The Sickly Beauty Official Faked His Death and Now the Tyrant Has Gone Mad - Chapter 1

The snow fell in thick, swirling flurries, blanketing the entire capital and leaving a heavy layer upon the ground.

“Is that Chancellor Lin’s carriage?” someone remarked, glancing at the vehicle approaching from a distance while packing up their market stall.

By law, the common folk were only required to kneel for the Emperor. Yet, as the carriage neared, the people lining both sides of the street prostrated themselves. They kept their heads bowed in hushed submission, daring not to make a sound.

A traveler kneeling toward the back witnessed this and whispered to the person beside him, “Chancellor Lin is not the Emperor. Why is everyone kneeling for him?”

The local quickly covered the man’s mouth, hissing, “Quiet! Do you not know? Chancellor Lin holds supreme power over the court. Who would dare act out in his presence?”

The traveler was even more perplexed. “No matter how great his power, it cannot exceed His Majesty’s. How can he receive the worship of the masses?”

Sensing danger, the local moved slightly away to avoid being implicated, but offered a low explanation. “Chancellor Lin is the current Emperor’s teacher. He is exempt from bowing in the Emperor’s presence and is even granted a seat during imperial audiences. Forget merely contradicting His Majesty; he can scold him right there in open court!”

The carriage rolled past, leaving behind nothing but a trail of wheel ruts in the snow. Only then did the crowd breathe a collective sigh of relief.

“It still defies regulation,” the traveler persisted. “And why do you all look like you have seen the King of Hell? Why is everyone so afraid?”

The local resumed packing his things. Now that the carriage was far off, he grew bolder, banking on the fact that Lin Huaiyu could no longer hear him. “It is not just us. There is not a soul in the Great Yong Empire who does not fear him! You might not know, but Lin Huaiyu is ruthless. His hands are stained with the blood of countless innocent souls. He has even killed Princes and the former Crown Prince. There is nothing in this world he dares not do, and no one he dares not kill!”

The traveler gasped. “He can kill royalty? And His Majesty still keeps him around?”

The local sighed. “His Majesty is a man of deep sentiment. Chancellor Lin was his teacher; he cannot simply kill his mentor the moment he ascends the throne. That would be burning the bridge after crossing it.”

The traveler muttered indignantly, “With such blatant disregard for the Son of Heaven, I suspect the Emperor will order his execution sooner or later!”

“Hush! Do you want to die? If the Chancellor heard that, even nine generations of your family would not be enough to pay the price.” Although the crowd hushed the traveler, in their hearts, they all agreed.

“Time to go home!”

The evening sun was at its peak, casting a layer of gold leaf over the snow-covered streets. The carriage wheels crunched through the ruts, their swaying motion muffling the sound of soft coughing from within.

Inside the ornate carriage, the space was wide. A snow-like figure lay curled upon a fox-fur blanket. Purple court robes were strewn across the white fur, and from the folds emerged a slender, pale wrist. It was delicate as jade, yet devoid of color.

The sleeper coughed himself awake, his chest heaving violently with the effort. Unwilling to leave the warmth of the blankets, he curled back into a ball like a fox.

Outside, it was the dead of winter; inside, it was stiflingly warm.

Eventually, the carriage came to a halt. The steward knocked gently on the door, saying respectfully, “Chancellor, we have arrived at the palace gates.”

Only then did the figure stir. His feathered lashes fluttered open as he sat up, clutching a hand-warmer to his chest. His ink-black hair spilled down his back, and his peach-blossom eyes were shimmering with a watery light.

Several ministers had already gathered at the palace gates. Seeing the Lin manor’s carriage, they paused. A pale, slender hand with distinct knuckles reached out and rested on the carriage frame. Clad in his purple robes, Lin Huaiyu stepped out. He was tall and lean, possessing a cold elegance like the moon.

His face, in particular, was beyond compare. People often said that once you had seen Chancellor Lin, no other beauty in the world could catch your eye. Whether this was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.

“Chancellor Lin has arrived as well. Seeing you from afar, you truly are a refined gentleman, like polished white jade,” one official greeted him, hurrying forward with flattery.

Leaving the carriage, Lin Huaiyu’s expression shifted to one of cold detachment. A faint smile touched his lips as he replied politely, “Lord Tan overstates it. His Majesty is waiting.”

“Yes, quite right. After you, Chancellor.”

News of victories on the frontier had been frequent, and the General had returned in triumph. The Emperor had organized a victory banquet to celebrate with his officials. The snow on the palace paths had long been cleared away. Lin Huaiyu walked at the front, led by a eunuch toward the rear garden.

At the head of the banquet sat the Son of Heaven. His black hair was tied high, his dragon-patterned robes draped over him, and a black cloak sat discarded to the side. He rested his head on one hand, looking toward the ministers with a lazy gaze.

The crowd knelt in unison. “Long live the Emperor!”

Only Lin Huaiyu stood his ground, meeting the Emperor’s gaze. He did not kneel, offering only a slight bow from a standing position.

Su Yang’s gaze lingered on Lin Huaiyu’s thin shoulders. “Rise. There is no need for such formality at a victory banquet. Let us begin now that everyone is here.”

The officials took their seats. Lin Huaiyu sat at the very front, in the position closest to Su Yang.

Su Yang raised his cup toward the man opposite Lin Huaiyu. “The Great General returns in glory. I must toast to you.”

Xue Ming rose quickly, saying respectfully, “Your Majesty honors me too much. It is I who should toast Your Majesty. I only wish for peace and prosperity for Great Yong in the days to come!”

With that, everyone raised their glasses in celebration.

As the wine flowed, the officials grew more relaxed. Many, after toasting Su Yang, hurried over to toast Lin Huaiyu.

“Chancellor Lin, you have long reached the age for marriage yet remain unwed. Is there a lady who has caught your eye?”

“The Chancellor is a man of peerless talent and beauty, holding such high office. Whichever lady marries you will be blessed indeed!”

“Chancellor, my young daughter is of marriageable age, only five years your junior. She is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Would you be willing to meet her?”

Lin Huaiyu could not ward off the numerous toasts and ended up drinking several cups. A flush of crimson stained his pale face, but his eyes remained clear. The onlookers assumed he was not drunk; he simply seemed more approachable than usual, which they found novel.

That was until Lin Huaiyu downed another cup and began to cough low in his throat.

“Teacher is dressed so thinly. The wind in this garden looks ready to blow you over.”

Su Yang’s deep voice came from behind him. Lin Huaiyu felt a sudden weight as a black cloak was draped over his shoulders, shielding him from the biting wind. His stiff fingers curled slightly as he murmured, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Su Yang approach, the officials offered a few words of flattery and dispersed.

Su Yang finished fastening the cloak, but the hand resting on Lin Huaiyu’s shoulder did not pull away. It was as if he were holding Lin Huaiyu in his arms. His voice was neither hot nor cold. “Does Teacher have plans to take a wife?”

Lin Huaiyu did not move, allowing Su Yang’s hand to remain. “Not for the time being.”

It was impossible to tell if Su Yang was satisfied with the answer. He simply said, “Not for the time being. That means there will be a time in the future.”

Lin Huaiyu could tell that Su Yang was likely intoxicated. He said with a hint of helplessness, “The future is uncertain. We shall see when the time comes.”

He patted Su Yang’s hand away and turned to face him. “The banquet is ending. I shall take my leave.”

As he turned to go, Su Yang seized his hand. “Teacher has not been to the palace in a long time. Now that you are finally here, walk with me for a while.”

Meeting Su Yang’s slightly aggrieved gaze and feeling the heat radiating from his palm, Lin Huaiyu’s heart softened, and he agreed.

The two figures avoided the crowd, strolling along the palace paths. Flickering candles lined the way, illuminating the ground beneath them. The cold wind hit Lin Huaiyu’s face, but he did not feel the chill; instead, the temperature in his palm grew higher and higher, burning so much he wanted to let go.

He stopped walking and tried to shake his hand free, but Su Yang’s grip remained firm. “Even if Your Majesty is drunk, you are twenty-one now. Why are you still acting spoiled with me?”

“There is only a five-year difference between me and Teacher.”

Su Yang spoke those nonsensical words just as Lin Huaiyu spoke. Lin Huaiyu looked at him in confusion, his brow furrowing. “What are you talking about? Let me escort Your Majesty back to your chambers. You have had too much to drink tonight.”

Su Yang refused to move. Instead, he leaned his entire weight against Lin Huaiyu, resting his head on his shoulder. “I am so hot. Teacher, help me.”

Lin Huaiyu froze. Su Yang’s body temperature was abnormal. The heat of his breath against Lin Huaiyu’s neck made him want to recoil. He pushed at Su Yang. “Your Majesty, return to the palace. I will go call the Imperial Physician.”

Before he could finish, he felt Su Yang’s unnatural physical reaction and went still. He was held tightly in Su Yang’s arms. Knowing that anyone could walk by at any moment, Lin Huaiyu stepped back to create distance, his voice turning cold. “Who would be so bold as to drug the Emperor!”

He tried to wrench his hand away to call for help, but the grip on his wrist tightened suddenly. He nearly stumbled but was caught and pulled back by Su Yang’s long arm.

“If a five-year difference is acceptable for others, it is acceptable for me. Teacher, stay.” Su Yang’s hand reached inside the cloak, settling on Lin Huaiyu’s waist, and ripped away the obstructive belt.

Lin Huaiyu tried to push him off, but his strength was no match for Su Yang’s. He was pressed against the man’s chest. During the struggle, the cloak fell to the ground. The cold wind instantly enveloped Lin Huaiyu, the chill piercing his lungs and triggering a fit of coughing. “Your Majesty, let go! Do you even realize I am your teacher?”

“I know. Of course I know.”

As he spoke, Su Yang’s hand had already slipped inside Lin Huaiyu’s robes, pressing against his waist.

Lin Huaiyu shuddered violently, struggling and snapping, “If you know, then let go! Does Your Majesty intend to disregard all moral laws and social order?”

Su Yang let out a soft, contemptuous laugh. “When have I ever cared about such things?”

Seeing the situation turn dire, Lin Huaiyu blurted out coldly, “I am Your Majesty’s teacher. You cannot do this. Tomorrow, I shall go to Lord Tan’s manor to propose a marriage. Please, Your Majesty, let me leave the palace.”

Su Yang’s gaze darkened instantly. His aura felt like the freezing snow hitting Lin Huaiyu’s face. “What did you say?”

Lin Huaiyu could feel Su Yang’s rage, but his only priority was to stop him. His robes were currently in disarray; if a servant passed by and saw this, it would be impossible to explain.

“I said, tomorrow I shall go to Lord Tan’s manor to propose. I am twenty-six; it is time I married. Your Majesty should issue an imperial decree for my marriage.”

Before Lin Huaiyu could finish, his words were silenced by Su Yang’s lips. His eyes widened in disbelief.

In that moment of shock, his outer robe was pulled down past his shoulders. Lin Huaiyu struggled desperately, but he was pinned to the grass. The man leaned over him, trapping him, as a barrage of kisses fell upon his lips. With reddened eyes, Lin Huaiyu choked out, “Your Majesty! Su Yang! Wake up!”

Su Yang merely pinned his hands and held his legs, smiling with reckless confidence. “Teacher can scream louder. Call all the servants and the ministers who have not left yet. Let them see how their Chancellor finds pleasure beneath the Emperor.”

Lin Huaiyu froze. The surrounding cold was so biting it made his body go stiff. He heard Su Yang whisper in his ear, “Do you think Lord Tan would still marry his daughter to such a shameless Chancellor if he saw this?”

You animal!

Before Lin Huaiyu could voice the insult, Su Yang kissed him again, pressing him into the grass. He left him to the mercy of the wind and snow. His frozen hands were gripped tightly in Su Yang’s palms until his resistance weakened and his consciousness began to fade.

The night was long.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Lin Huaiyu was jolted awake by a fit of coughing. Every movement felt as if he were being split in two. Immense pain and soreness spread through him, and his body still felt feverish.

His throat felt raw. He did not want to move even a finger. He fluttered his eyes open, and the memories of last night rushed back like a tide.

He was about to flare up in anger when he met the gaze of the Head of the Imperial Physicians.

Lin Huaiyu scanned the room. Su Yang was nowhere to be seen.

He glanced at the light outside the window. The morning court session was almost over; he had woken up late.

Zhou Li, the Head Physician, packed away his pulse-taking cushion and spoke with heavy gravity. “Does the Chancellor know he has been poisoned?”

Suppressing his fury, Lin Huaiyu replied without surprise, “I know.”

Zhou Li’s expression softened slightly, but the furrow in his brow remained. “This poison is old. It has long since eroded your internal organs and has now reached your heart’s meridians. I have practiced medicine for many years, but I cannot even identify this poison, let alone cure it. I can only use medicine to sustain you for a while, but…”

Lin Huaiyu looked at Zhou Li. His face was pale, save for an unnatural flush. He said calmly, “Please, speak plainly.”

“If I may be blunt, I fear the Chancellor has not long to live. Your days are numbered.” Zhou Li sighed deeply. Everyone said Lin Huaiyu was an all-powerful, ruthless man who disregarded even the Emperor. Yet, faced with his own impending death, he remained remarkably composed.

Lin Huaiyu was not surprised. The poison had been in his system for a long time; his years of frailty were all because of it. Years ago, when Su Yang was moved to the Eastern Palace as the heir, the late Emperor grew wary of the prince whose influence was growing. A cup of poisoned wine was sent to the Eastern Palace. It was Lin Huaiyu who had intercepted and drunk that cup.

His thoughts returned to the present. He lowered his eyes and asked, “How much longer do I have?”

Zhou Li calculated and answered honestly, “If you take care of yourself, perhaps one year. If not, the next time the Chancellor coughs up blood will be the moment when no medicine can save you.”

Lin Huaiyu listened silently. Whatever strength he had left seemed to drain away. After a long pause, he said to Zhou Li, “There is no need to report this to His Majesty.”

Zhou Li hesitated. “This is…”

Lin Huaiyu shot him a cold, threatening look. “Physician Zhou, you are over forty, an age where you should be enjoying the company of your children and grandchildren. Do not let the Chancellor’s illness lead to the ruin of your entire family.”

Zhou Li swallowed hard. He had heard that Lin Huaiyu was cold-blooded and ruthless. Having never dealt with him before, he now saw that the man truly could turn hostile in the blink of an eye.

“I understand.”