Winning the male lead

“The Governor of Liangguang, Hu Qidao, reports: This spring, continuous heavy rains have caused the lake waters to rise and flood for hundreds of miles, destroying thousands of people’s homes. I respectfully ask the court to show compassion and exempt the region from taxes for three years to ease the people’s suffering.”

Han Qi had just returned from his bandage session when he heard the young eunuch reading the memorial. He silently stood to the side, inwardly cursing “eunuchs bring disaster to the country.”

“Heh,” Lin Le Tian, who had been silent up until now, sneered, speaking in a slow and unhurried tone. “That scoundrel Hu Qidao, not only incompetent but also corrupt, lining his pockets by deceiving both superiors and subordinates. Order the Eastern Depot to bring Hu Qidao’s head to me.”

“Yes,” the young eunuch gathered the memorial, walked out on tiptoe, and nodded at Han Qi. Han Qi did not respond, instead quietly calculating how to save Hu Qidao.

Lin Le Tian opened his eyes and glanced at him. “Are you made of wood? Come here.”

Han Qi’s facial muscles twitched slightly as he suppressed his emotions and walked over. “What orders does His Excellency have?”

“Let me see your hand.”

The thick bandages wrapped around Han Qi’s palm were a dull yellow, but there were no signs of blood seeping through. Lin Le Tian couldn’t tell how bad his injury was and asked nonchalantly, “Does it still hurt?”

“No,” Han Qi replied.

“After His Majesty wakes up, accompany him to study. After lunch, teach him martial arts.”

“Yes.”

Lin Le Tian looked him up and down. His face, sharp and handsome, was indeed striking, though his hands were rough.

“Han Qi, this time I spare your life. You should know how to repay me.”

“I understand, thank you for your magnanimity, Your Excellency.”

The eunuch who had been sent to deliver the message returned quietly. “Your Excellency, His Majesty has woken up.”

“Go ahead,” he gave Han Qi a look. Han Qi sighed in relief, finally able to leave.

When Zong Yan woke up and didn’t see Lin Le Tian, he threw a tantrum. Zhu Chuchu, following Lin Le Tian’s instructions, said that he had caught a cold and went back to rest. Zong Yan, his long hair loose and wearing only a simple robe, looked like a madman. He paced anxiously, barefoot, inside the hall. “I’ll go see him!”

Zhu Chuchu hurried after him, holding his shoes. “Your Majesty, please wear your shoes first. You might catch a cold. His Excellency will worry.”

Zhu Chuchu had only served for a short time but had already figured out Zong Yan’s soft spot: he was deeply concerned about Lin Le Tian. Zong Yan stopped, snatched the shoes from her hand, and said, “I’ll put them on myself.”

“Your Majesty, Captain Han Qi of the Jinyiwei requests an audience.”

Zong Yan reluctantly put on his shoes and said impatiently, “I won’t see him.”

“Your Majesty, don’t you remember what you promised His Excellency last night?” Zhu Chuchu reminded him. She received a fierce glare from him, which made her bite her lip in frustration. His temper was so bad, nowhere near as gentle as His Excellency.

“Fine, fine! Let him in!” Zong Yan said, sulking.

Han Qi finally had the chance to face his young sovereign, though they couldn’t acknowledge each other. He felt bitter inside, his voice hoarse as he said, “I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”

Zong Yan didn’t even look at him. Sitting on the couch, he let Zhu Chuchu tie his robes for him, mumbling all the while, “Little Lin is too weak. Those useless dogs in the Imperial Medical Bureau should all be killed.”

Han Qi listened to every word he said, his face growing darker with each passing moment, knowing that every word was about that eunuch.

Once his attire was arranged, Zong Yan finally turned to look at him. Han Qi was half-kneeling, his dragon-patterned boots slightly raised, a sign of his childlike temperament.

Zong Yan stood with his hands behind his back. “Since Little Lin asked you to teach, then you should teach. If you don’t do well, I’ll have your head.”

That eunuch had raised him to be this way—quick to anger, always threatening to kill—showing no resemblance to a proper monarch. Han Qi, seeing this, grew more anxious. He lowered his voice, forcing back his emotions. “Yes, Your Majesty.”