Chapter 97: Defeat the scheming boy and tease the sultry general (7)
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The eunuch's sharp voice was heard outside, and Li Ziyan and Chu Heng, who were playing chess, stood up and knelt on the ground.
"I pay my respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor be blessed with good health and happiness."
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed with good health."
"Hurry up, hurry up, you two, why are you always kneeling when there's nothing to do? Didn't I tell you not to be so reserved?"
"Your Majesty is wise and kind, but etiquette cannot be abolished." Chu Heng has always been such a well-behaved, honest and dull person. Li Ziyan shook his head, stretched out his hand to help the two of them up, and waved behind him. The eunuch chief was an old man, so he and others retreated and stood guard outside the door.
"You just can't get over this kind of thing." Bi Mo shook his head and sat down in the direction the two of them were facing. Li Ziyan and Chu Han also sat on either side. "Zi Yan, have you been feeling better lately? I've been so busy with government affairs these past few days that I haven't been able to come see you. I heard from Chu Heng the other day that you guys went out for a walk. Are you feeling okay?"
"Thank you for your concern, my royal brother. I'm fine. I've almost recovered." Li Ziyan's cough was caused by an old illness and it couldn't be cured in a short time. The emperor knew this, but when he saw Li Ziyan's body, which was not as strong as that of an ordinary man, he could only feel distressed and sigh in his heart.
Li Ziyan reached out and patted the back of Li Ziyan's hand, speaking softly, "In the past few days, I have sent people to find some medicine and prescriptions. I will send them to you after the Imperial Hospital has reviewed them. Don't worry, with me here, Ziyan's illness will be cured soon."
"I, your humble servant, would like to thank you, my royal brother, ahem."
Li Ziyan coughed lightly a few times, the corners of his mouth raised. Chu Heng, who had been paying attention to Li Ziyan's condition, saw this smile was so genuine that it made Li Ziyan's face turn red, and Chu Heng was stunned for a moment. His amorous peach blossom eyes curved slightly, and they were indescribably beautiful. Even the two pearly teeth that were faintly visible could directly attract Chu Heng's attention.
"Huanzhi, you've worked really hard to quell the civil unrest. I haven't found the time to let you rest properly. Now that we're both safe and sound, why don't you take this opportunity to take a break? If you have nothing else to do, you won't have to attend court." Li Zihan paused after speaking, then continued, "But there's something I must entrust to you."
"Your Majesty, just tell me what you want, and I will do my best."
"You have to take good care of Ziyan."
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I have some free time and nothing else to do. Why don't I take Your Majesty on a stroll for a few days to relax and unwind?"
"That's good."
Li Zihan nodded, and the three of them chatted for a while. After all, Li Zihan was the emperor, and he couldn't leave the palace without someone. He also had to deal with memorials, so he left after not staying for long.
Li Ziyan stood at the door, covering his mouth with one hand and coughing lightly a few times, but his expression was relaxed. Chu Heng beside him stood with his hands behind his back, looking at him with a calm look that made it difficult to see what he was thinking.
"General Chu, are you willing to walk with the young prince?"
"It's natural."
Chu Heng nodded and followed Li Ziyan. The two of them didn't go anywhere else, but walked by the lake in the palace for a while.
It is midsummer now, the lotus flowers are in full bloom, and the koi in the lotus pond are fat. There is green grass and butterflies dancing here, which is a very beautiful sight.
Li Ziyan was wearing a light blue coat today with a pattern of green bamboo leaves on it, which made him look as tall and straight as a green bamboo.
"General, is the scenery here nice?"
"It's beautiful." Chu Heng responded, retracting his gaze from Li Ziyan's face and turning his head to hide the guilty feeling that flashed across his face. He didn't know what was wrong with him. While looking at the scenery, his eyes unconsciously drifted to the person next to him.
"I haven't seen such a beautiful view for a long time..."
Li Ziyan's tone was a little melancholic, and Chu Heng couldn't help but recall his childhood, when he never left his home, and as an adult, when he was sent to a foreign country and became a hostage. If it were anyone else, Chu Heng would certainly admire such a person willing to serve his country, but when it came to Li Ziyan, in addition to admiration, he felt a layer of heartache.
The weather in the southeast is hotter than in Beijing, and the supplies are relatively scarce. The climates on both sides are different, and the scenery is naturally different. Li Ziyan has been away from Beijing for a year, and now he says such words, which is enough to make people feel sad.
"...The scenery of the palace is naturally beautiful, but I also know a place that Your Highness might like."
"Hmm? Where are you going? General, would you mind telling me?"
Chu Heng nodded. "The Qing Lake in the south of the city is beautiful right now. There are even birds and mandarin ducks playing in the water. If Your Highness is interested, would you be willing to go boating on the lake with me?"
"Is what the General said true? Ahem! Ahem!" Li Ziyan was a little excited for a moment, unable to catch his breath. His face turned red from coughing, but he couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes. Chu Heng's heart trembled when he saw him, and even his hands were shaking as he helped Li Ziyan calm down.
"Of course. If Your Highness likes it, I will have them prepare the boat when we return today, and we can set off tomorrow."
"That's great!" Li Ziyan smiled and unconsciously moved closer to Chu Heng. A breeze blew, blowing his long hair behind him. The scene played out before Chu Heng's eyes like a slow-motion video.
The black hair fluttered, disturbing the stillness in Chu Heng's heart.
Chu Heng looked away in panic and nodded, his voice still calm, but his heart was a little flustered. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Why did his heart tremble unconsciously when he saw the little prince's smile?
After circulating his internal energy and adjusting his breathing, Chu Heng suppressed his extremely strange and uncontrollable heart and sighed quietly.
The boating trip was finalized on the same day. Chu Heng was naturally efficient. He went back and prepared everything necessary for the boating trip. The next day, he appeared at the gate of the palace on time and got on the carriage with Li Ziyan, who was dressed in white.
The carriage was moving at a fast pace, and the distance between the palace and Qinghu Lake was not far, so they arrived soon. The pleasure boat was the one Li Zihan had given to Chu Heng as a gift, and it was the most luxurious one in the general's palace. The furnishings and decorations inside were naturally excellent. After Li Ziyan boarded the boat, he didn't even feel the discomfort of the bumpy ride, but sat quietly by the window lattice, admiring the scenery outside.
"General, you have a great eye. The scenery here is much better than that of the palace."
"Each has its own merits. Your Majesty, thank you for your praise."
Li Ziyan smiled, without saying anything or denying anything. He leaned his elbows on the window sill, supported his face with his palms and looked out.
"General, did you grow up in the capital?"
"Your Highness, I have lived in the capital since I was a child."
"How lucky! The General has finally been able to experience the vast landscape." Li Ziyan sighed softly, coughed, and looked at him with envy. "If only I could have grown up with the General, I could have known him earlier and admired the beautiful mountains and rivers together."
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