Jiang Yun leaned against the carriage wall, sweating profusely as he listened to the intermittent conversations coming from outside.
Jiang Rongyu.
Gongsun Yang.
King Chu.
A few key words came into his ears in a blur, not quite accurate.
But it’s enough for him to discern some important news.
Gongsun Yang has been captured.
The Sui Empire has already occupied the Chen Kingdom, and the next step is likely to take advantage of his “death,” to strike the iron while it is hot, cut corners, and completely dismantle the six kingdoms in Jiangnan.
Jiang Yun also heard a familiar voice—Chen Qi.
Sui Heng now refers to him as the Military Advisor, holding the highest position in the army except for the Commander.
Jiang Yun was slightly surprised.
Chen Qi is known for his literature, upright conduct, diligence and hard work, and a humble and low-key personality. He has always left the impression of loyalty, honesty, and high prestige among scholars and is highly respected by famous scholars. A few days ago at the Liushang Banquet, this Second Prince was still diligently maintaining order, resolving various disputes and contradictions, and allowing guests to live in harmony. And now he has transformed into a Military Advisor of the Sui Empire.
Good birds choose trees for their habitat.
In this era, followers have great freedom of choice and personal freedom. If they were excluded or neglected in one country and cannot stay, seeking another ruler in another country is common.
Chen Qi is not an ordinary follower, but the Second Prince of the Chen Kingdom and one of the Four Princes of the Southern Kingdom.
Even if the Sui army launched a surprise attack, occupied the Chen Kingdom, and threatened and coerced, with Chen Qi’s literary demeanor and loyal personality, he would not be so proactive in serving the Sui Empire.
There is only one possibility: Chen Qi is actively seeking refuge rather than being coerced.
This Second Prince…really has a lot to hide.
That night, Sui Heng still rested in the palace of the Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu.
The Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu reluctantly gave up his luxurious and cozy main palace.
The carriage pulled up to the bottom of the jade steps in front of the main hall, and Sui Heng carried Jiang Yun into the palace in front of everyone.
The young man’s face was deeply buried, revealing only a piece of jade-like white neck and a piece of drooping green wide sleeves, which flashed by in a flash.
Fan Qi watched in awe from behind.
Standing in the crowd, Yan Qi’s face turned snow white, and he was slightly stunned.
Xu Qiao, Chen Qi, and the other subordinates also had different expressions.
Sui Heng has always been autocratic in the military; he always means what he says. Sui Heng did not take the initiative to mention Jiang Yun’s identity, so no one dared to ask. They can only be shocked and awed in their hearts.
After all, until then, this Crown Prince of theirs was known for his lack of love experience. He did not engage in any s*xual activity and even drew his sword to stab and kill a Kunjun who tried to climb onto his bed while drunk as well.
Through the night, Chen Qi gazed at the thin and boneless figure that lay in Sui Heng’s arms, feeling vaguely familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before but couldn’t remember for a moment.
He is naturally suspicious.
This intuition made him feel somewhat uneasy for no reason.
Chen Qi pondered for a moment and asked Fan Qi, “Deputy General Fan, is the person in His Highness’s arms also a member of the Sui army?”
Fan Qi shook his head and said no, he’s not in a rough voice.
“Is that…a member of His Highness’s mansion?”
Fan Qi was startled and widened his eyes.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Our Highness is pure and devoted, never indulging in any male or female s*xual activity. In his heart, there is only—”
Suddenly seeing Yan Qi standing not far away, he quickly stopped talking and said, “Anyway, don’t talk nonsense. There are no such things as messy people in His Highness’s mansion, and there is no concubine. The one just now, most likely just casually picked up by His Highness to save the day.”
Xu Qiao gave him a warning.
Fan Qi grumbled in disbelief, “I’m also only telling the truth. Isn’t this well-known to everyone?”
Turning his head, he chuckled and said, “Young Master Yan Qi, you’re a generous man; don’t bother with a big old man like me.”
Yan Qi’s complexion eased a bit and he smiled at him.
Chen Qi was still trying to remember that familiar green’s back, frowning and saying to Xu Qiao, “General Xu, last night a flash flood broke out, and many passing merchants fell into the bottom of the cliff. If His Highness really brought back an unknown person, won’t there be some hidden dangers?”
Xu Qiao naturally understood Chen Qi’s meaning.
This is already the border of the Chen Kingdom, with steep terrain. Ordinary people rarely settle down, and the people who come and go are mostly merchants, knights, and nobles. It is easy for spies from other countries to infiltrate here.
If a Crown Prince is surrounded by a spy from another country, the danger can be imagined.
Xu Qiao smiled and said, “Brother Ji Cai’s concern is very true; only, Brother Ji Cai is new here and may not be able to understand His Highness’s temperament. His Highness has always disliked people meddling in his private affairs. Even the Emperor and the Empress rarely dare interfere with His Highness in this regard. Naturally, it’s not a good idea to comment as subordinates.”
“However, His Highness has always acted decisively, wisely and capable. If he were really a spy, he would never have escaped His Highness’ eyes.”
Chen Qi could only give up.
After all, before fully establishing himself, he should not be too sharp and do things that offend the new master.
The Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu arranged palace attendants to deliver hot water and brocade quilts to the main palace.
Unlike the others, he doesn’t care about Jiang Yun’s identity, let alone his background. His mind is only focused on one thing: how to comfortably serve the Great Evil Star in the palace and find a way out for himself and the Chen Kingdom.
What else can a young man with such beautiful muscles and bones do when he is carried into the palace at this time?
Thus, the Guozhu of the Chen Kingdom kindly ordered someone to prepare a complete set of necessary items for the wedding and deliver them as soon as possible.
The candlelight in the hall shines brightly, like daylight.
Inside the icy bed curtains, Jiang Yun closed his eyes and lay on Sui Heng’s shoulder. His green robe was scattered, and his hair was slightly wet. His exposed forearms and neck were sweating profusely, as white as heavenly jade.
The Guozhu of the Chen Kingdom stood half a zhang away and only looked at him from afar. His throat was dry, and his whole body was hot.
He has seen countless people and played with countless Kunjun, and he believes that those he has trained are top-notch. He doesn’t know that there is still such a stunning beauty in the world!
There is no need to see the specific face, just look at the physical appearance. One can see that this is the only one on earth, unique and unparalleled.
“Feeling better?”
The next moment, the Guozhu of the Chen Kingdom heard the God of Slaughter, who was going to cut out his skull to make a wine vessel, ask the person in his arms in a very gentle tone.
Due to the excessive gentleness, in the ears of the Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu, it was simply more bizarre and terrifying than the sun coming out of the west.
Jiang Yun nodded and let out a soft ‘En’.
The ending carries a subtle murmur that the owner is not even aware of.
Sui Heng’s throat rolled. “Is there really no need for Gu…”
“No need.”
Jiang Yun refused almost immediately.
After calming down and feeling that some of his strength had been restored, he prepared to get up from Sui Heng’s arms.
“Wait a bit first.”
Sui Heng wrapped his arms around his back, turned his head, and looked coldly at the nearby Guozhu of the Chen Kingdom. “What are you doing here?”
The Chen Kingdom’s Guozhu immediately lowered his head and answered with a trembling voice, “I, this humble servant, have come to deliver…some supplies for Your Highness.”
“Supplies?”
“Yes, mainly hot water, towels, and clean quilts.”
Sui Heng’s gaze fell on a delicate-looking sandalwood box embedded with gold and jade placed in the hall, and he asked, “What is that?”
“Some…some utensils.”
Sui Heng thought it was also something like a towel, and when he found out, he asked him to leave.
“Yes.”
The Guozhu of the Chen Kingdom, sweating profusely, walked out of the palace as if granted amnesty.
Sui Heng finally let go, lowered his eyes, and chuckled lightly. “Alright, you can get up now.”
“How could that look just now be seen by that old pervert?”
Jiang Yun did not refute and sat up with his fingers on his shoulders. Without slowing down, he gathered up his garments.
His little lover seems to have a bit of a temper.
You’re not tired, are you?
Just as he was thinking about it, Jiang Yun said, “Let’s have a proper conversation.”
Sui Heng propped his chin and raised his eyebrows slowly. “Alright, what are we talking about?”
Jiang Yun succinctly said, “We don’t know each other at all. There are various things at the bottom of the cliff, it’s just an accident. Since we have safely come up, it’s time to let things return to their original states. I will find another way to repay your life-saving kindness.”
Sui Heng narrowed his eyes, “Do you want to leave?”
Jiang Yun nodded.
“You and I are strangers who have nothing to do with each other. It’s pointless to be forced together like this.”
“What if Gu won’t let you go?”
“I am talking to you sincerely, if you…”
“What about Gu?”
Sui Heng suddenly turned over and pressed him down, his gaze deep and his eyebrows sharp, he pressed his delicate and beautiful little lover on the pillow. Morishly, he asked, “Say it, what about Gu?”
Jiang Yun frowned and inclined his head, but his chin was forcefully pinched by him again.
He calmly said, “If you insist, I apologize.”
“You don’t want to?”
Sui Heng raised his eyebrows and showed a wicked smile. Suddenly, he bent down and bit lightly on the fair neck, saying in a wicked voice, “Do you have a choice? Gu still does whatever Gu wants to.”
“Do you think that after becoming Gu’s person, you can still go out and mess around with other men?”
Jiang Yun, with a hint of helplessness, calmly asked, “What exactly do you want?”
“Gu has told you before, Gu only wants you.”
Sui Heng nibbled lightly again, declaring his sovereignty.
“You’re in a hurry to leave, is it because you have another lover out there?”
Sui Heng thought of that hidden and ambiguous scar again, and his chest couldn’t help but burn with vinegar and jealousy.
He is young, strong, noble in status, gentle, and considerate. He doesn’t believe that there is a better lover in this world than him!
But his little lover’s heart and mind are clearly written on his face. Sui Heng suppressed his jealousy and said, “You tell Gu, where is it that Gu was not as good as him, Gu can change and learn from it all.”
Jiang Yun felt a little pain from being pinched by him and frowned. “There’s none.”
None?
Sui Heng was taken aback and became even more puzzled. “So why are you in a hurry to leave? If you’re worried about your family, Gu can offer them a generous dowry to ensure they have no worries about food and clothing for the rest of their lives. If you’re still worried, Gu can bring them to the Sui capital for you to visit at all times.”
“Anyway, Gu is set on you and will never let you go.”
He said, using a look and tone of voice like a kind of charging and attacking.
Jiang Yun sank slightly and realized that things seemed to be much more complicated than expected.
This wolf really has eyes on him.
And he bit very tightly, without any sign of loosening his grip at all.
As they were deadlocked, the guard suddenly reported from the outside, “Your Highness, General Xu is asking for an audience.”
Xu Qiao’s voice immediately rang out: “That, I can just speak outside the palace. Your Highness, the advisor next to the Crown Prince of Jiang, Gongsun Yang, has woken up. Military Advisor Chen has already gone there first. Does Your Highness wants to personally go to the interrogation?”
“Gu understands.”
“Gu will be there in a moment.”
Sui Heng still looked at Jiang Yun while saying.
Xu Qiao quickly retreated and the hall quieted down.
The candlelight flickered silently between the two.
Jiang Yun was thinking about the news he had just heard about Gongsun Yang.
Sui Heng thought that at such a critical moment, he was lost in thought and said somewhat dejectedly, “Do you dislike Gu that much?”
Jiang Yun’s lips moved, not knowing how to reply to him.
Sui Heng’s eyes were gloomy. Suddenly, he let go and got out of bed. Jiang Yun thought he was finally going to leave to handle military affairs and breathed a sigh of relief. However, he saw Sui Heng squatting with his back to him, carrying the wolf head sword, and facing the hall gate with the large golden sword. His shoulders and back muscles had broken into a line, and he remained motionless for a long time, not knowing what he was thinking.
Sui Heng was sulking by himself.
He is afraid that if the confrontation continues, he will not be able to resist his own temper and hurt the other person.
He doesn’t want to hurt the things he cherishes.
Although the little lover in front of him is so ungrateful and infuriating.
He unexpectedly disliked and wanted to leave him.
To think that he is the Crown Prince of Sui, how has he ever suffered such humiliation?
“Your Highness, General Xu sent someone to ask if you can go over.”
The guard’s voice rang out cautiously once more.
Sui Heng didn’t answer, but slowly stood up and walked back to the bed.
Jiang Yun hadn’t moved, lying on the pillows, raising his eyes, and calmly looking at him.
Sui Heng’s gaze fell on the golden locked rings hanging on the bed pillar. His eyebrows twitched, as if he had finally found a way to vent his anger. He raised the corner of his mouth.
T/N: fyi, in case you guys get confused when you see the sentence where the words ‘scholars’ and ‘famous scholars’ were put together, famous scholar refers to scholars that have already made a reputation for themselves and are quite well-known, while scholars are still students. So they’re different.
