HMAM CH 51 Promotion
Jing Ye: "…"
Feng Ling knelt for a long time without any response, so he raised his head to look at him: "Your Majesty…"
Jing Ye met his gaze and suddenly leaned down to stroke his forehead.
The emperor's fingers were long, with thin calluses on the tips, slightly cold. However, Feng Ling felt that the place touched was burning hot, practically searing into his heart.
A faint blush adorned Feng Ling's face, complementing the crimson of his official robe.
Jing Ye asked with concern, "Feng Qing, is there anywhere on your body that feels unwell?"
Feng Ling stammered, "This subject is not unwell."
Jing Ye pressed his lips together and withdrew his hand, saying, "Zhen sees you are quite ill; there’s no reason for you to say such things. Do you think zhen would believe you?"
In a moment of panic, Feng Ling reached out. Though he didn’t catch the emperor’s hand, he caught the soft sleeve of Jing Ye's robe: "What this subject says comes from the heart; how could this subject dare deceive my sovereign or commit treason…"
Jing Ye retorted, "Who was it last month that kept avoiding zhen? The rules of the relationship between ruler and minister—so much prattling on and on! Afraid of the gossip surrounding you, you either request to resign from this post or ask zhen to transfer you outside the capital and decide for yourself that it would be cleaner like that?"
The handsome and upright gentleman felt his face flush. He wanted to explain the situation, but the repercussions were too vast, and he could only urgently protest, "This subject has reasons…"
In truth, as long as Jing Ye casually called for the guards, they could drag Feng Ling away, yet here they were, two people tugging at each other in the long corridor—just exchanging words in a childish and laughable manner.
Ye Mao understood, and he had already led the palace attendants away.
Jing Ye paused and said, "What are you still kneeling for? Don’t think that just because you hurt your leg here from kneeling, zhen will go soft and let Yang Ziran out of prison."
Feng Ling relaxed his hand, his wide embroidered sleeve slipping from his fingers, and he slowly stood up: "This subject has no such intention. This subject... this subject has withdrawn from my engagement with the daughter of the Yang family."
Jing Ye: "Oh."
Feng Ling continued, "No matter how Your Majesty decides to handle this subject, it is all acceptable. This subject has informed my parents of my thoughts, and will not delay the life of a good woman..."
Jing Ye's eyes widened: "What did you say?"
Feng Ling lowered his gaze, speaking in a subdued tone: "This subject has informed my parents that this body belongs to Your Majesty, so naturally this subject cannot marry another woman and ruin the life of a good daughter."
"What…!"
Jing Ye was caught off guard and nearly stepped forward to grasp Feng Ling’s shoulders to question him, but he held back.
Lord Feng, usually known for his self-discipline and proper demeanor, how could he be so decisive at this moment!
Jing Ye grind his teeth silently and, after a pause, said flatly, "Whatever you choose is your decision; if there’s nothing else, you may leave."
Seeing that he received no further response, Feng Ling did not feel dejected, and cupped his hands: "Yes."
Feng Ling left, and Ye Mao came in right after. Jing Ye paced in the corridor for a moment before asking, "Is everything peaceful at the Feng family these days?"
Ye Mao replied, "Actually, this servant was just about to inform Your Majesty. Old Lord Feng returned home after the morning court and fainted from anger; they say he hasn’t woken up yet."
Jing Ye: "…"
Ye Mao eyed his expression and added, "Young Lord Feng has had a hard time too, being driven out of the house by O
The old Lord Feng. He cannot return now, alas, this servant fears he might never go back."
Jing Ye felt a headache returning and rubbed his temples. Noticing this, Ye Mao hurried over to massage it for him: "Aiyoh, this servant said not to tell Your Majesty. It's only causing Your Majesty unnecessary pain. What does that young Lord Feng matter? Every family has its own troubles; Your Majesty shouldn’t worry. This servant will help you back to the sleeping quarters to rest."
Around lunchtime, Lin Xiaosheng entered the hall and saw Jing Ye sleeping on the soft couch. He glanced at Ye Mao and stepped outside the beaded curtain to inquire about the situation.
Ye Mao explained, "Everything was fine until young Lord Feng came to meet with His Majesty, and when His Majesty learned of the Feng family's affairs, he got a headache."
Lin Xiaosheng looked back at Jing Ye and said, "You go outside; I will stay with him."
Ye Mao replied, "Aj," and stepped back outside.
Lin Xiaosheng turned back and sat beside Jing Ye on the couch. He gently stroked Jing Ye's brows, bowed his head, letting his hair fall, and lightly brushed his lips against the emperor’s temple.
Then little by little, he moved to the long eyebrows, the corners of the eyes, the side of his cheeks, and finally, his lips.
Jing Ye slowly opened his eyes and, confronted with Lin Xiaosheng, replied in astonishment: "Why is qing here?"
"It’s time for lunch," Lin Xiaosheng replied. "Your Majesty cannot go through the day without regular meals; it’s not good for your health."
Jing Ye rubbed his temples and sat up, while Lin Xiaosheng took the nearby sable coat and draped it over him.
As he warmed his hand under the brocade blanket, Lin Xiaosheng ordered Ye Mao to come in with a hand warmer and brought it to him.
Jing Ye’s fingers traced the embroideries on the pouch. After a long pause, he sighed and asked Lin Xiaosheng, "You’ve heard about the Feng family’s situation, haven’t you?"
Lin Xiaosheng replied, "This subject heard some after the morning court."
Jing Ye said, "Old Lord Feng has been a loyal official all his life. If he were to fall ill from this anger…"
Lin Xiaosheng reached under the blanket and held the emperor’s warm fingers, saying, "It’s just an official’s family affairs; there’s no need for you to worry."
But I’m the one who whisked away his precious son.
Jing Ye rubbed his forehead, imagining how the court officials must be trembling in fear after finding out about this incident.
Not long from now, the spring examinations would be held, and many tasks awaited attention; he didn’t want to cause any disturbances that might scare away all the talented scholars.
Seeing that he was in great distress, Lin Xiaosheng raised an eyebrow and said, "If Your Majesty truly believes it to harm the greater picture, why not promote young Lord Feng to a position outside of the capital? It would calm old Lord Feng’s and the public’s hearts, and it wouldn’t be an injustice to young Lord Feng either."
This could be considered a compromise, but as soon as Jing Ye thought of Feng Ling kneeling in front of him and awkwardly saying, "This body wishes to belong to Your Majesty," he couldn’t bring himself to say "fine."
After a moment of contemplation, Jing Ye remarked, "That’s not a good option either…." Then after thinking it over, he added, "Feng Ling's position has indeed been stagnant for some time; it is time for a promotion."
Well then, instead of stopping the rumors, a promotion was granted?
Lin Xiaosheng squinted, reasoning that no matter what the other officials said, as long as Feng Ling still had the emperor’s favor, no one would dare to utter a word against him.
Still, Jing Ye pondered over how to strike a balance: "Promote him from the position of an academic attendant to that of a compiler. Feng Ling has a rigid, scholarly temperament, and remaining in the Hanlin Academy suits him well. At most, zhen will just call upon him less in the future."
Perfect, he gets a promotion and has the careful protection of the emperor, so young Lord Feng is really quite fortunate.
Lin Xiaosheng, patient as ever, listened to him finish and then tightened his grip on Jing Ye's hand: "Your Majesty truly cannot bear to part with him?"
"En?" Jing Ye was taken aback. "This isn’t about not being able to bear it. Zhen has said it before; zhen will call upon him less in the future to avoid unnecessary gossip throughout the court…"
"But Your Majesty has considered him thoroughly. Between ruler and minister, this is unusually intimate," Lin Xiaosheng said, lowering his gaze.
Jing Ye became awkward: "Don’t say such things… zhen cares for you all the same…"
"Not the same," Lin Xiaosheng answered, his long, feathery eyelashes casting shadows over his straight nose.
Jing Ye couldn’t see the expression in his eyes, only noticing that he lowered his head, taking on a somewhat pitiful and dejected posture that left Jing Ye feeling helplessly awkward.
"Lin Qing…"
Lin Xiaosheng was usually composed, but at this moment, he sighed gently, saying, "We serve with all our hearts; our minds and bodies belong to Your Majesty. Yet, who knew what thoughts and feelings resided in Your Majesty’s heart, that we have no place at all? It’s better to be like young Lord Feng; while he cannot always be in attendance, he still has Your Majesty's thoughtfulness and consideration."
"…"
Jing Ye felt a jolt when he heard him sigh. After listening to him express a series of grievances, he felt not only a twinge of guilt but a mix of other emotions as well. He could not help but grasp his hand, speaking softly, "It seems… it’s indeed zhen who has been too bias."
Lin Xiaosheng raised his head, looking intently at him: "Then what compensation will Your Majesty give this subject?"
Jing Ye replied, "…Huh?"
Lin Xiaosheng said, "Since Your Majesty acknowledges your favoritism, shouldn’t you do something to compensate us?"
Jing Ye felt the hand he was holding move slightly, their ten fingers intertwining tightly.
Lin Xiaosheng leaned closer, and Jing Ye noticed the upturned corner of his eyes, his bright gaze revealing his intentions.
After a moment of hesitation, Jing Ye still reached out, wrapping his arms around his waist, holding the back of his head, tilting slightly, and kissed his lips.
And then he was pushed down.
Lin Xiaosheng, calm and collected, with no visible emotions, once they reached the bed, showed a different side. He made it so that Jing Ye felt there was no way up or down, all the while asking, "Your Majesty, how does this subject compare to Feng Ling?"
Jing Ye gasped softly, "I haven't…"
"Haven't?" Lin Xiaosheng leaned close to his back, biting his shoulder and neck, “Then how does this subject compare to Gu Hong?”
Jing Ye was left breathless and sweating at his forehead, with flushed cheeks: "You’re great! You’re the best! Let go of me…"
Outside the curtain, Ye Mao, who had been standing guard, was filled with tears.
He no longer believed in any nonsense about keeping watch over the emperor while he slept!
The next day, the emperor issued an edict promoting the academic attendant Feng Ling to compiler of Hanlin, duly noted.
Old Lord Feng, with great difficulty, managed to get off his sickbed. Upon hearing the news, he collapsed back down, shouting in anger, "Bring that ungrateful descendant back and beat him to death!"
Madam Feng helped him lie down properly, saying, "Rest now. Between beating your son and feigning illness, isn't this causing a commotion for nothing? Look at you now; is this what you wanted?"
Old Lord Feng sighed, banging on the bed and lamenting: "I thought His Majesty would be concerned about the court and move Qing Sheng to a position further away or if not that at least maintain a distance, but who knew… ai!"
"Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes," Madam Feng said, sitting calmly. After a few days had passed, she too had calmed down, maintaining her composure. "Do you think our son is one of those sycophantic officials? If he didn’t have genuine feelings, it wouldn’t have come to this. Right now, His Majesty is protecting him; what else can we do?"
After pondering for a while, old Lord Feng sighed again.
Meanwhile, the imperial envoy dispatched from the capital rushed overnight to the government office in Bixue City in the southwest, calling for Li Tingqiu to come forth to listen to the imperial decree.
"…Imperial Guard Commander Li Tingqiu… appointed as Special Envoy to oversee all military affairs in Bixue City, granted an additional fief of 600 households, with 200 households as permanent income. Bestowed the title of 'Jingwu Protector,' maintaining previous honors. Receive the decree! ... General Li, General Li?"
Li Tingqiu raised his head slightly, tightened his clenched fist, and stood up to receive the decree, saying, "Thank you for the kindness, Your Majesty."