FIMA Ch122: Decision

It was just past the You hour (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM).

A clear, shallow crescent moon hung in the sky. Palace lanterns burned brightly everywhere, and occasionally, the night breeze carried the ethereal fragrance of osmanthus.

Supported by Gu Siyuan, Xie Chenyun walked along the palace path paved with white marble, passing by vermilion palace walls that seemed to stretch on endlessly.

The night in the palace was very quiet; the only sounds in their ears were the clack-clack of wooden clogs and the rustling friction of their robes.

This was his second time seeing the Jinling temporary palace at night. It was much more leisurely than the first time he came to steal something. However, there was the presence of this person beside him.

At this moment, Gu Siyuan suddenly turned his head to look at him: “We’re here.”

The Lotus Pool was actually not far from the Qingwu Pavilion.

Those palace walls that seemed endless had actually taken less than half a cup of tea’s time to traverse under their feet.

Being a hot spring in the imperial palace, it was exquisite in every detail.

It was an endlessly broad pool built of white marble. In the very center was a giant carved stone lotus flower, and on the outermost ring of petals squatted stone heads of golden dragons and phoenixes. The warm spring water slowly poured from the mouths of these divine beasts into the pool.

White water vapor, drifting like clouds and mist, lingered in the air above the Lotus Garden, painting the area as if it were the Jade Pool of the immortals.

Because they had been notified in advance that the pool would be used, the surface of the spring water was currently sprinkled with red, white, and various other colored flower petals. The lingering, profound fragrance was intoxicating.

Xie Chenyun narrowed his eyes, a half-smile on his face.

To prepare so thoroughly, it seems this foolish ruler is ironclad in his determination to consummate his desires today.

Gu Siyuan had no interest in having people serve them while bathing, and directly waved away all the palace servants.

He took off his shoes and socks himself, then stripped off his clothes, leaving only a thin pair of inner trousers.

And at this very moment, Xie Chenyun, snapping out of his own imagination, raised his eyes and was met exactly with this scene.

Xie Chenyun: “…”

This wasn’t his first time seeing Gu Siyuan’s body.

That time over a month ago, this guy had changed his clothes right in front of his face.

As an emperor, Gu Siyuan was widely rumored among the common folk and the court to be a man who lusted after beauty. But looking solely at this physique, there was absolutely no weak or pale frailty from being overly steeped in wine and women. It could even be said that there was probably no man in this world more masculine than Gu Siyuan.

Especially since he had perhaps started practicing martial arts recently, compared to the first time they met, Gu Siyuan had become even more muscular and vigorous. His healthy wheat-colored skin, smooth and defined muscles, and certain other areas that didn’t need further explanation… it could truly be said that from top to bottom, there was not a single part of him that wasn’t imposing.

Xie Chenyun’s gaze swept back and forth over Gu Siyuan without any restraint.

Any man would have a bit of vanity regarding this aspect.

Gu Siyuan was originally quite indifferent, but seeing Xie Chenyun’s look, it actually sparked a bit of a joking mood in him: “Chenyun, are you satisfied with what you see?”

As he spoke, he casually untied the golden dragon crown on his head, letting his ink-black long hair fall over his shoulders.

Thus, this hair-down appearance not only didn’t diminish his majesty, but actually added an aura of devilish, unrestrained, mature masculinity.

Xie Chenyun violently whipped his head away, covering his burning, crimson cheeks.

This foolish ruler… so this was the scheme he was playing at?

Getting the wooden clogs for me earlier was the tender offensive, and now he’s starting to show off his physical capital?

Truly, taking a calculated approach at every step…

Gu Siyuan was already accustomed to the neurotic behavior of the person beside him. Seeing Xie Chenyun suddenly look away, he didn’t care much.

He walked into the hot spring pool on his own. The spring water was warm and soft; upon the slightest contact, the comfort spread directly from the soles of his feet to his entire body, making him feel like a fish returned to its native pool.

Gu Siyuan sank his entire body down, leaving only his head and slender neck exposed. He leaned his back lazily against the pool wall adorned with soft jade and let out a relaxed breath.

He raised his head and casually called out: “Chenyun, come down too!”

This Lotus Garden was completely roofless.

Now that night had fallen, the chilling autumn wind blew intermittently.

Xie Chenyun’s clothes were almost completely dampened by the white mist of the hot spring; if he continued to be blown by the wind like this, he might actually get sick.

Just as he was thinking this, a gust of cool wind truly struck.

Xie Chenyun rolled his eyes and laughed softly, “Alright.”

Gu Siyuan: “…”

I always feel like there’s something wrong with his expression.

Xie Chenyun stepped barefoot onto the white marble steps, momentarily making it hard for one to distinguish whether his feet or the jade were whiter.

As he walked, his clothes continuously fell to the ground, fully exposing his flawless body to the air. As pure white as frost and snow, as lustrous as jade—he was truly favored by the good fortune of heaven and earth.

Gu Siyuan looked on with a slightly appreciative gaze.

Xie Chenyun raised his eyes, smiling at him: “Your Majesty, do you think I look good?”

Gu Siyuan nodded and said honestly: “Chenyun is not an ordinary person. The mortal realm lacks such extraordinary beauty; if not a demon, then a ghost.”

Right at this moment, with a muffled thump, a massive splash erupted in the hot spring pool.

Gu Siyuan helplessly wiped the water droplets from his face.

His ink-black long hair floating like algae, Xie Chenyun’s beautiful face slowly surfaced from the water. The corner of his mouth carried the smile of a successful prank, like a bewitching, gorgeous siren from the distant deep sea.

Xie Chenyun tilted his head to look at Gu Siyuan, smiling mischievously: “Do I look even more like a demon or ghost now?”

“A clear lotus emerging from the water, natural and devoid of carving.” This line of poetry suddenly popped into Gu Siyuan’s mind. After thinking for a moment, he added another sentence: “Perhaps not a demon or ghost. A pure merman.”

“You…” Xie Chenyun was both embarrassed and annoyed, looking incredibly shocked (shocked.jpg).

…Why does this foolish ruler have so many routines?

Did Gu Siyuan specifically study a ‘Guide to Romance Routines’ just for him?

Alas, such talent, yet he doesn’t use it on the righteous path.

For the time that followed.

Xie Chenyun admitted that he had developed some wariness toward Gu Siyuan’s endless barrage of romantic routines. Therefore, throughout the entire bath, he stayed more than eight zhang (approx. 25 meters) away from him.

Even so, he was on edge the entire time, terrified that Gu Siyuan would pull out a new routine.

Gu Siyuan, however, was completely oblivious to this.

He actually thought that although Xie Chenyun was a bit mischievous, he knew his limits and stayed far away, knowing to give each other privacy.

When he had soaked enough, he stood up, preparing to dry off and get dressed.

He even kindly reminded Xie Chenyun: “It is not advisable to soak in the hot spring for too long, otherwise it will actually be harmful to the body.”

“…Oh.” Xie Chenyun replied and also hurriedly stood up.

Watching Gu Siyuan dry his body with an aura of absolute righteousness and then begin to put on his clothes, he still couldn’t quite react.

This foolish ruler… just… just left like that?

No ‘playing in the water like mandarin ducks’?

No new routines?

No forcing himself upon me?

No little toys?

Xie Chenyun stared at Gu Siyuan neurotically while stepping onto the white marble floor, dripping wet.

Then, not paying attention, his foot slipped directly, and his entire body lunged forward uncontrollably.

Gu Siyuan hurriedly stopped dressing and reached out to catch him.

When his palm touched that slightly cool skin, Gu Siyuan was momentarily in a daze, thinking he was holding a person carved from soft jade. This wonderful sensation was truly captivating. Thrilled by the catch, he couldn’t resist stroking him a few more times.

“…” Xie Chenyun.

I knew it, this smelly rogue.

The peacefulness in the hot spring just now was an accident; this is his true face.

Gu Siyuan believed he was merely acting out of appreciation for a beautiful creature, with no wicked thoughts. After touching, he solemnly set the person upright, even taking a long robe from the nearby rack to drape over him, saying warmly, “Watch your step, don’t catch a cold.”

“…” Xie Chenyun puffed his cheeks.

This foolish ruler really knows how to put on an act.

The bright moon had already risen extremely high, shedding spots of silver-white starlight. The entire imperial palace seemed enveloped under a veil of thin frost.

The two walked silently all the way back to the Qingwu Pavilion.

Before going up the steps, Xie Chenyun deliberately tilted his head and asked with a smile, “Your Majesty, are you resting at the Qingwu Pavilion today?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, saying deeply, “As long as Chenyun understands.”

Since they were putting on a show, they naturally couldn’t abandon it halfway. Xie Chenyun truly deserved to be the helper he had selected.

“…” Xie Chenyun.

No… I don’t want to understand.

Is this a direct declaration of his ultimate goal?

Feeling completely justified in his actions, Gu Siyuan took the lead and strode into the bedchamber after speaking.

On the large carved bed against the wall lay two sets of bedding.

This was a custom in the palace. ‘Attending the bed’ was one thing, but when it finally came time to sleep, the emperor and the concubine were not in the same blanket, to avoid startling each other awake when getting up in the night.

Gu Siyuan naturally disliked being overly close to people, and was even less willing to share a bed.

With a glance at the soft couch near the window not far away, he reached out and carried one set of bedding over. Xie Chenyun could sleep there later.

As for why it wasn’t him sleeping there?

Well, who told him to be the emperor? His status demanded it.

Xie Chenyun stepped into the room just in time to see this scene.

Instantly, he raised an eyebrow.

Heh, what a good plan the foolish ruler has.

There’s only one blanket left on the large bed now, so when it comes time to sleep later, we won’t be able to avoid intimate contact even if we wanted to.

Gu Siyuan sat down on the edge of the carved wooden bed and nodded at Xie Chenyun: “Chenyun has arrived. Rest early!”

After saying that, he took off his outer robe, pulled the blanket over himself, and lay down.

Xie Chenyun was so angry he was speechless. With a cold sneer, he strode directly toward the bed, his outer robe dropping to the floor with his movements.

Hmph, who’s afraid of who?

With my martial arts skills, if Gu Siyuan really wants to try something later, it’s uncertain who the unlucky one will be.

Xie Chenyun forcefully threw back the other half of the blanket and lay down beside him.

Gu Siyuan: “…”

Is he throwing a tantrum?

Thinking about it for a moment, he couldn’t really blame Xie Chenyun. This was originally the residence he arranged for him, yet now he was occupying the magpie’s nest. It wasn’t surprising that he was unhappy.

At least this bed was quite large; it wasn’t crowded even with two adult men sleeping on it.

Thinking this, Gu Siyuan immediately felt at ease.

He raised his hand and lightly flicked two fingers. Thus, the palace lanterns on both sides of the carved bed were all extinguished, plunging the entire room into darkness.

Only strands of lingering moonlight barely seeped into the room through the crack in the half-open window.

Xie Chenyun gripped the blanket with both hands, his heart trembling, silently repeating: Here it comes, here it comes, it’s about to happen. This foolish ruler, this pervert…

But the truth was, even though his martial arts were clearly far superior to Gu Siyuan’s, for some unknown reason, when facing this man, he always felt an inexplicable sense of weakness.

Gu Siyuan was naturally one of the most sharp and vigilant people in the world, but miraculously, the quality of his sleep was also extraordinarily high.

Basically, as long as he closed his eyes and wanted to sleep, he could fall asleep instantly.

And it was the exact same right now.

Thus, by the time Xie Chenyun had practically gripped the blanket in his hands until a patina formed, the person beside him actually hadn’t made a single move.

He waited a little longer, finally unable to resist turning slightly onto his side.

By the faint moonlight and starlight, he barely made out Gu Siyuan’s tightly closed eyes and the smooth rise and fall of his Adam’s apple.

When asleep, Gu Siyuan looked different from his usual cold, stern demeanor. His fully relaxed features and skin softened his contours, not diminishing his handsome and imposing look, but adding an inexplicable gentleness.

Wait.

…He’s asleep?

This foolish ruler just fell asleep like this?

Xie Chenyun widened his eyes: “…”

What is going on?

He blinked, and then blinked again.

Could this person actually be a righteous gentleman after all?

Full of confusion, Xie Chenyun closed his eyes.

But his heart and mind were completely filled with various images of Gu Siyuan constantly jumping around inside.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Xie Chenyun snapped his eyes open.

He understood now.

The reason Gu Siyuan did this is exactly because he truly loves and respects me. That is why, even having reached this point, he still won’t step out of bounds, and is even less willing to force me.

Even if his love cannot be hidden, and he cannot suppress his desire to be close to me, he merely used a pitiful excuse to take the opportunity to bathe with me and share a bed with me…

Thinking of this.

Xie Chenyun suddenly felt a sour ache in his chest, his emotions becoming incredibly complicated for a moment.

As an emperor, Gu Siyuan possesses the rivers and mountains. What object or person in this world isn’t easily obtainable for him? Yet he is still willing to treat me so carefully.

Propping himself up on his elbow, Xie Chenyun lifted his upper body and looked once more at Gu Siyuan’s peaceful sleeping face.

He traced his features in the empty air, only feeling that this person was probably the darling of heaven and earth, otherwise why would all the best things in the world be gathered upon his single person?

In that case. Since there is no better person in this world than Gu Siyuan.

Then why must I stubbornly cling to the distinction between men and women? Cling to other worldly trivialities like that? Letting myself only be able to ‘settle’ for less in the end?

Furthermore, wouldn’t being able to press such an utterly masculine man beneath me prove even more that I am the greatest true man in the world?

Xie Chenyun fell back onto the bed, having already silently made a certain decision in his heart.

The next day, before dawn broke.

Gu Siyuan woke up. Although he was traveling and didn’t need to hold early morning court, the various regions had been quite restless lately. Just finishing all the memorials required an entire morning.

However, before getting out of bed, he furrowed his brow first, due to the inexplicable extra weight on his body.

He looked down.

Xie Chenyun was practically completely nestled in his arms, his head resting on his right shoulder, the soft crown of his hair pressing perfectly against his chin. In addition, his two hands tightly hugged his right arm, and one leg was even thrown horizontally across his thigh.

Gu Siyuan didn’t know since when they had maintained this posture.

But… no matter how long it had been, had his vigilance really dropped to such a level?

He let out a deep breath. It seemed his martial arts still weren’t proficient enough. He needed to hurry up and practice the second half of the Innate Heaven and Earth Cultivation Arts, so he could at least possess the strength to defeat the three great Innate Grandmasters within two months.

Gu Siyuan immediately reached out, wanting to move the person off him, so he could hurry to Qinzheng Hall, finish reviewing the memorials, and begin practicing.

But just then, the small head resting on his shoulder suddenly moved slightly.

Then, Gu Siyuan felt a strange yet familiar warm sensation on his neck, which almost made him freeze instantly.

Thus, the palm he had placed on Xie Chenyun trembled as well. What was originally a movement to push the person aside inexplicably changed direction.

And as if setting off a chain reaction.

Right at this moment, Xie Chenyun’s head moved slightly again, simultaneously letting out a soft grumble from his mouth, as if protesting Gu Siyuan’s annoying disturbance.

Gu Siyuan immediately let go.

But Xie Chenyun wasn’t one to settle down. That foot that was originally resting on Gu Siyuan’s thigh suddenly moved playfully, touching somewhere it shouldn’t have.

Thus, the one helplessly disturbed became Gu Siyuan.

It was early morning, and he was in the prime of his youth; naturally, there were some subconscious physical reactions.

However, Gu Siyuan had always had a firm mind and didn’t mind this, intending to just wait for it to calm down on its own.

But that foot, as if discovering some amusement, actually moved around wildly and arrogantly a few more times.

Gu Siyuan truly reached his limit this time.

This cannot continue.

He wrapped one arm around the slender body in his embrace, and reached his other hand under the blanket to grab that troublesome foot.

The foot, cold as jade, seemed to sense danger. The toes immediately curled up in fright, lightly dragging across Gu Siyuan’s palm.

But at this moment, Gu Siyuan’s heart was already as hard as iron.

If this continued, it wasn’t certain if Xie Chenyun would sleep well, but he himself was truly about to be tormented to ruins by this foot.

He exerted force with both hands, lifting the person and placing him on the inner side of the bed. Then, he shook out the blanket that had been bunched into a ball and draped it back over Xie Chenyun.

After finishing all this, Gu Siyuan lay flat on the outer edge of the bed for a while, waiting until that previously excited area completely calmed down before getting out of bed.

When he walked to the outer room, Wang Tan, knowing he woke up at this hour every day, had already brought people to wait there.

The palace servants attended to Gu Siyuan as he put on the dragon robes, while Wang Tan paced blindly to the side, his little eyes darting back and forth.

Gu Siyuan said coldly, “If you have something to say, spit it out.”

Wang Tan immediately let out an obsequious chuckle: “Your Majesty, after Beauty Xie attended the bed, shall tonic medicine be bestowed?”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

His head swelled just hearing about this ‘tonic medicine’. But if he didn’t bestow it, in a couple of days, from Wang Tan’s mouth, it would probably be all ‘dragon fetus, dragon fetus’ again.

He pondered for a moment and said seriously, “Bestow it. But wait until Zhen returns from reviewing the memorials, then have the imperial physician send it over. Zhen will bestow it personally.”

“…Yes.” Wang Tan’s small eyes widened, and he replied hesitantly.

His Majesty is truly so cruel-hearted!

It seems that mysterious Consort who appeared over a month ago truly is his true love. Could this Beauty Xie just be a substitute? A tool used to help His Majesty cover up why he hasn’t been entering the inner harem lately.

If Gu Siyuan knew this, he would definitely give a thumbs up.

Fatty Wang, truly worthy of being the Head Eunuch, you actually guessed half right by sheer accident.

After Gu Siyuan left with his entourage.

In the bedchamber, Xie Chenyun immediately opened his eyes.

He excitedly hugged the blanket, rolling over and over on the bed several times before finally settling down a bit.

A breathtaking smile curved at the corners of his mouth.

Hmph hmph!

Gu Siyuan truly loves me so much.

Under such urgent circumstances just now, he still wasn’t willing to profane me, but instead silently endured it alone.

As an emperor, to possess such a heart of respect and restraint—where else in the world could one find a person like this?

Xie Chenyun’s slender white fingers clenched into fists.

A faint blue glint flashed in his dark eyes. Since that’s the case, from now on, I will be the one to take the initiative!

Being able to press a man like Gu Siyuan beneath me, what more needs to be said!

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