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Chapter 149

After the morning court that day, Jiang Xing discussed matters with several important ministers in Qinzheng Hall. Xiao Songzi stepped forward and offered a cup of hot tea, saying, “Your Majesty, Master Shen would like to see you.”

Two months ago, Jiang Xing ordered Shen Huaishi to go south to secretly investigate several important local officials. It seemed that he had found something.

Jiang Xing nodded slightly and smiled at the gathered ministers. “That’s it for today. It’s been cold lately, my dear ministers, do not forget to wear something warm.”

After the ministers thanked him and withdrew, Shen Huaishi entered through the side door. Jiang Xing did away with courtesy and urged, “Hurry up and report. I’m going to bed after this.”

Shen Huaishi was puzzled. “Going to bed?” It wasn’t even time for the noon meal.

Xiao Songzi explained with a wry smile, “It seems that Master Shen does not know. The Holy Emperor now reads the memorials while lying in bed.”

Since ancient times, emperors have read memorials in bed, loathe to set aside state affairs even whilst on their sickbed. While their emperor was too lazy to get up because he hated the cold. Shen Huaishi couldn’t help laughing. But he quickly calmed down and told the His Majesty everything he’d found.

A military officer in Jiangnan has been abusing his power for personal gain. He has plundered the people’s wealth and raised a private army without authority. Even death would not be enough to atone for his crimes. But the problem was that this person was the direct grandson of Xiang Guogong. When the Yuan Dynasty was founded, the first Xiang Guogong had followed Emperor Taizu through life and death, even saving Taizu’s life. After the founding of the dynasty, Taizu not only rewarded Xiang Guogong with a hereditary and irreplaceable title, but also bestowed upon him a gold medal that excused the bearer from death. It ensured the continued wealth and prosperity of his descendants.

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Xing said, “In that case, there is no harm in giving Yuan Taizu some face.”

Shen Huaishi said, “Your Majesty means… to let him go?”

Jiang Xing smiled. “Can you make it look like he died of a sudden illness?”

Shen Huaishi’s heart moved. The emperor and empress treated him differently from others. What he mostly saw was the generosity and fun-loving side of His Majesty. He couldn’t be faulted for sometimes forgetting that His Majesty was also their sovereign who ruled over the all under Heaven, holding life and death in his hands.

Seeing Shen Huaishi pause, Jiang Xing asked, “Maybe you have a better way?”

Shen Huaishi said hurriedly, “I dare not – I obey His Majesty’s order.”

As the two were talking, it started to rain again, pitter-patter, the wind startling bamboos . Jiang Xing looked out the window and said, displeased, “It’s raining again. When will it snow?”

“It should be soon, Your Majesty.” Shen Huaishi asked, “Does Your Majesty like snow?”

Jiang Xing said casually, “I used to like it.”

If he used to like it, it meant he didn’t anymore. Shen Huaishi said cautiously, “If the Emperor doesn’t like snow, he might go to Jiangnan Palace to stay for a while.”

Shen Huaishi was one of the few people who knew Jiang Xing’s true identity. Jiang Xing trusted him and occasionally mentioned his past in front of him: “I grew up in the south and rarely saw snow. I am not exaggerating. In my hometown, when there’s snow, it’s like the Lunar New Year.”

Only……

Jiang Xing chuckled: “I don’t like it anymore.”

He had died twice in the Dayu, both in snowy weather. He had always been open-minded and the snowy weather hadn’t created any shadow in his heart. But Lin Qingyu was different.

After Shen Huaishi left, Xiao Songzi draped the fox fur robe on Jiang Xing’s shoulders. He held up an umbrella and escorted His Majesty all the way back to the Empress’ Palace.

Before entering the palace, Jiang Xing hesitated and said, “Maybe Zhen should take off the cape?”

“Your Majesty, please don’t.” Xiao Songzi advised earnestly, “It’s very cold today. Your Majesty must take good care of his health.”

Jiang Xing felt conflicted. “Zhen does feel cold. But I’m about to see the Empress. Doesn’t this fox fur robe make me look bloated? Not as distinguished and dashing as usual?”

Xiao Songzi hurriedly replied, “His Majesty is young and outstanding. Like a eucalyptus tree against the wind. How can the word ‘bloated’ be said in the same sentence as ‘His Majesty’?”

He wasn’t saying this to ingratiate himself to the emperor. It was the truth. His Majesty had yet to reach weak crown. His figure was between that of a teenager and a full grown man. Even with two mink capes, he wouldn’t look bloated… he shouldn’t look bloated.

Xiao Songzi’s words did not reassure Jiang Xing. Gritting his teeth, he took off the fox fur robe and strode into the palace.

In the palace, Lin Qingyu heard the palace servant announce Jiang Xing’s arrival but did not go to welcome him. He only raised his eyes to look. Before he saw him, Lin Qingyu heard, “I’m back!”

Lin Qingyu said, “You’re wearing so little. Aren’t you cold?”

Jiang Xing smiled. “Fortunately, I’m not afraid of the cold.”

Lin Qingyu wore a light blue hooded cloak and was standing in front of the window, lighting his face as bright and clear as the sky. Jiang Xing came up behind him and stretched his hands under Lin Qingyu’s hood. He sounded quite pleased as he said, “Ah, it’s so warm.”

Who was it who just said that he wasn’t afraid of the cold?

Lin Qingyu saw through his posturing but said nothing. He called Hua Lu and asked her to add more charcoal to brazier and to get a hand stove. Jiang Xing interrupted, “Bring some sweet potatoes while you’re at it – roasted sweet potatoes are perfect for winter. Get uncooked ones, I want to bake them myself.”

In the Dayu, roasted sweet potato is a staple food of the poor. They are rarely seen among the rich and noble families, let alone in the palace. But since the Emperor said he wanted to eat it, then they would get it even if the Shangshi Bureau had to dig it fresh out of the dirt.

Jiang Xing said. “I remember that when winter came, there would be vendors selling roasted sweet potatoes in front of the school. You could smell it from a distance…”

Halfway through Jiang Xing’s words, he realized that Lin Qingyu wasn’t listening and asked, “What’s wrong, Qingyu? Your mind’s drifting.”

Lin Qingyu’s tone was filled with reluctance. “Today, my poisonous snake went into hibernation.”

Jiang Xing said, “Poisonous snakes are still snakes, right? All snakes hibernate.”

“I actually talked with it for a long time when I bid it good-bye.”

“En, and then?”

Lin Qingyu said, speaking without much confidence, “Jiang Xing, do you think I’m weird? Talking to a snake.”

Jiang Xing told him seriously, “No, people talk to their favorite poisonous snake all the time.”

Lin Qingyu’s face softened slightly. “Really?”

“Of course.” Jiang Xing said with a smile, “It’s completely normal. In my hometown, we each have a poisonous snake and tell the snake stories before going to bed every day.”

Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing doubtfully.

At this time, Xiao Songzi came in holding a brocade box. “Your Majesty, everything you asked for has been prepared.”

Jiang Xing was very excited. “Bring it in, let me have a look.”

Xiao Songzi opened the brocade box and Lin Qingyu saw a row of jade seals inside. “Are these…?”

Jiang Xing said, “They’re seals.”

“I know they’re seals.” Lin Qingyu picked up a jade seal and turned it over. He saw the words “Zhen has read this.” engraved at the bottom in what looked like Jiang Xing’s handwriting. Looking at another slightly larger jade seal, it is engraved with “Zhen is in good health. No need for concern.” There was also “allowed” and “Can not, you are looking for death.” and so on.

After being together for so many years, Lin Qingyu knew Jiang Xing so well that he could tell what this salted fish was thinking at a glance. He rubbed his eyebrows and sighed. “Our emperor has reached a new level of laziness again.”

“Zhen has read this.” was for trivial matters. “Zhen is in good health. No need for concern.” was for courtesy letters. As for “allowed” and “can not”, they were commonly used expressions for memorials.

Last time, Jiang Xing had improved the dragon chair by installing four wheels underneath. Whenever he was bored, he would slide it around Qinzheng Hall and his bed chamber. Later, he had the backrest of the dragon chair redone. The originally hard dragon chair was made plush and soft, with just enough support for the lower back. Ministers and officials followed suit one after another. Everyone just had to have one. Even many students of the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Medical Office sat on such chairs for long hours of study.

Jiang Xing complained, “Who told them to report even the most trivial of things to me? Do you know how many times I have to write ‘Zhen has read this.’ every day? I’m starting to no longer recognize these words.”

If Lin Qingyu were forced to admit to any strange indulgences it would be watching salted fish forced to work. Although it was a bit distressing, it was also really funny. “You can have another one with ‘Qingyu’ or ‘Baobei’ engraved.”

“Hm?”

“You usually use Xiao Songzi to chat with me and these are the words you write the most.”

“How can that be the same?” Jiang Xing said, “I have to write both ‘Qingyu’ and ‘Baobei’ myself.”

Lin Qingyu added, “Then you can have ‘I’m so tired’, ‘I’m so sleepy’ and ‘What are you doing?’ engraved instead. These are the ones you use most often when chatting.”

Jiang Xing: “…”

The two of them gathered around the charcoal stove, roasting sweet potatoes and chatting aimlessly. When the sweet potatoes were done, Jiang Xing asked Hua Lu to get a small spoon. He used it to scoop bits of the sweet potato, eating it with Lin Qingyu.

Lin Qingyu rarely ate roasted sweet potatoes like this. But they were unexpectedly sweet when personally fed to him by his husband.

The sound of rain gradually faded until it disappeared. Lin Qingyu looked out the window. “It seems the rain has stopped.”

Jiang Xing said, sounding indifferent, “Oh.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “Would you like to go out and take a look?”

Jiang Xing looked uninterested. “No, it’s cold outside. Let’s go to bed and take an afternoon nap.”

Lin Qingyu looked at Jiang Xing. “I remember that you like snow.”

Jiang Xing paused and asked, sounding him out, “But don’t you dislike it?”

Lin Qingyu smiled. “I like it now. Your Majesty, will you accompany me out to enjoy the snowy view?”

Jiang Xing’s curved into a smile. He picked up the fox fur robe and draped it over Lin Qingyu’s shoulders. “Alright.”

The two went out hand in hand. The rain had turned to snow. the light snow melted as soon as it hit the ground. It wasn’t enough to create any kind of snowy scene. Jiang Xing’s eyes reflected the snowflakes blowing in the wind; bright, like a child looking forward to the New Year. “Qingyu, how long do you think before snow starts to pile on the ground?”

“Certainly not right now. You’ll have to wait at least overnight.”

“Then when there is snow, how about we build a snowman together?”

Lin Qingyu smiled lightly. “En.”

Lin Qingyu stretched out his hand from under the eaves and let the soft white snowflakes fall on his palm.

He didn’t hate the snow, he just loathed the snowy days he’d lost Jiang Xing.

But he didn’t like the snow either. What he loved were all the days with Jiang Xing by his side.