The next morning arrived with rays of golden sunlight. Due to the heavy snowfall throughout the night, a pristine white blanket of snow covered the rooftops and the courtyard alike. The morning light filtered through the white curtains, casting a soft glow upon a table inside the room. Resting on the table were Mo Yan’s royal white imperial robes.

  Mo Yan himself was seated peacefully, reading a book. He glanced toward the bed where Yu Sui was still deep in slumber. Suddenly, Yu Sui stirred. As he stretched and turned over, he inadvertently tumbled right off the bed.

  The sudden fall chased away every trace of sleep. His hair was disheveled, and his inner robes were loose and open. He instinctively reached for his head, only to realize his crown was missing it lay on the floor right beside him.

  Mo Yan stood up, approached him, and gently lifted Yu Sui, placing him back onto the bed with care.

  However, Yu Sui wasn't feeling quite like himself; a faint, lingering ache resonated through his body. As his gaze met Mo Yan’s, his cheeks and ears instantly flared a deep crimson. He quickly averted his eyes in bashfulness. It was then that he noticed the Emperor’s robes lying on the table, and a soft smile touched his lips. Mo Yan sensed the warmth in Yu Sui's gaze and felt a sense of lightness in his own heart.

  Yu Sui stood up, walked over to touch the majestic robes, and looked at Mo Yan. "Mo... why haven't you put these on yet?"

  In response, Mo Yan stood and spread his arms wide. Yu Sui understood immediately Mo Yan wanted him to dress him. Forgetting his own disarray, Yu Sui picked up the robes and began to dress the Emperor.

  A short while later...

  Mo Yan was fully arrayed in his imperial splendor. Yu Sui lifted the royal sword and placed it firmly in Mo Yan’s hands.

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  Throughout the process, a steady smile remained on Mo Yan’s face, his eyes fixed solely on Yu Sui as if offering a silent, reverent praise. Just as Yu Sui was about to fasten the final belt, Mo Yan suddenly pulled him close. His eyes once again burned with an unfamiliar, intense fire.

  At that exact moment, the chamber door swung open. Both of them turned their heads sharply.

  Standing there was Duie, frozen like a stone statue. It was as if his soul had already departed for the heavens. He slammed the door shut instantly and stood outside in stunned silence, his eyes wide as if he had just witnessed a cold-blooded murder.

  He tried to console his racing heart, whispering to himself,

  "Duie... my friend... we saw nothing in there. Right? Nothing at all. Just pretend it was a dream. Brother Yu Sui... forgive me, my friend! Now only the Great Ancestors can save me from the wrath that is about to descend upon me."

  Trembling, he rushed straight to the Ancestral Hall. With a tearful face, he threw himself onto his knees before the ancestral tablets and wailed,

  "Forgive me, Great Ancestors! Forgive me! I will do anything you ask, but please, save me from Brother Yu Sui! I am even willing to climb onto the roof and confess my love to the moon! I promise I won't steal grapes from the kitchen ever again! Just protect me... Master... do something!"

  Suddenly, a voice drifted from behind him.

  "Oh? So you’re finally confessing your sins? How impressive."

  It was Yu Sui's voice. Standing beside him was Mo Yan, who was staring at Duie like a grim God of Death. Duie felt half-dead right then and there. He crept toward Yu Sui and whispered urgently,

  "Brother Yu Sui... can we talk? Just the two of us, for a moment?"

  Mo Yan continued to glare at him, but the moment Yu Sui looked at him, Mo Yan’s cold gaze melted instantly. With a silent nod from Yu Sui, Mo Yan turned and headed toward the Throne Hall, where the assembly had gathered.

  Once Mo Yan was gone, Yu Sui turned to Duie with a sharp, mischievous glint in his eyes.

  "Well then... it’s time for your bowl of extra-spicy porridge. Let’s go."

  Duie panicked, his breath hitching as he scrambled for excuses.

  "Wait! Wait, brother! Look, I’m really not feeling well today... I have a terrible headache... in my stomach!"

  A while later... in Duie’s quarters.

  Duie and Yu Sui sat facing each other, their eyes locked in a fierce, silent battle of glares. Between them sat a bowl of that infamous red porridge, steam still rising from its spicy depths.