Chapter 22 Departure "This servant is reluctant to part with Your Majesty."
Love.
It could even be a love that feels like a wish has been fulfilled.
It really is a cat; it can scratch people when it gets angry.
Now that he's drunk... he's become quite obedient.
Jiang Xu gazed quietly at the person in front of him, unconsciously responding softly once more.
Wan'er's sleeping face was serene, and her fair skin undoubtedly added to her stunning beauty, making him even more afraid to look directly at her, lest he have some inappropriate thoughts while looking at her.
Although Jiang Xu was quite confident about obtaining the certificate, the journey was long and the opponent was quite formidable. If the Turks did not fare well in this battle, they would likely return before winter.
After a while, some delays occurred.
Coming back to my senses, I heard the cat in my arms murmuring, "Your Majesty." This time, it seemed much more awake, and it asked, "When will you be back?" Its tone was somewhat reluctant.
With a hint of sorrow and melancholy.
Seeing her muttering to herself, Jiang Xu's gaze softened unconsciously, and his voice became somewhat unsteady, "If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to return in September."
September? That means it will take at least two months to finish?
Shi Wan was overjoyed, but continued to say with a wronged expression, "September? That will be a long time... This servant will miss Your Majesty."
Reluctant to part with it?
Jiang Xu's heart skipped a beat, and then an extraordinary joy welled up within him. Wan'er's words implicitly confirmed that she did have feelings for him.
Perhaps it was the pleasant atmosphere, or perhaps he was briefly captivated by those sweet words, but Jiang Xu actually made a promise, "This king... will return as soon as possible."
Go with him?
That's absolutely unacceptable!
What's wrong with this person?
She couldn't even stay in a military camp, let alone go to the front line.
What will outsiders think of her? How will she conduct herself after leaving Jiang Xu's side?
Shi Wan suspected that this person was testing her, and dared not refuse too forcefully for the time being. "Your Majesty...?" She seemed to be caught up in the effects of the wine again, her eyes sparkling. After hesitating for a while, she said, "Really?"
"This servant is weak; will this hold Your Majesty back?"
"Won't this... cause His Majesty some unnecessary trouble?"
Jiang Xu's joke was just a spur-of-the-moment thing. In the end, how could he possibly ask Wan'er, who was already out of breath after every three steps, to go?
But seeing her thinking of him like this, it would be impossible not to feel something.
"Just wait for my triumphant return in the palace." His tone revealed a hint of arrogance regarding leading troops into battle. "If all goes well, I will be able to return in early September."
"Wait patiently for me, hmm?"
Jiang Xu waited for a while, but after a long time he did not hear anyone answer. When he looked closely, he realized that Wan'er had been half-lying in his arms, curled up in a small ball. Her wide sleeves covered her slender wrists, and her legs were slightly bent, close to him.
She must have moved a bit, because her belt had loosened, and her slender waist, which had been so delicate, was now completely hidden, revealing a slightly disheveled beauty.
Jiang Xu was so engrossed in watching that it took him several breaths to regain his voice, and he murmured to himself, "Asleep?"
......
The next day at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
The sky outside the window was mostly a light gray, like rice paper soaked in ink, yet with a few wisps of rosy light shining through the edges.
On the bed, Shi Wan woke up almost as soon as Jiang Xu made a move.
Last night, after this man carried her back to the house, he shamelessly lay down on her and even pretended to hold her while sleeping. Fortunately, she was quick-witted and didn't let Jiang Xu succeed. The two of them maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, so they were able to coexist peacefully.
Beside him, Jiang Xu was unbuttoning his robe. He seemed to sense something and looked in Wan'er's direction. "Awake?" he asked. "How are you feeling right now?"
Shi Wan closed her eyelashes tightly, determined to play dead to the very end.
With her sight blocked, she focused all her attention on her ear, watching Jiang Xu's movements.
However, whether it was just my imagination or not, there was a hint of satisfaction and joy in the man's voice.
...What's he so happy about?
Is going to war, something that concerns life and death, something to look forward to and be excited about?
nerve.
After a moment, as if realizing some other possibility, Shi Wan couldn't help but breathe even more gently.
Jiang Xu noticed all her little actions. Having practiced martial arts for many years, he was sharp-witted and had noticed them the moment Wan'er woke up, but...
She had probably recovered from the effects of the alcohol and was feeling shy, so she was too embarrassed to talk to him.
Jiang Xu waited patiently for a couple of seconds, but seeing that the other party was still unmoved, he finally couldn't stand it anymore and pulled the person over. "Now that you're awake, stop pretending to be asleep. I have something to ask you."
The man's tone unconsciously carried a hint of command, and Shi Wan reflexively opened her eyes and looked up.
Jiang Xu was half-naked, and his broad arms almost blocked all the light sources in front of her.
His skin wasn't particularly fair to begin with, and after a period of training, it had become more bronze. At this moment, the man was facing her sideways, and from Shi Wan's angle, she could clearly see his eight-pack abs below his chest and the faint lines that disappeared deeper into his body.
On the other side of his back, the scars of varying depths were quite noticeable, especially a purplish-red scar that ran diagonally from his right shoulder to his ribs, a truly shocking sight.
This was a figure she had never seen before, one that no man could match.
Yes, he is going to war today for the sake of Jichuan, for the North, and for the people.
Shi Wan's heart stirred slightly, and she couldn't help but continue, "Your Majesty..." She pretended to be sleepy, and mumbled as if she were drunk, "What do you want to ask?"
Jiang Xu gazed at her actions intently, finding her even more adorable. "Do you still remember what you said last night?"
"...What?" Shi Wan blinked in confusion. "Didn't I dance, have a few drinks with the King, and then go to sleep?"
We must never admit that she remembers.
Once admitted, it means that all the pretense of being drunk will be questioned and overturned.
Anyway, he'll be leaving soon, so it won't take long. Just ask.
The most urgent task is to stabilize the situation.
Shi Wan's lips curved into a perfectly symmetrical smile. Perhaps a little shy, her ear tips were flushed red, and she stammered, "Your Majesty, did I say something I shouldn't have? Did I offend you?" She seemed a little nervous, and her fair knuckles wrinkled the bedding.
Jiang Xu stared at her intently, then turned around, his tone ambiguous, "Don't you remember?" After a long pause, he added to himself, "Never mind."
Since she doesn't remember, he won't force her. In any case, everything will be resolved once he returns victorious.
The "gifts" that are due will naturally be plentiful.
But he was never one to mistreat himself. Seeing that Shi Wan was still sleepy, he couldn't help but kiss her several times before putting on his armor and saying goodbye.
Just before leaving, Jiang Xu seemed to remember something and turned to look.
On the couch, Shi Wan's heart tightened when she saw him suddenly turn back. She blinked her bright eyes and looked back, not forgetting to show a smile that was three parts shyness and seven parts worry.
Seeing this, Jiang Xu nodded slightly and pushed open the door to go out.
The sky was half-dawn, and a misty haze hung in the air.
Jiang Xu's footsteps faded into the distance, and after a moment, they disappeared completely.
The world returned to silence.
Shi Wan's eyes were cold. After a moment, she got up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, the temperature was still a bit low, and wisps of cool air crept into the inner room, swirling around her.
The inside and outside of the house are like two different worlds.
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