Yuan Rutan stared at Fu Sui for quite some time, blinking at him when the man didn’t respond. His sharp claws curled inward unconsciously, and his golden eyes blinked again in deliberate innocence.
Fu Sui, as an emperor, was a man of keen perception. He could notice the smallest twitch of a minister’s eyelashes, so how could he possibly miss the dragon’s enormous eyes before him?
Those eyes were larger than the stone lions that guarded the gates of the capital. Whenever the golden dragon blinked, a gust of wind swept over, rattling the strings of jade beads that hung from Fu Sui’s crown.
Fu Sui gave a quiet hum, his deep voice calm and steady, then inclined his head slightly.
Yuan Rutan brightened immediately. He remembered that he, too, now held an official title. Since he was to serve the emperor in the future, he might as well begin today and show this human ruler what he could do.
He let out a spirited roar, then sent his voice directly into Fu Sui’s mind. “I am a dragon. Your human race has always revered my kind. It seems you are conducting some kind of grand sacrifice today. Why don’t I lend you a hand? Once I do, your ministers will admire you even more.”
Fu Sui lifted his gaze and asked with his usual composure, “And how will you help?”
Yuan Rutan’s eyes gleamed with confidence. “I’ll circle around you a few times, call down some thunder and wind, and give a few mighty roars. But such work is tiring, you know. You’ll have to pay me some silver for my effort.”
Fu Sui had long been troubled by the question of royal prestige, so the suggestion caught his attention. “How much silver?” he asked after a brief pause.
He did a quick calculation of his private treasury. The world was in turmoil, and even the emperor’s personal funds had dwindled to a mere million taels of silver.
Yuan Rutan lifted his tail high, pretending to be thoughtful, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at Fu Sui. At last, he mumbled under his breath, “Five… no, ten taels of silver.”
Fu Sui blinked. “Ten taels?”
“…”
“Are you certain?”
Yuan Rutan’s heart skipped a beat. He knew perfectly well that it wasn’t much work, just two circles and a roar or two, but ten taels was a year’s savings for him. Still, he clenched his teeth and declared with false firmness, “Yes, ten taels.”
Fu Sui nodded. “Very well.”
Eunuch Xu Yongde, standing to the side, was trembling from head to toe. He gazed upward at the emperor, who appeared to be talking to himself, and his heart raced.
The emperor must be communing with the dragon, he thought, discussing matters of heaven and fate far beyond mortal comprehension.
Once Yuan Rutan received the emperor’s consent, he surged upward into the sky, leaping into the thick clouds. A fierce wind followed in his wake.
The court officials below watched in alarm as the golden dragon suddenly moved. Thinking it was leaving, they cried out in panic.
But in the next instant, the dragon burst back through the clouds, coiling around the emperor in a majestic spiral. The golden scales brushed against one another, scattering dazzling light.
With a mighty roar, the dragon encircled the emperor in a protective stance.
“Rooaaar…… ”
The dragon’s roar shook the heavens. The ground trembled, birds scattered in terror, and thunder rumbled across the sky.
The ministers were stunned, their hearts overwhelmed by awe. Within that echoing dragon’s cry, they could even sense an excitement so pure and joyous that it left them breathless.
Why was the dragon so excited?
They looked toward their emperor, standing proud at the center of the altar, and the answer became clear.
What omen could be more auspicious than a dragon’s protection?
In unison, the ministers fell to their knees, their voices rising together.
“Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor, long live the emperor for ten thousand years!”
Their cries rolled like thunder over the square. The stone of worry that had long pressed upon their hearts finally shattered.
The Minister of Revenue gazed up at the dragon, his eyes blazing with devotion. Though the treasury was poor, if it meant building a palace for the dragon, he was certain they could squeeze out some funds.
The officials of the Ministry of Works were already rubbing their hands, each imagining how the dragon’s palace should be designed.
Fu Sui stood calmly upon the sacrificial platform, his eyes lifted toward the heavens. “There are two places near the capital where you could reside,” he said.
“One is the Hong River, ten li outside the city. The other is Jiangyuan, thirty li away. I will have people build a palace for you in whichever place you choose.”
Yuan Rutan froze.
He had traveled thousands of miles to reach the capital not only to serve as an official but also because he had heard countless stories of its prosperity.
The food alone was said to be endless in variety. There were over a dozen kinds of candied fruit skewers, each sweeter than the last.
If one paid a deposit in advance, the shopkeepers would even have the fresh pastries delivered right to one’s door.
If he lived ten or thirty li outside the city, no shopkeeper would bother sending him anything. He would have to crawl all the way to the city himself every time he wanted a snack, and do so day after day!
His shoulders slumped in despair. “Can’t I live inside the capital?” he asked softly.
Fu Sui paused, then sighed helplessly. “You are too large. The city cannot contain you.”
Yuan Rutan turned his head, glancing at his enormous serpentine body, and understood. “Wait here!” he said.
He lifted into the air, circled once, and in a flash of golden light transformed into human form.
Fu Sui hadn’t expected it. One moment, a massive dragon filled the sky; the next, a single figure was plummeting toward the earth.
Even though he had guessed what had happened, Fu Sui’s heart still lurched at the sight. He took a quick step forward and caught the falling figure in his arms.
Yuan Rutan’s golden eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected to be caught, and by the time Fu Sui set him down, he was still staring, dazed and motionless.
He tilted his head up. Fu Sui’s features were sharply defined, his face composed yet dignified. The emperor frowned slightly when he saw the dragon’s human form, Yuan Rutan’s clothes were worn and dusty, his face thin and smudged with dirt.
“I can use illusions,” Yuan Rutan murmured quickly.
In the blink of an eye, his garments shimmered and changed into a clean official robe like the ones worn by the court ministers. Instantly, he looked neat, youthful, even handsome.
Fu Sui studied the young man’s gaunt face. His fingers twitched faintly at his side, but he said nothing.
The grand ceremony soon concluded. The emperor’s dragon carriage began its return to the palace.
Inside the carriage, Yuan Rutan rested his elbows on the small wooden table, holding a teacup between his hands and grumbling with indignation.
“That village head was awful. He took my land and let others steal my rice. Whenever I tried to sell my crops, the tax collectors would deduct silver for themselves…”
The more he spoke, the more wronged he felt. He sniffled, took a sip of tea, then scrunched up his face immediately.
Even the emperor’s tea was bitter!
Fu Sui sat beside him, tapping lightly on the table, his face expressionless.
Eunuch Xu Yongde, kneeling at the side, trembled all over. He knew this look well. The calmer the emperor appeared, the deeper his anger ran.
The air inside the dragon carriage grew tense and heavy. Even Yuan Rutan felt the change and glanced up in confusion.
Fu Sui met the dragon’s clear golden eyes and, after a moment, smiled faintly. “It is my fault,” he said softly. “You have suffered.”
Yuan Rutan blinked, scratching his head. Something about that sounded strange.
“It was the village head’s fault,” he corrected seriously, “and the villagers, and the tax collectors.”
“Oh?” Fu Sui’s brows lifted slightly, surprised by the response. As he studied those bright, water-clear eyes, a faint warmth stirred in his chest.
In the corner of his vision, he noticed how thin the boy’s cheeks were. His gaze fell upon Yuan Rutan’s teacup, still almost full. A thought crossed his mind, and he looked out the carriage window toward a drink shop.
“Go buy some sweet drinks,” he ordered Xu Yongde.
The moment Yuan Rutan heard the words “sweet drinks,” his entire mood shifted. His eyes followed the eunuch’s retreating back, filled with both anticipation and longing.
Fu Sui chuckled softly at the sight and asked, “Does Rutan have a preference for sweet drinks?”
The emperor already knew his name.
“Peach juice and plum juice are the best,” Yuan Rutan said earnestly. “Humans love them. If you add a little honey, not only humans but beasts like bears, butterflies, spiders, ”
“And dragons?” Fu Sui added with amusement.
“I don’t know about other dragons,” Yuan Rutan said quickly, “but I happen to like it.”
Fu Sui laughed quietly. His heart felt unexpectedly light. “You heard him,” he said to a young eunuch.
The eunuch nodded at once and ran to fetch the drinks.
Before long, Xu Yongde and the boy returned carrying two large jars of sweet juice. They poured the drinks into cups for both the emperor and the dragon in human form.
Yuan Rutan sipped happily as he continued to complain about his hardships.
“They always demand money. I worked so hard to gather herbs, and when I finally earned two taels of silver, they took it away again. They said it was for repairing the canal, or fixing the road, but the canal and road were never repaired at all.”
Fu Sui nodded gravely, as though taking note of every word.
“And this Water God Festival,” Yuan Rutan muttered, taking another gulp of peach juice, “was truly excessive.” Another sip. “That county magistrate…” yet another sip, “completely unjust.” He swallowed the last of his drink with a huff.
Fu Sui could only sigh. “There is no rush today,” he said gently. “You may tell me everything slowly. For now, drink to your heart’s content.”
Encouraged, Yuan Rutan stopped holding back. He finished one cup, and Xu Yongde quickly refilled it with plum juice. Yuan Rutan drained that one too.
Fu Sui had half a mind to stop him, worried he might overdo it, but seeing how thin the boy was, and remembering he wasn’t quite human, he let him be. He even sent servants out to buy pastries.
Yuan Rutan tried to restrain himself, but the sweet scent was too tempting. His stomach and instincts were both screaming at him to eat.
He nibbled carefully, then, remembering his manners, left one piece for the emperor. His golden eyes flicked toward Fu Sui with nervous curiosity.
But Fu Sui showed no disgust. In fact, he ordered roasted chicken next.
The aroma filled the carriage. Yuan Rutan had never smelled anything so mouthwatering.
Since roasted chicken had bones, Fu Sui instructed Xu Yongde to pick the meat for him. But Yuan Rutan hesitated and asked timidly, “Can I do it myself?”
Fu Sui nodded.
The next moment, Yuan Rutan opened his mouth wide, so wide it startled everyone, and swallowed the entire roasted chicken in one bite.
A heartbeat later, he opened his mouth again and spat out a perfectly clean skeleton.
Fu Sui stared at the bones for a long time before speaking. Then he calmly ordered more roasted meat to be brought.
Yuan Rutan ate all the way back, sneaking glances at Fu Sui every so often.
Fu Sui’s gaze, whenever it fell on him, lingered on his thin cheeks. The expression in his eyes was unfamiliar yet strangely warm.
Yuan Rutan slowed his eating, confused by that look.
But Fu Sui seemed to grow used to it. Whenever he spotted some delicacy along the road, he had the servants buy it. Seeing the dragon eat too slowly, he even smiled.
“When I was young,” Fu Sui said softly, “I used to leave the palace often. I wanted to taste everything I saw on the streets. But now that I am older, such cravings no longer matter much.”
He handed Yuan Rutan a piece of fried cake. “This shop’s fried cakes were my favorite as a child. Try them.”
Yuan Rutan looked up at him, and suddenly, he understood why that gaze felt familiar.
When he was young, there had been an uncle and aunt in his village, Liang Shu and Liang Sao.
They had a sickly little boy named Liang Niu, and every day they would try to coax the child to eat, making porridge, steaming buns, frying eggs, smiling with joy whenever the boy took a bite.
From behind a tree, Yuan Rutan had watched them with quiet envy. For half a month afterward, he dreamed of the same thing.
In his dreams, a group of dragons surrounded him, calling his name with gentle affection. Before him lay piles of food, and the dragons’ eyes were warm and full of care. In those dreams, Yuan Rutan would curl up contentedly in their embrace.
Now, his eyelashes fluttered as he stole another glance at Fu Sui.
The softness in the emperor’s deep eyes was the same as the tenderness he had seen in those dreams.
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Little DragonChapter 2 · Selling FishChapter 3 · DraughtChapter 4 · Giving LifeChapter 5 · MeritsChapter 6 · Dragon can summon Rain?!Chapter 7 · Wicked Dragon?Chapter 8 · Dragon likes sweetChapter 9 · Dragon WineChapter 10 · Snow Mountain ElixirChapter 11 · The official forced the dragon to rebelChapter 12 · Ministers kneel down and confess their sinsChapter 13 · Court struggle, faith is the dragonChapter 14 · Why do others have auspicious signs, but I don’t?Chapter 15 · Corrupt officialsChapter 16 · The dark side of officialdomChapter 17 Part 1 · Transforming into a golden dragon in full view of all!Chapter 17 Part 2 · Transforming into a golden dragon in full view of all!Chapter 18 · Wrath of the True DragonChapter 19 · Give him a ninth-rank official position!Chapter 20 · The days of being loved by Longlong have begunChapter 21 · Pamper the little dragon, finally full!Chapter 22 · It’s perfectly normal for humans to like dragonsChapter 23 · Avenge Longlong against corrupt officialsChapter 24 · Is being an official like the Dragon King difficult?Chapter 25 · Dragon-shaped woodChapter 26 · Emperor felt the vibrancy of lifeChapter 27 · Do you like the obedient and affectionate little dragon?Chapter 28 · Your Majesty’s PastChapter 29 · A ray of light in a noisy worldChapter 30 · Let’s give the dragon a lake!Chapter 31 · Dragon, don’t run aroundChapter 32 · YaunBaoChapter 33 · Recruiting soldiers and buying horsesChapter 34 · Expand Dragon armyChapter 35 · Longlong is in a dilemmaChapter 36 · Being a king is difficultChapter 37 · Attended the morning court session.Chapter 38 · Secretly feeding the dragonChapter 39 · The restless little golden dragonChapter 40 · Your Majesty foreshadowed thisChapter 41 · Fostering teacher student bondsChapter 42 · Now that the dragon has an official positionChapter 43 · If a dragon wants to become an official, why not touch it?Chapter 44 · Longlong enters officialdomChapter 45 · The Emperor’s disciple?Chapter 46 · Long day’s laborChapter 47 · Being a dragon is comfortableChapter 48 · Thank you, YuanbaoChapter 49 · Very sleepyChapter 50 · The Dragon Who Saves the WorldChapter 51 · Strange storiesChapter 52 · Dragon God saying it wanted to eat peach crystal cakesChapter 53 · The tree is aliveChapter 54 · We can just hold a family feastChapter 55 · What kind of worship?Chapter 56 · Don’t be naughtyChapter 57 · Why does Teacher always avoid my human formChapter 58 · I will be an indifferent learning machineChapter 59 · Jinlong made a fortuneChapter 60 · Ten thousand taelsChapter 61 · FamilyChapter 62 · Will you accompany the dragon?Chapter 63 · What did you hunt, sir?Chapter 64 · From fifth rank to proper fourth rankChapter 65 · Orange PeelChapter 66 · Great Xuan may have enough to eatChapter 67 · Poisoned GrainsChapter 68 · The balance of the mortal world is about to changeChapter 69 · Teacher’s lap truly was very comfortable.Chapter 70 · Caught the little dragonChapter 71 · Only he alone could see that golden lightChapter 72 · Great King must not declineChapter 73 · The top scholarChapter 74 · I do not like other defying meChapter 75 · Great Xuan truly has quite a number of martial expertsChapter 76 · What was there to fear?Chapter 77 · Then Teacher can raise the dragonChapter 78 · Little Dragon Steals Peaches.Chapter 79 · Resentment and Poison.Chapter 80 · Male PartnerChapter 81 · How about choosing a human?Chapter 82 · Young Lord Zhen has a friendChapter 83 · Morning DewChapter 84 · Earth DragonsChapter 85 · Greetings, Your MajestyChapter 86 · Then what am I allowed to do?Chapter 87 · What exactly Happened?Chapter 88 · Praise The golden Dragon!Chapter 89 · ComplexionChapter 90 · Gift is almost readyChapter 91 · Surely Sir would no longer refuse himChapter 92 · Seven YearsChapter 93 · She is really just a childChapter 94 · Good YuanbaoChapter 95 · Ten Thousand year old JadeChapter 96 · They were overwhelmed with griefChapter 97 · Villain: So what if I use magic?Chapter 98 · The Dragon Clan MeetingChapter 99 · The Big reveal!Chapter 100 · The prototype of His MajestyChapter 101 · Autumn HuntChapter 102 · This painting was created by the Emperor’s consortChapter 103 · They gave themselves away and caught the plush rabbit doctor.Chapter 104 · The Rabbit gangChapter 105 · The scars on the fox spirit’s handsChapter 106 · Wang JinzhongChapter 107 · I don’t believe the White Tiger doesn’t protect its foodChapter 108 · Karmic SinChapter 109 · Yuanbao, would you take me a thousand li away?Chapter 110 · Pear FrostChapter 111 · If Yuanbao ever loses sight of the road ahead, then come find meChapter 112 · Let’s take a step at a time..Chapter 113 · The imperial marriage was announced to the public.Chapter 114 · The army, navy, and air force are preparing to attack the Yujing River.Chapter 115 · The attack on Yujing River-humans should not spread rumors!Chapter 116 · King Golden Dragon ascends the throneChapter 117 · Sir, would you like a bowl of dragon soup?Chapter 118 · Wedding celebrationChapter 119 · Establish the Demon RealmChapter 120 · Lord of the Demon RealmChapter 121 · Flourishing and decliningChapter 122 · The Ling Dynasty was defeated, and father and son fought amongst themselvesChapter 123 · The gentleman’s is dragon-themedChapter 124 · People from HeavenChapter 125 · The truth behind the White TigerChapter 126 · Azure Dragon, WarChapter 127 · A great war is about to break outChapter 128 · Victory in the great battleChapter 129 · Side Story (1)Chapter 130 · Side Story (2)Chapter 131 · Side Story (3)Chapter 132 · Side Story (4)Chapter 133 · Side Story (4)Chapter 134 · Side Story (5)Chapter 135 · Side Story (6)Chapter 136 · Side story (7)Chapter 137 · Side Story (8)Chapter 138 · Side Story (9)Chapter 139 · Side Story (10)Chapter 140 · Side Story (11)Chapter 141 · Side Story (12)Chapter 142 · Side Story (13)Chapter 143 · Side Story (14)Chapter 144 · Side Story (15)Chapter 145 · Side Story (16)Chapter 146 · Side Story (17)Chapter 147 · Side Story (18)Chapter 148 · Side Story (19)Chapter 149 · Side Story (20)Chapter 150 · Side Story (21)Chapter 151 · Side Story (22)