Chapter 121: It Must Be That You Heard Wrong.

Inside the wing room, Yan HeQing slowly woke up from his coma. When his consciousness was fully recovered, he turned his head and looked around.

This wing room had simple furnishing, but it was full of vitality. Yan HeQing frowned and pressed his chest, slowly bracing himself to sit up, finding out that all of his wounds were bandanged with medicine, and even the bruises on his back were plastered; however, the pain was still excruciating.

The last thing he remembered was falling into the arms of someone, before falling unconscious. And even though he still couldn't believe it, the person who prevented him from falling on the ground was indeed Xiao YuAn.

At that moment, the door creaked and Third Aunt walked in carrying medicine. When she saw Yan HeQing sitting up, she shouted: "Oh my, Gongzi you've finally woken up. Quick, drink this bowl of medicine." Right after she said that, Third Aunt handed the medicinal soup to Yan HeQing.

After receiving the medicinal soup, and thanking her, Yan HeQing asked: "You are….?"

"Ah, you can call me Third Aunt. I'm sort of the old maidservant here." Third Aunt said.

Suddenly, as if thinking of something, Yan HeQing looked at her and asked: "May I ask, is…. is the Master of this residence married?" He said with a faint hope, like a little spark shining among the ashes, extremely unwilling to disappear.

Third Aunt thought that he was asking about Yang LiuAn and Xiao Fengyue, so she replied: "Why are you asking about this after just waking up, Gongzi? Even though they haven't officially married, they're indeed a couple, and they're very much in love!"

Yan HeQing's eyes completely darkened, looking like a dead man, like a lifeless piece of wood. After what it felt like a long time, he hmmmed in response.

"Gongzi, quickly drink the medicine." Third Aunt urged him.

Yan HeQing numbly hmmmed again, drank the medicine and then returned the bowl. After that, Third Aunt told him something, but Yan HeQing didn't hear her; nor did he realize at what point she walked out of the wing room.

AD

Yan HeQing waited until the night was quiet, and slowly propped himself up, silently walking towards the door.

He had to go, he must leave this place.

Yan HeQing knew that he couldn't stay, since he was afraid. Afraid of Xiao YuAn smiling at him one more time. Because he would rather hurt Xiao YuAn than forcibly tie him to his side.

The night breeze was cool, gently blowing Yan HeQing's black silk-like hair. The courtyard of the residence was silent, and the moonlight falling from the sky illuminated everything on the ground. Yan HeQing took two steps, when suddenly, he heard someone talking.

Just a moment ago, Xiao YuAn was tossing and turning on the bed, unable to fall asleep.

Xiao YuAn hasn't yet been cured of this disease, which made him unable to sleep without the sound of breathing around him. Usually, he would sleep in the same room with Xie Chungui, so he didn't have to worry about this problem affecting his sleep.

And now that Xie Chungui had traveled to the Western Shu Kingdom to cure his illness, Xiao YuAn couldn't sleep alone. At the same time, he happened to have Yan HeQing's feelings on his mind, so now he wasn't even able to take a rest. His mind was full of thoughts about what to do in the near future.

After thinking about it for a long time, by the time the moon rose above the willows, Xiao YuAn rolled over, sat up, and dressed himself; deciding to go out for a walk.

At night, the sound of the crickets was relaxing. Xiao YuAn sat down close to a rock beside the millstone, pulled a piece of grass to put into his mouth, and leaned back with his arms crossed behind his head, acting as a pillow. However, as soon as he leaned back, he heard a voice coming from outside the courtyard. That voice sounded extremely familiar, and he knew at once that the one talking was Zhang Baizhu.

'Shouldn't Zhang Baizhu be asleep by now? What is he doing here, in the middle of the night?' After Xiao Yuan thought inside his mind, he got up and walked towards where he thought the voice was coming from.

"Really? Do you really want to marry me? I'll ask the matchmaker from the west side of the village to come propose marriage1 tomorrow!" Zhang Baizhu's voice couldn't hide his excitement.

AD

Xiao YuAn was in a daze. His mind was wondering what was all this about, when suddenly, he heard another person's voice.

It was Lin Shenling's voice!

Lin Shenling said in a low voice: "Baizhu, wouldn't it be better to hold off on the marriage proposal?"

Zhang Baizhu didn't understand: "Why?"

Lin Shenling said: "I'm now regarded as a maidservant in this house. Moreover, I have a humble status, how could I afford a marriage proposal?"

Zhang Baizhu said angrily: "Why are you degrading yourself again?!"

Lin Shenling said softly: "How can this be degrading myself? It's the truth. If Xiao-gongzi hadn't bought me, I'd be in a brothel by now. I'm very fortunate to be called a maidservant at all."

Zhang Baizhu replied: "Xiao YuAn definitely doesn't see you as a maidservant!"

Lin Shenling's smile didn't decrease: "Xiao-gongzi doesn't think of me like that, but I have to put my gratitude in mind. I owe him my life, shouldn't I repay him by being a loyal servant?"

Xiao YuAn couldn't bear hearing any more and yelled: "Don't involve me anymore! Here's 9 yuan for each of you, so go get your marriage certificate2 as soon as possible!"

Chapter 122: It Must Be That You Did Bi-dong The Wrong Way. 1

Both Zhang Baizhu and Lin Shenling didn't expect that there would be someone listening, so they were both extremely shocked.

Xiao YuAn took a few steps over and rubbed his temples with one hand, looking like he wanted to know what the hell was going on: "So, what's the matter with you two?"

Zhang Baizhu wasn't polite: "Ling'er and I are in love. You must tell me if you agree or not."

Xiao YuAn: "…"

'What the fuck?!'

'Love each other?'

'Repeat that again?!'

'Do these words really mean what I think they mean?!'

Xiao YuAn took a deep breath and asked Lin Shenling: "Is this the case?"

Lin Shenling didn't dare to look at Xiao YuAn and lowered her head, nodding for a while with flushed cheeks.

'What about Yan HeQing?!'

'Is this some kind of pattern where all the wives run away?'

Xiao YuAn was frozen in place, unable to return to reality for a long time.

Zhang Baizhu thought that Xiao YuAn was hesitating, so he walked forward to pinch him: "If you dare to shake your head Xiao YuAn, I'll strangle you on the spot."

'You'll strangle me to death?! If Yan HeQing finds out about this, shall I run away with you? And If you run away, where will you go? To the South, or North? Should we travel on the water or on the ground? And if we travel by ground, should we use a carriage or walk? What the hell is this plot? What's going on?!'

'Ah, forget it. This stupid plot is so broken that even the First and Second Female Leads are married to each other. What can't happen at this point?'

"If you can't sleep at night, why do you have to come over at night?" Xiao YuAn removed Zhang Baizhu's hand from his body and then said: "Bring the dowry tomorrow morning. Without it, the bride's family won't let her marry you."

Zhang Baizhu and Lin Shenling were stunned. Zhang Baizhu even stuttered: "You, you, you….."

"You, you, what?" Xiao YuAn pressed his shoulder and then turned back, pushing him away: "Go back home and sleep well, alright?"

"Yes!" Zhang Baizhu was extremely happy as he said to Lin Shenling: "Ling'er, wait for me! I'll be here in the morning! I will come!"

After he said that, Zhang Baizhu danced and ran to the medicinal shop. Fortunately, there was no one on the street late at night, otherwise, everyone would probably think that some madman had escaped.

Lin Shenling was still in a bit of a trance as she muttered to herself: "The bride's family…. bride's family."

Lin Shenling knew that ever since her mother's death, she didn't have a home. All she wanted in life, was to be a woman who could help her husband and educate her children. She didn't want any glory or wealth, nor beautiful clothes or precious jewellery. She was happy enough with a three-course meal.

"

"

But the moment her stepfather dragged her into a brothel, Lin Shenling knew that those dreams were impossible. First, she lost her home, and then she didn't have any money to even dream about it.

Who would've known that later, once she was saved, everything would change.

Now, there were people who were willing to say that they were her family.

Lin Shenling's eyes reddened, and suddenly knelt down to Xiao YuAn: "Xiao-gongzi, I…"

Xiao YuAn quickly helped her up: "Don't do this. If Zhang Baizhu saw it, he would chop me to death."

Lin Shenling choked with tears: "I don't know how to thank you…"

Xiao YuAn laughed out loud: "There's nothing you should thank me for. Life is short, so enjoy while you still can! Build a harmonious society, a harmonious society. Let's go to bed, aren't you sleepy? You'll go bald if you stay up all night."

Under the urging of Xiao YuAn, Lin Shenling had turned around and walked towards her wing room. After a few steps, she found that Xiao YuAn didn't follow her, so she asked puzzledly: "Xiao-gongzi? Aren't you going back to sleep?"

"Huh? Me? I'm fine. I'll watch the moon, so you can go back first." Xiao Yuan waved his hand.

Lin Shenling responded with a hmm, and then she walked into the courtyard. The night was overcast and dark shadows covered every corner. It was so quiet all around that even the faintest sound of the breathing of a wild cat, hidden somewhere, could be heard.

The cool night breeze blew over Xiao YuAn, who was standing with his arms crossed, against the main door of the residence. He looked up at the moon. This night was the last quarter of the moon, and the crescent moon was so deficient that only a hook shape was left. Xiao YuAn was full of thoughts, and couldn't help but sigh with worry.

After sighing, he heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind. Xiao YuAn thought that Lin Shenling still had something to say to him, so he turned around with confusion: "Hmm? How…"

AD

Before he could finish what he wanted to say, Xiao YuAn's voice abruptly stopped.

That man didn't stop, even if Xiao YuAn's eyes showed that he was frightened. On the contrary, he quickened his pace, and when Xiao YuAn took a step back, he reached out and firmly grabbed Xiao YuAn's wrist.

Before Xiao YuAn could react, he was pulled into the courtyard, and then his back hit the wall. Xiao YuAn's entire body was pressed tightly against the wall. For a moment, he felt like the sky was spinning, and his blood rushed to his head.

Before his eyes could see clearly who was in front of him, the man's voice came to his ears first.

The warm breath exhaled next to Xiao YuAn's ears made him tremble a little bit. However, Yan HeQing's voice seemed to be more playful rather than being angry, as he said: "You and that woman didn't get married. Did you… lie to me?"

Xiao YuAn: "…"

'Did you come here with a knife to enjoy cutting me into pieces?'

Chapter 123: It Must Be That You've Explained It The Wrong Way.

Although he was pushed against the wall by Yan HeQing, it didn't hurt at all; because when Xiao YuAn's back hit the wall, Yan HeQing also reached out to protect him. However, their current position made it difficult for Xiao YuAn to breath right.

Yan HeQing grabbed Xiao YuAn's wrists with both hands and pressed them against the wall. Leaning very close to him, blocking every possible way where Xiao YuAn could try to escape, and forcing one leg between Xiao YuAn's legs. It was clear that Yan HeQing, as a wounded man, was the weakest between the two of them. However, this current situation gave Xiao YuAn the impression that he was at the mercy of Yan HeQing.

When he saw that Xiao YuAn didn't answer him after some time passed, Yan HeQing seemed to be anxious; as he released one hand and pinched Xiao YuAn's chin with his thumb and forefinger, forcing him to look straight into his eyes: "You didn't get married, did you?"

"I…." Xiao YuAn looked into those clear and desperate eyes, then sighed: "Yes, I didn't get married."

After he heard this answer, Yan HeQing's chest began to rise and fall violently. The silver moonlight fell into his deep eyes; his eyebrows and eyes were clearly showing the ecstasy he was currently feeling.

Xiao YuAn's heart thudded, after seeing that Yan HeQing had withdrawn the hand that was pinching his chin. Xiao YuAn quickly grasped Yan HeQing's wrist and pulled it close to him: "Yan HeQin! It's true that Lin Shenling and I aren't husband and wife, and you also must have heard that even though Lin Shenling has nothing to do with me, she already has a sweetheart. So you can't… you can't break that happy couple!"

Yan HeQing seemed to be in a good mood, and at first, Xiao YuAn couldn't tell whether his smile was due to anger or for some other reason. Yan HeQing took advantage of Xiao YuAn pulling his wrist close to him and pressed Xiao YuAn back against the wall. His right leg separated Xiao YuAn's legs even further than before, resulting in Xiao YuAn unable to stand firm: "Why would I want to separate that couple?"

Xiao YuAn stuttered and said: "Wh-when you were on the mountain, you told her…."

Yan HeQing suddenly leaned over Xiao YuAn's ear and interrupted his words without hesitation. His voice was calm and shallow, but his breath was scorching hot: "Weren't you pretending to be that Guniang? Am I right? Guniang."

When Yan HeQing said the last 'Guniang', the word was said so slowly and gently that it almost provoqued Xiao YuAn to have a heart attack.

'Yan HeQing knows?! He actually knew that I lied to him?! When did he find out? Just now, he even said Guniang so playfully too! Before, Yan HeQing just wanted to castrate me, but now I'm afraid that he's thinking of ten other great torture methods to inflict on me at once!'

However, right now he was in Taoyuan Village, and Yan HeQing was still wounded. Without any close ally by his side, Xiao YuAn felt like it was more likely that he could torment Yan HeQing instead.

Xiao YuAn took a deep breath: "So you already know, that's good. Let's settle the old and new grudges. Yan HeQing, I know you hate me, and I'm not afraid anymore, but-…"

Yan HeQing interrupted him again, sounding surprised: "When did I ever say that I hated you?"

Xiao YuAn thought to himself: 'You're still playing word games to ridicule me, even at this time. Of course you never said such things, but wasn't your attitude clearly showing just that? I willingly saved you by acting as the bad guy several times, and now you're mocking me for doing it again. Even though you're the Male Lead, you're also an asshole. However, this cannon fodder also has a temper!'

Xiao YuAn slapped Yan HeQing's shoulder and pushed him away. He looked straight into Yan HeQing's eyes without any fear, and his mouth curled up in a sneer: "Yan HeQing, don't speak bullshit. This isn't the Imperial Palace of the Northern Kingdom, nor is it the territory of your Southern Yan Kingdom. If you really want to speak, then I will not necessarily lose. You can hate me for once being the Emperor of the Northern Kingdom, you can hate me for pretending to be a woman on the mountain to deceive you, but I-…."

Before he could finish his speech, Yan HeQing suddenly spoke. At the same time, the last quarter moon slowly disappeared into the thick fog and thin clouds, dimming the surroundings. Xiao YuAn couldn't see Yan HeQing's facial expression for a moment, but his voice came out very clearly: "Xiao YuAn, I have never regarded you as the Emperor of the Northern Kingdom, and I have never hated you."

Xiao YuAn was completely stunned, frozen in place. They both stood in the dark courtyard staring at each other. At first, Xiao YuAn shook his head strangely, as if he was thinking whether he had just heard him wrong. But when he looked up at Yan HeQing again, he stared at his pair of ink-like eyes for a long time, trying to see any false intent, sarcasm, false feelings… but he couldn't see any of that.

"You… you don't hate me?" Xiao YuAn hesitated to ask him that. As if right the next second, he would hear Yan HeQing's cold voice saying; 'You actually believed it. You're so stupid', or something of the sort.

"Xiao YuAn." Yan HeQing finally got a little bit carried away, almost gritting his teeth trying to refrain himself: "What made you think that I hated you? How could I hate you?"

"If you don't hate me, then why did you order someone to castrate me?!" Xiao YuAn shouted out incredulously.

Yan HeQing's face suddenly revealed a shocked expression. As he opened his mouth slightly, the astonishment in his eyes were unabashedly revealed in his voice: "You… what did you say?"

'Yan HeQing didn't know? So, it wasn't Yan HeQing's order?! But who else besides Yan HeQing, would have a reason to humiliate me like that?'

AD

Xiao YuAn remembered the events of that day in detail, and combined it with the original plot. Suddenly, the face of a man flashed inside his mind.

'Xue Yan?'

'Could've it been Xue Yan?'

'But why would Xue Yan go to such lengths just to separate me from Yan HeQing? Was it even that necessary?'

While Xiao YuAn was still feeling very puzzled, Yan HeQing suddenly stepped forward and held his shoulders with both hands, asking him with urgency: "Who tried to castrate you? What the hell happened?"

Chapter 124: It Must Be That You Understood Wrong.

Xiao YuAn was pressured by Yan HeQing to explain to him what happened, so he briefly told him about the events that occurred that day.

As Xiao YuAn spoke, Yan HeQing's face gradually turned pale. His eyes became red, and the hand that was holding Xiao YuAn's shoulder loosened and dropped to his side, clenching tightly into a fist. His usual expression of indifference had already been broken. Under the moonlight, his body was covered by faint fury, and the clear eyes on his handsome face looked extremely dark and deep, looking just like a ghost.

Yan HeQing's body had internal injuries. This time, when anger attacked his heart, his Qi and blood began to rise, and his chest cavity started to ache. He covered his mouth with one hand and coughed several times, until blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, but he simply reached out to wipe it away expressionless. Immediately afterwards, he saw Xiao YuAn take a step forward, grab his wrist and pull it away; only to see him coughing blood. His eyes suddenly narrowed: "You, you, why are you coughing up blood again?"

"I'm fine." Yan HeQing didn't care about his physical condition. Instead, he was eager to explain to Xiao YuAn: "Xiao YuAn…"

"Wait!" Xiao YuAn interrupted Yan HeQing, and then dragged him into his own wing room.

Xiao YuAn pushed Yan HeQing onto a chair, lit a candle and placed it on the table. He then sat down opposite Yan HeQing with great momentum: "Go ahead."

Yan HeQing said: "I wasn't the one that tried to harm you."

Xiao YuAn thought about it and replied: "I believe you."

Yan HeQing has never been the type of person that first says one thing and then says the opposite. If he hates someone, he will only think of how to cut them into pieces, so he doesn't have the need to use deceitful justifications. It was meaningless.

Yan HeQing added: "I've never hated you."

Xiao YuAn nodded: "The whole world is celebrating."

AD

Yan HeQing continued: "I've never wanted to hurt you either."

Xiao YuAn touched his hand and said: "I'm moved to tears."

The night breeze blows and the candle light flickers. After a brief silence, Xiao YuAn concluded: "It's great that we could communicate!"

Yan HeQing, however, didn't feel relaxed in the slightest. He stared at Xiao YuAn, as if he would disappear if he closed his eyes: "Xiao YuAn, you…. you don't hate me?"

Xiao YuAn put one hand on his forehead, and as he gazed at the candlelight, he began to think.

He had never hated Yan HeQing, he only hated Heaven's unwillingness to change his fate. If Hong Xiu hadn't died, then Yang LiuAn would. If Li Wuding hadn't died, Xie Chungui would. If the soldiers who burned down the granary hadn't died, then more Northern soldiers and civilians would have fallen under the war. Xiao YuAn hated himself, for his incompetence, and his inability to defy fate; for not being able to change anything, even though he knew everything that would happen. For saying that he would be the Emperor of the Northern Kingdom, but in the end, he ended up being an outsider by Heaven's will.

Yan HeQing seemed expressionless, but his fingers were slightly curled. In the meantime, Xiao YuAn moved his fingertips while his brows were frowning, then, he sighed and clenched his hands.

After that, he saw Xiao YuAn raise his head, smiling at him. This smile was unrestrained, which made Yan HeQing feel as if he could smell the fragrance of the wine they shared on the Yuhua Tower that day.

Xiao YuAn laughed and said: "If I hated you, then I would have buried you under the earth the moment I saw you on the mountain. Otherwise, why would I've bothered to save you?"

Yan HeQing looked at his wanton, unrestrained smile, and blurted out: "Xiao YuAn, I…."

"I know, I know." Xiao YuAn patted Yan HeQing's shoulder with a smile on his face: "Since the misunderstanding between us has been explained clearly, then we'll continue to be good Xiongdi from now on!"

Yan HeQing's words were blocked in his throat right away, and he repeated Xiao YuAn's words extremely slowly: "Xiongdi?" After a pause, he nodded slowly: "Fine, I'm not in a hurry."

Xiao YuAn didn't hear his last words, so he took the opportunity to bathe in the Male Lead's halo: "As Xiongdi we should take care of each other. So, if I'm being bullied you have to help me, alright? If you're being bullied…."

'Uhm, no one would dare to bully Yan HeQing right now.'

Yan HeQing very shallowly hooked the corner of his mouth: "Yes, I'll take care of you."

Xiao YuAn nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes. Take care of me."

Yan HeQing stared at Xiao YuAn and added: "Xiao YuAn, I'll ask for the last time. Do you seriously not hate me?"

Xiao YuAn replied with a smile: "I don't hate you. I never hated you before, and there's no possibility of me hating you in the future."

Yan HeQing raised his eyebrows: "If you say so, then after this…. I won't…. be polite."

Xiao YuAn replied: "Why would you be polite?! We're Xiongdi, there's nothing to be polite about!"

Yan HeQing gently licked the corners of his mouth, there was still a trace of the sweet taste of iron left behind from when he had coughed up blood before. After that, he dragged his words long enough for Xiao YuAn to hear them clearly, and keep them in mind: "Alright, that's what you said."

It was like letting go of a long-standing worry from inside his heart. Xiao YuAn then stretched his back and threw himself onto his bed. He took a long, deep breath, then pointed to the bed closest to the door and said: "If you don't mind, you can sleep here tonight. I'm still not cured from my disease, so I can't sleep without anyone around me. I'll ask my Shifu to check your pulse in the morning, to see if there's any good prescription to heal your body. Alright, let's go to sleep. If we stay up too late, we'll suffer from a sudden death, or get bald!"

Yan HeQing gave a soft hmmm, and then blew out the candlelight. In the dark, he gently licked the corner of his mouth once again.

Chapter 125: It Must Be That Your Way Of Flirting Is Wrong.

Early morning, when the sun was about to rise in the east, the birds were singing outside the window.

Xiao YuAn opened his eyes early. Even though he went to sleep late, by now he was used to waking up early since he had to go to the medicinal shop very often. Besides, once he woke up, he couldn't go back to sleep. He sat up in a daze and looked at Yan HeQing, who was still sleeping. He couldn't help but stretch out his hand and pinch himself.

'Sheesh, it hurts.'

'So, last night wasn't a dream? And Yan HeQing doesn't even hate me?'

Usually, when someone is a victim of their own delusions, and they wake up only to find that everything around them has always been peaceful and quiet, they will feel uncomfortable for a while

Xiao YuAn braced his face while in a daze. Then a few seconds later, he saw how Yan HeQing slowly opened his eyes, so he turned to look at him again.

The air was slightly cool, and the morning sunshine was gorgeous. Xiao YuAn smiled at Yan HeQing and then said: "Good morning."

'Did you know that all things become less bright, and the world gets quieter and quieter, just because you said, "Good Morning"?'

Yan HeQing propped up his body, wanting to sit up, but Xiao YuAn quickly held him down: "Don't move, lie down and rest."

Yan HeQing didn't argue with him, and obediently laid down again.

Xiao YuAn didn't expect that his words would be so effective, and while touching his own cheek, he incredulously asked: "You really don't hate me?"

AD

Yan HeQing knew that Xue Yan's plan to separate them was still lingering in Xiao YuAn's mind, and it was understandable that he would ask it a few more times, so he patiently shook his head.

Xiao YuAn, after a few consecutive 'oohh', walked out of the wing room and went to the courtyard to wash up. After refreshing himself, he ran back in, and asked: "You really, really don't want to eviscerate me?"

After getting another negative answer, Xiao YuAn nodded and went out again. After a while, he came back with a steamed bun in his mouth. Shortly after, he asked vaguely: "You don't hate me, even for a little bit?" When he saw that Yan HeQing shook his head again, Xiao YuAn walked out of the door. A while later, he brought back a bowl of porridge for Yan HeQing's breakfast. After that, he asked one more time: "When I asked you to go to the JingYang Palace, were you aware that I had good intentions?"

When Xiao YuAn took the trouble of going back and forth for the 18th time, and asked: "When you were my Imperial Bodyguard, didn't you feel aggrieved?" Yan HeQing finally made his move.

Yan HeQing suddenly reached out and grabbed Xiao YuAn's wrist, pulling him down onto his bed with force.

Xiao YuAn was still in a state of nagging, so he was caught off guard when he was pulled onto the bed. He was extremely confused, and when he finally reacted, he realized that his hands were twisted behind his back, while Yaan HeQing was firmly pressed against him, not giving him a chance to struggle.

Xiao YuAn: "…."

'Aren't you supposed to be the wounded one between us?! Can you behave like a normal injured person?!'

Xiao YuAn hadn't finished his mental slander when he suddenly heard Yan HeQing say one word after the other, into his ear: "Xiao YuAn, if I said that I want to tear you apart right now, would you keep asking if I hate you?"

Xiao YuAn began to struggle under Yan HeQing: "You, you, you, calm down!"

'Now Yan HeQing is clearly switching to his dark side! Why did I have to provoke him for pure nonsense?! Haven't I had enough?!'

They were still in the same position when the door of the wing room was suddenly pushed open, followed by the sound of a basin falling to the ground.

AD

Lin Shenling's eyes widened, and her entire body became stiff, frozen in place, while her hand was still maintaining the position of carrying the fallen basin. When she finally reacted, she covered her face as she shouted and ran away: "I'm sorry! I thought that Xiao-gongzi had gone to the medicinal shop, so I wanted to come in and clean the wing room! I'm sorry!"

"Wait, wait….!" Xiao YuAn spitted out two words with difficulty, when another head poked through the door.

"Oh, oohh." Third Aunt gave an exaggerated yelp as she looked at their current positions, followed by closing the door for them: "Tsk, tsk, tsk, young people these days. Tsk tsk, being intimate in the daytime and damaging the public decency. Tsk tsk, it's truly shameless. Oh, nono, I don't have the face to look at them, I'm too embarrassed to look at them at all!"

Xiao YuAn: "…."

'This is so embarrassing! Wait! Why did you close the door?!'

Xiao YuAn overpowered Yan HeQing and pushed him back into the bed to lie down. After he covered Yan HeQing with a quilt, he rushed out of the wing room, shouting: "Let me explain!"

The sun rises at dawn, and while the morning lights fell from the eaves, Yan HeQing covered his lips and coughed twice. The corners of his mouth were full of uncontrollable laughter.

Chapter 126: By Seeing The Emotions Behind His Eyes, You Can See Right Through Him.

The morning smoke from the kitchen chimney had just been blown away, and Zhang Baizhu had really brought the betrothal gifts with gongs and drums.

Xiao YuAn circled around the large wooden boxes with carved flowers and red silk, then he turned to face Zhang Baizhu, and with a smile, he said: "Yes, Zhang Baizhu, nothing is missing."

Zhang Baizhu, with his head held high and his chin almost raised to the sky, looking very energetic: "Of course."

Xiao YuAn, who was still full of smiles, said: "So, are you agreeing that these are the dowry? Then I'll accept it."

Zhang Baizhu raised his hand: "Accept it! Take it, I'll go to the blind Taoist priest on West Street later, I will ask for an auspicious date."

Xiao YuAn hmmmed and shouted: "Shenling! Shenling!"

Lin Shenling, was helping Third Aunt clean the kitchen table. When she heard Xiao YuAn calling her, she ran out in a hurry: "Xiao-gongzi, were you calling for me, huh? Baizhu?"

Xiao YuAn pointed at the large and small wooden boxes filled with wedding gifts on the ground, and said: "These are your dowries. Let Zhang Baizhu take them back."

Zhang Baizhu: "What? Isn't this my dowry?"

Xiao YuAn was full of smiles. His finger pointed back and forth between Zhang Baizhu and himself: "Yes, the dowry you gave me is mine. Since it's mine, I can do whatever I want with it, so what's wrong with giving it to Shenling as her dowry?"

Zhang Baizhu: "…."

AD

'There seems to be nothing wrong with it! But somehow, it feels very wrong!'

Xiao YuAn laughed as he walked back into the residence, After a long time, Zhang Baizhu reacted and roared at Xiao YuAn's back: "Xiao YuAn! You're playing with me! If you don't want a dowry, just say so. I'm tired of moving things back and forth!"

Xiao YuAn turned his head and shouted back: "It's a matter of having attitude! You will only have to walk back, right? Besides, it's good for you to exercise more, because life depends on exercise!"

After saying that, Xiao YuAn walked into his wing room, and closed the door, blocking out the words Zhang Baizhu wanted to say: 'What's wrong with you?!'

Inside the wing room, Yan HeQing was sitting on the bed, and Zhang Changsong was taking his pulse while also smoothing his white beard. Xiao YuAn walked a few steps forward and asked with a smile: "Shifu, how's he? How many months along is he? How come he doesn't look pregnant yet? And what should I need to pay attention to in the future?"

Yan HeQing: "…"

Zhang Changsong wasn't in the mood to chat with Xiao YuAn, so he simply raised his eyelids and asked: "What did you give him to eat?"

Xiao YuAn replied: "Nothing special, just what you prescribed me last time, in the dosage you told me to. After the first time, I reduced the dose every time."

Zhang Changsong let out a sigh, withdrew his hand and scratched his beard: "His pulse is stable, neither floating nor sinking. His internal and external injuries are recovering well, and there's no signs of Qi deviation. If it's true that he was healed to this extent just by taking the medicine I gave him, then this Gongzi's constitution is really different from ordinary people."

Xiao YuAn couldn't help but say inside his mind; 'That's the Male Lead's halo.' Zhang Changsong grabbed some paper and ink to write something while saying: "He still needs to recuperate. After all, internal injuries can't be underestimated. I'll give you another prescription, and you can go to the medicinal shop later to grab the medicine yourself."

Xiao YuAn smiled: "Yes, thank you Shifu."

In the middle of the conversation, Zhang Baizhu pushed open the door and walked in. When he saw Yan HeQing sitting on the bed, he shouted loudly: "Xiao YuAn, didn't you say that he was your enemy? You brought your enemy to your home? What about when you said that he'll cut you into pieces when his eyes get cured?"

AD

Yan HeQing clenched his hand imperceptibly and looked at Xiao YuAn from the side of his eyes.

Xiao YuAn laughed wantonly and then said: "That was a misunderstanding! We're now revolutionary friends! Isn't that right, Yan-ge?"

Yan HeQing was stunned at the nickname, and gave a softly hmmm in agreement.

Zhang Baizhu and Xiao YuAn were still unable to keep their mouths shut, so they were kicked out of the wing room by Zhang Changsong.

After lunch, Xiao YuAn planned to go to the medical shop to get the medicine for Yan HeQing. After he thought that Yan HeQing might be feeling bored, he went to the wing room and asked him: "Yan-ge, I'm going to the medical shop to get the medicine for you. Would you like to go shopping with me? Shifu said that you can walk."

How could Yan HeQing refuse Xiao YuAn? He quickly got up and followed him outside.

Xiao YuAn was concerned about Yan HeQing injuries, so he walked slowly. Sometimes, he would walk backwards, to be face to face with Yan HeQing, and joke with him about the gossip in the village. About a certain daughter of a certain family who recently got married, about the youngest daughter-in-law of another family who had just given birth to a big, fat son. This way, when they got close to the medical shop, Xiao YuAn almost bumped into someone. Fortunately, Yan HeQing reacted quickly, and pulled Xiao YuAn close to him.

Xiao YuAn steadied himself and heard a familiar voice coming behind him: "Hey, my little enemy, why are you walking backwards? You don't have eyes in the back of your head!"

It was Aunt Ma, the one that always held Xiao YuAn back, talking about how she wanted to act as a matchmaker for Yang LiuAn and Xiao Fengyue!

Xiao YuAn turned back: "Auntie Ma, I haven't seen you for a long time."

Aunt Ma waved her little handkerchief, looking back and forth between Yan HeQing and him. Her eyes were shining and her smile was wide, from ear to ear: "Oh Heavens, who's this young man? He's really handsome, am I right? I've never seen such a handsome face in my whole life! He's not another brother of yours right?"

Xiao YuAn replied: "You can count him as my brother too."

AD

Aunt Ma twisted herself forward and waved at Yan HeQing with her small handkerchief: "Aiyoo, you're so handsome. If you look at me, I can feel my heart bursting in happiness. I don't know if this handsome young man has a sweetheart? I know a lot of beautiful girls who are eager to get married!"

Xiao YuAn was afraid that Yan HeQing would get angry, so he quickly used his body to block her from getting too close.

"Oh?" Aunt Ma, who was blocked by Xiao YuAn, took two steps back and looked at Xiao YuAn with surprise as she held her handkerchief behind her back.

"Auntie Ma, you said you only wanted to be a matchmaker for my two brothers, but now that you've met this brother of mine, you seem pretty interested in him; so where did I fall short? Why don't you look for me?" Xiao YuAn tried to change the subject, completely unaware that Yan HeQing's eyes narrowed quite dangerously.

"Oh, you devil! I thought you didn't have this in mind? If you had asked me earlier, I could've introduced you to someone. But you're asking just now, what does that mean? Oh, you're really! Really! Really! Naughty!" Aunt Ma repeated 'really' three times, and every time she said it, she hit Xiao YuAn with her handkerchief, almost throwing Xiao YuAn into a daze.

Xiao YuAn didn't understand: "What's going on right now?"

Aunt Ma took one look at Yan HeQing's face, and immediately became more aware of something. She smacked Xiao YuAn with her handkerchief again: "Do you still insist on deceiving Auntie? Ah? Do you know that Auntie has eaten more salt than you have eaten rice1? You already have a sweetheart, can't you see it? Mmm?"

"What, what?" Xiao YuAn was horrified: "Me? A sweetheart? Who? I have a sweetheart? No, Auntie Ma, from where did you hear that I have a sweetheart?"

Aunt Ma proudly said with her orchid finger raised and her waist crossed: "You're just a young boy, but you still want to test me? Well, isn't he as far as the eyes can see2?"

After saying that, Aunt Ma turned her wrist and pointed with absolute certainty. Xiao YuAn followed where her finger pointed at, and came in contact with Yan HeQing's eyes

Chapter 127: By Seeing The Emotions Behind His Eyes, You'll See A Naughty Man.

Xiao YuAn stumbled and almost fell on the spot: "Auntie Ma! You can eat rice indiscriminately, but you can't speak nonsense1!"

Aunt Ma didn't use her handkerchief, but directly used her giant palm to smack Xiao YuAn: "Are you still trying to pretend with Auntie? Ah? Still pretending? When I said that I wanted to act as a matchmaker for him just now, you were the one who started to make a fuss about it! Why did you stop me so quickly, when I was trying to find a good match for this Gongzi just now? The smell of vinegar2 is so strong that I could still smell it three streets from here, and you're still trying to pretend with me? Moreover, little devil, you still have the nerve to ask for a match for yourself, when this one clearly loves you, and has to keep the taste of vinegar hidden inside him. You just want to act tough, aren't you?"

Yan HeQing reached out his hand to stop Aunt Ma, putting his arm around Xiao YuAn to protect him from a slap, and receiving it himself.

"Whoops." Aunt Ma, who had hit the wrong person, quickly withdrew her hand. Then she looked at Yan HeQing and smiled: "Oh my, is this heartache? I know, I'll stop hitting him, and don't worry, I don't have a heavy hand."

Yan HeQing nodded his head, not denying her words.

Aunt Ma was very satisfied with Yan HeQing, she poked her finger at Xiao YuAn's forehead: "You see, he's angry, so you need to be nicer. If you don't coax him right away, you'll be damned."

Aunt Ma, after finishing her speech, poked Xiao YuAn's waist in a meaningful way. After saying her goodbyes, she walked away.

Xiao YuAn: "….."

'Auntie, you have to wake up! He's a straight man! The kind that has a harem! He's the kind of straight man that will torture the male villain to death, and would push down the female villain!'

Right now, Xiao YuAn wished that he had a copy of "The History of the Four Kingdoms" in hand, just so that he could give it to Aunt Ma and she could read with her own eyes how Yan HeQing treated the villains differently depending on their genders.

After saying goodbye to Aunt Ma, Xiao YuAn coughed uncomfortably to clear his throat. He then looked at Yan HeQing and said: "The neighbors in the countryside are very straightforward, so don't get offended-…."

AD

Yan HeQing looked at him with a bland expression and said: "Why should I get offended?"

Xiao YuAn was stunned, and then he lamented in his mind: 'He's really worthy of being the Male Lead, he's unmoved either by gain or loss3!'

When they walked into the medical shop, Zhang Changsong was treating patients in the front hall, so he didn't have the time to greet them. He let Xiao YuAn go and grab the medicine himself. Xiao YuAn took the small scale on the counter, and picked up the medicine. Meanwhile, Yan HeQing was watching him and asked: "Did you study medicine in your previous life?"

"Huh? No." Xiao YuAn paused for a brief moment, and then continued: "This is what I learned after coming to Taoyuan Village. I'm not able to treat all difficult diseases for the moment, but I'm good with small pains and fever."

"Hmmm." Yan HeQing responded, and then added: "That's great."

Xiao YuAn wrapped up the medicine and tied the hemp rope. Then he took a look at the front hall, and saw that Zhang Changsong wasn't paying attention to them. Smilingly, he took out the dried hawthorn and mulberry from the medicine cabinet, and handed them to Yan HeQing. When he saw that he was puzzled and wanted to question him, Xiao YuAn smiled, hushed him, and winked at him; then he put the two dried fruits inside his mouth.

When he saw that Yan HeQing was still in a daze, Xiao YuAn gestured to him to eat, so Yan HeQing nodded and put the small dried fruits inside his mouth.

The sourness and sweetness filled his mouth, it was neither astringent nor bitter. Xiao YuAn then asked Yan HeQing with a smile: "Does it taste delicious?"

Yan HeQing nodded his head, as he saw how Xiao YuAn smiled at him from ear to ear.

"Xiao YuAn! That's a medicinal herb, not a candied fruit! Are you stealing again?!" A flying medical book followed Zhang Changsong's roar, which was firmly caught by Xiao YuAn, and placed on the cabinet right after. Then, he quickly picked up the medicine and dragged Yan HeQing outside, laughing out loud as they ran away from the medical shop.

Chapter 128: By Seeing The Emotions Behind His Eyes, You'll See His True Feelings.

After playing around for half a day, when he saw the sunset hanging in the West, and the smell of the cooking fires floating on the street, Xiao YuAn wandered back and forth. The hemp rope used to tie up the prescription medicines was held tightly in his hand as he turned his head and asked Yan HeQing: "Do you feel any pain? Can you still walk?"

Yan HeQing said: "I'm fine."

"Then, will you accompany me to the Jade store on the East Street? In a few days, Zhang Baizhu and Shenling will be getting married, and I was thinking of giving them a pair of Jade Ruyi1 to congratulate them."

"Yes."

The Jade store at a corner of the East street was the only place in this village that sells Jade ornaments. Even though it's a small shop, it's well-stocked with all kinds of artifacts. The owners were a couple of husband and wife, over 50 years old, who still love each other the same as ever.

When Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing arrived at the Jade store, only the husband was present. When he saw them entering the shop, he greeted them with a gentle smile.

After Xiao YuAn explained his intentions, the owner of the Jade store held out several pairs of Jade Ruyi for Xiao YuAn to choose from. Xiao YuAn then pointed at a pair of Ruyi made out of translucent green jade and red agate, and asked Yan HeQing: "What do you think about this pair?"

Yan HeQing nodded: "They're quite good."

"Then I choose this pair. Boss, I'll trouble you to wrap them up for me." Xiao YuAn made a final decision.

"Alright." The owner of the Jade store looked as if he was a man that's always happy.

Suddenly, someone lifted the curtain of the inner room, and when she saw Xiao YuAn, she covered her lips with her sleeve hiding a smile, and greeted him. "Oh, it's YuAn. I haven't seen you for such a long time."

AD

Xiao YuAn replied with a smile: "Madam Boss, greetings."

"Long time no see. Eh, is this Gongzi your friend? What's his name?" The boss's wife set her eyes on Yan HeQing and sighed in her heart at his extraordinary appearance.

"His last name is Yan." Xiao YuAn replied with a smile.

After she heard that, the boss's wife suddenly hid her lips behind her sleeve in surprise, and exchanged a quick glance with the boss.

"What's wrong?" Xiao YuAn asked, feeling that something was off.

"Is this Yan-gongzi called Yan HeQing?" The boss's wife asked tentatively.

Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing were both stunned. Xiao YuAn didn't understand what was happening, after all, how could she know Yan HeQing's name? So, he quickly asked: "Eh, Madam, how do you know his name?"

The boss's wife and the boss looked at each other again, this time, they couldn't hide their smiles. Then, the boss's wife said: "Of course I know, isn't he your sweetheart?"

Yan HeQing: "…."

Xiao YuAn: "….."

'Again?! Even the term she chose to address us with is the same one Aunt Ma used! It's fine if Aunt Ma misunderstood, but Ma'am, we've only talked with you with less than five sentences, so how did you come to that conclusion?!'

As if she could see the doubt in their minds, the boss's wife smilingly said: "YuAn, do you still remember that a year ago, you would come to repeatedly ask us if the broken Jade hairpin could be glued back together?"

AD

Xiao YuAn took a deep breath and was about to stop the boss's wife from continuing to talk, when Yan HeQing squinted and abruptly said first: "Jade hairpin?"

"Yes, the hairpin was broken in such a way that we thought that we might not be able to glue it back together, and even if we did, it wouldn't look as beautiful as it once was. So we didn't intend to help YuAn, but YuAn was very persistent and came to ask about the hairpin every day. In the end, we didn't have any other choice than to try and fix the hairpin. Your name was engraved on that white Jade hairpin Yan-gongzi." The boss's wife quickly spoke without taking a break, not giving Xiao YuAn the chance to interrupt her.

Xiao YuAn instantly covered his face with one hand, while he collapsed internally.

The boss wrapped up the pair of Jade Ruyi, handed them to Xiao YuAn, and with a smiling face, he said: "It's done, take care and see yourself out2!"

The boss's wife, with a kind smile on her face, waved them goodbye.

The two of them walked up the green slate street side by side. Xiao YuAn thought about it, and decided to be the first to break the silence: "The white Jade hairpin, I picked it up after you smashed it."

"En3."

"It's just… just… I just think that it's so pitiful for such a beautiful hairpin to be smashed to the ground like that. Besides, I also think that it's a shame it ended up breaking apart. "

"En. Xiao YuAn."

"Hmm?"

"I've been taking good care of the Jade flute you gave me. I'll play it for you next time."

"Alright!"

AD

The setting sun stretched the silhouettes of the two of them walking side by side. They weren't that far away from the residence because they could smell the faint scent of the smoke coming from the kitchen, and the mouth-watering aroma of Third Aunt's food.

Chapter 129: By Seeing The Emotions Behind His Eyes, You'll See A Man Who's Still Not Aware.

After some days passed in a flash, a series of firecrackers crackled at the entrance of Xiao YuAn's residence. As Xiao YuAn covered his ears, he looked at the red silk beams and the red lanterns under the eaves. It wasn't until he was in a trance, that he realized that Lin Shenling was really getting married today.

There were five and six year old kids at the door, holding skewers of candy canes, clapping and laughing: "A flower sedan chair, carried by a young man. Who's getting married? There's suona1 and firecrackers. What a lively event! Married, someone's getting married!"

Third Aunt was smiling from ear to ear, handing out rice cakes to the rowdy children at the door.

Xiao YuAn went to the wing room where Lin Shenling lived, knocked gently on the door, and called out: "Shenling, are you ready? Did you get dressed into your wedding dress? Zhang Baizhu should be here soon."

"Xiao-gongzi? Come in." The door was opened with a creak, and Lin Shenling stood behind the door wearing a red wedding dress, as red as the fiery red clouds of the sunset.

Xiao YuAn smiled: "You look really pretty. Why don't you turn around and show me the dress?"

Lin Shenling lowered her head with a blush on her face, picked up her skirt, and turned around in place.

Xiao YuAn suddenly remembered the plot of the original book.

In the original book, after Yan HeQing took control of the Eastern Wu Kingdom, he brought Lin Shenling back to the Imperial Palace in the Northern Kingdom.

That night, Lin Shenling was helped out of the carriage by a maidservant, and her eyes were filled with the scarlet walls of the Imperial Palace.

"Guniang, follow me into the Imperial Palace." The old maidservant with silver hair said, while bending down.

AD

Lin Shenling gazed at the solemn Imperial City walls, the yellow tiles, the varnished doors, and the silent falling snow.

"Guniang." The old maidservant called her again.

Lin Shenling withdrew her gaze, but remained silent. Suddenly, she reached out and twisted some of the red wax from the maidservant's lantern and put it on her lips, then she pulled off the red curtain of the carriage and wrapped it around her body.

With the cool moonlight as makeup, and the red curtain flying on the air, Lin Shenling turned around in front of the Imperial Palace's gates. Under the startled eyes of the crowd, she smiled gently and asked: "Does it look like I'm wearing a wedding dress?"

After that, Lin Shenling didn't wait for anyone's answer, turned around and stepped into the Imperial Palace.

And then, in that life, she never walked out of the scarlet Imperial City walls ever again.

In the original book, Lin Shenling had a life of glory, splendor, wealth and rank2. Lacking nothing, and having everything, but no one gave her the wedding dress she had dreamed of for a lifetime.

Xiao YuAn suddenly felt that Yan HeQing was a bit scummy, so he ran back to his wing room and punched him.

Yan HeQing, who was barely sitting on the bed, received a punch for no reason: "….?"

After the beating, Xiao YuAn sat down next to Yan HeQing and asked: "The wedding reception will be held at my Shifu's home, will you like to go?"

Yan HeQing replied: "I'll go."

Xiao YuAn squinted at him: "Lin Shenling is getting married."

AD

"Hmm."

"She's really getting married! In about a half an hour, she'll get on the red sedan chair."

Yan HeQing didn't understand what this had to do with him, so he just hmm-ed again.

Xiao YuAn touched his chin, feeling that Yan HeQing wasn't pretending to be indifferent, but he couldn't help lamenting that the Male Lead had to 'be able to afford to let go'3. 'However, even if Lin Shenling is not part of Yan HeQing's harem anymore, his harem won't lack in numbers.'

"What's not lacking?" Yan HeQing raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Ah…" Xiao YuAn realized that he had accidentally said out loud what was on his mind, and waved his hands repeatedly: "Nothing, nothing."

"Harem?" Yan HeQing stared at Xiao YuAn, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Ha, ha, ha, did you hear that?" Xiao YuAn said while laughing awkwardly. When he was about to get up and run away, he was suddenly held down by Yan HeQing, so he had no other choice than to say: "Yan-ge, you've been the Monarch of the Southern Yan Kingdom for so long, so of course there will be one or two concubines. I understand, I understand, after all-…."

"No." Yan HeQing suddenly interrupted Xiao YuAn's words.

Xiao YuAn, who was about to speak incessantly, had his speech choked back by Yan HeQing's denial.

"No…. No?" Xiao YuAn's face was full of shock.

Yan HeQing stared at Xiao YuAn and replied, saying one word at a time: "I don't have any concubines."

AD

Xiao YuAn thought that he might not have given the harem members the title of 'concubine' yet: "Oh, so you haven't given them the title yet, then-…."

Almost gnashing his teeth, Yan HeQing interrupted him again: "I haven't had any love affairs with anyone else."

Chapter 130: By Seeing The Emotions Behind His Eyes, You'll See A Man Who's Deep In Love.

Xiao YuAn stood up sharply, only to sit back again in a daze right after.

'Does the sun rise in the West? No. Does the sea water pour backwards? No. Does it snow in Summer? No. Would the Male Lead not seduce a woman? No. But Yan HeQing just said that he doesn't have any women! He doesn't have any women?!'

'What the hell happened?! Has this book gone from being a stallion novel to an actual historical novel?!'

'Is this even fair to the thousands of readers of this novel who were attracted by its fame?!'

'Fair! Of course it's fair!'

Xiao YuAn couldn't help but roar inside his mind: 'Fuck the stallion genre! Long live historical settings! The whole world rejoices! Let's spread the good news!'

'But, in that case, wouldn't Yan HeQing be alone? It's kind of tragic.'

Outside the wing room, there was a loud sound of the Suona, it was a loud sound breaking through the sky. Then, the sound of the drums and gongs followed. This was the music announcing that the bridegroom had arrived to pick up the bride.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go! Let's go to the wedding banquet!" Xiao YuAn was full of smiles as he grabbed Yan HeQing's wrist, pulling him up.

Taoyuan Village was a harmonious neighborhood, and when a wedding banquet was held, almost everyone in the village would come to celebrate; so there were 18 tables at the banquet. There was a group of people drinking and playing guessing games1, and Zhang Baizhu was determined to get Xiao YuAn drunk, but the two of them held the wine jar against each other, neither of them wanting to give up. As a result, they both laid on the table completely wasted.

In short, the only thing that Xiao YuAn remembers is that he was playing with Zhang Baizhu one second, and the next, he was lying on Yan HeQing's back once he opened his eyes again.

AD

"Yan-ge, you… are you carrying me back home on your back?" Xiao YuAn vaguely said while wrapping his arms around Yan HeQing's neck.

"Hmm." Yan HeQing replied.

"How is your injury? It doesn't hurt to carry me like this? Why don't you just put me down? I can walk by myself." Xiao YuAn muttered as he struggled to get down.

Yan HeQing stopped walking and said: "Don't move, I'm fine."

"Oh, alright, alright." Xiao YuAn quieted down.

Yan HeQing walked slowly back to the residence.

Xiao YuAn was really drunk and restless, and began to ask questions nonstop: "Yan-ge, how many times have you carried me on your back?"

"Yan-ge, did you know that Xiao PingYang and Yongning got married?"

"Yan-ge, what does it feel like to love someone?"

Yan HeQing stopped walking when he heard the last words of Xiao YuAn, who said with a soft voice: "I heard others say that when you love someone, you see them as the person of your dreams, but they're not as magnificent as a lonesome plum in the middle of a heavy snowstorm; not as mellow as the fragrance of the wine blowing in the Southern breeze, but you're only thinking of them all day. Do you agree?"

Yan HeQing replied: "Yes."

"Yan-ge, didn't you say before that you haven't experienced a love affair before? How would you know that?" Xiao YuAn snorted.

AD

Yan HeQing replied: "I know."

Xiao YuAn, after asking questions for a while, fell asleep on Yan HeQing's back.

In the dark of the night, the wedding banquet broke up in a bustling manner, and everyone felt a little tired. The Owner of the East street inn wanted to close the business for the day, but as soon as he returned, he saw five or six men dressed in black clothes standing at the door of the inn.

Naturally, guests have to be received, so the boss with a strong spirit went to open the inn's door. The man at the head of the group whispered: "Boss, we'll like to take a few rooms."

"Yes, welcome! My guests, wait a moment!" The owner gave a welcoming smile and took the keys to the upper rooms and handed them to the man dressed in black.

The man dressed in black took the keys and thanked him, then they walked upstairs.

The inn owner yawned and was about to take a rest, but when he turned around, he saw that one of the men dressed in black appeared behind him out of nowhere, scaring him into taking a few steps back.

"Boss," The man took out a portrait and spread it out in front of the inn owner: "Have you seen this man before?"

The inn owner squinted at the portrait and couldn't help but pronounce the words underneath the image: "Yan, He, Qing?"

-The Author has something to say.-

AD

Yan-ge is about to deliver a great headache to Xiao. Hehehehe2 no worries, after that I'll give you a pastry.

Chapter 131: I've Never Seen Someone Talk So Much Nonsense.

Taoyuan Village was a small village, and all the neighbors knew each other. So the next day, almost the whole village knew that there were several men dressed in black, holding portraits, and going around everywhere, looking for someone.

When those men knocked on the first house with the portraits in hand, Zhang Baizhu was already on his way to inform Xiao YuAn: "Third Aunt! Third Aunt!" Zhang Baizhu pushed open the door and saw Third Aunt cleaning the courtyard by herself.

"Huh? Baizhu? You and Shenling are newlyweds, why are you here so early in the morning?" Third Aunt, while holding still the broom, looked at him puzzled.

Zhang Baizhu was breathless from running, and with his hands on his knees, he asked: "Where's Xiao YuAn?!"

"YuAn and Yan-gongzi went to buy rice and noodles." Third Aunt replied.

"Oh." Zhang Baizhu patted his thigh.

"What's wrong? Young man, if you have something to say, then hurry up and speak." Third Aunt instructed, waving her hand at him.

"There are some foreigners that came looking for Yan-gongzi, and I wondered if they came for a debtor's vendetta or something, so I came to warn them." Zhang Baizhu said.

"Oh, oh?" Third Aunt opened her eyes wide. "How many men? Do they look fierce?"

"They're five or six, they look fierce, but they don't act fierce. They're asking for him nicely, but if you think about it, when Xiao YuAn picked up Yan-gongzi, he was covered in bruises and he found him in the mountain stream! He must have done something, or offended someone!" Zhang Baizhu's analysis was reasonable.

"Oh Heavens, what can we do?" Third Aunt was so anxious, that she moved around.

AD

"Third Aunt, quickly tell me where they've gone to buy rice and noodles. I'll go look for them." Zhang Baizhu said.

However, as soon as he stopped talking, there was a knock at the door: "Is anyone here?"

"Oh Heavens! Why didn't you ask me sooner?!" Third Aunt shouted softly. Then she threw the broom to the side and slapped her thighs, walking towards the main door, wondering whether she should open it or not.

"Third Aunt, Third Aunt, don't worry. It just so happens that Yan-gongzi is not here right now, so don't worry and just boldly drive them away." Zhang Baizhu whispered.

Third Aunt thought to herself: 'I'm sure you're right, but I'm busy suppressing the fear.' In the end, she steadily opened the door, and there was only one man dressed in black standing at the residence's entrance. It seemed that the group of men were in a hurry, so they split up to look for Yan HeQing.

The man looked fierce, but his attitude was gentle. He handed the portrait to Third Aunt and said: "Excuse me madam, have you seen the man in this portrait?"

"I've never seen him." Third Aunt glanced at the portrait and hurriedly waved her hand repeatedly.

"Don't be anxious madam, take a closer look." That man dressed in black unrelentingly waved the portrait in front of Third Aunt.

"Aiya, I really haven't seen him before." Third Aunt was afraid that she would reveal herself and panicked, trying to close the door.

"Madam, take one more look at the portrait, just one more look." The man took a step forward and jammed the door frame.

"What are you looking at? I want to look too." Suddenly, a head came in between the two of them, which made everyone freeze in place.

Xiao YuAn, while holding a bag of rice, looked at the portrait in the hands of the man dressed in black and shouted behind him in surprise: "Yan-ge! You're in this portrait!"

AD

Zhang Baizhu, who had watched everything, slapped his forehead.

Third Aunt was too stunned, and quickly shouted: "Yan-gongzi, run, run!"

The man dressed in black reacted faster. He put away the portrait scroll, turned around and went straight to Yan HeQing, only to kneel down in front of him under the eyes of everyone present.

Zhang Baizhu: "What?!"

Third Aunt: "Ah?"

Xiao YuAn: "Huh?"

The man dressed in black wailed: "Your Majesty! Weichen has finally found you! Ooooh! It's great that His Majesty is alright! Whoaa!"

The man was crying like a roaring bear.

Yan HeQing barely recognized his face, which was distorted to the point of looking twisted and shapeless: "Deputy General Chen?"

"Aaahhhh Your Majesty!" Deputy General Cheng howled out again very loudly.

Zhang Baizhu, in disbelief, stepped forward and pinched Xiao YuAn: "His Imperial Majesty? What Imperial Majesty? What the hell? Who is he? Who are you?"

Xiao YuAn broke off his hand and solemnly explained: "Yan-ge's original name is Huangshang1, yes yes yes, Yan Huangshang, don't make a fuss about it."

AD

Zhang Baizhu froze, but then he continued to pinch Xiao YuAn: "Xiao YuAn, you think I'm stupid?! You're kidding me!"

On the other side, Yan HeQing asked Deputy General Chen to get up. After standing up, Chen reported Yan HeQing the war situation, and with tears and snot running down his face, he said: "Your Majesty, let's get out of here quickly. The Generals on the front line can't hold on any longer. They've been losing the battles recently, and your whereabouts, whether you're alive or dead, are unknown. If this continues, I'm afraid that there will be a great change in the army!"

Xiao YuAn, who was playing around with Zhang Baizhu, after hearing Chen's words suddenly stopped and then looked up, only to find that he was facing Yan HeQing, and that he was looking at him.

Chapter 132: I've Never Seen Someone Who's So Slow In Understanding Their Own Feelings.

Yan HeQing withdrew his gaze and asked Deputy General Chen: "Where are you settled?"

Deputy General Cheng quickly replied: "At an Inn on the East Street."

Yan HeQing narrowed his eyes. After remaining silent for a short while, he said: "Go back for now, rest well and come find me tomorrow."

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?" Deputy General Chen wanted to ask why, but Yan HeQing didn't bother to reply to him, and just walked into the residence.

As Xiao YuAn looked Yan HeQing's back slowly walking into the residence, he quickly followed behind him.

At the same time, Zhang Baizhu was scratching his head, while seeing how Deputy General Chen was crying bitterly and howling about 'The Emperor is alright!' while walking back towards the East Street. Zhang Baizhu didn't know why, but he had the feeling that everything was just a false alarm, so he simply shrugged his shoulders and returned to the medical shop.

However, as soon as he arrived at the medical shop, he saw that Zhang Changsong was talking to another man dressed in black; it was a man in his forties, with a firm face and an upright posture. The two of them were holding hands as if they were good friends who hadn't seen each other for years, with tears covering their eyes. When they saw that Zhang Baizhu was back, Zhang Changsong wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeve and waved at Zhang Baizhu: "Baizhu, quickly come over and greet your uncle1."

Xiao YuAn pushed open the door of the wing room and saw that Yan HeQing was standing close to the window. His face still looked indiferent, as if he didn't care for the world's affairs.

Xiao YuAn couldn't help but think to himself: 'Since Yan HeQing's mind isn't clouded by women, he must be wholeheartedly trying to rule over the Four Kingdoms. The red tassel spear2, the white horse and silver armor, the battle over the yellow sand, and finally, the horse bringing the successful battle report to the Monarch. After a few years of prosperity and peace, the unified land of the Four Kingdoms will become Yan HeQing's home, his final destination.'

'Yan HeQing and I, in fact, we weren't on the same page from beginning to end.'

"

"

"Yan-ge, I knew that someone would come looking for you sooner or later. You see, you've even made them feel anxious about your disappearance. Moreover, your injuries are almost healed and your mobility is not seriously limited. You can go back now." Xiao YuAn said with a warm smile on his face.

Yan HeQing turned his head and looked at Xiao YuAn.

Inexplicably, Xiao YuAn felt frightened by that gaze, so he quickly looked away and continued talking: "However, you still aren't allowed to make any significant maneuvers if you want to recover properly; and since I don't know if the physicians at the barracks have enough medicine to treat your internal injuries, I'll pack some for you."

Yan HeQing remained silent, just looking at Xiao YuAn with an intense gaze.

Xiao YuAn felt that he couldn't talk to him anymore, so he whispered in a very low voice: "You should rest for a while, I'll go to the medical shop." After that, he turned around and started to walk away.

However, at that moment, Yan HeQing finally spoke: "Xiao YuAn."

"Huh?" Xiao YuAn, who had just stepped one foot over the threshold, held the door frame and turned to look at Yan HeQing. As the cool breeze coming from the window blew in, Yan HeQing's black silk-like hair and clothes danced in the air; this stirred up a few ripples3 to form in the depths of Xiao YuAn's eyes. Every living being is lucky to not understand what is inside their own minds, but it's also unfortunate that sometimes they don't understand their own feelings.

Yan HeQing said: "Come back early tonight, I have something to say to you."

"Huh? Oh, well alright, alright." Xiao YuAn, stunned, simply nodded his head. After seeing that Yan HeQing didn't have anything more to say, he turned around and walked out of the wing room.

In the middle of the afternoon, the kindly warm light and the silence surrounding the small courtyard were broken from time to time by the sounds of the birds chirping. As Third Aunt bent over to sweep the floor, she wasn't in a hurry to clean, so she swept slowly; the broom sweeping across the ground made a soft rustling sound. However, when she saw Xiao YuAn walking by, she immediately stopped what she was doing and asked with some doubt: "What happened to you, YuAn? Why do you look like you've lost your soul?"

"Ah?" Xiao YuAn, who just woke up from his trance, replied: "Nothing, nothing happened."

"

"

Third Aunt scrutinized his expression for a few seconds, and then decided to ask: "Is Yan-gongzi really going to leave?"

"Yes, he's leaving." Xiao YuAn replied: "There's nothing here for him to stay for; after all, he has his own ambitions too."

Third Aunt shook her head, whispering a few words to herself. When she raised her gaze again, she saw that Xiao YuAn was walking away towards the residence main entrance, so she asked him very confusedly: "YuAn, where are you going?"

"I'm going to the medical shop, and while I'm there, I'll grab some medicine for Yan HeQing's internal injuries." While he was talking, he had already walked out of the residence, slowly walking farther and farther away.

Third Aunt couldn't help but murmur to herself once Xiao YuAn disappeared from sight: "This silly boy ah. He's saying the opposite of what he actually feels."

Chapter 133: I've Never Seen Someone Who Loves Each Other So Much.

Xiao YuAn carelessly walked on the road. He was so distracted, he didn't even see the little girl coming his way, so he ended up bumping into her. The child was wearing a red belly bag and had her hair styled with a braid. After bumping into Xiao YuAn's leg, she rubbed her small red nose, which probably got hurt due to the collision, which made her show an expression as if she was about to cry.

Xiao YuAn quickly squatted down and tried to coax her with a soft tone of voice: "Ah hey, don't cry, don't cry. Where does it hurt? Will you let Gege take a look?"

The child suddenly stopped crying, and after a few seconds of complete silence, she hit Xiao YuAn's arm with her small fist: "Gege is bad! Gege didn't look ahead! Gege has to apologize!"

'Whoa! Little girl, I think that you look like a Female Lead. Would you like to learn about the Tyrannical President route?'

Xiao YuAn, who was still squatting, looked straight at her eyes, and apologized with a smile on his face: "I'm sorry, it was my mistake. Does your nose still hurt?"

In the end, it turned out that after wasting time in trying to coax her, it was easier and faster to give her some candy canes. As Xiao YuAn looked at the child happily eating the candy, he thought: 'Hmm, I was wrong after all. I shouldn't have thought that you looked like a Female Lead, since your material desires reflect that you're a good kid that isn't pretentious.'

The child, who had been bribed by Xiao YuAn with a bunch of candy, pulled on Xiao YuAn's clothes as she chewed on the candy.

"Hmm?" Xiao YuAn squatted down again in front of her and asked: "What's wrong?"

"Dage, are you unhappy?" The little girl, with her cheeks covered with sugar crumbs, asked dubiously.

"Yes." Xiao YuAn, with the corners of his mouth raising a smile, answered truthfully.

"Then why is Dage still smiling?" The child was puzzled.

Xiao YuAn gently grabbed her braid and shook it back and forth: "It's precisely because I'm unhappy, that I have to smile."

The child showed a confused expression, murmured a half-hearted 'oh', and asked: "Dage, why are you unhappy?"

"Because everyone seems to know where they want to go, what their final destination will be. But it seems like I'm the only one who doesn't know where to go." After he said that, Xiao YuAn bent his eyes.

The child, while hearing his answer, put the last candy into her mouth: "Then why don't you ask your mother to take you out to play?"

Xiao YuAn's hand that was playing with the girl's braid subtly twitched, and even though he was still smiling, his smile was noticeably much lighter: "My mother is too busy to take me out to play."

"Then, is there anyone who's willing to take Dage out to play?"

"I don't think so."

"Dage, you're pitiful."

"Hahaha, I think so too."

Xiao YuAn reached out and rubbed away the sugar crumbs from the corners of the kid's mouth, then stood up: "Okay, I won't tease you anymore, I'm going to work now." After bidding farewell, he waved at the child while walking away, resuming his original path towards the medical shop.

However, as soon as he arrived at the medical shop, a serious and urgent voice suddenly raged from inside: "No! I don't agree!"

Xiao YuAn was so startled at this, that he quickly walked inside.

"

"

Inside, at the inner hall, Zhang Changsong was sitting on a wooden chair, stroking his beard as if he was thinking of something. Zhang Baizhu was standing beside him, looking slightly angry.

Usually, Zhang Baizhu, who didn't have a sense of decency, would be reprimanded by Zhang Changsong, but he would never get angry. However, when Xiao YuAn looked at the current situation, he thought that something truly terrible must have happened.

"What happened? Shifu?" Xiao YuAn looked back and forth between them, very puzzled.

Zhang Changsong waved his hand: "Don't say anything. I've already decided to go."

"No! I'll take your place, I'll go!" Zhang Baizhu quickly replied clenching his teeth and fists, showing a strong stance that didn't leave room to be contradicted.

"Where do you think you're going?" Zhang Changsong glared at him: "You just got married to Shenling, so you two should live a good life first! Brat, you only know how to act courageous."

"Dad, I'm not trying to act brave! You're the one who's trying to be a hero. You're an old man with back problems and a bad leg, why don't you stay home? Do you really have to go through that hardship? Will you even be able to keep up with the army's pace, if you go to the barracks?" Zhang Baizhu replied indignantly.

"Army? What army?" Xiao YuAn interjected at the right time, asking further about the situation.

Zhang Changsong sighed and explained what was going on to Xiao YuAn.

It turned out that Zhang Changson's wife was once the daughter of a famous General of the Southern Yan Kingdom.

Zhang Changsong traveled throughout the Four Kingdoms at a young age, healing people along the way and helping people in need. While he was at the markets in the Southern Yan Kingdom's Imperial City, he fell in love with his wife at first sight.

However, Zhang Changsong was only a poor and shabby doctor who couldn't even afford a dowry, so how could a General of the Southern Yan Kingdom marry his daughter to him?

AD

The two of them loved each other so much that their love could cross over thousands of barriers. But since Zhang Changsong's heart ached for his wife, he couldn't bear to see her suffer, so he decided to give up. However, the day he was about to leave, his wife sneaked out of the General's residence, took Zhang Changsong's hand and said: "I must go with you!"

That same night, when Zhang Changsong and his wife were about to run away from the Southern Yan Kingdom, the General found out about their plans and became furious; so he sent his men to take his daughter back and break Zhang Changsong's legs.

At that critical moment, Zhang Changsong's wife's younger brother, the man dressed in black from the Southern Yan Kingdom who came to find Zhang Changsong, stepped forward. He had been close to his sister since he was a child, and that moment he couldn't bear to see her suffering. At that time, he was very young and had a strong temper, so he rebelled against his father, letting Zhang Changsong and his sister go.

After that, Zhang Changsong and his wife came to Taoyuan Village, where they lived like a couple of Immortals1.

However, his wife later died due to an illness, and Zhang Changsong then adopted Zhang Baizhu. Afterwards, when the Southern Yan Kingdom was trampled by the Northern Kingdom's army, and even when the Southern Yan Kingdom rose again, he never heard any news from his wife's family members. Over the decades, everything was buried under the unpredictability of the world's affairs, slowly turned into dust, crushed by the wheels of history.

"So, Zhang Baizhu's uncle came to meet him? Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" Xiao YuAn asked after hearing Zhang Changsong's explanation.

"But he also asked my dad to become their army's physician!" Zhang Baizhu clenched his fists and shouted angrily.

"What?" Xiao YuAn's eyes widened in surprise.

Zhang Changsong coughed twice and unhurriedly said: "It's not that I'll become an army physician, but there have been too many casualties on the front line recently, so I'll go to help in what I can. Besides, I'll be back once the battle finishes. He also said that the salary wouldn't be small, and that the physician doesn't have to go to the front line, so my life won't be in danger."

"If they say something won't happen, then it won't happen? When did any war go by without thousands of people dying? If they fail to support the front lines and the Eastern Wu Kingdom destroy their barracks, who will guarantee that your life wouldn't be in danger? No, I can't let you go no matter what." Zhang Baizhu's words were said ungently and with anger, but they were reasonable.

Zhang Changsong, who had been a stubborn man for most of his life, at this time wouldn't change his mind only because of what Zhang Baizhu said: "When your mother and I were able to leave the Southern Yan Kingdom, it was all thanks to your uncle. Your mother always used to say that the only person she owed in this life was your uncle. Now that I finally have the opportunity to repay my debt, how can I bear to be indecisive?"

"Repay a debt? Alright, I know Dad, you have taught me since I was a child, that a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring2, and I understand these great principles. In this case, wouldn't it be the same if I go instead of you? They're in need of a physician anyway, so I'll be the one to repay the debt!" Zhang Baizhu argued with perseverance.

"

"

Zhang Changsong was so angry that he picked up his walking stick and smacked Zhang Baizhu on the back: "Even if you're willing to go, why don't you think about Shenling? You two just got married, and you're eager to leave her alone? Moreover, in case something happens to you, how would I explain it to Shenling?"

"Dad, look at you, you're also worried that something might happen! Since you know it's dangerous, how can I agree to let you go?" Zhang Baizhu argued back.

Zhang Changsong was so angry that he started to shiver while he stood up, raising his walking stick to hit Zhang Baizhu again. At that moment, Xiao YuAn quickly reached out his hand and stopped Zhang Changsong, helping him to sit back down on the wooden chair: "Shifu, don't be angry, Zhang Baizhu is just worried about you."

Zhang Changsong, who was about to lose his temper again, tried to relax himself and let out a long sigh: "I know that he's worried about me, but this debt, I can't not repay it."

As soon as he said that, Zhang Changsong started coughing violently. Zhang Baizhu quickly blamed: "Look how your own body reacts, and yet you're still saying you will go to war?" And then hurriedly ran to get some water.

Xiao YuAn patted Zhang Changsong's back to help him soothe the cough. At that moment, a small thought hovered inside his mind, slowly taking over his consciousness. At this moment, his mind was full of memories of Zhang Changsong taking care of him for the past year, with memories of his and Zhang Baizhu brotherhood.

If the issue is repaying the debt, then why doesn't he, Xiao YuAn, repay it in their name?

"Shifu, if you join the army, when will you return?" Xiao YuAn asked.

Zhang Changsong replied: "I was told that I will come back in three months at most. Tell me, with such a short request of three months, how can I refuse?"

Xiao YuAn replied with a smile: "Yes, I also think that this debt has to be repaid."

Zhang Changsong agreed: "Right, then please help me to persuade Zhang Baizhu to stay."

Xiao YuAn, instead of agreeing with him, asked: "Shifu, tell me, I've been studying with you for a year now. Do you think that I would be able to be on my own?"

AD

Zhang Changsong waved his hand: "Don't you already know how to treat injuries? You're even able to handle small pain and fever, so you can deal with common— wait, you …." Zhang Changsong suddenly understood what Xiao YuAn was suggesting, so he looked up at him with his eyes wide open: "You? You're not thinking of…?"

Xiao YuAn came forward to hold Zhang Changsong's hand, and with a warm smile, he said: "Shifu, I've been studying with you for a year, it's time for me to repay you3."

Chapter 134: I Hide My Love For You Inside My Heart, But You Don't Know It.1

Xiao YuAn returned to the residence near midnight. Even though the argument lasted a long time, in the end, everyone knew that it was the best choice for him to replace Zhang Changsong as the army physician.

Xiao YuAn didn't forget that Yan HeQing wanted to say something to him tonight, but when he remembered that it was so late at night, he thought that Yan HeQing wouldn't wait for him at this hour and that he must be already asleep. After all, they could still talk about it tomorrow.

However, when he walked through the courtyard and came closer to the East wing room, he found that there was a bright candle light flickering inside the wing room he shared with Yan HeQing.

Xiao YuAn was stunned at this and hurriedly walked over to push open the door of the wing room.

Yan HeQing, who was sitting at the side of the wooden table, raised his head when he heard the sound of the door being pushed open; his eyes were filled with Xiao YuAn's figure.

He must've waited for a long time since the candle was almost burned out, the previous melted wax fell down solidifying on the candlestick, twisted and cracked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I had some things to discuss with my Shifu and I didn't expect it would take so much time. Did you have to wait for me for a long time?" He asked, after repeatedly apologizing and explaining the situation.

"I'm fine." As Yan HeQing looked at Xiao YuAn, his tone sounded indiferent, but his fingertips were gently touching the table restlessly: "In the end, I waited for you."

"You wanted to tell me something, don't you?" After Xiao YuAn sat down beside Yan HeQing, he raised his head to look at him and with a warm smile on his lips, he said: "It just so happens that I also have something to tell you."

Yan HeQing was a little surprised at this, as he slightly raised his eyebrows: "You can speak first."

Xiao YuAn waved his hand and made a gesture of 'you go first': "Nonono, you must speak first, after all, you've been waiting for so long."

AD

Yan HeQing nodded his head, his voice was slow and flat: "Alright, I'll speak first."

As Yan HeQing raised his head, his eyes fell on Xiao YuAn's eyes. Those eyes that were always warm and smiling, had appeared countless times in Yan HeQing's dreams. Even though he didn't like this body nor this face, he liked the man buried inside the depths of those warm eyes, the man who told him that his real name was Xiao YuAn.

From then on, Yan HeQing has been obsessed with Xiao YuAn, he has been in love with him all this time. There wasn't an end to the greediness he felt, and there wasn't a way to survive without him.

Yan HeQing said: "Xiao YuAn, look at me."

"Ah?" When he saw that Yan HeQing was acting serious, Xiao YuAn hastily sat upright. As he tried to restrain a smile, he looked at Yan HeQing.

Yan HeQing looked into those eyes, no longer hiding his true emotions: "Do you still remember what I said to you on that rainy day, inside the wooden cabin while we were on the mountain?"

Xiao YuAn's body suddenly stiffened. He didn't expect that Yan HeQing would suddenly mention something like this.

Even though they have returned to Taoyuan Village, both of them had coincidentally kept silent about what happened during that period of time. Xiao YuAn still had been vaguely worried inside his heart that Yan HeQing would come to question him about why he acted the way he did back then.

'It seems that the time has come.'

Xiao YuAn silently thought about what words he should use, to explain everything to him inside his mind: "I know, you want to know why I-…"

Yan HeQing interrupted him: "Do you remember what I said to you?"

Xiao YuAn seemed to be afraid of making him mad, so he replied with a soft tone of voice: "I remember."

AD

Yan HeQing asked: "What did I say?"

Xiao YuAn bowed his head and looked around restlessly, then he replied: "You thought I was Lin Shenling and showed me your feelings. But about that, I was pretending to be Lin Shenling because-…"

Yan HeQing interrupted him again: "Xiao YuAn, look at me."

Xiao YuAn didn't have a choice, so in the end, he looked up at Yan HeQing. Originally, he thought that he would see the anger of having been manipulated by him within Yan HeQing's eyes, but what he saw in those eyes was the same indifference as ever. However, within the depths of that indifference, he could see some other emotions; those emotions that were once very well hidden were now revealed to Xiao YuAn. Even if Xiao YuAn is foolish and doesn't understand romance, he can clearly feel that Yan HeQing's gaze was full of deep love and yearning.

Yan HeQing said. "In those days, I wasn't blind and I already knew it was you the whole time. Everything I said about love, was for you."

Xiao YuAn's breath was stagnant, as he opened his mouth for a full minute without being able to say anything. After a brief moment, he suddenly half stood up, supporting his body on the table, shouting: "Yan HeQing! Jokes are supposed to be funny!"

Yan HeQing slightly narrowed his eyes, as his hand on top of the table slowly clenched: "Xiao YuAn, look at me. Do you think I'm joking?"

Xiao YuAn laughed dryly: "Yan-ge, I know that you blame me because I lied to you while we were on the mountain, but you don't have to do this. Revenge is never the answer, if you don't say the truth, then your innocence and honor will be gone. I-…"

"Xiao YuAn." Yan HeQing interrupted him for the third time. "I love you."

Chapter 135: I've Never Seen Someone Have Such An Extraordinary Reaction.

Xiao YuAn stared at Yan HeQing dumbfoundedly, and his eyes gradually widened as he struggled to understand what Yan HeQing meant. However, that sentence was only three words long, so no matter how he heard it, Xiao YuAn couldn't find any other meaning behind them.

Xiao YuAn: "…What? You just said what I think you said? You said that… you, you love me? You like me? Love? Liiiiikee meeee1? Me?" Xiao YuAn said while also pointing at himself with his finger.

Yan HeQing nodded firmly.

Xiao YuAn: "…"

'Yan-ge!'

'What nonsense are you saying?'

'What are you talking about?!'

'What the hell are you talking about?!'

Yan HeQing thought that Xiao YuAn would get angry, so he turned around and was ready to leave; however, Xiao YuAn suddenly took a deep breath and threw himself at him!

Xiao YuAn grabbed Yan HeQing's collar and his whole body was almost pressed on top of Yan HeQing, pressing him against the table while his voice trembled as he shouted out loud: "Do you even know what you're talking about?! What do you mean, that you love me? How can you possibly love me? What kind of love are you referring to? Say it clearly! Is it a pure, brotherly love? Or do you want to fuck me?!" Xiao YuAn's breathtaking speech made Yan HeQing dumbfounded, but the crucial point was that Xiao YuAn didn't stop talking, and kept asking shockingly: "Do you want to top me? Do you want to sleep with me? Do you want to be on the bottom? Do you want to fuck me or not?!"

After so much yelling, Yan HeQing finally came back to his senses. He put his right arm around Xiao YuAn's waist and as soon as he rolled over with his legs, he pressed Xiao YuAn against the table. Soon enough, their positions suddenly got reversed, so this time it was Xiao YuAn's turn to be confused.

AD

Yan HeQing looked down at Xiao YuAn, who was underneath him, and opened his mouth to ask faintly: "Did you calm down?"

Xiao YuAn nodden woodenly: "I calmed down- w-wait, your hand, y-your hand is…"

Yan HeQing's right hand was rubbing his waist lightly, which was between flirting and teasing him. Yan HeQing then slightly leaned down, pressing Xiao YuAn firmly against himself, stretching out his left hand to gently pinch his chin, forcing him to look directly at him. Then he softly opened his mouth, his voice was hoarse and low: "Xiao YuAn, listen to me very carefully. I like you, the kind of like in which I want to tie you to my bed. The kind of like that in addition to me, you won't see anyone else. In which, night after night you'll be under my arms begging for mercy. I'll make your eyes cry until the corners of your eyes become red, and your fingers clutch the bedding because you can't bear my manipulation on your body. You will desperately try to escape, but you'll be unable to move, trying really hard to breathe as you can't stop your mouth from moaning in pleasure. Do you understand me?"

Xiao YuAn swallowed dryly, and for a moment, his voice was very weak: "I-I un-understand."

"Are you still willing to listen to me?"

"Lis-listen, listen to w-what?"

"Listen to what kind of like I feel for you."

"No-no need, n-no, I'm not lis-listening." Xiao YuAn reached out a hand against Yan HeQing's chest and asked him: "Ca-can you let go of me n-now?"

Yan HeQing replied: "Then tell me, which kind of like do I feel for you?"

Xiao YuAn felt like his whole body was on the verge of burning up, so he quickly replied: "I-I know, I already know what kind of like it is."

Yan HeQing said a meaningful 'oh?' and asked: "You know? Then is my love for you the kind of brotherly love, or the kind of love in which I want to fuck you?"

"The latter, the latter kind of like."

AD

"And which kind of 'like' is the latter one?"

Xiao YuAn: "…"

'Dude! Do you even know that you're playing with fire?! You annoying little demon! Do you really need to ask me endlessly?!'

The President was very very angry, he felt angry and regretful at the same time. He felt that he shouldn't have studied the Tyrannical President class in the first place. Instead, he should've gone to the next classroom to learn the '108 moves of how to deal with the Tyrannical President'.

Xiao YuAn thought: 'Why am I terrified?! I've been practicing self-defense since I was a child, I'm the one that easily beat up a Mob Boss like it was nothing!'

Xiao YuAn, who was still muttering deep inside his mind, suddenly felt that something was different and subconsciously shouted out: "Wait!"

When Yan HeQing saw that Xiao YuAn wasn't answering, the hand that was originally wrapped around his waist slowly slid through the cotton clothing until it stopped between his buttocks.

"I'll say! I'll say it!" Xiao YuAn shouted as he struggled under Yan HeQing's touch: "Is the kind of like in which you want to fuck me! Take your hand off!"

Chapter 136: Inevitably, There Will Always Be Feelings To Know.

After hearing Xiao YuAn's answer, Yan HeQing made a light satisfied sound and then withdrew his hand, letting go of Xiao YuAn, who was fluttering like a fish out of the water. He then got up and sat down on the chair beside the wooden table.

Xiao YuAn turned over lying face down on the table, hating the fact that he can't merge with the wooden table.

President Xiao is thinking about the meaning of life: 'Marxist philosophy says! That consciousness! Is subjective in form and objective in content1!'

Therefore, Xiao YuAn, who was brainwashed by the nearly one million poisonous words from the original book, would naturally feel that! Yan HeQing! Is a straight man! With a huge harem! That never hesitates! To tease his concubines!

'Even if his First and Second Female Leads eloped, and the Third Female Lead is now happily married, he still has other wives, ah!'

Even before, when Yan HeQing said to him that he never had a love affair, Xiao YuAn felt that this was just temporary!

However, after Xiao YuAn's thousand calculations, he never thought that! Yan HeQing! Who in the second half of the original book spent every single night with a woman! Would Unexpectedly! Become! Gay!

Xiao YuAn raised his head fiercely, turned to look at Yan HeQing, and asked him: "Are you also a transmigrated soul?"

When he saw that Yan HeQing's eyebrows were raised again and that he was about to get up, Xiao YuAn panicked and hurried to stop him: "Stopstopstop! Let me think about this more! Let me think! Don't come any closer! As soon as you get close, my brain gets all confused!"

Yan HeQing sat back on the wooden chair, seeing how Xiao YuAn was once again facing down with his forehead against the table, and continued to think about the meaning of life.

'Now that the Male Lead of the Stallion Novel is gay, it seems that this broken novel can no longer be viewed with the logic of the original.'

'But, Yan HeQing actually said that he liked me?!'

'What the fuck?'

It's like a mess of threads, that at first glance, can't be sorted out; but as long as you find the right thread and pull it little by little, you'll find that everything is clearly spread out in front of you.

'While we were on the mountain, he suddenly changed his attitude from one day to the next after he found out it was me all along.'

'And when we parted ways that day, he inexplicably smashed the hairpin to the ground.'

'That also explains why Xue Yan tried his best to separate us.'

'Even back then, in the market when Yan HeQing carefully handed the hairpin to me, under the lights of ten thousand homes2, and the unseen world of spirits3. How much love was paid wrongly? And how much love was lost?'

Xiao YuAn sighed for a long time, then he raised his head, looked at Yan HeQing, and murmured: "I…"

"It's alright, you don't have to give me an answer so soon. You can take your time to think it over slowly." Yan HeQing interrupted him and then extended his hand to him. Xiao YuAn subconsciously avoided his hand and moved away, only to suddenly freeze in place.

'Oh no, this kind of reaction will definitely hurt Yan HeQing.'

However, Yan HeQing looked indifferent as he continued to extend his hand and rub Xiao YuAn's forehead, which was red due to being rubbed against the table: "Xiao YuAn, I'll have to leave tomorrow. After I conquer the Eastern Wu Kingdom, I'll come back to you. Then, at that time, you can give me a reply." Yan HeQing withdrew his hand but stopped midway. He looked at Xiao YuAn with a warm expression, his tone became slow and calm: "But, if by the time of my return, you're not in Taoyuan Village, and didn't leave behind any news of your whereabouts, then I will search for you all over the world. Even if that means that I'll have to dig three feet underground to get you."

Xiao YuAn said: "Wo-… wow!"

"

"

Yan HeQing: "…Wow?"

'Then then then what should I say?'

'My friend, you're really cool and amazing4?'

Xiao YuAn was still wandering through his thoughts, when suddenly, Yan HeQing grabbed his wrist and pressed him against the table again.

'Why are you doing this again?! Is the script for the miserable Second Male Lead, going to get carried at the bottom of a wooden table?!'

The distance between them was only a few inches apart, and after a few seconds of just staring at each other, Yan HeQing said: "Xiao YuAn, if you don't mean to return my feelings then just push me away, don't leave me with any hopes. Otherwise…" Xiao YuAn suddenly moved and placed his forehead against Yan HeQing's forehead. The light 'knock' sound that their foreheads made after colliding with each other, immediately interrupted Yan HeQing's words.

Xiao YuAn immediately said: "I know. I'll remember everything that you said to me."

Yan HeQing replied: "…Yes. By the way, what was that you wanted to talk to me about when you arrived?"

Xiao YuAn suddenly remembered what it was, and subconsciously yelled: "Ah…!"

'Ah…. I decided to take the place of my Shifu as the army physician. Can… can I still tell you about it?'

Xiao YuAn remembered that when he was at the medical shop before, he swore to Zhang Changsong and Zhang Baizhu that there wasn't a need to worry about him, that he has a thigh to hold onto5 and that he has a back door to walk through. But now it seems…. at he won't be entering through a back door, but that his 'back door' will be entered6 instead….

Chapter 137: Inevitably, There Will Always Be Friends To Bid Farewell To.

"YuAn." As Xiao YuAn was packing his luggage inside the wing room, Third Aunt approached him with a letter on her hand. When she saw that he was alone, she was puzzled: "Where's Yan-gongzi?"

"He went to the Inn first, I'll meet him there later." Xiao YuAn stopped what he was doing and looked up to ask her: "What's wrong, Third Aunt?"

"A letter from LiuAn and Fengyue arrived." Third Aunt handed the letter to Xiao YuAn.

Xiao YuAn took it and read it carefully, then he said with great surprise: "They said that Chungui's illness is almost cured, and that they're ready to come back next month."

"Is that so? That's great! But… but when they're on their way here, you're leaving." Third Aunt sighed.

"Third Aunt, don't worry, I'll be back soon too." Xiao YuAn showed her a reassuring smile.

"Auntie also doesn't want to worry." Third Aunt said sadly. "But this military recruitment… there's no war without injuries and deaths. What if the Southern Yan Kingdom doesn't succeed in conquering the Eastern Wu Kingdom? What will I do if you get hurt?"

Xiao YuAn held her hand and gently patted it: "Third Aunt, don't worry. The Southern Yan Kingdom will definitely win."

How could Third Aunt believe that? "The world is extremely unpredictable, how can you be so sure?"

Xiao YuAn smiled and avoided replying to that particular question. Instead, he said: "Third Aunt, when LiuAn and Fengyue arrive with Chungui, you must not tell them that I went to the army as a physician. You can just tell them that I went to travel."

Third Aunt was slightly puzzled and thought that Xiao YuAn was afraid that they would worry about his safety if they knew, so she agreed in the end: "Alright, Auntie will definitely keep her mouth shut."

AD

Xiao YuAn smiled at her and replied: "Thank you, Third Aunt."

Third Aunt stepped forward and reached out to help Xiao YuAn's pack his luggage. For a moment, she felt that the army didn't have enough clothes in the barracks, so she added several more clothes that she had sewed herself so that Xiao YuAn wouldn't suffer. At another time on the day, she thought that the army usually doesn't have enough nor good food to eat, so she wanted to make a pot of delicious food for Xiao YuAn to take with him. At another moment, she worried that Xiao YuAn would get so tired working all day taking care of the sick and injured, but no one would take care of him. However, the only thing she could do at this thought was frown and sigh.

It was hard to pack Xiao YuAn's luggage, but when it was finally done and it was time to separate, Third Aunt didn't say anything and the expression on her face was extremely bitter.

So, Xiao YuAn said: "Third Aunt, Fengyue, LiuAn and Chungui won't arrive until a month from now, so if you feel bored and lonely, you can go and find Shenling. She also told me that she will come to see you everyday."

"Fine fine fine, go ahead, go go." Third Aunt pushed Xiao YuAn and made a gesture of 'you can go now'.

"Auntie's goodbye is so warm. Okay then, I'll leave now." Xiao YuAn bid his farewell and walked forward a few steps. However, he suddenly stopped walking and turned his head around, only to find Third Aunt standing at the entrance of their residence, watching him as he went away.

Then, Xiao YuAn turned around completely and trotted back. Third Aunt was surprised at this: "What's wrong? Did you forget something?"

"Auntie, when I'm back, I want to eat your braised pork, roast chicken and marinated duck!" Xiao YuAn replied instead.

"Good, I'll cook it for you." Third Aunt's face finally showed a smile: "When you come back, Auntie will make them all for you to eat!"

After saying goodbye to Third Aunt again, Xiao YuAn went to the medical shop. Zhang Baizhu was standing at the entrance looking around, as if he knew that Xiao YuAn would come. When he saw Xiao YuAn carrying his luggage, he looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself from doing so.

"What? Why are you acting with maternal mannerisms?" Xiao YuAn laughed at him.

Zhang Baizhu rarely didn't fight and joke around with Xiao YuAn, however this time, he said: "You must be careful. This war isn't a joke."

"

"

"Don't worry, I know." Xiao YuAn patted Zhang Baizhu's shoulder and asked him: "Where's Shifu?"

"He's in the inner hall."

Xiao YuAn nodded his head and walked into the medical shop. In the not-so-bright inner hall, Zhang Changsong was slowly pounding medicine, and when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching, he didn't look up, but said: "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes Shifu, I'm leaving." Xiao YuAn replied with a smile.

"You must be very careful and take good care of yourself." Zhang Changsong coughed twice and said slowly.

"Yes, Shifu, I know. Well then, I'll get going now." Xiao YuAn turned around ready to leave, when suddenly, Zhang Changsong called out to him.

"Xiao YuAn, I didn't want to say any negative words, but you must remember that if something happens, you must let them send you back to Taoyuan Village. Even if you only have one breath left, I can still pull you back from the Guimen Pass1."

"Yes, I'll keep it in mind." Xiao YuAn replied with a smile and bowed to Zhang Changsong. Then, he got up and walked out of the medical shop.

Outside, Zhang Baizhu was squatting against the wall beside the door, looking carelessly at the medicine pot that was bubbling in front of him. When Xiao YuAn saw this, he hit Zhang Baizhu's back with his knee: "Zhang Baizhu, I want to be a godfather."

"What? What are you saying?" Zhang Baizhu frowned and looked back at him. When suddenly he understood what Xiao YuAn meant and his whole face turned red.

Xiao YuAn laughed out loud, and with Zhang Baizhu's loudly angry curses behind him, Xiao YuAn ran away wildly.

Chapter 138: Inevitably, There Will Always Be A Cannon Fodder Who Will Put Himself In Danger.

When Xiao YuAn arrived at the East Street Inn with his luggage on his back, he saw that the soldiers dressed in black, who had come looking for Yan HeQing, were now gathering at the entrance of the Inn, comforting the horses that were puckering their hooves beside them.

Xiao YuAn had asked Yan HeQing before, and these soldiers couldn't recognize his face as the Northern Emperor, so as Xiao YuAn walked over boldly. Deputy General Chen, who he saw howling like a bear before, greeted Xiao YuAn enthusiastically once he saw him approaching the Inn: "Physician Xiao! Here, here!"

Xiao YuAn walked over a few steps, turned his head to look around, and asked with curiosity: "Where's Yan HeQing?"

When they heard that Xiao YuAn unapologetically called Yan HeQing by his full name, several soldiers frowned and coughed. Then they remembered that he was their Emperor's benefactor who had saved his life. Besides, he will also be their future army physician, so in the end, they didn't say anything.

"His Majesty said that he was going to buy something, so he asked us to wait for him here." Deputy General Chen enthusiastically explained to Xiao YuAn.

Xiao YuAn nodded, inclined his head to look at the horses beside the soldiers, and asked: "There's no carriage?"

Deputy General Chen rubbed the back of his head awkwardly: "Physician Xiao, we're so eager to return as soon as possible, that even traveling with horses is too slow for us, so how can we possibly take a carriage?"

Xiao YuAn smiled helplessly and spread his hands: "Then it's over, I don't know how to ride a horse. Why don't you tie me to the side of a horse and transport me like that to the barracks?"

"Hahahahahahahahaha Physician Xiao is so funny. Don't worry, I'll give you a ride." As soon as Deputy General Chen said this, Yan HeQing came from afar on a white horse. When the soldiers saw him, all of them respectfully saluted him after mounting the horses, ready to depart at any time.

"Come on Physician Xiao, come up. I ride steadily so I won't bump into you." Deputy General Chen pulled the reins tightly, bent down sideways, and extended his hand towards Xiao YuAn enthusiastically.

Xiao YuAn smiled at him: "No need, I don't want you to get hurt."

AD

Deputy General Chen was stunned: "How can I get hurt over this? Is Physician Xiao worried that riding with me will cause an inconvenience? Don't worry about that, I'm very steady on my horse! Come on, get up here!" After he said this, he waved at Xiao YuAn.

Xiao YuAn smiled at his naivety, shook his head, and then turned towards Yan HeQing, waving his hand and shouting: "Yan-ge! I don't know how to ride a horse!"

Yan HeQing, dressed in white and riding a majestic white horse, looked elegant and handsome; just like a scene of winter with stunning colors. When Yan HeQing heard Xiao YuAn's words, he didn't hesitate to hit the horse to run forward.

Xiao YuAn often remembered the day they parted ways, and how Yan HeQing's eyes dropped after he threw the hairpin on the ground. At the time, Xiao YuAn didn't understand why Yan HeQing's eyes, who had always looked indiferent, were red at the moment, and why he had such a sad expression on his face. But now, he finally knew why. So, every time Xiao YuAn remembered that scene, the puzzlement and confusion turned into a faint guilt.

Ever since knowing Yan HeQing's feelings, Xiao YuAn would occasionally think: 'If everything was made clear at the beginning, what kind of situation would it be like now?'

Now, when he looked at Yan HeQing on horseback, Xiao YuAn inevitably remembered that day again. The only difference this time was that the person who was once galloping far away from him, was now riding his horse towards him.

Yan HeQing, in front of Xiao YuAn, pulled back the reins of the horse, making the horse stand sideways to Xiao YuAn and extended out his hand to him.

Xiao YuAn smiled at him and held Yan HeQing's hand tightly.

In front of everyone, Yan HeQing pulled Xiao YuAn onto the horse, and wrapped his hands around his body to protect him. Then he raised the whip and galloped the horse, leaving only dust behind.

Deputy General Chen was stunned: "As expected of a life-saver benefactor, he's even worthy of riding the same horse together with His Majesty."

The several soldiers looked far and wide, agreed with each other, and unanimously set their horses into a gallop to follow after their Emperor.

Chapter 139: Inevitably, There Will Always Be A President Who Thinks Of Writing A Book.

When the soldiers were left far behind, to the point in which they were hard to see in the distance, Yan HeQing tightened the reins and slowed down. Then, he handed the reins to Xiao YuAn while taking something out of his sleeve at the same time.

Before Xiao YuAn could react, he was suddenly hugged from behind by Yan HeQing, gently pinching his chin making his face lean backwards.

"The road! The road! Look at the road!" Xiao YuAn was so frightened, that he broke away from Yan HeQing's grasp and hurriedly turned his head back.

"It's alright, the speed is not fast, and the road is even." Yan HeQing said softly, but he didn't force Xiao YuAn to turn his head towards him again. Instead, he put the object in his hand on Xiao YuAn's face.

Xiao YuAn was stunned and the reins in his hands were taken once again by Yan HeQing. Since he was no longer being hugged, Xiao YuAn reached out and took the thing off his face, holding it up in front of his eyes and examined it.

It was a half-face mask, its decoration was simple, and it had some winding patterns carved on the mask. This mask was long enough to cover most of Xiao YuAn's face, only revealing his chin and lips. The mask looked like a toy, just like the ones that were sold in the market, but the workmanship was in fact quite exquisite.

"Hmm? Is this a gift for me?" Xiao YuAn fiddled with the mask, repeatedly taking it off and putting it on again.

"This time, for the Southern Yan expedition to the Eastern Wu Kingdom, my uncle is in the North consolidating the strength of the Southern Yan Kingdom, so he didn't come here. However, I'm not sure if there will be any Southern Yan Generals who will recognize your face, so…"

Before Yan HeQing could stop talking, Xiao YuAn interrupted him with a smile: "I understand, I know. It's better to avoid unnecessary trouble"

The horse ran across the flat road until it came to a relatively rugged path. Since the horse's pace also became bumpy, Yan HeQing tightened his hold to firmly protect Xiao YuAn, who was sitting in front of his body: "If you feel uncomfortable wearing the mask, you don't need to use it. I will never let anyone hurt you again."

"No, I quite like it, thank you." Xiao YuAn put the mask on, adjusted it to a comfortable position, and turned his head to show Yan HeQing.

"

"

Yan HeQing said: "Don't turn your head."

"Huh?" Xiao YuAn's head was only turned halfway when he heard that, so he hurriedly turned back to look at the road ahead: "What's wrong?"

Yan HeQing replied: "I won't be able to restrain myself from kissing you."

Xiao YuAn: "… Oh, I see, alright, fine, fine."

After a long while in silence, Xiao YuAn asked: "Yan-ge, have you ever considered writing a book?"

"What book?"

"3000 Quotes From The New President."

"…. What?"

"Nothing, nothing. Well, um… It seems that I suddenly feel like singing again! Can Yan-ge make the horse run faster?"

Yan HeQing's legs hit the horse's belly, suddenly raising the whip. The horse raised his head and neighed, followed by the horse running even faster than before.

Xiao YuAn cleared his throat and began to sing: "Let's live in harmony with each other in the world~, galloping our horses and sharing the prosperity of the world~, celebrating the joy of our hearts with wine~. Let's live our youth to the fullest~1!"

Then, Xiao YuAn was tossed up and down by the rugged mountain road, which made him feel nauseous. Before, he was happily singing, but now, he thought that if he kept on signing, he would most likely throw up.

AD

A few days later, the Southern Yan barracks spread the great news that the Emperor has returned safe and sound, and that the barracks will have a Physician, whose surname was Xiao.

The journey was long and tiring, but right after Yan HeQing returned to the army, he began to rectify the army's morale without rest. Moreover, he was so busy that his feet couldn't even touch the ground2.

Xiao YuAn wasn't idle either. Although recently, there weren't any battles against the Eastern Wu Kingdom, the army camp was full of injured, sick and disabled soldiers.

So, on the first day of arriving at the barracks, right after dismounting, Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn never saw each other again. While Xiao YuAn was busy inside a tent bandaging and helping the soldiers dress until midnight, he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps approaching the tent.

"Physician Xiao, Physician Xiao." Deputy General Chen poked his head from outside the tent and cried: "Eh? Physician Xiao, why are you wearing a mask?"

Xiao YuAn was holding medicine in one hand, a basin in the other, and a roll of gauze was in his mouth, so he didn't have the time to pay attention to him. After waving the things in his hands, he continued to treat the wounded soldiers in front of him.

Chen Ge3 came over scratching his head and asked: "Do you need any help, Physician Xiao?"

Xiao YuAn put the gauze cloth in his hand and pointed at an injured soldier's wound: "Tie it! Tie it tightly and stop the bleeding."

"Oh, alright." Chen Ge hurriedly complied with his instructions, and after a long time passed, Chen Ge wiped his sweat and said: "This work is so hard. Before, I heard the rumor that there's a skilled female Physician in the Eastern town, but I don't know if the Generals can ask her to come. If they can invite her over, your work should get easier, right?"

Xiao YuAn, who was also extremely tired, sat on the ground, breathlessly picking up the bloody cotton cloth. When he heard Chen Ge's words, he asked: "Is that female Physician named Bai Zhi?"

Chen Ge was surprised: "Yes, exactly! How does Physician Xiao know that?"

AD

"She won't come." Xiao YuAn finished picking up the cotton cloth and started to wipe the dried blood on his hands.

"Ah? Why does Physician Xiao think so?" Chen Ge didn't understand.

'Because she was part of your Emperor's harem!'

'Now that your Emperor is gay, why would a woman come all the way to this army camp to suffer from the hardships of war?!'

Chapter 140: Inevitably, There Will Always Be Some Things You Need To Overcome.

Chen Ge was confused: "Why is Physician Xiao so sure that the female Physician, Bai Zhi, will not come?" Xiao YuAn smiled at him, but didn't answer. Chen Ge, on the other hand, saw that he seemed to know something and asked: "Does Physician Xiao know how to get her to accept the invitation to come help?"

"I know, yes I do know. In the past, not only would I've told you how to invite her over, but I would also have helped her by persuading your Emperor to invite her personally. But now…" Xiao YuAn only smiled without saying anything else.

"His Majesty? Do you want His Majesty to invite her over? Why not then?" Chen Ge was confused once again.

"In the past, I was blinded by the original book and couldn't see clearly what was in front of me. But now, if I still refuse to see things as the way they are, then I'm really just a piece of garbage." Xiao YuAn laid on his back to rest for a bit.

After thinking for a while, Chen Ge finally replied: "Physician Xiao's speech is quite profound."

"Ah, right, what brought you here? You couldn't have possibly come to help me on purpose, right?" Xiao YuAn turned his head to him and asked all of a sudden.

"Oh yes, right!" Chen Ge patted his head and said: "Look at my silly memory, I even forgot the important matter that brought me here. His Majesty asked me to take you to him, but after seeing you working so hard all day, why don't I go talk to His Majesty instead? If it's important, you two can still talk about it tomorrow."

Xiao YuAn smiled again and asked him: "Will it be okay for you to talk about it with him? Is His Majesty really that talkative?"

Chen Ge waved his hand in an exaggerated way, not mincing his words in praise: "Although our Emperor is never soft on his enemies, and he looks merciless, cruel and cold, he's actually a wise ruler! He listens to his subordinates' advice seriously!"

"I've known these things already in my past life." Xiao YuAn braced himself to stand up.

"Past life, what past life? Wait! Physician Xiao, where are you going?" Chen Ge saw him get up and walk away, so he hurriedly followed after him.

"

"

"Didn't His Majesty wish to see me?" Xiao YuAn lifted the curtain and walked outside.

Chen Ge froze in place and touched his head in a daze, then he quickly followed Xiao YuAn.

Chen Ge dutifully took Xiao YuAn towards a military tent. Once they arrived, Chen Ge saluted him and then left. After a guard outside the tent reported to Xiao YuAn that he could enter, he lifted the curtain and walked in.

Inside the tent, Yan HeQing was sitting on a couch reading a military book. In front of him, there was a low table filled with topographical maps and advice folds. It seemed that he had been busy the entire day.

Xiao YuAn shakily walked over and then leaned back, throwing himself at Yan HeQing's side, flopping down with his back against the mattress. Then he started to wave his hands helplessly as he vaguely said: "I'm so tired that I can't even lift my arms."

Yan HeQing looked at him, reached out and picked up Xiao YuAn, pulling him into his arms and wrapping his hands around him. Then he rubbed Xiao YuAn's arms with one hand and continued reading the military book with the other. Xiao YuAn dazedly lifted his eyelids and said: "Yan-ge, you're so attentive. Sooner or later, I will fall in love with you."

Yan HeQing hooked the corners of his mouth shallowly.

"All right, all right." Xiao YuAn didn't have the heart to let Yan HeQing keep rubbing his sore arms, so he broke out of his embrace and forced himself to ask: "Why did you want to see me tonight?"

Yan HeQing looked at him, and instead of replying to his question, he asked: "Are you tired?"

"Yes, I'm quite sleepy."

"Then there's no need to hurry. You can sleep for now."

Xiao YuAn expressed an almost silent 'oh', as he stood up and started to walk towards the exit of the tent.

AD

Meanwhile, Yan HeQing, whose eyes were still on the military book, reached out for Xiao YuAn's wrist, and without raising his head, he asked: "Where are you going?"

"I'm going back to sleep!"

Yan HeQing pointed back at himself, towards the warm mattress with a quilt made out of animal fur on top of it, placed at the inner part of the tent, and said: "Sleep here."

Xiao YuAn blinked and blinked again, then he said: "Yan-ge, it's not that I don't want to sleep here. After all, this place is more comfortable than my military tent full of dried blood but… If I sleep here, where will you sleep then?"

Yaan HeQing replied: "….. We'll divide the bed into two."

Xiao YuAn: "Yan-ge, no matter what I say, you'll convince me to sleep here tonight anyways, am I right?"

Yan HeQing hmmed in response.

Xiao YuAn wasn't in the mood to make a fuss about it, so he took off the mask, then went into the inner part of the tent. He pulled the quilt to make two separate beds, took the inner bed for himself, and lied down on his side to sleep.