Chapter 69: Mission Completed
Since that night, Xiao Ziran's "taking care" of Liu Jin became legitimate.
Although he no longer had to stay by the dragon bed every night, he had almost no obstacles in entering and leaving the palace.
The old doctor from Nanyue that he brought with him prescribed a prescription for conditioning, which needed to be taken continuously for a period of time.
So, every evening, Xiao Ziran would always appear in Liu Jin's bedroom or imperial study on time, and personally watch him drink the medicine.
At first, Liu Jin would say with a straight face, "It's such a trivial matter, why bother His Majesty Nanyue with it?"
Xiao Ziran replied with a smile, "Brother Jin's affairs are never trivial to me. Besides, this medicine is very bitter. I prepared some candied fruit, tribute from Nanyue. It's sweet but not greasy, and it's the best way to relieve the bitterness."
Like a magic trick, he pulled out a small and exquisite glass jar from his sleeve, which contained crystal clear fruit.
Liu Jin glanced at him, but finally took the medicine bowl and drank it all.
The medicine was indeed bitter, but just as he frowned, a warm candied fruit was brought to his lips.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally opened his mouth and took it.
The sweet taste instantly melted on the tip of the tongue, dispersing the strong bitterness and seeming to dilute the invisible barrier between the two people.
Xiao Ziran looked at his slightly rolling Adam's apple and relaxed brows, her eyes so soft that tears could drip from them.
He didn't say much, just sat quietly by the side, sometimes flipping through the books he brought with him, sometimes handling some urgent government affairs sent by express horses from Nanyue, and more often, he just watched Liu Jin review memorials quietly.
The candlelight flickered in the hall, and the aroma of medicine, ink and the faint, clear scent of agarwood on Xiao Ziran's body intertwined together, forming a strange and peaceful atmosphere.
Liu Jin found that he was gradually getting used to this silent companionship.
Sometimes when he encountered difficult political affairs, he would subconsciously ponder, and occasionally even look up and glance at Xiao Ziran.
And Xiao Ziran always caught his gaze sharply and looked up at him with an inquiring look.
Liu Jin naturally would not easily ask for the opinions of the monarch of another country, but that kind of silent communication made him feel that he was not entirely alone in carrying this heavy burden.
The investigation into "Nether Snake Kiss" and "Owl Feather" is proceeding intensively.
Liu Jin was in charge of the overall situation, while Xiao Ziran provided a lot of valuable information about "Owl Feather's" behavior style, possible strongholds, and the complex relationships between countries in the Western Regions.
The two of them are working together more and more tacitly.
Once, based on clues, Neihangchang locked onto a villa in the suburbs of Beijing that was suspected to be a contact point for "Xiaoyu".
After the action plan was formulated, Liu Jin sat in the palace awaiting news, but Xiao Ziran was restless.
"The way the stronghold's guards are deployed is very similar to the extremely sinister 'Double Snakes Entangling' formation I know of from the 'Owl Feather' formation."
Xiao Ziran said to Liu Jin with a serious expression, "Although there are many skilled fighters in the Neijiang Factory, if we are not familiar with the key points, a strong attack may result in heavy losses, and may even allow their core members to escape again."
Liu Jin frowned: "What suggestions do you have?"
"I will personally bring two secret guards who are proficient in this method, cut in from the flank and break the core of their formation." Xiao Ziran said in a firm tone.
"No!" Liu Jin flatly refused. "You have a special status. How can you take such a risk yourself?"
There are concerns here, but they are more political considerations - if Emperor Nanyue gets into trouble outside the capital of the Celestial Empire, the consequences will be disastrous.
Xiao Ziran smiled, with a hint of arrogance and confidence in his smile:
"Brother Jin, have you forgotten? When it comes to stealth assassination and breaking through formations, there are not many people in this world who can stop me. For you, to remove this thorn, it is worth taking this risk."
His eyes were blazing. "Besides, I believe your people can cooperate with me."
Liu Jin looked at him for a moment and saw the unquestionable determination and unreserved trust in his eyes.
He was shocked, and finally closed his eyes and said in a deep voice
"I have ordered the commander of the Neijiang Factory to personally lead the team and fully cooperate with you. If anything goes wrong, withdraw immediately. No mistakes can be made!"
"As you wish." Xiao Ziran's smile widened, as if he had received some great reward. He turned around and disappeared into the night easily.
The operation was a great success, successfully destroying the stronghold, capturing several key members, and intercepting a batch of important letters.
The superb skills and decisiveness shown by Xiao Ziran in the action also shocked the elite experts who participated in the action.
I have a new understanding of this "unemployed" Emperor Nanyue.
When Xiao Ziran returned to report with a hint of the chill of night dew and a faint smell of blood, Liu Jin was standing in front of the palace gate.
Seeing that he was safe and sound, I breathed a sigh of relief that was almost imperceptible.
"I'm glad I have fulfilled my mission." Xiao Ziran bowed with a smile, his tone relaxed, as if he had just gone out for a walk.
Liu Jin silently looked at the inconspicuous tear on the corner of his clothes, which was the evidence of a sharp blade.
He moved his lips, but finally said lightly:
"Yeah. Go down and rest."
However, when Xiao Ziran turned to leave, Liu Jin whispered to Fu An beside him:
"Send him the box of the best wound medicine that Nanyue presented as tribute."
On a night when government affairs were a little slower, the moonlight was like water.
Liu Jin, not buried in his memorials, strolled through the Imperial Gardens, unwinding from his days of fatigue. Xiao Ziran, naturally, followed him like a shadow.
The two walked in silence along the moonlit path, one in front and one behind. The atmosphere was unusually peaceful.
Suddenly, Xiao Ziran took two quick steps, standing shoulder to shoulder with Liu Jin, and asked softly, "Brother Jin, after we resolve the threat of 'Xiao Yu' and the matter with the Northern Di, what do you want to do?"
Liu Jin was slightly startled.
What did he want to do? His life seemed to have been completely filled with the word "emperor". Every day he worked for the country and the people. Did he ever think about what he "wanted" to do?
He was silent for a moment before saying, "Peace and prosperity for the world and a safe life for the people are what I wish for."
"That's what the emperor wants."
Xiao Ziran stopped and turned to look at him, the moonlight flowing in his deep eyes
"I'm asking you, Liu Jin, what do you want to do? Even if it's a very small thing."
Liu Jin was stunned by his question. He looked up at the bright moon in the sky for a long time before he said softly:
"...Perhaps, I can sleep in peacefully without worrying about being woken by urgent news. Or... perhaps, I can go to the imperial farm outside the capital and see if the wheat there is really as golden and plump as described in the memorial."
His voice was very soft, with a hint of imperceptible fatigue and yearning.
This may be the most insignificant, yet most real desire deep in the young emperor's heart.
Xiao Ziran's heart felt like it was being tugged at, making it feel sore and soft.
He looked at his profile, which was outlined by the moonlight and looked a little cold, and a strong impulse surged in his heart.
He stretched out his hand and very carefully touched the back of Liu Jin's hand hanging at his side with his fingertips.
The movement was as light as a feather, full of temptation and immense cherishment.
Liu Jin's body stiffened suddenly, but he did not withdraw his hand immediately.
Xiao Ziran became a little bolder, and slowly and firmly squeezed his fingers, one by one, into Liu Jin's fingers, and finally interlocked his fingers tightly.
Palms touching, warmth transferred.
Liu Jin could feel the thin calluses on Xiao Ziran's palms and his burning body temperature. The heat made his heart feel uneasy and his ears quickly turned red.
He wanted to break free, but the hand holding him was extremely strong, with a tenderness that could not be refused.
Xiao Ziran's voice seemed particularly low and affectionate in the silent night.
"Wait until I help you clear away these annoying troubles, and then I'll go with you to see the wheat fields, the mountains and rivers, whatever scenery you want to see.
You don't have to wake up so early all the time, you can sleep peacefully, I will watch over you."
This is not a frivolous joke, but a serious promise.
It was an emperor's confession to another emperor, putting aside all his status and position, expressing his purest love and care.
At this moment, Liu Jin's defenses completely collapsed.
He didn't say anything, nor did he struggle to free himself from the hand.
He just turned his head slightly to avoid Xiao Ziran's overly passionate gaze, but the strength of his silent grip and the slightly red corners of his eyes said it all.
The moonlight was like water, stretching the figures of the two people holding hands very long.
There was a silent yet surging emotion in the air.
The crisis has not yet been resolved and the road ahead is still full of thorns, but under this quiet moon, a certain bond has been firmly forged and is difficult to break.
The relationship between them is no longer just a simple hatred and resentment, pursuit and escape, but a complex and treacherous power struggle and a crisis of life and death.
The complex and profound emotions that have been tempered - there are indelible shadows of the past, the trust of fighting side by side, the heartache that goes deep into the bones, and the indescribable but increasingly hot attraction and attachment.
This feeling is like a flower blooming quietly in the dark night, fragile yet tenacious, waiting for the moment when dawn comes, and perhaps it will finally bloom.
At this moment, the tightly clasped hands are the unspoken answer between them.
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