193: Burning Star

"Sure, you're the boss, you call the shots."

It seemed Lance was finally allowed to speak freely.

"What kind?"

She was asking Tu Nan about her design concept for this perfume.

Tu Nan envisioned a scene in her mind and tried to describe it. In fact, it wasn't a true scent; she was describing a person.

"Those who smell it will feel as if they've seen a massive, solitary burning star in the empty cosmos."

"The scent should be woody, with that kind of presence, that kind of exclusivity."

"They feel warm when illuminated by him, but will be scorched if they get too close to him." Tu Nan felt she had sensed something extra in her black cat state.

"He burns himself, he cares for all things, he exists for eternity..."

"He keeps a distance from everyone."

The scribbling sound on the other end of the communication stopped, and Lance asked, headache-ridden.

"The Emperor in your eyes, isn't he too contradictory... Don't you think you're imagining a bit too much?"

Tu Nan reviewed what she had said and affirmed, "No, that's exactly how it is."

"I can't grasp it." Lance gave up quickly.

"I can't help you. I have no idea what combination you'd use to create all these intentions."

"Indeed, The Emperor is not someone we common folk can understand." Lance scratched her head frantically on the other end, then suddenly seemed to have a strange realization.

Hesitantly, she asked, "Don't you think... some of what you said also fits you very well?"

Is that so?

Tu Nan didn't think much of it; she was concerned about this perfume. Using a special edition perfume instead of a regular one as a tribute to The Emperor was the method she came up with.

Otherwise, the next time The Emperor brought up the topic of perfume, she would appear passive.

"Why don't you package small samples of all the basic scents you have and send them to me? I'll try it myself." She had already entered the field of perfumery before, so rather than forcing Lance, she might as well try it herself.

"Alright, address? The Imperial Palace?"

"Write Royal Medical Academy."

Their conversation indeed echoed in another space.

The Emperor sat by the window of his bedchamber, listening in on the entire conversation.

After Tu Nan hung up the communication, the small device that could listen to all communications within the Imperial Palace continued to emit a monotonous signal tone.

He tossed a small dark blue velvet box back and forth, hesitating to press the end button.

Everyone just let the sound fill their ears.

"The solitary burning star." He savored the phrase, then suddenly broke into a dangerous smile, asking Yuan Zhe, "Tell me, does she truly think this, or is she saying it specifically for me to hear?"

Yuan Zhe merely remained silent, standing respectfully, as if an extra hint of emotion in the air could be misinterpreted as a stance.

He would not utter an extra word!

The Emperor finally pressed the button, his attention returning to the box in his hand. Opening the lid, he took out the power ring from within and slowly put it on.

Head bowed, he scrutinized it for a long moment, then let out only a faint... "Tsk."

Bored, he stood up and ordered Yuan Zhe, "Have Kong Jiamu roll into the palace first thing tomorrow morning."

Yuan Zhe bowed his head in assent.

***

Kong Jiamu was finally summoned by The Emperor, appearing before His Majesty at the very moment the palace gates opened in the morning.

Thus, he had the honor of witnessing His Majesty's morning temper.

...But you didn't say what time, so I was afraid you'd be anxious waiting, wasn't I?

"Shut up."

The Emperor hadn't woken up early in a long time. His forehead twitched as he stared several times at the peacock's head, face, and chest, all critical points, as he argued vociferously.

Finally, he touched the power ring, regretfully half-closed his eyes, and was forced to 'boot up.'

"The time for your investiture ceremony has been set." He gestured for Yuan Zhe to hand him a drafted schedule and process.

The peacock quickly scanned the process, and regret swiftly appeared on his face. He knew this was already a formal document, and all preparations were complete, but he still wanted to try and fight for it.

"Um... can the marriage proposal really not be...?"

The Emperor calmly interrupted him. "Not everything needs innovation."

Kong Jiamu looked up and saw that The Emperor had no intention of discussing it with him, so he could only seemingly obediently agree.

"Follow this procedure." The Emperor saw his defiance and reminded him, "You've always been sensible about serious matters; if you suddenly mess up... there must be a reason nearby."

Kong Jiamu knelt, finally truly honest.

He wouldn't dare let Pearl bear The Emperor's wrath.

"Heh." The Emperor crossed his arms, watched him for a moment, then told him a piece of news.

"The research Miss Tu Nan is conducting is very important to the Empire. I have appointed her a Third-Class Female Official and kept her at the Royal Medical Institute."

Kong Jiamu looked up, slightly bewildered. What did this have to do with him?

"Oh..." The Emperor smiled playfully, "One who rides upon the upright wind, unhindered in his flight, is now about to journey south."

"Do you understand?"

Kong Jiamu shook his head righteously. His Majesty had raised him since childhood; when had he ever seen him study ancient texts? The ones displayed at home were merely for show.

"Tu Nan," he said as if sealing a ritual. "Bears great responsibility; it's a good name."

"Pearl, from now on, will be called Tu Nan."

A name settled, a destiny bound with it.

Only then did Kong Jiamu realize that the "Tu Nan" His Majesty spoke of was his Pearl.

"Your Majesty, isn't it inappropriate to change someone's name so casually...?"

Only Kong Jiamu would dare contradict His Majesty's words, Yuan Zhe thought, standing to the side.

Oh, no. Now there's Miss Tu Nan too.

"Not casually, I asked her." The Emperor's lips curved into a smile, "I asked for her opinion."

Alright... well, it was a name bestowed by His Majesty after all. Since Pearl, oh, Tu Nan herself was willing, then it could be considered a good thing?

"Then where is Tu Nan now? Can I go see her?"

Kong Jiamu's heart soared as he pleaded for His Majesty's permission.

Yuan Zhe stepped forward to report.

"Miss Tu Nan has already been informed. She said she would be in the Medical Institute's research lab this morning and invited Colonel Kong to meet her there."

Kong Jiamu's eyes immediately lit up!

The Emperor, however, remained silent, slowly picking up a report from beside him and reading it intently.

"Your Majesty..."

The Emperor remained silent.

"Your Majesty." Chief Steward Yuan Zhe glared at him disapprovingly. Kong Jiamu pouted and fell silent, standing in place and waiting.

The Emperor waited until a fine sweat broke out on Kong Jiamu's forehead before finally looking up.

"Why are you still here?" he asked in surprise.

Kong Jiamu didn't dare to resist and quickly said, "I'm leaving now, Your Subject is leaving now."

He zipped away, disappearing in an instant.

The Emperor continued flipping through the report, then suddenly asked Yuan Zhe.

"Tell me, doesn't this count as delivery to the doorstep?"