I, The Substitute, Am With The Main Character Chapter 38

Another soft laugh was heard. Xueya, upon hearing this, suddenly realized he had said something foolish. He hurriedly retracted his words, “No, that’s not what I meant, I… I…”

As he spoke, his face felt like it was burning, and he became even more unsure of how to explain himself.

“Hmm? Then what do you mean?” He Xulan’s voice was very low.

Xueya pressed his lips together. It took a while before he could fully articulate his response, “If there’s a next time, and you open the storeroom, I still won’t forgive you.” After speaking, he waited for a while but noticed that He Xulan didn’t reply. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had angered He Xulan again. After hesitating for a moment, he asked softly, “Are you angry?”

“No,” He Xulan quickly responded. “I was just thinking, if you truly won’t forgive me, is there even a need to open the storeroom?”

Upon hearing this, Xueya became anxious. “Why wouldn’t it be necessary? You promised me, so you can’t go back on your word.”

“Really?”

Xueya nodded repeatedly, “Of course! When someone makes a promise, they have to keep it.”

“And has Xueya kept his promises?” He Xulan’s tone became more indifferent.

Xueya froze, his confidence suddenly wavering. He Xulan actually brought up past events. But after thinking it over, he recalled that when he had asked He Xulan if he liked him, he hadn’t made any promises at that time. So, it couldn’t be said that he had broken his word. Besides, he had already done two months of hard labor.

Thinking of this, Xueya’s confidence surged again. “I didn’t make any promises back then, and besides, you punished me.”

“When did I ever punish you?”

This statement made Xueya furious. “How could you say you didn’t? I shoveled snow for more than half a month, my hands and feet almost got frostbite. And after shoveling the snow, I did other rough work. Look, my hands have become all rough.”

He let go of the grip he had on He Xulan’s clothing and extended his hand for him to see.

One of He Xulan’s hands took hold of his, and Xueya felt his palm being gently rubbed. He had been complaining, but this sudden rubbing of his hand made him feel inexplicably strange.

Xueya bit his lip and, with a little force, pulled his hand back. “Anyway, you did punish me. So, we’re even now. As for what you did to me last night and this morning, once we visit the storeroom, we’ll be even for that too.”

He then heard He Xulan’s calm voice, “And what happens after we’re even?”

Naturally, they would go their separate ways and stay out of each other’s business.

Of course, Xueya didn’t say this out loud. Instead, he vaguely brushed off the question, “We’ll talk about what comes after later.”

***

Xueya’s eyes were treated for an entire day, and it wasn’t until the next day that he entered the storeroom in Ningfu Palace.

Upon entering, he was stunned by the sheer number of chests. He Xulan had already had the chests opened, so Xueya could directly see what was inside each one.

Xueya wandered through the storeroom like a bee flitting through a garden, darting here and there, examining everything eagerly. But soon, he realized that, despite the storeroom being packed, there wasn’t a single piece of gold—only items made of gold.

It turned out the Emperor was indeed wealthier. Feeling a bit disappointed, Xueya filled a small box with gold accessories.

He Xulan had given him two small boxes: one for storing the jade pendant awarded by Cui Lingjing and the other for the things he would take from the storeroom that day.

Once the box was filled to the point where it couldn’t close, Xueya finally stopped, taking the box of gold accessories back to his room. He Xulan was not in Ningfu Palace today, seemingly preoccupied with state affairs.

Xueya sat in front of the vanity mirror and began laying out the gold accessories he had just acquired, one by one. He thought that if he ever left the palace, he would sell all these gold items.

While thinking this, he picked up the most lavish gold hairpin in the collection. It was made of pure gold, with exquisite craftsmanship, featuring nine tassels hanging from it. The ends of the hairpin were set with nine blue gemstones.

This gold hairpin should fetch a lot of money, right?

As Xueya stared at the hairpin, he suddenly remembered the beaded hairpin and silver hairpin he had lost. Last time, Yin Qingxuan had taken the silver hairpin, and Xueya was still angry about that. He hadn’t expected Yin Qingxuan to cause more trouble the other night, ruining yet another beaded hairpin.

At this thought, Xueya hurriedly gathered up the gold accessories from the table, determined never to wear such valuable items out of the palace. If Yin Qingxuan took even one of these, he would be heartbroken to death.

***

In the Prime Minister’s Residence.

“Prime Minister Yin, accept the decree. This is great news,” said the eunuch who had come to deliver the imperial edict, wearing a forced smile as he stuffed the decree into Yin Qingxuan’s hands.

Yin Qingxuan’s face was paler than usual. Holding the decree in his hands, he asked, “Does His Majesty have any other orders?”

“He does.” The eunuch’s smile grew even wider. “His Majesty, concerned for your health after your recent hard work, has kindly granted you half a month of rest to recuperate at home. Since it’s for recovery, Prime Minister, you shouldn’t leave the house, and any visitors should be turned away.”

Though it was termed “recuperation,” everyone present understood it was essentially house arrest.

Everyone, especially Yin Qingxuan’s parents, were both shocked. Madam Yin’s face visibly paled, barely maintaining his composure. After the eunuch had left, she immediately stood up and asked her eldest son, “Yuanyou, what is this about? How could His Majesty issue such a decree? Didn’t you just return with honors?”

Father Yin frowned, “Madam.”

Yin Qingxuan rose, his gaze briefly lingering on his younger brother, who still knelt on the floor, looking lost and disheartened. He lowered his eyes and said, “This is my fault.”

“Those in high positions are always in danger. In the future, be more cautious. As long as you remain loyal to His Majesty and to the Li Dynasty, with a clear conscience and without bringing shame to our ancestors, all will be well.” Father Yin spoke solemnly. “Your brother is still young and lacks experience. Giving him another three years to improve his knowledge may actually be beneficial.”

Yin Qingxuan was silent for a moment before replying, “Yes.”

***

In the afternoon, Xueya was about to resume his duties as usual. He had rested the entire day yesterday, but Huang Gonggong stopped him. “Xueya, your eyes haven’t fully healed yet. Take a few more days off.”

Xueya felt that Huang Gonggong’s tone had become increasingly gentle. Since he was being told not to work, he didn’t mind taking it easy. Just as he was about to return to his room to rest, Huang Gonggong spoke again. “Spring hunting season is approaching. The emperor has just ascended the throne, and Prime Minister Yin and General Lei have brought back good news. This year’s hunt will certainly be extraordinary.”

Xueya’s ears perked up, and he turned to look at Huang Gonggong. “Spring hunt? What’s that?”

“It’s a hunting expedition. Traditionally, it’s held at the Sui Bai Race Track. If nothing changes this year, it should be held there again. Sui Bai is some distance from the capital—it takes two days by carriage. Round trip, it should take about seven days,” Huang Gonggong explained.

Xueya’s eyes lit up. If he could go to the spring hunt, he would have a chance to see Cui Lingjing again. Life outside the palace would surely be more relaxed than inside. Here, in Ningfu Palace, it had become nearly impossible to see Cui Lingjing.

He thought to himself: He Xulan, after all, falls short of Cui Lingjing.

“Will the Empress Dowager be attending?” Xueya asked quickly.

“Today, the Empress Dowager was invited to discuss the list of attendees for the spring hunt.” Huang Gonggong smiled. “The ministers must deliberate over who will attend and who won’t. Oh, and the emperor now has over ten concubines; their names must also be finalized.”

Xueya blinked and then regained his calm expression. “I see. Thank you, Huang Gonggong.”

If he wanted to go, he’d likely have to rely on He Xulan.

But how could he persuade He Xulan to agree?

Although Xueya was excused from work, He Xulan hadn’t summoned him. Xueya made inquiries and learned that He Xulan had returned to the palace but was spending time alone in his chambers, with no servants in attendance.

Xueya waited near the hall for a while and saw a young eunuch bringing tea to Ningfu Hall. He rushed over and grabbed the tray. “I’ll take the tea to the Empress Dowager.”

The young eunuch was startled. “But—”

“But what? I’m helping you out here. Go have some fun somewhere else.” With that, Xueya walked into the hall, leaving the eunuch behind. When he entered, he saw He Xulan standing by the table, seemingly painting.

Xueya brought the tea to the table and noticed that He Xulan was once again painting a landscape.

What was so interesting about landscapes? They all seemed the same to him.

Xueya wrinkled his nose, placed the tea by He Xulan’s left hand, and seeing that he hadn’t even acknowledged his presence, he spoke up. “Empress Dowager, have some tea.”

He Xulan didn’t stop painting. “No need.”

Xueya’s real goal wasn’t to get He Xulan to drink tea; he just wanted to start a conversation. He quickly brought up what was on his mind. “I heard that the spring hunt is coming up soon. Will the Empress Dowager be attending?”

He Xulan responded with a noncommittal hum.

Xueya’s eyes darted around. “Have the attendants for the hunt been chosen?”

This question finally made He Xulan glance at him, though only briefly, before returning his attention to his painting. “The same people as in previous years.”

“Isn’t that boring, using the same people every year? It’s a rare opportunity to leave the palace; surely you need some fresh faces,” Xueya said, but seeing that He Xulan wasn’t responding, he boldly cut to the chase. “Brother, take me with you.”

He quickly switched to a more familiar tone.

He Xulan remained calm. “You can’t ride a horse. What would you do there?”

“I can learn. And even if I don’t, it’s not a problem. I’m going to serve you, not to hunt.”

Xueya’s words finally drew a longer glance from He Xulan. He studied Xueya for a moment before looking away. “You don’t need to serve me. There are plenty of attendants already.”

Xueya became anxious and inched closer. “Brother, they won’t serve you as well as I can. I’ll do a much better job. Please, take me with you.” When He Xulan remained unmoved like a statue, Xueya shamelessly grabbed his hand. “Brother, brother, please take me with you. Trust me, I can serve you well.”

He Xulan shot Xueya a sideways glance. “You’ll have to prove to me that you can serve me well.”

Upon hearing this, Xueya released He Xulan’s hand and reached for the tea, but in his haste, the lid of the cup slipped, crashing onto the table and chipping a corner.

Seeing his mistake, Xueya sheepishly placed the cup down.

“It seems you’re not very good at serving. Leave.” He Xulan said, starting to dismiss him.

Xueya had been prepared to give up on going through He Xulan, but hearing this remark stung his pride. Although he had his shortcomings, no one had ever said he wasn’t good at serving—not the madam nor the trainers.