Kuang Xuexian raised the lantern slightly, its glow illuminating that face. A clear and gentle jawline, a mole at the tip of the nose, beautiful yet sharp phoenix eyes, and those signature pitch-black pupils.

 

Only after seeing this face clearly did his heart suddenly brighten.

 

The Zhang Ji before him was like the spring river, flowers, and moonlight.

 

Snapping back to reality, he hurriedly said, “Please, come in, come in.”

 

Today, he had deliberately changed into a new moon-white robe, yet it still bore the same green bamboo leaf pattern. The night wind was chilly, and under the hazy glow of the lantern, he stood sideways at the doorway, appearing even more aloof and slender. In his hand, the golden paper lantern was adorned with red paper-cut flowers—likely intentionally added—exuding a small, festive warmth.

 

Fu Li followed the lantern into the courtyard gate. A faint, refreshing fragrance drifted in the wind, though he couldn’t identify it. Yet, he was certain it emanated from Kuang Xuexian. His gaze shifted from the lantern upward, landing on Kuang Xuexian’s slender, pale neck.

 

The courtyard was small but exceptionally tidy. Apart from a row of green bamboo against the wall, there was only a single paper bush plant. In this season, it bore neither flowers nor leaves, only budding branches, upon which now hung a small lantern. Perhaps Kuang Xuexian felt too shy to hang the kind of red lanterns adorned with the character for “double happiness,” yet he still wanted to create a festive atmosphere, so he had pasted paper-cut designs of twin lotus flowers on the small lantern.

 

Upon entering the main hall, they saw a table laden with dishes.

 

“I didn’t expect you to arrive so late. Some of the dishes were getting cold, so I kept them warm in the kitchen,” Kuang Xuexian said. “Please, have a seat.”

 

Li Qing quickly set down the bundle in his hands. “This servant will help you.”

 

The two of them then headed to the side room on the right of the main hall. Fu Li stood in the room, surveying his surroundings. The interior was as simple and clean as the courtyard, with very little furniture—only the most essential pieces. However, on the table in the main hall, a flower vase held two branches of red plum blossoms in bud.

Before long, Li Qing returned with the warmed dishes and noticed Fu Li examining the painting hanging in the main hall.

 

It was unclear who had painted it—carp frolicking among bamboo shadows, exuding a serene aura. The style differed slightly from what was currently popular, yet the skill was unmistakably first-rate. It bore no signature or seal, leaving its creator unknown. On either side hung a couplet that read:

 

“Sparse green jade, my lord,

 

Chattering water shuttle flowers.”

 

Li Qing, however, had no mind to appreciate the painting. He stole a glance outside before hurriedly retrieving a silk pouch from his robe. Unwrapping it, he revealed a poison-detecting needle.

 

He immediately tested each dish on the table with the needle. The emperor’s food and drink required extra caution, especially in a stranger’s home. He certainly didn’t share His Majesty’s boldness.

 

None of the dishes showed any issues. Just as he was putting away the silver needle, Kuang Xuexian entered with a hot dish.

 

Li Qing then offered a warm towel to Fu Li. As Fu Li wiped his hands, he asked, “Whose masterpiece is this?”

 

Kuang Xuexian replied, “Huh? Oh it’s not by any master.”

 

Only then did Li Qing take a closer look at the calligraphy and painting on the wall. Having spent years in the palace, he had naturally seen works by all the great masters. Now, examining the pieces on the wall, he couldn’t help but feel astonished. Leaving aside the painting for a moment, the calligraphy was truly exceptional—uniquely beautiful. Just as he was about to study it more closely, Kuang Xuexian said, “Don’t look anymore. Let’s eat first, or the food will get cold again.”

 

Li Qing promptly stepped forward to arrange the dishes. Noticing Kuang Xuexian’s surprised expression, he explained, “In our household, it’s customary for servants to serve meals. Please, sir, do not object.”

 

Kuang Xuexian glanced at Fu Lie.

 

Fu Lie had already taken his seat and said with a smile, “If you’re not accustomed to it, we can change the practice in the future.”

 

“No, no,” Kuang Xuexian replied. Having just arrived, he didn’t want to impose his own habits on them and quickly changed the subject. “These are the bowls and chopsticks you sent over yesterday.”

 

Fu Lie smiled. “How thoughtful. I do prefer using familiar things.”

 

Today’s dishes and wine were all purchased by Kuang Xuexian from a renowned restaurant in Shuangluan City, so naturally, they were of excellent quality. The food was exquisite, and the wine was particularly fine.

 

It was just a pity that his companion didn’t drink.

 

Li Qing said, “My master never drinks.”

 

How well-behaved. Kuang Xuexian looked at Fu Lie, who smiled warmly back at him. “You go ahead and drink. I’ll pour for you.”

 

With that, Fu Lie picked up the wine pot and filled Kuang Xuexian’s cup. It was a joyous day, and Kuang Xuexian drank several cups in a row.

 

His tolerance for alcohol was decent, but he flushed easily. After just a couple of cups, his face turned bright red. As warmth spread through his body, the last traces of nervousness melted away with the wine’s heat. Looking at Fu Lie across from him, he found the man’s masculine charm increasingly captivating—truly to his liking.

 

Everyone has their own unique aesthetic. There may be many attractive people in the world, but only a rare few can truly strike one’s heart. Kuang Xuexian preferred a more upright and proper appearance—the kind that looked like a well-behaved student in childhood and a dependable man in adulthood.

 

The face before him now was exactly that: handsome in an exceptionally proper and well-behaved way. Though Fu Lie’s eyes were pitch-black, his smile didn’t always reach them, and he could seem somewhat cold when not smiling, his gentle and frequent laughter softened his demeanor. His refined smile, paired with naturally expressive eyes and a mole at the tip of his nose, made him Kuang Xuexian’s ideal type.

 

Yet Fu Lie’s proper demeanor also stirred a sense of tenderness in Kuang Xuexian. He thought to himself that such a disciplined and upright gentleman deserved to be cherished and respected all the more.

 

People often yearn for what they lack. Having lived through turbulent times for too long, Kuang Xuexian longed for the ordinary, peaceful life of a common person. Having traversed too many worlds in his fast-paced journeys, he had experienced countless storms, yet he found himself drawn to this innocent and unassuming handsome man.

 

Fu Lie ate with great elegance, taking small, delicate bites, as if his appetite were modest.

 

Kuang Xuexian thought he shouldn’t stare any longer—if he did, he might be tempted to devour such a pure and handsome man in one go.

 

After the meal, he led them to the east wing. “Both the north and south rooms are suitable for sleeping, though I’ll have to trouble Li Qing to tidy them up a bit.”

 

To his surprise, the pure and charming gentleman asked, “Am I sleeping here too?”

 

Kuang Xuexian was taken aback. “Huh?”

 

Li Qing exclaimed, “Master!”

 

Kuang Xuexian’s face, still flushed from the wine, grew warmer as Fu Lie looked at him with a faint, teasing smile. For a moment, he felt utterly captivated and stammered, “It’s up to you.”

 

Fu Lie’s dark eyes swept over his face.

 

Li Qing hurriedly interjected, “Master, you and Sir Kuang should take some time to get to know each other better. Matters of a lifetime shouldn’t be rushed.”

 

He then turned to Kuang Xuexian and said, “Sir Kuang, if you seek a lasting union, like an ordinary man and woman becoming proper husband and wife, wouldn’t you prefer to wait until after the wedding to share a bed?!”

 

Looking into Li Qing’s earnest, almost anxious eyes, Kuang Xuexian couldn’t bring himself to play the role of a lustful man. “You’re right. There’s plenty of time ahead. No need to rush.”

 

Ah. He actually wanted to establish an image of a gentleman in front of this master and servant.

 

“The washroom is in the east wing annex, the west wing annex is the kitchen, and the west wing room is now used as storage. If there are things you don’t need for the time being and find them taking up space, you can move them to the west wing room. That’s about it. If there’s anything else you need, feel free to let me know.”

 

He didn’t feel it was appropriate to touch their belongings without permission, so the east wing room still needed to be tidied up. After finishing his explanation, he returned to his own main room.

 

Pacing back and forth inside his room, he almost called the other party to the main room again.

 

He was somewhat excited today, so he went to his desk to write the new storybook he was set to publish next month, which helped calm him down a little. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but when there was no more movement outside, he finally stepped out of the main room. Glancing toward the east wing room, he saw a faint, warm glow emanating from the window.

 

Nights in ancient times were very dark; without the moon, it felt as if there wasn’t a single speck of light in the entire world. He had grown accustomed to the pitch-black appearance of this courtyard, so seeing the lit window of the east wing room now felt strangely wonderful.

 

He headed toward the bathhouse on his own, planning to wash up before going to sleep.

 

Who would have thought that as soon as he pushed open the bathhouse door, he would see an oil lamp illuminating the inside. Li Qing was bent over, holding a towel in his hands, while Fu Lie, standing beside him, was in the middle of getting dressed.

 

Both master and servant turned to look at him upon hearing the door open.

 

Kuang Xuexian quickly stepped back. “My apologies.”

 

A moment later, Li Qing opened the door and came out.

 

Kuang Xuexian apologized again, saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were inside.”

 

He truly hadn’t heard a single sound.

 

“I’m finished washing up too,” Fu Lie emerged from inside, wearing only a thin robe that exposed half of his chest. He was tall and wore wooden clogs, his head nearly touching the doorframe. His body carried a damp chill, and he wore nothing underneath. As the cold wind blew in, the loose robe clung tightly to his figure.

 

What a perfect gentleman!

 

Broad shoulders, narrow hips, a slender waist, long legs—the robe outlined his firm, lean muscles, a clearly defined V-line, and finally, further down, faintly hinted at a majestic, mountainous contour.

 

Wow… Indeed, appearances can be deceiving.

 

When looking for a boyfriend, go for the slim ones!

 

He had a friend who, because she didn’t “inspect the goods” before marriage, felt utterly disappointed on her wedding night when she touched her husband. She repeatedly emphasized to him that while premarital relations might not be necessary, it was essential to “inspect the goods” before marriage.

 

He had only ever focused on appearances. Now, he realized his friend’s words were truly golden advice. He hadn’t listened, and now he might have to worry about himself!

 

Kuang Xuexian felt relieved that he had acted like a gentleman today.

 

Otherwise, if they had already consummated the marriage and he suddenly said, “You’re too big, I might need some time to adjust,” it would have been quite a mood killer.

 

Li Qing came back into the bathhouse to tidy up a bit before carrying out the discarded robes. “Does the young master need this servant’s assistance?”

 

“No, no need,” Kuang Xuexian hurriedly closed the door, only then noticing that there wasn’t a trace of steam in the bathhouse.

 

The bucket was still full of hot water.

Could it be they used cold water??

 

Considering the weather, it was unlikely anyone would wash with cold water.

 

Li Qing asked from outside, “Is the young master truly not in need of this servant’s service?”

 

“No!”

 

Li Qing stood outside for a while longer before returning to the east wing room.

 

He had already made the bed—the bedding, curtains, and drapes were all hastily prepared overnight by their orders, requiring both high-quality materials and an inconspicuous appearance. After all, as the Son of Heaven, everything he used was naturally the finest, especially since Fu Lie was an extremely particular person.

 

Thinking of how just yesterday he was in a palace ablaze with silver candles, yet today he was sleeping in such a humble side room. A single bluish-white porcelain oil lamp, fueled by rapeseed oil, burned dimly as a bean, emitting a wisp of fine blue smoke. Wealthy households nowadays used beeswax or insect white wax, which were brighter and had a milder scent.

 

No wonder—candles cost as much as several days’ worth of grain, and only high-ranking families or temples could afford them. It was already good enough that they weren’t using the double-layered fuel-saving lamps. When he was young and his family was poor, they used those fuel-saving lamps, with porcelain cups that had a water-filled interlayer to lower the oil temperature, making the flame even dimmer than this one.

 

“This place is truly a bit too simple,” he said. “I’m afraid Your Majesty won’t be used to sleeping here.”

 

Fu Lie curled one leg up, leaning sideways on the couch as he glanced around and said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve stayed in a house like this. Interesting.”

 

It seemed His Majesty was getting addicted to this. Well, might as well treat it as His Majesty playing house.

 

But he had a question: “Your Majesty if Kuang Xuexian wants to share the bed with you, what will you do?”

 

Play is play, and fun is fun. But would he really sleep with a man?

 

Hearing this, Fu Lie seemed to ponder some scenarios for a moment, then took a pill and swallowed it, saying, “It doesn’t seem entirely impossible.”

 

His words always made it hard to guess his true intentions. His expression was lazy, but his eyes were dark and bright. Li Qing couldn’t figure out what the emperor was really thinking and didn’t dare to ask further. He also wondered what the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Xie would think if they found out, and his heart grew troubled again.

 

A noble of the imperial family, actually running off to become a commoner’s live-in son-in-law!

 

The pill Fu Lie took had a calming effect. After swallowing it, he lay there in a daze. Li Qing quietly stood guard nearby. After a while, Fu Lie suddenly got up again, slipped on his wooden clogs, and headed back to the main room.

Kuang Xuexian had just finished washing up and returned, changed into his sleeping clothes, and was about to go to bed when he saw Fu Lie enter. He quickly stood up. “Not asleep yet?”

 

Fu Lie was still wearing that thin robe. Kuang Xuexian, whether out of propriety or something else, glanced at him briefly before raising his gaze upward. Fu Lie smiled at the corner of his lips and said, “Not sleepy yet. Are you going to bed?”

 

Kuang Xuexian replied, “I have to go to the bookstore early tomorrow morning.”

 

That was true—his daily routine was very fixed.

 

Fu Lie looked at his bed, an ordinary luohan bed without much decoration. The bluish-green quilt was neatly folded, with bamboo leaf patterns that were simple and elegant. The head of the bed was also quite unique—it actually had a bookshelf built into it, stacked with several layers of books.

 

“Then give me a book to pass the time,” Fu Lie said.

 

Kuang Xuexian asked, “What kind of book would you like?”

 

Fu Lie stepped closer, noticing that Kuang Xuexian stiffened slightly and shifted away a bit.

 

Fu Lie’s gaze swept over the bookshelf by the bed. The books there surprised him—they were a diverse collection. There were works by contemporary great scholars like Zhao Songyin’s Songyin Records and Liu Dewang’s Comprehensive Commentary on Classical Studies, as well as dry and tedious medical masterpieces like Prince Huan Fu Ye’s Complete Compendium of Changxing Medicine, along with significant works on epigraphy like Selected Inscriptions from National History, and astronomy texts such as The Great Zhou Astronomical Records.

 

But the most numerous were various tales of the strange and supernatural, miscellaneous records of unusual events, and rows upon rows of local gazetteers.

 

He browsed the books one by one, in no hurry to pick any particular one. Their robes nearly touched, and he caught the scent from Kuang Xuexian again—stronger than before, carrying the warmth of body heat. So he picked up a book with a rather eerie cover titled Mirage Tales and asked, “What incense are you wearing?”

 

As he lowered his head, he almost brushed against Kuang Xuexian’s ear. That fair, delicate ear flushed visibly with a rosy hue, stirring in him a sudden urge to take a bite.

 

From the first time he saw Kuang Xuexian, he had sensed a unique kind of purity about him—a refreshing vitality rarely found in ordinary people.

 

Such a crisp, clean man, elegant and immaculate in appearance, yet capable of something as bold as tossing an embroidered ball to choose a husband—truly fascinating.

 

Kuang Xuexian said, “It’s a blend I made myself.”

 

Fu Li asked, “Why isn’t there any in my room?”

 

“Huh?” Kuang Xuexian turned his head. “Do you want some?”

 

Fu Li didn’t answer. His eyes were truly distinctive—the eyelids exquisitely alluring, yet the pupils dark and inky, as if devoid of emotion.

Kuang Xuexian stood up and said, “I’ll go get some for you.”

 

Fu Li lowered his gaze and flipped through Mirage Tales. It was an old book, its pages already yellowed with age, though he had no idea where Kuang Xuexian had found it.

 

Kuang Xuexian brought him a bundle of incense sticks. Fu Li took them, smiling as he looked at Kuang Xuexian.

 

Kuang Xuexian clearly seemed uneasy and said, “This book is a bit frightening. It’s best not to read it before bed.”

 

Fu Li replied, “It’s fine. If I get too scared, I’ll come find you.”

 

Kuang Xuexian was taken aback, but Fu Li had already taken the book and incense and walked out. The spring night was quiet. Kuang Xuexian lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

 

Images of Fu Li in his loosely draped, thin robe surfaced in his mind. In his memory, Fu Li appeared even more refined and gentle, like a flawless jade gentleman.

 

Earlier, he had thought the other was deliberately teasing him, but now he realized it was his own restless, lustful thoughts that had led him to misinterpret the situation.

 

He let out a long sigh, wondering if this was what it felt like for an iron tree to finally bloom.

 

Indeed, someone like him wasn’t afraid of ghosts or monsters—only this kind of gentle, proper gentleman.

 

So preoccupied with these thoughts, he didn’t even notice how unusually silent the night seemed.

 

Even the sound of the night watchman’s drum felt distant, as if the entire world had been swallowed by darkness.

 

Late into the night, Li Qing lit the incense sticks, wafted the scent toward himself, and took a careful sniff. The fragrance was peculiar, as if he were standing amidst flowers and plants—refreshing, just like Kuang Xuexian himself.

 

“This Master Kuang is truly a bit odd. He appears extremely proper and straightforward, yet he’s capable of something as flamboyant as publicly choosing a husband. Looking at the calligraphy and paintings on his walls and the incense he uses, none of it is ordinary. He doesn’t seem like someone from a common household—his ancestors must have been well-off.”

 

Kuang Xuexian was indeed unusual.

 

Those with ill intentions often prefer to disguise themselves as ordinary to lower others’ guard. But Kuang Xuexian stood there plainly, making it clear from the start that he was different from the rest.

 

Perhaps because he was so unusual, being around him brought a sense of security.

 

Fu Li leaned to the side under the lamplight, flipping through Mirage Tales. His dark pupils reflected the flickering flame, making them appear even deeper and blacker, as if possessed by something sinister.

 

This was the first time he had read such a miscellaneous book—a collection of strange tales and oddities. It began with the story of a skin-painting ghost.

 

A terrifying skeletal ghost draped itself in human skin, disguised as an innocent beauty, to seduce a young, naive scholar.

 

The damp ghost, the man-eating demon, under the flickering candlelight in the dead of night, meticulously paints its own human skin, stroke by stroke.

 

Li Qing sat on the rush cushion keeping watch, having nothing to do, he took the Buddhist prayer beads from his wrist and sat cross-legged, rolling the beads between his fingers.

 

Every night before bed, he would recite the Amitabha Sutra several times.

 

After finishing, he looked up at Fu Mie and saw him with his hair loose, head slightly bowed, seemingly engrossed in a book.

 

Perhaps accustomed to the luxury around the emperor, he was no longer used to such dim, flickering lamplight. The swaying oil lamp seemed to envelop Fu Mie in the night. The gentle and refined emperor of the day seemed to have shed his human skin, revealing his alluring, somber, and sharp true nature.

 

This reminded him of a few years ago when he had just been transferred to Qingtai Palace. During a night watch, he suddenly heard the cawing of crows. He hurriedly lifted the curtain to peer into the imperial hall.

 

Qingtai Palace was exceptionally magnificent, appearing resplendent and golden during the day. But at night, shrouded in darkness, the overly opulent palace took on an eerie, tomb-like aura, its dark grandeur sending chills down one’s spine. In the faint light, he vaguely saw two pitch-black crows flapping their wings and landing beneath a gilded screen, pecking at the dark red blood spreading on the floor.

 

Startled, he rushed in, only to find the teenage emperor using his foot to turn over a fresh corpse on the ground. His black robe trailed and merged with the night. Sensing Li Qing’s gaze, the emperor slowly turned his head. The corners of his phoenix eyes were stained red with blood, yet his dark pupils held little emotion. Wearily, he said, “Have someone clean this up.”

 

He raised a hand to wipe the blood from his cheek, his snow-white fingertips dangling a drop of red like rouge.

 

Everyone called that night the “Renshu Palace Incident.”

 

It was an assassination attempt launched by several palace servants loyal to Emperor Daizong in the dead of night.

 

They tried to strangle the emperor in his sleep, unaware that the young emperor had kept a phoenix-blade dagger under his pillow since childhood.

 

During that time, the palace underwent a massive purge. Many died, and every day, buckets of water were used to wash away the bloodstains on the ground. The stench of blood was nauseating, mingling with the droning chants of the palace monks, making one dizzy. Yet the emperor seemed to enjoy it, often calling his crows to feed. Birdseed scattered on the blood-soaked ground seemed especially delicious to the crows.

 

That was how he came to know the two crows the emperor kept.

One was called Da Xizi, the other Xiao Xizi.

 

The palace servants said they were beloved pets the emperor had brought from Shuocao Island into the palace—highly intelligent, leaders among the crows. Everyone took great care of them, though the crows often flew about freely. People would frequently ask, “Where have the Double Xis gone?”

 

For him, an inner official transferred from the imperial mausoleum, crows were all too common—the mausoleum was full of such birds. Yet these creatures were undeniably frightening, as they easily evoked thoughts of death. For the emperor to keep crows as pets and even name them with the character for “joy” was truly chilling.

 

Now, after serving the emperor for several years, he had naturally grown accustomed to all of the emperor’s unconventional behaviors. Beside the bed stood a slightly worn bronze mirror, reflecting the emperor’s shadowy face. He could only pray for that seemingly overly trusting and bold Kuang gentleman.

 

He likely still didn’t know what kind of man-eating dragon he had provoked.