Why is the Dog Emperor Like That? - Chapter 8

Yin Xiao seemed to have a quarrel with me.

After realizing that I was actually in a cold war with Yin Xiao, I felt panicked for a while. Once the panic subsided, I suddenly thought: what am I panicking for? Yin Xiao is no longer who he used to be; he has matured quite a bit.

During this period, I conducted classes for Yin Xiao as usual and accompanied him to sleep in the Lanyue Palace. Everything proceeded step by step without any issues. It was only after class finished or after waking up that I felt a sense of awkwardness when I saw Yin Xiao walking coldly past me.

I do not know when this cold war will finally end. I sighed. The temper of a child is truly difficult to fathom.

On the day of my birthday, I woke up early but could not find Yin Xiao. My goodness, in order to avoid me, he is waking up earlier and earlier every day. The birth date of the original owner of this body is the same as mine, December 24, during the freezing winter months.

I sneezed several times while huddled under the covers before rubbing my arms to get up and get dressed, preparing to leave the palace. I had told Yin Xiao early on that today was my birthday and that a celebration would be held at my home, so classes would be suspended for a day.

At that time, Yin Xiao did not even look up and simply nodded. I thought he planned to slack off for the day, but Jinlan told me, “Your Highness went to find the martial arts master to practice riding and archery today.”

The little brat is quite diligent.

After Jinlan congratulated me, she asked hesitantly, “Master Ji, are you and Your Highness?”

I comforted Jinlan, but she still appeared very nervous. Actually, it was not just her. Recently, the palace servants in the Lanyue Palace have been on edge and performing their duties with great trepidation. I pondered that as time goes by, things cannot continue like this. Should I go to Yin Xiao and offer a soft apology?

I left the carved beams and painted buildings of the imperial palace and returned to my own large estate in the capital. My birthday banquet was exceptionally lively. My father became dead drunk at the feast; by noon, he was reeking of alcohol. I did not want to stay long and slipped away early.

After leaving the estate, I thought it over and decided I should return to the palace. I wanted to find Yin Xiao as soon as possible to offer a soft apology. If I apologized, life for both me and the palace servants would be a bit easier.

I never expected to encounter Yin Shu on my way back to the palace. He held a green jade bone fan carved with emerald bamboo, standing gracefully under a willow tree, appearing lost in thought. It was truly a beautiful sight. I intentionally took a longer route, hoping to hurry past, but I was still called out by him.

I had no choice but to go over and bow respectfully: “Your Highness.”

Yin Shu was smiling, though it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He lightly raised his hand, and an attendant walked up from behind him, presenting an exquisite and beautiful gift box before me. Yin Shu personally opened the box and took out a finely crafted bone fan, placing it in my hand.

Following his lead, I opened the folding fan with a snap. The fan face depicted a scene of seeking plum blossoms in the snow; the brightness of the red plum was largely obscured by the heavy snowfall, making it look cold and solitary.

Closing the fan, I was met with the gentle and warm smile of Yin Shu.

“The plum must concede to the snow three parts of whiteness, yet the snow loses to the plum a section of fragrance.”

His eyes rested lightly on me as he smiled: “A small gift, I hope you will accept it, Zijin. I originally intended to visit your estate personally to offer my congratulations, but unfortunately, my mother had a coughing fit today. I was caring for her at her bedside, which delayed me.”

He never referred to himself with royal titles. Although this did not match his noble status, it made people feel very close to him. I admired him greatly. For a prince to be so humble, he truly deserves to be the protagonist.

Yin Shu specifically giving me a birthday gift was a supreme honor among honors. Even the attendants beside him looked at me with different eyes. They were probably wondering how a scholar like me, who could only write a few short poems and was a follower of the Second Prince, could make the First Prince care so much.

In truth, I did not quite understand it either. Could it be that the things one cannot obtain are always causing a stir?

I followed Yin Shu back to the palace. When we passed the Imperial Garden, he invited me to enter and meet some friends. I politely declined. I am a person of Yin Xiao; how could I go with Yin Shu to meet friends? If word of this got out, would I still be able to keep my head?

Just as I thought I was being cautious, I suddenly felt a burning gaze fixed upon me.

In the Penglai Lake of the Imperial Garden, an octagonal pavilion stood majestically in the center of the lake. Inside the pavilion, a tall youth in black robes stood silently by the edge. His expression was shrouded in dark shadows, but I knew he was looking at me.

After parting ways with me, Yin Shu dismissed his attendants and palace servants. He walked alone onto the Nine-Turn Bridge toward the small pavilion in the center of the lake where his younger brother was located. Seeing Yin Shu arrive, Yin Xiao stopped looking at me and focused on speaking with him.

It turned out the relationship between the two brothers was this good. I scratched my cheek and returned to the Lanyue Palace.

That evening, Jinlan stood dutifully in front of the main hall of the Lanyue Palace and would not allow me to enter. Jinlan had a mournful face and a pained expression: “Master Ji, I am truly sorry.”

I told her directly that it was fine. I have followed Yin Xiao for so long that I understand his temper perfectly; I knew that since he was angry during the day, he would definitely continue to be difficult with me. It was just a pity that since I could not see Yin Xiao, I naturally had no way to offer a soft apology. I would have to think of another way.

Right now, the biggest problem was: where should I spend the night? It was late at night and the palace gates were already locked. In December, the air outside was cold and clear, freezing away any trace of sleepiness. I sat outside the Lanyue Palace, looked up at the moon, and suddenly stood up to leave.

In the dead of night, there were a few scattered young eunuchs patrolling the palace. The management was not very strict, and palace maids and guards often socialized secretly at night. As I walked, I arrived back at the lakeside where I had seen Yin Xiao earlier that day.

In the freezing winter, in the middle of the night, the lake surface was not frozen, but the cold wind blew in gusts. Even the night patrols did not come here.

It was quite peaceful. While I was wandering and thinking about where to stay for the night, a pair of hands suddenly slammed into my back and pushed me with great force.

Oh no!