Chapter 102: Defeat the scheming boy and tease the sultry general (12)
Yunle moved quickly. When he came back, Rongen and Wenzhu had also arrived and were standing by.
"Ahem, I was in a hurry last time and forgot to bring gifts to the two heroes. I made up for it today. Ahem, I hope Deputy General Rong and Military Advisor Wen don't blame me." Li Ziyan took the two boxes from Yun Le's hands and placed them on the low table, coughing lightly a few times.
"Your Highness, please forgive me for my disgrace. It is our blessing to receive your grace." Rong En knelt on one knee on the ground, and Wen Zhu beside him had to move with him.
"Please stand up quickly, both of you. No need to be so polite in front of me, ahem." Li Ziyan had just been outside for a long time and his chest was still a little uncomfortable. He picked up a box and handed it to Rong En with both hands. "I heard that Deputy General Rong is very good at using a dagger. It just so happens that when I was outside the capital, I found a dagger from the Western Regions. It's made of black iron and can cut iron like mud. I wonder if Deputy General Rong likes it?"
Rong En's eyes lit up, his hands trembled a little as he took the box, and he thanked Li Ziyan repeatedly.
"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty!"
"Deputy General Rong deserves this sword. It's a blessing for this sword," Li Ziyan smiled, looked at Wen Zhu beside him, and handed him another box. "Military Advisor Wen is a scholar. I thought it would be better to give you something else instead of swords and other weapons."
The box was opened, revealing a delicately carved Hui ink stick. Under the sunlight, the ink stick glowed bluish-purple, with delicate texture and a faint fragrance.
Although Chu Heng is from the Wu family, it is a famous family after all, and he can tell the quality of the ink at a glance.
"It's not a valuable gift, and it's nothing compared to the service you two have given your country. I hope you will accept it."
This attitude really puts himself too low, without any airs of a prince. To be honest, if Chu Heng could meet such a person who appreciates him, he would be willing to die for him.
Rong En was indeed like that, but Wen Zhu beside him seemed much calmer, and they both expressed their gratitude together.
"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty!"
"It's time for lunch. The general and the prince will have their meal here. Rong'en, please take the soldiers to the back to eat."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Wenzhu, come along too."
Wenzhu thought he could stay, but Chu Heng suddenly spoke. He tightened his grip on the box, nodded, and left with Rongen.
The small kitchen was just starting to prepare and the food was served right away. It was obvious that it was carefully prepared. Although it was not a delicate dish, it was delicious and tasty, and it made people's mouths water at the sight of it.
"The barracks are simple, please forgive me, Your Highness."
"If you really want my forgiveness, you shouldn't call me Prince."
Chu Heng was stunned for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, Ziyan."
Because they were outside the palace, Li Ziyan did not let Yunle and Caiwei serve them. He asked them to eat aside, leaving only him and Chu Heng in the inner room.
"Zi Yan, why did you think of rewarding Rong En and Wen Zhu today?" Chu Heng said casually, using his serving chopsticks to add more food to Li Zi Yan's plate. "They have made meritorious contributions in the army, so they have their own salaries and rewards."
"You want to hear the truth from me?" Li Ziyan supported his face with one hand, and his hands, which looked particularly white against the black cloth, attracted a lot of attention.
Chu Heng's eyes were dazzled, and he hastily looked away, "I just think Zi Yan doesn't need to spend so much money."
"Really? I don't think so. Love someone and love their dog, isn't that right?"
"What?"
"I like you, I am attracted to you, and naturally I appreciate the people around you." Li Ziyan said this with a smile, his tone serious, which simply made people's heart beat faster.
Chu Heng swallowed, not knowing how to react, or rather, there was no chance to react.
The person next to him seemed to have seen something amusing, and the smile in his eyes gradually deepened. He leaned half of his body forward and approached Chu Heng, "I was kidding, General, you are so stupid."
The breath was as fragrant as orchid, bringing ripples to people's hearts. It was less noble and more tender and ambiguous. Chu Heng clenched his hands on his knees into fists, but his blood kept surging.
"...I was rash," Chu Heng swallowed, but didn't dare to move. He looked at Li Ziyan's smooth forehead, thinking of the unexpected kiss just now, and his mouth was dry. "Ziyan, let's eat first."
"Okay, I'll listen to Huanzhi." Li Ziyan smiled and sat up. His teasing behavior just now made him look less sick and broken. "But I really like what Huanzhi said."
“…”
Chu Heng was completely unable to react correctly. After meeting Li Ziyan, he found that he was becoming increasingly out of control.
"Then why don't you give it to me?"
He himself didn't realize how jealous he was. When Li Ziyan gave gifts to Rong En and Wen Zhu, he had only two questions in mind: They had known each other for so long, so why had Li Ziyan never given him anything? Why did he give gifts to the deputy general and the military advisor?
"Those things were given to them as rewards, not as gifts to you."
One is rewarding, the other is giving a gift. You can imagine the difference in closeness between them.
The displeasure and envy in Chu Heng's heart were alleviated a lot.
"I want to give you something, but I'm afraid the general won't accept it."
“…What is it?”
Li Ziyan shook his head with a smile on his face, "If I tell you, wouldn't that mean I don't have any intention? When I can be sure that Huan Zhi will accept it, I will naturally present it to you personally."
An unknown gift and an unknown time made Chu Heng feel inappropriate expectations and nervousness, which even made him more excited than his triumphant return.
His face was still serious and dull, but his eyes were dark. "Okay."
After the two of them finished lunch, Chu Heng escorted Li Ziyan back in the carriage. His body could not support such unbridled fun for too long. Before they reached the destination, he was already drowsy and finally fell into Chu Heng's arms.
Yunle and Caiwei were sitting outside the carriage and could not see the scene inside. Chu Heng's heart moved, and he stretched out his hand, gently placed it on Li Ziyan's head, and stroked down along her long hair. The smooth and soft touch made his hands tremble.
"Prince, General, the palace..." Caiwei pulled open the curtain and saw that Li Ziyan was already asleep. Chu Heng put his finger to his mouth and then picked up Li Ziyan.
This was the second time he held the sleeping little prince in his arms. He didn't pay much attention to it before, but now he realized that the little prince was really too light and seemed like he could be blown away by a strong wind.
"Do we need to wake up the prince?" Caiwei lowered her voice and looked at Chu Heng, who shook his head.
"It's getting late. If you wake him up now, His Highness will have trouble falling asleep at night. Ask the kitchen to prepare some food that nourishes the stomach and helps with sleep. If His Highness wakes up in the middle of the night, he can use some."
"yes."
Chu Heng carried Li Ziyan all the way back to the bedroom, laid him flat on the bed, watched Caiwei take care of everything, then glanced at Li Ziyan and left the palace.
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