Helan Ji’s oral decree spread quickly. In mere moments, the Hanlin Academy received it, and the officials did not dare to slack off in the slightest. They immediately began drafting the edict to confer the title of Noble Consort.
In fact, Eunuch Xue’s concerns were entirely unnecessary. Which of these ministers dared raise any objections to Helan Ji? His reputation as a tyrant was no empty rumor. Since his ascension, the new Great Yong laws he enacted were the harshest in history, supplemented by a host of bizarre and cruel punishments. Merely reading the descriptions of those penalties was enough to terrify anyone out of their wits.
Not long ago, a horrific case of cannibalism occurred in Yan Prefecture. Local officials had colluded with evil monks, luring vulnerable women and children everywhere to turn them into blood food and blood medicine, slaughtering over a hundred lives.
After the case was cracked, all suspects connected to it were escorted to the capital for extreme execution. In the capital stood an execution ground called the Copper Thorn Platform, built right in the middle of the bustling market. That day, Helan Ji personally attended the Copper Thorn Platform, watching the executions alongside the civil and military officials.
Each criminal suffered a different extreme punishment, with the most brutal ones personally devised by Helan Ji.
One such penalty involved shattering the criminal’s bones through their flesh without drawing blood. The criminal, force-fed a secret medicine, remained fully conscious throughout. After their bones were pulverized, man-eating worms were poured into their seven orifices to devour the mashed innards, leaving only a sheet of human skin.
The throat and vocal cords were eaten last, allowing the screams to continue uninterrupted.
The executions lasted half a day. Many officials vomited from the gruesome sight, and the elderly Prime Minister, advanced in age, was so frightened that he fell ill. He was still recuperating at home and had not attended court for days.
As for conferring the Noble Consort title, only Great General Wei Huai and the old Prime Minister among the court officials might have dared to inquire. But one was at Cloud Moon Temple, the other bedridden at home—neither had the chance to interfere.
With those two absent, the rest naturally obeyed the emperor’s command. Anyone who dared oppose Helan Ji had better consider how many lives they had to spend in the imperial prison and on the Copper Thorn Platform.
Yet drafting the edict proved tricky for the Hanlin scholars.
Aside from the Noble Consort’s name, they knew nothing else. Which Sang clan did Sang Xue hail from? What of the Noble Consort’s character and appearance? His Majesty had told them nothing.
In the end, they sent people to inquire in the palace and learned more details.
Sang Xue came from humble origins, originally an inner servant of Cuiwei Palace. With peerless beauty, he captivated His Majesty at first sight. Last night, His Majesty summoned him, and today he was made Noble Consort. Even this morning’s court session was skipped due to excessive indulgence with Sang Xue.
The officials were greatly shocked. In their impression, His Majesty had always been diligent with state affairs, worrying day and night without rest. Unless gravely ill, he never neglected national matters. Delaying morning court for the pleasures of the bedchamber? How could such a thing happen to His Majesty?
If true, this Noble Consort’s charms must be extraordinary…
Could he be one of those fox demons who bewitched their lord and disrupted the court—a disastrous beauty?
Harboring concerns and worries, the Hanlin scholars drafted the edict and sent it back to the palace. Helan Ji reviewed the draft, made a few changes, but by then it was already afternoon. Only then did Qixue awaken from his sleep.
Even after waking, Qixue still felt exhausted, his body aching and limp. Even opening his eyelids took effort.
He lazily rolled over, his thoughts gradually returning. Recalling last night’s debauchery, he couldn’t help blushing and his heart racing. He was truly a bit scared now.
It wasn’t fear of His Majesty’s demonic appearance. As long as he was still His Majesty, Qixue could never be afraid. He loved His Majesty no matter what he looked like. It was just… His Majesty’s stamina was too overwhelming. Being taken again and again like that was so pleasurable it nearly killed him. He really couldn’t endure it.
He had even forgotten the most important dual cultivation. How could that be? He had seduced His Majesty for that very purpose.
He couldn’t let His Majesty keep dominating him. Tomorrow… No, he needed another day to rest. The day after, he would definitely take down His Majesty!
Qixue secretly vowed this in his heart, lay there a while longer, then barely propped himself up against the bedpost.
He wanted to get out of bed for a drink of water when slender tendrils suddenly crept in from outside the bed curtains, bringing him tea.
Seeing it, Qixue blushed and lightly bit his lower lip as he took the teacup. The little tendrils were lively, dexterously slipping under the brocade quilt. Qixue let out a soft gasp, his hand holding the cup trembling instantly. “Don’t…”
He breathed shakily, his face gradually flushing crimson, fine sweat beading on his snowy shoulders.
The teacup in his hand felt as heavy as a thousand catties; he could barely hold it, nearly dropping it onto the quilt. Suddenly, a hand reached through the curtains, steadily supporting his wrist.
Helan Ji lifted the bed curtains, holding the teacup steady for Qixue and bringing the rim to his lips. Qixue drank from his hand, then shuddered all over, pleading softly, “Your Majesty, could you… could you make it stop?”
Helan Ji looked down at him.
“But you like it very much,” he said. “You even want it deeper.”
“Your Majesty!”
Called out by Helan Ji, Qixue flushed to his ears and buried himself in the quilt. He almost suspected Helan Ji could read minds—how else did he always know his thoughts? And now again… mm…
Helan Ji casually handed the teacup to the Nightmare Demon, lifted the quilt, and embraced Qixue while unfastening his own belt.
Qixue didn’t get his chance to take down Helan Ji before being toyed with once more. The little tendrils slithered wetly off the bed, and Qixue himself was drenched, carried off by Helan Ji to bathe.
After the bath, Helan Ji held Qixue as he dressed. Lunchtime had passed, but the imperial kitchen specially prepared a table of vegetarian dishes for Qixue. Helan Ji sat at the table with Qixue still in his arms, not letting him down, but seating him on his lap and feeding him bite by bite.
Since waking, Qixue’s feet hadn’t touched the ground. Helan Ji carried him everywhere, as if he were dodder vine that couldn’t live without him.
But Qixue loved clinging to Helan Ji anyway. With Helan Ji spoiling him so outrageously, he happily accepted it, his heart sweet as he was tended to. He hooked his arms around Helan Ji’s neck and kissed him. “Your Majesty is so good to me.”
Helan Ji kissed him back, leaving a dragonfly-kiss on his lips.
Carrying Qixue like this everywhere, he felt no fatigue at all—his complexion was even better than usual.
After their union, their bodies and souls intimately merged. Not only did Qixue adore him; he loved Qixue too. Their affections intertwined, further weakening the witchcraft’s backlash.
After lunch, Qixue reluctantly rose, wanting to get down from Helan Ji’s lap. “I should go visit the Taifei.”
Xu Taifei was very clingy with Qixue too. If she didn’t see him for a day, she’d throw a tantrum like a child. She was so good to him; Qixue couldn’t bear to upset her. He should have gone to Cuiwei Palace that morning, but having overslept, he could only go now.
Helan Ji pressed him back down, not letting him leave. “Zhen will accompany you. Xue Ming, have them prepare the carriage.”
Eunuch Xue had been quietly playing statue earlier, only serving dishes. Now he spoke up appropriately. “Your Majesty, the ministers are already waiting in the study to discuss the Noble Consort’s title and investiture ceremony with you.”
“Noble Consort?”
Qixue, unaware of this, looked at Helan Ji in surprise. “The Noble Consort Your Majesty is conferring… is that me?”
He wasn’t sure if it referred to him—the rank was too high. He had never even dreamed of it, thinking being made a beauty would be fortunate enough.
Helan Ji said, “Who else but you? Zhen has only you—no others. You will be Zhen’s future Empress.”
“Your Majesty…”
Qixue’s eyes shimmered with emotion. He hugged Helan Ji excitedly, burying his face in his chest, nearly weeping with joy.
He had truly become His Majesty’s favored consort, the sole Noble Consort and future Empress! This meant that once he bore a child, he could surely become Empress, and take down Ji Yuheng!
In that moment, Qixue was so thrilled he even thought of sneaking into Wei Huai’s home to steal that Childbearing Pill and conceive Helan Ji’s child tonight.
But it was just a thought. He was still afraid of being caught by Wei Huai. He wasn’t in that much of a hurry—better wait for the Holy Monarch to send a new Childbearing Pill.
Sensing Qixue’s excitement, Helan Ji’s stern expression softened. He leaned down and kissed him. “In a moment, come with Zhen to meet them. Choose whatever title you want.”
Qixue blinked sweetly. “But Your Majesty, I still need to visit the Taifei—I really don’t have time for the lords. Why don’t you decide for me? I’ll like whatever Your Majesty chooses.”
“No matter. Let them wait in the study. Zhen will accompany you to see the Taifei.”
Helan Ji calmly gave the order, leaving the ministers to wait in the study as inner servants prepared the carriage. He scooped up Qixue and headed out of the bedchamber.
In the study, the ministers sat waiting in the seats granted by Helan Ji, only to receive word from an inner servant: wait another hour—His Majesty had gone to Cuiwei Palace with the Noble Consort.
The ministers were stunned. As they sat dazed, they glimpsed through the window cracks the emperor’s Jade Chariot slowly passing along the imperial path, stopping at the steps of Chang Le Palace.
The sky was overcast with light snow falling. Inner servants held open umbrellas in a long line up the steps, shielding the emperor from wind and snow.
The emperor appeared under the umbrellas in his dark cloak, but he was not alone. In his arms was another person.
The one in his arms wore a snow-white cape, the hood covering most of his face, revealing only a jade-like chin—clearly a stunning beauty.
The emperor held the beauty like a treasure, not letting wind or frost touch him in the slightest. He carried him onto the Jade Chariot reserved solely for the emperor and rode together.
The Jade Chariot gradually receded, leaving two tracks on the snow-dusted ground.
Witnessing the emperor’s extravagant favor toward the Noble Consort, the same thought arose in their minds unbidden—
Demon consort, calamity to the country.
–
When Helan Ji and Qixue arrived at Cuiwei Palace, it was no surprise to hear Xu Taifei throwing a tantrum.
“Why hasn’t A’Xue come? Is A’Man too fond of him and unwilling to let him come accompany me? Go to Chang Le Palace at once—I want to see A’Xue. If I don’t see A’Xue, I won’t eat!”
“Mother Concubine, don’t be angry. I’m truly sorry—A’Xue is late.”
Qixue hurriedly soothed her, signaling Helan Ji to put him down. Helan Ji paused slightly but complied with Qixue’s wish and set him down.
As his feet touched the ground, Qixue’s legs went soft. He hadn’t walked all day and now realized Helan Ji had left him without strength in them.
Your Majesty really…
Qixue blushed, fussing with a stray lock of hair by his temple to cover it up. He took a deep breath and walked in. “A’Xue is here to keep Mother Concubine company.”
“A’Xue, you’ve finally come!”
Seeing her longed-for “daughter,” Xu Taifei happily pounced over to hug Qixue, but Helan Ji blocked her. “His body is unwell—best not to touch him.”
“Unwell? Is A’Xue ill?”
Xu Taifei froze, anxiety flashing across her face. “Let Mother Concubine see what’s wrong! Ah, why didn’t they tell me? If I’d known, I would have gone to see A’Xue. A’Man, does your Chang Le Palace have too many filthy things? How else could healthy A’Xue fall ill?”
“He’s not ill,” Helan Ji said. “His discomfort is from my indulgence of him.”
Xu Taifei’s almond eyes widened. “Indulgence…?”
“Your Majesty!” Qixue tugged shamefully at Helan Ji’s sleeve. How could he speak so bluntly to the Taifei!
Helan Ji held Qixue’s hand and continued to Xu Taifei. “I plan to confer Sang Xue as my Noble Consort.”
“But…” Xu Taifei was clearly bewildered, stammering, “But… I’ve recognized A’Xue as my daughter. He’s your sister… How can a brother marry his sister?”
“A brother can marry his ‘sister,'” Helan Ji said. “I can be both his brother and his husband.”
Qixue chimed in aptly. “Your Majesty isn’t my blood brother. In the future, I can still be Mother Concubine’s ‘daughter’ and also Your Majesty’s wife.”
“This… alright, alright.”
Xu Taifei reluctantly agreed, though she seemed quite dejected. “Then I’m no longer A’Xue’s closest person. His husband will be the closest now, and he’ll forget this mother concubine…”
“How could that be? Mother Concubine will always be my Mother Concubine. I’ll always love you.”
Qixue wanted to step forward to comfort Xu Taifei, but Helan Ji still did not release his hand. Instead, he gripped it even tighter.
Qixue was a little surprised. He glanced back at Helan Ji, who remained silent. Only then did Helan Ji slowly let go of Qixue’s hand, allowing him to walk over and hug Xu Taifei.
On the way back, Qixue nestled in Helan Ji’s arms and teasingly asked, “Could it be that Your Majesty is jealous? Why wouldn’t you let me go comfort the Imperial Concubine Dowager?”
He had spoken without much thought and did not truly believe Helan Ji was jealous. Unexpectedly, Helan Ji did not deny it. Instead, he countered, “Am I not allowed to be jealous?”
He did not refer to himself as “We” but used “I,” openly admitting his jealousy. Qixue inexplicably blushed, his voice softening. “You are allowed…”
Helan Ji gazed at him and said, “I am very jealous.”
He reached out and lightly tapped Qixue’s chest. “I’m also jealous that your former lover left marks on your body.”
“Ah…” Qixue covered his chest and said softly, “Then what should we do… How about Your Majesty replaces my nipple studs for me?”
Helan Ji shook his head. He had no intention of removing Qixue’s nipple studs or replacing them—he did not want Qixue to endure the pain again.
As long as he treated Sang Xue better, better enough to fully occupy Sang Xue’s heart, it did not matter if the old items remained. Even if Sang Xue saw them, he would no longer think of his former lover.
He said to Qixue, “When we’re alone in private, you can call me ‘Brother.'”
“Brother, you’re so good to me…”
Qixue immediately seized the opportunity. He hugged Helan Ji and kissed him, coquettishly asking, “Then what will Brother call me? Earlier, you called me ‘Sang Xue.’ We’re so intimate now—shouldn’t you change how you address me?”
“What do you want me to call you?” Helan Ji asked. “‘Little Sister’?”
“‘Little Sister’ is out of the question.” Qixue’s ears turned red. “Your Majesty might as well call me by my childhood name. My childhood name is ‘Yuan Yuan’—the yuan from ‘circle.'”
This was the name Helan Ji had given him back then. He was Yuan Yuan, and Helan Ji’s childhood name was A’Man—perfectly round and full. Now, they were together again.
He wondered if His Majesty still remembered that little rabbit from back then.
“Yuan Yuan.”
Helan Ji repeated the two words. He did not mention the matter of raising a little rabbit in the past. He merely said, “My childhood name is ‘A’Man.’ Yuan Yuan and A’Man—we’re a perfect match.”
“Yes…”
Qixue saw that he probably did not remember. Although he knew Helan Ji had only been three years old at the time and still very young, he felt a bit dissatisfied. He deliberately blew a puff of hot air by Helan Ji’s ear and lightly nipped his earlobe. “A’Man Brother.”
Helan Ji’s back instantly stiffened, his breathing growing heavy. “Yuan Yuan, aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to handle it?”
Qixue innocently looked away. “Your Majesty, we’ve already returned to Chang Le Palace. You still have to summon the ministers. I’ll just…”
He wanted to flee, but he was no match for Helan Ji’s speed in restraining him. Helan Ji wrapped his arm around Qixue’s waist and carried him down from the Jade Chariot. “You’ll come inside with me.”
Helan Ji carried Qixue to the study, where the ministers had already been waiting for quite some time. Upon hearing the inner attendants’ announcement, they all bowed low on their knees. “We ministers pay respects to Your Majesty and to the Noble Consort.”
“Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Helan Ji carried Qixue to the seat of honor behind the wide desk. Qixue sat on Helan Ji’s lap, not daring to move. He did not want Helan Ji to lose face in front of his ministers.
Unexpectedly, while he behaved himself, those slender tendrils refused to let him off. They quietly climbed up along his calf.
“!”
Qixue covered his mouth, not daring to make a sound. He looked incredulously at Helan Ji.
Helan Ji, however, remained impassive as he addressed the ministers seated below. “Bring the list of titles to the Noble Consort so he can choose one himself.”
