The Emperor Reads Storybooks Hidden in His Official Reports 27

Chapter 27: The Most Feared Thing is When the Air Suddenly Turns Ambiguous

Crash—

A firework exploded in mid-air, a signal from an unknown source.

In the mountain forest on the outskirts of Luoye City, a red figure ran through the trees.

“After him!!”

Yi Miaosuan and several of his personal guards were in pursuit on horseback.

Riding on his horse, Yi Miaosuan was still in shock. His secret art was one of the best. He believed that with such a fire, an ordinary person could absolutely not escape. The fire, rendered by his secret art, had burned down the entire manor in an instant. But just before the manor collapsed, he had heard a sharp cry.

Something seemed to have risen from the flames. Sparks flew, like a giant flower blooming.

Then, a subordinate came to report that Li Jianyu had been seen escaping from the manor. They had chased him all the way to the mountain.

Yi Miaosuan couldn’t believe it.

How was that possible?

How was that possible!

He had not heard that Li Jianyu knew secret arts, and even if he did, how could he have had a chance to escape?!

Yi Miaosuan gritted his teeth and spurred his horse to run faster.

Crack.

A branch snapped underfoot. Li Jianyu flinched.

Besides Zheng Ke, Li Jianyu had also made other preparations beforehand. He had already fired a signal flare into the sky. Dabao would come for him soon. All he had to do was wait for Dabao at the cliff on the mountainside.

Li Jianyu didn’t want Dabao to be exposed to others, so he had asked Dabao to wait at the bottom of the cliff. When he jumped down, the phoenix would catch him securely. This was a risky move, but there was no other way.

Li Jianyu believed that Dabao had already arrived. After all, he and Yi Miaosuan had been hiding and dodging for a while. Li Jianyu had used his familiarity with the forest and shortcuts to evade Yi Miaosuan and his men several times, but Yi Miaosuan had many men and had surrounded the mountain, so he was repeatedly chased back.

“Li Jianyu, stop! Or don’t blame us for being impolite!”

Yi Miaosuan was just bluffing. He didn’t want to kill Li Jianyu with a secret art now.

He had to figure out how Li Jianyu had escaped his secret art. This made him very curious and antsy.

Li Jianyu quickened his pace, clutching his stomach as he moved forward with difficulty.

Almost there.

Just bear with it.

Li Jianyu took a deep breath. Such strenuous exercise had long since made his stomach ache, and his legs were trembling and weak.

Almost there.

Li Jianyu shook his head. He just had to hold on for a little longer.

“Sir, should we shoot? He won’t die,” a man in black beside him said in a low voice, riding up to Yi Miaosuan.

Yi Miaosuan waved his hand.

Swoosh—

Several sharp arrows shot through the air towards Li Jianyu.

Li Jianyu was startled and immediately hid behind a large tree to dodge the ferocious weapons.

Damn it…!

Li Jianyu gritted his teeth. If Yi Miaosuan hadn’t suddenly come and disrupted his plan, he wouldn’t be here! He had guarded against Zhao Zhanqi, but not against Yi Miaosuan’s secret art. He had thought that Yi Miaosuan would go to the battlefield.

Thud!

An arrow pierced Li Jianyu’s shoulder, and his body was thrown forward.

Li Jianyu barely managed to grab onto the trunk of a nearby tree with one hand, while pressing on his bleeding shoulder with the other, panting heavily.

Bastard, bastard!

Li Jianyu looked around, his eyes lit up, and he immediately ran through a tall patch of grass.

Yi Miaosuan frowned slightly and had his men shoot arrows into the grass, then led them through it.

“Sir… this?”

The man in black was startled and turned to seek Yi Miaosuan’s opinion.

Yi Miaosuan stared fixedly at the empty forest before him, without a single person in sight, and said in a low voice, “It’s not the first time. Find him!”

“Yes!”

The men in black immediately dispersed to search, leaving only a few to protect Yi Miaosuan.

“Hah…”

Not far away, Li Jianyu was huddled in a pile of grass under a tree, tearing off his sleeve to bandage his shoulder.

The phoenix tattoo had long since spread across his cheek and neck. Li Jianyu endured the pain and treated his wound.

Pain shot through his shoulder and abdomen at the same time. Li Jianyu bit his lower lip, his heart sour. He didn’t know why he had ended up in this situation.

In his mind, he saw the scene from his past life, where he was clutching his wound in a small alley, dragging his body to find that person.

Crack…

The sound of footsteps from a distance interrupted Li Jianyu’s thoughts. Li Jianyu was startled. Had they found him so quickly?

Li Jianyu peeked through a gap in the leaves and saw a man in black approaching him.

Li Jianyu felt his heart start to race, but his hands and feet went cold.

The man in black seemed to have seen Li Jianyu. However, before he could draw his bow, he let out a muffled grunt and collapsed to the ground.

Li Jianyu saw an arrow sticking out of the man’s back.

Zhao Linxu was standing not far away, still holding a bow.

Li Jianyu’s eyes widened.

…Zhao Linxu?

Why was Zhao Linxu here! Could it be…

Li Jianyu pulled on his shoulder as he bent down to peek, and the pain made him flinch, causing the grass to rustle.

Zhao Linxu immediately drew his bow, his sharp eyes aiming in Li Jianyu’s direction.

Li Jianyu didn’t know yet that Zhao Linxu already knew everything, so he didn’t want Zhao Linxu to see the tattoo on his body.

Taking a deep breath to suppress the pain, Li Jianyu tried to make the tattoo fade before saying, “It’s me.”

“Beauty?!”

Zhao Linxu put away his bow, leaped off his horse, and quickly walked to the patch of grass, pushing aside the branches and leaves.

Seeing the blood-red on Li Jianyu’s shoulder, Zhao Linxu was startled and immediately pulled him into his arms.

“It’s alright, it’s alright, don’t be afraid…”

Zhao Linxu held Li Jianyu and gently stroked his hair.

On the way here, Zhao Linxu had been thinking about how to face Li Jianyu, how to face this mysterious person from that night who had desperately hidden his identity while watching him search for him everywhere, how to face the City Lord Li who had entered the enemy’s camp to help him win.

But now, it seemed all considerations were gone.

After hearing what the disciples of the Hundred Flowers Sect had said, Zhao Linxu’s mind and heart had gone blank. And then, seeing the ruins of the City Lord’s manor, he had been filled with rage.

Zhao Linxu didn’t know what he was angry about. He just wanted to destroy something with his sword. And then he saw Li Jianyu’s signal.

He recognized it. It was the signal flare Li Jianyu used to communicate with the phoenixes. At that moment, Zhao Linxu felt that nothing else mattered. He had rushed up the mountain in a hot-headed pursuit. Now, seeing the person, he was only filled with relief, joy, heartache, and affection.

Looking at the person huddled in a ball from the pain, Zhao Linxu realized something.

He liked Li Jianyu.

“You… why are you here?”

“I came to find you.” Zhao Linxu tightened his embrace.

Li Jianyu’s eyes widened.

Nestled in Zhao Linxu’s arms, Li Jianyu felt a little warm. His body was warmed, and his heart also felt a little warm.

It was different…

“I’ll take you down the mountain.” Zhao Linxu glanced at the wound on Li Jianyu’s shoulder. “We need to pull out the arrow as soon as possible.”

With that, he lifted the person in a princess carry. However, before he could get on his horse, he saw the men in black surrounding them.

“Your Majesty.” Li Jianyu grabbed Zhao Linxu’s sleeve.

Had this person come alone?

“Don’t be afraid.” Zhao Linxu felt very helpless with himself.

Down the mountain, his thoughts had been thrown into turmoil by Li Jianyu. There were too many things that made his mind unable to think, but his limbs had moved on their own, bringing him here.

Because of this, Zhao Linxu hadn’t brought anyone up with him. Fortunately, he had run into the men in black on the way and had immediately realized it, firing a signal flare. The Valiant Cavalry Army was probably on its way.

Zhao Linxu smiled to himself. How long had it been since he had acted so impulsively and without reason?

“We will protect you.”

Zhao Linxu held the person and mounted his horse, then charged out with his whip.

Kill those who stand in my way, be they men or gods!

XXXXXX

Outside the city, on a small path surrounded by woods, a horse was galloping, its hooves kicking up a cloud of dust.

“Your Highness… leave me. You go first. The horse can’t run fast with two people.”

On horseback, Zhao Zhanqi held Xue Ni with one arm and the reins with the other, his face and body still stained with dried blood.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Xue Ni closed his eyes and said in a low voice, “It is Xue Ni who is useless.”

The fierce wind rushed past them, making their cheeks sting.

“The useless one is this Prince. It has nothing to do with you.” Zhao Zhanqi glanced back at the small team of the Valiant Cavalry Army led by Liu Pucheng, then at himself, in a sorry state, with only Xue Ni in his arms accompanying him. He couldn’t help but find it ridiculous.

How had he ended up in this situation?

Splash—

Zhao Zhanqi’s eyes widened. He saw rows of the Luoye army suddenly appear before him, surrounding him with the Valiant Cavalry Army from behind.

Zhao Zhanqi reacted extremely quickly, pulling on the reins and stopping. The force of the sudden stop almost threw both of them off the horse.

“Your Highness! Surrender!”

Looking at the bows and arrows aimed at them from the front and back, a thick, hostile aura filled Zhao Zhanqi’s eyes, and his hand rested on the sword at his waist.

He, Zhao Zhanqi, was not afraid of these petty people! At worst, it would be a battle to the death. He would kill as many as he could, and it would not be in vain of his reputation as the Great General of the North and South for his entire life. As long as he had a breath left in him, he would definitely drag one more person down to the abyss of hell with him.

“Your Highness!” Liu Pucheng was also a man of valor. He could see what Zhao Zhanqi was planning to do. “As long as the green mountains are there, one need not worry about firewood. It is your choice to die gloriously and leave a mark in the history books, glorious even in defeat, or to live for the person you value.”

Zhao Zhanqi’s body stiffened.

With a sigh, Zhao Zhanqi finally lowered his hand.

“Xue Ni.”

Xue Ni turned to look at Zhao Zhanqi.

Zhao Zhanqi said seriously, “Do you know what the gift I told you I was going to give you was?”

Xue Ni shook his head.

Zhao Zhanqi smiled bitterly. “It was the position of Empress. It’s a pity this Prince has failed. I’m sorry.”

Xue Ni stared blankly at Zhao Zhanqi.

Liu Pucheng led his men forward and tied up Xue Ni and Zhao Zhanqi.

Xue Ni kept looking at Zhao Zhanqi, and then his eyes reddened.

Silly prince…

What are you apologizing for…

Xue Ni turned his head away, not wanting Zhao Zhanqi to see his expression. He said in a low voice, “With Your Highness’s words, it is enough.”

The storm at the foot of the mountain had finally subsided, but the mountain was still in chaos.

Zhao Linxu fought back the enemies along the way, riding Yuefeng and carrying Li Jianyu in the direction he had indicated.

“Beauty, don’t be afraid. It will be alright.”

Looking at Zhao Linxu, who was constantly reassuring him, Li Jianyu smiled and nodded.

Now the mountain forest was a sea of white, and the two of them couldn’t see the path ahead clearly. This was an illusion created by Yi Miaosuan’s secret art. Li Jianyu was now just giving Zhao Linxu directions based on his feelings.

They couldn’t win in a head-on fight. Zhao Linxu planned to retreat before the reinforcements arrived. Li Jianyu was injured now, and Zhao Linxu didn’t want to fight head-on with him.

Crash—!

Zhao Linxu was stunned. The white disappeared, and not far from them was a cliff.

His vision had been obstructed by the illusion before, and Zhao Linxu didn’t know where to go, so when Li Jianyu told him to turn left, he would never turn right. But this…?

This was a dead end.

And not far away were the men in black surrounding them.

Damn it. Zhao Linxu thought that just a moment ago, he was thinking of not fighting head-on, and the next moment, he was facing it.

Without time to think, Zhao Linxu swung his whip and swept away the enemy before him.

Splash—

A ball of fire came towards Zhao Linxu. Zhao Linxu was startled and immediately held Li Jianyu and jumped off the horse.

Yuefeng’s back was grazed by the flames, and it reared up in fright.

Li Jianyu was held in Zhao Linxu’s arms and was unharmed. He grabbed Zhao Linxu’s hand and said seriously, “Your Majesty! Do you trust me?”

Zhao Linxu smiled. “I trust you.”

“Good.”

Li Jianyu pulled Zhao Linxu’s hand and ran towards the cliff.

…Huh?

“Beauty, wait…”

Li Jianyu pulled Zhao Linxu and jumped off the cliff just like that. Zhao Linxu’s remaining words were scattered in the wind.

(End of first part)

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“Mmm…”

Li Jianyu was woken by the pain. He opened his eyes, and what met his gaze was Zhao Linxu’s face.

“Beauty, we’re about to pull out the arrow. Just bear with it…”

Li Jianyu looked around in confusion. It was a simple room with only a simple table and chair. And he was lying on a bed. The bed was not very comfortable. Zhao Linxu was holding him from behind, letting him lean against his body.

“The phoenix brought us to the village at the bottom of the cliff. This is the village’s doctor.” Zhao Linxu pointed to the old man by the bed, who was preparing hot water and a towel.

Li Jianyu nodded.

After he and Zhao Linxu had jumped off the cliff, they had been caught by Dabao. But he had exhausted too much energy, and such a violent movement had stimulated him. Li Jianyu had finally fainted.

“Little young master, open your mouth.”

The old doctor fed Li Jianyu a pill. Li Jianyu’s mind gradually became dazed. He couldn’t think, and his body was numb.

“Mmm…”

Zhao Linxu held Li Jianyu’s subconsciously outstretched hand and comforted him softly.

The doctor stuffed a towel in Li Jianyu’s mouth, then pressed on his wound with both hands. “Alright.”

Zhao Linxu nodded, held Li Jianyu’s waist with one arm, and grabbed the arrow with the other.

The doctor advised, “Don’t be nervous. Do it in one go.”

“I know.”

This is not the first time I’ve done something like this, Zhao Linxu thought. I’ve seen more terrifying things in the military camp, but this is the most nervous I’ve ever been.

Thud!

The sharp arrow was finally pulled out. Li Jianyu’s body trembled, and he let out a low, muffled grunt. Although he had taken medicine beforehand as an anesthetic, it still hurt.

The doctor immediately stopped the bleeding for Li Jianyu.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. It will stop hurting soon…” Although Li Jianyu was now in a daze, Zhao Linxu still held him and gently patted his back.

After the doctor had applied medicine and bandaged Li Jianyu’s wound, he left first. Only Zhao Linxu and Li Jianyu were left in the room.

Zhao Linxu gently laid Li Jianyu down flat and lay down beside him.

At this moment, dense phoenix tattoos floated on Li Jianyu’s cheeks and neck, shimmering with a faint light. Zhao Linxu’s fingers curled, and he gently stroked the tattoos.

“It was my fault. I will definitely not let you get hurt again in the future.”

The room was filled with the thick scent of medicinal herbs. The two of them fell asleep in each other’s arms.

XXXXXX

By the time Li Jianyu regained consciousness and woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

The small room was warmed by the sunlight streaming in from the window. Li Jianyu moved his body. His stomach no longer hurt, and although his shoulder was still faintly numb, it was within a tolerable range.

“You’re awake?”

The door was pushed open, and Zhao Linxu came in with a bowl of porridge.

Li Jianyu blinked, trying hard to recall what had happened before. More than that, he was thinking about whether he had revealed the phoenix tattoo in front of Zhao Linxu. If he had, wouldn’t his cover be blown?

When the sword was pulled out, he had been in a daze. Besides the pain and being held gently, he didn’t remember anything else.

“Your Majesty…”

“Call me Linxu.” Zhao Linxu sat down by the bed, smiling.

Li Jianyu’s body trembled.

Call me Linxu???

His tone was overly gentle. Li Jianyu swallowed. “Your Majesty… hasn’t called my name either.”

“Then from now on, I’ll call you by your nickname. Li Jianyu… Little Carp?”

“…” This was the nickname his uncle had called him before he was thirteen.

“Little Carp, eat while it’s hot.” Zhao Linxu scooped a spoonful of porridge and brought it to Li Jianyu’s mouth.

Li Jianyu blinked.

Something was wrong, definitely wrong!

“Your Majesty, when I was unconscious… was there anything unusual?”

“What?” Zhao Linxu seemed a little confused.

“Just… was there anything wrong with my body?”

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Linxu blinked.

Li Jianyu frowned.

Could it be that the tattoo didn’t show? Otherwise, it would be impossible for Zhao Linxu to be so calm, as if nothing had happened, right? If he had discovered something, even if he didn’t hold him accountable, he wouldn’t be so nonchalant, right?

“Little Carp, thank you for what you did before. It was Us who didn’t take good care of you.” Zhao Linxu smiled helplessly. “You too, pregnant and still foolishly rushing into the North-South Manor. We couldn’t even stop you. We thought you had really betrayed Us.”

Li Jianyu pouted.

To be honest, as a straight… as a modern man, he had had no concept of pregnancy before. He couldn’t imagine what it was like, so he hadn’t paid much attention to it, and hadn’t even thought about it much.

Only now did he know how hard it was to have an extra piece of flesh on his body.

“Don’t do this again in the future.”

Li Jianyu nodded.

It seemed that Zhao Linxu was suddenly so good to him because he was grateful.

“Come, don’t talk anymore. Eat quickly.”

Zhao Linxu forcefully pushed the spoon towards Li Jianyu’s mouth.

Li Jianyu desperately dodged.

“Little Carp, don’t be shy.”

“It’s not…” Li Jianyu finally found a gap to say, “It’s too hot!”

Oh my god, forcing someone to swallow porridge that’s still steaming. Can you be any better?

“Sorry.” Only then did Zhao Linxu realize. He said a little awkwardly, “It’s the first time I’ve done this. I’m not skilled.”

With that, he brought the spoon to his own mouth and blew on it.

Li Jianyu: “…”

Had he f-ing missed something?