Chapter 18#
Chapter 18#
Rain fell for several days in a row, dense droplets striking the eaves and landing on the corridors. The leaves of the trees in the courtyard of Qinchun Palace were beaten down.
Lin Huaiyu looked at the wedding robes hanging in the room. The bright red brocade was intricately patterned, with dragon motifs embroidered stitch by stitch. The style was form-fitting and solemn; he could imagine how handsome Su Yang would look wearing them.
Su Yang rarely wore brightly colored clothes. In his youth in the Cold Palace, he wore filthy rags; being able to survive was already good enough. When they first met, Su Yang was wearing tattered clothes still stained with blood. At that moment, Lin Huaiyu had immediately thought of himself.
After becoming the Crown Prince, Su Yang’s personality had already dictated that he didn’t like vibrant and bright colors, often wearing deep shades of ink, black, and navy blue.
Probably for the sake of his dignified status, Su Yang indeed possessed an aura of natural authority when standing in those clothes; timid palace servants didn’t even dare to raise their heads when they saw him.
“Since Teacher likes this garment so much, why not try it on?” Su Yang’s teasing chuckle came from the doorway. Lin Huaiyu didn’t turn his head, merely looking at the vivid wedding robes.
He said faintly, “These are Your Majesty’s wedding robes. What would it be like if I wore them?”
Su Yang walked inside, not caring whether it was a wedding robe or something else, as if treating it merely as an ordinary garment. “I saw Teacher staring at these wedding robes for a long time. I don’t mind letting Teacher try them on. After all, what Teacher wears has always been my clothes anyway.”
Su Yang had seen Lin Huaiyu wear red clothes—only once.
That was when Lin Huaiyu had placed first in the imperial examinations and was riding a horse through the imperial streets. Clad in red robes with palace flowers tucked into his hat, the people along the entire street were stunned. Wearing red made Lin Huaiyu’s entire person appear even fairer, like someone made of snow. That peerless face was even more beautiful than the palace flowers on his hat.
That day, the street was filled with flowers thrown at Lin Huaiyu, almost drowning the new top scholar in a sea of blossoms.
At that time, Su Yang was thinking: what right did those people have to throw flowers at Lin Huaiyu? Were they even worthy of coveting his teacher?
Later, he only wanted Lin Huaiyu’s gaze to fall on him alone, and only wanted Lin Huaiyu to wear those vivid red clothes for his eyes only.
However, after that, he had never seen Lin Huaiyu wear vibrant red again, which he felt was quite a regret.
Lin Huaiyu lowered his eyes, not wishing to pay heed to Su Yang’s words. But Su Yang walked to the clothes rack, turned around, and began to remove the already loose robes Lin Huaiyu was wearing.
Lin Huaiyu struggled to grab his sleeves, his eyes turning red as he looked at Su Yang. “What are you doing again?”
The expression on Su Yang’s face looked somewhat hurt. “I’m helping Teacher try on this outfit.”
With a cold face, Lin Huaiyu used force to try and pull back his robes, but Su Yang had no intention of letting go, confronting Lin Huaiyu.
Lin Huaiyu couldn’t help but say, “I do not wish to try it. Please let go, Your Majesty.”
“Let go? How could I possibly let go of Teacher’s hand?” Su Yang’s gaze carried a heavy sense of aggression. “Or are you planning to disobey an imperial decree?”
Lin Huaiyu met Su Yang’s gaze and said directly, “If I disobey the decree, will Your Majesty kill me?”
Su Yang looked at Lin Huaiyu heavily, and in the end, it was he who backed down.
But even though he moved his gaze away, not daring to look directly at Lin Huaiyu and not daring to actually kill him, the strength in his hands did not loosen. He easily removed the clothes from Lin Huaiyu’s body. He appraised Lin Huaiyu’s waist, which was like mutton-fat white jade, and personally helped him into the intricate wedding robes, saying, “Teacher will surely look very good in this.”
Seeing that he couldn’t stop it, Lin Huaiyu let his hands hang down weakly. He could only let Su Yang dress him, but said, “Since these are Your Majesty’s wedding robes, why don’t you try them on yourself?”
Only after Su Yang finished dressing him did he pretend to have a sudden realization. “So Teacher was staring at my wedding robes not because you wanted to wear them? I thought Teacher was envious.”
Lin Huaiyu looked down as Su Yang tied his belt. What was clearly a tender scene was shattered by Su Yang’s smug expression and words.
“Envious of what?” Lin Huaiyu asked.
Having tied the belt, Su Yang pushed Lin Huaiyu in front of the mirror. Standing behind Lin Huaiyu, his eyes lit up as he looked at Lin Huaiyu in the mirror, whose fair skin was highlighted by the wedding robes.
As expected, this outfit suited Lin Huaiyu perfectly. Lin Huaiyu should wear this shade of red; it removed three parts of his coldness and added three parts of allure.
Su Yang pinched Lin Huaiyu’s chin, forcing him to look at himself in the mirror, and said, “Teacher is so beautiful.”
Looking at himself in the mirror, Lin Huaiyu’s expression was somewhat cold. He raised his hand to take off the wedding robes. “There is only one day left until the investiture ceremony. Your Majesty should try them yourself.”
Su Yang didn’t let him succeed, hooking one hand onto Lin Huaiyu’s belt and pulling his waist into his embrace. “I think Teacher wears them quite well. Why the hurry to take them off?”
Lin Huaiyu endured his anger. “Your Majesty is asking what you already know.”
But Su Yang insisted on smiling. “I don’t know. I want to hear Teacher say it personally.”
Lin Huaiyu pursed his thin lips into a straight line and raised his hand to brush off Su Yang’s hand, about to untie the belt. However, Su Yang moved first, picking Lin Huaiyu up and throwing him onto the bed.
Lin Huaiyu’s heart tightened. “Just what are you trying to do?”
Rippppp—
In the next second, the sound of fabric tearing exploded in Lin Huaiyu’s ear. Just like that night in the Imperial Garden, the clothes on his body were torn to shreds by Su Yang.
Lin Huaiyu was instantly stunned. The wind and snow that night were too cold, and the humiliation too painful; it was etched into his bones. But now was not the time for his heartache; his attention was on the shredded wedding robes. “The day after tomorrow is the investiture ceremony. You’ve torn the wedding robes; what will you wear then?!”
Even if hundreds of seamstresses from the Imperial Weaving Department worked overtime, how could they produce another such intricate wedding robe in a single day?
Su Yang was indifferent. “Teacher doesn’t need to worry about that. You should worry about yourself not crying out too loudly in a moment.”
Lin Huaiyu’s brow furrowed, and the metallic taste of blood almost surged up in his throat. Since he had coughed up blood last time, the frequency seemed to have increased. Zhou Li had told him that the more he coughed up blood, the fewer days he had left.
He suppressed the urge to cough blood, but was pulled into Su Yang’s embrace by his belt. Sensing that the other wanted to kiss him, Lin Huaiyu turned his head slightly, avoiding Su Yang’s kiss.
Su Yang’s movements paused. Seeing Lin Huaiyu avoid him like the plague, his heart sank, and his tone turned cold. “You won’t let me kiss you?”
Lin Huaiyu gave a faint excuse. “Your Majesty is about to take a wife. Being like this with me at this moment is likely inappropriate.”
Su Yang sneered, forcefully seizing Lin Huaiyu’s chin to force him to accept the kiss. “I’ve said it already, appointing an Empress doesn’t affect you. As the Son of Heaven, having a harem of three thousand is a common thing. Besides, what’s it to anyone if I merely favor a plaything?”
Lin Huaiyu suppressed the bitterness in his heart and closed his eyes.
To be about to appoint an Empress, yet on the day before the ceremony coax him into wearing the wedding robes only to tear them and humiliate him—Lin Huaiyu raised his hand to cover his eyes, feeling exceptionally disgraced.
What was he… just what was he?
How did he and Su Yang end up in such a relationship…
Lin Huaiyu was kissed so forcefully by Su Yang that he began to cough, and his mind cleared slightly. He pushed the other away and wiped the marks from his lips, seemingly returning to the cold and distant Chancellor Lin. “Whether Your Majesty appoints an Empress or a consort, I have no right to interfere. But if Your Majesty insists on humiliating me the day before the ceremony, I cannot accept it.”
Su Yang raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the partially covering wedding robes on Lin Huaiyu, and sneered. “Is Teacher jealous? Whose jealousy is it? Teacher likes Bai Jianqing, but in one more day, Bai Jianqing will be my Empress. Or does Teacher care that I’m appointing an Empress tomorrow and feels unhappy in your heart?”
Lin Huaiyu frowned. “Stop talking nonsense.”
Su Yang spoke without restraint, saying anything just to see Lin Huaiyu lose his composure. “Teacher needn’t worry; after all, I haven’t grown tired of Teacher yet.”
Lin Huaiyu subconsciously gripped the discarded wedding robes, but let go as if he had been burned. “Take the clothes away.”
Su Yang let out an ambiguous laugh and whispered in Lin Huaiyu’s ear, “Didn’t Teacher like this garment very much? Why take it away?”
Feeling the bright wedding robes beneath him being stained by the filth of him and Su Yang, the humiliation in Lin Huaiyu’s heart reached its peak. He looked deeply at Su Yang and said in a low voice, “The one marrying you isn’t me, Su Yang. You shouldn’t do this…”
Su Yang let out a cold snort. “It’s not for a plaything to teach me what I should do. Lin Huaiyu, you keep refusing me with your words, but your body is clearly very honest.”
He lowered his body and chuckled, “Since Teacher is also enjoying it, why not just enjoy it properly?”
Lin Huaiyu lost all his strength. “Su Yang, you beast, get out!”
Su Yang didn’t care at all that Lin Huaiyu was cursing him, merely smiling. “Teacher is cursing so fiercely now; your voice will be hoarse in a moment.”
Following that, Lin Huaiyu’s curses were all shattered by wave after wave of continuous impact.
Lin Huaiyu struggled to push the wedding robes aside. Su Yang took in all his small movements, his eyes dark with fog. He smiled coldly. “Teacher dislikes this garment that much?”
Lin Huaiyu turned his head away, not looking at him, nor at those dazzling wedding robes.
Su Yang insisted on pinching his chin, forcing him to turn his head and take in those wedding robes. “Does Teacher see those marks on the clothes? They are all Teacher’s handiwork. How can Teacher despise them?”
Lin Huaiyu could only close his eyes, saying in pain, “Stop talking…”
Su Yang wouldn’t let him go. “Teacher looks so good in red; you must wear it more for me in the future.”
Lin Huaiyu was again pulled onto the wedding robes by Su Yang. Humiliation and shame wrapped around him all night. Su Yang insisted over and over again on having his and Lin Huaiyu’s marks cover those clothes.
The vivid red wedding robes were also reflected in Su Yang’s pupils. He wanted Lin Huaiyu to marry him, wanted Lin Huaiyu to stay by his side for a lifetime. But Lin Huaiyu was always unwilling; Lin Huaiyu loathed him, only ever wanting to leave, and even loathed a set of wedding robes that much…
The sound of rain in the courtyard lasted all night, from a dense drizzle at first to a surging and powerful storm later. The rain striking the eaves covered all other sounds in the world.
The stars shifted and the sun rose in the east; the rain finally stopped.
When Lin Huaiyu woke up, sandalwood incense was burning in the room, the scent making one feel refreshed. The bedding had been changed to new sets, and all traces of last night had vanished, like a great dream.
But the soreness and weakness in his body reminded him that it was wave after wave of execution.
Lin Huaiyu threw on one of Su Yang’s robes, and De Fu entered from outside to serve upon hearing the sound.
Lin Huaiyu glanced at him, his eyes like spring water hiding all his calculations, and asked in a low voice, “Eunuch De Fu, do you know where all the birthday gifts I’ve given to His Majesty over the years are kept?”
Although De Fu didn’t quite understand why Lin Huaiyu was suddenly asking this, since it was Lin Huaiyu asking, he naturally didn’t dare to be negligent. “In reply to the Chancellor, His Majesty has treasured the things you’ve given him over the years, and they are all kept in the Imperial Study.”
Lin Huaiyu nodded imperceptibly. Taking advantage of the fact that Su Yang was currently at the morning court session, he walked toward the Imperial Study.
“Eunuch De Fu has served His Majesty devotedly for so many years; surely you understand His Majesty better than I do. As for where the things are kept, I’ll have to trouble you to retrieve them on my behalf.” Lin Huaiyu looked at De Fu, a faint smile on his lips, looking exceptionally gentle.
De Fu hesitated for a moment. “This… His Majesty’s things, how could I dare to touch them?”
Lin Huaiyu’s gaze scanned the Imperial Study, as if looking for something, as he said, “It’s no matter. If His Majesty blames you in the future, I will naturally take the responsibility for you.”
Thus, De Fu had no choice but to agree. He retrieved a large brocade box from a low cabinet inside and placed it on the table. Lin Huaiyu slowly opened it. Inside were all the things he had given Su Yang over the years; without exception, they were all preserved.
He lowered his eyes and closed the box, walking away with it in his arms. De Fu was startled and said hurriedly, “Wait, wait, Master Lin… what are you…?”
Lin Huaiyu turned back and saw De Fu’s panicked expression, saying faintly, “I wish to prepare a birthday gift for His Majesty, but my memory isn’t as good as it used to be. I wanted to see what I’ve sent before so I can send something different this time.”
De Fu was half-convinced. “I see. But if His Majesty finds that the things are missing, he will surely come to ask me. This… how shall I answer?”
Lin Huaiyu smiled shallowly and suggested, “Tomorrow is the investiture ceremony. His Majesty has been so busy these past few days that he likely won’t think of any gifts. I will return them after the ceremony. Eunuch De Fu can rest assured.”
Hearing this, De Fu let out a small sigh of relief. “That’s good then…”
Lin Huaiyu was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He turned back and instructed De Fu, “I plan to give His Majesty a surprise, so I’ll have to trouble Eunuch De Fu to keep my visit to the Imperial Study a secret.”
This time, De Fu didn’t suspect anything and said hurriedly, “Naturally.”
His Majesty cared so much about Master Lin, and Master Lin also had the intention to send a gift; he might as well do him a favor. Besides, whatever Master Lin wanted to do, His Majesty wouldn’t stop him.
Lin Huaiyu took the things he wanted and returned to Qinchun Palace. He reopened the brocade box; he was incredibly familiar with every single item inside.
He picked up a worn hand-warmer. That was from when Su Yang was still in the Cold Palace; Lin Huaiyu didn’t have much power then either. Both of them were so cautious, and even a hand-warmer was made very crudely.
At that time, he was afraid Su Yang would catch another cold in the Cold Palace, so he sent him this hand-warmer made with his own hands. But later, when Su Yang moved to the Eastern Palace, this item became useless.
Lin Huaiyu rubbed the hand-warmer and put it back in its place. Then he picked up a piece of warm jade. The texture of the jade couldn’t be called rare, but the color was decent. Most importantly, it was personally taken by Lin Huaiyu to the Abbot of Lingshan Temple outside the city to be consecrated.
At that time, Su Yang was going through the struggle for the succession. When Lin Huaiyu went to Lingshan Temple, the Abbot said that Su Yang’s murderous aura was too heavy and his gloom was evident on his face; he needed a Buddhist object to suppress it.
Lin Huaiyu wasn’t exactly superstitious about gods and Buddhas, but praying for safety was a simple matter, so he didn’t mind spending some effort.
But later, when Su Yang ascended the dragon throne, this jade also became useless.
Lin Huaiyu touched the birthday gifts in the brocade box one by one, as if going through all those memories in his mind.
He closed his eyes, shut the brocade box, and set it aside. Turning around, he saw Su Yang walking in from the door and froze in place for a moment.
He saw the other person wearing a dazzling bright red wedding robe. Intricate dragon patterns coiled around Su Yang, spreading from his shoulders to the hem. Golden silk thread was used to embroider the dragon patterns and other decorative motifs to look lifelike, magnificent and solemn.
It was the first time Lin Huaiyu had seen Su Yang wear red. As he thought, he indeed looked very handsome.
Su Yang had likely inherited the looks of his mother and the late Emperor; his features were exquisite, his lines smooth. Even a court painter would find it difficult to depict even a tenth of his beauty.
But for Su Yang, it was easy to overlook his appearance. For no other reason than his aura being too strong. In the Cold Palace, Su Yang’s status was lowly and he was bullied; at that time, the palace servants didn’t care what he looked like, merely taking out their anger on this abandoned prince.
After coming out of the Cold Palace, Su Yang’s heart was set only on revenge and power. Those princes only saw him as a thorn in their side and wouldn’t pay any attention to Su Yang’s looks.
After sitting on the dragon throne, no one dared to look directly at the Son of Heaven, and even fewer people discussed Su Yang’s appearance.
But in reality, Su Yang’s beauty was not inferior to Lin Huaiyu’s. There was often a hint of a smile in his eyes, though mostly playful and mocking, but his upturned eyes made Su Yang look slightly enchanting.
Normally, Su Yang wore dark clothes and had a gloomy expression, suppressing all of that enchantment. But now, in red, with a hint of a smile as he looked at Lin Huaiyu, that enchantment was revealed, making him exceptionally beautiful.
Lin Huaiyu looked for a good while before withdrawing his gaze.
Unfortunately, this outfit wasn’t meant for him to see.
Only then did Lin Huaiyu notice something was wrong. “These wedding robes… weren’t they torn?”
Su Yang let out a light laugh. “This one is mine. As for the one yesterday, it belonged to Teacher.”
Lin Huaiyu was stunned. No wonder that garment fit so well; it wasn’t the same as when he wore Su Yang’s other robes, which didn’t drape loosely on him.
But…
Lin Huaiyu’s brow furrowed slightly. “Why?”
Su Yang walked in front of Lin Huaiyu. He naturally knew Lin Huaiyu’s confusion, but as soon as he thought about how much Lin Huaiyu loathed those wedding robes yesterday, not even wanting to look at them, his face darkened again. “There’s no one else in my back palace anyway, only Teacher as my plaything. Tomorrow is the investiture ceremony, a day of national celebration. I had the Imperial Weaving Department make an extra set for you. Although Teacher isn’t qualified to attend the ceremony, you’ve at least worn the wedding robes. I want you to stay by my side obediently, understand?”
Lin Huaiyu withdrew his gaze and heard Su Yang say pointedly, “Unfortunately, it seems Teacher didn’t like those wedding robes.”
Recalling the things Su Yang had done to him on top of those wedding robes last night, Lin Huaiyu sneered. “Your Majesty is right.”
A trace of disappointment flashed in Su Yang’s eyes, but he quickly cast aside that emotion. The curve of his lips carried a chill. “Then I was being sentimental.”
Lin Huaiyu ignored him and walked toward the table imperceptibly, leaving the corner where those gifts were placed. Su Yang indeed followed him over. “Do I look good in this?”
After saying that, Su Yang stood in front of Lin Huaiyu, turning in a circle with his arms open.
Lin Huaiyu gave him a slight glance.
Just like a peacock…
“Your Majesty should wait until tomorrow to ask Lady Bai that question.”
Su Yang let out a snort and leaned in close to Lin Huaiyu. “Lin Huaiyu, you are my plaything; you should curry favor with me. I’m asking you right now, and you should praise me.”
Seeing that Lin Huaiyu’s expression didn’t change at all, he felt unhappy in his heart and mocked again, “Could it be that Teacher has been in a high position for too long and doesn’t know how to serve the Son of Heaven?”
Lin Huaiyu’s eyebrows rose slightly as he took a sip of tea, his expression cold. “I don’t. Why doesn’t Your Majesty give me a demonstration?”
Su Yang naturally knew that Lin Huaiyu was striking back. If he really gave a demonstration, Lin Huaiyu would only accept it with a clear conscience. However, he liked Lin Huaiyu’s counterattacks; it showed that these actions of his could still stir a ripple in Lin Huaiyu’s eyes.
“Fine. Since Teacher has said so, I naturally have to set a good example for Teacher.” Su Yang smiled coldly, his smile hiding much cunning.
He pulled Lin Huaiyu up, sat in the position where Lin Huaiyu had been sitting, and pulled the other onto his lap. He turned his head and bit Lin Huaiyu’s earlobe, nibbling with his teeth.
The fair, jade-like ear turned red instantly, incredibly hot. Su Yang let out a low laugh and raised his hand to rub Lin Huaiyu’s thin lips with his thumb, gently probing. His fingertip was instantly stained with moisture.
Su Yang said with a smile, “Although Teacher’s mouth isn’t forgiving, the inside is very warm and soft. I find it very comfortable; it’s just that your technique needs to be practiced well.”
Lin Huaiyu’s mouth was blocked by Su Yang, unable to speak. The other was even behind him, and his angry gaze couldn’t fall on Su Yang.
Su Yang naturally knew this, so he didn’t expect to hear Lin Huaiyu’s answer, merely talking to himself, “It’s no matter. There’s plenty of time. I will teach Teacher well.”
“Teacher taught me literature and history; I should return the favor. From now on, it’s my turn to teach Teacher these things.”
Having regained his mouth, Lin Huaiyu mocked him, “Your Majesty is certainly self-taught in these matters.”
Su Yang accepted it candidly.
He had wanted to do this kind of thing to Lin Huaiyu for a long time. He wanted Lin Huaiyu to stay by his side forever. He had read thousands upon thousands of books; as long as Lin Huaiyu didn’t leave him, he could practice each and every one on the other’s body.
“Teacher is so intelligent; surely you’ll learn these things as soon as they’re taught. Tonight, I’ll teach Teacher how to please me.”
Lin Huaiyu wanted to look at Su Yang in disbelief, but because he was being restrained by the other, he couldn’t turn his head. He bit Su Yang’s finger hard, and while the other withdrew his hand, he cursed, “Su Yang, are you a beast? Tomorrow is the wedding and investiture. Tonight… tonight you still want to…”
Su Yang laughed lowly in Lin Huaiyu’s ear, not caring at all. “Teacher always says you aren’t jealous, but you clearly care very much. Tomorrow is the investiture ceremony; are you going to push me away tonight?”
Lin Huaiyu couldn’t say more. After coughing up blood, his health was declining every day. The prescriptions Zhou Li had written could no longer keep him alive, and he couldn’t withstand Su Yang’s intense humiliation, yet he didn’t even have the strength to push Su Yang away.
Lin Huaiyu looked through the window and saw the trees in the courtyard outside growing new leaves. He slowly closed his eyes.
Tomorrow would be the time for him to leave.