HMAM CH 71 Matters Of The Heart
Le Zhenghuan stayed in the palace, with accommodations and food that were no worse than those in Pingyue City. However, being a young man full of energy and with Jing Ye focusing on state affairs, he couldn’t spend all his time with him. Moreover, there was that surnamed Gu who was cunning and crafty, and Lu Baizang was also in the way, which made him feel somewhat frustrated.
When he was in Pingyue, if he was in a bad mood, he would beat up his subordinates. Here, when he felt down, he would go to the training grounds of the Yulin Guards in the palace and use the young guards as punching bags.
After trampling some of them to the ground countless times, the young city lord brandished his crescent sword and declared, “You lot aren’t even as resilient as the servants in my household.”
In fact, the servants in the Pingyue City Lord's residence, regardless of gender, were all skilled martial artists who had practiced their craft since childhood. His haughty words carried a tone of respect for them.
Unfortunately, the members of the Yulin Guards were also vigorous young men; they wouldn’t accept defeat easily. One of them retorted with a sneer, “The young city lord is merely bullying us defeated ones. If General Li were here, the outcome would be uncertain.”
The others didn't speak but secretly agreed.
Le Zhenghuan’s interest was piqued. “General Li? Is that the one leading the Wuhuan in battle?”
The man replied proudly, “Exactly! The general not only excels in spear techniques but is also a master tactician, respected even by the Wuhuan and other border tribes...”
Le Zhenghuan interrupted him impatiently, “So he is here, then?”
The man replied, “The general is... in the palace.”
Le Zhenghuan brushed his fingers over the curved blade of his crescent sword, a smile curling his lips. “What position does he hold? I’d like to meet him.”
“The general... is currently on palace gate duty, stationed at Zhengde Gate.”
Le Zhenghuan laughed without holding back. “Hahaha... He excels in spear tactics and strategy, yet he is just a gatekeeper?”
Everyone’s faces showed displeasure, but Le Zhenghuan sheathed his crescent sword, turning to leave the training grounds. “Then let me gauge his worth.”
On either side of Zhengde Gate were palace quarters—one for the guards to rest and the other for Li Tingqiu's accommodations.
Le Zhenghuan lazily called out, “General Li, I’ve heard of your remarkable martial arts, and I’ve come to seek your guidance.”
Li Tingqiu closed his scroll and said, “The palace's martial competitions are not part of my duties. If the young city lord wishes to duel, please seek His Majesty's permission first.”
“Do you think he will protect you?” Le Zhenghuan said with a frown.
“If I do not have His Majesty’s permission, it would be considered a brawl, which is against palace regulations. As the gatekeeper of Zhengde Gate, I cannot break the law.”
When this matter was relayed to Jing Ye, he immediately furrowed his brows and said, “No, that’s not allowed.”
Le Zhenghuan replied, “Why can’t it be allowed? You promised me that as long as I listened to you, I could do as I wished.”
Jing Ye replied, “Then you should listen to me and not challenge Li Tingqiu to a duel.”
Le Zhenghuan was about to argue further when Ye Mao stepped in with quick steps, “Your Majesty, General Li requests an audience outside.”
Jing Ye put down the scroll in his hand and said, “Let him in.” Then he told Le Zhenghuan, “You should go have lunch first. I will join you shortly.”
Le Zhenghuan fixed his gaze on him, suddenly pinching his chin and biting his lip playfully, stating with a smirk, “If you don’t allow me to, I’m still going to anyway.” With that, he turned and left.
At that moment, Li Tingqiu entered along with the palace maids, and Jing Ye lightly coughed, covering his mouth with his sleeve.
“Ai qing, what business do you have?”
Li Tingqiu knelt on one knee and said, “This subject reports to Your Majesty that yesterday the young City Lord Le came to invite me for a duel, which this subject politely declined due to palace rules.”
Jing Ye responded, “Zhen is already aware of this. He has always been spoiled; qing needn’t take it to heart.”
“Your Majesty... why not agree to the young City Lord Le’s request?”
Jing Ye raised an eyebrow, “The Le family’s martial arts are passed down through generations and are profound. If you were to win against him, your old injuries may resurface; if you lose, it would damage your reputation among the army. It isn’t worth the risk, so why force it?”
Li Tingqiu lowered his eyes, saying, “Your Majesty thinks things through thoroughly; this subject is not worthy.”
Jing Ye scoffed, “It’s not that you are unworthy; it’s that zhen can never tell what qing is really thinking.”
Li Tingqiu replied, “Your Majesty can ask this subject anything; this subject will answer without concealment.”
Jing Ye stood up and walked down the steps, circling around him as he said, “General Li, is it more comfortable to wear the uniform of the gatekeeper than that of the City Lord of Bixue City?”
“Regardless of what the subject wears, we are still Your Majesty’s subjects; it only differs in proximity.”
Stopping in his tracks, Jing Ye felt it absurd and said, “Proximity? You risked entering prison to seek this gatekeeper position, and that was just to be closer?”
“Yes.”
Jing Ye fell silent, and after a while, he stated, “In the previous dynasty, there was a Song Fangxue who fought on the battlefield for decades, gaining great merit, yet ultimately died by the emperor’s poisoned wine. Li Tingqiu, do you think zhen is such a tyrannical ruler who cannot tolerate anyone?”
Li Tingqiu replied, “This subject has never been afraid; this subject is also certain that Your Majesty is a benevolent person.”
Jing Ye chuckled, “A benevolent person? A year ago, zhen was still the tyrant you spoke of.”
The handsome general looked downcast. “In the past... this subject was foolish.”
Jing Ye pointedly said, “If you feel guilty about past matters, there’s no need for it.”
Li Tingqiu suddenly raised his head, saying, “This subject...”
Jing Ye raised his finger to his lips and said, “Some things can be regarded as if they never happened, as long as you don’t speak of them. General Li, can your heart be unburdened now?”
Li Tingqiu gazed at him, the young emperor’s gaze gentle, the pearls in his hair appearing as if they hung from the clouds, so near yet so far.
His expression grew resolute. “This subject's heart can be unburdened, but the affection this subject holds still awaits Your Majesty’s kindness.”
Jing Ye was taken aback. “Wh-What affection!”
Li Tingqiu disregarded the difficulty of his position and took Jing Ye’s hand, saying, “The affection this subject holds has been since the battle in the southwest...”
Jing Ye stepped back, images of them kissing flashing through his mind, and he abruptly snapped back to reality. The person in front of him was still kneeling, and if he were a bit rough, he could easily kick him away. But instead, he withdrew his hand while raising his voice, “Ye Mao!”
Ye Gonggong scampered in and saw the two of them holding hands, one trying to pull away while the other held on. Immediately, he coughed, “Your Majesty, this...”
Jing Ye shot him a glare and said, “What are you dawdling for? Help General Li up!” The implication was for him to pull Li Tingqiu away.
Once Li Tingqiu saw Ye Mao enter, he retracted his hand and stated, “If Your Majesty finds this subject's affection too obtrusive, this subject... could choose to never see Your Majesty again. Earlier, Your Majesty asked this subject whether the official robes of the Bixue City Lord or the guard uniform is better; allow this subject to respond.”
“Wearing the official robes, this subject holds military power in my hands, yet this subject's heart is empty. But standing guard at Zhengde Gate, though lacking the commanding appearance of a general, as long as this subject can glance at my beloved from afar, this subject feels fulfilled.”
Jing Ye froze.
Li Tingqiu bowed his head to the emperor, knocked his head against the ground, and exited without a word.
Le Zhenghuan crushed the tea cup. “I knew this person had ill intentions!”
Jing Ye was startled by the sound of porcelain shattering. He looked at Le Zhenghuan’s hand and was relieved to see no wounds.
The palace maid collected the shards before leaving. Jing Ye rubbed his forehead and said, “If you provoke him at Zhengde Gate again, you won’t be staying here anymore.”
Le Zhenghuan was furious, but he couldn’t hit or throw the person in front of him, so he grabbed his wrist and bit him angrily.
Jing Ye winced, “You’re not a wolf cub; why do you like to bite people so much?”
Le Zhenghuan wrapped his arms around Jing Ye’s waist, murmuring, “If I were a wolf, I would take my time and devour you piece by piece.” His tone was fierce but carried a hint of youthful innocence.
Jing Ye couldn’t help but laugh, realizing that although the young man seemed to hold him loosely, he was actually holding him tightly, as if a vice grip that couldn’t be shaken off.
His Majesty the Emperor felt a wave of melancholy, realizing he shouldn’t have rushed to send Lu Baizang out of the palace, especially since Gu Hong did not know martial arts.
Le Zhenghuan inhaled the ambergris scent lingering on Jing Ye's body, feeling his agitation gradually ease, then lifted his lips into a smile again, snuggling against his shoulder and neck, saying, “Call only me to keep you company tonight...”
When Gesha walked in, he saw such an intimate scene.
He lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions.
Jing Ye looked up to see him, coughed lightly, and nudged Le Zhenghuan, saying, “Consort Xiang has arrived.”
Gesha smiled at him and said, “The pipa that Your Majesty granted me; this subject has practiced a piece.”
Jing Ye was thoroughly exhausted by Le Zhenghuan’s clinginess and preferred the gentle nature of Gesha. He often enjoyed seeing him and smiled, “Your melodies are rare; please take a seat.”
Le Zhenghuan snorted, turned, and sat on the couch with his legs crossed, sipping his tea leisurely.
Jing Ye tapped two fingers on Le Zhenghuan’s forehead, “Listening to music is an elegant affair. You should sit properly and enjoy it; how will Consort Xiang strum the strings with that attitude of yours.”
Le Zhenghuan lazily replied while stirring his tea, “I can just plug my ears then.”
Gesha glanced at him, his expression ambiguous, yet he chuckled softly, “It doesn’t matter if the young city lord Le doesn’t listen; besides, my pipa performance is solely for Your Majesty.”
As he spoke, he casually plucked the strings and began to play. Unlike the usual sharp, metallic melodies, the tune was light and gentle.
Le Zhenghuan listened carefully, his eyes widening. He rushed forward to tug at Gesha’s collar, but Jing Ye stopped him, saying, “If you’re not going to listen, then just let it be. Why must you resort to violence?”
Pingyue City was adjacent to the border and had frequent interactions, so Le Zhenghuan, having been exposed to the culture and customs of various tribes, was familiar with some of their practices.
The Wuhuan people used the pipa to express feelings, often using old tunes to convey love. The piece Gesha played was precisely meant for men to please their beloved.
If he were to expose the motives behind it, it would only end up serving the intention of the one playing it. A confrontation could lead to broken legs or arms, which would most definitely infuriate Jing Ye.
Having been spoiled and unruly since childhood, Le Zhenghuan didn't realize that loving someone required careful consideration, and he was filled with frustration while feeling unable to escape the situation. He instinctively covered Jing Ye's ears, exclaiming, “You mustn't listen!”
Jing Ye grasped his hand, both amused and annoyed. “You don’t want to listen, but you don’t allow others to hear either. What kind of reasoning is that?”
Le Zhenghuan grinned, his eyes sparkling: “You tell him to play for anyone else, any maid, or even that gatekeeper; just not for you!”
Jing Ye said, “That’s nonsense.”
Le Zhenghuan clasped his hand tightly, kissing his long fingers and laughing. “If you want to ease your woes, I’ll perform a sword dance for you. These platitudes are hardly worth listening to.”
The young man was unruly and cocky, yet his lips were warm against the skin, carrying a soft sentiment.