The Sickly Beauty Official Faked His Death and Now the Tyrant Has Gone Mad - Chapter 18

For several days in a row, rain fell incessantly. Dense raindrops pattered against the eaves, splattered along the corridors, and in the courtyard of the Qinchun Palace, the trees drooped under the weight of their drenched leaves.

Lin Huaiyu gazed at the wedding robe hanging in the room. The crimson brocade was intricately patterned, embroidered stitch by stitch with dragon motifs. Its design was both elegant and dignified, and he could easily imagine how stunning Su Yang would look wearing it.

Su Yang rarely wore bright colors. As a child in the cold palace, he had been dressed in tattered, dirty clothes survival was all that mattered. When they first met, Su Yang was clad in bloodstained rags, and Lin Huaiyu had immediately seen a reflection of himself in him.

Later, after becoming the Crown Prince, Su Yang’s temperament had already been shaped by his past, leaving him disinclined toward vibrant or bright hues. He often wore deep colors like ink-black, dark blue, or charcoal gray.

Perhaps it was to maintain an air of authority. Standing in those somber robes, Su Yang indeed commanded an imposing presence without uttering a word. Timid palace servants dared not even lift their heads in his presence.

“Does the teacher admire this robe so much? Why not try it on?” A teasing chuckle came from the doorway. Lin Huaiyu didn’t turn around, his eyes still fixed on the resplendent wedding attire.

He replied calmly, “What would it mean for a subject to wear the Emperor’s wedding robe?”

Su Yang stepped inside, seemingly indifferent to whether it was a wedding robe or just ordinary clothing. “I noticed the teacher has been staring at it for a long time. I don’t mind letting you try it on. After all, the clothes you’re wearing now have always been mine.”

Su Yang had seen Lin Huaiyu in red only once.

It was when Lin Huaiyu had achieved the top rank in the imperial examinations and rode through the streets in celebration. Clad in a crimson robe with palace flowers adorning his hat, he had captivated everyone on the street. The red made his skin appear even fairer, as if carved from snow, and his peerless face outshone even the flowers on his hat.

That day, the streets were filled with blossoms thrown toward Lin Huaiyu, nearly burying the newly crowned top scholar in a sea of flowers.

At the time, Su Yang had wondered: What right did those people have to throw flowers at Lin Huaiyu? How dare they covet his teacher?

Later, he only wished for Lin Huaiyu’s gaze to rest on him alone, for Lin Huaiyu to wear that brilliant red robe only for him.

But after that day, he never saw Lin Huaiyu in vibrant red again a regret that lingered in his heart.

Lin Huaiyu lowered his eyes, unwilling to engage with Su Yang’s words. But Su Yang walked over to the clothing rack, turned around, and began to remove the loose robe Lin Huaiyu was wearing.

Lin Huaiyu struggled, clutching his sleeve, his eyes reddening as he looked at Su Yang. “What are you doing again?”

A wounded expression flickered across Su Yang’s face. “I’m helping the teacher try on this robe.”

Lin Huaiyu’s expression turned cold as he tried to pull the robe back with force, but Su Yang showed no intention of letting go, standing firm in their silent confrontation.

Lin Huaiyu couldn’t help but say, “I don’t wish to try it on. Please release me, Your Majesty.”

“Release you? How could I ever let go of the teacher’s hand?” Su Yang’s gaze was filled with intense possessiveness. “Or is the teacher planning to defy an imperial decree?”

Lin Huaiyu met Su Yang’s eyes directly. “Even if I defy it, will Your Majesty have me executed?”

Su Yang stared at him darkly, but in the end, it was he who relented.

Yet even as he averted his gaze, not daring to meet Lin Huaiyu’s eyes and not truly daring to kill him, the strength in his hands did not loosen. He effortlessly removed the clothes from Lin Huaiyu’s body, examining his waist, which was as smooth and fair as mutton-fat jade. He personally helped him into the intricate wedding attire, saying, “Teacher will surely look stunning in this.”

Seeing that he could not stop him, Lin Huaiyu weakly lowered his hands, allowing Su Yang to dress him. At the same time, he asked, “Since this is Your Majesty’s wedding attire, why not try it on yourself?”

Only after helping him into it did Su Yang feign sudden realization. “So, Teacher was staring at my wedding attire not because you wanted to wear it? I thought you were envious.”

Lin Huaiyu lowered his head, watching Su Yang fasten his belt. Though the scene appeared tender, it was shattered by Su Yang’s smug expression and words.

“Envious of what?” Lin Huaiyu asked.

After tying the belt, Su Yang pushed Lin Huaiyu in front of the mirror. Standing behind him, he gazed at Lin Huaiyu’s reflection, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the wedding attire accentuating his fair complexion.

Indeed, the clothes suited Lin Huaiyu perfectly. He should wear this shade of red, shedding three parts of his aloofness and gaining three parts of enchanting allure.

Su Yang pinched Lin Huaiyu’s chin, forcing him to look at his own reflection in the mirror. “Teacher is so beautiful.”

Lin Huaiyu stared at his reflection, his expression turning cold. He raised his hands to remove the wedding attire. “The coronation ceremony is in just one day. Your Majesty should try it on yourself.”

But Su Yang did not let him succeed. One hand clasped Lin Huaiyu’s waistband, pulling his slender waist into his embrace. “I think Teacher looks quite fitting in it. Why are you in such a hurry to take it off?”

Lin Huaiyu suppressed his anger. “Your Majesty knows perfectly well.”

Yet Su Yang simply smiled. “I don’t know. I want to hear Teacher say it himself.”

Lin Huaiyu pressed his thin lips into a straight line, raised his hand to push Su Yang’s away, and tried to undo the belt. But Su Yang was quicker he lifted Lin Huaiyu and threw him onto the bed.

Lin Huaiyu’s heart tightened. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Rip!

The next moment, the sound of tearing fabric exploded in Lin Huaiyu’s ears, just like that night in the imperial garden when his clothes had been torn to shreds by Su Yang.

Lin Huaiyu froze in place. The wind and snow that night had been too cold, the humiliation too painful it was etched into his bones. But this was not the time for heartache. His attention was fixed on the torn wedding attire. “The coronation ceremony is the day after tomorrow! You’ve torn the wedding attire, what will you wear then?”

Even with hundreds of seamstresses in the tailoring bureau working day and night, how could they possibly produce another such elaborate wedding attire in just one day?

Su Yang, however, was unperturbed. “Teacher need not worry about that. You should be more concerned about not crying out too loudly later.”

Lin Huaiyu frowned, the taste of blood nearly rising in his throat. Ever since he had coughed up blood the last time, such episodes seemed to have become more frequent. Zhou Li had told him that the more he coughed up blood, the fewer days he had left.

He suppressed the blood, only to be pulled into Su Yang’s embrace by the waistband. Sensing that Su Yang intended to kiss him, Lin Huaiyu turned his head slightly, avoiding the kiss.

Su Yang’s movements paused. Seeing Lin Huaiyu’s aversion, his heart sank, and his tone turned cold. “You won’t let me kiss you?”

Lin Huaiyu replied calmly, masking his emotions. “Your Majesty is about to take a wife. At this moment, being so intimate with your subject is inappropriate.”

Su Yang let out a scornful laugh, forcefully gripping Lin Huaiyu’s chin and forcing him to accept his kiss. “I’ve already said it appointing an empress won’t affect you. As the Son of Heaven, it’s only natural for me to have three palaces and six courtyards. What’s more, I’m merely indulging in a plaything?”

Lin Huaiyu suppressed the bitterness in his heart and closed his eyes.

The empress was about to be appointed, yet on the eve of the coronation ceremony, Su Yang had coaxed him into wearing wedding robes, only to tear them off and humiliate him. Lin Huaiyu raised a hand to cover his eyes, feeling utterly disgraced.

What was he… What exactly was he?

How had he and Su Yang ended up in such a relationship.

Su Yang’s forceful kiss made Lin Huaiyu cough, and his mind cleared slightly. He pushed the other man away, wiping the traces from his lips, as if he had once again become the cold and distant Prime Minister Lin. “Your Majesty’s decision to appoint an empress or confer titles upon consorts is not for me to interfere with. But if Your Majesty insists on humiliating me on the eve of the empress’s coronation, I cannot accept it.”

Su Yang raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the half-concealed wedding robes on Lin Huaiyu. He sneered, “Is my teacher jealous? Jealous of whom? Teacher likes Bai Jianqing, but in just one day, Bai Jianqing will be my empress. Or is Teacher upset because I’m appointing an empress tomorrow?”

Lin Huaiyu frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

Su Yang spoke recklessly, saying anything to see Lin Huaiyu lose his composure. “Teacher need not worry. After all, I haven’t grown tired of you yet.”

Lin Huaiyu instinctively clenched the torn wedding robes but then released them as if burned. “Take these clothes away.”

Su Yang let out an ambiguous laugh, leaning close to Lin Huaiyu’s ear. “Didn’t Teacher like these robes very much? Why take them away?”

Lin Huaiyu felt the bright wedding robes beneath him stained with the filth of their encounter, and his humiliation reached its peak. He looked deeply at Su Yang and whispered, “I’m not the one marrying you, Su Yang. You shouldn’t have done this…”

Su Yang snorted coldly. “How I act is not for a mere plaything to teach me. Lin Huaiyu, you keep refusing me with your words, but your body is clearly honest.”

He leaned in closer and chuckled softly. “Since Teacher is also enjoying this, why not just indulge?”

Lin Huaiyu lost all strength. “Su Yang, you beast! Get out!”

Su Yang paid no mind to Lin Huaiyu’s insults, merely smiling. “Teacher curses so fiercely now, but soon your voice will grow hoarse again.”

Immediately after, Lin Huaiyu’s curses were shattered by wave after wave of relentless thrusts.

Lin Huaiyu struggled to push the wedding robes aside. Su Yang took in his small gesture, his eyes dark and clouded, his smile icy. “Does Teacher dislike these robes so much?”

Lin Huaiyu turned his head away, refusing to look at him or the glaring wedding robes.

But Su Yang pinched his chin, forcing him to turn back and face the robes. “Do you see the marks on the robes, Teacher? They’re all your doing. How can you disdain them?”

Lin Huaiyu could only close his eyes in agony. “Stop talking…”

But Su Yang refused to let him go. “Teacher looks so beautiful in red. You should wear it for me more often.”

Lin Huaiyu was once again pressed onto the wedding robes. Humiliation and shame enveloped him throughout the night, as Su Yang demanded over and over again that his and Lin Huaiyu’s marks stain the robes completely.

Su Yang’s eyes also reflected that crimson wedding gown. He wanted Lin Huaiyu to marry him, to keep Lin Huaiyu by his side for a lifetime, but Lin Huaiyu was always unwilling. Lin Huaiyu despised him, his heart set only on leaving, even hating a mere wedding gown with such deep-seated loathing.

The sound of rain in the courtyard fell throughout the night, starting as a dense drizzle before transforming into a raging, torrential downpour. Raindrops beat against the eaves, drowning out all other sounds between heaven and earth.

The stars shifted, the sun rose in the east, and the rain finally ceased.

When Lin Huaiyu awoke, the room was filled with the scent of sandalwood incense, its fragrance soothing and refreshing. The bedding had been replaced with new ones, and all traces of the previous night had vanished without a trace, as if it had all been a vivid dream.

Yet the soreness and weakness in his body reminded him it had been a slow, repeated torture.

Lin Huaiyu draped one of Su Yang’s robes over himself, and De Fu, hearing the movement, entered from outside to attend to him.

Lin Huaiyu glanced at him, his eyes like spring water concealing all depth of thought, and asked softly, “Eunuch De Fu, do you know where all the birthday gifts I’ve presented to His Majesty over the years have been stored?”

Though De Fu didn’t quite understand why Lin Huaiyu suddenly asked this, since it was Lin Huaiyu inquiring, he naturally dared not be negligent. “Your Excellency,” he replied, “His Majesty has treasured all the gifts you’ve given him over the years and stored them in the Imperial Study.”

Lin Huaiyu nodded imperceptibly. Taking advantage of Su Yang being at the morning court session, he made his way toward the Imperial Study.

“Eunuch De Fu, having served His Majesty diligently all these years, you must understand him better than I do. I’ll trouble you to retrieve the items for me,” Lin Huaiyu said, looking at De Fu with a faint smile at the corner of his lips, appearing exceptionally gentle.

De Fu hesitated. “This these are His Majesty’s belongings. How would I dare touch them?”

Lin Huaiyu’s gaze swept across the Imperial Study as if searching for something. “It’s fine,” he said. “If His Majesty punishes you in the future, I will take responsibility.”

Thus, De Fu had no choice but to comply. He retrieved a large brocade box from a low cabinet inside and placed it on the table. Lin Huaiyu slowly opened it inside were all the gifts he had given Su Yang over the years, every single one preserved without exception.

He lowered his gaze, closed the box, and picked it up to leave. De Fu was startled and quickly said, “Ah, ah, Lord Lin, what are you…?”

Lin Huaiyu turned back, looking at De Fu’s flustered expression, and replied calmly, “I intend to prepare a birthday gift for His Majesty, but my memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be. I wanted to see what I’ve given him before so I can offer something different this time.”

De Fu was half-convinced. “Yes, but if His Majesty notices the items are missing, he will surely question me. How should I answer?”

Lin Huaiyu smiled lightly and offered a suggestion. “Tomorrow is the coronation ceremony for the empress. His Majesty is so busy these two days that he likely won’t think about any gifts. I will return them after the coronation ceremony, so you need not worry, Eunuch De Fu.”

Hearing this, De Fu breathed a slight sigh of relief. “That’s good.”

As Lin Huaiyu was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to instruct De Fu. “I plan to give His Majesty a surprise, so I must trouble you to keep my visit to the Imperial Study a secret.”

This time, De Fu had no doubts. “Of course,” he replied promptly.

Since His Majesty cares so much about Lord Lin, and Lord Lin intends to present a congratulatory gift, it wouldn’t hurt to do him a favor. After all, whatever Lord Lin wishes to do, His Majesty would never stand in his way.

Lin Huaiyu retrieved what he wanted and returned to the Qinchun Palace. He reopened the brocade box, each item inside intimately familiar to him.

He picked up a worn hand warmer a relic from the days when Su Hao was still confined to the Cold Palace, and Lin Huaiyu himself had yet to amass significant influence. Both of them had been cautious and restrained, even crafting such a simple hand warmer with crude care.

Back then, fearing Su Hao might catch a chill in the Cold Palace, Lin Huaiyu had personally made and gifted him this hand warmer. However, after Su Hao moved into the Eastern Palace, the item lost its usefulness.

Lin Huaiyu gently kneaded the hand warmer before placing it back. Next, he picked up a warm jade pendant. While the jade’s quality was not particularly rare, its color was decent. More importantly, Lin Huaiyu had personally traveled to the Ling Mountain Temple outside the city to have it blessed by the abbot.

At that time, Su Hao was embroiled in the struggle for the throne. When Lin Huaiyu visited the temple, the abbot remarked that Su Hao carried an overwhelming aura of violence, with a palpable gloominess that required a Buddhist artifact to pacify.

Lin Huaiyu was not one to blindly believe in deities or Buddhism, but he saw no harm in making a small effort to ensure peace and safety.

Yet, after Su Hao ascended the throne, the jade pendant, too, became unnecessary.

Lin Huaiyu ran his fingers over each congratulatory gift in the brocade box, as if retracing those memories in his mind.

He closed his eyes briefly, shut the box, and set it aside. Turning around, he saw Su Hao entering from outside the door and froze momentarily.

Su Hao was dressed in a striking crimson wedding robe, adorned with intricate dragon patterns that sprawled from his shoulders down to the hem. Golden threads embroidered the dragons and other decorative motifs with vivid realism, exuding both grandeur and solemnity.

This was the first time Lin Huaiyu had seen Su Hao in red, and just as he had imagined, it suited him beautifully.

Su Hao had likely inherited the features of his mother and the late emperor delicate, refined, and harmoniously proportioned, a beauty that even court painters could scarcely capture in one-tenth of its essence.

Yet, Su Hao’s appearance was often overlooked, and for good reason: his presence was simply too commanding. In the Cold Palace, where Su Hao’s status was lowly and he endured constant bullying, the palace servants paid no attention to his looks, only venting their frustrations on this abandoned prince.

After leaving the Cold Palace, Su Hao focused solely on revenge and power. The other princes saw him as a thorn in their side, never sparing a thought for his appearance.

Once he ascended the throne, no one dared to look directly at the emperor, let alone discuss his looks.

In truth, Su Hao’s beauty was no less than Lin Huaiyu’s. His eyes often carried a hint of a smile mostly teasing or mocking but their upward curve lent him a touch of enchantment.

On ordinary days, Su Hao wore dark-colored robes, his expression somber, suppressing that enchantment. But now, clad in red, with a faint smile directed at Lin Huaiyu, that enchantment surfaced, making him exceptionally captivating.

Lin Huaiyu gazed for a long moment before finally averting his eyes.

It was a pity, though this attire was not meant for him to admire.

Only then did Lin Huaiyu realize something was amiss. “Wasn’t the wedding robe… torn?”

Su Hao chuckled softly. “This one is mine. As for the one from yesterday, it was always meant for you, Teacher.”

Lin Huaiyu was taken aback. No wonder that robe fit so perfectly it was different from the other clothes Su Yang had given him, not hanging loosely on his frame.

But…

Lin Huaiyu frowned slightly. “Why?”

Su Yang walked up to him. Of course, he understood Lin Huaiyu’s confusion, but the thought of how Lin Huaiyu had detested the wedding robe yesterday, finding even a glance unbearable, darkened his expression once more. “Since there’s no one else in my harem but you, Teacher, my only kept favorite, and tomorrow’s coronation ceremony will be celebrated across the nation, I had the Imperial Tailoring Bureau make an extra set for you. Though you’re not qualified to attend the coronation, at least you’ve worn the wedding robe. I want you to stay obediently by my side. Understand?”

Lin Huaiyu averted his gaze, only to hear Su Yang add pointedly, “It’s just a pity that Teacher didn’t seem to like that wedding robe.”

Recalling what Su Yang had done to him on that robe last night, Lin Huaiyu sneered coldly. “Your Majesty is right.”

A flicker of disappointment passed through Su Yang’s eyes, but he quickly cast it aside. The curve of his lips held a chill. “Then it seems I was being overly sentimental.”

Lin Huaiyu ignored him, calmly moving to the table and away from the corner where the gifts were placed. Su Yang, as expected, followed him. “How do I look in this?”

With that, Su Yang stood before Lin Huaiyu, spreading his arms and turning in a circle.

Lin Huaiyu gave him a sidelong glance.

Like a peacock.

“Your Majesty should save that question for Miss Bai tomorrow.”

Su Yang scoffed, leaning in close to Lin Huaiyu. “Lin Huaiyu, you are my kept favorite. You should be flattering me. Right now, I’m asking you should praise me.”

Seeing Lin Huaiyu’s expression remain unchanged, Su Yang grew displeased and mocked, “Could it be that Teacher has been in high positions for too long and forgotten how to serve the Son of Heaven?”

Lin Huaiyu raised an eyebrow, took a sip of tea, and replied coolly, “Indeed, I’ve forgotten. Why doesn’t Your Majesty give me a demonstration?”

Su Yang knew full well this was Lin Huaiyu’s counterattack. If he actually demonstrated, Lin Huaiyu would simply accept it without a second thought. Yet, he enjoyed Lin Huaiyu’s retorts they proved his actions still stirred something within him.

“Very well. Since Teacher has said so, I must set a good example.” Su Yang’s cold smile held a trace of cunning.

He pulled Lin Huaiyu up, took his seat, and then settled Lin Huaiyu on his lap. Turning his head, he caught Lin Huaiyu’s earlobe between his teeth, nibbling gently with sharp incisors.

The fair, jade-like ear flushed crimson, burning hot. Su Yang chuckled softly, lifting a hand to press his thumb against Lin Huaiyu’s thin lips. With a light probe, his fingertip was instantly stained with moisture.

Su Yang said with a smile, “Though Teacher’s mouth is sharp, the inside is warm and soft. I find it quite pleasant it’s just the technique that needs practice.”

Lin Huaiyu’s mouth was blocked by Su Yang, unable to speak, and with Su Yang behind him, his furious gaze couldn’t even reach him.

Su Yang, of course, knew this and didn’t expect an answer. He murmured to himself, “No matter. There’s plenty of time. I’ll teach you properly, Teacher.”

“Teacher taught me poetry and literature. It’s only right that I repay you. From now on, it’ll be my turn to teach you these things.”

Lin Huaiyu finally freed his mouth to retort, “Your Majesty seems to have a natural talent for such matters.”

Su Yang accepted the remark with composure.

He had wanted to do this to Lin Huaiyu for a long time. He wanted Lin Huaiyu to stay by his side forever. Having read countless books, he was prepared to try every single one of them on Lin Huaiyu, as long as he never left.

“You are so clever, Teacher. I’m sure you’ll learn these things quickly. Tonight, I will teach you how to please me.”

Lin Huaiyu wanted to look at Su Yang in disbelief, but he was held too tightly to turn his head. He bit down hard on Su Yang’s finger, taking advantage of the moment Su Yang withdrew his hand to curse, “Su Yang, are you an animal? Tomorrow is your wedding day, and yet tonight you still…”

Su Yang merely chuckled softly by Lin Huaiyu’s ear, completely unfazed. “Teacher always claims not to be jealous, yet you clearly care so much. With the coronation ceremony tomorrow, are you pushing me away tonight?”

Lin Huaiyu could barely speak. After coughing up blood, his health had deteriorated day by day. The prescriptions Zhou Li had prescribed could no longer sustain his life, and he couldn’t endure Su Yang’s relentless torment. Yet, he didn’t even have the strength to push Su Yang away.

Through the window, Lin Huaiyu saw the trees in the courtyard sprouting new leaves. Slowly, he closed his eyes.

Tomorrow would be the day he left.