Chapter 51 The Second Prince's Secret Love for the Crown Prince
The fierce sandstorm in the northern border made the military flags flutter. Second Prince Liu Cong stood at the edge of the battlefield, where a fierce battle had just taken place, watching the soldiers clean up the battlefield and bandage the wounded.
The air was still filled with the smell of blood and gunpowder, but his heart seemed to have drifted back to the capital city thousands of miles away, back to the heavily guarded East Palace.
During the day, he is the calm, decisive, and disciplined General Fuyuan.
Every decision is related to the life and death of thousands of soldiers.
The longing that has been forcibly suppressed will burst out like a tide.
By the dim light of an oil lamp, he would repeatedly read the court reports from the capital and... the briefings sent by officials of the Eastern Palace as "routine work" on the prince's handling of logistical affairs.
His fingertips would unconsciously stroke the familiar handwriting on the paper, which was now more steady and powerful.
It seemed as if I could see through them the young man bending over his desk, writing quickly, his brows slightly furrowed but his eyes determined.
"Axiao..." He murmured softly, the name rolling between his lips and teeth, carrying with it endless tenderness and a hint of unspeakable pain.
He knew he shouldn't do this, because that was the crown prince, his younger brother, the heir whom his father cherished like the apple of his eye.
How could Ke Xin easily obey the call of reason?
Every time good news came back, he wondered if Xiao would smile when he saw it.
Are you proud of him as your brother?
Every time we receive food and weapons that are delivered accurately and even exceed expectations,
He could feel the silent yet powerful support, which made him more excited than any reward for his merit.
That was Axiao's hard work, and Axiao was protecting him in his own way.
During a sudden night attack, Liu Cong was shot in the shoulder while trying to save a besieged deputy general.
When the military doctor pulled out the arrow, he clenched his teeth, said nothing, and his forehead was covered with cold sweat.
In the severe pain, what flashed through his mind was not fame, wealth, or the fear of life and death, but Liu Xiao's face full of worry and dependence.
"I can't die..." he thought drowsily.
"If I die, who will be able to protect him like I do...without reservation?
Although his father loves him, the heart of an emperor is unfathomable.
The court is surrounded by tigers and wolves, and poisonous snakes are lurking in the dark... I must return alive and become stronger so that I can clear all obstacles for him..."
This belief, which originated from love but turned into an extreme desire to protect, supported him to recover quickly.
And throw yourself into the next battle with a more fierce attitude.
He must earn enough military merits and hold enough power to become the strongest shield and sharpest sword beside the prince.
Even if I can only be your brother forever, even if this feeling will never see the light of day.
Liu Cong returned victorious with his army after a great victory in the northern border. The capital was deserted to welcome the young god of war.
The emperor personally greeted him at the palace gate, with an expression of undisguised admiration on his face.
Liu Cong was dressed in military uniform, and although he looked dusty and exhausted, his heroic spirit could not be concealed. He knelt on one knee and said in a loud voice: "I have fulfilled my mission!"
The emperor laughed and helped him up: "Good! Good! Cong'er, this battle has demonstrated the power of our Celestial Empire! I am very pleased!" He patted Liu Cong's shoulder heavily.
However, the moment Liu Cong stood up, his gaze passed over the emperor's shoulder and accurately captured the figure standing slightly behind and to the side of the emperor.
Liu Xiao was also wearing the formal court dress of the crown prince. His posture was as straight as a pine tree. His face was thinner than before, but more angular, and there was a bit more calmness and majesty in his eyes.
He was looking at Liu Cong, his eyes filled with sincere admiration and joy, and a warm smile on his lips.
The moment their eyes met, Liu Cong felt as if his heart was hit hard by something.
The heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and the sound of blood rushing roared in my ears. The fatigue of the thousand-mile battle, the dull pain of the wound
At this moment, it seemed to disappear in an instant. His eyes greedily traced the other person's eyebrows and eyes, almost unable to look away.
He saw the light in Xiao's eyes, which showed his recognition and welcome. That was enough.
It is enough to comfort all his hardships and longings.
He forced himself to collect his thoughts, lowered his eyes, and respectfully bowed to the Crown Prince: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
His voice remained calm, but only he knew the turbulent undercurrent beneath the calm.
Liu Xiao quickly stepped forward and gave a slight support.
"Second brother, please get up quickly! Thank you for your hard work in fighting for the country!"
His tone was kind and natural, full of genuine concern for his brother.
But this ordinary contact made Liu Cong's arm stiffen slightly, as if a tiny electric current was running through the touching clothes.
He quickly stood up straight, distanced himself, and maintained the respectful tone of a subject: "Serving the country is my duty, and I dare not complain about the hardship. Your Highness is in charge of the rear and coordinating the deployment. That is the real hard work and great contribution."
His eyes restrainedly fell below Liu Xiao's nose bridge, and he didn't dare to look directly into those overly bright eyes, for fear of revealing the emotions churning in his heart.
The emperor was very pleased to see the brothers getting along so well. He held one of them in each hand.
"Let's go! The palace has prepared a celebration banquet! Today, the three of us, father and son, must have a good drink!"
At the celebration banquet, Liu Cong became the absolute protagonist, and all civil and military officials toasted him.
He responded appropriately, chatting and laughing, but the corner of his eye was always following the prince sitting below the emperor.
When he saw Liu Xiao frown slightly when being toasted by the ministers, he would calmly change the subject;
When he saw the wine glass in front of Liu Xiao being refilled, he would find a reason to drink it for him;
When he saw Liu Xiao gently rubbing his eyebrows due to fatigue, his heart also tightened.
Every move he makes is just right, in line with the identity of a brother who cares about his younger brother.
Only he himself knows how much restrained affection and unspeakable pain are hidden behind that seemingly ordinary care.
After the celebration banquet, the emperor sympathized with Liu Cong's hard work in the battle and allowed him to rest for a few days.
Liu Cong, however, could not sit still and often went to the Eastern Palace under the pretext of asking for advice on government affairs or discussing military affairs.
The two sat opposite each other at the chessboard under the window of the East Palace study, Liu Xiao playing white and Liu Cong playing black.
"Second brother's use of troops this time, making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, is really ingenious." Liu Xiao placed a piece and praised sincerely.
"It's just a matter of adapting to local conditions." Liu Cong looked at the chessboard and said calmly
"It is your Highness who truly amazes me with his well-organized logistics arrangements and his ability to even predict the needs of the front lines."
He placed a piece, forming a siege.
Liu Xiao was concentrating on thinking. The sunlight came through the window lattice, casting a small shadow on his thick eyelashes. His slightly pursed lips showed his concentration.
Liu Cong looked at the face so close to him, his breathing paused slightly, and his fingers holding the chess pieces tightened subconsciously.
Suddenly, Liu Xiao's eyes lit up, and he thought of a way to crack the game. He happily picked up a piece and placed it down.
He raised his head and smiled, "Brother Huang, how do you think about this?"
His smile was like the melting of ice and snow, bringing the bright spring sunshine, and it went straight into the softest part of Liu Cong's heart.
Liu Cong looked at his smile and forgot to react for a moment. His eyes were deep, with an almost unconcealable burning and... pain.
Liu Xiao was a little confused by his gaze and touched his face: "Royal brother? Is there something on my face?"
Liu Cong suddenly came back to his senses and quickly lowered his eyes, hiding all the emotions in his eyes.
The voice had a barely perceptible hoarseness.
"...No. It was I who...lost my composure."
He paused, forcing his attention back to the chessboard, "Your Highness, this move is indeed ingenious. I lose."
He felt a palpitation and fear. At that moment, he almost lost control.
This feeling is like a beast imprisoned in the heart, always eager to break free from the cage.
After coming out of the Eastern Palace and returning to his own palace, Liu Cong dismissed everyone and sat alone in the dark.
Liu Xiao's defenseless smile just now flashed in his mind again and again, bringing sweetness but more torment.
He walked to the desk and slowly opened a locked rosewood box.
There were no treasures inside, only a plain handkerchief with a faint medicinal fragrance, and several discarded manuscripts that Liu Xiao had discarded when he was practicing calligraphy in his early years but had secretly picked up.
His fingers gently brushed over the words, his eyes filled with pain and struggle.
"Ah Xiao..." He whispered to himself, his voice was particularly clear in the silent room, "What should I do with you..."
"You are the rising sun, the bright moon, destined to hang high in the heavens, admired by all. And I... perhaps can only be your shadow, swallowing up all the darkness for you."
After a long time, all the confusion and pain in his eyes gradually faded away, turning into a kind of almost paranoid firmness and coldness.
"Since we can't be together, let me clear all obstacles for you."
"Those bugs hiding in the shadows, those who harbor ill intentions towards you... not a single one of them can be spared."
"Liu Jue... and the people behind him... your death is imminent."
He closed the box and locked it again.
When he raised his head again, he had become the calm, stern and famous second prince.
But deep in those profound eyes, there lies a more ardent and resolute oath of protection.
This strong and unexpressible love will become the sharpest blade in his hand, pointing at all enemies who threaten the prince.
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