Sanjiu invited Official Liu into the house. Qin Duoye raised his eyes and saw that Official Liu was a lean middle-aged man with a neat sheep-horn mustache, thick brows, and wide eyes, looking as meticulous as a stern taskmaster. Seeing the visitor’s appearance, fragments of memory flashed through Qin Duoye’s mind once more. He froze slightly as a hypothesis quietly formed. Could Wen Qinghe’s memories be like a locked box, where he could only unlock it and reveal the memories stored within when he saw certain people, as if matching a key to a keyhole? Why, then, had seeing Qin Xuanqiao not triggered any memories? Qin Duoye pondered this for a moment and figured it was because Wen Qinghe always kept his eyes lowered during morning court, not daring to gaze directly upon the imperial visage, meaning he never actually knew what the Emperor looked like. During the time Qin Duoye was lost in thought, he simply sat in the chair beside the main table without saying a word. Since the master of the house had not spoken, no matter how reluctant Official Liu felt, he could only stand by the doorway and wait. Left standing at the entrance, Liu Xuanhai felt a surge of displeasure and raised his voice to remind him, Hearing that Lord Wen had returned safely, this official’s heart also felt relieved. I dropped the tasks at hand to come visit at the earliest moment, yet it seems Lord Wen is not welcoming this official? Oh? Qin Duoye raised an eyebrow slightly. The visitor harbors ill intentions. Uninvited, indeed unwelcome, Qin Duoye smiled naturally and waved goodbye. Sanjiu, show the guest out. Sanjiu stood frozen in a daze: Ah? Liu Xuanhai choked on a breath: Sitting in the bamboo chair, Qin Duoye watched Liu Xuanhai’s complexion shift from red to white and then to green in a most spectacular fashion. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly, casually picking up a cup of green tea that had already grown cold on the table and taking a light sip. In the end, Liu Xuanhai managed to calm himself down, letting out a few booming laughs to gloss over the unpleasant confrontation as he stepped into the room. Hahaha… I never expected Lord Wen to have learned how to joke. Ah, what a pity not to see this fellow storm off in a huff, Qin Duoye thought with a trace of regret. Sanjiu, pour Official Liu a cup of tea. Sanjiu hurriedly poured a cup of the green tea simmering on the stove and placed it on the table. Seeing that the color, fragrance, and appearance of the tea were all of the lowest grade, Liu Xuanhai felt a flash of contempt in his eyes, quietly covering his nose and mouth. Official Liu, we only have some coarse tea at home, please don’t mind it. Qin Duoye took in every nuance of Liu Xuanhai’s expression and actions. With a fake smile, Liu Xuanhai said, How could that be? Lord Wen is upright and honest, a role model for us all. As he drew closer, Liu Xuanhai looked Qin Duoye up and down. Suddenly, his gaze landed on the red mark at his collar that hadn’t been completely concealed, half hidden within the collar, half exposed brightly for all to see. Liu Xuanhai’s pupils dilated in shock. He forgot he was walking, and his left foot tripped over his right, sending him stumbling. You, you, you… Liu Xuanhai pointed at Qin Duoye’s neck, his finger trembling, unable to squeeze out a complete sentence for the longest time. Qin Duoye lowered his gaze to follow the direction of Liu Xuanhai’s finger. He remembered that he had just taken off his outer robe with the higher collar, leaving his inner cross-collar slightly lower; the bite mark left by that scoundrel Qin Xuanqiao must have been spotted by Liu Xuanhai. Liu Xuanhai clearly recognized what kind of mark that was. Shameless! The thin-faced official’s face flushed red with anger. Is that so? Qin Duoye met his gaze with cool, unbothered calm. You flatter me, though it falls short of Official Liu’s hypocritical posturing. Wen Qinghe! Liu Xuanhai had been continuously rebuffed since entering the door, and his anger finally broke through his facade. Dropping all pretenses, he snapped, Do you still want your medicine money or not? Ah yes, the money for medicine. In his memories, Wen Qinghe had liquidated all his family assets solely to cure his illness, and right on cue, Liu Xuanhai had shown up. First, he had spoken righteous words about the importance of the Emperor selecting imperial consorts and establishing an empress, weaving in talk of imperial heirs and the stability of the state. Once he had won Wen Qinghe’s agreement, he brought up the real purpose: hoping Wen Qinghe would submit a memorial at court to instigate the selection of consorts. If he succeeded, Liu Xuanhai promised to cover a month’s worth of medicine expenses for Wen Qinghe. Fearing the court memorial and dreading the Emperor’s wrath, Wen Qinghe had refused the first time. Later, however, the despair of having no money for medicine and the deep-seated yearning to stay alive closed in around him. Thus, when Liu Xuanhai came looking for him a second time, Wen Qinghe agreed, leading to the scene at court three days ago. Qin Duoye gradually sorted out the cause and effect of the entire matter. Seeing that Qin Duoye remained silent, Liu Xuanhai assumed he had caught him by his soft spot, so he pressed on aggressively, The Emperor summoned you… into the palace, and what did he say to you? Without raising his head, Qin Duoye calmly filled his teacup with hot tea, gently skimmed it with the lid, and casually replied, His Majesty chatted with me of heaven and earth, discussing the affairs of all living beings in the realm, until midnight when we shared the same couch. Listening to Qin Duoye’s indifferent, airy tone, Liu Xuanhai had no idea whether his words were true or false, so he could only follow the thread of conversation: Then did His Majesty mention anything about the affairs of the inner palace…? Naturally, he didn’t mention it, Qin Duoye took a leisurely sip of tea. His Majesty is busy with state affairs day and night; the only things hanging in his heart are the empire and its people, and he has yet to make plans for himself. His present Majesty is mighty and sagacious, waiting only for the realm to be clear and peaceful, and the country prosperous and secure, before bringing this matter back onto the agenda. This exact rhetoric was what he had used in his past life to block the mouths of his civil and military officials; he had never expected to reuse it in this lifetime. It was only a pity that in his past life, he never got to lay eyes on his golden era. Lord Wen, do not speak nonsense! Hearing this, Liu Xuanhai glared with his sharp, cunning eyes. His Majesty is at the very peak of his prime and youth; all the more reason he should widely seek virtuous maidens to fill the palace with descendants, which also benefits the stability of the state. Furthermore, a country cannot be without an Empress to set the standards of virtue for the realm. Was it truly that the country could not do without an Empress, or rather that it could not do without… Qin Duoye suddenly lifted his gaze. Though a faint smile touched his lips, there wasn’t a shred of warmth in his eyes as he slowly spoke, Are you questioning His Majesty’s decision? Meeting those ink-black eyes, Liu Xuanhai couldn’t help but shiver involuntarily. Though autumn had just begun with a cool breeze that usually left afternoons feeling pleasant, he felt a bizarre chill, as if he had been tossed into an icy cellar, with ghostly cold drafts crawling up his spine. Watching Qin Duoye’s relaxed and comfortable sitting posture as he casually toyed with the teacup in his hand, Liu Xuanhai sensed an overwhelming, commanding aura of absolute superiority. That inexplicable sense of oppression from a minor fifth-rank official was something Liu Xuanhai had never experienced even from his superior of the primary first rank. Instead, it felt more like… the person sitting upon the dragon throne. Haha… how could I possibly dare, Liu Xuanhai forced a laugh. It’s just that reaching my age, I always worry about a young man’s matrimonial affairs. I had the privilege of meeting His Majesty a few times in his youth, and now that there are a few suitable candidates for the inner palace, I wished to recommend them to His Majesty. The one I hold in highest regard is the eldest legitimate daughter of the Fifth family, she is truly… Heh. Qin Duoye sneered inwardly. At an age to worry, are you? Worrying over a junior’s marriage, are you? What manner of elder do you think you are? If anyone is to worry over the descendants’ marriages, it should be Me! It is certainly not the turn of scheming officials like you. Qin Duoye naturally understood whether their true concern lay with the Emperor himself and the stability of the state, or rather with whose household the imperial throne-room would fall to, and from whose family the eldest imperial son would emerge. Clack! The teacup was pressed down onto the table with moderate force by Qin Duoye. Midway through his flowing speech, Liu Xuanhai startled at the sound, his body jerking so violently he nearly slid off his chair and knelt onto the floor. He slumped halfway down before catching himself once he realized anew that the man before him was not the Emperor. How could this unforced majesty be so terrifying? Liu Xuanhai wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Just as he prepared to bring up the medicine money again to threaten him, the front gates were suddenly knocked. Qin Duoye instructed Sanjiu to answer the door, and the visitor turned out to be Gou Hongyang. Qin Duoye tilted his head, watching the food box carried in Gou Hongyang’s hands as a sense of ominous foreboding steadily grew within him. Before he could even stand, Liu Xuanhai beat him to the punch. This… Seeing this, Liu Xuanhai hurried up from his chair, beaming with smiles, Grand Eunuch Gou, what brings you here? As the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court who frequently conveyed the Emperor’s imperial edicts, Gou Hongyang recognized the faces of most ordinary officials. Official Liu. Maintaining etiquette without a single flaw, Gou Hongyang offered a respectful bow before turning his gaze toward Qin Duoye. Qin Duoye remained seated, appearing slightly curious. What is it? This was the natural, effortless poise of someone accustomed to holding a high position for a long time. Lord Wen, His Majesty has ordered this humble servant to deliver your medicine for this evening. Gou Hongyang subconsciously lowered his posture. Qin Duoye: He detests all things bitter. Why, even after escaping out here, that brat Qin Xuanqiao is still hounding him to force-feed him medicine? Qin Duoye instructed Sanjiu to pour a cup of tea. Sorry to trouble the Eunuch for making this trip. I will drink it. Refusing the tea, Gou Hongyang simply stated, His Majesty commanded this humble servant to watch you finish it before returning. In truth, Qin Xuanqiao’s original words also included the addressee, Otherwise you needn’t bother coming back either, which Gou Hongyang wisely omitted. Qin Duoye: This fellow. Qin Duoye decided to put up a struggle: This medicine is meant to be taken after meals, is it not, Eunuch Gou? As you can see, I haven’t prepared any dinner yet. Who knows what hour it will be once it’s ready? Why don’t you head back first, and I’ll drink the medicine right after I eat. Gou Hongyang shook his head, expressionless as he opened the food box to reveal it packed to the brim with imperial delicacies from the palace. Qin Duoye: His Majesty has already prepared your meals for you. Qin Duoye was speechless; Qin Duoye massaged his temples. Stubborn child. That said, despite his words, a trace of warmth and a flicker of unperceived touched emotion welled up in Qin Duoye’s heart. Though Qin Xuanqiao had a foul temper and a vicious streak, as Emperor, he actually remembered his medicine and sent the Inner Court Chief Eunuch in person to deliver it. Just delivering medicine might not mean much, but preparing all these meals alongside it… Qin Duoye curved his lips into a smile. The kid is actually quite filial. Standing off to the side and watching the scene unfold, Liu Xuanhai finally understood what was happening. He suddenly grabbed Qin Duoye by the collar, gritting his teeth as he spoke in a voice meant only for the two of them to hear, No wonder Lord Wen suddenly looked down upon my medicine money. So you’ve found a new backer. Liu Xuanhai cast an obscure glance toward the bite mark on Qin Duoye’s neck, then let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeves, and stormed out. Qin Duoye frowned, brushed off his collar, and suddenly raised his voice deliberately, His Majesty is wise and brilliant, showing deep concern for his subordinates. How could Official Liu describe it in such an unseemly manner? Liu Xuanhai, who was just about to leave, stumbled violently once more, spinning around in sheer panic. Catching the key element in Qin Duoye’s words, Gou Hongyang lifted his gaze to stare at Liu Xuanhai. Maliciously discussing the sovereign was a capital offense. The exact instant their eyes met, Liu Xuanhai panicked, averted his gaze, glared fiercely at Qin Duoye, and barked, You’re framing me! Sanjiu, throw him out. Qin Duoye smiled.
Chapter 10 - Delivering Medicine
A Century After My Demise, I Became The Tyrant’s White Moonlight