the cat in emperor's arms

bonfire

Behind the fragrant screen, a woman with her hair elegantly styled in a low bun, her slender hands as soft and warm as jade, took the fresh green grass handed to her by a palace maid. While feeding a white rabbit, she asked:

“Xue Kai, what do you think of that Cao Bin?”

“He’s worse than a pig or a dog, heartless and vile!”

Xue Kai, recalling the earlier scene, was filled with anger.

“Your Highness, you didn’t witness it yourself. That cowardly wretch may seem gentle and honest on the surface, but once he opened his mouth, he was more unreasonable than the most ill-mannered village ruffian. When he became embarrassed and angry, he even tried to lay a hand on Lady Shen.

Back in my hometown, we say only the lowest of men hit their wives!”

He ruthlessly criticized Cao Bin, then smoothly switched to his usual praises:

“If you ask me, a man should be like His Majesty. His Majesty is gentle by nature, skilled in both civil and military matters. Though he conquered the world through force, he has never harmed women or children. That’s what makes a real man!”

As always, Xue Kai launched into an enthusiastic speech praising the emperor, whom he admired greatly.

“And His Majesty is so deeply affectionate, treating you, Your Grace, with such tenderness and care. In my humble opinion, he is the best husband in all of the great Qi dynasty...”

Ming Luomeng’s almond eyes flickered with a hint of helplessness as she gently replied:

“I understand. You may go now.”

Xue Kai, though still wanting to say more, had his words cut short like a duck’s beak being pinched. He could only reluctantly accept the order and retreat.

Seeing this, Fuchun laughed, “Commander Xue is quite a character.”

Ming Luomeng, her eyes filled with playful affection, shook her head. “I never noticed before, but it turns out there’s such a person in the palace.”

Xue Kai, the commander of the Right Cavalry Guard responsible for the palace's defense, had only recently been put in charge of patrolling during the winter hunts. Pei Shenyu had told her that Xue was a loyal man, available for her to command as needed. However, Ming Luomeng had not expected that, despite his straightforward appearance, he had such a talkative and blunt personality.

He could talk for days on end, and every sentence was about how wonderful the emperor was. His admiration for the emperor was unparalleled, like a loyal lapdog.

Fuchun, meanwhile, took the well-fed rabbit away and explained:

“General Xue was once personally promoted by His Majesty during the conquest of Jiangling. He is extremely loyal to His Majesty. On the day the late emperor passed, it was General Xue who noticed something amiss outside Jingyuan Hall and informed His Majesty in time, preventing a catastrophe...”

Fuchun briefly mentioned the secret plot that had unfolded in the 13th year of Longshuo, when Lady Shu and Prince Qi conspired in what nearly became a coup.

Ming Luomeng listened calmly, but her heart stirred.

Fuchun not only seemed to know the background of everyone inside and outside the palace but was also privy to such sensitive palace secrets. These were not things that ordinary palace attendants could know. And regardless of who was involved, Fuchun always told her everything honestly and without reserve.

Surely, some of this knowledge came with his permission.

…

That night.