Chapter 99 Her eyes and brows were dazzling and stunningly beautiful, almost...

Their eyes met.

Zhou Yu's hand lightly rested on Ji Chengnin's shoulder, tightening imperceptibly. He turned his head to look at Ji Chengnin and asked softly, "Xiao Ning, who is this?"

Cui Yao smiled at Ji Chengnin, "If I had known that the general had guests here, I wouldn't have come to bother you."

He lowered his eyes and glanced unintentionally at Ji Chengning and Zhou Yu's clasped hands.

Foreigner?

Zhou Yu narrowed his eyes.

Ji Chengning's gaze swept around the two of them with suspicion. Wasn't this the first time His Highness and A Yao had met? Why was the atmosphere so strange?

“Your Highness,” he said, “this is the Cui Yao you just asked about.” Then he said to Cui Yao, “Young Master Cui, this is His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Neither of them were satisfied with what he said.

Zhou Yu thought that Xiao Ning called Cui Yao Cui Langjun to his face, and he wondered how intimate they were in private. In comparison, he could only be called the cold and aloof Your Highness!

Cui Yao thought to himself, "Young Master Cui, what kind of address is this?"

Although they were not in a good mood, they both felt that the other person was in their way and an eyesore.

Even a fool like Ji Chengning could tell something was wrong, but he didn't know the reason and couldn't resolve it. So he immediately said, "Don't forget to come to the General's Mansion at 2:45 PM tonight."

The celebration banquet is set for today. A few days ago, he wrote to ask Cui Yao if he could come back. Cui Yao said with some regret that Luanyang affairs were complicated and he probably couldn't get away. Now that he can come back, Ji Chengning is undoubtedly overjoyed.

Cui Yao lowered his head and said, "Yes."

Zhou Yu gently replied, "I still have things to say to Xiao Ning. If you have nothing else, you may leave."

Cui Yao showed no sign of distress, but turned to Ji Chengning and asked, "I suddenly remembered that I left something with the general. Please allow me to retrieve it."

A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Zhou Yu's handsome face.

Ji Chengnin asked in confusion, "You can go and get it yourself."

When did Cui Yao become so polite to him?

The words were spoken casually, yet there was an unspoken intimacy between them.

Cui Yao smiled slightly, her voice soft yet clear enough for everyone present to hear, “The item was left in the general’s bedroom. Without the general’s permission, I dare not enter.”

Beneath his long sleeves, the Crown Prince's pale, thin fingers suddenly clenched.

His expression remained unchanged, still bearing a calm and composed smile.

Ji Chengning couldn't figure out what Cui Yao could possibly have left with him, but he didn't want to ask Zhou Yu in detail, so he simply said, "Okay."

Cui Yao bowed his head respectfully and said, "Thank you, General. I will take my leave now."

Despite his humble and submissive demeanor, Zhou Yu perceived it as utterly provocative.

Whether it was her lowered, smiling eyes or her slightly upturned lips, it all made him want to vomit!

"Crunch."

The door was closed gently.

The smile on Cui Yao's face vanished instantly.

Why is the Crown Prince not staying in the palace? What is he doing in Yan County? The Heir Apparent has been restless lately. If he is bewitched by him... Cui Yao decisively cut off this thought and strode away.

At this moment, in the study.

Light and shadow moved swiftly across Zhou Yu's face, then vanished into a pale, gloomy expanse.

Who did Cui Yao think she was, daring to enter Xiao Ning's bedroom? Zhou Yu's emotions surged even more violently, his thoughts racing. He felt disgust, yet it was also perfectly natural to wonder why Cui Yao had left her things in Xiao Ning's bedroom, what they had said and done there. Zhou Yu suppressed the rage he felt that wanted to tear Cui Yao to pieces.

His Xiao Ning would never do such an outrageous thing. Even if she did, it would be Cui Yao, that smooth-talking smooth-talker...

Ji Chengning took out the medicine box.

"Click".

The slight noise brought Zhou Yu back to his senses.

He suddenly looked up and met Ji Chengnin's gaze.

The latter lifted Zhou Yu's injured hand, first wiping away the blood between his fingers with a clean, fine linen handkerchief, then focusing intently on his wound.

Zhou Yu calmed down a little.

Dip a cotton swab in the medicine and gently apply it.

The wound instantly felt cold and numb, like ants gnawing at the flesh. But Ji Chengning's hand, which was gripping his, was so hot that Zhou Yu's fingertips trembled and he couldn't help but hiss softly.

Ji Chengnin looked up, his tone apologetic, "Did I hurt Your Highness?"

Zhou Yu shook his head. "Xiao Ning, you're too soft-hearted."

"Huh?" Ji Chengnin asked, puzzled.

Zhou Yu's other hand landed casually on Ji Chengning's knee, without applying any force. "It's good to be lenient with subordinates, but people always take an inch and then a mile. If a general is too lenient, his subordinates will become presumptuous and disrespectful." He tapped his fingers lightly. "Am I right, Xiao Ning?"

Ji Chengnin paused in applying the medicine.

Zhou Yu's heart tightened immediately.

"What?" he asked, feigning nonchalance.

Ji Chengning lowered his head, bandaging Zhou Yu's wounds as he smiled and said, "This would probably be the case for most people, but Cui Yao is the most sensible in his actions, so Your Highness need not worry."

Zhou Yu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Ji Chengnin leaned closer to Zhou Yu, "Or does Your Highness think that this humble general has neither the ability to manage subordinates nor the ability to use people effectively, and is easily manipulated?"

Zhou Yu hurriedly replied, "I had absolutely no such intention."

His fuzzy hair was almost touching his chin, and he caught his breath.

I suppressed the urge to reach out and touch it.

Ji Chengnin raised his chin slightly, looking extremely smug and arrogant. "In that case, Your Highness can rest assured."

He leaned forward, a strand of hair brushing against his skin.

Zhou Yu remained motionless, and even the rise and fall of his chest was barely visible.

“I know Your Highness is worried about me,” he looked up at me, his peach blossom eyes filled with laughter, and said sincerely, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Zhou Yu raised his hand.

The young general's fair and slender nape was very close.

The fabric made a rubbing sound.

"Swish—"

At that very moment, Ji Chengnin withdrew and sat back down in his original seat.

So one hand froze in mid-air, unsure whether to touch him or push him away.

His hand fell limply.

His eyes lowered, and Zhou Yu tried his best to make his voice sound clear. "Good to know," he replied.

Completely unaware of what answer they had given.

...

It was nightfall that day.

Although it was a victory celebration, it didn't look like a proper banquet. Since there were quite a few people, they simply set up a table on the drill ground. The night breeze blew and the flames flickered, making everyone's faces feel warm and cozy.

The aroma of roasted venison mingled with the rich scent of wine, people mingled, voices clamored, smiles were everywhere, and toasts and congratulations were offered incessantly.

Because Ji Chengnin and Zhou Yu were present, the officers did not dare to be too unrestrained. There were no singers or dancers, but it was already extremely lively.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and toasts, someone raised their cup first and proclaimed, "Your subordinate congratulates General on your success!"

Immediately, all the generals raised their cups and shouted, "Congratulations, General, on your success!"

Their unified voices, mingled with the solemnity of military music, truly stirred the blood.

Ji Chengnin, who was talking to Zhou Yu with his head turned to the side, immediately stood up upon hearing this.

He filled his wine cup and laughed, "What merit have I made? This victory is entirely due to the unity of the entire army and the bravery of the soldiers." The flickering flames reflected in Ji Chengnin's eyes, making him appear even more radiant and unrestrained. "This cup is a toast to all of you!"

Having finished speaking, he drank the cup to the brim.

"good!"

All the soldiers laughed. Perhaps it was because the fire in the charcoal stove was too strong, or perhaps it was because they had drunk too much wine, but their bodies were burning hot. At this moment, they all thought in unison how wonderful it would be if they could follow the general for a long time.

After Ji Chengnin finished drinking, he jokingly showed the empty cup to the generals before sitting down.

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Zhou Yu and saw that His Highness the Crown Prince was staring at him intently, seemingly mesmerized.

Ji Chengnin was taken aback, then laughed.

He picked up the wine pot on Zhou Yu's table, poured half a cup for Zhou Yu, and presented it to him with both hands.

Zhou Yu was secretly annoyed at his earlier lapse in composure when a glass of wine suddenly appeared before him, much to his surprise. Ji Chengnin, who had always disliked him drinking, accepted it with a smile, asking, "What is this, a toast to me?"

Ji Chengning poured himself a full cup. "Yes, thank you for the support of the court. Without the court, I would not have been able to achieve any merit." Ji Chengning spoke these words sincerely. He was leading troops in the field, but the military pay still had to be paid by the Ministry of Revenue, so he had to ask for help. "This cup is for Your Highness. May Your Highness be happy, healthy and blessed."

Zhou Yan sat neither too close nor too far. He didn't want to come, but he had no choice. Hearing the two talking, he felt the wine in his throat neither going up nor down, making him want to turn around and leave.

He forcefully suppressed the resentment in his eyes.

Given the Crown Prince's physical condition, let's see how many more days Ji Chengning can rely on him to be smug!

Zhou Yu's heart skipped a beat.

He gazed intently at Ji Chengnin, saying, "For Xiao Ning's words, I would live a thousand years."

After speaking, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

However, the wine had almost no taste of alcohol; instead, it tasted more like, after Zhou Yu carefully savored, Sichuan fritillary and pear juice simmered with honey.

Her heart throbbed with heat. She looked at Ji Chengnin, who had already finished his wine and was smiling with a glistening smile.

Zhou Yu forced himself to look away.

He covered his mouth with a handkerchief and whispered, "Xiao Ning, in my opinion, with you and me here, the soldiers are actually holding back..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a commotion from below.

Zhou Yu closed his mouth.

"Lord Cui, I toast you!" Chen Jian was so drunk he could barely stand, yet he still held the wine jug close to Cui Yao. "If it weren't for you, the plague in the city would never have been resolved so easily. I toast you, I toast you."

Cui Yao: "..."

He doesn't like such lively occasions.

However, this was the Crown Prince's victory celebration banquet, and he did not want to spoil the fun.

He then poured himself a cup and drank it with Chen Jian.

The scalding hot liquor rolled down his throat. Fortunately, although he didn't drink alcohol, he had a decent tolerance. After downing a full glass, his face didn't turn red at all; instead, it became even paler.

After finally emerging from the crowd, Cui Yao pressed her temples, only to hear a soft chuckle.

He knew who was speaking without even looking, but he still looked in the direction of the sound.

In the dazzling flames, the man was full of vigor, far surpassing the raging fire.

Meeting Ji Chengnin's eyes, which seemed to sparkle like a sky full of stars, the former smiled and said, "Lord Cui has a good capacity for alcohol."

"I am not as good as the general," Cui Yao said softly.

He stepped forward naturally, "I wonder if I have the honor of offering the general a cup of wine?"

Zhou Yu glanced at Cui Yao expressionlessly.

Pretentious!

Ji Chengning teased him with a smile, "If I, the general, said no, would A-Yao hide in her bedroom and cry?"

Cui Yao poured wine and smiled, "If that's the case, General, you may feast and drink. You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine." His clear, glass-like eyes stared unblinkingly at Ji Chengnin. "It's nothing more than crying until you go blind."

"Click".

Zhou Yu placed the wine cup on the table with a light touch.

Ji Chengnin looked at Zhou Yu with some confusion.

Cui Yao gave a half-smile.

He poured himself a glass of wine. Ji Chengning turned around and was about to pour himself a glass when Cui Yao stepped forward, leaned down slightly, and held Ji Chengning's hand.

The heat from the impact of his skin against her palm made Cui Yao's eyes darken.

He was extremely humble, bringing his wine glass to Ji Chengnin's lips. "General," he said, his eyes shining, "please."

Ji Chengning hesitated for half a second, but without being coy, he bit the rim of the glass and drank the wine in that position.

A drop of glistening liquid trickled down the corner of his lips, only to be licked by his scarlet tongue and swallowed.

Cui Yao's breathing became slightly labored.

He could feel the Crown Prince's gaze, which seemed to want to tear him to pieces, fixed on his face. But he smiled and said, "So what?"

Zhou Yu harbored such filthy thoughts, yet he lacked the courage to express his feelings to the Crown Prince. How could he blame others for winning the Crown Prince's favor?

Their movements were concealed by Cui Yao, so they were relatively well hidden.

However, when Li Bi looked up, he happened to see Ji Chengning put down his wine glass, and Cui Yao was standing in front of him. What else could it be but a toast?

Well done, Cui Yao! He beat me to it!

Li Bi had drunk two jugs and his tongue was swollen, but seeing this, he quickly stepped forward and said, "General, you can't be biased towards one and the other."

Cui Yao and Zhou Yu's expressions darkened upon hearing this, but Ji Chengnin didn't care at all and drank his cup clean.

Everyone was already eager to try, and they all watched as Li Bi toasted Ji Chengnin. Seeing that the young marquis drank without hesitation, they immediately stepped forward and said, "General, your subordinate toasts you!"

"General, I have always admired you greatly!"

"And my subordinates, my subordinates too..."

It became even more lively than before, with everyone vying to toast the young marquis. Ji Chengning, being the type who preferred activity to stillness, accepted all toasts, and soon a large group of people surrounded him.

All of them were tall officers who surrounded Ji Chengning, some with trepidation, some with utmost respect, and some with eyes full of admiration, as they offered wine cups to Ji Chengning.

The glass was brought to his lips, and he tilted his head back and drank.

Her eyes, glistening with the effects of the alcohol, appeared even darker and brighter, her brows and eyes captivatingly beautiful, almost mesmerizing.

The hand holding the wine glass, which was usually very steady, trembled for some reason, and the wine splashed, wetting Ji Chengnin's chin.

"General, your subordinate..."

I am filled with trepidation.

They wanted to see, but their awe of the general prevailed, yet they dared not look openly.

Ji Chengnin waved his hand, his shimmering eyes smiling, "It's nothing."

Raise your glass and drink it all.

"General, your generosity is boundless!" someone exclaimed.

After the banquet ended, even though Ji Chengnin had an excellent alcohol tolerance, he was still dizzy and about to get up when a hand naturally landed on his left arm.

Zhou Yu's cold, indifferent voice came from the side, but he had drunk too much and didn't hear it clearly.

But Cui Yao heard it clearly.

He said, "Xiao Ning doesn't like other people touching him."

"Is that so?" Cui Yao asked, seemingly puzzled. "I don't think so. It's probably because Your Highness is in poor health and the Crown Prince couldn't bear to trouble Your Highness, which led Your Highness to have such a misconception."

Cui Yao placed her hand on the spot where Bai Ri Zhou Yu had been sitting, and her soft voice rang in Ji Chengning's ear, "Such matters should be handled by your subordinate."

What?

Ji Chengnin stared blankly into thought.

He followed the pale, slender hand and looked down to see a face.

Her eyes curved upwards, and her naturally affectionate gaze shone even brighter at this moment; she smiled before she spoke.

Someone's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Bang, bang bang bang.

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Author's Note: A red envelope will be dropped in this chapter.

I redid the room a couple of days ago, painting the walls and buying furniture, which delayed things.

Muah, goodnight.