Did he die?
He died.
But it seemed like he hadn’t.
Because he could still choose to let Gu Fang die.
However, he couldn’t defeat Gu Fang in a fight, didn’t have more power than Gu Fang, and wasn’t as thick-skinned as Gu Fang.
So the only option was for him to die.
After figuring all this out, Jing Xuan silently got up, walked to the wall of the study, took down the sword hanging there, held it up, placed it against his neck, turned slightly, and attempted to kill himself.
Then, Gu Fang reminded him, "Your Majesty, the scabbard is still on."
"...."
Then what else was he supposed to do?!
He was still so young, so beautiful, and had so many grand ambitions yet to be realized he absolutely couldn’t die because of Gu Fang!
With this thought, Jing Xuan directly unsheathed the sword, pointed it at Gu Fang, and, with all the ferocity he could muster, furiously threatened, "If you dare utter a single word about today’s events, I will have you killed immediately!"
So fierce, so ruthless, completely unreasonable, always resorting to threats of violence and executing loyal ministers.
How did he end up raising such a little tyrant?
But the little tyrant, with those sharp little canine teeth bared, those big eyes glaring, and his entire face flushed red, actually looked quite adorable even in his ferocity.
As expected, when someone was beautiful enough, no matter what they did, they still attracted people’s affection.
Gu Fang remained as composed as ever, speaking with a leisurely and patient tone, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. How could the private joys of our bedchamber ever be shared with outsiders?"
Jing Xuan: "?"
Gu Fang: "So why doesn’t Your Majesty take this opportunity to properly study and observe?"
As he spoke, he calmly reached out, ignoring the blade pressed against him, picked up the erotic painting scroll, glanced at it briefly, and then casually praised, "The brushwork here is quite exquisite."
Recalling exactly how the brush tip had been used in the erotic painting, Jing Xuan immediately blushed red as a cooked shrimp that had been flipped and fried over and over. He pointed the sword even closer, shouting, "Gu Fang! You’re shameless!"
"Hm?" Gu Fang looked up, seemingly puzzled. "I was merely complimenting the delicate brush techniques used to paint the characters' hair. How is that shameless?"
Gu Fang’s tone was calm and collected.
Jing Xuan: "...."
Gu Fang glanced at the painting again, then suddenly seemed to understand, letting out a soft "Oh" before saying, "So this is the use of the brush tip that Your Majesty was thinking of. It seems I failed to grasp your meaning. However, if Your Majesty truly finds it fascinating, I wouldn’t be opposed to learning it for you."
Gu Fang’s voice was naturally cool and light, and his entire demeanor exuded an elegant, noble air, as unyielding as bamboo and as dignified as jade. His words were spoken with complete seriousness.
But precisely because of that, it made him seem even more shameless.
"Gu Fang! How can someone as shameless as you exist in this world?!"
Jing Xuan finally couldn’t take it anymore. Gritting his teeth, he thrust his sword forward.
But Gu Fang simply stood there, not dodging in the slightest.
Jing Xuan panicked, hurriedly tried to withdraw his attack, but because his thrust had been too forceful and his retreat too abrupt, he lost his balance and fell straight toward Gu Fang.
Just as he was about to fall flat on his face, Gu Fang reacted swiftly, reaching out and pulling him securely into his arms. "Your Majesty, why are you in such a rush to throw yourself into my embrace?"
"...."
To hell with throwing himself into an embrace.
Jing Xuan was about to struggle free, but Gu Fang suddenly tightened his hold. Not only did he trap him firmly, but his brows and eyes also revealed a rare trace of genuine intent.
"So will Your Majesty first answer me this, why did you say that the drug meant to make me impotent went missing that day? And why are you now worried about whether you can still function?"
"I do not believe Your Majesty would act without reason. I also promised Your Majesty that I would never have you monitored."
"Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to be frank with me."
His words remained calm, and there was no oppressive chill in his expression.
But it was precisely that almost indifferent composure that always made Jing Xuan, in certain moments, clearly recognize.
The person before him was no longer just his uncle.
He was the Regent Prince of the Great Yan.
A man without joy or sorrow, yet one who held power over the entire court, making it impossible for anyone to discern his true intentions.
Jing Xuan pushed Gu Fang away. "You don’t need to know."
Gu Fang did not force him, only saying, "I may not need to know, but I ask Your Majesty to remember my words. Your Majesty is intelligent and perceptive but ultimately kind in nature, naïve and innocent, still unaware of the world's true malice. Those people from the underbelly of society, Your Majesty should not associate with them again."
Jing Xuan’s fingers tightened.
He believed Gu Fang when he said he wouldn't have him monitored. That was why he had dared to seek out Liu Chou'er openly.
He also did not refute Gu Fang’s claim that he was unaware of the world's deepest malice. Because no matter how power struggles in court played out, everyone's motives were clear and easy to predict. But the malicious intent hidden among the common people, he truly did not understand it.
If this were about anything else, he would never have acted so recklessly.
But whenever it came to Gu Fang, he always panicked, always lost his composure, like a fledgling bird that did not know where to go.
Because he had once placed absolute trust in Gu Fang, relying on him for everything. His knowledge of poetry, etiquette, music, military strategy, swordsmanship—Gu Fang had personally taught him all of it.
And precisely because of that, he could play the role of a useless emperor so convincingly that the entire court believed it except for Gu Fang, who never voiced an opinion.
Yet it was this very man, who had raised and indulged him, who had, as the years passed, grown increasingly distant, increasingly controlling, and carried more and more unspeakable secrets.
When he executed the Ministers, he had not told him.
When he eradicated the National Duke’s household, he had not told him.
When he stationed troops at the distant Yumen Pass, he still had not told him.
Such an authoritarian minister, how was he any different from a traitor?
If it were anyone else, he would have executed them a hundred times over by now.
But it was Gu Fang.
He had hated him, resented him, been wary of him. Even once, because of those prophetic dreams, thought about killing him.
Yet no matter what had happened, when sudden events arose, they would always, without planning, end up standing on the same side.
Gu Fang had taught him, spoiled him, distanced himself from him, suppressed him. And only to come back, drawing close again, teasing him.
And he.. he was merely a fledgling once protected under Gu Fang’s wing.
Now that he had to face Gu Fang as an opponent, how could he not feel conflicted? How could he not be thrown into turmoil?
After all, he was only twenty years old, but he had known Gu Fang for fifteen years.
And all of this—he could not tell anyone, nor could he tell Gu Fang.
So in the end, all his emotions condensed into a single, coldly distant sentence:
"This matter has nothing to do with Imperial Uncle."
Then, he turned and walked out of the study, calling out, "Fu Chang."
Fu Chang rushed over in a panic. "This old servant is here!"
"The red dress and the dragon musk I ordered you to destroy. Did you take care of it?"
Fu Chang hurriedly responded, "This old servant took care of it long ago, but..."
Jing Xuan glanced at him.
Fu Chang hesitated, "But the Old Prince insisted that since Your Majesty has finally come to understand such matters, as an elder, he should take advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival to personally enter the palace and present Your Majesty with a gift."
Jing Xuan: "??"
The Old Prince Fu Chang spoke of was his father’s uncle, his grandfather’s younger brother—his great-uncle.
Because he had been incapable of bearing children all his life, he had been granted a leisurely title early on, living idly. And because he had helped pass the imperial seal to his father during the coup, he was rewarded with the privilege of staying in Chang’an to enjoy his retirement rather than being sent to govern a distant fief.
Upon receiving this reward, the Old Prince had been so delighted that he even voluntarily surrendered his military power.
So in terms of political threat, there was none whatsoever.
But in other aspects...
Recalling how, on Mid-Autumn Festival when he was fifteen, this great-uncle had brazenly sent him twenty seductive Hu concubines, Jing Xuan's eyes widened in alarm, and he immediately tried to flee.
However, before he could escape, a cheerful voice called out just in time:
"Ah, my little Xuan’er, where are you running off to?"
Jing Xuan: "...."
He took a deep breath, braced himself, turned around, and put on a flawless, polite smile. "Great-Uncle, why have you come to the palace so early? The banquet is still an hour away."
"Oh, what fun is a palace banquet?" The Idle Prince patted his full, round belly, rolling a pair of walnuts in his palm as he strolled into the hall. "Your great-uncle heard that Your Majesty now prefers men. An excellent taste! But I'm afraid that so-called Beauty Fang alone won’t be enough for Your Majesty’s needs, so I specially selected a batch for you, guaranteeing Your Majesty's utmost enjoyment."
"???"
Not enough for him alone?
A batch?
Jing Xuan's face instantly flushed red again. "Great-Uncle! It’s still broad daylight, what are you even talking about?"
"Heh, we’re all men here, what’s there to be embarrassed about?" The Old Prince, with his kindly, smiling face like a plump Maitreya Buddha, said, "Don’t be fooled by that Gu Fang putting on a righteous act. Behind closed doors, he’s just like the rest of us. He toyed with his favorite concubine night after night until she couldn’t take it and ran away. So really, there’s no such thing as a 'proper' man. Your Majesty, don’t overthink it."
As he spoke, he headed toward the study.
Jing Xuan: "..."
He knew rumors spread fast, but he hadn't expected them to spread this fast. The sheer absurdity of it left him momentarily stunned.
By the time he snapped out of it and tried to stop him, the Old Prince had already reached the study doorway and let out a loud "Oh ho!"
"Your Majesty, you play quite boldly!"
Jing Xuan: "????"
He peeked inside, only to see Gu Fang at some point had donned a veiled hat, sitting properly at the desk, carefully copying a male-male erotic painting.
Yet for some reason, his collar was a little disheveled, scrolls and books were scattered messily on the floor, and faint red marks were visible at his neck.
Upon hearing the noise, Gu Fang paused, lifted his brush, looked up, and lazily spoke in a slightly hoarse voice:
"Husband, who is this...?"
Jing Xuan's ears and neck turned completely red. He was just about to explain, but before he could speak, the Old Prince had already stepped back out, smiling knowingly.
"Understood, understood. Your great-uncle understands completely. Your Majesty is young and full of energy, and having just come into manhood, it’s only natural to be eager to learn. Your great-uncle will have people send over some rare, classic illustrated manuals from the previous dynasty. Your Majesty must cherish them well."
Jing Xuan: "...."
The Old Prince quickly continued, "However that beauty’s charm is rather plain, lacking youthful freshness. If played with for too long, the fun wears off. Your great-uncle will show you what true natural-born seduction looks like."
With that, he clapped his hands together.
A group of male beauties dressed in red dance skirts swayed in gracefully, entering one after another.
Each one was more seductive than the last, more exaggerated than the last, and redder than the last.
Jing Xuan who had gone to great lengths to eliminate every red dress in the palace: "...."
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