Sheng Jiu thought this was the most absent - minded morning court since he ascended the throne. His mind was full of the little merman who was tied up. He wondered... how he was now.
He was tied up by himself, so he should not be able to go anywhere. He could rest assured...
Sheng Jiu frowned and scanned the people standing in a circle below. He found that the person who had just reported to him had already returned to his position. Sheng Jiu let out a breath and said, "Is there anything else to report today? If not, the court is adjourned."
The court was completely silent. Sheng Jiu waved his hand. The eunuch standing on one side was just about to announce the adjournment of the court when a man in a black robe and official uniform stepped forward.
This was the new official in charge of divination in the palace, specifically responsible for divination of star - signs, astronomy, and geomancy. Although Sheng Jiu didn't believe in these superstitious ideas about ghosts and gods, he couldn't simply abolish an official position. So he had replaced the previous official in charge of divination.
Sheng Jiu felt a bit impatient when he saw him. After frowning, he asked, "Lord He, is there any abnormality in the celestial phenomena recently?"
The black - robed man standing below nodded and said, "The position is in the southwest, but now it is in the northeast. There is a strange object that endangers the dragon's body. It should be expelled."
As soon as he finished speaking, the people in the court began to whisper to each other. The southwest direction was the location of the previous emperor's bedroom, while the current northeast direction was the bedroom that the current emperor had just renovated.
What on earth was that thing... that had existed through two generations of emperors.
Sheng Jiu squinted at him slightly. After a long silence, he sat up a bit straighter, with a gradually serious look on his face.
The official in charge of divination had spoken so specifically... Sheng Jiu couldn't help but feel a bit confused. He wasn't doubting the truth of his words. He was just confused about how he knew about Wanwan. His elder brother had protected him so well. How could there be even a slightest bit of news leaked...
After he became the emperor, if he didn't handle Wanwan's matters personally, he would send Ming Lang. So how did the official in charge of divination know about these things?
Sheng Jiu leaned forward a bit and looked at the man standing below seriously. The man was wearing a loose black court robe, and his face was unnaturally pale. He squinted slightly and said in a low voice, "So what do you mean, Lord? Are you implying that I took something from my elder brother?"
The man raised his head slightly and said calmly, "Your Majesty surely understands. Some things may not make Your Majesty truly happy if I say them out."
The great hall fell into complete silence. Everyone knew that the current emperor was moody and irritable. Once a straightforward minister gave him advice and was beheaded in public by him.
Since then, everyone had understood that their emperor was not a so - called wise ruler, nor would he be as humble as the previous emperor...
Sheng Jiu's face was extremely gloomy. It had to be said that the man's way of speaking was very clever. If he punished this man in public now, everyone would know that he had taken something from his elder brother...
"I will pay special attention to what you said, Lord. I'll check if there is really anything left by my elder brother in my bedroom."
The ministers looked at each other in surprise. Had the emperor's temper gotten a bit better?
Sheng Jiu waved his hand.
"I'm a bit tired today. We'll discuss other matters tomorrow."
Sheng Jiu stood up, and everyone knelt down in a row.
"Farewell, Your Majesty..."
The black - robed man kneeling below squinted slightly as he watched Sheng Jiu's back.
Ming Lang followed him carefully because he knew that Sheng Jiu was extremely irritable now.
"Follow that official in charge of divination."
Sheng Jiu tugged at his collar impatiently. "You go in person."
Ming Lang looked up at him and asked in a low voice, "What about Lady Wan?"
Sheng Jiu paused for a moment and then slowly said, "Arrange the conferment ceremony for tomorrow. You don't need to worry about other things. I'll take care of them personally."
Ming Lang was stunned. Arrange the conferment ceremony for tomorrow?
Why was it so urgent...
Could it be that he also believed what the official in charge of divination had said and started to panic, which was why he was so eager to grasp everything in his hands?
After the court was adjourned, Sheng Jiu rushed towards his bedroom in a hurry.
For some reason, he always remembered the look in that man's eyes in the court today, which made him feel a sudden sense of panic. He was afraid that this man's so - called divination of star - signs would expose Wanwan to the public. He knew better than anyone how terrible people's hearts could be. Even though he was now in a high position, he might not be able to truly protect him. If he was identified as a monster, or...
Sheng Jiu didn't dare to think about it.
Even though the person he loved was Sheng Jue, and even though he and Sheng Jue had so many affairs, he still had to protect him. No one could tell whether it was love or hate for Wanwan in his heart.
Sheng Jiu quickened his pace while feeling physically and mentally exhausted.
When he stepped into the bronze - gated bedroom, he saw the same scene as when he left in the morning: the pool, the red curtains, and the imprisoned little merman...
He was still there.
This realization made Sheng Jiu breathe a sigh of relief.
He seemed to be sleeping. His eyes were tightly closed, and his head was hanging down. He looked lifeless, but at least he was quite obedient.
Sheng Jiu slowly walked into the water and tightly hugged the naked, fair body. There were still the marks he had left on him last night, hickeys and scars from when he had lost control of his strength. He rested his chin on his shoulder, closed his eyes with a sigh, stroked his body, and said softly,
"Wanwan, I won't let anyone take you away from me. Never..."
There was an indescribable madness in his voice.
Hearing the voice, Wanwan slowly opened his eyes. His light - blue eyes had no sparkle at all. He moved his lips slightly as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out.
Wanwan pursed his lips, closed his eyes, and let out a sigh deep in his throat.
"Sheng Jiu, it hurts..."
Sheng Jiu's body stiffened for a moment, then he slowly let go of him, blinked, and asked in a low voice, "Hurts? Where does it hurt?"
Wanwan pursed his lips and frowned. His voice was hoarse.
"My scales. They're cracked and bleeding..."
Sheng Jiu looked a bit flustered. He quickly lowered his head to look. He knew which scales Wanwan was talking about. He reached out his hand to touch his fish tail. His fingertips brushed over a soft area and felt a sticky liquid. Sheng Jiu swallowed hard and even dared not look down.