After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 16

Perhaps in deference to Fang Zhiyan’s preferences, a small table had been placed by the window of the sleeping quarters, flanked by two low couches.

The two sat facing each other. Fang Zhiyan pretended to look out at the courtyard to calm his racing heart. Outside, the sunlight was bright and warm, making his chest feel even more flushed. For some reason, he did not dare to meet the eyes of the man sitting opposite him.

Lan Ruo brought in an assortment of fruits and pastries, all exquisite and dainty, arranged on white porcelain plates that were a delight to the eye. After setting the items down, the palace attendants kept their heads bowed and retreated with light steps, their breathing so soft it was barely audible.

In an instant, only the two of them remained in the hall.

Fang Zhiyan’s gaze lingered for a moment on the fresh lychees. They were large and bright red. Ordinary concubines would likely struggle to even see such fruit, yet there were plenty displayed here.

Noble Lady Zhou had never truly been fighting for Xiao Huan the man; in this palace, climbing upward was simply an instinct. A soldier wants to be a general, and a consort wants to be the Empress. Since they were already here, why not compete? Everyone knew that Chengqian Palace was better than all the other halls. Noble Lady Zhou was not wrong, but her luck had been poor. Now that she was dead, no one else could be blamed.

As if sensing his thoughts, Xiao Huan also glanced at the fruit. “These were just delivered to the palace from Lingnan today. They are sweet and refreshing. Won’t you try some?”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zhiyan withdrew his gaze. His fingertips lightly brushed the silk edge of the low couch, showing little interest. “I am too lazy to peel them.”

If Xiao Huan were not here, there would be a line of people waiting to serve him. Unfortunately, whenever Xiao Huan was in his hall, the palace servants became exceptionally clever, staying as far away as possible. They feared that staying a moment too long would interrupt the Emperor’s private time and earn them a reputation for being tactless.

Xiao Huan raised an eyebrow. His gaze shifted downward, landing on Fang Zhiyan’s slightly curled legs, and he changed the subject. “Let me see your leg.”

Those five simple words made Fang Zhiyan freeze. He instinctively looked up at the man across from him, his face full of confusion. He hesitated before refusing. “No. Making such an exchange would be undignified.”

He thought Xiao Huan wanted to inspect his leg himself, and in return, he would peel lychees for the Emperor. He must be stuffed, Fang Zhiyan thought. For the ruler of a nation to suggest such an improper and undignified request was truly something.

Xiao Huan was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting such a response. After a brief pause, a look of helpless amusement surfaced in his eyes. “What exchange? I only wanted to see if the injury on your leg has improved.”

Fang Zhiyan finally realized he had misinterpreted the Emperor’s intent. In an instant, his frustration turned to embarrassment. His entire face flushed hot, and even the tips of his ears turned a faint crimson. He wished he could find a crack in the floor to crawl into and never come out.

Xiao Huan took in his flustered appearance. A smile flashed in his eyes, and his heart felt as though it had been brushed by something soft, a sensation he could not quite describe. Seeing him like this, Xiao Huan could not resist teasing him further. He lowered his voice purposefully. “However, if you wish to make such an exchange, doing so in private would not be a problem. I do not mind.”

Every word struck Fang Zhiyan’s sense of shame, making him increasingly restless. He shifted his position on the couch, his voice tinged with irritation. “Your Majesty, please do not mention it again. I misspoke.”

It was humiliating; he just wanted the matter to pass. The Emperor was clearly worried about his leg injury, yet he had been so indecent. It was truly dreadful!

However, Xiao Huan did not mind. Instead, he spoke quite seriously. “If you want to eat these lychees, I can peel them for you. Come here and massage my shoulders. How does that sound?”

How does it sound? It sounded terrible. Fang Zhiyan protested loudly in his mind, his fingertips gripping the fabric tighter. He hoped someone would come and call the Emperor away. He did not want to play these ambiguous little games, nor did he want to be in such close proximity to him. Every second required constant vigilance for fear of being seen through and losing his life.

Xiao Huan saw that he did not answer. The young face was tense, looking both resistant and conflicted, but the Emperor was not annoyed. He reached out and picked up a plump lychee. He was the supreme ruler; he usually handled state affairs and reviewed memorials. He had never performed such trivial tasks.

Fang Zhiyan’s eyes uncontrollably drifted toward those hands. They were broad and powerful, with long, well-proportioned fingers. Even a small task like peeling a lychee shell looked pleasing to the eye. He even found himself wondering what it would feel like if those hands were to rest lightly on his body and slowly move.

Once such a ridiculous thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed; it spread wildly through his mind. Fang Zhiyan forced himself to act normal. Just then, something cold touched his lips. The fragrance of fruit surrounded his nose; it was a freshly peeled piece of lychee.

Startled, Fang Zhiyan instinctively opened his mouth and bit into the fruit. He looked up sharply, meeting Xiao Huan’s deep gaze. Their eyes met at close range, and their breathing seemed to intertwine. Fang Zhiyan’s heart suddenly lost control, thumping wildly. His reason screamed at him to stop.

This is not right!

“How does it taste?” Xiao Huan flicked away the juice clinging to his fingertips.

Fang Zhiyan mumbled, “It is delicious. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“No need for thanks,” Xiao Huan tilted his chin up. “It is your turn to massage my shoulders.”

Fang Zhiyan pretended not to hear. Honestly, it was just one lychee, yet he was expected to get up and massage someone’s shoulders while his leg was still healing. He did not move, using his peripheral vision to quietly observe Xiao Huan’s reaction. He watched to see if the Emperor’s face would grow cold or if his brow would darken.

None of that happened. Xiao Huan even reached out for another lychee and began to peel it. Within moments, a few peeled lychees were piled on the empty porcelain plate in front of Fang Zhiyan.

It was quite a feat to have the Emperor serve him like this. Fang Zhiyan touched the bridge of his nose. “Your Majesty, you should eat some as well.”

Xiao Huan used a silk handkerchief to wipe his fingers, his voice calm. “I do not care for these.”

His expression changed slightly, which Fang Zhiyan keenly observed. He instinctively replied, “Actually, I do not care for them much either. I prefer yellow cherries.”

Noticing Xiao Huan’s gaze shift toward him, Fang Zhiyan immediately shut his mouth.

“Yellow cherries? I recall those are unique to Gusu.”

When a person feels guilty, they often amplify the words and expressions of others. Right now, Fang Zhiyan wanted to hit himself. Why did he have to mention yellow cherries!

“Perhaps,” Fang Zhiyan said, desperate to change the subject. “I do not remember clearly. Lan Ruo bought them once from outside. Is Your Majesty thirsty? Consort Shu gave me some fine tea the other day. I will have someone brew it for you.”

Xiao Huan looked down and did not press the matter further, giving his consent. Fang Zhiyan immediately called out loudly for Lan Ruo. He desperately needed a third person to enter and break this incredibly strange atmosphere.

Lan Ruo heard him from outside and quickly entered with the tea set. Back at the manor, Lan Ruo’s tea-making skills were excellent; unhurried, elegant, and natural. As the steam curled upward and the fragrance of tea spread, it dampened the lingering sweetness of the earlier atmosphere.

The warm tea slid down his throat, finally helping him suppress the awkwardness in his heart. Xiao Huan tapped his finger lightly against the teacup. His voice was neutral as he mentioned, “The Thousand Lantern Festival is in a few days. The capital will be lively. Why don’t you come out with me for a walk?”

Fang Zhiyan paused; he had never heard of it. Lan Ruo quickly answered for him. “Your Ladyship, every year you used to go to the Thousand Lantern Festival with your friends to release lanterns. I thought you would not be able to go this year. His Majesty is truly kind to you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Fang Zhiyan said, as if lost in memory. “I truly miss it. Every year, I would write my longing for my grandmother on a flower lantern and release it into the moat.”

Xiao Huan’s hand paused as he drank his tea, but he returned to normal an instant later. Lan Ruo gave a dry laugh. “Your Ladyship, you have remembered it wrong. The Thousand Lantern Festival is for unmarried men and women to express their affection for one another. What you are describing is the ritual of releasing river lanterns for the deceased.”

Fang Zhiyan: “Oh, I mixed them up. Please excuse my ignorance, Your Majesty.”

Next time, I really should not try to fake memories.

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