TN: bonus chapter💕

So Jing Ye slept like this, and slept two days straight.

He woke up early in the morning.

The first thing he saw was snow-white fur, and then a fluffy dog ​​face, with soft ears that fold down and dark eyes. It was currently exhaling hot air with its tongue hanging out.

Jing Ye: “…..”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Someone hugged him from behind, touched his earlobe, and drawled: “The fever is gone.”

Jing Ye moved his lips: “Water…..”

“You want to drink water again?” The young man was very impatient, “Didn’t I just feed you?”

Feed?

Jing Ye saw him stretch out a long arm, pick up the water bowl placed by the bed, took a sip, and pulled Jing Ye’s face up to him.

Jing Ye: “! Gulu gulu…..”

The young man held his waist, raised his head slightly, his eyes sparkling: “Are you still shy? I’ve already fed you a hundred and eighty times.”

As he spoke, his attention was attracted by Jing Ye’s slim waistline. He couldn’t help but squeeze it hard, feeling the texture between his fingers and palms: “Say…..you are a man, why is your waist so thin.”

Jing Ye’s waist shook, and he couldn’t help but move forward to get away from this strange atmosphere. Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation between his legs, as if there were some serious abrasions.

Not only between the legs, but all over his whole body, there was the slight sting of skin being bitten, and his lips…..

The person behind him moved forward, Jing Ye only felt that something was pressing against his butt, hard and hot.

The young man laid his head on his neck, and the heat from his breath blew into his ear as he murmured: “Don’t move, I really won’t be able to resist.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

When the young man raised his eyes, he saw his gentle brows and corners of his eyes, long lowered eyelashes, and pale and flawless cheekbone and jaw. He felt inexplicably soft and warm in his heart. So he simply lowered his head and lazily licked and kissed this person’s smooth neck and shoulders.

Jing Ye frowned, but didn’t say anything.

The silly dog squatting on the edge of the bed tilted its head and stuck out its tongue, watching the intimacy between the two of them. After it became fond of Blacky from next door, it would also often run over to lick each other’s fur attentively.

The sky outside the window gradually brightened, and there were footsteps outside the silk screen. The door was lightly knocked twice: “Young Master, it’s time to get up.”

“Come in.” The young man hugged and rubbed against Jing Ye for a long time, and finally sat up lazily. Jing Ye hadn’t walked on firm ground for many days, his body had already become stiff, and he felt no strength in his limbs when he moved.

A group of maids walked in with water basins, face towels and other items. The woman at the head of the line looked eighteen or nineteen years old, with willow leaf eyebrows and almond shaped eyes, currently curved in a smile.

After the young man was dressed by them, he picked up the black sheathed sword on the table, looked back at Jing Ye, and then strode out.

The woman bowed as the young man walked out, then turned around and walked to the bedside, and said, “Gongzi, do you want to get up?”

Jing Ye looked at her and nodded. The woman turned around and waved, and the servants presented things for washing. She helped Jing Ye get out of bed, who almost stumbled.

While serving him, the woman smiled and said, “This servant’s name is Shanyue, and I am the head servant girl of Little Mountain Residence. The city lord has ordered this servant to serve the young master and gongzi.”

Jing Ye: “Hmm.”

“Young Master was brought up under the city lord’s pampering. Since he was a child, except for martial arts training, he followed his wishes very well.” Shanyue smiled, “Although the young master is a little spoiled, he has a good heart. After getting along for some more time, Gongzi will understand.”

Jing Ye: “…..” Hehe.

Shanyue sighed: “Isn’t there no need for Gongzi to be so rigid?”

Jing Ye raised his eyes and glanced at her, saying lightly, “Even if there are fancy clothes and fine wine, I am still just a prisoner.”

“Gongzi’s words are inaccurate.” Shanyue smiled and tied the belt for him, “In the past, your respected father was also invited to Pingyue City as a guest, but unfortunately…..later, he escaped from the marriage.”

Jing Ye was speechless, so was it their tradition to kidnap an emperor to marry?

“In order to prevent the same tragedy happening again.” Shanyue smiled modestly, “The city lord specially invited several famous assassins in the city to conceal at Gongzi’s side.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

And you are f**king telling me that this was not captivity?!

In the garden.

Several servant girls trimmed flowers together in one area.

Servant Girl A: “Look at the young master’s wife!”

Servant Girl B: “The eyelashes are so long.”

Servant Girl C: “The cheeks look so soft.”

Servant Girl D: “…..ah…..the smile is so gentle…..”

Servant Girl E angrily snapped off the flower branch in her hand: “No wonder we weren’t needed to serve in the bedroom, Shanyue that little b*tch…..”

The maids rolled up their sleeves one after another: “Just you wait! After the work is done, we’ll go and beat her to death!”

“Ah-choo!” Jing Ye rubbed his nose.

Shanyue took the teacup from the little servant girl and said with a smile, “Gongzi, drink some warm tea.”

“En.” Jing Ye lowered his head and took a sip, and she took the opportunity to glance at the group of maids who were daydreaming behind him.

Not to be outdone, the enemy party glared back.

When Jing Ye finished drinking the tea and raised his head, he was startled by Shanyue’s fierce look, “What’s the matter?”

Shanyue’s face changed as quick as flipping a book page, and in the blink of an eye, she smiled as bright as a spring flowers: “It’s nothing.”

Jing Ye followed the direction of her eyes from before and looked back, only to see a group of pretty and gentle mannered girls playing in the flowers: “They…..is there something not right with them?”

“It’s nothing.” Shanyue smiled, “It’s just that they are so happy that I feel very uneasy.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

Whatever happened to being as kind as an angel.

He proposed to leave the City Lord’s Mansion and take a look outside, Shanyue readily agreed.

Pingyue City was the most peaceful place in the empire.

Because there were too many unremarkable expert masters here, no matter how lawless people were elsewhere, they would all become polite and careful when they arrived here.

Jing Ye picked out a noodle stall and sat down. A young man dressed as a scholar came to wait on him: “What kind of noodles does the customer want?”

Jing Ye: “What kinds are there?”

The young man smiled and said, “Pulled noodles, stewed noodles, knife-cut noodles, cat ear noodles, fried noodles, braised noodles, boiled noodles, cold noodles, fried sauce noodles, big knife noodles…..”

The list went on, and Jing Ye couldn’t help but laugh: “You know how to make all these kinds?”

The scholar also laughed: “I don’t know any of these.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

“That’s why this customer must not order any of these.” The scholar said, “This humble shop only has plain noodles in soup.”

“…..” Jing Ye’s eyes twitched, “Then let’s have a bowl.”

“Please wait a bit, customer.”

Sure enough, he just needed to wait a bit, because there were only three steps for the scholar to make the noodles, boil the water, throw the noodles in, and then ladle it out of the pot.

“…..”

Jing Ye looked at the steaming noodle soup in front of him, and suddenly felt very gratified, at least the noodles were cooked.

Wait, wasn’t this too low a requirement!

He swallowed his saliva and was about to ask the scholar if he had any salt. Suddenly he heard a coquettish shout: “Pervert!”

He turned his head and saw a figure flying out of the tea house opposite the stall, and then with a “bang” hit the bluestone street.

The passers-by turned their heads to take a look, then turned around and continued to walk without bothering with a second glance.

The person propped himself up on the ground with his hands and sat up slowly. He seemed to have hit his head when he was thrown out. He rubbed the sore spot with his hand and sighed.

This scene was too curious, and Jing Ye couldn’t help but take a second glance.

The man stood up slowly, revealing broad shoulders and a narrow waist, making him look even taller than he already was. He had long legs, with leather riding boots tightly wrapped around his slender and powerful calves. Turning his face, he revealed one that had prominent facial features that were very handsome indeed.

The man called laughingly towards the building, “Wife, I’ll come back tomorrow!”

It turned out to be a henpecked husband, Jing Ye was amused and speechless.

The man laughed a few times at the direction of the teahouse, then suddenly turned his head and looked straight at Jing Ye who was sitting at the table.

“Are you looking at me?”

Jing Ye was caught off guard. After all, he was caught watching the joke of the other so he was a little embarrassed. He cupped his hands: “I was not polite, this brother, please forgive me.”

The corner of the man’s lips twitched: “Looking at your appearance, you have just entered the city?”

Jing Ye nodded: “Exactly.”

The man wanted to ask more, but Shanyue next to Jing Ye stepped forward and said, “Jing Gongzi is a distinguished guest of the City Lord’s Mansion, and he doesn’t understand Mister Wen’s rules, so please forgive him.”

“So your surname is Jing.” The man smiled, “Do you have a courtesy name?”

It was strange for two strangers meeting by chance, and suddenly jumping to exchanging courtesy names. But the way he asked was very natural.

Jing Ye’s courtesy name was given by his father on his sickbed, before he died from illness suddenly. No one called him it, and no one even knew what it was. After all, who could call the emperor’s courtesy name directly?

Jing Ye paused for a while, then said, “The courtesy name is Han Fang.”

“Jing Hanfang.” The man whispered then smiled, “Fang’s meaning is bright dawn, it’s a good courtesy name.”

“I still have things to do today.” He took out a pocket knife, played nimbly with it between his fingertips as he turned around, “I’ll treat you to eat noodles next time, Brother Han Fang.”

Jing Ye frowned and looked at Shanyue. The latter shook her head, and so he could only cup his hands again: “Have a good day.”

The man’s pace seemed to be casual, but he was actually extremely fast, and soon disappeared down the street.

Jing Ye turned back and sat down. He asked Shanyue, “Who was that person?”

Shanyue: “Across the river, the snow white robes are bright.”

“This is Su Shi’s poem.” Jing Ye smiled, “Is there any special meaning?”

Shanyue smiled and said, “No special meaning, because this person is very famous, and his name is Xueyi, Wen Xueyi, so everyone would mention him when they recite this poem.” (TN: xueyi=snow white robes)

“He recently fell in love with the proprietress of the restaurant opposite.” The scholar brought another bowl of noodles, threw it to the customers at the next table with a smile, and then sat on the bench on Jing Ye’s right hand, “Every day he would come and get beaten, getting hit yet still very happy. It’s been a month, brang a lot of rare treasures to give to that woman, but unfortunately they were all smashed to pieces by her.”

“Is that so.” Jing Ye stirred the noodles in the bowl with wooden chopsticks, “That’s really a devoted love.”

The scholar looked at him: “Why aren’t you eating it?”

“…..” The corners of Jing Ye’s eyes twitched again, “The taste of this noodle wouldn’t be strange, would it?”

“How could that be?” The scholar widened his eyes. “My Ning family’s noodle shop is the number one in the city. If you don’t believe me, ask them!”

Jing Ye turned his head and saw that the men at the next table were eating like wolves.

Jing Ye: “…..”

Just who the hell was problematic here!

“Why don’t you put other things in it?” Jing Ye asked tentatively, “For example, some salt…..”

“That’s why you don’t understand.” The scholar took out a bamboo fan from his sleeve and unfolded it with a “snap”, “Everything has a way of doing things, like a dream like a bubble, like dew like lightning, the things in the world are chaotic, this bowl of plain noodle soup shows the true taste of life.”

“Oh…..” Jing Ye seemed to have an epiphany, nodded, and suddenly said, “Mister, what do you think of the Harmony Pavilion’s three whites?” (TN: three whites refer to stewed and seasoned duck slices, duck feet, and duck liver)

Scholar: “The color is as white as snow, the quality is soft and the meat is tender, it is of top quality.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

Whatever happened to the true taste of life.

“Fine, fine.” The scholar smiled, “Looking at you, who is of the dusty secular world, it’s normal for you to not be as pure and penetrating as them…..” The folding fan pointed to the men around him who were stuffing their faces with noodles, “…..You don’t need to pay for the noodles, customer, have a good day.”

Jing Ye clearly felt a strong sense of envy emanating from the men. He still got up and nodded and said, “Mister is generous, your business will be booming.”

“You’re too kind.” The scholar smiled gently, shaking his folding fan.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Jing Ye left with Shanyue, and one of the men hesitated for a while, then raised his head cautiously: “Actually, I am not so pure and penetrating…..”

The scholar glanced at him and said, “Can you afford to eat three whites? You penniless ghost.”

Man: “…..”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Hello everyone, my name is Jing Ye.

Never thought.

I still ended up getting kidnapped.

The man lifted Jing Ye by the collar as he jumped several times, and finally landed on a hill. Followed soon after by the two men from earlier.

As soon as their feet touched the ground, they knelt down on one knee and said, “My Lord.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

“Things that don’t grow a brain.” The man snorted coldly, “Not even a match for the Yuan family’s kid, Pingyue City’s face has been thrown away by you!”

Jin Jue bowed his head and said, “It’s this disciple who underestimated the enemy, my Lord, please punish this disciple.”

“As if this Lord needs you to remind me?” The more the man thought about it, the angrier he became. “If Yun Guang found out about this, wouldn’t everyone think that my disciple is not even better than that bastard Yuan Hongyan?”

Jing Ye was lying on the side, completely overwhelmed by the man’s ingenious qinggong, he could only breathe out but not breathe in, and from time to time he would cough twice.

The man calmed down his anger, turned his head and examined him carefully, and then spoke as if satisfied: “Good child, you look very well-behaved, do you know who this Lord is?”

Jing Ye paused and shook his head honestly.

“I’m an old friend of your father.” The man leaned down, his face that was full of anger just now, now showed a gentle smile, “Good child, come, call me Uncle.”

Jing Ye was stunned.

The man didn’t hear “Uncle” despite waiting for a long time, and became irritable again: “You don’t want to call me Uncle, right? Then cal me Dad!”

Jing Ye: “…..”

“Hmph.” The man raised his finger and pointed at Yuan Mo, who was thrown not far away, “Did they say something to you?” He tapped his finger in the air, and Yuan Mo instantly started vomiting blood.

Jing Ye hurriedly propped himself up, only to feel that his five internal organs were overturned: “Uncle!”

The other person’s expression became slightly better.

Jing Ye: “Uncle, ou…..”

Man: “…..”

Jing Ye leaned his upper body on a stone as wide as his body, and vomited everything up. After vomiting, he found that Jin Jue was kneeling beside him, so he pulled the other person’s sleeve and wiped the corner of his mouth, then tilted his head and continued to play dead.

Jin Jue’s face stiffened, but because of the presence of the Lord he could not explode. He could only secretly use his hands to cut off the dirty section of the sleeves.

The man said, “With such a weak body, could it be that in the future, after marrying Huan’er, you won’t even be able to enter the bridal chamber?” (TN: euphemism for sex)

Jing Ye: “…..!!”

“That’s no good.” The man’s expression sank and he strode over. Picking up Jing Ye’s collar again he said, “If you can’t handle it then we shall try once again! Before arriving at Pingyue City, you must get used to it!”

Jin and Yu also got up and followed. The man walked to Yuan Mo’s side, waved his hand, and used his qi to ease open the acupuncture points on his chest: “I’ll let you live today, go back and tell Huo Qianji’s sly disciple that the emperor is taken away by this Lord, if he wants to chase after him, he can come to Pingyue City himself.”

Yuan Mo spat out the blood clotting in his chest and turned his eyes to Jing Ye. The latter blinked slowly at him.

After the man finished speaking, he tapped on the ground with his foot and jumped north with Jing Ye in his hand.

Jing Ye’s arms windmilled and he felt that the last breath left in his body had flowed from the corner of his mouth into the air, and was waving goodbye to him.

…..Hello everyone, my name is Jing Ye.

Never thought.

I’m actually about to die this early.

Jing Ye still remembered that when he was eleven years old, his parents both went abroad to attend an academic seminar. They were worried that he and his brothers and sisters would turn their house upside down, so they decided to take their children with them.

The entire family arrived at the airport talking and laughing. He especially loved to run around and ended up making a fool of himself.

Then he went through security with his parents, got on the plane, and took off.

It was his first and last time on a plane.

He couldn’t remember many of the things that happened afterwards, but it seemed that he almost lost his life. His physical condition and the psychological shadow left after that made him want to run whenever he saw a plane.

Later, when he was in college, he liked a younger junior brother, and the other also seemed to have feelings for him too. On his birthday, the younger junior brother blindfolded him and said that he would take him to a romantic place.

Well, it was a pretty rotten experience instead.

It was the largest Ferris wheel in the city, and a large lavender field was planted below it. Often, the male and female protagonists in romance films kissed each other at the highest point, promising to stay with each other in life and death. He also endured to the highest point, but when the younger junior brother smiled and moved his handsome face closer, he finally fainted to the ground with a pale face.

Now he was not the only one who had a psychological shadow.

Jing Ye dreamed about his junior brother’s face in a daze, and it was still so youthful and handsome. In fact, he really wanted to tell his junior brother, let’s get married.

“…..you can now get married.”

Jing Ye: “?”

He opened his eyes hazily, and a splash of blood red filled his vision, hurting his eyes.

When his vision gradually became clear, he saw a vermilion robe covered with plain gauze, shaking gently outside the bed curtain.

“If the father can’t have his love, then the son will take the punishment. You are really my good father.” A younger voice came from outside the bed. A little low-pitched, with a lazy tone, and a hint of disdain.

“Is this what you should say to your elders?” The other person obviously felt his painful point being trampled and his voice instantly became an octave higher, “Get married! You will attend the wedding ceremony tomorrow! Even if you can’t get out of bed! I’ll have people carry you there and finish the ceremony!”

The young man snorted coldly.

Jing Ye stared blankly at the red veil on the top of the bed, his throat moved, but he didn’t expect that it would affect his lungs, and he suddenly coughed violently.

Both of them heard the sound, and they both turned around and walked over. One of the men was the one who kidnapped him out in the woods.

The other was a young man of the same age as Jing Ye, standing beside him indolently, his head lowered slightly, revealing a stunning appearance.

His cheekbones were cut like knives, eyebrows like painted ink, and he wore a forehead band inlaid with precious stones. On his slender figure was a red brocade robe dazzling like the red clouds of sunset.

Don’t know if it was his clothes that made him stand out, or the person himself who brought out the clothes.

The young man examined him a few times, and said with disgust: “How ugly.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

The older man squinted coldly at him, and the young man sat reluctantly on the edge of the bed. He stretched out his left hand and lifted a bowl of dark concoction.

Jing Ye’s hair stood on end subconsciously, but he couldn’t speak, so he desperately scooted inwards and away from the young man.

The young man raised his eyebrows: “What? This master feeds you medicine by hand, do you think anyone could enjoy this treatment?”

Jing Ye ignored him and rolled into the bed with the back of his head facing out.

The corner of the young man’s mouth twitched, his long arm reached out and grabbed Jing Ye’s collar, pulling him over. Looking at the person in front of him with messy hair and a haggard appearance, he inexplicably felt wicked amusement.

“Wife.” He took him in his arms, spooned the medicine in his hand, and smiled maliciously, “Be good, how can you recover if you don’t drink medicine.”

The older man had already left with satisfaction. Jing Ye struggled a few times, but found that he was completely powerless to resist, so he simply kept his mouth shut and refused to drink.

The medicine flowed down his lips to his chin, and finally dripped onto the boy’s brocade robes, wetting a deep red spot.

The young man lost his patience when he saw his clothes were ruined, raised his hand and threw him back to the bed. Jing Ye felt as if he had been granted amnesty and rolled further into the bed in a daze, feeling a severe headache. In a daze, he fell asleep again.

It seemed that someone outside the bed drapes was asking something accusingly.

“Weren’t you…..drink medicine…..”

“…..He…..drinks…..”

“Didn’t I tell you to feed the child medicine?”

“As soon as he drinks it, he complains that he has a headache, and I simply can’t bear to force him at all…..”

In the hospital ward, Jing Ye, who was still a little child, listened to his parents while pretending to be asleep.

Mom seemed to be crying. The slender hand reached out and gently held his little chubby hand.

Jing Ye felt a little guilty, he won’t pretend to be asleep anymore, he’ll just drink it then. He also held back onto the other’s hand, and felt that his mother’s hand……seemed to be getting bigger?

The hand stiffened.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

After a long time, Jing Ye felt that something was stuck in the palm of his hand, and it was a little cold.

She must have caught a cold while taking care of him, his mother’s health was not good.

As he thought so, he finally fell asleep and thought no more.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

The flower lantern market was lit up as bright as day.

The streets were crowded with people, and the noises of so many people. Jing Ye was wearing a dark blue robe, swinging a folding fan made of ivory and white silk, and walking through the crowd with a smile on his face.

Feng Ling walked side by side with him, while Ye Mao in a servant’s uniform followed behind him with a bitter face.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Ye Gonggong: “Your Majesty…..Young Master, this market is full of who knows what unsavory…..”

Jing Ye: “Elder, how much are these candied haws?”

The old man in his fifties stood with the straw stick stuck with candied haws and said with a smile, “Five coins for a bunch. Today is the Thousand Autumn Festival so it sold well. There are only four bunches left. Does gongzi want to buy it all?”

Ye Mao leaned over to Jing Ye: “Young Master, let’s not eat this outside stuff…..” Before he could finish speaking, his mouth was stuffed with a stick of candied haws, “Uuuuuu!”

“Even food can’t stop your whining.” Jing Ye simply reached out and took the purse on his waist, poured the money out and saw that it was all pieces of silver, so he picked the smallest piece and handed it to the old man, “Do you have change for this?”

“Certainly.” The old man weighed the amount of silver, put down the straw stick with a smile, pulled a large pouch over, counted out some coins for a long time, and finally took out a few copper coins.

Was he kidding, just this?

Immediately, the old man stuffed the copper coins into his pocket, lifted the pouch, and handed it to Jing Ye.

The latter took it, and immediately stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

Jing Ye: “…..”

Feng Ling watched from the side and couldn’t help laughing, but recalling that this was the honorable emperor, he could only hold it in desperately. So when Jing Ye turned around, he saw a handsome face with bright smiling eyes.

Suddenly, a tall man walked out of the crowd, silently stepped forward and took over the bag of copper coins.

Jing Ye glanced at Ye Mao, who nodded to him, so he pulled out the remaining three sticks of candied haws on the straw, one for himself, the other for Feng Ling, and the last stick, he thought about it and then gave it to the man who carried the bag of copper coins for him.

“Your reward.”

The man said, “Thanking the young master.”

Jing Ye nodded and smiled: “Well, go ahead and eat.”

The man paused, and obediently stuffed the candied haws into his mouth. He originally had s stern face, but now he was biting a string of candied haws in his mouth. The cool guy’s aura had been completely destroyed, making Jing Ye want to laugh.

Suddenly there was a burst of laughter not far away. Jing Ye said: “It’s so lively, let’s go over there and see?” He immediately took Feng Ling’s hand and walked over.

“It should be the lantern dealer asking people to guess lantern riddles.” Feng Ling looked at him and smiled, “It occurs every year, the young master can just watch it from the outside the crowd lest you are influenced by those smells.”

“Am I so delicate?” Jing Ye frowned and shook the fan, but he still compromised, “Fine, I’ll listen to you.”

I’ll listen to you.

Feng Ling’s heart jumped when he said this, and his eyes softened unconsciously.

The four of them had just walked to the edge of the crowd when they suddenly heard screams, the sound of collapsing shelves, and the sound of horses’ hooves kicking violently.

Jing Ye frowned: “This is…..”

The sound quickly changed from far to near, and the crowd immediately surged to either side of the street. He was hit by the wall of people in front of him, and he couldn’t help staggering back, forced to let go of Feng Ling’s hand in the process.

Under the emperor’s feet, who dared to violate the law and ride a horse in a busy city! When he raised his head, he saw a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy sitting on a tall steed, with an arrogant and vicious expression on his face, which was comparable to that of the young emperor back then.

Jing Ye gritted his teeth, but his arm was suddenly grabbed by someone, and a man’s voice sounded behind him: “Gongzi, please follow this subordinate…..” However, he suddenly groaned and his hold loosened.

“What…..” Jing Ye was about to turn his head, but a hand hit the back of his neck, and his vision suddenly went black.

The person who came took advantage of the situation to grab and take him out of the crowd while the crowd was in chaos, and dodged into an alley on the side of the street.

There was already someone waiting against the wall inside, and when they saw him dodging in, they stood up straight.

“It’s done?”

“It’s done.”

Yonghua Palace.

“Seven black-clothed guards.” Gu Hong stood in the hall, “Including the head of the guard, yet managed to kidnap the emperor right under your nose.”

“Yuan Mo, it’s me who thought too highly of you.”

The man lowered his head and knelt on one knee: “This subordinate was negligent.”

“Negligent?” Gu Hong sneered, “…..Get out, when he comes back, you will go to the Prison Division to collect your punishment. Fifty whips and not one less.”

Yuan Mo leaned down and touched the cold ground with his forehead: “This subordinate is leaving.” Then he got up and stepped back silently.

“You’re angry.” Lin Xiaosheng’s voice came from behind the screen, “Gu Gongzi has never been so angry before.”

Gu Hong turned around, and Lin Xiaosheng walked out slowly from behind the screen, his figure dashing, but his features gentle as spring water.

“He’s not as tall as you.”

“It’s no matter.” Lin Xiaosheng lightly tapped the makeup on his face, “When sitting, it won’t show as much. Those officials are too afraid and would never dare to look carefully. Did you find out who did it? The Zhao family?”

“Just a clown jumping on the beam, he doesn’t have such courage.” Gu Hong said softly, “The news just sent from the pavilion two days ago, two people from Pingyue City infiltrated the capital.”

Lin Xiaosheng paused: “Pingyue City?…..No wonder.”

Gu Hong looked at him: “Ye Mao is just outside the hall, tell him to be careful and don’t reveal any hints.”

“En.”

Gu Hong turned around and went outside the hall. The servant boy who was serving him hurriedly followed. Lin Xiaosheng laughed and said, “Be careful, your master is angry.”

The servant boy shrank his neck and nodded again and again.

To the north of the capital there was a cluster of jade mountains. Because the mountains were deep and dangerous, and wild animals often infested them, the area was deserted for dozens of miles.

In the mountains.

The treetops swayed lightly, and a squirrel nimbly jumped down from the branch, dug at the soil, and suddenly it seemed to smell something, raised its head and quickly escaped.

Not far away the entrance of a cave could be seen. A dying tiger fell to the ground and panted, its claws clawing at the ground twice, before gradually closing its eyes.

The man sitting idle watching the cave entrance smiled, took out a gorgeous and brilliant red gold earring from his pocket, and put it on his left ear.

“The fur of this big worm is so beautiful, it’s better to peel it off and make a jacket.”

“Skin it yourself.” The man who was starting a fire in the cave glanced at him, disgusted, “Filthy.”

“As if you are any clean, you’re the one who killed the big worm.”

“Mmmph…..” Jing Ye, who was sitting on the innermost side with his mouth blocked and his hands and feet tied, “…..Mmph.”

The man turned his eyes and saw tears glistening in his eyes, so he couldn’t help sneering: “This cowardly emperor actually cried.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

The man at the entrance of the cave walked in with a smile, stood in front of Jing Ye, leaned over and glanced at him, “A useless rice bucket he might be, but what a beauty.”

Jing Ye was born with a gentle and elegant appearance, and also possessed a dignity and self-control acquired since childhood. Therefore, compared with other good-looking people, it added an extra touch of charm.

“For the sake of this.” The man reached out and untied the cloth tied around his mouth, “Come, I’ll let you talk.”

“Bah, I…..” Jing Ye took advantage of the situation to move back, exhaled, and then looked at the two with sincere eyes, “…..I’m so hungry, do you have food?”

Man: “…..”

“No ingredients.” The man sitting by the fire turned his head, “How to cook.”

Jing Ye swallowed his saliva and turned his eyes to the dead tiger at the entrance of the cave, his eagerness obvious.

The other two: “……”

Feng Ling stood silently at the gate of the palace. After a long time, a little eunuch walked out quickly and said, “His Majesty is busy with state affairs, Lord Feng, please go back.”

“Since that’s the case…..” Feng Ling lowered his eyes, then raised his head again and asked, “Is His Majesty alright?”

The little eunuch smiled and said, “His Majesty has been in good spirits these past few days. No need for a servant to say anything, didn’t my lord meet His Majesty last night.”

“Yes.” Feng Ling pondered for a while, then smiled, “I thought too much.”

The little eunuch smiled: “Then…..my lord, please walk slowly?”

“En.” Feng Ling nodded and turned around.

The three walked to the foothills of the Jade Mountain.

Jin Jue let out a whistle, and called three sturdy horses from both sides of the road. Yu Heng got on the horse first, Jin Jue took the whip from his waist, pointed it at one of them, and smiled at Jing Ye: “This is Obsidian. Can you ride a horse?”

Jing Ye lifted the gauze veil on his head and looked at the dark horse that stopped in front of him. This horse’s fur was dark and shiny, its eyes were inky with specks of brownish-yellow, and its long face when facing Jing Ye seemed very tame.

He couldn’t help but feel moved. What young boy did not dream of such a thing. In the martial arts novels he read when he was a child, those knight-errants who roamed jianghu and danced on the edge of knives often rode such a good horse over thousands of miles, which was quite the enviable thing.

Jing Ye couldn’t help but put his hands on Obsidian’s face. This horse seemed very human-like, lowering its head and gently rubbing against his palm.

The two people on the side were surprised. If Obsidian was not too difficult to tame, he would not be without a master even now.

Jing Ye was deeply moved by comrade Obsidian’s behavior, he petted it in his arms excitedly for a long time, finally took out two fruits, and stuffed them into Obsidian’s mouth with a smile.

…..Wait, fruit?

It’s the leftovers he ate earlier…..

The dark horse had already started to chew happily, but in the next second, the horse’s mouth opened wide, and he sneezed in an earth-shattering manner!

Jing Ye, who was sprayed with saliva: “…..”

The three had not yet reached the city gate, but the sky had already darkened. Yu Heng stopped in the front and turned around, saying, “It’s late, find a place to rest?”

Jin Jue reigned his horse and smiled, “Just go to the inn where we stayed in, the boss is honest.”

“There should be no rain tonight.” Yu Heng raised his head and looked, “It’s better to stay the night in the wild.”

Jin Jue frowned: “Are you serious? Did you forget when we came…..”

This remark had obviously stepped on someone’s weak point, and the man turned his head: “Go to the inn.”

Four days later, Tianyu, Zhenbei General’s Manor.

That night.

The hall was full of song and laughter. Xu Ming sat high in the main seat, with his official wife Madam Yang on the right, and Lady Dong Ling on the left.

Gu Yun and Li Tingqiu sat chatting together with the aristocratic sons from Tianyu. When Gu Yun raised his head, he saw the daughter of the Xu family who was sitting beside Yang shi looking at him, so he smiled back at her, and the face of young lady Xu instantly turned red.

Yang shi had already noticed it, so she leaned into her daughter’s ear and said, “You like him?”

Young lady Xu blushed for a while before nodding lightly: “Yes.”

Gu Yun and a few young gongzis exchanged cups for a while, before pulling Li Tingqiu’s sleeves.

The latter turned his head slightly: “What?”

“It’s time to go back.” Gu Yun raised his cup with a smile, and said softly, “If we don’t leave, a pool of spring water will be shattered.”

Li Tingqiu raised his eyebrows: “That young lady of the Xu family?”

“You saw it too?” Gu Yun touched his nose.

“The so-called looking through the autumn water.” Li Tingqiu raised his cup and took a sip, “No one could not see it.”

Gu Yun got up: “Then let’s go quickly…..”

“Gu Gongzi.”

The two looked up and saw a docile looking maid walking over and said, “The Madam has an invitation.”

Gu Yun: “…..”

Li Tingqiu drank the cup of wine, dropped the wine cup and got up and said, “I will take my leave first.”

Gu Yun nodded helplessly.

Walking in front of Yang shi, the young lady of the Xu family leaned against her mother shyly, peeking at him from time to time, the demeanor of a little girl in love completely obvious to all with eyes.

Gu Yun cupped his hands and said, “Madam, greetings.”

“Gu Gongzi.” Yang shi looked at the third young master of the Gu family with a smile and was very satisfied, “This is the first time Gongzi had come to our General’s Manor, the flowers and trees in the garden happened to be newly renovated. There is a lot of noise at this banquet, so why not go to the garden for a walk and relax?”

As Yang shi had already spoken, it was inconvenient for Gu Yun to dismiss them, so he nodded with a smile.

Yang shi couldn’t help but smile even deeper: “Then let my little girl bring the servants and lead Gu Gongzi to go for a tour.” Her daughter beside her became more and more shy, but her eyes lit up.

Gu Yun felt exasperation in his heart, but he could only cup his hands again: “Then I must trouble the young lady.”

The garden of the General’s Mansor could be considered as properly trimmed and maintained, but it was far inferior to the gardens of the Gu Manor. After all, the Gu family had a second young master who was famous for his artistic cleverness.

Thinking of his cheap second brother at home…..Gu Yun couldn’t help clenching his teeth, if it wasn’t for him shirking his duties, why would he be forced to stand in the cold wind facing this young lady of the Xu family who had a pool of spring water in her heart! Even drinking with Li Tingqiu was better than this!

The young lady of the Xu family stood with her sweetheart who she fell for at first sight, and the redness on her face never once faded. After thinking about it for a long time, she said softly, “I heard that Gongzi is good at playing the flute, could…..could you play it for Yuying?”

Gu Yun smiled lightly and said, “I went out in a hurry, and I didn’t bring my bamboo flute. My lady, forgive me.”

“Yuying, Yuying…..has a jade flute, which has been kept in the box and no one has ever used it.” Xu Yuying raised her head, her expression adoring. “Can Gongzi make do?”

Gu Yun could only smile and say, “The young lady is so kind, I don’t dare to disobey.”

Xu Yuying’s heart skipped a beat, and recalling that the jade flute was very precious, she curtsied slightly and said, “Gongzi, please wait a moment, wait for Yuying to fetch it.”

Gu Yun nodded, and she shyly took the maid and turned away.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Gu Yun watched her walk away, twitched the corners of his mouth. Having nothing to do, he simply lowered his head to look at the rose garden beside him.

Under the moonlight, the faint scent of roses surrounded him.

After an unknown amount of time, a distant sound of the guqin seemed to come from a distance.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Xu Yuying came out of her boudoir with a flute box in her hand, raised her head and hearing the sound of the guqin, she frowned, “That lunatic again?”

“Yes.” The little servant girl followed her, “often at this time, he would sit in the courtyard and play the guqin.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

“Lunatic.” Xu Yuying stroked the flute box in her hand, “It’s a pity, he has such good looks.”

Gu Yun was looking for the source of the music and slowly following the sound. The sound of the guqin was high and low, and it was played rather discordantly, but it still moved his heart.

As he walked, the surrounding scenery gradually became desolate and dilapidated, and the words “Hongqin House” suddenly appeared in front of him. Under the plaque was a crumbling red lacquer courtyard door, the vermilion paint mottled and dirty.

And the sound of the guqin was only separated by a wall.

Gu Yun didn’t rush to push open the doors, but stood quietly for a while. After the guqin music subsided, he stepped forward and knocked twice.

“Gu Yun of the Gu family in the southwest, I heard the sound of the guqin, and I would like to meet your excellency.”

There was only silence behind the door.

Gu Yun waited and said in a louder voice, “Then I will push the door and come in?”

Still silent.

Gu Yun pressed his palm against the door knocker, paused slightly, and then pushed it open.

The first thing that caught his eye was a blooming parasol tree, and even in the dark night, it still shone like a crown.

A person sat quietly under a flower branch, his hair was not tied, his clothes were like rags, and his long bangs blocked his profile. Looking from Gu Yun’s position, one would be shocked at his thin stature and bony wrists.

Gu Yun’s Adam’s apple moved: “You…..”

The man slowly stood up holding the guqin, turned his back to Gu Yun, and walked into the house step by step. He was so thin that he was practically all bones, and the clothes hung large and baggy on his skeleton-like figure, as if he was about to fly away with the wind.

“Wait!” Gu Yun took two steps forward, “Qi Lan?”

The man’s steps paused.

Gu Yun said firmly: “You are Qi Lan, I recognize you.”

The man looked back at him with a look of panic, and Gu Yun was taken aback.

His cheeks were sunken, his pupils were dull and his lips were chapped white. He didn’t look at all like the young master of the Qi family, who used to be beautifully handsome and possessed great literary talent. But his natural beauty was still there, long eyelashes lowered and eyes gentle.

Even with rough clothes and messy hair, it did not hide his beauty. No wonder it made Xu Huang disregard his reputation and insisted on snatching him into the manor.

“You…..” Gu Yun was about to take a step forward, but the man had already hurried into the room holding the guqin tight to his chest, and the door was closed with a creak.

“Gu Gongzi.”

Gu Yun turned his head and saw Xu Yuying standing there with a forced smile: “Why did you come here, gongzi?”

Gu Yun turned his face slightly: “I was attracted by the sound of the guqin.”

Xu Yuying came over with the flute box and said, “It’s not advisable to stay here for a long time. Gongzi, please go back to your original place. When this person goes crazy, he will hit anyone he sees.”

She said so with a hint of concern, but Gu Yun was not appeasex at all, and with a flap of his sleeves, he cupped his hands and said, “It’s already quite late, and I won’t bother you any more. I will take my leave from the manor and go back to the inn. Young lady, please go back to your room and rest.”

Xu Yuying’s expression shifted: “But…..”

“I will be retreating now.” Gu Yun nodded lightly, turned around and left. If he was in a good mood, it didn’t matter to be polite. If he was unhappy, then the Gu family did not have to give anyone face.

Just as he walked outside the high walls, he couldn’t help but look up to take a look, but only saw a flower growing on the tree that was as bright as snow.

On Jing Ye’s side.

In the middle of the night, the three of them slept in a clearing in the woods, only the bright bonfire kept crackling.

Jing Ye was sleeping fitfully when suddenly he felt someone touching his wrist. He woke up in a haze, and in front of him was Yuan Mo, who had followed him on the night of the Thousand Autumn Festival.

Jing Ye: “!”

Yuan Mo raised his hand to signal for silence, and gestured him to lower his head to look at the wrist guards on his wrists then tapped at the area near the back of his hand.

Jing Ye: “…..” What?

These movements only took a few seconds, and then he heard a very fast sound of something breaking through the air, and it was Jin Jue who swung over the whip in his hand.

Yuan Mo dodged to the side with Jing Ye and drew his sword to meet the whip that brought with it a strong wind. However, Jing Ye felt his vision darken, and Yu Heng also joined in.

Thinking of Yuan Mo’s movement just now of lightly tapping the wrist guard, Jing Ye subconsciously raised his wrist to block the other’s grabbing fingers. He felt his wrist being grasped, tightened, and then released suddenly.

The man staggered back a few steps, expressionless.

Jin Jue was taken aback by this situation, his movements also slowed down a bit, and lost his momentum. He immediately knelt back on one knee and blocked Yuan Mo’s sword with his whip.

This whip was actually made of finely melted iron, and when metal met metal, small sparks flew in their wake.

Yuan Mo leaned against his sword and watched him as he spoke slowly.

“What was given a few days ago, is now returned to its original owner.”

Jin Jue raised his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth twitched into a smile. He used his hand to block Yuan Mo’s blade. The latter took a few steps back but still stabbed forward with his sword.

The two fought in the open space, the light reflecting off the sword flickered, and the shadows of the whip danced.

Jing Ye saw that Jin Jue couldn’t get to him, and Yu Heng was also unable to stop him either, so he ran under the tree and untied Obsidian’s reins, getting on his horse.

Yuan Mo stepped back and shouted, “Go south!”

Southward. Jing Ye looked at the surrounding woods, it was pitch black, where the hell was south…..

His Majesty the wise and decisive Emperor only hesitated for a second, then resolutely pulled the reins, and with a lift of Obsidian’s hoofs, he ran towards the due north.

Yuan Mo: “…..”

“Getting distracted?” Jin Jue was already approaching again in a single breath, “Last time I used the poison needle, this time…..let me experience the so-called Yuan Family Sword.”

Yuan Mo’s thin lips pursed, and greeted him with his sword.

Jing Ye first steered with the reins for a while, then let go of the reins and let Obsidian run wild in the woods.

The night was dark like ink, and he didn’t know how long they ran, but his field of vision gradually became brighter. They had already arrived outside the forest.

Jing Ye tugged on the reins, and Obsidian slowed down obediently.

He couldn’t help rubbing his face.

Now…..where was this?

Jing Ye looked around, but he couldn’t see any road. It was probably an untouched field.

He glanced back and suddenly saw a clump of firewood burning in a clearing in the distance.

A traveler passing by?

Jing Ye hesitated for a moment, and then slowly rode forward. Anyway, he didn’t know where he had run to or how far it was from Yuan Mo, so he’d better find someone to ask. If the other had bad intentions, no big deal, he would just sit on the horse and could run away at any time.

The horse hoofs kicked and stepped to the front of the cluster of firewood, where a man lay on his back beside the fire, as if he had fallen asleep.

Jing Ye said, “This brother?”

The man slowly opened his eyes.

“I was staying in the forest near here.” Jing Ye pointed to the not-so-distant distance, “When I woke up, I accidentally lost my way. I hope this brother can point me in the right direction…..”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

The man in his forties with a slender figure slowly sat up when he heard the words.

“…..” Jing Ye suddenly felt a sense of crisis, pulling his horse back two steps.

The man looked at him and smiled: “Jing Ye?”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Soon, Ye Mao brought warm water and rose dew. Jing Ye took a spoon and mixed a small bowl, personally feeding the little guy spoon by spoon.

Little Jing Yun was obviously very fond of this sweet water with a fragrant scent, and he quickly drank it all.

Seeing his younger brother finally sleeping peacefully, Jing Le also couldn’t help but reveal his tiredness. He wiped his face with a towel and got in the bed, holding little Jing Yun in his arms before quickly falling asleep.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

The imperial physician had already retired. Jing Ye walked out of the room, closed the door, then turned to look at the handsome swordsman standing in the courtyard and said:

“Lin Gongzi. I want to take these two children with me and let them inherit the throne in the future. Zhen hope you will fulfill this request.”

“I don’t allow it.” The Sword Sage’s answer was succinct and powerful.

Jing Ye curved up the corner of his mouth: “What if the prince really had a fever? Do you know how to take care of a child?”

The man was silent for a while, and then a single word popped out, “Hungry.”

“What?”

The man frowned slightly, seemingly a little uncertain about his decision: “Hunger. When I got sick when I was young, I relied on that to get better.”

Jing Ye: “…..”

Little Jing Yun was very happy today.

When he opened his eyes in the morning, he saw Susu who he hadn’t seen for two days, and Susu smiled and fed him sweet red water.

Yiyah! Gotta get sick more often in the future!

The little guy sat on the bed, clapping his chubby paws with excitement. Jing Ye couldn’t help smiling when he saw it.

Although it was only teething, he still stayed in the small courtyard all night to avoid missing any sudden changes. After all, Jing Le was only a child, and as for that swordsman…..hehe, let us not mention him.

Speaking of which, this should be the last time the little guy will experience teething, and then he could start learning to speak.

Thinking of this, Jing Ye couldn’t help reaching out and hugging the little baby to his lap, rubbed the tip of his nose and smiled, “Uncle didn’t sleep all night because of you, come, say uncle.”

Little Jing Yun looked at him with wide eyes, opened his mouth and spit out a bubble.

“…..” En, perhaps he was too impatient. Jing Ye held the little guy with both hands to let him stand up, little Jing Yun immediately put his little arms around his neck, and the uncle and nephew pair just hugged together, “Ai, even if you can call out to people, it won’t be Zhen you’ll call out to first.”

Little Jing Yun let out a “woo” sound.

“…..But you are not allowed to call your shifu first.” Jing Ye stroked his back, “With his way of raising children, baby, it’s a miracle that you survived until now.”

“Haha.” The little guy opened his mouth and laughed in a silly manner.

Outside the room, Ye Gonggong called tremblingly, “Your Majesty…..Your Majesty, it’s time to attend morning assembly…..” He glanced at Lin Hangyu, who was standing like a statue outside the door, and after resisting it for a long time, he eventually lifted his sleeves and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Fine, your uncle has to go to court.” Jing Ye put his precious nephew back on the bed, “Be good, en?”

“Ah woo.” Little Jing Yun clenched his small fist, his grape-like black eyes watched Jing Ye get up and walk out, so he raised his chubby arms and kept “yiyah” non-stop.

Jing Ye turned around and looked at him.

So this…..was what it’s like to be a father.

Jing Ye opened the door, and when he looked up, he saw Lin Hangyu holding a sword and standing in front of him, dressed in all white robes like a sculpture made of ice and snow, cold and expressionless.

“I promise you.”

“What?” Jing Ye was startled at first, then chuckled, and couldn’t help turning his head to look at the little baby in the room who was still peering his way, “Lin Gongzi, it is rumored that your word is worth nine sacred tripods.” (TN: expression for one’s word having enormous weight)

“It’s not a rumor.” Lin Hangyu’s eyes were as still as water, “You take Yun’er to take care of, and when he reaches six years old, he will still come back here to become my disciple.”

“…..”

Jing Ye looked him over carefully, black eyes, black hair, white robes, and suddenly felt that time seemed to stand still on this person, like the snow on the highest point of an icy mountain, which had remained unchanged for thousands of years.

“Gongzi was entrusted by your best friend to raise his two children, but now you entrust Jing Yun to me…..Lin Gongzi, do you know the rumors about me?”

The man glanced at him and said slowly, “Seeing is believing.” His tone was firm.

And so arrogant that it was endearing.

Feng Manor.

The servant girl who received the words from Madam Feng stood outside the room, knocked on the door and said, “Young master, are you awake? Madam sent this slave to invite you over.”

There was a sound of footsteps in the room, and soon, Feng Ling came to open the door in person: “You all wait a minute.”

The servant girl looked into the room and said with a smile, “How come the young master is alone and didn’t call Song Yan and the others to come and serve you.”

“I have something to do, and so I told them to wait outside.” Feng Ling waved his hand and gestured that he was about to close the door.

The servant girl had sharp eyes, and saw the color on his hands at a glance: “Young master, it’s so early in the morning, but you’re not preparing to go to morning assembly, are you painting something in the room?”

Feng Ling suddenly stiffened: “No, I didn’t paint anything…..”

Knowing that he was shy, the servant girls all backed away with a smile.

Feng Ling closed the door, turned around, walked to the desk, and gently lifted the gauze veil covering the painting.

The painting was suffused with hazy morning light, and there was a young man with a gentle and warm appearance, who was resting on a soft couch.

The sunlight by the window shone down softly on the young man looking at the painting, as if the years were quiet and the world was stable.

………..

Northwest Khotan, Zhenbei General’s Manor.

The weather was perfect that day, and the Yang family invited a few officials and their wives whom they were on good terms with to drink tea in their garden. The conversation between women was nothing more than rouge, jewelry, in-laws, husbands, and occasionally also those concubines kept by their husbands back at home.

“Huiyin, that concubine surnamed Bai had been living in your manor for three years now, right? How can you be so magnanimous and let her run wild in your General’s Manor.”

Huiyin was Yang shi’s boudoir name.

Yang shi’s hand holding the tea cup paused, she gritted her teeth and said, “The general dotes on her, what can I do? How many times have I persuaded him in the past three years, don’t let those shameful things get too complacent, but was it of any use?”

“Ai, you have to say it softly, don’t speak accusingly.” Chen shi, her best friend, said, “Don’t think you are not in a hurry now, if you wait until she gives birth to a child in the future, then who knows if the family’s inheritance will be snatched by that mother and son pair!”

This remark could be said to be a direct hit on the head. Yang shi no longer had interest in drinking tea, she put the tea cup on the table: “Tell me, do you have any useful solutions?”

The several women exchanged looks and all of them shook their fans and began talking about the way they used to deal with those concubines.

………….

Dong Ling was wearing only the inner layer of robes and was adjusting the clothes for the man in front of her who was around forty years old.

She was born with a beautiful face like a hibiscus, and her figure was also perfectly curved and exquisite. What was even more rare was her knowledge or etiquette and courtesy that ordinary concubines did not possess. Xu Ming was hooked at first sight. In the past three years, Yang shi had complained a lot about her, but how could he be willing to let go of such a rare beauty.

Thinking of this, Xu Ming couldn’t help but pull the beauty in front of him into his arms only for Dong Ling to put up a hand in resistance and say, “General.”

Xu Ming secretly swallowed his saliva and let go of his hands: “Fine, fine.” Then he turned around and strode out.

The little servant girl took this opportunity to walk in with a copper basin: “Madam, please wash up.”

Dong Ling stood there silently for a while, and then nodded: “Bring it over.”

“Ai.” The little servant girl came over with the basin of water and a face towel, and whispered while serving her mistress, “It’s all according to your wishes, all secretly done, the guards in Hongqin House are now replaced with ours.”

Dong Ling raised her head: “All done?”

The little servant girl smiled and said, “Yes.”

She couldn’t help smiling too, but as he smiled, tears began welling up in her eyes.

“Madam…..”

“It’s nothing.” Dong Ling wiped the corners of her eyes and covered her face with the wet face towel, “I’m just…..happy.”

“Is the Thousand Autumn Festival coming soon?”

“Yes, Madam, the day after tomorrow.”

“En, good, really good.”

……………

Taihe Hall.

Jing Ye sat on the dragon throne and said slowly: “The day after tomorrow will be imperial grandmother’s Thousand Autumn Festival. In previous years, it was celebrated extravagantly, but now with the devastation left by the severe drought in the southwest still not having passed, it is not appropriate to hold an extravagant palace banquet. What do you all think of spending the festival with your wife and children instead?”

The officials all knelt down one after another: “Your Majesty is wise, this official respectfully follows the imperial word.”

Jing Ye didn’t sleep all night last night, and didn’t want to force himself any longer. He yawned secretly and said, “Are there still memorials?”

There was silence below.

“No? Then you are all dismissed.”

After Jing Ye left the Taihe Hall, he did not return to his palace residence, but went straight to Qingyu Pavilion.

When he arrived at the lake, Gu Hong had already prepared a boat and was waiting on the shore. Jing Ye leaned over and stepped onto the boat, sat down in the cabin, raised his head and asked Gu Hong, who followed him, “The Jiang family’s only daughter?”

“Yes.” Gu Hong helped him smooth the folds on his sleeves, “She is now a concubine living in the Zhenbei General’s Manor, her surname is Bai, and she is very favored by Xu Ming.”

Bai Dongling, formerly known as Jiang Zhitao, was the daughter of a sixth-rank civil official in the northwest.

Four years ago, Qi Lan, the eldest son of the Qi family in the northwest, was snatched into the Xu family by Xu Huang, the son of Xu Ming. Qi Lan was handsome in appearance and possessed brilliant literary talent. Although he was not a noble son of an aristocratic family, his appearance, demeanor and character was at the same level as Gu and Li. He was engaged since young, and his fiancee was the daughter of the Jiang family who grew up with him as his childhood sweetheart.

Qi Lan was originally a withdrawn person and also had little affluent background. After being targeted by a local tyrant like Xu Huang, even if he used his death yo resist, he was still snatched into the Xu residence in the end.

After entering the Xu residence, he refused to submit to Xu Huang, and was fed all kinds of unspeakable strange medicines. After two months, he was driven insane.

The Jiang family was also implicated, and Jiang Zhitao disappeared from the Jiang family after confirming that Qi Lan had gone insane, and was never seen since.

Looking at the narration on the dossier in the pavilion, every word literally dripped blood and tears.

Gu Hong said: “She is the spy that my father put at Xu Ming’s side, so the information she sent are all kept in a more hidden place in the pavilion. This subject will go to find them for Your Majesty later.”

Jing Ye was silent for a while and asked him, “What about Qi Lan?”

Gu Hong let out a light laugh: “Just a lunatic now, but he’s still alive.”

Jing Ye fell silent.

On the night of the Thousand Autumn Festival every year, the lantern market in the capital would set off various lanterns all night, sometimes even more than 10,000. Looking out from the bedroom of Ping An Palace, he could see that the lights lit up the night sky in red for most of the night, and could also vaguely hear the lively celebrations and laughter of the people.

Jing Ye sat at a small table by the window looking through the memorials, and Ye Mao stood quietly behind him.

A bright light suddenly appeared in the distance, lighting Jing Ye’s profile. Ye Mao thought about it and said, “Your Majesty, why don’t we…..also light some candles?”

Jing Ye stopped writing, looked at the red dotted sky in the distance, and shook his head: “What’s the point, it’s cold and quiet, and it’s not like Zhen is one of the common people, the whole family lively and together.”

Ye Mao fell silent.

Feng Manor.

The Feng family sat in the waterside pavilion in the manor, enjoying the coolness and company. As they chatted, Madam Feng somehow began talking about the first time she met old Lord Feng when she was a young lady.

“Your father and I, the first time we met was during the Thousand Autumn Festival.” Madam Feng took Feng Ling’s hand and smiled, “There were so many lanterns that year, it was rare for me to be allowed to go out once by your grandfather, and I was so happy that I ran around everywhere and ended up getting lost. Later, I ran into your father. He and his sisters who were also out to play sent me back to the manor. At that time he was silent and did not say anything. But after a month, the matchmaker came knocking at our door. Say, don’t you think your father is quite impatient…..”

Feng Ling was stunned, and thought of Jing Ye.

Did he have someone to accompany him in the palace? Come to think of it…..he did.

Not mentioning others, but Gu Gongzi would definitely accompany him.

Thinking about this, he suddenly no longer had any interest in the festivities. Feng Ling got up and said, “Father, mother, this son plans to step out the manor for awhile.”

Madam Feng: “Ai? Are you tired of listening?”

Old Lord Feng also looked at him and said, “Where are you going?”

Feng Ling lowered his head: “This son…..this son remembered borrowing an ancient book from the son of the Yang family. Yesterday he asked me for it. As this son is free today, this son decided to return it to him now.”

There was some hesitation and stuttering in his words. A gleam of light flashed in old Lord Feng’s eyes, but he still nodded and said, “Fine, go.”

Madam Feng: “Come home early, don’t play too much.”

“Yes.” Feng Ling bowed and stepped back. Immediately, he asked the little servant boy to wrap the ancient book in cloth and took it with him out of the manor.

Ping An Palace.

The unfinished memorials were put aside, and the master and servant were surrounded by a five-colored lamp that had just been brought in.

Ye Mao looked at the lantern and sighed: “Your Majesty, just now Lu Gongzi came to accompany you, why did you refute it?”

And then accompany him to the bed? As if. Jing Ye snorted coldly, “He didn’t bring Lu Huihui.”

Ye Mao: “?”

Jing Ye pouted and drew an outline on the lantern.

“…..” Ye Gonggong blinked, “Your Majesty, what are you drawing?”

“Mickey Mouse.”

“?” Ye Mao’s eyes widened, “How could this be a mouse?”

“How isn’t this a mouse?” Jing Ye switched to a red pen and added a cool pair of little red pants to Mickey Mouse. “Look, how cute, my painting skills are better than Gu Gongzi, don’t you think?”

“…..”

Speaking of Gu Hong, Jing Ye also stopped writing. If he wasn’t so busy with Qingyu Pavilion, he could come and have a chat with him.

Suddenly, the other man’s deep pool-like eyes appeared in his mind.

“Your Majesty doesn’t need to say any more, this subject just asks Your Majesty to understand, Gu Hong is not the kind of person who is willing to do things against his heart.”

What was this man thinking, he wondered.

Some people’s thoughts could not be expressed with their words, but their actions could reveal it clearly. When Jing Ye came back to his senses, he saw the smiling Mickey Mouse on the palace lantern with his hands behind his back and a little cinnabar red beauty mark on his forehead that was painted by a certain someone.

Ye Gonggong looked over and said, “Ai, isn’t this Gu Gongzi? He looks quite playful now…..”

Jing Ye: “Go go go go! What Gu Gongzi, this is a female!” After speaking, he drew a huge bow on Mickey Mouse’s ear.

Ye Mao: “…..”

Then why does he wear pants?

The master and servant pair whittled the time by chatting with each other. Suddenly a little eunuch slipped into the hall and said, “Your Majesty, Lord Feng asks to see you.”

“Feng Ling?” Jing Ye and Ye Mao looked at each other, “On such a big holiday, yet he is not accompanying his parents at home. What is he doing here in the palace?”

Jing Ye couldn’t help but smile and said, “Invite him in quickly.”

“Yes.”

After a while, the handsome young man with an aura of an orchid entered the hall with the little eunuch and bowed down.

“Paying respect to Your Majesty.”

“Qing, please rise quickly.” Jing Ye put down his red pen and stepped forward to help him with a smile, “Zhen hasn’t seen you for a few days, how is qing?”

“This official is very well, thanking Your Majesty.” Feng Ling raised his head slightly and looked at the rather deserted palace, “Why aren’t the few Gongzis accompanying Your Majesty during such a lively holiday?”

Jing Ye smiled: “You also called it a festival, why isn’t qing accompanying your parents, wife and children at home?”

“This official hasn’t married yet.”

This sentence was answered so quickly that both of them were taken aback.

Jing Ye was stunned for a while, then chuckled: “Qing answered so quickly, you wouldn’t happen to want Zhen to be a matchmaker for qing?”

“No. This official, doesn’t mean that.” Feng Ling blushed and turned away. And just happened to see the fireworks igniting instantaneously outside the window, and hurriedly looked for another topic.

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

Jing Ye pulled him to sit on both sides of the small table, and had Ye Mao serve tea. It was already improper for the ruler and the official to sit face to face.

Feng Ling wanted to get down and sit below the emperor, but when he looked up and saw Jing Ye’s smile, he also couldn’t bear giving up the intimacy. After struggling with himself for a while, he lowered his head slightly and only clenched the corner of the small table.

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ

Nearly noon, all the officials timidly withdrew from Taihe Hall, and the several big officials in charge of the cabinet all gathered around the Prime Minister of the Right, Lord Qin.

“Prime Minister Qin, we never even heard a sound about those memorials from the local officials in His Majesty’s hands…..”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

“…..That’s right, all the memorials that should be sent to the imperial study have to be reviewed by the cabinet first…..”

“Say, just what has…..”

“Enough, my lords.” Qin Youxiang walked unsteadily, but his tone was even and steady, “It is no longer what it used to be, and the emperor’s thoughts are unpredictable. You all perform and fulfill your duties and you will be able to keep your official uniform and guarantee the safety of your wife and children, as for the rest…..it is useless to say any more.”

This official talk was so impeccable that though the officials wanted to ask more, they didn’t even know where to start and could only shut up sheepishly.

Qin Youxiang didn’t look at these people either, he just continued to walk forward slowly.

Jing Ye looked up at the sky that was about to fall into the night, the clouds were surging, and the sky was colored in red and and orange.

“Ye Mao.” He looked around.

Ye Gonggong stepped forward: “Ai, Your Majesty.”

“It’s already this hour, why haven’t they arrived yet.”

“This…..” Ye Gonggong also did not know, “Perhaps they are held up by something. Your Majesty, shall we still wait?”

“En.”

The two of them just stood still on the grassy spot of ground, and the palace servants who accompanied them were sent away to prevent the two children from being nervous.

The sky was getting darker little by little, and the gorgeous sunset sky gradually faded into the long night.

Ye Mao beckoned the palace servants to bring the palace lanterns, and with a lantern he stepped forward and said softly, “Your Majesty, it’s getting late, let’s go back to the palace.”

Jing Ye’s eyebrows twitched and he raised his head to look at the darkness in the distance: “…..Fine.”

He raised the hand that had been hidden in his long sleeve, revealing an exquisite and colorful toy drum in his hand. When he shook it hard, it would make a “dong dong” sound. If little Jing Yun saw it, he would definitely clap his chubby paws in delight.

The soft light from the gauze palace lantern reflected on Jing Ye’s lonely profile, highlighting his expression of helplessness.

Before he came here, he had both parents and a successful career. Unfortunately, he could not have a child of his own. He also thought that if he was a heterosexual man, liked beautiful and gentle girls, and married a virtuous girl, then he would surely be envied by many people.

Unfortunately, assumptions can never hold.

Just like he couldn’t even imagine himself in the past now.

“…..Your Majesty?” Ye Mao called cautiously beside him.

“En.” Jing Ye came back to his senses, paused, turned around and began walking back, “Let’s go back to the palace.”

“Ai.”

Zhao Manor.

Zhao Mingde leaned on the small table by the couch, raised his eyebrows and said in surprise, “He actually dismissed Tang and Yin’s official status?”

Sitting in front of him was a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar: “Yes.”

Zhao Mingde thought for a while, then raised his head and said, “The emperor doing this, is this a provocation?”

The middle-aged man took a sip of tea and said, “But Tang and Yin are unaware of the incident. In the past, the two of them only dealt with some court affairs that involved money but little power, yet the emperor inexplicably sent them to the southwest, and as a result, the money was robbed halfway through, and they were so scared that their souls practically fled their bodies, fearing of losing their life because of their failure in supervision,. It was only after being persuaded by the people we sent, did they sent a fake report that everything went smoothly.”

Zhao Mingde frowned.

“…..I’m afraid that it was really someone who was lucky enough to pass their memorial to the emperor, and the emperor learned that the money was taken.” The middle-aged man shook his head, “As for who put the memorial in front of the emperor, in my opinion, it is no doubt the Prime Minister of the Right.”

“Is that so…..”

Zhao Mingde didn’t continue. It wasn’t until a long time passed that he nodded as if he was truly convinced.

Jing Ye waited by the lake for the second time until it got dark.

Ye Mao looked at the bright moon hanging in the sky, stepped forward and bowed: “Your Majesty, it’s time to return to the palace.”

“En.” Jing Ye guessed that this would be the result, but he still waited until this time.

“Go back to the palace.”

His Majesty the Emperor walked ahead with his head down. Ye Gonggong looked at his back from behind, and only felt a strong feeling of the bleak autumn wind being emitted.

On this side, Xiaoyi Pavilion was not so peaceful anymore.

Whe little Jing Yun found out that he was not being carried to see Susu the night before, he instantly opened his mouth and wailed. It was an hour of being held by his older brother and coaxed and kissed before his wailing stopped.

But who knew that the next day! It! Was! Still! The! Same!

So the little bun’s face really bulged into a bun (due to the need to gather air into his lungs), and with a “wah”, the wails that ensued were comparable to that of earthquakes. Even shocking Jing Le’s hand that held the sword to tremble.

Jing Le looked at his baby brother who was crying non-stop, and in the end his heart softened. He couldn’t help turning around and bowing to Lin Hangyu: “Shifu…..”

The man looked at him and then lowered his eyes: “If this doting becomes a habit, it will be difficult to turn it around later.”

“Shifu…..” Jing Le opened his mouth, but in the end still lowered his head. He turned and walked back to his younger brother, carefully wiping the tears on his tender face with his sleeve.

“Can Yun’er be good?”

“Wah…..” Little Jing Yun raised his two chubby paws, grabbed his outstretched hand, and looked at him with big black eyes, “Wah wah wah wah——”

Jing Le pursed his lips and turned his face away from him.

Little Jing Yun was practically about to die of sadness. Usually after he did this, big brother would give him whatever he wanted!

Lin Hangyu also turned his face and looked out the window.

The noise and clamor lasted until the middle of the night. Both this one adult and one child did not know how to look after a toddler. When the little guy became thirsty from crying, they would hand over water, and when he was hungry, they would hand over food. So little Jing Yun became more and more courageous, and in this regard, he made full use of the amazing physical strength that his father passed on to him.

In the end it still couldn’t be helped.

When the little guy finally fell asleep with tears in his eyes, Jing Le breathed a sigh of relief, and was about to climb into the bed and hug his brother to sleep, but found that the little guy’s body was hot.

At this, now the two people were really at a loss.

In Ping An Palace, Ye Mao slipped gently into the bedroom, and whispered beside the dragon bed, “Your Majesty?”

“En?” Jing Ye’s eyelids moved, and he made a sound in his throat.

“Your Majesty, something happened at Xiaoyi Pavilion.”

“Where…..” Jing Ye turned over and buried his head in the quilt, but then suddenly raised his head, “What did you say?”

Ye Mao: “Lin Gongzi went to the imperial medical college in person, and according to the imperial physician’s report, the young prince has a fever……”

“What!” Jing Ye sat up all of a sudden, “That Sword Sage or whatever, he wouldn’t happen to really not know how to take care of children, would he?”

Ye Gonggong muttered, “Would someone called the Sword Sage know how to take care of children?”

Jing Ye had already got up from the bed: “Light the lanterns! We go to Xiaoyi Pavilion!” As he spoke, he had already landed on the ground, stepping on the cold floor with his bare feet.

Ye Mao: “Ai, ai, Your Majesty, please wait…..let this servant call the palace maid to change your clothes first…..”

Inside Xiaoyi Pavilion.

The imperial physician sat at a small wooden table, so shabby it did not look like it belonged in the palace, his hands trembling as he wrote the prescription. Lin Hangyu, who was emitting cold air, was sitting quietly by the window, watching the little guy whose face was reddened from fever on the bed and said nothing.

Jing Le, with the wooden sword on his back, leaned against the edge of the bed, and looked at his brother, barely even blinking his eyes.

The room was silent.

It was dark outside the window. Jing Ye strode to the gate of the courtyard, raised his head and glanced at the plaque on the door, then stretched out his hand to open the door and stepped in.

The courtyard door squeaked, Jing Le’s ears twitched, and he turned to look outside, but the little guy on the bed suddenly stretched out his arms, and the little chubby paws touched Jing Le’s fingers.

He quickly turned around and grabbed his brother’s hand: “Yun’er?”

“Sir Lin.” Jing Ye walked into the courtyard, “May Zhen come in and take a look at the little prince?”

Lin Hangyu’s thin lips pursed slightly. But Jing Le couldn’t bear it any longer. He stepped forward and knelt down and said, “Shifu, let him hold Yun’er. Maybe Yun’er will be more comfortable.”

Waves appeared in the man’s eyes, he was silent for a while, but finally said, “The door is not locked.”

Although the words were not loud, Jing Ye outside the house could hear it clearly, and immediately stepped forward to open the door. The imperial physician at the table hurriedly put down his pen and knelt on the ground: “Paying respect to Your Majesty.”

“Is the prescription ready?” Jing Ye walked over and picked up the prescription, looked at it closely, and suddenly couldn’t help being exasperated, “You have been here for such a long time, and you haven’t written anything?”

A cold light flashed in the eyes of the man by the window.

“This…..” The imperial physician tucked his neck in fright, and after thinking for a long time, he carefully replied: “Actually…..according to…..according to this official’s investigation, the little prince’s fever is not because of illness, but from teething.”

“Teething?” Jing Ye was stunned for a moment, remembering that when he watched his brothers take care of their children this word had come up before, so he felt relieved, “It’s not a misjudgment?”

The imperial physician bowed his head and said, “The prince’s body is hot but the back of his ears are as usual. Thus a sign of teething. It is recorded in “Secrets of the External Body”: ‘When teething occurs, the body becomes hot, the pulse becomes disordered, the sweating becomes profuse, and the eyes become unclear. Slightly similar to suffering a fright.’ It is all in line with the symptoms of the little prince, so this official predicts that his fever-like symptoms are due to teething.”

“Let Zhen take a look…..” Jing Ye walked to the bed and sat down. He picked up little Jing Yun in his arms and felt the temperature of his ears. And indeed it was as usual, and his heart finally went back to its usual place: “Good. Ye Mao.”

Ye Gonggong, who was standing by the door, bowed: “Ai, Your Majesty.”

“Pour some clean warm water for the prince to drink, not too hot.”

Ye Mao nodded and was about to turn around, but was stopped again: “Have someone bring a bottle of the new tribute rose dew from the palace. It’s sweet, and the little guy will like to drink it with water.”

You c an fi nd t he la te st cha pte rs at ( th e ir on tr ee bl oo ms. c o m )

“This servant will go now.”

“Your…..Your Majesty.” Jing Le pressed the edge of the bed and stared up at his little brother’s sleeping red face: “What’s wrong with Yun’er?”

Jing Ye rubbed his head and chuckled: “He’s not sick, he’s grown up.”

If you would like to show some ♡  then please consider supporting this translator! ლ(⌒εー)ლ