Chapter 38: A Bitter Invitation

Yan Wangchen hesitated for a moment before settling onto the edge of the bed.

Ji Xiao asked, “Are you not tired in your armor, A’chen? Why not take it off?”

Hearing this, Yan Wangchen lifted his gaze to meet his eyes, then rose to remove his armor, hanging it neatly on a nearby stand.

Leaning against the propped-up soft pillows, Ji Xiao asked, “Why are you looking at me like that, A’chen?”

Yan Wangchen remained silent. ‘He was simply surprised.’

Ever since that night, although Zhao Lingxiao would occasionally tease him, he never initiated any further intimacy. Even an embrace was a rare occurrence.

Zhao Lingxiao had claimed that he had hurt him that night and had been wary ever since.

Yan Wangchen’s gaze deepened slightly. ‘Was he no longer afraid?’

He walked over and sat beside Ji Xiao, noticing that not only did Ji Xiao not retreat, but he also leaned in closer, a slight smile playing on his lips.

‘Indeed, he was no longer afraid.’

“What were you about to tell me earlier, A’chen?”

“Regarding the ministers’ request for Your Majesty to hold a selection…”

“Let’s not speak of that.”

Yan Wangchen looked up at him. “Does Your Majesty believe this subordinate will persuade you to hold a selection?”

“And why wouldn’t you?”

Yan Wangchen reached out, lightly tracing Ji Xiao’s chin and gently caressing it. “This subordinate intends to remind Your Majesty not to forget the promise made earlier.”

Ji Xiao remained speechless.

Yan Wangchen withdrew his hand, stood up, and declared, “My person, Yan Wangchen’s person, belongs to me alone. If you break your promise, do not blame this subordinate for being ruthless.”

Having delivered his warning, he did not wish to witness Ji Xiao’s suppressed anger. He picked up his armor, donned it, and left without another word.

Ji Xiao watched his retreating back.

He recalled that in the original plot, Yan Wangchen had never uttered such words. Instead, he had advised Zhao Lingxiao to prioritize the kingdom’s stability, deeming a selection harmless.

‘How could an emperor be without an heir?’

However, Zhao Lingxiao had interpreted his words as veiled threats, believing he was speaking in reverse.

The so-called ‘prioritizing the kingdom’s stability’ was understood by Zhao Lingxiao as a warning that if he held a selection, the political landscape would shift, and his imperial throne would become unstable.

It was for this reason that he had moved against the Fourth Prince.

Though he didn’t kill him, he sent men to cripple both his hands.

The prince, who had once possessed unparalleled talent and love for calligraphy and painting, had fallen into despair, secluding himself from the world until his early demise.

“Shadow Grass, Shadow Moon.”

Two hidden guards swiftly entered, kneeling on one knee in perfect unison.

Black Cat exclaimed, “Are you going to follow the original plot and have the hidden guards cripple the Fourth Prince’s hands?”

Both hidden guards were clad in dark robes. Shadow Moon had a refined appearance, while Shadow Grass’s face was stern.

Ji Xiao thought, [Are hidden guards chosen for their looks? Isn’t the Emperor worried they might cause trouble in the imperial harem?]

Black Cat replied, “Every hidden guard has taken a secret imperial medicine. They are impotent…”

Ji Xiao thought, [How is that different from eunuchs?]

Black Cat countered, “Their roots are still intact.”

Ji Xiao fell silent. The two hidden guards remained motionless, maintaining their kneeling posture.

Black Cat prompted, “Didn’t it not work out earlier? These two look pretty good, pick one?”

Ji Xiao thought, [No.]

Black Cat persisted, “Why not? Didn’t you feel stifled for decades and want to let loose?”

Ji Xiao glanced at the two kneeling figures, his expression impassive. [Not interested.]

Black Cat clicked its tongue. “You’re only interested in the mission target? Why?”

Ji Xiao didn’t answer. Instead, he spoke aloud, “Rise.”

The two hidden guards stood.

“Shadow Moon.”

Shadow Moon stepped forward.

“Go to my Fourth Imperial Brother. From this day forward, you are his person. Protect him well.”

Shadow Moon bowed. “Yes.”

“Go.”

After Shadow Moon departed, the stern-faced Shadow Grass asked, “Does Your Majesty wish to choose another?”

“You may decide.”

“Yes.”

“Go.”

“Yes.”

Shadow Grass was the leader of the hidden guards.

Despite his stern, youthful appearance, he was thirty-five years old, having entered the hidden guard camp at the age of eight and steadily rising to become their leader.

Ji Xiao watched the direction in which Shadow Grass disappeared, his gaze profound.

In truth, Shadow Grass was no less handsome than Yan Wangchen. In terms of martial prowess alone, he was even stronger than Yan Wangchen, disregarding military strategy.

So, why did he feel a flicker of closeness towards Yan Wangchen, but absolutely none towards Shadow Grass?

‘Perhaps he isn’t the mission target, so he holds no value.’

Black Cat interjected, “Huh?”

Ji Xiao simply said, “Nothing.”

****

At noon.

“Go and invite General Yan into the palace to dine with Us.”

The eunuch attending him paused. “General Yan Wangchen?”

Ji Xiao affirmed, “Indeed.”

Eunuch Hou bowed. “Yes.”

****

At Yan Manor.

Yan Wangchen had just finished his martial arts practice and showered, about to have lunch, when a servant announced, “Second Young Master, Eunuch Hou has arrived with an imperial decree.”

Yan Wangchen’s expression remained impassive.

‘He had just seen him this morning, and now an imperial decree?’

Yan Wangchen pondered the Emperor’s intentions as he walked out.

Upon hearing Eunuch Hou deliver the decree, his voice turned slightly cold. “His Majesty summons me to the palace? Did he state the reason?”

Ever since Zhao Lingxiao’s ascension, he had never actively sought him out, always seeming to avoid him.

He had even hinted that he wished for Yan Wangchen to guard the borders, like his father and brothers.

‘Could it be that he had chosen a suitable location and was preparing to send him away?’

As this thought crossed his mind, his face grew colder.

Eunuch Hou lowered his head, speaking softly, “His Majesty summons you to the palace to dine with him.”

Yan Wangchen was taken aback. ‘A mere excuse!’

“Let’s go.”

In truth, he had often contemplated Zhao Lingxiao’s evasive behavior after his ascension.

‘Perhaps everything before was merely a ploy to use him to ascend the throne.’

However, due to the life-saving grace from their youth and the years of shared sentiment, and with things having reached this point, he simply chose not to expose it.

Sitting in the carriage en route to the palace, he lowered his gaze in thought.

He had indeed meticulously sorted through his feelings for Zhao Lingxiao.

Originally, he had always regarded him as a friend.

After his mistake, he had tried his best to compensate. He wasn’t unmoved by Zhao Lingxiao’s deliberate seductions, but when Zhao Lingxiao would retreat whenever he tried to get closer, that fleeting affection had faded.

Yet, unexpectedly, his emotions had shifted again during their meeting this morning.

He had intended to advise him that agreeing to the selection was acceptable, but his words had turned into a warning instead.

It was a grave disrespect.

‘No wonder he wished to banish him to the borders.’

Yan Wangchen let out a low chuckle.

He had already let go of that trace of affection for Zhao Lingxiao. Had it not been for Zhao Lingxiao’s change in attitude this morning, he wouldn’t have suddenly found himself intrigued.

****

Ji Xiao had not anticipated that merely inviting someone for lunch would lead to such extensive contemplation on their part.

He was growing somewhat impatient awaiting his arrival.

Only when Yan Wangchen finally appeared did he wave for the dishes to be served, then addressed him, who was seated below him. “A’chen lives far away. I have to wait so long just to dine with you. Why not simply reside in the palace?”

Yan Wangchen fixed his gaze on him. “Is Your Majesty truly thinking this?”

‘Not only was he not sending him to the border, but he also wanted him to live in the palace?’

His heart sank. ‘Could it be that merely sending him away was no longer enough to ease his mind, and he intended to act against him within the palace itself?’

‘He must have been provoked by the words spoken this morning.’

Ji Xiao met his gaze. “You are unwilling?”

“Where would this subordinate reside?”

“There’s no need to be so formal.”

“Where would I reside?”

Ji Xiao smiled. “Naturally, you would reside with me.”

Yan Wangchen understood.

‘This was an attempt to solidify his identity as the Emperor’s ‘male concubine’.’

This would not only tarnish the Yan family’s reputation but also ignite the fury of the ministers currently petitioning the Emperor for a selection.

Yan Wangchen’s voice held a bitter edge. “Your Majesty… do you truly wish to treat me this way?”

Ji Xiao was perplexed. [Cat, what have I done? Why is he reacting like this?]

Black Cat responded gravely, “Host, be cautious. If you wish for the world to know he is your male concubine, it should only be after he has conquered other nations and unified the realm.”

Ji Xiao sighed. [Oh, right.]

He had simply intended to invite Yan Wangchen to live in the palace.

The palace servants were busy lowering their heads as they served the dishes.

Ji Xiao said softly, “If you are unwilling, then so be it.”

Yan Wangchen stated earnestly, “A sovereign’s command must be obeyed.”

“Alright, then you shall stay.”

“Yes.”

“Eat.”

“Yes.”

‘My head aches.’

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