Chapter 6: Chunchen Coughs Up Blood

Drip.

A cold sensation struck his forehead, trickling down his cheek in a winding path.

Qin Duoye’s dream-recollection ended with Wen Qinghe howling like a banshee in the Wuji Palace, only to be knocked unconscious by a strike from a Black Guard’s sword hilt.

Qin Duoye’s eyelashes fluttered, sending droplets scattering.

He opened his eyes.

His vision was blurred at first. After blinking a few times, he made out the figure of deep black robes; as the toes of the boots shifted forward, the pooled water on the ground rippled.

Qin Duoye looked up and saw Qin Xuanxiao standing before him, with Fan Jun hunched behind, clutching a large bucket of ice water.

"I thought you were dead," Qin Xuanxiao remarked, glancing at him with indifference.

"My thanks for your blessing, Your Majesty," Qin Duoye curled his lips into a smile. "Unfortunately, my life is quite tenacious."

His wrists remained chained high above his head on either side. His bangs were plastered to his face, dripping wet, and his court robes were soaked through. Despite being a prisoner, in this brief exchange, Qin Duoye’s presence seemed to stand on equal footing with the reigning Son of Heaven.

Watching this, Fan Jun felt as if two dragons were locked in a death match. He couldn't help but interject, "Your Majesty, is this bucket of ice water still needed?"

"Are you blind?" Qin Xuanxiao turned his gaze slightly. "The man is awake. If you wish, I can pour it over you instead."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind to me," Fan Jun stammered, wiping away a non-existent sweat from his forehead before seizing the chance to retreat with the bucket, leaving only Qin Duoye and Qin Xuanxiao in the cell.

An uncanny silence descended upon the prison. Both men stared at each other, neither speaking first, leaving only the sound of dripping water.

Qin Duoye fixed his gaze on Qin Xuanxiao’s narrow, profound phoenix eyes and suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty, I can help you."

Hearing this abrupt statement, Qin Xuanxiao raised an eyebrow: "Help me? What does Minister Wen mean?"

"The imperial court."

Ignoring the young man’s sarcasm, Qin Duoye offered the indulgence of an elder. "The officials in the court may have their own private agendas and schemes, whether for fame, profit, or a place in history. But I am different. I can stand on your side forever, without a shred of betrayal."

"Wen Qinghe, such bold words," Qin Xuanxiao seemed displeased, his voice dropping a few degrees. "Which of the court officials is not loyal to me? What use do I have for you?"

"Loyal?" Qin Duoye laughed aloud, his eyebrows arched as he looked at Qin Xuanxiao with wild arrogance. "Loyalty is one thing, and having one's own agenda is another. They can still be 'loyal' while doing what they believe is right, citing classics to force your agreement. One does not hinder the other."

Seeing Qin Xuanxiao fall silent, Qin Duoye spoke softly, yet his words clung like a parasite: "Otherwise... how could there be such bitter disputes over the selection of consorts and the crowning of an empress?"

Qin Duoye had once been an emperor; he knew exactly how to manipulate the imperial psyche. "Perhaps some are loyal to Great Wei, perhaps some are loyal to the nation. But Your Majesty, I can be different. I can be loyal only to you."

This emperor was still young, and from his memories, he lacked a firm grip on the court. He knew exactly what Qin Xuanxiao craved most.

"That sounds quite interesting," Qin Xuanxiao said leisurely.

Hearing this, Qin Duoye knew the matter was settled. He narrowed his eyes, looking at Qin Xuanxiao with a hint of bewitching suggestion: "So, my Emperor, do you need a blade that is held entirely in your palm, pointed directly at the court?"

*My Emperor.*

These two words held far more allure for Qin Xuanxiao than having another weapon that simply struck where directed. The idea of being "entirely in control" stirred him deeply; even his heart trembled slightly at the thought. The mere prospect made him restless with excitement.

Thus, he chose to hear what this man had to say next and spared his life for the time being.

Outwardly, however, Qin Xuanxiao remained non-committal. He pulled over a bamboo chair, sat down with an air of dominance, leaned back, and rested his chin on his hand, adopting a relaxed posture.

He tilted his chin, signaling: "Go on. Convince me. Tell me how you will be entirely in my control."

*Tch,* Qin Duoye rolled his eyes internally. Why was this little emperor so hard to convince? Did he really have to lay everything out on the table?

Qin Duoye sighed, resigning himself to his fate. "I have been held in the palace for quite some time now. That is long enough for things to have occurred that would make those pedantic old men cry foul over propriety. You only need to grant me a promotion, and the narrative that I rose to power by selling my body will be solidified."

Qin Xuanxiao couldn't help but sneer.

Qin Duoye was speechless. "What are you laughing at? Isn't that a matter of course?"

"Wen Qinghe," Qin Xuanxiao shook his head. "Your respect for me truly comes and goes."

Qin Duoye replied, "You should get used to it."

Qin Xuanxiao: "..."

*Too impudent.*

"If I am both your favorite and an official, in the eyes of others, no matter what happens, I will always be the Emperor’s man," Qin Duoye continued, his face expressionless. "As a result, I will be isolated in the court, with no party or faction to turn to."

"I will be a truly pure official."

Qin Xuanxiao nodded. "Continue."

*Continue your head.*

"You need not worry about me betraying you, because then, I will be entirely under your control. The only person I can rely on is you. If you abandon me, I will be shattered and beyond redemption."

Qin Xuanxiao said nothing more, simply sitting still and looking into Qin Duoye’s eyes.

Those eyes, which had always thrilled him, were as deep as ink. The torches hanging on the prison walls crackled, and a flicker of firelight danced in the depths of his pupils, possessing a bewitching beauty.

The word "control" brought Qin Xuanxiao a sense of immense satisfaction, as if the clamoring desire for conquest in his heart had been smoothed over by a gentle breeze—only to be replaced by a deeper, surging desire.

This made Qin Xuanxiao all the more willing to try what the man before him had proposed. Although he didn't care much for controlling the court, the suggestion from the owner of those eyes was simply too exciting.

Qin Xuanxiao chuckled. "You should know the consequences of deceiving the Emperor."

Qin Duoye nodded indifferently. "Of course. I’ve already tried the crime of attempted regicide, haven't I? We can just add it to the tally of my crimes."

Qin Xuanxiao: "..."

He felt as if he were punching cotton. Why was it so frustrating to argue with this man?

Forget it.

"It is not that I cannot agree to your terms, but you said selling your body as a trade for a promotion..."

Before Qin Xuanxiao could finish, he suddenly saw Qin Duoye cough up a mouthful of blood. He leapt from his chair. "Hey! You..."

Qin Duoye widened his eyes, staring blankly down as the blood dripped, staining his court robes red.

*What is... happening?*

Qin Duoye looked up, seeing Qin Xuanxiao’s stunned expression, and felt the metallic, sweet taste of blood in his throat again.

With another cough, a fresh stream of blood welled up, dyeing his lips a vivid crimson. The blood flowed in a steady line, splashing into the puddle at his feet.

Qin Duoye felt the world go black. He couldn't see a thing.

Before he lost consciousness completely, he felt his wrists being released and his body being scooped up into a horizontal carry.

A faint, cool scent of agarwood enveloped him.

It smelled wonderful—not much different from the scent he had favored in his previous life.