Chapter 267：Alicorn

Zhou Yun Sheng was sitting at his desk, many memorials spread before him, his expression resembled the gloom of approaching storm clouds, hearing the chamberlain announce Duke Yu Gou's presence, he immediately commanded, "Let him in."

Zhao Xuan half kneeled in ceremony, and was about to report on the matter of Zhao Bi Xuan poisoning the dishes, when thrown memorials smacked into his face.

Zhou Yun Sheng spit out a turbid breath and shouted, "Pick them up and look!"

Zhao Xuan picked up the memorials and slowly read, his expression didn't look the slightest bit panic. These were memorials sent by courtiers asking to impeach him, some said that he colluded with foreigners to insight rebellions, others said that he was corrupt, he embezzled military funds and forged military achievements, furthermore, he smuggled salt, iron and other prohibited goods beyond the Great Wall, if every charge was true, he would be worthy of execution by death of a thousand cuts hundreds of times.

"Duke Yu Guo, do you have anything to say?" Zhou Yun Sheng raised his jaw, his tranquil voice not revealing either delight or fury. Of these impeachment memorials, more than half were true, and some were frames, but even if you removed the portion with framed evidence, Zhao Xuan could still be charged with the mortal crime of plotting a rebellion. His reputation in the Northwest was far above imperial power, the Northwest people only knew about a Northwest King, they didn't recognize the Emperor. But Zhou Yun Sheng really didn't care about these, he called Zhao Xuan over today purely just to play with him.

Don't ask him for a reason, this animal always kidnapped and played with him whenever he had free time, he was just learning from him.

Zhao Xuan finished reading the memorials and cupped his hands, "Replying to the Emperor, this small official has no rebuttal, only this word, this small official's loyalty to the Emperor is as large as the heavens, the sun and the moon can witness. If I have a rebellious heart, may I be split open by a bolt of lightning and be unable to die peacefully!"

"Oh? You really don't have an insubordinate heart?" Zhou Yun Sheng walked up to his side and stared at the top of his dark hair.

"No." Zhao Xuan unhesitantly replied.

{SxQ: Can be read either way > V}

"You've never done anything *worthy of my pardon* [screwed me over]?" Zhou Yun Sheng asked, then immediately felt that his words held some ambiguity, and he couldn't help but awkwardly cough.

"Never." Zhao Xuan lifted his eyes and quickly glanced at the Emperor's face. How could he feel sorry for that? He was so in love with him, he hated that he couldn't pull out his heart to show him.

You fucking kidnapped me so many times, you dare say no so self-confidently? Zhou Yun Sheng was itching to point at his nose and curse him out, but he held back. Stretching out his hand, he gripped his jaw and lifted his extraordinarily handsome face, leaning over to look straight into his eyes.

"Zhao Xuan, remember what you've spoken today. If I find out you've done something disgraceful, I'll flay you alive."

The Emperor was so close, every word was accompanied by a spray of breath, and that breath was a mixture of grass, morning dew and sunshine, he only had to kiss him to get a taste. In the past, the Emperor was always dazed and blindfolded, so him forcefully pinching his jaw, and being face to face like now, their eyes touching each other's as their breaths mixed, was still a new experience. Zhao Xuan suddenly felt an intense longing. He hoped that he could one day pull off the blindfold, and make the man clearly see who was taking him. He was proud, so he refuses to admit that he's pleased, his mouth always repeatedly cursing "Animal", "Bastard", "Pervert", but from now on, Zhao Xuan hoped that the only thing he shouted was Zhao Xuan, Zhao Xuan, Zhao Xuan …

He wanted to be honest, a bright sun on a blue sky, to meet him without apprehension, to let him know who his man was.

At this moment, Zhao Xuan was forced to look at the Emperor face to face, but he didn't feel the slightest bit anxious, he just kept thinking about a variety of crazy ideas. Especially when the man slowed down his voice and said he'd flay him alive, he probably didn't know just how beautiful the dangerous and arrogant light that flicked across his peach eyes was, this hair-raising beauty, it was soul-sucking, to the extent that Zhao Xuan, without any direct comfort, produced an intense reaction.

Zhou Yun Sheng saw his lover not speaking for a long time, beads of sweat emerging on his forehead and his eyes flickering away, so he thought that he'd frightened him, and his heart was filled with pride. But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a rapidly expanding giant, and immediately fiercely cursed this beast in his heart.

What did he say to make this man's imagination run so wild? Did he do anything provocative? Why was this animal hard? He wasn't really in fucking heat, right?

Zhao Xuan submitted himself to the kick and kowtowed to beg forgiveness, "Please You Majesty, forgive this small official's insolence. This small official's full of sap but has no wife or concubine to warm his bed, it's difficult to control."

Do you want me to send you a harem? This sentence came up in Zhou Yun Sheng's throat, but he held it back. He could play with this man, but if someone else touched a hair of his, Zhou Yun Sheng wouldn't be satisfied until he personally slaughtered that person. His complexion turned red to white, white to red, then he sat back behind the imperial table, and gripped a paperweight, agitated.

Zhao Xuan gathered up the memorials and placed them on the table corner, then bowed and said, "This small official understands why the Emperor summoned him alone today, if you were really suspicious of this small official, you certainly wouldn't keep quiet about these charges. Since you've placed your trust in this small official, this small official will certainly not fail to live up to your trust."

Zhou Yun Sheng coldly humphed and said, "Good, so you understand what I mean."

Zhao Xuan saw his lips slightly tilt and his brow slightly rise, he probably thought he looked very noble, but in fact, he looked cute and charming. He was itching to pull him into his arms and wantonly kiss him. Zhao Xuan managed to suppress his inner longing, and continued, "In fact, this small official has an important matter to report from before he entered the palace."

"What?" Zhou Yun Sheng noticed his careful tone and turned around to look him in the eye.

Zhao Xuan drew closer and whispered the events that took place.

Zhou Yun Sheng's brows rose higher, his expression was very surprised, but in fact, his heart was calm. He asked in a heavy voice, "If this matter turns out to be true, you know that the whole Zhao clan can be sentenced, right? Poisoning the monarch to death is a great crime, worthy of extinguishing a family line."

"No matter how the Emperor deals with Zhao clan, it's only one dot. This small official will not tolerate anyone wishing to murder the Emperor." Zhao Xuan timely stated where his loyalty lied.

Zhou Yun Sheng, of course, wouldn't let his lover be implicated, he raised his jaw to Lin Ann, "Go find Xu Yuan, don't let anyone see you."

Zhao Xuan quickly glanced at him, really wishing he could caress his raised jaw. He didn't know just how beautiful he was, especially when he held his head high, his eyelids hanging low, looking out with that noble, insufferably arrogant expression, it could drive people crazy. Except for possessing him, he really couldn't think of any other thoughts.

Zhou Yun Sheng was too in tune with his lover, as long as the other man shifted his eyebrows, he could immediately guess what he was thinking. Seeing his lover's eyes darkening, he inwardly cursed him a pervert, and flicked his sleeves, turning away. The guards were still guarding the spilled soup, only stepping away after Lin Ann brought Xu Yuan over. Xu Yuan was able to gain the Emperor's recognition, he was naturally outstanding, not afraid of getting dirty, and not afraid of death. He dipped his pinky finger into the soup and raised it to his mouth, after a moment, his expression sank.

"Reporting to the Emperor, a chronic poison named 'Deng Xian' was mixed into the soup, after taking it for three to five years, the internal organs will fail and you will die, but there would be no observable abnormalities."

"Even if your sister killed me, Qi Jin Yu wouldn't become Da Qi's regent, wouldn't that be you Zhao Xuan? You are the Second Prince's maternal uncle." Because only his trusted subordinates were present, Zhou Yun Sheng boldly voiced his thoughts.

Everyone's breathing slightly paused, cold sweating for Duke Yu Gou. Listening to the Emperor's tone, he seemed to be suspecting that Hui Yi Imperial Consort was acting under Duke Yu Gou's orders. But he was right, the Gong Prince now had no connections, a title without real power, and because of his destroyed face and disabled hands, even if he was the next highest ranked royal family member after the Emperor died, he wouldn't be set up as regent. If Zhao Xuan stepped out, no one would be able to suggest someone more worthy than him. Because of this, the Emperor's doubts were fully justified.

Zhao Xuan didn't expect the Emperor to also know about Zhao Bi Xuan and Qi Jin Yu's adultery, in other words, he had long given up on Zhao Bi Xuan. This thought made him ecstatic, he was not only not frightened, he even cupped his hands and said: "Replying to the Emperor, this small official is willing to always be by the Emperor's side. To say some outrageous words, if the Emperor passes away, this small official will be unable to go on living. This small official hopes to be buried alongside the Emperor. This small official has nothing to do with that regent and who loves who business."

The guards and Xu Yuan sighed in their hearts when they heard these words, exclaiming: Who thought the usually taciturn Duke Yu Gou had such skills in flattery, even daring to offer to be buried together. But where was the basis for burying a minister after the Emperor passes away? With this kind of martyrdom, you should also become an imperial harem concubine ah.

Zhou Yun Sheng's heart felt satisfied, but he put on an even more arrogant expression, he stared at the other man him for a while, then humphed, "Court Scribe, have you recorded everything Duke Yu Gou just said? On the day that I die, don't forget to have Duke Yu Gou loyally continue to the Yellow Springs with me."

The court scribe that often accompanied the Emperor bowed in promise, writing into the "Daily Notes": Qian Yuan, 17th year, June 11th Xin Mao, Duke Yu Gou arrived at Yang Xin Palace, Duke Yu Gou pledged: He wishes to be buried along with the dead. He gladly gave his promise, several people witnessed.