In sleep, the usually thin and frail emperor was even more like an inanimate object.
It was as if anyone could do anything to him, including but not limited to removing his arms or pulling off his head—things that would cause severe harm.
There would be no resistance anyway.
He appeared to be someone who wanted nothing and had no desires, yet he was cruel and cold, mercilessly bullying someone who had no quarrel with him.
…What did he ever do to him?
Yin Wuzhi deliberately leaned closer to his lips but suddenly felt a wave of discomfort.
The incapable emperor humiliated him this way, and if he retaliated in kind, how would he be any different from the emperor?
Clearly, this kind of thing should only be done with someone you truly care about.
How could there be such a person who had no sense of shame at all?
Yin Wuzhi withdrew his arm and pushed him further inside, pulling the blanket over himself, turning his back to him.
After a while, he turned back again, sullenly tucking him in properly.
…He couldn’t sleep. Yin Wuzhi stared at the ceiling for a while, thinking of the emperor’s lifeless appearance in court, his expression turning pensive.
If he kept acting like this, he would definitely be criticized.
What could be done to fool everyone into thinking he was actually alive?
The next day, no one called Jiang Wu to wake him up, but he vaguely felt himself being picked up, his body manipulated like a doll. Someone pried open his mouth and poured water into it, and Jiang Wu instinctively swallowed.
Only then did he hear Qi Hanmiao’s voice: “Your Majesty, this is scented tea, for rinsing your mouth.”
Ah.
He was dreaming about this scene again.
In the past, he would be sound asleep and suddenly woken up, and in a daze, he would feel as though he had been served and taken to court. It wasn’t until he woke up for the second time that he realized it was just a dream.
But today, no one woke him up, so why was he dreaming about this?
Yin Wuzhi pried open his jaw again and poured more water into his mouth, then closed it and said, “Rinse.”
With his eyes still closed, Jiang Wu gargled and spat it out, then leaned back.
“The floor heating can be turned on these days,” Yin Wuzhi said, taking a cloth to wipe his face. “The weather is cooling down. It may feel nice when the cloth is wet, but His Majesty will shiver from the cold in a bit.”
Just as he said, the warm, damp cloth felt comfortable when it touched his face, but the lingering moisture, once exposed to the air, sent a chill that made Jiang Wu feel slightly more awake.
His mind was more alert, but his body still hadn’t moved.
Someone started wiping his hands, and only then did Jiang Wu realize that it might not be a dream after all.
He had really skipped the abrupt waking-up step and had been gently cared for without even noticing.
Ah, bliss.
Yin Wuzhi was really doing things the right way.
His arm was lifted and tucked into a wide sleeve, and Jiang Wu realized it was the dragon robe.
He didn’t like the dragon robe at all; it was heavier than he could imagine. Besides the weight of his own body, he also had to bear the weight of the robe. Wearing both made him feel like he was being squeezed between two walls, constantly applying pressure, flattening his very soul.
But today was different. He didn’t have to struggle, stretch, or fight against the dragon robe. Someone else was handling everything for him, which vaguely resembled the life Jiang Wu desired—
Just simply existing.
Though the weight of the dragon robe was still uncomfortable.
But indeed, without resistance, there was no pain. Compared to before, simply lying still and letting the pressure take over was a rare and unmatched pleasure.
Jiang Wu was soon dressed, and Qi Hanmiao ordered a sedan chair to be brought. Yin Wuzhi picked up a small cloth to cover his face before lifting him up.
Qi Hanmiao turned and saw this scene: “What is Your Highness doing?”
“There’s a difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors.”
If Jiang Wu’s face were exposed, he would certainly shiver from the cold.
Though Jiang Wu’s mind was gradually waking up, his body still felt the pain of being roused.
Qi Hanmiao sighed, “Your Highness is so considerate. With you here, His Majesty will surely be more comfortable in the future.”
Yin Wuzhi, however, had no intention of serving him for life.
He placed Jiang Wu on the sedan chair, then removed the cloth from his face, pulled down the heavy warming curtain, and quietly stepped back.
Last night, he thought about it all night. His involuntary attraction to Jiang Wu might be due to that faint osmanthus scent. He would get rid of that strange balm in a few days and then deal with it.
He wasn’t a masochist; why would he want to get close to someone who humiliated him?
A group of people carried the emperor to the Chengde Hall.
He had to admit, although he was being woken up, this method was much more tolerable than the abrupt shouting from before.
The carriers were steady on their feet, and Jiang Wu barely felt any movement. In such an undisturbed environment, he allowed his mind to wander freely.
The ministers waiting outside the hall looked somewhat dispirited. Every time they came to the Chengde Hall, it was always the same: “Report if you have a matter, otherwise dismiss,” without ever seeing the emperor.
Among the ministers, some quietly murmured, “I wonder if His Majesty’s health has improved. Will he attend court today?”
“It’s been more than half a month,” another chimed in. “His Majesty is young and robust, skilled in both literature and martial arts. He shouldn’t have been bedridden for this long just from catching a cold, right?”
A quiet scoff: “Who knows if he’s really sick or if someone has fed him some bewitching potion? Who can say for sure?”
“Zuo Haoqing.” Chen Ziyan’s face darkened. “What are you saying?”
“What am I saying? Think back to how you charmed His Majesty in the palace before, and you’ll understand what the Shizi has done now.”
King Dingnan took a deep breath.
Chen Ziyan’s face flushed red with anger. “I am innocent with His Majesty. Don’t accuse me without reason.”
“You think your innocence is enough?” Zuo Haoqing sneered. “During those days you were in the palace, His Majesty didn’t attend court. How do you explain that?”
“That’s because…” it was because he didn’t want to attend court himself!
“And because of what?” Zuo Haoqing raised his eyebrows slightly. “Can’t say it, can you?”
The elderly man standing with King Dingnan leisurely lifted his chin.
Chen Ziyan, furious, clenched the official tablet in his hand, and the arrogance in Zuo Haoqing’s eyes was about to overflow. “What, you want to spar with me? You think you can?”
Chen Ziyan gripped the jade tablet tightly, when suddenly a voice came from the front, “Ahem.”
“Ziyan,” Prime Minister Chen spoke softly, “You two, one from the Ministry of War, the other from the Ministry of Revenue, will inevitably have to work together frequently in the future. Don’t always argue.”
Chen Ziyan’s mind cleared instantly.
The elderly man in front of him opened his eyes, his expression slightly displeased.
Zuo Haoqing also realized something and shut his mouth instantly.
Old fox.
He was the Vice Minister of War, and Chen Ziyan was the Vice Minister of Revenue. If the Ministry of War needed funding, much of it had to be approved by the Ministry of Revenue. If Chen Ziyan decided to make trouble, things would be inconvenient in the future.
He secretly glanced at Chen Ziyan, only to see the latter wearing a sinister smirk.
Zuo Haoqing: …
That elder happened to be Zuo Haoqing’s father. He chuckled and said, “Convenience for others is convenience for oneself. Haoqing, apologize to Ziyan.”
“… No way.”
Just as Zuo Hao was about to say something more, a eunuch’s voice called from the front, and everyone collected their thoughts and lined up to enter the hall.
The eunuch began to call names and found that in the empty space, there was someone standing there, asleep.
The eunuch: “… Lord Ran, Lord Ran?”
“!” The man was startled awake and immediately bowed. “Gonggong.”
The eunuch smiled, “Everyone has already entered the hall.”
This lord rubbed his eyes vigorously and quickly jogged into the hall.
Meanwhile, Yin Wuzhi lifted the curtain, patted Jiang Wu’s face, and said, “It’s about time. After the court session, don’t sleep again. If you’re too lazy, no matter what they say, just reply with ‘Hmm’ or ask ‘What do the other ministers think? Got it?”
Jiang Wu: “Mm.”
“I haven’t been in the palace long, and my position isn’t stable. If you keep acting like this, they will soon bring petitions to criticize me. If you want me to keep handling things for you long-term, we need to take it slowly.”
He even saw through that.
Jiang Wu opened his eyes.
Yin Wuzhi asked, “Do you understand?”
The path was already paved. If he didn’t understand by now, he’d be a fool. Jiang Wu nodded.
Yin Wuzhi lifted him down, placing him on the ground, and Jiang Wu immediately started to wobble to one side.
Yin Wuzhi had to steady him. “Walk up there yourself.”
Jiang Wu glanced up at the grand, golden dragon throne. “It’s tall.”
“Just a few steps.”
“Steps.”
“Not many.”
“Hmph.”
“…” Yin Wuzhi could only lift him up and whispered something to Qi Hanmiao. The latter entered the hall, raising his voice, “All rise, kneel—”
The officials were startled but instinctively dropped to their knees.
“Good,” Qi Hanmiao said, “His Majesty has arrived—”
Yin Wuzhi glanced at the kneeling officials and quickly placed Jiang Wu on the dragon throne. Just as Jiang Wu was about to slump to the side, he realized there was something on the throne.
The officials, heads bowed, hadn’t looked up yet when Qi Hanmiao called again, “Bow—”
The officials mechanically shouted, “Long live the Emperor!”
Though odd, it unexpectedly felt quite ceremonial.
They followed the process without thinking.
As they rose, someone peeked at the Emperor.
Today, the Emperor wasn’t asleep, wasn’t slouching, and was sitting upright.
Jiang Wu’s face was expressionless.
The dragon robe was indeed heavy.
The dragon throne, cold as well.
Sitting high above, the chill was biting. Cold winds blew in from the sides and front.
But Jiang Wu couldn’t bend his legs, nor could he slouch. He could only sit stiffly and listen to the ministers’ reports, responding as Yin Wuzhi had instructed, “Oh, good. I’ll take care of it. Next. What do the other ministers think?”
Although his tone was light and lazy, his high position and the quiet of the hall made his words crystal clear to everyone.
This was the most seamless court session since Jiang Wu had arrived in this world.
At least, in the eyes of the officials, it was.
After the session, the officials filed out of Chengde Hall, relieved and murmuring, “His Majesty’s illness has finally healed. He’s as spirited and dignified as ever.”
“Indeed. This proves that His Majesty only slept on the throne because he was suffering from illness.”
“I knew it! His Majesty is young and strong in martial arts. How could he be bedridden so easily?”
“A slow recovery, but long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor.”
The officials, pleased and in good spirits, left in harmony and chatter.
Inside Chengde Hall, Jiang Wu still sat in the same position on the throne, not moving an inch.
Qi Hanmiao let out a long sigh, then turned with a smile to Yin Wuzhi, sincerely praising, “Shizi, you are truly brilliant. You’ve preserved His Majesty’s reputation with this plan.”
What reputation?
Yin Wuzhi glanced over at Jiang Wu.
Jiang Wu was staring back at him.
His hands rested on the golden armrests, legs spread apart, his back pressed firmly against the throne. From the front, it indeed looked like a posture of majesty and strength.
With a commanding voice, Jiang Wu spoke: “Court is adjourned.”
“Mm.”
“Let me go.”
“Your Majesty can try getting up yourself.”
If Jiang Wu had any strength left to resist, he wouldn’t have kept this position for so long.
He tried using some force.
No, this was too much to ask of him.
“Yin Wuzhi, let go of me.”
Yin Wuzhi could only step forward, squat at his feet, and remove the iron blocks that were restraining both of Pessimist’s legs.
Pessimist’s feet naturally closed together.
Yin Wuzhi then stood up and released Pessimist’s hands from the clasps on the golden armrests, causing his arms to fall limp.
He then grasped Pessimist by the waist and gave a strong lift, leaving Pessimist draped over his shoulder.
As the dragon robe fully detached from the chair, a few rounded silver hooks at the back were revealed.
It was these silver hooks that had held up the dragon robe, allowing Pessimist to appear so imposing and dignified, effectively fooling the court officials into thinking he was alive and well.
Yin Wuzhi carried Jiang Wu out of Chengde Hall.
Qi Hanmiao lingered near the dragon throne, stroking those silver hooks. Thinking about the emperor who had just been hung there, he sighed repeatedly, “So clever, truly brilliant.”
“If this old servant had thought of such a perfect solution sooner, His Majesty wouldn’t have had to suffer such unwarranted slander in recent days.”
He sighed regretfully, then calmly accepted, “After all, I’m just a servant.”
