Chapter 46
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Why isn’t it Chu Yao!
Fu Nian quickly shifted his blade, tossing it out. He then bent his elbows and knees, using his left arm to support himself as he landed.
Because of the slanted roof, even after he landed, he slid forward a few steps due to inertia.
Finally managing to halt himself, Fu Nian’s face pressed against the rooftop, in a standard kowtow position, kneeling on the ground.
It hurts…
The rough rooftop tiles caused Fu Nian to slip, exposing the flesh on the outside of his left hand, which was scraped open along with the exposed forearm. Even his cheek wasn’t spared as it grazed against the tiles.
“I apologize for the intrusion and not realizing…” Fu Nian hadn’t finished his sentence when he felt the tile beneath his knee loosen. He quickly stabilized himself, “I didn’t detect the presence of Your Majesty here. I unintentionally disturbed you and will take my leave.”
Saying that, he hastily got up, intending to leap off the rooftop.
Before he could jump, his collar was suddenly grabbed, yanking him back. He struggled like a cat caught doing something wrong, staggering a couple of steps before regaining balance. He didn’t dare move further, not even a whimper escaping his lips.
Although this body was agile in movement, capable of moving like a startled rabbit, it was also lightweight due to the missing arm and leg.
After being held for a while, Fu Nian started feeling uncomfortable due to the constriction around his neck. Reluctant to fight back or resist due to the person’s identity, he could only make slight movements.
“Cough, cough, cough…” His throat was already irritated from the previous cold, and now, with the pressure around his neck, he couldn’t suppress the urge to cough.
Just as he was about to cough, the grip around his neck loosened, and his breath suddenly flowed smoothly. Fu Nian took in several deep breaths of fresh air.
His coughing intensified.
After a while, the coughing finally subsided. Having learned from the experience of being grabbed by the neck earlier, Fu Nian dared not move recklessly.
He stared at the man before him, dressed in dragon-embroidered robes. Unlike usual when he meticulously sat on the dragon throne, overseeing the world with a disdainful gaze, he now leaned lazily against the eaves. A closer look revealed that his dragon robe was slightly disheveled. However, the man didn’t seem careless. On the contrary, he exuded a touch of gallant heroism, occasionally tilting his head back to take a few sips of wine. The liquid that hadn’t reached his mouth trickled slowly down his lips. The droplet glided across the protruding Adam’s apple, completing the almost perfect side profile…
Fu Nian quickly averted his gaze, not wanting to continue behaving rudely.
“Sit.”
Upon hearing the command, Fu Nian adjusted his awkward kneeling posture to sit more gracefully.
As he sat down, he sensed Chu Zhaoyi’s gaze briefly sweeping in his direction, but it shifted away almost instantly. It was impossible to discern his deeper emotions.
Suddenly, Fu Nian saw a wine jar placed in front of him.
He lifted his head, looking at Chu Zhaoyi who was passing him the wine, his confusion evident.
Palace guards were forbidden to drink alcohol, especially when they were out of the palace. Alcohol consumption was a grave offense.
“Tsk, hand it over.” Seeing Fu Nian’s delayed reaction, Chu Zhaoyi took back the wine jar and gestured for him to extend his hand.
Fu Nian passed his prosthetic hand over.
“Left hand.” This time, Chu Yao didn’t give him a chance to extend his hand voluntarily. He directly grabbed Fu Nian’s left wrist, pulling it toward himself.
Fu Nian allowed him to pull his wrist, not moving at all.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot from the outside of his wrist through his forearm. The strong liquor came into contact with the wound, causing his hand to instinctively clench, trying to pull it back.
“Stay still.” Chu Zhaoyi’s voice remained deep.
The sensation of strong alcohol pouring onto his wound wasn’t pleasant. Gritting his teeth, Fu Nian attempted to keep his composure.
After about half a jar of strong liquor was poured, the restraints on his wrist eased slightly. Fu Nian took the chance to retract his hand, hiding it behind his back.
This time, Chu Zhaoyi didn’t yank him but instead tossed a small porcelain box over.
Fu Nian extended his hand using his prosthetic to catch it, and it smelled like ordinary healing salve. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After expressing gratitude, seeing that Chu Zhaoyi hadn’t spoken, Fu Nian turned his back and began applying the salve to his wound.
As he licked his wound, he suddenly heard Chu Zhaoyi’s voice from behind.
“Chu Yao!” After shouting, Chu Zhaoyi muttered, “This kid, where did he go again? He managed to lose even his disciple…”
Fu Nian’s motion of licking his wound paused.
The person he had knocked out was lying in the room below. He had come up with a knife. He couldn’t act like he had nothing to hide.
He coughed twice.
After a long silence, Chu Zhaoyi took a sip of wine and glanced at Fu Nian’s back, then casually spoke, “I remember that your name was on the list of those who reported sick earlier. I had someone send you medicine along the way. Did you receive it?”
Fu Nian: …
Yes, he received it, and then he knocked the person out.
He had no choice but to cough twice, trying to speak with a hoarse voice, “Yes. I caught a slight cold due to the heavy rain last night. Coughing could disturb my colleagues’ rest, so I was planning to find an empty courtyard to rest. I heard a noise on the roof and went out with a knife. Unexpectedly, it was Your Majesty. I deserve punishment.”
After saying that, there was another prolonged silence before Fu Nian finally heard a drawn-out “Oh” from Chu Zhaoyi.
Then, another long period of silence followed. Fu Nian was halfway turned away from Chu Zhaoyi and could only hear the constant sound of Chu Zhaoyi drinking wine and the crisp clinking of the wine jar against the rooftop tiles.
In the past, in times of impending major events or when worried about unresolved matters, Chu Zhaoyi would drink alone in great gulps.
However, this time Fu Nian didn’t ask and wasn’t concerned at all. He was busy thinking about how to come up with an excuse to slip away. If the person in the room woke up and went to report to Chu Zhaoyi, he might not be able to escape.
Looking at Chu Zhaoyi, who was silently drinking, Fu Nian cautiously spoke, trying not to make his intentions too obvious, “I have an illness, and I fear it might be contagious. Would Your Majesty kindly allow me to take my leave?”
Just as he finished speaking, Fu Nian suddenly heard some movement from below the roof. His heart tightened, and he quickly coughed twice again, lowering his head to rub his temples.
The physical qualities of the shadow guards were naturally exceptional. Even if knocked unconscious, they wouldn’t remain asleep for too long.
Before Chu Yao could answer, the commotion in the room below became much louder.
It was clear that someone had woken up and was climbing out of the pile of debris.
Chu Zhaoyi’s tone remained calm and unhurried, “In such a hurry to leave?”
“Cough, cough, cough… I’m just afraid of infecting you.”
As loud as the coughs were, they couldn’t quite cover up the noises coming from the room.
Fu Nian felt anxious, but he could only feign weakness.
Seconds ticked away.
Fu Nian could tell that the young shadow guard in the room below had almost managed to get out of the room. Almost simultaneously, he finally managed to extract the permission he sought from Chu Zhaoyi’s mouth.
“Mm. Go back and rest well.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Fu Nian leaped down from the roof and swiftly pushed the person who had made their way to the door back inside.
With the shelter of the eaves, Chu Zhaoyi on the rooftop could hear their movements but couldn’t see their actions.
Fortunately, Chu Zhaoyi hadn’t realized that Fu Nian intended to escape the palace.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so easy.
“Wu—” The young shadow guard had just awakened, not yet finding their footing, and they were attacked again, attempting to strike back. However, the techniques they learned were no match for Fu Nian, and they were quickly subdued.
Fu Nian coerced the young shadow guard, pressing them back into the room. “Keep quiet.”
“Don’t make any noise, I’ll let you out in a moment. Otherwise—” Fu Nian didn’t finish the sentence; he simply tapped the side of the guard’s neck with his cold prosthetic.
“I only came with my Master to deliver medicine…”
“Understood your goodwill. Here’s some tea.” Fu Nian interrupted in a hushed tone, handing over a small but heavy silk pouch. “Of course, you can tell your Master or His Majesty about this, or you can choose to keep it secret, as if nothing happened.”
Fu Nian didn’t really expect to deceive the guard; he simply wanted to buy time to create an opportunity to escape.
After all, Chu Zhaoyi was still sitting on the rooftop.
Unexpectedly, the young shadow guard was quite obedient. Whether it was due to Fu Nian not killing him or because he was frightened, he leaned against Fu Nian’s chest and didn’t move.
“Apologies, I wasted some time looking for Qianqi. I rushed here when I heard the bell.”
It was Chu Yao’s voice.
Fu Nian listened attentively.
Sure enough, Chu Yao was nearby. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have recklessly attempted to “assassinate” him earlier.
“We couldn’t find him. Perhaps the child was just playing around. You’ve mentioned before that he’s very talented, but he lacks discipline. It’s my negligence…”
“…”
“You’ve already had quite a lot to drink. Regrettably, I can’t comply with that request. General Dou’s condition has improved significantly, and he’s resting… Apologies for speaking out of turn. I’ll carry you back.”
Carry Chu Zhaoyi back?
Upon hearing this, Fu Nian’s whole body tensed instantly, wishing he could make his ears stand up.
Had Chu Zhaoyi ever allowed someone else to carry him unless he was severely injured? Even when severely injured, Fu Nian remembered that as long as Chu Zhaoyi was conscious, he wouldn’t let him carry him. He insisted on both of them supporting each other to get out of danger.
Furthermore, judging from Chu Yao’s ordinary tone, this situation must not have been a first.
Unconsciously, Fu Nian pinched the young shadow guard he was restraining in his arms.
“…”
“Sorry.” Fu Nian realized he had pinched the wrong person and quickly changed to pinching his own palm.
The conversation on the rooftop continued.
“Yes. The prince of the Northern Kingdom sent a message and is already on his way. Using the pretext of visiting General Dou, he claimed that the two countries have been friendly for many years and that the border is stable, thanks to General Dou…”
“…”
“It’s all nonsense. They still owe us the tribute and taxes from last year. Thankfully, you had the foresight to come to Shuzhou Palace in advance. Otherwise, it would have been even more difficult if the thieves had entered the capital.”
“…”
Chu Zhaoyi’s voice was very low, almost inaudible, but Chu Yao’s report was clear and distinct.
In his previous life, when he was still alive, Chu Zhaoyi had constantly worried about the Northern Territory’s issues.
However, in his previous life, he adhered to his role and never inquired about Chu Zhaoyi’s specific affairs. Chu Zhaoyi also never discussed them with him. He simply functioned as an emotionless blade.
Fu Nian clenched his fist.
So, it was possible to discuss political matters with the shadow guards; he just hadn’t discussed them with him.
He thought for a moment. Chu Yao had joined the royal family much earlier than he did… Fu Nian shifted his gaze, trying not to dwell on old memories.
Chu Zhaoyi’s worries and the nation’s troubles were of no concern to him.
“I understand. I’ve kept everyone on high alert these past few days.”
“…”
“I know. They can’t win openly, so assassination is inevitable. Their recent activities in the capital couldn’t escape your attention either. I will certainly ensure your safety.”
Assassination?
Fu Nian pondered Chu Yao’s words.
In his previous life, while he was still alive, Chu Zhaoyi had received assassination attempts from the Northern Kingdom. It was only after several close calls that the relationship between the two countries improved.
The assassins from the Northern Kingdom were formidable, and Fu Nian had personally experienced their skills. Could Chu Yao’s abilities protect Chu Zhaoyi?
With these thoughts, Fu Nian’s intention to immediately head to his sect wavered.
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