Burdened by an overwhelming backlog of state affairs, Luo Tingshi had been running himself ragged these past few days, all while finding time to fend off the court officials who came to dissuade him.
For days on end, he had rested only an hour or two each night.
He was utterly spent now. Setting aside the memorial in his hand, he propped his chin on his palm and gently closed his eyes.
Perhaps his daytime preoccupations had seeped into his dreams, for he found himself dreaming of Yu Zhi.
In the dream, Yu Zhi appeared tall and slender, his waist no longer swollen with child—a sight Luo Tingshi had never witnessed before. His complexion was rosy, his skin luminous, and he looked remarkably well.
Yet beneath that vibrant exterior, Luo Tingshi glimpsed a shadow of gloom and solitude.
Upon seeing him, Yu Zhi’s eyes lit up. He trotted forward, his slightly rounded eyes brimming with a joy and longing Luo Tingshi had never witnessed before.
In that moment of tight embrace, the entire world seemed to open up.
It truly was a dream.
How else could he have heard Yu Zhi say he missed him?
Even say he loved him.
Sweet dreams fade quickly. Before Luo Ting could savor the words of longing from the dream figure, he abruptly awoke.
The grand hall before him stood lofty and desolate. Eunuchs stood with brows furrowed, heads bowed, holding their breath in anticipation. A faint, cold fragrance wafted from the mouths of the beast-headed carvings, mingling with the chill wind that swept into his nostrils.
Bitingly cold, bitterly sour.
Luo Tingshi rubbed his temples.
Unavoidably, his thoughts drifted back to the father and his two sons. With so many watching over the child, he should be fine. But if Yu Zhi truly felt as he had in the dream, Luo Tingshi couldn’t help but worry.
Though his lifelong wish was for Yu Zhi to love him, to think of him, to pine for him.
Yet seeing Yu Zhi actually yearning for him, he found himself unwilling to see it happen.
Luo Tingshi sighed softly, pulling the small cat stone pendant from his robe.
This was the one Yu Zhi had given him when they first met as children.
Luo Tingshi stroked the kitten’s head, his slightly cool fingertips gliding toward its round eyes. Upon closer inspection, he realized the kitten in the pendant was actually Yu Zhi himself.
So on their very first meeting, Yu Zhi had given himself to him.
Yet he hadn’t known how to cherish it.
Had he treated Yu Zhi better back then, perhaps Yu Zhi wouldn’t have run away after that night, and they wouldn’t have endured so many trials.
Luo Tingshi’s gaze grew distant as he stared at the smiling kitten pendant. After a long moment, he carefully tucked it back into his robe and picked up his imperial brush to resume handling state affairs.
Regret was useless now that things had come to this. The only course was to resolve the matter with Shengguo swiftly and go find him.
Luo Tingshi’s brushstrokes danced across the paper as he fiercely rebuked officials who had grown fat on their posts. Suddenly, a chamberlain entered the hall to report: “Your Majesty, Elder He requests an audience.”
“Admit him.”
Luo Tingshi lifted his eyes, set down his imperial brush, and rose personally to greet the visitor.
An elderly man with snow-white hair and beard stepped into the hall. Though advanced in years, he showed no sign of frailty. His spirit was vigorous, his gait swift as the wind, and his tiger-like eyes flashed with sharp brilliance.
“This old servant greets Your Majesty,” He Buwei bowed with hands clasped.
Luo Tingshi hurriedly supported him, instructing an attendant, “Show Elder He to a seat.”
He Buwei cut straight to the point: “How has Your Majesty deliberated? Are you still determined to wed that young emperor of Yuguo?”
Luo Tingshi cut straight to the point: “Yes.”
As their gazes locked, the chill in the air around them solidified into tangible cold. The biting air seeped into their lungs with each breath. Yet in this bitter winter, the eunuchs surrounding them were drenched in cold sweat, holding their breath, fists clenched against their thighs, staring fixedly at the dark stone floor before them.
“How did Your Majesty speak to this old minister back then? Where are your ambitions? Your aspirations? For the emperor of an enemy state, you’ve forsaken your very throne. Had I known this would come to pass, why should this old minister have ever helped you ascend to power!”
The thunderous rebuke echoed through the hall, reverberating off the stone walls.
“Your Majesty’s mind is made up. You choose beauty over the empire. This old servant has nothing more to say. I take my leave.”
Luo Tingshi made no attempt to stop him, his gaze fixed coldly on the departing figure.
“Guards!”
The shadow guard immediately appeared, prostrating himself: “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”
Luo Tingshi’s expression remained cold: “Keep a close watch on He Bu Wei. Arrest him immediately if he shows any signs of trouble. Execute the others on the spot.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The shadow guard swiftly withdrew and followed He Buwei.
–
Three days later.
The shadow guard strode into the hall and reported to Luo Tingshi: “Your Majesty, He Buwei has confessed to his crimes. All the desperados he sent to Yu Kingdom have been executed by us.”
Luo Tingshi swept his sleeve and returned to his seat, his jaw clenched tight. A torrent of furious rage churned beneath his icy gaze.
That day, he hadn’t missed the sudden flash of murderous intent in He Bu Wei’s eyes as he turned away.
In that instant, he knew He Bu Wei intended to kill Yu Zhi.
He would never permit anyone to harm Yu Zhi—not even someone who had been half his mentor.
Luo Tingshi ordered coldly, “Confine He Bu Wei within his residence under strict guard. Without my permission, he is not to step outside the gates. No one is to visit him.”
“Understood.”
The shadow guard turned to relay the order. As he stepped over the high threshold, he brushed past an official clad in scarlet robes. Glancing sideways, the guard recognized the man—the minister responsible for liaising with the spies stationed in Yu Kingdom.
Seeing this figure, the shadow guard quietly exhaled in relief.
Perhaps… a turning point had arrived.
Luo Tingshi rose instantly upon hearing the report, his delight palpable. “You say the Emperor of Yu has sent me a letter?”
The man hastily retrieved the letter from his sleeve and bowed as he presented it to Luo Tingshi.
Luo Tingshi took it and found—to his astonishment—two letters.
He was overjoyed.
He hastily opened the top one. This letter was simple, containing only a single sentence, fewer than ten characters.
“I too miss you. I long for your swift return.”
In that instant, overwhelming joy flooded Luo Tingshi. The rage in his chest was extinguished, replaced by an endless warmth surging through him.
For the first time, Yu Zhi had told him so clearly that he missed him.
Luo Tingshi swiftly opened the second letter. It was a long one.
After reading it, Luo Tingshi slumped back in his imperial throne, his expression dazed as he murmured, “He treats me like this…”
–
Warm winter sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the room. Yu Zhi sat at the table, feeding the kittens, facing the light.
Ye Jiang picked up another well-fed kitten, stroking its fur down its back. She glanced at Yu Zhi. “I heard you wrote two letters to Luo Tingshi?”
Yu Zhi nodded.
“May I ask what you wrote in them?”
“Well…” Yu Zhi’s round eyes widened slightly. He lowered his gaze, embarrassed, and mumbled, “It wasn’t much.”
Ye Jiang smiled. “Xiao Yu, you wrote him a love letter, didn’t you?”
Yu Zhi blushed and stammered, “Father—”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about when writing a love letter to someone you care for?” Ye Jiang watched her son’s bashful expression, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “The other letter wasn’t a love letter, was it?”
Yu Zhi stole a glance at Ye Jiang, hesitating. “I told him not to be angry with you or Father Emperor.”
Ye Jiang replied, “That depends on what you wrote.”
Yu Zhi avoided Ye Jiang’s gaze, his conscience pricking him. “I told Luo Tingshi I don’t want him to offer the empire as a betrothal gift. If he truly wishes to marry me, he should persuade the ministers to unite Yusheng and Jiangsheng into one realm, where we would rule together. After all, the next ruler will be our child. There’d be no hidden dangers, and no need for worry.”
Ye Jiang nodded. “That’s actually a good idea.”
Yu Zhi continued, “This was originally a golden opportunity to annex Sheng. I made this decision without consulting you all. Don’t you blame me?”
Ye Jiang replied, “Offering the empire as a betrothal gift sounds romantic, but it’s incredibly difficult to execute. Luo Ting’s actions will surely stir public outrage. Even if he suppresses it with brutal force, there will always be those who fear no death. This will inevitably lead to countless troubles in the future. Merging Yu and Sheng will be much easier for the people to accept, causing far fewer complications. It will also keep you both safer. Why would we blame you?” “
Yu Zhizhan smiled brightly: “You two are the kindest to me!”
Ye Jiang: “If the realm truly unifies because of this, then you two would be founding emperors. History books for generations to come will surely record your names.”
Yu Zhi scratched his head: “I don’t care about being remembered in the annals of history. As long as the people live well, that’s enough.”
Ye Jiang couldn’t resist leaning forward to hug Yu Zhi, ruffling his hair playfully. “My good boy—just as I taught you from childhood to put people first.”
“Ouch, you messed up my hair, Father!”
The father and son’s playful banter drifted through the wooden door, reaching the ears of the man standing in the corridor. Yu Heng turned his head, peering through the translucent glass window at the two inside. His hawk-like gaze swept over the shadows of their laughter.
Yu Heng pushed open the door, and both father and son turned to look at him.
Yu Heng walked over, placing a hand on Ye Jiang’s shoulder. “What are you laughing about? So happy?”
Ye Jiang pulled Yu Heng excitedly. “Quick, let’s come up with a new dynastic name together!”
Yu Heng replied, “The name must be discussed and jointly decided with the court ministers.”
“Ah!” Ye Jiang’s mouth fell open in disappointment.
Yu Heng added, “You may think of one first. If it’s suitable, the ministers won’t object.”
“Wonderful!”
Golden sunlight bathed the figures of the two fathers, their affectionate expressions reflected in Yu Zhi’s smiling eyes.
This time, he didn’t feel lost.
He knew that in the not-too-distant future, someone would come to accompany him too.
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