Translated by Eve

　　Edited by Wuxian

　　In the end, Zhao Xihe got what he wished for. Only, so as to comfort his overly nervous and shy sweetheart, his actions were extremely cautious and restrained. The position they used was also the one they used the most frequently. Even when his lover hid under the covers and didn't permit him to look at him, he did not object, complying to his requests.

　　Although he only had a taste, and was not fully satisfied, this enormous step forward still made the Emperor's day especially joyous. Even when the Officials at morning court had accidentally tread on his bottom line, he only gave them a friendly smile and warned them before letting them off.

　　The Cabinet Ministers："……………………"

　　——The Emperor is really strange today! However, we hope that he will continue acting this strangely from now on…._(:з)∠)_

　　Situ Gui, who had long since perceived the abnormality that was his Emperor Father's good mood today, could vaguely guess the reason for it. He incessantly glanced at his brother who didn't seem to be any different, heart uneasy. After morning court, he immediately dragged Sui Yuan to one side, tone especially nervous and worried, "Xu Tu, did Emperor Father do…that…to you?"

　　After having truly stepped over that threshold, Sui Yuan no longer vehemently denied things like he had in the past. However, when someone asked about this so frankly, it still made him feel rather embarra.s.sed.

　　When Situ Gui saw Sui Yuan's expression, he tacitly understood. He sighed and patted him on the shoulder, "Didn't I tell you before not to let Emperor Father get what he wants so easily? Regarding my Emperor Father who has a harem of countless beauties but still remains cold-hearted and unfeeling…I'm worried that he will turn his back on you at some point in time…."

　　Sui Yuan: "…Hehe, you speak as if this matter has nothing to do with you. Just who was it again that brought me into the palace yesterday?"

　　——Even now, he can still remember that repulsive face Situ Gui had made when he had stuck him into Zhao Xihe's embrace, as if he was holding onto a scorching hot sweet potato, ne!

　　Situ Gui："…………………………"

　　——Since things were like this, even with a glib tongue, he was still left speechless.

　　Just as Situ Gui was explaining the methods used by the harem—that he saw while growing up—to his brother, His Majesty the Emperor's attendant had already quietly made his way over and coughed once, awkwardly.

　　Situ Gui, who was caught in the act, flushed. He also knew that his words just now weren't very appropriate and thus looked at the attendant at once, seeming to be trying to cover up his slip-up, "What does Emperor Father command?"

　　The attendant swept a glance at Sui Yuan, "His Majesty invites Young Master Xu to enter the Imperial study."

　　Situ Gui："……………………"

　　——I knew that it would be like this.

　　Sui Yuan waved goodbye to Situ Gui and followed the attendant towards the Imperial study. As soon as he entered, he discovered that His Majesty the Emperor was uncharacteristically standing before the Imperial desk, head lowered, looking at memorials. It was completely different from how he usually directly called him over to do this and that with him.

　　He didn't know why, but the words of 'once a man has obtained what he wants, he will throw you away like worn out shoes' that Situ Gui had brainwashed him with, immediately resurfaced in his mind. Sui Yuan was all 囧 to that hole in his brain. He then took the initiative to walk over and hug His Majesty the Emperor from behind, arms around his waist.

　　The Emperor's actions halted, but he didn't react. He just let Sui Yuan intimately rub against him however he wished. However, after Sui Yuan's rubbing, he felt that the situation was not quite right and he subconsciously let go, taking a step back.

　　The Emperor who originally had his back towards Sui Yuan turned around. He looked down at him with a feeling of superiority, towering above him. It was still that same familiar face that it couldn't be any more familiar, but the cold and robotic light exuding from his eyes made him look inhumane—made him look like a computer program manipulating a puppet.

　　Sui Yuan's pupils contracted, and the hair all over his body stood up in an instant. He went 'thump thump thump' as he retreated a few paces, directly sticking his body against the wall, and realized what had most probably happened. Sui Yuan opened his mouth but could not make a single sound. His brain was a mess and he completely did not know how to react.

　　#I had only stepped out to chat a bit with another person. Once I returned, I discovered that my lover has been replaced. What to do?!#

　　His Majesty the Emperor slightly tilted his head, sizing Sui Yuan up. He then threw the memorial in his hand down onto the desk, and then picked up a pastry that the palace attendants had specifically prepared for Sui Yuan, taking a bite.

　　It was obvious that this kind of sweet and soft pastry did not suit his tastes—or rather, it should be 'its' tastes. The Emperor placed the rest of the pastry back down on the tray and lightly patted off the remaining crumbs on his fingers. Each and every one of his movements carried a sort of rigidness, but also carried a hint of child-like curiosity. Sui Yuan watched as the Emperor took a walk around the study, each step exactly the same length, touching everything that caught his interest. Only then was Sui Yuan able to slowly accept the truth before his eyes.