Chapter 161: A Token? Arrange It.
Even though they couldn't tolerate it, Yang LiuAn and Xiao Fengyue always tried their best to do what Xiao YuAn wanted. In the end, Xiao Fengyue said: "Young Master, they're still fighting on the front lines, and it won't be easy to send a letter to the barracks. Moreover, the front line is so dangerous that no one is willing to deliver a letter at this time. Not to mention that this Yan HeQing, or the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom, given his status, how could he care about letters from an unknown source?"
Xiao YuAn's face immediately wrinkled into a bitter expression.
Yang LiuAn, who had previously sold salt, knew some merchants who had contacts, so he comforted Xiao YuAn and said: "Don't worry, Young Master, I know someone who can send the letter to the barracks. However, I don't know if they can be delivered to Yan HeQing, and it will also take some time for him to get here."
Xiao YuAn's eyes brightened as he said anxiously: "It's good enough if they're able to send the letter! How long will it take for him to come here?"
Yang LiuAn replied: "It might take several months."
Xiao YuAn couldn't help but clutch the bedding: "Several months ah…. send him a letter, we have to ask him!"
The next day, Xiao Fengyue wrote a letter for Xiao YuAn, and sent it to Yang LiuAn's friend. This was the beginning.
Then, Xiao YuAn was longing for the stars and the moon1, waiting two whole months, hoping for any news to arrive. By then, his injuries began to heal little by little, and his internal injuries also slowly recovered under Zhang Changsong's care. However, Xiao YuAn was still unable to leave the bed. His kneecap was crushed by Yang Liye's horse, and even though it's said that it takes 100 days for a broken bone to recover, his condition was very serious.
Xiao YuAn waited for another ten days, and finally, Yang LiuAn's friend arrived.
That friend boldly sat down on the stool, took a bowl for himself, and filled it with cold water. Then, he asked: "Who's the one that wants to deliver a letter?"
"That would be me. What is it? Can you deliver it?" Xiao YuAn sat up straight as he leaned his body forward, and asked in a hurry.
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"Oh, alas! Hey, do you even know who you're trying to send that letter to?!" The friend waved his hand at Xiao YuAn with a look of disgust, but after feeling like his words were unreliable, he said instead: "After all, Yang LiuAn is my friend, and this matter will also give me a good reward. So, to tell you the truth, I can send that letter to the Southern Yan barracks. However, since you want that letter to be delivered to the Emperor himself, ah… that's too difficult. You may not know this, but rumors say that the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom has fallen into madness!"
Xiao YuAn's heart suddenly thumped: "What does that mean?!"
Yang LiuAn's friend replied: "You may not know, but ten days ago, the Southern Yan Kingdom won the war and invaded the Eastern Wu Kingdom. This Yan HeQing, sigh, seemed like he was possessed by a demon, and became extremely cruel. In the end, the Eastern Wu General Yang, tsk tsk, died a miserable death. People say that Yan HeQing cut him into a human stick, and others say that his flesh was cut open with a sword ten thousand times. But it's also said that he simply took a type of poison that made his skin itch irritably, making him scratch himself to death! Anyway, in the end, his body was dismembered. His head was hung outside the city gate, exposed to the wind and sun, and the rest of his body was left in the wilderness to be eaten by wild dogs. Not a single part of his body was left intact! That General's subordinates were almost slaughtered by the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom as well. So, tell me, given the current temperament of the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom, wouldn't it be extremely impressive if I were able to send a letter to the barracks?!"
Xiao YuAn covered his face with one hand, and his shoulders trembled slightly. He then gasped heavily until he could calm down. After that, he looked up to Yang LiuAn's friend, and said: "If you can't deliver the letter directly to the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom, then who will take this letter?"
Yang LiuAn's friend touched his chin, tilted his head, raised his feet and said: "I can't really guarantee you that. Bole knows the horses2, but the horse itself has to be a fine steed3, am I wrong? As for commoners like us, who will never leave our towns in a lifetime, how can we have the opportunity to contact such a famous figure? If you really want to reach such a high and powerful person, you must have a token at least, right?"
Yang LiuAn's friend wanted to let Xiao YuAn know the difficulties and back down, but contrary to what he thought, Xiao YuAn's eyes brightened up instead: "A token? I do have one."
Chapter 162: The Wild Geese Has Gone Far Away To Xiaoguan1. Half Because Of Taoism, And Half Because I'm A Gentleman2.
After Xiao YuAn said that, he gestured at Xiao Fengyue, who was by his side. When he saw this, Xiao Fengyue understood immediately and grabbed a wooden box. Yang LiuAn's friend thought to himself: 'What? A treasure? Am I really going to be so lucky, and get to see the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom?' At this thought, he couldn't help but stretch his neck straight to see what was inside the box, only to see that there was a white jade hairpin. That jade hairpin was broken and glued back together. When he saw that the joints were rough and ugly, he couldn't understand what was the mystery behind it.
Xiao YuAn took the white jade hairpin from the wooden box, and as he remembered the past, he sighed bitterly. When he took the white jade hairpin, he rubbed it carefully for a while, fondly touching Yan HeQing's characters engraved on the hairpin. As Xiao YuAn's gaze was fixed on those engraved characters, the corners of his mouth rose slowly. After a while, Xiao YuAn had finally seen enough, and reluctantly printed a kiss on the 'Yan' character. Then he put it back in the wooden box, and handed it to Yang LiuAn's friend: "Here! This is my token! This way, you can deliver the letter to the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom."
"Alright." Yang LiuAn's friend was a reliable person, so he put away the wooden box, and said: "If this token is useful, then I will be able to deliver the letter directly to the Emperor. However, my friend, you may also have to wait patiently for a while."
Xiao YuAn said: "Ah? How long will I have to wait? Why?"
Yang LiuAn's friend then stood up and said: "The Eastern Wu Kingdom has just been conquered by the Southern Yan Kingdom! Now this land is a great big country and a small country! The Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom has just won a war, so he must give a feast for his army to celebrate the victory! So how could he have the time to focus on other things?! Anyways, I'll deliver the letter for you, don't worry! Alright, let's stop talking, I'll be going."
After saying that, Yang LiuAn's friend clasped his fist, and left with the token given by Xiao YuAn.
…
A few days later, in order to celebrate the victory, the Southern Yan Kingdom had set up a banquet in the Imperial City of the former Eastern Wu Kingdom. Originally, that day everyone should've sung a song of triumph and celebrated with the local people. However, the Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom unexpectedly left without saying a word.
Dressed in white, he rode alone for thousands of miles, passing through the mountains and crossing over the sea.
…
These past few days, Xiao YuAn was being taken care of by everyone, to the point where his bones became idle and limp. One day, Third Aunt cooked a nourishing porridge, purposely letting it cool before bringing it to Xiao YuAn. At this, Xiao YuAn couldn't help but howl: "Auntie! I wasn't beaten to the point of becoming a cripple. At this rate, I'm going to be spoiled rotten by you guys!"
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Third Aunt even went 'tsk' a few times before saying: "At such a young age you don't even know what you're talking about. What nonsense are you saying? You're not ruined. Tsk tsk tsk."
As soon as she said this, Xie Chungui ran in from the courtyard and rushed over. He was holding a sugar coated fruit on a stick, and as he raised it, waving it back and forth, he said: "Xiao-ge! Look, it's sugar fulu3!"
After saying that, and without waiting for Xiao YuAn to answer, Xie Chungui ran out of the wing room again to show off his sugar fruit to the others.
Xiao YuAn felt inexplicably worried and heartbroken, to the point in which he didn't know what to say. When Third Aunt looked at his face, she said: "In the past, when Chungui used to return to his senses, he would be in constant pain, so this outcome isn't necessarily a bad thing. Everyone in Taoyuan Village are kind-hearted and simple, so no one would laugh at him and call him dumb. He simply sleeps when he's feeling tired, he eats when he's hungry, and if he's unhappy, he would simply cry. Everything will be alright."
"Mm-hmm." Xiao YuAn nodded, but the sadness pressed deep inside his heart hadn't dispersed at all.
"All right, all right. Don't think about it anymore." Third Aunt couldn't bear to watch him like this and persuaded him to eat: "Drink the porridge quickly before it gets cold."
After Xiao YuAn finished his porridge, Third Aunt took good care of him. Xiao YuAn thought that it wasn't good for him to go on like this, and that he wasn't living up to his identity as a disciplined 4th generation CEO of the 21st century. So the next day, when Zhang Changsong came to feel Xiao YuAn's pulse, Xiao YuAn kept asking him if he could get out of bed and go for a walk.
In the end, Zhang Changsong couldn't stand Xiao YuAn repeating the same question over and over again, so he asked Zhang Baizhu to cut two wooden sticks for Xiao YuAn to use as crutches. Xiao YuAn is the restless type, so the moment he received those crutches, he immediately got off the bed.
Even though his knee was still vaguely aching, most of his body had already healed. Since Xiao YuAn didn't want to trouble other people, he walked back and forth inside the small courtyard with the crutches. Everyone advised Xiao YuAn to slowly recuperate and recover from his injuries, but how could they know that Xiao YuAn's heart was anxiously hoping that his body would hurry up and get better sooner? In case Yang LiuAn's friend wasn't able to deliver the white jade hairpin to Yan HeQing in person, then he will have to go to Yan HeQing himself. After all, he made Yan HeQing wait for him too long, he cannot afford to make him wait any longer.
Xiao YuAn limped for a while until he began to feel pain in his leg. Since he couldn't stand it anymore, he sat by the stone mill and massaged his knee. After taking a long breath, he rested his chin against the crutches, tilted his head, and looked at the silky clouds floating in the sky.
"I wonder what Yan-ge is doing right now…" Xiao YuAn muttered with a long sigh. As if he had regained some strength, he stood up without fear of the upcoming pain, wanting to continue walking a few more rounds.
It was an early autumn day, the western breeze was cool on its own, and the wutong tree dropped its leaves in the courtyard. Without the wetness of the spring, and without the dryness of summer, it's said that the days of autumn are cool and pleasant.
"
"
Suddenly, Xiao YuAn heard the sound of horse hooves approaching from a distance.
The sound was so urgent and fast that it crashed right into Xiao YuAn's heart.
At this, Xiao YuAn immediately turned his head to look at the distance, and his eyes widened for a moment as his shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably.
The man didn't even have the time to stop his horse, so he simply turned over and landed on the ground. The horse tilted his head and bumped its head against the wall outside the courtyard. It took a while to stabilize its pace as it swung its tail and stomped his hooves with dissatisfaction.
Xiao YuAn threw away his crutches as he stumbled towards that man. However, before he could even walk two steps, Xiao YuAn was tightly hugged by that man; so tight that he wished he could blend into his blood and bones, so that they would never be apart from each other, for the rest of their lives.
Xiao YuAn hugged him back as he raised the corners of his mouth, laughing happily that some tears began to fall down from his eyes: "Yan-ge! I missed you so much. For the past few months I've been constantly thinking about how to find you. Yan-ge, you know I'm sick, I can't sleep without anyone around me at night. After so many years, instead of being cured, I've been getting worse. I can't sleep without you anymore. If I can't sleep then I won't be in a good mood, and I can't eat if I'm not in a good mood. If you're not with me, maybe someday I'll suddenly die because of this sickness. Yan-ge, did you hear me?"
The arms of Yan HeQing that were holding Xiao YuAn were trembling slightly. As he nodded slowly, his voice was already a bit choked with sobs: "Yes, I heard you."
Xiao YuAn then continued: "Yan-ge, I'm sorry for always making you wait. You've even been waiting for such a long time, and you even had to look for me everywhere. I really owe you too much love. In that case, I'll compensate you, alright? I'll compensate you for the rest of my life. Ah wait, I'll compensate you for the rest of my next life as well, alright?"
"Al-… alright…"
"Yan-ge, I love you."
Xiao YuAn wanted to point to Heaven and Earth and say this sentence three times, but as soon as he said it the first time, Yan HeQing had already blocked his mouth with his own. As the heat gushed out of his chest, his unspoken words intertwined between their lips and tongues.
The autumn breeze is clear, and the autumn moon is bright4. There's so much tenderness in the world, and now, they are all in Xiao YuAn's arms.
"
"
'How sad we were when we were apart, and how happy we will be when we meet each other again.'
'I wish to be like the swallows on the beam, so that we can see each other all the time5.'
Chapter 163: Restrain? Arrange It.
When Third Aunt gently pushed open the door of the wing room, bringing medicine, she saw Xiao YuAn sitting beside the bed, looking at Yan HeQing, who was sleeping peacefully. Xiao YuAn had a smile on his face, it was like the sun at dawn, and the exquisite breeze of the morning.
In order to get here as soon as possible, Yan HeQing didn't sleep for several days and nights, but in the end, his body couldn't withstand such exhaustion. So at this time, when he finally arrived, he was able to rest and sleep soundly beside a familiar presence. Third Aunt, while holding the medicine bowl in her hand, went forward and patted Xiao YuAn's shoulder, saying in a low voice: "YuAn, why aren't you in bed? Quickly, go to the other bed and lie down. Your own body hasn't fully recuperated yet, how can you be foolishly wandering around?"
Xiao YuAn gestured at her and said: "Auntie, I'm fine. I'm not tired, and I don't feel any pain."
Since Third Aunt knew that it wasn't easy for these two kids to see each other again, she didn't try to persuade him too much. She simply handed over the bowl with the medicine to Xiao YuAn: "Then you should drink the medicine while it's still hot."
Xiao YuAn nodded, took the medicine bowl, and drank it all.
Third Aunt then put away the bowl, advised him two more times that he should rest, and then walked out of the wing room, gently closing the door behind her.
Xiao YuAn pouted, trying to swallow the bitter taste in his mouth left behind by the medicine, when his eyes fell on Yan HeQing's face. After thinking about it, he leaned down and stole a kiss, suddenly feeling that his mouth wasn't bitter anymore, and instead, it was replaced by a sweet taste.
Xiao YuAn touched his chin with one hand, and tilted his head. Suddenly, an idea came to him!
When the Tyrannical President woke up early in the morning, only to see his wife lying next to him… this must be how he's feeling right now!
Hm! This man's taste is unexpectedly damn sweet!
President Xiao put his hands on his legs, while thinking when will his wife wake up. Then, he planned on continuing kissing his wife, but as soon as he raised his eyes, he saw that Yan HeQing had opened his eyes, and was looking at him.
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"Ah, did I wake you up?" Xiao YuAn hurriedly put down his hand.
Yan HeQing shook his head: "I've slept enough."
After saying that, Yan HeQing moved inside the bed, and stretched out a hand to Xiao YuAn.
Xiao YuAn, who was quite feisty just now, coughed lightly. When he lay down on his side, he rolled into Yan HeQing's arms, being comfortably held as he leaned against Yan HeQing's chest.
Yan HeQing, who had just woken up, was still a little bit confused as closed his eyes, then kissed Xiao YuAn's temples and eyebrows. After a long while passed, he asked: "Does your body hurt?"
Xiao YuAn laughed: "No, I don't feel any pain."
After a long time passed, Yan HeQing replied with a hmmm. He closed his eyes in a trance as he began to kiss Xiao YuAn's forehead again, but this time, Xiao YuAn tilted his head, directing his mouth to him. The lingering kiss had the bitter taste of traditional Chinese medicine, and when the kiss ended, Yan HeQing was finally completely awake.
Xiao YuAn then said: "Yan-ge, I think this scene feels kind of familiar."
"Hmm?"
"Ah! It was that time, in the Imperial Bedchamber in the Northern Kingdom, where you were dazed while on the Imperial bed. At that moment, you wanted to choke me to death as soon as you woke up!"
Xiao YuAn deliberately emphasized the words 'choking to death'.
Yan HeQing: "…. At that time I…."
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"At that time you wanted to kill me, hmm! There's no mercy under your hands! You just wanted me dead."
"I….."
"Aren't we grown men? There's nothing to be bothered about. Let's just settle the score!"
"…. How do we settle it?"
Xiao YuAn saw how easily Yan HeQing fell on his trap, he was so proud that his tail was up in the sky1. As he stretched his legs towards Yan HeQing, he said: "The first time we do it, you have to restrain yourself, and, can we not do it all night?"
Yan HeQing: "…."
Xiao YuAn continued: "It's settled then."
After he said that, Xiao YuAn showed a smug expression. However, as a result, Yan HeQing stretched out his hand and tapped on Xiao YuAn's spine, where his invisible 'tail' should be. Then Yan HeQing started to rub not so lightly anymore, causing Xiao YuAn to feel a shiver travel around his body.
Yan HeQing came closer to Xiao YuAn's earlobe and licked it carefully. At this, Xiao YuAn immediately felt his body burning up. Then Yan HeQing said in a low and provocative tone of voice: "Then, will we do it all night, without any restrain, except for the first time?"
Xiao YuAn: "….. No!"
Yan HeQing fell down, next to Xiao YuAn's ear, and laughed softly. He laughed so much that his waist went soft.
Xiao YuAn thought: 'What the fuck! I, at least, had studied the path of the Tyrannical President. But, how come the one who ends up jumping right into the trap is always me? No, no, I can't be passive!' At this, President Xiao said: "You, you, you don't laugh. I-, I, I will recite the Party Constitution. If you can't restrain yourself in the future, then! I'll! Recite! The Party! Constitution!"
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Yan HeQing: "… Block it?2"
Xiao YuAn then memorized a paragraph and recited it.
Yan HeQing: "….."
Xiao YuAn's original plan failed, but then, he came up with another one: "Wait! I've another way! I also know the Great Compassion Mantra!3"
Yan HeQing: "…..The great what?"
Xiao YuAn then recited a mantra for a while, and when he was done, he asked Yan HeQing: "Do you feel like a Bodhi tree, or that your heart is as clear as a mirror? Do you still have 'those' thoughts on your mind?"
Yan HeQing: "Yes, there's only….. one left."
Xiao YuAn: "One? No way, even after my perfect recited mantra? So, you are unable to convert into a Buddhist?"
Yan HeQing: "No."
Xiao YuAn: "Then what is the thought inside your mind?"
Yan HeQing: "I want to 'hold' you until you faint."
Xiao YuAn: "….. A-alright? Bring it on!"
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Xiao YuAn was ready to throw himself into Yan HeQing's arms, when suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the wing room. The knocking sounds were three short ones, and one long. Then, Zhang Changsong's old but spiritual voice came from the other side of the door: "The kidney is the 'master of dormancy', and is also the foundation of hiding, sealing, and storing the essence. Besides that, daytime lustful activities are-…. the internal activities would make the patient lose his essence, and if the essence it's emptied, the kidneys will suffer, and the patient would become weak.4"
Yan HeQing: "….."
Xiao YuAn: "….."
Chapter 164: A Night? Arrange it.
Xiao YuAn couldn't help but shout: "….Shifu, you're kidding, right?!"
Zhang Changsong replied slowly: "Hmm, young people are energetic, so there's no need to worry."
Xiao YuAn: "…Shifu, are you taking revenge on me for eating your candied fruit?"
Zhang Changsong: "Humph! I'm not that stingy! Do you want me to keep checking on your pulse? Don't you want to get well?"
While they talked, Yan HeQing had already got up and got dressed. Then, he went to open the door, since Xiao YuAn wanted to do it himself, but Yan HeQing had pressed him back to bed, wrapping him tightly with the bedding.
Zhang Changsong stroked his white beard as he walked in with a medicine box. Once he sat down, he took out a small pillow and padded it under Xiao YuAn's wrist to check on his pulse. For a while, Zhang Changsong remained silent as he frowned slightly.
Xiao YuAn chuckled: "Shifu, don't make a face as if I won't be able to survive."
Zhang Changsong glared at Xiao YuAn as he angrily pushed his hand forward, put away the small pillow, and replied with anger: "Not able to survive?! If you can't survive this, won't you be insulting my reputation?!"
Xiao YuAn replied: "Then I'll have to get better quickly, so that I won't ruin my Shifu's reputation."
Zhang Changsong gave him a blank stare, and asked: "Are you still feeling pain in your knee these days?"
Xiao YuAn secretly glanced at Yan HeQing, who was standing aside, and replied: "It doesn't hurt anymore."
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Zhang Changsong rolled up the medical book and smacked Xiao YuAn on his wrist: "Nonsense! If you don't tell the truth, how can I cure you?"
Xiao YuAn: "It hurts a little bit, not much."
Zhang Changsong wasn't in the mood to call out the nonsense Xiao YuAn was saying. When he simply pressed Xiao YuAn's knee gently, Xiao YuAn immediately stiffed his smile, and secretly clenched the bedding.
At this reaction, Zhang Changsong understood his level of pain, withdrew his hand, and asked: "Are you drinking the right dose of internal medicine? Have you been applying external medicine on alternate days?"
Xiao YuAn nodded his head: "Yes, yes, yes. I do both."
Zhang Changsong then said as he packed up his things: "Alright, you're recovering fine. You just need to rest well these days, stretch your arms and move your waist. But you can't walk all the time."
Xiao YuAn: "Yes, Shifu, I'll do as you say."
Zhang Changsong stood up with the medicine box on his back, and said to Yan HeQing: "Yan-gongzi, can I talk to you?"
Xiao YuAn was surprised: "Shifu, is there something you want to ask him? Could it be that you want Yan-ge to propose marriage? Shifu, I understand, I'm in a hurry too. However, Yan-ge traveled all the way here alone, and he didn't bring anything, so you shouldn't make him lose face."
Zhang Changsong rarely didn't pretend to be angry at Xiao YuAn's imprudent words, but this time he simply glanced at him, and said: "If he wants to propose marriage, then he won't be asking me. Alright, I have to talk with Yan-gongzi about some serious matters."
Then, Yan HeQing and Zhang Changsong walked out of the wing room together, and closed the door behind them. Zhang Changsong then asked softly: "Yan-gongzi, I apologize for asking this but, are you and YuAn….?"
Yan HeQing guessed what Zhang Changsong was going to ask, so he nodded his head, and replied: "Yes."
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Zhang Changsong immediately understood, and said: "YuAn is always talking nonsense and loves to joke around so much that old me hasn't been interested in believing it. However, since Yan-gongzi has given me an honest reply, then indeed I wasn't mistaken. In this case, Yan-gongzi, regarding YuAn's body health matters… I don't want to lie to you, YuAn's leg may develop into the root of a disease."
Yan HeQing's eyes darkened, as the hand hanging on his side slightly clenched in a fist: "The root of a disease?"
Zhang Changsong sighed, and replied: "I don't dare to say too much now. In any case, I'd better let you know about this first. But, there's one more thing…."
Zhang Changsong's face suddenly became a little uneasy. His fist touched his lips as he coughed lightly, and his eyes were wandering around: "There's also another thing about YuAn's body, it's…. well, you two can't have sex yet. He's too weak, he has a deficiency of qi and blood, which means that his internal injuries are prone to re-emerge."
Yan HeQing: "….. I understand. I've troubled you."
Zhang Changsong could see that Yan HeQing was a decent person. After having this conversation, he didn't have any more to say, so he bid his farewell, and left.
Yan HeQing calmed his emotions and pushed open the door of the wing room. When he walked in, he saw that Xiao YuAn wasn't lying down, but was sitting on the bed cross-legged with a quilt over his legs. When he saw that Yan HeQing was about to say something to him, Xiao YuAn waved his hand, and was the first one to speak: "I've been lying down every day for the past few days, to the point that I'm already tired of lying here. I might as well sit than move around, this way I'll be relaxing my muscles and bones, but I'll be more comfortable."
Yan HeQing didn't reply, and simply walked to the bed. Once he reached the bedside, Xiao YuAn smiled at him, and asked: "What did my Shifu say to you?"
"Nothing, he just said that I'll have to take good care of you…." Yan HeQing's voice stopped abruptly.
While Yan HeQing was talking just now, Xiao YuAn had put down his crossed legs and touched Yan HeQing's lower thigh with the tip of his toes, as if nothing was wrong.
Yan HeQing took a step back quietly, and asked: "Do you want to drink some water?"
Xiao YuAn was stupefied for a long time. Then, he replied: "Ah…. what? Water? No, I don't want to."
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Yan HeQing nodded his head: "You can rest for a while, it's almost time for dinner. I'll go see if Auntie needs any help."
After he said that, Yan HeQing turned around, and walked out of the wing room with hurried steps.
Suddenly abandoned, Xiao YuAn sat on his bed scratching his head with confusion. As he re-crossed his legs, he supported his head on one hand, and thought to himself: 'It seems that the 21st century style doesn't work on Yan-ge! Come on! The Tyrannical President route was already useless, and now, is the act of the Seductive President also useless? Perhaps I should ask him about his Marxist Principles1? That may be somewhat useful?'
Xiao YuAn then muttered to himself out loud: "How could he hold back…. it seems like he's preparing for the night…." As he said, he covered his head with the quilt and lay on his back, wrapping himself into a ball with the quilt. Then, he closed his eyes, and went to sleep.
Chapter 165: A Night Attack? Arrange it.
When Yan HeQing walked out of the wing room, he sat down on the cold stone steps for a long time. It wasn't until sunset that he got up and went towards the kitchen, which was filled with a white mist, and emitted the tempting smell of food. As Third Aunt lifted the big wooden lid on the iron pot and bent down to stir-fry the vegetables, she saw Yan HeQing coming, and enthusiastically said: "Yan-gongzi, you've come right in time. Go and call YuAn for dinner."
Yan HeQing replied with a 'yes', but just when he was about to turn around, a person suddenly ran in. That person shouted in an exaggerated voice: "Wow! Auntie, it smells so good! My mouth is drooling! Huh? Who is this?" As Xie Chungui stood beside Third Aunt, he bit his finger and looked at Yan HeQing strangely: "A stranger, how can there be a stranger in our house?"
Third Aunt hurriedly replied: "He's not a stranger, and you can call him 'Yan-ge'."
Before Xie Chungui could reply, Yan HeQing suddenly said: "He can't call me like that."
Because the white vapor emerged from the boiling pot, overflowing the whole kitchen, Third Aunt wasn't able to see Yan HeQing's expression clearly. The only thing she was able to see was the setting sun shining in from the outside, showing the flying dust that was present everywhere: "Ah? Why…?"
Yan HeQing was silent for a long time before he said: "It would be humiliating for him."
Xie Chungui, who was stuck in a childish nature, naturally didn't care about what the two of them were saying. He simply took a chicken leg from the stove and chewed happily.
Third Aunt was at a loss for words as she stood frozen in place, until she heard Yan HeQing saying that he'll go call Xiao YuAn for dinner. After he said that, he turned around, and left.
"Oh, dear…." Third Aunt patted herself on the head and then took a clean cloth to wipe Xie Chungui's mouth: "Slowly, eat slowly. There's no need to rush, once you're done eating, Auntie will cook another one for you."
"Mm-mm!" Xie Chungui smiled very cheerfully.
…
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It was night, the insects were chirping, and the moon was setting.
But Xiao YuAn couldn't sleep.
He couldn't sleep because he didn't understand how Yan HeQing could fall asleep.
Xiao YuAn thought to himself, 'Should I be relieved that Yan HeQing fell asleep after spending the whole day feeling anxious about the "night activities"?'
'He simply fell asleep, just like that?'
'Asleep?'
'He's also sleeping on the bed close to mine, he's not sleeping with me! He even has his back facing me!'
If it weren't because the mere thought of it was impossible, Xiao YuAn would begin to doubt whether Yan HeQing had cheated on him with a random woman outside.
However, Xiao YuAn suddenly had an epiphany.
'Maybe Yan-ge wants to perform a night attack!'
'Yes! It's a night attack!'
'If that's the case, I wonder if I should cooperate properly.'
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Xiao YuAn tightened the blanket, pretending to be asleep, and then… he really fell asleep. He comfortably slept until dawn.
'Wait a minute. I slept till dawn? What?'
'What's going on?'
'What happened to the night… the night attack?'
Xiao YuAn thought that Yan HeQing might not be ready yet, so he patiently waited for another day. In the end, the following night Yan HeQing watched him drink the medicine, took the empty bowl, and went out. When he came back, he extinguished the candle light, and lied on the bed next to Xiao YuAn's.
Xiao YuAn couldn't stand it anymore. He got up, lit the candle, and said: "Yan-ge, you're not even trying to kill this chicken with a knife. You're just waving it back and front, right before the chicken's eyes, because you don't want it to have a good time1, right?"
Yan HeQing knew that sooner or later Xiao YuAn would've asked about it, so he simply turned over, sat up on the bed, and told him the truth: "Your body won't be able to stand it."
Xiao YuAn's eyes widened: "Who's unable to 'stand it'? Who's claiming that a man can't stand it? Who said that? Believe it or not, I will fight with him."
"Physician Zhang."
"….. Then I'll fight with Zhang Baizhu." Xiao YuAn then said wistfully: "Yan-ge, I'm not in a hurry, it's just… I wonder why every time there's an opportunity to do it, it doesn't work out? Every! Single! Time!"
At that, Yan HeQing got up from his bed and sat beside Xiao YuAn. He then gently touched Xiao YuAn's hair, lifted his chin, and planted a kiss on the corner of Xiao YuAn's mouth: "We'll wait for your body to recover, and then…."
"Alright. After all, it would be so humiliating if I were to pass out." Xiao YuAn said.
AD
Yan HeQing slightly raised the corner of his mouth for a brief moment. When he was about to go back to his bed, Xiao YuAn grabbed his clothes, and said: "Yan-ge, don't go over there, just sleep here with me."
Yan HeQing thought about it for a second, blew out the candle, and laid down beside Xiao YuAn; stretching out his arm to embrace Xiao YuAn and protect him in his arms.
Since it was still early, it was inevitable to start a small conversation. Xiao YuAn couldn't stop himself from asking: "Yan-ge, did you think that I was dead?"
Surrounded by darkness, Yan HeQing's body became stiff.
Xiao YuAn hurriedly reached out to pat his back, and gently caressed him.
Yan HeQing's body gradually relaxed: "No. Because I didn't find your corpse."
Xiao YuAn was surprised at this: "You searched for my corpse?"
Yan HeQing 'hmmed' and said: "They said that you were buried alive, so I dug up that piece of land for 10 li2. Your body wasn't anywhere, so I didn't believe that you were dead."
Xiao YuAn was unable to speak when he heard this. He simply reached out and hugged Yan HeQing tightly.
Yan HeQing stroked his hair, and placed his chin against Xiao YuAn's forehead: "Go to sleep. I hope you'll have sweet dreams."
That night, a strong wind blew. That wind hit against the window, and lifted the withered yellow leaves off the trees' branches. However, this wind wasn't able to blow away the warmth surrounding Xiao YuAn.
…
AD
The next morning, Xiao YuAn woke up before Yan HeQing.
As he moved his body, he felt how his consciousness was slowly returning to his four limbs.
However, at that moment, Xiao YuAn felt that something was wrong. As he moved his body, the wrongness became even more obvious, to the point in which he couldn't ignore it anymore.
Even though his body was still pretty much injured, as a man with no erectile dysfunction, Xiao YuAn knew that many men had the 'issue' of finding themselves with an early 'problem'.
Yan HeQing's hand was still around his waist, maintaining a protective pose, and Xiao YuAn cursed inside his mind. Filled with embarrassment, he slightly moved backwards. Unexpectedly, as soon as he moved, Yan HeQing opened his eyes.
Xiao YuAn was completely dumbfounded, frozen in place, as his heartbeat sounded like a loud drum. The sound was so loud that it could almost tear his eardrums apart.
Chapter 166: A Surprise Isn't A Surprise, An Accident Isn't An Accident.
Yan HeQing didn't understand what was wrong at first, but they were very close to each other, so as long as one moved a little, everything could be detected by the slightest move. So, Yan HeQing quickly moved his eyes to Xiao YuAn's crotch.
Xiao YuAn blushed deeply as he placed his hands against Yan HeQing's chest: "Yan, Yan, Yan Yan-ge I'll, I-I, I'll take care of it."
When Yan HeQing saw that Xiao YuAn was about to get up, Yan HeQing turned over and pressed Xiao YuAn on the bed. Then, he said: "I'll help you…."
Before Xiao YuAn could say 'wait a minute!', his belt had already been taken off by Yan HeQing. Xiao YuAn was only wearing a pair of thin undergarments, the front piece of his undergarment was half opened, revealing his chest, which was as bright and clean as white jade.
Even though the clothes on his body were gradually being stripped away, Xiao YuAn felt that his whole body was burning, as if he was thrown inside a stove. Xiao YuAn admitted defeat as he tilted his head away, which was immediately turned back by Yan HeQing pinching his chin.
Yan HeQing looked at those bright eyes, lowered his head, and kissed him gently. Xiao YuAn, who had to close his eyes because they were kissing, suddenly felt that Yan HeQing's palm was rubbing his chest. The pressure wasn't light nor too heavy, and it made him feel lightheaded and numb. Of course, only the hard lower part of Xiao YuAn was teased, making his whole body curl up.
"Don't…." Xiao YuAn subconsciously put his hands against Yan HeQing's chest. At this, Yan HeQing simply grasped his forearm, and then Xiao YuAn's wrist was marked with bite marks. Feeling slight pain from his wrist, he chuckled: "Yan-ge, you were thinking that since other places would be covered by clothes, you could indirectly leave a mark here, don't you?"
Yan HeQing didn't reply, he just lowered his head and kissed Xiao YuAn's arm all the way up, until finally, he sucked and nibbled on Xiao YuAn's neck. Meanwhile, his mischievous hands were repeatedly rubbing and circling around Xiao YuAn's waist and buttocks, but he didn't touch the right 'place'.
Xiao YuAn was so irritated by this that he couldn't help but raise his hips forward, trying to rub himself against anything. The moment he did this, he heard Yan HeQing chuckling in his ear.
President Xiao had lived for two lifetimes, and for the first time he understood what it meant to fly into a rage out of humiliation1.
However, before he could have the time to get angry, his lower part fell into the hands of the bad man who was repeatedly teasing him, until the irresistible pleasure arrived. The trace of pleasure in Xiao YuAn's body crashed through his sanity, until finally, it tickled the strings of the greedy pleasure, playing a song of moans.
AD
"Yan-ge…" Xiao YuAn gasped as he put his hands around Yan HeQing's shoulders, pressing their bodies together.
Yan HeQing knew he was close to finish, so he lowered his head and kissed him fiercely, blocking the soft sobs back to Xiao YuAn's mouth as his hand accelerated the speed.
Xiao YuAn's mind suddenly went blank, and his vision became blurred. His entire body suddenly arched up and then went limp. Even though he wasn't able to think right at the moment, the hands around Yan HeQing were never loosen.
Yan HeQing kissed him and then got up to boil some water. Once the water was ready, he brought a clean cloth and cleaned Xiao YuAn. Then Xiao YuAn pulled Yan HeQing back to bed, half-hugged, half-pressed against him, and slept contentedly.
…
Xiao YuAn spent half a month in Taoyuan Village, recovering from his injuries. At this, Zhang Changsong reluctantly agreed to let Xiao YuAn get out of bed and walk around. Early in the morning, Xiao YuAn propped up his crutches, and walked around the small courtyard as exercise. From a distance, he saw Yang LiuAn and Xiao Fengyue coming in from outside the residence. The two of them were looking at each other as they laughed and talked about something. Yang LiuAn waved his arms as he exaggerated his story. At this, Xiao Fengyue covered his lips and laughed happily. The autumn breeze was gently blowing past, making the leaves of the willows in the courtyard fall on Xiao Fengyue's hair. Yang LiuAn reached out his hand to remove the leaves for Xiao Fengyue, as he raised a smile.
When the two of them stepped forward, they saw Xiao YuAn in the courtyard, and greeted: "Young Master? Why are you in the courtyard? Why aren't you resting in bed?"
Xiao YuAn waved his hand: "It's alright. I'm tired of staying in bed for so long. Where have you two been?"
Xiao Fengyue replied: "Young Master, a group of monks came down from the foot of the mountain, not far away from here, and repaired a temple. We went to pay our respects."
Xiao YuAn replied with a 'ah, oh', and rolled his eyes thoughtfully.
Yang LiuAn stepped forward and said: "Young Master, shall I help you go back?"
Xiao YuAn waved his hand: "I'm fine, don't worry. I should move more from time to time as well. Moreover, Shifu said that walking it's good for recovery."
AD
While they were still having a conversation, Yan HeQing walked in. The recent relationship between Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing made Yang LiuAn and Xiao Fengyue see the sincerity of Yan HeQing's feelings towards Xiao YuAn, so they no longer showed hostility towards him. After nodding to each other, Yang LiuAn and Xiao Fengyue saw that it was the right time to go, leaving Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn alone.
"Does your leg hurt?" Yan HeQing saw that Xiao YuAn was standing, with the help of the crutches, and his eyes fell on his knee.
Xiao YuAn smiled and waved his hand: "It doesn't hurt, it's just that I stumble while I walk, so I can't walk fast."
Yan HeQing put away the crutches for Xiao YuAn and helped him sit on the stone mill. Xiao YuAn had been feeling suffocated these days, due to having to rest and letting his health recover, so when he heard that there was a temple at the foot of the mountain, a thought came to his mind. At this, he smiled and said to Yan HeQing: "Yan-ge, in my last life, before a couple got married, there was an extremely important thing to do. Guess what it was?"
Yan HeQing replied: "Propose marriage."
Xiao YuAn shook his head, winked at him, and replied with a playful smile: "No, they would be dating."
A trace of doubt flashed through Yan HeQing's eyes: "Talk… talk about what2?"
Xiao YuAn simply smiled and stood up. Without the help of the crutches, Xiao YuAn would stagger as he walked, so Yan HeQing hurriedly reached out to hold Xiao YuAn, letting him lean on himself. Xiao YuAn playfully leaned his entire weight against Yan HeQing. Then, he waved his hand, and said: "Let's go, we'll have a date!"
Chapter 167: The Two Lovers Are So Happy Together, That They Kiss As An Offering To The Wu Mountain Of Their Own Initiative.
The temple has just been renovated, so it didn't have much of a reputation yet. The incense wasn't strong, so naturally, there weren't many visitors.
A young monk, no more than seven or eight years old, who was wearing gray-blue clothes and carried a broom, was sweeping the fallen leaves on the steps in front of the temple. Probably because he was bored, he began to sing a song: "Once upon a time, there was a mountain, and in the mountain there was a temple. In that temple, there was a young monk-…"
Suddenly, a man came over. With a smile on his face, that man said: "Who was really pretty~."
The young monk was stunned. As he raised his eyes, he saw that there was a very beautiful man in front of him. However, what attracted the young monk the most, other than the sound of his voice, was the spiritual warm light found in the bottom of that man's eyes.
The man was accompanied by another man with the same extraordinary appearance. That man had a pair of very dignified eyebrows, and handsome eyes, which were extremely rare.
"Really pretty?" The young monk touched the back of his bald head: "Benefactor1, is this what you think it follows?"
Xiao YuAn looked at the silly appearance of the young monk, and thought that he was so cute that he couldn't stop himself from teasing him: "This is how I think that poem goes. Look, I'll recite the whole poem to you."
Xiao YuAn cleared his throat, and sang: "Once upon a time, there was a mountain, and in the mountain there was a temple. In that temple, there was a young monk who looked really pretty! But beauty doesn't compete with spring, it only announces it's arrival. When the flowers in the mountain bloomed, he would laugh in the bushes2. Hey! In the bushes! laughing in the bushes! Laughing!"
The young monk scratched his head, recited 'Amitabha3', and asked: "Benefactor, why do I feel that what you said, and what my Shixiong 4 taught me, seem a little different?"
Xiao YuAn nodded his head, and replied: "We have to adapt to the development of time! Combine theory with practice, persist and develop in the new era-… Cough, I missed the point. Anyway, this is the newest version, come, come, I'll teach you."
An old monk appeared in time to stop Xiao YuAn from continuing to poison the mind of the young disciple of his own Buddhist sect.
AD
The amiable-looking old monk led Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing to the Hall of Great Strength5, and asked: "What can I help these two benefactors with?"
Xiao YuAn chuckled: "Master, why do you ask?"
The old monk put his palms together, and said: "Amitabha, in this world, who doesn't have something on their minds that's weighing on their hearts? The more difficult the request, the more sincere it is."
Xiao YuAn praised: "Master is indeed an understanding person."
The old monk replied: "Benefactor is very complimentary."
When the two of them arrived at the hall, they were surrounded by the fragrance and the smoke of the incense. A golden statue of Buddha, with a solemn appearance, was sitting in the hall. Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing knelt on the futon, one to the left and the other to the right, and worshiped devoutely three times.
When it was time to go back to the residence, Xiao YuAn couldn't stop himself from teasing the young monk again. Unfortunately, the young monk had to ring the bell6, so Xiao YuAn could only go back feeling a bit unhappy.
While they were on their way back, Yan HeQing was worried about Xiao YuAn's injured leg, so he didn't allow Xiao YuAn to walk by himself, insisting on carrying him on his back. In the end, Xiao YuAn couldn't say no to Yan HeQing, and allowed him to carry him under the dark twilight. The sunset light was making their shadows look extremely long.
"Yan-ge, do you want to know what was on my mind, while I was worshipping, in the temple just now?" Xiao YuAn said as he laid on Yan HeQing's back, with his hands around his neck, smiling happily.
Yan HeQing: "What were you thinking about?"
Xiao YuAn cleared his throat, and while copying the intonation used in the tv dramas, he shouted from the top of his lungs: "A worship to Heaven and Earth? Well, I don't know if Buddha could hear me."
Yan HeQing gently raised the corners of his mouth.
AD
"Yan-ge, what did you ask Buddha?" Before Yan HeQing could reply, Xiao YuAn continued: "Wait a minute, let me guess. Did you wish for my injury to get better soon?"
Yan HeQing nodded his head: "Yes."
Xiao YuAn: "Yan-ge, I may become a cripple."
Yan HeQing's feet stopped.
Xiao YuAn continued: "Even though Shifu didn't told me, I still know my own body. I used to be a bit afraid of becoming a cripple, because then I'll have to walk slowly, and that it would take me too much time to find you. But you came, so I'm not afraid anymore; and even if I do become cripple, it'll mean that I would have a good excuse for you to carry me around. When I think about it, I feel a little proud."
Yan HeQing: "Don't talk nonsense, you'll get better." Then, he added: "I'll still carry you, even if your leg is fine."
Xiao YuAn smiled as his eyes curved and he patted Yan HeQing's shoulder: "Yan-ge, turn your head."
When Yan HeQing tilted his head, he was kissed on the lips by Xiao YuAn, who gave him a tender and lingering type-of kiss.
After the kiss ended, Xiao YuAn licked the corner of his mouth, and said: "That winter, when it was cold outside, and I carried you on my back as I walked you back towards the Taiyi Hall, when we still were in the Palace of the Northern Kingdom… At the time, I didn't expect that you'll be carrying me for the rest of my life. But it was worth it!"
Yan HeQing knew that he wasn't a smiling type of person. However, when he was with Xiao YuAn, the corners of his mouth would raise unapologetically; but also, he was unwilling to restrain himself.
After Yan HeQing carried Xiao YuAn on his back for a long time, Xiao YuAn felt sorry for his tiredness and refused to keep being carried. Since Yan HeQing was unwilling, Xiao YuAn said that Yan HeQing either let him walk on his own, or they take a rest. Yan HeQing had to find a nice place in the grass by the side of the road, and let Xiao YuAn sit down.
Xiao YuAn pulled Yan HeQing to sit beside him, as he comfortably laid on his side. Half of his upper body was resting on Yan HeQing's legs. Then, he began to count the stars that gradually appeared in the night sky: "I wasn't able to see so many stars in my last life, and they weren't this bright either."
AD
Yan HeQing 'hmmed', pondered for a while, and then, with some hesitation, asked: "What was that, that you mentioned before, about what a husband and wife had to do before marrying in your last life?"
Chapter 168: Everlasting Longing For Each Other1, My Yan-ge Is So Handsome.
Xiao YuAn didn't expect that Yan HeQing would suddenly ask this. He was stunned, but then he suddenly got up, looked at Yan HeQing, and said with a smile on his face: "Yan-ge, do you want to marry me?"
Yan HeQing didn't deny: "Mm-hmm."
Xiao YuAn crossed his legs, folded his fingers, and counted them while he said with a smile: "If you want to be old-fashioned, then you have to give me a diamond ring of a few dozen carats, and if you want to be a little more sophisticated, you can give me a fish pond. If not, then take me to the most famous tower building in a helicopter, and light up billions of fireworks for me that won't stop until it cracks open a hole in the ozone layer."
Yan HeQing: "…"
Xiao YuAn waved his hand and said: "Oh, I know that you can't do these kinds of things, but it's okay. In my previous life, if two people wanted to get married, there's another method, but this one is the most difficult one. Do you want to know what is?"
Yan HeQing nodded.
Xiao YuAn clenched his fist and cleared his throat. As he looked at Yan HeQing's face illuminated by the light of the moon, he saw that Yan HeQing looked somewhat nervous, and Xiao YuAn couldn't help smiling as he quickly said: "The thing you need to do is…" Xiao YuAn said slowly as he dragged his words. Yan HeQing, who was waiting for the answer on the side, slightly clenched his fists. Suddenly, Xiao YuAn straightened his shoulders and turned his body towards him. Under the starry sky, the two of them looked at each other, their eyes seemed like they were shining with the moonlight: "You'll have to stay with me for a lifetime."
Yan HeQing looked at him. The feelings hidden in the depths of his eyes were now bright and clear as he replied: "I will."
Xiao YuAn's eyes curved as he replied with a smile: "Good. Ah right, Yan-ge, I'll teach you a word that in my previous life, was used to express love."
Then, Xiao YuAn picked up a branch and wrote an English sentence on the ground, which was 'I love you'. In his last life, he had practiced cursive, so the words in English looked beautiful and elegant.
After seeing this, Yan HeQing asked: "Is this a painting?"
AD
Xiao YuAn smiled: "No, it's not a painting. This is a sentence. Come here, I'll teach you how to read it."
After reading the sentence out loud a few times, Yan HeQing, who was talented with languages, learned how to say it correctly in a few minutes. This made Xiao YuAn feel that the halo surrounding the Male Lead was really 360º without any dead angle.
Xiao YuAn dropped the branch and said: "Well, now we're the only ones in the whole world who can understand this sentence."
At this, Yan HeQing asked: "What's the meaning of this sentence?"
Xiao YuAn touched his chin as he replied: "It has different meanings depending on the person. But I'll tell you what it means in my case. For me, it means…" Xiao YuAn paused for a brief moment, thought for a little bit, and continued: "An everlasting longing for each other, because my Yan-ge is so handsome."
"When the peach tree is green and luxuriant, its flowers are in full bloom. If Yan-ge marries, he must make his family happy and peaceful2."
"There are trees on the mountain, and the trees have branches. My heart is happy that HeQing wants to marry me3."
"I'd like to have Yan-ge's heart, so that we can grow old together4."
"The Yuan River is green surrounded by irises, and the Li River has fragrant orchids. I think of HeQing, but I don't dare to say it5."
Yan HeQing:"…"
Xiao YuAn smiled: "Are you still listening to me?"
Yan HeQing: "I'm listening."
AD
Xiao YuAn said: "….. Yan-ge, why aren't you following the routine? Normally, wouldn't you dislike it when I'm talking nonsense, and stop me from continuing to talk?"
Yan HeQing looked at him, and replied: "I want to keep hearing what you have to say."
Xiao YuAn: "Al-…. alright."
Then, Xiao YuAn poured out almost all the literature and ink from his stomach, working hard to express his mind. Finally, he couldn't think of any other poem, and before Yan HeQing let him go, he had to beg for mercy.
It wasn't early anymore, and it was time to go back to the residence. Yan HeQing wanted to continue carrying Xiao YuAn, but he refused, and defended himself by saying: "My legs are fine, you don't have to carry me anymore. Let me walk by myself."
Yan HeQing: "You've walked enough for today."
Xiao YuAn: "I didn't, I'm not tired of walking back and forth. If you keep carrying me on your back, it'll be too hard for you. It's alright, I'll walk by myself. Don't worry, I…."
Before Xiao YuAn could say what he wanted, his voice was suddenly interrupted because Yan HeQing grabbed his waist, and picked him up bridal-style. Then, he began to walk towards the village.
Xiao YuAn, who was clearly set up, said: "I-I understand. The back, why don't you carry me on your back?"
Yan HeQing, however, didn't have any intention of putting him down.
Xiao YuAn was shocked: "Yan-ge, you're not planning on carrying me back to the village like this, right? If the neighbors see us, they will misunderstand."
Yan HeQing looked down at him, and said: "What will they misunderstand?"
AD
Xiao YuAn: "It doesn't matter if they know that my legs are injured, but if they don't, then they may misunderstand…."
As he spoke, Yan HeQing had already walked into Taoyuan Village with Xiao YuAn in his arms. Aunt Ma, who had eaten enough and had gone to take a walk, came face to face with them. When she saw them like that, she suddenly burst out laughing. Then, she shouted: "Yo! YuAn, did you make Yan-gongzi 'angry'?"
Xiao YuAn: "….. Auntie Ma, why do you think that I made Yan-ge angry?"
Aunt Ma took out her handkerchief and gently hit Xiao YuAn, who was still in Yan HeQing's arms: "You still have the nerve to ask Auntie?! You don't have any shame? Does your waist not hurt? You didn't listen to Yan-gongzi's words, and you were… cough, outside! It must be!"
Xiao YuAn: "…"
'Aunt Ma, I beg you, don't read strange books. Your brain will make up messy plots, okay?!'
Aunt Ma finished laughing, raised her finger, and said to Yan HeQing: "This is the right way to treat Xiao YuAn's temperament. If he makes a fuss, you can give him a good 'punishment', then he will remember it for a long time! Yan-gongzi, I support you!"
Aunt Ma deliberately said the word 'punishment' in a meaningful way, making it impossible for anyone to misunderstand what she meant.
Yan HeQing nodded to Aunt Ma, and Xiao YuAn collapsed in his arms, covering his face with one hand.
After teasing Xiao YuAn, Aunt Ma walked away contentedly. At this, Xiao YuAn said: "Yan-ge, see? I told you to carry me on your back. Now Auntie Ma has misunderstood that we were having a 'wild meeting'. With Auntie's mouth, this rumor will spread to the whole village and the other ten nearby villages by tomorrow!"
Yan HeQing 'hmmed' in response.
Xiao YuAn asked: "What do you mean by 'mm-hm'? Hey, hey, hey, Yan-ge!"
AD
Xiao YuAn stretched out his hand and waved it in front of his eyes. When Yan HeQing regained conscience, he looked down at him: "?"
Xiao YuAn, feeling helpless, smiled at him and asked: "What were you thinking about? You were so distracted."
Yan HeQing replied: "Outdoor sex."
Xiao YuAn: "…"
Yan HeQing continued talking thoughtfully: "When you get better, we'll try."
Xiao YuAn slapped himself on the face, so that Yan HeQing wouldn't see whether he was being shy, or if he had collapsed. Xiao YuAn didn't reply on the surface, but he was screaming in his heart: 'I don't care! A righteously open sex-maniac Yan-ge is still handsome beyond belief!'
Chapter 169: Who's The Unrestrained Great Turmoil In the Imperial Harem? Lovers And Friends Speak Their Hearts Out.
When Yan HeQing arrived at the residence with Xiao YuAn in his arms, Yang LiuAn greeted them with a letter. However, he took five steps back when he saw the situation the both of them were in.
Only when Xiao YuAn was put down by Yan HeQing, did Yang LiuAn carefully hand over the letter to Yan HeQing.
Yan HeQing regained his usual mood, took the letter, and thanked Yang LiuAn. After simply glancing at the letter, he didn't rush to read it. Instead, he put it in his palm, crushing it into a ball.
Xiao YuAn glanced at the letter. With the help of the spare light, he saw 'Xue Yan' written on the letterhead, which was very much eye-catching and dazzling.
After saying goodbye to Yang LiuAn, Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing returned to their wing-room. Once they arrived, Yan HeQing lit the candle, and expressionlessly intended to light the letter on fire. Xiao YuAn's eyes and hands quickly stopped Yan HeQing's intentions.
Xiao YuAn: "Yan-ge, don't you want to read what's written inside?"
Yan HeQing replied: "It's not necessary."
There's no need to read it. Yan HeQing already knew what Xue Yan would write, and it can only be one sentence: Come back.
As Xiao YuAn looked at Yan HeQing, he couldn't help but think: 'The Southern Yan Kingdom has just defeated the Eastern Wu Kingdom. The current foundation is turbulent and the regime is divided. If it weren't because Yan HeQing has the Male Lead's aura surrounding him, he would've been running around blindly. Besides, in addition to distant relatives, just one person with bad intentions can stir up the world.'
Xiao YuAn held Yan HeQing's hand holding the letter, and said: "Yan-ge, do you want to live in seclusion with me in Taoyuan Village? We'll no longer pay attention to world affairs again."
Yan HeQing looked at him, but didn't reply.
AD
Xiao YuAn laughed: "Yan-ge, do you even know how turbulent the world will be if you do this?"
Yan HeQing still refused to speak.
Xiao YuAn continued, his voice was as calm as usual, but his words pierced his heart: "Yan-ge, I know that a leisurely life of idle clouds and wild cranes is indeed quite attractive, but that's not the ending you deserve. That's not the ending I want to see either."
Yan HeQing's eyes, which were calm like a lake, finally rippled. His voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of disturbing him, speaking in such a low voice that it was almost inaudible: "You want me to go?"
Xiao YuAn curved his eyes, and the smile under his eyes was as gentle as ever. He said in reply: "Yan-ge, if I go back with you, not to mention everyone in this land, but the people of the Southern Yan Kingdom will surely curse me in their hearts. They will say that you were charmed by beauty, that you ignored the hatred of your family and country, and that you only spoil the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom. While me, on the other hand, I'll be nailed with the words 'The Male Concubine from the Fallen Kingdom' for the rest of my life. In folk culture and unofficial history, or even official historical books, I won't be regarded as a good person by the later generations."
Seeing how Yan HeQing's expression gradually became colder and colder, Xiao YuAn took a deep breath, then said: "Even so, I still want to go with you."
The coldness that Yan HeQing had built up, broke in an instant. As he slightly opened his mouth, because he was surprised, he heard Xiao YuAn continue: "Yan-ge, I'm not afraid of any gossip, and I'm not afraid of any ruthless Palace. Because, Yan-ge, I want to see you conquer the world. I want to see you build your powerful and prosperous Nation. I want to see you mark your name in history. And I also want to be with you, so Yan-ge, if you decide to go back, will you take me with you?"
Yan HeQing was speechless for a long time, but after a while, he replied: "You-…"
Xiao YuAn laughed: "Yan-ge, I know that you're afraid of me being aggrieved, but I'm also afraid of your grievances. Both of us put these emotions in each other's hearts, so instead of being unhappy apart, why don't you take care of ruling the Country and the State, while I'm in charge of the chaos of the harem? As for what others may say, I'd love to talk about it and eat their rice. If their mouths are so free that they can gossip, why don't they use it to eat more delicious food instead?"
Yan HeQing exhaled a long breath, and after gradually relaxing his emotions, he reached out to pull Xiao YuAn into his arms. He immediately kissed Xiao YuAn on the lips, until he couldn't breathe anymore. His eyes became blurred, and his legs felt weak. Then, he said: "You're the only one in the harem, who are you going to mess with?"
Xiao YuAn put his hands on Yan HeQing's shoulders, and replied: "With all the flowers, grass, and trees. Yan-ge, should we go back?"
Yan HeQing hugged Xiao YuAn tightly, resting his forehead on Xiao YuAn's shoulder. After a long time, he finally replied with a 'mm-hm'.
…
After hearing the news that Xiao YuAn was going back to the Northern Kingdom, Yang LiuAn, who had never said no to Xiao YuAn, was in a bad mood for the first time: "Young Master, if you go back to the Palace with Yan HeQing, do you even know what the people of the Southern Yan Kingdom would do behind the scenes? And what everyone in this land would say?"
Xiao YuAn smiled: "I know."
Yang LiuAn couldn't speak. He wanted to follow his heart and persuade him against this idea, but he also wanted to ask Xiao YuAn; 'Is it really worth it?' But when he thought of the past, when they were still in the Northern Kingdom and he had kowtowed, begging Xiao YuAn to let him see Xiao Fengyue one last time, Xiao YuAn had never asked him such a question.
So, in the end, Yang LiuAn couldn't ask.
Even if there are all kinds of tribulations and hardships ahead of them, even if everyone is sincerely plotting against their relationship behind their backs, as long as that person takes his hand, he would no longer have any regret or hatred for the world. There will be no turning back.
Xiao YuAn smiled and patted Yang LiuAn's shoulder: "Everything will be fine, don't worry. Also, I'm really grateful for you and Fenyue being by my side all this time."
Yang LiuAn was speechless, and Xiao Fengyue, who was standing at his side, said softly: "Young Master, LiuAn's life and my own were saved by you. In this life, we didn't have the opportunity to serve you, we could only remotely kowtow to you. I wish that the Young Master can live the rest of his life without any worry, and if we have a next life…"
Xiao Fengyue couldn't finish his words because Xiao YuAn immediately said: "In our next life, we can also be like this. We can still be close friends."
Yang LiuAn waved his hand in panic: "Friends? I don't dare-…"
"If I say we're friends, then we're friends." Xiao YuAn interrupted him with a recklessly unrestrained laugh.
Chapter 170: This Paradise Is Not Our Home, So We'll Wholeheartedly Go Back Home.
The matter regarding Xiao YuAn and Yan HeQing going back to the Northern Kingdom was settled for the time being. Yan HeQing sent a letter to Xue Yan and started preparing for the journey. The first thing he did was to go to the medicinal shop, to ask Zhang Changsong if Xiao YuAn's body could withstand traveling long distances. Only after getting an affirmative answer was he able to rest assured, and went to prepare other matters.
When he heard that Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn were leaving, Zhang Changsong's family was naturally feeling extremely reluctant. Zhang Baizhu ran to Xiao YuAn to ask him: "Why do you want to go there again? And you're even saying that you're going back 'home' to the Southern Yan Kingdom. But, aren't you from the Western Shu Kingdom? Before, you even went to visit your relatives in the Western Shu Kingdom, so why are you saying that you're returning 'home' to the Southern Yan Kingdom?"
Xiao YuAn replied: "What is the point of clearing up such a thing? In the end, we'll belong to the same side anyways."
Zhang Baizhu then said wistfully: "That's what you said after saving that young soldier a while ago. Speaking of which, I saw him outside the village, the one who carried you back that time."
Xiao YuAn's eyes brighten: "Bao Yinxin?"
Zhang Baizhu replied: "Yes, that one. He said that after saving you, he was discovered by his General, and the group of soldiers that saved you were put in prison. Later, when the Southern Yan Kingdom conquered the Eastern Wu Kingdom, the prison cell was broken into, and they took advantage of the chaos to escape. They ended up settling down in a nearby village."
Xiao YuAn smiled: "That's great."
Zhang Baizhu: "Yeah, yeah, I won't say any more. Anyway, this time, you'll have a comfortable, happy, and prosperous life. Where you won't need to worry about the mercilessness of the sword, and where you won't see yourself stuck in a life or death situation."
Xiao YuAn saw that Zhang Baizhu was saying goodbye to him, and before leaving, he said: "Zhang Baizhu, if you have a son, you should name him Zhang Zhongjing, alright?"
"Hmm? Zhang Zhongjing… not bad, it's a nice name!" Zhang Baizhu raised his fist and recited the name out loud, excitedly running back to the medicinal shop to tell Lin Shenling.
Xiao YuAn couldn't help but smile. Suddenly, his waist was hugged from behind, but Xiao YuAn wasn't surprised. He simply leaned back and comfortably pressed his body against Yan HeQing's.
Yan HeQing said: "We'll leave in 7 days. Physician Zhang said that your body still needs to recuperate for a bit. I asked for a prescription."
Xiao YuAn: "No way, I'm alive and I feel perfectly fine, but I still need to recuperate? I'm obviously an energetic young man, but now I'm slowly turning into a medicine jar. Yan-ge, can I stop taking medicine after these few days?"
Yan HeQing replied: "Physician Zhang knew that you would say this. He said…. well…. if you want to have sex without worry… then…"
Xiao YuAn: "…. I've been taking the medicine diligently, and I still can't do it?"
Yan HeQing slightly raised the corners of his mouth, and suddenly remembered something as he asked: "Do you know where the Imperial Palace of the Southern Yan Kingdom is located…?"
"I know, I know." Xiao YuAn tilted his head and raised his hands. Then he hugged Yan HeQing's neck and pressed his body closer to him: "It's the former Imperial Palace of the Northern Kingdom." In the original book, Yan HeQing set up the capital in the former Northern territory, and lived in the Imperial Palace of the Northern Kingdom, because he missed his goddess. This time, his reasons were self-evident.
Yan HeQing, whose head was pressed down by Xiao YuAn, had his lips an inch away from Xiao YuAn's mouth. Their breaths were immediately entwined together.
Xiao YuAn laughed: "Yan-ge, are you afraid that I'll be affected by the scenery when I return to the North?"
Yan HeQing: "Yes."
Xiao YuAn: "It's easy to make it better. If I'm sad, then you just have to kiss me. But you don't have to worry, I won't be sad."
Yan HeQing looked at Xiao YuAn's eyes, and he saw how his own face was reflected in Xiao YuAn's dark pupils, as if he was the only one in Xiao YuAn's eyes.
Xiao YuAn released his hands and let go of Yan HeQing's neck. Then, he turned around in Yan HeQing's arms, and looked at him face to face, as he said with a smile: "Yan-ge, in a few days we'll leave Taoyuan Village, so I'm quite sad now. What do you think you should do?"
AD
Yan HeQing leaned forward and tried to kiss him.
However, they immediately separated when a 'Xiao-ge' suddenly came from beside them.
Xie Chungui, who was holding a small clay figurine he got from somewhere, stood there at this moment. Without feeling embarrassed about interrupting them, he seriously said to Xiao YuAn: "Xiao-ge, can I talk to you?"
"Yes, of course you can. What's the matter?" Xiao YuAn's voice still had a trace of panic.
Who would've thought that Xie Chungui would glance at Yan HeQing, and say: "Xiao-ge, can I talk to you alone?"
Xiao YuAn's eyes flashed with a trace of surprise. He and Yan HeQing glanced at each other. Yan HeQing nodded at him, and walked away.
Xiao YuAn and Xie Chungui were then left alone. After a while, Xiao YuAn finally asked: "Chungui? What's the matter?"
Xie Chungui: "Third Aunt told me that you were leaving. Xiao-ge, is that true?"
Xiao YuAn nodded and wanted to say a few words to soothe him, but before he could speak, Xie Chungui added: "Xiao-ge, are you going to the North? Can you take me with you? I want to go back and see it again."
Xiao YuAn looked at Xie Chungui with a blank stare.
Clearly, these words didn't sound like the usual words Xie Chungui has been speaking recently. But since the smile on his face was still naive and childish, Xiao YuAn didn't know how to reply: "Chungui, you…." He blurted out the word 'you', but he didn't know what to say afterwards.
Xie Chungui lowered his head. As the autumn sun shone with a clear light, the young man stood in place, as his voice slightly trembled: "I want to go back and see. See the territory, the mountains and the rivers of the Northern Kingdom."
AD
Xiao YuAn looked at Xie Chungui, and thought of the young General in the original book. At the beginning, he was also a great hero. A man who was able to hold the fort by himself, and fought against the enemy with the remnants of the defeated army, with only disabled men. But in the end, he was unable to resist the enemy's army, and he was defeated in the battlefield. The white bones of the dead were scattered all over the ground, mixed together with the grass. His head could've grown grey, but he didn't know that the fugitive Emperor was harming the people, nor did he hear that the Imperial Court ate the country's food. The only thing he knew was that he vowed to protect the country with his blood. But in the end, he couldn't grow old.
Xiao YuAn rubbed Xie Chungui's head, and replied: "Alright."
Chapter 171: I'm A Married Man.
In the end, when their day of departure finally arrived, in the dim morning light, the entire Taoyuan Village was shrouded in a hazy mist.
Xiao YuAn silently said goodbye in his heart. Then, he turned around, and smiled at Yan HeQing as he took his hand.
After thousands of miles of traveling, a few days later, they arrived at the Imperial City of the former Northern Kingdom, now renamed as the Southern Yan Kingdom Imperial City.
It was the first month of the Lunar Year. Although the weather was cold, and the ground was frozen, only a few snowflakes were falling down. Even if it was supposed to be the beginning of spring, the North was different, since it has already been covered in snow for several days. The walls of the Palace were covered with white snow, as the petal-like snowflakes fell from the pale sky.
Xiao YuAn, who was wearing a fur brocade, stared dumbfounded at the Imperial Palace in front of him, and asked the maid beside him: "Is… Is this your Emperor's Palace?"
The maid servant replied: "Answering to Xiao-gongzi, yes."
Xiao YuAn: "….."
'Isn't this my old Imperial Palace? And even the appearance hasn't changed at all!'
Xiao YuAn followed the maid into the bedchamber, and was once again shocked. The decorations inside the bedchamber, were almost exactly the same as when he lived there!
Xiao YuAn lightly stroked the window shutter. For a long time, he didn't know what to say. After a while, he finally murmured: "But these things, back then, weren't they robbed, crushed, were lost or got broken?"
The maid explained: "All of these were specially made for His Majesty!"
AD
Xiao YuAn: "….."
'I should remind Yan-ge: I've lived in this Palace for more than a year, but the previous young Emperor of the Northern Kingdom has lived here for over 10 years!'
'It still looks like the place where the young Emperor used to bring over his male concubines!'
The maid didn't notice the subtle change in Xiao YuAn's expression, so she simply said: "Xiao-gongzi, His Majesty said that this will be your bedchamber. What can this servant do for you?"
Xiao YuAn coughed lightly, and said: "Nothing, I'm fine. Is Yan-… cough, is His Majesty still busy?"
"Answering to Xiao-gongzi, yes."
'I thought so. Yan HeQing has just come back, so it's only natural that he will be held up by the government affairs that have been accumulating so far. Not to mention that he'll have to deal with the old Ministers, while also having to watch out for people with ulterior motives. I wonder if Yan HeQing's day at court went smoothly today.'
However, after being apart from each other for less than a day, Xiao YuAn began to miss Yan HeQing, so he quickly tried to distract himself. At this, he asked the maid: "Where's Chungui?"
The maid replied: "Answering to Xiao-gongzi. Xie-gongzi is settled in a Palace not far away from here. Does Xiao-gongzi want to go see him?"
After seeing Xiao YuAn nodding his head, the maid hurriedly led the way.
It was still snowing heavily outside. As the snowflakes fell from the sky, some of them fondly rested on their shoulders. Xiao YuAn breathed out a mouthful of white fog and reached out to catch some of the snowflakes falling from the sky, only to watch them melt in his palm.
"Xiao-gongzi?" The maid lightly called Xiao YuAn.
AD
"Ah?" Xiao YuAn suddenly came back to his senses, closed his five fingers, and clutched the ice water in his palm: "It's nothing, you can lead the way."
Xiao YuAn was led all the way to the close Palace by the maid. From a distance, he saw Xie Chungui playing with the snow, with an excited, child-like expression and a cheerful smile on his face. When he saw Xiao YuAn, Xie Chungui waved his hand from afar, picked up some snow from the ground, and trotted over: "Xiao-ge, look! It's snowing! Snow!"
"Yes, it's snowing." Xiao YuAn's smile was warm.
Xie Chungui looked at the snow on his hands, feeling how the cold spread on his skin. Subconsciously, he held it close to his cheek, covering the half of his face, until the whiteness on his hand gradually became transparent. Xie Chungui put down his hands and looked around, at the now dark-grey sky, with the white snow falling down. Suddenly, Xie Chungui felt an impulse coming from the bottom of his heart.
Xiao YuAn was about to ask Xie Chungui if he had adapted to the cold weather, when suddenly, he saw him kneeling down the ground to kiss the earth and the snow. He looked very devout, like a wanderer who had been traveling for many years, and was finally able to return home.
There were some maids around that thought that Xie Chungui had fallen, and with a cry of surprise, they quickly reached out to help him up. Xiao YuAn took a step forward and held Xie Chungui's arm, who was feeling quite confused, seeing how Xie Chungui's expression was blank: "Huh? Why did I kneel down? What happened?"
Xiao YuAn was dumbfounded, and when he reached out to pat the snow away from Xie Chungui's shoulders, he said: "Nothing happened, nothing happened at all." Xiao YuAn accompanied Xie Chungui to play with the snow for a while. It wasn't until Xie Chungui became tired of playing that Xiao YuAn said goodbye, and left.
As soon as Xiao YuAn returned to his bedchamber, someone hurriedly came to report: "Xiao-gongzi, someone wants to see you."
The maid at his side reminded him: "Xiao-gongzi, His Majesty said that you can refuse anyone's request to meet you."
Xiao YuAn thought to himself 'Is there someone from the Southern Yan Kingdom who wants to see me?'. So he asked: "Who is it?"
"Answering to Xiao-gongzi. It's Chen Ge, General Chen."
'General Chen? Chen Ge has been promoted?!'
AD
Xiao YuAn was happy at this, and said: "Bring him over."
The person who reported the news hurriedly went to invite Chen Ge over. After a while, before Xiao YuAn could even see Chen Ge, he heard his voice coming from the other side of the door: "For the Heavens! Physician Xiao, you're all right! I knew it! Lucky people have their own way of surviving! Whooo waaah!"
Chen Ge exaggeratedly whimpered twice as he entered the bedchamber. As Chen Ge held Xiao YuAn's hands, they looked at each other with teary eyes. Immersed in such a scene, Xiao YuAn was also stirred up emotionally, and after sobbing twice, he shouted: "Chen Ge, your hands! Loosen them! I'm a married man! Pay attention to the misunderstandings this action could bring!"
Chapter 172: I'm A Man Who Knows The Principles Of Marxism.
Chen Ge released Xiao YuAn, rubbed the corners of his eyes, and sighed: "Physician Xiao, it wasn't easy for me to see you. Do you know that if someone wants to meet with you, they have to report it to His Majesty first?"
Xiao YuAn: "…. No, I didn't know. Wait, I still can't believe you're already a General. So, were you in court toda-?"
Chen Ge poured himself a cup of cold water from the table, and drank it in one mouthful. As he wiped his mouth, and without letting Xiao YuAn finish his question, he exclaimed: "Yes! This time, the court was advising His Majesty, but one issue was more complicated than the other. One of them was that His Majesty has always respected old General Xue. But for some reason, after he came back, His Majesty was still the same, but the respect was gone. You could even feel a hint of animosity sparkling between the two of them!"
Xiao YuAn seemed calm on the surface, but his heart has long been shaken by a stormy wave. He slightly curled his fingers, forcing himself to calm down, and asked: "What's the second issue?"
Chen Ge replied: "Secondly, today almost all of the civil and military officials in the court bowed down and advised His Majesty about the same thing; but His Majesty turned away coldly, leaving them kneeling in the same place. Physician Xiao, do you know what that thing was?"
Xiao YuAn smiled: "What else could it be, but me?"
"Physician Xiao." Chen Ge restrained a smile, and said more seriously: "Today, I was among those people."
Xiao YuAn expressed a light 'Hmmm'.
Unexpectedly, Xiao YuAn didn't care much. Chen Ge was stupefied at first, but then he touched his head, and smiled. After sighing, he said: "Physician Xiao, I sincerely hope that you can be with His Majesty, but I don't want the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom to be with my Emperor. Because of you, the whole court was shaken, and all of them are questioning His Majesty's ability. The most fearsome thing when establishing a state, is that the heart of the people won't be united. This way, it'll be difficult for the Emperor to walk his own path in the future."
Xiao YuAn didn't have the intention to restrain his smile, as he said: "Chen Ge, you said those words so harshly, as if you were trying to force me into wanting to leave. Was it General Xue who taught you this trick?"
Chen Ge scratched his head, and whispered: "Yes, yes. Because of His Majesty's instructions, General Xue can't see you, so he asked me to give it a try. Physician Xiao, don't blame me, General Xue is my life-saver. I admire him very much, and…." Chen Ge paused for a long time before continuing: "And, I think that every word General Xue said is very reasonable."
AD
Xiao YuAn expressed another 'hmmm', and didn't say anything else.
Chen Ge knew that this was the end of their conversation, so he stood up, took out a letter from his sleeve, and put it on the table: "General Xue asked me to pass this letter to you. I don't think there's any good words written on it. So, Physician Xiao, you can read it if you want, or burn it if you don't."
After saying that, Chen Ge got up, clasped his fist, and started to walk away. After he took two steps, he heard the man behind him suddenly shout: "Chen Ge!"
Chen Ge's footsteps stopped as he heard Xiao YuAn say: "Thank you for calling me 'Physician Xiao'."
Chen Ge hovered in place for a few seconds, and replied: "If only you weren't the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom." After saying that, he left with big steps.
"If I hadn't transmigrated in his body, and if I hadn't pretended to be him, at that time, I wouldn't have been able to protect Yan-ge…." Xiao YuAn murmured as he reached out for the letter on the table. After hesitating for a second, he opened it.
There was a short sentence written on the thin letter paper: 'I wonder if the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom is still able to remember the oath he made a few years ago?'
'Hmm? What oath did I make?'
'Was it….?'
'Holy shit!'
Xiao YuAn suddenly put his hands on his head.
At that time, when he left the Northern Kingdom, he swore that if he stepped into the Imperial City ever again, he would die a horrible death!
"
"
Xiao YuAn now wanted to go back in time, to slap himself in the face.
'At that time, when I left, I didn't expect that I'd be coming back, aah! After all, at that time, I misunderstood and thought that Yan HeQing hated me, so I firmly didn't believe that I would be running back to my death!'
Life is really full of surprises and excitement, so much that he was even hit in the face with it.
Xiao YuAn silently burned Xue Yan's letter, and then recited the principle of the dialectical relationship between matter and consciousness1.
…
Once Chen Ge walked out of the gates of the Imperial Palace, he saw a man standing in front of him. He was wearing military robes and armor, with snow accumulated on his shoulders.
Chen Ge took a few steps forward, clasped his fist, and knelt down on one knee: "General Xue."
Xue Yan helped him up with one hand, and asked: "How was it?"
Chen Ge replied: "I've told him everything that General Xue wanted me to say, but… it doesn't seem to have any effect."
Xue Yan frowned and exhaled a long breath of white mist, surrounded by the cold snowy night: "Thank you for your hard work. I absolutely don't believe that the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom would be willing to bear the humiliation of having lost his empire, and will simply stay here in peace. I'm sure he's plotting something. His Majesty is blinded by love, and he's not able to see the truth, even if it's right in front of him. I must send someone to pay close attention to the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom."
While Xue Yan spoke, Chen Ge opened and closed his mouth several times, as if he wanted to justify those statements. But in the end, he never said it. Instead, he asked: "But, General Xue, he's well protected by His Majesty, how are you…?"
Xue Yan interrupted him: "I won't make a move on him. I'm not allowed to make a move, and I'm unable to do so. However, I can still send people to stay close to him, waiting for the right opportunity to observe his every move. By the way, Chen Ge, because of the recent issue regarding the former Emperor, and even if people aren't talking about it, I fear that some people are doubting His Majesty's authority in their hearts. I think that someone will take advantage of this to gather party members. We'll have to help His Majesty on this matter by taking close attention to it."
AD
Chen Ge nodded: "General Xue's painstaking efforts, I hope that His Majesty will understand."
Xue Yan gazed at the red walls of the Southern Yan Imperial Palace not far away, and a cold snowflake fell on his cheek.
'Painstaking efforts? Maybe so.'
He, Xue Yan, didn't had any regrets for the former Emperor of the Southern Yan Kingdom, who commited suicide by cutting his own throat on top of the city walls. He didn't regret the promise he made at that time, to protect the Southern Yan Kingdom at all cost, before the former Emperor jumped on the wall. He didn't regret being from the Southern Yan Kingdom, nor did he regret having ruled it for a while. Because he knew that if Yan HeQing conquered the four kingdoms, then he would be able to bring a prosperous and flourishing united country, in exchange for all that was sacrificed.
Therefore, if there were any thorns ahead, as long as he hasn't fallen, he will cut them down with his sword! Xue Yan was willing to do whatever it takes, to sweep away every obstacle in their way to become the strongest country the world has ever seen. Even if some of those things will make Yan HeQing, who has respected him since childhood, to hate him. He, Xue Yan, doesn't have any regrets in his heart.
Chapter 173: I'm A Lustful Man.
"Ah, that's right." Xue Yan suddenly remembered something, and said to Chen Ge: "You must also pay close attention to General Huang."
Chen Ge was stunned, and asked with some cautiousness: "Is General Xue talking about Huang Yue, General Huang?"
"Yes. Today, I heard him mention several times to other people, about His Majesty protecting the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom. He even asked about those people's thoughts on the matter. I suspect that he has the heart of Sima Zhao1." Xue Yan said.
Chen Ge nodded: "Alright, General Xue. I'll keep an eye on him."
Xue Yan nodded, placed his hands behind his back, and his eyes fell once again on the walls of the Imperial Palace not far away from him. The snow was chaotic, the wind was howling, and the world felt cold.
…
By the time Yan HeQing returned to his bedchamber, the snow had already accumulated above his ankles, making him not only leave deep footprints in the snow, but it also emitted a slight creaking sound. Yan HeQing grew up in the South, so the Northern climate wasn't suitable for him. But no matter what, he would force himself to adapt.
The funniest part was that Xiao YuAn, in his last life, was also a Southerner who was afraid of the cold, so it was clear that this Imperial Palace of the former Northern Kingdom wasn't suitable for the two of them to live in. However, Yan HeQing couldn't leave this place aside. After all, this is where Xiao YuAn smiled at him for the first time.
Yan HeQing, who didn't have the time to change his snow-drenched Imperial court attire, called out the maids and guards, and walked into the bedchamber as quietly as he could.
The bedchamber was completely dark, without any candlelights on. With the help of the moonlight, Yan HeQing saw Xiao YuAn lying on his side on the bed, sleeping peacefully.
'Asleep?'
AD
'But, isn't Xiao YuAn unable to sleep without company? Is he pretending to sleep?'
Yan HeQing reached out and gently stroked the side of Xiao YuAn's face. When he saw that his breathing was still steady, he quickly withdrew his hand so that he won't disturb him. As he stood aside, he took off his court attire to change into clean clothes.
However, as soon as he took off his clothes, and exposed his upper body, he suddenly heard the sound of coughing behind him, as if someone was choking in panic.
Yan HeQing's hands stopped midway, slowly put on his clothes, and turned around to look.
When he turned around, he saw that Xiao YuAn was still maintaining his previous position, of lying on his side, as if the cough Yan HeQing heard just now was merely an illusion.
Yan HeQing wasn't polite either. He leaned over and grabbed Xiao YuAn's wrists, pressing them to the top of Xiao YuAn's head. As he firmly pressed him down, he kissed Xiao YuAn until he was out of breath, making him open his eyes.
Yan HeQing lightly said: "Were you pretending to be asleep?"
It took Xiao YuAn a long time to ease his breath, and as he rubbed his neck, he refused to admit it: "Who, who, who's pretending to sleep? You, you, you stole a kiss."
The great President Xiao was full of calculations. He'll first pretend to be asleep, so when his wife comes back, he might secretly steal a kiss. At this, he will slowly open his eyes, grab his wife's neck, and with an evil smile, he'll say: 'Hmm? Why did this little demon steal a kiss from me? Tell me, what's this about?'
When he thought about it, it'll be both an stupid and interesting scenario!
However, who would've known that the second he saw Yan HeQing undress, he was exposed.
'Can you even blame me for that? Can you?'
AD
Illuminated by the white moonlight, Yan HeQing's back looked like a perfect piece of white jade. The lines of his waist were strong and smooth, his long black hair was gathered on one side of his shoulder. There was a thin scar under his shoulder blade, which may even disappear in a few months, but now it looked very attractive. The scar went down his smooth and beautiful back, making your eyes follow that line all the way down, and further down….
Then, Xiao YuAn coughed.
'Can you blame me for that!? Yan HeQing's figure would make anyone unable to fucking control their seven emotions and six desires2, alright?!'
Even though his body's movement was still limited by Yan HeQing, Xiao YuAn knew that he couldn't lose. Originally, he wanted to complain, to arouse Yan HeQing's sense of shame, but who would've known that Yan HeQing would lean down, once again blocking Xiao YuAn's mouth with his own. As he kissed him, the lack of oxygen made Xiao YuAn pant and struggle. It wasn't until his cheeks turned red that he was released.
Yan HeQing said leisurely: "I'm not stealing kisses, I'm kissing you openly."
Xiao YuAn: "…. All right, all right!"
He was speechless!
Yan HeQing let go of Xiao YuAn's hands, and laid down on his side. Xiao YuAn thought about what Chen Ge told him today, and felt that he couldn't ask Yan HeQing about it without being too obvious. After he hesitated for a while, he asked: "Was it a tiring day?"
Yan HeQing looked at Xiao YuAn. Since the two of them were lying on their sides, their eyes were facing each other, their faces reflecting in each other's eyes. Yan HeQing reached out to lift Xiao YuAn's black silk-like hair, twisted it between his fingers, and kissed it. Then, he softly replied: "I'm in charge of governing the country, and you're in charge of the chaotic harem. The rest, it doesn't matter."
Xiao YuAn's heart suddenly felt sore as he reached out and hugged Yan HeQing tightly, burying his head in Yan HeQing's neck and shoulder: "Mm-hmm."
They hugged each other and slept. The next morning, Yan HeQing had to get up early, hurrying to the morning court.
Xiao YuAn didn't have anything to do, so he found himself something to distract himself. He took out a wooden box from his luggage, which in addition to clothing, it was the only thing he brought from Taoyuan Village.
AD
In the wooden box, there were three items quietly lying inside. A vermillion hairpin, a gray broken hairband, and a thin piece of paper filled with the names of the fallen soldiers from the Northern Kingdom.
Xiao YuAn grabbed the wooden box, and asked the maid: "Is the former Northern Kingdom's Temple of Heaven still there?"
The maid saluted him and replied: "Answering to Xiao-gongzi, it's still there."
Xiao YuAn asked again: "Then, can I go?"
The maid smiled, and said: "His Majesty left an Imperial edict for Xiao-gongzi. With this Imperial edict, Xiao-gongzi can go anywhere he wants." As she spoke, the maid handed over the Imperial edict to Xiao YuAn.
Xiao YuAn expressed a surprised sound, took the Imperial edict, and turned it over a few times. He couldn't help curving his eyes, pursing the corners of his mouth, and giggling for a while. Then he raised his head and said to the maid: "Could you please prepare three incense sticks and a pot of wine for me?"
Even though the maid was puzzled, she quickly prepared everything that Xiao YuAn needed.
With this Imperial edict in his possession, Xiao YuAn was no longer worried. He wanted to go to the Temple of Heaven alone, but the Imperial Bodyguards said that the Emperor had ordered them to accompany him at all times. Since Xiao YuAn didn't want to make it difficult for them, he let them accompany him.
Chapter 174: I'm A Man Who Can't Avoid Problems.
Under the Temple of Heaven, the ninety-nine steps looked as if they were endless, just like in the old days, as if they were going straight to the sky. The ancestral shrine of the Northern Kingdom didn't escape the fate of being destroyed, and it was completely burned down by a fire. The place where the ancestral temple used to be, was now a piece of land full of saplings. After Xiao YuAn thought about it, he walked towards that place.
Suddenly, a man came out from the brushes. That man had a beard, his body was burly, and his messy hair covered his face, which was filled with hideous scars. When he swooped over to stand in front of Xiao YuAn, his sudden appearance startled Xiao YuAn.
"Who's coming? This place can't be stepped in at will." That man's voice was loud as a bell, and his aura was imposing like a rainbow1.
The Imperial Bodyguards came forward with their swords, and one of them said: "Get out of the way, we have an Imperial edict."
Xiao YuAn handed over the Imperial edict, but the man didn't take it. Instead, he fixed his eyes on Xiao YuAn's face. That man stared at Xiao YuAn with a deadly gaze, as if he wanted to burn a hole in his face.
Xiao YuAn was a bit confused by the stare he was receiving, and as soon as he was about to look up, the Imperial Bodyguard behind him stepped forward, and unceremoniously pushed the bearded man away: "Go away, go away. You already saw the Imperial edict, why are you still standing here for?"
The bearded man, who was pushed away, staggered a few steps. As he lowered his head, he silently retreated to one side.
As the Imperial Bodyguards led Xiao YuAn forward, Xiao YuAn had an idea in his heart, and couldn't help himself from asking: "Who is that man?"
The Imperial Bodyguards didn't know that Xiao YuAn was the former Emperor of the Northern Kingdom, so one of them replied without hesitation: "Xiao-gongzi, that man was originally from the Northern Kingdom. After the Northern Kingdom was conquered, he surrendered to our country. General Xue has always been a kind-hearted man, so he gave this man a way to live by giving him the job of taking care of the vegetation at the Temple of Heaven. I heard that he went crazy a few months after he surrendered, and that he's always murmuring about whether he's going to die or not. Don't worry about it."
Xiao YuAn's hands were red and painful, because he was forcibly holding the wooden box. Only after a long time did he exclaim a 'hmm' sound.
Once Xiao YuAn and the Imperial Bodyguards arrived at the place where the ancestral shrine of the Northern Kingdom used to be, he saw that there were only a few pieces of ashy-gray pine trees and cypress left behind, with fallen leaves on the ground. Xiao YuAn looked around and found a shelter, knelt down, then dug a pit, dirtying his hands with the mud. The Imperial Bodyguards didn't understand what he was trying to do, but when they asked him if he needed any help, Xiao YuAn shook his head and refused.
AD
Xiao YuAn opened the wooden box, and finally, took a look at the three things inside. After taking a deep breath, he buried the wooden box in the ground.
After all this, he knelt on the ground, stroked the pit, and said inside his heart: 'I'm sorry. I'm not your Northern Kingdom's Emperor, and I hope to have the opportunity to repay for the mistakes I've made in this life one day. But now, I only want to be Xiao YuAn.'
After silently reciting these things inside his heart, Xiao YuAn took out three incense sticks and wine, and respectfully worshipped them. After this, he stood up feeling like he had accomplished something big, and took a long deep breath, as if his lungs would exhale all the dirt inside of him. Then, he turned around to the Imperial Bodyguards, and said: "Let's go."
The Imperial Bodyguards nodded and accompanied Xiao YuAn. When they passed by the place where they met the bearded man, Xiao YuAn saw him hunching his back to remove the weeds. How could such an obviously sturdy person look so small?!
'Considering the way he looked at me just now, I guess that he should have recognized me.'
Xiao YuAn felt that he should say something to him as he stepped forward. But then, he stopped.
'What can even I say to him?'
Xiao YuAn kept his hands at his sides, clenching them into fists, until his palms turned red.
The bearded man seemed to feel a gaze looking at him, so he stood up and looked over. His face was filled with scars, and these scars seemed to tell the tragic story of a war. Xiao YuAn felt like something was stuck in his throat as closed his eyes, and murmured an apology.
The bearded man was stunned at first, but then he clenched his teeth and his cheeks tightened. After a brief moment, he relaxed his face again, and stepped forward: "What? What did gongzi say? This servant didn't hear it. Does gongzi have something to tell this servant?"
Xiao YuAn opened his eyes, and before he could reply 'no', the bearded man, who was slowly approaching him, suddenly ran over! With his hands half-hugging and half-pushing Xiao YuAn, they fell off the cliff that was beside the path!
There was an exclamation of surprise, and the Imperial Bodyguards were too slow to react!
AD
Xiao YuAn only felt weightless for a moment, and then his body fell to the ground. But when he didn't feel the pain that should've arrived after falling down, he was stunned.
There was a protruding stone wall under the cliff, which was covered with a thick layer of leaves, cushioning the pain from falling off a cliff. When he was pushed down by the bearded man, the bearded man had deliberately put himself below, so that Xiao YuAn would fall on top of him; Xiao YuAn wasn't hurt at all.
After the bearded man got to the ground, he rolled over, grabbed Xiao YuAn without hesitation, and dragged him somewhere. Xiao YuAn then found that there was a small cave behind the stone wall, and if he was dragged into the cave, then he wouldn't be seen by the people above; making them think that they fell all the way down.
Xiao YuAn fiercely twisted the beaded man's hand, and before he could break away from him, he heard the man say: "Your Majesty, weichen will… will help you escape from this place."
Chapter 175: What Do People Fear When They Sleep?
Xiao YuAn was stunned for a moment, as he was immediately dragged into the cave. When the bearded man released him, he knelt down on one knee in front of him: "Your Majesty, I'm General Li Wuding's Deputy General. You may not know me, but don't worry, I know how to get out of here. Weichen will escort you out."
"I-… I'm not…." Xiao YuAn's voice was trembling slightly as he reached out to pull up the bearded man. "Don't kneel down to me. Get up."
The bearded man was unwilling to get up, and insisted on kneeling: "Your Majesty, you have to believe that Weichen will take you out of here. Weichen has already prepared this place and an escape route for a long time. Your Majesty, you've suffered enough. Imprisoned in the enemy's country, enduring the humiliation and being bullied by others…."
"No, I'm here on my own free will." Xiao YuAn suddenly interrupted him.
The bearded man's voice stopped abruptly, like a broken string of the Guqin, leaving behind a heartbreaking trembling sound. As he raised his head to blankly stare at Xiao YuAn, his shoulders dropped abruptly. When he looked at Xiao YuAn, his gaze was filled with incomprehension: "You, you're voluntarily staying here? How can you… how can you stay here voluntarily?"
Xiao YuAn reached out to help him get up, and said: "I'm just… just living here, the same as you."
At the top of the cliff, someone began to shout Xiao YuAn's name, which could be heard vaguely down in the cave.
The bearded man knelt down once again, this time with both knees on the ground: "Your Majesty, I've spent half of my life fighting for the Northern Kingdom, and I never had second thoughts during that time. I had many Xiongdi, but all of them died on the battlefield. I was the only one who decided to live, and ever since then, my conscience has been tormenting me every day. I dreamt about those dead Xiongdi countless times. In those dreams, they would poke me in the back, asking me why I was still alive. Your Majesty, can you tell me why am I still alive?!"
Xiao YuAn couldn't stand to see the bearded man bowing his head and kneeling, so he simply knelt down as well, and said: "I'm not the Emperor of the Northern Kingdom…."
The bearded man interrupted him: "Your Majesty! Even if our country was conquered, you're still our Emperor. The Monarch of the Northern Kingdom, this title is engraved in your bones, and it will follow you for the rest of your life. Even if you change your name. Even if you deny it. It's all useless in the end. Your Majesty, let's leave this place; maybe, we can still rise again and take back the Northern Kingdom!"
The words said by the bearded man was like an iron whip with thorns. Every sentence he said was a huge slap to Xiao YuAn's heart, until the flesh and bones under his skin became blurred, to the point where it was no longer possible to distinguish Xiao YuAn's appearance. Like this, Xiao YuAn could no longer say anything in his defense.
AD
The bearded man suddenly pulled out a dagger from his waist: "Your Majesty, are you really unwilling to leave this place?"
However, Xiao YuAn didn't make a sound for a long time.
"Alright…. then forgive Weichen for being rude. I will leave first. Weichen had such an intention for a long time, but I wasn't able to make up my mind. Today, when I saw His Majesty, I couldn't stop thinking that maybe the meaning of my life was to take His Majesty and escape from the Southern Yan Kingdom. However, I didn't expect that His Majesty would be unwilling to leave. That he would be willing to be a prisoner…. What am I talking about? Who am I to blame His Majesty? When I also betrayed my Xiongdi, and surrendered to the enemy…."
Suddenly, the bearded man threw back his head and laughed out loud, until he was out of breath, as if he had lost his mind. Xiao YuAn thought that he meant that he'll leave first, but who would've thought that the bearded man would suddenly raise a dagger, which looked very sharp, and cold.
Xiao YuAn immediately shouted as he rushed forward: "NO!"
Unfortunately, it was too late. The bearded man cut his own throat, and the warm blood immediately spattered on Xiao YuAn's face. The bloody smell was extremely heavy.
All of a sudden, Xiao YuAn was taken back to the time when he worked hard every day, painstakingly trying to save the Northern Kingdom. But in the end, Xiao YuAn once again felt powerless and feared the will of the Heavens, dragging him into the abyss again and again.
Xiao YuAn's body trembled uncontrollably, as his ears roared with the repeated sound of someone calling 'Your Majesty'. Those voices blended together, were like thousands of ghosts crying and howling in distress.
Xiao YuAn suddenly raised his hand, and slapped himself hard on the face. Then he held his head with both hands.
When an Imperial Bodyguard climbed down the cliff to find Xiao YuAn, he found that the bearded man had already lost his breath. Xiao YuAn was curled on the ground, covered with the splattered blood. The Imperial Bodyguard hurriedly came forward, and said: "Xiao-gongzi, are you all right? I'll take you up, and then we'll go to report to His Majesty-….."
Xiao YuAn abruptly raised his hand, grabbed the Imperial Bodyguard's arm, raised his head, and said: "Don't tell your Emperor. Don't say anything."
The two of them had agreed that Yan HeQing would be responsible for ruling the country and the state, so Xiao YuAn should take care of these things.
AD
At this time, Yan HeQing was reading the official documents, when he suddenly heard an Imperial Bodyguard report: "Your Majesty, General Xue said that he has something important to report."
Yan HeQing raised his head from the memorials, frowned slightly, and said: "Let him in."
After a short while, Xue Yan stepped in, clasped his fist, and knelt: "Your Majesty."
"General Xue, you may rise." Although Yan HeQing was courteous, his attitude was in fact neither cold nor warm. He didn't even call Xue Yan 'Uncle' like he did in the past.
Xue Yan stood up, and said: "Your Majesty, there were some soldiers in the army who had plotted a rebellion. They were discovered in time and have been dealt with."
Yan HeQing: "Hmm, General Xue worked hard."
Xue Yan: "Your Majesty, the reason for this rebellion was because some Deputy Generals in the army heard that you're protecting the former Emperor of the North-…."
Yan HeQing interrupted him with a heavy voice: "General Xue, is there anything else you want to report? If not, then you may go back, and take a rest."
Xue Yan was dumbfounded. After hesitating for a moment, he cupped his fist, and retreated. However, once he turned around, he suddenly said: "HeQing, tell me. Do you want love, or do you want your family and country? Do you want to stay together with him, or do you want to conquer the world?"
Yan HeQing didn't take his eyes away from the memorials in his hands. At the same time he finished writing the last sentence, he said indifferently: "Uncle, I want both."
The thing that Yan HeQing wasn't afraid of, was to fight with all of his strength.
What's the point of telling him to choose between the two, when it's clear that he hasn't put his life in danger?
AD
In this world, the hardest thing to obtain is when the person you like, likes you back.
At this moment, Xiao YuAn is standing with him, and he no longer wants to leave. Even if there were thousands of soldiers against him, and even if thousands of people were pointing at him, what does Yan HeQing have to be afraid of?
Chapter 176: The Soul Of A Soldier Is Lost, And The Soul Of A Country Is Empty.
Xiao YuAn, in order to clean off the blood on his body, spent almost an hour soaking in the bath. Only then could Xiao YuAn press all his emotions back inside his heart, completely calming down. After he changed into dry and clean clothes, he went back to his bedchamber.
However, after a wave that had not yet subsided, another wave started again.
Xiao YuAn had just stood still when a maidservant suddenly came to report in a hurry: "Xiao-gongzi, Xiao-gongzi! Something terrible happened, Xie-gongzi ran out of the Palace by himself!"
Early this morning, Xie Chungui woke up and suddenly began to mumble something about the Xie family to himself. Then he was desperate to get out of the Palace, but the Imperial Bodyguards didn't let him leave. He was just like a child, sitting on the ground, and crying out loud. When the Imperial Guards saw that he was a fool, they wanted to report this issue first, and then take action. But as soon as they stopped paying attention to him, Xie Chungui calmed down, climbed the wall, and escaped!
"Those Imperial Guards are too careless!" Xiao YuAn was extremely angry and amused at the same time. "Although Xie Chungui is very skillful, he's still one person. Aren't they able to stop him?!"
"Xiao-gongzi, that's because His Majesty has given the order that you two can't be hurt. Every order must be followed obediently!" The maid replied. "Xiao-gongzi, what should we do?"
Xiao YuAn: "Don't worry, I think I know where he went."
Xie Chungui was walking down the street in a daze. He still didn't understand what had happened to him, but earlier today, when he was eating his meal, the maid had served him a dish of exquisite delicacies. As she smiled, she explained: "Xie-gongzi, this dish is unique to our Southern Yan Kingdom. Please try it."
Suddenly, Xie Chungui's heart was filled with depression. The appetizing dish in front of him was slowly covered in blood, staining the entire wooden table with a horribly bright red color. Xie Chungui fiercely overturned the table and hurriedly stood up in a panic, raising his head only to observe how the sky turned into a solid golden net, pressing straight down at him. As the words 'Southern Yan Kingdom' echoed in Xie Chungui's ears like a vicious curse, he hurriedly covered his ears and desperately ran away as fast as he could.
When he came back to his senses, he was already walking on the main street of the Imperial City.
All around, there was a bustling crowd of people. The sounds of shouting, selling and bargaining were mixed together, forming a scene of prosperity and harmony. There were stalls cooking noodles and wontons on the roadside. As soon as the lid was lifted, the white mist immediately blurred the whole Imperial City. The tragedy of the country being conquered three years ago, seemed to have been swallowed by the people together with the fragrance of wontons.
AD
Xie Chungui stood frozen in place, thinking: 'Where's this? What was I going to do?'
'Right, my name is Xie Chungui. But, where am I?'
Xie Chungui looked left and right, when suddenly, he was surprised to recognize something from his memories upon seeing the corner of the street. 'The same blue stone slabs, the same corner alley.'
'Here, it looks like my old home; and this place looks like my country.'
A strong sense of familiarity slowly poured into Xie Chungui's mind, along with an inexplicable joy. Xie Chungui refused to let go of this feeling, and went to that corner to observe things more carefully.
'Isn't that store selling my favorite sweet-scented osmanthus cake?'
'Isn't that the clearing where I used to play as a child?'
'The accent of those people yelling, isn't it the same one I used to hear when I was young?'
'This place is my country! This place is my home!'
Xie Chungui suddenly became excited as he ran towards the familiar place that lived in his memory. As he rushed through the street, he accidentally bumped into someone.
That man exclaimed an 'ouch' as he fell. After he stood up, and was getting ready to blame that person, as soon as his eyes fell on Xie Chungui's face, he was extremely stunned. As he pointed at Xie Chungui with a trembling finger, he was unable to utter a complete sentence: "The youngest son of the Xie family? You, you, you… how? We all, all thought that you were killed on the battlefield. You, you, you…."
'The youngest son of the Xie family?'
"
"
After hearing those words, Xie Chungui suddenly remembered the reason why he wanted to come here, after hearing Xiao YuAn say that he'll go to the North that day.
'That's right. I wanted to go back home, to see it again!'
Then, the man pulled Xie Chungui up, and said with emotion: "It's good that you're alive! It's good that you're alive! At least, the Xie family's line wasn't erased. Second son of the Xie family, are you in a hurry to go back to worship?"
After hearing the man's words, Xie Chungui repeated the last words feeling very puzzled: "….. Worship?"
"Yes, on the day when the country was conquered, more than 20 members of the Xie family died together. Your house was filled with too much blood and the resentful energy was too deep. Although it was located in the Imperial City, no one has dared to move in there, so it's been empty for the past three years! Speaking of which, where have you been in the past three years, since the Southern Yan Kingdom conquered the Northern Kingdom?"
'The Southern Yan Kingdom conquered the Northern Kingdom?'
'The Northern Kingdom was conquered?'
'Conquered?'
Suddenly, a thousand iron needles were ruthlessly twisted inside Xie Chungui's body, relentlessly grinding his head and limbs. The pain he felt was so strong, that it was like torture. Something was repeatedly being torn apart inside the depths of his memory, on the verge of coming out into the open.
Chapter 177: These Green Hills Have The Honor To Bury The Bones Of The Loyal1.
After seeing that Xie Chungui's face was unnatural, the man knew that he had said something that he shouldn't have. So, he tried to give him some advice: "You… hey, don't be like this. It's been three years. Look at the bright side, although our country's name is now 'Yan', the taxes aren't heavy, and there are no domineering corrupt officials. Our people have enough food to eat, enough clothes to wear, and we can even have spare money. Isn't it that good enough? As the saying goes, 'the most important thing, is that people won't have to worry about food'….. hey, where are you going?"
While the man was still talking, Xie Chungui suddenly threw him aside, staggering away as he held his head with one hand.
Xie Chungui couldn't hear the shouts of the passersby around him, and he couldn't see the strange gazes directed at him. As he stumbled across the street, he turned left, and a mansion appeared in front of him.
The plaque of the house was broken, pitifully smashed on the ground. The two stone lions in front of the door had disappeared, and there was a thick layer of dust on the ground, leaving behind a noticeable footprint once you stepped on it.
Xie Chungui stood bewildered in front of the mansion, almost out of breath, and a dull pain coming from his chest. As he walked forward step by step, he slowly reached out his hand to open the gates that had been closed for three years.
The strong smell of dust slapped him in the face. As he walked further inside, the once clean front yard was now covered with overgrown weeds, and broken walls. As Xie Chungui took a few steps, he suddenly kicked a stone, which rolled away revealing an object underneath.
That object was hidden under the weeds, and it was hard to find if you don't look carefully. As Xie Chungui leaned over to pick it up, he found that it was an old, yellowed invitation. The words above were barely legible, and he could merely read a few words: 'Congratulations to Li Wuding…. Great General….'
Xie Chungui seemed to have suddenly woken up from a heavy sleep. As he straightened his back, he slowly held his head and squatted down, fiercely pinching his scalp with his fingers, biting his lips to the point of almost bleeding.
'Wake up.'
'It's time to wake up.'
'Not only I'm Xie Chungui, the second son of the Xie family, but I'm also the General of the Northern Kingdom! My military mission is to fight the enemy, and protect the country!'
"
"
It was as if he was back to three years ago, on that snowy night, when he delivered the rations accompanied by a song. The smoke from the fire was in front of them, and behind them, there were the ox carts filled with the rations that hadn't been delivered in time.
The Deputy General in that city fell on his knees and howled. Every word he said was soaked in blood, and his voice pierced through Xie Chungui's heart, as if it was sharper than any sword in the world: "General Xie, Deputy General Nie was beheaded by Yan HeQing! He cut his throat! General Nie soldiers broke through the siege and fled back to tell us that General Li and his men went to seize the rations, but they were trapped in the enemy's barracks. They ended up being burned to death by Yan HeQing! All of them!"
That day, the Deputy General's desperate cries still echoed clearly in his ears. Xie Chungui pinched himself fiercely, and squeezed his arm until he left behind black and purple bruises. Only then was he able to slightly control his emotions. Then he stood up and walked step by step towards the main hall of the Xie Mansion. With every step, he carried the determination he had that day when he tried his best to kill Yan HeQing, when he resisted the Southern Yan Kingdom from stepping inside the Northern Kingdom's territory.
But in the end, he was still defeated, and he was unable to protect the Northern Kingdom after all.
When Xie Chungui slowly stepped into the main hall of the Xie Mansion, which has become a funeral hall, he saw that there were more than 20 tablets placed neatly. Behind the hall, there were several coffins covered with dust.
When Xie Chungui heard that day that he'll have to go to the battlefield, his mother had said to him: "Son, do you remember the Xie family motto?"
Xie Chungui replied: "Mother, don't worry, your son remembers it by heart."
His mother nodded her head, and said: "Our Xie family has been loyal for generations. Your father and your brother died on the battlefield. They don't have any regrets for their loyalty, you must not disgrace them."
Xie Chungui: "Mother, you can rest assured, if the enemy wants to step into the Northern Kingdom, they'll have to step over my corpse."
As his mother gently stroked his hair, she said softly: "If that day were to come, don't worry. You won't be alone on the road to the Yellow Springs."
At dusk, the sunset looked like blood in the sky. At this moment, Xie Chungui knelt in front of the 20 or so tablets.
His mother's words of advice were intertwined with the words of advice that man gave him today, about how the people had enough to eat. Even though both pieces of advice were clearly different from each other, neither was wrong.
AD
Xie Chungui kowtowed three times, and as soon as he raised his eyes, he saw his tablet placed in the funeral hall. Then, he stood up and stroked the words engraved on the tablet, and walked into the back hall.
There were more than 20 coffins disorderly piled inside the back hall, and such a scene was very shocking to see. The relatives laying inside the coffins had long turned into white bones. As Xie Chungui looked at every single one of them, he finally found the coffin that had his name engraved on it. When he tried to open it with all his might, he saw that the tattered family motto was quietly lying inside.
Xie Chungui picked up the family motto with trembling hands, and opened the first page. Inside, there was only one sentence written on it: "The Xie family's descendants will share life and death with the Northern Kingdom!"
At this, Xie Chungui couldn't help crying from the bottom of his heart. He slowly climbed into the coffin as he held the old invitation and his family motto, curled up, and almost choked to the point of losing his breath.
There was a wind blowing through the hall, and the sound of sobbing was sad and powerless.
Chapter 178: The Wind Sweeping Through The Tower Heralds A Rising Storm In The Mountains1.
When Xiao YuAn found Xie Chungui in the Xie Mansion, Xie Chungui was kneeling on the ground, pulling the weeds with his bare hands. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was messy, and his hands were covered with blood due to the roughness of the ground. But he refused to stop.
Xiao YuAn took a deep breath, half knelt down beside Xie Chungui, grabbed his wrist and blocked his movements: "Chungui…."
Xie Chungui's movements stopped, but he didn't make a sound.
Xiao YuAn's eyes were slightly turning red as he said with a soft tone of voice: "Chungui, let's go back, alright?"
Xie Chungui asked: "Where to? Where can we go back?"
Xiao YuAn replied: "We'll go back to the Palace."
Xie Chungui: "The Palace? Is that home?"
Xiao YuAn's throat seemed to have been suddenly grabbed, and he couldn't utter a single sound.
No. That's not Xie Chungui's home. Even Taoyuan Village isn't Xie Chungui's home.
The Northern Kingdom is Xie Chungui's home. However, the Northern Kingdom no longer exists.
Xiao YuAn wasn't sure how to reply. Xie Chungui pulled up the last weed on his own, and then respectfully kowtowed three times towards the funeral hall. With his head still lowered, making it impossible for other people to see his expression, he said to Xiao YuAn: "Let's go… back to… the Palace."
AD
After sending Xie Chungui back to his bedchamber, and instructing the maidservants to take good care of him, Xiao YuAn went to his own bedchamber.
After such a crazy day finally quieted down, Xiao YuAn summoned his maidservant and slowly walked towards his bedchamber. The sky was already dim, the wind was whistling, the snow was falling down, and the cold was piercing. Xiao YuAn walked slowly, allowing his body temperature to be taken away.
As he approached his bedchamber, Xiao YuAn suddenly stopped, and looked straight ahead.
There was a person standing at the entrance of the bedchamber. That person should have been waiting for a while, looking a little bit anxious. However, after that man saw Xiao YuAn, his eyes flashed with joy. As he hurriedly walked a few steps towards Xiao YuAn, he patted the snow away from Xiao YuAn's soulders and head. Then he took off his robe to tightly wrap Xiao YuAn's body. As the warmth seeped into Xiao YuAn's body, that man soothed his frozen limbs.
Xiao YuAn suddenly choked up, and shouted softly: "Yan-ge…."
"Yes, I'm here." Yan HeQing lowered his head, gently kissed Xiao YuAn's cheek and lips: "Are you tired?"
Xiao YuAn replied: "Hug me quickly."
After hearing this, Yan HeQing didn't hesitate and placed his arms around Xiao YuAn, tightly hugging him.
Xiao YuAn buried himself in Yan HeQing's arms, took a deep breath, and said: "I'm not tired."
Yan HeQing calmly stroked his hair soothingly. When suddenly, Xiao YuAn raised his head, and said: "Yan-ge, let's go out of the Palace and walk around. Just you and me."
"Alright."
It was still early, and the Imperial City was as lively as ever. The Gongzis and young Ladies passed by wearing fur coats, there were children chasing each other in the alleyways, and there were vendors shouting everywhere.
AD
Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn walked side by side. Xiao YuAn was curious about the gadgets on the side of the road, so from time to time he would point at something, shouting 'Yan-ge look at this' and 'Yan-ge look at that'.
While looking at these things, Xiao YuAn ran ahead. Yan HeQing, who was a few steps behind, reached out to hold his hand. When Xiao YuAn's body was pulled towards Yan HeQing, he turned his head, and looked at Yan HeQing's hand, raising his eyes all the way to his face. As Xiao YuAn curved his eyes and laughed wantonly, he held Yan HeQing's hand, interlocking their fingers together.
Suddenly, the sound of a noisy suona could be heard in the distance, playing the tune with great joy. Some idle shopkeepers poked their heads out and stretched their necks to watch.
Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn both retreated to the side of the road, only to see a wedding procession coming from afar. Ten li of red wedding dress2 accompanied with several drums rumbling. It looked so lively!
Xiao YuAn laughed: "Oh, a wealthy family, it's so ostentatious. Hey, Yan-ge look. The bridegroom on horseback is wearing beautiful wedding clothes, they look really good on him." Yan HeQing followed Xiao YuAn's gaze and saw the red sedan carried by eight people. In front of the red sedan chair, the high spirited bridegroom rode a horse with a red ribbon tied on its head. The bridegroom's face was full of joy as he bowed his hands, thanking the people who were celebrating around him. His red wedding clothes decorated with gold embroidery, seemed to have exquisite workmanship.
Yan HeQing withdrew his eyes and looked at Xiao YuAn, as a thought faintly surged from the bottom of his heart.
Chapter 179: The Moonlight Is Melting And The Love Is Endless.
Yan HeQing considered his words, and finally decided to open his mouth after a series of deafening firecrackers were lit. However, who would've known that a man in his early twenties would appear out of nowhere to ask Xiao YuAn: "Does Gongzi think that these wedding clothes are good-looking?"
Xiao YuAn replied with a smile: "They're beautiful!"
The man said triumphantly. "They were made by my store! I'm not trying to boast, but my family's craftsmanship has been handed down for five generations. We used to be the Imperial Tailor in the former Dynasty, our salary was that of an Official, and we even had our own Embroidery Room in the Imperial Palace!"
Xiao YuAn has always had a supportive temperament, so when he spoke, praising words came out of his mouth: "Xiao-xiongdi1 has such a famous background, huh? Wouldn't it be a great honor if I were to get married using the wedding clothes from your shop?"
"Haha, regardless of honor, our family's craftsmanship and materials are indeed the second best in this Imperial City, so no one dares to say that they are the first." The man crossed his arms, feeling so refreshed by the compliment that he found the pretty young man in front of him very pleasing to the eye. As he reached out to pat him on the shoulder, he said: "Gongzi, I think that destiny has brought us together. When you get married, if you're willing to come to my shop to make wedding clothes, I'll bargain for you!"
As the man patted him, the second time failed to land on Xiao YuAn's shoulder, because his wrist was suddenly held.
The man was stunned. As he raised his eyes, he saw a man dressed in black clothes with a face as beautiful as jade and eyes that shone like stars. That black clothed man had an extraordinary appearance.
Yan HeQing camly took the young man's hand away, and asked indifferently: "Where's your store?"
The young man was brimming with enthusiasm: "It's at the entrance of East Street! Go straight from here, turn a corner, and you'll be there!"
Yan HeQing nodded, pulled Xiao YuAn, who was still watching the wedding procession, and walked forward.
Xiao YuAn was confused: "Yan-ge, where are we going?"
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After seeing that Yan HeQing was silent, Xiao YuAn also stopped asking questions, and obediently followed him.
Yan HeQing dragged Xiao YuAn to the store that the young man had just mentioned. This shop was indeed different from the ordinary shops. At first glance, it looked more like a mansion, with dyeing, fabric, and embroidery workshops. When a man saw two outstanding Gongzi walking in, he quickly welcomed them with a smile: "Are these two Gongzi here to buy cloth or to make clothes?"
Yan HeQing replied: "To make wedding clothes."
Xiao YuAn was struck by lightning for a moment, standing frozen in place, and staring at Yan HeQing with round eyes.
The man said. "You may not know, but our wedding clothes are all made by the shopkeeper himself. Only Princes and Nobles can afford to hire our shopkeeper. I can see that these Gongzi have extraordinary manners, so they shouldn't be ordinary people. Why don't you two sit in the shop for a while, I'll go ask our boss to see if he's willing to meet you two." The man was very polite as he welcomed Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn into the shop, then rushed to report.
Only then did Xiao YuAn recover from the shock: "Yan, Yan-ge? Wedding clothes?"
Yan HeQing replied unhurriedly: "I saw you say that you liked it."
Xiao YuAn said with difficulty: "Even if I like it, wedding clothes aren't made to be worn normally. Besides…."
Xiao YuAn's voice stopped abruptly as he seemed to react to the hidden meaning, and suddenly looked at Yan HeQing. The eagerness in his eyes almost made his eyes pop out.
Yan HeQing stared back at him, and said calmly: "Xiao YuAn, I want to marry you. I want to worship2 with you when we get married. I want to announce it to the whole world. Xiao YuAn, do you want to marry me?"
Xiao YuAn: "But the Southern Yan Kingdom is now-…."
"It doesn't matter."
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"But they-…."
"It doesn't matter."
"They-…"
"It doesn't matter." Right after those words were said, Yan HeQing asked again: "Xiao YuAn, do you want to marry me?"
Xiao YuAn nodded, and replied: "Yes."
Yan HeQing's eyes brightened for a moment, like the bright moonlight that suddenly appeared in the dark sky.
It's too painful to be tangled up in knots, and it's too tiresome to have a thousand thoughts. Instead, it's better to exchange those 6 words without any harm in them, with a single wishful word.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door, and a middle-aged man walked in. At first, the man was still holding a shelf and touching his mustache. But when he raised his head, after seeing Yan HeQing, he suddenly let out a very high scream, and knelt down: "Your Majesty!"
Yan HeQing and Xiao YuAn looked at each other, and Xiao YuAn asked: "How can you recognize the Emperor?"
The shopkeeper trembled like a sieve chaff: "A-an-answering to this master, I had the privilege to see the portrait of His Majesty in the past. That portrait was painted so lifelike, showing His Majesty's handsome and unrestrained3; outstanding and elegant4; tall and mighty5; distinguished and brilliant6; a god-like, refreshing and charming7 appearance! So I was very impressed!"
'Shopkeeper, is your Official title: Idiom Dictionary?'
Xiao YuAn stretched out his hand to pull up the shopkeeper. While shaking his head, he said: "It seems that the portrait wasn't too good. His Majesty's long jade-like body's handsomeness and elegance8; unparalleled and otherworldly9 beauty10; magnificent attractiveness and gracefulness11, weren't painted."
"
"
The shopkeeper was shocked. He thought that he had perfected the skills of flattery, but he didn't expect that there would be mountains outside the mountains, and people outside the people12!
Xiao YuAn, who didn't know that his true feelings were recognized as flattery, smiled and asked: "Boss, how long will it take for you to get the wedding clothes ready?"
"Half a month… No! As long as I have the size, His Majesty can give humble me seven days! Humble me can make it in seven days!" The shopkeeper patted his chest, and swore an oath.
"Then hurry up and measure me." Xiao YuAn opened his hands, and moved forward.
The shopkeeper widened his small eyes: "This master, you, you, you?"
"Don't 'you' me. We want two sets of wedding clothes. One set for me, and one set for His Majesty." Xiao YuAn replied with a smile.
The shopkeeper hurriedly looked at Yan HeQing. When he saw him nodding his head, the shopkeeper was instantly dumbfounded, frozen in place. It took him a full three seconds to regain his senses.
The shopkeeper was a wise man. The first thing he did after coming back to his senses, was to carefully ask Xiao YuAn: "Then, young man, I dare to ask, do you want your wedding clothes to have a skirt…. or pants….."
Xiao YuAn: "…. Pa-pants, alright?"
The shopkeeper replied: "Understood!"
The bottom of Yan HeQing's eyes filled with disappointment in the blink of an eye.
Chapter 180: The Love Is Deep, The Righteousness Is Heavy, And Mistakes Were Made Today.
After they were measured, they were sent out with three kowtows from the shopkeeper. It was already late outside, and the wind was heavily blowing with snow. As the street became deserted, only a few stores were still open, with their warm candlelight falling on the white snow.
As they slowly walked towards the Imperial Palace, Xiao YuAn suddenly said: "Yan-ge, I think that my body is much better these days. See? I used to stumble before, but these days I've been walking more stably."
Yan HeQing's body paused for a bit, and then he made a 'hmm' sound.
Xiao YuAn's eyes were wandering as he covered his lips, and coughed softly: "Why don't we wait for the wedding clothes to be ready…. then we will…."
The last few words were like mosquito sounds, so Yan HeQing couldn't hear it clearly: "What?"
Xiao YuAn stopped walking, looked at the sky and the earth, but he never looked at Yan HeQing: "To…. enter…. enter…. the bri-bridal cha-chamber."
Yan HeQing replied: "Wait for me here." Right after saying that, he hurriedly walked back towards the cloth workshop. After a while later, he came back and said to Xiao YuAn: "The shopkeeper said that the wedding clothes will be ready tomorrow."
Xiao YuAn: "….."
'Tomorrow? The original half-month deadline now becomes tomorrow? Wouldn't that make the shopkeeper put his life on the line to reach the deadline?! Can you not make things more difficult for the suffering common people?'
Xiao YuAn: "Alright then, tomorrow we'll enter, enter, enter…"
Yan HeQing finished the words for him: "We'll enter the bridal chamber."
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Xiao YuAn: "Alright, y-ye-yes."
'Thank you shopkeeper, for sacrificing! Yourself! To fulfill the needs! Of other people!'
After the two of them returned to their bedchamber, a maidservant suddenly greeted them: "Your Majesty, Xiao-gongzi. Xie-gongzi is waiting for you in the bedchamber."
Xiao YuAn was surprised: "At this hour?"
The maid showed helplessness: "We've been advising Xie-gongzi that he can talk with you tomorrow morning, but Xie-gongzi doesn't want to go back. His Majesty instructed us to obey everything he asks, so no one dares to make Xie-gongzi go."
Xiao YuAn thought of Chungui's unstable mood today and was worried about what would happen to him. After glancing at Yan HeQing, he hurriedly walked towards the bedchamber.
Yan HeQing saw that there was something wrong with Xiao YuAn's eyes, so he followed behind him.
Inside the bedchamber, Xie Chungui was standing beside the table. The candle that was about to burn out, was dripping with wax; that wax condensed on the candlestick as it fell down, twisting horribly.
"Chungui." Xiao YuAn called out softly.
Xie Chungui turned his head and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he had cried a lot. When he looked at Xiao YuAn, he walked towards him step by step. Each step he took, was like he was stepping on top of someone, since his footsteps were slightly shaky.
"What's wrong?" Xiao YuAn took a few steps forward, until he was only one step apart from Xie Chungui.
Yan HeQing frowned as he stared closely at Xie Chungui.
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"I….." Xie Chungui lowered his head and his voice was hoarse, as if he was deliberately hiding something. But it also seemed as if he was waiting for something. When Yan HeQing sensed something strange, he wanted to go forward to pull Xiao YuAn back. However, as soon as he stepped forward, Xie Chungui suddenly pulled out a dagger from his sleeve and pounced on Xiao YuAn!
Xiao YuAn's eyes suddenly shrunk and he stepped back. At the same time, Yan HeQing also stepped forward to protect Xiao YuAn.
However, Xie Chungui's target wasn't Xiao YuAn at all! He turned around with a false move, and held the dagger tightly. Without any hesitation, he stabbed Yan HeQing's abdomen, who had stepped forward to pull Xiao YuAn back, and then stabbed him again!
Outside the window, the wind had suddenly become so strong that it almost uprooted the fragile trees in the courtyard!
In a flash, blood splattered on Xiao YuAn's face and body, like a fire that could burn him alive, making him tremble all over. At that instant, Xiao YuAn heard Xie Chungui shouting at him.
What Xie Chungui said was: "Your Majesty!"
They were two simple words, but right after they were said, a knife was placed on Xiao YuAn's neck. The ones who were holding that knife, were no other than the cold skeletons of the officers and soldiers that had shed blood and tears for the Northern Kingdom…
