One week ago….
It was a quite hot afternoon when Chen Liqin was informed that his father, The Emperor, wanted to see him so he immediately went to the imperial office.
"Father," he said while putting his hands together and bow to pay respect.
"Liqin, do you know why I called you?" Emperor Guang called. His eyes flashed with anger while stroking his long beard impatiently.
Chen Liqin felt that something was wrong but he didn't know what was the problem. So, he just looked down and replied, "Your Son has no clue. Hoping for Father's guidance."
Emperor Guang stopped his hand from stroking his beard and hit the table with a 'bang!'. "You are having an indecent relationship with a man! You are this kingdom's Crown Prince and must bear the next heir. Are you really aware of your position?!" he shouted angrily.
Chen Liqin was a bit surprised. He thought he had covered this matter up very well from his family and was intending to bring Ming Yu into the palace after his coronation as the new emperor in two weeks.
His father, who was old now, planned to step down from the throne as soon as possible. One month ago, he announced the date of his son coronation to the throne, and since then, the palace had been busy preparing for the coronation procession.
Chen Liqin tried to calm himself down and replied, "Father, your son really loves this man. Your son asked for your blessing."
Blood immediately rushed toward the emperor's face. He hit the table again, full of anger. "There is no blessing! Do you think our people will accept an emperor who likes man?! Are you insane?!"
Chen Liqin couldn't say a word. He knew that his father was right.
The emperor who felt that he would pass out from anger immediately waved his hand. "Cut off your relationship with that man. You know I only have one son and it's you!"
His father was a faithful man. When his empress gave birth to Chen Liqin and was unable to pregnant again, the emperor's advisors recommended him to have a harem in order to produce multiple heirs to the throne. However, the emperor loved only his empress and refused the idea. In the end, he only had Chen Liqin and if something happened to his son, the throne would fall into the hands of another prince who was the son of his brothers.
Emperor Guang didn't want that to happen. However, if his brothers knew about his son's sexual orientation, judging from their enormous ambition, this could become an excuse to thwart his son from the throne.
"No father! I will not break up!" Chen Liqin exclaimed. He had removed all of his formalities.
Emperor Guang sighed. He proposed an alternative way. "Then, marry a girl and you can bring that boy too to the palace as your concubine."
Unfortunately, as the saying 'Like father like son', Chen Liqin was also a faithful man. He immediately refused his father's proposal.
"Father, I beg you. How can I change your mind and accept the man I love?"
Emperor Guang was a decisive leader but had a soft spot when it came to his family. He was finally moved by his son's persistence. However, he still had to thwart his son's relationship with this man so he assigned a difficult task which he believed his son would never be able to solve as the emperor himself had not been able to solve this matter since he was young.
"You have to investigate the practice of illegal human trafficking which has been going on for a quite long time in this country. If you can get a clue or evidence connected to this problem, I will allow you to bring that guy to the palace but, he has to crossdress as a woman."
Chen Liqin knew that his father won't be easy with him. The old man even gave him a very difficult task. However, he will not spare this opportunity. Even though he had to make his lover dressed as a woman, it was better than parting with Ming Yu.
At last, Chen Liqin accepted this assignment. With Dai Junjie's help, he managed to find a rumor about the Yao family which seemed to have some connection with the illegal practice and started to investigate the Yao's thoroughly. Fortunately, the rumor was true and here he was, back in his father's imperial office.
Emperor Guang was glaring at all of the documents his son gave him. He was a bit shocked that he had to properly check all of the evidence, fearing that was his son's trick.
The documents contained the list of items that would be sold in the auction. Of course, those items were humans – girls and boys – who were sold to the nobles as slaves. Most of the humans sold here were kidnapped so there were many reports of missing people to the kingdom.
Emperor Guang took the old documents containing the list of the missing people and found the same names in the documents Chen Liqin gave him. All of these documents were signed and officially stamped by the Yao family.
Even though the emperor assigned this task so that his son would fail and break up from his lover, his son's success also helped him to get closer to solve this case which had troubled him since he was young. His son deserved a reward.
"Fine! You won! You can bring your lover to the palace but remember, he has to dress as a woman!" the emperor warned.
Chen Liqin smiled happily and saluted his father. "Thank you, Father!" he said then withdrew from the office.
Emperor Guang rubbed his temples. He might think of another strategy to stop his son but now…
He took the evidence and archived them properly. He then called Dai Junjie who was still standing in the corner of the room.
"Bring the Yao family here alive! I want to talk with them," he ordered.
"Remember! Lest anyone find out about this," he added.
He believed that Dai Junjie who was recommended by Zhang Zhiqiang, the former leader of the royal secret force, could be relied upon. After all, he had already seen Dai Junjie's outstanding performance since he took the position as the new leader two years ago.
The emperor also intended to hand over Dai Junjie as his son's trusted subordinate when Chen Liqin took the throne. Therefore, he could ensure his son's safety.
Dai Junjie put his hands together and bow deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
*****
Ming Yu was turning on his oil lamp as the sky had turned dark when he heard a knock on the gate. Only one person would knock on his house gate.
He immediately put on a grin and ran towards the gate.
When the gate was opened and closed again, Chen Liqin immediately hugged Ming Yu and kissed him continuously.
Ming Yu chuckled. "What is wrong? Your kisses tickled me."
"I did it! You can enter the palace!" Chen Liqin exclaimed happily.
Ming Yu also cheered happily at that.
"But you have to crossdress in the palace. Are you okay with that?" Chen Liqin asked in a grim face. He felt guilty for Ming Yu because as a man, wearing women's clothes would reduce his dignity.
Ming Yu shook his head. "You have worked hard so that I can enter the palace. As long as you are there with me, I don't mind what kind of clothing I have to wear."
Chen Liqin's heart melted. He immediately picked his lover and entered the bedroom. He threw Ming Yu onto the bed and climbed on top of him. They made love all night to celebrate this happiness.