Chapter 62 From the inside out, sucking it out carefully…
"Ah Yao, why are you here?!"
Although Cui Yao was not dressed as a woman today, he had changed into a lighter-colored outer robe, which was so elegant that he looked as if he were wearing a cold moon. There was no gold or jade crown in his hair, only a plain white hair ribbon with a small, bright pearl hanging on each side, which reflected in his shimmering eyes. Before he even spoke, he was already pitiful.
General Ji is heartless and stubborn, he simply... He bit his tongue hard, forcing himself to come back to his senses. He wouldn't fall for any act of feigning weakness!
With a flick of his long fingers, covered in fine iron armor, he lifted Cui Yao's chin.
Cui Yao knelt on the ground, looking up at him.
When Ji Chengning realized what he was doing, he almost chopped his own hand off.
"Don't play the victim," the cold fingertips were just a hair's breadth away from pressing against Cui Yao's throat, but due to some kind of restraint from the owner of the hand, they only lightly touched it. The armor was too heavy for him to feel. When he placed his fingers on Cui Yao's neck, this threatening action excited Cui Yao so much that the veins on the side of his neck bulged. "This general is asking you a question."
“Yes,” Cui Yao lowered her eyes, her thick, fan-shaped eyelashes trembling as if startled, and said softly, “If I said that I was overworked while packing my things and accidentally fell asleep, and woke up in the carriage, the prince would definitely not believe me.”
Ji Chengnin: "...You know I don't believe you, yet you still say it."
Cui Yao is fooling a fool!
Even a three-year-old could tell how unbelievable this statement is.
Ji Chengning looked at Cui Yao.
“There’s still time,” he said, his lips moving as he effortlessly announced his decision to Cui Yao. “I’ll give you a fast horse; you can go back to Luoyang now.”
Cui Yao took half a step back.
Showing weakness was useless; all the pitiful expression on her beautiful face vanished instantly, replaced by a serious, businesslike demeanor.
He bowed and naturally changed his form of address, "Please take me with you, General."
Ji Chengnin narrowed his eyes, "Reason?"
The voice above was cold and tinged with a hint of impatience, clearly the attitude one would have towards a disobedient subordinate.
Too much, too aloof.
Unassailable, awe-inspiring, and inviolable.
"Bang!"
Cui Yao heard it, and her heart suddenly raced.
“General, I am your staff and subordinate, not just a cousin. There are documents from the Qinglu Guard to prove this. It is only right for you to lead your staff to quell the rebellion, and it does not violate military discipline. Secondly, the Cui family and the Luoyang army have always had dealings. The soldiers’ provisions for this trip were mostly supplied by the Cui family. I obtained the position of transport officer by exchanging my ticket.” As he spoke, he took out a document issued by the Ministry of Revenue from his sleeve. “Please take a look, General.”
The so-called "ticket" refers to the right to operate goods that only the government can operate, such as salt and iron. However, government agencies are often redundant, bloated, and inefficient, so they sell the right to operate salt and iron. Merchants usually have to pay for grain and supplies, transport them to the local garrison, and exchange them for a ticket, which they can then use to trade salt and iron.
Cui Yao's actions involved supplying military rations but returning the vouchers in exchange for a minor military position, which he then assigned to Ji Chengning's side.
The Ministry of Revenue was naturally eager to accept such a good deal and agreed without hesitation.
Before he could finish speaking, the gaze above him instantly changed.
It was a look that was definitely not one of surprise.
Or rather, there was only surprise, no joy.
Cui Yao spoke lightly, but the inner workings were incredibly complex. Not to mention the staggering amount of grain needed to exchange for the token, even those tokens were not something ordinary merchants could obtain, no matter how wealthy they had been for generations.
Moreover, even if Cui Yao spared no expense to exchange the ticket for a minor military rank, the identity document must still be a male document. Either the identity document is fake, or he impersonated someone else.
Either way, it was enough to make Ji Chengning wary.
Cui Yao was taken aback.
The young general's gaze was sharp, as if he were seeing him for the first time.
Cui Yao suddenly realized that he had made a mistake.
He only thought that Ji Chengnin was strictly business-oriented and would not tolerate personal feelings, so he went to great lengths to find a reason that Ji Chengnin could not refuse.
But, but—it would have been better to have begged Ji Chengnin to let him stay from the very beginning, even if it was with tears streaming down his face!
“You…” Ji Chengning put down his knife, his gaze still somewhat dark and unreadable. “Since Lord Cui has the seal of the Ministry of Revenue, he can rightfully remain in the army. However, there are confidential documents in my carriage. Unless summoned, it would be best if you did not enter.”
Cui Yao felt as if ice water had been poured over her head. She suddenly looked up and her gaze was fixed on Ji Chengning's face.
The latter's jawline was taut, and his usually upturned lips were coldly pursed into a thin line as he looked down at him.
Cui Yao felt terrified.
His heart was indeed beating faster and faster, but it was definitely not because of fear.
Arrogant, aloof, as if separated by an insurmountable chasm.
But the person he longed for remained indifferent, as if he didn't care about him at all.
He became even more excited.
He could only hope that Ji Chengning would look at him with that kind of gaze a few more times, and that he would never look away from him for the rest of his life.
Fingers gripped the ring tightly, and the internal mechanism emitted a slight, extremely tense grinding sound due to the owner's excessive pressure.
"Your Highness, is it because I acted on my own initiative?" A breath of thirst escaped from his lips as Cui Yao stared intently at Ji Chengning, "or is it because I concealed something from Your Highness?"
Blood vessels may appear in the pale-colored eyes.
Dangerous, yet ferocious.
It's like a venomous snake poised to strike, yet pretending to be harmless.
Its scales are so vibrant and beautiful that it's impossible to look away.
His Adam's apple bobbed nervously.
Ji Chengnin, oh Ji Chengnin, you are truly beyond redemption!
Ji Chengning cursed himself in his heart.
Ji Chengnin tried his best to make his voice sound indifferent, "What Lord Cui wants to do is Lord Cui's own business, and has nothing to do with this general."
After speaking, he turned to the side and gestured for Cui Yao to leave.
“I will have someone prepare the adults’ car,” he said.
Before he could finish speaking, Ji Chengning suddenly felt a heavy weight on his waist.
Ji Chengnin looked down and saw something that looked incredibly light but was actually quite heavy stuck to his waist.
The moon-colored fabric of her clothes and her long, loose hair flowed gracefully to the ground, glossy and smooth, as if shimmering with precious light.
It was like a spider web, Ji Chengning suddenly shuddered.
With his arms fitting snugly against the iron armor, Cui Yao seemed to feel no cold, and his arms were constantly tightening.
The icy, powerful human body undulated upwards, perfectly positioning its face against Ji Chengning's breastplate.
He looked up, his face pale and delicate, his eyes filled with a dark and lingering emotion, his pale pupils shrouded in bloodshot veins, revealing a dangerous and ferocious dark light.
For a moment, Ji Chengning was even distracted, mistaking a living person's face for a ghost's face.
Bang, bang, bang.
Whose heartbeat is this?
It's impossible to tell them apart anymore.
The powerful ghost, who could appear even in broad daylight, spoke softly, "Young Master, I am very worried about you."
Tighten it little by little.
His fair chin rested against the ferocious beast patterns on his breastplate.
“Your Highness, you were afraid I would get hurt, so you let me stay in the capital. How can you not understand that I am worried about your safety and want to stay by your side at all times?”
Her soft, gentle voice was so soothing and captivating that it could almost bewitch anyone.
Ji Chengnin was slightly moved.
The person before him not only shared his temperament but also possessed exceptional beauty. She was devoted to him with unwavering sincerity and was now spending lavishly just to stay by his side.
But there was only a trace.
Ji Chengnin suddenly burst out laughing.
Cui Yao stared at him without blinking.
Ji Chengning smiled and said, "Cousin," the fingers that had been lifting his chin moved down, a cold light surging at the fingertips, finally settling on the center of his collarbone, as hard as a blade, "Don't let me find out that you have ulterior motives."
A light tap of the finger blends with the rising and falling heartbeat.
“Although I am valuable, I am probably not worth your exorbitant sums,” he leaned down and whispered in Cui Yao’s ear, “Cousin, you should think carefully about what you’re doing.”
My chest trembled violently.
Hot breath brushed against my earlobe.
The cool and the intense heat mingled together. Cui Yao lowered her eyes, trying her best to suppress the excitement surging within them.
It felt like they were back to when they first met, when Ji Chengning was inexplicably wary of him, and Cui Yao could even recall the feeling of that musket against his lips.
Ji Chengning paused when he saw his eyelashes tremble slightly.
Did I scare him?
Just as Ji Chengning was about to move his hand away, a pale hand suddenly gripped his wrist tightly.
The force was too great, and the ferocious patterns on the armor became embedded in the skin.
"Since the young master suspects me, how about tying me up and keeping me by his side at all times?"
Suddenly being restrained by Cui Yao, Ji Chengnin felt a chill run down his spine for a moment.
He inexplicably felt that the Cui Yao in front of him was somewhat different from his cousin before. She spoke softly and appeared gentle and humble, but the difference was that this one had a ghostly aura about her.
Dark and damp, and, indescribably, unrestrained.
Ji Chengnin laughed, "Not very good."
"Since Lord Cui is so eager to stay by my side, wouldn't it be too easy for you to get what you want by doing this?" Ji Chengning raised his lips. "Even praying to gods and Buddhas requires lighting three incense sticks. Lord Cui, you are not devout enough."
The ending note rose lightly and casually, almost to the point of being cloying.
Cui Yao was startled and momentarily lost her composure.
Then the handsome yet enigmatic young general's face darkened. "Change into presentable clothes, and then, leave."
After saying that, he pulled away from Cui Yao's fingers and turned to get out of the car without hesitation.
Cui Yao didn't move for half a day.
His gaze shifted downwards, landing on the branding marks on his wrist from the armor, and a smile crept onto his lips.
It rose again.
...
Before long, Ji Chengning saw a young man dressed neatly, whose appearance was no different from that of an ordinary military officer, lift the carriage curtain.
Although this outfit has lost some of its pitiful charm compared to before, it is very capable, with a cold expression that makes her seem unapproachable.
Ji Chengnin glanced at it a few more times, then rode away satisfied.
Nothing to do all day.
Even His Highness Prince Rui, who had always been at odds with him, obediently stayed in the carriage. Only when the army was setting up camp and preparing for dinner in the evening did he slowly step out of the carriage, first exchanging a few pleasantries with several generals before walking towards Ji Chengning.
"Your Highness."
As the group greeted him, Zhou Yan waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "When you're traveling, there aren't so many rules."
After the guards brought a cushion and placed it next to Ji Chengnin, he knelt down and said, "Young General Ji, are you not welcoming me?"
Ji Chengnin was focused on baking the cakes when he heard this and looked up in confusion, "Why would Your Highness have such a feeling?"
He avoided Cui Yao's outstretched hand, which she extended several times.
What are you doing, stealing his pancake?
There's food in the bag, you can bake it yourself if you want.
Cui Yao remained silent.
"you!"
Ji Chengnin flipped the pancake over. "Did Your Highness come here to eat, or to argue?"
Zhou Yan sneered, "I have no intention of wasting my breath on you."
As he spoke, he took a pancake.
He had a sharp eye and immediately noticed that the crust of the pancake seemed to be burnt, black and greasy, making it look nauseating.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that all the armored soldiers were looking in his and Ji Chengnin's direction.
Zhou Yan suppressed her discomfort and took a big bite.
The crust was extremely rough, and it was coated with a layer of sauce from the Western Regions, which was both spicy and salty. Zhou Yan felt as if he were chewing on a stone. He swallowed a mouthful and then quickly took the water pouch handed to him by his personal guard and took a big gulp.
Ji Chengning took a small pinch of salt and carefully sprinkled it on the cake.
His attention to detail surpassed even that of his previous musket repair work.
Zhou Yan was speechless for a while, and after a long pause, her gaze swept over Ji Chengning again.
Also, what about Ji Chengning's unfamiliar subordinates?
Zhou Yan gave a meaningful "hmm," though he was looking at Cui Yao, his words were directed at Ji Chengnin, "When did the general acquire such a..." He paused ambiguously, his subordinate with a face like a beautiful woman, "Does His Highness the Crown Prince know?"
Cui Yao looked up.
Zhou Yan suddenly felt a chill, as if he had been targeted by a venomous snake.
His back tensed up instinctively, and then he became even angrier.
Even a lowly subordinate of Ji Chengning dares to be so insolent to him!
Ji Chengnin paused.
Too much salt!
He was already in a bad mood, but seeing the salt that instantly melted on the pancake made him even angrier, to the point that he wanted to stab Zhou Yan to death.
He's upset, so he can't stand seeing others have it easy.
Especially since this person had a past grudge against him, and was now smugly raising his chin, feeling that he had caught him red-handed.
"Whoosh!"
Zhou Yan felt something scalding hot splash on his face, which made his expression change in surprise.
The next second, the sharpened tree branch suddenly magnified in front of my eyes.
It's so close.
Zhou Yan could even feel the heat emanating from it.
It touched my eyelashes.
A smell of burnt hair instantly spread.
The guard was about to draw his sword when, without warning, a ghostly figure appeared behind him.
The arrowheads on the back of his neck felt chillingly cold.
"What are you doing!" Zhou Yan's chest heaved violently.
His face stung from the oil splattering on it, but he couldn't care less about that at the moment.
“I didn’t do anything,” Ji Chengnin said innocently. “I was just worried about Your Highness’s eyes.” He shook the tree branch, and Zhou Yan’s eyes followed his movements nervously. “So you’re not blind after all.”
Zhou Yan was furious, "Ji Chengnin, you're being insolent! Once I report this to His Majesty, you'll..."
“It was Your Highness who spoke rudely first,” Ji Chengnin’s face suddenly turned cold, and Zhou Yan felt a chill run down his spine. He had no doubt that if necessary, Ji Chengnin would really kill him. However, the next moment, the young general raised his lips, “Your Highness, tell me, if you use vulgar language and speculate about His Highness the Crown Prince, me, and,” he seemed to only then notice that Cui Yao was no longer by his side, “…this transport official, would His Majesty deal with me first, or deal with you first?”
Zhou Yan gritted his teeth, so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged.
Ji Chengnin is right. Even if the emperor finds out about this, or even if the crown prince finds out, his seemingly frail but actually vengeful younger brother will definitely not let him off the hook.
Seeing his cowardly appearance, where he dared not speak out, Ji Chengning felt much better and casually moved the branch aside.
Only then did Zhou Yan dare to move.
“You,” Ji Chengnin looked up, and Zhou Yan swallowed the words he wanted to say, only managing to utter, “Very well.”
He stood up.
The young man whom Ji Chengning called the transport supervisor sat down silently behind Ji Chengning again.
It was as if he were just a shadow that couldn't see the light of day.
Zhou Yan took two deep breaths, his expression softening slightly. "So you are Commissioner Cui."
After all, there are very few fools who would exchange tens of thousands of gold coins for a mere transport official position; such a thing is a once-in-a-century occurrence.
When Zhou Yan heard about it, he assumed that the man was trying to curry favor with the Yongning Marquis's family. But then he thought about it again and realized that it didn't make sense. If he wanted to please Ji Chengning, he could have just sent the gold and silver directly to the Yongning Marquis's family. Why go through all that trouble?
Although this person has mental issues, the fact that he can casually produce such a large sum of money shows that he is extremely wealthy.
He forced a smile at Cui Yao, "It would be a pity if Minister Cui only held the position of a transport supervisor after contributing so much to the country."
He was only trying to annoy Ji Chengning, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ji Chengning still baking pancakes.
Is the Imperial Seal of the State inside that broken cake?
Cui Yao replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My talent and knowledge are limited. It is already an honor to serve under General Ji. I dare not harbor any other intentions."
Zhou Yan's attention was immediately drawn back.
Seeing Cui Yao's ungrateful behavior, Zhou Yan sneered, threw the pancake hard on the ground, and strode away.
Ji Chengning broke off a small piece of his own biscuit and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly.
After finishing his meal, he instructed, "Next time you see Prince Rui coming, stop him."
The subordinates looked at each other in bewilderment.
Cui Yao replied, "Yes."
Ji Chengnin glanced at him. "I wasn't talking to you."
Cui Yao said softly, "Yes, I understand."
She resembled a young wife who had suffered at the hands of her husband's family and had married the wrong man.
Not only is he cautious with his words, but he also rarely eats.
No, I didn't eat it at all.
Ji Chengnin didn't want to pay attention to him, but the eerie yet pitiful ghostly aura behind him was too noticeable, so Ji Chengnin finally couldn't help but ask, "Why aren't you eating?"
When Cui Yao saw that Ji Chengning was paying attention to him, his eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. He spoke softly, as if afraid that he would upset Ji Chengning if he said too much.
"I'm so worried that I can't eat."
Ji Chengning laughed angrily, "Stop pretending."
He casually picked up another unsalted biscuit and stuffed it into Cui Yao's mouth.
Caught off guard, the latter instinctively bit down.
Yes—the timidity and sadness on Cui Yao's face vanished instantly; it was the cake the Crown Prince had just baked.
Ji Chengnin was very satisfied and left with the pancake in his mouth.
Cui Yao took a bite.
He ate slowly and deliberately, as if what he was eating was not just an ordinary piece of coarse flour pancake, but the liver and marrow of dragons and phoenixes that could prolong life.
By the time Ji Chengning and the other officers finished discussing military affairs, it was already dark.
He didn't set up a tent again, but slept in the car.
Just as Ji Chengning was about to remove his armor, he suddenly heard a rustling sound behind him.
He suddenly turned around.
The first thing he saw was an exceptionally long, pale hand reaching into the carriage curtain and lifting a corner of it.
Then came a face so beautiful it was almost eerie.
From Ji Chengning's perspective, he could only see Cui Yao's hand and head, pale white, as if floating in mid-air.
A night breeze blew, making the carriage curtains rustle.
Most of his body was outside the car.
"Your Highness."
The owner of the hand spoke to him.
Ji Chengnin turned around. "What are you doing here again?"
The emphasis is placed on the word "又".
Cui Yao lowered her eyes and said softly, "Your Highness, I have nowhere to stay. I beg you to take me in."
Ji Chengnin's cold expression finally crumbled, and he blurted out, "What do you mean? Do you want to live with me?"
Cui Yao seemed bewildered and at a loss. "Is it not allowed?"
"How can that be okay! What is my status, and what is your status, you and I..." Ji Chengnin almost bit his tongue, "In short, it won't work!"
Has Cui Yao gone mad?!
With her long eyelashes drooping, Cui Yao asked softly, "So, does the young master mean I should squeeze into another tent?"
Ji Chengnin: "..."
That won't do either.
The moonlight was soft and gentle.
Under the bright moon, Cui Yao, standing outside the carriage curtain, looked like a wandering soul unable to be reincarnated.
He was just waiting for his master to soften his heart and let him in.
They then thoroughly sucked the poor man clean, inside and out.
But Cui Yao is his cousin, not his brother, so it would be inconvenient for him to live with other people. Living with him would at least ensure his safety.
Ji Chengning struggled with the Earth's center theory.
Ji Chengnin pressed his temples hard. "Alright, come in."
The demon raised his lips.
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Author's Note: [Kiss][Kiss]
My wife dropped a red envelope in this chapter! I hope my wife is happy every day. *kiss*
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