Li Qing arrived at the temporary palace in his sedan chair.
After alighting, he immediately instructed his attendants, “Summon Prince Fu and the other officials to the palace for a discussion.”
Soon enough, Prince Fu, the Governor of Xijing, and a host of local officials entered the palace.
Li Qing had changed into a crimson robe and took his seat below Prince Fu. The Xijing officials, both civil and military, stood in two rows on either side. The hall doors were wide open, bathing the interior in spring sunlight that cast a golden glow across the floor.
Li Qing took a sip of tea and said, “I have called Your Highness and all the esteemed officials here today for two matters. Let us discuss the first one first.”
The first matter, naturally, was to admonish those present once more. He was doing this for their own good. Due to a childhood lacking freedom, Fu Yan detested nothing more than being spied on or monitored. Even if the current Prime Minister Xie engaged in such behavior, he would not tolerate it, let alone anyone else. The fact that news of His Majesty taking medicine had leaked out showed that these officials still did not sufficiently fear the imperial authority.
The Governor of Xijing was the first to stand up, cupping his hands respectfully. “Lord Supervisor, please be discerning. I swear first and foremost that I have never dared to discuss His Majesty’s affairs recklessly in private!”
As soon as he spoke, the others rose one after another to pledge their innocence.
“I, your humble servant, would never dare!”
“Lord Supervisor, please be discerning!”
“We truly knew nothing of this matter!”
Prince Fu, however, furrowed his delicate brows. “Is this truly the case?”
Li Qing replied, “It is indeed true. I heard it with my own ears.”
Prince Fu frowned slightly and said, “Leave this matter to me. I will give my imperial brother a proper explanation.”
Li Qing smiled. “I imagine that even if any official spoke carelessly in private and discussed His Majesty’s personal matters, it was likely not intentional. Still, it is best for everyone to be cautious. If there are no further offenses, I am willing to speak on behalf of all the officials. I believe His Majesty will show leniency.”
To be honest, since the emperor’s arrival, which official hadn’t discussed the emperor with close friends or family? Who would have thought the emperor had planted informants right in their own homes!
It was truly terrifying!
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately knelt down. “We thank Lord Supervisor!”
Li Qing urged them to rise. “We all serve His Majesty. His Majesty’s happiness is of utmost importance, is it not? I share your sentiments and naturally wish to speak for you. Next, I have another matter to request of everyone.”
His tone and choice of words gradually grew more intimate as he proceeded to explain Fu Yan’s plan to visit Phoenix Mountain for an evening excursion that night.
Kuang Xuexian had mentioned it casually, and Fu Yan had readily agreed. As an attendant, however, Li Qing dared not take such matters lightly. The emperor, as the Son of Heaven, was of paramount importance. Whether at the Kuang residence or the bookstore, their people were always stationed nearby. But the Phoenix Mountain temple fair was a major event in Shuangluan City. The path up the mountain would be crowded with people, and they could not guarantee that the emperor’s whereabouts would remain completely secret. If any villain took advantage of the situation to commit an act of violence, it would be a matter of grave concern for the state. Ensuring His Majesty’s safety discreetly was thus the top priority.
The Governor of Xijing asked, “His Majesty does not wish to make a grand announcement or publicize his presence. How, then, can we ensure his protection?”
“You need not worry about close protection. His Majesty’s personal guards will be in plain clothes to safeguard him. Your responsibility is to manage the crowds, maintain order, and prevent any disturbances.”
Prince Fu said, “If we increase security, it will inevitably cause some commotion. The fact that my imperial brother is in Shuangluan City is already known to many. This will only confirm it further. What if someone with ill intentions mixes into the crowd ascending the mountain? Wouldn’t my imperial brother be in great danger?”
Li Qing said, “So I have an idea that can both reasonably strengthen the city’s vigilance and better ensure Your Majesty’s safety.”
Prince Fu looked at him. “Don’t keep me in suspense. Speak plainly.”
Li Qing smiled. “Feint in the east, strike in the west!”
Although the Phoenix Temple Lantern Festival wouldn’t begin until evening, the city was already bustling by morning. Today was a city-wide holiday, and the usually night-active Nevernight City was already crowded with people during the day.
Nevernight City stretched from Golden Crow Avenue in the west to Chaoyang Gate in the east, spanning over ten miles from east to west. It encompassed five bridges over the Beidou River—Yuheng, Tianquan, Tianji, Tianxuan, and Tianshu—making it the largest commercial district in Shuangluan City. For today’s Phoenix Temple Lantern Festival, many people had already begun ascending the mountain in the morning. Looking northeast from the city, one could see crowded trails winding up the hillside.
Kuang Xuexian and Fu Mi dismounted near the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. The streets were packed with people today. After waiting for Fu Mi to tie up the horses, Kuang Xuexian said, “Let’s head east.”
Fu Mi gave a soft “Mm” and, right there in public, took his hand.
If holding hands on that secluded high slope had surprised him before, this time, he was genuinely stunned.
He thought, even in a modern city, it would be hard to find a boyfriend so unapologetically himself.
Fu Mi seemed indifferent to the gazes of passersby and appeared fascinated by everything on the street, pulling him along to look here and there. As two men being so intimate, they drew occasional glances along the way, but Fu Mi paid them no mind.
Kuang Xuexian was never one to follow conventions either, and in that moment, he felt as if he had found his soulmate.
Once they had warmed up from walking, it was as if he suddenly became infatuated with Fu Mi. He thought this might be the moment he truly fell for this person, separate from Fu Mi’s striking beauty.
Just last night, he had felt pity for Fu Mi, but now he found him incredibly cool. And nothing was more dangerous than mixing pity and admiration for a man.
In his heart, Fu Mi was no longer just a handsome and elegant gentleman—he now carried an air of heroic determination.
Falling in love restored the vitality and energy of youth. It was as if he had suddenly rediscovered his former self. Before entering the quick transmigration system, he too had been a lively young man, but after playing too many powerful roles, his threshold had grown too high, leaving him somewhat detached. Now, even mountains of blades and seas of blood couldn’t quicken his heartbeat, yet for Zhang Ji, it was pounding fiercely again.
Indeed, nothing rejuvenates like love, pulling one back into the bustling mortal world.
Kuang Xuexian grew more talkative, enthusiastically explaining this and that to Fu Mi. He realized Fu Mi rarely ventured out, as everything seemed fresh and fascinating to him. Paired with his fair, elegant appearance, Kuang Xuexian imagined him as a gentleman with a troubled past and a quiet temperament, making his heart grow even softer and more tender. How could there be such a unique person in this world? He wished he could gather all the world’s splendors and lay them before Fu Mi.
The two of them wandered all day. By evening, they reached Yuheng Bridge, where a group of musicians dressed in Lang Kingdom attire had gathered. They wore boat-shaped crowns adorned with pearls and jade, yet each wore a terrifying white mask, sitting together on the promenade playing instruments.
The corridor was hung with various exquisite paper lanterns shaped like birds, but Fu Mi seemed only interested in the frightening masks, staring at them for a long time.
According to local custom, the mountains and forests were full of ghosts and monsters at night. Wearing a mask would confuse them, making it impossible to distinguish humans from spirits, thus preventing them from possessing people. Therefore, masks were often crafted into these fierce and terrifying forms of monsters.
Seeing how interested he was, Kuang Xuexian pulled him over to a small stall selling masks and let Fu Yi choose one.
Fu Yi picked a black Kunlun slave mask. He put it on, leaving only his eyes exposed. His pupils were dark, and with the mask on, he looked even more eerie—so dark and hollow it was almost unsettling, as if a spirit had shed its gentle human skin and finally revealed its terrifying true form.
Fu Yi asked, “How do I look?”
Kuang Xuexian didn’t find it frightening at all. Instead, the contrast made his heart race with excitement. He nodded and said, “It suits you.”
Fu Yi didn’t take the mask off, keeping it on as he said, “I’ll pick one for you.”
He chose a white fox mask and placed it on Kuang Xuexian’s face. “This one.”
The white fox mask had only its mouth painted a beautiful, blood-red.
Once the mask was on, the excitement that had been simmering in his heart all day could no longer be contained. Kuang Xuexian thought he could be bolder now. Holding Fu Yi’s hand, he walked forward, silently planning. Once they passed the alley ahead, they would reach Golden Crow Street. The alley was already dark, devoid of light, and the mask seemed to create another world for him. Suddenly, Kuang Xuexian tugged at Fu Yi’s hand, stood on his tiptoes, and leaned in.
The white fox mask and the black Kunlun slave mask pressed together, making a soft sound.
It seemed like an accidental collision, yet also like an intentional move—as if seeking a kiss.
The fox kissed the Kunlun slave.
Separated by the masks, he couldn’t even feel the other’s breath. Up close, he gazed into Fu Yi’s pitch-black eyes. Because it was Fu Yi, the Kunlun slave mask took on a chillingly beautiful quality. Fu Yi simply watched him quietly through the mask, as if studying him, staring at him. There wasn’t a hint of a smile—instead, it felt cold and intense, yet it made his heart beat even faster.
Suddenly, urgent drumbeats and gongs echoed from Golden Crow Street. Kuang Xuexian quickly turned to look and saw government officers beating drums and gongs as they crossed the intersection. Behind them, an inspector stood on a carriage, shouting something. It was too far to hear clearly, but the street was clearly in an uproar, with vendors hurriedly pushing their carts into the alley to avoid the commotion.
Kuang Xuexian quickly asked, “Brother, what’s happening?”
The man replied nervously, “They say the emperor’s procession is heading to Ruyi Tower tonight. The area is under strict security.”
Hearing this, Kuang Xuexian glanced back at Fu Yi.
Fu Yi, still wearing the mask, was looking at him.
Kuang Xuexian’s face flushed slightly as he exclaimed, “The emperor has finally left the palace!” He took Fu Yi’s hand and walked forward. “I’ve never seen the emperor before.”