Seeing that the other person’s hair would take a while to dry, Gu Weizhou took out a military book he had written (or copied) from his sleeve and placed it on the stone table. With an air of aloofness, he began lecturing the individual, whose hair was still damp with water droplets.
Different from the blazing heat of summer, the deep autumn air carried a hint of wind. The small droplets of water that were soaking the hair occasionally rolled onto the shoulder, adding a touch of coolness.
Subconsciously glancing at the other person’s bruised, purplish arms, Gu Weizhou continued to explain the meaning of the military book in front of him, while handing over a cloak that was placed at the edge of the table.
Jiang Jingyue suddenly noticed a gentle whiteness in his half-closed vision. Following that glimpse, he saw the handsome profile of the man with downcast eyes who was still speaking about the military book.
Three months had been enough for Jiang Jingyue to understand a lot, like the man before him who always seemed to push people away.
Rational eyes, a cold face, and a heart that was gentle like water but covered in layers of ice.
If not for this person’s guidance and companionship during this time, he might have completely deteriorated by now.
Thinking this, he took the cloak from the other man’s hands.
“…Thank you, Master.”
Just as Gu Weizhou was about to remind him to take care of his health, he suddenly felt a faint sound, coming from not too far away.
It..was.. the sound of footsteps.
“Who…!!!”
The moment Gu Weizhou shouted, Jiang Jingyue, who was sitting beside him turned cold and his figure vanished on the spot.
The person behind the door saw a fleeting shadow pass by. In the next second, he felt his neck being tightly gripped by a hand, and the one who attacked was none other than Jiang Jingyue, who had disappeared like a ghost a moment ago.
He…he…he actually… wasn’t insane…!!!
Noticing the shock in the other’s eyes, almost reflexively, Jiang Jingyue’s gaze turned cold, ready to snap the man’s neck.
“Wait…!”
His fingers hesitated, and Jiang Jingyue turned his attention to Gu Weizhou, who was approaching. At this time, Gu Weizhou’s gaze fell on the face of the man in Jiang Jingyue’s grip. His eyes darted across the man’s face as if confirming something.
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.
Vfflcu tlw rajglcu ja atf fecemt lc tlr uglq, Aljcu Alcusef lcralcmalnfis ogbkcfv, “Zjrafg, ktja’r kgbcu klat tlw?”
“…Zjrafg… Zjrafg…?” Ktf wbwfca atf fecemt rqbxf, tlr vffq nblmf ujnf tlw jkjs.
Lfjglcu atlr nblmf, Xe Qflhtbe rffwfv ab mbcolgw rbwfatlcu, rwlilcu rilutais. Lf ugffafv atf wjc klat j olra rjieaf, “Cgf sbe Qjcu Jtjcu, atf njcuejgv bo atf Vkloa Qlcv Jbgqr?”
Wang Chang was still immersed in the surprise of Jiang Jingyue calling out “Master.” He never would have imagined that the man opposite him would become Jiang Jingyue’s master. Wasn’t he a captive of Da Ao?
Seeing Jiang Jingyue still on guard, Gu Weizhou said, “Jingyue, it’s okay. Let him go. He’s a trusted aide of your father. We met on the battlefield before.”
A trace of emotion crossed Jiang Jingyue’s face. He had been isolated so well during his time in the royal palace that he had never seen any of Jiang Lianbi’s close aides or even subordinates in over a decade.
Slowing his grip, he immediately greeted the man with a fist salute, “I apologize for my offense, Vanguard Wang. Please forgive me.”
Being addressed this way, Wang Chang snapped back to his senses and hurriedly responded, “My lord, you are the prince. I can’t accept such a gesture.”
Within a short period, Jiang Jingyue, who had perfectly learned Gu Weizhou’s teachings about respecting the worthy and the scholars, smiled and said, “In terms of emotion, you are my elder who has risked life and death alongside my father. In terms of logic, you hold a military rank, while I am but a commoner without any rank or post. Thus, be it emotionally or logically, you are worthy to accept this gesture.”
Looking at Jiang Jingyue, who was paying him such a respectful gesture, Wang Chang’s eyes were filled with indescribable complexity; of course, aside from the complexity, there was also relief.
When the King suddenly met with an accident, all of the trusted aides felt as though the sky had collapsed. Their only hope at that time was Jiang Jingyue, a young master who had been overly sheltered by the prince and knew nothing of the hardships of life.
As for whether to rebel, they had long discussions in secret but ultimately did not take that step due to various considerations. They had not expected the King’s residence to be destroyed overnight, followed by rumors that the young master had gone mad. They were all filled with regret.
But now that things had come to this point, more regrets were useless. At that time, the Swift Wind Corps had split into two factions.
One faction advocated marching into the imperial city to avenge the late King and Queen, while the other advocated laying low, collecting information about the young master’s situation, and seeing if anything could be done to reverse the situation.
Wang Chang was a member of the latter faction.
To find out about Jiang Jingyue’s situation within the imperial city, he disguised himself and entered the palace several months ago. Fearing that he would give himself away if he spoke, he could only pretend to be mute.
During his time in the palace, Wang Chang had been constantly seeking an opportunity to sneak into Qinfeng Hall to ascertain whether Jiang Jingyue was alive or dead. However, the emperor had eyes everywhere in the palace, and to avoid setting off a chain of events, Wang Chang could only lie low in the shadows.
The emperor’s birthday provided a diversion of attention throughout the palace, offering him a rare chance to slip in undetected. What he didn’t expect was to encounter such a pleasant surprise: Jiang Jingyue was actually unharmed.
Furthermore…
Seeing the young man before him, whose eyes were filled with resolve and who no longer possessed the naive and youthful demeanor, and who even somewhat resembled the old Jiang Lianbi in his movements, Wang Chang suddenly felt that their Swift Wind Corps might finally be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. As if after all the hardships, hope was now within reach.
Due to his covert identity, Wang Chang didn’t stay long. He briefly explained the current situation of the Swift Wind Corps and left behind a token symbolizing their allegiance before hastily departing.
Clutching the token tightly in his hand and watching Wang Chang’s retreating figure, Jiang Jingyue silently told himself that he still had to wait, to continue waiting for the right opportunity to strike back.
Taking a deep breath, he turned around to see a man standing under a distant locust tree, gazing at him. The man said, “Everything will gradually get better.”
Under the tree ablaze with fiery hues, the man was dressed in white, his light, cold eyes glowing as they met Jiang Jingyue’s gaze. That moment felt like the most beautiful scene in the world.
Jiang Jingyue gazed intently at the man not far away, whose face seemed as cold as ice, yet whose eyes were as warm as sunshine. Such seriousness in his look seemed as if he wanted to imprint the man’s image deep within his eyes.
He will… he must!
…
Da Ao Imperial Family, Forbidden Palace,
“Third Brother, please plead for me to Father. I have reflected enough, I know my mistakes, can I please not be confined here any longer?”
Within the luxurious room filled with pearls and jade, Jiang Huaijin, who had always been arrogant and domineering in public, tugged at Jiang Huaiyu’s sleeve, looking pitiful.
Brushing off the hand that was clutching his sleeve, Jiang Huaiyu walked towards the lavish side table while saying in a dismissive tone, “Don’t make a fuss. Father said you’ve been restless lately. You can only leave this chamber on his birthday.”
Upon hearing these words, Jiang Huaijin’s face drooped, and he clung pitifully to his older brother, “I can’t wait that long. By then he will have completely forgotten about me.”
Picking up the tea freshly served by the young palace maid, Jiang Huaiyu gently swirled the delicate cup lid. As he listened to his brother’s words, his hand paused slightly. He then remembered the incident that happened in a side hall of Qinfeng Palace. The information hinted at in his words was…
Thinking about what their mother had been nagging him about recently, he glanced at Jiang Huaijin, “Are you talking about Yunzhan’s proton Su Qingli?”
Hearing his brother also knew the name, Jiang Huaijin’s eyes instantly lit up. Like a child who had found a treasure to show off, he exclaimed, “Yes, him, exactly him! Third Brother, you have no idea how handsome he is.”
Continuing the gentle movement of stirring his tea, Jiang Huaiyu seemed uninterested, “It’s just another mortal shell after all.”
“Third Brother, that’s where you’re wrong. There are countless beautiful shells in this world, but I’ve never seen one this breathtaking. Also…”
Thinking about the day when he had the man beneath him, about the fury blazing in those icy eyes, Jiang Huaijin involuntarily swallowed.
“You have no idea how comfortable it is to touch his small hands, slim waist, and body. Especially when he’s angry at you, his eyes are even more beautiful than the brightest gems that other countries tribute to us. I can’t help but want to have him.”
Jiang Huaiyu knew his younger brother’s fickle nature; whatever caught his fancy would be discarded after a few days. To him, this was just another interesting toy that caught his brother’s eye.
However…
Thinking about the rumored talents of Su Qingli, Jiang Huaiyu lifted his eyes, intending to remind his brother that this person might be useful. But as he looked up, he saw his brother staring into space, lost in his thoughts.
The lewd, open-mouthed expression he had at this moment bore no resemblance to his usual unpredictable demeanor in front of the servants.
The two brothers were both sons of the Imperial Noble Consort, but due to congenital reasons, Jiang Huaijin’s health had always been inferior to Jiang Huaiyu’s. From a young age, Jiang Huaiyu had been seen as a good older brother who dotes on his younger sibling. Consequently, Jiang Huaijin, who felt the goodwill from his older brother, would naturally reveal his childlike nature in front of him, asking for this and that.
As long as it wasn’t a matter of principle, Jiang Huaiyu would usually indulge him.
Taking in the entire scene, he suppressed the words he wanted to say and took a light sip of the strong tea in his cup.
“…whatever you want.”
It’s just one hostage from a defeated nation, after all.
As the Emperor’s birthday drew nearer, the various halls in the Da Ao Imperial Palace responsible for their own affairs became increasingly busy. The myriad preparations and confirmations led to nearly all-nighters, from dusk till dawn, within the palace.
In contrast to the brightly lit main hall deep within the palace, this side hall was enveloped in a lonely silence. After nightfall, let alone the coming and going of palace servants, even the flicker of candlelight was seldom seen.
Gu Weizhou, who was sleeping soundly, was awakened by the chirping sound of crickets. Thinking he had experienced some strange dream, he opened his eyes in a daze, only to hear the sound of teeth-gritting groans emanating from the darkness.
Turning his head slightly, he saw Jiang Jingyue groaning on a temporarily set-up bed not far away in the dark.
So, is he having a wet dream…?
damn….might have been his first one ig
Either a wet dream or a nightmare.
And the princes are really disgusting, I don’t like them so I don’t wanna see them do well.
Thank you for the chapter!
reads the chapter number… Nice~
Also, I have to agree with lazy cat Kohaku. The princes are truly just disgusting. We need the ML and GW to get together so we can see the vengeance plot play out!
10/10 TFTC