Chapter  58

Chu Zhaoyou saw off the Regent Prince and chatted casually with Lu Jinghuan in the side hall, emphasizing how he had seen through the Regent Prince’s scheme.

Lu Jinghuan’s eyes gleamed, “The Regent Prince has to report every time he enters the Funing Hall! That’s good news! I wish I had your courage!”

Chu Zhaoyou hesitated for a moment, fearing that he might instill the wrong ideas in Lu Jinghuan, leading to recklessness and defeat in the struggle against Feng Xingzhou.

“In fact, it’s conditional,” Chu Zhaoyou touched his stomach. How could he not know that the Regent Prince was making concessions everywhere because he was pregnant? “The Regent Prince is eyeing me. The more devious his thoughts, the more we cannot let him succeed, or else he’ll try it again next time. As for Feng Xingzhou, I don’t know what kind of person he is. You shouldn’t blindly follow my lead.”

Lu Jinghuan replied, “Our situations are similar, don’t worry.”

He understood that the strategy of “let him kiss me first, then run when I can” was not feasible. They should stand their ground. He was too timid, failing to escape and getting pinned down for an hour. If Feng Xingzhou approached, he would bite. Was there any future in that?

“Then I can relax—” Chu Zhaoyou hesitated, “Why should I relax? Explain the bruise on your wrist.”

Based on their recent conversation, he couldn’t help but feel that Lu Jinghuan wasn’t running away from studying, but rather from marriage.

Lu Jinghuan’s face flushed unnaturally, “I wanted to run, but the National Preceptor caught me.”

Chu Zhaoyou inquired, “Why did he catch you?”

Lu Jinghuan’s voice grew even softer, “He wanted to force me!”

Indeed!

“That’s outrageous,” Chu Zhaoyou clenched his fists. Perhaps the girl on the subway wasn’t mistaken about the plot. Lu Jinghuan was the one holding the script for the puppet emperor, a case of mistaken identity.

The Regent Prince hadn’t coerced him, but the National Preceptor from the neighboring country displayed complete arrogance.

Suddenly, Chu Zhaoyou remembered, “Was the emperor’s handwriting genuine?”

With a red face, Lu Jinghuan admitted, “It’s fake. I heard that you were once forced to the imperial tomb by the Regent Prince, so I wanted to create a story that resembled yours a little, one that could touch people’s hearts.”

Lu Jinghuan truly looked naïve, and Chu Zhaoyou’s expression turned complex. “Brother, if it’s too similar, it becomes artificial. Folk rumors can’t be trusted. You need to update your brainwashing package. I voluntarily went to the imperial tomb. So, you were mistreated by the National Preceptor, and that’s why you ran away?”

Lu Jinghuan nodded heavily.

In an instant, Chu Zhaoyou envisioned an elderly man immersed in feudal superstition and felt sympathetic. “That’s too much. Do you want to go back and seize power?”

He didn’t vie for power with the Regent Prince. On one hand, the Regent Prince was capable and adept at governing the country. On the other hand, he was young, vigorous, and handsome.

Feng Xingzhou possessed none of these qualities and governed through spreading superstition. Lu Jinghuan was his friend, so naturally, Chu Zhaoyou would stand by his friend.

After contemplating Feng Xingzhou’s expressionless face, Lu Jinghuan said, “I won’t go back. I’ll stay here.”

Feng Xingzhou was solemn and reticent, unperturbed in all matters. He was like a Bodhisattva on a lotus throne—his countenance wasn’t fierce, yet it was icy and made people look up to him with reverence. Spending a day by Feng Xingzhou’s side would make Lu Jinghuan feel like a novice monk about to enter a Buddhist temple.

He was not pure in thought; being kissed by the National Preceptor made him blush and his heart race. He didn’t want to be a novice monk.

Chu Zhaoyou empathized for a moment. Wasn’t Lu Jinghuan now just like he was when he first arrived here? A male pet of a powerful official, anyone who didn’t run from such a situation was a fool.

He patted Lu Jinghuan’s shoulder, encouraging him, “Don’t be afraid, I’ll help you. Since I made my escape from the palace, the Regent Prince has reinforced security. No one can harm you, and the National Preceptor’s people can’t get in!”

After boosting Lu Jinghuan’s spirits, Chu Zhaoyou returned to the palace to rest. En route, the Regent Prince attempted to enter but was stopped by the palace attendants at the Funing Hall.

The attendant spoke nervously, “Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed—”

“Enough, I understand,” Xiao Heng stood outside, debating whether to order two kneading boards custom-made and placed in front of the dragon bed for him to kneel on. He had already neared the dragon bed today. He had fallen short, and all he could do now was wait to recover his memory and then reflect sincerely once again.

He just wasn’t sure if the kneading boards would be enough.

Xiao Heng had planned to inform Chu Zhaoyou about the court session the next day and to receive the envoys from Dayan Country. Although Feng Xingzhou came to find someone, he had at least brought some sincerity, sending numerous exotic and rare items.

Well, there was no need to have Chu Zhaoyou rise early for someone like Feng Xingzhou. Whenever he woke up, he would meet him. Let Feng Xingzhou wait.

The next day, the Regent Prince conducted the court session as usual, with the empty dragon throne serving as a reminder that the Emperor wasn’t entirely sidelined but was genuinely unwell.

After discussing official matters, Xiao Heng mentioned the visit of the National Preceptor from Dayan Country, expressing a willingness to reopen two trade routes between Dayan and Great Chu for mutual benefit.

Feng Xingzhou’s stature among the people of Dayan was so high that it almost transcended imperial authority. His personal visit equated to the most grandiloquent form of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The courtiers were taken aback and somewhat… unprepared. The Regent Prince hadn’t made any preparations at all?

Neither Xiao Heng nor Feng Xingzhou cared about such matters. Xiao Heng returned to the outskirts of the city to organize the procession. He dispatched two squads of Imperial Guards to march out of the city to welcome the guests, who were probably on their way by now.

Xiao Heng beckoned someone and asked, “Has His Majesty woken up? If he has, let him attend the court session.”

If he hasn’t woken up, notify Feng Xingzhou to slow down a bit. After all, whose emperor wasn’t cherished by their people?

The attendant replied, “His Majesty has been awake for a while and is currently studying with Lord Lu.”

Xiao Heng’s temples throbbed. How could he have forgotten that Chu Zhaoyou and Lu Er had agreed to “study” early in the morning? And here he was, waiting for him to wake up naturally.

“Summon His Majesty to the Xuanzheng Hall immediately.”

Previously, Xiao Hen had refrained from intervening, but now he truly needed to thoroughly investigate this Lu Er, to see if he was indeed from that particular household. He needed to find a pretext to take him back as soon as possible.

Chu Zhaoyou, citing a persistent chill, still donned a thin cloak fastened tightly at the neck, the fabric draping naturally to conceal the size of his belly.

Given impromptu notice to receive a foreign envoy, when he learned it was the esteemed Feng Xingzhou, he was momentarily taken aback. It was as if Cao Cao had arrived! He had an instinct that Feng Xingzhou was here to find Lu Jinghuan.

He pondered his first day in Great Chu, collapsing on the stage, the Regent Prince’s sudden visit to the Qinghui Hall, the sense of impending doom that had gripped everyone. At that moment, he had been shivering on the ground, nervous, afraid, and lost. If Lu Jinghuan found out that Feng Xingzhou had come, his feelings would likely mirror his own.

There was no need to make Lu Jinghuan experience that kind of anxiety. Chu Zhaoyou hadn’t informed Lu Jinghuan yet, opting to assess the situation himself.

After sitting on the dragon throne for a while, a palace attendant’s announcement brought forth a figure in white from outside the hall, as if a deity had descended to earth.

Chu Zhaoyou was momentarily taken aback. Where was the old man they had agreed on? Were all the National Preceptor’s/Minister’s this young now?

He scrutinized Feng Xingzhou’s appearance, hoping to discern any sign of coercion toward Lu Jinghuan in his serene countenance.

There was none.

Chu Zhaoyou suspected that Lu Jinghuan had lied. Perhaps Feng Xingzhou wasn’t forcing him to be a male favorite but instead trying to groom him as a monk.

Of course, both scenarios were equally dreadful.

Xiao Heng cleared his throat disapprovingly.

Chu Zhaoyou regained his composure, “The National Preceptor has traveled a long way, and it’s a mistake not to welcome him properly. I am indisposed, so I will have the Regent Prince attend to him.”

As Lu Jinghuan was staying in the palace, it was safer for the National Preceptor to reside outside.

Xiao Heng’s furrowed brow eased. Chu Zhaoyou’s sudden change of heart suited him perfectly. If Feng Xingzhou had come for personal matters, then the Regent Prince’s estate’s woodshed was sufficient.

Feng Xingzhou didn’t object. Xiao Heng’s estate would indeed be more comfortable.

His gaze flickered between Xiao Heng and Chu Zhaoyou, and for a moment, a hint of surprise appeared in Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes, quickly smoothed over, maintaining his aloof demeanor.

The title of “National Preceptor” was not entirely exaggerated, but what concern was it of his regarding other countries’ affairs?

Feng Xingzhou presented lavish gifts, and Chu Zhaoyou personally bestowed upon him a pair of priceless jade goblets.

Naturally, the items were just a pair of dusty goblets casually retrieved from the palace storeroom. Chu Zhaoyou only needed to feign interest and show appreciation when presenting them to Feng Xingzhou.

Stepping down from the jade steps, drawing closer to Feng Xingzhou, he couldn’t help but think: One can’t judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought that this National Preceptor, looking rather ordinary, would harbor desires for their young emperor?

Seeing Chu Zhaoyou once again looking at Feng Xingzhou, Xiao Heng furrowed his brow and tugged at his sleeve, coldly remarking, “Don’t be fooled by his appearance now. Five years ago, he was still a nobody.”

There’s nothing impressive about him. They’re all the same. You can find plenty like him at the Great Compassion Monastery. I’ll take you there another day.

Feng Xingzhou: “… When did Xiao Heng develop a taste for exposing others’ flaws?”

He glanced wordlessly at Xiao Heng, then suddenly paused, his gaze turning sharply and directly toward Chu Zhaoyou.

There was a hint of Lu Jinghuan’s presence in this emperor.

Chu Zhaoyou stepped back, surprised. Could it be that some trace of his recent conversation with Lu Jinghuan had been left behind?

Unhappily, Xiao Heng positioned himself between the two men, casting a wary glance at Feng Xingzhou.

Although they were all dressed in dragon robes, this was their emperor.

“You can’t come and take mine just because you lost yours.”

Feng Xingzhou stared intently at Chu Zhaoyou. “Have you ever seen a young man, around eighteen or nineteen, exceptionally handsome, similar in height to you, with bruising on his wrist and a scar the size of a soybean below his right ear, wearing a pair of double-loop jade earrings?”

He kept his gaze fixed on Chu Zhaoyou, seemingly ignoring the Regent Prince’s expression.

Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes remained steady, as he earnestly replied, “I have not seen anyone from outside while in the palace.”

Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow. He had insisted that Lu Er was no ordinary person, but Chu Zhaoyou had prevented him from investigating.

Feng Xingzhou frowned, “What about a young woman?”

Chu Zhaoyou pinched the Regent Prince’s palm. “None either.”

Xiao Heng subtly raised an eyebrow, recalling that Lu Er had initially disguised himself as a woman to freeload. He was somewhat surprised at how quickly Feng Xingzhou’s mind worked and how well he understood his emperor.

If only he had had Feng Xingzhou’s awareness from the start, expanding the scope of his gratitude to include men, would he have been deceived by Chu Zhaoyou for so long?

If he had known earlier, he should have consulted this charlatan before seeking someone.

Xiao Heng deeply regretted and decided to direct his anger toward Feng Xingzhou, resolving not to tell him where Lu Jinghuan was. It wasn’t because he was being threatened by his wife’s pinches.

Feng Xingzhou: “Your Majesty, are you really sure you haven’t seen him? Jinghuan is playful, and his fate is fragile. If something were to happen, and someone altered his destiny, how could I face the late Emperor of the Lu clan?”

Chu Zhaoyou’s pupils contracted, sensing the threat in Feng Xingzhou’s words.

Just yesterday, he had solemnly vowed to protect Lu Jinghuan. Naturally, he couldn’t break his promise due to a mere threat.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up for his friend, “I haven’t seen him. National Preceptor, there’s no need to be anxious. I believe he’s doing well right now.”

With top-tier imperial education, an on-call divine physician, professional emperor companions for conversation, and a dedicated kitchen in the imperial palace, he was living so well. Why should he let Feng Xingzhou take him away and turn him into a novice monk?

If you dare, use your divine vision to find out where Lu Jinghuan is! Then, we can settle the education and food expenses!

Author’s note: Feng Xingzhou: I only have a plastic affection with Xiao Heng.