Chapter 149
The capital of the Dayu is located in the north of the country. Although it does not snow all year round, once winter comes, the fierce north wind still howls and a chill grips the city. It has been raining continuously for the past few days, and everything was damp. Icicles hung from the eaves and even the charcoal braziers in the palace could not stop the cold and damp that invaded the body.
Lin Qingyu was not afraid of the cold and if even he felt that this year’s winter was exceptionally cold, what more Jiang Xing who wouldn’t get out of bed once winter hits? The days were getting colder and colder and the burdens on the shoulders of the palace maids and eunuchs were getting heavier and heavier. In the past, they could coax His Majesty to get up in about the time it took to burn a stick of incense. Now, they could only go to the Empress for help. As long as the Empress says so, the Emperor would put up a struggle but in the end, would still obediently get up and go attend court.
After the morning court that day, Jiang Xing discussed matters with several important ministers in Qinzheng Hall. Xiao Songzi stepped forward and offered a cup of hot tea, saying, “Your Majesty, Master Shen would like to see you.”
Two months ago, Jiang Xing ordered Shen Huaishi to go south to secretly investigate several important local officials. It seemed that he had found something.
Jiang Xing nodded slightly and smiled at the gathered ministers. “That’s it for today. It’s been cold lately, my dear ministers, do not forget to wear something warm.”
After the ministers thanked him and withdrew, Shen Huaishi entered through the side door. Jiang Xing did away with courtesy and urged, “Hurry up and report. I’m going to bed after this.”
Shen Huaishi was puzzled. “Going to bed?” It wasn’t even time for the noon meal.
Xiao Songzi explained with a wry smile, “It seems that Master Shen does not know. The Holy Emperor now reads the memorials while lying in bed.”
Since ancient times, emperors have read memorials in bed, loathe to set aside state affairs even whilst on their sickbed. While their emperor was too lazy to get up because he hated the cold. Shen Huaishi couldn’t help laughing. But he quickly calmed down and told the His Majesty everything he’d found.
A military officer in Jiangnan has been abusing his power for personal gain. He has plundered the people’s wealth and raised a private army without authority. Even death would not be enough to atone for his crimes. But the problem was that this person was the direct grandson of Xiang Guogong. When the Yuan Dynasty was founded, the first Xiang Guogong had followed Emperor Taizu through life and death, even saving Taizu’s life. After the founding of the dynasty, Taizu not only rewarded Xiang Guogong with a hereditary and irreplaceable title, but also bestowed upon him a gold medal that excused the bearer from death. It ensured the continued wealth and prosperity of his descendants.
After pondering for a moment, Jiang Xing said, “In that case, there is no harm in giving Yuan Taizu some face.”FOlloow newest stories at no(v)el/bi/n(.)com
Shen Huaishi said, “Your Majesty means... to let him go?”
Jiang Xing smiled. “Can you make it look like he died of a sudden illness?”
Shen Huaishi’s heart moved. The emperor and empress treated him differently from others. What he mostly saw was the generosity and fun-loving side of His Majesty. He couldn’t be faulted for sometimes forgetting that His Majesty was also their sovereign who ruled over the all under Heaven, holding life and death in his hands.
Seeing Shen Huaishi pause, Jiang Xing asked, “Maybe you have a better way?”
Shen Huaishi said hurriedly, “I dare not – I obey His Majesty’s order.”
As the two were talking, it started to rain again, pitter-patter, the wind startling bamboos . Jiang Xing looked out the window and said, displeased, “It’s raining again. When will it snow?”
“It should be soon, Your Majesty.” Shen Huaishi asked, “Does Your Majesty like snow?”
Jiang Xing said casually, “I used to like it.”
If he used to like it, it meant he didn’t anymore. Shen Huaishi said cautiously, “If the Emperor doesn’t like snow, he might go to Jiangnan Palace to stay for a while.”
Shen Huaishi was one of the few people who knew Jiang Xing’s true identity. Jiang Xing trusted him and occasionally mentioned his past in front of him: “I grew up in the south and rarely saw snow. I am not exaggerating. In my hometown, when there’s snow, it’s like the Lunar New Year.”
Only......
Jiang Xing chuckled: “I don’t like it anymore.”
He had died twice in the Dayu, both in snowy weather. He had always been open-minded and the snowy weather hadn’t created any shadow in his heart. But Lin Qingyu was different.
After Shen Huaishi left, Xiao Songzi draped the fox fur robe on Jiang Xing’s shoulders. He held up an umbrella and escorted His Majesty all the way back to the Empress’ Palace.
Before entering the palace, Jiang Xing hesitated and said, “Maybe Zhen should take off the cape?”
“Your Majesty, please don’t.” Xiao Songzi advised earnestly, “It’s very cold today. Your Majesty must take good care of his health.”
After being together for so many years, Lin Qingyu knew Jiang Xing so well that he could tell what this salted fish was thinking at a glance. He rubbed his eyebrows and sighed. “Our emperor has reached a new level of laziness again.”
“Zhen has read this.” was for trivial matters. “Zhen is in good health. No need for concern.” was for courtesy letters. As for “allowed” and “can not”, they were commonly used expressions for memorials.
Last time, Jiang Xing had improved the dragon chair by installing four wheels underneath. Whenever he was bored, he would slide it around Qinzheng Hall and his bed chamber. Later, he had the backrest of the dragon chair redone. The originally hard dragon chair was made plush and soft, with just enough support for the lower back. Ministers and officials followed suit one after another. Everyone just had to have one. Even many students of the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Medical Office sat on such chairs for long hours of study.
Jiang Xing complained, “Who told them to report even the most trivial of things to me? Do you know how many times I have to write ‘Zhen has read this.’ every day? I’m starting to no longer recognize these words.”
If Lin Qingyu were forced to admit to any strange indulgences it would be watching salted fish forced to work. Although it was a bit distressing, it was also really funny. “You can have another one with ‘Qingyu’ or ‘Baobei’ engraved.”
“Hm?”
“You usually use Xiao Songzi to chat with me and these are the words you write the most.”
“How can that be the same?” Jiang Xing said, “I have to write both ‘Qingyu’ and ‘Baobei’ myself.”
Lin Qingyu added, “Then you can have ‘I’m so tired’, ‘I’m so sleepy’ and ‘What are you doing?’ engraved instead. These are the ones you use most often when chatting.”
Jiang Xing: “...”
The two of them gathered around the charcoal stove, roasting sweet potatoes and chatting aimlessly. When the sweet potatoes were done, Jiang Xing asked Hua Lu to get a small spoon. He used it to scoop bits of the sweet potato, eating it with Lin Qingyu.
Lin Qingyu rarely ate roasted sweet potatoes like this. But they were unexpectedly sweet when personally fed to him by his husband.
The sound of rain gradually faded until it disappeared. Lin Qingyu looked out the window. “It seems the rain has stopped.”
Jiang Xing said, sounding indifferent, “Oh.”
Lin Qingyu asked, “Would you like to go out and take a look?”
Jiang Xing looked uninterested. “No, it’s cold outside. Let’s go to bed and take an afternoon nap.”
Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing. “I remember that you like snow.”
Jiang Xing paused and asked, sounding him out, “But don’t you dislike it?”
Lin Qingyu smiled. “I like it now. Your Majesty, will you accompany me out to enjoy the snowy view?”
Jiang Xing’s curved into a smile. He picked up the fox fur robe and draped it over Lin Qingyu’s shoulders. “Alright.”
The two went out hand in hand. The rain had turned to snow. the light snow melted as soon as it hit the ground. It wasn’t enough to create any kind of snowy scene. Jiang Xing’s eyes reflected the snowflakes blowing in the wind; bright, like a child looking forward to the New Year. “Qingyu, how long do you think before snow starts to pile on the ground?”
“Certainly not right now. You’ll have to wait at least overnight.”
“Then when there is snow, how about we build a snowman together?”
Lin Qingyu smiled lightly. “En.”
Lin Qingyu stretched out his hand from under the eaves and let the soft white snowflakes fall on his palm.
He didn’t hate the snow, he just loathed the snowy days he’d lost Jiang Xing.
But he didn’t like the snow either. What he loved were all the days with Jiang Xing by his side.