The unexpectedly soft touch instantly mesmerized Bai Yao, and he was engulfed in this sweet sensation, experiencing it for the first time in his life.
He had already admitted to himself that he truly had feelings for this Sixth Prince, Mo Yi, and he was determined to make him his own.
Especially when Mo Yi obediently stayed in his embrace, without resistance, even opening his mouth to accommodate him. This indulgence made Bai Yao even more unrestrained, wishing he could devour the person in his arms.
After a long while, he raised his head again, looking at the flushed youth before him, and gently caressed his cheek. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “Your Highness, do you know this official intentions?”
Mo Yi nodded vigorously, wrapping his arms tightly around Bai Yao.
For this moment, he had waited so long, longing to be close to his partner, something he had dreamed of. Right now, he felt like his mind was a mess, and all he wanted to do was to stay snuggled against Bai Yao.
Mo Yi’s response filled Bai Yao with joy. Fortunately, it was late at night, and they were in a secluded street corner, so they wouldn’t be discovered.
After embracing each other a few more times, Bai Yao took off his cloak and draped it over Mo Yi’s shoulders.
He caressed his head and planted a kiss on his forehead, whispering, “I have given my heart to Your Highness. I hope you won’t disappoint my feelings and won’t have anyone else.”
“Of course, there won’t be anyone else. It’s just the two of us, okay?”
Mo Yi tentatively said, and seeing Bai Yao nod, he became excited.
He truly wished it could only be the two of them. In this world where men could have multiple wives and concubines, he couldn’t bear the thought of Bai Yao being with anyone else. So, with Bai Yao’s agreement, he felt reassured.
The two of them gazed deeply into each other’s eyes, slowly drawing closer, until their lips met again…
In the deserted street corner, the lovers shared a kiss, reluctant to part.
It was only later that Bai Yao, seeing that it was getting late, reluctantly let go of Mo Yi.
After satisfyingly tapping Mo Yi’s forehead, Bai Yao meticulously buttoned up his cloak before asking, “Your residence is still a distance away from here. Why didn’t you have your mansion’s carriage wait for you?”
“Of course, because I want to walk with you,” Mo Yi said naturally.
Hearing this, Bai Yao’s heart warmed even more, feeling increasingly reluctant to part with Mo Yi.
He promptly instructed Jia Yi to bring his mansion’s carriage over, then leisurely walked forward with Mo Yi.
After walking halfway, the carriage arrived. Bai Yao watched as Mo Yi boarded the carriage, and they waved to each other through the window.
Once he couldn’t see Bai Yao’s figure anymore, Mo Yi let down the curtain, snuggling into the thick cloak. With a smile on his face that he couldn’t suppress, he enjoyed the comforting scent of his partner.
Being together for the rest of their lives, with his partner loving him, felt wonderful!
Meanwhile, when Bai Yao returned to his mansion, his subordinates reported that their dispatched personnel had returned.
Initially in a good mood, Bai Yao’s expression instantly turned serious. He asked the returning subordinate, “How is the situation with Da Yu?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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However, their family’s grudge must be avenged. So, he picked up a pen and wrote a letter to the current emperor of Da Yu, Wu Junba. After finishing the letter, he handed it to the subordinate, Yi Er, and said, “Let the people at the border take action.”
Yi Er nodded in acknowledgment, taking the letter with a firm gaze.
Finally, they were taking this step. The unrest at the border would affect the entire court during the grand banquet. The two contenders for the throne would surely vie for control of the military during this opportunity. It would then depend on his master’s tactics.
Time flew by, and more than two months had passed. Sure enough, information began to trickle in from the border, reporting disturbances by border tribes, causing significant unrest.
Despite several battles, they were unable to drive away these tribes. It seemed they had united, making calculated moves that caused significant losses to the military forces.
Upon learning about this matter, the old emperor also appeared grave recently. Naturally, they had to console the soldiers at the border and supply them with a batch of goods.
To demonstrate their concern, Mo Tianhe decided to send one of the princes there.
In the original plot, the one going was the eldest prince, Mo Xingyan. However, this time, before anyone else could say anything, Mo Yi stepped forward and said, “Father, I am willing to go to the border.”
“Oh?” Seeing that it was Mo Yi who volunteered, Mo Tianhe felt somewhat surprised.
Before he could say anything, the second prince rushed out to object, saying, “Father, the youngest brother is still young, and the journey to the border is long. Traveling through wind and rain, it will be very hard. It would be more appropriate for the elder brother to go.”
Under such circumstances, transporting supplies to the border was not a simple task.
If there were to be future battles, whoever personally inspected the situation on the front lines would have a greater chance of controlling the military. Hence, the second prince was eager to volunteer and even wanted to go himself.
Mo Yi didn’t have such awareness. Although he had also seen the original plot, he stepped forward because Bai Yao had specifically approached him earlier and advised him to actively seek such opportunities if the emperor requested someone to go to the border.
Mo Yi trusted Bai Yao’s words and believed that his partner’s advice was always reasonable.
Seeing someone opposing him, Mo Yi immediately became serious and said, “It’s precisely because I’m young that I need this experience. I also have the heart to protect our country and admire the soldiers at the border, which is why I want to go there personally. Father, I’ve mentioned before that I want to share your worries. I hope you can give me this opportunity!”
The eldest prince had known this would happen. He had wanted to seize this opportunity earlier, but Bai Yao had persuaded him to stay in the capital to oversee things, letting the inconspicuous sixth prince take the lead.
In Mo Xingyan’s view, Mo Yi was already his ally. He thought Bai Yao made sense, so when he saw the second prince stepping in to oppose, he quickly chimed in, “Father, I also think this opportunity is more suitable for the youngest brother. We should give him a chance to gain more experience.”
Mo Tianhe rubbed his chin and looked at Mo Yi’s determined gaze, thinking of the sixth prince’s mother.
Indeed, the son of a prominent family was different. Perhaps sending this youngest one to the border was also appropriate. So, he nodded and said, “What the youngest says makes sense. I’ll give you this opportunity.”
After saying this, he also smiled and comforted the second prince, “Alright, let your younger brother handle this matter. You stay in the court to help me with my worries.”
The second prince gritted his teeth upon hearing this, knowing that the emperor’s decision had been made. He could only give a forced smile to Mo Yi and Mo Xingyan, then bowed to the emperor, saying, “Yes, Your Majesty, your wisdom prevails.”
Mo Yi received the task and felt happy, thinking about fulfilling Bai Yao’s request. Perhaps he could sneak out in the evening to find his partner and boast about his achievements. He might even get cuddles and kisses all in one go!
However, his joy didn’t last long. Just as he returned to the mansion, he heard that Duke Ning had hurriedly come to see him.
Realizing that the court session today might be due to the border conflict, and Duke Ning, who had always been in poor health, rarely attended court sessions, Mo Yi hurried to greet him at the door.
But as soon as the man saw Mo Yi, he quickly pulled him inside and sternly dragged him into the hall, dismissing everyone else.
Once they were alone, Shi Zhiyi grabbed Mo Yi’s wrist and said sharply, “Your Highness, you must go to the emperor now and decline this task to go to the border!”
“Uncle!”
Mo Yi was taken aback by Shi Zhiyi’s demand, but the man’s face was filled with anger. “Have you forgotten what you promised me before? I’ve been ill for over a month, only recovering recently. I heard reports that you attended the Eldest Prince’s birthday banquet and have been maintaining a close relationship with Bai Ren during this time. Now, everyone thinks you are on the Eldest Prince’s side!”
“I’ve explained the pros and cons to you before. Why won’t you listen and insist on getting involved?”
At this point, Duke Ning began coughing violently, and Mo Yi hurriedly patted his back, fearing he might cough up blood if he got too agitated.
“Uncle, please don’t be too angry. It’s not as serious as you think. I…”
Mo Yi tried to console him, but Shi Zhiyi waved his hand to silence him, coughing, “How is it not serious?”
“Forget about the Bai family? Forget about Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion?”
“Back then, the Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion was so prestigious, and our Shi family and the Bai family were old friends. The old duke and I were even best friends.”
“But when the emperor gave the order, the once magnificent Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion collapsed overnight. Your grandfather and I spared no effort, yet we couldn’t help in the slightest!”
Duke Ning was already addressing Mo Yi directly, indicating his deep frustration. But when Mo Yi heard the sorrow in his uncle’s voice as he mentioned Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion, he had a new idea.
After learning about the plot, Mo Yi also understood the connection between Duke Ning’s mansion and Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion. Both families had been generations of generals, fighting side by side on the battlefield, forging a deep bond.
He had thought that the current Duke Ning, weakened by illness and having never been on the battlefield, would not care much about Marquis Zhongyong’s affairs. But now, Shi Zhiyi’s affection for the Bai family was evident.
Seeing him, even in his weakened state, trying to dissuade Mo Yi, treating him as family, Mo Yi gritted his teeth and decided to be honest with Duke Ning.
“Uncle, since there is such a connection between Duke Ning’s mansion and Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion, if my going there can help the Bai family, would you still oppose it?”
Shi Zhiyi coughed heavily a couple of times, then, catching his breath, looked sharply at Mo Yi. “What do you mean by that, Your Highness? What do you mean by helping the Bai family?”
“Uncle, if I were to say that someone from the Bai family managed to escape, and the former heir of Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion is still alive and wants to clear the Bai family’s name, would Duke Ning’s mansion still stand by idly?”
Shi Zhiyi’s expression showed shock at Mo Yi’s words. He gripped Mo Yi’s shoulders, visibly moved.
“Are you saying… Bai Yao, Bai Yao is still alive!”
Mo Yi nodded firmly. “Uncle, Bai Yao is still alive. He is now known as Bai Ren.”
“How is that possible? How can it be!”
Shi Zhiyi couldn’t believe that Bai Ren was Bai Yao. He kept muttering, “How could he be Bai Yao? I’ve seen that child before. I even held him when he was born. He used to come to Duke Ning’s mansion to play during festivals.”
As Shi Zhiyi spoke, he carefully recalled the features of the two individuals, finding astonishing similarities. But their overall demeanor and temperament were completely different. After so many years had passed, the young man had grown and changed so much that one couldn’t recognize him as the same person.
But could time really bring such drastic changes to a person? Thinking about how the clean and straightforward youth had turned into someone who appeared gentle but harbored a cunning and ruthless strategist beneath the surface, Duke Ning felt a pang in his heart.
Such a stark difference, what has this child been through all these years!
Duke Ning was still somewhat incredulous. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Mo Yi, “Are you sure he is really Bai Yao? Could it be someone impersonating him?”
Mo Yi shook his head vigorously in response. “I can’t be mistaken, Uncle. Although I only met Bai Yao once when I was young, he saved my life.
Back then, I was almost hit by a stray arrow on the hunting ground, but Bai Yao protected me. His arm was injured by the arrow, leaving a deep scar.
It was by chance that I saw that scar on Bai Ren’s body, and upon careful observation, I confirmed it.
Uncle, Bai Ren must be Bai Yao!
He is now staying by the Eldest Prince’s side, probably with his own plans. But he doesn’t know that I have recognized him.”
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
Shi Zhiyi pondered deeply. He didn’t think Mo Yi would lie to him, only marveling at the wonders of fate. Who would have thought that someone presumed dead would come back to life?
Even he had never imagined that Bai Ren was Bai Yao.
Thinking that there was still Bai family bloodline alive, Duke Ning felt a sense of relief.
Bai Yao had hidden himself for so many years before coming back, so he must have made thorough preparations. Looking at Mo Yi beside him, who had found reasonable excuses for his recent interactions with the Eldest Prince’s mansion, Shi Zhiyi couldn’t help but feel emotional. He patted Mo Yi’s shoulder firmly and said, “Good child, good child! Your Highness is truly worthy of the bloodline of our Duke Ning’s mansion!”
After the Bai family’s tragedy, with his father and sister both deceased, Shi Zhiyi’s heart had turned cold.
But no matter what, he was still a member of Duke Ning’s mansion. How could his passionate blood truly turn cold?
“You’ve done the right thing. Since it was Bai Yao who approached you and entrusted you with this matter, you should take it on. Whatever his plans may be, we will cooperate. If anything happens, Your Highness can always come to me.” Duke Ning said solemnly.
Mo Yi nodded vigorously at the words, feeling uplifted. Mo Yi saw the genuine concern in Shi Zhiyi’s eyes as Shi Zhiyi spoke, “I understand Your Highness’s desire to protect the only bloodline of the Bai family and to repay the debt of gratitude from years ago.
But the dangers involved are immense. No matter what, I hope Your Highness will take good care of yourself!”
Seeing the sincerity in the man’s eyes, Mo Yi finally felt a genuine sense of familial affection, and he was deeply grateful to the original owner.
How fortunate he was to have such family members. In the future, he vowed to accumulate more merit and cure Duke Ning!
I hope Duke Ning can be cured. Time to do more good deeds Bai Ren
Thank you for the chapter!
Thank you for the update! (˘︶˘).｡*♡
Yep yep, he already promised to repay in mind and body, don’t worry uncle!