Chapter 61.1 Chip Chip Chip.
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“Your Majesty.”
Lost in thought, Li Jinyu momentarily believed he was hearing things and stared blankly at the fireplace.
It wasn’t until he heard another call from behind that Li Jinyu abruptly stood up and turned around. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the man who had been away for four months.
Huo Caiyu wore the half armor designed by Dong Jixiang, which was covered in dust and bearing the marks of battles. He wasn’t dressed in any warm clothing underneath, only wearing two thin regular garments.
The four-month experience on the battlefield had brought about significant changes in Huo Caiyu. His entire demeanor was completely different from before he left the capital.
His unblinking brown eyes were fixed on Li Jinyu, filled with an intense and dangerous emotion that made him unable to resist the urge to step back.
Compared to the mild and passionate Regent Prince who knew when to advance or retreat, Huo Caiyu now appeared like a freshly forged steel blade drawn from cold water, exuding a strong sense of danger and aggression.
Li Jinyu instinctively took a step back.
Huo Caiyu seemed to perceive Li Jinyu’s fear, and his gaze softened as his sharp demeanor slightly faded. “Apologies, Your Majesty.”
After fighting on the battlefield for four months, he had grown accustomed to this feeling of baring his fangs, but he forgot that His Majesty had never encountered such rudeness and barbarism, probably not appreciating it.
It was only then that Li Jinyu fully snapped back to reality and exclaimed in surprise, “How did you come back? Are you alright?”
“Beiyue Pass held its ground, and the Jiao Kingdom’s army has retreated,” Huo Caiyu briefly explained the situation, trying his best not to focus on His Majesty. “Returning to the capital this time, this official wanted to discuss the future plans with Your Majesty.”
If it were just about discussing plans, there was no need for him to personally return.
He had raced on horseback and traveled swiftly day and night, just wanting to catch a glimpse of His Majesty.
It had been four months since he last saw the person he had been yearning for. If he couldn’t see His Majesty even for a moment, it would be difficult to ease the pain of longing.
Urging his horse forward, he finally arrived in the capital on New Year’s Eve. Without time to pause and rest, Huo Caiyu went directly to the palace, to the area outside His Majesty’s sleeping quarters.
With the intention of leaving a good impression on His Majesty after a long separation, Huo Caiyu had planned to return home, clean up, and wear formal attire before coming to pay his respects. However, he found Li Jinyu alone, sitting by the fire, his face displaying a hint of loneliness, and softly murmuring his name…
Driven by impulse, Huo Caiyu couldn’t resist stepping inside.
His Majesty still looked as clear and handsome as he did before leaving the capital, but there was a touch of melancholy and solitude between his brows.
His Majesty should always be happy and free.
“This official has temporarily entrusted the border to Chi Zhongming, Your Majesty, so there is no need to worry about the peace of Beiyue Pass,” Huo Caiyu explained, fearing that Li Jinyu might be concerned.
Li Jinyu observed Huo Caiyu’s slightly disheveled hair, uneven stubble, and eyes that, despite their brightness, couldn’t hide the signs of exhaustion. It stirred a slight ache in his heart.
Had he gone without sleep for several days and nights?
What could have made Huo Caiyu, with his exceptional martial skills, so exhausted? Just how challenging was the journey he had undertaken?
He used to be unaware, but now he understood.
Huo Caiyu hurried back, traveling day and night, probably hoping to see him one day earlier.
Li Jinyu pressed his lips together and suddenly stood up. “It’s late, and Zhen is tired.”
Seeing that His Majesty appeared satisfied, despite his words, Huo Caiyu, though reluctant, replied, “In that case, this official bids farewell to Your Majesty…”
“Stay,” His Majesty said.
Huo Caiyu was startled.
Li Jinyu lowered his head slightly and whispered, “Sleep with Zhen.”
Huo Caiyu slowly opened his eyes, almost believing he had misheard. “Your Majesty…”
Li Jinyu suddenly felt a bit awkward, but upon seeing Huo Caiyu’s surprised expression, he regained his courage. Setting aside the melon seeds, he stood up and walked to the edge of the dragon bed, repeating himself, “Zhen is tired.”
Worried that Huo Caiyu might climb into bed still wearing his dirty armor, Li Jinyu emphasized, “Take off your clothes, they’re dirty.”
Huo Caiyu pursed his lips, a slight curve forming but quickly suppressed. He hurried behind the folding screen and removed his armor and outer garments.
The palace was warmly lit, and even wearing only his inner clothes, he didn’t feel cold.
As Huo Caiyu lay on the bed, he thought to himself that he must have become sweaty and musty during the bumpy journey. He tried to control himself from getting too close to His Majesty. However, lying on the dragon bed, with his head resting on a soft black and gold cloud-patterned pillow, and his beloved by his side, the accumulated fatigue of several months suddenly overwhelmed him, quickly pulling him into a deep sleep.
Li Jinyu lay next to Huo Caiyu, feeling an odd sensation in his heart.
It wasn’t the first time they had shared a bed, but this time it felt different.
He felt more nervous than before when his mind was focused solely on him. Strange details from “educational materials” popped up in his mind, making him highly attentive to Huo Caiyu.
The fragments of memories from that night reminded him that he had already been intimately close to the man beside him.
This man had confessed his feelings to him just a few months ago.
Lying together on a bed like this, would nothing happen…?
However, after anxiously pondering for a while, Li Jinyu didn’t wait for Huo Caiyu’s response. Instead, he heard his loud snoring.
He had actually fallen deeply asleep.
Li Jinyu propped himself up, gazing down at Huo Caiyu in a daze. When his eyes landed on the dark circles under his eyes, all those chaotic thoughts instantly turned into self-disgust.
Seeing how worn out Huo Caiyu looked, what was going through his own mind?
Huo Caiyu had been on edge for these past few months. How tough must it have been?
With Huo Caiyu asleep, that air of dominance on his body had subsided, allowing Li Jinyu to closely observe this man.
Four months of military life seemed to have made Huo Caiyu even stronger. His sleeves revealed well-built muscles on his forearms, and his breathing was calm and steady.
Li Jinyu pressed her lips together and carefully inspected, searching for any scars on Huo Caiyu’s exposed skin.
Every time he found one, it caused an inexplicable tug at his heart.
The Ziwei imperial aura on Huo Caiyu’s body hadn’t noticeably changed compared to four months ago, remaining only a thin layer.
It hadn’t diminished much, allowing Li Jinyu to breathe a sigh of relief.
He settled back down, listening to Huo Caiyu’s snoring. He thought he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep, but lying next to Huo Caiyu, a familiar sense of peace washed over him, and he quickly drifted into dreams.
This was Li Jinyu’s first New Year’s Eve in this world.
It wasn’t yet time for the new day, and outside, sporadic fireworks and bursts of noise could be heard.
The more intense firecrackers wouldn’t be lit until the early morning.
However, nestled in Huo Caiyu’s arms, Li Jinyu felt a sweeter sleep than any other night before, undisturbed even by the deafening sound of New Year’s firecrackers.
………
Huo Caiyu woke up, finding a tightly curled dumpling in his embrace.
His initial instinct was to think he was still in the military camp, and he subconsciously tried to sit up and put on clothes. But as he noticed the absence of the camp’s grand tent, he realized—he had already arrived in the capital.
What’s more, he had actually fallen asleep beside His Majesty last night.
This was really unfortunate.
Huo Caiyu felt somewhat remorseful.
It was a rare occasion to sleep next to His Majesty, and he had slept through the entire night without saying a word… He didn’t know if His Majesty was upset with him.
The rare peaceful sleep and the warm, familiar person in his arms made Huo Caiyu feel much more refreshed.
He turned his head and glanced at His Majesty’s serene sleeping face, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He continued lying there without moving, waiting for His Majesty to wake up.
After waiting for a while, Li Jinyu rubbed his eyes and woke up. It was then that Huo Caiyu gently said, “Your Majesty, happy New Year.”
Li Jinyu sat up, still a bit dazed, and instinctively responded, “Happy New Year.”
But soon, his mind became clear, and as he looked at Huo Caiyu, who had a smile on his face, he felt a slight uneasiness. “You… are you awake?”
Huo Caiyu observed His Majesty’s somewhat flustered appearance and felt even better. He nodded and asked, “Yes. Would Your Majesty like to have breakfast?”
If he remembered correctly, it was the first day of the lunar month, and His Majesty had to go to the ancestral temple to pay respects to the ancestors and then to the suburban Temple of Heaven to offer sacrifices. It would be a busy day.
Li Jinyu also recalled this matter and hurriedly got out of bed. “I need to get up.”
He stood up and put on his clothes, suddenly feeling grateful that he had used enough magic yesterday to sustain him for two days of various rituals… Otherwise, he might have been caught off guard.
Offering sacrifices to the heavens and ancestors was the Emperor’s responsibility. Li Jinyu called Chief Kang to assist him in donning the dragon robe. As he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Huo Caiyu, who had gotten out of bed and was dressing. “Huo Aiqing, you should get some more rest.”
There were still clothes that Huo Caiyu had left in the palace, and Chief Kang understood his meaning, bringing them over.
Huo Caiyu, while putting on his sleeves, was taken aback by the words. “Your Majesty?”
“You’ve been working hard…” Li Jinyu recalled the profound fatigue on Huo Caiyu’s face last night and felt a twinge of pity in his heart, though his expression seemed somewhat unnatural. “Take a good rest.”
Chief Kang’s face had a slightly strange expression— he knew about the time when His Majesty was bedded by the Regent Prince.
Last night, when the Regent Prince suddenly appeared and slept with His Majesty, it made him think a lot…
Seeing His Majesty so energized today, while the Regent Prince seemed to need more rest, could it be that His Majesty had finally regained his authority and won the Regent Prince back through the night?
Chief Kang looked at His Majesty with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
Huo Caiyu paused for a moment, the smile on his lips becoming more noticeable, and nodded after considering it. “This official will comply with the decree.”
Li Jinyu smiled at Huo Caiyu, feeling even more uncomfortable for some reason. He quickly used the excuse of the ritual about to begin and swiftly left with a few quick steps.
Huo Caiyu stayed in the palace, watching the retreating figure of His Majesty, and finally couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
Why was His Majesty so cute?
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