"Your Highness..." Xiao Yiming murmured unconsciously.
He didn't receive a reply, even though he already knew the outcome.
So he raised his face, his eyes gazing blankly at the night sky. The night breeze was gentle, rustling the bamboo leaves. Xiao Yiming stood still on the ground, as if he had turned into a stone sculpture.
At that moment, roars came from afar, growing louder as the barbarian soldiers charged in, clad in armor and helmets, like a swarm of beehives.
Xiao Yiming seemed to be neither able to see nor hear, and remained standing motionless.
Until an arrow came flying towards him!
With a "thud," an arrow pierced Xiao Yiming's chest, causing him to shudder and take a step back.
"Rustling!"
Two, three, four arrows—more and more arrows came flying in, all of them piercing Xiao Yiming's body. Under the onslaught of countless arrows, he was forced to retreat uncontrollably.
until--
——
With a "plop".
Many years ago, on a summer afternoon, Prince Qing, wearing a straw hat, sat by a pond full of lotus flowers. With a flick of his wrist, the fishing line drew an arc in the air, and the bait was precisely cast into the gap between the lotus leaves.
A ripple spread across the water's surface. A faint smile graced Prince Qing's handsome face as he looked at the goose-feather fishing float and said:
"What, even you're concerned about the future crown prince?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yiming, who was standing by, lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "I heard some ministers say that His Highness seems to have no intention of inheriting the throne..."
He paused for a moment, then said, "I...I really have some doubts."
"With Your Highness's abilities, inheriting the throne is a sure thing, especially since His Majesty intends for you to be the crown prince."
As soon as he finished speaking, Prince Qing turned to look at him and smiled:
"He wants me to be him, so I'll just have to be him?"
Seeing Prince Qing's nonchalant attitude, Xiao Yiming was stunned. Prince Qing then turned his head to look at the fishing float and laughed:
"What's so great about being that damn emperor? Haven't you seen His Majesty looking gloomy all day long? The night before last, he spent the whole night reviewing memorials, and the next day he still had to hold a court meeting. If he missed the court meeting, Zhang Li would go on and on about it. Yesterday, after the court meeting, His Majesty's face turned pale."
"Do you think he's bothered by some trivial matters?" He turned to look at Xiao Yiming.
Xiao Yiming didn't know how to answer, but Prince Qing burst into laughter: "As soon as the court session is over, you're already in a hurry for a chamber pot, hahaha."
Xiao Yiming kept a straight face.
Prince Qing continued:
"It's clear that being an emperor is no easy job. With such a heavy burden on one's shoulders, most people really couldn't bear it."
"His hair has turned completely white." Prince Qing's smile faded, and he pulled up the fishing rod to reel in the line, but the bait had already been eaten.
Xiao Yiming immediately took an earthworm from the bait container, put it on the hook, and said:
"His Majesty has high expectations for you. I heard that His Majesty changed your name in the first place because..."
Before he could finish speaking, Prince Qing shook his head: "If I can't be it, I can't be it."
"The thought of being like him in the future makes me uncomfortable. I'd rather be a prince. If I were the emperor, I probably wouldn't even have time to go fishing. Wouldn't it be more comfortable to be a leisurely prince?"
Xiao Yiming released the fishing hook, and Prince Qing flicked the fishing rod, casting the hook back into the water.
"That's true." Xiao Yiming responded lightly, rubbing the dirt between his fingers. He stood quietly to the side, saying nothing more.
Prince Qing turned his head and looked him up and down. Xiao Yiming felt uneasy under his gaze, thinking he had said something wrong. He hesitated whether to speak or not, but then he saw Prince Qing put down his fishing rod, stroke his chin, and smile:
"You're capable now, so how about it? Do you feel wronged following behind me?"
"No, Your Highness," Xiao Yiming hurriedly shook his head.
"Don't be nervous, I'll just chat." Prince Qing noticed his nervousness and then smiled:
"Now Qin Haotian is very famous in the army. Everyone in the court and the public praises him and says that he is an unparalleled genius."
"If you ask me, it's because you didn't join the army. If you had, I don't think you would be any worse than him."
Xiao Yiming looked embarrassed and hurriedly said, "Your Highness is joking."
"How can I compare to General Qin? He is..."
"Ugh! I don't want to hear any more of that flattery. I'm sick of it." Prince Qing raised his face.
Xiao Yiming then replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
"Come here." Prince Qing beckoned him closer, and Xiao Yiming walked over and bent down to listen.
Prince Qing slapped him on the shoulder, his expression unusually serious: "I'm not joking with you."
"Perhaps you are not as good as Qin Haotian, but I am good at judging people. You are much better than that Huang Long. Once you join the army, you will be able to suppress that big fool in a few years."
"So, do you want to join the army? It's just a matter of me giving the word. Once you're in the army, you'll rise through the ranks very quickly. No, even if I don't ask, with your abilities, you'll be able to become a general someday."
"At that time, you will be famous and successful, which is better than following behind me as an unknown shadow guard."
Seeing the solemnity in Prince Qing's words, Xiao Yiming's expression also became solemn, and he immediately clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."
"But Xiao Yiming has already decided to follow His Highness for the rest of his life!"
Prince Qing withdrew his hand and sighed, "That would be such a pity."
“A talent like yours should not remain unknown; you deserve a distinguished reputation.”
"I am willing to follow Your Highness to the death!" Xiao Yiming said urgently.
Seeing his excitement, Prince Qing pursed his lips, but then burst into laughter.
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