BLHO Chapter 107

Lin Shuangxu’s breathing was heavy, and he was covered in the smell of alcohol. After messing around for half the day, he finally tired himself out. He quietly asked He Yuncheng to hold him, then turned his head and pressed his cheek against him, calling his name while tears streamed down.

He Yuncheng used his fingertips to wipe away his tears and kissed the corner of his eye soothingly.

Lin Shuangxu struggled a little, and He Yuncheng raised his body, no longer pressing down on him with force.

Lin Shuangxu stood up with him, turned around, and hugged him tightly.

He Yuncheng’s heart softened terribly. He naturally scooped up his legs and lifted him up from the front.

Lin Shuangxu’s slender legs dangled at his waist. His hands and feet were in the air, clinging to him like glue. But no matter how hard he hugged him, it wasn’t enough, so he said to him with a sob, “Come in.”

The bright moon hung in the sky, a spring night of romance. Such intense love always carried a bit of indulgence and lasciviousness.

If it weren’t so, it wouldn’t be flavorful enough to write about a young man’s infatuation.

Lin Shuangxu’s tears seemed endless, falling silently, then turning to restrained sobs.

His crying made He Yuncheng lose his reason even more, completely becoming a brutal intruder, breaking him into pieces in every corner of the courtyard, then piecing him back together again.

When dawn was about to break, Lin Shuangxu was almost completely exhausted. He Yuncheng carried him back to the room, and he didn’t even have the strength to open his eyes.

Lying on the bed, he pulled on He Yuncheng’s sleeve in a half-dreaming state, saying in a hoarse voice that he wanted to eat candied hawthorns, right now.

He Yuncheng lowered his head and bit his chin, telling him not to pester him anymore.

Lin Shuangxu hummed in dissatisfaction and turned over to his side.

The corners of He Yuncheng’s lips lifted, and he reluctantly kissed his temple again. After a moment, he heard his soft snoring.

After he fell asleep, He Yuncheng straightened his clothes and stepped out the door in the morning light.

–

Inside the Golden Luan Hall, sandalwood incense swirled.

This was the first morning court after the new Emperor ascended the throne. The officials stood solemnly like pine trees, even their breathing was deliberately softened.

The morning light pierced through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the carpet. Gu Meng Ning sat upright on the dragon throne, twirling a string of prayer beads in her hand. The Crown swayed slightly,Cover.

At the enthronement ceremony a few days ago, the meritorious officials who deserved to be rewarded had already been promoted. Now, it was time to settle some old scores.

Shen Tan held an ivory tablet and stood at the head of the officials, her scarlet python robe accentuating her slender figure.

The moment she unfolded the memorial, all the civil and military officials held their breath in unison—the long page was filled with the crimes of the former dynasty’s officials.

“Zhang Qian, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, embezzled 300,000 taels of disaster relief funds; Xiao Ping, Chief Justice of the Dali Temple, privately set up an imperial prison and cruelly harmed loyal and good people…”

Her forceful voice echoed in the hall. Every time a name was read, a guard dragged the limp official out of the court.

By the time the long list was finished, the hall had become much emptier than before. As Shen Tan’s voice paused slightly, the remaining people wiped away cold sweat, and few of them had a decent complexion.

There was one last name on the memorial.

Shen Tan paused deliberately for a moment before reading it out emphatically—Li Yuliang, the Grand Eunuch in charge of the Directorate of Palace Attendants.

Hearing this name, Gu Meng Ning stopped twirling the beads in her hand, straightened her face, and leaned forward.

She wanted to listen carefully.

Shen Tan raised her voice and proclaimed his crimes.

From framing loyal and good people to Rebellion of the regicide, forty-nine crimes were listed one by one, each word piercing the heart.

Gu Meng Ning’s expression also became increasingly gloomy as the crimes were listed.

Until the last one was read, she finally slammed the table and stood up, her wide sleeves waving angrily, and the string of beads in her hand snapped.

The pearls of the South China Sea rolled to the ground, and the entire court was silent.

Gu Meng Ning’s oppressive voice rang out after a long time: “What do you all think should be the punishment for the criminal Li Yuliang?”

The Minister of Justice had already been dismissed, and none of the other officials present were suitable or dared to speak.

The hall was deathly silent. The new Minister of War glanced at He Yuncheng, but saw the General of the Nation quietly observing Song Jiting, Lord Song.

Others might not understand the situation, but He Yuncheng understood it clearly. Regarding how to deal with Li Yuliang, the Emperor had no intention of asking anyone else; she only wanted to hear what Song Jiting thought.

Gu Meng Ning’s fingertips lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall like a knife, finally settling on Song Jiting.

“Lord Song,” she asked slowly, “in your opinion, how should this person Li Yuliang be punished?”

This should be a matter for the Ministry of Justice to oversee, so why did the Emperor ask Lord Song, the Minister of Revenue?

The officials were confused, but no one dared to speak.

Song Jiting took a deep breath, as if the stone above his head had finally fallen. He had been hit, but he felt at peace.

His thin figure stood straight, and he stepped forward and bowed.

“Your Majesty, Li Yuliang has brought chaos to the court, deceived his sovereign, and committed heinous crimes. If he is not given the most severe punishment, it will be difficult to deter the court and promote Your Majesty’s majesty. Therefore, I believe…”

He paused slightly, then raised his voice, almost shouting, “He should be subjected to lingchi!”

This sentence was like a red-hot iron thrown into ice water. He Yuncheng’s brow furrowed, and even Shen Tan turned her head slightly, unable to hide her shock.

“Three thousand six hundred cuts,” Song Jiting raised his head, his eyes filled with ice. “Not a single cut less would be enough to repay his crimes.”

Perhaps even Gu Meng Ning had not expected that Song Jiting could be so cruel, so ruthless.

Indeed, he hated that eunuch to the extreme.

Gu Meng Ning was surprised and satisfied. She slowly stood up, the gold thread on her dragon robe dazzling to the eyes.

“Granted. The execution will be carried out three days later at noon.” With a wave of her hand, she said to Song Jiting, “The position of Minister of Justice is vacant. This case will be overseen by Lord Song in its entirety.”

Song Jiting knelt down, his robes rustling, and kowtowed heavily, “This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness.”

The bell signaling the end of the court rang, and the people knelt and bowed, scattering like a tide.

The morning sun was piercing to the eyes. He Yuncheng walked down the white jade steps, still pondering the situation just now, when he suddenly heard someone call him from behind: “General He.”

He turned around. The sultry wind stirred his heavy official robes. The person’s pale face wore a proper smile. It was Song Jiting.

It seemed he had come specifically to greet He Yuncheng.

“Lord Song,” He Yuncheng nodded and returned the greeting.

Song Jiting stepped forward, looking cheerful. He said politely, “I heard that the General was seriously injured some time ago, but I haven’t been able to find the time to visit. I’m truly sorry.”

He Yuncheng smiled courteously, “Lord Song, you don’t need to be so polite.”

Song Jiting said, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days. If it’s convenient, why not invite Young Master Shuangxu and have a small gathering?”

He Yuncheng did not refuse. “Lord Song’s gracious invitation is a great honor and joy for us.”

Song Jiting nodded pleasantly and said, “We will be serving as officials in the same court in the future. There are many things that I still need to learn from General He.”

He Yuncheng said, “I wouldn’t dare to teach you. Lord Song is brave, resourceful, and able to adapt to circumstances. His Majesty has high hopes for you. In the future, when you are in charge of the Grand Secretariat, my General’s Residence will need your care.”

Song Jiting and they could be considered old friends from times of hardship. Now that they had overcome all obstacles and met at the peak, they had become polite and distant instead.

“The General is too kind,” he said, the smile always on his lips, trying to maintain the composure that a well-rounded and powerful official should have, but his pale complexion always seemed to be surrounded by coldness in the midst of summer.

“However…able to adapt to circumstances, General He, are you mocking me?”

“Lord Song, why do you say that? I am sincerely praising you. Why would you be suspicious and doubt me?”

Song Jiting’s smile faded. “General He, do even you believe that even now, I am still entangled with Li Yuliang?”

He asked seriously, and He Yuncheng answered seriously, “What we think is not important, and what the Emperor thinks is not important. What is important is whether every action you take in this world follows your heart.”

“You’re wrong, General,” Song Jiting said. “The most important thing in this world is not to do as you please.”

Whether he was trying to convince He Yuncheng or himself, who knew?

He Yuncheng did not argue with him.

A smile reappeared, and he asked He Yuncheng, “Where is the General going in a while? Back to the residence or to the camp?”

He Yuncheng thought for a moment and said, “I’m going to stroll around the market and see if I can find any candied hawthorns.”

“Candied hawthorns?”

“Yes, the cat at home has become willful and greedy recently. It’s been very difficult to raise.”

Song Jiting pondered for a moment and probably guessed who he was alluding to. He smiled and said, “Alright, then I won’t take up any more of the General’s time. Let’s meet at the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

“Let’s meet at the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Song Jiting left first, his thin figure walking forward without looking back, taking large strides under the majestic palace.