Jing Xuan calculated everything, yet he never accounted for this.
However, before he could even refuse, a languid voice had already drifted in from the study:
"It seems His Majesty has no use for me today."
That voice was clearly indifferent to the extreme, yet everyone outside could unmistakably hear the thick sourness of jealousy in it.
Jing Xuan: "?"
Gu Fang spoke again:
"In the end, between me and those beauties, His Majesty can only choose one."
Jing Xuan: "??"
The old prince immediately snapped in anger:
"Just barely favored, and already so willful and petty. This is simply pushing things too far! Servants, we're leaving! Tonight, at the palace banquet, we must make a grand display for His Majesty and put this seductive fox in his place!"
With that, he stormed off with the group of beauties in tow.
Jing Xuan: "???"
"Gu Fang!" Jing Xuan finally reacted, livid. "What kind of trouble are you stirring up here?!"
Gu Fang had already finished copying the first erotic painting. He unfurled it with a light shake and asked, "Could it be that His Majesty truly intends to accept those beauties?"
Jing Xuan: "????"
What the hell?!
"Stop talking about status!" Jing Xuan found Gu Fang completely baffling.
Gu Fang, however, remained calm as he replied,
"The status I want isn't it simply to be His Majesty's first man?"
After speaking, he turned to Jing Xuan and said,
"Your Majesty, do you think my copy of this painting has captured its spirit?"
On the painting, a young man with his hair bound in a black coronet, dressed neatly and at ease, was holding a brush. He was carefully painting peach blossoms onto the bare chest of another young man, whose clothes were in disarray and whose eyes were misted with desire.
The peach blossoms were vividly colored, yet they paled in comparison to the youth’s beauty.
Jing Xuan: "...."
The strokes were the same as usual. The technique was also as precise as ever. But the person, the expression was unmistakably…
This damned Gu Fang!
Jing Xuan’s calligraphy and paintings had all been taught by Gu Fang, so how could he not recognize who Gu Fang had painted?
By all logic, under normal circumstances, he should have immediately torn Gu Fang apart in fury.
But today, for some reason, no matter what Gu Fang did, he found it seductive; no matter what expression Gu Fang showed, he felt like he was being lured in.
And the moment he saw that painting, the scene within it came to life in his mind.
He could even picture every word Gu Fang would say, every action he would take. And beyond that, he even recalled every rhythm and intensity from that dream.
A strange heat surged instantly from his lower abdomen, spreading swiftly through his entire body, making him desperately, unbearably.
"..."
Jing Xuan snapped back to his senses and no longer cared about red skirts or beauties. He lifted the hem of his imperial robe and turned to flee the scene.
However, the ceremonial robe prepared specially for the festival was far too cumbersome. He ended up tripping over the hem and nearly fell.
Fortunately, Gu Fang caught him in time.
After steadily pulling him into his embrace, Gu Fang first said, "Already such a grown man, yet still as reckless as when you were a child."
Then, as if sensing something, he paused briefly before speaking again with deep meaning, "It seems His Majesty’s previous concerns no longer exist."
Jing Xuan: "..."
Flustered and furious, he blurted out without thinking, "What does my hardness have to do with you?! Instead of worrying about me, you should be more concerned about your own body!"
"It has everything to do with me," Gu Fang replied matter-of-factly. "After all, it concerns whether I will spend the rest of my life alone in an empty bed. And besides…" He remained serious as he added, "As for my body does His Majesty not already know, from that day in the carriage?"
He knew.
Big. Hot. Hard.
Three words instantly unlocked all of Jing Xuan’s buried memories. The warmth rushing through his body instantly turned into searing heat.
Jing Xuan felt as if his entire body was being controlled by something beyond his own will. With the last shred of his rationality, he pushed Gu Fang away in mortified anger. "Stop your shameless nonsense! Believe it or not, I’ll issue an imperial decree right now to make sure you can be impotent!"
Gu Fang was certain. "I don’t believe it."
Jing Xuan: "...."
So damn cocky.
"Then just wait! I swear right here if I don’t make sure you’re utterly ruined in this lifetime, may I be cursed to die without an heir and never take a wife!"
Having thrown down his ruthless vow, Jing Xuan fled in a panic.
Gu Fang remained where he was, lowering his gaze with a faint smile.
So, the dream Jing Xuan had that afternoon while napping was not just his own one-sided fantasy.
---
Jing Xuan truly had no idea what dream he had, nor did he realize these were all Gu Fang’s tests. He only knew that while Gu Fang used to enjoy provoking him, at least back then, his words were still somewhat proper.
But now, these words provoking him were downright more indecent than the crudest stories from Zhangtai Alley.
He must have been possessed by a seductive spirit. He’d have to call the old monk from Xiangguo Temple to perform a ritual later.
After putting some distance between himself and Gu Fang, Jing Xuan gradually calmed down. Although his entire body still felt an indescribable discomfort, at least he was no longer standing at full attention.
He took a deep breath and quickly asked Fu Chang, who was closely following him, "Hua Ting still hasn’t sent back any news these past few days?"
"No," Fu Chang, having served him for many years, was already accustomed to automatically ignoring the outrageous words between him and Gu Fang. He simply reported as usual, "He hasn’t returned to the palace, nor has he sent any messages. It’s unclear if Prime Minister Shi has detained him at home."
Jing Xuan frowned slightly.
Although Gu Fang showed no abnormalities for now, and he himself could still function normally, that missing gu and the reaction of the palace maid sent by Jiang Yue made Jing Xuan feel that things were far from simple.
He instructed Fu Chang, "Go deliver an imperial edict to find Liu Chou’er. Remember to take Bu San Bu Si with you. Also, tell the old prince to hurry up and send away that group of eyesores he brought with him. Even my ten male beauties would be better than them!"
Bu San Bu Si were the shadow guards left to him by his mother. Though their personalities were rather peculiar, they were more than capable of protecting an old man.
Fu Chang accepted the order and left.
Jing Xuan washed his face with cold water, adjusted his attire, and headed to the palace banquet.
As night fell, the moon rose in the western sky.
Jing Xuan felt as though something inside him was gradually awakening with the arrival of the night.
The sensation was strange and uncomfortable.
When Gu Fang, wearing a veiled hat, sat beside him, the strange discomfort instantly reached its peak.
"Stay away from me!"
Jing Xuan instinctively wanted to retreat, but Gu Fang caught his wrist under the cover of his wide sleeves.
"Your Majesty, I am now the favored consort."
Gu Fang’s voice was so light, it was like ten thousand feathers brushing against Jing Xuan’s ears.
Gu Fang’s palm was scorching, as if it were melting Jing Xuan’s skin.
At this moment, it felt as if ten thousand lava-coated ants were crawling from Jing Xuan’s fingertips all the way to his heart.
He knew it, Gu Fang had fleas!
Jing Xuan used all his strength, clenched his back teeth, and barely stopped himself from pushing Gu Fang away. He simply glared at him fiercely.
However, to outsiders, the two of them appeared to be deeply affectionate, flirting, and exchanging lingering glances.
Such behavior in public, what kind of decorum was this?!
The recently recovered Prime Minister Shi was the first to lose his composure. "Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty, the people are suffering, and court officials are so busy they barely have time to eat. Yet here you are, indulging in debauchery like Deng Tong and Dong Xian! Where does that leave the people of this country?"
Before Jing Xuan could respond, the Minister Jiang Yue was the second to speak. "Your Majesty, this is an official state banquet, a formal occasion! The Empress should be at your side. How can you allow such a treacherous scoundrel to disgrace the dignity of the imperial family? Please dismiss him immediately!"
Then, the supporters of Prince Xiangding’s manor became the third group to rise in protest. "His Highness’s beloved concubine is still gravely injured, hovering between life and death! Our prince has been working tirelessly to investigate the corruption case. Yet here you all are, thinking only of establishing an empress! When the time comes, where do you plan to extract the necessary funds for the grand ceremony? Are you going to exploit the people even further?!"
The Ministry of Rites was under the Prime Minister Shi’s jurisdiction.
The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works were under the Minister Jiang Yue.
The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate were under Gu Fang.
The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, already destined for chaos, quickly turned into a heated argument among these three factions.
Jing Xuan, already burning with internal fire, was completely irritated by the bickering. He directly smashed a cup onto the table.
"Arguing, arguing, arguing! What exactly are you arguing about?! Have you recovered the embezzled funds? Have you found out who the corrupt officials are? Have the disaster victims been properly resettled? All you do is argue! Do any of you still have me, your emperor, in your eyes?!"
Jing Xuan was usually frivolous, so everyone merely saw him as a pretty but unreliable young ruler.
However, today, wearing the twelve-tiered black crown, dressed in a court robe embroidered with golden five-clawed dragons, seated in the position of supreme authority, Jing Xuan’s cold and stern gaze suppressed the excessive autumnal allure in his brows and eyes, fully revealing the imposing aura of an emperor.
The noisy crowd fell into a stunned silence.
Jing Xuan had originally planned to play the part of a frivolous ruler, but the deeper the night grew, the more unbearable his discomfort became. Even his mind started to feel feverishly muddled. He had no choice but to end this quickly.
"Since one of you wants disaster relief, another wants an empress, and yet another wants to investigate the case, then today I will fulfill all your wishes!"
Prime Prime Minister Shi: "..."
Minister Jiang Yue: "?"
Prince Xiangding’s faction: "?"
Jing Xuan spoke rapidly, "Since, in the hearts of my dear officials, I am worthless aside from the throne and this face, and since I have no other means to handle the Jiangnan disaster relief case, I will auction off my imperial consort position right here. Everyone present may place their bids regardless of gender. The highest bidder wins. What do you all think?"
The officials were completely dumbfounded.
What did he mean?
The reigning emperor was auctioning off the position of empress to fund disaster relief?!
"Your Majesty! This must not be done!"
The old scholar from the Ministry of Rites was the first to step forward in protest.
The Ministry of Revenue followed immediately, "Your Majesty, our dynasty is not yet at the point of selling the monarch’s dignity for wealth."
The Ministry of War and the Ministry Justice refused to be left out, "Your Majesty, if you’re willing to use this opportunity to raise the soldiers’ salaries at the border, we’ll help bid up the price!"
"Exactly… wait, what?"
Jiang Yue and Hua Song snapped back to attention, their eyes widening as they turned to look at Gu Fang’s faction.
Many of Gu Fang’s supporters were generals from the north, long accustomed to hardship. As long as they received military funding, they wouldn’t just auction off the empress position. They’d even sell themselves if necessary.
They immediately said, "On behalf of Prince Xiangding’s household, we’ll donate ten thousand taels to support Beauty Fang. Even if he doesn’t become empress, he should at least be granted a noble title."
Beauty Fang indifferently peeled an orange, as if none of this concerned him.
Jing Xuan clenched his teeth.
Gu Fang was just playing along with his act, yet somehow, he still managed to secure an official title out of it.
But there was no way to refuse now. With a wave of his hand, Jing Xuan declared, "Pass down the order, Beauty Fang is granted the title of Noble Consort!"
The court officials immediately expressed their gratitude, loudly proclaiming long live the emperor.
A more scholarly, strategist-like figure in the crowd quickly followed up, "Although His Majesty’s words were crude, the reasoning is sound. In other words, in these times, whoever donates the most silver to aid the refugees is demonstrating the greatest loyalty, faith, and righteousness. Only children of such noble households are truly worthy of becoming the empress of our great dynasty. Your Majesty’s foresight is truly unparalleled, a model of wise rule!"
These words were spoken with such solemn righteousness that even the officials, who constantly preached about loyalty and virtue, actually began whispering amongst themselves in serious discussion.
Near the end of the banquet, a minor official from the Hanlin Academy was the first to step forward. "Your Majesty, my salary is modest, and I have no desire to be empress. However, I have long admired Your Majesty’s beauty. If Your Majesty is willing to favor me, I am willing to donate one year’s salary just for the chance to compose poetry with Your Majesty under the full moon."
The official spoke timidly, with a delicate and graceful demeanor.
The Great Yan Dynasty had always been the most open-minded era in history, culturally inclusive and respecting diversity. Both men and women were encouraged to express their admiration openly.
Thus, while these words were rather audacious, Jing Xuan was never a particularly proper ruler anyway.
Not to mention, this official was actually a planted accomplice.
Ignoring the sour scent of freshly peeled oranges wafting from beside him, Jing Xuan waved his hand again. "During the autumn hunt next month, you may serve at my tent."
"I thank Your Majesty for the great favor."
For a mere sixth-rank official, the lowest-ranking among those eligible to attend the palace banquet being granted the privilege of personally serving at the emperor’s tent was an extraordinary honor.
If he managed to win the emperor’s favor, given Jing Xuan’s completely arbitrary and unpredictable ruling style, wouldn’t wealth and power be within easy reach?
Meanwhile, at the women’s table, Grand Consort whispered something to the other ladies. After a burst of silver-bell-like laughter, gold hairpins were continuously sent forward, not for any political gain but simply for the chance to attend poetry gatherings and flower appreciation banquets.
After all, while Jing Xuan might be a frivolous ruler, his appearance was unparalleled in the entire world.
And, it was said that he never mistreated palace maids, making him the most kindhearted and amusing emperor.
And although no one wanted to be the puppet empress doomed to a bad end, they were all in their prime years, so who wouldn't enjoy looking at a beautiful young man a little longer? Moreover, they could take the opportunity to help those refugees.
As a result, Jing Xuan’s "schedule" was quickly booked up for the entire next year, and those mid-ranking officials, neither too high nor too low in status, sensibly stepped forward to donate.
No matter how rigid Prime Minister Shi was, he could see what Jing Xuan was doing.
That infuriating little prince was finally showing some imperial demeanor.
With a huff, he glared and donated three years' salary without even taking the chance to ask bout the empress position.
Now, this put Jiang Yue in a difficult position.
He had originally planned to take this opportunity to press Jing Xuan for a decision on the empress tonight. But in this atmosphere, where everyone was making donations for disaster relief, if he continued to push the issue, he would surely be denounced by tomorrow.
But it didn't matter.
After all, tonight was the full moon.
After all, Jiang Yingxue was already residing in the palace.
After all, the physician he had sent had already confirmed that Jing Xuan’s pulse was exactly the same as someone who had been affected by the gu.
Whether or not he officially received the title today no longer mattered.
Because regardless of whether Jing Xuan preferred men or women, under the effects of that love poison, if he wanted to survive, his only option was to make Jiang Yue’s daughter empress.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yue no longer felt as angry.
He immediately cupped his hands and said, "The people are in distress, and His Majesty upholds great righteousness. We ministers should naturally pledge to follow. I am willing to dedicate the full strength of my household, setting up porridge stations outside the city for three months starting from the first month of winter, to help the people survive through the cold. When the flowers bloom again in spring, we shall return to Jiangnan."
"Well said, Minister!"
The moon hung at the eaves.
The fire in Jing Xuan's body had completely burned away his clarity of mind, and he could barely remain standing.
Finally hearing the answer he wanted, he could no longer sit still. After hastily saying a few polite words, he hurriedly left the banquet hall.
Gu Fang intended to follow, but a court attendant had already slipped him a note unnoticed.
Lowering his eyes to read it, Gu Fang’s expression instantly turned serious. He quickly put the note away.
"You all, take good care of His Majesty. If anything happens to him, you will answer to me."
After a brief pause, he added,
"Also, within the next hour, bring me a complete list of everyone His Majesty had planned to meet tonight for moon-viewing and flower appreciation. Not a single name must be missing."
With that, while everyone else was unaware, he quietly left the palace.
Meanwhile, on the other side, as Jing Xuan could no longer hold on and collapsed onto his desk in Zichen Hall, gasping for breath, Fu Chang hurriedly brought back Hua Ting's message.
Jing Xuan, who had believed everything was under his control, abruptly lifted his head from the desk, his dazed eyes widening in confusion, already tinged with a faint flush of red.
🌸 This novel was accidentally purchased :)! I've received some emails and not so great reviews about it, so further updates will be locked. 💌
But don’t worry you don’t need to pay! 🎀 You’ll just need an invitation from me to read and get the password. 💖
If you're curious you can also check out the raw version since it’s only 31 chapters 📖✨
Need help buying chapters or creating an account on JJWXC? Feel free to text me! 💬💕
Thanks for your support and understanding! 🥰💕