Chapter 89: Shameless
A stack of memorials on the desk was knocked over, falling to the floor with a loud clatter.
Han Min instinctively looked toward the sound and then awkwardly pulled back his hand.
It had been him who knocked them over, out of nervousness.
Fu Xun held him close in his arms, hugging him tightly, afraid he would run away. The deep gaze in his eyes was completely focused on him—anyone would be nervous under such scrutiny.
A young eunuch attending outside heard the commotion, quickly approached, knocked on the door, and tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, Lord Han, do you have any instructions?”
Fu Xun’s tone was calm: “It’s nothing. Lord Han accidentally knocked over the memorials; he’ll pick them up.”
He looked at Han Min. Han Min nodded seriously, Yes, I will.
Still not satisfied, Fu Xun pinched his waist.
Han Min tried to squirm away, but Fu Xun’s arm was too tight. He couldn’t escape and could only grit his teeth and glare at him.
Fu Xun pointed outside, where the young eunuch was still waiting with concern.
Han Min cleared his throat and said loudly, “It’s nothing. I just knocked over the memorials, and the order got messed up. If you don’t know how to handle them, I can take care of it.”
Only then did the young eunuch relax, replied with a quick “Yes,” and hurriedly retreated.
Han Min watched until the corridor was empty, then turned to Fu Xun.
Fu Xun rubbed his face: “Aren’t you going to pick them up? You dropped them, didn’t you?”
Han Min was indignant: “If you hadn’t insisted on kissing me, would I have knocked them over?”
“You should have kissed me last night,” Fu Xun pressed the corner of his lips. “I thought about it all night.”
Han Min pouted, pretending to be angry: “Shameless. It was only the first day, and you’re already thinking about this? How can it be so fast?”
“Not fast. We’ve known each other for over ten years.”
“You…”
For a moment, Han Min couldn’t find the right word to describe him.
Finally, he said: “Out of all the friends I grew up with, it’s only you—only you—who’s always… I don’t know what you were thinking back then.”
Fu Xun chuckled softly, cupped his head, and quickly kissed him.
Before Han Min could get angry, he said: “Let’s work on the memorials. State affairs are important.”
He played enough on his own and then claimed it was time for government work.
Han Min tapped him: “Then go pick up the memorials on the floor.”
“Twice.”
“What?”
Before he could process, Fu Xun cupped his face again and pressed against the corner of his lips.
Han Min touched the corner of his lips: “It’s all broken.”
So Fu Xun switched to the other side.
Actually, they didn’t break. After the first time, the next few times, they only lightly touched each other, like when they were kids.
Fu Xun liked kissing him not out of desire, but just as he once liked playing with Han Min’s hair—simply liking things about him.
Once they settled down, the two of them continued reviewing the memorials.
Xie Yan had gone to serve in the three counties near Lishui, implementing new policies based on local conditions. Currently, it was still in the trial phase. The memorial he submitted mentioned several matters.
This memorial would be temporarily set aside. They would wait until Jiang Huan and his party entered the palace in the afternoon to discuss and then reply.
Han Min put the memorial aside and casually said, “However, the new imperial examination categories—governance, agriculture, industry, commerce—can be implemented nationwide first. Talent is always in short supply.”
Fu Xun nodded: “Once Zhao Cun’s matter is resolved, we will issue an edict. We must prevent opportunists from cheating and establish regulations to restrain them.”
“True.” Mentioning Zhao Cun reminded Han Min: “By the way, has the date for the autumn hunt been set?”
“The astronomers calculated it: the fifth day of the ninth month.”
“The matter cannot be left entirely to chance. Your Majesty is far at the temporary palace, so you still need to be cautious.”
“I understand.”
Han Min opened another memorial, this one from the Magistrate of Tongzhou. The Magistrate first apologized, admitting his dereliction of duty, and then reported that the matter had been settled and asked the emperor not to worry.
Han Min didn’t know what it concerned.
He glanced at Fu Xun. Fu Xun’s expression was calm: “The Han family in Tongzhou, for raising a son like Han Li, should be punished. I’ve also heard that in Tongzhou, they took advantage of being your relatives to misbehave, harming your reputation.”
“So… what did Your Majesty do to the Tongzhou Magistrate?”
“They no longer carry the Han surname.”
Han Min was puzzled: “Huh? Not Han? Then what surname?”
“Any surname. Just not Han. I also informed your grandfather and removed Han Li’s family from the Han clan records.”
He had always heard of emperors granting surnames, but never taking them away.
If it were only about Han Li, it wouldn’t have affected the Tongzhou Hans so much. But Fu Xun had said they used Han Min’s name to cause trouble.
Han Min had no objection. If they were misbehaving because of being Han, then taking away their surname was a fundamental solution.
He paused, then asked: “What about Han Li? Is he still imprisoned?”
Fu Xun’s expression didn’t change: “He was beaten, held for a while, and then sent back to Tongzhou.”
“Mm.”
Han Min didn’t doubt his words. Fu Xun leaned back slightly, hiding his expression. His eyes darkened, making it impossible to tell if his previous words were true.
In the afternoon, Jiang Huan and his party entered the palace.
As had been done many times before, they gathered to discuss state affairs.
It wasn’t until the sun began to set that they packed up to leave.
Han Min also prepared, hanging his writing pouch at his waist, ready to leave with them.
Fu Xun tugged his sleeve: “Come early tomorrow.”
Han Min smiled: “Okay.”
After he left, the entire Funing Hall felt empty. Candlelight flickered in the quiet room.
Fu Xun lowered his eyes, looking a bit lonely, and opened memorials he hadn’t read yet.
He had long known: being emperor was like this. When Han Min wasn’t around, everything felt dull and time dragged.
That’s why he loved clinging to Han Min, teasing him. Even seeing him annoyed, he found Han Min lively and interesting.
After finishing all the memorials, Fu Xun set down his pen and rubbed his brow.
A young eunuch entered with a message: “Your Majesty, a court lady from Ciming Hall invites Your Majesty to dine there.”
Fu Xun glanced out the window; it was completely dark.
He happened to have something to discuss with the Empress Dowager as well.
He rose, took the carriage, and disembarked outside Ciming Palace.
The Empress Dowager had been a devout Buddhist even as empress, often copying sutras and chanting.
Ciming Palace was simple, with a faint incense fragrance.
Fu Xun rarely came here, and when he did, it was only to pay respects briefly.
His relationship with the Empress Dowager was delicate.
When the late Crown Prince Fu Lin was alive, both the late emperor and the Empress Dowager focused on him.
The late emperor wanted Fu Lin groomed as heir, while other sons were only expected not to cause trouble. The Empress Dowager also had high hopes for Fu Lin, but only indulgence for Fu Xun.
This distinction wasn’t harmful, just a matter of attention.
After the Crown Prince died, the Empress Dowager turned her focus to Fu Xun.
Later, Fu Xun often clashed with the late emperor for Han Min’s sake.
The Empress Dowager, enraged, complained to Consort Hui: “If Lin’er were still alive, I wouldn’t bother with him!”
Fu Xun’s temper was strong, so he rarely discussed serious matters with her. As long as topics stayed on daily affairs, they could maintain a tacit peace.
Ciming Palace was bright with lights. Inside, the Empress Dowager knelt before a white jade Guanyin, hands clasped, eyes closed, chanting.
She prayed for the late Crown Prince.
Fu Xun didn’t rush. He found a spot to sit.
After a while, a court lady helped the Empress Dowager out. Fu Xun rose and addressed her: “Mother.”
They sat at opposite ends of the table. Palace attendants brought trays in and out.
Without touching the food much, Fu Xun said: “The autumn hunt is set for the fifth day of the ninth month. I remember, every month the Empress Dowager prays at Jianguo Temple at the beginning of the month. This time, please bless the hunting troops there, and bring a few ladies to stay briefly at the temple.”
The Empress Dowager often did such things.
When the late emperor died, she prayed at Jianguo Temple with her old companions until the funeral procession returned to Mingshan.
Though she didn’t know why Fu Xun suggested this now, she was agreeable.
“Very well.”
“The Han family will also stay temporarily at the temple. Please look after them.”
The Empress Dowager understood. Perhaps something big would happen in Yong’an, so Fu Xun wanted her to care for the Han family. She agreed.
“I have promised Your Majesty this, but I also have a matter I hope you will agree to.”
“Please speak.”
“Xu family’s youngest daughter is seventeen. She enjoys archery and riding, very lively, like a monkey. She will join the autumn hunt…”
Fu Xun seemed to understand and replied: “Perfect. Madam Liu’s second daughter will also go. Arrange for them together; they can look after each other.”
The Empress Dowager clearly didn’t mean that, but Fu Xun didn’t elaborate, pushing forward the bowls: “I’ll have someone keep an eye on Jianguo Temple, but please take care of them.”
The Empress Dowager smiled: “Of course.”
Having received a reply, Fu Xun stood and left.
After a few steps, he suddenly turned back and quietly asked: “Xu family’s eldest daughter—is she the one previously considered for marriage with my elder brother?”
There were more things he didn’t directly ask:
Xu’s eldest daughter had long married, and now the younger daughter had grown. So the Xu family must send someone to the palace, just for reputation and prestige? Just like his elder brother, he also needed Xu family support? This must be the Empress Dowager’s choice of the most suitable family?
She didn’t answer.
The candlelight flickered, casting moving shadows on their faces.
On the first day of the ninth month’s court session, the court was informed that the autumn hunt would be on the fifth.
All generals would attend; civil officials would remain in Yong’an, with the Duke of Yue, Fu Le, and Chancellor Jiang Huan handling state affairs.
One military exception: Duke of Xin, Li Shu, effectively under house arrest for months, would remain at his residence.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager requested prayers at Jianguo Temple during the hunt.
The next day, several light carriages left the palace and headed to Jianguo Temple.
The Han family, citing Grandpa Han’s recuperation, packed and moved to a courtyard within the temple.
By the time they settled, it was already afternoon.
The weather was mild. The Empress Dowager had finished copying sutras and strolled with Consort Hui.
Ahead, Madam Yuan and Han Min were walking.
Han Min carried a vegetable basket, likely just returning from shopping with his mother.
Mother and son chatted and laughed. Han Min sniffed his sleeve: “Mother, do I smell like meat?”
At the temple, they could only eat vegetarian. Han Min had sneaked a bite while out with his mother.
Madam Yuan smiled: “With a whole rabbit leg, do you think you have no smell? Smells terrible, even offends the gods.”
Han Min feigned a sigh: “If Buddha takes me as a young monk, you’d lose a perfectly obedient son. Keeping my elder brother, with his temper, you’d be annoyed all day.”
“Be careful not to let your elder brother hear that…”
Madam Yuan turned and saw Han Min unwrapping candy from the basket.
“Good thing these vegetables are raw; otherwise, the basket would be empty.”
Han Min pinched a piece of candy, explaining seriously: “The basket is too heavy; I had to eat some.”
The Empress Dowager stopped under the eaves, watching them walk away, and remarked to Consort Hui: “Han Min is a very good child.”
