Li Zhaoyi asked anyway.
He also felt this question was very bold.
But his intuition told him that while Yun Yin might not tell him, he probably wouldn’t get angry over this question.
And it turned out, he was right.
Yun Yin indeed didn’t get angry. He merely paused for a few seconds, then said casually, “Why does Your Majesty suddenly ask this?”
He mused thoughtfully, “Isn’t this something one should ask on the day of the coronation?”
Li Zhaoyi nervously analyzed his tone. Once he confirmed Yun Yin wasn’t angry, he said, “I’ve wanted to ask for a long time.”
“But I didn’t dare.”
This was the truth.
Yun Yin chuckled: “You didn’t dare before, but now you dare?”
Li Zhaoyi pressed his lips together.
Well, hadn’t they…
Become closer?
He sensed Yun Yin’s evasion.
But a moment later, Yun Yin unexpectedly didn’t refuse his question.
He just said, “Let’s run a few more laps.”
“It’s rare for Your Majesty to be out.” He said, “This minister will guide Your Majesty in more practice. After we’re done, this minister will take Your Majesty somewhere.”
Li Zhaoyi nodded, somewhat bewildered.
The riding grounds weren’t crowded that day, and the area they were in had been cleared.
Although Li Zhaoyi didn’t understand the formal protocols, he knew that the Son of Heaven required solemn dignity. A formal outing from the palace required long preparation and strict, heavy guards.
The fact that he could walk freely through the markets and outskirts like this was solely because Yun Yin was covering for him.
He couldn’t say he wasn’t grateful.
But…
Li Zhaoyi said, “Can I try it on my own?”
Actually, he was already quite proficient.
He meant that Yun Yin no longer needed to wrap an arm around his waist to help him balance.
The person behind him laughed very softly.
“Fine,” he said.
He dismounted, and Li Zhaoyi tried again to guide the small horse.
When the horse truly began to gallop, he raised his head and saw the beautiful, golden sunset in the distance.
–
Yun Yin kept his promise.
When they returned to Yun Manor for dinner, Li Zhaoyi momentarily thought he had forgotten about the question. But after the meal, the Yun Manor carriage was already waiting at the door.
Li Zhaoyi was traveling incognito today, but his identity hadn’t been concealed.
Both were dressed in plain clothes. When they arrived at their destination, Yun Yin disembarked first. Li Zhaoyi looked up and was stunned:
“This is…”
That day at the West Market, he and Yun Yin had passed by this place.
It was the most famous teahouse in the Capital.
The attendant at the door welcomed them, asking nothing. He swiftly guided them to a private room on the second floor. Once the door was closed, Li Zhaoyi looked at the furnishings and decor with curiosity.
“What would you like to drink?” Yun Yin asked.
Li Zhaoyi didn’t understand tea, so he quietly said, “Anything is fine.”
Yun Yin thought for a moment, then went out and gave instructions to the waiter.
A moment later, tea was served. The taste was sweet and refreshing, a flavor Li Zhaoyi liked. Several plates of exquisite tea snacks were arranged beside it.
Li Zhaoyi hadn’t planned on eating at first.
But the tea snacks were truly delicate. He ate one; the taste was sweet but not cloying.
Before he knew it, two pieces of Chestnut Cake had disappeared into his stomach.
He felt a bit embarrassed. But when he looked up, there was no mockery on Yun Yin’s face. He was just leaning against the window, watching Li Zhaoyi eat. Li Zhaoyi’s enjoyment seemed entirely within his expectations.
Once Li Zhaoyi finished eating, Yun Yin smiled.
“Your Majesty is surprisingly easy to raise,” he remarked thoughtfully.
No need for rare delicacies; just common treats that ordinary people enjoyed could make Li Zhaoyi eat with such delight.
Li Zhaoyi: “…”
Why did he sound like he was raising some small animal?
He said, “I’m finished.”
Yun Yin nodded.
Facing Li Zhaoyi’s expectant gaze, he paused for a few seconds.
Then he said, “Your Majesty was born into the Imperial Clan. So, does Your Majesty know exactly how many brothers and sisters you have?”
~
A moment later, Li Zhaoyi spoke: “…I know.”
Yun Yin seemed somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t told Li Zhaoyi about this.
He thought for a moment: “Did De Quan tell Your Majesty?”
He had seen that old eunuch a few times before, spoken briefly. His impression was one of steadiness, sharpness, and attentiveness towards Li Zhaoyi. Mu Ke wasn’t very good at selecting people, but this time he hadn’t misjudged, saving Yun Yin the trouble of replacing him.
Li Zhaoyi didn’t deny it.
He just said, “I also know that you were Crown Prince Brother’s… Study Companion.”
He didn’t know how to address Li Zhaoyu, so he picked one that felt safest. He was thin-skinned, and even as he said it, his ears burned with embarrassment, thinking, ‘I’m calling him brother, but he doesn’t even know me.’
Yun Yin was also taken aback.
But unlike what Li Zhaoyi expected, his expression actually became gentler.
He even continued using Li Zhaoyi’s phrasing.
“I met your brother very early.” He said, “But this place… is where I ultimately decided to stand behind him.”
Li Zhaoyi was stunned.
He realized that Yun Yin was going to share a secret with him.
To share a secret that perhaps almost no one else knew, a secret belonging only to himself.
…Could he really be allowed to hear this?
His throat felt dry, his heart in turmoil, but his mouth responded involuntarily: “Did he convince you?”
Yun Yin murmured an affirmative.
He paused: “Actually, the Yun Clan rarely takes sides, but—”
Not taking sides was for self-preservation, but it didn’t mean standing aloof and watching from the sidelines.
The Yun Clan had served with loyalty for generations. By the time the Yan Dynasty reached Emperor Ruide’s reign, it wasn’t beyond saving, but it was rife with deep-seated problems. People thought its fortunes were exhausted; no one expected a variable to emerge.
Siding with the Crown Prince was something even Yun Qingyuan supported and pushed for.
“Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor must have told you.” Yun Yin said slowly, “How important a sage ruler is to the world.”
He smiled faintly, “Your brother was that kind of person.”
There are such people in this world.
They might disagree with your views, might have vastly different personalities.
But just seeing this group of people—all the discouragement, the pessimism—would be swept away.
Replaced by an irrepressible spark of hope.
His words faded, leaving the room in silence.
In that silence, Li Zhaoyi’s mind lit up, finding the answer to his question.
He said softly, “You didn’t want to take what was his.”
Yun Yin didn’t speak.
–
Was that it? Yun Yin thought.
Probably.
Not that he hadn’t considered failure, nor the final outcome. It was never truly about changing the dynasty’s surname, but just thinking about that promise between a wise ruler and loyal subject would always instinctively repel him. So the thought had never truly crossed his mind.
Compared to his own thoughts, he was more surprised by Li Zhaoyi’s emotional insight.
Only after a long while did he say, “Not just that.”
“I never liked the Imperial Court.” He paused, “If His Highness were still alive, I would probably be at the Border Pass by now.”
He still preferred the military camp.
Not out of a love for killing, but for the pure, straightforward environment free from scheming.
Yun Yin said these words with an air of nonchalance.
It was he who had once told Li Zhaoyi to strictly mind the boundaries of status, yet now it was also he addressing Li Zhaoyi informally with ‘I.’ He found that when it came to Li Zhaoyi, he always wanted to push further.
Bullying him deliberately was one thing; forcing him to listen to his past was another.
He waited for Li Zhaoyi’s reaction.
He knew he’d said too much, but he didn’t care.
Not because he held supreme power or any other reason, but simply because the person opposite him was Li Zhaoyi.
He didn’t know how Li Zhaoyi would react.
In truth, Li Zhaoyi was the only person many of whose thoughts Yun Yin couldn’t predict. The little emperor was sometimes very clueless, yet sometimes seemed very clever.
He used to think this was unpredictable, but now he found it endearing.
Li Zhaoyi was silent for a long time.
Then, he said quietly, “…So it’s because I’m too stupid, isn’t it?”
Yun Yin was startled.
“If I were a little more capable.” Li Zhaoyi interpreted his words, “You wouldn’t have to watch over the court. You could go where you want to go, right?”
Yun Yin: …
The corner of his mouth finally curved up.
Li Zhaoyi looked at him.
He felt his understanding was correct.
But Yun Yin didn’t answer.
He just laughed very softly, then said, “Your Majesty, the sun has set. Let’s go back.”
~
Yun Yin hadn’t answered directly, so Li Zhaoyi took that as confirmation.
Actually, he had always known he was forced onto the throne by Yun Yin because there was no other choice, and he’d always known how outstanding Li Zhaoyu was. It was just that discovering he might be a burden to Yun Yin still left him a little discouraged.
He sat in the carriage, lost in thought, and Yun Yin didn’t speak much either.
It wasn’t until they were almost at the palace that he heard Yun Yin speak, but the question was somewhat unexpected.
Yun Yin said, “Your Majesty, this minister put you in this position. Are you happy?”
Li Zhaoyi was taken aback.
A moment later, he regained his composure and hesitated.
The conversation today had already been substantial. He realized that compared to pleasantries, Yun Yin preferred him to speak honestly.
So he said very honestly, “I don’t know.”
Happy? Not exactly.
Being an emperor might seem endlessly glorious, but in reality, it was exhausting and full of pressure.
He didn’t particularly like it.
But to say he felt aggrieved or resentful wasn’t quite true either.
After all, as tiring as being emperor was, it was a life of luxury and fine clothes—far better than his life in the Cold Palace. Previously, he worried because of Yun Yin’s existence, but now Yun Yin treated him very well, so there seemed no reason for worry anymore.
Thus, the answer became: I don’t know.
Yun Yin seemed pensive.
After a moment, he said, “Understood.”
Li Zhaoyi thought that was the end.
But then, he heard Yun Yin say, “If Your Majesty is unwilling, it wouldn’t be impossible.”
Li Zhaoyi froze.
He said, “…What do you mean?”
“Not now.” Yun Yin said, “Now is impossible.”
Of course, it was impossible now.
The court situation was unstable. Who knew how many people wanted him, and Li Zhaoyi, dead? A single move from him would draw the attention of the entire court.
In a few years, when all matters were settled, if Li Zhaoyi truly desired freedom, he could grant it. He could pick a suitable candidate from the Imperial Clan, slowly groom them, and when the time came, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Of course, there were conditions.
Yun Yin smiled. “Whatever Your Majesty wants, this minister will do his utmost to fulfill. This minister has only one requirement.”
He paused, looking into Li Zhaoyi’s eyes, and said softly, “At all times, do not deceive me.”
He could give Li Zhaoyi anything he desired.
Things he liked, things he wanted, even a freedom others couldn’t afford to give.
Only one condition.
That first, Li Zhaoyi must entrust himself to Yun Yin completely.
