Han Min holds two jobs.
By day, he is the Palace Record Keeper, following Emperor Fu Xun and documenting the emperor’s daily life.
By night, he is the anonymous “Pine Smoke Ink Guest” of Baishi Bookstore, author of the ten-volume series Several Affairs Between the Emperor and His Court.
One day, while on duty, Fu Xun reclines on his couch reading. Han Min tiptoes closer, “Your Majesty, what are you reading? May your subject record it?”
Fu Xun slowly lifts the book A Few Affairs Between His Majesty and the Chancellor.
“The style is flashy. Doesn’t feel like your work.”
Just as Han Min is about to kneel and beg for forgiveness, Fu Xun tosses the book aside, catches him, and strokes his cheek with his thumb.
“I was not childhood sweethearts with the Imperial Censor, nor youthful confidants with the Chancellor, and the Third-Rank Scholar certainly never accompanied me in my daily life.”
Fu Xun’s thumb brushes across Han Min’s lips:
“Yet you and I were childhood sweethearts, youthful companions, and now you follow me every day. Why did you write about someone else?”
Terrified, Han Min wants to beg for mercy—but instead he bites the emperor’s finger.
Han Min: “Pah.”
Fu Xun: “???”
Tags: Imperial Court & Nobility; Devoted Love; Childhood Friends; Politics at Court
