Yuan Ling and Zhu Hui were only together for the morning audience. There, they would discuss new issues and solve any problems they may have. This was more of Empress Dowager's job since Yuan Ling didn't hold any true power in this court.
After the morning meeting concluded, Yuan Ling would be dragged off to do boring paperwork while Zhu Hui went off to do his respective duties. The two would meet again in the evening when Zhu Hui went to turn in his daily report.
Yuan Ling flipped through the pages impatiently as he waited for Zhu Hui to turn in his report. Yuan Ling was in a sour mood.
His backside hurt, he was exhausted, but most importantly he wanted attention from Zhu Hui.
Eunuch Wan noticed his bad mood and grew nervous. He bowed and forced a smile, "Would my Lord like some Mooncakes while you work?"
"No!" Yuan Ling snapped impatiently. He wanted to scream out, "Bring me Zhu Hui instead!". However, how could he say that? There were far too many ears and he couldn't dare to say something so embarrassing.
Eunuch Wan immediately looked as if he'd faint in fear. He spoke quickly before his Lord could throw something, "Then perhaps a refreshing drink? My Lord has been working hard…"
Yuan Ling thought to himself: "A refreshing drink? Maybe a refreshing taste of my Gege!"
Instead, Yuan Ling frowned before forcing himself to say, "Yes. Please bring me something refreshing."
Eunuch Wan spent the rest of his day treading on thin ice. He had no idea why exactly Yuan Ling was in such a bad mood. All he knew to do was to make himself as little of a target as possible, lest Yuan Ling starts throwing things in a rage.
Just as Yuan Ling's anger was at its peak, another Eunuch announced, "Chancellor Zhu Hui is requesting to enter!"
Yuan Ling's mood went from sour to sweet like a flip of a switch. He immediately forgot his exhaustion and sat up quickly. He feigned an elegant expression and nodded, "Let him in."
Eunuch Wan noticed his switch and had a strange look on his face.
Yuan Ling turned to glare at him, "Well? Are you going to let him in?"
He immediately dropped his strange expression and smiled to curry favor. He bowed repeatedly, "Right away, right away…"
Eunuch Wan went to the door and opened it. Seeing Zhu Hui's stoic expression, he breathed a sigh in relief. If anyone could calm down Yuan Ling, it was definitely Zhu Hui.
Eunuch Wan whispered to him, "My Lord is very upset today. He was very impatient as he waited for you to turn in your report. This lowly one believes that if the Lord is complimented by Chancellor Zhu Hui, he may actually finish his work."
Zhu Hui gave a nod, "En."
Eunuch Wan continued, "Do you think you can handle him?"
"En."
"..." Eunuch Wan silently wondered if it would kill him to say more. He too witnessed Zhu Hui grow up alongside Yuan Ling, yet Zhu Hui's rigidness never changed. Every time he tried to speak with Zhu Hui it was like pulling teeth.
Yet, the man still has so many loving fans.
Zhu Hui was led to the Emperor's table where he saw Yuan Ling sitting and waiting while attempting to hide his excitement. If Zhu Hui didn't have complete control over himself, he would have burst into laughter at seeing the great and mighty Emperor acting like a puppy awaiting its master.
Yuan Ling nodded at him trying to act like a mighty Emperor instead of a lovelorn puppy. "Hui-Gege. Do you have your daily report? I've been waiting for it."
Zhu Hui's eyes slowly drifted down to Yuan Ling's neck. A slight blemish peeked out from under his collar. Zhu Hui felt his heart pulse in desire. He fiercely wanted to rip off that clothing and leave more marks.
He cleared his throat and forced himself to look away. He spoke calmly as he handed the report to the Eunuch who handed it to Yuan Ling. "My Lord, he is my daily report. Please let me know if there is anything I should explain. As previously mentioned, the Northern-"
Yuan Ling tossed the paper without ever removing his eyes from Zhu Hui. Zhu Hui's mouth opened slightly in surprise and was rendered speechless from Yuan Ling's action.
Yuan Ling spoke, "I will review it later. But first… Does Hui-Gege have anything important to say? Perhaps about his sleeping arrangements for tonight?"
Yuan Ling's eyes screamed to be swept off his feet and dragged off to bed. Zhu Hui naturally noticed and felt his control weaken. However, he was too concerned that their nightly rendezvous would begin to interfere with his Royal duties. Not to mention what would happen if everyone knew that the Emperor was sleeping with one of the officials in charge of military matters.
Zhu Hui cleared his throat and forced himself to look away, "This lowly official has nothing else to say."
Yuan Ling felt as though he had been struck by lightning. He screamed mentally, "Nothing to say!?! How about sleeping with me again!!! Surely you can't get enough of this tasty Lord!!! Why aren't you trying to rush into my bedroom!?"
Before he could voice his complaints, Zhu Hui bowed to him, "If my Lord has nothing else to discuss, I will now excuse myself."
Yuan Ling stood up abruptly, "Wait! I-" Then, as pain shot up his hips, he fell back onto his seat with a wince.
Yuan Ling wanted to voice his complaints, but Zhu Hui had already excused himself and ran out of the room as if he had left the stove on.
Yuan Ling lowered his head and shook as he covered his face. Eunuch Wan's mouth dropped as he heard the Emperor's childish whimpers. He wondered if he should pretend to be deaf or if he should say something.
If he pretended to be deaf, then Yuan Ling would throw something at him in anger for not asking if he was alright.
If he said something, then Yuan Ling would also throw something at him for not minding his own business.
Either way, being hit by Yuan Ling was very likely.