In the weird atmosphere coming from the harem selections, his request to see Yoshi was found kinda strange by Norihiko, but he sure doesn't object.
On the contrary, holding absolutely no information or reassurance to give, he goes to look for the boy to escort him to the Red Hall, where LianBi is waiting.

This time, something is definitely different from usual, who has been cooperating with him for a long time could notice easily.
In this harem selections, LianBi gave many less requirements than every previous times. He gave different questions, a much lower age limit and even extended the selections to low nobility.
Naturally he gave no explanations, he is the Emperor and owes none to anyone. He has his own reasons though, he didn't turn pedo or particularly more cruel. - A bit yes, though. -

Although the newbies are still under trial, he asked for a face to face meeting with them, in the Red - throne - Hall. Only the boys, though.
The second day from their arrival at the Palace, the boys were prepared and escorted by the eunuch to the place of the meeting.
They are 16 in total, but it's not sure they will all make it to become Imperial Grooms. It will depend on the tests - and the Emperor's will -.

After the boys all gather in front of him, in the throne hall, just a couple of minutes after, before they could start anything, Norihiko comes inside to report a message to LianBi: 'Concubine Yi is crying in despair and refuses to reveal what the problem is.'
To that, without saying a word, the Emperor leaves the Red Hall, followed by the Sangseon. Just like that, leaving the boys alone in there.
*But he didn't dismiss them.

When the situation in the Court settles a little, for the surprise of most people in the Palace, LianBi starts to focus on the harem, after basically ignoring it for years.
First things first, he orders all the Imperial Brides of every rank to be interrogated, under truth potion, to find out which of them lied with other men, including Liang.
Of course the result was a huge number of women forced to admit they indeed had sex with him and most of them weren't even able to say they had no choice.
No surprise there, LianBi knows what harem women are like: they are crazy in love with an Emperor just as long as a new Emperor comes in. But still, this gives him a good opportunity to get rid of some sh*tty people, so why let it slide? He orders for every woman who lied with any man beside him to be expulsed from the harem and return to their families. No punishment, just clean-ups, Spring is getting closer after all.

From 215 the Imperial Brides became 57.
* Some didn't go bed with Liang but cheated on the Emperor with other men.

Never the harem has been so empty, but at least now the women remaining are all loyal and far less aggressive than the ones kicked out.
LianBi doesn't expect problems to end, but at least to happen less often.
But that's not all.
Since the number of Imperial Brides decreased so significantly and since the politics of the country had some slight changes, he also decides to open selections and, for the first time since he is on the throne, he opens the doors of the harem to boys as well.

The reason behind this is not really that 57 brides aren't enough for him, also since he only thinks of Bang-sul day and night, but to refresh the political scenario entirely.
Due to the mass deaths, many new and young nobles were appointed and might need that bit of extra prestige and support from the Crown. Sending a younger brother or sister to the harem can help them increase their family's prestige, grow more connections and, on the Emperor's advantage, feel closer to the Imperial Family itself.

The selections were open for only 20 people, of all genders and rank included between low nobility - including high ranked militaries- and highest aristocracy.
Any character interested in applying can.

1 His plan is basically making some tests to be sure Bang-sul is not tricking him like every other person he ever loved so far.
2 He totally shuts his door to Bang-sul, ignoring him entirely and acting as if he is no longer his favoured.

Tests.
A- He leaves an empty paper with his official, unique signature, that could be used to obtain literally anything in the world, from someone's death to become the new Emperor, inside the residence of Bang-sul in the harem.
B- He spreads the news he is visiting the harem and restarted meeting the other Imperial Brides.
C- Invites Bang-sul to his quarters late at night, pretending to be drunk and to pass out, after treating him like a bitch.
D- ...

What Bang-sul does.
A- Burns the paper despite Norihiko tells him what he could do with it, including being released from the harem and live freely outside.
B - Gets whipped as a revenge from the Mistress of the harem for breaking her wrist, as she thinks he totally fell off of the Emperor's graces.
C- Helps LianBi placing him on bed and even taking off the hard objects from his body so he can rest well.

It lasts about two weeks and Bang-sul only feels like to die and is alone with Norihiko since it's not rped.
In the "touching epic finale", the father of a bride pregnant of Liang and in desperate need to spend a night with LianBi to make him believe the child is his, aims to get rid of Bang-sul for good now, before he could catch the attention of the Emperor again. The man pays an eunuch to testimony against him saying he sexually assaulted him.
Bang-sul gets grabbed by guards and taken to the throne room where LianBi doesn't believe a f***ing sh*t, forces the eunuch to repeat what he said after drinking truth serum, blah blah blah and all is well that ends well. Gets Bang-sul to move permanently in the Sun Quarters and gives title to Lee family.

Also while at it the Emperor makes the ceremony to award the Avatars but doesn't attend himself, leaves the Generals the duty to do it and they all get appointed Heroes of Xhuanghen, receive money and a special jewel of their choice.

Although the situation is a real mess, he is a very calculating person and has already several plans in his mind to solve each trouble at the right time.
Among the various things, he also has plans about Bang-sul, in the specific, something that will be rather painful for both, at first, but shouldn't turn out well, it will end in greatness.
What he really didn't need right now was ChangMi's 'wound' to reopen like that.
When Norihiko told him what his second son tried to do, he didn't even manage to get angry, let alone have the heart to punish his son, especially considering the state he was under.
He knows why he tried to do it: because he doesn't think he will be a good father for the little one and he is probably right. Although he doesn't intend to commit the same mistake again, he will probably end up screwing things upninnsome other way. He thinks to be a dreadful father.

In these few days from his return, he really had a lot to do and received a ridiculous amount of letters from high nobles from all over the country. Some explaining themselves, some asking for forgiveness, other sending their condolences for the Evening Sun... plus the huge number of young people he has to appoint, after their parents died in the chaos and war.
While reading the 67th letter of the day, the servants behind the door announce that Norihiko Sangseon asks for an audience.
His plans about Bang-sul are delicate and seen how Norihiko started to side with him after their experiences together, he wants to keep his contacts with him the lowest, until his plan will unveil, at the right time.

"Let him in." It's still a Sangseon and might have something important to report, maybe concerning his son again.
Norihiko walks inside, following all the moves of the most formal formula. "Concubine Yi sent a message to Jeonha", he says, handing a folded paper without envelope.
The Emperor takes the message and dismisses the servant, intending to read it on his own.

When Norihiko leaves, he hesitates a little. What would Bang-sul write to him? Complains for not visiting him? Meaningless condolences like everyone else? Or the worst of worst: that he is sorry for whatever inexistent reason?
He is not sure if he can handle what's written in there, but he doesn't want to ignore it. That's why he wants to be alone anyway, even he is a little emotionally unstable right now.
He finally gathers some courage and opens the paper.

[ Don't be harsh on yourself. Eat well, rest a lot.
I know you went through something terrible... Mijhatev and Kijhatev didn't take you for an holiday... it's ok to feel unwell. I understand. Be kind with yourself.
- 공포 리 ]

Fu*k. Of all the things he could have written, he sent exactly what he needed to be reminded.
He stares at the paper for some time, then takes out of his royal robe the pictures Bang-sul sent to him as a gift, that he always has on him, places them inside the paper and folds it, putting everything back where the photos were.
He stands up, tries to fight it, but... nothing. He leaves the throne room like a fury, without saying a word to anyone on his way.
He reaches the nursery, where Bang-sul still is, bursts inside and goes straight to him, who was sat by a short table, drinking some medical tea. He jumps up at his sight and even before he could say a word, LianBi grabs him by collar and kisses him soooooo wildly he ends up pushing Bang-sul against the wall.

He shouldn't have come, he damaged his own plans this way. But he couldn't resist it.
When he manages to get back to his mind a little, he places a hand of Bang-sul's cheek and slowly recoils, before turning around and leaving, just like that. Not a word to him, nor the other present people. Not even a glance, like he couldn't give less damns at this point.