Returning to the palace, Lian Jie and Lian Qin were already waiting outside the bedchamber.

Seeing Lian Yu, both were secretly shocked. Lian Qin said, “Sixth Brother, your your face…”

He was elbowed in the stomach by Lian Jie and forced to swallow his words. He had originally wanted to say, “Who bit your chin?”

Lian Yu’s tone was very casual, “Oh, I cut myself shaving this morning.”

The four who heard this exchanged looks and said in unison, “Yes, you were injured by a razor.”

Lian Yu naturally made an “mm” sound and asked Lian Jie, who was eager to speak, “Is the matter handled?”

“Sixth Brother can rest assured. Uncle Murong has been waiting according to your instructions. When my people reported just now, he must have gone to handle it.”

Lian Jie smiled confidently, though his expression was ultimately somewhat grave, “If we continue with this matter, it might get thorny.”

Lian Qin parroted, “Yes, yes, yes, thorny.”

Lian Yu smiled, “Are you afraid?”

Seeing the arrogant air usually hidden in his eyebrows suddenly appear, Lian Jie and Lian Qin recalled how the three of them had gotten through these years and felt their hearts stir, saying, “Naturally we’re not afraid.”

Qinglong and Baihu also felt heroic spirit surge in their hearts. They had all grown up following Lian Yu. Lian Yu was somewhat solitary—his bedchamber often had no attendants. Baihu was considerate and, remembering something, personally went to pour tea for Lian Yu. Lian Yu shook his head, “Hu’er, I’m not thirsty.”

Baihu was stunned and said, “Master, this is for rinsing your mouth, just now…”

“Oh, no need.”

Lian Yu replied quietly, but Qinglong and Baihu were shocked. Lian Jie was sharp-eyed and knew it was related to Li Huaisu, glancing at Lian Qin. Lian Qin understood and would question Qinglong and the other about it once business was finished. The matter they had to handle was extremely difficult and they probably couldn’t get away for a while. He naturally prioritized the big picture, but his curiosity was itching when he suddenly heard Lian Yu say, “You may all withdraw. Seventh Brother, find a way to preserve that thing properly. You and Ninth Brother must be ready to respond to summons.”

“Yes.”

“Qinglong, have Little Chu come over.”

Seeing Lian Yu acting contrary to his usual behavior, Lian Qin was stunned. The other three were also slightly surprised. Though the matter was important, none said anything and were about to withdraw.

They heard Lian Yu ask again, “Has Xin’er returned?”

Lian Qin nodded, then frowned, “All the way back she was clamoring to go find Li Huaisu, saying she wanted to punch Xie Sheng’s parents and kick the bad scholar boys. A grown girl with no shame.”

Lian Jie laughed, “Sister Xin grew up in the palace. Palace life is boring, unlike you and me who each have residences outside the palace. Seeing Huaisu is clever and fun, and someone who dares oppose her, she finds it fresh and naturally wants to get close to him.”

Lian Yu frowned slightly, “Men and women should maintain proper distance. This girl is of age too. You two should help Mother Empress look among the imperial family and ministers for suitable young masters. I’ll arrange her marriage.”

Everyone’s expressions darkened. Sixth Young Master, do you really think it’s because she’s of age…

Little Chu’s name sounded light and cheerful, but he was already over thirty, one of the heads of the Internal Affairs Bureau, tactful and diplomatic.

He was a close attendant personally selected by Lian Yu in his early years. Later, as his official duties grew, Lian Yu saw his hardship and told him he didn’t need to serve anymore, but he still loved running to Lian Yu’s side, unable to rest easy.

Lian Yu didn’t summon him for trivial matters. Being called now, he was flattered and excited, surely having important duties.

He carefully kowtowed to Lian Yu and said earnestly, “Please give your orders, master. This slave will go through fire and water, dying ten thousand deaths without regret.”

“Before you die ten thousand times, first help me find some clean, pretty young male servants and little eunuchs, eighteen or nineteen years old. Wait, also find some with single eyelids, small noses, thin lips, with freckles—not pretty, but somewhat delicate.”

“Eh—”

Little Chu was stunned upon hearing this, then nodded gravely. Just as he was about to go handle the matter, he heard Lian Yu, who was leaning on the couch reading, ask softly, “Are there many royal family members and officials in the capital who keep male favorites and catamites?”

Little Chu thought briefly, “Master, the Third and Fourth Princes both have male favorites in their residences. I heard Prime Minister Quan also once kept a young male servant, not to mention those who do so secretly.”

“So, master, this is very normal.”

“Mm, I also think your words… are quite reasonable.”

When Little Chu left, he felt quite emotional. Being a high-ranking manager who reads facial expressions isn’t easy—when your superior seeks comfort, you absolutely cannot sing a different tune. Mm, this explosive news should be shared with Qinglong and Seventh Prince to show off.

Unexpectedly, when secretly instructing subordinates to handle affairs in the imperial garden, he ran into Qinglong and Baihu. Qinglong whispered mysteriously, “Eunuch Chu, I have a secret about master here. Do you want to hear it? But you must keep it secret…”

Little Chu listened and said, “What a coincidence, I also have news to share with you… You must also keep it secret.”

Little Chu’s efficiency was very high. Soon, he brought six or seven young men to Lian Yu.

Some were handsome, others ordinary in looks, but all had skin like water that could be pinched to drip.

These young men were trembling with both fear and inexplicable joy. Though they all understood what being chosen meant, they could enjoy wealth and honor from then on.

However, when their gazes met that melancholy handsome man in dark phoenix robes on the couch, they all felt ashamed of their appearance.

Little Chu stood respectfully to the side. After Lian Yu looked at each one, he said, “Remove your upper garments.”

After a rustle of clothing, Little Chu felt his nostrils warm, but saw Lian Yu had descended from the couch and slowly walked before the young men. He glanced at the most beautiful youth, obvious disgust flashing in his eyes. That youth immediately shook like a sieve.

The others secretly rejoiced. Unexpectedly, this Son of Heaven finally walked before the most plain-looking youth.

He slowly reached out to caress the freckles on the youth’s face. Everyone gasped, and that youth was wildly joyful, but saw Lian Yu suddenly withdraw his hand and say coldly, “Little Chu, have someone bring in a basin of water. Take all these people away.”