Chapter 54: What Kind of Beauty Do You Crave? Part 1

Shen Jun’s gaze involuntarily fell upon those slender, snowy-white collarbones. The skin was so fine it seemed like a layer of mist floating over the bone, glowing with a nearly translucent luster. Faint blue veins traced a delicate path beneath the surface.

It looked as though the slightest pinch would leave a crimson mark that would never fade.

Accompanied by Gu Huaiyu’s incredibly seductive words, Shen Jun’s pupils constricted. His Adam’s apple bobbed several times.

Yet, the moment his eyes met that pair of soul-piercing gaze, he saw the mocking curve at the corner of Gu Huaiyu’s eyes. A shallow smile flickered in those depths, radiating the confidence of a seasoned hunter baiting a beast.

This was a trap—a choice between life and death.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Shen Jun bowed. His forehead hit the carpet once more, the shadows of his sleeves masking the feverish look in his eyes. “This official owes his life and career to Your Excellency’s grace. I hold it deep in my heart; how could I ever dare to harbor such profane thoughts toward you?”

The moment he spoke, a soft laugh drifted from above. It sounded like satisfaction at his answer, yet also like a mockery of his forced composure.

From his lowered vantage point, Shen Jun saw those embroidered boots step across the patterned carpet toward him. The gold and silver threads shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

The tips of the boots eventually stopped directly in front of him. The pigeon-blood rubies on the toes stared back like a pair of haughty eyes, peering down at him from a great height.

Gu Huaiyu stood very close. His wide sleeves draped down, the corners lightly brushing the floor before Shen Jun. A faint, haunting fragrance wafted over him.

Shen Jun’s breath hitched. He closed his eyes, only to hear Gu Huaiyu’s unhurried voice: “A grand Director of the Secretariat, already of age, yet you have neither a wife nor a concubine. Why is that?”

“This official’s ambitions do not lie within the inner chambers. I prioritize government affairs daily and find it difficult to spare any attention for such matters.”

Shen Jun saw the boots begin to move. Like a cat circling an interesting piece of prey, Gu Huaiyu paced around him, seemingly contemplating how best to devour him.

Gu Huaiyu let out a soft “Mm,” speaking with casual indifference. “A loyal and patriotic official, indeed. This Chancellor almost thought that with a face like yours, you preferred the company of men.”

Shen Jun’s fingers, pressed against the carpet, slowly tightened. Having survived many storms, no matter how wild his heart raced or how lewd his thoughts became, he maintained an outward facade of calm. “This official has few worldly desires. Aside from my duties, I have no other thoughts.”

Gu Huaiyu’s voice remained nonchalant, but his questions grew increasingly dangerous. “Is that so? I have heard the nobles in the capital take pleasure in keeping male favorites. Have you ever seen such a thing?”

Shen Jun’s expression didn’t flicker. He answered truthfully, “I have seen a few.”

Gu Huaiyu gave a shallow nod, seemingly pleased by the honesty. “I suppose that makes sense. Not long ago, Xie Shaoling petitioned the Emperor to marry Master Plum. At the time, you told me, ‘When the heart is truly moved, the beauty lies in mutual affection. Why should gender matter?'”

An undercurrent seemed to surge in Shen Jun’s eyes, yet he maintained a respectful tone. “This official has always believed that when emotions reach their peak, they transcend the boundaries of Yin and Yang. When the Old Man under the Moon ties his red strings, does he ever stop to check if the souls are male or female?”

Gu Huaiyu suddenly stopped in front of him. The soft mink fur of his collar brushed against the tip of Shen Jun’s ear, causing the younger man’s rigidly upright body to stiffen.

“In that case, you do not crave women, nor do you crave men—”

As he spoke, Gu Huaiyu suddenly leaned down, enveloping Shen Jun within a private sphere of cool, gentle breath. “Then what kind of beauty do you crave?”

Shen Jun tasted the lingering fragrance between his lips. His answer remained impeccably dignified. “This official wishes only to follow Your Excellency with a single heart. That is enough.”

Gu Huaiyu raised an eyebrow. He had heard plenty of such flattery. He wasn’t entirely without desire, but his body was frail; years ago, it had been predicted he wouldn’t live long. Taking a wife or fathering children would have only brought misery to others.

But Shen Jun was different—young, vigorous, and in his prime. Could he truly have no desires at all?

Gu Huaiyu reached out a finger as pale as carved jade and flicked the gold wing of Shen Jun’s official cap. The gold ornament swayed unsteadily under his touch.

When he spoke again, his voice was lowered and melodic, as if he were reciting poetry. “Do you ever… pleasure yourself?”

The tension in Shen Jun’s brow suddenly jumped.

“This official…” He paused, seemingly weighing the most appropriate words. “There are moments when the blood runs too hot to suppress. Then, I do.”

Gu Huaiyu stared at a patch of skin behind the man’s ear. That skin turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His cold fingertip moved from the gold wing to press firmly against that skin, feeling the violent thrumming of Shen Jun’s pulse. “When you do, who are you thinking of?”

The question was devoid of emotion. Each word was as cold as ice.