“Little Dogs Bite.”
The matter of the Six Kingdoms conspiring with Xiqiang was no small affair. Lu Ronghuai informed Xian Feng and ordered the covert guards in the west in the west to investigate thoroughly. They must find the person who had colluded with Xiqiang.
Lu Ronghuai said, “Has the news reached Ye Jing yet?”
Xian Feng replied, “Not yet. Our men departed ahead of time. The imperial courier riding at full speed will likely need another four days.”
Lu Ronghuai frowned. “When Bai Yi returned to the capital, he left his most capable deputy general stationed in the western borderlands. If there were signs of movement from Xiqiang, he ought to have informed Ye Jing immediately. Now a border pass has fallen, yet the message has not arrived. What went wrong?”
Xian Feng said, “My lord’s guess was correct. According to our people, a traitor appeared among the western garrison. General Bai’s deputy was killed in his tent. With no commander to lead them, the army has suffered repeated defeats.”
Traitor...
The room fell silent for a long while.
“Ah-Yuan,” Lu Ronghuai called.
Chu Yuan returned to his senses and looked toward him. Lu Ronghuai smiled gently at him.
“Eat first. The noodles will grow cold.”
Chu Yuan did not have much appetite. His mind was full of the war in the western borderlands. Yet he understood Lu Ronghuai’s intention and knew he did not wish him to trouble himself with these matters.
He lifted his chopsticks and began eating the noodles one bite at a time.
Lu Ronghuai watched him eat half the bowl before finally feeling satisfied. Then he turned and instructed Xian Feng, “Send word to Xian Yue and have him inform Bai Yi of this news.”
“Understood.”
“Also tell him that he is not to take part in this western campaign. Find a way to have Fang Xinhai lead the troops instead.”
Xian Feng did not understand the reason, yet he never asked unnecessary questions. He bowed and withdrew.
Chu Yuan asked, “Why does Your Highness not allow General Bai to go?”
Looking across the whole of Lu Kingdom, it would be difficult to find another commander more familiar with the western borderlands than Bai Yi. Even having relinquished his military authority, Emperor Hongjia would certainly send him if war broke out.
“If Bai Yi leads troops, Bai Qingyu will certainly follow him. Xiao Ba... may very well follow as well.”
Lu Ronghuai gave an explanation, though he did not reveal the true reason.
In his previous life, war had also erupted in the western borderlands, though that had occurred three years later. Now that the conflict had arrived early, he could not be certain whether the outcome would change.
If events followed the same course, Bai Yi would perish in that campaign.
Fortunately, he had already written to Bai Yi and urged him to return to the capital ahead of time. If Bai Yi did not go to the western borderlands, he should be able to avoid that disaster.
Chu Yuan nodded in understanding. “So Your Highness is worried about Eighth Brother. Their marriage will take place in three months. Many matters still require preparation. Father Emperor will likely not send General Bai to war.”
Lu Ronghuai neither confirmed nor denied it. “Father Emperor will not consider such things. In his heart there are only his own interests. He has never cared about the thoughts of others.”
Seeing the cold expression on Lu Ronghuai’s face, Chu Yuan paused in surprise. Then he suddenly remembered that his own marriage had also been ordered by Emperor Hongjia.
It had not been Lu Ronghuai’s wish nor something he had desired.
So even though he said he did not mind, perhaps resentment still remained in his heart.
“Your Highness...”
“Mm?” Lu Ronghuai lifted his eyes toward him.
Chu Yuan met those deep, unfathomable eyes. After a long silence, he shook his head. “Nothing.”
Their feelings were like a tender sprout that had only just broken through the soil. It could not endure violent storms or scorching sun. At any moment it might snap.
He did not want things between himself and Lu Ronghuai to grow stiff and distant. He did not want to return to those days of keeping his heart sealed under ice.
“If Ah-Yuan has something to say, say it. Do not keep it in your heart.” Lu Ronghuai took his hand and spoke with a smile when he saw him hesitate.
Chu Yuan returned the smile. “I only feel glad for Eighth Brother. With Your Highness caring for and protecting him, Your Highness truly fulfills the duty of an elder brother.”
“He is simply foolish. If I did not protect him, he would only be bullied.” Thinking of his foolish younger brother made Lu Ronghuai irritated. He could not help rolling his eyes.
Chu Yuan smiled faintly.
Lu Ronghuai watched Chu Yuan’s smile and reached out to touch the vermilion mark between his brows.
“Little bodhisattva, why is it that I am so terribly fond of you?”
“Your Highness should not call me that.” Chu Yuan brushed his hand away.
“It is true. You are the Bodhisattva Heaven sent to save me. Even that worthless father of mine is not entirely without merit. At least he did one good thing by making you marry me.” Lu Ronghuai grinned happily.
Chu Yuan laughed at his words, and the faint worry in his heart vanished at once.
“Your Highness grows more and more glib.”
“How can speaking the truth be glib? Ever since you came to my side, the headaches that troubled me for years have never returned. My temper grows better and better. All of this is Ah-Yuan’s doing.”
Hearing this, Chu Yuan grew curious.
“Does Your Highness truly no longer suffer headaches?”
“Of course.”
“Yet I have done nothing.” Chu Yuan could not understand how his illness could possibly be connected to him.
Lu Ronghuai leaned closer and suddenly inhaled deeply at the side of his neck.
“Ah-Yuan smells wonderful. Far better than the medicinal sachets I once used. If I hold Ah-Yuan every day and breathe in his scent, my headaches disappear.”
His warm breath brushed Chu Yuan’s neck. Chu Yuan turned away at once, sensitive to the touch, and his neck flushing crimson.
Since the two of them had shared intimacy, Chu Yuan could not help recalling their closer moments whenever Lu Ronghuai casually embraced or leaned against him. Those flushed and breathless scenes made him burn with embarrassment.
The next morning when they set out again, Chu Yuan deliberately had Le Shu ride in the carriage as well.
Lu Ronghuai: “?”
Lu Ronghuai: “Why is he coming up?”
Chu Yuan gestured for Le Shu to sit and said calmly, “This subject is accustomed to Le Shu’s service. Having him here puts me at ease.”
Lu Ronghuai: “??”
He felt that his status had been challenged.
The Prince of Li asked sincerely from the bottom of his heart, “Have I not served you well?”
“Inside and out, I serve you quite well, do I not?”
Le Shu: “...” His ears had gone deaf.
Chu Yuan said, “Your Highness should ride outside with Xian Yu and the others. Remaining in the carriage all day will grow stifling.”
Lu Ronghuai said, “Is Ah-Yuan stifled? I can take you riding.”
Chu Yuan picked up a book. “My waist aches. I will not ride.”
Lu Ronghuai had the grace to look abashed. “Your waist still aches? I will massage it again.”
“Your Highness, I wish to read. Your Highness has abundant energy. It would be better to ride and stretch a little.”
“I do not wish to ride. I will read as well.” Lu Ronghuai took a book from the cabinet beside him and squeezed close to Chu Yuan.
Chu Yuan said, “Le Shu, come here.”
“Sit here.” He slid a little to one side and had Le Shu sit between them.
Lu Ronghuai: “...”
Chu Yuan turned toward him and smiled gently. “Your Highness should focus on reading.”
Lu Ronghuai lost all temper under that smile.
Chu Yuan quietly let out a breath of relief.
Sitting alone with Lu Ronghuai inside the carriage always led to the man leaning over to touch and cling to him. Chu Yuan knew Lu Ronghuai had grown fond of such intimacy and the novelty had not yet faded. Yet they were traveling now and everyone was watching. He did not wish to be carried onto the carriage again.
It was far too embarrassing.
Le Shu sat trembling between Chu Yuan and Lu Ronghuai, enduring Prince Li’s deathly stare for the entire day.
When the carriage finally stopped for the night, Lu Ronghuai tossed the book aside.
“Le Shu, get down.”
Le Shu glanced once at Chu Yuan, then decisively jumped off the carriage and ran with remarkable speed.
Chu Yuan had spent the entire day reading and his eyes felt sore. Just as he prepared to step down, Lu Ronghuai blocked his path.
Lu Ronghuai trapped him between himself and the carriage wall within the narrow space and lowered his head, watching him with a half-smile.
“Your Highness, what is the matter?” Chu Yuan asked innocently.
“You neglected me all day. Was Ah-Yuan pleased with himself?” Prince Li lifted a hand to pinch Chu Yuan’s chin, his thumb slowly brushing across his skin.
Chu Yuan laughed. “Was Your Highness not reading quite seriously?”
“I could not read a word. I only wished to look at you,” the man declared shamelessly.
Chu Yuan’s lips curved faintly. “In the past, this subject thought Your Highness resembled a wolf of the mountains. Majestic, fierce, and merciless.”
“And now?” The man lifted his chin lightly and asked with casual interest.
“Now...” Chu Yuan tilted his face upward, the smile on his lips deepening. “Now you resemble a little dog.”
A clingy, shamelessly demanding little dog.
Lu Ronghuai laughed softly. Beneath Chu Yuan’s teasing gaze, he lowered his head and kissed him.
“Mm—!” Chu Yuan’s chin was held fast. With a slight squeeze from Lu Ronghuai’s fingers, his lips parted.
The man’s palm cradled the back of his head and drew him firmly into his arms, leaving no space between them.
Their lips and tongues entwined, soft sounds filling the carriage.
Lu Ronghuai kissed him with an urgency and heat that seemed bent on reclaiming every cold hour of the day that had been denied him, with the air of a man who would absolutely not stop until he had had his due.
After some time.
“Where is His Highness?” Fang Xinhai’s voice suddenly sounded from outside.
“Mm...” Hearing the voice through his dazed thoughts, Chu Yuan pushed weakly at Lu Ronghuai.
Yet he had been kissed until his limbs felt weak. That little push was no stronger than a tickle. Lu Ronghuai caught his hand and deepened the kiss.
Le Shu answered softly outside, his voice too low to hear clearly. Fang Xinhai did not speak again.
Suddenly, the carriage curtain was lifted.
“Your High—!!!” Fang Xinhai’s eyes widened and the words stuck in his throat.
Lu Ronghuai narrowed his eyes and looked toward him with displeasure.
Fang Xinhai immediately dropped the curtain and stepped back.
“Father, what is it?” Fang Rouling walked over.
Fang Xinhai quickly blocked her. “Nothing. You and your brother go inside first. I have a matter to discuss with His Highness.”
Inside the carriage, Lu Ronghuai released Chu Yuan and wiped away the moisture at the corner of his lips.
Chu Yuan leaned against the carriage wall, breathing unsteadily. His lips were vivid and crimson, as though painted with rouge.
“Did the little dog’s kiss satisfy you?” The man ran his thumb shamelessly along Chu Yuan’s lips as he spoke.
Chu Yuan opened his clear, watery eyes. Once his breathing steadied, he retorted without mercy.
“Little dogs bite.”
“And yet you found the biting quite enjoyable, did you not?” Lu Ronghuai asked shamelessly.
“...”
Lu Ronghuai stepped down from the carriage in high spirits.
Seeing him descend alone, Fang Xinhai could not resist glancing once more at the carriage.
“What matter does General Fang have with this Prince?”
Fang Xinhai said, “This official wished to ask yesterday. Where did Your Highness obtain these soldiers?”
He pointed toward the troops lined up not far away.
Lu Ronghuai said, “Why do you ask?”
Fang Xinhai smiled, but his eyes held something probing. “This official is merely curious. Your Highness has already surrendered military authority, and during this journey to Ping Cheng the Emperor did not seem to assign troops to Your Highness.”
“Mm,” Lu Ronghuai replied lazily while glancing up at the night sky.
“Then where did these soldiers come from?”
“I picked them up.”
Fang Xinhai: “?”
“Picked them up?” he asked suspiciously.
He had heard of people picking up money, but never soldiers.
“Do they resemble trained soldiers?”
Fang Xinhai observed for a long moment. Some could not even stand straight. “...They do not.”
“They were not soldiers to begin with.”
Lu Ronghuai was in good spirits and seemed inclined to chat. “Those bandits who survived the upheaval in the mountains near Ping Cheng are all here.”
Fang Xinhai: “...”
“They are criminals wanted by the court. How can Your Highness allow them to serve as soldiers?”
“Why not?”
“That violates the regulations. Your Highness should escort them to the capital and have them punished severely.”
“Ahh.” Lu Ronghuai suddenly sighed.
Fang Xinhai asked, “Why does Your Highness sigh?”
Lu Ronghuai said, “For someone with a compassionate heart such as mine to encounter a venomous old widower like you truly is unfortunate.”
The venomous old widower: “...”
“A true man of principle should hold compassion in his heart and reform the people through kindness. Only then may one live long and enjoy many blessings.”
“Your heart is cruel and cold. Take care lest you meet a sudden end.”
“Do you understand?”
“If you do not understand, this Prince will repeat himself.”
Fang Xinhai: “...........................”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Dog: With this mouth of mine, I should buy insurance.
Yuan Yuan: Such a fine person, yet he had to go and grow a mouth.
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