Regent (7): 

Gu Juntian, in the course of his conversation with Zhou Qinghao, sorted out the plan for what needed to be done next.

It was to rely on Zhou Qinghao’s soldiers, employ iron-blooded measures, and completely crush and suppress the scholar-official class of the Jin State.

In this era, many people had fiefs, and with fiefs came the ability to maintain private soldiers and household retainers.

According to his original plan, he would only kill a few people, take direct control of the government, and then slowly proceed. This would not cause large-scale resistance.

But if he wanted to kill many people, Jin State would likely fall into chaos, and the scholar-official class would fiercely resist.

However, this approach also had its benefits.

Originally, he could only carry out reforms; now, he could carry out a complete transformation.

To implement an entirely new system, the existing ruling class had to be completely overthrown.

If it were only reform, in the future when he wanted to appoint people regardless of their background, or to distribute land to commoners, he would surely face obstruction. If he eliminated everyone in one sweep now, the Jin State could then be run entirely according to his vision.

Of course, ordinary people in this era lived in ignorance, without independent thought. Carrying out a thorough transformation and governing them well would be difficult.

But it was not impossible.

As the saying goes, political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. With Zhou Qinghao’s help, he could certainly succeed.

A complete transformation would also be beneficial for Zhou Qinghao.

If he didn’t take such measures, the people in the court would continue to look down on Zhou Qinghao, and being together with him would be fraught with difficulties.

But after using iron-blooded methods, those people would fall in line.

So, be a tyrant.

Just as Gu Juntian was preparing himself to be a tyrant, he heard Zhou Qinghao’s confession.

Gu Juntian, who had been somewhat distracted, instinctively looked toward Zhou Qinghao.

It was already dark. Although an oil lamp was lit in the bathhouse, it was still dim.

The rising steam made the space around Zhou Qinghao appear hazy.

But the two of them were close enough that Gu Juntian could clearly see Zhou Qinghao’s face and body.

In Zhou Qinghao’s resolute eyes, the candlelight was reflected like shining gemstones, making Gu Juntian want to lean in and kiss him.

At that moment, Gu Juntian also recalled the sensation of Zhou Qinghao’s skin when he had helped him wash his back earlier.

Zhou Qinghao was like a bewitching spirit, pulling Gu Juntian, who had been discussing the future and ideals, back into reality.

Gu Juntian’s body reacted instantly.

Fortunately, after bathing simply on the floor, he had covered himself with a piece of silk, avoiding too much awkwardness.

Gu Juntian hadn’t expected Zhou Qinghao to confess.

In the original plot, although Zhou Qinghao’s feelings for the original host were accidentally discovered, when the original host deliberately tried to seduce him, Zhou Qinghao refused.

Being with the king brought no benefit to a minister.

Although Zhou Qinghao liked him, he was an ambitious man and would not want to be seen as a mere male favorite.

So Gu Juntian had originally planned to slowly cultivate feelings with Zhou Qinghao, waiting until Zhou Qinghao trusted him and was free of reservations, and then let their relationship develop naturally.

But now, Zhou Qinghao had suddenly confessed!

Was it because the atmosphere in the bathhouse was too good?

Because he had been close to Zhou Qinghao and honest with him?

Or because he was more liked by Zhou Qinghao than the original host?

Gu Juntian didn’t speak right away, and then saw Zhou Qinghao’s gaze darken as he lowered his head.

Without thinking, he said, “Uncle, I like you too.”

No matter what, Zhou Qinghao had confessed—he couldn’t just leave it unanswered.

After speaking, Gu Juntian realized he was still calling Zhou Qinghao “uncle.”

Uncle… repeating the word twice in his mind, Gu Juntian suddenly found it a bit thrilling.

In the future, if he called him that in bed…

He mustn’t think about it anymore. If he did, he feared he would lose control.

The silk covering his body had already changed shape…

Gu Juntian felt his self-control was a little weak, but he couldn’t be blamed—if someone could share a bath with the person they liked and feel nothing, that person must be a eunuch.

After speaking his confession, Zhou Qinghao began to regret it.

He was taking advantage of the fact that Gu Juntian needed him, essentially forcing him.

But if he didn’t do this, he would probably never have a chance to be with Gu Juntian.

Seeing that Gu Juntian didn’t respond for a long time, he felt even more regret, and also some embarrassment.

If Gu Juntian became furious, what would he do?

Just as Zhou Qinghao was caught in turmoil, Gu Juntian spoke, responding to his confession.

Zhou Qinghao suddenly looked up at him.

Gu Juntian was smiling, showing no trace of displeasure.

But how could someone be happy about being desired by an elder?

It was just that Gu Juntian had learned to hide his emotions.

The Gu Juntian of the past hadn’t been like this. Had he suffered a lot over the past three years?

Or was it that Zhou Qinghao had failed to raise him properly, and in those years someone else had taken care of him?

Zhou Qinghao’s mind was a mess as he kept looking at Gu Juntian.

Seeing him in such a daze, Gu Juntian couldn’t restrain himself any longer. He leaned down, kissed Zhou Qinghao’s face as he stood in the bath, and said, “Uncle, the water is getting cold, we should get out.”

Zhou Qinghao felt a tingling sensation where he had been kissed, the feeling rushing straight to his head.

His mind was in chaos. Without thinking of anything else, he simply answered, “Alright.”

Seeing him like this, Gu Juntian couldn’t help but laugh and took his hand.

Gu Juntian had originally prepared separate lodgings for Zhou Qinghao.

But remembering that in the original plot Zhou Qinghao had been assassinated several times, he suddenly didn’t dare let him stay alone.

People in this era could be very direct—if they couldn’t beat you in court, they might resort to assassination.

He couldn’t fully control the people in the palace, so it wasn’t entirely safe for Zhou Qinghao to live there, unless he stayed with him.

The royal clan might block his power, but they didn’t intend to kill him. The Queen Dowager certainly wouldn’t—if he died, she and the people from Qi by her side would be driven away.

So they wouldn’t kill him.

With that in mind, he took Zhou Qinghao back to his bedchamber. “Tonight, I will sleep foot-to-foot with Uncle.”

It was only then that Zhou Qinghao came back to his senses and began to look around.

The room was lit, but still dim.

He had been here before, but now that he looked around again, it felt different.

This was where Gu Juntian lived, and today, he would also sleep here?

What did Gu Juntian mean by bringing him back?

His bedchamber was large, and with few furnishings, there was no place to hide anyone. Once the servants were dismissed, they could speak without fear of being overheard.

Seeing Zhou Qinghao was a bit nervous, Gu Juntian started making conversation. “Qinghao, tomorrow I want to visit your military camp.”

He wanted to deal with the royal clan, but there was no rush.

Before dealing with them, he needed to make preparations, and that meant contacting Zhou Qinghao’s soldiers.

His next actions would rely entirely on them.

“Tomorrow I’ll take Your Majesty to the camp,” Zhou Qinghao replied.

Gu Juntian’s visit must have some purpose, but he didn’t intend to stop him.

Gu Juntian smiled, then said, “Uncle, let’s rest.”

Zhou Qinghao’s gaze fell on the bed. He thought of Gu Juntian’s earlier “I like you,” thought of how he would likely soon lose his life, thought of the person behind Gu Juntian…

He said, “Your Majesty, let me serve you.”

Gu Juntian froze for a moment.

Zhou Qinghao spoke again: “Your Majesty has not yet taken a wife; I can serve you.”

The thoughts Gu Juntian had barely suppressed all came flooding back.

Zhou Qinghao was offering himself!

He had just bathed, but hadn’t shaved.

Now, standing before him, was a burly man.

Such a man and the word “serve” didn’t match at all, but Gu Juntian found it thrilling.

He stared at Zhou Qinghao, his voice deepening. “Uncle…”

Zhou Qinghao, however, regretted it again.

He suddenly remembered he hadn’t shaved—like this, he was hardly pleasant to look at.

When he was young and favored by the late king, some people had called him the king’s boy lover—back then, he had the looks to seduce.

But now…

“Your Majesty, I am coarse and unrefined…”

Before he could finish, Gu Juntian pulled him into an embrace and kissed his lips.

Gu Juntian said, “Uncle, you must shave tomorrow.”

Fortunately, Zhou Qinghao didn’t have much beard, and had kept it trimmed—otherwise it would be unpleasant to kiss.

As for the rest…

He was now a young man full of vitality. With the person he liked confessing and making advances, he couldn’t possibly remain calm!

Besides, he would be very busy in the coming days, with little time to spend with Zhou Qinghao—he had to seize the moment!

In this era, relationships often developed quickly—not just romantic ones, but also friendships or bonds of loyalty between ruler and subject.

Meeting once and pledging life and death to each other was not uncommon.

So it was normal for his and Zhou Qinghao’s relationship to develop quickly.

At this point, Gu Juntian no longer thought about anything else—he just wanted to be close to Zhou Qinghao.

Zhou Qinghao responded with passion.

He wasn’t particularly good-looking, and he was older. If he wasn’t enthusiastic, how could he compare with the young men and women around the king?

Besides, he might only have this one chance, so he had to cherish it.

Today, Gu Juntian must have brought him into the palace because it would have been awkward to reject him—that was why he succeeded. In the future, he might not be able to enter again.

With that thought, Zhou Qinghao embraced Gu Juntian.

But soon he realized something was wrong.

His hands were too rough—they might scratch Gu Juntian’s skin.

Right now, he really wasn’t someone easy to like.