The small restaurant, Xiao Qinghuan, where they had arranged to have dinner, was located near Ruyi Tower. On their way there, they passed many yamen runners with swords, running in formation past them. The area within a hundred meters of Ruyi Tower had already been closed off to pedestrians. Under the setting spring sun, the runners in their red and blue uniforms formed two layers of guards, looking quite imposing.
Upon entering Xiao Qinghuan, they found Li Qing already there, who greeted them, saying, “I’ve been waiting for quite a while.”
Fu Yan asked him, “Is the emperor going to Ruyi Tower?”
Li Qing chuckled twice, “Yes, I just heard about it too.”
Kuang Xuexian pushed open the window and looked downstairs, saying, “What a grand display.”
He hadn’t been particularly interested in the emperor before, but after hearing so much about him recently, he had grown a bit curious.
Fu Yan was also looking downstairs. Just as Kuang Xuexian was about to ask if Fu Yan had ever seen the emperor in person, the sliding door was pulled open, and Wang Baobao poked his head in, saying, “I thought I recognized your voice.”
Kuang Xuexian said with surprise, “You’re here too, what a coincidence.”
“I was originally at Ruyi Tower, but I got kicked out!” Wang Baobao said, “The emperor is coming to Ruyi Tower for dinner.”
Kuang Xuexian asked, “Who did you come with?”
“I accompanied my sister to meet a few of her friends.”
Li Qing quickly greeted Wang Baobao, thinking to himself that this Master Wang truly loved beauty—he had even adopted the fashion of Jiantai, wearing a red plum blossom in his hat. The purple robe paired with the red plum made him look even more dashing and elegant.
Wang Baobao was quite friendly toward him, but when he glanced at Fu Yan and saw that the other didn’t even offer a smile, he felt a bit slighted and didn’t greet him either. Noticing the mask on the table, he said, “What a coincidence, I bought a Kunlun slave mask too. When are you heading up the mountain?”
Kuang Xuexian said, “We’ll follow the lantern parade. These two haven’t seen it before, so I’m taking them to watch.”
Another group of guards arrived outside, causing a commotion. Wang Baobao leaned on Kuang Xuexian’s shoulder to look downstairs with him.
“Wow, it’s the Black Armor Guards,” Wang Baobao said.
Kuang Xuexian asked him, “Aren’t the imperial guards supposed to be the Golden Armor Guards?”
“The emperor’s personal guards are the Black Armor Guards, all selected elites from the military. They’re much more formidable than the Golden Armor Guards, who are just for show,” Wang Baobao explained. “This young emperor is really impressive, making such a grand display just for a meal.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a cold gaze on him. Turning his head, he saw that Fu Yan had already turned to look out the window.
The setting sun shone on his face, giving him the appearance of a refined gentleman. But Wang Baobao only felt cold.
He had no interest in such handsome men and didn’t understand Kuang Xuexian’s taste.
Two quiet people together—what fun is that?
He preferred muscular, rugged men.
Barbarians were the best!
Wang Baobao didn’t want to stay with this cold-faced pretty boy any longer. After agreeing with Kuang Xuexian to meet up later, he left.
As soon as he was gone, Fu Yan asked, “Are we going up the mountain with others?”
Kuang Xuexian nodded, carefully observing Fu Yan’s expression, and asked, “You don’t like it?”
Only noticing now? A bit late.
Fu Yan said, “I feel like he doesn’t really like me.”
In the neighboring room, Wang Baobao, who had just been unfairly accused, sneezed, nearly spilling the tea in his hand.
Today’s tea seems a bit too fragrant!
Kuang Xuexian explained on Wang Baobao’s behalf, “He’s just not familiar with you yet and is a bit guarded.”
Fu Yan gave a noncommittal “Hmm” and said nothing more.
Fu Yi didn’t think he shouldn’t interfere with Kuang Xuexian’s freedom to choose friends; he just knew he didn’t have the leverage to control Kuang Xuexian at this moment. If Kuang Xuexian were forced to choose between him and Wang Baobao, he’d likely be kicked aside.
He had to carefully hide his dark emotions, waiting until he had the capital to act arrogantly later.
After they finished their meal, they met up with Wang Baobao downstairs. Wang Baobao’s sister and several other noblewomen were also there, dressed in the most fashionable aristocratic attire of Shuangluan City at the time—wearing pearl shoes, draped in fuluo, their fragrant and glamorous presence making them exceptionally beautiful.
Fuluo was a new trend that had spread from Jiantai, similar to a veil, as light as mist, pinned to their hair buns with pearl needles, covering half their bodies. Embroidered with their family crests, it was both noble, elegant, and served to ward off the cold. Although Kuang Xuexian was quite familiar with Wang Baobao and had visited his home several times, this was his first time meeting his sister. Noticing the noblewomen observing them through their fuluo, he quickly greeted them.
The fuluo was so sheer that their expressions were visible. The noblewomen seemed somewhat excited, and Kuang Xuexian faintly overheard one of them say, “The one who threw the embroidered ball at Ruyi Tower…”
Concise and to the point, the noblewomen’s gazes toward the two of them grew even more fervent.
Outside, lanterns had already been lit, and the streets were crowded with people.
“The lantern procession is probably gathering at the foot of the mountain by now. Let’s hurry over,” someone said.
Wang Baobao glanced at Ruyi Tower and remarked, “Why hasn’t the emperor arrived yet? I really want to see what he looks like.”
Li Qing replied, “His Majesty naturally travels by sedan chair, surrounded by screens when entering or exiting. How could ordinary people possibly catch a glimpse of him?”
He felt his plan was brilliant—not only could it divert attention and ensure the emperor’s safety, but it also guaranteed the emperor would never be exposed in front of Kuang Xuexian.
It would be best if the emperor’s procession passed right in front of them.
As he was thinking this, the sound of drums and gongs signaling the procession’s arrival echoed through the air. A herald official, beating a drum and gong, shouted loudly, “The imperial procession approaches! All bystanders, step aside!”
“Clear the way ahead! No lingering allowed!”
Li Qing exclaimed excitedly, “The emperor is here!”
Many people rushed out to watch the spectacle. Soon, the entire street was packed to the brim, and the crowd surged. Instinctively, Kuang Xuexian reached out to shield Fu Yi from being jostled, while he himself stood on tiptoe, peering into the distance. First, he saw the royal flags bearing the sun, moon, and star patterns, followed by an entire magnificent procession of imperial guards and attendants.
He turned to Fu Yi and said, “The emperor really is here.”
But he noticed Fu Yi wasn’t watching the commotion; instead, he was looking down at Kuang Xuexian’s arm, which was protectively stretched in front of him.
Wang Baobao sighed beside them, “Damn, the emperor is so impressive.”
Thirty-six golden-armored guards, armed with swords, escorted the noble and esteemed Prince Fu on horseback. Following them were over a dozen officials in court robes and official hats, leading the way. Behind them were twelve eunuchs in indigo-blue round-collared, narrow-sleeved robes, jade belts around their waists, tall plain-pearl hats on their heads, hands tucked into their sleeves, walking slowly and steadily. Next came twelve red-robed eunuchs carrying golden vases, glass lanterns, and incense burners, surrounding a massive black imperial carriage from all sides.
Kuang Xuexian guessed the emperor had chosen to dine at Ruyi Tower because ordinary streets couldn’t accommodate such a luxurious carriage.
He had long heard that the Great Zhou Emperor revered black, but this was his first time seeing it. In the lamplight and night, the massive dark black imperial carriage was adorned with golden dragons coiling and soaring—truly awe-inspiring and intimidating, with a staggering presence.
In front of Ruyi Tower, the Western Capital Governor had already led a group of officials to bow and welcome the imperial carriage.
Kuang Xuexian had actually witnessed grander spectacles before. He had attended ancient emperors’ ceremonies for worshiping heaven and earth, with tens of thousands of soldiers and nearly a hundred carriages, accompanied by oxen, elephants, and ceremonial weapons. However, those were large-scale ceremonies with many attendees and even more equipment, hence the grand display. But the emperor was merely coming for a meal—was it necessary to make such a fuss?
As the rumors said, he truly was a willful, extravagant, and foolish ruler.
Naturally, everyone began discussing the emperor at this moment.
A noblewoman remarked, “I heard His Majesty the Emperor is a famously handsome man in the capital.”
“You can tell just by looking at Prince Fu. My husband says they look somewhat alike… though His Majesty is fiercer.”
“They seem to be around the same age, both just twenty years old.”
“Gusu, what’s wrong?”
“My younger sister is about to reach marriageable age. My parents are reluctant to marry her off hastily, and we still don’t know what to do.”
Kuang Xuexian discreetly glanced at the woman named Gusu. Indeed, she was exceptionally beautiful, now hanging her head in silence.
“Then you can’t stay at home anymore. Our emperor is known for visiting his ministers’ homes, and it’s said that whenever he sees someone beautiful in their household…”
She immediately lowered her voice, and only a few women could be seen frowning and huddling together: “Ah?”
“Ah!”
“Is that true?”
Li Qing: “”
Rumors spread like wildfire! The emperor has executed people, but seizing others’ wives and daughters? Absolutely not—that was the deposed emperor’s doing!
He awkwardly hurried to say, “It’s getting late. Let’s hurry to Phoenix Mountain!”
Kuang Xuexian said, “Let’s go, let’s go.”
Wang Baobao turned around and complained, “This emperor is quite something. Before I left home today, my brother-in-law repeatedly warned me, saying the emperor heard his ministers discussing him at home and wasn’t pleased. He has so many spies—even in the homes of his officials. How terrifying!”
Li Qing: “”
Fu Ye’s smile in the night was both dazzling and shadowy: “Then you’re quite bold, aren’t you afraid there might be the emperor’s spies right here?”
Wang Baobao immediately looked around. The place was crowded with people, so he quickly put on the mask he had been holding over his head.
The Kunlun slave mask had an eerie blackness to it. Fu Ye frowned and examined it repeatedly.
Kuang Xuexian said, “Then let’s not discuss him anymore. Let’s go, let’s go.”
The idea that the emperor could eavesdrop on conversations at home was indeed terrifying. Previously, he had only heard that the emperor was somewhat cunning and treacherous, but now the emperor’s image had plummeted to rock bottom in his mind.
A young, handsome pretty boy, treacherous as a venomous snake, two-faced and skilled at ambushes, extravagant and lustful, foolish and tyrannical, yet overly sensitive to criticism, suppressing dissent more fiercely than damming a river. He was likely to impose a reign of terror and tyranny in the country!
A typical villain from ancient novels—a jade-faced Rakshasa!
The place was bustling with people, the roads congested. Carriages and horses couldn’t get through at all, so they had to walk part of the way. However, Fu Ye suddenly stopped at a small vendor selling masks.
Kuang Xuexian asked, “What’s wrong?”
Fu Ye said, “I want to change mine.”
With that, he tossed his Kunlun slave mask onto the stall and picked out a Rakshasa mask for himself.
Kuang Xuexian glanced at Wang Baobao, who was walking ahead wearing a Kunlun slave mask.
Fu Yi put on the mask.
Kuang Xuexian couldn’t help but chuckle.
Fu Yi, wearing a mask even more terrifying than the Kunlun slave—a Rakshasa mask—looked down at him. Kuang Xuexian explained with a smile, “I was just thinking that the emperor looks like a jade-faced Rakshasa.”
Fu Yi: “Hmm?”
Kuang Xuexian leaned closer and whispered, “A strikingly handsome great demon!”
Li Qing, standing nearby, strained to listen and broke into a cold sweat.
Who would have thought Fu Yi actually laughed, his voice infinitely gentle: “That’s not wrong.”
Well, His Majesty’s self-awareness is quite clear and accurate.
Just as they were about to leave, an old man running a fortune-telling stall nearby asked cheerfully, “Young masters, would you like your fortunes told? Only two coins.”
Kuang Xuexian was about to walk away, but seeing the old man’s tattered clothes and weary expression, he felt a pang of pity and pulled Fu Yi to a stop.
Li Qing glanced at the old man’s stall—a table with a broken leg propped up by a tree branch, and a sign in front that read, “No charge if the fortune is inaccurate.”
The emperor, clearly in a good mood, asked from behind his mask, “No charge if it’s inaccurate?”
Seeing that he had a customer, the old man quickly replied, “None!”
Kuang Xuexian smiled and said, “Then tell our fortunes. No need to go into too much detail—just focus on the good parts.”
Nine out of ten fortune-tellers are unreliable, and truly skilled ones are rare. Speaking auspicious words is the simplest thing.
Li Qing asked, “Old sir, do you read faces or palms?”
“I can read both!”
Li Qing smiled, clearly unconvinced, and extended his hand. “Then start with me.”
The old man brought the lantern closer, carefully examining and tracing Li Qing’s palm. Li Qing chuckled, “Old sir, look carefully. If the fortune is inaccurate, we won’t pay.”
Before he could finish, the old man blurted out, “This young master has the appearance of great nobility! Only…”
His romantic prospects are shallow, and his children’s palace is also unfavorable—but can he say that?!
Kuang Xuexian quickly interjected, “Great nobility is enough, no ‘only.’ Old sir, take a look at me too.”
The old man grasped Kuang Xuexian’s hand and examined it closely, suddenly his expression changed drastically, his voice filled with astonishment: “Strange, truly strange.”
Kuang Xuexian was startled by his reaction and asked, “What’s wrong?”
The old man hurriedly raised the lantern to get a closer look at his face, disbelief written all over his features. The flickering yellow light danced across Kuang Xuexian’s cool and elegant face.
Wang Baobao frowned and pulled Kuang Xuexian back slightly.
The old man trembled as he spoke, “This is truly extraordinary!”
Though clearly a man, he bore the appearance of an empress. But how could that be?
It made him doubt himself!
His gaze remained fixed on Kuang Xuexian’s face, as if searching for some answer there.
Wang Baobao, fearing the old man might say something unpleasant and spoil the mood, said, “Old sir, in business, harmony brings wealth. It’s a festive day, and we’re all out for fun. Be mindful to speak auspiciously.”
After a long pause, the old man finally said, “This noble one, of unparalleled greatness, is truly… rare.”
Kuang Xuexian smiled and pulled Fu Yi over. “Old sir, take a look at my husband too.”
The old man raised the lantern to examine Fu Yi’s hand.
He quickly looked up. Fu Yi, wearing the mask, gazed at him with a deep, cool intensity—the eyes of a true dragon, profound and piercing.
Wang Baobao noticed his exaggerated expression and asked, “Is it also very expensive?”
“Ex… expensive”
Wang Baobao laughed and said to Kuang Xuexian, “He doesn’t have anything else to say.”
Kuang Xuexian hadn’t really intended to have his fortune told in the first place. Smiling, he took out a copper coin and handed it over. “Thank you for your auspicious words, old sir.”
Wang Baobao urged, “Let’s go, let’s go. No point wasting time here.”
Kuang Xuexian pulled Fu Li along to leave. The old man was still holding up his lantern when Fu Li suddenly lifted the mask from his face, looking at him with keen interest, his phoenix eyes slightly raised.
The old man’s expression shifted abruptly, and he slumped back into his chair.
By the time he regained his senses, the true dragon who walked among mortals had already disappeared into the crowd with his empress.