Stretching like that is really detrimental to the emperor’s dignity! Abraham Lincoln really wanted to remind him, but thinking of the things Emily Thompson had done before, he swallowed the words back and put on an innocent face, saying, “The journey is long and it’s really not convenient to come here.”

Emily Thompson stopped in his tracks, his expression turning cold. “Is inconvenience your excuse for defying an imperial order? Then if I’m unhappy, does that mean I can just have your head chopped off?”

That was simply unreasonable. Abraham Lincoln rubbed his bald head, looking a bit troubled. “Then Your Majesty had better be happy, because I only have one head.”

Emily Thompson burst out laughing, the frown on his face melting away. His delicate features and warm smile made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Looking at Emily Thompson, Abraham Lincoln suddenly thought that if he could smile more often, he’d definitely be a well-liked emperor, not someone everyone feared like a tiger. But in this world, what an emperor needs is awe, not affection.

Emily Thompson stopped smiling and continued walking forward. “I heard that the old monk in Qian’an has passed away?”

Abraham Lincoln followed slowly, was silent for a moment, then nodded. “Mm.”

“If I die, do you think anyone in this world would be sad for me?” Emily Thompson pursed his lips and turned to look at Abraham Lincoln. “Would you?”

Abraham Lincoln looked into Emily Thompson’s clear eyes, as if gazing into a mirror, and nodded. “The starving people who have food to eat would, the border folk harassed by the Xiongnu would, and I would too.” After a pause, he added, “You’ll live a long time.”

Emily Thompson shook his head. “No, I’m going to die soon.”

Abraham Lincoln’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at Emily Thompson and stopped walking.

Emily Thompson waved his hand dismissively. “There are still three years left. That’s enough for me to do a lot. After destroying the Xiongnu, I’ll wipe out the Turks too. Then there will be no country left in the world that dares disrespect the Great Tang.”

Abraham Lincoln looked at the thick golden aura above Emily Thompson’s head, within which a wisp of black energy was mixed, carrying a hint of chill. “Did the King of Hell tell you this? Is that why you’re holding the Water and Land Dharma Assembly this time?”

“Heh, those fools in the King of Hell’s palace want me to hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly to appease the souls who died under my iron cavalry. Do they really think a few evil spirits can scare me?” Emily Thompson sneered, gazing at the tottering setting sun. “Actually, I want to hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly for the soldiers who died for the Great Tang over the years. What do those others have to do with me? So what if they can’t rest in peace?”

Abraham Lincoln looked at Emily Thompson’s somewhat thin back and said softly, “Do you really have to bear so much?”

Emily Thompson didn’t look back. “You know, back then, I had no choice.”

“But now you do. If you hold a Water and Land Dharma Assembly for them, maybe it won’t just be three years, right?”

“Wouldn’t that mean I’m bowing my head to them? How did they treat me back then? I killed them, so why should I repent? They deserved to die, and deserve to be wandering ghosts!” Emily Thompson turned to look at Abraham Lincoln, his expression resolute, yet somewhat pitiable.

Abraham Lincoln looked at Emily Thompson, was silent for a while, then nodded. “Yes, they all deserved to die. Those bastards in the King of Hell’s palace deserve it too.”

Emily Thompson laughed heartily, then suddenly hooked a finger under Abraham Lincoln’s chin and said with a smile, “Abraham Lincoln, do you know why I like you? Because you’re the only one in this world who understands me! Unlike those people who spend all day trying to guess what I’m thinking, and never get it right.”

Having a man hook his chin and say he likes him—Abraham Lincoln found the whole thing awkward no matter how he thought about it. Even though Emily Thompson was known as the most handsome man in the Great Tang, Abraham Lincoln was straight!

“Come on, have a drink with me.” Fortunately, Emily Thompson quickly let go and turned to walk toward the bedchamber.

Once inside the harem, there were more palace maids, all standing respectfully to the side, sneaking glances at Abraham Lincoln and Emily Thompson, their eyes wide and dazed, utterly entranced.

The rules in the harem were quite relaxed, so the maids were rather bold, whispering in small groups.

“To actually see the number one and number two most handsome men in the Great Tang together—I’m about to faint from happiness.”

“They’re both so handsome, my legs are going weak!”

“Is Master Sanzang going to be monopolized by His Majesty again tonight? I’m so jealous of the sisters on duty tonight.”

With his especially keen hearing, Abraham Lincoln’s expression turned a bit odd. What’s with the weak legs! And being monopolized by His Majesty—what the heck!

The banquet was arranged in the bedchamber, with two low tables covered in delicacies from the mountains and seas. Abraham Lincoln and Emily Thompson sat facing each other. The maids and eunuchs had all left, and a few large red candles lit up the room.

Emily Thompson raised his wine cup, looked at Abraham Lincoln, and said, “Drink a few cups with me tonight. It’s fruit wine.”

Abraham Lincoln glanced down at the wine pot and cup in front of him, his expression a bit strange. “You drugged it again, didn’t you?”

Emily Thompson replied seriously, “No, how could I do such a thing?”

“Every time I drink with you, you…” Abraham Lincoln picked up the wine bottle, poured a cup, and muttered.

Emily Thompson’s expression didn’t change at all. “Definitely not this time.”

“All right then.” Abraham Lincoln picked up his cup and clinked it with Emily Thompson’s. At the moment of clinking, half the wine in each cup swapped places.

After downing a cup, Emily Thompson’s eyes quickly grew a bit hazy. He swayed slightly and looked at the wine bottle in front of him. “Why does the wine feel so strong tonight?”