Since he was required to perform a display of deep affection, Bai Yi gave it his all. He focused intently on grinding ink for Xiao Shiyun and made timely interjections while the two ministers discussed the military situation in the Northwest.
The minister on the left reported the intelligence faithfully, “Your Majesty, the Qiang people in the Northwest are currently recruiting troops and have been in close contact with the small vassal states on the west side of the desert. Do you intend to make a private visit to investigate the military situation yourself?”
“We shall see. First, send a crack force to gather information and keep a close eye on the movements in the Northwest,” Xiao Shiyun said coldly.
Bai Yi exclaimed, “That sounds so dangerous! Your Majesty, do you really have to go? If you leave, I will be the only one left here. I will be so worried that I will not be able to sleep.”
Xiao Shiyun curled his lips. “You say that as if you could sleep when I am around. You never fall asleep until the small hours of the morning anyway.”
Bai Yi felt embarrassed. He wanted to give Xiao Shiyun a thumbs-up. He was clearly innocent, yet with a comment like that, he had no face left to show anyone.
However, he had to play along. “I cannot sleep because of you, Your Majesty. Are you truly going to leave me here all by myself?”
What a joke. There was no way he could not sleep; the only person who disturbed his sleep was Xiao Shiyun. He genuinely wished that Xiao Shiyun would stay as far away as possible when he was trying to sleep.
“You are so timid. What will you do without me by your side?” Xiao Shiyun feigned concern and took one of Bai Yi’s hands.
Bai Yi resisted the urge to pull his hand back and slap Xiao Shiyun’s face. He laughed awkwardly and said, “Indeed, Your Majesty. From now on, wherever you go, I shall go.”
The two ministers’ lips twitched, and they wished they could instantly teleport back to their mansions. “Your Majesty, perhaps this subject should go and organize the intelligence on the Northwest and report back another day.”
“Very well, you may go.” Xiao Shiyun mercifully allowed them to leave.
Once they were gone, Bai Yi felt that things could not go on like this. Could Xiao Shiyun be suffering from a lack of affection?
“Brother, I did not realize it before, but you might have a histrionic personality. From a psychological perspective, you may be overly lacking in attention and praise. Starting today, I will praise you twice a day to help you build a sound and healthy personality.” Bai Yi analyzed the situation with a serious, argumentative tone.
“Do you know why I let you sit in on these meetings?” Xiao Shiyun asked, lowering his eyes as he used a brush to review the secret reports presented to him.
Bai Yi replied, “Because you love to perform.”
“Because I want you to learn how to govern.” And to ensure others do not look down upon you.
In the officialdom, without accumulated connections and power, one has no voice. Bai Yi’s voice would be granted by him.
Bai Yi pointed to his own face and said, “Me? Brother, you really think highly of me.” He had never read The Art of War, nor had he participated in the imperial examinations. What on earth was Xiao Shiyun thinking?
“I am funding you all from the treasury, not to let you loaf about. From now on, you will accompany me to the morning court every day. Listen more, watch more, learn more, and speak less.”
Bai Yi suddenly felt immense pressure. He did not intend to stay here and work like a beast of burden forever. He wanted to go home! Xiao Shiyun, could you not understand that?
Forget it, he would take things one step at a time. It seemed like the others did not have his opportunities, either. He would have to find time tomorrow to go to the dungeon and ask that old man about the specific method for returning home.
“Very well, Your Majesty. Is the morning court very early? What if I cannot get out of bed and miss the time? I am just saying, just in case.” Bai Yi asked humbly. He truly could not get out of bed; the most painful thing in the world was waking up early. The combination of late nights and early mornings was not scientific at all.
“From now on, you will sleep with me,” Xiao Shiyun said expressionlessly.
“No.” Bai Yi did not want to sleep with Xiao Shiyun. Not only would he steal the blankets, but he would also do beastly things to him first thing in the morning.
Xiao Shiyun looked up at him. “Since you do not want to sleep in this bed, then go roll out a mat on the floor outside the hall.”
“Do not do that, I will sleep here.” Bai Yi refused once more, then slumped in defeat, accepting his fate as he returned to the side hall where he lived to pack his things.
When night fell, Bai Yi entered the bedchamber at his usual time. He surveyed the area where Xiao Shiyun slept; it was his first time truly taking in the room. It was indeed a dragon bed, appearing to be nearly two meters wide. Even the headboard was made of gold in the shape of dragon horns, and lifelike dragon bodies coiled around the bedposts.
Pale yellow triple-layered gauze curtains hung down, and a stove stood on the black marble floor. The scent of incense drifted through the room, its faint blue smoke permeating every corner.
After showering, Bai Yi sat on the bed, feeling bored. His palms were sweating, and he cursed himself inwardly for being so useless. But the thought of sharing a bed with Xiao Shiyun while fully conscious was excruciatingly awkward.
He sat there waiting for a while. He was alone in the room, and Xiao Shiyun had not returned, making it seem as if he were the one desperate to sleep with the Emperor. Bai Yi stood up and paced the bedchamber twice, having brought over the pillow he was used to from the side hall.
When he went back to the study to look for Xiao Shiyun, he was nowhere to be found, and the attendant was gone as well. Logically, it was already past ten o’clock at night. Where could Xiao Shiyun have gone?
He was the one who insisted they sleep together! Bai Yi let out three consecutive yawns, the exhaustion sweeping away any worries about awkwardness. His internal clock was as rigid as a high school schedule; he required nine hours of deep sleep, and he could not function without every second of it.
Feeling somewhat presumptuous, Bai Yi took off his outer robes, leaving only a snowy-white undergarment. He removed the jade crown from his head, and his dark, black hair fell down, making him look even gentler than he did during the day. He lunged onto the bed and lay down. The softness of the mattress relaxed his guard. He sprawled out in the center of the bed, closed his eyes, and drifted into peace.
Just as he was about to fall asleep, a cold scent of cedar and sandalwood hit his nostrils, pulling him into a deep slumber. Bai Yi opened his eyes just a crack and saw Xiao Shiyun standing by the bed, his hair still dripping with water, his robes wide open, looking down at him.
Droplets of water ran down Xiao Shiyun’s heaving chest, disappearing into unseen places. A faint smile graced his handsome, cold features, and his thin lips, which were usually used for sarcasm, curved upward.
Bai Yi felt dead inside and closed his eyes again to feign sleep. I am not peeking, he cannot see me, he cannot see me. Why did he have to be so damn good-looking for a man?
Just as he decided to remain silent and play dead, Xiao Shiyun took off the only piece of clothing he was wearing. He tossed it onto Bai Yi’s head and said, “Your eyelashes are trembling. Are you nervous? If you want me to do something to you, it is not impossible.”
The garment covering Bai Yi’s head was heavy with the cold, woody scent. He tried to hypnotize himself into sleeping, but his labored breathing betrayed him. He shoved the clothing off his head and said, “Xiao Shiyun, do not go too far. Do you know how much this behavior is seriously disrupting my sleep?”
Xiao Shiyun sneered, then said, “You have taken up the entire bed all to yourself. Do you need me to order someone to build a separate palace just for you to sleep in?”
Realizing his sleeping posture, Bai Yi felt embarrassed and scooted to the side. It seemed he was the one who had wronged Xiao Shiyun first.
“Ahem, sorry for taking your bed. Hurry up and get up here.” After saying that, Bai Yi felt the words were somewhat ambiguous.
Xiao Shiyun did not rush to lie down. He gripped Bai Yi’s ankle and caressed it. His dark pupils grew dim as two red finger marks appeared on the snowy white skin. He stared at the red marks on the ankle for two seconds, then leaned down and kissed them. His soft lips pressed against Bai Yi’s skin, sending a shiver through him.
Bai Yi’s drowsiness was instantly shocked away. He kicked out at Xiao Shiyun’s chest, cursing through gritted teeth, “You pervert!”
Xiao Shiyun caught his leg and asked with a wicked smile, “Was it not you who invited me first?”
Is it too late to run? Bai Yi trembled with anger. “I invited you to get into bed!” Not to kiss him like a pervert.
Xiao Shiyun said with interest, “Very well, then let us get into bed.”