Chapter 109, first published on Jinjiang: "He tried everything but couldn't hold them off..."

Although Chaolu was outspoken, it didn't stop him from eating. He ate all the food on the table with gusto, and still felt it wasn't enough.

Seeing that he probably hadn't eaten all day, Ruan Yu didn't mind: "...If it's not enough, I'll have the kitchen cook you another bowl."

"No, I won't be able to run if I eat too much." Chao Lu patted his belly.

After saying that, Chao Lu stood up, and Ruan Yu asked, "Are we leaving now?"

"You want me to stay with you?"

"...That's not what I meant. Did you write down the information Pei Du just mentioned?"

Chao Lu twitched his lips: "Yang Chong also knows about this news."

Ruan Yu was relieved. Although he often made promises he couldn't keep, he was reliable in his actions.

Ruan Yu was only wearing a white gauze dress at the moment, sitting by the window like a fairy untouched by the mortal world. Chao Lu suddenly leaned closer and touched her face, "Don't go out these few days, I may not come. Don't leave me any food. I'll come to find you after the Qiang people's matter is resolved."

Ruan Yu: "I didn't mean to wait..."

Chao Lu smiled and pinched her cheek, seemingly unconcerned about her insincerity.

Then, he strode out the window and jumped out. Ruan Yu was stunned for a moment, and finally couldn't help but mutter, "Is the door broken?"

But even though she said that, Ruan Yu did feel relieved...

She sat by the window for a while longer before slowly returning to her room.

I slept soundly in the latter half of the night.

…………

From that day on, Chang'an experienced several days of considerable turmoil, but due to the involvement of the Chaha tribe, many things did not come to light.

As a result, the common people did not suffer too much loss.

Three days later, Chao Lu led a large group of men into the palace and captured the leader of the disturbance.

The civil and military officials were shocked.

"The Khan caught them so quickly?"

"Could he just be a low-level henchman?"

"Have all the explosives been cleared away?"

Chao Lu snorted coldly: "What, you don't believe me? Go and try it yourselves. Your Majesty, I am only responsible for arresting people, I never said I had to clean up this mess."

Emperor Qianyuan's eye twitched. He glanced coldly at the silent military officers, then stepped down from the stage and patted Chaolu on the shoulder: "Your Majesty has worked hard. You will not be needed for the follow-up. Men, take these people away. Tell the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review to hurry up. I want to see the results within three days."

"yes!"

Chao Lu hadn't slept for two days straight. As soon as he entered, he was met with a few sarcastic remarks, which naturally made him angry. However, he wasn't unreasonable and didn't bother arguing with these lackeys.

Prince Chen was also in the hall and said, "We will hold a victory banquet tonight and invite the Great Khan to attend."

Chao Lu: "No need, I'm a bit tired and will go back to rest. No need for any banquet! I heard there's some Qionglin Banquet tomorrow. I wonder if Your Highness would just let me come and freeload, so as to avoid any further expenses."

King Chen: "..."

He sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation: "Of course it's good."

Emperor Qian Yuan smiled awkwardly.

This year, the new emperor ascended the throne, and the palace examination was brought forward after the provincial examination. In the next few days, both civil and military officials could not be neglected. Therefore, the top three candidates had already been determined and were just waiting for the results to be announced. The Qionglin Banquet was to be held in Qionglin Garden the day after the results were announced.

The Prince of Chen had said something earlier, and Chao Lu probably didn't remember anything except that the Qionglin Banquet was for selecting a husband for the Princess.

I've been thinking about this for countless days.

Chao Lu made no attempt to hide his pettiness. They should understand that although he had arrested people and brought them into the palace today, he had not asked Emperor Qian Yuan to fulfill his previous promises, giving the emperor ample face. However, he would not actually use this matter to demand anything of Yu Yu.

She's not a trophy.

But if Chen Wang can't even understand this subtle implication, he'll try to sabotage things again tomorrow.

Then don't blame him for being impolite.

snort.

-

That night, Chaolu still did not go to the Princess's residence.

Ruan Yu had heard in the afternoon that the battle had ended and the crisis would be over, but for some reason, he had not shown up yet.

Ruan Yu didn't ask, but Qing Guo couldn't sit still any longer and ran out to find out what the Khan had said in the hall.

After relaying the information back to Ruan Yu, there was a moment of silence in the room.

But in the end, Xuan Niang couldn't help but laugh.

"Princess...will you be attending the Qionglin Banquet tomorrow?"

Ruan Yu was speechless; she hadn't actually planned to go.

Everyone in the Princess's residence knew about this.

"It's good to let him go. It'll broaden his horizons and cultivate his character. Anyway... he needs to interact with these people more."

Ruan Yu chuckled and picked up the book, and the others chuckled softly as well.

"yes……"

-

The next morning, Chaolu got up early to bathe and wash up.

He refrained from going to see her last night, lest he get disgusted by his dirty appearance.

After getting a good night's sleep, Chao Lu dressed up again and went to the palace with an imposing air.

The list of candidates for the imperial examination has been released. This year's top scholar is still from the Lu family, and the second-place scholar is still from the Pei family. After learning the results, Chao Lu wanted to mock Pei Du.

Why am I always second best?

But then he thought better of it; it wasn't necessary, since it wasn't him.

Chao Lu rode his Xiangwu horse and prepared to set off. When he arrived at the Chengtian Gate, many people came forward to greet him.

"I have met the Great Khan."

"Please, Great Khan."

"The Khan is indeed a man of extraordinary bearing."

At this point, Chaolu had not realized anything was wrong and simply took it as polite flattery from these people.

until--

In Qionglin Garden, all the newly appointed scholars stood up and bowed to him, and Chao Lu realized that something was amiss.

He stroked his chin: "Isn't today's main character the top scorer?"

Why is he sitting here?

Not far away, Emperor Qianyuan walked over with a smile: "Great Khan, it is an honor to have you here. These students also greatly admire you, so all the successful candidates have come today. They have many things they would like to ask the Great Khan for advice."

Chaolu felt that he was being mocked: "This Khan doesn't know anything about composing poetry, why are you asking me?"

"Your Majesty, I am surprised by your words. In fact, we all have the heart to serve the country and the people, and we are not just writing poems and composing essays. Prince Chen said that you are good at governing the country, and we all admire you from the bottom of our hearts!"

"Yes, Great Khan, you are regarded as a legend on the grasslands. We would also like to discuss the matter of the border trade supervision with you!"

Chao Lu: "..."

Emperor Qianyuan smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please sit down. Today is a golden opportunity that should not be missed. Great Khan, please also sit down."

At this moment, Chao Lu finally realized that something was wrong.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

He was pestered by this group of people for half an hour, and they all came over to offer him a toast. Today's banquet was indeed magnificent, with fine wine and good food...

But the person he was waiting for never appeared.

Chao Lu: "..."

When the last person offered a toast, Chaolu suddenly frowned, startling the other person who wondered how he had offended the Khan. Chaolu, of course, wasn't targeting him; he simply turned to Emperor Qianyuan and laid his cards on the table.

"Where is the eldest princess?"

Emperor Qianyuan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "My imperial sister is naturally at the Grand Princess's residence. As for the Khan's question..."

"Didn't I ask if she wasn't coming?!"

Emperor Qianyuan's smile deepened: "Great Khan, the Qionglin Banquet is for the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). No one said that the Eldest Princess would definitely come."

Chao Lu: "..."

Okay, okay, you're just messing with him, aren't you?

Chao Lu suddenly stood up and was about to leave.

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment! Your Majesty, do you intend to strengthen ties with the Central Plains next year?"

"The border trade is considered commercial trade. Does the Chaha tribe intend to strengthen cooperation between the two states in other areas?"

"I am willing to follow the Great Khan to the grasslands!"

Upon hearing this, Chao Lu walked even faster.

What is this all about? Following him?!

Save your breath.

Chao Lu slipped away from the Qionglin Banquet in a flash, and the scholars couldn't catch up with him.

Behind them came the sound of Emperor Qian Yuan laughing heartily: "Gentlemen, there is no chance today. We can ask you for guidance another time."

The scholars who had not been able to speak with the Khan were quite disappointed, but they could only sit down again.

Chaolu realized he had been tricked and couldn't wait to go to the Princess's residence.

I should have gone last night!

Wasting time!

Unexpectedly, no sooner had he turned out of Qionglin Garden than he was blocked by Prince Chen, who was fishing in the Imperial Garden.

"Great Khan, Prince Chen requests your presence."

Chao Lu sneered, "Very well, I was just about to have a talk with him!"

Is it fun to mess with him?

…………

As night fell, Ruan Yu was still wide awake, looking forward to hearing about the events of the Qionglin Banquet the next day.

Thinking of this, she actually laughed out loud.

However, they quickly calmed down.

During dinner tonight, Xuan Niang asked her if she wanted to save some food for Chao Lu, but Ruan Yu declined. Anyway... there was enough for him to eat and drink his fill at the Qionglin Banquet.

Ruan Yu couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile again.

Mother actually came today and said one thing.

“An’an seems to smile a lot more now than before.”

Ruan Yu herself realized this, and she put down her pen and paper and glanced outside.

Winter is completely over.

…………

Ruan Yu was awakened by Chao Lu's kiss, which reeked of alcohol.

The tent was drawn tightly shut, and the original incense was mixed with the smell of wine. Ruan Yu opened her eyes in surprise and was about to push someone away when Chao Lu pressed her down heavily.

He carried a sense of oppressive pressure that I hadn't felt in a long time.

It was like a small mountain, making it a little hard for her to breathe.

Ruan Yu was puzzled, and felt that his kiss was tinged with anger, so she reached out and pinched him.

She tried a little, but the man remained unmoved.

The bedding was scattered to one side during the tug-of-war between the two, and Ruan Yu's skirt waist also came undone. Chao Lu's arms were wrapped very tightly around her, making it difficult for Ruan Yu to breathe.

"Chao Lu...!"

Unable to bear it any longer, she suddenly slapped him. The crisp sound of the slap echoed somewhat ambiguously in the tent in the dead of night, and Chao Lu finally stopped.

I looked up, my eyes were completely red.

Ruan Yu was stunned for a moment. Chao Lu suddenly lost his strength and collapsed, but this "huge thing" made Ruan Yu's breath catch in her throat, and her chest felt...

Chaolu nestled against her neck, his voice full of grievance.

"You're lying to me."

Ruan Yu: "...What did I lie to you about?"

"Qionglin Banquet".

Ruan Yu couldn't help but laugh: "I never said I would go."

"That means your father lied to me, and he even had people beat me."

Ruan Yu: "...Nonsense."

"real."

Chao Lu slowly sat up. "I ran into him when I came out. He ordered his guards to fight me."

Ruan Yu: "...Father must have his reasons."

Chaolu looked at her with a wronged expression: "You only speak up for him."

"I'm speaking for reason; I'll stand by whoever is right."

"He took you away without a word, separated from me, and even spread rumors to deceive me. What right does he have? I helped your brother defeat the Qiang people. Didn't I have a right to do that?"

Ruan Yu was speechless.

“However…” Chao Lu’s tone changed, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly.

"He tried everything he could to stop me, but I still got in."

Ruan Yu wondered if it was possible that her father was just turning a blind eye.

Sometimes she couldn't understand her father's thoughts either.

But before she could speak, she suddenly let out a muffled groan. Ruan Yu looked up in disbelief…

Chaolu gazed intently at her.

His skirt had somehow folded up like flower petals; he had done it to distract her!

Upon realizing the double entendre of Chao Lu's words, Ruan Yu's cheeks instantly flushed red.

"you……!"

Before the words could be uttered, they shattered once more...

The lingering shadow of Chaolu was reflected on the bed curtains, a sight too painful to look at…

“Yu Yu, am I right? Right now, we can’t be separated.”

Ruan Yu closed her eyes and leaned back, saying, "Shut up..."

Chao Lu, who had been thinking about it day and night, finally got his wish. He stopped saying things she didn't like to hear and focused on getting his revenge.

Ruan Yu's beautiful hair was scattered on the pillow; she simply couldn't bear it...

Chao Lu did keep it, but because it had been so long, it took quite a bit of effort at first.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes remained fixed on the person beneath him.

After confirming that she was not feeling unwell or uncomfortable, Chaolu gradually felt relieved.

He lowered his head and bit her ear, kissing it tenderly and closely.

"Good boy/girl..."

Before coming to Chang'an, he had been worried about her health.

Now it seems things are really getting better.

-----------------------

Author's Note: [Laughs out loud]