“By the way, what exactly is your name?” Bai Yi asked through the bars of the cell. “I should at least have a name to call you.”
Even snoring drifted from the neighboring cell. The old man had stopped paying attention to him; he had said what needed to be said, and there was no reason to reveal anything more.
Bai Yi waited for a while, seeing that the man truly intended to ignore him. “Hey, are you really not going to tell me? Then I will just give you a name myself. Since you always call yourself ‘this old man,’ I will call you Old Scoundrel.”
The snoring seemed to pause for a moment. Then, the rickety bedboards creaked as the old man gave a heavy turn, keeping his back toward Bai Yi.
Utterly bored, Bai Yi flipped through all the novels. The romance between the scholar and the Emperor was long and tedious, but it provided him with inspiration for his own pursuit. The scholar in the book teased the runaway Emperor in every way possible, feeding him during meals and warming his bed at night. He even took the Emperor to night markets to release flower lanterns before making a soulful confession. It was cliché, but useful.
When I get out, I can take Xiao Shiyun to release flower lanterns.
Two days later, a confused Bai Yi was secretly taken out of prison. Guo Fu, with a face full of smiles and caution, invited him back to Jingqian Hall, completely abandoning the harsh attitude he had shown days prior.
“Master Bai, now that you are out, you have been demoted six ranks to a Grinding Clerk in the Hanlin Academy. Your job is specifically to grind ink for the Imperial Tutor and the Peach Blossom Scholar. Do you understand?”
“I understand. I embolden myself to ask, Eunuch, what does His Majesty usually like?”
Guo Fu’s eyes flickered. “I dare not speak out of turn, but the Emperor has looked at singing, dancing, and beauties a couple of times. There is a night banquet in the palace tonight. Would Master Bai like to attend?”
Having finally finished the task assigned by the Emperor, Guo Fu breathed a sigh of relief. The Emperor wanted Master Bai to witness the majesty he possessed when facing his ministers.
Does Guo Fu want me to dress up as a dancer to attract Xiao Shiyun? This is too much to ask.
“No! Eunuch, I still have to sweep Jingqian Hall tonight, have you forgotten? That is my duty; how can I go off to enjoy myself?” Bai Yi argued. “Besides, I am now just a minor attendant. I probably do not have the qualifications to attend the Emperor’s banquet.”
The mere thought of himself dancing was terrifying. It was an eyesore.
“His Majesty ordered it; you must go.” Guo Fu’s tone was firm and brooked no refusal. He pushed Bai Yi into the side hall to wash and change into the clothes of an ordinary attendant.
By the time Bai Yi emerged, Guo Fu was gone. Only a young eunuch remained to lead him to a carriage bound for the banquet.
The sky was stained a hazy purple. As the light faded, the palace lanterns lit up like a long dragon. The show was about to begin.
In Jinhua Hall, used for receiving foreign envoys, the sounds of flutes and drums rose. Palace maids entered in a steady stream, placing fruit platters from the Western Regions onto the tables of the various lords.
Xiao Shiyun was becoming impatient. His cold gaze drifted toward the maids and attendants moving in and out of the side hall. Did that fool Guo Fu follow my instructions or not?
“What is the Emperor looking for? Today, I have invited the daughters of various noble houses. I see that Miss Shangguan from the Prime Minister’s residence is virtuous and talented, suitable to be by your side.” The Empress Dowager’s face, well maintained and showing no signs of age, looked as if the poisoning incident and the remaining assassins had nothing to do with her.
Xiao Shiyun sneered. “The Empress Dowager is so eager to fill my harem. Perhaps you would like to be the Emperor yourself and experience having three thousand beauties?”
The ministers all silently began to eat, their ears practically pressed against the walls to catch every word.
The Empress Dowager slammed her chair, her face contorting. “How can you say such a thing? I mean well. I cannot bear to see you without heirs, becoming the loneliest Emperor in history.”
“Whether I have heirs has nothing to do with you. If you want children, go have a few more yourself.” Xiao Shiyun was in a foul mood, and the entire table of food looked bland to him.
“You! You! This is rebellion! I cannot even speak to you anymore. Without me arranging things, I shall see when you will ever find a virtuous woman!” The Empress Dowager threw her chopsticks down.
The hall fell into a dead silence. For a moment, no minister dared to eat, and the music and dancing slowly stopped. Xiao Shiyun, however, did not lose his temper further. He said calmly, “Did I say to stop? Continue.”
The veterans who had served Xiao Shiyun for years knew that normally he would have exploded in rage. When he stayed calm like this, it usually meant he would secretly execute someone later.
The palace music resumed, and the banquet returned to its previous harmony, though no official dared to continue dining. Everyone sat with their backs straight, waiting for the Emperor’s next move.
Xiao Shiyun leaned back lazily and took a sip of wine. As one song ended, the next was a dance with Western flair. With every step the dancers took, the gold pendants on their thin silk veils jingled and shimmered under the palace lamps. Twelve dancers wearing gold masks moved with snake-like waists, spinning to the beat of the drums. Many ministers stared, captivated.
Xiao Shiyun glanced over, then gripped his cup tightly and began to cough. Guo Fu, wiping cold sweat, emerged from behind him. “Your Majesty, are you satisfied?”
“Did you arrange this?” Xiao Shiyun asked, his expression unreadable.
“No! Your Majesty, this, this is Master Bai, Master Bai did it voluntarily.” Guo Fu had only realized it when the dancers came out, and he was so scared he could barely speak.
Xiao Shiyun’s lips curled into a smirk. “Very well. Go down and receive your reward.”
“I dare not. I beg Your Majesty for punishment.”
“Get out.”
Hearing the familiar “get out,” Guo Fu finally felt relieved and withdrew. He had been well trained by the Emperor.
The dancers lined up, spinning out in turns. As the drums stopped, they leaned back, the silver bells and sand drums in their hands vibrating. Bai Yi could not bend his waist that far; he could only helplessly hide among them, using his tambourine to shield his face.
The Prince of Liuyue noticed Bai Yi and asked the envoy beside him, “Who is that? He feels different from the others.”
The envoy replied, “Likely a male favorite of the Emperor.”
His gaze remained fixed on Bai Yi. The movement of the thin silk occasionally revealed Bai Yi’s lean, muscular waist. He looked thin but strong; he was clearly a man. Li Xiu found this interesting. It seemed the current Emperor of the Northern Realm preferred men, which explained why he never established a harem.
As the dance ended, the Emperor took the lead in applauding, and the ministers followed suit. The Empress Dowager turned her face away in anger. Xiao Shiyun’s gaze swept through the twelve dancers, finally locking onto the one at the very back.
“The choreography was like a startled swan. Go and receive your rewards,” Xiao Shiyun said, exceptionally granting rewards to the performers.
The dancers, trembling with gratitude, bowed and began to leave. Just as the last person tried to follow the crowd out, he was called back.
“The tallest one, stay,” Guo Fu called out to Bai Yi while wiping sweat. Bai Yi tried to pretend he hadn’t heard.
The Prince of Liuyue was curious about who was behind the mask and said teasingly, “Stop, he is talking to you.”
Bai Yi had to stop because he felt the gazes from all directions in the banquet hall piercing through him. He glared at the Prince through his mask. For some reason, he found this Prince very annoying, so annoying he wanted to punch him.
Bai Yi turned around, bowed his head, and walked toward Xiao Shiyun to salute. “This humble servant greets Your Majesty.”
“Straighten your back and come forward,” Xiao Shiyun ordered coldly, though he was gripping his jade ring so hard it was nearly breaking.
Bai Yi hesitated but took two more steps forward. Just as he ran out of room, a large hand grabbed his waist and pulled him into a firm embrace. Bai Yi landed right on Xiao Shiyun’s lap, leaving the entire hall in a state of shock.