FIMA Ch123: Governing the Harem

In the following days, Gu Siyuan felt that Xie Chenyun was indeed very cooperative.

Not only did he accompany him diligently to the Hall of Diligent Administration when he was reviewing reports and meeting ministers, but he also stuck close during meals, outings, and rests, fulfilling the duties of a favored consort impeccably.

Although occasionally, Xie Chenyun’s words seemed inexplicable, and his gaze appeared to have hidden meanings.

However, these minor details were insignificant compared to court affairs.

Gu Siyuan didn’t spend much time pondering these trivial reasons.

At most, he privately thought: once the traitors were eliminated and peace restored, he must confer a title upon Xie Chenyun to reward his hard work.

That evening.

After finishing his practice and walking out of the side hall, Gu Siyuan saw the familiar figure from a distance, just like every day for the past half month.

Xie Chenyun, wearing a bamboo-green robe today, was lounging leisurely as if in his own home, lying on the wooden dragon-patterned chair where Gu Siyuan usually handled state affairs, engrossed in a book.

However, as soon as Gu Siyuan lifted the beaded curtain.

Xie Chenyun immediately looked up from his book, turning his head toward him with a bright smile, “Ah, you’re here.”

Even though Gu Siyuan was usually calm and collected, having seen Xie Chenyun’s beauty countless times, at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel a flower blooming in his heart at that melting snow and shattered ice smile.

He nodded and said gently, “Hmm, have you been waiting long?”

Xie Chenyun mysteriously tucked the book into his bosom, then nimbly jumped off the chair and smiled cheekily at him, “Not long, I was also practicing at Qingwu Terrace earlier.”

Although he had left the Yuhuo Sect, he had memorized the “Nirvana Sacred Manual” thoroughly. Practicing martial arts was like rowing against the current; if you don’t advance, you retreat, so he couldn’t afford to slack off for a moment.

Gu Siyuan felt even more satisfied. As expected, the person he chose was quite in sync with him.

The two walked side by side to a long table where Wang Tan had already brought the palace servants to set up the meal.

Evening meals shouldn’t be too greasy or salty, so the dishes were mainly Huaiyang cuisine, including clear stewed lion’s head meatballs, tofu soup, Dragon Well shrimp, and mushrooms with bok choy.

Among them, the tofu soup was particularly exquisite.

The base was made with tender tofu curdled with special brine, shredded bamboo shoots from Jiangnan, aged Jinhua ham to enhance the flavor, and fresh shiitake mushrooms and cilantro, making it extremely delicious.

Xie Chenyun liked this dish very much and kept serving himself several ladles of it.

Seeing this, Gu Siyuan instructed the servants to move the entire pot in front of him.

Xie Chenyun wasn’t surprised by this and merely raised his head to smile at him.

Gu Siyuan didn’t think much of it.

He himself had no great demands regarding food, clothing, or shelter. If Xie Chenyun liked the good things presented in the palace, he was more than happy to share.

After all, Xie Chenyun was his partner, and to a large extent, an unpaid one. So compensating him in other ways was only right.

Xie Chenyun took a spoonful of the tofu soup and tasted it. Whether it was psychological or not, he felt that the soup tasted even better than before.

He smiled slightly.

The palace servants attending them couldn’t help but be momentarily dazzled by his beauty.

However, Gu Siyuan, sitting across from Xie Chenyun, remained composed and focused on his meal.

Hmph! Fake seriousness.

The excitement every morning was real enough.

Xie Chenyun pouted, secretly complaining.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he thought of a good idea.

He immediately picked up the spoon, took another scoop of tofu soup, and then lightly coughed, calling out, “Your Majesty!”

Sure enough, Gu Siyuan looked up.

Xie Chenyun’s eyes brightened, and he quickly brought the spoon to Gu Siyuan’s lips.

At the same time, he playfully said, “Ah…” as if coaxing a baby.

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Of course, Gu Siyuan wouldn’t instinctively respond with an “ah” like an ordinary person. Instead, he looked at Xie Chenyun in confusion.

What was he doing?

Xie Chenyun kept his arm raised, his enthusiasm undiminished, “Ah… open your mouth, it’s delicious.”

The voice was drawn out, meant to be coaxing, but it sounded more like he was acting cute.

Gu Siyuan looked at him deeply, then finally parted his lips and slowly took the tofu soup into his mouth.

He nodded, “Hmm, it does taste good, very delicious.”

Xie Chenyun’s smile became even more triumphant.

Then, he retracted the spoon, took another scoop of tofu soup, and this time brought it to his own lips. His bright red tongue flicked out to lick it gently, and he raised his eyebrows at Gu Siyuan with a smile, “It’s really delicious.”

Gu Siyuan frowned slightly.

But soon, he relaxed.

Well, at Xie Chenyun’s age, he would just be starting college in modern times, so a little mischievousness was normal. There was no need to be serious with him.

With this thought, he picked up his chopsticks and handed over a shrimp, “It’s very tender, try it.”

Xie Chenyun took a bite of the shrimp, his eyes shining brightly.

Sure enough, he needed to take the initiative.

As long as he showed a little willingness, this foolish emperor would eagerly follow, losing all his previous reservations and hesitations.

Meanwhile, Wang Tan couldn’t help but smack his lips in disapproval.

Was the palace lacking in spoons and chopsticks? Why did they have to fuss over sharing?

Thinking this, he felt rather sympathetic towards Lady Xie.

It seemed Lady was deeply infatuated with the Emperor now. How would he bear it if he found out the truth in the future?

The Emperor’s heart was only with that mysterious consort and the dragon child.

You are just a stand-in tool!

But deep in their own thoughts, Gu Siyuan and Xie Chenyun were oblivious to Wang Tan’s disdain and kind-hearted worries.

In the following time.

They fed each other various foods, turning what should have been a simple dinner into a prolonged affair.

In the end.

Xie Chenyun felt he had achieved his goal.

Gu Siyuan remained indifferent as usual.

…

After the meal.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Chenyun headed to Qingwu Terrace.

In ancient times, there weren’t many evening entertainments, so the two of them, as usual, stood on the highest level of Qingwu Terrace, taking a leisurely walk and chatting under the moonlight.

When Gu Siyuan casually asked about the book he had seen Xie Chenyun reading in the Hall of Diligent Administration, Xie Chenyun’s expression became somewhat evasive.

Gu Siyuan wasn’t particularly curious and wouldn’t force others.

Seeing this, he didn’t press further.

At that moment, their meal had mostly settled, and they each went to the bathroom to bathe.

After washing up and returning, it was time to rest.

Since Xie Chenyun entered the palace over half a month ago, they had been sharing the same bed.

Gu Siyuan had become very accustomed to the person who appeared in his arms every morning, transforming from a stranger into someone familiar.

In fact, when he went to sleep, if he didn’t feel that slight weight on his body, he felt uncomfortable.

Time has a powerful influence.

He could only sigh at this.

As he was thinking, the sound of pearl curtains rustling at the door signaled Xie Chenyun’s entrance.

For sleeping, naturally, the attire should be light and soft.

However, today, Xie Chenyun was excessively lightly dressed.

Black was supposed to be the most concealing color, but the gauzy black garment he wore made his jade-like skin appear even more veiled with a hazy glow.

Most importantly, Xie Chenyun was only wearing this one black robe, which seemed to have no fastenings, just loosely tied at the waist. With his movements, his slender, porcelain-white legs continuously flashed before Gu Siyuan’s eyes.

Gu Siyuan first marveled at Xie Chenyun’s beauty, truly not of this world!

Then, he wondered, were there actually black sleeping garments in the palace?

They were certainly on the cutting edge of fashion.

Gu Siyuan had no interest in playing the role of a strict parent, meddling with what people wore to sleep.

When Xie Chenyun, smiling leisurely, climbed into the bed and lay down, he merely pulled the covers over him, wrapping him tightly, and reminded him, “Don’t catch a cold.”

“…” Xie Chenyun.

Xie Chenyun was baffled.

Someone who didn’t know better would think he wasn’t the most pleasure-loving, lustful emperor of the age, but some kind of paragon of virtue.

It seemed he was still being too reserved.

This foolish emperor, in order to maintain a good impression, didn’t dare to overstep even a little.

Did he have to take drastic measures?

Just then, a loud noise came from the palace gates.

The crimson palace doors were forcefully pushed open, and a person leapt off a horse and rushed into the bedchamber, shouting urgently, “Emergency report! Emergency report! Your Majesty, urgent news!”

The loud call shattered the deep autumn night.

Startled by the noise, Xie Chenyun, half-raising his body, weakly collapsed into Gu Siyuan’s arms.

By this time, the rider had rushed to Gu Siyuan, knelt down with a thud that echoed from the floor, and loudly announced, “Emergency report! Your Majesty, urgent news from Jing Province: the Governor of Yuezhou has conspired with the influential Wu family to rebel. They are advancing north, having taken Chongyang, Xianning, Xiling, and Ezhou. They are now facing Huangzhou across the river, and Huangzhou is in grave danger!”

Gu Siyuan immediately rose from the bed, stepping barefoot onto the cold stone floor.

Xie Chenyun, light as a feather, felt the tight grip on his wrist.

The autumn night wind swept through the empty bedchamber, bringing a deathly silence.

Gu Siyuan stared into the dark void outside, his voice icy, “Summon Duke Song, Prime Minister Lu, Wei Zhengping, and other ministers to the Hall of Diligence immediately.”

After saying this, he grabbed the outer robe hanging nearby, put on his boots, and strode out of the hall.

After he left, Xie Chenyun quickly got up from the bed, changed into regular palace attire, and hurried towards the Hall of Diligence.

When he arrived, it was the most tense moment inside the hall.

Several bright yellow palace lamps illuminated the Hall of Diligence as if it were daylight.

Gu Siyuan sat in the highest chair, his expression cold and indifferent, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Because of the rebellion, Duke Song and Wei Zhengping were locked in a heated argument.

“General Wei, when I first received intelligence indicating the Wu family’s unrest, you vehemently assured that it was not a cause for alarm. You argued against mobilizing troops, saying only a supervising envoy was needed in Yuezhou. Now, the Wu family has rebelled, capturing five cities. Where is your supervising envoy? Do you have no news from him? How do you defend your actions that have placed His Majesty and the people in danger? What is your punishment?”

Listening to this, Wei Zhengping simply bowed to Gu Siyuan, apologized briefly, then turned to sarcastically address Duke Song, “Duke, your spies’ reports were vague at best, causing disputes in the court. Yuezhou is crucial; even a slight misstep affects everything. Sending a supervising envoy was a decision made by His Majesty and the court, not just me. How can you place all the blame on me?”

“Moreover, if my supervising envoy was useless, I also question why your highly capable spies didn’t report any signs of the Wu family’s rebellion beforehand. The rebellion was meticulously planned and highly secretive, beyond human prevention.”

Duke Song’s anger flared, “How dare you speak so deceitfully!”

Gu Siyuan coughed lightly and, looking at both of them, said calmly, “Are you here to argue before me in the middle of the night?”

“We apologize,” they immediately responded in unison.

Gu Siyuan coldly said, “Arguing over past actions is futile now; we must think about how to deal with the rebels.”

Duke Song stepped forward, “Your Majesty, the Wu family’s rebels are insignificant compared to our great Zhou. I am willing to don armor and lead the troops to capture the Wu family leader’s head and return to apologize to Your Majesty!”

Wei Zhengping immediately countered, “You are mistaken. Duke Song, you are old and reportedly have trouble eating. How can you shoulder such a heavy responsibility? Your Majesty, I am willing to relieve Your Majesty of this burden!”

Duke Song was furious, “How dare you speak to me like that! When I was fighting alongside the late Emperor…”

“Enough!” Gu Siyuan interrupted, “There’s no need to argue. I have already decided: I will lead the expedition myself!”

“…” Both of them were stunned simultaneously.

What kind of joke was this? The young emperor truly acted on a whim!

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t. The battlefield is filled with deadly weapons, and as the saying goes among the common folk, ‘A nobleman does not sit under a dangerous wall.’ You, the emperor, are far more precious than any nobleman; how could you personally go to the battlefield and risk yourself?”

Gu Siyuan, however, appeared very determined, righteously declaring, “Do you both distrust my abilities? This great Zhou dynasty’s territory was conquered by my father on horseback. If my father could do it, why can’t I? If I cannot personally reclaim those five cities from the rebels, how could I ever face my father’s spirit in the afterlife?”

“…” Wei Zhengping.

He wanted to say, what abilities do you have that are worth trusting?

You are just a useless and incompetent tyrant; how can you compare to the late emperor?

If it weren’t for your foolishness, I wouldn’t have had to eliminate so many princes to support you, this worthless person, to the throne!

He quickly continued, “Your Majesty, nowadays the country is at peace, unlike in the late emperor’s time. As the ruler of all people, you should remain in the capital to control the overall situation.”

If this were the Gu Siyuan from a few months ago, he would have obediently listened when coaxed like this.

But at this moment, Gu Siyuan merely shook his head resolutely and said, “I have decided to lead the expedition personally. There’s no need to say more! All of you should immediately gather the soldiers and prepare the supplies. We will set out at dawn to reinforce Huangzhou!”

Seeing Gu Siyuan so resolute, Wei Zhengping’s expression changed.

He narrowed his eyes, his voice turning cold, “Your Majesty, as the ruler of a nation, how can you act so capriciously? Have you forgotten…”

Just then, a clear, pleasant voice came from the hall entrance, interrupting him.

“Leading the army personally is a great idea. I’ve read in books that it’s very majestic. Your Majesty, if you lead the army, you must take me with you.”

Everyone fell silent.

Ha, such talent.

Wei Zhengping looked up to see that it was Lady xie, whom Gu Siyuan had chosen from the selection recently.

Ha, the world has truly gone mad. What kind of person dares to interrupt him?

However, Gu Siyuan, sitting high above, was extremely delighted. He extended his hand towards Xie Chenyun, saying enthusiastically, “Indeed, only my beloved consort understands me. Rest assured, beloved consort, I will take you with me to Huangzhou tomorrow so you can witness my heroic deeds in battle!”

Xie Chenyun walked to Gu Siyuan’s side and sat down, covering his mouth with a smile, “Thank you, Your Majesty. You are the greatest hero in the world, and your fame is widespread. Those rebellious traitors will surely be terrified and defeated upon hearing your name.”

Gu Siyuan nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly, “Well said, beloved consort. You have great insight.”

Wei Zhengping could no longer tolerate these two fools and coldly interrupted, “Your Majesty, the inner palace should not interfere with state affairs.”

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes, about to scold him harshly according to his usual temper.

But Xie Chenyun suddenly looked up, smiling lightly, “Forgive my ignorance, but between palace interference and eunuch faction chaos, which one is more harmful to state affairs?”