The following day, when Yan Si arrived at the dispensary, Liú Yu merely looked at him and smiled in silence.
Truly, few could predict the affairs of life. Who would have thought an ugly duckling like Yan Si could transform into such an exquisitely beautiful swan? Though such a superlative should not be used for a man, in his case, it was no exaggeration.
Yet, a male bearing such beauty only drew further contempt, inciting a desire to ride upon him and trample him, viewing him as a vile, lustful woman—the mere thought of which brought immense satisfaction.
Liú Yu pondered for a while, then smiled and asked, "How fares Your Lordship? Your servant is leaving the palace tomorrow; does Your Lordship wish to accompany me for some merriment?"
Yan Si considered this for a long time, then gently shook his head. "I... I have not yet sought my elder brother's permission."
Hearing this, Liú Yu feigned disappointment. "What a pity. Your servant intended to escort Your Lordship to a place of extreme pleasure, one brimming with boundless delight."
"Is there truly such a place?" Yan Si looked at Liú Yu with deep skepticism, asking, "Where is it? Is it... is it perilous?"
Liú Yu replied nonchalantly, "It is a House of Pleasure! That place is surely most safe, Your Lordship may set your heart at ease!"
"A House of Pleasure?"
Yan Si was naturally ignorant. Liú Yu patiently explained further, "It is a place where all men under heaven may seek amusement, to satisfy their desires."
"Is that so..." Liú Yu's words certainly piqued Yan Si's curiosity, especially as he was currently incapable of resolving his own urges. However, upon thinking of RongCheng, he sighed and shook his head.
Seeing his prey about to take the bait, Liú Yu merely watched in silence. After a long moment, he asked, "Does Your Lordship know of aphrodisiacs?"
"Aphrodisiacs?" Yan Si certainly knew of them and asked, "What of it?"
Liú Yu's eyes curved into a smile as he replied, "Truly, there is nothing in this world finer than an aphrodisiac..."
For a loving couple, it may enhance the passion, and even...
"Though devoid of affection, it may yet turn raw rice into cooked gruel."
"Turn raw rice into cooked gruel?" To coerce someone thus would only bring harm upon oneself, achieving a fleeting moment only to reap a lifetime of contempt and hatred... Such a thing... he did not desire it...
However, that single, subtle suggestion was enough to cause Yan Si to waver and contemplate: was there no better way?
He only wished to spend one night with His Highness, but what was he to do if he did not wish to earn His Highness's hatred?
"Too difficult to ponder..." It was truly too difficult...
The feeling of longing for RongCheng slowly began to eclipse Yan Si's reason, yet no matter how intensely he strained his mind day and night, he could not devise a solution...
Two days later, the Empress Dowager indeed returned to Mount Shang. RongCheng had yet to finish rejoicing when he heard the ill tidings: Shan Yuan had also been ordered to follow and attend her on the journey... This pilgrimage would likely consume an entire month.
The mere thought instantly gave RongCheng a throbbing headache. The Empress Dowager had countless servants and attendants around her; why must she insist on taking his Imperial Consort? "Preposterous... truly preposterous..."
RongCheng immediately went to confront the Empress Dowager, intending to demand justice, but he was dismissed before he could utter a word. Driven to desperation, he sought out his Mother, begging her to intercede for him, but she merely replied, "Ah Yuan has been beloved by the Matriarch since childhood. Now that they are reunited, she is merely reluctant to part with him. It is but a few days; my son should not be so distressed."
"A few days?" RongCheng felt deeply wronged. "It is clearly more than an entire month."
And who could guarantee that she would release him even after that? Thinking thus, he suddenly grew angry. "And Ah Yuan, why did he not object at all, but willingly comply thus?"
It was as if Shan Yuan was determined to leave him at all costs?
"What if he ascends the mountain and takes the tonsure with my grandmother?" The thought instantly inflamed RongCheng. He immediately shook his head. "No, I must follow and keep watch over him."
Hearing this, the Empress Mother sighed helplessly and shook her head. "That cannot be."
This son of hers was normally sensible, but whenever matters concerned Shan Yuan, he grew foolish and rash.
RongCheng demanded impatiently, "Why can it not be?"
The Empress Mother shook her head. "How about this: I shall appoint a person to follow and watch over him in your stead?"
This was something RongCheng would have done himself, yet he still felt uneasy.
Seeing RongCheng's excessive worry, the Empress Mother patted his back, soothing him, "My son already understands the reason. It is but a brief parting; can you truly not bear to wait?"
What if he truly could not wait? Yet, the Empress Dowager would not consent to return him... In the end, RongCheng had no choice but to grit his teeth, suppress his feelings, and send Shan Yuan off. A separation of one month felt like a lifetime.
When embracing Shan Yuan for the last time before parting, RongCheng urged, "Ah Yuan must remember that his husband still awaits him here. You must absolutely return home swiftly."
Shan Yuan also wrapped his arms around RongCheng, nodding gently. "You must do the same. Do not worry excessively; I shall return soon."
Immediately thereafter, he followed the entourage escorting the Empress Dowager away...
RongCheng watched them go, constantly reassuring himself, "It is... it is only one month..."
One month passes quickly... truly quickly... In the end, he could only sigh in silence.
Meanwhile, contrary to RongCheng's distress, Yan Si felt an overwhelming joy.
Now that Shan Yuan was gone, he would not have to share RongCheng's affection with anyone else. His Highness would surely have more time to spend with him.
Yet, things did not unfold as Yan Si had hoped. Since Shan Yuan's departure, RongCheng seemed even more preoccupied. He sequestered himself in his chamber, assisting the Emperor with matters of state. Even when Yan Si proactively sought him out, His Highness had no leisure to look at him, and worse, would frown and wave him away: "Dear one, do not cause mischief. I am truly very busy. Go play elsewhere immediately."
After two days of this, Yan Si began to feel quite unhappy. He declared, "Elder Brother refuses to spend time with me... remaining here constantly is utterly tedious. I... I wish to leave the palace and play outside."
Hearing this, RongCheng felt a throbbing headache. Since when had Yan Si grown so fond of mere play? He rubbed his temples for a moment, then sighed and conceded, "Very well. But you must only roam within the city and return immediately by nightfall, understand?"
RongCheng even presented Yan Si with a command plaque, granting him free passage out of the palace, and sternly instructed him, "This is of great importance. You must guard it diligently and absolutely not entrust it to anyone."
"I understand!" Yan Si nodded, accepted the plaque, and happily departed at once.