FIMA Ch123: Governing the Harem

Thus, for the next few days, Gu Siyuan felt that Xie Chenyun was truly cooperating with him incredibly well.

Not only would he casually stroll over to the Diligent Governance Hall to attentively keep him company while he reviewed memorials and met with ministers; but even during his three daily meals, travels, sitting, and resting, Xie Chenyun was hardly ever more than a few steps away from him. He played the role of a favored consort to absolute perfection.

Although occasionally, he felt that Xie Chenyun’s words were quite baffling, and the look in his eyes seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

However, compared to the serious affairs of the imperial court, these minor details were naturally unimportant. Gu Siyuan absolutely wouldn’t spend too much time pondering these inconsequential reasons.

At most, he would privately resolve: Once the treacherous sycophants are eliminated in the future and the world is at peace, I must definitely confer a noble title upon Xie Chenyun to repay him for his hard work today.

This evening.

When Gu Siyuan walked out of the side hall after finishing his martial arts practice, just like every day for the past half-month, he spotted that familiar figure from far away at a single glance.

Today, Xie Chenyun wore a bamboo-green robe. As leisurely and relaxed as if he were in his own home, he was currently lying on the wooden dragon-patterned folding chair where Gu Siyuan usually sat to handle state affairs, his legs crossed. He held an unknown book in his hands, reading it with great relish.

However, the moment Gu Siyuan pushed aside the bead curtain.

Xie Chenyun immediately snapped out of his book, turned his head toward him, and a radiant smile bloomed at the corners of his mouth: “Ah, you’re here.”

Even though Gu Siyuan had always been an unperturbable person, and was accustomed to the beauty of the person before him, at this very moment, he couldn’t help but feel a flower bloom from the bottom of his heart because of this smile that could melt snow and shatter ice.

He nodded and said warmly: “En. Have you been waiting long?”

Xie Chenyun mysteriously stuffed the book into his robes, then nimbly jumped down from the chair. Smiling playfully at the man before him, he said, “Not long. I was also practicing martial arts at the Qingwu Pavilion earlier.”

Although he had left the Bathing Fire Cult, he had long since memorized the Nirvana Holy Canon by heart. Practicing martial arts was like rowing a boat upstream; if you don’t advance, you fall back. Naturally, he couldn’t relax for even a moment.

Gu Siyuan felt even more satisfied in his heart. Truly worthy of being the person I selected; we have quite a tacit understanding.

The two walked side-by-side toward the long table nearby, where Wang Tan had already led the palace servants to set out the meal.

It wasn’t advisable to have heavy oil and salt in the evening, so the meal leaned toward the Huaiyang cuisine style: clear-stewed Lion’s Head meatballs, tofu soup, Longjing shrimp, shiitake mushrooms with bok choy, and so on.

Among them, the tofu soup was prepared with exquisite care. The base was tender tofu coagulated with a special brine, mixed with shredded bamboo shoots from the Jiangnan region. It was enhanced with Jinhua ham that had been fermented for years to bring out the umami, and further complemented by fresh shiitake mushrooms and coriander, making it the utmost in fresh and delicious flavors.

Xie Chenyun was quite fond of this dish, scooping several spoonfuls in a row, still feeling it wasn’t enough.

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

Xie Chenyun wasn’t surprised by this; he merely tilted his head up and gave him a soft smile.

Gu Siyuan didn’t mind either. He himself didn’t have great demands regarding food, clothing, housing, or transportation. If Xie Chenyun liked these good things presented by the palace, he was naturally extremely generous.

After all, Xie Chenyun was his partner, and largely an unpaid one at that. For him to compensate him slightly in other areas was naturally what he ought to do.

Xie Chenyun took a sip of the tofu soup with his spoon. Whether it was a psychological effect or not, he felt this soup seemed significantly more delicious than it had just a moment ago.

The corners of his lips curled up slightly.

The palace servants waiting nearby inadvertently caught a glimpse and were momentarily stunned, unable to help but be captivated by this beauty.

However, Gu Siyuan, sitting opposite Xie Chenyun, remained sitting bolt upright, his expression apathetic as he focused solely on the food on his plate.

Hmph! Faking propriety.

His excitement when waking up every morning definitely wasn’t fake.

Xie Chenyun puffed his cheeks, complaining silently.

Suddenly, his eyes darted around as a good idea came to mind.

He immediately took his spoon, scooped another spoonful of tofu soup, then coughed lightly and called out: “Your Majesty!”

Gu Siyuan indeed raised his head.

Xie Chenyun’s eyes lit up. The hand holding the spoon moved forward with a speed that was both steady and swift, pressing it directly against Gu Siyuan’s lips.

At the same time, he triumphantly let out an “Ah…”, exactly as if coaxing a baby.

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Naturally, Gu Siyuan couldn’t possibly subconsciously follow along and say “Ah” like a normal person would. Instead, he shot Xie Chenyun a bewildered look.

What is he doing?

Xie Chenyun kept his arm raised in the same posture and continued in high spirits: “Ah… open your mouth, it’s delicious.”

His voice dragged out long. What should have been coaxing actually sounded more like acting spoiled.

Gu Siyuan gave the man a deep look, his lips twitching slightly. Finally, he closed his lips over the spoon and slowly sucked the tofu soup into his mouth.

He nodded: “En, the taste is indeed not bad. Very fresh and delicious.”

The smile on Xie Chenyun’s face instantly grew even more triumphant.

Afterward, he pulled the spoon back and scooped another spoonful of tofu soup. But this time, he brought it to his own lips. His bright red tongue peeked out and lightly licked it. He shot Gu Siyuan a raised eyebrow and a smile: “The taste is excellent.”

Gu Siyuan furrowed his brow.

But quickly, he relaxed it again.

Tch. At Xie Chenyun’s age, in the modern world he would just be a kid just starting college. Being a bit mischievous is normal; why should I take it so seriously with him?

Thinking this, he also picked up his chopsticks, picked up a piece of shrimp, and handed it over: “It’s very fresh and tender, have a taste.”

Xie Chenyun bit the shrimp off in one go, his eyes as bright as stars.

I knew it, I just have to take the initiative.

As long as I show even the slightest hint of willingness, wouldn’t this foolish ruler immediately follow along like a happy puppy, abandoning all his reservations and hesitations?

Meanwhile, Wang Tan, watching from the side, couldn’t help but smack his lips.

Could it be that the palace is lacking a spoon and a pair of chopsticks? Dawdling around with two people sharing the same ones?

As he thought about it, he felt considerable sympathy for Beauty Xie.

Looking at it now, Beauty Xie is deeply in love with His Majesty. If she learns the truth of the matter in the future, how will she be able to bear it?

His Majesty only has that mysterious Consort and the dragon fetus in his heart.

You are just a substitute tool!

However, Gu Siyuan and Xie Chenyun, who were both deeply engrossed in their own respective thought processes, naturally couldn’t sense Wang Tan’s disgust or his earnest, silent warnings.

For the time that followed.

The two of them fed each other numerous foods. What should have been a simple dinner actually took twice as long as usual.

The final result was:

Xie Chenyun believed he had achieved his goal.

Gu Siyuan felt it was an ordinary occurrence and didn’t mind it.

After the meal ended.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Chenyun headed to the Qingwu Pavilion.

In ancient times, there weren’t many entertainment activities in the evening. As usual, the two stood on the highest floor of the Qingwu Pavilion, taking a leisurely stroll and chatting under the moon.

When Gu Siyuan casually asked about the title of the book he was reading in the Diligent Governance Hall earlier, Xie Chenyun’s expression suddenly became quite evasive.

Gu Siyuan wasn’t someone with an overabundant sense of curiosity, nor would he force others. Seeing this, he didn’t continue pressing the issue.

It just so happened that their food had mostly digested by now, so the two went to the washroom to bathe separately.

When they returned after washing up, it was time to rest.

Since Xie Chenyun entered the palace over half a month ago, the two had always shared the same bed.

Gu Siyuan had also gone from being unfamiliar with the person appearing in his arms every morning before waking up, to becoming very accustomed to it.

He even felt uncomfortable when going to sleep at night if that little bit of extra weight was missing from his body.

Time truly possesses mighty power. He could only sigh with such emotion.

Just as he was thinking this, a rustle of bead curtains sounded at the door, and Xie Chenyun walked in.

Naturally, sleeping attire should primarily be thin and soft.

However, today Xie Chenyun was excessively thin.

Black is usually the most concealing color, but when that sheer, gauze-like black robe was worn on Xie Chenyun, it actually made his jade-like skin appear with a hazy, alluring luster.

Most importantly, Xie Chenyun was only wearing this single black robe. The garment didn’t seem to have any frog closures either; it was just tied loosely and casually at the waist. With every step he took, his long, porcelain-white calves constantly swayed before one’s eyes and tugged at one’s heartstrings.

Gu Siyuan first sighed with emotion: Chenyun’s beauty is truly not of the mortal realm!

Then, he felt slightly bewildered: To think that inner robes worn for sleeping in the palace actually came in black?

Truly at the forefront of fashion.

Naturally, Gu Siyuan had no hobby of playing ‘father’ to someone, opening his mouth to govern even what clothes a person wore to sleep.

When Xie Chenyun slowly ambled past him with a smile and climbed into the inner side of the bed to lie down, he merely grabbed the blanket, covered him up tightly and securely, and instructed: “Do not catch a cold.”

“…” Xie Chenyun.

Xie Chenyun was confused.

If someone didn’t know better, they would think you weren’t the most lustful and lecherous foolish ruler of the current dynasty, but rather the number one great hero in the world who could remain unperturbed even with a beauty sitting in his lap.

It seems my actions are still too subtle.

In order to leave a good impression on me, this foolish ruler absolutely doesn’t dare to step out of bounds even slightly.

Do I really have to force myself upon him?

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, a massive BANG sounded from the hall doors.

The vermilion palace doors were forcefully pushed open. A person actually leapt directly off horseback and charged rapidly into the bedchamber: “Urgent report! Urgent report! Your Majesty, urgent report!”

The loud, resounding shouts directly shattered the deep autumn night.

Startled by the commotion, Xie Chenyun’s half-propped body collapsed weakly, as if boneless, directly onto Gu Siyuan.

By this time, the figure who had leaped off the horse had sprinted to Gu Siyuan’s front and dropped directly to his knees. The sound of his knees striking the floor could be clearly heard as he shouted loudly: “Urgent report! Your Majesty, an urgent report from the Jingchu region! The Inspector of Yuezhou, in collusion with the local aristocratic Wu Clan, has led the masses in rebellion! They are currently marching their army north, having already occupied the four territories of Chongyang, Xianning, Xiling, and Ezhou. They are facing Huangzhou across the river; Huangzhou is in critical danger!”

Gu Siyuan abruptly stood up from the bed, his bare feet stepping directly onto the freezing bluestone floor.

Xie Chenyun swayed in his arms, feeling as light as a feather, but could clearly feel the tightened grip on his wrist.

The autumn night wind blew through the empty bedchamber, bringing with it a deathly, silent stillness.

Gu Siyuan’s gaze went vacant, staring into the pitch-black outside the hall, his voice chilling to the extreme: “Immediately summon the Duke of Song, Prime Minister Lu, Wei Zhengping, and the other major ministers to the Diligent Governance Hall to discuss this matter.”

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

After the man left, Xie Chenyun also immediately got up from the bed, changed into normal palace attire, and hurried toward the Diligent Governance Hall.

And when he arrived, it was right when the atmosphere in the hall was at its most tense.

Several bright yellow palace lanterns illuminated the Diligent Governance Hall as brightly as day.

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

Because of the rebellion, the Duke of Song and Wei Zhengping were locked in a fierce dispute.

“General Wei, Grand General Wei! Earlier, I received intelligence reports proving that the Wu family was extremely restless and making constant moves. But you guaranteed with all your might, didn’t you? You strongly argued against making a big fuss and mobilizing troops, saying that we only needed to dispatch a supervising army to Yuezhou City. And now? Now the Wu family has rebelled and occupied five cities! Where is the supervising army under your command? Have they not sent back a single shred of information?! With such actions, where have you placed His Majesty and the common people?! What crime should you be charged with?!”

Hearing these words, Wei Zhengping merely bowed to Gu Siyuan, offering a slight apology.

Then, he turned around and spoke to the Duke of Song with cold mockery and biting sarcasm: “Lord Duke, that’s not how it should be said, is it? Originally, the intelligence brought back by your spies was ambiguous to begin with; otherwise, why would it have caused a dispute in the imperial court? How crucial is Yuezhou City? A single hair pulled moves the whole body. Dispatching a supervising army to inspect the situation was a joint decision made by His Majesty and all our colleagues. At a time like this, how can you lay the entire blame on my shoulders alone?”

“Furthermore, even if the supervising army I sent was a useless piece of trash, then I would also like to ask—since the spies under Lord Duke’s command are so formidable, why didn’t they send back a single piece of news before the Wu family launched their treasonous rebellion? From my perspective, the Wu family’s rebellion was extremely covert and meticulously planned to begin with, something beyond human power to stop.”

The Duke of Song instantly flew into a rage, his eyebrows shooting up: “You dare to make excuses and quibble like this?!”

Gu Siyuan coughed lightly. Looking at the two of them, he said with a completely unruffled voice: “Did my two beloved ministers specifically come before Zhen in the middle of the night just to argue?”

“Your ministers have breached etiquette.” The two immediately pleaded guilty in unison.

Gu Siyuan said coldly with displeasure: “At this time, pursuing past faults is already useless. We should be thinking about how to deal with those rebels!”

The Duke of Song took the lead: “Your Majesty, those treacherous thieves led by the Wu family are but a mere speck compared to our vast Great Zhou. This old minister is willing to don armor and take command, to fetch the head of the Wu family’s master, and return to beg forgiveness from Your Majesty!”

Wei Zhengping immediately said: “These words are mistaken. Lord Duke is advanced in years now, and I hear your appetite for meals isn’t even that good anymore. How can you still bear such a heavy responsibility? Your Majesty, this minister is willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens!”

The Duke of Song was furious: “Insolent! You dare speak to this Duke like this? When this Duke followed the late emperor to conquer the world…”

“Enough!” Gu Siyuan waved his hand to interrupt, saying loudly: “The two of you need not argue. Zhen has already made a decision on this matter. Zhen has decided to lead the expedition personally!”

“…” Both men froze simultaneously.

What kind of joke is this? This little emperor truly just acts on whatever whim pops into his head!

“Your Majesty, you absolutely must not. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes. Even common folk have a saying, ‘A son worth a thousand pieces of gold does not sit near the edge of the hall’ (one who is precious shouldn’t put themselves in danger). You possess a body of ten thousand honors; you are millions of times more precious than a son worth a thousand gold. How can you personally visit the battlefield and risk your life?”

Gu Siyuan, however, looked incredibly resolute, speaking with awe-inspiring righteousness: “My two beloved ministers, could it be you do not trust Zhen‘s abilities? The world of this Great Zhou dynasty was conquered on horseback by my Imperial Father. If my Imperial Father could do it, why cannot Zhen? If Zhen cannot personally seize back those five cities from the hands of those treacherous thieves, what face will I have to meet my Imperial Father’s spirit in heaven in the future?!”

“…” Wei Zhengping.

He wanted to say: What bloody abilities do you have that are worth trusting?!

You are nothing but a useless, incompetent, foolish ruler! Where do you compare to the late emperor?!

If it weren’t for your foolishness and brainlessness, I wouldn’t have helped you kill so many princes back then, ultimately supporting a piece of trash like you to ascend the throne!

He hurriedly continued: “Your Majesty, the four seas are peaceful now, vastly different from the late emperor’s time. You are the master of the myriad people, the heaven of the common folk. Naturally, you ought to sit securely in the capital and control the overall situation.”

If it had been the Gu Siyuan from a few months ago, being coaxed by him like this, there was an eighty percent chance he would have obediently listened.

But at this moment, Gu Siyuan merely shook his head and said firmly: “To personally lead the expedition, Zhen‘s mind is made up! There is no need to say more! What all my beloved ministers should do right now is immediately return, muster the soldiers, and prepare the rations. Tomorrow morning, you will follow Zhen to reinforce Huangzhou!”

Seeing that Gu Siyuan was so impervious to persuasion, Wei Zhengping’s expression also changed.

He narrowed his eyes, his voice slightly cold: “Your Majesty, as the monarch of a nation, how can you act so willfully? Have you forgotten…”

Just at this moment, an incredibly crisp and pleasant voice came from the hall doors, directly cutting off his words.

“Personally leading the expedition is wonderful! This concubine has read in books that an emperor personally leading an expedition is the most majestic thing of all. Your Majesty, if you personally lead the expedition, you absolutely must take this concubine along with you.”

Everyone fell silent.

Hehe, they’re all absolute pieces of work.

Wei Zhengping looked up, only to see that it was that Beauty Xie whom Gu Siyuan had drafted a few days ago.

Heh, the world truly has fallen into chaos. What kind of thing is this, actually daring to step out and interrupt his words?

However, Gu Siyuan, seated on high, was extremely delighted. Reaching his hand out toward Xie Chenyun, he said in high spirits: “Indeed, the only one in the world who understands Zhen is my Beloved Concubine! Do not worry, Beloved Concubine. Tomorrow, Zhen will definitely bring you along to Huangzhou City, so you can witness with your own eyes Zhen‘s heroic posture as I slay the enemy and annihilate the bandits on the battlefield!”

Xie Chenyun walked over to sit beside Gu Siyuan. Covering his mouth with a beaming smile, he said: “This concubine thanks Your Majesty. Your Majesty is the foremost heroic and majestic man in the world, a peerless hero whose holy name is spread far and wide. The moment those filthy, treacherous thieves and rebellious ministers hear Your Majesty’s name, they will probably be scared out of their wits immediately and scatter in defeat.”

Gu Siyuan nodded, agreeing completely: “These words hold reason. Beloved Concubine is quite insightful.”

Wei Zhengping truly couldn’t stand these two idiots anymore and interrupted coldly: “Your Majesty, the inner harem must not interfere in state affairs.”

Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes, just about to follow the original owner’s temper and deliver a fierce scolding.

Suddenly, Xie Chenyun raised his head and let out a light, airy laugh: “Then please forgive this concubine’s ignorance. Between the inner harem interfering in state affairs and a eunuch faction corrupting power—I wonder which one is a greater hazard to the imperial court?”

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