CH 36.2

Previously when reading novels, Meng Huan liked the wild type, the kind of wild man that would say, “Do not obey me, right? Lao-zi* will make you obey me today!” He always felt it was very charming.

*Lao-zi: I (used arrogantly or jocularly).

But now, he found that this type like Lin Bozhou, who loved him dearly and looked gentle inside but was a crazy perverted man, was also not bad–

The corner of Meng Huan’s lips had been pressed flat, but he couldn’t hold back after being kissed and slowly raised it.

Lin Bozhou saw it clearly and seemed to laugh at it. “Huan Huan likes kissing, huh?”

Meng Huan: “Uh, no.”

His jaw was gently cupped when he finished, and Lin Bozhou’s kiss came up again, cool and refreshing. He licked him from his lips inward, making his scalp tingle, drilling between his teeth.

The heat was dense, and the hot breaths were intertwined.

Lin Bozhou kissed hard, but his foggy eyes were half-squinted, calmly and skillfully measuring Meng Huan, and he smiled. “Then this husband will kiss Huan Huan more in the future, okay?”

—

After bathing, it was time for dinner.

Meng Huan and Lin Bozhou sat side by side to eat inside the hall. Meng Huan lowered his head, and his small hand peeked out from his sleeve, not daring to put it on the table.

His cheeks flushed, remembering Lin Bozhou had just used his hand.

Lin Bozhou was honestly not much different from a GV* male lead, guiding his hand without the slightest shame on his face. Instead, he paid attention to Meng Huan’s expression with eager anticipation.

*Gay video.

“Huan Huan, put a little more force.”

“Huan Huan’s strength is really small, ah.”

“Huan Huan, move your hand a little faster.”

“……”

Truly, guiding patiently and systematically was even more perverted.

Meng Huan picked up the bowl to eat and slowly blocked his face, hearing Lin Bozhou seem to laugh a little.

Chen An came over to read the letter. He ate while listening to it to save time and manage official business.

In ancient times, carriages and horses were slow, without networks. Most communication had to be through letters; many meanings were hidden in the letters that came and went. Chen An said, “The two Zhejiang provinces wrote that Imperial Censor Xu was previously asked to inspect the salt. A total of 3,2 million taels was reported, but he only reported 2 million taels in the registry, deceiving us. It’s unknown where the rest of the money went.”

Lin Bozhou chewed and said nothing, adding a piece of fish to Meng Huan’s bowl.

“Your Highness, do you want to pass or pursue this matter? Imperial Censor Xu is recommended by Elder Cui. If we pursue it, I’m afraid it will be pursued to Elder Cui’s head.”

Lin Bozhou finally stopped his chopsticks. “The state treasury is now in a tight spot, with military pay, flooding, and repairing His Majesty’s tomb; money is needed everywhere. I wonder what’s wrong with Elder Cui, having been an official for decades;  is he increasingly ignorant of life or used to be greedy? How could he dare to swallow so much money? According to his cautious character, it’s a bit strange.”

“Maybe Elder Cui is really old and muddle-headed. Does Your Highness think there is any unusual change?”

Lin Bozhou’s eyebrows drooped, and he shook his head. “It only feels increasingly chaotic. But there’s no harm in letting him get greedy. When the time comes, everything can be seized back when searching his house and confiscating his possessions.”

Chen An nodded. It seemed that Lin Bozhou’s intention to move Elder Cui was clear, and he answered, “Yes.”

After answering, he saw Meng Huan biting his chopsticks and looking at Lin Bozhou in a daze, like a little hamster that tried to eat a melon* but couldn’t understand it.

*Eat melon: to watch an entertaining spectacle from the sidelines and engage in gossip about it.

Lin Bozhou reached out and gently rubbed the corner of his lips. “Huan Huan, eat well.”

“Oh,” Meng Huan held a rib in his mouth and slowly took a bite.

Chen An had a look full of affection and read the next letter.

After reading the letter, Shan Xing came over to read the book, holding a copy of Zheng Xuan’s <<Three Rites of Passage>>, and smiled when he saw Meng Huan. “Princess.”

Meng Huan scratched his chin and sarcastically asked, “Why aren’t you watching the play anymore?”

“I came here on duty,” He patted the booklet and thought of saying, “By the way, my father asked Your Highness, have you rested enough after returning from the field? When to continue to learn reading and writing.”

“………………”

Meng Huan jerked his head and looked at Lin Bozhou.

His eyes were full of pleas for help.

Lin Bozhou chuckled. “It’s good to learn words, too. Otherwise……”

The ancient era was a scholarly regime, with bureaucrats in the imperial court and folk by the gentry. Reading and writing were the basis of wealth. After all, any benefits were in the hands of this group of literati. If one could not read and write, it would be difficult to stand up.

He wanted to lead Meng Huan to walk but also needed Meng Huan himself to step forward.

Meng Huan responded, “Could it be possible not to learn every afternoon?”

Lin Bozhou nodded. “Okay, learn every other day, okay?”

“Okay.” Meng Huan was not so resistant anymore.

Shan Xing read to Lin Bozhou, “Ruling the country with rites; rites are the ruler and regulations of governance.” Lin Bozhou could recite these contents backward in his early teens but still kept recalling and ruminating.

Shan Xing: “Why does Your Highness keep laughing?”

“Laughing at what is said. It is too ideal,” Lin Bozhou said, “This prince favors Legalism and ruling with law.”

Shan Xing nodded. Lin Bozhou was like this in politics, practicing Confucianism outside but Legalism inside, outwardly generous but inwardly iron-blooded. However, most courtiers were Confucian disciples, so although Lin Bozhou disguised himself, he still offended many people.

They both spoke, but Meng Huan could barely understand a few sentences. When Lin Bozhou recited an ancient text he could not understand, he lowered his head to write on the drawing paper.

When Shan Wu left, Lin Bozhou started writing letters again.

Meng Huan watched him for a while and asked, “Husband, are you tired?”

“No,” the corner of Lin Bozhou’s lips slightly raised. “Every day is the same, and there is always something to do.”

Meng Huan’s eyes widened. “What about me? But I don’t do anything.”

“Huan Huan doesn’t have to do anything,” Lin Bozhou said. “This husband is in this position and must do what should be done. Huan Huan has no burden, and living happily every day is good.”

Meng Huan dilly-dallied repeatedly and sat next to him. “Are others as tired as you?”

Lin Bozhou paused his brush for a moment. “Not really.”

He turned to Meng Huan with a smile under his eyes but containing some profound taste of blood. “But what this husband has to do occasionally is to drive all those corporeal moths out of their positions and leave them for more enthusiastic and motivated people, even if they are ambitious.”

He lowered his head. “If we don’t get tired, this court will be like a pool of stagnant water, frozen and can only go senile.”

Meng Huan nodded and seemed to feel something in his heart.

According to what Lin Bozhou said, he was a hard-working ruler who wanted to bring others along.

They were in a position where they enjoyed all the glory and wealth but did not do anything and should be hated.