The Seductive Beauty Breaks the Insecure Bottom Script [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 39.2

During this time, he had changed his previous business-like attitude toward He Wen, frequently summoning him to the Imperial Study.

Whenever they were in court, the little Emperor sitting high upon the dragon throne in the Golden Chimes Hall would often call upon the Chancellor to ask for his opinion.

Outsiders only thought this was a textbook example of harmony between a ruler and his minister; lately, the Chancellor’s manor had even seen an influx of visitors seeking an audience. The Chancellor was already “above ten thousand people,” and being favored by the Emperor naturally drew many who wished to flatter him.

However, He Wen maintained his usual style, refusing to see anyone who tried to get close to him. This move received widespread praise from the censors, who lauded the profound mutual understanding between the ruler and his subject.

But no one knew that every time his name was called, as He Wen looked at the Sovereign sitting high on the dais, the bead curtain in front of the Emperor would sway gently with the turn of his head.

Even though He Wen knew that at such a distance he shouldn’t be able to hear it, he somehow felt that the crisp, tinkling sound often accompanied Song Mingjiao’s soft, smiling voice as it reached his ears.

Nor did anyone know that when Song Mingjiao met He Wen in private, the location was no longer limited to the Imperial Study.

Song Mingjiao would occasionally leave the palace in incognito, not notifying anyone, and suddenly arrive at the Chancellor’s manor. He would even wear plain clothes, holding a jade-boned folding fan, with his hair tied high in a ponytail and a silk ribbon fluttering in the wind at the hairpin.

With his high-ponytail look, the doorkeeper thought he was a wealthy young master who had snuck out from some noble house an elegant, refined youth.

“I’m here to see your Lord He.”

The doorkeeper was supposed to follow his master’s orders not to let any guests in, but seeing Song Mingjiao’s aura and the familiarity with which he spoke He Wen’s name, he hesitated for a moment.

Then, when Song Mingjiao smiled at him, the doorkeeper was dazed and ran off in a blur to report to He Wen.

It was lucky the doorkeeper reported it, because he found that his master, who had been focused on his calligraphy and frowned when interrupted, immediately dropped his brush and rushed out at the fastest speed upon hearing the description.

When He Wen first came out, he saw Song Mingjiao standing bored at the manor entrance, kicking pebbles and gently waving his fan, radiating a youthful energy.

For a brief moment, He Wen wished the person before him wasn’t the high-and-mighty Emperor in the Golden Chimes Hall, but rather some younger brother from next door.

But he was quickly shocked by his own treasonous thought, shaking his head to suppress it deep in his heart.

“This subject pays his respects—”

Before He Wen could finish, Song Mingjiao caught his arm. Then, Song Mingjiao pressed a finger against He Wen’s lips, blinked, and said, “Shh, don’t say much. You aren’t allowed to reveal my identity.”

Song Mingjiao’s finger was slender and delicate, even carrying a bit of warmth. His skin was so fine that He Wen felt even his own lips were coarse by comparison.

How can the Son of Heaven’s dragon body be put at risk?

This was the first time Song Mingjiao had proactively made skin-to-skin contact with He Wen.

Watching the man freeze on the spot like a failure, Song Mingjiao waved his folding fan triumphantly, feeling very pleased. Humming a little tune, he strode past He Wen under the shocked gazes of the manor servants, wandering freely as if he were the master of the house.

Song Mingjiao ignored He Wen’s introductions and guidance, exploring the Chancellor’s manor on his own. To ordinary citizens or even officials, this manor was quite large, with small bridges, flowing water, corridors, and rockeries. But to Song Mingjiao, who lived in the Imperial Palace, it was merely “average.”

“It was my oversight. I didn’t know Your Majesty was coming and failed to make more arrangements in the manor for your comfort.”

“What kind of arrangements did you want to make?”

Song Mingjiao, walking in front, gave a light laugh and stopped. With a snap, he closed his fan and turned around, pressing the jade bone of the fan against He Wen’s chest.

Through the thin layer of clothing, He Wen could almost feel the coldness emanating from the jade.

“Does my Dear Subject want to squeeze some wealth from the commoners just to please me?”

“This subject would never dare!”

He Wen quickly lowered his head to answer.

But the Emperor glanced at him, not looking like he was in a rage. He simply gave a light snort and continued walking, leaving He Wen with no choice but to follow.

An incognito visit, no guards, dressed as a common youth—these were all very subtle hints.

He Wen thought the little Emperor wanted to do something, but to his surprise, after a walk around the grounds, Song Mingjiao actually returned to the guest hall and began discussing state affairs with him.

Song Mingjiao’s expression was meticulous; he didn’t slacken his efficiency just because they were outside. For a moment, it made one feel that this wasn’t the Chancellor’s manor, but the palace.

However, He Wen, who was accompanying him, couldn’t help but let his mind wander. He had spent the whole time making various plans and mental preparations, yet the “boulder” he expected to fall never did.

So, the Son of Heaven had come all this way just to change the scenery and talk about the same business?

Instead of saying some intimate words or making a… further move?

But facts proved that Song Mingjiao truly seemed to have only come for a formal visit to a minister’s manor to show imperial favor, and nothing more.

Thereafter, Song Mingjiao didn’t just visit He Wen’s manor incognito. He would invite him to the Imperial Garden, take him out of the palace at midnight to see the lantern festival, or order He Wen to ride behind him during the autumn hunt. They were often together.

The Emperor would call upon He Wen in various informal, private settings even on days or at locations that carried special meanings.

Yet, it always stopped there.

The subsequent developments were just like that first incognito visit. After He Wen satisfied Song Mingjiao’s desire for fun, Song Mingjiao would always switch to “business mode” at any moment.

Repeatedly doing this left He Wen’s heart hanging in suspense, with nowhere to find rest.

If the last time he received the jade pendant from Song Mingjiao made He Wen toss and turn at night, then this time, He Wen would frequently daze off even during the day, thinking of the person residing deep in the palace.

He Wen even dug out the Biographies of Treacherous Officials, a book he never used to read. After all, he was a man who only read the Four Books and Five Classics or accounts of virtuous ministers and famous generals. The He family tradition certainly had no precedent for “serving a monarch with beauty.”

But upon opening the Biographies, He Wen was shocked to find that every stage of development was so similar to his current relationship with the Emperor.

The only difference was that his little Majesty had never given him any verbal hints.

He Wen couldn’t guess the Emperor’s thoughts, but at this moment, he could guess his own even less.

Because he realized that if one day the Emperor truly issued an invitation, he wouldn’t find it humiliating or shameful, nor would he feel he had failed his ancestors or the late Emperor. Instead, he would feel relief, and even… a sense of greed.

The lanterns in the Chancellor’s manor stayed lit all night.

Meanwhile, Song Mingjiao slept exceptionally soundly in his bedchamber.

Counting the days, after being teased like this for so long, He Wen must be feeling anxious and unsettled every day, right?

Song Mingjiao covered his mouth and giggled several times.

Fun, so much fun!

As expected, it had to be an ancient world.

Seeing He Wen wanting to speak but not daring to, his hesitation, and knowing he could keep issuing invitations without ever taking responsibility that feeling was truly wonderful.

Eunuch Zhao, standing nearby, was completely bewildered. The Emperor had been in a great mood lately, yet Zhao hadn’t seen any new toys catch his eye.

“Then let’s add some more fuel to the fire,” Song Mingjiao murmured to himself, making his next decision.

Recently, as He Wen’s contact with the Emperor increased, he suddenly noticed some discordant voices around him.

They were very faint, spoken only in private, and wouldn’t even be fit for public discussion.

He Wen thought: Someone actually dares to spread rumors about me and the Emperor? This was indeed a necessary step in the Biographies of Treacherous Officials, but right now, nothing had even happened between him and Song Mingjiao!

On this day, while passing by a restaurant, He Wen saw the top scholar he hadn’t seen in a long time no, wait, he should be called the Hanlin Academy Compiler now.

Shang Nanxuan looked to be in a very bad state, with dark circles under his eyes and a gloomy expression. He looked nothing like the arrogant man from the palace examination years ago.

He Wen only gave a faint glance, didn’t pay it any mind, and entered the restaurant as usual.

He felt he had previously misunderstood the relationship between the Emperor and Shang Nanxuan. Looking at how many times Song Mingjiao had invited him recently, yet nothing had happened, he assumed it had been the same with Shang Nanxuan.

However, after three rounds of drinks, a commotion erupted from the private booth next door. The voices were so loud they could be faintly heard even on He Wen’s side.

The colleague sitting opposite him saw the Chancellor’s face darken and quickly called the waiter: “Quick, tell the people in the next booth to quiet down. Do not disturb the honored guest.”

Unexpectedly, as the waiter pushed open the door, he happened to let the sound from next door flood in.

He Wen heard the words “His Majesty.” Years of experience in court caused He Wen to sense, based on a sixth sense, that something was wrong.

“Wait here. I’m going to see what’s happening.”

“Yes, Lord He. This restaurant is usually very quiet; I don’t know what happened today. I hope Lord He can be patient.” The hosting colleague bowed and smiled repeatedly.

“…The Southern Wind? That’s not unusual. If the court officials do it, how do you know the one above isn’t interested as well?”

“Look at this bracelet on my wrist, and this jade pendant. These are imperial itemsthey were his personal belongings.” It was Shang Nanxuan’s voice.

“This mark… tsk, it really is the imperial pattern. Master Shang, who knew you had such luck?” someone flattered.

“If His Majesty truly valued you, why would you still be like us, unable to attend the court sessions or see His Majesty?” someone questioned.

Poked in his sore spot, Shang Nanxuan’s face contorted, but he quickly returned to normal, saying, “That’s because His Majesty wants to train me. Otherwise, with my background, how could I have taken the top spot in the examination, surpassing the second and third? It was all because that person gave me a hint—”

Before Shang Nanxuan could finish, the door to the booth was kicked open with a bang. He Wen walked in with a dark, heavy expression.

“Discussing the Sovereign recklessly and defiling the sacred reputation… Shang Nanxuan, do you know what crime you have committed?”

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