, is it time yet?"
"Not yet, sleep some more." Wei Xiaomiao said.
"Little Pot, why do you have two voices today..." His voice faded and he fell asleep again.
The emperor turned back and kissed his lips. He instructed those left to attend not to wake Li Congqing, then left.
Li Congqing was half-asleep, half-dreaming. When his senses finally became clearer, it was already twilight. He blinked his eyes and "Ah!" jumped up, threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. Suddenly feeling a chill, he looked down and was completely naked. Eh? Why didn't he wear clothes to sleep last night? No, wait—where was this?
He blinked again and looked more carefully. Only then did he realize he wasn't at home. It suddenly came back to him—he had stayed the night in the palace yesterday. His cheeks couldn't help but flush red with heat.
"Lord, are you awake? This servant will attend to you." Someone outside said.
"No need, don't come in!" Li Congqing hastily gathered the court robe hanging on the screen and dressed, then rushed out the door.
"Lord, please rinse." Two palace attendants held clean water outside.
Li Congqing rinsed casually and rushed out, tying his official hat strap as he ran.
The court session had already begun. He hunched low, tiptoed in quietly. Fortunately, his seat was at the very back, nearest the door, so he wouldn't disturb others.
The emperor sat high on the dragon throne and naturally could see him sneak in. He wondered secretly why Li Congqing insisted on attending court. The desire to make him Shangjun grew even stronger. But he held back in the end, not wanting to force him to do what he didn't want. Of course, the business of rolling around in bed was an exception.
Recalling the spring night, his body involuntarily surged with warmth. The emperor wasn't someone who enjoyed sensual pleasures, yet Li Congqing stirred unprecedented, massive desire in him. He wanted to embrace him, kiss him, bury himself deep inside him, thrust hard again and again... Thinking of it, he nearly shuddered. Waves of sweet electricity rippled through his lower abdomen.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" An elderly minister gently called the distracted emperor.
"This matter, let me consider again." The emperor drew his gaze back. Half his mind was on court affairs, half on Li Congqing. He decided to discuss a few more matters before adjourning the court.
Li Congqing returned to the Ministry of Rites feeling restless and uneasy. He couldn't sit still in his chair—every time he sat down, he bounced right back up, as if there were a blanket of needles. He couldn't sit, couldn't stand. The elderly minister noticed his unusual expression and that he seemed physically unwell, so he granted him leave to rest at home.
When the emperor sent Wei Xiaomiao to summon him, he had already left the palace. Wei Xiaomiao reported back and asked if the emperor wanted to go to the Li residence to bring the person back. The emperor said no. He thought it was good that he went home. If Li Congqing was within arm's reach, he would only want to drag him back to bed for this and that—and this made him feel like he was becoming a wanton, lustful person.
Shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile, it was the first time in so long he had longed for someone so much. This had never happened before. Was it the excitement of something new? Or did he genuinely like him? Whichever it was, it was definitely not a momentary impulse.
Fine, it was rare in life to act on impulse without deep deliberation. As long as Li Congqing didn't desperately refuse his favor, there would be indescribable joy to find with him. So don't hold him too tightly and scare him away, or create complications.
After Li Congqing returned home, he directly climbed onto the bed and burrowed under the covers. He wanted to sleep but couldn't. His mind was in chaos—thinking about everything, yet unable to think about anything.
Li Congyin heard from the servants that the second master had returned during the day. He came back from the trading company and walked in uninvited, asking with feigned innocence: "Second, you stayed overnight at the palace yesterday?"
"Mm." A weary, muffled reply.
"What's keeping you so busy? Look how tired you are. Should I have someone cook some turtle soup to nourish you?"
"I don't want turtle."
"Oh, sometimes the turtle has to be eaten whether you want to or not. Your big brother is worried you have kidney deficiency."
"You're the one with kidney deficiency!" He couldn't help but snap back, sticking his neck out to glare at the person. Peeking out like that, he really did look somewhat like a turtle.
Seeing Li Congyin's smug, mischievous grin as if he could see through everything, Li Congqing felt it wasn't kidney deficiency he had—it was guilty conscience. Last night's affair was undoubtedly a taboo that couldn't see the light of day. If it were just about sleeping with a man, that would be one thing. But that man was the Son of Heaven! If he were honest and said, "Brother, your precious, delicate little flower was opened yesterday as you wished by the great, wise Emperor," this heartless fellow would probably die of happiness, tsk!
Li Congqing buried his head back into his turtle shell, too懒得理 this brother who seemed ready to sell him for profit. He continued to turtle within his own quilt world. Sigh, so annoying... Fine, first just take a nap. Don't think about anything anymore—thinking too much shortened one's lifespan. He wanted to live a leisurely hundred years!
Agitated as he was, sleep was still sleep. Otherwise, he wouldn't be the "Sleepy Vice Minister."
After sleeping through one day, the next day he attended morning court as usual, insisting on not skipping duty.
He thought the emperor would summon him. He waited nervously all day but heard nothing. The second day, third day, same thing. It was as if the emperor had forgotten this person existed.
Logically, Li Congqing should have felt relieved, breathed a sigh of relief. But he was actually vaguely disappointed. In court, he no longer dozed off or slacked off. He kept stealing glances at the person sitting at the highest place, almost hoping that person would show even a little bit of attention to him. Yet that person didn't look his way even once.
And so, the emperor ignored him for six days. On the sixth day, an inexplicable resentment grew in Li Congqing's heart. He thought, as expected, the emperor was merely momentarily interested and wanted to try something new. But discovering he wasn't delicious, the moment he stepped off the dragon bed, he was thrown aside, forgotten completely.
Ah well, consider it a weird spring dream. He was a man, after all. Besides suffering a loss he couldn't tell anyone about, he didn't lose any meat from his body. Unlike women who had to worry about chastity and reputation and even consider death, he was fine. Also, fewer troubles were better. This was fine too.
On the seventh day, Li Congqing's restless heart settled. He decided to return to his original state of calmness, no longer想把 the matter with the emperor on his mind, and continue his lazy life. Although there remained in his heart a lingering, wistful sadness.
On the other side, during these past few days, the emperor's surface appearance was no different from usual—always neither cold nor warm, methodical, never letting others see that he was actually constantly distracted.
In truth, the emperor was watching Li Congqing's every move. He saw that Li Congqing was punctual for court as always, just like before. His daily longing for him grew stronger, yet he forcibly suppressed it and didn't summon him again. On one hand, he didn't want to immerse himself in pleasure. On the other hand, he wanted to give Li Congqing more time to think and adjust.
The emperor often daydreamed, whether during morning court discussions, handling government affairs in the study, or even strolling in the imperial garden—he would stare at the fully bloomed monthly roses for a long time.
On the eighth day, the emperor was going to the Baihe Temple for Buddhist worship and ancestor offerings. Imperial ritual affairs were the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites, so naturally the Vice Minister of Rites was summoned to accompany him. And he不让 other high officials or nobles follow.
Baihe Temple wasn't far from the palace. There was a dedicated road that led directly there. The emperor rode in the dragon carriage. Li Congqing, as the accompanying official, should follow on foot according to protocol. But the emperor exceptionally granted him a golden sedan chair to travel beside the carriage. In the past, only the empress enjoyed such glory. Among the accompanying officials, Li Congqing's rank was the highest, and no one dared to raise objections to this exception.
The heartbeat of Li Congqing, who had prepared to return to a state of calmness, couldn't help but quicken again. The golden chair was half a chi lower than the dragon carriage. As long as he turned his head slightly, he could see the emperor's side profile. But his head stayed low, not daring to raise it, not daring to look at the emperor.
The sedan chair swayed gently. Although his mind was uneasy, it really was too comfortable. They were only halfway there when his eyelids couldn't help but droop. He began贪小盹 again.
The emperor noticed his head nodding left and right, worried he might fall off the sedan chair. He called out: "Li Congqing."
"Hm?" He opened his drowsy eyes and下意识 looked toward the one who called him.
The emperor was gazing at him. There was a hint of amusement in his lips. That sleepy, dazed look seemed quite cute to the emperor. He had never met anyone who loved sleep more. He rarely missed any opportunity to doze off.
"Your Majesty, what are your orders?" Li Congqing quickly straightened up a little, eyes lowered, compliant.
"Lately, my dear minister has been observing the stars at night. Have you observed any special celestial phenomena?"
Li Congqing was stunned. When had he become the emperor's "dear minister"? He didn't know about this. "Your Majesty, this subject has not observed the night sky for many days."
"怪不得 you haven't been dozing off during morning court." The emperor smiled and said casually: "The astronomer's official did observe that my *hongluan star* has quietly moved."
Li Congqing was stunned, unable to speak. His heart was beating fast again. Was the emperor hinting something to him? Why did he feel his heartbeat quicken?
The emperor watched his slightly flushed cheeks, his foolish, befuddled expression as if understanding yet not quite—he looked so cute, so adorable that the emperor wanted to drag him into the dragon carriage, embrace him, and then do this and that right in the carriage to relieve the desire he had been suppressing these days.
For the past several days, although Li Congqing no longer dozed off during morning court as before, his spirit seemed unstable. He wasn't good at hiding emotions to begin with. He couldn't hide a trace of anxiety, a bit of frustration, a hint of disappointment. The emperor, on the surface, didn't seem to notice, but暗中 he saw everything clearly.
Whether it was a test or a tactic to欲擒故纵, at the very least the emperor could see that Li Congqing's involvement in that night's affairs wasn't entirely due to coercion or helplessness—he had also been moved to some degree. And the emperor realized he not only desired Li Congqing's body, but also his heart. If Li Congqing were a woman, the emperor thought, he would certainly welcome her into the palace and make her empress or consort.
Unfortunately, Li Congqing was an unequivocal man. Being empress or consort was impossible. He wasn't willing to be Shangjun either. So he had to find another way to keep him by his side.
As emperor, if he wanted someone, how much effort would it take? With a single order, what couldn't he obtain? But forcible seizure wasn't his style. He didn't want reluctant, submissive compliance. He wanted Li Congqing's willing consent.
Li Congqing, Li Congqing, do you know how much thought I have devoted to you?