Chapter 88 – Easy to Comfort

Xu Chun fell asleep quickly. After hearing Fan Mukun’s words during the day, the long-suppressed resentment surged up in his chest like a raging fire, causing him to disregard everything and ride straight to the palace gates. However, he was usually not one to dwell on things, so his emotions came and went swiftly. After receiving comfort from Xie Yi, he relaxed, snuggled up against Xie Yi, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Xie Yi was initially restless, finding it difficult to fall asleep due to his chronic problem with settling down in unfamiliar beds, which had plagued him for years. He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but strangely, watching Xu Chun curl up next to him like a stray cat, breathing softly, he also unconsciously drifted off to sleep.

During the night, Xie Yi woke up once, coughing as he sat up. Xu Chun immediately opened his eyes and sat up to look at him. The eunuchs serving outside came in to assist Xie Yi in drinking water and taking medicine. Xu Chun stood helplessly by his side, unable to do anything but watch while wrapped in the blanket. After Xie Yi took his medicine and his coughing subsided somewhat, he turned to look at Xu Chun with a hint of helplessness. “I’m afraid my illness might be contagious. Last night, seeing you like that, I didn’t want to suggest that you sleep in another room, but perhaps you should rest in the side room.”

Xu Chun insisted, “I’ll stay with Ninth Brother—Ninth Brother, you shouldn’t go to court tomorrow, right?”

Xie Yi stroked his hair. “It’s fine; I’ve improved a lot already. Tomorrow, there’s a memo about river management that the cabinet needs to discuss. What about you? What do you plan to do tomorrow?”

Xu Chun leaned against Xie Yi’s shoulder and thought for a moment. “I was originally scheduled to proofread with Scholar Fan. Then, Big Brother Zhang sent some things over, originally meant for the top scholar and Scholar Fan. Minister He knows I’m back in the capital and arranged to meet together. He reserved a room at the Xianyun Studio. I also plan to visit Master Shen when I have time.”

Xie Yi said, “Mm, the printing studio is something that should be properly established. If you’re bored after returning, you can take a look at the books in the Imperial Library and see which ones you want to engrave and print. Additionally, there are many books from the late Duke Mu in Fan Mukun’s possession, which you can ask him for.”

Xu Chun said, “Scholar Fan seems to have something on his mind. I’ve seen him twice since coming back, and both times he appeared preoccupied.”

Xie Yi said, “Mm, the evidence of Prince Shun’s rebellion was discovered by him, but he and Xie Fei are considered good friends, so he must be feeling uneasy.”

Xu Chun: “…”

Xie Yi whispered, “This is the imperial court. You may unintentionally or intentionally drift apart from your teachers and friends, even becoming enemies.”

Xu Chun closed his eyes, but his eyelashes trembled slightly. Xie Yi, looking down at him, knew he didn’t want to hear more about the intricacies of the relationship between monarch and minister, as depicted in history books, where trust can deteriorate into enmity.

Xie Yi gently touched his forehead, thinking that he had planned to slowly accumulate military achievements in Minzhou, hoping to enter the court with military honors one day and receive the title of a peerless duke. But now that he intended to take a practical path, it wasn’t impossible. Although it wouldn’t be as fast as entering the court through military merit, the sea was dangerous, and he had been extremely reluctant to leave. Now that he was back in the court, the imperial court naturally presented another kind of danger. However, with his protection, they could steadily progress for several years. Once Xu Chun mastered practical affairs, he could take up a military position again. As he was a hereditary military official, there would always be opportunities.

He was usually thoughtful and cautious, lost in his thoughts for a moment, pondering several paths.

But Xu Chun stole glances at him, seeing that Ninth Brother had just finished coughing, with a flush on his cheeks. Though he had lost weight, he still looked as clear as snow and cold as the moon. Xu Chun reached out and quietly held Xie Yi’s wrist, slowly caressing it. Since their hurried farewell at the private residence, it had been over a year since he last saw Ninth Brother. Now, tightly leaning against him, his young heart filled with passion, he couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.

As Xu Chun became aroused, Xie Yi noticed and couldn’t help but chuckle. Xu Chun blushed, closed his eyes, and pretended to sleep. Xie Yi thought to himself: while he was here worrying about Xu Chun’s future, Xu Chun was only thinking about their intimate moments. Although they were sharing the same bed yet dreaming differently, it made Xie Yi feel as though he was working hard while Xu Chun was solely focused on him.

At that moment, his heart softened, and he lowered his head to kiss Xu Chun’s forehead. Xu Chun opened his eyes and looked at Xie Yi, whispering, “You’re still sick.”

Xie Yi said, “I’m fine.” But Xu Chun was very determined, holding onto the front of Xie Yi’s robe. “Ninth Brother, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Ninth Brother, please cherish your health and don’t be indifferent to everything like before.”

Xie Yi sighed, “Alright.”

The two spoke softly, gradually breaking into laughter. Later, they called for water.

Outside the curtains, Su Huai, who had been anxious all night, finally calmed down a bit. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he thought about the hardships of the past few months and was relieved that he could finally get some restful nights. He knew better than anyone else what chaos looked like. In earlier years, although it wasn’t a chaotic era, there were still corpses littering the ground everywhere… His Su clan was punished precisely because his father had secretly opened the granary…

Although the Emperor was young, he was born to be a great ruler! Seeing how the country had stabilized, if anything happened to this ruler, who knew what state the world would be in?

Before dawn, Xie Yi got up to attend court. Xu Chun was still asleep. As Xie Yi came out, he put on his court attire while whispering, “Don’t wake him up. When he wakes up, have Fang Zixing escort him out the back door to Zhuzhi Studio. Make sure Fang Zixing keeps a close watch. Also…”

Xie Yi came out and casually ate a bowl of bird’s nest and silver ear soup. He then said, “From now on, add another portion of provisions for Cuiyu Palace. Arrange for his food, clothing, shelter, and transportation to be the same as mine. Ask him later if he wants to come back for lunch. In the past few days, I asked you to reorganize the palace staff. How’s the arrangement going?”

Su Huai replied, “After the incident with Prince Shun, we conducted another purge. All the empty palaces have been reduced in staff. Following Your Majesty’s orders, after Empress Dowager left the palace, the consorts and dowagers without sons were all moved to the West Palace Garden for care. The middle gate has been locked, and there’s no passage between the two sides. To come over, an imperial decree from Your Majesty is required. This old slave will issue another warning and arrange the shifts for the eunuchs serving inside.”

Xie Yi raised his eyes to see Fang Zixing standing outside and instructed him, “Assign another team of guards to follow Xu Chun according to the Emperor’s standard. Set up palace restrictions and defensive arrangements at Zhuzhi Studio.”

Fang Zixing agreed and added, “Since Your Majesty stayed there last year, Zhuzhi Studio has been managed under palace restrictions. Now, it’s just a matter of increasing personnel to follow the Prince.”

Xie Yi continued, “Did you remind everyone at the palace gates yesterday?”

Fang Zixing said, “Yes, the captain of the guards on duty at the time had met the Prince before and knew better than to let him kneel outside. He brought him through the second palace gate. No one entered or exited the palace at that time since there were no imperial concubines around, and only our brothers knew about it.”

Xie Yi nodded, knowing that Fang Zixing was reliable in such matters. During last year’s incident, Empress Dowager knew she had to move Fang Zixing away before making her move.

Fang Zixing asked, “Can you call Dinghai back?”

Xie Yi replied, “Yes, have him continue following Xu Chun. After experiencing this setback, he’ll be more vigilant in the future.”

Fang Zixing said, “We can arrange the shifts, but we need to increase the number of people. Previously, we only focused on protecting the Emperor, who often traveled lightly without many attendants. Last month, ten men were sent to Minzhou to study at the Maritime Academy. With the addition of the Prince, the shifts are a bit tight, and we need to promote more people.”

Xie Yi said, “Call back Dinghai and Chunxi. There are enough people outside for now. Just adjust the carriages and daily arrangements. I haven’t been leaving the palace much recently, so choose the personnel yourself. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, he will go to the Tianjin Port Customs Office. On one hand, arrange for people to follow him. On the other hand, ask your brother to select someone from the Guangdong Customs Office for Xu Chun to use.”

Fang Zixing asked, “Is the Prince still going to Tianjin?”

Xie Yi replied, “Yes, so choose the personnel accordingly. He’ll probably travel frequently between Beijing and Tianjin.”

Fang Zixing said, “The Prince is easily comforted, isn’t he? He’s so easy to please.”

Xie Yi glanced at him without saying a word, but the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile as he entered the cabinet meeting, which is not mentioned further.