Chapter 131.

After concluding matters of the preceding dynasty, Yin Chengyu proceeded to the Renshou Palace to visit Empress Dowager Yu.

Following Emperor Longfeng’s demise, Empress Yu relocated to the Renshou Palace, where she was honored as Empress Dowager, bearing the title of Empress Dowager Ciyou.

As for Emperor Longfeng’s former consorts, those with offspring, such as Consort Wen, Consort De, and Consort Rong, had already perished. The remaining consorts who had received imperial favor were relocated to separate palaces for honorable retirement. Those who had not been graced with imperial favor were either retained within the palace as female officials or released to return to their families.

———TN: Engaging in the emperor's intimate and carnal pleasures was a direct result of receiving imperial favor. Just so you're aware.

Consequently, the vast imperial harem now stood utterly desolate.

Fearing the profound solitude of the deep palace, Yin Chengyu frequently visited the Renshou Palace during his leisure hours.

Now that all matters had been definitively resolved, Empress Dowager Yu no longer needed to be wary of covert attacks. Having finally relaxed, her complexion appeared remarkably vibrant, radiating a renewed vitality.

She appeared particularly pleased and affectionate when observing the harmonious interaction between her two sons.

“Yue’er was previously confined rather severely. Now, he refuses to remain quietly in the palace for a single day, constantly clamoring to go out and play,” she remarked.

Yin Chengyue, now over a year old, had been well-protected and nurtured, resulting in a chubby and cherubic appearance. His eyes, in particular, possessed a remarkable liveliness. At this moment, they crinkled into a smile as he gazed at Yin Chengyu.

He seemed particularly fond of this elder brother, despite their infrequent encounters. Whenever Yin Chengyu visited, he invariably clung to him.

“The palace is stifling. In the future, Mother Empress need not restrain herself. You should take Yue’er out for excursions more often,” Yin Chengyu suggested, gently bouncing the toddler on his lap. Yin Chengyue, nestled against his chest, responded with joyful laughter, babbling inarticulate sounds resembling “gege” (older brother).

He had begun speaking early and was now mimicking the speech of those around him.

Observing this scene, Empress Dowager Yu’s smile deepened. She glanced at her eldest son, whose expression was softened by a smile, and, recalling something, stated in a measured tone, “Your Majesty is no longer young. It is time to select a new cohort of young women for the harem. The palace is dull; introducing some fresh, vibrant girls will provide companionship and alleviate my boredom.”

Her words carried a hint of probing.

She had, in fact, already assessed several eligible young ladies from prominent families during previous audiences with noblewomen. However, her deep understanding of her son’s nature, coupled with a lingering unease, had prevented her from broaching the subject earlier.

This child had displayed precociousness from an early age. After commencing his education at the age of three under the tutelage of his maternal grandfather, he had become more independent and rational than other children. At the age of seven, he was instated as Crown Prince and relocated to the Ciqing Palace to reside independently. Although the bond between mother and son remained affectionate, they rarely talked in each other.

Yin Chengyu possessed an excessive degree of self-determination. As he matured, he meticulously managed every aspect of his life, even sheltering his own mother beneath his wing.

Consequently, Empress Dowager Yu rarely intervened in her son’s affairs.

Over the years, Yin Chengyu had remained impervious to distractions, dedicating himself entirely to matters of state. This filled her with both pride and a nagging concern.

He was too cold, too detached.

It was as if he was a machine, a calculating, relentless force. This ice within him worried her. She yearned for him to experience the warmth of human connection, the raw, visceral heat of passion, lest he become a hollow shell, a monument to his own self-imposed isolation.

He presents a façade of gentle refinement, a polished gentleman, treating everyone with courteous humility. In reality, he is excessively rational and restrained, bordering on cold detachment.

The path to imperial rule is arduous and protracted. Empress Dowager Yu harbors constant anxieties regarding his excessively aloof nature, fearing he will ultimately traverse this path alone.

“The national treasury is currently depleted. Implementing measures to increase revenue and reduce expenditure is important. Selecting imperial concubines is a wasteful expenditure of both resources and manpower, and is therefore entirely unnecessary.” As expected, Yin Chengyu unequivocally rejected the proposal, displaying a complete lack of interest in the selection process.

Empress Dowager Yu’s apprehension intensified. She was about to offer words of persuasion when he continued, “I understand Mother’s intentions. I have already formulated a plan.”

“Your Majesty has a plan?” This revelation genuinely surprised Empress Yu.

Seeing him nod in affirmation, she could not suppress her curiosity and pressed, “Which family is she from?”

Yin Chengyu, choosing to be enigmatic, replied with a smile, “Mother will know in due time.”

Observing his reticence, Empress Yu refrained from further questioning. However, she meticulously reviewed the eligible women both within and outside the palace in her mind, yet remained utterly perplexed as to the identity of the woman who had captured her eldest son's attention.

Her curiosity became unbearable, and she thought of Zheng Duobao.

Zheng Duobao, being the Emperor’s personal attendant, ought to possess some insight into this matter.

After conversing for a while longer, Empress Dowager Yu, still unwilling to relinquish her pursuit, subtly probed for information. However, she failed to extract any details about the woman from Yin Chengyu.

Yin Chengyu partook in luncheon at Renshou Palace before preparing to return to Yangxin Hall to attend to state affairs.

As he was about to depart, Yin Chengyue clung to his arm, refusing to let go. When the wet nurse attempted to retrieve him, he pouted and feigned tears. Upon witnessing this, Yin Chengyu abruptly conceived an idea. He informed Empress Yu of his intentions, then departed with the wet nurse and the child, taking them directly to Yangxin Hall.

Xue Shu, who was waiting at the main hall entrance, instinctively frowned upon seeing him emerge carrying Yin Chengyue.

Yin Chengyu, casting a sidelong glance at him, correctly discerned his thoughts. He handed the young child to him, instructing, “I am fatigued from carrying him. You shall take over.”

Xue Shu, of course, would not disobey his command. However, even as he held the child, his brow remained furrowed.

His narrow eyes narrowed, conveying a sense of ill intent.

Fortunately, Yin Chengyue did not appear to fear him, sitting steadily in his arms, curiously turning his head to observe his surroundings. He rarely had the opportunity to visit the imperial court, and was now captivated by the unfamiliar scenery.

The wet nurse and attendants trailed a few steps behind.

Yin Chengyu lowered his voice to speak to him: “By this time next year, Yin Chengyue will commence his formal education. I have invited my maternal grandfather to be his primary instructor, but we still require a martial arts tutor.”

The Great Yan Dynasty was established through military conquest, hence subsequent generations of descendants were required to practice equestrianism and martial arts.

Being stared at intently by him, Xue Shu felt a premonition of ill fortune arising within him. He then heard Yin Chengyu declare, “I have selected you. You have ample time in the coming days to cultivate a master-disciple relationship with Yin Chengyue.”

Xue Shu was rendered speechless.

He engaged in a silent, unwavering stare-down with Yin Chengyue, whom he held in his arms.

Possessing the memories of his past life, he found absolutely no compelling reason to cultivate any emotional connection with Yin Chengyue. His dedicated service in assisting the boy until his assumption of power was already a concession made out of regard for Yin Chengyu.

However, Yin Chengyu’s decision was clearly immutable. Upon returning to the Yangxin Palace of Mental Cultivation, Yin Chengyu immediately attended to state affairs, unceremoniously dumping Yin Chengyue onto Xue Shu with the terse instruction: “Entertain him for a while.”

Yin Chengyue, not yet two years old, had yet to exhibit the ferocity of a wolf cub, appearing utterly innocent. Xue Shu scrutinized him with a darkening countenance for a considerable time.

Far from being intimidated, Yin Chengyue proceeded to smear saliva all over him. Seemingly understanding his brother’s command, the boy vigorously tugged at Xue Shu’s garments with his chubby, lotus-root-like arms, as if impatiently urging him to commence their play session.

The two, one large and one small, remained locked in a tense standoff before the Yangxin Palace of Mental Cultivation.

At that moment, a tiger cub with yellow and black stripes sauntered from the other end of the garden. Upon spotting Xue Shu, it emitted a low growl, broke free from the palace attendants trailing behind it, and rapidly propelled its thick limbs towards him.

At six or seven months old, the cub was already developing the physique of a mature tiger, its body considerably elongated, its tail extending to approximately four feet. However, due to an excessive and indulgent diet, its entire body was rounded and its belly soft, which accentuated the seemingly disproportionate shortness of its limbs.

As it ran towards Xue Shu, it projected not the majestic aura of a king of the jungle, but rather an air of comical clumsiness.

Xue Shu, with a hint of disdain, used his foot to push the cub aside, addressing the attendants who had finally caught up: “Why has it gained so much weight again? Reduce its meals and increase its training sessions at the tiger enclosure.”

The attendants responded with submissive agreement, not daring to contradict him by mentioning the Emperor’s explicit instructions for meticulous care, and the Emperor’s recent praise for their diligent efforts.

This particular cub had been personally brought back to the palace and raised by the Emperor. Unlike the tigers at the tiger enclosure, it was exceptionally attuned to human interaction and never posed a threat. It was the only tiger permitted to roam freely within the palace grounds. Apparently recognizing its master, the cub showed a strong preference for being near the Emperor. The palace staff privately referred to it as “General Tiger.”

The cub remained oblivious to the disapproval directed at it. Its first close bond had been with Yin Chengyu, and Xue Shu was naturally its second. It circled Xue Shu, emitting rumbling sounds in its throat, seemingly intrigued by Yin Chengyue in Xue Shu’s arms. It curiously extended its thick paws, attempting to reach Yin Chengyue’s feet.

Yin Chengyue also leaned down to observe the cub.

Both seemed to recall their previous playtimes together.

Xue Shu glanced at the cub, then at Yin Chengyue. He decisively led the cub into the Yangxin Palace of Mental Cultivation, demarcated an area in the outer room, and placed Yin Chengyue and the cub together, leaving them to their own devices.

The two cubs quickly became entangled in a playful tumble. Yin Chengyue generously shared his toys with the cub.

Xue Shu stood watch, his brow perpetually furrowed.

Yin Chengyu, hearing the commotion, cast a glance outside. Upon seeing Xue Shu’s back, which conveyed a sense of being under siege, he could not suppress a subtle upturning of his lips.

*

After a vigorous romp lasting well over an hour, a thoroughly exhilarated Yin Chengyue finally succumbed to exhaustion, drifting off to sleep sprawled across the young tiger's belly.

When Yin Chengyu finished his official duties and stepped out, he was greeted by the sight of the tiger sprawled on its back, belly rising and falling with snores, and a child sprawled across it, completely at peace.

Xue Shu stood guard nearby, his countenance grim. Only upon Yin Chengyu’s arrival did his oppressive demeanor lighten somewhat.

“See him back to his quarters,” Yin Chengyu instructed, glancing down at Yin Chengyue, whose flushed cheeks and dribble-smeared face had left a mark on the tiger’s fur.

He scooped up the sleeping child and delivered him to the waiting wet nurse, who promptly escorted Yin Chengyue back to Renshou Palace.

By now, night had fallen. Yin Chengyu returned to his study, reviewed a few more reports, and then headed to his quarters to bathe and prepare for bed. Emerging from the bath, refreshed, he was met with the sight of Xue Xu, who had seized the tiger by the scruff of its neck and was attempting to forcibly evict it from the sleeping quarters.

The tiger, having somehow infiltrated the bedchamber, stubbornly refused to budge from its chosen spot on the floor.

"Why must you always be at loggerheads with the creature?" Yin Chengyu interjected, rescuing the protesting tiger from Xue Shu’s grasp and smoothing its sleek, glossy fur.

The remarkably perceptive tiger, recognizing Yin Chengyu’s presence, immediately flopped onto its back at his feet, exposing its furry belly and pawing insistently at his legs.

Yin Chengyu bent down to stroke the soft underbelly, appreciating the familiar tactile sensation.

He mused internally that the fur, while pleasant, was less appealing in the summer heat than during the colder months.

Observing this, Xue Shu pulled Yin Chengyu down to sit beside him on the low couch, meticulously wiping his hands clean with a handkerchief before leaning in and pressing a demonstrative, almost pleading kiss to his lips.

Such overt displays of appeasement hinted at an underlying request.

Yin Chengyu raised an eyebrow, silently awaiting the inevitable revelation.

Instead of speaking directly, Xue Shu didn't bother with polite conversation. He went straight for the kill, dragging a hot, wet trail of kisses down Yin Chengyu’s jaw, a blatant, sensual assault designed to melt him into a puddle of wanting. It was a clear declaration of intent: he wasn't asking permission; he was taking control.

As clothes were ripped open—no gentle undressing here—and rough, demanding hands began a deliberate, probing exploration, Xue Shu masterfully stoked the flames of Yin Chengyu’s desire, building a raging fire in his loins. Every touch was a calculated move, every caress a precise strike, aimed at eliciting a raw, visceral response.

A low, guttural groan rumbled from Yin Chengyu’s chest as he slumped back against the bolster, completely undone. His fingers tangled themselves in Xue Shu’s hair, clutching him closer, his eyes locked onto Xue Shu with a burning, hazy intensity. His voice, now broken and ragged with breathless need, finally managed to claw its way out, a desperate, fragmented demand, “Speak… what is it you wish to… ask of me?”

Xue Shu remained silent until he had thoroughly satisfied Yin Chengyu, at which point he drew him close, his voice a husky whisper against his ear: “I do not wish to be the martial arts instructor. Zhao Lin is far more suited to the role than I.”

———TN: The Dog: Let me spell it out for you in big, bold, flashing neon letters: I. Am. Not. Happy.