The dishes were served three full rounds before Yuan Rutan finally reached his limit. Leaning back in his chair, he felt as though he were drifting in a hazy dream. In all his life as a dragon, this was only the second time he had ever eaten until he was truly stuffed.
“Are you all right?” A low, steady voice reached his ears. Yuan Rutan attempted to sit up, but the heavy fullness in his stomach made every movement feel like a struggle.
“I’m… fine.”
Fu Sui had already sent Xu Yongde to fetch a book, and had told Yuan Rutan that he would sit and keep him company for a while. All Yuan Rutan needed to do was lean back against the chair and rest so he could digest.
Yuan Rutan nodded obediently, though he couldn’t resist sneaking glances at Fu Sui.
Fu Sui leaned lazily against his chair as he flipped through the pages and when he caught Yuan Rutan peeking at him from the corner of his eye, he chuckled softly.
“Ten days ago, a book on agriculture circulated among the common folk. I’m taking a look at it. If it truly proves useful, I plan to promote it throughout the entire Great Xuan.”
Yuan Rutan glanced at the cover. Of the four characters, he only recognized the one that meant “farming.” Losing interest in deciphering what he didn’t understand, he returned to staring blankly at the table.
His uncomfortable fullness had eased only slightly; moving was still difficult. Since Fu Sui had something to entertain himself with, Yuan Rutan decided he should also find something amusing to occupy his mind.
A dragon’s hearing was unparalleled, capable of picking up the whispers of all living things. He held his breath and expanded his awareness, soon catching the faint sounds of ants outside the hall, struggling to carry a few plump grains of rice back to their nest.
One ant, voice sharp with indignation, squeaked, “Humans are truly insufferable! I finally found a grain of rice and hauled it halfway home, and what do they do? Pick it up and put it right back where it was!”
Another ant huffed angrily, “That’s nothing. You have no idea how cruel some humans can be. Some even pour water straight into our nests!”
An elderly ant sighed miserably. “Children, you do not know the suffering our tribe has endured. Once, in a household outside the imperial palace, there were too many fleas, and the steward offered a bounty: ten fleas for a single coin. But some despicable humans, oh, shameless creatures, tore my kin into halves and used our little black bodies to pass for fleas! And that steward, half-blind from age, even accepted them. Those days… our ant tribe faced calamity.”
The ants continued lamenting, cursing humans as they disappeared into their nest with their hard-won grains.
Hearing this, Yuan Rutan let out a quiet sigh, silently mourning for the ant clan.
A moment later he caught the complaints of a gecko on the wall, grumbling about the palace eunuchs who delighted in startling them, forcing them to drop their tails and flee in terror.
Then, from a distant corner, a toad croaked to the tadpoles clustered around it. It explained how human children loved catching tadpoles, scooping them up with bamboo tubes, placing them into basins at home, truly believing they could raise them into frogs, only for most of them to die by the second day.
Even an old fish was grumbling somewhere in a bucket, lamenting that humans often starved fish in the winter because they mistakenly believed fish didn’t eat in cold weather, then wondered in bafflement why they would float belly-up.
The more Yuan Rutan listened, the heavier his heart became. His head drooped, and his eyes shimmered with sorrow.
Fu Sui, with the book in hand, glanced at him several times. Seeing such a mournful expression only deepened his confusion.
In an attempt to distract himself, Yuan Rutan picked up a piece of pastry from the table and took a bite. It was delicious, so delicious that he offered one to Fu Sui as well.
The pastries were small and dainty, easy to devour in a single mouthful. Fu Sui accepted the piece and sampled it with him.
Yuan Rutan tried a few other pastries as well, each one delightful, and dutifully shared every flavor with Fu Sui.
At last, he held out a purple sweet-potato cake to him.
Fu Sui shook his head with a faint sigh. “I cannot eat any more. Too much sugar makes my teeth ache. You should take care as well. Eat less.”
Yuan Rutan mumbled in reply and lowered the pastry, losing interest in eating further.
To a dragon, pastries were barely food at all. After another full hour, the bloated feeling finally left him, and he rose slowly from his chair.
Seeing this, Fu Sui closed the book, handed it to Xu Yongde, and rose as well.
“Come with me.”
Yuan Rutan answered softly and followed him out of the palace hall.
Voices were still whispering around his ears.
A mosquito buzzed irritably, “Humans are hateful creatures. I only sip a few drops of blood, and they immediately want me dead!”
Yuan Rutan looked up sharply and spotted the mosquito drifting lazily in the air. His gaze flashed cold. The insect instantly dropped lifelessly to the ground.
He could sympathize with most creatures… but mosquitoes? One of them had bitten him the day he was born. He felt no obligation to show mercy.
Trailing behind Fu Sui, he crossed through the palace courtyards until a pond came into view.
Autumn-jin petals drifted gently in the air. Yuan Rutan caught a few in his palm, took in their faint fragrance, and looked around with bright, curious eyes.
The pond was massive, far larger than any he had seen in Linshui County. He wandered toward the white jade railing, leaned forward, and peered down, only to freeze.
The pond had no water.
It lay completely dry, its floor cracked and barren. Wild grass reached half a man’s height, and embedded in the parched earth were the pale remains of fish and turtles.
Yuan Rutan stared, astonished. Why had such a large pond been left without care?
He noticed that in the center of the pond stood an artificial rocky hill, with seven or eight nesting alcoves for swans carved into it. Even more eye-catching were the glittering pieces of jade scattered across the dried pond floor. Those stones emitted a faint, enticing fragrance that made the dragon’s mouth quietly water.
Yuan Rutan clenched his hands anxiously. He liked this pond, liked it very, very much. It was even bigger than the little lake back in Linshui County.
He had always dreamed of having his own lake… and here, he didn’t need to worry about leaking dragon aura at all. He could raise his own fish, lots of them.
A few breaths of dragon energy into the water every day, and his fish would grow fat and plump, perhaps even develop shimmering golden scales.
If he ever met someone who appreciated quality fish, he could sell a few each month and earn several hundred taels of silver, easily.
With that kind of money, he could roam all of the capital! He could buy twenty skewers of candied hawthorn in one go! Fifty butter pancakes without hesitation!
His heart thumped wildly at the thought.
He had heard that the capital contained more storybooks than anywhere else in the realm. If he could one day become the most honored patron of the bookshops, then every time a new tale was printed, he would be the first to lay his eyes on it.
He imagined himself visiting teahouses to listen to storytellers, tossing generous rewards onto their stage. The storyteller would immediately straighten his robes and loudly proclaim, “Many thanks to Master Yuan for his magnificent generosity!”
And in the city streets, even the brawny men who shattered boulders upon their chests would cheer after receiving his reward: “I will perform my finest act for Master Yuan! Esteemed guests, please join me in thanking Master Yuan properly!”
Yuan Rutan hurriedly pushed these extravagant fantasies out of his mind and lowered his gaze. He didn’t even know if a pond inside the imperial palace could be privately leased. Even if it could, with only fifty taels of monthly salary, how long would he have to save?
He sneaked another look at the pond, then suddenly remembered that His Majesty had asked him to follow. Startled, he spun around and saw Fu Sui waiting for him patiently not far away.
Yuan Rutan ran to him at once. Fu Sui reached out and rubbed his head gently.
“No rush,” he said in a soft voice. “Don’t wear yourself out.”
Yuan Rutan looked up at him… then quickly lowered his eyes. His Majesty treated him so kindly, kind in a way that reminded him of an elder, a guardian, almost like family and yet… they were not kin. That thought left a faint heaviness in his heart.
Fu Sui led Yuan Rutan into imperial study. The moment they stepped inside, Yuan Rutan froze.
More than twenty officials were already standing there.
Some wore purple robes, some crimson, some green, though the crimson robes were the most numerous.
Yuan Rutan nearly jumped. He had no idea there would be so many people waiting inside.
He followed behind Fu Sui as they moved to the front. Fu Sui sat in the dragon-embroidered chair, and Xu Yongde carried over another chair for Yuan Rutan, placing it beside the emperor.
All the officials fell to their knees simultaneously, bowing to the Son of Heaven. At the same time, they offered respectful greetings to “Lord Yuan.”
But when they spoke the title “Lord Yuan,” their voices trembled ever so slightly, barely restrained excitement leaking through.
Yuan Rutan thought to himself that since he was now a proper ninth-rank official, albeit a dragon, these ministers were unlikely to be lower than him in rank. So, imitating their posture, he prepared to bow in return.
Suddenly his collar tightened. Someone had grabbed him by the back of the neck.
Startled, he turned to look, it was Fu Sui.
Fu Sui released him a moment later and casually rubbed the back of Yuan Rutan’s neck, smoothing the ruffled fur and fabric as though nothing had happened.
The warm touch made Yuan Rutan unconsciously lift his head a little. His tail even gave a faint twitch.
He sneaked a glance at Fu Sui. He understood: His Majesty didn’t want him to return the salute. So Yuan Rutan obediently dropped the idea.
Still… Fu Sui’s touch was very comfortable. Yuan Rutan couldn’t help wishing His Majesty would rub his tail too.
After all, his neck had only been tugged once. But his tail, three scales had been knocked off last year, and the injury still ached faintly. Compared to that, his neck pain was nothing.
But he didn’t dare voice such a request. He reminded himself firmly not to overstep.
Fu Sui signaled for the officials to rise, then pressed lightly on Yuan Rutan’s shoulder, guiding him to sit as well.
Yuan Rutan couldn’t understand what Fu Sui intended. The next second, he heard Fu Sui give a soft, amused laugh.
“Rutan, these ministers have come to witness the auspicious sign that has descended upon Great Xuan. Naturally, they wish to meet you.”
Fu Sui straightened his back. The smile on his lips faded slowly, and his gaze sharpened, sweeping over the newly seated officials with an icy edge. Then he leaned toward Yuan Rutan and said in a low, gentle voice:
“Rutan, you may recount your past experiences to Us again… and allow these ministers to hear them as well.”
The tone sent a shiver down Yuan Rutan’s spine. Though the words were tender, the chill beneath them was unmistakable, so sharp that even he wanted to shrink into himself.
For a moment, Yuan Rutan felt stunned. The emperor before him seemed utterly different from the man he had come to know, almost like a stranger cloaked in imperial frost.
But when Fu Sui turned his eyes back to him, the coldness dissolved instantly. Warmth once again softened his gaze, settling Yuan Rutan’s nerves.
So Yuan Rutan began to speak, from the very beginning, from the day he was abandoned at Songjia Village. Whenever a detail was unclear, Fu Sui would gently ask for clarification.
The storytelling lasted a whole hour. The more he spoke, the heavier Yuan Rutan’s heart grew, old memories weighing him down until sorrow pressed on his shoulders.
Fu Sui rubbed his head again, telling him to rest for a moment.
Xu Yongde brewed tea for both of them. The cup in front of Fu Sui carried a deep, bitter fragrance, while Yuan Rutan’s cup… contained plum juice.
Yuan Rutan drank quietly. When he set down the cup, Fu Sui suddenly slipped something into his hand.
Startled, Yuan Rutan looked down, and realized it was the pastry he had given Fu Sui during breakfast.
Just as he was about to continue recounting his experiences, all the ministers abruptly fell to their knees again. Sweat poured down their faces, and every one of them had turned pale.
Yuan Rutan stared in confusion and whispered to Fu Sui, “Why are they kneeling again?”
Fu Sui reached out and stroked one of Yuan Rutan’s dragon horns. His touch was gentle, his eyes warm… but his voice made the marrow run cold.
“Perhaps…. ” he said softly, “They simply enjoy kneeling.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Please distract the translator from abandoning everything with coffee. (ง •̀_•́)ง
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
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)