Your Majesty, We’re Counting on You to Ruin the Country! 55

Chapter 55: Mid-Autumn

In the main hall of the King of Youzhou’s residence, Yu Qianshou was tied up and kneeling in the center. Duo Bo sat in the seat of honor, looking at the kneeling Yu Qianshou with a dark expression, who was neither servile nor overbearing.

“Heh, this time you didn’t pull any tricks and obediently let yourself be captured.” Duo Bo sneered. “Why aren’t you committing insubordination like last time, injuring your own people to help the enemy escape?”

Yu Qianshou thought to himself, No matter how I escape, I will be caught and brought back. Firstly, it was the Poison Sect and their reputation in the martial world. Secondly, since that person was no longer by his side, it didn’t matter if he was caught.

Seeing Yu Qianshou’s expressionless face, Duo Bo said with interest, “You’re not afraid of anything. You and Yu Qianzu are both like this, as if you disdain everything in this world, not putting anything in your eyes.”

“This is the first time this king has seen you show any emotion, actually violating the promise and integrity that an assassin values most for a beauty.”

Yu Qianshou’s heart moved. He didn’t want to push Qin Zhaohuang into the eye of the storm or give Duo Bo a reason to threaten him, so he said nonchalantly, “Everyone loves beauty. And lustful desires are also human nature.”

Duo Bo raised an eyebrow, his eyes roaming over Yu Qianshou, as if trying to figure out how much truth and falsehood there was in his words.

Yu Qianshou said, “If Your Majesty can no longer trust me or entrust me with tasks from now on, then let’s terminate the contract. Yu Qianzu is enough. I will return all the silver to you.”

“No, no need,” Duo Bo smiled. “To lose such a powerful arm, wouldn’t this king’s heart ache? You will continue to stay in this residence and work for this king. However…”

“Betraying this king naturally comes with a price. Considering your extraordinary ability and your role as my capable helper, this king will not be too petty, just a small punishment… Heh, Yu Qianshou, a thousand hands, that’s an interesting name.”

Yu Qianshou looked up and saw a guard beside Duo Bo walking towards him with a dagger. He frowned, able to predict what Duo Bo wanted to do. With a sigh, he had no choice but to close his eyes and endure it.

This night, Wen Ning’an stayed in Qin Zhaohuang’s tent and slept with him. The two of them chatted intermittently for a long time. After waking up early the next day, they went with everyone to the town to buy some fruits, round cakes, candles, and other things needed for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The shopkeepers in the town, seeing that they were soldiers from Fengzhou, gave them huge discounts, and some even didn’t take any silver, including Big Auntie Bai. Wen Ning’an and the others insisted on dragging Big Auntie Bai to the military camp with them to join in the fun. Big Auntie Bai couldn’t refuse and was pulled along by everyone.

When night fell, they saw that iron wires were wrapped everywhere, and on the wires were hung brightly shining lanterns. The candlelight flickered through the colored paper, as if the entire starry river in the sky had fallen to the mortal world, and the yellow sand and dark night were no longer monotonous.

Everyone was preparing the incense tables and fruits. Wen Ning’an slipped away and, lifting the tent flap, almost ran into Feng Qi, who was about to step out.

“Huaitian?” Wen Ning’an was stunned. “You’re awake?”

Feng Qi looked around. “I’ve been lying down for a long time. I want to go out for some air.”

Wen Ning’an smiled. “Alright. Later… accompany me for a walk to the south watchtower.”

After leaving the tent, he saw that the entire military camp seemed to be lit up. Feng Qi smiled faintly. He thought to himself that the way the military camp celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival was even more excited and heartfelt than the nobles and common people in the capital. Perhaps it was because the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolized reunion, and these soldiers, who were fighting far from home and separated from their families or lovers, were using this to pray for blessings and to remember them.

The sound of festivities gradually came from not far away. Feng Qi knew that these people would definitely be celebrating until dawn.

“Yixin, you’re not joining them?”

Wen Ning’an shook his head. “Your body is not well. It’s better not to drink with them. Although the osmanthus wine is not strong, it will still be harmful to you.”

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. “Now I’m the delicate one.”

Wen Ning’an pinched Feng Qi’s arm. “As if I was very delicate before.”

“Of course. In my eyes, you are the most precious, and it is still so now.”

“Smooth-tongued.”

Qin Zhaohuang was playing with Ah Bai and the other soldiers, while Xingxing and Liangliang followed Wen Ning’an and Feng Qi, who were holding hands, all the way to the south watchtower.

The two little ones ran around their feet, playing, which made Feng Qi couldn’t help but say sourly, “These little things just like to be close to you.”

Wen Ning’an smiled. “Don’t be jealous. Before, when they thought you were dead, Xingxing cried so miserably.”

“Oh?” Feng Qi gently nudged Xingxing’s round body with the tip of his foot, which made Xingxing bare its teeth and bite his foot. However, Feng Qi was wearing thick boots, and Xingxing’s teeth were not yet fully grown, so the bite only hit the leather, making its eyes water with pain.

He was so stupid that Feng Qi couldn’t help but turn his head away and not look. He turned to Wen Ning’an and smiled. “I don’t know if Xingxing cried, but you certainly cried your eyes out.”

Wen Ning’an pursed his lips and turned his head away from Feng Qi.

“Hahahaha—”

The watchtower was some distance from the open space, and the noise and laughter of the soldiers gradually faded, leaving only the whistling of the wind.

Feng Qi looked around and smiled. “Why did you suddenly want to come here?”

Wen Ning’an didn’t answer, just taking Feng Qi’s arm and continuing towards the watchtower. And after arriving at the bottom of the high tower, Feng Qi had a sudden realization.

The watchtower was built of wooden planks and strips, with no walls to shelter it or a roof to block the rain, so one could see inside. It was filled with unlit lanterns, which were hung directly on the wooden strips without any need for iron wires. The colorful lanterns were wrapped around the watchtower, and the wind made a rustling sound as it blew past.

Wen Ning’an lowered his head. “I hung them up myself. Let’s light them together…”

Feng Qi stared blankly at Wen Ning’an, at a loss for words for a moment.

“Yixin…”

Wen Ning’an felt Feng Qi’s scorching gaze on the top of his head and didn’t dare to look up, just continuing, “Before at the summer villa, you said you knew I didn’t like the life in the palace, with all its intrigues and scheming, and you released thousands of colored lanterns to cheer me up. Now I also know you don’t like the life on the battlefield and in the army, so…”

“I don’t dislike it.” Feng Qi suddenly hugged Wen Ning’an, holding him very, very tightly, and said excitedly, “I like it very much, because you are here. Wherever you are, I like it. If you say you like the life of a commoner, I can immediately go back and give up the throne to go farming with you.”

He had been sweet with Wen Ning’an, and they had also argued and separated. And now, although he didn’t show it, he was ultimately worried about the limit of his own lifespan, afraid that he would suddenly die, with empty hands. He felt that both hatred and power were just smoke. Being with his beloved safely and happily was the most important thing. Life is short, only a few decades. How can there be so much to squander, to put one’s energy on that intangible power and the hated enemies?

If Wen Ning’an is not by my side when I die…

Just thinking about it in his mind was terrifying and unbearable.

Wen Ning’an smiled. “Fatuous ruler… I’m not going to farm with you. You’re used to a life of luxury and being served. Let alone the basics like starting a fire and cutting vegetables, you probably can’t even carry a hoe or a shovel.”

“I’ve already said I’m a fatuous ruler,” Feng Qi blinked. “Naturally, you would be the one to farm, cook, and manage the household, while I would lie in bed all day, eating and being lazy, only responsible for ‘serving’ you.”

Wen Ning’an was choked and speechless.

Rogue! His skin is as thick as a city wall!

“Stop fooling around. Let’s go and light the lanterns.” Wen Ning’an’s earlobes were red as he was the first to walk into the watchtower. Candles and torches had already been prepared. He took a candle, lit it on the torch, and then began to light the lanterns one by one.

Feng Qi also followed suit, with one arm around Wen Ning’an’s waist and the other lighting the lanterns.

The lanterns were lit one by one, and they climbed the stairs step by step. The two of them didn’t speak, just holding each other and slowly lighting up the path, the warm and gentle firelight shining brightly along the way.

When they reached the very top of the high tower and looked down, they saw a river of colorful stars. The two of them were at the top center of this river of stars, and the surroundings were like a dream, and time also seemed to have stopped flowing.

Feng Qi looked at Wen Ning’an. Beside him were the softly glowing lanterns, and behind him was the vast and boundless sea of sand outside the window. But the person was even more dazzling than all this.

“Mmph…” Wen Ning’an was stunned. He saw Feng Qi hold his waist and lean over to cover his lips. It was like a drizzle, gentle and silent. Feng Qi’s kiss this time was very gentle, just pressing against his lips and feeling his breath, and then there was no further movement.

Wen Ning’an realized that Feng Qi was liking kissing him more and more.

“Huaitian…” After the kiss ended, Wen Ning’an gently wrapped his arms around Feng Qi’s waist and asked, “Do you really like the life of a commoner?”

Feng Qi said, “I like the feeling of being in power, of being high and mighty. The reason I fought for this throne back then was for the pleasure of one day being able to control the life and death of others, of being worshipped by the people of the world. But if you like the life of a commoner, then I don’t like these things, because you are more important than them. Everything is centered around you.”

Wen Ning’an felt a warmth in his heart and said gently, “Then I also like the life we have now.”

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow.

Wen Ning’an said seriously, “I’m not lying. I like to see you looking down on the world, looking down on the country…”

His man was born to be like this.

Feng Qi shook his head and smiled. “When two people are together, to be honest, there are no days that are not liked. I dare say that in the future, when I abdicate, when we travel the world and live the life of ordinary people, even if there is only one bushel of coarse rice left in the house, I will still feel happy.”

As long as I can live, live to old age together, no matter how hard it is, I will feel happy.

“One bushel of coarse rice…” Wen Ning’an smiled. This person really, a bowl of coarse rice is not considered poor for an ordinary family. But Feng Qi was right about one thing. He galloped on the battlefield, a world of flashing blades, while Feng Qi was entangled by an evil technique. To be able to grow old together and return to the earth together, that would be the greatest blessing and happiness.

The watchtower was simple, but the two of them didn’t mind. They found a relatively clean spot and sat on the ground. Xingxing and Liangliang were chasing each other in the watchtower, as if they were mesmerized by this river of stars.

Wen Ning’an and Feng Qi ignored them, leaning tightly against each other and quietly admiring the moon. The flowers were beautiful, the moon was beautiful, and the people were good.

Mid-Autumn, the moon in the sky was round and full, without any flaws. It is said that, May we all be blessed with longevity, though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together…