After so long, the peach was soft and tender, sweet and juicy.
One bite and the juice ran down Yin Wuzhi’s hand.
He caught the juice with a handkerchief, keeping it from dripping onto Jiang Wu. “Does it taste good?”
Jiang Wu swallowed, nodded, and continued eating.
Yin Wuzhi’s hand was steady, patiently flipping the peach when one side had been eaten so that Jiang Wu could eat the other. His movements were gentle and unhurried, showing no sign of impatience despite Jiang Wu’s slow pace.
After finishing half the peach, Jiang Wu laid back down.
“Are you full?” Yin Wuzhi asked.
Not full, just tired.
Yin Wuzhi said, “Rest for a while, and you can eat more later.”
As always, Jiang Wu didn’t need to say much; Yin Wuzhi seemed to know what he was thinking.
He placed the remaining half of the peach aside and used a handkerchief to wipe Jiang Wu’s mouth.
Jiang Wu glanced at the half-eaten peach, then at Yin Wuzhi, who had settled back in his chair, picking up some official documents from the imperial study.
Ever since Yin Wuzhi entered the palace, Jiang Wu had delegated such matters to him.
Jiang Wu shifted slightly on the chaise, though it wasn’t much more than a small adjustment of his shoulders.
Yin Wuzhi looked up, set the documents down, and moved to reposition him.
A short while later, Jiang Wu shifted again, moving only a little but enough to rustle his clothes, which once again caught Yin Wuzhi’s attention.
This time, Yin Wuzhi cradled Jiang Wu’s body in his arms, adjusting his head with patient care. “Does this feel better?”
Jiang Wu murmured a sound of agreement, and Yin Wuzhi withdrew once more.
Fifteen minutes later, the movement resumed on the chair.
For the third time, Yin Wuzhi embraced him, asking, “Does something itch?”
“.”
“Or is it uncomfortable from lying down too long?”
Jiang Wu remained silent.
Yin Wuzhi asked, “Do you want to take a walk?”
“The sun.”
It was indeed too hot outside. Yin Wuzhi suggested, “Then perhaps just walk around inside the hall?”
“No.”
Yin Wuzhi had no choice but to adjust his position again. This time, just as he was about to pull away, a hand suddenly tugged at the corner of his robe.
Yin Wuzhi looked at his hand.
Jiang Wu’s eyelashes fluttered as his fingers slowly, sluggishly climbed up the fabric of Yin Wuzhi’s robe, pausing every so often to rest before continuing, crawling from his arm to his shoulder, and finally draping over the back of his neck.
Yin Wuzhi, understanding, picked up Jiang Wu’s other hand and wrapped it around his neck as well. “What’s the matter?”
“Carry.”
Yin Wuzhi opened his arms and held him close. Jiang Wu’s face pressed against his chest, and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat echoed in his ears.
He wasn’t someone without curiosity. When he encountered something he didn’t understand, he would get confused, but most of the time, because the matter had nothing to do with him or wasn’t particularly important, he couldn’t be bothered to ask. After all, knowing or not knowing the answer wouldn’t impact his life in any way.
Someone as lifeless as him is bound to die eventually. His current life doesn’t belong to someone like that, and the warmth or coldness of human relationships naturally has nothing to do with him either.
If he wanted a hug, Yin Wuzhi would hug him, as if everything about Yin Wuzhi belonged to Jiang Wu.
It was as though he allowed this lifeless person to take whatever he wanted.
…Of course, he also allowed Yin Wuzhi to take whatever he wanted in return.
“Yin Wuzhi.”
“Hmm.”
“Yin Wuzhi.”
“I’m here.”
Yin Wuzhi, Yin Wuzhi, Yin Wuzhi.
His body was held tighter by Yin Wuzhi, who softly asked, “What do you want to say?”
The lifeless one clung to his clothes.
Just because he had been silent recently didn’t mean he hadn’t noticed—Yin Wuzhi wasn’t as affectionate toward him as before.
He no longer ate his leftovers, nor did he do things he thought would be good for him. Though this newfound freedom was enjoyable, suddenly, it felt like a kite had broken free from its string, lost in the world, not knowing where to go.
“There’s still some peach left.”
Yin Wuzhi released him and said, “Rest a bit, then have some more?”
Jiang Wu: “.”
Yin Wuzhi asked, “Don’t feel like eating? Then what does Your Majesty want to do?”
The lifeless one’s hand slipped off his shoulder and weakly tugged at his clothes. “You eat it.”
Yin Wuzhi couldn’t help but laugh. He placed the lifeless one back in the chair, picked up the half-eaten peach, and obediently took a bite. The peach made a juicy sound, and Jiang Wu stared at his red lips, watching as he swallowed the peach and showed him the pit. “All gone.”
He tossed the pit away, wiped his hands, and tilted his head to ask, “Anything else Your Majesty would like?”
Jiang Wu blinked his eyelashes.
That smile on his lips made Jiang Wu uncomfortable.
Yin Wuzhi should be vibrant and full of life, not like this, as if he had no desires, just like the lifeless one.
“Your Majesty, the national teacher of Zhao seeks an audience.”
Qi Hanmiao’s voice interrupted Jiang Wu’s thoughts. He said, “He still hasn’t left?”
Qi Hanmiao instinctively glanced at Yin Wuzhi.
He remembered that day when the emperor collapsed in the crown prince’s arms due to the symbiotic gu. The Great Empress Dowager rushed forward in panic, Zhao Cheng was pulled back by Ku Yin, and King Dingnan led his men forward. The soldiers of the Xia Kingdom, unaware of the gu, thought that Empress Dowager Yao had attacked the emperor, their eyes burning red with rage.
Qi Hanmiao knelt at the back, trembling in fear.
He hadn’t expected the emperor to order Empress Dowager Yao’s death either.
In the chaos, Yin Wuzhi’s voice was especially clear and notable: “He says he knew nothing of the gu.”
It was as if he had heard something incredibly amusing, and he let out a faint chuckle.
After that, the emperor was entrusted to the Great Empress Dowager, and Yin Shizi leapt forward, charging directly at Zhao Cheng. Qi Hanmiao had witnessed it all firsthand.
Ku Yin clashed with him, and for some reason, they kept retreating. “Yin Wuzhi, calm down. I have a way to save him. Just promise to let Lady He return to her country…”
“Who asked you to save him? If he wants to die, let him die. You’ll all be buried with him.” His pupils dilated, blood vessels crawling over his eyes like spider webs, madness curling at the corners of his lips. “You’ll all be buried with him—”
Qi Hanmiao replied, “Yes, he hasn’t left yet.”
“Let him in.”
Ku Yin soon entered and bowed to Jiang Wu. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“Sit.”
Ku Yin calmly sat down and said, “Previously, the Xia Kingdom promised that as long as Your Majesty woke up, Lady He and the crown prince could return to their country. Now that Your Majesty is fully recovered…” He glanced at Yin Wuzhi, who was reviewing documents with lowered eyes, then continued, “I wonder if Your Majesty will honor that promise.”
Jiang Wu replied, “She’s still alive.”
Ku Yin said, “The symbiotic gu has been lifted, and Your Majesty is now free. For the sake of the bond between mother and son, I ask that Your Majesty spare her life.”
Yin Wuzhi’s lips curled into a faint smile.
Ku Yin tried to avoid glancing at him, continuing to address Jiang Wu. “Your Majesty once said you had met me before. Do you still remember?”
“You’re a traveler from another world, too.”
Ku Yin smiled. “You could say that. I do have memories of meeting Your Majesty, but our fates have already changed. Whether we’ll meet again in the future is uncertain.”
Jiang Wu asked, “So you’re saying you’re not the person I met back then.”
“I only know that I am now the national teacher of Zhao. Since we’ve started over, we each have our own paths to follow. I hope both sides can coexist peacefully.”
The document was lightly tossed onto the table, making a soft sound.
This lunatic. Ku Yin knew that persuading Jiang Wu would open a door for them, so he said, “Your Majesty, is your body still feeling any discomfort?”
Jiang Wu replied, “No.”
“Then, may we return to our country?”
“I don’t think the time is right,” Yin Wuzhi said. “The national teacher is skilled in the use of gu. Who’s to say Your Majesty is fine now, but won’t be affected in the future?”
Ku Yin said, “The young general should know that I would never harm His Majesty again.”
Yin Wuzhi responded, “You have the heart of a wolf. Such crimes are punishable by death.”
Jiang Wu instinctively looked at Yin Wuzhi.
Ku Yin’s expression didn’t change. He turned to Jiang Wu once more and said, “Does the Xia Kingdom intend to go back on its word?”
He had come alone today, thinking that his connection with Jiang Wu might persuade him to let go. After all, Yin Wuzhi was always by Jiang Wu’s side—who knew what kind of influence he had on him.
Jiang Wu asked Yin Wuzhi, “Should we let them go?”
Ku Yin’s brow furrowed.
Yin Wuzhi calmly replied, “I’m fine with whatever. I will follow Your Majesty’s command.”
Jiang Wu said, “Then do as you wish.”
Ku Yin breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Then we will officially take our leave, Your Majesty…”
“Not in private.” Yin Wuzhi said indifferently, “Tomorrow morning at Chengde Hall. Otherwise, people will think the Xia Kingdom is a place you can come and go as you please.”
Jiang Wu had not attended court for a while. On the second day, he was obediently seated on the imperial throne, waiting for the Zhao State envoy to explain their case.
Just as he was about to grant permission, Chen Ziyan suddenly stepped forward from the ranks: “Your Majesty, I believe this cannot be allowed. You have suffered at the hands of spies since childhood. If we let them go now, where would the dignity of the Great Xia stand?”
Ku Yin and Zhao Cheng immediately looked up towards the throne. Jiang Wu’s expression was indifferent, yet even while seated, he exuded immense authority. Standing beside him, Yin Wuzhi, dressed in a striking red robe symbolizing his shizi status, stood out like a regal red serpent.
With Chen Ziyan speaking out, the other ministers quickly chimed in with their agreement.
Zuo Haoqing also spoke harshly, “The Zhao people sneaked into the Xia kingdom first, which was already unreasonable. The spy cast a parasitic gu on the Emperor—an act of extreme malice. Lifting the gu was their duty, and now they use it as a bargaining chip without shame.”
Ran Yimiao, standing behind, raised his hand: “I second this.”
Marquis Zuowu added, “I second this.”
King Dingnan and a host of other officials echoed in unison: “I second this.”
Ku Yin met Yin Wuzhi’s gaze, the latter smiling faintly, without a trace of hostility. Yet, when he looked someone in the eye, it sent a chill through them despite the absence of any overt menace.
As foreigners in a strange land, they could only endure this humiliation.
The court session concluded in vain.
After the court adjourned, Zhao Cheng stormed out of the Chengde Hall without looking back. As he reached the palace gates, he noticed his carriage overturned on the ground. Standing nearby was a man with a hostile expression. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry, I accidentally knocked it over.”
It was King Xiang, Jiang Rui.
Zhao Cheng clenched his fists as Jiang Rui swaggered over. Ku Yin quietly stepped forward to shield Zhao Cheng, but Jiang Rui deliberately bumped into his shoulder.
Zhao Cheng was about to lose his temper, but Ku Yin restrained him: “Let’s go.”
King Xiang glanced back at them and sneered heavily.
Zhao Cheng could only walk back. As he passed through the streets, a shop door suddenly swung open, and someone splashed a bucket of dirty water at him. The offender repeatedly apologized, leaving Zhao Cheng no outlet for his growing anger.
A few steps later, a young nobleman galloped his horse recklessly through the street. If not for the protection of the national teacher, the horse’s hooves would have struck Zhao Cheng’s shoulder. The young noble glanced at him, saying, “Oops, my mistake.”
In the past days, Zhao Cheng had felt overwhelming hostility in the Xia kingdom, though this was just the tip of the iceberg.
During Jiang Wu’s recovery, the Zhao envoys had been arrested, and everyone assumed they were responsible for Jiang Wu’s injuries. Whenever someone from Zhao was seen in the streets, they were immediately met with shouts and attacks—far worse than the malice they experienced now.
Yet, they couldn’t avoid going out to buy food and supplies. When they did, they had to wear their traditional Zhao attire to maintain their country’s dignity.
Now that Jiang Wu had awakened, the situation had slightly improved.
Although the Zhao envoys had indeed been in the wrong, the Great Xia, in keeping with the stature of a powerful nation, still provided them with a spacious and luxurious mansion.
At this moment, Yao Ji was trimming flowers in the courtyard.
One of her maids glanced at the time, barely able to conceal her excitement. “Today, the national teacher went to Chengde Hall to request permission to return to Zhao. I’m sure we’ll be able to go home in a few days.”
Another maid added, “I can’t wait to go back. Staying in this foreign land has been so unsettling.”
Yao Ji was dressed simply, without makeup, her expression calm and serene.
Though Jiang Wu and she shared the parasitic gu, all he could feel was her pain. She had been the one stabbed, and her wound was very real. Her body had yet to fully recover from the injury.
Thinking back to Jiang Wu’s blade, she still felt sorrow and heartache. Sometimes, she wondered if she had been too ambitious. If she hadn’t tried to make a name for herself in a foreign land, perhaps things wouldn’t have gone this far between her and her son.
But at least she had another son, Zhao Cheng.
Though they hadn’t seen each other for many years, Zhao Cheng treated her with extraordinary kindness. He had confided in her about what life was like without a mother, and they had cried together. Only then did she realize how much Zhao Cheng had missed her since childhood.
At that moment, someone called out, “The crown prince has returned!”
Yao Ji put down her scissors and hurried towards the gate.
She longed to go home—desperately.
Her son still cared for her, allowing her to return to Zhao. Perhaps this was the best ending for their mother-son relationship.
When Zhao Cheng arrived at the residence, he was in a miserable state.
He quietly entered, the weight of his grievances almost overwhelming him.
Ku Yin said, “Your Highness, go change your clothes first. Don’t let the Madam worry.”
“Worry about me?” Zhao Cheng scoffed from behind a screen, his voice filled with bitterness. “She stabbed the child she raised with her own hands. Could she really care about me?”
“Your Highness…”
“Royal Father was right. The moment she aligned herself with the enemy and gave birth to Jiang Wu, she ceased being my mother. I’ve been a fool… If I had known what kind of woman she was—a woman willing to betray her own son—I wouldn’t have come for her.”
“Your Highness…”
“I was a fool to risk my life for a mother who doesn’t deserve the title, making Royal Father worry. I should never have come.”
“Your Highness!”
“Did you foresee this day, national teacher? Is that why you tried to stop me…. I’ve been so blind.”
Yao Ji stumbled back, accidentally knocking over a flower pot, causing a clatter. Zhao Cheng froze, then rushed out, but only saw someone swiftly turning a corner.
He stood there for a while, confusion and helplessness written on his face.
In the Taiji Hall, Jiang Wu was seated while Yin Wuzhi gently removed the crown from his head and carefully combed his hair.
Jiang Wu had no objections to the court’s decision, but he felt something was off with Yin Wuzhi: “Why are you deceiving them?”
“I’m not.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I didn’t deceive them,” Yin Wuzhi explained. “I just felt that letting them off so easily would damage our kingdom’s dignity.”
“Was Chen Ziyan arranged by you?”
Yin Wuzhi wrapped his arms around him from behind, pressing his nose against his neck and whispered, “Your Majesty smells so good.”
Soon after, the imperial robe was loosened, and Yin Wuzhi knelt in front of him, saying, “Your Majesty, shall we take a nap?”
Jiang Wu: “.”
Yin Wuzhi kissed his lips from below, his straight nose brushing against his, his voice husky and soft, full of allure, “Your Majesty, let’s nap.”
Jiang Wu: “…”
You fox spirit, one day you’re going to drain me dry.
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