The two of them stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s arms, talking about so many things.
The way Fu Huang held him so tightly—Fu Ye could feel, without a doubt, just how much he loved him.
“Have you liked me for a long time?” he asked Fu Huang.
Fu Huang said softly, “Mm… a long time.”
Maybe it started during the New Year’s Eve palace banquet. Maybe it was when Fu Ye had celebrated his birthday for him.
Or maybe it was the very first time they met.
Fu Ye had walked in gracefully, draped in his cloak, and Fu Huang had stood behind the curtains, watching him enter the hall.
Everything after that was just roots and branches growing deeper and deeper, until he couldn’t break free—and didn’t dare to love.
“I think I started to suspect it back at the hunting grounds, when you gave me those flowers,” Fu Ye said. “Right then I thought, could this man really love me? Why’s he so good to me?”
At last, Fu Huang loosened his hold and looked at him.
“But I didn’t dare believe it,” Fu Ye went on. “When you made me leave the palace, I thought maybe you’d found out and thought I was disgusting.”
Fu Huang didn’t know what to say—so he could only pull him into an even tighter embrace.
“I like it when you hold me like this,” Fu Ye whispered. “Tighter.”
And so they laid bare every misunderstanding, spread out every bit of their love, as if they didn’t want the tiniest grain of doubt or distance left between them.
The more they confessed, the harder it was to hold back their feelings.
Fu Huang only came to his senses when he realized Fu Ye was struggling to breathe.
He hurriedly let him go, and Fu Ye nearly collapsed against him, boneless.
At that moment, Fu Huang felt no physical desire—just an overwhelming hunger of the heart that he could hardly control. Fu Ye in his arms was so thin, so fragile, it seemed he could never bear the weight of the Emperor’s fierce and consuming love. And that only made Fu Huang’s longing burn hotter.
It frightened him, a little. He looked down at Fu Ye; his lips were dry.
He wanted to kiss him right then—but was afraid. Fu Ye was still sick, too weak to endure it.
And if he started, he knew he wouldn’t be able to kiss him gently.
He wanted to swallow him whole, to crush him close. He loved him so much, he didn’t know what to do with it.
Sun Gongzheng had served in the palace for over ten years.
Born to a noble family, she was famed for her talents even as a young lady at home. When the current Empress Dowager was still the Empress, Sun Gongzheng had already risen to be one of the most powerful female officials in the palace. During Emperor Wuzong’s reign, the harem was filled with women, and she commanded thousands of palace ladies and maids, living a life of splendor and ease.
But ever since the current Emperor had taken the throne, that golden life was gone for good.
Now, she barely had anyone left under her command. The days of being surrounded by admirers were over. She didn’t dare live in luxury anymore. Every day, she lived on edge, terrified that the Emperor might suddenly go mad and storm into the Palace of Benevolent Grace. It was sheer torment.
To her, this Emperor was surely destined to be her downfall.
It had been a full hour since the Emperor went inside.
An hour! Heaven help her—she couldn’t even stand anymore and had to sit down.
If the Emperor intended anything, she thought bitterly, he could’ve had his way with him twice by now.
Just then, a eunuch entered the courtyard, craning his neck toward Chief Eunuch Qin.
Qin approached. “What is it?”
“Chief Eunuch, Consort Fang requests an audience with His Majesty.”
Qin said, “Bring the consort in and have her wait in the west annex.”
The eunuch hurried off.
Qin turned and gave Sun Gongzheng a sheepish smile.
Sun Gongzheng asked, “You’re not going to announce it?”
Qin said, “Our Emperor doesn’t like being disturbed. Who would dare?”
All Sun Gongzheng could do was comfort herself: At least we’re all standing guard out here. Nothing too serious could be happening inside. His Highness is still sick, after all.
She was still trying to reassure herself when she saw the Emperor step out of the Hall of Spring Mornings.
The sunlight fell on Fu Huang, making him seem almost like a vision, dreamlike and unreal. In the courtyard, Sun Gongzheng and Chief Eunuch Qin straightened up at once.
Fu Huang paused for a moment. His waist, shoulders, and thighs—where he’d been pressed so long against Fu Ye—were damp with sweat. And now, with the breeze, the sweat chilled him.
His body had been tense for so long that now, it felt like a bowstring finally released.
He told Chief Eunuch Qin to bring tea.
Only then did Sun Gongzheng hurry inside to tend to him.
As she entered, she saw Fu Ye lying in bed, wrapped in a blanket.
His black hair was a tangled mess, his cheeks flushed, tearstains still fresh on his face.
Heavens, she thought, how did his hair come loose like that?
It looked for all the world like… like he had just been favored.
No, no, she told herself, that can’t be. He’s a man—it wouldn’t be that easy.
She lowered her voice and asked gently, “Your Highness, are you feeling any better?”
Fu Ye gave a soft “Mm.”
Chief Eunuch Qin brought in the tea, stealing a glance at the Emperor as he did.
The Emperor took the cup and came over. Sun Gongzheng was seated at the edge of the bed. When she saw the Emperor staring at her, she realized what he meant to do and quickly moved aside.
The Emperor sat down on the bed and personally fed tea to the Prince.
Sun Gongzheng: “……”
Chief Eunuch Qin gave a couple of soft coughs.
Your Majesty, he thought, couldn’t you restrain yourself just a little?
If you’re going to act like this, at least do it on the sly. The Empress Dowager’s people are still watching!
“Your Majesty,” he called out.
Fu Huang looked at him.
“Consort Fang is here. Probably about matters concerning her homeland. She seems desperate to see Your Majesty.”
At that, Fu Huang finally rose. He said to Fu Ye, “Wait here for me.”
After the Emperor left, Sun Gongzheng let out a long breath and asked Fu Ye, “Do you feel any better now, Your Highness?”
“Much better,” Fu Ye said.
Seeing Sun Gongzheng made him feel oddly shy. Now that he’d finally caught his breath, his voice was hoarse, and his whole body was weighed down with exhaustion and soreness. He just slumped there quietly.
The hall fell into silence. Sun Gongzheng seemed a little awkward herself, so she simply sat beside him. Fu Ye followed her gaze around the room. He saw, on a nearby shelf, a stack of his clothes.
And on the low table, the teacup he used to drink from all the time.
Even the blanket wrapped around him now was his old favorite—a soft blue silk quilt with a curling floral pattern.
It felt as if… he had always lived here.
He realized, with a rush of warmth, just how much he’d misunderstood Fu Huang—and how little he truly knew him.
His heart grew hot, and he coughed twice. When he looked up, he saw Chief Eunuch Qin bringing in a few more cups of tea. Their eyes met for a moment—Qin quickly lowered his head, and that shy retreat made Fu Ye feel embarrassed too.
Qin handed tea to Sun Gongzheng and the others, then stood dutifully at the door, peering out, clearly waiting for Fu Huang’s return.
It wasn’t long before he straightened up at once.
Out front came a crowd of attendants, their ornaments jingling as they walked. The Empress Dowager herself was approaching this time, dressed in splendid robes and jewels, radiating authority.
The Empress Dowager has come in person.
Chief Eunuch Qin thought uneasily, The Empress Dowager is watching him so closely.
When Fu Ye saw her, his heart sank with guilt.
I’ve let her down.
The Empress Dowager asked with genuine concern, “Are you feeling better?”
Fu Ye, his face flushed, replied, “I’ve made Mother worry.”
“As long as you’re all right, that’s what matters.”
Sun Gongzheng truly didn’t want to stay at the Hall of Spring Mornings. The atmosphere was stifling! So she gently urged, “Since His Highness is well enough, perhaps it would be best to return to the prince’s manor? I recall that His Highness has lessons with Master Cheng this afternoon.”
Thank goodness they all kept track of Fu Ye’s daily studies so well.
The Empress Dowager, too, was uneasy about him lingering here. Her gaze fell on the pile of Fu Ye’s clothes still on the bed. Then she looked at him—his eyes still swollen from crying, his beauty so delicate and pitiful, like a pear blossom heavy with rain. His skin glowed like snow under sunlight, his hair black as night, his lips red as blood.
He was so breathtakingly lovely it felt as if he could be easily wronged.
“In that case, you’d best return early,” she said, looking at Fu Ye.
Chief Eunuch Qin at once went to the west annex to report to Fu Huang.
When Consort Fang heard, she rose at once to take her leave.
She had come filled with worry. She barely knew this Emperor, and rumors painted him as sickly and darker in temper than before. She’d feared he would ignore her country’s plight. But to her surprise, the Emperor had said that Great Zhou would dispatch troops to aid Lang by day’s end.
And looking at him now—though pale and weary—he appeared steadfast and resolute, nothing like the fearsome figure of court gossip.
She remembered hearing that, in his days as a prince, he’d been called an undefeated general. With such a man at the helm, her heart eased a little.
As she left the annex, she came upon the Empress Dowager and Prince Fu Ye. Consort Fang wiped her tears and saluted the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager said, “I’ve heard of your homeland’s troubles. The Emperor is busy with military matters these days and won’t have time to care for the prince. His Highness also has his studies. We’ll send him back first.”
Fu Huang frowned—only to see Fu Ye sneak him a small nod.
His eyes were still swollen, and under the sun he looked so pale and delicate. But his hair was neatly bound again, and he seemed more at ease. He didn’t look at Fu Huang directly, just curved his lips slightly in a faint smile.
Since falling for Fu Ye, Fu Huang no longer knew what it meant to do as he pleased.
So he joined the Empress Dowager in escorting Fu Ye to the carriage.
Fu Ye was especially docile today. Once inside, his voice still hoarse, he said, “Mother, your son takes his leave.”
The Empress Dowager counseled kindly, “The palace has its own physicians. You focus on your studies and don’t go wandering about.”
“I understand.” Fu Ye lifted his gaze to Fu Huang, but said nothing. Then he lowered his eyes and let down the curtain.
The tassels on the curtain, strung with fine jade, swayed gently as the carriage started off.
It was just an ordinary gesture, yet in Fu Huang’s heart, it stirred a thousand ripples. That act of feigned distance in front of others felt, to him, more intimate than anything.
Like a first awakening of tender love, it left him dazed. That heavy, brooding desire in him seemed to dissolve a little—softening into something light and warm.
Chief Eunuch Qin murmured, “Your Majesty… there’s time. The days ahead are long.”
Fu Huang said, “I don’t need you telling me that.”
Yes, yes—of course.
Look at His Majesty, suddenly looking so spirited and heroic.
Could it be that His Majesty’s good days were truly on their way?
No, Qin cautioned himself, we can’t get careless. Even though this is the greatest joy imaginable, the road ahead is still full of dangers.
This love… it can only be hidden, done in secret.
But does His Majesty even understand what it means to keep something secret?
It sure didn’t seem like it.
Even with the affairs of the realm weighing heavily, with ministers constantly entering the palace to discuss the Great Liang campaign, when it came time for dinner, the Emperor still asked, “Why hasn’t the prince come?”
Chief Eunuch Qin could only say, “Your Majesty… His Highness most likely won’t be coming tonight.”
Fu Huang frowned.
The Chief Eunuch said carefully, “Your Majesty, this humble servant dares guess—His Highness is probably feeling shy right about now.”
Fu Huang glanced at him.
The eunuch continued, “Now that Your Majesty and His Highness have finally expressed your feelings and know you’re of one heart, if the prince were to rush back to the palace tonight, wouldn’t it seem like he’s… overly eager? Let me ask—if the prince did come tonight, would he stay apart from Your Majesty, or would he stay in Your Majesty’s quarters?”
Fu Huang hesitated for a moment. “…Naturally, apart.”
The Chief Eunuch couldn’t help but smile.
Fu Huang said coldly, “Do I seem like some shameless fool to you?”
“This servant merely thinks the prince is thin-skinned. I’m sure he wouldn’t come.”
And with that, Fu Huang fell silent.
The eunuch served him his evening meal, then dismissed the other palace attendants. Lowering his voice, he said, “Your Majesty… when the prince said he wasn’t truly the Sixth Prince—was that just something he made up so he could be with Your Majesty, or…”
Fu Huang said quietly, “Does it even matter anymore, now that things are as they are?”
Of course it matters, Your Majesty!
Even if he were your true brother, would it stop you? No, it wouldn’t!
And that thought made the eunuch’s heart tremble. His Majesty’s feelings were so extreme—so long as the prince loved him, nothing else mattered. Even if they were truly siblings, His Majesty would want him all the same. Whether the prince’s identity was genuine or false hardly seemed to matter anymore.
In all the world, only His Majesty could be so unashamedly defiant of heaven’s laws!
But fine, fine. As His Majesty says, does it even matter?
The prince might not be the Sixth Prince—but he was without question the Duke of Huan. As long as his love was sincere, the rest was nothing. Whether he’d once stolen another’s name for ambition or out of malice didn’t matter at all anymore.
All the eunuch cared about was His Majesty’s happiness!
With that thought, the eunuch said, “Your Majesty, if I may offer a humble suggestion.”
Fu Huang, in surprisingly good spirits after the day’s progress, said nothing to stop him.
“First, Your Majesty must care for your health. You’ve grown far too thin. The prince may adore Your Majesty, but he also admires beauty. Your Majesty’s noble bearing was once unmatched; it’s only this illness that’s worn you down. If one day Your Majesty regains your former splendor—His Highness loves you so much now, how will he bear to look away from you then?”
Fu Huang said nothing, merely took another sip of his tonic.
Truth be told, this point had only come to the eunuch’s mind just now. He mainly hoped to persuade His Majesty to take better care of himself.
Then the eunuch finally spoke to what truly troubled him.
“Second, as Your Majesty has said, the prince is the prince now—respected across the land, cherished by the Empress Dowager. That can’t be changed. Even if Your Majesty issued an edict proclaiming him an impostor and pardoning his crime of deceiving the throne, the world would think it was all for Your Majesty’s private desires. They wouldn’t call Your Majesty foolish—they’d blame the prince as a beauty who brings disaster. Your Majesty may not mind—but could you bear to see His Highness bear that shame? That’s why this servant says: Your Majesty should act with caution. Protect your bond, yes—but also protect both your honors. That would be best for all.”
Fu Huang said, “You overthink it. I’ve no plan to announce anything to the world.”
If he were being selfish, of course he’d want to be open about it—he could even name Fu Ye as his Empress, and let all know they were as husband and husband, sharing life and death. That would be ideal.
But that wasn’t what troubled him.
What worried him was the thought of his life being cut short. If he died early, and Fu Ye was left behind as his grieving consort—the boy’s end would be too bitter. Better that he remain a prince. Better that he one day inherit the throne.
That had always been Fu Huang’s thinking, and it hadn’t changed now.
The eunuch added gently, “And most important of all—there’s the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty may not care whether she approves, but the prince has always respected her deeply. If this love forced him to break with her, it would pain him terribly.”
Fu Huang said, “So what, then? Just because she disapproves, we’re supposed to sneak around in our own palace like we’re doing something shameful?”
“The Empress Dowager lives right here in the palace, Your Majesty. You might hide it for a while, but you can’t hide it forever. All I’m saying is—you should give her some time. You know her temper better than anyone. Back then, when she disapproved of the late Emperor’s actions, she refused to see him for years. Whenever he visited her palace, she’d cover her face with a fan. Later, when she went to Qingtai Palace to beg the Emperor, it was all to plead on Your Majesty’s behalf…”
As he spoke of those past events, the eunuch’s voice softened. “Her Majesty has always been that way—honorable, unyielding, a bit stubborn. But it’s not that she doesn’t care for Your Majesty. And as for the prince—she cares for him even more. Once she realizes the two of you truly love each other, she’ll have no choice but to accept it.”
Fu Huang thought for a moment. “Then have him come see me tomorrow.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Or I’ll just leave the palace myself,” Fu Huang said. He looked at the eunuch, a faint warmth in his expression. “I’m sure he’s thinking of me too, right now.”
What a strange feeling this was. Before, lying sleepless and hollow in the palace, he would think of Fu Ye and wonder—did he miss him too? Sometimes he’d convince himself yes. Sometimes he doubted it and felt nothing but bitterness.
But now he was certain—Fu Ye was thinking of him too.
And just knowing that made his heart feel light, so light that even as he reviewed memorials, his mind wandered.
Later that night, as he prepared to sleep, Fu Huang murmured, “Feels like a dream.”
The eunuch yawned. “Your Majesty, it’s not a dream. When you wake up tomorrow, the Duke of Huan will still be in love with you.”
He heard Fu Huang laugh softly.
The eunuch smiled too, slumping sleepily onto the couch. The fragrance of the medicinal incense filled the air, calming and soothing. It made him drowsy. If I died right now, the eunuch thought, I’d have no more worries.
Meanwhile, Fu Ye lay in bed, rolling over again and again under his covers.
Xiao Ai: “Tsk tsk tsk.”
Fu Ye: snickering “Xiao Ai, Xiao Ai, Xiao Ai…”
Xiao Ai: “Is love really this sweet?”
Fu Ye: “Ahhhhhh!”
Guess so.
“I’m so scared I’ll wake up tomorrow and this will all turn out to be a dream,” Fu Ye whispered. “Tell me, was I blind before? How did I never realize he liked me? No—he loves me. You don’t know how tightly he held me… His strength…”
Xiao Ai: “Ahem! System regulations—no dirty talk allowed!”
Fu Ye: “But really, think about it! The way he acted—of course it means he loves me! What brother holds his brother like that? And he had so many of my clothes in his room. I asked him why, and the look on his face—priceless. He didn’t even answer. So I said, ‘Do you love me that much?’ And he actually grunted in agreement. Ahhhhhh!”
Xiao Ai: “Ahhhhhh! Damn it! Working overtime in the middle of the night and I have to choke on this dog food?! I’m logging off!”
“No! You can’t! I’m too excited—I need to share this! He said he doesn’t care who I am. Even if I wasn’t the real prince—as long as I love him, he wants me! That means he loves me—just me, nothing else! He’s so crazy—he thought I didn’t like him and still forced himself to send me away. And once I left, he fell sick, almost died… sob sob sob. Tell me—isn’t Fu Huang perfect?”
Xiao Ai: “Perfect! Perfect! And he’s got that huge—”
Fu Ye: “Ahhhhhh! Don’t say it!”
Xiao Ai yawned. “Alright, alright. You go be lovesick by yourself. This whole day’s been like a rollercoaster thanks to you—I’m exhausted. Good luck, hope you ‘get a taste’ soon!”
Get a taste?!
Get a taste of what?!
After Xiao Ai logged off, Fu Ye still couldn’t sleep.
In the end, he thought, Forget it. I won’t sleep.
He got up to study.
Fu Huang is too thin, too frail. His body still hasn’t recovered. I have to work harder—help share his burdens sooner.
He couldn’t help but feel that Fu Huang was towering, powerful—yet beneath that strength, burdened with illness. His heart brimmed with tender affection. And so, with love as his fuel, he studied all the way until dawn.
As the sky just began to lighten, the steward of the prince’s residence, Steward Jin, was roused from sleep.
They told him: someone from the palace had arrived.
Without delay, he threw on his robe and stepped out. After meeting with the imperial attendant, he carried the parcel carefully through the hanging-flower gate, past Sanfu Hall, along the carved gallery, and finally entered the rear chambers.
All was still and silent in the rear quarters, save for two sleepy attendants dozing at the doors of Yongning Pavilion.
At the threshold, through the green lattice window, he caught sight of Fu Ye reading at his desk.
The prince’s hair was loose about his shoulders, and he wore a gauzy robe the color of blooming crabapple. His wide sleeves had slipped to his elbows, revealing wrists as delicate as carved jade. A book in hand, he paced slowly, reciting softly—so beautiful he hardly seemed real.
“Your Highness, an attendant from the palace just delivered this.”
Steward Jin held out a brocade box, atop which lay a letter.
Fu Ye took the letter at once.
It came in a gold-flecked envelope, patterned like a silver river, tied with a red cord that secured a budding rose.
He’s imitating me…
A smile tugged at Fu Ye’s lips as he opened it. The brushwork was strong, yet the final strokes seemed to linger with hidden tenderness:
“I’ll visit your residence in two days. But I fear tonight will be hard for you. I’m sending you a few of my garments, to ease the pains of longing.”
He opened the gilded box—inside, a neatly folded black dragon robe and, beside it, a set of snowy white underclothes.
Hmph. Who’s the one suffering from longing now?
Steward Jin asked, “Your Highness, would you like to send something back in return?”
Fu Ye pushed up his sleeves, took up his brush, and chose a piece of crabapple-patterned stationery gifted by Zhang Gui and the others. He wrote his reply swiftly.
Back at the palace gates, the attendant came running, letter in hand. “His Highness’s reply!”
Eunuch Qin eagerly took it and hurried into Spring Morning Hall, beaming as he presented it.
Fu Huang had been reviewing memorials. He set his imperial brush aside and took the letter. “Is this all?”
“Just the letter, Your Majesty.”
Fu Huang opened it—and though the reply was short, it warmed him to the core.
“I don’t dare wear them—afraid it’ll only make my thoughts run wild and keep me from sleeping.”
Fu Huang fought to keep the smile from his lips, reading those few words over and over.
Yesterday he was weeping so pitifully—today his tail’s already up and wagging.
It made Fu Huang want to grab him by that figurative tail, lift him up, and give him a good lesson.
Whether thunder or rain, sweet or bitter—he’d have to take it all.
Fu Ye was born to belong to him.
No need to be too tender with him, Fu Huang thought. Let him be the one to ache.
A vein pulsed at his temple. He turned to Eunuch Qin and asked, “Since he left the palace, does he really just study every day? No more riding or archery?”
Eunuch Qin replied, “So I’ve heard, Your Majesty. The Empress Dowager arranged a heavy load of lessons for him. Honestly, I think His Highness looks even frailer now than when he was living in the palace.”
Fainted after just a bout of crying… truly delicate.
And when he thought about it carefully, Fu Ye didn’t seem to have much of the Fu family blood in him at all. Look at His Majesty—thin as he was, his body was still tough and resilient.
If the emperor is a tree, then the prince is a flower.
At first, Fu Huang meant to give orders—have Fu Ye train, strengthen his body a little.
But as the words rose to his lips, he reconsidered.
Delicacy has its charms.
I like him just as he is.
That evening, after finishing the day’s memorials, Fu Huang went out himself—riding and practicing archery beneath the setting sun.
