Chapter 79: I Gave You Food and Shelter, but You Want To… Part 1

Yuan Zhuo had gone to great lengths to finally grasp Gu Huaiyu’s hand; he wasn’t about to let go easily. He held that hand—fair as alabaster and smooth as jade—within his palm throughout the journey, warming it with the feverish heat of his own body.

Upon reaching the imperial carriage, he still couldn’t bring himself to release his hold. He gently squeezed Gu Huaiyu’s fingertips. “I departed in such haste that I failed to prepare an official sedan for you. Would the Chancellor be willing to share my carriage?”

Pei Jingyi had never seen a brat so deserving of a thrashing. The boy’s petty intentions were written plainly across his face.

He stared fixedly at their interlaced hands, his eyes flashing with a suppressed fire. He wanted nothing more than to step forward and kick the boy aside.

You little brat, how dare you touch my wife’s hand? You’re asking for a beating.

Along the roadside, the commoners caught sight of the familiar crimson official robes. They knelt in succession, their voices rising in a unified roar: “The Chancellor has returned!”

The thunderous cheers echoed through the mountains, wave after wave, seemingly endless.

Gu Huaiyu’s attention was entirely focused on the people lining the road. As he stepped onto the carriage’s mounting block, he suddenly paused and turned to his subordinates. “Have them disperse. The mountain air is treacherous at night.”

Yuan Zhuo followed him into the carriage. Taking advantage of the lurch as the horses started, his body “accidentally” leaned toward Gu Huaiyu.

He sat flush against Gu Huaiyu as if it were the most natural thing in the world, wearing a mask of pure innocence. “Why is Minister Pei permitted to address you by your courtesy name?”

Outside the window, fresh spring buds trembled in the breeze. Gu Huaiyu watched the scenery, answering dismissively, “Is a courtesy name not meant to be used?”

Yuan Zhuo’s thumb brushed lightly over Gu Huaiyu’s knuckles, his tone controlled and steady. “You are the Chancellor, and he is a subordinate. I feel it is a breach of decorum.”

Gu Huaiyu’s gaze remained fixed on the spring colors outside. He gave a distracted, “Mhm.”

Taking an inch and reaching for a mile, Yuan Zhuo leaned in closer. Beneath his dragon robes, his body radiated heat as he pressed against the other man. “Is your relationship with Minister Pei… particularly close?”

Gu Huaiyu didn’t know where he found so many questions.

His relationship with Pei Jingyi?

It was good, naturally. He rarely allowed anyone such proximity. If Pei Jingyi were a woman, Gu Huaiyu would have brought him into the Chancellor’s Estate long ago.

Unfortunately, the man was indeed a man—one who seemed to enjoy parading around half-naked in front of him every day.

That momentary hesitation was a thunderclap to Yuan Zhuo’s ears.

The Emperor’s grip tightened unconsciously until a soft hiss of pain snapped him back to reality.

He hurriedly cradled Gu Huaiyu’s hand. Faint red marks had bloomed across the snow-white skin, looking particularly stark against the porcelain surface. “I didn’t mean to!”

With a look of piteous anxiety, he looked at the expressionless Gu Huaiyu and leaned down to blow gently on the marks.

The scent of dragongris incense swirled within the imperial carriage, mingling with the faint, ethereal fragrance lingering on Gu Huaiyu. It drifted into the Emperor’s throat, beckoning him. He couldn’t help but lean closer, taking a deep breath.

Possessed by some sudden impulse, his lips brushed softly against those pink-tinged fingertips.

Gu Huaiyu was no longer the oblivious man he once was. He had become acutely sensitive to such intimacy. He snapped his hand back, his face clouding over. “Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?”

Yuan Zhuo snapped out of his trance, a flush creeping up his pale, handsome face. He forced himself to remain calm. “I… I was overcome with emotion. Please, do not be offended.”

Seeing his flustered state, Gu Huaiyu decided not to press the matter. He raised an eyebrow slightly. “It is nothing.”

Yuan Zhuo felt no comfort from those words. Instead, a sudden spark of fury ignited in his heart.

Huaiyu Gege was so calm, so indifferent. Clearly, this wasn’t the first time someone had made advances toward him. Only someone accustomed to such gestures could remain so unmoved.

Who was it? Did he even need to ask?

Yuan Zhuo wanted nothing more than to issue an imperial edict to take that old dog’s head, yet he was forced to maintain his smile. “I am glad you are not angry.”

The imperial carriage wound through the streets, followed by a massive procession of officials, guards, and commoners, eventually arriving at the gates of the Chancellor’s Estate.

Yuan Zhuo still refused to let go of Gu Huaiyu’s hand. The pale skin was flushed red from the Emperor’s persistent grip. Even as they dismounted, he clung tight, wishing he could linger for just a moment longer.

Pei Jingyi flipped off his horse and swept his gaze over the two of them. He cupped his hands toward the Emperor. “Your Majesty is burdened with a myriad of state affairs. There is no need to escort the Chancellor into the inner courtyard.”

He flashed a smile that made Yuan Zhuo’s blood boil—casual and dismissive, as if he were humoring a difficult child. “Rest easy, Your Majesty. With this official by the Chancellor’s side, I will ensure he is… well-served.”

Yuan Zhuo wanted to punch him. He moved past the General, following Gu Huaiyu like a clingy shadow. “My business is none of your concern.”

Pei Jingyi’s brow twitched. Tch. Annoying brat. He even followed us into the house.

Gu Huaiyu didn’t bother acknowledging their bickering. He allowed Yuan Zhuo to hold his hand as they walked through the moon gate and wound through the corridors.

It wasn’t until they reached the stone steps leading to the study that he paused and turned. “Does Your Majesty have something to say?”

Yuan Zhuo glanced at Pei Jingyi, who was practically glued to his back. The old dog was like a ghost, omnipresent. He had a thousand words he wanted to say, but all of them were things Gu Huaiyu would never accept.

He slowly released that warm, soft hand. Straightening his back, he spoke in a solemn tone. “It is good to have you back. I will study hard and not let you down.”

After listening to nonsense the entire way, Gu Huaiyu finally heard something substantial. He reached out and patted the top of the Emperor’s head. “Good.”

Yuan Zhuo nodded with a smile. When he looked up again, he was once more the “good younger brother” in Gu Huaiyu’s eyes—the obedient, half-son figure. “I shall return to the palace to review the petitions. Please, take care of yourself.”

With that, he turned and walked away with a steady, powerful gait. As he passed Pei Jingyi, he cast a sideways glance. His eyes were like forged ice.

Pei Jingyi clicked his tongue, his soul unsettled by the look.

Inside the study, a blackwood box sat on the desk. Within it, the Secret Report of The Hearing was neatly stacked, waiting for Gu Huaiyu’s attention.

Gu Huaiyu sat gracefully in his familiar armchair. Seeing that Pei Jingyi was still loitering by the door, he asked without looking up, “Haven’t you seen enough?”

Pei Jingyi closed the door behind him, his boots clicking a rhythmic, cheerful beat as he approached. “The bond between the Chancellor and His Majesty is so deep; I find myself quite envious…”

Gu Huaiyu looked down at the reports. “You could have that too.”