“King Dingnan speaks truly. Tomorrow, the Xia envoy meets Zhao’s representatives. Yin Shu, what have you prepared to do?”
Yin Wuzhi laid a hand on the letter, while Jiang Wu tilted his head to watch him. Calmly, Yin Wuzhi answered, “I intend to kill Zhao Cheng and the envoys, forcing Zhao to wage war.”
There was an uproar in the imperial study. Minister Chen responded, “While we aren’t afraid of a war, such a move would cause untold suffering to our people.”
Jiang Wu asked, “Who would lead the troops?”
Grand Preceptor Wen suggested, “If war is imminent, I propose Yin Shu and Zuo Haoqing. But we should deliberate carefully. Yin Shu, why press for war?”
“Targeting our emperor challenges our national dignity. Our land is filled with heroes,” Yin Wuzhi replied firmly. His gaze met Zuo Haoqing’s, who straightened up, inspired. Yin Wuzhi continued, “If we don’t strike back, how can we hold our ground?”
Zuo Haoqing eagerly added, “Exactly! Let’s strike them down. Kill Zhao Cheng, and let them see the price of crossing us!”
Minister Chen Ziyan agreed, “I’ll prepare the war chest and count the costs.”
Zuo Haoqing replied, “I’ll arrange the horses and troops.”
Yin Wuzhi said, “I’ll create a strategy for wartime resource management.”
Minister Qiu sighed, “I’ll draft an alternative plan for securing our interests if we avoid war.”
Jiang Wu: “.”
Later that day, as Yin Wuzhi carried him back to Taiji Hall, Jiang Wu asked, “Do you want to kill Zhao Cheng and take down Zhao once more?”
“Mm.”
“Then what about me?”
Yin Wuzhi paused, replying, “I’ll conquer Zhao in three years and present it to you.”
“What do I need with Zhao?”
“So no one will ever call you a foolish emperor again.”
“But you could simply stay by my side, govern with me, and I wouldn’t be called foolish.”
“You’re destined for greatness.”
“You don’t have to expand our borders to be a great ruler.”
Yin Wuzhi didn’t quite understand, so Jiang Wu, growing weary, let his hand fall away from Yin Wuzhi’s neck and sighed, “I’m tired.”
Yin Wuzhi laid him on the imperial bed. Jiang Wu closed his eyes in resignation, then opened them to see Yin Wuzhi gazing intently. “Why are you staring at me?” he asked.
“Let me look my fill.”
“Have you seen enough?”
“Not enough.”
“Then don’t go anywhere,” Jiang Wu said. “Keep looking at me.”
Yin Wuzhi’s experience with Zhao made him an ideal candidate for minimizing losses in war. Yet Jiang Wu didn’t need this promise. He didn’t know how to tell Yin Wuzhi that he dreaded even a moment apart.
The thought of separation drained him as if every bone had been removed from his body. Once, he had no bones, and it hadn’t mattered. But now that he’d found a reason to live, the thought of losing it left him feeling hollow.
“Yin Wuzhi,” he murmured, “keep looking at me, alright?”
Yin Wuzhi ruffled his hair, “Alright.”
“Do whatever you want—kill whoever you wish,” Jiang Wu said. “Just don’t leave me.”
Yin Wuzhi’s heart skipped, his eyes brightened, and he held him tightly. “You just don’t want to part with me?”
“Don’t want.” Jiang Wu tugged his hair gently, voice soft, “Don’t want. Don’t want. Don’t want.”
He sounded so aggrieved that Yin Wuzhi’s heart both ached and wanted to laugh. “So reluctant to let me go?”
“Mm.” Jiang Wu replied honestly, lips turned down, “Very reluctant.”
Yin Wuzhi held him, lost for what to do. He finally asked, “Being with me—does it matter more than all the glory?”
“Mmm.”
“R-Really?”
His careful look no longer resembled that of an ancient ghost. At the same time, Jiang Wu’s expression was also uncharacteristically tender. His eyes glistened with tears, and he said, “Mmm.”
Yin Wuzhi embraced him, chuckling quietly as he rolled with Jiang Wu across the bed.
Jiang Wu laid softly atop him, still feeling melancholic. Yin Wuzhi rolled with him again, leaving Jiang Wu dizzy as he laid back on the dragon bed. Yin Wuzhi’s lips continued to curl into a wide smile that he couldn’t contain. He said joyfully, “Then, I won’t go anywhere.”
Jiang Wu blinked, his lashes brushing away the moisture from his eyes, making them appear even more misty.
Yin Wuzhi planted a loud kiss on his face and said, “From now on, in life and in death, wherever you go, I will follow.”
Before Jiang Wu could respond, he was kissed again, unable to resist.
Qiu Wuchen left Guanjing, and no one knew where she went. The Great Empress Dowager, having failed to pressure Jiang Wu, turned her attention to pressing for King Xiang’s marriage.
In the end, Yin Wuzhi decided to follow Minister Qiu’s proposal and negotiate with Zhao Cheng and Zhao Kingdom to obtain the best benefits possible without bloodshed.
Jiang Wu disliked war.
If a confrontation ever became inevitable, he would likely lie down and accept defeat. But Yin Wuzhi would never let him lose.
After a few days, Jiang Wu arranged for another trip into town.
The sweet scent of blooming osmanthus trees filled Guanjing, and a large black dog trotted happily behind the carriage, its face full of joy at being with its master.
The carriage stopped at a busy alleyway, and Yin Wuzhi jumped out first. Jiang Wu, after a brief pause, climbed out lazily.
The osmanthus scent was heavy in the air, and Jiang Wu strolled leisurely through the bustling crowd. Street vendors called out to attract customers, shopkeepers welcomed patrons at their doors, and snippets of whispers floated by as people brushed past him.
“Young master, try our red bean mochi cake! Soft, fragrant, and delicious.”
Jiang Wu stopped in front of the stall, asking, “Is it sticky?”
“Not at all! You’ll definitely want another once you’ve tried it. Would you like one?”
The rich smell of red bean filled his nose, and Jiang Wu made a soft sound of agreement, accepting a piece wrapped in parchment paper from the vendor.
Yin Wuzhi, behind him, paid for it.
Jiang Wu held the mochi cake, first sniffing it, then poking it with a finger. The soft cake left a slight dent under his touch.
Yin Wuzhi walked beside him and said, “Let me hold it for you.”
Jiang Wu didn’t respond. He leaned down and pressed his teeth lightly against the cake.
Walking alongside him, Yin Wuzhi asked, “Is it hot on your teeth?”
Jiang Wu: “.”
“And your hands? Are they hot?”
Jiang Wu: “.”
He took a small bite.
The texture was a little sticky but pleasantly chewy. Jiang Wu held it up to Yin Wuzhi’s face.
Surprised and delighted, Yin Wuzhi held both hands out to receive it.
Ah Gui, looked up at them, barking as if enviously celebrating a lucky day for his ancestors.
To think he’d ever be fed by Jiang Wu.
Yin Wuzhi took a small bite.
Jiang Wu: “.”
So Yin Wuzhi took another bite.
Jiang Wu: “Lot.”
Yin Wuzhi thought, His Majesty really is kind to me.
He took another bite, savoring the red bean filling, with happiness lingering in his mouth.
Jiang Wu pulled his hand back, and Yin Wuzhi, swallowing the food, followed him closely. He watched as Jiang Wu bit down on the spot he had bitten.
Yin Wuzhi: “!”
Ah Gui barked loudly again.
Yin Wuzhi coughed twice, his cheeks flushing red.
Jiang Wu stuck out his tongue and licked the spot.
Yin Wuzhi’s ears turned crimson.
“Your Majesty, let’s be mindful in public.”
“Red bean,” Jiang Wu replied, “just that part.”
It took Yin Wuzhi a moment to realize Jiang Wu only wanted him to finish the outer layer, leaving the filling for him.
“I’ll ask the imperial kitchen to make more for you when we return.”
“Mmm.” Jiang Wu handed the rest of the outer layer to him and said, “The rest.”
Yin Wuzhi took a bite from where Jiang Wu had licked, then tossed the remainder to Ah Gui. He asked, “What else would you like to eat?”
“Everything.”
“Everything once?”
“Woof!”
“No barking,” Yin Wuzhi scolded, then turned to Jiang Wu with a gentle tone, “There’s a wonton shop up ahead that my mother loves. Would you like to try it?”
Jiang Wu replied, “Mmm!”
They walked on, but after about ten meters, Jiang Wu asked, “How much farther?”
“Almost there, just around the corner.”
Ten more meters later, Jiang Wu asked again, “How much farther?”
“Just around the corner. You can already see it.”
After twenty meters, Jiang Wu stopped and squatted down.
Someone lifted him up and carried him on their back, saying, “It’s really close. Just wait and see.”
Jiang Wu laid against him, saying, “If it’s far, summon a horse.”
“It’s not far,” Yin Wuzhi replied. “At my pace, it’ll take just half an hour.”
So this wasn’t far.
For Yin Wuzhi, half an hour was quick, but for Jiang Wu, it felt like an incense stick’s time. Clearly, they had different ideas of what was close.
Jiang Wu clung to Yin Wuzhi’s neck and looked around.
This world was supposed to have nothing to do with him, and no one passing by would ever change his life.
A small thief reached for a wealthy merchant’s pocket, while a nearby stall owner argued with a customer. The bun seller, wiping his face with a cloth, wore a look of calm shaped by years of hardship, yet he greeted his patrons with a warm smile as he set down their buns.
The young master fanned himself as he walked with a scantily clad woman, only to encounter a patrol up ahead. The leader pointed at them, prompting the young master and the woman to escape in two different directions.
A delicate girl pouted as she carried her clothes into a tailor shop, while a butcher with a beefy face slammed his cleaver heavily onto the chopping block…
The world bustled with people from all walks of life.
Everyone moved within the crowd.
“Why are you so quiet?”
“I just really want to reach that wonton stall.”
Yin Wuzhi immediately quickened his pace.
The wind brushed past their ears, blending the scent of food with the sweet aroma of osmanthus blossoms.
Jiang Wu reached up and brushed away the strands of long hair near Yin Wuzhi’s ear, loosened by their hurried pace.
This world might seem meaningless, yet somehow, it did have a bit of meaning.
Especially if there was someone he couldn’t bear to leave and a wonton stall he wanted to reach.
Yin Wuzhi made a sharp stop in front of the wonton stall, standing rigidly by the table, with steam practically rising from his head.
“Sir, would you like some wontons?”
Yin Wuzhi came to his senses and replied, “Yes, one bowl, please.”
“Any dietary restrictions?”
He glanced sideways at the black-haired head resting against his shoulder.
Soft sensations lingered around his ears and cheek.
This guy…
“Sir?”
“No restrictions; anything is fine.”
Jiang Wu was placed on the long bench and leaned against Yin Wuzhi’s shoulder, their fingers slowly intertwining.
The aroma of wonton soup filled the air.
So fresh, so fragrant, so promising.
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Thank you for your hard work translator!!❤️ Will there the extras be translated?