EHW Ch63

Gu Fangzhi, out of mercy, helped Pei Xin escape what could easily rank among the top three most embarrassing incidents in history.

Qin Xuan and Ye Bao’s return also had another purpose, it concerned Gu Yunchuan.

In two days, Pei Xin would summon Gu Yunchuan to court to return his military power and grant him promotion.

After discussing matters a while longer, the officials rose to leave.

Pei Xin said, “Teacher, stay.”

When the others were gone and the curtain had fallen, Pei Xin looked Gu Fangzhi up and down. “Teacher’s attire today is… quite unique.”

Gu Fangzhi glanced down at himself.

He’d just finished a snowball fight; his clothes were covered in snow and soaked through when he came inside.

Afraid Pei Xin might be waiting, he had hastily thrown on whatever was within reach, colors and styles mismatched entirely.

He didn’t care much about it. After all, he looked good in anything; even shoveling manure, he’d look like he was golfing.

But the boy couldn’t stand it. “I’ll have Yang Luhai bring two proper robes for Teacher to change into.”

Gu Fangzhi raised a brow. “Seasonal sensitivity?”

Pei Xin: “? What?”

Didn’t get it, huh?

Gu Fangzhi grinned smugly.

Because Gu Fangzhi often stayed overnight in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Pei Xin had once ordered Yang Luhai to have several sets of clothing made to Gu Fangzhi’s exact measurements, though Gu had never worn any of them.

The new robes were brought in. Gu Fangzhi raised his hand and untied his belt.

Pei Xin: “……”
He forced himself to look away. “Teacher… won’t you change behind the screen?”

“I’m not stripping completely.”

Gu Fangzhi shrugged off his outer robe and the short tunic beneath, then reached for the folded clothes on the table.

The fabric was yunjin, the same brocade Pei Xin usually wore, on Gu Fangzhi, it looked almost as if he were wearing Pei Xin’s own clothes.

The lilac outer robe hung loosely on his shoulders; with his head slightly lowered, he adjusted the collar, revealing a flash of pale neck, then gathered his long, damp hair that still held traces of melted snow.

The black strands gleamed faintly, soft and misted, giving him a hazy radiance.

Pei Xin: “……”

Honestly, it would’ve been less distracting if he’d just taken everything off.

To keep himself from fainting on the spot, Pei Xin silently recited color is emptiness, rose, and picked up the discarded clothes.

He intended to place them by the door for Yang Luhai to take to the wash, but as he held them, he changed his mind.

Lifting the garments close, he leaned in to smell them, then instead hung them neatly inside his own wardrobe.

Gu Fangzhi: “?”

He sighed in exasperation. “Did I ever teach Your Majesty to secretly hoard other people’s clothes? At least pretend to be sneaky!”

Pei Xin said simply, “Teacher’s scent is pleasant.”

Unlike himself, he always smelled of bitter medicine.

Gu Fangzhi buckled his belt with a sharp click, then walked over and leaned closer, sniffing.

“Your Majesty smells good too. Hm, did you change your herbal bath formula? You smell a little different.”

Without thinking, he reached out to straighten Pei Xin’s collar, and just as naturally, kissed him on the cheek.

Afterward, his ears flushed red, and he turned away.

Pei Xin: “……”

Great.

So much for color is emptiness, he was about to become a lovestruck fool of an emperor.

Pei Xin grabbed Gu Fangzhi’s wrist, pinned him against the cabinet, and leaned down to kiss him.

At first, he kissed lightly, just as Gu Fangzhi had taught him, then, growing confident, added a little suction of his own.

But even that wasn’t enough; impatience flared in him.

Then he felt Gu Fangzhi’s lips curve against his own, as if laughing.

Pei Xin heard a muffled chuckle between their breaths. “…Little puppy, biting at random.”

Pei Xin frowned, ready to protest, but suddenly Gu Fangzhi’s mouth parted slightly.

The eager pupil learned fast, Pei Xin’s tongue slipped in, and the two tangled together.

By the time Gu Fangzhi was completely breathless and flushed, he finally pushed at Pei Xin’s shoulder, and Pei Xin reluctantly let him go.

Still unsated, Pei Xin wrapped his arms around Gu Fangzhi’s waist like clutching a giant plush toy, resting his chin on his shoulder.

Gu Fangzhi was already unsteady on his feet, holding himself up purely out of pride. Thankfully, the cabinet behind him kept him from collapsing outright.

Men growing up, terrifying.

Pei Xin suddenly said, “Teacher.”

Gu Fangzhi was still catching his breath. “Mm?”

“You performed great merit at Liangshan,” Pei Xin said, “and I’ve been thinking about what position to promote you to.”

Gu Fangzhi’s eyes lit up.

Pei Xin smiled faintly. “Teacher must like the kind of post that’s leisurely and well-paid, yes?”

Gu Fangzhi shot back, “Who says so? I prefer jobs with no pay and endless work!”

Pei Xin laughed quietly.

“How about this then, since I’ll be returning Gu Yunchuan’s command, I’ll also promote Teacher to Vice Minister of Rites. What do you think?”

Truth be told, Pei Xin would have loved to promote Gu Fangzhi straight to Grand Chancellor and keep him by his side every day, but for now, Vice Minister of Rites was perfect: a bit easier than his previous duties, not overwhelming, and still allowing him to learn state affairs under guidance.

Gu Fangzhi seemed pleased. “Not bad, not bad. I like it very much.”

After resting enough, he tried to step away, but Pei Xin mischievously tightened his arms, refusing to let go.

Gu Fangzhi struggled twice. Pei Xin suddenly buried his face into his shoulder. “Teacher, don’t move.”

Gu Fangzhi froze, then his face turned crimson.

Their bodies were pressed close, and after all that friction, he could feel Pei Xin’s… reaction.

Men growing up, like diamonds. Terrifying!

Gu Fangzhi stood there dumbfounded, and in just that brief moment, the diamond’s clarity and carat weight seemed to rise another grade, faster than real estate prices.

Pei Xin’s breathing grew heavier against his shoulder.

Gu Fangzhi’s brain went blank for several seconds before stammering, “Your Majesty… should I… rewind time and… uh… help it… fall?”

Pei Xin: “……”

He thought, if Gu Fangzhi said one more oblivious thing like that, he wouldn’t need any help, he’d just “fall” on his own.

Pei Xin released Gu Fangzhi’s wrist. “No need. I’ll calm myself.”

Before falling for Gu Fangzhi, he had never been interested in romance or desire, not even once in self-pleasure. On rare occasions when he had a reaction, he simply meditated for a while or doused himself in cold water, and it would pass.

This time, he planned to do the same: rely on meditation to suppress it.

A strong, self-disciplined man should overcome every difficulty with willpower alone.

Gu Fangzhi blinked. “…Truly don’t need my help?”

Pei Xin: “……?”

Help? How?

Help as in—what he was imagining?

Images flooded Pei Xin’s mind so fast he nearly overheated.

He wasn’t strong anymore.

He had no self-control.

He didn’t want to be strong.

The dragon was burning.

Pei Xin rasped, “…Yes. Help me.”

He grabbed Gu Fangzhi’s wrist, guiding his fingers beneath the layers of his robe.

The moment Gu Fangzhi’s fingertips brushed his skin, Pei Xin’s world went black, over and over—

“I—I—I—”

He heard Gu Fangzhi’s startled shout: “I—I—I—fck fck fck fck f*ck!!”

System alert: BAD ENDING triggered.

Too many to count.

Pei Xin: “……”

The dragon went out.

Frustrated, he bit Gu Fangzhi’s shoulder.

Gu Fangzhi hissed in pain.

What was that for?

He was the one who panicked, all right?

***

Two days later.

Pei Xin formally appointed Gu Yunchuan and Gu Fangzhi to higher ranks, rewarded Qin Xuan and Ye Bao with gold and silver, and promoted the officials who had contributed to the Liangshan campaign, as well as several court members who had recently performed well.

After the ceremony, he invited the honorees to stay for a small celebratory banquet.

The sun was warm; the snow had begun to melt, and the red plum blossoms were in full bloom.

To enjoy the view, the banquet was held in Chenghui Hall, which overlooked the plum garden.

The hall was wide but short, with several long tables lined up, it even resembled classroom desks.

The military officers naturally sat together at one table.

By coincidence, Gu Huaiyu, who had been on his way home after morning court, joined them for lunch.

Gu Fangzhi, however, sat at another table, chatting with his current, and future superiors about official duties and career plans.

Gu Huaiyu looked away, a bit uncomfortable. “Everyone here’s an important minister… Are you sure I should even be sitting here?”

“Of course,” Gu Yunchuan said easily. “Fangzhi mentioned it to His Majesty, and His Majesty agreed.”

Gu Huaiyu frowned. “Of course he’d agree, but still—”

Ye Bao cut in, “What ‘but’? You’re already here. Sit.”

Qin Xuan silently sipped his wine, then turned to Gu Huaiyu. “You said ‘of course’, so you’ve guessed something?”

Gu Huaiyu shrugged. “Doesn’t take guessing.”

Ye Bao raised an eyebrow. “You all know?”

Gu Huaiyu said simply, “He’s my brother.”

Ye Bao leaned forward, face full of gossip. “When did it start?”

Gu Huaiyu thought for a moment. “Recently, I think.”

Qin Xuan disagreed. “No, it was right after His Majesty ascended the throne. The first time I returned to the capital, it had already begun.”

Gu Huaiyu frowned. “That early?? Impossible!”

Ye Bao sided with him. “I say it’s recent too. The signs are way too obvious now; before, no one noticed.”

“How could no one notice?” Gu Huaiyu said. “They’re practically glued together these days.”

Qin Xuan insisted, “I’m telling you, it was already happening when I came back that time—”

“Ah?” Ye Bao blinked.

“Ah?” Gu Huaiyu echoed.

“Ah?” Qin Xuan repeated.

Gu Yunchuan, overhearing, chuckled. “Are you talking about me? His Majesty wants to return my command. That must’ve been decided after I went to Liangshan.”

The three: “……”

Gu Huaiyu sighed. “Big brother, you just… eat your food for now.”

The three gossipy men continued whispering, only to realize that none of their information matched.

One version said the two had been together for ages.
Another claimed Gu Fangzhi was still competing with seventy-year-old courtiers for imperial favor.

A third insisted Pei Xin was suffering through unrequited love.

“Whatever,” Gu Huaiyu concluded. “As long as my second brother’s happy.”

Then a voice spoke from behind them. “What are you all talking about?”

Ye Bao answered without thinking, “We’re wondering if two people have already gotten together.”

The moment he finished, realization hit him, he looked up and saw Gu Fangzhi.

Caught gossiping about him behind his back, the three froze awkwardly.

Only Gu Yunchuan continued calmly eating his candied plums, perfectly unfazed.

Ye Bao stammered, “We—uh—apologies. We didn’t mean—”

But Gu Fangzhi only smiled. “It’s true. We’re together.”

He’d never intended to hide it from family and friends, he just hadn’t found the right time to say so. Now was as good a time as any.

His frankness earned a variety of reactions:

Qin Xuan wore a face of ‘I knew it.’

Ye Bao looked genuinely surprised.

Gu Huaiyu seemed… devastated.

Gu Yunchuan smiled faintly. “Fangzhi grows more diligent by the day.”

Though no one was quite sure what exactly he was thinking of.