Chapter 11: The moonlight is like frost on the ground (3)🔒

In the teahouse filled with the fragrance of tea, the young nobleman who had just caused a stir by striking someone suddenly ran off and came back with a skewer of candied hawthorn in full view of everyone.

This in itself was already strange enough.

Even stranger was that he actually held the skewer out to the ethereally handsome young man sitting across from him…

As if presenting a treasure.

The scholars in the hall watched, all of them inwardly puzzled. How old were these two?

Though they were surprised, no one dared to gossip or speak recklessly having just witnessed the young nobleman’s temper.

Gu Jingyuan held the candied hawthorn, his gaze resting on it, not moving for quite a while.

“Yaoyang… you don’t like it?”

Long Yanzhao had been watching him eagerly, but seeing no reaction, he finally realized something and said awkwardly, “If you don’t like it, then don’t force yourself. I was being presumptuous…”

Before he could finish, Gu Jingyuan had already opened his mouth and bitten off half of one.

The hawthorn frozen in the winter air was a bit hard, while the sugar coating around it was like amber—clear and translucent.

With one bite, the crisp sugar shell shattered with a sharp crack. Together with the hawthorn inside, the sweet and sour flavor seeped across his taste buds even without chewing.

At first, the sourness made Gu Jingyuan flinch slightly, his expression twisting just a little. But once he got used to the sour-sweet taste, he became a lot more natural. After finishing one half, he started biting into the other half. When he finished it all, he commented, “It’s alright.”

Long Yanzhao smiled along with him, “As long as Yaoyang likes it.”

He stared fixedly at Gu Jingyuan without blinking, watching him eat. Unable to resist, he reached out, his warm thumb gently brushing the corner of Gu Jingyuan’s lips, wiping away a few crumbs.

Gu Jingyuan was used to his touch and felt no discomfort.

Long, pale fingers held the bamboo skewer; Gu Jingyuan ate with impeccable grace.

Even something as simple as candied hawthorn, he could eat with elegance, lending it a unique charm.

Some people were like that: just watching their every move was like admiring a masterpiece, impossible to look away.

Long Yanzhao found himself unable to stop watching.

But the longer he looked, the deeper his gaze grew.

Gu Jingyuan’s face had highly defined features and was very distinctive.

The red mark above his brow was especially striking. Anyone who knew Lord Gu could easily recognize him at a glance even amidst a crowd.

Long Yanzhao’s gaze ultimately landed on that scar.

As if thinking of something, he let out a sigh.

It was soft, but it was enough to draw Gu Jingyuan’s attention.

Perhaps because his whole heart and mind were always focused on the man before him, the moment Long Yanzhao sighed, Gu Jingyuan had already looked over.

Usually, Lord Gu’s gaze toward him was cool and restrained. In bed, those eyes would turn moist and burning, filled with desire. But this time—perhaps because of the bright red candied hawthorn as a contrast—Long Yanzhao felt that Gu Jingyuan’s eyes looked wide and round, unexpectedly a little adorable.

All his melancholy and regret seemed to dissipate like smoke. The emperor couldn’t help but smile, “It’s nothing. I was just thinking that if Ah Yuan likes it, we can have someone come out and buy it often in the future.”

Gu Jingyuan swallowed the lingering sweetness in his mouth. The red hawthorn reflected against his face, giving it a faint flush. He smiled and said, “My lord seems to have forgotten, I usually live outside the palace. If I want some, I can buy it anytime myself.”

Long Yanzhao raised a brow and said roguishly, “But this young master only wants Ah Yuan to eat for me to see.”

Not expecting the emperor to make such a childish request, Gu Jingyuan froze for a moment.

Immediately after, he heard the other already planning it out: “Ying Er has the best lightness skills. One round trip shouldn’t take long.”

Ying Er was the current leader of Long Yanzhao’s shadow guard unit.

Who would send their most elite subordinate out to buy candied hawthorn?

Gu Jingyuan knew he was joking, so he let out a soft laugh and casually responded, “Mm.”

After that, Gu Jingyuan ended up eating an entire skewer of candied hawthorn by himself.

Long Yanzhao watched him finish it quietly, without saying more to disturb him.

Even so, it still didn’t feel like enough.

Those pale, thin lips had become coated with sugar, turning crystal clear, like the glazed crystals tributed from the Western Regions. It made one unable to resist wanting to taste them, to savor that sweetness as well.

Unfortunately, they were still in public.

Long Yanzhao found it a pity. Luckily, there were still many affairs waiting for him to handle, and after having his mood disrupted earlier, the two sat a while longer before deciding to head back.

Though the Son of Heaven had countless duties, Long Yanzhao also understood well the balance between work and rest.

On the way back, he trapped Gu Jingyuan inside the carriage and finally got his wish of tasting those crystal-clear lips, still carrying a trace of sweetness.

After a snowfall, the weather unexpectedly turned a bit warmer.

Taking advantage of the time before winter fully set in, Long Yanzhao suddenly had a whim and decided to hold an autumn hunt.

The Great Yi dynasty valued martial prowess; emperors of every generation were skilled in riding and archery, and hunting activities were often held in spring and autumn.

However, since Long Yanzhao ascended the throne, there hadn’t been such events for many years.

At first, it was because the emperor was too young to think of such things. Later, he was entangled in struggles with the regent, leaving him with no mind or energy to organize any activities.

The emperor had never even mentioned it before.

But for some reason, he had now taken a sudden interest in the autumn hunt.

Still, as it was a traditional practice passed down from their ancestors, although the idea came rather abruptly, few opposed it.

Preparations began in earnest below, and even the Empress Dowager in the inner palace showed interest in the hunt.

Early in the morning, Gu Jingyuan was attending to Long Yanzhao as he dressed.

Long Yanzhao suddenly said, “During the autumn hunt, Ah Yuan will accompany me.”

Hearing this, Gu Jingyuan paused and looked up at him.

He had been adjusting the intricate knots at the emperor’s waist, so he remained half-kneeling, his posture appearing respectful and humble.

The emperor looked down at him as well, his gaze lingering, a faint smile at his lips. “Zhen wants to see Ah Yuan’s hunting skills.”

Gu Jingyuan smiled, “This subject is but a scholar, how would I know how to ride and hunt? Your Majesty jests.”

Long Yanzhao looked at him, but instead of changing his mind, he seemed even more eager.

He pulled Gu Jingyuan up from his kneeling position. The two tall figures stood side by side, and the scar above Gu Jingyuan’s brow fell directly into Long Yanzhao’s view.

The Son of Heaven reached out and gently stroked that scar, saying, “What’s so difficult about riding and hunting? When I was young, no one taught me, but didn’t I learn it all the same? Someone as clever as Ah Yuan will surely pick it up in one try.”

Saying this, his fingers that had been lightly touching Gu Jingyuan’s brow lowered.

As if thinking of something, Long Yanzhao deliberately leaned close, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear: “Zhen can’t wait to see what Ah Yuan looks like in riding attire.”

His voice was low and husky, tinged with an ambiguous tone.

Wrapping an arm around that slender waist encased in red robes, the emperor smiled with a hint of mischief, “I wonder if those clothes will be as easy to take off as this court attire.”

“… ”

Warm breath brushed against his ear. Gu Jingyuan lowered his head slightly, not saying anything.

He still looked as obedient as ever.

One might even think he was blushing again.

But Gu Jingyuan’s expression did not change at all this time.

If anything, rather than red…

He had grown a shade paler.

On the day of the autumn hunt, banners filled the sky. Nearly all civil and military officials of the court were mobilized, along with members of the inner palace led by the Empress Dowager. The procession was grand as it advanced toward the hunting grounds.

The sky was bright and clear—vast, blue, and cloudless.

A fine day for outdoor activities.

Inside the imperial hunting grounds lay a vast forest. Because few people entered it, the trees grew dense and often blocked out the sunlight, so patches of snow still lingered in some areas.

But this did not dampen the spirits of those who had come to hunt.

Long Yanzhao sat tall and straight upon his horse, dressed in a bright imperial yellow riding outfit with a short tunic and long boots.

He did not ride in a carriage the entire way. Like the morning sun itself, the young emperor radiated vigor and commanding presence, standing out above all others.

Riding at his side was the young marquis of the Guangping Prince’s estate.

Zhuo Yangqing’s father had long been stationed at the frontier. Though the young marquis had abandoned the martial path for scholarly pursuits, he hadn’t spent less time than others on horseback in his childhood. Riding and shooting was as natural to him as eating and dressing.

His status was also noble. He was not only the son of a powerful minister but also a close friend of the emperor. It was only natural for him to accompany him.

Seated in a carriage towards the rear of the procession, Gu Jingyuan adjusted his sleeves and leaned against the gently swaying interior, thinking idly.

Though the weather was bright and sunny today, it had snowed just a few days ago.

Sensitive to the cold, Gu Jingyuan shrank his shoulders slightly and hugged the hand warmer in his arms.

This was a royal hunt, with all officials in attendance.

Gu Jingyuan had little interest in riding or archery, but bound by his official duties, he could hardly ask for leave, so he came along without protest.

As for the emperor’s earlier claim that he would teach him to ride and hunt, Gu Jingyuan avoided it whenever he could, having no desire to participate.

The grand procession soon reached the interior of the hunting grounds. After a simple sacrificial ceremony, those officials who enjoyed riding and archery followed the emperor out to hunt.

The Great Yi dynasty had been founded on horseback. At times like this, rank was set aside—anyone present could participate in the hunt. Anyone could ride alongside the emperor, even compete with him for prey.

Thus the hunting scene was magnificent, with thousands of horses surging forth in a roaring tide. Gu Jingyuan remained behind with the others at the ceremonial grounds, waiting for the hunters’ return.

Fortunately, not every official in the Great Yi court was skilled in riding and archery. Quite a number stayed behind, and Gu Jingyuan, dressed in his court robes, did not stand out among them.

A hunt like this usually lasted at least two to three hours. Gu Jingyuan sat until his legs grew numb, and he also drank quite a bit of tea, so he stood up to go to the latrine.

A colleague beside him offered to go along. Though called a colleague, he was more accurately a subordinate. His surname was Song, about the same age as Gu Jingyuan. Thanks to family connections, he had secured a post at court and now served under him.

“The emperor and the others have been out for nearly an hour already. Lord Gu, when do you think they’ll return?” Song Xinrui struck up a conversation along the way.

Gu Jingyuan rarely formed private friendships with other officials. He handled matters with strict impartiality, always official and businesslike. So even though he usually dressed in striking red robes, Song Xinrui still felt somewhat intimidated around him.

If not for those slightly flirtatious peach-blossom eyes tinged with a hint of spring—a pair that could stir one’s heart for no reason with a single glance—Gu Jingyuan would likely be seen as distant and aloof.

Yet in truth, Gu Jingyuan carried no airs at all. He glanced at the sky and replied, “The weather is good today. I imagine we’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

Receiving a response, Song Xinrui suddenly felt as if he had been “chosen”, though the comparison was a little nonsensical. Still, he happily followed half a step behind Gu Jingyuan, lifting his gaze to watch Lord Gu’s back.

Lord Gu was not only strikingly handsome but also tall and slender.

Especially when he was wearing official robes. His back was straight and waist slender, shoulders relaxed; even from behind one could see the long line of his neck, held high with poise.

Every movement carried a sense of nobility, along with the refined elegance unique to scholars.

Yet this same Lord Gu—adopted son of the regent, and also in that kind of relationship with the emperor—was always measured and restrained. In speech and action, he never showed the slightest arrogance or ostentation, remaining low-key and steady.

Just as other officials said… though young, Lord Gu was as deep as the sea, impossible to fathom.

No one could see through him.

Unaware that he had already been shrouded in such an air of mystery in others’ eyes, Gu Jingyuan walked ahead. As he passed a rockery in the rear courtyard of the temporary palace, he suddenly stopped.

Voices came from behind the rockery. It wasn’t loud, sounding like two people whispering.

But Gu Jingyuan had always possessed keen hearing.

Before Song Xinrui even realized someone was there, Gu Jingyuan had already heard clearly what they were discussing.

“I heard that young prince of Northern Rong is fiery by nature, flamboyant, and exceptionally skilled in riding and archery. That’s why His Majesty took a liking to hunting… Compared to him, that one is far inferior.”

“A substitute is just a substitute. He only looks similar. How could he compare to the bearing of the crown prince of a nation?”

“I’ve heard His Majesty delayed the autumn hunt to this time specifically to wait for that person to return… Who wouldn’t want to see the elegance of their beloved on horseback? But with the vast distance, and him being the crown prince of an enemy state, they probably won’t be able to meet. Having a substitute to imitate him isn’t a bad idea.”

“Unfortunately, our Lord Gu doesn’t know how to play along. He won’t even imitate. Who knows how long he’ll be able to remain by His Majesty’s side at this rate…”