He was Almost Absorbed by the System

Chapter Seventy Seven - Pride of a Man

The first court held by the new, young Emperor, Wáng Jie Long was ruthless and decisive. Many of the older Ministers had first began duties as officials and Ministers during the young man's grandfather's time and were uncertain how to deal with this youth. Those who were more used to his father's lax ways thought the youth would be the same, leaving the running of the Empire in their hands; in fact they were looking forward to it. Others waiting in breathless anticipation, having a whisper of experience with the First Prince and his brother.

"Your reports," the young Emperor demanded. They looked at him with blank stares as Feng Chun, who had been assigned to assist him stepped forward in expectation. 

"Your Imperial Majesty," Minister Wen bowed low and offered explanation. "Your predecessor preferred to leave state affairs in our hands, only wished to hear if he need approve important requests."

"Oh?" Wáng Jie Long straightened within the dragon throne.  "How is Zhen meant to assess the state of the Empire without details?  Never mind, yesterday was yesterday, now is today.  Tomorrow Zhen expects full reports.  Zhen wishes to understand the situation in each county, how our people are faring, which Imperial treaties are valid and how our finances are." Many Ministers paled when he spoke these words, but then took a deep breath. Surely this boy was just posturing! "Ah and gentlemen, Zhen trusts that your reports will match mine. Changes with in the government are not unexpected when thrones pass from father to son." Doubts seeded in many minds. "Now is there any urgent matters Zhen must attend to before Zhen retires?"

A few more loyal Ministers offered a few words before they were dismissed. Feng Chun was told to pass on the message that he wished for his army generals to attend him following Court the next day. "Now," he said as he met a trustworthy guard outside his study. "What news do you have in regards to Zhen's brother?"

*****

As the atmosphere about the Living God and his Guardian was becoming less grey and more pink, the mixed group of Temple Guards, soldiers and priests rested a tactful distance apart, instead keeping their attention on the open grassland for spies and thieves.  They noticed a small, slightly rundown house in the near distant, but thought little of it, so ignored it.  One Guard took the horses down river for a drink, a couple of soldiers hunted rabbits suspected to be hiding in the long grasses.  Many of the remaining Temple Guards saw to the comfort of the two priests, who were respected almost as much as their God.

The Temple Guard, Chen Xue Min looked over his shoulder at the two men within the pink bubble.  Was it really possible? Relations between two men?

"Yes," The soldier in charge, Wu Chang advised him, causing him to realise that he had spoken aloud.  His face reddened.

"Ah, haha," he voiced his embarrassment.  "I didn't mean to say that!  It's just that I've never heard of a God and Guardian being of the same sex before so I wondered..."

"It's uncommon for a man to fall for another man," Wu Chang said, extending his knowledge of the Empire.  "But there are men working in the red light district.  And the Emperor has several Male Concubines, I have been told."

"R-really?" Xue Min shifted about uncomfortably.  He still couldn't imagine it.  After all, was his mother not always telling him that he needed to find her a daughter-in-law to care for her in her old age?  And all of the grannies in the village comparing grandchildren and arranging marriages between the boys and girls coming of age... there was never a mention of boy wedding a boy... His innocent curiosity spoke before his mind corrected him; "H-how would it work though?"

Wu Chang thought nothing of not sharing what Wu Tian had taught him, who in turn had learnt from a certain seductive eunuch in charge of the harem.  "..so I have heard anyway," Wu Chang concluded.  Chen Xue Min turned red then white.