jealousy
"Brother Huai Cong, what are you thinking about?" Zhao Youyi placed her hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat getting faster and faster.
Chu Chanyin blushed completely and subconsciously took a few steps back. "Awan, the food is on the table. I... I'll go change my clothes first!"
Zhao Youyi couldn't help but chuckle as she watched his hurried departure.
Zhao Youyi's gaze fell on the bowl of millet and pumpkin porridge. She sat down and took a bite, and sure enough, it tasted familiar.
Feeling the thoughtful care from Chu Chanyin, Zhao Youyi stopped complaining and finished her lunch in peace.
Because the two were husband and wife in front of outsiders, the tent arranged for Chu Chanyin was very close to Zhao Youyi's. After Zhao Youyi finished getting ready, he went to his tent.
As soon as the curtain was lifted, her snow-white skin and strong, powerful back came into view. The lines were smooth and the muscles were well-defined. The beautiful muscle lines extended from her back to her waist, appearing and disappearing as she dressed.
Hearing the commotion, Chu Chanyin quickly pulled up his inner robe and turned to look at her. Their eyes met, and Chu Chanyin was the first to blush. He clutched his clothes tightly and asked, "What's wrong? Is there something you need, cousin?"
Zhao Youyi seemed not to hear him, and slowly approached him. Chu Chanyin was startled by her sudden approach and froze on the spot. He saw her slender jade fingers slide from his chest to his waist, and she said in a soft and tender tone: "It's nothing, I just came to see you, Brother Huai Cong."
Chu Chanyin subconsciously took a step back, stopping only when her waist touched the desk behind her. "Cousin, I'm not dressed yet."
Zhao Youyi raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, watching the blush gradually spread across his cheeks. She lingered her finger on his flushed neck and wiped it as if to check if the color would smudge: "Brother Huai Cong, are you shy?"
For a moment, Chu Huaicong didn't know whether to nod or shake his head, and could only stare blankly at her.
Zhao Youyi hooked his chin with her finger, like teasing a puppy, "Hmm... you're cuter like this."
"Zhao Nianwan!" Chu Chanyin, seemingly both embarrassed and angry, unusually addressed her by her given name, "You! You really are!"
Chu Chanyin couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh to her. He hesitated several times before finally tugging at his clothes and turning his back to her. "I'm not dressed yet. You should go out first."
Zhao Youyi also felt that she shouldn't tease him too harshly, so she used her fingers to hook a strand of his hair, twirled it a few times, and then quietly left.
Chu Chanyin felt her elusive movements, and his whole body felt like it was on fire.
Zhao Youyi returned to his tent to deal with the accumulated official business. Not long after he sat down, a soldier came in to report: "General, a young master surnamed Gu has come to visit."
Zhao Youyi subconsciously raised her head, pondering for a moment—surname Gu? Could it be Gu Qiyu's older brother, Gu Zeyu?
"Please invite them in," Zhao Youyi said, putting down his brush.
"Sister Zhao." Gu Zeyu lifted the curtain and gave her a gentle and refined smile.
When Zhao Youyi saw that it was him, he was not surprised at all. The emperor was conscripting soldiers, and the capital was probably in turmoil. The Gu family had always been pragmatic and would definitely move south to protect their foundation. Moreover, the Gu family had a marriage agreement with the Song family, so they would naturally become a thorn in the emperor's side.
"Brother Gu," Zhao Youyi stood up and poured him a cup of tea, "you wouldn't come here without a reason, Brother Gu, what brings you here?"
Gu Zeyu sat opposite her, picked up his teacup but hadn't even taken a sip yet when he heard her words and couldn't help but chuckle: "Sister Zhao is still so direct."
Zhao Youyi raised an eyebrow, looking unconvinced. Given their relationship, what else could they possibly talk about besides interests?
"A few days ago, my Gu family moved south because Zhao Shimei reorganized the Zhao Family Army here. I wonder if Zhao Shimei needs a strategist?" Gu Qiyu took a sip of tea, his smile still gentle.
Zhao Youyi pondered for a moment, her gaze lingering on his face as if assessing his usefulness. To be honest, she didn't want Gu Zeyu to join them. After all, the Gu family had once looked down on the Zhao family. Moreover, the Gu family and the Song family were related by marriage, and she didn't want to have anything to do with the Song family now.
"I heard that Zhao Shimei invited Lady Liu to be her strategist," Gu Zeyu explained calmly.
Zhao Youyi calmly replied, "That is indeed true."
"What does Zhao Shimei think?" Gu Zeyu asked.
Zhao Youyi pondered for a moment, then did not immediately answer: "I wonder how Sister Gu is doing now?"
Gu Zeyu didn't mind her changing the subject. "My sister is doing well. She just misses you a lot and asked me to ask when it would be convenient for her to visit you."
"You also live in the border region now?" Zhao Youyi asked, refilling his tea when he was almost finished.
Gu Zeyu nodded. "The Gu family's ancestral home is in Wanzhou. We moved here to do some small business nearby."
“Then I will visit your residence another day,” Zhao Youyi said.
Gu Zeyu hesitated for a moment and politely declined, saying, "My humble abode is simple and I'm afraid it would offend Zhao Shimei's eyes. Why don't I have my sister come over?"
Zhao Youyi was already displeased with his sudden visit, and when she saw that he wanted Gu Qiyu to come over, she subconsciously frowned: "This is a military stronghold, it's not convenient."
Moreover, the Gu family and the Song family are related by marriage. Who knows if they are here to gather information for the dog emperor?
Gu Zeyu naturally understood the meaning behind her words, and nodded as if he didn't know anything: "In that case, I will ask my sister to visit the general's mansion."
Seeing that he had already said that, Chu Chanyin could no longer refuse.
"It's getting late..." Before Zhao Youyi could finish speaking, Gu Zeyu interrupted, "Would you have the honor of trying the food served in Zhao's army?"
Zhao Youyi raised an eyebrow in surprise, her vigilance growing even stronger. Could Gu Zeyu really be a spy? The two had known each other since childhood, and their families were old friends. She didn't want to suspect Gu Zeyu, but the current situation was sensitive, and she had to be cautious.
Instead of kicking him out, we should take a closer look at what he's really up to.
"The food in the army is simple, I hope Brother Gu doesn't find it offensive." Zhao Youyi gave a polite smile and invited him to move to the next tent for a meal.
"A-Wan." Chu Chanyin lifted the curtain from the outside, and the three of them met eyes. Chu Chanyin saw Gu Zeyu raise an eyebrow and adopt a hostess's posture: "Young Master Gu, what brings you here?"
Gu Zeyu retorted without backing down: "If His Highness the Prince of Chu can come, why can't I?"
Chu Chanyin couldn't help but twitch his brow. One Chi Yuming was gone, and now Gu Zeyu had come. Why were there so many people around his Awan?
“My cousin is here. Why don’t we have dinner together next door?” She didn’t call him Brother Huai Cong in front of outsiders, firstly because it was impolite, and secondly because she was afraid he would be embarrassed.
Gu Zeyu felt a sense of relief upon hearing Zhao Youyi's address to Chu Chanyin.
Based on the unspoken understanding between men, Chu Chanyin keenly noticed Gu Zeyu's sudden relaxation and understood after a moment's thought.
Chu Chan had no reason to refuse Zhao Youyi, nor could he allow the two of them to be alone together.
“Alright, since A-Wan has invited me, how can I refuse?” Chu Chanyin replied with a smile.
Chu Chanyin and Gu Zeyu's eyes met, and the tent was filled with a tense atmosphere.
Zhao Youyi walked ahead, Chu Chan hid a step behind her, and Gu Zeyu stood beside him, her voice laced with laughter but her tone sarcastic: "I thought His Highness the Prince of Chu was busy with military affairs, but I didn't expect him to have time to come to the border."
"Hehe, since Young Master Gu has the time, why wouldn't I?" Chu Chanyin retorted calmly.
"I am but a commoner, nothing like the King of Chu, who holds such a high position and great power," Gu Zeyu continued sarcastically.
"My cousin came because of me." Seeing the two exchanging sarcastic remarks behind him, Zhao Youyi was afraid that Chu Chanyin couldn't win the argument, so he took the initiative to end the battle.
Gu Zeyu was surprised that Chu Chanyin would speak up for him, and seeing Chu Chanyin's smug smile, Gu Zeyu was even more furious.
Just a few months ago, the two were acting like proper cousins, but how come they are now as intimate as a newlywed couple?
Gu Zeyu shook his head, repeatedly telling himself that their relationship was not what he thought, after all, Zhao Youyi still called Chu Chanyin his cousin.
What respectable married couple would address each other like that?
Zhao Youyi definitely has no interest in Chu Chanyin!
After consoling himself, Gu Zeyu smiled again, "I wonder how Zhao Shimei has been these past few months?"
"With me by A-Wan's side, A-Wan will naturally be doing well," Chu Chanyin replied with a smile.
Zhao Youyi was somewhat surprised by his initiative in interrupting her; it seemed that someone had finally figured things out.
The two exchanged a glance, their feelings for each other unspoken.
The meal turned into a battleground, with Chu Chanyin and Gu Zeyu exchanging sarcastic remarks. Zhao Youyi, watching Chu Chanyin act like a cunning little fox, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Chu Chanyin turned his head to look at her, raising an eyebrow: "Awan, what are you laughing at?"
With outsiders present, she couldn't tease him directly, so she could only mouth to him, "You're so cute."
Chu Chanyin blushed instantly, her aura weakening slightly. Gu Zeyu watched their interaction with eyes practically spitting fire.
He's still here, and the two of them are flirting right in front of him?
No, they can't really be a couple. After all, Zhao Youyi founded the Women's Army, which clearly shows that he wants to compete for the position of the ruler of the world. Logically speaking, the King of Chu also has this ambition. The two should be rivals. How could they be so sweet and affectionate? He must be seeing things!
Gu Zeyu used serving chopsticks to pick up a piece of lettuce for Zhao Youyi: "This tastes good, Zhao Shimei, give it a try."
Chu Chanyin smiled and used serving chopsticks to pick out the piece of lettuce: "What a coincidence, Awan dislikes lettuce the most."
Gu Zeyu's expression froze for a moment upon hearing this, and he subconsciously looked at Zhao Youyi.
At this moment, Zhao Youyi dared not say whether she liked it or not. Facing Gu Qiyu's gaze, she could only force a smile: "Cousin is right, I really don't like this dish."
Gu Zeyu smiled sheepishly: "It's my fault for not asking you first, so I didn't know what you like to eat?"
Chu Chanyin raised an eyebrow: "I'll remember what Awan likes to eat."
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, Zhao Youyi felt a headache coming on.
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