Xueya’s claim that he saw He Xulan as a brother was a lie, intended to deceive He Xulan. When he heard He Xulan say that he also felt a sense of familiarity, he was somewhat taken aback.
Why would He Xulan feel familiar upon seeing him? Was he also trying to deceive him? Or was He Xulan really that gullible?
Xueya speculated for a moment before shaking his head. “Though I feel close to Your Majesty, I dare not presume to be close. Your Majesty is like a cloud, and I am mere mud. The difference is vast, and I do not dare to hope for such a connection.”
He Xulan’s expression turned more serious. “I have never judged people based on their origins. If you are truly afraid, you may leave.”
Xueya had no intention of leaving. If he left, he wouldn’t have such a good opportunity to get close to He Xulan again. So, he quickly got up from the ground. “Then I will boldly approach Your Majesty and hope you won’t be angry with me.”
Seeing He Xulan nod, Xueya couldn’t help feeling a bit proud. He hadn’t expected He Xulan to be so easy to deceive. In their previous meetings, he had thought He Xulan might be a formidable person, making him very afraid.
But now it seemed He Xulan was just a pampered nobleman who had unexpectedly been chosen to marry the emperor and become the highest-ranking empress.
If he was so easy to deceive, wouldn’t it be very easy to win him over?
If Xueya could win He Xulan over, things would be much simpler. Replacing him would be just around the corner.
The more he thought about it, the happier Xueya became, unable to hide the smile in his eyes. He Xulan, noticing the smile in his eyes, captured it immediately. When Xueya met He Xulan’s gaze, he panicked slightly, about to say something to cover it up when he heard He Xulan chuckle. “Are you so happy just to sit beside me?”
“Of course, I am very happy to sit beside Empress Dowager.” Xueya said while discreetly wiping the sweat from his palms onto his clothes.
He couldn’t be happy too soon; he hadn’t gained He Xulan’s trust yet.
Xueya looked at the long bench He Xulan was sitting on. If he wanted to sit on it, he could, but he might end up touching He Xulan. So he asked, “Your Majesty, may I really sit beside you?”
He Xulan, seemingly absorbed in the qin, nodded at his question. Xueya carefully sat down, making sure not to sit too close to He Xulan.
Soon, soothing and pleasant music flowed from He Xulan’s hands.
Xueya originally wanted to listen attentively and flatter He Xulan properly. But the more he listened, the sleepier he became. His head nearly hit the qin, but He Xulan quickly moved the qin, causing Xueya’s head to hit the table instead. The pain jolted him awake.
Rubbing his bruised forehead and looking at the moved qin, Xueya realized what he had done. He immediately put his hand down, stood up, and knelt, bowing his head in apology. “I… I didn’t mean to. I just found Your Majesty’s playing so beautiful that I…”
He couldn’t finish his sentence, stuck in an awkward silence. But He Xulan was unexpectedly kind, saying, “Did you not claim to see me as an older brother? A younger brother falling asleep in front of his older brother is no big deal.”
Xueya was shocked by this statement, blinking several times before saying, “I dare not.”
“Dare not? Then are you admitting that your claim of seeing me as an elder brother was a lie?” He Xulan’s voice suddenly grew stern, frightening Xueya into quickly raising his head to explain, “No, no, no, that’s not what I meant. I mean… I regard Your Majesty as an older brother in my heart. Though I can’t help but feel close, I dare not be too close, for fear of offending Your Majesty and being accused of currying favor by others.”
He Xulan frowned slightly and after a moment said, “It’s fine. Others won’t know. You can call me older brother in private.”
Xueya’s eyes flickered. “Plder brother… I dare not call you just older brother. Can I call you Empress Dowager older brother?”
He Xulan seemed to find this form of address novel. After a slight pause, he nodded slightly.
***
That day, when Xueya returned, his steps were unsteady. He couldn’t stop thinking about He Xulan and wondered what kind of family could raise such a naive person. Just a few sweet words, and He Xulan actually allowed him to call him older brother.
Such a simple person—if not for his good looks and fortunate fate—would have been devoured by others, leaving nothing behind.
Thinking about this, Xueya felt conflicted. Initially, he had been determined to replace He Xulan, but the latter’s naivety made him hesitant. However, if he sympathized with He Xulan, he would be doomed. As long as He Xulan was around, the wealth and power he desired would remain out of reach.
So conflicted.
When Xueya returned to Fengrui Palace, he was still thinking about He Xulan, even as he reported to Cui Lingjing.
“Did the Empress Dowager open the brocade box?” Cui Lingjing was still reviewing memorials.
Xueya shook his head.
Cui Lingjing paused, then asked, “Did the Empress Dowager say anything to you?”
“The Empress Dowager didn’t say anything,” Xueya replied deliberately slowly, causing Cui Lingjing to look up impatiently. When he did, he noticed the red mark on Xueya’s forehead.
Xueya’s fair skin bruised easily, and the marks lingered.
Cui Lingjing’s expression turned odd. “What happened to your forehead?”
Xueya immediately covered it with his hand. “My forehead… it’s nothing, just… I accidentally… hit it.”
“How did you accidentally hit it?” Cui Lingjing was clearly dissatisfied with this answer.
Xueya continued stammering, “I was by the Empress Dowager’s side, and… and…” Before finishing, he knelt. “It’s all my fault, nothing to do with the Empress Dowager.”
When Xueya said this, he silently apologized to He Xulan in his heart. He had no choice—everyone looks out for themselves, or they face heaven’s wrath. Even if He Xulan fell out of favor with Cui Lingjing, he would still be the Empress Dowager. Worst case scenario, He Xulan had his powerful family backing him, ensuring he would be taken care of, while Xueya had nothing. Even his life would eventually be forcibly taken from him.
After Xueya spoke, Cui Lingjing remained silent for a long time, and the unnerving quiet made Xueya think he had said something suspicious. But logically, he shouldn’t have; he had indeed said his injuries had nothing to do with He Xulan.
After what seemed like forever, Xueya finally heard Cui Lingjing say, “You may leave.”
Xueya wanted to look up at Cui Lingjing’s expression but didn’t dare. He obediently backed out. When Xueya returned to his room, he discovered that his eunuch robes were gone, replaced entirely with various women’s robes. There were even hairpins, jade ornaments for styling his hair, and makeup products like rouge and powder.
After a long silence, Cui Lingjing finally spoke, “You may go.”
Xueya wanted to look up and see Cui Lingjing’s expression but didn’t dare, so he retreated obediently. When he returned to his room, he found his eunuch clothes replaced with various women’s garments, including hairpins, makeup, and cosmetics.
An older woman was waiting for him.
She explained that she was there to teach him makeup and etiquette, and he would no longer do eunuch duties.
“What work will I do?” Xueya asked, his face pale.
“Whatever His Majesty commands,” the momo replied.
Xueya disliked wearing women’s clothes, but resistance was futile. He needed to climb higher, to gain Cui Lingjing’s favor and a voice.
In the following days, Xueya learned makeup and hairdressing. The woman, initially cold, began to praise his quick learning. These compliments didn’t please Xueya—what man wants to be praised for his skill in women’s makeup and hair?
After several days of training, Xueya could style several beautiful hairdos. On this day, after dressing up, he followed the woman to see Cui Lingjing.
Learning that Cui Lingjing was meeting with the Prime Minister, they waited outside the hall. Hearing it was the Prime Minister, Xueya’s expression changed.
Yin Qingxuan?
He had dreamt of the Prime Minister but had never seen his face, only knowing his title. In the dream, the Prime Minister was not kind to him.
Lost in thought, the hall door opened, and someone exited.
Curiosity piqued, Xueya looked toward the door, but the woman quickly pulled him back, whispering, “Bow your head.”
Xueya complied, missing the Prime Minister’s face, only seeing the hem of his dark blue official robe brush past.
After the Prime Minister left, they entered the hall. The atmosphere inside felt off. After he and Momo greeted Cui Lingjing, he remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, ordering the momo to leave.
Now, only Cui Lingjing on the dragon throne and Xueya kneeling remained.
Xueya sensed Cui Lingjing’s anger and didn’t dare move. Soon, he heard footsteps as Cui Lingjing approached.
“Look up,” ordered Cui Lingjing, as his yellow boots came into Xueya’s view.
Xueya obeyed, not daring to smile this time. Expecting either scolding or a beating, he was surprised when Cui Lingjing paused, seemingly taken aback.
Was his makeup not good today?
But the momo had said he looked beautiful.
Xueya was filled with unease, but Cui Lingjing suddenly turned his face away. The young man’s posture became somewhat rigid for a moment. After a brief silence, he abruptly said, “Today, you will accompany me to see the Empress Dowager.”
***
Ningfu Palace.
Cui Lingjing’s face looked a bit displeased as he watched He Xulan leisurely sipping tea, but he quickly spoke up, “Godfather, I think it is too early to hold a selection for consorts.”
He Xulan calmly replied, “When the late emperor was your age, he had already taken an empress, two consorts, and four concubines.”
“But I think the women in the portraits sent by the Ministry of Rites are all mundane and inferior, none as beautiful as a small servant by my side.” As Cui Lingjing said this, he glanced at Xueya standing outside the hall.
Their conversation was quiet, and those outside couldn’t hear.
He Xulan didn’t respond, but Cui Lingjing added, “Godfather, what do you think of his appearance?”
***
Xueya didn’t know what Cui Lingjing and He Xulan discussed. In any case, Cui Lingjing soon returned and started acting wildly, smashing things and drinking excessively. He drove everyone out, leaving only Xueya inside. Terrified by Cui Lingjing’s outburst, Xueya shrank into a corner, too scared to move.
Cui Lingjing didn’t spare him, suddenly dragging him from the corner and forcing him to drink a cup of wine. After that, he gripped Xueya’s wrist tightly, his gaze ferocious, “Rather than favoring a woman I’ve never met, I might as well favor you.”
Although his words were slurred, Xueya understood clearly.
Cui Lingjing wanted to sleep with him.
Instinctively, Xueya wanted to refuse, but he reconsidered. If he slept with Cui Lingjing, he might no longer be beaten and scolded. Perhaps he could even push He Xulan out of Cui Lingjing’s favor.
In that dream, he always served Cui Lingjing but never made it to the imperial bed.
With an opportunity for prosperity before him, Xueya’s heart raced. Seeing Cui Lingjing sway slightly, apparently drunk, Xueya quickly supported him, his voice soft, “Let this servant help Your Majesty to bed.”
Cui Lingjing closed his eyes without responding. Xueya took the initiative to assist him into the inner hall. Though Cui Lingjing looked thin, he was heavy to support, making Xueya’s shoulder ache. After much effort, he managed to get Cui Lingjing to the bed.
Despite his peculiar personality, Cui Lingjing was handsome, with an elegant yet fierce beauty. As he laid there, eyes closed, he looked truly drunk.
Xueya, under the dim candlelight, bit his lip and reached for his waistband. He undid his outer robe, revealing a sleeveless dress underneath. He knelt on the bed, ready to climb up, but then there was a noise outside.
The sudden disturbance startled Xueya, causing him to hastily grab his outer robe and cover himself as he rushed to the outer room. Just as he reached the outer room, the door opened.
It was He Xulan.
He Xulan’s gaze instantly fell on Xueya’s disheveled appearance, his eyes turning cold. He immediately ordered the palace attendants, “Leave!”
Everyone quickly exited. He Xulan stepped into the hall, but before he could speak, Xueya rushed over, clinging to his leg, “Empress Dowager Brother, save me! His Majesty… he…”
Xueya made a quick decision. If He Xulan knew he had tried to seduce Cui Lingjing, he might be beaten to death. Seducing the emperor was a grave crime.
With Cui Lingjing unconscious from drunkenness, Xueya pinned the blame on him, hoping for a chance to survive.
Author’s note:
First rule of the scheming green tea: establish relationships.
Second rule: it’s all my fault, nothing to do with him (don’t blame him).
Third rule: I didn’t seduce him; he forced me…
Xueya: My naive brother will definitely believe me!
Cui Lingjing: …
