Chapter 43: Come on, Let’s Hurt Each Other
As the morning sun dawned, Zhao Linxu woke up and tucked in the still-sleeping Li Jianyu before going for his morning practice.
Last night, Li Jianyu had suddenly gotten angry for some reason. So, Zhao Linxu had not been able to sleep with the warm, fragrant beauty in his arms. Li Jianyu had set up a Chu River and Han Border, and he had been just short of being kicked out of the bed and the tent.
[T/N: “Chu River and Han Border” is the dividing line on a Chinese chessboard, symbolizing opposing sides.]
Zhao Linxu, who could only look but not touch all night, resentfully planted a kiss on Li Jianyu’s forehead before going out to wash up.
The soldiers were running around the camp in a regular formation, so there were few people on the training ground. Zhao Linxu found a corner, but he ran into Feng Ju Qianli.
“Good morning.”
Feng Ju Qianli greeted Zhao Linxu.
Zhao Linxu noticed Chong Xi sitting on the side, obediently watching Feng Ju Qianli practice. Chong Xi was holding a water flask and a towel.
“Does the Princess Consort not practice?” Zhao Linxu smiled. “Would you like to stretch a little too?”
Chong Xi was stunned.
Zhao Linxu continued to stare fixedly at Chong Xi, seemingly with no intention of backing down.
Chong Xi was in a bit of a difficult position.
“Chong Xi only knows some basics. How can he compare to Your Majesty and this Prince?” Feng Ju Qianli smiled, subtly helping Chong Xi out of the situation.
Zhao Linxu shrugged.
“I have long heard that Your Majesty’s martial arts are high, that even the Wulin Alliance leader is no match for you. May this Prince have the honor of a match with Your Majesty?”
Zhao Linxu glanced at Chong Xi unwillingly and nodded slightly.
“Naturally.”
The two of them exchanged moves, their two swords like silver dragons, ferociously biting at each other. The sword wind was fierce, and Chong Xi watched from the side with great interest.
Feng Ju Qianli could see that Zhao Linxu was not using his full strength, holding back in his moves. But there was no hint of frivolity or perfunctoriness. On the contrary, he was seriously learning from each other with Feng Ju Qianli.
Feng Ju Qianli demonically felt the… respect mixed in with Zhao Linxu’s moves.
Feng Ju Qianli’s mood was complicated.
After the two had fought for a while, they were also tired. Chong Xi came forward and handed them towels.
After taking the towel, Zhao Linxu paused for a moment, then finally took a deep breath and asked, “Princess Consort, do you know my imperial brother?”
“Ah?” Chong Xi’s hand froze for a moment. He blinked. “Your Majesty has many brothers. I don’t know which one you are referring to? But no matter which one, I don’t know them. I don’t know the Zhao royal family.”
“We have many brothers, but only one is close to Us. It’s a pity that We were not thoughtful enough back then and couldn’t protect him well. His name is Zhao Linqing.”
Chong Xi put his hands behind his back and smiled. “I’m sure that prince would not blame Your Majesty. Your Majesty was just a youth back then. Some things happen as they happen, destined by fate. How can one be perfect in every aspect?”
Zhao Linxu stared fixedly at Chong Xi.
Feng Ju Qianli sighed, patted Chong Xi’s shoulder, and said, “You and His Majesty can talk first. I’ll go get breakfast.”
“…Hey!”
Chong Xi was startled. He reached out but was too late to stop Feng Ju Qianli.
Only Zhao Linxu and Chong Xi were left on the training ground. Zhao Linxu was still looking at Chong Xi, hoping he would say something.
“Linxu?”
Just as they were in a stalemate, a familiar voice came from behind. Zhao Linxu turned his head and saw Li Jianyu standing at the side, looking at him.
After waking up and seeing the empty and cold bed, Li Jianyu had guessed that Zhao Linxu had already gone out for his morning practice. He had followed him all the way, and the first thing he saw was Zhao Linxu looking at Chong Xi with affectionate eyes??
At the side, Zhao Linxu had no idea that his gaze had been interpreted by Li Jianyu as affectionate and full of tenderness. He even happily went forward and said warmly, “Little Carp, why are you up so early today? Won’t you rest more?”
Li Jianyu said coolly, “You probably wished I had woken up later, so I wouldn’t spoil your fun.”
So early in the morning, a lone man and a lone man, exchanging flirtatious glances!
Bastard! Bastard!
Li Jianyu gritted his teeth. This fickle man, Zhao Linxu!
“Hmm?”
Zhao Linxu frowned slightly. He felt that there was something wrong with Li Jianyu’s words?
Chong Xi glanced at Li Jianyu, who had successfully angered himself into a daze, then at Zhao Linxu, who was slow to react in his first relationship. He found it extremely cute.
If he didn’t help, would these two little fools just keep quarreling like this? That wouldn’t be good.
Chong Xi’s lips curled slightly. He mischievously went forward and enthusiastically wrapped his arm around Zhao Linxu’s, saying in a coquettish voice, “Your Majesty, the City Lord is unhappy seeing Your Majesty with me.”
Chong Xi’s long, narrow eyes were filled with a certain tenderness and bewitchment, which made Zhao Linxu’s body tremble.
Zhao Linxu stared at Chong Xi with wide eyes.
Th-this was…?
“You two can talk slowly. I’m f-ing leaving first.” Li Jianyu decisively turned and strode away.
“Oh my, he’s angry.” Chong Xi let go of his arm and blinked innocently.
“Princess Consort, We will take Our leave first.” It was so obvious. Zhao Linxu finally understood what Li Jianyu was angry about. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and hurriedly chased after him.
“Little Carp!”
“Hey, Little Carp, wait! You’ve misunderstood.”
Zhao Linxu used his lightness skill to leap in front of Li Jianyu. He held Li Jianyu’s shoulders and coaxed him, “Little Carp, don’t be angry. You’ve really misunderstood.”
“Oh?” Li Jianyu looked up at Zhao Linxu. “Then what is your relationship with Chong Xi?”
“Naturally, it’s an alliance. Feng Ju Qianli has formed an alliance with us, and Chong Xi and I…”
“Shut up.”
Li Jianyu looked at Zhao Linxu with a blank expression. “Let go.”
“Little Carp…” Zhao Linxu felt a little troubled. He wasn’t sure about Chong Xi’s matter yet and couldn’t just say it. But if he didn’t, Li Jianyu would be angry. What should he do?
“You… let go of me.” Li Jianyu’s face was dark. Zhao Linxu didn’t dare to anger him further and could only obediently release his hold.
Watching Li Jianyu’s departing back, Zhao Linxu felt a splitting headache.
He had to think of a way to explain it properly to Li Jianyu.
However, before the great Emperor Zhao could think of how to write his confession of apology, he was dealt a critical blow by a report from Shuo Lin.
“Wan Yunliu was left behind in Luoye City by the City Lord. Now he has been traveling day and night to catch up. He has only just arrived because his horse is not as fast as a phoenix. Wan Yunliu says he wants to protect the City Lord here and is already in the camp. General Zhao has found someone to prepare a tent for him.”
In the main tent, Shuo Lin knelt before the reviewing Zhao Linxu and reported truthfully.
Zhao Linxu took a deep breath and told himself to calm down.
Calm down, calm down. I am a great king of a chaotic era. Don’t get angry over a silly son. After all, my wife likes me so much it’s ridiculous.
“There is one more thing,” Shuo Lin paused. “The City Lord has already gone to Huanyue City with Wan Yunliu and said he will only be back at night.”
Slap—
Zhao Linxu slammed the memorial heavily on the desk and shouted, “Prepare the horse!”
He couldn’t calm down at all!
“Yes.”
XXXXXX
Huanyue City, as the most prosperous town in the border desert, had bustling streets with an endless stream of people. Li Jianyu and Wan Yunliu walked side by side through the street, looking at the flowers on horseback.
The city in the desert was different from ordinary ones. Li Jianyu saw that the adobe houses on both sides were like square boxes with huge windows, and in front of the houses were stalls selling pottery and cloth, with an endless stream of shouts.
Wan Yunliu smiled. “Is there anything Jianyu wants to buy? Would you like to take some of the famous wine here back to try? And amulets, they are said to be quite effective.”
Li Jianyu stared blankly ahead.
“Jianyu?”
Wan Yunliu patted Li Jianyu’s shoulder. Li Jianyu came back to his senses and said hesitantly, “I can have a look at the amulets.”
Wan Yunliu took Li Jianyu to a small stall full of amulets. Li Jianyu chose a jade pendant. The center of the jade pendant was carved out to hold an amulet, and there was a tassel hanging from the bottom.
The design of the jade pendant Li Jianyu chose was not exquisite, but rather a little rough. Wan Yunliu didn’t say anything, just took Li Jianyu to a teahouse for lunch.
The specialty of the desert was naturally lamb. Wan Yunliu knew that Li Jianyu didn’t eat much, so he simply ordered a large plate of roasted lamb leg.
“Jianyu, did you have a fight with His Majesty?”
Li Jianyu was stunned, as if he were asking how Wan Yunliu knew.
“You’ve been unhappy all morning,” Wan Yunliu said with a smile. “Don’t think about it. Eat more meat. Everything will be resolved.”
Li Jianyu said a little awkwardly, “I’m sorry.”
This morning, Wan Yunliu had invited him to go out together. Li Jianyu knew it was not appropriate, but he had agreed out of pique. Only now did he realize that wasn’t he just hurting and using Wan Yunliu?
“It’s no matter,” Wan Yunliu said, not minding. On the contrary, he was a little happy. “Just think of it as accompanying me for a walk.”
“What’s wrong with His Majesty? What made you so angry?”
Li Jianyu shook his head, unwilling to say more.
After eating a plate of meat, Li Jianyu was full. He didn’t like heavy-flavored food now. It made his stomach uncomfortable, and he was prone to nausea and vomiting.
He wiped his mouth and was chatting with Wan Yunliu when he heard the sound of footsteps from behind.
“Little Carp!”
Li Jianyu raised an eyebrow.
Zhao Linxu rushed over in a flurry, grabbed Li Jianyu’s hand, and said in a low voice, “Stop fooling around! Come back with me.”
“I won’t,” Li Jianyu said, sticking his neck out.
Splash—
Li Jianyu’s eyes widened.
The scenery before him blurred, his feet left the ground, and his body was lifted up by Zhao Linxu.
This teahouse had private rooms, so not many people saw it. Zhao Linxu carried Li Jianyu out of the private room, around the long corridor, and directly onto Yuefeng’s back.
“What are you doing!” Li Jianyu was so angry that he pressed on Zhao Linxu’s shoulder and bit down hard.
“Snatching a civilian man.”
Zhao Linxu endured the pain and spurred his horse to take Li Jianyu back.
And in the private room, Wan Yunliu stared blankly at the seat before him, then smiled helplessly.
Why was this Emperor like a bandit chief?
