The bright moon hung high in the sky, tree shadows danced, and spring flowers swayed in the breeze.

Yet, the romantic look on Shentu Yang’s face was even more rippling than melting spring water.

Looking at the restless Shentu Yang, Yin Shuhuai let out a soft laugh: “The Duke of Yan has had too much to drink.”

“I have not had too much to drink.” Shentu Yang’s eyes widened, clear and stubborn: “I am perfectly sober.”

“Then why do you keep talking like a drunkard?” Yin Shuhuai smiled warmly: “Are you trying to make me laugh on purpose?”

“I am not talking like a drunkard, nor am I trying to make you laugh.” Shentu Yang leaned close to Yin Shuhuai, carefully sniffing the ambergris scent drifting from the Emperor: “I want to become Your Majesty’s intimate partner.”

Yin Shuhuai could not help but laugh: “You already are.”

Could someone who slept in his bedchamber every day not be considered an intimate partner?

The cool moonlight poured in from outside the hall, casting a hazy glow over Yin Shuhuai. Shentu Yang suddenly felt dazzled and lightheaded, as if his entire body was floating.

“Your Majesty.” Shentu Yang stumbled forward, reaching out both hands to embrace the swaying figure of the Emperor before him: “Your Majesty, I love you. I conquered Goguryeo for you and expanded your empire’s borders… Are you happy?”

A hot, masculine breath blew recklessly onto the Emperor’s face. Yin Shuhuai tilted his head up to look at the nearby Shentu Yang. His delicate eyes curved gently into a warm smile as he said softly: “I am very happy.”

Shentu Yang felt a sudden buzz in his head, his mind and vision completely filled with the sight of the Emperor smiling and speaking softly to him. His throat felt dry, and he swallowed hard. He carefully leaned closer to the Emperor, like a fierce beast testing whether its master would get angry, and gently licked the Emperor’s lips.

It was not that Yin Shuhuai had never accepted a kiss from Shentu Yang before. Yet at this very moment, he suddenly felt a spark of fire spread from his lips and teeth through his entire body, sparked by Shentu Yang’s touch.

Yin Shuhuai trembled slightly despite himself. He suddenly reached out and pressed down on Shentu Yang’s shoulders. The heat of his palms caused Shentu Yang to pause slightly.

“Not just yet.” Yin Shuhuai’s breathing became a bit hurried, and he spoke into Shentu Yang’s ear with faint gasps and lingering breath: “I am not ready yet.”

Shentu Yang’s breathing caught for a moment. He then wrapped his arms tightly around Yin Shuhuai and said in a muffled voice: “…Alright.”

Yin Shuhuai smiled warmly, suddenly finding this muffled version of Shentu Yang quite fun to tease: “I can use my hand…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he instantly felt Shentu Yang’s sudden excitement.

The next morning, when Shentu Yang woke up first, his Emperor was still fast asleep by the pillow.

Shentu Yang turned on his side, his gaze kissing every inch of Yin Shuhuai’s eyebrows, the bridge of his nose, and his lips. Looking at the Emperor’s delicate sleeping face, he could not help but smile with deep satisfaction.

The hall was incredibly quiet. As the peaceful air drifted between the royal bed and the pillows, Shentu Yang rested his head on his arm. In a daze, he felt as though he and the Emperor truly were a married couple. If only every quiet and comfortable morning could be just like this. If only he could grow old together with the Emperor.

“Shuhuai…” Shentu Yang silently whispered the Emperor’s name in his heart. These two short words were chewed over and savored repeatedly by him, tasting as sweet as honey.

It was only when Yin Shuhuai was awakened by his intense gaze that Shentu Yang suddenly realized he had unconsciously been staring at the Emperor for a very long time.

“Good morning.” Yin Shuhuai rolled over comfortably and stretched lazily on the bed.

Outside the hall, Zhuang Wuwei, who had been listening intently the entire time, immediately led the palace maids and eunuchs through the doors to serve the Emperor as he washed up.

The Duke of Yan, whose high merits allegedly overshadowed the ruler, lay casually across the royal bed. Although he had failed to get into the bed in a romantic sense last night, he had still fulfilled his wish of physically covering his ruler because of his tall frame. At this moment, Shentu Yang was like a beast whose desires had been entirely satisfied, lounging lazily upon the couch.

Today’s breakfast consisted of soy milk and fried dough sticks, along with custard buns and pineapple buns that the chefs of the Ministry of Imperial Entertainments had finally developed after repeated experiments.

While the history of fermenting dough in China went back a very long time, the technique for baking bread appeared quite late. Fortunately, with a foodie Emperor like Yin Shuhuai constantly giving suggestions to the Ministry of Imperial Entertainments, the skills of the palace chefs had risen dramatically. This had even enriched the dining tables of regular citizens.

Shrimp dumplings, pork dumplings, rice noodle rolls, steamed ribs in black bean sauce, chicken feet in abalone sauce, custard buns, pineapple buns, soy milk, fried dough sticks, and preserved egg and pork porridge… Even thousands of years ago in the Great Yin Dynasty, the Cantonese morning tea that no one in later generations could resist exuded an unparalleled culinary appeal.

Shentu Yang, who had not eaten a hearty breakfast in a very long time, tore through the food like a whirlwind, clearing every single delicacy off the table. He finally patted his stomach in satisfaction: “Your Majesty’s food is truly the most delicious.”

Looking at the thoroughly satisfied Shentu Yang, Yin Shuhuai could not help but drink an extra bowl of porridge himself. He realized that Shentu Yang was a highly qualified dining partner. Whenever he was around, Yin Shuhuai could always eat an extra bowl at every meal.

The naval forces sent to Zhuya to pick cotton had also returned the day before Shentu Yang led his main army back to the capital. They brought back not only the cotton and cotton seeds that Yin Shuhuai had been longing for, but also many local specialties from Zhuya. These included tropical fruits like coconuts, mangoes, and jackfruits, as well as many dried seafood items and preserved fruits.

Yin Shuhuai had the chefs make some mango pancakes and coconut milk pudding for dessert.

Though Shentu Yang was a massive nine foot tall man, he ate his desserts with that same grand, world-conquering aura. Knowing that he loved sweet foods, Yin Shuhuai bestowed half of the fruits brought back by the naval forces to the Duke of Yan’s manor. He also had the palace eunuchs copy down the recipes for the various desserts to reward the chefs of the Duke’s manor. As for the remaining fruits and dried seafood, Yin Shuhuai bestowed them upon the court ministers who had been working diligently recently. He did not keep much for himself.

When Shentu Yang learned from Zhuang Wuwei that the Emperor favored him so much, his heart instantly filled with sweetness. Yet, when he heard that the Emperor had given away most of the delicacies sent as tribute by the Governor of Zhuya to the civil and military officials, his heart ached again. He felt that the Emperor truly did not know how to take care of himself. Consequently, he had all the fruits the Emperor had bestowed upon the Duke’s manor hauled right back into the palace.

Whether it was the empire or delicious food, he wanted to share everything with the Emperor.

Yin Shuhuai had no spare energy to guess the romantic thoughts of the Duke of Yan. Since the naval forces had managed to bring the cotton and cotton seeds back to Ji County right during the spring plowing season, the next step for the imperial court was to distribute the seeds to the populace. This would allow the citizens of Yan and the agricultural colony troops in Guanzhong and Henan to cultivate cotton on a large scale. In this way, the citizens and soldiers would be able to wear winter clothes filled with cotton during the cold season.

Seeing that the Emperor had only eaten breakfast with him before immediately summoning his ministers to handle government affairs, the idle Duke of Yan could only watch the Emperor longingly from the side, silently hoping that lunch would arrive a bit earlier.