TW: Graphic descriptions of a violent death
A loud thud startled Yan Zheyun. It took him a second to realise that Liu Yao had slammed his palm down upon the wooden armrest in a rare display of frustration. He watched with bated breath as a myriad of expressions flickered over Liu Yao's face. On one hand, he was honoured that Liu Yao didn't feel the need to conceal his feelings from him. On the other, he felt exhausted for Liu Yao, knowing fully well that when his husband stepped outside of this sedan, he was once again emperor and had to tuck these strong emotions away lest he let slip his vulnerabilities to his enemies.
"Have the imperial physicians been sent for?" Unlike the anger on full display before Yan Zheyun's eyes, Liu Yao's tone was the epitome of calm. But Yan Zheyun knew that the servants and guards hanging on their emperor's every word outside were already breaking out in cold sweat.
(1) Gold body: a term of respect used to refer to the body of a mid-low ranked concubine or a noble lady. the full term is ‘thousand gold’ but that looked very cumbersome when typed out in English. High-ranking concubines and the empress were referred to as ‘phoenix body’. A princess was ‘jade body’, a prince was ‘noble body’, and of course, the emperor was ‘dragon body’. Depending on the era, some these terms might have overlapped each other.
(2) Relations of the flesh: a more roundabout way of saying to have sex.
(3) King Zhou of Shang: the despotic tyrant and last king of the Shang Dynasty whose pampering of his evil concubine Su Daji has cemented his reputation in history of being one of the worst rulers ever. His posthumous title of ‘zhou’ is bestowed upon him derogatorily and it means crupper, the piece of a horse tack most likely spoiled by a horse.
A/N: Thank you very much for reading and for all the gifts, comments, golden tickets and power stones! <3
The next chapter will be after Christmas on the 26 or 27/12 as there are a couple of all-day family and friend celebrations that I will be attending! A Merry Christmas in advance to all my dear readers who celebrate it and happy holidays to everyone!
Mini-Theatre - A Typical Day In the Life Of a Shadow Guard Leader:
Ying Yi: Dispense with formalities. Now as you all know, it’s that time of the month again—no, Ying San, it’s not oh-so-conveniently your time of the month too, you’re not using that excuse this time. First things first…do we have any volunteers for the indubitable honour of guarding Master during the night shift? No? No takers again? Ying Liu, how about you? You scored lowest on the hearing training component if I recall correctly…what? You wish to volunteer your buddy —no, not Ying Qi, he’s exempted remember? Do YOU wish to explain to Master why you thought it might be a good idea to make his body double watch him papapa—yes, I’m aware, Ying Er, that it’s more like papapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapapa, I know all you gentlemen and our one lady are quick to forget but I’ve done three consecutive months of the bedroom shift already; I have some idea about what it’s like. I don’t care, someone else is taking over. Don’t make me draft a roster, I’m warning the lot of you.