Chapter 111 Gifts
Zhao Youchen could see clearly that the young emperor before him was indeed the young emperor he knew, not the one he had seen in the Martial Soul Tomb... He didn't know how to describe the young emperor.
Thinking of the whispers of some ignorant people I overheard at the palace banquet, and then of the face I saw today that bore an eight-tenths resemblance to him…
His already somewhat drunk and unclear mind felt the rush of blood to his head, making him feel as if he were lacking oxygen.
Those people know nothing, how dare they slander their young emperor like that?
What do they know? They're ignorant!
Xiao Qing was thinking that it was Mid-Autumn Festival night, and Zhao Youchen's birthday.
What could be better than this time?
So Xiao Qing naturally reached for his waist pouch.
Good, luckily she has a habit of carrying that jade with her.
Although she originally wanted to invite a highly virtuous monk from Tianyin Temple to consecrate the jade and protect Zhao Youchen, this plan was not realized because of the calamity she encountered.
However, she always carried this jade with her, and Jueyin protected her through the tribulations. In addition, she had expressed her wish for peace after her soul left her body, so she felt that the jade must have already acquired the meaning of peace after going through so many twists and turns.
Sending it out this way is more meaningful.
Thinking this, Xiao Qing said, "Today is an auspicious day. I have prepared a gift for General Zhao. I originally planned to come find you later, but I did not expect to meet you here. I will take advantage of this moonlight to present the gift to the general. Firstly, to express my congratulations; secondly, to express my apology; and thirdly, to thank the general for his continued care."
As she spoke, she took out the jade and handed it over.
Zhao Youchen's head was already throbbing, and he didn't know how much of what Xiao Qing said had taken in. But he squinted and saw the lion-head jade that Xiao Qing was handing over in her small hand.
Xiao Qing felt uneasy when she saw that he had been looking at it for a long time without taking it.
"Although it's not some particularly precious jade, but... but I felt it suited General Zhao perfectly at first sight. If the General doesn't like it, I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Youchen picked up the jade, holding it tightly, his eyes still fixed on her.
Xiao Qing felt slightly embarrassed.
Zhao Youchen must have drunk too much!
"I like it very much." Zhao Youchen placed his fist in front of his chest.
Xiao Qing breathed a sigh of relief. "Then, happy birthday, General."
Zhao Youchen lowered his eyes slightly, a deep emotion flashing across them in an instant.
"Your Majesty knows my birthday."
Xiao Qing was a little embarrassed. "I've heard people mention it before."
"So, was this jade His Majesty's original intention, or had he heard about it from someone else?"
Xiao Qing rarely saw Zhao Youchen like this. He wasn't very persistent about many things, but once he did persist, he would become somewhat stubborn.
"Actually, I had already prepared to give this jade to the General before I knew your birthday. The General probably doesn't remember, but I broke one of your jade pieces before. I just happened to hear that the General's birthday was during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I thought I would take this opportunity to give the jade to the General. Actually... it should be considered an apology, not a birthday gift. I was just being lazy..." Xiao Qing admitted, somewhat embarrassed.
Zhao Youchen shook his head. "No, it's a birthday present."
He had long forgotten what Xiao Qing had mentioned. He usually enjoyed practicing martial arts and swordsmanship, and rarely wore any accessories around his waist. That day, it was just a coincidence; he had put one on on a whim. He hadn't expected that the young emperor would remember it and even feel the need to make amends.
What's even more remarkable is that she didn't just casually make up for it; she genuinely put her heart into preparing the gift and even specially chose this day to give it to him.
Such thoughtfulness is rare.
This is their true emperor.
No, it's not the one from the Martial Soul Tomb.
"If Your Majesty wishes to continue like this, I will gladly give my life."
How did the conversation get to this point?!
Xiao Qing felt incapable of chatting.
It seems today isn't a good time; let's wait until he sobers up.
As Xiao Qing thought this, she wanted to end the conversation.
However, Zhao Youchen was unwilling to let go of such a "golden opportunity".
"Actually, I am an orphan and do not know what day my birthday is."
Xiao Qing was startled.
I've never heard of that.
"I was an orphan who begged for a living until I was eight years old. Later, I was adopted by the Zhao family and renamed Zhao Youchen. After that, I learned martial arts and joined the army. For a long time, the color under my fingernails could not be washed off..."
Ironically, until today, he had been deceiving himself into believing that his birthday was really on the Mid-Autumn Festival, and that he really was the long-lost son of the Zhao family...
Xiao Qing tugged at the wide, floor-length cloak she was wearing—Zhao Youchen's cloak. She had wanted to draw some warmth from it, but because of his words, she seemed to smell the blood emanating from it.
It suddenly got a bit cold.
Zhao Youchen was quite perceptive at this moment.
"Your Majesty, do not be afraid. This cloak is clean. Since I took office as the commander of the Imperial Guard, I have washed my hands thoroughly every day. If Your Majesty does not believe me, please take a look."
He carefully put the jade away, then spread his hands out, turned them over, and brought them close to show Xiao Qing his fingernails. Sure enough, they were so white that not a speck of dust could be seen in the crevices.
Xiao Qing was somewhat at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.
Zhao Youchen and Fu Mingyi were about the same age, but Xiao Qing always felt that Fu Mingyi was deep and unpredictable, while Zhao Youchen was much more sincere and adorable.
But Zhao Youchen, despite his reputation, was also a ruthless general who killed countless people on the battlefield.
He never talks about these things normally, but he said them now that he's drunk. Does that mean he doesn't really want to live that kind of life?
But she once thought he was more suited to the battlefield.
Seeing Xiao Qing's gaze, Zhao Youchen smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please do not worry. I am not saying that I am doing poorly. On the contrary, I am luckier than many people. I am not afraid of bloodshed and death, I am only afraid of..."
His earnest gaze made it difficult for Xiao Qing to look away.
“I fear that the Your Majesty to whom I serve is not Your Majesty… or rather, not Your Majesty at this moment.”
He had witnessed too much ruthlessness within the royal family. That's why, in the days after Fu Mingyi went north, every moment he spent with Xiao Qing was a process of constantly overturning his preconceived notions.
Having witnessed Xiao Qing's authenticity and warmth, he had almost forgotten what royal bloodlines should actually be like.
It wasn't until he saw "Xiao Qing" like that in the Martial Soul Tomb that he realized how lucky he had been.
Fortunately, the young emperor is real now.
He asked no questions, even though he knew there must be some secret involved.
He thought that perhaps it was because he had received warmth that he never wanted to return to the darkness.
He took out the jade again, carefully placed it in his palm, and then, maintaining his half-kneeling posture, boldly extended his hand to the young emperor he had chosen.
"Your Majesty, Zhao Youchen swears with this jade that he will be loyal to Your Majesty for the rest of his life. If he breaks this oath, may he be struck by lightning and die a terrible death."
With his other hand, he drew his sword and slashed his palm, the bright red blood staining the white ancient jade.
Many years later, Zhao Youchen still remembered this scene and always believed that his good fortune lay in declaring his lifelong vow to the young emperor at the most opportune moment, with unwavering frankness and loyalty, regardless of the consequences.
As for the trials and tribulations that followed, they would all be a testament to his vow and good fortune.
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