# Chapter 9 (Complete)
When Li Congqing mounted the carriage, rumors about him and the emperor had reached an uncontrollable state, boiling over completely. Those who didn't know would be laughed at for being behind the times. Even children's nursery rhymes had appeared in response to current events—
Peony blossoms bloom, blossoms picked one by one,
The fairy descended to repay kindness.
Little chrysanthemum blooms, blossoms plucked one by one,
Fairy, where do you linger?
Peony blooms, chrysanthemum blooms,
Grandfather waits for your swift return,
Don't let the flowers all wither before you come back.
The lyrics were simple and straightforward, three parts innocent, seven parts romantic. Sung throughout the streets and alleys, everyone could recite them. Children sang them innocently; adults sang them with ambiguous intent. Throughout Dashao, the entire nation was united in their excitement over the ruler and minister scandal. The Vice Minister of Rites迟迟不回来, and the people were more anxious than the emperor, even worrying that their great and wise emperor had been dumped by the Vice Minister.
"Third brother, the rumors about you and Li Congqing are growing larger and more outrageous every day!" Song Xuan reported the latest developments each day upon entering the palace.
"I know." The emperor remained largely unmoved.
"Won't you bring him back?"
"He'll come back when he's thought it through."
"And if he doesn't come back?"
"He will." The emperor spoke with confidence. Li Congqing had, six years ago, become a Song family member in life and a Song family ghost in death—no matter how far he went or how long he stayed, he would eventually return. This was his only true home.
"I really don't understand why you transferred him away from the capital back then."
"I've indulged his stubbornness for too long. I want him to truly think it through this time."
Song Xuan paused upon hearing this, then suddenly realized the truth. Thinking carefully, the emperor had deliberately let Li Congqing sleep in the imperial study that day, allowing people to see him covering him with the yellow robe and other intimate gestures, then dispatched him out of the capital, followed by the rumors spreading everywhere—all of this had been within the emperor's expectations.
Ah, perhaps the pressure had become too much to bear, and he couldn't continue his secret tryst with Li Congqing any longer, so he had twisted and turned until the whole city was in an uproar, secretly forcing Li Congqing to acknowledge this forbidden love.
"Third brother... are you testing him?" Song Xuan asked carefully.
"There is no need for testing between us."
"Then why...?"
The emperor merely smiled and offered no further explanation.
Song Xuan dared not ask more. To quote his own words—if one could decipher the emperor's thoughts, one might as well be the emperor. The wise emperor had everything planned and under control; whatever he did had its own reasons. Why should he, a mere eunuch, worry when the emperor himself wasn't worried?
In the end, the emperor had also gone to great lengths for Li Congqing, hoping they could finally see the moon after the clouds parted. Otherwise, things couldn't continue like this forever.
"But third brother, have you heard the latest street songs circulating among the common people?"
"The flower-blooming one?"
"There's不止，还有其他更... cough... more unsophisticated ones."
"Oh? Sing it for me to hear."
"You really want to?"
"No matter."
So Song Xuan called in a young eunuch and had him sing. The timid eunuch's voice怯怯地 sang:
"Pity the flower, pity the peony,
Indebted for every flower.
My tender bones, gentle and warm,
Don't be like an ox chewing peonies.
Slowly stroke the branches, frequently water the shade,
When the skill is right, the flower heart naturally blooms.
Delicate flowers need
A handsome pity-the-flower brother,
To pluck with tender love.
"(Note: Adapted from 《挂枝儿》/ Ming Dynasty. Feng Menglong)"
The timid singing voiced bold and fiery words. When the eunuch finished, Song Xuan's face flushed red—everyone could hear the "pity-the-flower brother" and "peony flower" in the lyrics referring to the emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites.
The emperor remained calm and unruffled, only the smile at the corner of his mouth widening slightly. "Well sung. Is there more? Sing a few more."
When the eunuch heard the emperor's praise, he nearly flew with joy. Emboldened, he sang again, each song more explicit and daring than the last. "The ruler and the lord join every night, don't waste the fine evening." And "Close and warm, beloved lord's behind flowers," each song hinting at the emperor and Vice Minister's intimate affairs—obscene songs truly breathtaking.
The emperor showed no anger; by the end, he was laughing so hard he couldn't stop. What delight!
Song Xuan, however, became increasingly perspiring as he listened. To think that being so obscenely implied upon could result in no anger but only laughter—saying his emperor was exceptionally tolerant, it would be more accurate to call him... secretly passionate...
But these street songs, though vulgar, carried mostly positive connotations, praising the romance and beauty of their relationship. The imperial bed's spring scenery was unlimited; their love and desire flowed freely.
The next day, the emperor received a message by carrier pigeon—simple and powerful, just three words: "Green has returned."
Finally willing to return and face things? He savored these three words, remembering the days following his first night with Li Congqing years ago. His mood then was somewhat similar to now—both waiting for a definitive answer.
The emperor appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was no less burdened than Li Congqing's. He had to consider and weigh more aspects, bear heavier pressures, yet he still quietly waited for Li Congqing to give a nod of agreement. As the saying goes, a forcibly twisted melon isn't sweet; a forcibly picked flower isn't fragrant. He thought, Li Congqing should be the sweetest melon and most fragrant flower in his entire life.
But this melon and flower had slept too much, their minds grown dull, actually mistaking their deep love as merely a habit, ignoring the profound affection hidden beneath that habit. Perhaps they had been too close, so close they couldn't see each other's hearts clearly. So he had let him walk away for a while, waiting for him to look back and see clearly.
The emperor didn't want to haggle over who loved more or deeper—such questions held no value. However, their love truly had been mostly him chasing after Li Congqing. Setting aside their status and position, they were actually in a reverse state of inequality. They stood at opposite ends of a scale, and Li Congqing's side always rose high.
This time, the emperor stopped, letting Li Congqing turn around and walk toward him主动ly, no longer chasing and demanding, which had made him mistakenly believe this relationship was something he was forced to endure.
Only when Li Congqing recognized that his own feelings were no less than the emperor's would they truly be equals, standing side by side on equal footing in love.
Then, a new chapter could begin.
◇
When it came to "生是宋家人，死是宋家鬼," these words weren't spoken by the emperor but came from the Highest Wisdom National Master. At the time, Li Congqing could only苦笑.
Now, let us continue from the beginning. That day, the emperor summoned Li Congqing to accompany him to Baihe Temple for ancestral worship. Throughout the journey, both were distracted by each other, until the imperial procession arrived at the destination, where the temple's abbot, the Highest Wisdom National Master, stood恭立于 the entrance to welcome them.
Baihe Temple was the imperial clan temple; only members of the royal family could enter. Accompanying officials were to wait outside the temple, but the emperor ordered Li Congqing to follow him inside, bringing him to the treasure pagoda.
The pagoda had nine levels: the top three housed the Buddha and divine佛; the middle three housed the Song ancestors; the bottom three housed Dashao's heroes. The emperor brought Li Congqing step by step to the topmost level. The Highest Wisdom National Master, due to his advanced age, couldn't climb that high, so two young monks carried him up in a sedan chair.
Li Congqing thought he would only need to stand at a distance attending, or perhaps help pass incense and kneeling cushions—杂务 like that. He never expected the emperor to want him standing beside him, performing the worship rituals together.
Though puzzled, he had to obey the imperial decree. Taking the lit incense sticks from the Highest Wisdom National Master, he followed the emperor in worshipping first the Buddha and divine佛, then the Song ancestors, then the Dashao heroes. The Buddha and ancestors required three kneeling kowtows; the heroes only needed incense offerings.
Carefully following the emperor level by level in worship, he copied whatever the emperor did—offering incense when the emperor offered incense, kneeling and kowtowing when the emperor knelt and kowtowed. In solemn reverence and complete confusion, he absorbed the temple's incense fragrance.
Li Congqing witnessed the complexity and length of imperial ancestral worship—constantly rising, kneeling, and kowtowing was quite exhausting. But the emperor showed no impatience, remaining solemn and meticulous throughout, unlike Li Congqing whose knees nearly went soft by the end.
When worship was finally complete, the Highest Wisdom National Master suddenly smiled at Li Congqing and said, "You've already worshipped the Song ancestors. In this life, you are a Song family member; in death, you are a Song family ghost."
What the— what just happened? Did he just mysteriously change from a Li family member to a Song family ghost?! If Li Congqing had been drinking tea or eating something, he would have sprayed it out.
Fortunately, he had nothing in his mouth, so he could only stand there gaping, dumbfounded, with black lines all over his face, unable to消化 this joke—or was it serious?—from the old national master. How did this old man always manage to say things that left him unsure whether to laugh or cry?
The emperor gave a slight smile, saying nothing.
Afterward, they went to the garden. The emperor took golden shears to prune the peony planted in a large yellow jade pot, and had Li Congqing use a small shovel to loosen the soil. It was the flowering season; the blooms were in full glory, fragrant and magnificent. The two tended this precious heavenly fragrance together with one heart.
"According to tradition, I must replant a peony each year, but I am particularly attached to this one. Even if it never blooms again, I will love it just the same." The emperor spoke casually.
Li Congqing didn't know how to respond. Should he agree and praise "Your Majesty's devotion is singular"? That seemed wrong. Or should he flatter and say "Your Majesty truly is one who treasures flowers"? That also seemed inappropriate. Or perhaps "This flower has cultivated boundless fortune, receiving Your Majesty's favor"... that sentence had even bigger problems. Thinking and thinking, whatever he said would feel strange. He might as well say nothing; silence is gold.
"Li Congqing, what have you thought about?" The emperor suddenly asked.
What about? Li Congqing didn't understand.
The emperor put down the shears, took the shovel from Li Congqing's hand, and held his hand, extending them together into the water basin beside them for washing.
Li Congqing let the emperor wash the soil from his hands, his heart fluttering and pounding, thump, thump, thump...
When the emperor raised his washed hand to his lips and kissed the wet fingertips and palm, Li Congqing's face suddenly burned hot. He couldn't decide whether to pull away or not; his heart was racing so fast it felt like it might burst from his chest.
"I have always been watching you."
Li Congqing blinked in astonishment, and only after a moment did he react, thinking to himself. Oh really? Before, you didn't even acknowledge me—I thought I'd been abandoned and cast aside.
The emperor saw his undisguised skepticism and slightly pouted his lips, easily guessing his thoughts. Since he wasn't completely resistant, there was at least some concern. Thinking this, the emperor felt extremely pleased. Holding his hand, he asked, "Li Congqing, tell me, what should I do with you?"
Li Congqing thought, and thought, and thought again. He had always sought only a stable and peaceful life, and the emperor clearly intended to have him no matter what. Even if he let him go this time, he probably wouldn't escape next time either.
Ah, if the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject must die. How much more so if the ruler wants the subject's backside—can the subject refuse to lower his pants? Though Li Congqing was no genius, he was quite adept at reading the situation.
Moreover, examining his heart, he wasn't truly that averse to being with the emperor. And besides, they'd already rolled together on the imperial bed. To now act prissy and defend his chastity to the death would be too pretentious.
After a period of reflection and deliberation, his restless heart gradually settled.
What cannot be escaped will eventually not be escaped. Thinking about how if he refused the emperor's wishes and the emperor wouldn't give up, they'd only drag each other through endless entanglement, possibly suffering unnecessary hardships only to ultimately be consumed by the emperor without leaving even bones—all a waste of energy and self-inflicted suffering.
Just imagining such novel-like plot twists exhausted Li Congqing. Being a chaste and烈女 really wasn't something humans could handle, so... well... like an old monk striking the bell, taking each day as it comes—
Go with the flow.
Li Congqing abandoned his not-very-struggling struggle and compromised, stammering his answer: "I leave everything to Your Majesty's discretion."
"Have you truly thought it through?"
Even if he broke his head, he couldn't think it through. Li Congqing thought to himself. Then he said, "This subject only requests one thing."
"What is it?"
"Do not make it public."
The emperor understood this request perfectly—Li Congqing was someone who hated trouble. He readily agreed: "I promise you."
"Thank Your Majesty."
"Any other requests?"
"Let me think." Li Congqing tilted his head, thinking he might be吃亏 and should demand something more to be fair. He didn't pursue fame or fortune; he couldn't think of anything else to ask for. He勉强 managed one: "Let me continue as Vice Minister of Rites."
The emperor had originally planned to promote his rank, but upon hearing this, couldn't help but smile broadly as he pulled Li Congqing into a tight embrace. "Li Congqing, you truly are a wonderful person."
"Oh, there's one more thing."
"Hmm?"
"Cough... I'm afraid of pain, so... cough... when doing... that... you can't hurt me." As Li Congqing said this, a light flush spread across his cheeks.
"Of course. Did I hurt you that night?"
"It was acceptable." His face turned even redder, and he added, "Also, you can't do... that... during daytime." Even if he was willing to be with the emperor, basic shame required some limits.
"Imperial law clearly prohibits emperors from engaging in intimate relations during daylight hours." A good emperor must strictly observe ancestral laws, even when consumed by desire.
"Good, that's settled. Also, if I doze off during morning court, don't use it against me."
"When have I ever used it against you?"
Li Congqing then raised one request after another—he was riding high on imperial favor today, getting increasingly bold, though they were all trivial matters of no real consequence.
The emperor smiled and almost always agreed, more responsive than the Earth God. His eyes unknowingly filled with doting affection, but eventually he couldn't help but stop his words with his mouth—didn't he see through Li Congqing's scheme to delay?
Alas, the emperor had him completely under his thumb.
Li Congqing sighed inwardly and obediently opened his mouth, allowing the emperor's tongue to enter and stir about. He then closed his eyes, enjoying the sweet and passionate kiss.
The emperor's suppressed desire instantly ignited into raging flames. But the timing and place weren't appropriate, so he had to endure painfully, murmuring hoarsely near Li Congqing's ear: "You should prepare yourself—I won't stop at just once tonight."
Li Congqing's entire face suddenly burned. At this point, he was still quite naive, lacking resistance to the emperor's flirting tactics. A little provocation and he would blush shyly—quite adorable.
The emperor couldn't help but want to be a bad emperor, throwing caution to the wind and pouncing on him right there. Who cared about all those ancestral laws! Such a rebellious thought had never occurred in history—but it was because of Li Congqing, and only Li Congqing.
But in the end, he managed to restrain himself, only wishing the sun would hurry toward the western mountains so they could hand in hand rush toward paradise together.
As expected, tonight would definitely be a spring-filled, passionate night.
Unfortunately, Li Congqing was tossed and turned through the night until, unable to bear it, he repeatedly begged for mercy. Only then did the emperor, satisfied, release him, pulling him into sleep together.
It was a starry, brilliant night.
They embraced each other, falling together into a sweet dreamland.
In the dream, the emperor reached out to Li Congqing and said, "Will you walk with me?"
"Yes." Li Congqing placed his hand in the emperor's.
They walked hand in hand side by side down a long road, with no end in sight, yet they walked forward peacefully.
Perhaps walking to the ends of the earth, perhaps walking until the end of time, they kept walking, neither letting go of the other's hand, walking, walking...
◇
And so, Dashao's emperor and Vice Minister of Rites naturally, inevitably, were together.
There was no excessive coercion or struggle, disturbing no one. On one hand, Wei Xiaomiao's secrecy was excellent; on the other hand, no one could have imagined that the handsome and heroic emperor would take a liking to the ordinary Li Congqing. Plus, the emperor had no previous record of summoning male favorites, so only a few close associates knew with a lamp in their bellies, keeping it to themselves.
One year passed, then another. In the blink of an eye, the two had accompanied each other through six years. Though they couldn't openly be inseparable, their deepening feelings made them inseparable from each other.
Until this year, when the emperor dispatched Li Congqing to inspect Chunan. This journey kept him away for a full half year. When he set foot on the road home, the private affair between him and the emperor had become the talk of the town.
—The flowers on the road have bloomed; you may return slowly.
The Wu Yue ruler sent this letter to his princess returning home to visit relatives. Though it appeared not to urge her return, the brief words revealed profound longing, hoping she would return soon.
Kanmen, located at the most secluded corner of the palace, was a small side gate. Its position was hidden; a small path connected to the road outside. It was said to have been built by some past emperor for secret trysts with lovers outside the palace. Normally, no one came and went; it was practically abandoned, guarded only by two guards. Today, however, this ambiguous side gate stood open, and besides the two guards, two palace servants had been added.
"Sigh, we've been waiting three months now. Why hasn't that official come back yet?" The young eunuch couldn't bear the boredom and muttered complaints.
"Don't talk. Stand properly." The older eunuch reprimanded.
The young eunuch stood properly, but soon couldn't help but whisper again, "Zhang Gonggong, what if that official doesn't come back?"
"Even if we wait until death, we wait."
"Wouldn't it be faster to just issue an imperial decree summoning him back?"
"You little servant, speak another word and I'll cut your tongue." The older eunuch threatened wickedly.
The young eunuch was so frightened he stuck out his tongue and quickly fell silent, constantly craning his neck to look toward the end of the road. Day after day they waited and watched, until the evening glow dyed the sky red, thinking another day would be empty, when suddenly, a cloud of dust rose in the distance.
The young eunuch widened his eyes to look, shouting excitedly, "Zhang Gonggong, look quickly, someone's coming this way!"
In an instant, a man on horseback arrived—it was one of the guards who had accompanied Li Congqing on his inspection. "Master Li has returned. The carriage should arrive in another hour or so."
"Quick, go report to the Imperial Study." The older eunuch instructed the young one.
"Yes!" The young eunuch happily ran off at full speed.
About an hour later, a carriage indeed rushed in and stopped at the gate. The older eunuch approached to welcome him, but the person inside迟迟 did not emerge.
"Master, we've arrived." The dusty driver reminded the person inside.
"Hmm."
Another half moment passed before a soft sigh emerged from within. Li Congqing finally lifted the carriage curtain.
"Master, you must be tired from your journey." The older eunuch respectfully helped him down.
"Where is the emperor?" Li Congqing asked.
"The Imperial Study."
Li Congqing gazed at the red-lacquered palace gate, his heart full of mixed emotions. In the past, when he secretly entered the palace to meet the emperor, he had always used Kanmen—truly fulfilling this gate's legendary purpose. He had been迫不及待 to fly back, but now that he had returned, he hesitated instead. He really, really wanted to see him, yet didn't know how to face him. This was probably that feeling of timidity upon returning home.
He understood that once he stepped through this gate, his position and circumstances would change. Perhaps this secret couldn't be avoided—he'd have to agree to become an "Honored Lord."
Thinking this, he still lifted his feet to cross the high threshold, walking the familiar winding path, each step weighed with thoughts, his emotions wavering and uncertain. Eventually, he arrived outside the Imperial Study, once again hesitating and hovering.
"Your Majesty, shall I summon Master Li to enter?" He Gui Gonggong, who had taken Wei Xiaomiao's place, asked.
"No need." The emperor said calmly. Though he had received the news long ago, he didn't主动ly go out to meet him, still reading memorials, waiting for Li Congqing to come in on his own.
Another long while passed, and Li Congqing still hadn't entered.
"Your Majesty, Master Li might be exhausted." He Gui Gonggong gently reminded again. Among the emperor's close attendants, who didn't know that the Vice Minister of Rites was his master's treasure and the flesh of his heart?
"Bring a chair for him, and bring out that plate of pastries and that pot of tea." The emperor instructed.
"Yes."
Several palace servants carried a chair and brought tea and pastries, saying it was the emperor's gracious favor, attending to him attentively and thoroughly.
Li Congqing truly found it both amusing and touching. The emperor always worried about him being tired, thirsty, or hungry, caring for him meticulously—truly treating him like a delicate flower to be nurtured.
What else was there to hesitate about?
Searching for him a thousand times in the crowd, suddenly turning back,
He was there, in the dim glow of the lanterns.
It was said that such a perfect lover, found even with a lantern, should be treasured. If one didn't grasp him well, this lifetime would be wasted. Li Congqing stepped into the Imperial Study, no longer hesitating, walking directly to his imperial lover's side.
"You're back." Song Yu's demeanor was as calm and unhurried as ever—not agitated, not impatient, as if they had only been apart for a few days, as if Li Congqing had never left him so long or so far.
But unlike before, Li Congqing不再像以前一般被动. He主动ly approached for the first time, sitting down on Song Yu's lap.
"Yes, I'm back." Li Congqing wrapped his arms around his neck, burying his face into the broad chest, greedily absorbing the warmth and scent, muttering, "It's cold. My shoulders hurt."
Song Yu said nothing more, set down the memorial, and raised his hands to massage his shoulders.
"My waist hurts too."
Massaging his waist.
"My legs hurt too."
Massaging his legs.
"My whole body hurts."
Song Yu understood and smiled. Being together this long, how could he not understand his stubbornness and pouting—all over him, not a single spot was comfortable during their time apart.
"You, if you hadn't come back soon, I would have gone to get you personally." He pinched his nose fondly.
"You wouldn't do that." Li Congqing wrinkled his nose, unconvinced.
"I told you, my patience does have an end."
"So you deliberately let people see you being good to me, deliberately made me leave the capital, deliberately let the rumors spread—isn't that right?" He pouted and muttered.
"You're overthinking."
"Seven years..." Li Congqing slightly narrowed his eyes, a flash of suspicion in his gaze. "We've been together for exactly seven years this year. Don't tell me you're going through the legendary seven-year itch, and that's why you caused this commotion?"
"Don't think such things." Song Yu found it amusing.
"Ah well, no matter. Since it's already like this, if you want to make our relationship public, then make it public."
"You're not afraid of trouble?"
"If there's trouble, you'll handle it for me, right?"
"Will you become an Honored Lord?"
"No." Stubbornly and decisively. "Making our relationship public doesn't mean I have to become some Honored Lord."
"But the Empress Dowager wants me to give you a title." Song Yu displayed a troubled expression.
"I only need the title of Vice Minister of Rites." Since he's being stubborn, he'll be stubborn to the end. "I absolutely refuse to become whatever that thing is."
"How could I bear to do you in, I still need you to accompany me through the storms ahead. Congqing, we still have many things to face."
Li Congqing of course understood—country, people, harem, heirs... many problems couldn't be solved simply by mutual trust and love. The emperor needed more flexible wisdom, and he needed greater courage, only then could they face and solve things together.
But, tomorrow's problems can be left for tomorrow to worry about!
"...I... missed you." Li Congqing frankly confessed.
How could Song Yu not miss him too? He wondered how much he had missed those spring-flower-like lips, missed those half-open, half-closed eyes, missed that lazy dozing figure, missed that warm and tight body... heaven, how he longed to enter this desperately desired body,宣泄压抑太久的欲火.
But he still restrained himself with amazing self-control, cradling Li Congqing's face, gazing at him, and smiling. "It's rare that you主动ly say you missed me. The longing of these days wasn't in vain."
"How corny, hmm—I've been traveling continuously for several days, so tired, I want to sleep." At once, a very unromantic big yawn escaped.
"Sleep well. Have a good rest." Song Yu gently murmured, caressing his tired face.
Li Congqing kissed his lover's lips, then on his own initiative lay down on the couch in the Imperial Study. He also grabbed the emperor's yellow robe hanging nearby and covered himself with it, immediately falling asleep and soon snoring. After days of rushing, he was truly exhausted—who cared if they saw him sleeping here with the yellow robe.
When he woke up, it would be a brand new, beautiful day. Even if the sky fell, with the emperor—the tallest person under heaven—covering for him, he would continue worry-free as his small Vice Minister of Rites. How lovely.
Wholehearted surrender and trust—that was the greatest love he could give the emperor.
Do you, dear reader, think this is unfair? A willing hit, a willing suffer—what could be fairer? The parties themselves feel happy, that's all. We onlookers have no business commenting.
The emperor was happy to carry the sky for his Vice Minister of Rites.
On an autumn day with crisp air, a quiet afternoon, when several ministers came to the Imperial Study for discussion with the emperor, they momentarily felt time had rolled back half a year.
The emperor diligently reviewed memorials.
The Vice Minister of Rites comfortably slept there.
As if an invisible thread connected the two.
The gossip in the ministers' eyes stopped spinning, replaced by understanding. Some frowned, some smiled, but no one raised objections or criticism.
Regarding the emperor and the Vice Minister of Rites' affair... cough... romance, as long as it didn't cause national disaster or provoke universal outrage, what business was it of others to comment?
Peace and prosperity, favorable weather, national peace.
"I originally thought the palace would be in an uproar, chaos everywhere." Li Congqing suddenly mentioned this much later, appearing somewhat disappointed.
Did you want that? Song Yu said. If you want chaos and turmoil, I can make it happen for you.
No, I was just speaking casually.
I was just speaking casually too.
Sigh, the great Emperor Dezhi has caught my tone.
Eating your saliva every day.
Your Majesty, please don't use such a serious face to say such frivolous things, okay? =_=
Okay, you kiss me once and I'll use an unserious face to say serious things for you. ^_^
...=口= (This isn't the emperor... this isn't the emperor...)
...^_^ (So cute, how could he be so adorable?)
...囧rz (Third brother, forget it, there's still your brother here... about to vomit...)
...$▽$ (Big brother, I successfully sold your butt to the great and wise emperor. This truly is the most correct and powerful investment of my life!)
**【Epilogue】**
Li Congqing returned.
This news rippled through the court, private whispers everywhere.
Previously, the ministers had looked down on Li Congqing through the crack of a door. Who would have thought the dozing Vice Minister could actually sleep his way to the emperor's pillow.
Examining from every angle, the Vice Minister of Rites was not good material to serve his lord through beauty or to charm the ruler. The fact that the emperor loved and favored him so much—everyone found it unbelievable, exclaiming how truly extraordinary it was!
The court divided into three factions over this matter: one in favor, one opposed, and one with no opinion, saying the emperor should be happy.
Most surprisingly, Minister Xu, who had always been most critical of Li Congqing, stood with the pro faction, making everyone's jaws drop.
A person is a person, matters are matters; Li Congqing still has some ambition. As Minister Xu put it, they'll find faults with him in the future as well—quite a good example of separating public from private.
"What the heart desires, all is gained. Joyous and blessed, well said." The Highest Wisdom National Master smiled when he said this—one Buddhist phrase, endless禅机.
The emperor attended morning court diligently every day, and Li Congqing dozed off every morning, the same for ten years.
Unlike before, people could now see them walking hand in hand leisurely in the imperial garden. During autumn hunting season, when the emperor awarded the juiciest cut of meat to Li Congqing, no one felt jealous or envious. If Li Congqing got drunk at a palace banquet and leaned against the emperor, no one would think he was disrespectful, as if it were the most natural thing.
Li Congqing held the position of Vice Minister of Rites for life, passing away peacefully at the age of sixty-nine.
The following year, the retired Emperor Song Yu also passed away, at the age of seventy-one.
Before his death, the retired emperor specifically instructed that Li Congqing's remains be moved to share his coffin and burial—becoming a tale passed down through Dashao's posterity.
Some said the peony fairy and the earthly emperor were recorded together in the celestial register, continuing their eternal love in Western paradise.
No dramatic greed, hatred, or madness; no need for love that shakes heaven and earth; no hatred that drives one to death. The gentle stream of emotion bloomed beautifully in this peaceful era, brightening their entire lives.
**(Complete)**
---
**【Special Chapter: "Reunion After Short Separation"】**
Special Chapter: *Reunion After Short Separation*
When Li Congqing woke up, it was already dark outside, and Song Yu was not in the Imperial Study.
"Master Li, you've awakened." Zhang Gonggong approached to attend him.
"Where is the emperor?"
"His Majesty is hosting a farewell banquet for the Turpan king at Taiping Hall. His Majesty said, please wait for him at Ziyun Palace."
Li Congqing frowned. "I don't want to go to Ziyun Palace."
Ziyun Palace was the emperor's bedchamber. Li Congqing had never set foot inside it. In the past, he had always met the emperor in secret at Tingxia Pavilion. The emperor had wanted to summon him to his chambers, but he stubbornly refused.
I don't want to sleep in a place where you've lain with other women. Li Congqing was straightforward, not one to speak with false courtesy. He wouldn't be a submissive little wife, let alone make an unreasonable scene—crying, making a fuss, threatening suicide—how exhausting. He wouldn't do it even if he were吃饱了撑着.
Though his nature was carefree and he didn't like competing with others, saying he didn't feel jealous at all was a lie. He didn't have a belly big enough to sail a boat, he just couldn't be bothered to compete. He understood the emperor had his difficulties; the harem involved politics and imperial succession, which couldn't be ignored. Therefore, he never asked the emperor to love only him, but he also didn't want to be just one among his harem.
"I beg Master Li not to make things difficult for this servant." Zhang Gonggong said, then added, "His Majesty has not summoned any concubine to Ziyun Palace for many years. Currently, only you exist there."
Their relationship had been publicly acknowledged, no longer needing to hide and avoid people. The emperor had not summoned concubines to his chambers for years, so Li Congqing had no reason to refuse. Reluctantly, he followed Zhang Gonggong to Ziyun Palace.
A sumptuous dinner had been laid out in the palace. After eating and drinking their fill, he enjoyed a refreshing bath in the imperial bathhouse—washing away the fatigue of travel, feeling refreshed and alert.
The emperor had not yet returned to the palace. Bored, he was accompanied by a young eunuch who offered himself: "Master Li, this servant can sing little songs to entertain you, if you like? His Majesty once praised this servant's singing."
"Oh? Then sing." Li Congqing was enthusiastic, wondering when Song Yu had developed a liking for little songs. "Sing the songs you sang for His Majesty."
"Yes, Master will hear." The eunuch dramatically cleared his throat and began: "The lord and the lord monthly red, seeking joy and pleasure. The lord and the lord nightly join, don't waste the fine evening. The lord and the lord forever young, don't let others smile. Don't be the ten sisters, making my lord anxious. Willing to be a hundred kinds of tender, singing peonies together with you until old."
PFFT— He suddenly spat out tea, sprinkling the eunuch's face.
"Master, did this servant sing poorly?" The eunuch was about to cry.
"No, you sang well, sang well." Li Congqing said with a slightly twisted smile. "Is there more? Sing some more."
The eunuch perked up, quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, and happily started singing again, putting his all into one song after another.
Interesting, truly interesting! Li Congqing listened and listened, eventually collapsing in laughter, rocking back and forth, nearly falling over. Mother, the imagination of those who wrote these little songs was really too rich! Hahaha—
When Song Yu entered Ziyun Palace, he heard the singing and Li Congqing's laughter from afar. Without thinking, he could guess what he was laughing about. Slightly smiling, he stopped the palace servants from announcing him and walked directly into the bedchamber.
Li Congqing was sitting with his back to the entrance and didn't see the emperor come in. The eunuch suddenly stopped singing and hastily knelt in worship.
" Rarely do I hear you laugh so heartily."
"You're back." Li Congqing turned and smiled, his eyes curved into happy crescents, quite adorable. "Are the Turpan melons sweet?"
"Not as sweet as you." Song Yu stepped close and pulled him into his embrace, kissing his cheek and lips, then lowering his head to rub his nose against his neck. "You smell so good."
Li Congqing blushed slightly. It had been a long time since he'd been intimate with his lover. His body involuntarily began heating with anticipation. He couldn't help but mock himself—indeed, when one is饱 and warm, one thinks of lewdness.
All the palace servants withdrew tactfully, closing the palace doors, leaving them alone.
"Congqing, I missed you."
"Me too."
Before the words finished, four lips pressed together tightly. The passionate kiss had tongues intertwining and chasing each other. The two, like drought-parched land receiving rain, had their heartbeats and breathing suddenly chaotic and urgent.
Song Yu could wait no longer. He pulled open the loose robe Li Congqing was wearing and reached directly for his backside. He had barely been able to sit still at Taiping Hall, wanting to rush back and release a round of fire first.
"Mmph... don't... don't be in such a hurry..." Li Congqing grasped his wrist. Perhaps it had been too long since they'd been intimate; suddenly, he felt a trace of shyness, as if it were his first time.
"I cannot wait." Song Yu undressed him while pulling him three steps at a time toward the dragon bed. He pressed him down,