Chapter 19: The Scholar’s Long-Held Wish
Han Min stood in place, watching as Fu Xun closed the inner door and lowered the curtain.
This was the scenario every aspiring scholar dreamed of.
Just like the last time when Fu Xun had sent him off from Liuzhou, Han Min, though not a conventional scholar, couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter.
“System, hurry, send me Romance of the Three Kingdoms! I want to see if Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang ever slept in the same bed!”
The system didn’t respond. Han Min called it two more times, but it still didn’t answer.
It ran away.
The system had left him behind.
It at least knew how to pick its timing.
Han Min hadn’t even caught his breath before Fu Xun took him away.
A little shy.
Han Min touched his nose.
Fu Xun looked back at him. “Why are you smiling foolishly?”
Han Min froze for a moment, then corrected seriously: “I’m smiling sweetly.”
It was impossible to reason with him.
He hadn’t gotten along as a child; could one really expect him to understand a scholar’s subtle thoughts as an adult?
Han Min pulled his hand from Fu Xun’s, let out a small “hmph,” and with hands behind his back, waddled over to the bed.
Fu Xun smiled and turned to change clothes behind the screen.
When he came out again, Han Min was already wrapped in a blanket, lying on the bed, eyes open and nervously rubbing his hands.
Even without the system, he still habitually spoke to it to ease his mind.
“I really didn’t expect it. Even though things were chaotic when I was little, I never had any hope of completing the ‘Sovereign and Subject Sharing a Bed’ task. Fu Xun is so good. I’ve decided to devote myself to him completely, even unto death!”
Han Min kicked his legs slightly.
Inside his head, the image of Han Jiaojiao wiggled, starting a little penguin dance.
Candles flickered on the desk outside, the curtain in front of the bed hung heavy and warm in the winter.
The bed was large, and little Han Min nestled at the very center.
When the curtain was lifted, a warm breeze brushed past him, followed by the weight of bedding settling beside him.
Fu Xun repeated what he had just said: “Why are you… smiling foolishly again?”
A scholar’s true heart—Han Min’s eyes sparkled: “Your Majesty, this is a scholar’s long-held wish.”
Fu Xun lay back, resting his head on his hand, and looked at him. “If this is a scholar’s long-held wish, haven’t you already fulfilled it years ago?”
Han Min turned his head to look: “What do you mean?”
Fu Xun averted his gaze, cleared his throat: “The first time I saw you, didn’t we fight? Then we lived together in the palace while you recovered, ate together, slept in the same place for three or four months. Isn’t that your wish? Seems rather simple.”
Han Min pouted. “That’s not the same thing!”
“What’s different then?”
“Of course, it’s…”
He didn’t finish, turning over to face away from him.
“Sigh, I’ll devote myself completely to Fu Xun, but as for dying for him… let’s forget that.”
Fu Xun noticed his hair scattered across the pillow and reached out to twirl the ends with his fingertips.
“Han Min.”
“Mm?”
Fu Xun called him again, but he didn’t respond. After a moment, Han Min rubbed his face, closed his eyes, and prepared to nap.
He thought he would be unable to sleep like before, but as soon as he closed his eyes, the faint scent of pine from the curtains enveloped him. The heavy drapes separated him from the boundless night outside.
The dragon bed’s bedding must have been too soft—Han Min sank fully into warm dreams.
Fu Xun saw he had fallen asleep and moved closer, lying beside him.
—
The night passed without a word.
Fu Xun rose early, saw Han Min still sleeping, and quietly got off the bed without letting anyone in to attend him. Draped in clothes, he left.
Han Min slept until the sun was high.
Dragging his shoes, he lifted the curtain and stepped out, intending to call someone.
To avoid waking him, no palace servants moved about in the front hall. He went straight to the hall door and heard voices outside.
“You woke up last night, ate a bit, looks like you’re feeling better.”
This was the old eunuch, Eunuch Yang, who had served two generations of emperors—Fu Xun’s grandfather, Emperor Dezong, and Fu Xun’s father.
When Han Min was little, his grandfather brought him to the palace sometimes. Whenever the emperor spoke to him, Eunuch Yang always brought him along; when Emperor Dezong went incognito on patrol, Eunuch Yang accompanied him as well.
Another elder with a black beard nodded. “Good, almost done.”
This was the highly respected Physician Liang.
Not long ago, Han Min had mentioned him to his mother, saying that if Physician Liang had been there, his brother’s leg might have been treated properly.
Physician Liang had served in the palace since he was young and had seen Han Min grow up.
Han Min pushed open the heavy wooden door and poked his head out. “I’m awake.”
The two were startled and turned around.
Han Min smiled, his dark eyes bright.
Eunuch Yang scanned him, feigning anger: “Why are you out like this? Go back and cover yourself with the blanket.”
Physician Liang loudly instructed the little medicine boy attending them: “Bring my medicine box.”
Before he could say anything further, Han Min was driven back inside.
Servants crowded the room, holding clothes, washing items, tea, and food.
Han Min changed into a middle layer, wrapped himself tightly in the blanket, and sat on the bed.
He just wanted to wash his hands and face but was restrained by Eunuch Yang.
“Don’t move, I’ll do it.”
Eunuch Yang wrung the towel and held Han Min’s head to wipe his face.
Han Min mumbled, “My hands aren’t broken.”
Eunuch Yang replied, “Close your eyes.”
“Ah.”
After washing, Eunuch Yang wanted to bring the porridge bowl and feed him.
Han Min hurriedly said, “I can do it myself!”
Eunuch Yang looked at him, teary-eyed, and brushed his temple.
Han Min smiled: “Eunuch Yang, I’m fine, it’s just…”
Eunuch Yang put on a stern face: “Stop babbling. Who’s your grandfather?”
Han Min corrected himself with a smile: “Eunuch Yang.”
Eunuch Yang finally nodded. “Ah.”
After a few spoonfuls of rice porridge, Han Min put down the bowl.
Eunuch Yang asked, “Not eating more?”
“Not very hungry. I’ll eat later.”
“Then eat later. First, let Physician Liang examine you.”
Eunuch Yang took his hand and placed it before Physician Liang. “Quick, examine him.”
The pulse pillow was placed on a small table in front of the bed. Physician Liang rested one hand on Han Min’s wrist, stroking his beard with the other, squinting to examine him carefully.
Han Min tried to speak: “I…”
Eunuch Yang and Physician Liang glanced at him together: “Quiet. Speak later.”
Han Min sniffed: “Oh.”
The servants silently withdrew, leaving the hall quiet.
After an uncertain silence, Physician Liang slowly withdrew his hand.
“I’ll adjust the prescription.”
He paused and asked: “Min’er, your body… compared to before, why is it so weak? Was life in Tongzhou difficult? Why didn’t you tell us? Does your grandfather know?”
His tone was gentle.
Han Min lowered his head: “It’s nothing. Probably from the years in prison… plus not sleeping well at night.”
“How long?”
“Two years.”
“After your family was persecuted?”
“Yes. I used to have nightmares,” Han Min wiped his face. “Later, when things piled up, I got used to staying up late.”
“That won’t do. I’ll prescribe two more sleeping medicines.”
“I’ve taken medicine in Tongzhou before, it didn’t work. Probably a psychological issue.”
Physician Liang coaxed him: “Try two doses first.”
Han Min quietly said: “But I sleep well here for some reason.”
Physician Liang stroked his beard: “That’s probably due to the emperor’s dragon energy.”
“Not so mystical. Probably because he saved me. With him here, I feel more relaxed.”
“Then stay here.”
“How can that be?”
Sharing a bed with the emperor once is enough. Daily sleeping together? That would not be scholar and subject, but concubine and favorite.
Han Min felt that was unacceptable.
He looked at Eunuch Yang. “Where is His Majesty?”
Eunuch Yang said: “The late emperor passed away and lies in state at the Fengqian Hall. In a month, he will be buried at the Mingshan Mausoleum. Today is the seventh day after the late emperor’s death. His Majesty and a few princes were at the Fengqian Hall this morning attending the vigil. He should be returning soon.”
Han Min nodded.
Eunuch Yang asked: “I wonder why you came here. So reckless, and in such a messy state.”
“I…” Han Min pressed his lips together, “just a little worried.”
No sooner had he spoken than the inner curtain separating the halls was lifted.
Fu Xun, still in his mourning clothes, came in to check on Han Min. Raising his hand, his gaze landed on him.
“You’re up?”
Han Min, unguarded, met his gaze, but mindful of the emperor-subject distinction, lowered his eyes.
Eunuch Yang and Physician Liang rose to bow, and Han Min loosened the blanket around him to stand.
Fu Xun said calmly: “Sit.”
Han Min sat back down.
Fu Xun instructed: “You two stay with him. I’ll change and come back.”
The curtain fell, and servants carrying clothes and tea entered in order.
From behind the curtain, only shadows were visible.
Han Min didn’t look again. He lowered his voice and asked Eunuch Yang: “Should I move somewhere else to stay?”
Before Eunuch Yang could answer, Fu Xun lifted the curtain and entered. “Where do you want to move?”
He changed into regular clothes, strode forward, and sat before Han Min.
Eunuch Yang and Physician Liang withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the hall.
Fu Xun sat at the edge of the bed, hands on his knees, and said: “You just said you wanted to move…”
Before he finished, Eunuch Yang announced: “Your Majesty, Wen Yan, Master Wen requests an audience to discuss the state funeral at Mingshan in a month.”
Fu Xun turned: “Let him wait in the side hall for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Eunuch Yang obeyed and withdrew.
Soon, the hall door sounded again.
Eunuch Yang couldn’t stop him. Wen Yan, shaking his robes, walked directly in.
Through the curtain, only two figures sitting across from each other on the bed could be seen.
He glanced once, bowed, and said helplessly: “Your Majesty, the state funeral is of utmost importance. Other matters should wait. Delaying it for Master Han, he probably feels uncomfortable about it.”
Han Min thought: “I think I understand now.”
The system asked: “Understand what?”
Han Min was surprised: “You’re back?”
Last night, when Fu Xun invited him to sleep together, the system had vanished.
“Just returned. The control center sent compensation, I went to collect it. What did you just say you understood?”
“I know why Wen Yan dislikes me.”
“Why?”
Han Min sniffed: “Look at me. Last night I took his sweets, and today I seduced the emperor into skipping court. Do I look like a demon concubine from history?”
The system immediately laughed, and Han Min laughed along.
Fu Xun looked over. Han Min was wrapped in a blanket, one foot sticking out, shaking as he laughed at something funny.
He looked foolishly cute.
Fu Xun tugged the blanket to cover his foot.
Author’s Note:
Wen Yan: balabalabala
His Majesty: Silly wife, let me cover your feet
Wen Yan: ???
