Your Majesty, We’re Counting on You to Ruin the Country! 43

Chapter 43: Confession

Feng Qi didn’t return to the military camp until the next day at sunrise. The early morning sun was still tolerably warm, and the camp was filled with the sounds of morning drills. From time to time, a group of morning runners would pass by Feng Qi, and seeing him standing at the side, they would immediately stop and salute him.

Fu Che, who had been waiting by the gate, came up to him. “Your Majesty, you’re finally back!”

Thinking of Feng Qi’s pale and purple-lipped appearance last night, Fu Che felt a lingering fear.

“General Wen was very worried. He sent many people out to look for Your Majesty early in the morning. If Your Majesty had been half an hour later, General Wen was probably going to go out himself.”

Feng Qi shook his head and smiled. “I’m not a yellow-mouthed child. Am I afraid of getting lost? By the way, where’s Liangliang? Why isn’t he with you?”

[Translator’s Notes: Yellow-mouthed child: A Chinese idiom for a naive, inexperienced young person, similar to “wet behind the ears.”]

“Since Liangliang came, he’s been sticking to Xingxing all day. Even General Wen says the two of them are often not by his side, always running off somewhere!”

Feng Qi chuckled softly.

“It’s good that he’s fine, it’s good that he’s fine.” Fu Che smiled and was about to take the coat from Feng Qi, but he dodged.

Feng Qi took off the heavy coat and hung it on his arm. “No need to take it away. I still have a use for it. Go and prepare some things for me…”

When he arrived at the stables, he saw that Wen Ning’an had indeed changed into light armor and was saddling his horse, preparing to go out.

“Your Majesty?” Seeing Feng Qi, Wen Ning’an’s movements immediately paused.

“Let’s go for a walk.” Feng Qi grabbed the hand that Wen Ning’an was about to use to untie the saddle and smiled. “I found an oasis when I was out last night. It’s very beautiful.”

“Your Majesty, this subordinate has official business…”

“That place is not far. If something really happens, we can be back within an hour.” Feng Qi didn’t force him, just explained again and again, “I’ve come all this way. You don’t have anything to do anyway, so why not accompany me to have a look?”

He wanted to understand the place where Wen Ning’an stayed, and he was even more eager to know what his life had been like here in the past.

Feng Qi’s eyes were gentle, and his tone was friendly, which made it even harder for Wen Ning’an to refuse.

“…Yes.”

Two horses galloped away from Fengzhou, kicking up a cloud of dust. When the soldiers looked back, it was General Wen and His Majesty! They couldn’t help but think to themselves, The rumors from the capital are indeed true. The General and His Majesty have reconciled, and their relationship is as intimate as it was before His Majesty ascended the throne!

An oasis is a treasure of the desert, a miracle in the wind and sand. A touch of vibrant green suddenly appeared in a sea of golden yellow, making one feel refreshed and happy.

After arriving, Wen Ning’an was surprised to learn that there was such a scenic spot nearby. It was just that in the past, he had neither the mood, the energy, nor the inclination to come.

Rows of palm trees grew among the undulating sand dunes, and the sparkling lake reflected all the greenery around it on its surface. Feng Qi dismounted, spread his coat by the lake, and patted it, beckoning for Wen Ning’an to come and sit.

The coat was only big enough for one person, so without waiting for Wen Ning’an to say anything, Feng Qi simply plopped himself down on the soft sand. Seeing Wen Ning’an’s slight awkwardness, Feng Qi waved his hand. “It’s alright. I slept on the sand last night. My clothes are already dirty.”

Wen Ning’an couldn’t help but ask, “Why did Your Majesty sleep on the sand last night? Was the tent uncomfortable?”

Feng Qi thought for a moment and then nodded seriously. “It was indeed.”

“This subordinate will have someone change it later.”

“No need, no need. It’s not a problem with the bedding. It won’t help to change it.” Feng Qi rubbed his chin. “It’s because of the person. I was sleeping alone, cold all night, unable to sleep. Of course it was uncomfortable.”

“…”

Wen Ning’an turned his head away and ignored Feng Qi.

Feng Qi found it amusing and took the bag he had asked Fu Che to prepare from his horse.

“You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Let’s roast some meat.”

Feng Qi took out a few pieces of raw meat from the bag and turned to look for branches to make a grill.

Wen Ning’an was startled and immediately stood up. “Your Majesty, let me do it.”

“No need.” Feng Qi pressed Wen Ning’an down onto the coat, while he himself bent down somewhat awkwardly to pick up firewood. Feng Qi had always been served by others and was not used to such rough work, so he seemed a little clumsy.

Wen Ning’an looked at Feng Qi’s clumsy movements and his careful attempts to please, feeling an immense discomfort in his heart.

How much he liked this person. If he could, he would be willing to hold him up, spoil him, and dote on him. He would try to do whatever he wanted. But how had it come to this?

He had been through the days when the other person didn’t care, was disgusted, and hated him. How had things changed now?

He wanted to persuade the other person, but he didn’t know how to start. Wen Ning’an’s heart was a mixture of sour and sweet, and he was at a loss. He liked the feeling of being loved by Feng Qi, but he couldn’t stand the sight of him lowering himself.

“Uh, sorry…” Feng Qi looked at the blackened piece of meat he had roasted and pulled at the corner of his mouth. “It really doesn’t work…”

“Let me do it.” Wen Ning’an took the branch from Feng Qi’s hand and placed a fresh piece of red meat on the grill.

Feng Qi sighed slightly, his mood low, looking a little defeated.

“Your Majesty, you don’t have to be like this. I’m not worth it…” Wen Ning’an wished that all the entanglements had never happened, that Feng Qi could still be high and mighty, enjoying glory and wealth without a care in the world.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Who says you’re not worth it?” Feng Qi frowned. “If you’re not worth it, then who in this world is?”

Feng Qi could no longer hold back. He reached out and hugged Wen Ning’an, his voice low and hoarse. “Silly… big fool…”

“You’re the silly one.” Wen Ning’an’s eyes stung.

Feng Qi said seriously, “Yixin, from the very beginning, we were equals. Neither of us needed to accommodate the other. I promise you that from now on, I will not force you in anything, and I will follow your wishes in everything. I said before that we would start over, but…”

“Yixin, give me one more chance. Can we start over again?”

Wen Ning’an didn’t respond, but he also didn’t refuse.

A “sizzling” sound came from the grill, and a fragrant aroma wafted over.

“The meat is cooked.” Wen Ning’an broke free from Feng Qi’s embrace, carefully took the delicious, dripping piece of meat, and handed it to him.

Feng Qi pushed it away. “You cooked it. You eat first.”

“No, you eat first.”

“Don’t refuse. It’s just a piece of meat. You eat first.”

Thud—

Time seemed to freeze, and the surroundings fell silent.

Feng Qi and Wen Ning’an looked at the plump piece of meat lying quietly on the sand as if in defiance, still in their pushing posture, speechless.

…Suddenly feeling a little hungry?

So this time, Wen Ning’an roasted two pieces of meat at once.

Youzhou City was some distance from Fengzhou, but it was still in the midst of this yellow sand. The King of Youzhou, Duo Bo, and his ancestors had ruled here for generations, and their foundation was deep.

At this moment, Duo Bo was leaning back on a long bench in the courtyard of his residence, surrounded by beauties. Three or four women, wearing only thin gauze, were serving him wine, a scene of laughter and merriment.

When Yu Qianzu arrived, the first thing he saw was this scene of pleasure and romance.

“Your Majesty,” Yu Qianzu said coolly. “Prince Duolong died in battle, and General Baili was captured. Your Majesty seems to be in high spirits here.”

Duo Bo wrapped his arm around a woman’s slender waist and smiled. “What’s there to worry about? The King of Hong Xi’s fierce general was also captured. They are more anxious than we are. We just need to wait for them to make a move, and then we can reap the benefits. Don’t forget, although Hong Xi is our ally now, they will be our enemy in the future.”

Duo Bo wanted the throne under Feng Qi, and so did the King of Hong Xi.

“Your Majesty, in one battle, Prince Duolong’s head was taken, as well as General Baili and the Hong Xi general. Bei Miao’s advance is fierce and should not be underestimated.”

“You are wrong. It is we who are advancing fiercely. We started this battle.” Duo Bo took a sip of wine, a ruthless look flashing in his eyes. “The reason we started it is naturally because we are well-prepared. We lost the first battle, but that doesn’t mean we will keep losing. Have you forgotten the good things that Hong Xi and the former Xu family sold us?”

Yu Qianzu snorted coldly. In any case, he was just someone Duo Bo had hired with silver. Even if he won, the one sitting on the supreme throne would not be him. Why should he be so concerned?

The King of Youzhou’s gaze suddenly turned sinister. “This king knows you had some friendship with Duolong. Don’t worry, Duolong was this king’s own younger brother. This king will definitely not forget this grudge. Yu Qianzu, you are a genius with poison. Don’t forget the order this king gave you.”

“When it comes to poisoning, I admit I am not as good as my junior brother. So I have already sent a carrier pigeon to have him come here. He is expected to arrive today. I will introduce him to Your Majesty later. I guarantee we will take Wen Ning’an’s life in one fell swoop.”

Take Wen Ning’an’s life, and the God of War’s Left Army will collapse. The military system in Fengzhou will also be in chaos for a short time, and even Feng Qi will be affected. It’s killing multiple birds with one stone.

“Junior brother… Yu Qianshou?” Duo Bo frowned. “Didn’t you say before that he was working for the Li family? Can the Li family be trusted?”

“Your Majesty, do not confuse us with our employers. We are us, and the employers are the employers. We are only responsible for carrying out our employers’ orders. The rest has nothing to do with it.”

“Tsk, truly fickle.” Duo Bo thought to himself, This Yu Qianzu was so intimate with Duolong before, even to the point of sharing a bed. But when Duolong died, he didn’t shed a single tear, didn’t seem to care at all, and immediately went to find a new one.

“Master taught us since we were young that emotions get in the way and are just a burden.”

“Hahaha, then you and Yu Qianshou have missed out on so much fun in the world.” As he spoke, Duo Bo turned and kissed another woman’s soft cheek, lost in the ecstasy of her gentle embrace.

Yu Qianzu couldn’t watch anymore, shook his head, and left.

As he walked out of the courtyard, he saw a venomous snake slowly slithering towards him, as if to greet him.

Heh, he’s here.