At the banquet, Xiang Han asked Luo Bai about the past few years with a smile. In reality, he only wanted to know if the other person had managed to find those ingredients.
After all these years, Luo Bai's courage had also grown. In front of so many ministers, he could still remain calm. Speaking of his experience during this period, he was even more chatty and he shared about various interesting and perilous experiences he had, shocking the group of ministers.
Xiang Han had been out to sea and wasn't as easily shaken like that group of ministers but he still maintained a smile, listening with utmost attention.
Zhao Ze drank alone, feeling extremely moody. He sat far away from the boisterous crowd, as if he had been excluded and pushed aside. Occasionally, he would raise his head to see the Little Emperor smile at Luo Bai and his heart would inexplicably ache. When he had returned triumphant, the Emperor hadn't been as earnest in asking him about his experience.
After the banquet ended, Xiang Han called for Luo Bai to stay behind with the excuse of wanting to speak through the night.
When Zhao Ze heard this, his heart tightened. He returned to his manor but the despondency in his heart had yet to fade. In a fit of the moment, he downed more wine and went to morning court with a splitting headache the next day.
Unexpectedly, while he waited along with the rest of the ministers, an announcement came to notify them of the Emperor's discomfort and thus, morning court was excused.
Xiang Han wasn't an exceptionally diligent Emperor, at times he would skive off and other times, he would skip morning court. His retinues were already accustomed to his habits and were unsurprised. Very quickly, they all dispersed.
However, Zhao Ze's heart was in turmoil. Last night, Luo Bai hadn't returned and he had stayed in the palace. With the Emperor's feelings for him, could they have...
He was unable to continue thinking. Hurriedly leaving the main palace, he did not know how he suddenly arrived at His Majesty's chambers.
A eunuch hurriedly came forward to stop him with an embarra.s.sed and put-upon expression, “Minister Zhao, the Emperor has only just gone to rest.”
Xiang Han had just finished discussing about the various recipes and agriculture methods with Luo Bai and was planning to take a rest. Hearing the commotion outside, he asked, “What's going on?”
The eunuch quickly replied, “Answering His Majesty, Minister Zhao is requesting an audience.”
Zhao Ze? Coming to find him now when it should be morning court, was it because there was an urgent matter?
Xiang Han yawned and sat up from the bed. With great difficulty, he fought against his fatigue, “Let him come in.”
Zhao Ze entered his bed chambers but did not even greet him, only directing his burning gaze towards Xiang Han.
Most of Xiang Han's sleepiness vanished under his fervent gaze and he could not help but ask, “Minister Zhao, you requested to see Zhen so urgently, is there something wrong?”
Zhao Ze did not reply and continued to only look at him.
“Minister Zhao?” Xiang Han repeated.
Zhao Ze's expression faltered and he finally replied with much difficulty, “Your Majesty...Last night, you and Minister Luo…”
His voice was hoa.r.s.e, and his brows creased as he faltered and faded out. Ultimately, he could not complete what he wanted to say.
Xiang Han did not understand, and asked in confusion, “What about Zhen and Minister Luo?”
Zhao Ze abruptly closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, “Does Your Majesty like Minister Luo?”
“What?” Xiang Han was dumbfounded and nearly choked on his own saliva.
“M-Minister Zhao, ah. Why do you ask such a question? Why would Zhen like Minister Luo? And even if there is something between Zhen and him, you aren't in any position to ask.” His face was filled his black lines.
When Zhao Ze heard his denial, he was stunned and in the next instance, his sorrow turned to joy. His first reaction was to take the opportunity of this moment, he could not give the Little Emperor to anyone else.
He couldn't stop himself from taking a step forward as he asked warmly, “Your Majesty, you really don't intend on taking an Empress?”
“Minister Zhao, are you here to persuade Zhen?” Turns out it was only for this matter. Xiang Han frowned before sighing, “I won't hide it from Minister Zhao then. Frankly speaking, Zhen has already decided to select an heir from the imperial clan. In the future, you have no need to speak of this anymore.”
Zhao Ze's heart was instantly filled with boundless joy, as if he had suddenly seen the last rays of hope. He asked again, “Your Majesty, do you still remember that you once complained to this minister and said that you may have to grow old alone?”
“Ah, there seem to be…” Xiang Han shrunk backwards with a bad feeling.
Zhao Ze took another step forward and forced him back another step as he leaned forward to look at him. His gaze was filled with tenderness and affection, “Your Majesty, you don't have to because this Minister is willing to use his life to accompany Your Majesty.”
“???”
Xiang Han froze and only regained his calm after half a moment before he said in confusion, “Zhen understands. Zhen is tired. We will discuss this matter in the future, Zhen wants to rest…”
“Your Majesty, did you not hear what this minister just said? This minister said…”
“...” Xiang Han immediately lifted his quilt and burrowed underneath. Afterward, he wiggled about until he became a coc.o.o.n.
[Little Nine, the situation isn't looking too good. The capable ruler and virtuous subject route is about to collapse.]
After rolling a few rounds, he finally calmed down.
[No need to worry. There's still the lovers route.]
[The point is, this virtuous subject wants to become a concubine. How can I complete this mission? Moreover, Zhen actually did not realise it. When did Zhao Ze become bent?]
System, [Actually…That night when Zhao Ze returned from the Northwest, I was forced to be censored for a while.]
Big A, [Between the task and resonance…I choose resonance.]
Xiang Han, “...”
When Zhao Ze saw that Xiang Han had rolled himself up and was wiggling around, he was afraid that he would suffocate. Afterwards, he was afraid of making it worse such that he could not break free. In the end, he only continued kneeling on one knee beside the Dragon bed and reached out to restrain the ‘quilt' as he asked, “Your Majesty, are you alright? Is it stuffy?”
“I'm fine. Zhen is tired, you may leave.” Xiang Han's gloomy voice quickly came from under.
The expressionless and old-fashioned stick who was always telling him not to be gay had suddenly turned around and confessed to him. Wait, it should be, to offer his own body. Xiang Han felt he could not accept everything all at once. Although he was not disgusted and even had some good feelings for Zhao Ze, he needed to calm down.
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At the banquet, Xiang Han asked Luo Bai about the past few years with a smile. In reality, he only wanted to know if the other person had managed to find those ingredients.
After all these years, Luo Bai's courage had also grown. In front of so many ministers, he could still remain calm. Speaking of his experience during this period, he was even more chatty and he shared about various interesting and perilous experiences he had, shocking the group of ministers.
Xiang Han had been out to sea and wasn't as easily shaken like that group of ministers but he still maintained a smile, listening with utmost attention.
Zhao Ze drank alone, feeling extremely moody. He sat far away from the boisterous crowd, as if he had been excluded and pushed aside. Occasionally, he would raise his head to see the Little Emperor smile at Luo Bai and his heart would inexplicably ache. When he had returned triumphant, the Emperor hadn't been as earnest in asking him about his experience.
After the banquet ended, Xiang Han called for Luo Bai to stay behind with the excuse of wanting to speak through the night.
When Zhao Ze heard this, his heart tightened. He returned to his manor but the despondency in his heart had yet to fade. In a fit of the moment, he downed more wine and went to morning court with a splitting headache the next day.
Unexpectedly, while he waited along with the rest of the ministers, an announcement came to notify them of the Emperor's discomfort and thus, morning court was excused.
Xiang Han wasn't an exceptionally diligent Emperor, at times he would skive off and other times, he would skip morning court. His retinues were already accustomed to his habits and were unsurprised. Very quickly, they all dispersed.
However, Zhao Ze's heart was in turmoil. Last night, Luo Bai hadn't returned and he had stayed in the palace. With the Emperor's feelings for him, could they have...
He was unable to continue thinking. Hurriedly leaving the main palace, he did not know how he suddenly arrived at His Majesty's chambers.
A eunuch hurriedly came forward to stop him with an embarra.s.sed and put-upon expression, “Minister Zhao, the Emperor has only just gone to rest.”
Xiang Han had just finished discussing about the various recipes and agriculture methods with Luo Bai and was planning to take a rest. Hearing the commotion outside, he asked, “What's going on?”
The eunuch quickly replied, “Answering His Majesty, Minister Zhao is requesting an audience.”
Zhao Ze? Coming to find him now when it should be morning court, was it because there was an urgent matter?
Xiang Han yawned and sat up from the bed. With great difficulty, he fought against his fatigue, “Let him come in.”
Zhao Ze entered his bed chambers but did not even greet him, only directing his burning gaze towards Xiang Han.
Most of Xiang Han's sleepiness vanished under his fervent gaze and he could not help but ask, “Minister Zhao, you requested to see Zhen so urgently, is there something wrong?”
Zhao Ze did not reply and continued to only look at him.
“Minister Zhao?” Xiang Han repeated.
Zhao Ze's expression faltered and he finally replied with much difficulty, “Your Majesty...Last night, you and Minister Luo…”
His voice was hoa.r.s.e, and his brows creased as he faltered and faded out. Ultimately, he could not complete what he wanted to say.
Xiang Han did not understand, and asked in confusion, “What about Zhen and Minister Luo?”
Zhao Ze abruptly closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, “Does Your Majesty like Minister Luo?”
“What?” Xiang Han was dumbfounded and nearly choked on his own saliva.
“M-Minister Zhao, ah. Why do you ask such a question? Why would Zhen like Minister Luo? And even if there is something between Zhen and him, you aren't in any position to ask.” His face was filled his black lines.
When Zhao Ze heard his denial, he was stunned and in the next instance, his sorrow turned to joy. His first reaction was to take the opportunity of this moment, he could not give the Little Emperor to anyone else.
He couldn't stop himself from taking a step forward as he asked warmly, “Your Majesty, you really don't intend on taking an Empress?”
“Minister Zhao, are you here to persuade Zhen?” Turns out it was only for this matter. Xiang Han frowned before sighing, “I won't hide it from Minister Zhao then. Frankly speaking, Zhen has already decided to select an heir from the imperial clan. In the future, you have no need to speak of this anymore.”
Zhao Ze's heart was instantly filled with boundless joy, as if he had suddenly seen the last rays of hope. He asked again, “Your Majesty, do you still remember that you once complained to this minister and said that you may have to grow old alone?”
“Ah, there seem to be…” Xiang Han shrunk backwards with a bad feeling.
Zhao Ze took another step forward and forced him back another step as he leaned forward to look at him. His gaze was filled with tenderness and affection, “Your Majesty, you don't have to because this Minister is willing to use his life to accompany Your Majesty.”
“???”
Xiang Han froze and only regained his calm after half a moment before he said in confusion, “Zhen understands. Zhen is tired. We will discuss this matter in the future, Zhen wants to rest…”
“Your Majesty, did you not hear what this minister just said? This minister said…”
“...” Xiang Han immediately lifted his quilt and burrowed underneath. Afterward, he wiggled about until he became a coc.o.o.n.
[Little Nine, the situation isn't looking too good. The capable ruler and virtuous subject route is about to collapse.]
After rolling a few rounds, he finally calmed down.
[No need to worry. There's still the lovers route.]
[The point is, this virtuous subject wants to become a concubine. How can I complete this mission? Moreover, Zhen actually did not realise it. When did Zhao Ze become bent?]
System, [Actually…That night when Zhao Ze returned from the Northwest, I was forced to be censored for a while.]
Big A, [Between the task and resonance…I choose resonance.]
Xiang Han, “...”
When Zhao Ze saw that Xiang Han had rolled himself up and was wiggling around, he was afraid that he would suffocate. Afterwards, he was afraid of making it worse such that he could not break free. In the end, he only continued kneeling on one knee beside the Dragon bed and reached out to restrain the ‘quilt' as he asked, “Your Majesty, are you alright? Is it stuffy?”
“I'm fine. Zhen is tired, you may leave.” Xiang Han's gloomy voice quickly came from under.
The expressionless and old-fashioned stick who was always telling him not to be gay had suddenly turned around and confessed to him. Wait, it should be, to offer his own body. Xiang Han felt he could not accept everything all at once. Although he was not disgusted and even had some good feelings for Zhao Ze, he needed to calm down.