Chapter 194 – Grand Inspection

Upon returning to the palace, it was already pitch black. Having received the imperial edict, the accompanying ministers retired to their respective quarters in the palace for rest. The dragon sedan went straight into the inner courtyard.

Xie Yi helped Xu Chun disembark from the sedan. Xu Chun’s face was flushed red, his clothes, despite his best efforts to tidy them up, were still creased and rumpled. Xie Yi took a dark blue dragon robe from the sedan and draped it over him, effectively covering the disarray beneath. Only then did he slowly descend from the sedan, head bowed low. He didn’t raise his head until he felt the courtyard was empty, the sky dark, with only Su Hua carrying a small glass lantern leading the way. He then looked around the courtyard.

Seeing that Fang Zixing and the guards weren’t present, and that only Su Hua and a few small eunuchs including Wu Fuliushun surrounded the dragon sedan, Xu Chun relaxed.

Xie Yi noticed the change in his expression and chuckled inwardly. In the sedan, he had been so eager to express his love, never once thinking about the consequences. Youth indeed acts impulsively, without foresight. But on his face, he maintained a composed demeanor, taking Xu Chun’s hand and saying, “Let’s go wash up.”

Just four simple words, yet Xu Chun’s face, which had just relaxed, turned uncomfortable again. His ears burned red. Xie Yi wanted to tease him further, but kept a serious expression: “There’s a hot spring here. It would be a shame not to soak in it.”

It was early spring, and the night air carried a chill. The hot spring palace in the palace was called Rixin Pool. Xu Chun looked up at it, and Xie Yi asked him, “Do you know the origin of its name?”

Xu Chun glanced at him with a hint of melancholy. “Renovate yourself daily, renew yourself every day, and again the next day. You personally taught me the Great Learning. Why are you like Mr. Shen? He said I’m not allowed to curse people on the court floor. Otherwise, if others quote classics and curse me, I wouldn’t know what they’re talking about… Although my studies haven’t progressed much, I have still diligently read many books and learned a lot with you.”

Xie Yi suppressed a laugh. “Still harboring resentment against Me for not letting you curse back?”

Xu Chun replied, “I know you’re afraid I’ll be at a disadvantage. Scholars can curse without using dirty words. If I were to be cursed and it became a laughing stock, it would affect my future.”

Xie Yi nodded. “It wouldn’t be worth it. You are precious and honored, a companion of the Son of Heaven. Who is he to deserve your personal attention?”

Hearing that he was considered a companion of the Son of Heaven, Xu Chun felt a warmth in his heart. As he stepped into the hot spring palace from the darkness, he was suddenly dazzled by the light. Surprised, he looked more closely and saw that the central bath was dotted with many glass fish lanterns, crystal clear and bright. Hundreds of fish lanterns reflected in the water, their lights shimmering like countless stars. The milky white mist softened the light, and the water sparkled, making it seem as if they had stepped into a starlit lake.

He knew this was a special surprise Xie Yi had prepared for him. Thinking about how the emperor, who managed the myriad affairs of the state, would take the time to make such a thoughtful gesture for him, he felt even more moved.

Xie Yi walked in, smiling. “Admiring beauty under the light, truly the greatest pleasure of man.”

Xu Chun was speechless. He had been about to say something to thank Jiu Ge, but now that Xie Yi had made this comment, with the bright lights revealing everything, he held onto the sash of his robe, hesitating to undress.

But when he turned around, he saw that Xie Yi had calmly taken off his own robe, revealing his tall and perfect body. The golden koi in the crystal vase under the light swam back and forth, the golden-red candlelight dancing on his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs through the rippling water.

Xu Chun felt his throat dry. According to Eunuch Su, Jiu Ge practiced diligently every day… Indeed, his physique was well-trained… Those legs, that waist… Coupled with skin as smooth as fine silk, the mark of a life of luxury, this perfect Jiu Ge was all his.

Xie Yi slowly entered the water, pulled the floating table close to the shore, and checked that the snacks and fruits he had ordered were neatly arranged on it. Turning, he beckoned Xu Chun over. “Come eat something. I bet you didn’t get to eat properly during the banquet, since Shen Mengzhen dragged you away for a lecture?”

Xu Chun was distracted. “Ah… No, right… Oh… I’m coming.” He had been about to step into the water to wash himself, but now that Xie Yi had said this, he couldn’t bring himself to undress under the glaring lights.

Xie Yi couldn’t help but chuckle. “How can you wash without undressing?”

Xu Chun blushed crimson, turned, and quickly walked to the short couch on the shore. He hastily undressed, remembering the chaos in the dragon sedan earlier, his face burning again. He threw his clothes haphazardly into the laundry basket, unaware that Xie Yi, watching him from behind in the water, had deepened his gaze.

The warm orange light enveloped the handsome young man, a delicacy meticulously prepared for his sole enjoyment, flawless in every way, every inch belonging to him alone. Now, he was fully revealed to him. The candles from all directions adorned the precious gift bestowed by the gods, making it shine brightly.

His lover awkwardly turned his back to him, only revealing a slightly red side of his face, but unknowingly presenting a more beautiful side to him. Every line was enticing, his spine taut, his slim yet muscular waist still showing red marks from his excessive demands. He couldn’t help but rub his palms in the water.

The warm spring water washed over his smooth skin, always making the emperor smile upon seeing it. Admiring it was not enough; he needed to appreciate it carefully. Fortunately, the night was long, but unfortunately, he had to inspect the land army camp tomorrow, so he couldn’t overdo it tonight.

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Although the emperor’s visit to the Wanbang Academy was brief, lasting only an afternoon, the impact it had on the students and teachers was immense.

After all, the students’ families initially sent their children there mainly because the tuition was low and could be deferred, and the school provided free writing materials and uniforms. If they excelled academically, they could receive scholarships and have part of their tuition waived. It was rumored that the academy in Minzhou had already been established, and most of its graduates had joined the military. So, with a glimmer of hope, they enrolled their children, with the majority being from military households. Jinhai Fort was originally populated mostly by former military households.

Once they entered the academy, they found it didn’t quite resemble a proper school. The teachers were men and women of all ages, each skilled in writing, painting, and eloquent speech, commanding respect with a stern look. Each class was also assigned a supervisor to maintain discipline. Despite their doubts about the qualifications of their teachers—whom they suspected were not orthodox scholars—because some officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau occasionally taught astronomy. Most of the resident teachers, however, were graduates of the Minzhou Academy. They studied diligently out of necessity, but they felt their academy was different from those that led to officialdom through the imperial examinations.

However, they didn’t realize that the teacher who took them to the port to see ships daily, tirelessly teaching them the intricacies of shipbuilding, dressed casually like a common fisherman, was actually the descendant of a famous loyal minister and a scholar worthy of the emperor’s praise during his inspection tour.

They witnessed the emperor, dressed in his dragon robe, praising their teacher and personally inscribing a plaque with the words “Unwavering Loyalty and Integrity.” The accompanying scholars from the Hanlin Academy wrote numerous poems about the “Prime Minister Lu Xiufu,” collected by the eunuchs, who promised to copy them and send a set to Teacher Lu.

In the days following the emperor’s departure, Teacher Lu, unlike before, no longer berated them for their foolishness. Instead, he changed into a long robe, no longer dressing sloppily, and was much more patient and meticulous with them. Not only him, but all the teachers who had met the emperor transformed overnight, becoming more serious in their lectures and frequently mentioning the emperor’s wisdom and the country’s future, emphasizing the emperor’s expectations for the students of the Wanbang Academy.

The students, observing these changes, spread the news by word of mouth. The next day, Jinhai Fort was abuzz with the news: The emperor had come! The emperor had inspected the naval defense, starting with the Wanbang Academy!

On that day, the officials and gentry of Jinhai Fort sprang into action, eager to enroll their own children in the Wanbang Academy. Previously, they had sent mostly servants and lower-class family members, but learning that imperial princesses were attending, many were tempted. After hearing about the emperor’s inspection, they immediately decided to try to enroll their children, regardless of whether there was an entrance exam. They sought out Chancellor Zhang, willing to pay tuition upfront to start studying immediately!

Amidst the city’s commotion, news of the emperor’s inspection of the Jinhai Fort land army camp spread. That day was sunny and cloudless. From Jinhai City to the cliff pass leading to the army camp, the road was packed with spectators. Even the trees and mountainsides were filled with people. Although the nearby mountains had been cordoned off for security, the distant hills were still crowded with families who had come to watch the military camp from afar.

The martial arts field was decked out with a grand imperial tent, prominently embroidered with a golden dragon. Colorful flags adorned with bird feathers fluttered atop the newly erected gate for the inspection. Beside the gate stood a yellow eight-treasure pavilion, serving as the emperor’s temporary residence.

The soldiers of the Jinhai Fort land army camp, clad in gleaming golden helmets, stood in formation in square formations. Banners fluttered, armor gleamed, and weapons formed dense forests, as the troops stood silently, ready for inspection.

Xu Chun, mounted on his horse and dressed in his bright armor, led two thousand cavalrymen outside the martial arts gate, waiting to escort the emperor. Civil and military officials, wearing crimson robes and carrying escort identification cards, had also arrived at the field early to await the imperial arrival.

The magnificent imperial entourage entered the martial arts gate. The central army fired three salutes, and ceremonial music began. The court musicians and military band accompanying the emperor played the “Ode to Peace and Prosperity,” the drums resonating, the sounds of the bells deep and rich. The escorting officials lined up outside the martial arts gate to welcome the imperial procession.

When the imperial entourage reached the martial arts gate, Xie Yi alighted from the sedan. Today, he wore a complete set of fine yellow scale armor, embroidered with clouds and dragons, and a sword at his waist. The civil and military escorts, along with the officers awaiting inspection, knelt to offer their respects in a single bow. The Minister of War, Lei Ming, and the Minister of Rites, Shen Mengzhen, guided Xie Yi into the royal pavilion and invited him to take his seat.

After sitting down, Lei Ming approached to request orders to organize the troops. Xie Yi first delivered words of encouragement and bestowed wine and food upon the battalions. After Xu Chun and the other officers received their rewards and expressed their gratitude, they retreated to their camps to prepare their troops.

Lei Ming then approached again to request the emperor to ascend the platform for the inspection. Xie Yi, accompanied by Lei Ming and Shen Mengzhen, left the royal pavilion. He climbed the platform and entered the imperial tent. The civil and military officials lined up on both sides of the emperor, awaiting the commencement of the grand inspection.

From his elevated position, Xie Yi could see Xu Chun standing beside the command platform, his posture straight as a spear, his demeanor calm and steady, exuding the aura of a great general. A sense of pride welled up within him, mingled with a twinge of heartache that Xu Chun would have to stand by his side throughout the inspection, ready to answer any inquiries. But he knew that Xu Chun must have prepared for this inspection for a long time, and he intended to thoroughly enjoy the gift his beloved had prepared for him.