That night, Rong Shuang didn’t sleep a wink, lying awake with dark circles under his eyes until midnight. He finally managed to doze off for a short while, only to be woken up before dawn. 

Old Ge lit the lamp, and Laifu was rustling about, fetching his official robe.

“Your Excellency, even if it were raining knives from the sky today, you’d still have to attend court.” 

Rong Shuang slumped on the bed, buried under the quilt: “= =”

“I heard you, I heard you—both ears heard it.” 

He was pulled out of bed and, still half-asleep, washed his hands and face in the bronze basin.

While tying his hair back, Old Ge admonished him, “Your Excellency, you must attend court tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and every day for the foreseeable future. His Majesty is keeping a close eye on you.” 

Rong Shuang: “……”

By the time he was finally ready, it was already late; the Rong family’s carriage was waiting at the main gate.

The sight of the carriage made Rong Shuang feel queasy. He stood at the gate, yawning for a while, when he suddenly spotted another figure riding a horse, passing leisurely by from behind. He looked more closely—whoa, it was Meng Hei.

It was so dark he could barely make him out. 

He raised his hand to wave: “Meng Hei! Give me a ride!” 

Meng Han was startled and nearly fell off his horse. He let out a soft “yu” and said, trembling with fear, “Lord Rong.” 

Rong Shuang held the sides of his official robe as he clopped along again. 

“As you know, I get a bit carsick. Let me ride on your horse.”

As he spoke, he grabbed the young man’s official robe and started climbing up. Meng Han straightened his back and leaped forward as if he’d been electrocuted, screaming in terror, “Lord Rong, what? Ride on the same horse—what kind of precedent would that set?!!”1

Rong Shuang had already mounted the horse. 

He waved to Old Ge: “All right, I’m off. Don’t have the carriage follow me—I’ll find my own way back to the mansion after court.”

After speaking, he adjusted his position and patted Meng Han on the shoulder: “Let’s go.”

Meng Han: “……”

Just as he was trying to find the right words with a look of mixed emotions on his face, he heard that clear, spring-like voice behind him say in a hushed tone, “Meng Hei, you’re one of His Majesty’s men, aren’t you?” 

Meng Han jumped again, almost wanting to dismount and kneel before the man: “Grandfather, please don’t scare me like that.”

Rong Shuang listened to the echoing hoofbeats on the empty street and pondered for a moment.

“I’ve given this some careful thought since returning. Although I’m currently the Senior Grand Secretary of the Great Liang Dynasty, to put it bluntly, this position is all title and no power. A large number of Grand Secretariat ministers have been replaced, and most of them are His Majesty’s people. I hold the title of Senior Grand Secretary in name only—what official post are you trying to buy from me? No matter how close Zhao Gongyan and I are, he wouldn’t dare defy the law. Does he want his entire clan to be executed?” 

“Besides, the climate in the capital is so nourishing. You’re dark and rough-hewn—to me, you look like you’ve been out in the northwest eating sand.”

Meng Han rode in silence, his head bowed. It wasn’t until much later that he spoke: “You…”

Rong Shuang chuckled. “How do you know I’m just making that up?” 

Meng Han: “?

Bro, are you for real?

Rong Shuang was in high spirits, holding his hat as he took in the scenery.

They rode in silence all the way through the palace gates, where quite a few people exchanged insincere greetings with Rong Shuang.

“Your Excellency, the Senior Grand Secretary.”

“You look well today, Lord Rong.” 

“Are you feeling better, Lord Rong”

Rong Shuang replied to each one in turn; though he didn’t recognize a single one of them, it didn’t matter.

“Fine, fine—I’m doing wonderfully. Thanks to His Majesty’s blessings and protection, I’m in perfect health and will be able to attend court from now on.”

Of course he had to attend court—if he didn’t, Ying Wujiu would have to dunk him in the medicinal bath again.

Ying Wujiu had cut off every possible escape route for him.

As he made his way through the crowd, wondering where to stand, a group of ministers had already tacitly cleared the very front spot for him.

How embarrassing—he was merely a Senior Grand Secretary in name only, one who could be executed by the Emperor at any moment.

Rong Shuang walked over with a forced smile, his mouth stretched from ear to ear.

“Tsk.”

What was that strange noise?

Rong Shuang glanced to his left.

“Heh.”

What the heck?

Rong Shuang glanced behind her again.

“So Lord Rong is blind, is he?”

Rong Shuang finally turned his gaze to the right and saw the newcomer squinting thoughtfully for a long moment: “You…” 

“You must be blind as a bat—can’t you even recognize this Marquis?”

Rong Shuang: “Ouch~~~~.”

Who was this Marquis who’d suddenly appeared out of nowhere? Rong Shuang didn’t dare acknowledge him or say a word.

He grinned. “Hehe, I pay my respects to the Marquis.” 

Then he turned back without saying a word. 

Qin Tianyang: “?”

Could this Rong fellow have been driven mad by the shock? 

“Don’t get too cocky just yet; His Majesty won’t let you off the hook.”

“I hear you’ve been telling everyone that you’re in poor health, and then you hide at home for over twenty days every month without attending court?” 

“Haha, the entire court knows you’re spinning a web of lies.”

“You’re a parasite living off the public purse without doing any work.”

“Just wait—I won’t let you off easy today.”

Rong Shuang scratched his cheek. 

This guy really doesn’t hold anything back—he’s spilling secrets Rong Shuang didn’t even know. 

When the time came, three chimes rang out from the bell tower. The ministers behind him fell into formation and fell silent, then, guided by the eunuchs, entered through the side gates on either side.

Perhaps it had been too long since Rong Shuang had been there; the young eunuchs passing by all stared at him. Rong Shuang still wore a forced smile: “^^”

When he reached the front of the Golden Throne Hall, Rong Shuang looked at the countless steps, and his smile finally cracked. 4 Let’s go.

“Phew…”

Walking.

“Huff, puff…”

Come on, you dead legs, hurry up. 

Qin Tianyang shot him a sidelong glance, thinking to himself, “Don’t drop dead right next to me,” and immediately picked up the pace, striding faster and faster. 

When Rong Shuang entered the hall, he nearly lost his breath; even the elderly ministers behind him weren’t panting as heavily as he was.

He was drenched in sweat, his cheeks flushed crimson, and he was fanning himself frantically to cool off.

At that moment, Huang Lian’s shrill voice rang out in a loud cry, and all the civil and military officials in the hall knelt in unison. Rong Shuang mingled among them, chanting along, “Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long, long, long live the Emperor!”

“Rise, my ministers.”

Rong Shuang stood in the front row; the command seemed to come crashing down from right above his head.

That same damp, clammy, cloying sensation returned, and—though he wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination—he couldn’t shake the feeling that those narrow, icy eyes were fixed on him the entire time.

After rising, he silently pulled his ivory tablet from his sleeve, lowered his head, and began to play the part of a timid little bird. But clearly, Ying Wujiu had no intention of giving him the chance to do so.

“It seems the medicinal bath at Liuqing Pool really works—Minister Rong’s body has recovered by more than half. Why not come to the palace every day to soak in it from now on? That way, I’ll have peace of mind.” 

Rong Shuang’s cheeks were still glistening with sweat from climbing the stairs earlier.

He cleared his throat and politely declined: “Your humble servant is of lowly birth; I wouldn’t want to defile Your Majesty’s pool.” The emperor let out a faint chuckle that vanished in an instant.

“Then, Lord Rong, be sure to take good care of yourself. Should there ever be a day when you cannot attend court, I shall send Huang Lian to fetch you.” 

Huang Lian smiled broadly from the side: “This servant will keep that in mind.” 

Rong Shuang: “……”

Who are the two of you trying to threaten with this back-and-forth? 

He forced a smile: “Very well~”

It’s okay, it’s okay. 

Rong Shuang told himself silently. After all, he had come today for business; everything else was just a sideshow. The court proceedings began shortly thereafter.

“Your Majesty, the waterways of Huaiyang have long been neglected, and the embankments and levees are crumbling. With the flood season approaching, the nine counties under my jurisdiction are in grave danger. The Ministry of Works has calculated that one million taels of silver are needed to reinforce this section.”

Rong Shuang glanced around; seeing that no one was speaking up, he stepped forward: “Your Majesty, I will cover the cost.”

The entire court of civil and military officials: “?” 

Has this parasite gone mad?!

Ying Wujiu glared down at the assembly; his narrow eyes, shrouded in shadow, were as deep and unfathomable as the abyss.

A deathly silence fell over the hall; it was quite some time before a second person spoke.

“Your Majesty, the funds required for the Academy…”

Rong Shuang: “This subject will cover it!” 

“The Ministry of War…”

“I’ll handle it!”

“Ministry of Rites……”

“I’ll take it! I’ll take it!” 

“Ministry of Civil Appointments…”

“I’ll handle it! I’ll handle it! Just let me handle it all!” 

Rong Shuang had lost count of how many times he’d shouted “Your servant will step forward”—his throat was parched, and his vision was spinning, and the officials in the hall were staring at him as if he were a ghost.

Rong Shuang curled the corners of his mouth into a sincere smile: “Take from the people, use it for the people, and serve the people.”

A sincere gift—the 10 billion subsidy has been credited to your account, no haggling required! 

Officials: “……”

“Take from the people and use it for the people, my ass.” 

Ying Wujiu propped his chin in his hand and tapped his cheek lightly: “It seems Lord Rong is quite enlightened.” 

Rong Shuang seized the opportunity to pledge his loyalty: “What this humble subject has is Yours, Your Majesty. It is a subject’s duty to ease Your Majesty’s burdens!” 

The Emperor let out a cold laugh: “Hah.”

The ministers all shuddered.

Court finally adjourned at the first light of dawn; Rong Shuang had barely escaped disaster by posing as a charity boy in the main hall. 

As soon as he stepped out of the hall, the young marquis next door came over to taunt him again.

“I hear, Your Highness, that you rode in on the same horse as Minister Meng of the Ministry of Revenue this morning?”

Rong Shuang: “Whoa.”

Qin Tianyang waited a moment but didn’t hear him continue: “What are you going ‘whoa’ about?” 

Rong Shuang shook his head.

Qin Tianyang: “How could you ride with a man? Don’t tell me you have a penchant for men?” 

Rong Shuang again: “Whoa.”

Qin Tianyang: “You!” 

Rong Shuang: “Me!”

Qin Tianyang was so shocked his voice cracked: “Are you out of your mind?!” 

Rong Shuang: “Hehe.” 

With a broad smile, he descended the steps: “So even the Young Marquis has heard of ‘fondness for men’? Your interests are quite broad. To be honest with you, Young Marquis, I do indeed have that inclination.” 

Qin Tianyang retorted irritably: “You’re full of nonsense. I’ve heard that your mansion is filled with beautiful maidservants.”

Rong Shuang: “That’s right. It’s precisely because I like men that I hire maids—I’m just keeping myself pure.” 

Qin Tianyang was left speechless. After a moment, he eyed him suspiciously: “Do you really have a penchant for men?” 

Rong Shuang: “Mm-hmm.”

Qin Tianyang shot him a disgusted look: “How can a man like men—be with men…” 

Rong Shuang: “Whoa!” 

Qin Tianyang: “Can you stop going ‘whoa’ already?” 

Rong Shuang: “Oh, actually, I’m the one on top.”

Qin Tianyang took a step back, even more skeptical, with a look that said, “You? No way.”

Rong Shuang had no qualms about spouting nonsense to him, but just then, a shrill voice from behind cut him off: “Lord Rong, please wait.”

Damn.

Huang Lian. 

It’s over—I’m going to get detention. 

Sure enough, Huang Lian jogged over and said, “Lord Rong, His Majesty requests your presence at Qide Hall for a private audience.”

Rong Shuang stiffly turned his head and spotted the Emperor’s figure on the white marble colonnade not far away; the Emperor’s gaze was as sharp as a knife, as if it were about to slice the flesh right off his body.

He had no idea if his earlier nonsense had been overheard. He meekly replied, “I’ll be right there.”

Qin Tianyang shot him a contemptuous glance and said to Huang Lian, “Eunuch Huang, please go ahead with your duties. I’ll be leaving now.” 

Huang Lian: “Of course, Young Marquis, take your time.”

Rong Shuang was led away by Huang Lian. 

Once again, Rong Shuang was in no mood to admire the grandeur of the imperial palace, as the guillotine was once again hanging over his head. Upon arriving at Qide Hall, Huang Lian withdrew, saying to him before leaving, “Go on in, Lord Rong.”

To Rong Shuang, those words sounded much like “Go to your death, Lord Rong.”

He tremblingly pushed open the door to Qide Hall and knelt the moment he stepped inside. “Your Majesty, your servant has arrived.”

There was not a sound. Rong Shuang knelt there, filled with trepidation.

The hall was likely empty; the lattice window directly to the north stood open, and a gentle breeze carried the faint scent of agarwood.

His legs ached from kneeling, and he was just about to shift his position.

“I am truly curious, Lord Rong—are you the one on top or the one on bottom?”

“Why don’t you… come and tell me yourself?”

Rong Shuang felt the slightly cool imperial robe brush against his back. Shit.