Chapter 96: Talking as Equals

“Did you not summon me for a specific reason?

Your Majesty was silent throughout the meal, so I find myself wondering.”

Haeryeong added those words quickly, fearing the man might misinterpret his inquiry.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly.

“Rather than a specific reason, I summoned you because I wished to ask if you truly intended to arrange the banquet seating in that manner.”

“Do you mean the delegation from Yeonseo?”

“Indeed.”

Just then, a tea tray was brought in, causing a brief lull in the conversation.

Haeryeong watched the Chief Eunuch pour the tea and spoke only after the servants had withdrawn.

“Your servant felt the current arrangement was most appropriate.”

“And why do you think so?”

“There are several reasons, but the first is my own nature.

To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, one must know their place.

If I were to seat the Yeonseo delegation close to Your Majesty just because you have been treating me leniently of late, surely someone would harbor doubts about my character.”

“Are you so afraid of people cursing you in their hearts?”

“It is not fear.

It is a matter of distaste and discomfort.

If I must worry about what others think of me, I will end up suspecting everyone, and would that not make life a misery?”

The Emperor looked as though he could not quite comprehend the sentiment.

“Does everyone not curse others in their hearts?

Much like the way the Empress curses me with his eyes.”

Noticing that the final remark was a jest, Haeryeong shot a light glare at the Emperor and lifted his teacup.

Supporting the base of the cup with his free hand, Haeryeong swallowed the hot liquid and replied.

“While one cannot control the hearts of others, surely such things can be mitigated if one is careful with their conduct.”

“I would find it more exhausting to fret over such useless things.”

The Emperor, who had been drinking his tea, suddenly set down his cup and leaned his upper body toward Haeryeong.

“Look at me.”

Haeryeong felt burdened by the Emperor’s intense gaze and instinctively leaned back slightly, lifting his head.

“What is the matter, Your Majesty?”

“I am curious as to what kind of curse you are casting now.”

Haeryeong let out a small laugh despite himself and covered his mouth.

“I was not thinking anything just now.”

“Then you must have been cursing me a moment ago?”

Haeryeong’s eyes curved softly behind the hem of his sleeve.

The Emperor’s expression shifted subtly.

Haeryeong watched his face and whispered quietly.

“I was not… cursing you.

I simply…”

“Simply?”

“I was wondering why Your Majesty seems so different from usual.”

“Different?

In what way do I appear different?”

Haeryeong wore a look of distress as the Emperor pressed for details.

“Your servant is not entirely sure.

It is just that… you seem more tender than usual, or perhaps more comfortable to be around…”

The Emperor slowly settled back into his seat and averted his eyes while drinking his tea.

Though Haeryeong could not be certain, he seemed somewhat bashful.

Haeryeong ignored his behavior and sipped his tea in silence.

Once he finished his cup and set it down, the Emperor gave a nod to the Chief Eunuch.

The Chief Eunuch brought over a bowl of cold tea he had prepared in advance and placed it before Haeryeong.

“My stomach will bloat from all this liquid.”

Haeryeong whispered quietly, wondering how much water the man intended to make him drink.

The Emperor let out a fake cough.

“You can simply drink it slowly.

It is only water; it will pass soon enough.”

‘What kind of logic is that?’

Haeryeong looked at the Emperor’s face calmly and let out a small sigh.

‘What can be done?

I do not know what he wants to say, but since he seems to be struggling to find the words, I suppose I must wait.’

However, even after a long while, the Emperor did not bring up anything specific.

He merely spoke of the Founding Festival or shared the news of the High General’s execution.

He mentioned that the remains of the Minister of Public Works and the High General had been returned safely to their respective homes.

Haeryeong praised the Emperor’s generous decision with a look of relief.

For some reason, the Emperor looked lukewarm, yet he remained silent and listened to Haeryeong’s praise without telling him to stop.

The Emperor also prattled on about the construction of Dorim Stream and the minor gossip circulating in the morning assemblies.

While conversing with him so casually, Haeryeong felt a strange sense of dissonance.

He could not explain it in words.

It was simply unfamiliar to sit so close to him, discussing state affairs and daily life.

The fact that they could converse so comfortably was also strange.

It was a feeling distinct from mere unfamiliarity.

‘How should I describe this?

My heart feels as though it is thumping, yet it also feels entirely calm.’

Every time their eyes met, Haeryeong lowered his gaze.

He felt heat rising beneath his eyes and at the tips of his ears, and a faint sigh escaped him involuntarily.

****

Every year around the Founding Festival, Haeryeong had planned to purchase grain to distribute to the people of the capital, but this time, the Emperor had opened the Imperial granaries.

It was a decision made after several days of discussing various matters over meals and tea.

[Should you not discuss this with your officials?

The Imperial granaries are filled to prepare for war or famine…]

The Emperor had let out a scoff at Haeryeong’s worry and acted superior.

[I am the Emperor.

Who would dare step forward to stop me from opening my own storehouses?

Granaries can always be refilled.]

[But…]

‘If only I could truly raid the Emperor’s storehouses as I pleased.’

Everything in the Imperial Palace appeared to belong to the Emperor, but in reality, that was not quite the case.

Since there were specific officials in charge of each department, even the Emperor had to notify and receive confirmation from the relevant official before using any facility.

‘Is it truly alright for him to act so willfully?’

Seeing Haeryeong’s worried face, the Emperor replied with a casual smile.

[No matter how much you spend from your Privy Purse each year, each household only receives enough food for a day or two.

Since we are distributing it anyway, let us do it grandly this year.]

He was right.

The amount Haeryeong could distribute each year was only about a doe of rice, half a mal of barley, and three or four doe of beans.

Furthermore, because it was distributed based on a six-person household, families with fewer members received even less.

While it might last them more than a day or two, it was still far from enough to cover a full week.

Therefore, despite the concern over official opposition, it was an incredibly tempting offer.

Since the Imperial granaries had not been opened once since the Emperor’s enthronement, it felt like a good opportunity.

[Your grace is boundless.

In that case, Your Majesty, your servant was only able to distribute food within the capital due to the limits of the Privy Purse…

While you are opening the storehouses, would it not be better to open the regional storehouses as well, so that all the people can enjoy the festival?]

The Emperor laughed heartily and shook his head in amazement.

[You truly intend to leave me bankrupt.]

Haeryeong smiled at the Emperor with a rare sense of joy.

[Are the people in the provinces not also Your Majesty’s subjects?

I have heard that some regional officials open their storehouses at their own discretion, but…

Let Your Majesty issue an Imperial command to open the storehouses nationwide and allow all to praise your benevolence.]

Yeoran’s national treasury was quite affluent for a country that had been at war for so long.

It was natural, since they had always been victorious.

Therefore, emptying the granaries to some extent would not pose an immediate problem.

The warehouses filled through taxes might grow empty for a moment, but they would be replenished once this year’s harvest was over.

The problem was that the decision was quite sudden, with only a few days left until the festival.

However, since things had come to this, was it not better to strike while the iron was hot?

The Emperor caught Haeryeong’s gaze, furrowed his brow, and spoke in a dazed voice.

[Very well.

If I do this for you now, what task will you command me to do next?]

Realizing this was a “yes,” Haeryeong smiled brightly and gently placed his hand on the Emperor’s arm.

[All the people will rejoice at Your Majesty’s decision.]

The Emperor looked down at Haeryeong’s hand with a lukewarm expression and let out a hollow laugh.

[I am not doing this merely to hear the praise of the people.

So the Empress must do it in their stead.

Praise me for my wise decision.]

For some reason, his face drew closer.

And a faint scent of peach blossoms began to waft through the air.

The Emperor stared openly at Haeryeong’s lips, seducing him with his scent.

In a low voice that matched the sweet floral fragrance, the Emperor whispered.

[Do you dislike it?]

Haeryeong shook his head vigorously as he recalled that day.

Iryeon, who was looking over the newly prepared banquet robes beside him, went wide-eyed in surprise.

“Your Highness, what is the matter?”

“It is nothing.

I simply recalled something else; pay it no mind.”

Iryeon continued to observe Haeryeong with a worried expression.

“Is your heat cycle beginning again?”

It seemed she was worried because his cycle had arrived early last month.

Only after hearing her question did Haeryeong realize his cheeks were slightly flushed.

“I suppose I grew a bit excited from seeing such beautiful things.

Iryeon-ah, bring me some cold tea.

I must rest for a moment.”

After sending Iryeon away, Haeryeong used his hand as a fan to cool the heat in his face.

The sensation of those lips, which had drawn close so gently yet never touched first, surfaced in his mind.

His attempt to cool his heat had been in vain.

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