Chapter 2
Before, Yu Xi ordered Ling Huanchen to be made into a mermaid soup just to scare people. It was just a warning after hearing this little mermaid prince brazenly say that he would always be by the emperor's side.
Before leaving Ziyi Palace, he casually told the guards to put Ling Huanchen in a place with water, and then put the matter out of his mind. Now that he pulled the person out of the pond, he remembered this incident.
Yu Xi clasped Ling Huanchen's shoulder with one hand, and in a quick glance, her eyes couldn't help but linger on the man's ink-black eyes.
As a king, he had been offered countless beauties, both men and women, both inside and outside the city, but none of them caught his eye, and he returned them all intact. However, this merman was able to make him lose his mind for a moment.
In a chaotic world where the strong prey on the weak, Ling Huanchen's clear eyes were particularly rare. He was dazed for a moment, as if he had seen similar eyes many years ago.
Yu Xi narrowed her eyes slightly, and suddenly took Ling Huanchen's wrist, rubbing her thumb on the white wrist, and glanced at it, as if she was not deliberately exploring anything.
Ling Huanchen stood still, letting Yu Xi manipulate him. The handsome face of the man before him matched his memory. He opened his mouth, but the effects of the drug were still there, and his voice was hoarse, so he remained silent.
"The mermaid tribe is indeed rich in beauties."
The mermaids originally paid tribute to survive by relying on the strongest. Currently, the world is dominated by the three major cities of Ming, You, and Xian, with the rest being small, outlying cities. Initially, Ming City was the most powerful, so the mermaids only offered mermaids to it. However, after Yu Xi ascended to the throne, he diligently governed and reformed policies, personally leading campaigns to capture surrounding cities and expand territory, making You City increasingly powerful, potentially rivaling Ming. Consequently, the mermaids hurriedly sent Ling Huanchen to the city.
Yu Xi looked at Ling Huanchen from top to bottom, and saw that his cheeks seemed to be dyed pink, his eyes were misty, his black hair was scattered, and wetly winding on his jade-like skin. A few drops of crystal flowed down his neck and disappeared into the wet gauze.
He lowered his head and sniffed Ling Huanchen's neck. "What a nice smell! I think it will taste delicious after it's cooked."
Yu Xi didn't know why she suddenly had such a childish idea. She wanted to scare this naive little prince of the mermaid clan in front of her and let him know how dangerous the world is.
Here we go again...
Ling Huanchen looked away, his cheeks became even redder, and the hand on his shoulder became a little hot.
Why doesn’t the King of Youcheng in this life seem like a serious person?
When Yu Xi came out of the hot spring, she was holding someone in her arms. She was wrapped in a cloak, with only a few scales faintly visible.
The palace servants guarding the door were all watching their noses and their hearts, not daring to breathe. Only Fu Changshi, who had been with Yu Xi the longest, was allowed to come closer.
Their king usually takes about an incense stick of time to bathe, but today he came out early, and he came out with someone in his arms. No one could help but think too much.
"Where are the guards who carried the cage today?"
The two guards were still waiting in the hall. When they heard Yu Xi calling them, they quickly came over.
Yu Xi glanced at the two people kneeling on the ground and said in a deep voice, "Who told you to put the mermaid tribute into the hot spring?"
"Yes...Your Majesty ordered it to be put into the water." One of the guards replied tremblingly.
"Drag him away."
The order was like a death sentence, and the two guards were immediately bound. They had only recently begun their duties at the palace, and had heard a great deal about King Youcheng's temperament and disposition. They were now terrified and knelt in begging.
Yu Xi carried the person a few steps away without looking back, leaving only one sentence, "Give him thirty strokes of the cane as a warning to others."
Fu Changshi paused after hearing this, then bowed his head and replied, "Yes."
Based on his understanding of the King of Youcheng, if he were truly angry, those two would be dead. The thirty lashes of the cane were just a show, a few thrashings. Did this mean their King wasn't truly angry, and seemed even a little pleased?
Yu Xi had already walked away. Fu Changshi raised his head slightly, wondering whether it was a blessing or a curse for the person who was carried out by the king.
Ling Huanchen huddled in Yu Xi's arms, treating himself like a dead fish, not even trying to struggle. Firstly, he had no extra strength, and secondly, the only veil he was wearing had been ripped away by Yu Xi, leaving him with only a cloak to wrap around him. He didn't want to be naked in public.
Yu Xi carried the person all the way into the bedroom and dismissed the palace attendants. He stood beside the bed and said to the person in his arms, "Can you change into human form?"
Ling Huanchen emerged from the cloak, looked at Yu Xi, and nodded slightly.
Yu Xi laid him on the bed, and Ling Huanchen rolled to the inside with her force. In an instant, his icy blue shark tail transformed into a pair of slender, white legs. His dark cloak, draped messily around him, only accentuated his slender figure, creating a vibrant and vibrant scene. Yu Xi took in the beauty of this scene, admiring it with unwavering enthusiasm.
Noticing the gaze from above, Ling Huanchen was secretly worried that something was wrong and quickly pulled the quilt beside him to cover up the beauty.
Yu Xi's eyes dimmed slightly, and she turned and left without saying a word. Even after Ling Huanchen fell into a deep sleep, unable to resist the onslaught of fatigue, Yu Xi did not return.
Perhaps it was due to the properties of the medicine, Ling Huanchen slept very soundly all night, and when he woke up the sun was already shining brightly.
He stared at the Luan tent in a daze for a moment before he remembered that he had been reborn. Just as he was about to get out of bed, Ling Huanchen suddenly stopped.
He had no clothes to wear yet, and he couldn't walk around wrapped in a cloak.
Just then, the door suddenly opened, and a palace servant walked in from outside, holding a brocade tray in his hand. Seeing him, he was only stunned for a moment, but soon returned to his indifference, "This is the clothes given by the king."
Without waiting for Ling Huanchen's response, the palace attendant placed the brocade plate on the square table. "Hurry up and change it. The king has ordered that no one be on the couch when he returns."
Ling Huanchen glanced at the clothes, then looked at the palace servant, and the two of them just stood there in a stalemate.
"Your Highness, please change your clothes." The palace attendant repeated indifferently.
Ling Huanchen didn't move. "I understand. You can go down."
The palace attendant not only did not retreat, but instead showed impatience, "Your Highness, once you enter the palace, you belong to the king. The mermaids are a thing of the past."
The implication was to let him understand his identity, that he was just a tribute, so why should he be so arrogant.
Ling Huanchen didn't get angry, and just said, "Since I am the king's man, if someone watches me changing clothes, do you think he can still protect his eyes?"
Upon hearing this, the palace attendant gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness, please change quickly. I will be waiting outside." After saying this, he turned and left.
The clothes sent were a light blue robe with wide sleeves, lined with a white lining, and the cuffs and hem were embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns.
She wore a long robe, her sleeves fluttering, exuding a sense of elegance. When Ling Huanchen wasn't smiling, she exuded a sense of indifference and alienation, like an immortal from the nine heavens who had strayed into the mortal world, a cold beauty.
He was placed in a remote corner of the Purple Ceremony Palace, where he once lived. Although the process was different, the end result was the same.
Ling Huanchen sat quietly in his room for a moment. According to his previous life, the palace servants Yu Xi had sent to serve him should be on their way by now. He picked up the teacup on the round table and sipped it, frowning. The cold tea tasted like bran, worse than water. But thinking of the person he was about to meet, Ling Huanchen's brows softened. Besides Yu Xi, she was one of the few people he cared about in this world.
Sure enough, not long after, two palace servants entered the room with their heads lowered and behaved politely.
"The servant Yunhe greets the master."
"Minion Xiao Qi greets the master."
Ling Huanchen said gently, "No need to be so polite, please stand up."
After last night, the effects of the medicine on his body had worn off, and his voice had returned to normal, like pearls falling on a jade plate.
"Thank you, Master!"
Xiao Qi was about the same age as Ling Huanchen, having recently entered the palace. He was naturally active and curious about everything. He couldn't help but secretly raise his eyes, wanting to see what the master he would serve in the future looked like. The sight was so amazing that he immediately became stunned, forgetting to close his mouth.
Ling Huanchen did not blame him for his rudeness. With a smile on her face, she let him watch.
Once the cold beauty smiles, she is as bright and beautiful as a spring breeze.
Xiao Qi swallowed and said blankly, "Master, you are so beautiful. You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen."
"Xiao Qi, don't be unreasonable." Yun He scolded in a low voice.
When Xiao Qi heard this, he immediately lowered his head and said, "Master, please forgive me!"
"It's okay." Ling Huanchen looked at Yunhe, the warmth in his eyes was beyond words.
Compared to Xiao Qi, Yun He was much calmer and more stable. Moreover, she was not just an ordinary palace maid, but secretly carried another identity. She was the spy that King Youcheng had placed beside him at the beginning, and later, the last talisman that King Youcheng gave him.
Seeing that Ling Huanchen didn't argue with him, Xiao Qi immediately concluded that his new master was kind and good-hearted. His master was so easy to get along with, and he immediately became bolder. He hadn't had anything to eat all morning, and he was starving. When he saw the cakes on the round table, he couldn't help but take a second look and lick his lips.
Ling Huanchen naturally noticed his little action and waved at him, "Come here."
Xiao Qi smiled innocently and moved forward, thinking Ling Huanchen was going to tell him something. Unexpectedly, the man handed the snack plate to him and said gently, "Eat."
"Thank you, thank you, Master!" Xiao Qi stuffed the food into his mouth ravenously. Although the sweet-scented osmanthus cake was a little hard and obviously not freshly baked, he was so hungry that he ate it with such relish.
Seeing him enjoying his meal, Ling Huanchen felt happy too. He had nothing to tell them to do for the moment, and his eyes lingered briefly as he glanced at the teacup, because he still wanted to drink a pot of hot tea.
Although he is a mermaid, he has been raised as a mortal since childhood. His behavior, speech, diet and daily life are no different from those of ordinary people. This is so that when the time comes to present himself, he can serve the king like an ordinary person.
"Ah He, pour me a pot of hot tea."
When Yunhe touched the teapot, she understood.
"yes."
Just one simple word, but enough to put people at ease. Ling Huanchen knew that this little thing would not be a problem if he handed it over to Yunhe.
Not long after, Yunhe brought a pot of hot tea back to the table. Ling Huanchen took a sip, the aroma of tea lingering around, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction. Yunhe, the girl who was always serious, couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips.
Here, the atmosphere was peaceful and warm, but over there, when Yu Xi returned to the bedroom study after court, it seemed cold and deserted.
The desk was piled with memorials submitted by civil and military officials. When Yu Xi was reviewing them, only Fu Changshi was waiting by his side, and the rest of the people were guarding the door.
Yu Xi closed a memorial and asked casually, "Has it been settled?"
As expected of someone who had served by his side for many years, Fu Changshi immediately understood what he meant. "Your Majesty, everything has been arranged."
"Um."
Last night he went to the study alone and reviewed memorials all night long. Even his short nap was on the couch in the study.
He could have thrown the little prince of the mermaid tribe out, but he felt pity for him for a moment. This feeling was too unfamiliar and he hadn't felt it since he was eleven years old.
Yu Xi then picked up a memorial and without looking up, suddenly said, "Call someone over."
The author has something to say:
Small Theater
Yu Xi: For dinner, are you having chopped pepper fish, sweet and sour fish, or steamed fish?
Ling Huanchen: I think I should go back and die again...
******
Thank you for the nutrient solution encouragement from "Lazy Tanaka"~
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