Yuan Zhuo was pinned in place by Gu Huaiyu’s icy gaze, yet he still stubbornly tried to inch half a step forward. “Huaiyu Gege?”
Rippp—
The sound of silk tearing echoed softly. Gu Huaiyu recoiled violently, the sleeve of his robe pulling taut between Yuan Zhuo’s fingers. His expression was cold to the extreme as he issued a command that brooked no refusal. “Let go.”
Yuan Zhuo’s knuckles turned white, but eventually, he released his grip inch by inch.
However, the moment Gu Huaiyu crossed the threshold of the hall, Yuan Zhuo pursued him like an inescapable shadow. “Where is Huaiyu Gege going?”
Gu Huaiyu brushed him off with a flick of his sleeve, ignoring him. He strode down the white marble steps, the palace staff lowering their heads to avoid his path. Behind him, the hurried footsteps followed like a rhythmic ghost.
The faster he walked, the tighter those footsteps followed, yet they always maintained a distance of three paces—the Emperor was neither brave enough to stop him nor willing to let him go.
Pei Jingyi stood leaning against the sedan chair with his arms crossed. From a distance, he spotted the two figures approaching in a frantic rush.
When he saw the flash of bright imperial yellow trailing behind, his eyebrows shot up.
Yuan Zhuo noticed him too. His pace suddenly quickened, and with a sudden dash, he lunged forward to wrap his arms tightly around Gu Huaiyu’s waist from behind, pinning him in a firm embrace.
The young Emperor had grown rapidly these past few years. Once only reaching Gu Huaiyu’s shoulder, he was now significantly taller; his chin could easily rest upon Gu Huaiyu’s shoulder. “Huaiyu Gege, don’t be angry! I won’t say those foolish things ever again!”
Gu Huaiyu’s mind was a chaotic mess, a tangle of threads he couldn’t begin to unravel.
Suddenly, he heard Yuan Zhuo shift the conversation. “I saw your memorial today regarding the cancellation of the local prefectures’ right to recruit soldiers. I deeply agree. To wage war against Eastern Liao, we must first rectify our military system. This move is truly a grand strategy for the ages, benefiting both the state and the people.”
“I also agree with your policy of using Eastern Liao as a treasury. It is only a pity that I must remain in the capital and cannot see the banners of Great Chen planted atop the walls of Eastern Liao with my own eyes.”
He was saying exactly what Gu Huaiyu loved to hear.
How could Pei Jingyi just stand there and watch him hug Gu Huaiyu? He closed the distance in a few strides. Seeing Gu Huaiyu’s frigid expression and the fading handprint on Yuan Zhuo’s face, he understood the situation instantly.
He saw through the charade but didn’t voice it, instead narrowing his eyes at the arms wrapped around Gu Huaiyu’s waist. “Your Majesty need not worry. I will surely see the banners of Great Chen planted across every inch of Eastern Liao on your behalf.”
Gu Huaiyu felt a dull ache in his temples. He reached down to pry the hands from his waist.
To his surprise, the more he pried, the tighter Yuan Zhuo held him. The Emperor’s voice was hoarse and trembling. “Don’t go with him. I know I was wrong.”
You little brat, Pei Jingyi cursed inwardly. Outwardly, he spoke with blunt efficiency. “If you don’t let go, I’m going to have to be rude.”
Yuan Zhuo was beyond listening to him. His burning chest was pressed against Gu Huaiyu’s back as he pleaded, “I take back those bastard words. Huaiyu…”
“Please don’t leave, all right?”
Spilled water could not be gathered back.
How Gu Huaiyu wished he could pretend he had never heard a word of it!
But he was not one for self-deception. The complex emotions swirling in his heart made his fingertips tremble. Ultimately, he just lightly patted the tensed arms at his waist. “We will discuss this later. We are in public; Your Majesty is losing his decorum.”
How could Yuan Zhuo not know what “later” meant? There was no place for him at Gu Huaiyu’s side right now. If he waited a year or two for the victorious return, he feared he would be forgotten entirely.
The Emperor suddenly tightened his grip, burying his face deep into the fragrant collar of Gu Huaiyu’s robe. “I won’t let go.”
Pei Jingyi’s face turned ashen. He flicked his wrist inside his sleeve, preparing to step forward—
Gu Huaiyu suddenly reached out to press his hand over Yuan Zhuo’s, signaling Pei Jingyi with his eyes to stay calm. Given Pei Jingyi’s strength, a forceful pull might dislocate the Emperor’s wrist.
The war at the front was imminent. If the administration at the rear was delayed by such a scandal…
Yuan Zhuo noticed this silent protection. His breathing grew ragged as he whispered, “Chancellor Gu… Huaiyu… can I not respect you and love you at the same time?”
Pei Jingyi clenched his fists until his knuckles popped, his jaw tight.
Gu Huaiyu did not hesitate to cut through the mess. “Your Majesty only needs to respect me. As for ‘love,’ there is absolutely no need.”
Yuan Zhuo squeezed his eyes shut, forcefully pushing back the moisture pricking at them.
The arms around Gu Huaiyu’s waist loosened inch by inch. The color drained from the Emperor’s face as he murmured, “I understand.”
Gu Huaiyu looked back at him. Seeing him in such a state, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity. He pulled a plain silk handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it over. “Trivial romances are not worth mentioning. This beautiful empire, these lands—that is what Your Majesty should love.”
