I, The Substitute, Am With The Main Character Chapter 51

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed, and the palace banquet for the Little New Year Eve was in full swing, as grand as always. This year, the banquet was held at Chunwu Pavilion, and the palace staff had started their preparations early in the day. As night fell, rows of palace lanterns lit up the sky, silk curtains hung down, and the servants bustled about like fish, their movements graceful and orderly. The scent of their robes filled the air, and the brightly lit Chunwu Pavilion seemed like an ethereal palace from a dream.

Cui Lingjing sat high in his seat, appearing different from usual. He seemed somewhat distracted tonight, glancing outside the hall several times, a detail not lost on Yin Qingxuan, who sat below.

Without showing any emotion, Yin Qingxuan looked at Cui Lingjing, then at the space behind him.

There was a beaded curtain there, and through it, only vague shadows could be seen.

Yin Qingxuan glanced at it briefly before looking away. The sound of the zither changed to a new tune, but it didn’t catch his attention. It wasn’t until the Minister of Rites beside him let out a noise of surprise that Yin Qingxuan looked up. The Minister of Rites had been staring at a certain spot, and when Yin Qingxuan followed his gaze, he saw a “young woman” had appeared beside the palace musician.

The “young woman” was dressed in a wide-sleeved gown of begonia red, with a golden hairpin tilted in her bun, dangling gold beads swaying with her subtle movements. A small red mole was dotted at the corners of “her” eyes, accentuating their fox-like shape, making her look even more seductive.

Yet, “she” had a stern expression, as if slightly annoyed. The zither player turned and whispered something to her, and the prelude, which had just begun, started over again.

Xueya was not happy.

Cui Lingjing had promised him, allowing him to come and perform a song, but wouldn’t let him stand in the main hall, instead making him stand with the zither player.

Hmph, even standing here, he could still make the entire hall focus on him alone.

Xueya opened his mouth and followed the zither’s melody.

He sang a southern tune from Jiangnan. The Wu dialect was naturally soft and sweet, and so was Xueya’s voice. After just two or three lines, many people had already been drawn in by his singing.

Xueya paid no attention to them, his gaze unfocused as he immersed himself in the song.

The Minister of Rites, a lover of music, soon began to nod along, praising, “Although it’s hard to tell if it’s a man or a woman, this Jiangnan tune is absolutely exquisite. I wonder where the music bureau found such a talent.”

He wasn’t content with admiring alone and pulled at Yin Qingxuan beside him. “Prime Minister Yin, don’t you agree?”

However, he received no response.

The Minister of Rites looked more closely and found that the usually expressionless prime minister was frowning. Silently, he withdrew his hand, pretending nothing had happened.

Ah, well, Prime Minister Yin had always been serious. How could he appreciate music?

Xueya finished the song and gracefully picked up the wine cup that had been placed on the zither table earlier. He walked elegantly to the center of the hall and bowed to Cui Lingjing, “Your servant offers a toast to Your Majesty.”

Cui Lingjing stared at Xueya for a long time before finally raising his cup and downing the drink in one go. After drinking, a young eunuch came to lead Xueya away, and just before leaving, Xueya glanced toward the beaded curtain.

It remained completely still.

***

A private banquet had been prepared in the side hall.

The eunuch leading Xueya smiled and said, “His Majesty specially ordered this from the imperial kitchen—it’s unique. This bowl is longevity noodles, and the broth was simmered for several hours.”

Xueya wasn’t really thinking about the noodles; he was more focused on the sounds coming from the main hall. The eunuch noticed and added, “It’ll be a while before His Majesty finishes over there. Why not eat something in the meantime?”

Xueya had no choice but to pick up his chopsticks and eat the longevity noodles. He finished the entire bowl before finally hearing that the main banquet was ending.

He quickly rinsed his mouth and washed his hands before rushing out of the side hall. As soon as he exited, he saw Cui Lingjing about to board his sedan chair. Without hesitation, Xueya grabbed his skirts and ran toward him.

Snow had started falling yesterday and continued intermittently throughout the day. By now, a thick layer of snow had covered the ground. The eunuch didn’t have time to open an umbrella for Xueya, so by the time he reached Cui Lingjing, snowflakes had already gathered on his hair and shoulders.

Cui Lingjing naturally noticed Xueya running toward him. He glanced behind him before turning to Xueya. When he saw Xueya trip and fall just before reaching him, his brows furrowed.

This troublesome rabbit was making a fool of himself again.

Cui Lingjing stared at the red figure in the snow, seeing that Xueya hadn’t gotten up for a while. He rubbed his temples and strode over. He reached out to help Xueya, but as soon as Xueya stood up with his help, he sank down again.

Cui Lingjing had to use his other hand to support Xueya’s waist.

“Can’t stand?” he asked.

Xueya clung to Cui Lingjing’s arm, his voice pitiful. “Your Majesty, I think I’ve twisted my ankle.”

Cui Lingjing met Xueya’s gaze. After a moment of silence, he scooped Xueya up in his arms. Xueya instinctively wrapped his arms around Cui Lingjing’s neck, nestling against him while glancing subtly toward the main hall.

Many people were standing there, but He Xulan was not among them.

Xueya felt a surge of frustration and turned his head, only to see someone else—

Liang Mu.

As the head of the imperial guards, Liang Mu was responsible for Cui Lingjing’s safety. His gaze toward Xueya was complicated, but when Xueya’s eyes met his, Liang Mu silently lowered his head.

Xueya paused for a moment, then slowly buried his face in Cui Lingjing’s chest.

***

Xueya rode back to Ningfu Palace in Cui Lingjing’s sedan chair. Inside, he sat beside Cui Lingjing, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the embroidery on his sleeve as his mind wandered. After a few strokes, his fingers were caught.

“Your hands are better now?” Cui Lingjing’s voice was low.

Xueya could smell the alcohol on Cui Lingjing. He had drunk tonight, but Xueya’s cup had been diluted with water. Cui Lingjing, however, had drunk quite a lot, his body carrying a strong scent of alcohol.

“Not completely, there’s still a bit of swelling,” Xueya answered truthfully.

Cui Lingjing loosened his grip on Xueya’s hand after hearing his words. He leaned back and closed his eyes, appearing somewhat tired. By now, Cui Lingjing had fully grown into a young man, his face no longer showing any traces of youth, with an increasingly dignified expression that softened the delicate features of his appearance.

“Still running in the snow when you’re not healed,” Cui Lingjing said with a hint of annoyance.

Upon hearing this, Xueya leaned closer, resting his chin on Cui Lingjing’s shoulder. “Because it’s almost midnight. Once midnight passes, my birthday will be over,” he said softly. “Your Majesty, was the song I sang tonight good?”

With his eyes closed, Cui Lingjing lazily replied, “A tune of indulgence.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a sharp pinch at his waist.

The sudden pain made Cui Lingjing open his eyes instantly, and he glared at Xueya. But Xueya, unafraid, asked again, “Was it really not good?”

Cui Lingjing narrowed his eyes. “Not good.” After saying this, he grabbed Xueya’s hand, which was poised to pinch him again. “You’re getting bolder,” he said, pretending to pinch Xueya in return.

Naturally, Xueya didn’t want to be pinched, so he dodged back and forth, but the sedan was only so big.

“Your Majesty, stop… it hurts…” Xueya pleaded as he evaded, without even realizing when he had ended up sitting on Cui Lingjing’s lap. By the time he noticed, the hand gripping his waist had tightened.

Xueya looked into Cui Lingjing’s eyes, feeling his palms start to sweat.

Cui Lingjing’s gaze was unusually dark, and even his breathing seemed heavier than usual. As Cui Lingjing leaned in, Xueya turned his face to the side and placed a hand against Cui Lingjing’s chest, whispering, “Your Majesty, we’re in the sedan.”

Cui Lingjing paused, then slowly straightened up without saying anything. Xueya glanced at him and then moved closer, wrapping his arms around Cui Lingjing’s neck, his voice soft. “Your Majesty, let’s wait until we get back to the palace, okay?”

Cui Lingjing didn’t agree, nor did he disagree, but as soon as the sedan stopped, he lifted Xueya and carried him out.

***

When Xueya was placed on the bed, he hadn’t even had time to kick off his boots before Cui Lingjing pressed down on him. Xueya gasped softly, his hands on Cui Lingjing’s shoulders. “Your Majesty, I haven’t taken off my shoes yet.”

Cui Lingjing glanced back and pulled off Xueya’s boots. After doing so, his fingers brushed over the small red mole at the corner of Xueya’s eye. “Why did you dot this?”

Xueya blinked. “It looks good, doesn’t it?”

Cui Lingjing rubbed at the mole, surprised to find that it wouldn’t come off.

“You need water to wash it off,” Xueya explained, feeling a bit uncomfortable under Cui Lingjing’s weight. He pushed him slightly, his voice soft but his words bold. “Your Majesty, I want to be on top.”

Cui Lingjing’s expression changed. “What did you say?”

“Your Majesty is too heavy, it’s uncomfortable for me,” Xueya lifted his head slightly and whispered into Cui Lingjing’s ear. Upon hearing this, Cui Lingjing’s expression became visibly flustered, and his earlobes faintly reddened. After a long pause, he silently rolled over and laid on the bed.

Xueya sat up, slowly removing the hairpins from his head and loosening his long hair. Then, he turned and straddled Cui Lingjing. Just as he was about to lower himself, the voice of the chief eunuch came from outside.

“Your Majesty, the palace staff from Ningfu Palace report that the Empress Dowager has fallen into the water and is unconscious.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Lingjing immediately tried to sit up, but Xueya clung to him, preventing him from getting up. “Your Majesty.”

The chief eunuch called out again, “Your Majesty, it’s the holiday today, and only Imperial Doctor Zhou is on duty. But Imperial Doctor Zhou left the palace half an hour ago to treat the wife of General Yi. I’ve already sent someone to fetch another doctor from their day off, but it will take at least half an hour. Does Your Majesty wish to go and check on him?”

Cui Lingjing was about to respond when Xueya placed a hand over his mouth. Looking at him with his moist, fox-like eyes, Xueya said softly, “Your Majesty, just let them call for the doctor from their day off to come to the palace.”

Cui Lingjing pulled Xueya’s hand away. Although he was anxious, he still patiently tried to comfort him, “I’ll go check on him. As soon as the doctor arrives, I’ll come back.”

Of course, Xueya didn’t want Cui Lingjing to leave, but he knew he had no choice at the moment. He withdrew his hand, putting on an obedient, pitiful look. “I’ll wait for Your Majesty to return.”

Cui Lingjing gave him a brief nod, got out of bed, and quickly headed toward Ningfu Palace.

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