The Emperor's silent protection

Chapter 2: The Emperor’s Silent Protection

Xue Yan sat in the carriage, his mind spinning with confusion. The emperor himself had appeared, out of nowhere, to rescue him from Li Feng’s aggression. But why? Xue Yan had never even laid eyes on the emperor before today, and now he was being taken to the imperial palace, a place where he had no right to be. 🌸Wei Rong, seated across from him in the luxurious carriage, remained silent, his cold gaze focused on the passing scenery outside. His presence was overwhelming, and though his expression was unreadable, Xue Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that the emperor’s attention had been drawn to him for a reason he didn’t understand.Xue Yan carefully glanced at the emperor, hoping to find some clue to his intentions, but Wei Rong’s face was a mask of calm. His beauty was mesmerizing—sharp jawline, piercing dark eyes, and skin so flawless it was almost unreal. Yet despite his cold demeanor, Xue Yan didn’t feel the same fear that others did in his presence. There was something oddly comforting about him, a quiet assurance that, though Wei Rong’s emotions were well-guarded, he would never harm him.As the carriage rolled on, Xue Yan couldn’t help but speak up. "Your Majesty, may I ask… why you’ve brought me with you?"Wei Rong didn’t look at him immediately. Instead, he took a moment before responding. "You were in danger," he said simply, his voice steady and calm."But I am a commoner," Xue Yan insisted, his voice soft yet firm. "Surely there was no need for Your Majesty to intervene."At this, Wei Rong finally turned to him, his dark eyes locking with Xue Yan’s. "Danger is danger," he replied. "It matters not who you are." His tone was gentle, but there was a finality to his words that made it clear this conversation was not open for debate.Xue Yan fell silent, still unsure of why the emperor would care about his safety. But he didn’t press further. There was no use questioning someone as powerful as Emperor Wei Rong, especially when the answer wouldn’t change his fate. He was going to the palace now, whether he understood the reason or not.👑 Back at the palace, whispers quickly spread through the court. The emperor had returned with a commoner—a young man whose beauty was said to rival the finest nobles, yet no one knew who he was. Ministers and courtiers alike speculated wildly about the boy’s sudden appearance. Who was he, and why had the emperor taken such an interest in him?Lady Mei, a concubine known for her sharp wit and ambition, was the first to approach Wei Rong’s chief advisor, Chen Lei, for answers. "The emperor brings a commoner to the palace?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue. "What could possibly make someone of such low standing catch His Majesty’s attention?"Chen Lei kept his expression neutral, but he too was curious. "I do not know, Lady Mei," he replied, his voice careful. "But the emperor’s decisions are not for us to question."Lady Mei smiled slyly. "Perhaps," she mused. "But the court will surely find this development… interesting." 💅🌸 That night, in the vast and opulent palace, Xue Yan found himself in a chamber far grander than anything he had ever seen in his life. The bed was draped in silks, the walls adorned with golden ornaments, and the view from the window overlooked the emperor’s private gardens—a place no commoner could dream of seeing, let alone staying in.But despite the grandeur, Xue Yan felt out of place. His life had always been simple, and the luxury of the palace seemed foreign to him. He sat by the window, gazing at the full moon 🌕, wondering what his future now held. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door."Come in," he called, standing to see who it was.The door opened to reveal Chen Lei, the emperor’s most trusted advisor. He bowed slightly before speaking. "The emperor has sent me to ensure you are comfortable, Xue Yan," he said, his tone polite but guarded.

.Xue Yan blinked, surprised by the sudden attention. "The emperor is too kind," he replied, bowing his head. "I am comfortable, but I do not understand why I have been brought here."Chen Lei studied him for a moment before answering. "His Majesty acts as he sees fit. It is not our place to question his motives. But I will say this—very few have ever been shown such favor by the emperor."Xue Yan frowned slightly, confusion still clouding his thoughts. "Favor? I am just a commoner…"Chen Lei smiled faintly. "Perhaps that is why you were chosen.

."Before Xue Yan could respond, Chen Lei bowed once more and left the room, leaving him with even more questions than before. He turned back to the window, the moonlight casting a soft glow over his face. Why would the emperor favor someone like him? What did Wei Rong see in him that made him worthy of such attention? 🤔

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👑 Meanwhile, Wei Rong stood alone on his palace balcony, his cold gaze fixed on the moonlit gardens below. His mind wandered back to the brief encounter with Xue Yan by the river. The boy’s beauty had stirred something in him—a strange, unfamiliar feeling that he hadn’t experienced before. It wasn’t just physical attraction; there was something deeper, something he couldn’t yet name.

He had always been cold, distant from those around him. His heart had never been touched by the affections of the court or the many who sought his favor. But with Xue Yan, things felt… different. He didn’t know why, and that unsettled him.

The emperor’s fingers brushed against the cold stone railing as he gazed out into the night. He had brought Xue Yan here to protect him from harm, but he knew that wasn’t the only reason. There was something about the boy that drew him in, something he couldn’t ignore.

For the first time in years, Wei Rong felt the stirrings of warmth in his heart—a warmth he hadn’t expected and wasn’t entirely sure how to handle. But one thing was certain: he would keep Xue Yan close. No one would harm him, and no one would take him away. 💖

To Be Continued...

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