Good Night, Mr. Ghost

When Meng Loudi awoke, he found the person in his arms looking pale. He maintained a cold expression as he gazed at him. How should he explain this? If he admitted to bringing him up here, would this guy run away? Especially after making him recount tales of same-sex love last night. Tsk.

Under the Prince Regent’s cold and unfeeling gaze, Jiang Chenyi trembled like a small animal facing a predator. His hand was still on the Prince Regent’s waist, and tears welled up in his eyes as he tried to explain, “I’m sorry, I was just too cold last night and somehow ended up here. Please don’t kill me, My Lord.”

Meng Loudi suddenly smiled, propping himself up, his expression full of mockery. His black hair spread out like ink, tangling with Jiang’s strands. He scrutinized him and asked in a low voice, “What? Trying to seduce me?”

“Huh?” Jiang was startled.

Meng Loudi’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he reached out, lifting Jiang’s chin and lightly brushing his cheek. It was soft and smooth. Not an unpleasant feeling.

“Isn’t that so? I just had you tell tales of same-sex love, and you couldn’t resist climbing into my bed? Did you think you had an opportunity because no one was around? Hoping to climb the ranks?” Meng Loudi deliberately twisted the truth.

But the fact that no one was around him was well-known in the Song Dynasty. Otherwise, how would the rumors of him being a “eunuch” have spread?

Jiang tried to calm himself, looking into those dark eyes that seemed to smile but hid a naked danger beneath. One wrong answer, and he might end up dead.

With a trembling voice, Jiang said, “I’m just a commoner trying to gain favor in Yanjing City. Given this chance, I must seize it, right?”

“Reasonable,” Meng Loudi nodded, seemingly in agreement, then got up and straightened his clothes.

Jiang breathed a sigh of relief, feeling he might still live.

The Prince Regent, playing with his hair, lazily looked at him and asked, “Can you serve people?”

“Huh?”

“Can you serve people?” Meng Loudi patiently repeated.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Jiang replied quickly.

Meng Loudi stood up, “Then stay and serve me.”

Jiang Chenyi: “…”

Really, is this necessary? The Prince Regent of the Song Dynasty lacks someone to serve him?!

“What’s wrong? Unwilling?” The Prince Regent looked at him blandly.

“How could I be! I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say!” Jiang Chenyi quickly sat up, sincerely expressing his loyalty.

Meng Loudi looked at him, a smile tugging at his lips, “Then hurry over here.”

“Yes!” Jiang climbed off the bed and moved to his side, tying his clothes with care.

Meng Loudi watched him struggle with the ties, finding his clumsy manner rather endearing. After a night of internal conflict and sleeping with the young man, the Prince Regent felt a sudden release of the chains that had bound him, and everything seemed more agreeable.

That day, the Prince Regent missed the morning court session. Meng Xiujin and the ministers were stunned. They never expected the Prince Regent, Prince Fu’an, to be absent. Several took the opportunity to criticize him, suggesting he had ulterior motives since the emperor was already thirteen.

Meng Xiujin rolled his eyes discreetly. These fools. Did they think his uncle’s absence meant they were safe? How many in the imperial court were loyal to Meng Loudi? Without his uncle, he’d be lost.

Meanwhile, Qingxiu stood straight and still before the Prince Regent’s desk. They were surprised too. The Prince Regent missing court-was it because of the storyteller from last night? But given his demeanor, it was hard to imagine him engaging in worldly affairs.

Then Qingxiu saw the Prince Regent dressed differently and the young licentiate wearing his clothes. In that moment, Qingxiu heard the sound of the world collapsing and realized the world was about to change.

Jiang Chenyi was unaware of Meng Loudi’s obsession with cleanliness. He followed the Prince Regent closely, not daring to lift his head, trying to keep his robe from dragging. The clothes were a bit large for him. He couldn’t fathom what the Lord was thinking. He had been forced to admit wanting to climb into bed, and now he had to tell stories. He wanted to die.

Meng Loudi noticed Qingxiu’s surprise and calmly said, “From now on, he will serve me.”

“Yes, Your Highness, I will arrange it,” Qingxiu replied.

“Does that mean I will live here from now on?” Jiang asked quietly.

“Yes, you will live here,” Meng Loudi replied calmly.

Qingxiu was once again shaken to the core. The Prince Regent allowing someone to live in Chang’an Palace Hall! He had to spread the word!

Jiang Chenyi: “Can I at least inform my family? They must be worried…”

Meng Loudi, in a good mood, granted permission. Jiang then hurried to inform Wang Dabao and Mu zili.

The beggar, perched in a tree, watched the young man below, who seemed as excited and nervous as when they first met. Still the same young scholar, with a mix of poverty and resilience.

From the tree, Mu zili swung his legs and said, “Jiang Chenyi, be careful in the future.”

“Why do you say that, Mu-Ge?” Jiang asked.

Mu zili covered his face with a fan, “Once you enter the palace, there’s no turning back. Few in the palace are kind.”

“Uh, okay.” Jiang wasn’t sure, but the guards watching him meant he couldn’t ask more. He waved, smiling a bit foolishly, “I’ll come back to see you, Mu zili, Wang-Ge!”

“Go on, be careful,” Wang Dabao waved him off.

Jiang was bundled into a carriage, carrying his portable book case, and entered the palace. Once inside, the guard leader lectured him, “You know who you’re serving now, right? Be careful. The governess will teach you etiquette. Learn well.”

“Yes,” Jiang nodded obediently.

“Go on,” Qingxiu handed him over to the governess and left, busy with his duties.

Later that afternoon, Meng Loudi summoned Qingxiu. Leisurely, he asked, “Where is he?”

“Kneeling, the guard replied, “With the governess.”

“Who told you to send him there?” Meng Loudi put down his book, looking at his loyal subordinate.

Cold sweat broke out on Qingxiu’s forehead.

The Prince Regent said slowly, “He’s mine to manage. What he does, what he learns, is up to me. You understand, Qingxiu?”

“Yes.”

“Bring him back. Also, find some books on same-sex love and prepare some balm.” Meng Loudi’s words were shocking, yet his expression remained calm.

Qingxiu’s heart skipped a beat, realizing the significance of the young man’s position. A position no one dared to covet.

“I obey.”

Jiang Chenyi, having endured the governess’s lessons, was brought back, looking a bit wilted.

The Prince Regent, reading on the couch, asked casually, “Did someone trouble you?”

“No, no, it’s just… I’m not sure I can serve you well,” Jiang stood by his side.

Especially since the governess had warned him not to touch Prince Fu’an, not to move his things…

Jiang felt he had done all those forbidden things the night before. Yet his head was still intact.

The Prince Regent glanced at him, “It doesn’t matter.”

Rules meant nothing to him.

“What should I do?” Jiang was unsure.

Meng Loudi tapped the inkstone, “Can you grind ink?”

“I can!”

Jiang took the ink stick, poured some water, and began grinding. He held his sleeve with one hand, revealing part of his arm, while he ground the ink with the other.

Meng Loudi’s gaze lingered on the strong arm for a moment before returning to his papers.

After grinding the ink, Jiang had nothing to do. The Prince Regent seemed engrossed, so he pulled out a tattered book from his pocket and began to read. It was something he had taken when separated from his portable book case. He didn’t know where his precious case was.

Sitting on the floor, leaning against the couch, he read until he fell asleep, curled up at the edge, breathing softly.

Meng Loudi’s gaze drifted over, a smile tugging at his lips. How bold, to fall asleep like that. Wasn’t he afraid of him?

Prince Fu’an gently picked him up, placed him on the couch, and continued reading. This time, he could focus.

But soon, the door creaked open, and a small head with a jade crown peeked in, hesitantly calling, “Uncle?”

“What is it?” Meng Loudi looked up.

“I heard you brought back a scholar in blue, and I’m curious,” the boy scratched his cheek, then saw someone lying behind his uncle, dressed in white.

But they were lying behind his uncle!

Heavens, what kind of beauty could stay there without being kicked out?!

Curiosity filled his eyes.

Meng Loudi looked at his annoying nephew, “Finished your studies? Practiced your riding? How’s your calligraphy? And your military strategy?”

Meng Xiujin: “…Uncle, I was wrong. I’ll go study.”

Who said being emperor was easy? He felt like a useless burden, thrust into responsibility, forced to learn the ways of an emperor.

The young emperor retreated, glancing at the man beside him, “Why doesn’t Uncle become emperor?”

Qingxiu bowed his head, “Your Majesty shouldn’t say such things. If others hear, it won’t be good.”

Meng Xiujin tilted his head, “I’m the emperor. Who dares gossip?”

Qingxiu didn’t respond, “Your Majesty, it’s time for your military strategy lessons.”

The young emperor, in his five-clawed dragon robe, headed outside, “If Uncle were emperor, we wouldn’t have to do this.”

Qingxiu watched him go, sighing. Still a child. Without the Prince Regent, could this emperor have survived the bloodshed? If not for him, the Prince Regent might have left long ago.

Meng Xiujin, followed by a retinue, headed to the training grounds. As emperor, his learning was endless. Some were born for it, others not. He didn’t know if he was fit to be emperor, but he knew his uncle was. If Meng Loudi wanted to be emperor, no one would dare refuse.