Your Majesty, We’re Counting on You to Ruin the Country! 44

Chapter 44: Warming Up

Wen Ning’an and Feng Qi rested at the oasis for a while. Wen Ning’an looked at the sky; it was already the hour of Wei. If they returned to Fengzhou now, they could just make it before the sun set.

Seeing Wen Ning’an get up to leave, Feng Qi immediately said, “Yixin, don’t be in such a hurry to go back. Shall we go for a walk in the town?”

Hmm?

Feng Qi said, “The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. I want to buy you a gift.”

Wen Ning’an turned his head away. “There’s no custom of giving gifts for the Mid-Autumn Festival. No need to trouble yourself. I don’t need a gift…”

“Fine, then I’ll buy one for Qin Zhaohuang.”

Wen Ning’an: “…”

Why buy one for Qin Zhaohuang?

Why buy one for Qin Zhaohuang!

“Look at you. I said I’d buy one for you, and you didn’t want it. Now that I’m buying one for someone else, you’re unhappy.” Feng Qi shrugged and spread his hands, a “I really don’t know what to do with you” look on his face.

“I’m not unhappy.”

“Oh, oh, angry from embarrassment.”

Seeing the teasing in Feng Qi’s eyes, Wen Ning’an’s earlobes turned red, and he turned and rode away. Feng Qi smiled and shook his head, also getting on his horse and following.

The two held their reins and headed for Taosha City, a trail of dust and laughter in their wake.

Taosha City was no different from when Wen Ning’an and Ren Feiyang had come last time. There were scattered small shops and houses made of stone and wood, with a few brick and tile houses mixed in.

Feng Qi took Wen Ning’an’s wrist and led him to a clothing shop.

“Buying for Zhaohuang?” Wen Ning’an raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, yes, buying for Zhaohuang.” Feng Qi took a light green robe embroidered with bamboo leaves from the rack and held it up against Wen Ning’an, tilting his head to examine it carefully.

Wen Ning’an smiled faintly and turned his head away, letting Feng Qi hold up different robes against him.

Wen Ning’an and the army had been stationed in Fengzhou for many years, and Taosha City was not far away, so the people in the town all knew him.

“Oh my, General Wen, and this is…”

The owner of the clothing shop was a plump woman. Although she was getting on in years, she was still charming. At this moment, a teasing smile was on her lips, and her eyes never left Feng Qi.

Only then did Wen Ning’an realize how ambiguous their actions were at this moment, just like… just like a married couple.

Feng Qi smiled and quickly brushed his lips against Wen Ning’an’s cheek, winking at the owner. “Big sister, what do you think our relationship is?”

“Oh my!”

The owner covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes curving into a crescent moon as she smiled.

These young people!

A chorus of boos came from outside the shop. Wen Ning’an turned his head and saw the aunties, uncles, young men, and children he was usually familiar with all standing outside, looking at him with mischievous eyes.

“General Wen went to the capital and brought back such a handsome lover.”

“Picking out clothes with his lover, getting ready to get married.”

“Hey, stop it. Look, General Wen’s face is all red!”

Wen Ning’an lowered his head, wishing he could dig a hole and crawl into it. He couldn’t help but glare at Feng Qi and whisper, “What nonsense are you talking!”

“I didn’t say anything. I just asked the owner what she thought we looked like.” Feng Qi said with an innocent face, adding, “Or should I tell them I’m the general’s wife?”

“No… just don’t do anything out of line in broad daylight.”

“Alright, alright.” Feng Qi moved, his tall body completely blocking Wen Ning’an. He turned to the crowd outside the door and smiled. “General Wen is thin-skinned. If you keep looking, we won’t be able to buy these clothes.”

Wen Ning’an: “…”

The crowd then dispersed with laughter.

Feng Qi held a black robe against Wen Ning’an for a long time and said, “Yixin, you’ve always worn light and elegant colors, but I think black suits you very well too.”

Wen Ning’an looked at the black fabric in Feng Qi’s hand, seeming a little hesitant. He had never worn a black robe before.

“Try it on.”

“General Wen, and this young master.” The owner smiled and interrupted them. “I have two sets of the same style here. You can take a look and see if you’re interested.”

As she spoke, the owner brought out two sets of robes from the inner room, one black and one white, but the cut and the pattern on them were the same, a matching pair. Seeing this, Feng Qi’s face immediately lit up with a smile. “This is good!”

“Yixin, want to try the black one?”

Wen Ning’an took the black robe and went to the inner room.

“Come, come, young master, there’s another room here.” The owner led Feng Qi to the other side.

And when Feng Qi had finished changing, he saw that Wen Ning’an was already standing at the side, fiddling with his own belt.

The design of the robe was simple, with the most common gold trim on the collar and sleeves, and auspicious clouds on the hem. The inner lining revealed a silver hollowed-out Qilin border, but the sharp, ink-black color and the tight silk cut set off and outlined Wen Ning’an’s tall and handsome figure, making him look somewhat bewitching. If Wen Ning’an was usually a calm lake, now he was a lake with lotuses blooming one after another, adding a touch of charm without being gaudy.

Wen Ning’an’s charm at this moment was something Feng Qi had never seen before.

Feng Qi’s eyes were full of amazement, and he wished he could tear open this night and peek at the secrets within. Little did he know that Wen Ning’an was also full of surprise. Feng Qi had always worn oppressive, heavy colors like gold, yellow, and black. Now, suddenly changing into such a gentle white robe, he looked less high and mighty and arrogant, and more scholarly. Approachable and gentle, as if… as if he belonged completely to him…

“Hey, hey, really now. If you want to look, go home and close the door and look to your heart’s content!” Seeing Wen Ning’an and Feng Qi staring blankly at each other, the owner couldn’t help but giggle, feeling as if her humble shop was about to “shine with splendor.”

After Feng Qi paid, he and Wen Ning’an left together. The owner watched their figures, smiled and shook her head, her head lowered, lost in thought.

Wen Ning’an and Feng Qi slowly walked down the street. Feng Qi said he wanted to go to a teahouse to eat and have some fresh vegetables before going back.

“Your Majesty, that owner’s husband used to be my adjutant.”

“Oh?” Feng Qi was all ears.

“His name was Bai Daneng. He was my first adjutant, the first person to support me. But he passed away not long ago, and his death was not peaceful. He was harmed by the enemy, and there wasn’t a single good spot on his body.” Wen Ning’an took a deep breath. “At that time, we didn’t want Big Auntie Bai to see his body, but she insisted, even kneeling down to me, just to see her husband one last time, no matter how unbearable it was.”

“Mmm.” Feng Qi reached out and wrapped his arm around Wen Ning’an’s shoulder.

“Later, Big Auntie Bai saw him, but she didn’t cry or make a fuss. She just silently looked at her husband, looked for half an hour, and finally left. It’s just that from then on, the Left Army no longer had Old Bai’s laughter or Big Auntie Bai’s scolding. But Big Auntie Bai is very strong. She is still trying hard to live now, and occasionally she comes to the military camp to joke with us, bring us vegetables, and tease and matchmake Feiyang and Miss Fang.”

“You have me,” Feng Qi said softly, almost completely enveloping Wen Ning’an in his embrace. “If the sky falls, you still have me.”

Wen Ning’an smiled faintly.

“Huaitian, you’ve changed a lot again…”

“Do you like it?”

Wen Ning’an lowered his head, unable to say what he really wanted.

Feng Qi said, “But I like the way I am now.”

Wen Ning’an was stunned, seeming a little flustered. He quickened his pace. “Let’s go to the teahouse.”

Feng Qi chuckled softly, a warmth in his heart. No matter how he changed, Wen Ning’an had never changed. From the past life to the present, after experiencing so much, he was still the same. But he hoped that one day, Wen Ning’an could change a little more, treat him like he treated others, without the reservations of status, like… like an ordinary married couple.

The two of them didn’t return to the military camp until nightfall. Li Huaisheng and the others, seeing the usually elegant Wen Ning’an in white suddenly change his style, were all amazed. Xingxing and Liangliang, the two little ones, came up to greet them, rubbing against their boots. Xingxing even blinked its eyes, staring blankly at the different Wen Ning’an.

Wen Ning’an felt the stares on him were several times more than usual and was a little uncomfortable. He thought to himself that he shouldn’t wear black next time.

“Are you going back to the tent to rest?”

Wen Ning’an shook his head. “I’m going to the west camp first to deal with some important matters.”

“Alright,” Feng Qi said immediately. “Then I’ll go back to rest and bathe first. You sleep early.”

With that, Feng Qi draped his coat over Wen Ning’an’s shoulders.

“The night is cold.”

Feng Qi turned and left. Seeing the two little ones sticking to Wen Ning’an’s leg without any intention of going with him, he could only give Wen Ning’an a heartbroken smile, which made him laugh too.

And Wen Ning’an watched Feng Qi’s retreating back, his gaze unable to leave him for a long time.

Not far away, Li Huaisheng watched the two of them, who seemed to be glowing, with a straight face, his hand clenching slightly into a fist. He thought to himself that Wen Ning’an was getting the short end of the stick, but he wouldn’t go up and persuade him, just to be rebuffed. So, he just took his sword and left with a face as black as a pot.

The important matter in the west camp that Wen Ning’an mentioned was related to criminals.

The Left Army was the only legion in Bei Miao that dared to use criminals to fill its ranks. They were not temporary soldiers, but were issued military plaques and salaries, becoming a part of the Left Army.

When he arrived at the training ground of the west camp, he saw a large man tied to a wooden stake in the center. The man was burly, with a full beard, and his bulging muscles seemed to be full of strength.

The one in charge of these criminals was Ren Feiyang’s younger brother, Ren Feihuan. He had sword-like brows, starry eyes, and upturned corners of his mouth. He was a “big shot” who was even more improper and romantic than Ren Feiyang, one of the people in the Left Army who should not be provoked.

By the way, Wen Ning’an ranked first, ascending to the throne. Although he still didn’t know why he had created an image of a smiling tiger for his brothers.

Wen Ning’an came before Ren Feihuan and asked, “What’s wrong? You said someone was causing trouble?”

Ren Feihuan chewed on a blade of grass and said vaguely, “That person is called Ge Litong, the leader of the bandit stronghold we just wiped out a few days ago. Today, he led his men to try and rob our supplies and break out.”

“Since he is a disobedient person, use the usual method to make him submit.”

Ren Feihuan said with a bitter face, “No, it’s that this Ge Litong is all brawn and no brains. He says I’m younger than him, a yellow-mouthed child who is not worthy to lead them. He’ll only submit if I can beat him.”

“You can’t beat him?” Wen Ning’an raised an eyebrow. “You and Feiyang were personally trained by me. Are you still afraid of this inflexible big man?”

“Who says he’s inflexible? Alright, even if he is inflexible, I personally saw this Ge Litong uproot a thick old tree with his bare hands and injure many of our brothers when we were attacking the stronghold!” Ren Feihuan patted his chest. “General! An old tree! It was this————big.”

As he spoke, Ren Feihuan even drew a large circle.

“In other words, he can easily tear me in two!”

Wen Ning’an said, “In other words, he can also easily tear the enemy in two. This is a military force we cannot give up or miss out on. You have to fight him yourself. If I do it for you, he will never truly submit to you in his heart. What’s the use? You won’t be able to command him in the future either.”

Ren Feihuan said with a bitter face, drawing a circle, “General, this————”

“Alright,” Wen Ning’an interrupted. “I’ll teach you a method.”

“What method?”

Wen Ning’an lowered his head and whispered a few words in Ren Feihuan’s ear.

“To hell with that!” Ren Feihuan pointed at Wen Ning’an. “General, you’ve changed!”

Wen Ning’an looked at the sky. Don’t they say that he who is near vermilion is stained red, and he who is near ink is stained black?