Raising Wolves CHAPTER 24

 

 Raising wolves  

 Chapter 24

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

  Chapter 24

Like? Marry?

Lu Qingzheng’s head spun, his thoughts sluggish. It took him a long moment to even comprehend the question. He simply stared blankly at Ning Juan’s face, dazed.

Ning Juan belatedly realized that the usually composed Lu Qingzheng seemed... off. Pausing, he gently lifted Lu Qingzheng’s chin, his tone softening. "Teacher?"

Lu Qingzheng replied with perfect calm. "Mm."

His tone was steady, but the word carried a faint nasal lilt, entirely unlike his usual self.

Ning Juan hesitated. "Are you... drunk?"

Lu Qingzheng denied it without thinking. "No."

He swatted Ning Juan’s hand away, serious. "Watch. I can walk in a straight line."

With that, he stubbornly marched forward along the pebbled path.

Ning Juan, afraid he might fall, moved to support him—only to find his steps surprisingly steady.

He watched as Lu Qingzheng spun in place three times, and the dark mood that had been brewing in his chest finally shattered. He couldn’t help but laugh.

Earlier, when Lu Qingzheng hadn’t returned to the banquet, Ning Juan had grown restless and come looking himself.

Just as he arrived, he overheard the Minister of Rites’ conversation with Lu Qingzheng, and a fire had erupted in his chest, scorching through his reason. Every breath felt like swallowing a thorn, yet he couldn’t pinpoint the source of his anger.

But now, seeing the usually unflappable Lu Qingzheng like this—adorably out of it—his anger melted away.

Ning Juan shot a glare at the guards and Changshun who had followed, signaling for them to turn away and not look.

Then he stepped forward and gently took Lu Qingzheng’s hand, his voice warm with amusement. "Alright, I believe you’re not drunk."

Lu Qingzheng stopped spinning and clasped his hands behind his back, nodding solemnly—but then he just stood there, unmoving.

Ning Juan leaned closer. "What’s wrong?"

In truth, Lu Qingzheng had long run out of energy. His gaze traced the youth’s face, and after a long moment, he finally recognized the boy he’d raised—his little Guoguo. His head suddenly drooped heavily, and he practically collapsed into Ning Juan’s arms, mumbling, "Guoguo."

Ning Juan had grown up.

Unlike when he was a child, small enough to only press against Lu Qingzheng’s thin chest when hugging him.

Now, Lu Qingzheng swayed unsteadily in his embrace, his head nestling against Ning Juan’s neck, his warm breath carrying the sweet scent of wine as it brushed over Ning Juan’s sharp Adam’s apple.

The sensitive skin tingled at the touch. Ning Juan’s hands clenched at his sides, his entire body tensing like a drawn bowstring. His mind went blank, leaving only the weight in his arms—light as a feather yet heavy as a mountain. His throat worked, his voice rough. "...Teacher?"

The person in his arms seemed to sense his tension and patted his back soothingly, just like when he was a child. After a moment of thought, Lu Qingzheng remembered what he wanted to say. "I’m sleepy, Guoguo."

Another pause. "Take me back."

With that, he expended the last of his energy and closed his eyes, trusting his full weight to Ning Juan.

The eunuch who had followed them, seeing Lu Qingzheng’s drunken state, hurried over to help. "Your Majesty, let this servant assist Lord Lu—"

Before he could finish, Changshun clamped a hand over his mouth and yanked him back, hissing, "Are you trying to die?! How dare you touch Lord Lu?!"

The eunuch stared blankly, still confused, when he saw the exalted emperor bend slightly and effortlessly scoop Lu Qingzheng into his arms, carrying him toward Qianqing Palace with steady, even strides, his upper body barely moving.

The eunuch’s jaw dropped.

Even Changshun felt a pang of unease.

Lord Lu’s beauty surpassed not just men but even women—he had never seen anyone more striking.

And yet, Lord Lu was also frail and sickly, so thin that a strong gust of wind might knock him over.

But even so, Lord Lu was undeniably a man!

To see His Majesty carrying him like this... the image was undeniably strange.

Changshun glanced at Ning Juan’s retreating back, his heart skipping a beat. He didn’t dare dwell on it further.

The journey back was silent.

Ning Juan carried Lu Qingzheng all the way to Qianqing Palace without a word.

His steps were so steady that Lu Qingzheng didn’t stir. If anything, the gentle rocking lulled him into an even deeper sleep.

Changshun, worried Ning Juan’s arms might tire, watched anxiously as His Majesty carefully laid Lu Qingzheng on the bed, then hurried over. "Your Majesty, let this servant massage your arms."

Ning Juan frowned and shot him a glare.

Quiet. You’ll wake him.

Understanding, Changshun lowered his voice. "Your arms..."

"No need."

Ning Juan lowered his gaze, his lashes veiling his expression as he looked at his hands, flexing them slightly. His voice was so soft Changshun could barely hear it. "...He’s so light."

In his arms, Lu Qingzheng had felt like a feather, weightless.

So thin it seemed he was nothing but brittle bones, fragile enough to shatter at the slightest mishandling.

The young emperor’s voice was tender, almost unconscious in its affection—not the tone one used for a teacher, but rather...

Ah! Am I seeking death?!

Changshun’s scalp prickled. He decided he must have lost his mind tonight and quickly suppressed the absurd thoughts. "Your Majesty, what about the banquet?"

"It’s about time to wrap up." Ning Juan personally tucked the thin blanket around Lu Qingzheng and drew the bed curtains. Stepping out of the inner chamber, he ordered calmly, "I’ll go conclude it. Have sobering soup warmed and hot water prepared."

Changshun assented repeatedly, helping Ning Juan back into his outer robe, smoothing out every wrinkle, then following His Majesty back to the banquet.

The ministers waited for a long time before Ning Juan finally returned. Seeing that Lu Qingze was not with him, they began whispering among themselves.

Ning Juan appeared quite composed: "The Grand Tutor's illness has not yet healed, and he suddenly fainted earlier. I went to check on him. It's getting late, and we have court tomorrow, so let's end the banquet."

Everyone exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.

As expected... Lu Qingze had fallen ill—again, again, and again!

After tidying up the aftermath, Ning Juan hurried back to the Qianqing Palace, heading straight for the warm chamber. However, the moment he stepped into the inner room, his footsteps lightened as he cautiously approached the bed and lifted the curtain to look.

Lu Qingze slept very properly, neatly and orderly, exactly as he had been when Ning Juan left earlier.

Only then did Ning Juan suddenly remember that in his haste earlier, he had forgotten to remove Lu Qingze's mask. No one else was allowed to touch Lu Qingze.

Sleeping with a mask on must be uncomfortable.

He bent down and carefully removed the silver mask, still warm from Lu Qingze's body temperature, revealing the true face of the person on the bed.

Perhaps feeling more comfortable in his sleep, Lu Qingze's brows relaxed slightly.

His features were delicate and refined, exuding a cold elegance. Normally, his pale face now carried a rosy flush from the alcohol, filling his entire being with a vibrant vitality. The teardrop mole at the corner of his eye was just right, adding a touch of allure.

Because he had been drinking, his usually pale lips now had a moist, rosy hue, looking very soft.

The dim lamplight in the room seemed to saturate every bit of air with a faint hint of alcohol, mingling with the cool scent of plum blossoms, blending into an intoxicating aroma that lightly brushed the nose and trickled into the heart.

Ning Juan's grip on the mask suddenly tightened as he stared blankly at the vivid beauty lying on his bed, his mind completely blank. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if trying to swallow some emotion.

After a long while, holding his breath, he slowly reached out a finger, hovering just inches away, silently tracing the contours of the face on the bed—from the brows, to the eyelashes, the bridge of the nose, the lips...

The warm chamber was utterly silent, so quiet that one could almost hear the faint crackling of the lamp wick.

Ning Juan didn't know why he was doing this.

Afraid to touch, yet longing to touch.

Just as he was lost in thought, his hand suddenly felt warmth.

Lu Qingze had slept briefly, and the alcohol's effects had somewhat subsided. When he opened his eyes, he saw Ning Juan's hand waving in front of his face. Lazily, he grabbed it and gave it a squeeze: "Little brat, what mischief are you up to while I'm asleep?"

His voice was slightly hoarse from just waking up, lazy and unhurried, not sounding like a scolding but rather tickling the ears.

Ning Juan's ears burned fiercely as he hastily withdrew his hand, flustered: "Teacher, you're awake? I—I'll pour you some tea."

Lu Qingze made a vague sound of acknowledgment, massaging his temples as he sat up halfway.

He roughly recalled everything that had happened before he fell asleep, calmly skipping over the embarrassing things he had done. He took the warm tea Ning Juan handed him and took a sip, then lifted his thin eyelids slightly.

Over the past few years, the young emperor had grown rapidly, like a willow sprouting new branches. Though his shoulders still carried the slender frame of youth, his stature had already surpassed Lu Qingze's—tall and straight, blocking most of the light in the room.

Though backlit, his expression wasn't as sharp and fierce as Lu Qingze had seen earlier.

Those narrow, bright eyes sparkled as they fixed on him unblinkingly. If he had a tail, it would probably be wagging furiously right now.

Still an obedient and adorable little puppy.

...Was it just a trick of the light earlier?

Lu Qingze pondered for a moment. The surroundings had been dim, illuminated only by a cold moon in the sky, and his drunken eyes had been blurry. It was normal to missee things.

After all, he had always worried that Ning Juan would grow into the cruel and bloodthirsty tyrant from the original story. And when Ning Juan was younger, he had indeed been... quite fierce.

Fortunately, his efforts to correct this over the years had been effective.

Now, Ning Guoguo was so pure and adorable.

Still, Lu Qingze decided to confirm: "Guoguo, why were you in a bad mood earlier? Who upset you?"

At the mention of this, Ning Juan's expression darkened. He squeezed closer to Lu Qingze and muttered gloomily: "Teacher, you listened to Minister Zhou for so long earlier—are you planning to get married?"

Just the mere thought of Lu Qingze dressed in a red wedding robe, marrying some young lady, made his chest tighten unbearably, as if something heavy were pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe.

Lu Qingze suddenly understood.

Back when he was a teacher, he had a student from a single-parent family who lived with their mother. During the time when the mother was preparing to remarry, the student had been depressed and worried that after the mother started a new family, they would be neglected. As the homeroom teacher, Lu Qingze had spent a long time counseling them—he hadn't expected such an early-maturing child like Ning Juan to have similar concerns!

Over the years, he had treated Ning Juan as both a student and a younger brother, even raising him like a son.

In Ning Juan's heart, he must be a fatherly and motherly figure, which was why he clung to him so much.

After all, he was still a child, afraid of being neglected after Lu Qingze got married.

Lu Qingze set down the teacup and put an arm around Ning Juan's shoulders, adopting a heart-to-heart tone.

Ning Juan kept a stern face, sensing that Lu Qingze probably wouldn't say anything he wanted to hear, but he still leaned in closer.

Lu Qingze's voice was gentle: "Worried I'll abandon you after I get married?"

Ning Juan pressed his lips together and didn't speak.

So that was the concern.

Lu Qingze tilted his head to observe his expression, his heart softening. He felt this little one was truly pitiable, so well-behaved and endearing. Softly, he reassured him: "Don't worry, I won't even think about getting married until all threats are eliminated."

Ning Juan blurted out: "And after that?"

After that?

If he met a girl he liked, perhaps he could try pursuing her. If not, it wouldn't matter—he wasn't fixated on marriage and children. That wasn't the ultimate goal in his life plan.

Besides, with his chronic illnesses, he didn't know how long he would live. It was better not to ruin some poor girl's life.

Lu Qingze didn't treat Ning Juan like a three-year-old to be coddled and answered earnestly: "Guoguo, I've watched you grow up. This bond won't change just because I get married. Just like how after you get married, your feelings toward me won't change, right? So even if I meet someone who understands me in the future, you will always be the child I care about most. Nothing will change."

Lu Qingze thought his explanation was thorough, but Ning Juan's expression grew increasingly darker. A cold, fierce anger spread through his chest.

Marrying someone who understands him and having children?

Always treating him as a child?

Did Lu Qingze think he would be happy to hear this?

But Ning Juan also felt somewhat lost.

Lu Qingze was his teacher. Whether he married or had children was not for Ning Juan to decide.

The conflicting emotions of unwillingness clashed violently in his chest, yet he couldn't vent these feelings on Lu Qingze. In the end, Ning Juan's face darkened further, and his voice dropped low: "It's getting late. Teacher should rest early."

Lu Qingze held the teacup, watching the young man storm off, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Why was he still unhappy?

He pondered for a while, trying to analyze the young emperor's psychology.

Footsteps approached again. Lu Qingze thought Ning Juan had returned and looked up with a smile—only to see Changshun.

Changshun was carrying hangover soup. Seeing Lu Qingze sitting upright on the bed, he discreetly studied his expression, his mind racing.

When His Majesty had left earlier, his face had been dark with anger. Changshun had thought they had argued, but seeing Lord Lu so composed... And given His Majesty's regard for Lord Lu, how could he bear to argue with him? Even in anger, he still remembered to send hangover soup.

Didn't that show their deep teacher-student bond?

His thoughts churned as he smiled obsequiously: "This hangover soup was ordered by His Majesty when he carried you back earlier. It's still warm—please drink it, Lord Lu."

Lu Qingze blinked.

Ning Juan had carried him back?

He hadn't been sleeping that soundly earlier—how had he not woken up?

Lu Qingze sipped the hangover soup slowly as Changshun cautiously added: "His Majesty's devotion to Lord Lu is sincere..."

Lu Qingze choked.

How could he phrase it like that? "Devotion"?

Changshun hurried over to pat Lu Qingze's back gently. Once his breathing steadied, he continued: "His Majesty is usually alone in the palace, longing for you to visit and keep him company for even a moment. Whenever there's something new, the first person he thinks of is you. He hates being at odds with you the most. Earlier..."

Lu Qingze, seeing his cautious probing, waved him off with a laugh: "We didn't argue, don't worry. Where is His Majesty?"

"His Majesty went to the South Study and dismissed everyone. He's been brooding alone inside." Changshun sighed. "And today is His Majesty's birthday, too."

Lu Qingze felt even sorrier for Ning Guoguo.

Yes, today was his birthday.

The entire day had been spent mostly on socializing, and now the little time left was spent sulking.

Changshun, seeing his frown, pressed on: "His Majesty was furious a few days ago and wasn't in a good mood today either. He barely ate anything during the banquet."

Lu Qingze glanced at him: "A few days ago? What happened?"

He had entered the palace a few days ago to lecture, and the young emperor had been all smiles, showing no signs of distress.

Changshun smiled apologetically: "This servant dare not say. Perhaps you could ask His Majesty yourself?"

His words subtly urged Lu Qingze to take the initiative to reconcile with Ning Juan.

Lu Qingze finished the last of the hangover soup and stood up lazily: "Understood. I'll go see him now."

After a few steps, he paused slightly: "You said earlier that His Majesty didn't eat much during the banquet?"

Half an hour later, Lu Qingze arrived at the door of the South Study, carrying a bowl of longevity noodles he had made himself and a plate of pastries.

The study was brightly lit, but all the attendants who usually served inside were waiting outside—indeed, they had all been dismissed.

Quite the temper.

Lu Qingze knocked lightly three times. When there was no response, he knocked once more. A cold voice came from inside: "Get lost. Don't bother me."

So fierce?

Lu Qingze knocked again unhurriedly: "Then I'll get lost?"

The moment the words left his mouth, there was a sudden clatter of chairs and tables inside.

Rapid footsteps approached, and then the study door was flung open.

Ning Juan, in a rush, widened his eyes slightly, both surprised and disbelieving to see Lu Qingze.

Earlier, he had stormed off in anger, thinking Lu Qingze would surely be upset with him. He had been uneasy, staying in the study, unsure what to do.

He hadn't expected Lu Qingze to come to him.

One stood inside the room, the other on the steps below.

Lu Qingze slightly raised his head to look at him. Though his expression was hidden behind the mask, his voice was full of teasing: "Still want me to leave?"

Ning Juan's face flushed. Despite standing on higher ground, he suddenly seemed smaller, murmuring, "Teacher..."

"Alright." Lu Qingze was still holding the tray and motioned with his chin for Ning Juan to go inside. "Changshun said you didn’t eat much last night, so I made you something."

Ning Juan's eyes widened in shock. "Teacher made this yourself?"

"Your eyes are practically falling into the bowl." Lu Qingze followed him into the study, smiling. "Come, taste it. It's been a while since I last cooked."

Ning Juan didn’t care how the noodles tasted.

To him, the fact that Lu Qingze had made them himself made them more precious than any delicacy in the world.

Besides, they weren’t bad at all.

As Ning Juan ate the noodles, the layers of ice in his heart melted away, replaced by a warm, sweet sensation that threatened to overflow.

Lu Qingze sat across from Ning Juan, propping his chin on his hand, watching him eat with a smile.

He had unexpectedly arrived in this era, adrift like duckweed, with no roots to call his own. Everything around him was unfamiliar, and Ning Juan was one of the few reasons he had found footing in this world.

Ning Juan clearly valued him, but Lu Qingze’s regard for Ning Juan was likely even deeper.

After finishing the longevity noodles, there was still a round pastry left.

This one had been trickier to make. Lu Qingze had asked the palace chefs to prepare it with flour and honey, barely managing to shape it into something resembling a cake, topped with a circle of glistening, sweet-and-sour cherries.

Lu Qingze pulled a slender candle from his sleeve, lit it with the nearby oil lamp, and solemnly stuck it into the cake.

Ning Juan blinked in confusion. "Teacher, what’s this for?"

Lu Qingze swung his legs slightly, a playful smile on his lips as he indulged the child. "In my hometown, we eat cake on birthdays. We light a candle on top, make a wish with our eyes closed, blow it out, and the wish comes true."

Ning Juan narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Lu Qingze thoughtfully.

He had ordered Zheng Yao to investigate Lu Qingze’s background.

Lu Qingze’s ancestral home was in Lin’an Prefecture. He had lost both parents young and was raised by his uncle, who passed away before he left for the capital to take the imperial exams. He had no other relatives—his history was simple and unblemished.

Did Lin’an Prefecture have such customs? He had never heard of them.

It seemed his teacher had other secrets.

Ning Juan didn’t believe in gods—in fact, he despised them. The world wasn’t so simple that a wish could make things happen.

Emperor Chong’an had spent decades chasing immortality through Daoist practices, only to become a laughingstock in the history books.

But since Lu Qingze had said so, he played along. When he closed his eyes, his usually calm heart suddenly raced with a few impulsive wishes.

He wanted to stay with Lu Qingze forever.

He didn’t want Lu Qingze to marry anyone else.

He didn’t want Lu Qingze to keep treating him like a child.

The wishes tangled together, finally dissolving into a soft sigh.

Ning Juan thought, Teacher’s health is what matters most.

If the gods had any mercy, let his teacher live a long, healthy life, staying by his side for years to come.

He would pay any price.

With his wish made, Ning Juan opened his eyes, blew out the candle, and looked up into a pair of warm, smiling eyes.

"Guoguo, happy birthday."

________________________________________

When Lu Qingze woke the next morning, Ning Juan had already left for court.

A faint sense of guilt washed over him—his underage child was out working to support him.

Afraid that Lu Qingze might leave, Ning Juan had even left Changshun behind to keep an eye on him.

By past routine, Lu Qingze would stay in the palace for a few days. He didn’t know why the kid was so nervous, as if he might run away at any moment.

Last night, Ning Juan had clung to him, talking for a long time until Lu Qingze had fallen asleep in his bed.

Perhaps because of the wine, his body still felt sluggish.

Lu Qingze lazily closed his eyes, pulling the blanket over his head, intending to doze a little longer.

That "little longer" lasted until Ning Juan returned.

Vaguely roused by the sound of rustling and hushed voices outside, Lu Qingze heard a cold, displeased murmur: "You should have made him eat something before sleeping. Useless."

Was Changshun being scolded again?

Feeling a pang of guilt, Lu Qingze sat up, straightened his inner robe, and walked out. "I was the one who wanted to sleep in. Why blame Changshun?"

Changshun, head bowed in submission, glanced gratefully at Lu Qingze—only to shrink back under Ning Juan’s glare.

Ning Juan was still in his imperial robes, exuding an air of majesty, but his expression softened instantly at the sight of Lu Qingze. "Did you sleep well, Teacher? Lunch is ready."

Lu Qingze nodded, forcing his eyelids open.

This body had been damaged at its foundation. Every morning, it took a long time for his body and mind to fully wake up.

Too little sleep left him groggy; too much sleep left him dazed.

Seeing his slightly flushed face and dazed expression—so unlike his usual calm, composed demeanor—Ning Juan found it both endearing and heartbreaking. He couldn’t help stealing a few more glances before his ears turned pink and he looked away, turning Changshun’s head aside for good measure. "Teacher, you really shouldn’t drink anymore."

A single cup left him like this—what if three cups made him agree to anything anyone said?

Too dangerous.

Unaware of the implications, Lu Qingze hummed lazily in agreement and turned to wash up.

Ning Juan changed into casual clothes and waited for him to join for lunch.

By now, Lu Qingze was fully awake and remembered that while comforting the child last night, he had forgotten to ask why Ning Juan had been upset those past few days.

Even Changshun hadn’t dared to tell him.

As he ate the stir-fried lotus root Ning Juan had placed in his bowl, Lu Qingze casually brought it up. Ning Juan’s expression darkened instantly, and he shot Changshun a glare.

Changshun silently faced the corner, looking pitiful and helpless.

Lu Qingze couldn’t stand it and tapped his bowl lightly with the spoon—clink—a crisp sound. "Why keep scolding Changshun? He didn’t say anything. Tell me, what happened?"

Ning Juan still seemed reluctant. "I don’t want to dirty your ears."

Lu Qingze thought for a moment and guessed, "Does it involve the Prince of Shu?"

The only person who could disgust Ning Juan so much was likely Ning Cong, the Prince of Shu, who had once coveted him.

Seeing that Lu Qingze had guessed correctly, Ning Juan frowned irritably. "Ning Cong wanted to come to the capital under the pretext of congratulating me on my birthday. I refused."

Remembering Ning Cong’s parting words before leaving the capital years ago, a trace of cold killing intent flashed in Ning Juan’s downcast eyes.

If he weren’t tied up with other matters right now, Ning Cong’s head would already be on a platter.

Lu Qingze shook his head. "Ning Cong isn’t worth your attention. The real threat is Prince Jing."

Compared to the fool Ning Cong, Prince Jing Ning Jing, who lurked silently, waiting to strike, was the true danger.

Ning Juan studied his expression carefully, relieved to see he wasn’t too affected.

Noticing his cautious demeanor, Lu Qingze found it both amusing and exasperating. "Being coveted by Ning Cong is disgusting, but I’m a grown man—it’s not like I’m afraid of such things. No need to tiptoe around it."

Ning Juan opened his mouth, then hesitated.

In this dynasty, same-sex relationships weren’t uncommon. Several emperors had taken male consorts, and the trend had spread among the common folk—some officials had even married men.

How could his teacher be so oblivious?

He sighed inwardly but didn’t want to upset Lu Qingze, so he swallowed his words and nodded vaguely.

Fine. I’ll just have to keep a close eye on him and make sure no one else lays a finger on him.

After lunch, Lu Qingze and Ning Juan went to the study. As soon as he stepped inside, Lu Qingze noticed that the painting he had gifted Ning Juan for his birthday the day before had already been hung up.

It depicted the wintersweet blossoms in the courtyard of Lu Residence—flecks of red against the snow, proud and unyielding.

The emperor’s study naturally housed masterpieces of unparalleled artistry.

Lu Qingze’s painting skills were decent, but compared to the works of renowned masters, it was like an amateur stumbling into a gathering of experts—an outright embarrassment.

Lu Qingze fell silent for three seconds. Knowing he couldn’t argue with Ning Juan, he averted his eyes and pretended not to see it. "By the way, I ran into Qin Yuan’an on my way into the palace yesterday."

The capital was full of noble sons, but few were outstanding. Most relied on family connections to secure idle positions.

Qin Yuan’an was handsome, well-versed in military strategy, and had shone brilliantly in the martial exams—a rare gem among mediocrities.

Ning Juan’s fingers tensed slightly.

Then he heard Lu Qingze say dispassionately, "He’s still in contact with Wei Qiao. They seem close. Keep an eye on him."

Whether they could infiltrate the Wei household quickly depended on Qin Yuan’an.

Ning Juan’s fingers relaxed, and a smile appeared. "Don’t worry, Teacher."

This kid, what’s he so happy about?

Lu Qingze gave him a puzzled look and poured him a cup of tea.

Ning Juan took a sip—and froze.

He glanced down at the tea, confused.

Lu Qingze sat across from him, smiling leisurely. "You’ve been a bit irritable lately, so I made you chrysanthemum tea to cool you down. Don’t like it?"

"...I do." Ning Juan swallowed back the reprimand he’d almost aimed at Changshun and took another big gulp to prove it.

He nearly choked.

Seeing his reaction, Lu Qingze’s eyes curved in amusement. "Any news from Jiangyou?"

Ning Juan frowned. "By my calculations, it should have arrived by now."

To avoid being accused of having a temper again, he forced back his complaints.

Given the slow pace of ancient travel, and the fact that the messenger pigeons Zheng Yao had trained couldn’t fly that far, Lu Qingze also found it odd but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, the mention of carrier pigeons reminded him of something else. "What happened to that gyrfalcon from yesterday?"

Gyrfalcons were majestic and fierce by nature. Once brought into the palace, they would be tamed by specialists.

The so-called "eagle taming" involves depriving the gyrfalcon of sleep to wear down its spirit, then training it through methods like "passing the fist," "running the rope," and "cinching the waist," until its wild nature is completely subdued, leaving only servility.

The process is cruel. Having received a modern education, Lu Qingze felt uncomfortable just thinking about it.

He was aware that, living in this era, he couldn't single-handedly change the tide of the times.

But when it came to an eagle, he couldn't help but think more about it.

After all, setting an eagle free was much simpler than setting a person free.

Ning Juan noticed Lu Qingze's silence and leaned slightly forward, gazing into his eyes. "Teacher, do you want me to release that gyrfalcon?"

Lu Qingze hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "It's your gift; you don't need to ask for my opinion."

He didn't want to use his position as Ning Juan's teacher to make demands of him.

"Then that's settled." Having guessed Lu Qingze's thoughts correctly, Ning Juan smiled contentedly. "I know you're kind-hearted and can't bear to see the gyrfalcon suffer through the taming process. But it was brought here from the northern deserts, covered in injuries. Once it's healed, I'll release it."

Lu Qingze didn't feel particularly happy about it. "There's really no need. If you like it, just—"

"Teacher," Ning Juan interrupted him, his smile still light and casual. "What you wish for, I will do for you. As long as you're willing, I'm happy to oblige.

"An eagle is just an eagle. In my heart, it's not worth a single smile from you."

The boy's tone was calm, but his attitude was firm, his gaze unwavering. Lu Qingze was stunned for a long moment before he could react. For some reason, facing Ning Juan's increasingly deep, dark eyes, he found himself at a loss for words.

He rubbed his forehead, shaking off the strange feeling rising in his chest, and spoke sternly: "Guoguo, I just don't want you to make decisions that go against reason or principle because of anyone. You are the ruler of Great Qi. You must avoid elevating those you love to the skies and casting down those you dislike into the abyss."

Those who acted solely based on their personal likes and dislikes either became tyrants or fools.

"Teacher, don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Ning Juan smiled. "Besides, I never liked taming eagles in the first place."

Erasing an eagle's wild nature, turning a fierce and untamed gyrfalcon into a servile creature—he didn't like that.

It wasn't that he lacked the desire to conquer. For things he disliked, such methods were fine. But for things he liked, once tamed, they would lose their appeal to him.

What he wanted was willing submission.

Lu Qingze nodded, half-convinced.

In the afternoon, Lu Qingze declined Ning Juan's offer to have the gyrfalcon brought over for inspection and instead accompanied Ning Juan to the aviary in person.

The gyrfalcon, which had traveled thousands of miles, was locked in an iron cage, exhausted and asleep. Yesterday, they had been far away, but today, as they approached, Lu Qingze noticed it was covered in bloodstains. Clearly, it had already undergone taming during the journey—but with little success.

Despite its injuries, the snow-white falcon remained majestic and formidable.

The falconer wiped his sweat. "Your Majesty, though this gyrfalcon is young, it is extremely wild. It's best not to get too close, lest it harm the imperial person."

The gyrfalcon opened its eyes alertly, its sharp gaze scanning them, letting out a threatening screech.

When it saw Lu Qingze, it tilted its head slightly, studying him for a moment before slowly moving closer to him.

Ning Juan frowned and immediately moved to shield Lu Qingze.

Lu Qingze gestured for silence, picked up some fresh meat from the nearby provisions, and held it out at a distance, offering it to the bird.

The falconer couldn't help but interject, "My lord, this gyrfalcon is very stubborn. It was likely trained on the journey and won't willingly take food from—"

Before he could finish, the gyrfalcon barely hesitated before snatching the meat from Lu Qingze's hand.

Lu Qingze had always had a way with animals. Most creatures were naturally drawn to him. When he visited zoos, even wolves would roll over and act cute in front of him. When he traveled with friends to Qianling Mountain, the monkeys not only refrained from stealing his things but even shared their loot with him.

He hadn’t expected this trait to persist even in a different body.

The corners of his eyes crinkled slightly as he watched the gyrfalcon eat. After a moment’s consideration, he cautiously reached out, testing whether he could get closer.

The falconer broke out in a cold sweat.

Though this gyrfalcon was young, it was incredibly strong. This imperial tutor, frail as he was, had wrists as slender as twigs beneath his wide sleeves, his hands as delicate as jade carvings. If the eagle’s beak struck, the jade would shatter on the spot!

Given the emperor’s regard for him, wouldn’t the falconer’s head roll right after?

Instinctively, the falconer looked to Ning Juan, about to voice his concern, but Ning Juan casually waved him off. His gaze fixed on the gyrfalcon, he made a subtle gesture with his other hand, signaling the guards nearby—if this beast posed even the slightest threat to Lu Qingze, it was to be killed immediately.

All eyes in the aviary were on Lu Qingze’s hand.

That hand was slender and pale, fingers flowing like jade, exquisitely beautiful yet fragile, as if it would shatter at the slightest touch.

Everyone in the aviary held their breath.

The next moment, Lu Qingze’s hand successfully touched the warm, slightly fluffy feathers of the eagle.

The gyrfalcon continued eating, seemingly unaware, showing no signs of affection but not resisting Lu Qingze’s touch either.

Just as he’d imagined.

Lu Qingze smiled thoughtfully. “Does it have a name?”

The falconer, who had been holding his breath until his face turned blue, finally exhaled in relief. “N-no name… I never expected it would take to you like this.”

He was experienced. The moment he received this gyrfalcon and saw its temperament, he knew there was a ninety percent chance the taming would fail. He had been uneasy, but seeing this scene left him utterly shocked.

Lu Qingze withdrew his hand and thought for a moment. “Then let’s call it Little Snow.”

The falconer: “...Huh?”

The falconer gaped blankly, then turned to look at the emperor.

But Ning Juan’s gaze wasn’t on the gyrfalcon. Instead, he was watching Lu Qingze, who wore a cold mask but smiled faintly at the corners of his lips. As if infected by that smile, Ning Juan also smiled. “Little Snow it is. We’ll go with what Teacher says.”

Thus, during his stay at the palace these days, Lu Qingze acquired a new hobby.

When Ning Juan went to morning court, Lu Qingze was in the aviary. After returning to spend some time with Ning Juan, he went back to the aviary. Before bed at night, he made another trip to the aviary.

Little Snow was extremely wary. It would only eat meat fed by Lu Qingze. Anyone else’s offerings were treated as hostile acts—it would rather starve than take a bite. It had excellent self-discipline.

With Lu Qingze around, even applying medicine became much easier.

Lu Qingze progressed from cautiously touching its wings to patting its head, their bond growing closer by the day.

While Lu Qingze was delighted, Ning Juan was far less pleased. Every time he accompanied Lu Qingze to the aviary, the murderous glint in his eyes as he stared at Little Snow grew more intense.

Those useless fools in the aviary couldn’t even take care of this damned bird properly, forcing his teacher to visit multiple times a day. The time that should have been spent with him was now spent with a bird!

What was so great about a stupid bird?!

Ning Juan was utterly miserable but couldn’t openly admit he was jealous of a bird. He could only swallow his bitterness and stew in silence.

But this damned bird wasn’t entirely without merit.

To ensure Little Snow cooperated with its medication and recovered faster, Lu Qingze, after careful consideration, decided to temporarily stay in the palace.

Because of this, the murderous aura in Ning Juan’s heart lessened slightly.

Though upon reflection, he grew even more miserable—in the past, no matter how much he wheedled or begged his teacher to stay a few more days in the palace, Lu Qingze would gently pat his head with a smile before ruthlessly refusing.

But this time, his teacher was staying in the palace because of this damned bird!

Did that mean, in Lu Qingze’s heart, this bird was more important than him?

At dinner that evening, Lu Qingze stared at the table full of bird-themed dishes and fell into deep thought.

When it was time to sleep, Ning Juan couldn’t help but burrow into Lu Qingze’s arms, clinging tightly and refusing to let go.

The weather was getting hotter, and Lu Qingze pushed the boy away in disgust. “Move over. Don’t stick to me.”

A boy of this age was full of vigor, his body radiating heat like a blazing fire.

In the middle of summer, without air conditioning, sticking so close together was a true test of his paternal love for Ning Juan.

Ning Juan fell silent for three seconds before letting out a wail of despair. “Teacher!”

Lu Qingze, drowsy and nodding off, rolled over and mumbled, “Hmm, move away. Go on.”

In the winter, when they slept together, he was praised as a warm and cozy little quilt. But come summer, his teacher turned cold and heartless, pushing him away.

How could his teacher be like this!

Ning Juan’s eyes reddened. Gnashing his teeth at Lu Qingze’s indifferent demeanor, he angrily crawled to the other side of the bed, resembling a jilted lover scorned by a heartless man.

Yet Lu Qingze remained motionless, showing no reaction.

Ning Juan sniffled, his voice trembling. “Teacher, is that bird more important than me?”

Lu Qingze was nearly asleep, his thoughts foggy. Bird? What bird? What about a bird?

Ning Juan stared at the back of Lu Qingze’s unresponsive head for a long time, but there was no sign of his teacher relenting. His eyes grew even redder. After sulking for a while, he finally, resentfully, grabbed a corner of Lu Qingze’s sleeping robe, twisted it tightly, and closed his eyes with a sullen expression.

Though furious enough to ache in his chest, the faint, cool scent of plum blossoms surrounding him still brought him immense comfort.

Ning Juan stewed in his anger until exhaustion finally began to overtake him, his consciousness slowly slipping away.

Suddenly, he heard an almost imperceptible sigh.

In the quiet of the night, the gauzy bed curtains enclosed the canopy bed in a small, intimate space. After a rustling sound, Lu Qingze—who had earlier complained about the heat—shifted closer.

Before bed, he had been forced to drink a bowl of medicine and suck on some candied fruit. Though he had rinsed his mouth, his breath still carried a sweet fragrance as he spoke. One hand rested on Ning Juan’s shoulder, gently patting him, his voice drowsy with sleep. “What bird? You’re the most important. Now sleep.”

Then, stubbornly drawing a line, he added, “But don’t get too close. It’s really hot.”

Ning Juan’s drowsiness vanished instantly. He opened his eyes silently.

Lu Qingze lay facing him, his dark lashes casting delicate shadows, his skin pale as snow in the dim light, like a sculpture of ice. The small mole at the corner of his eye was especially striking, adding to his exquisite beauty.

Afraid of heat and cold alike.

My teacher is delicate—that’s only natural.

Ning Juan’s anger dissipated completely. Unable to help himself, he smiled, gazing at Lu Qingze for a long time, resisting the urge to reach out and disturb him.

In his heart, he replayed Lu Qingze’s sleep-muddled words—you’re the most important—over and over, each repetition making his heart swell with sweetness. The restless thumping in his chest made it impossible to sleep, his entire body brimming with unspent energy.

Beside him, Lu Qingze’s breathing grew even and steady.

He had already fallen into a deep slumber.

Ning Juan suddenly felt an impulse. Nervously licking his lips, he tentatively whispered, “Teacher?”

Lu Qingze was sound asleep and didn’t respond.

Ning Juan adored Lu Qingze’s courtesy name.

But while everyone else could call him by it freely, he couldn’t. If he did, it would be disrespectful to his teacher.

Yet he longed to say it.

Beside him, Lu Qingze slept deeply, unaware.

"Awaken the moon for a night, shining upon my heart filled with ice and snow."

In the depths of the night, unknown to anyone, the young emperor's lashes trembled slightly, his heart pounding like a drum as he softly uttered the name that burned like a brand in his chest: "Huai Xue."

Even without receiving a response, Ning Juan felt a flicker of satisfaction in his heart.

But soon, that satisfaction turned into a greater emptiness.

The contentment he had just felt seemed to collapse, replaced by a greedy craving—as if merely calling the name wasn’t enough, as if he needed to do something more to declare the uniqueness between them.

Human desires are insatiable; there is always a longing for more.

This time, he wanted to call Lu Qingze by his name. What would he crave next?

Ning Juan clenched his hand unconsciously, not daring to think further, and closed his eyes.

The following afternoon, the long-awaited scout finally arrived at the palace, covered in dust, bringing news from Jiangxi.

Author’s Note:

Lu Qingze (thinking he’s solved the problem): No worries, sleeping soundly.

Ning Juan: (tossing) (turning) (growing more aggrieved) (gnawing on the blanket) (whimpering) (starting to compose a lengthy emotional post in his mind).

The next morning, Lu Qingze wakes up: ? What happened?

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