Lu Duoyu, There Is Me As Well.
Lu Ronghuai and Bai Qingyu remained in Lu Cheng, counting troops, and were occupied for five or six days.
On the third day of the seventh month, dawn had just broken. One hundred fifty thousand soldiers stood in ordered ranks beneath Lu Cheng’s walls. Every man looked up with firm resolve toward the commanding general atop the ramparts.
Lu Ronghuai wore black armor. His hair was bound high behind his head. His gaze was sharp and proud. Standing there, he carried an inborn bearing that looked down upon all under heaven.
The solemn stillness was suddenly broken by a sound of muffled sobbing.
On the city wall, every gaze turned toward the source of the sound.
Lu Rongshen clutched at Bai Qingyu’s belt, his eyes brimming with tears as he urged, “Qingyu, you must take care of yourself. I... I will wait for you at home.”
Bai Qingyu nodded and raised a hand to wipe away the tears from his face. “Good. Do not cry. Your eyes are already swollen.”
“I am worried about you. The battlefield is dangerous. You must, you must be careful. Do not risk your life.” Lu Rongshen sniffed. Though the tears had stopped, the sorrow within him would not subside.
This was the first time they had parted since their marriage.
There were many people around, and Lu Rongshen’s sobbing was loud. Bai Qingyu took his hand and led him aside to comfort him.
Bai Yi watched the commotion for some time. When he turned his head, he saw several of his trusted aides wearing expressions of eager gossip.
“...”
Bai Yi: “Ahem. That is enough. What are you looking at? Who has not passed through such years? Turn your heads back.”
The aides laughed and turned their heads, only to look toward the other side at Prince Li and the Prince Consort.
Chu Yuan had not cried.
This was not the first time he had seen Lu Ronghuai off to war.
Yet the concern and reluctance within his heart still rose like a tide.
He looked at the handsome man before him, let out a soft breath, and lifted his jade-like face in a faint smile. “May Your Highness triumph at the first strike and return in victory soon.”
“Good.”
Chu Yuan: “Your Highness, how long will it be before you return this time?”
Lu Ronghuai gently stroked his cheek. “About half a year. I will also deal with Xiqiang along the way.”
After Xiqiang retreated last time, they had remained quiet. Yet all of them understood that Xiqiang was merely recovering. Once they regained their strength, they would again harass the borders of the Kingdom of Lu as the northern barbarians had before, plundering grain from the people.
“Mm. Your Highness must take care. The child and I will wait for you at home to return for the new year.”
After speaking, Chu Yuan beckoned Le Shu over.
Le Shu carried a large bundle in his hands, filled with sleeping garments that Chu Yuan had made himself.
“There are changes of clothing inside, and sleep-aiding sachets prepared by Father.”
Lu Ronghuai took it. He glanced at Le Shu, and Le Shu tactfully withdrew.
Lu Ronghuai stepped closer. His tall frame shielded Chu Yuan entirely. Lowering his head, his thin lips brushed along the edge of Chu Yuan’s ear, his breath carrying a teasing implication. “Is there a sleeping garment of Ah-Yuan’s inside?”
Chu Yuan froze. Color quickly rose upon his face.
The last time Lu Ronghuai went to the Northern Frontier, he had secretly taken several of his sleeping garments. Only afterward did Chu Yuan learn how much Lu Ronghuai depended on his scent, which left him both embarrassed and quietly pleased.
Lu Ronghuai: “Mm?”
He lifted his eyes and glanced at him quickly, biting his lower lip as he spoke in a small voice, “There... there is one.”
Lu Ronghuai laughed aloud, his mood bright.
He pulled Chu Yuan into his arms and pressed a kiss to his eyelids. In his heart, he could not stop thinking that this treasure before him suited him so well that he wished to fasten him to his belt and carry him wherever he went.
“Thank you, Ah-Yuan. I will certainly keep it well.”
His undisguised favor and indulgence drew glances from all around. Chu Yuan hid within his embrace. Through the man’s broad shoulder, his bright eyes glanced outward. Everyone immediately turned away as though nothing had happened.
Chu Yuan: “...”
His toes curled in embarrassment, and his face grew even redder.
Chu Yuan cleared his throat. “Your Highness, the hour grows late. The army is still waiting. You should set out.”
He intended to ease the awkwardness. He had already noticed that the generals’ gazes toward Lu Ronghuai had changed, as though they were thinking that their cold and decisive Prince Li was in truth so attached in private.
The man, however, misunderstood.
“You are driving me away?”
Chu Yuan’s lips twitched. “...No.”
Lu Ronghuai put on a look of faint grievance. “I understand. Ah-Yuan’s heart is now full of the child. With a new love, the old is forgotten. I am no longer the one you cherish most.”
Chu Yuan: “...”
The others: “...”
Chu Yuan glanced at the rising sun. The coolness of morning had already faded. The burning heat would soon fall upon the land.
His voice softened. “How could that be? Your Highness is the most important in my heart. I am not sending Your Highness away. I am only concerned that if you depart later, the heat will be harsher.”
“I would be worried, Your Highness.”
Lu Ronghuai was immediately appeased. The gloom on his face vanished as quickly as a change in weather.
“Very well. It is somewhat hot already. You should return early as well.”
Chu Yuan quietly let out a breath of relief. He answered obediently, “Your Highness may be at ease. With Xian Shuang and Xian Yu present, there will be no trouble.”
Xian Shuang and Xian Yu were both present today. Xian Yu still held Lu Duoyu in his arms.
Chu Yuan suddenly remembered. “Where has Xian Yue gone?”
He had not seen him for several days.
Lu Ronghuai: “On the first day Yuan Sheng came to Sang Cheng, I sent Xian Yue back to Ye Jing.”
“Why did Your Highness send him back?”
“Father Emperor sent someone to trouble me. It is only proper to return the courtesy.”
Chu Yuan closed his mouth.
Lu Ronghuai smiled and patted his head. “There will be many matters in Ye Jing soon. Ah-Yuan may listen to the commotion.”
He then held the little bundle once more.
“Lu Duoyu, remain at home and listen to your dada. Be well-behaved. When I return, I will teach you to ride a great horse.”
Lu Duoyu seemed to understand. He opened his mouth and let out a short, clear “ah,” then turned his little head to look at the warhorses below the city wall, clapping his small hands in excitement.
Chu Yuan could not help himself. He stepped forward and kissed the soft, tender cheek of the little bundle.
“Such a good child.”
The little bundle was delighted. He imitated him, twisting his plump body and offering Chu Yuan a kiss smeared with saliva.
Lu Ronghuai watched with growing interest. He lifted a hand and poked the little bundle’s cheek, saying expectantly, “Lu Duoyu, there is me as well.”
Lu Duoyu: “Ah-puh~”
Lu Ronghuai: “........”
With a darkened face, he stuffed the child back into Chu Yuan’s arms and ground out through his teeth, “Is it still possible to return him to the womb and make him anew?”
Chu Yuan laughed despite himself. He could not understand why each time the little one faced Lu Ronghuai, it seemed as though he were deliberately provoking him.
Ordinarily, he smiled at everyone and behaved most obediently.
“Perhaps... this is his special way of showing affection toward you.”
After all, no one else received such treatment of being spat upon.
The Prince Li who had received this singular honor glared at the little bundle.
The little bundle blinked his large eyes innocently. “Ah?”
Lu Ronghuai suddenly smiled. “Boy, you may be arrogant for a year or two now. When you grow older, I have many ways to discipline you.”
Lu Duoyu: “Ya!”
Chu Yuan: “...Your Highness, why must you contend with a child?”
Lu Ronghuai looked serious. “No. I am merely teaching him that one should be humble and courteous.”
Chu Yuan looked at the childish Prince Li and let out a quiet sigh. He carried Lu Duoyu closer and raised him up.
The next moment, Lu Ronghuai felt a soft touch upon his left cheek, carrying the scent of milk.
And also damp with saliva.
“There now. The child has kissed you. Your Highness need not take offense. The soldiers are watching.”
Lu Ronghuai lifted his brows. The curve of his lips was elegant and unrestrained. His gaze upon Chu Yuan was full of feeling.
“Very well. I will heed you.”
At this moment, Bai Qingyu and Lu Rongshen also came over.
Lu Ronghuai glanced at his foolish younger brother.
It seemed Bai Qingyu had already comforted him.
“Xiao Ba will return together with your third sister-in-law. He will reside in the residence afterward as well, so that there is someone to look after him.”
Bai Qingyu had the same intention.
“Many thanks, Your Highness.”
Chu Yuan smiled lightly. “We are all family. Why still call him Your Highness?”
Bai Qingyu paused, then calmly corrected himself. “Many thanks, Third Brother.”
“Third Sister-in-law, Ah-Shen is entrusted to you.”
“It is no trouble.”
Lu Ronghuai walked to the edge of the wall. A guard brought forward a tray, upon which rested a tall cup of wine.
Lu Ronghuai drank strong wine together with the soldiers and spoke words to rouse morale. The drums thundered, echoing the soldiers’ own surging spirit.
Lu Ronghuai led the generals down from the wall.
They came to the head of the formation. They swung up onto their warhorses.
Lu Ronghuai looked back up at the city tower.
Chu Yuan stood there in green robes, upright as a slender bamboo, watching him depart.
He withdrew his gaze, fearing that if he continued to look, he would turn back at once.
“Set out!”
With that single command, the silent and orderly army began to move. Dust rose beneath the horses’ hooves.
Only after the army disappeared beyond the city did Chu Yuan and Lu Rongshen descend from the wall.
After eight days of marching, the army reached the border of the Kingdom of Yu and joined with Zhao Lu and the others.
The troops halted and established camp for the time being.
Seventy li ahead lay the first stronghold of the Kingdom of Yu, Huanglin Valley.
“Your Highness, the soldiers of the Kingdom of Yu are like cowards. They hide inside and refuse to come out. I led troops over to provoke them for three days, yet no one responded.” Zhao Lu rode over slowly upon his horse.
Lu Ronghuai was washing his hands. Hearing this, he gave a faint snort.
Zhao Lu: “?”
Bai Qingyu came over. “The terrain of the Kingdom of Yu near the western frontier is filled with mountains and dense forests, obstructing vision. Their refusal to come out stems from their confidence that we cannot break through.”
Zhao Lu’s eyes widened. “Cannot break through? These people of the Kingdom of Yu look down upon... our Prince too much.”
Lu Ronghuai washed his face once more. Water traced along the sharp lines of his brow. He lifted his gaze coldly toward Huanglin Valley.
“Pass down the order. The army will rest in place. In two days, we attack the city.”
“Yes!” Zhao Lu clasped his hands, unable to suppress his excitement. “Since Your Highness intends to attack, has a strategy already been formed?”
Lu Ronghuai paused.
“No.”
Zhao Lu: “Ah? You would not be planning to force an assault?”
Lu Ronghuai looked at him without words.
Bai Qingyu gave a low laugh. “General Zhao, we possess the defensive map of the Kingdom of Yu. To break the city will be an easy matter.”
Zhao Lu suddenly understood. “Had General Bai not spoken, I would have forgotten. That is excellent. If we move swiftly, perhaps we may even return in time for the new year.”
Bai Qingyu cast a glance toward Lu Ronghuai, a faint smile appearing in his eyes. “Indeed so.”
This aligned precisely with their intent.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Dog: On the eighth day away, I miss Ah-Yuan.
Lu Duoyu: Ah-puh~
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