Chapter 60
When a hand covered his eyes, Xie Ling hadn't reacted yet. His mind was confused, and he vaguely felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't move.
His body was tense, and after His Majesty said that, even he didn't know what he was expecting.
I only felt a faint scent of ambergris, and a kiss fell on his lips.
After a slight pause, his lips were suddenly bitten.
This was the first time that Xiao Huan acted in anger, and all the repeated entanglements in his heart during this period of time converged here.
In an instant, there was a violent storm.
Wang Bao was just about to ask His Majesty whether he wanted lunch, when he walked outside the screen and suddenly saw what the two men were doing, and quickly stepped back.
I was shocked: His Majesty and Master Xie...are they breaking the window paper?
Xie Ling had not expected the price to be this high. His Majesty's breath was still beside him. After a long period of tension, his heart slowly began to beat.
The sound of His Majesty's heartbeat in my ears was also rapid, as if... the person who had just kissed him unexpectedly was as out of control as he was.
Xie Ling pursed her lips, and suddenly heard a slight "hiss", and then she found that her lip seemed to be broken.
After a moment's silence, he heard His Majesty ask.
"Xie Ling, are you scared?"
Are you scared?
The completely unfamiliar Majesty just now was completely different from what he imagined, but was he really scared?
Maybe he knew that His Majesty would not harm him, otherwise he would not have given him the golden medal of immunity from death. Moreover... even Xie Ling didn't know how he could have such inexplicable confidence after such a short period of time, but he still shook his head slightly.
"No."
The action of covering his eyes paused slightly. Xiao Huan didn't expect Xie Ling to trust him so much at this time. He sneered and looked at Xie Ling inexplicably, feeling that the delusion in his heart was released one step further.
There was silence in his ears, and after a long while Xiao Huan finally spoke.
"Don't open your eyes."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The warmth covering his eyes left, and Xie Ling only felt a chill.
His eyelashes were blinking, and although he didn't open his eyes, his heart was beating very fast, which even the system didn't expect.
There was only one thought in my mind - His Majesty. Kissed. Him.
He kissed His Majesty...
The faint scent of ambergris outside faded away, and Xie Ling finally opened his eyes and secretly glanced at the screen.
"Where are you going, Your Majesty?"
Xiao Huan paused for a moment, turned around, and looked at the young man with his lips bitten and red eyes, with a half-smile.
"I'm going to take a bath."
"Are you going?"
"Boom!" Xie Ling's brain exploded again.
Bathing, is that what he meant?
Your Majesty, were you just aroused?
Damn, no wonder he closed his eyes.
Xie Ling's scalp was numb, and he had no idea how to answer. He just closed his eyes and said, "No, that's not necessary."
"I'm fine."
"Your Majesty, please go and wash."
Xie Ling wanted to cover his head with a blanket after hearing this sentence. He didn't come back to his senses until he heard His Majesty seemed to smile and leave.
Ahhhhhhhhh.
So nervous.
"System, help!" Having been single for twenty years, he simply couldn't handle this kind of situation.
The system was blocked for a long time before it was puzzled.
"Aren't you pretty good at surfing the Internet?"
And when he saw the host fishing for the Martial Emperor before, wasn’t he very talented?
Why are you so nervous now?
Xie Ling: …
Can it be the same?
"Surfing the Internet can be done by just talking, but now..." Although it is still talked about now...but it does not mean the same thing.
It was the first time in his life that Xie Ling kissed someone. He still couldn't recover from the shock. He knew without even looking at him that his face was burning hot.
"Although, I was thinking of having a crush on Your Majesty first, and then working hard to pursue Your Majesty."
“But isn’t this progress a bit too fast?”
Fast forward directly to the kiss.
Xie Ling was stunned. He covered his eyes for a long time before peeking outside.
However, the screen blocked his view tightly, and there was a back hall between them so he couldn't hear any noise coming from the bath.
The eunuchs outside were a little surprised to see that Manager Wang had gone in to ask if they needed food, but came out so quickly.
"What happened to Eunuch Wang?"
"Your Majesty is still awake?"
When Wang Bao thought of the secret he had just uncovered, he felt embarrassed. He coughed and shook his whisk.
"Why ask so many questions? Just go and do your own thing."
"Don't go into the inner hall."
The eunuch was a little puzzled: "But if the meal is served..."
Wang Bao: "Your Majesty will tell you when he serves the meal."
"Go down."
The eunuchs all retreated, and Wang Bao also went outside, thinking that it would be bad if His Majesty and Master Xie were seen by others, so this old servant had to guard the Qianyuan Hall well.
However, he was right. His Majesty really liked Young Master Xie.
…
Eunuch Wang waited for a long time, thinking that he would have to wait from dawn to dusk. Unexpectedly, His Majesty came out after a while, still with the steam of bathing on his body.
She frowned when she saw him.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ahem, Wang Bao came back to his senses: "Your Majesty and Master Xie..."
He was stunned for a moment and glanced at it secretly.
"Why is your majesty coming out now?"
Xiao Huan then realized what the old slave had misunderstood: "Xie Ling is still sick, how could I do such a thing."
Wang Bao realized that he had misunderstood and felt a little embarrassed.
"Well, then, Your Majesty."
"Do you need to make something for Master Xie to replenish his body?"
Xiao Huan paused and said, "Go ahead."
Wang Bao was relieved and left. But he could see in his heart that although His Majesty looked pale, he was in a good mood and not as gloomy as yesterday.
As expected, it has to be Master Xie.
Xie Ling, who was admired by Wang Bao, had his head wrapped up at this time, and his mind was full of confusion. After hearing that His Majesty had finished bathing and went out, he was relieved. But after a while, His Majesty came back again.
The presence of another person beside him was particularly obvious. Xie Ling felt that the half of the space he had vacated before was being laid down. When he just raised his head, he was hugged by a hand through the quilt.
The scent of ambergris approached for a moment, and he heard His Majesty say, "I will rest for a while."
After saying that, the person opposite closed his eyes.
Xie Ling felt uncomfortable being hugged through the quilt, and even when His Majesty really fell asleep, he was timid. Whenever he saw the person opposite him, he thought of that... kiss just now.
Xie Ling, whose heart was beating wildly, took a deep breath, but no matter how hard he tried to control himself, he couldn't avoid having random thoughts.
…
In the past two days, everyone has noticed that the atmosphere in the palace has reached a strange balance, and His Majesty has never been as irritable as he was that night.
And Mr. Xie...
Wang Bao looked at Master Xie, who glanced at His Majesty and then looked away, and twitched his lips. He didn't know what these two were playing.
Xie Ling was at a loss now, because he had no idea how to get along with Emperor Wu. No one mentioned the kiss that day which was said to be a "price".
But it couldn't be pretended that it didn't happen. After all, a kiss was a kiss, and it was under those circumstances. Xie Ling took a deep breath and felt uncomfortable doing anything with His Majesty.
All those ordinary actions in the past now seemed to have special meanings, which made his scalp tingle.
"Tongzi, what should I do?"
system:……
"How should I know?"
Each of them was chirping crickets for a long time, but he didn't notice the person at the top.
Xiao Huan looked at the top of Xie Ling's head. He could now calmly accept the fact that Xie Ling did not love him before. However, when he saw that Xie Ling was still struggling because of the kiss that day, his throat rolled slightly.
He cares so much about this kiss and he also has feelings for me.
Thinking of how they were almost at odds with each other that day, he tightened his grip on the book.
After a while, just as I was about to say something, a report suddenly came from outside.
"Your Majesty, the commander of the Eagle Guard requests to see you." The eunuch outside reported.
Xie Ling came back to his senses and finally got out of the embarrassment.
Finally someone is here!
But the Eagle Guard Commander Liang? Xie Ling was stunned for a moment and didn't know what the mysterious Liang who had been elusive had come up with.
Because Lord Liang always came here for confidential matters, the eunuchs had already taken their leave, and even Wang Bao was holding his whisk and preparing to leave.
Xie Ling subconsciously looked at His Majesty, not knowing whether to leave or stay.
"Your Majesty, would you like me to go out for a walk?"
Xiao Huan glanced at him and sneered: "There's nothing you can't listen to."
"Let Liang Chun come in."
He didn't say anything else after he finished speaking. Seeing Eunuch Wang and the others leave, Xie Ling had no choice but to sit down.
After a while, Lord Liang came in. When he saw Master Xie, he was not surprised. He just bowed and then spoke.
"Your Majesty, there is news from the Huns."
I just went to Qingyuan Temple some time ago, and now I’m receiving news?
Xiao Huan narrowed his eyes, raised his hand to take the paper tube, and after opening it, his expression froze slightly.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Xie Ling was a little confused.
Xiao Huan handed him the paper tube without hesitation.
After Xie Ling looked at it, he calculated the time: It turned out to be this time.
The latest news describes the recent developments in the Xiongnu royal court.
"——Uluyan has completely integrated the tribes."
"At the beginning of the month, several major tribes met to discuss the matter, intending to plunder Yinshan City."
This incident did happen in history, and it was the beginning of the Xiongnu's attempt to test Dagan. At first, they just robbed the merchants in the town near Yinshan Mountain to test Dagan's attitude. Then, not long after the second year, they began to harass the border on a large scale.
Xie Ling's face was grim: "Your Majesty, they have started to take action."
The Xiongnu could not maintain long-term stability internally. Even if Wuluyan came to power, the conflicts had to be transferred outside, and Dagan was the only goal at this time.
Xiao Huan sneered: "I have been waiting for them for a long time."
"Liang Chun."
His voice fell, and he frowned and spoke.
"Let the Minister of War, the Minister of Revenue, and General Weiyuan and others enter the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Liang Chun withdrew as ordered.
Xie Ling looked at Emperor Wu: "Your Majesty, are you planning to send troops to Yinshan?"
When did Da Gan start to fight back in history?
It seemed that it was at this time that Xie Ling thought about it carefully. When the news of the Huns' looting first came out, Emperor Wu convened a grand court meeting as soon as possible. However, there were still controversial voices in the court at that time, and the argument lasted for more than ten days.
It was Emperor Wu who decided to send troops this time against all odds, but due to the drag of the court, the troops were dispatched a few days late and failed to completely suppress the Huns.
However, the current situation is much better than it was then. Xiao Huan did not hide the fact: "The Xiongnu's evil ambitions are obvious this time. If I don't send troops, I'm afraid they will think I'm a big shot and easy to bully."
"No matter what, we cannot lose this battle."
Xie Ling nodded without hesitation: "I have the same idea as Your Majesty."
Xiao Huan paused, looked at Xie Ling and calmed down. As expected, Xie Ling always understood him.
He is the only one who can understand himself.
After a while, the Minister of War and several others came in.
When they were hurriedly called over by His Majesty, they didn't understand what was going on. It was only when they came over and saw His Majesty's gloomy face that they felt a pang in their hearts.
It seems that not only is there something wrong, but it is also a serious matter. The Minister of War took a deep breath, as if he had sensed something.
Xiao Huan glanced at them and said directly: "You have already heard the news that I intend to send troops to the Xiongnu in the spring, so I will not say more."
This earth-shattering statement made the adults lower their heads and were shocked.
Your Majesty, this is...
After hesitating for a moment, General Weiyuan stood up and said, "If your majesty has any orders, I will not refuse even if my life depends on it."
Compared with those adults in the court, Chang Yun, who has been stationed there for many years, has already guessed what His Majesty is thinking today.
Sure enough, the next moment His Majesty said, "I did give instructions."
"The Xiongnu are robbing merchants and harming civilians. I want you to send troops to Yinshan."
"At the same time, order the officials of the cities in Yinshan to cooperate."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chang Yun bowed and accepted the order.
Xiao Huan looked at the Minister of Revenue again and said, "The food and grass matters will be handled by the Ministry of Revenue."
"yes."
The Minister of Revenue, who did not dare to refute, also stood up and listened to His Majesty's instructions.
During this period of time, watching the movements in the court, these smart people knew that this day would come, and they quickly accepted it. After all, those who planned to disobey His Majesty were still in the Dali Temple.
The deployment was made one by one in the study, and the few people who were summoned left the hall in a hurry, not daring to delay the important military affairs.
In the Yinshan Mountains, Wuluyan had just tied up a group of merchants and left, but Da Gan had already received the news. According to the communication between the border and the capital, they thought that it would take at least a month for the news to reach the capital, but they didn't expect it to be exposed so quickly.
The defenders of Yinshan City became alert after receiving the order from the imperial court.
"It seems that His Majesty is preparing for a war?" The officials in Anlu City looked at each other.
This was not the first time that the Huns had disturbed the city in recent years, but this time they were particularly brazen.
Because the city had just stopped fighting and was resting, the officials in the city had no choice but to endure it. After the looting, they always exchanged food for people. They thought this time would be the same, but they didn't expect the court to prepare to send troops...
And so fast.
"General Chang is coming along the way, and everyone in the city must cooperate." The governor of Anlu City took a deep breath and made up his mind. This time, the imperial court's dispatch of troops might be a turning point.
After all, their Majesty is not a patient person.
…
Everything was prepared in an orderly manner, and the news was not fully received until the next day at the court. However, His Majesty did not discuss it with them at all, but had already made the appointment directly, and the matter was merely notified to the court officials.
After the grand court meeting, Duke Ningguo and the chief academician of the Imperial College were not surprised at all.
"Your Majesty has finally taken action."
The two of them also supported His Majesty in the court, and this time they were unscathed. It was only after the court session that Zhang Jing and other students learned of the news.
The matter was a topic of discussion in the neighborhood taverns, and Zhang Jing also learned about today's outcome from his father.
I finally realized that His Majesty was probably clearing obstacles for the Huns before.
——From this moment on, preparing for war against the Huns became the top priority.
"Isn't it a bit too much just like this?" He frowned slightly.
Duke Ningguo stroked his long beard and glanced at his son, then sighed. He felt that he was indeed a young man who had never been to the court and did not know his own limitations.
"You only think that Your Majesty has dealt with those teachers in the Imperial College before. But you don't know that the most fundamental reason is that they have different political views from Your Majesty, not just different but contrary to His Majesty."
“That’s the biggest mistake.”
"There can be no room for two opinions on the Xiongnu issue. If there are two opinions, the soldiers and civilians will suffer."
"Your Majesty went against all odds for this very reason."
Zhang Jing was stunned for a moment, but he had never thought about this. It’s just that... even so, his style of doing things is different from that of the current emperor, and it is still difficult to understand.
There are more than one person like Zhang Jing in the court. Although no one dares to oppose it openly, there are still controversies in private.
Xie Ling came back from his teacher's house, but he didn't expect that even his teacher felt that His Majesty's punishment of the Imperial College students was a little too harsh. Xie Ling understood that His Majesty was a hardliner, and at this juncture he couldn't stand seeing someone in the Imperial College teaching students like this, so he naturally expelled them from the Imperial College.
He shook his head slightly, and looking at the sky, he inexplicably felt that His Majesty must be in a bad mood in the palace at this moment. Although he had made preparations long ago, it was difficult for anyone to smile when so many people opposed him, and even accused him of raising a large-scale military campaign.
He paused for a moment, thinking of something on the way back to the palace, and suddenly turned back: "Stop."
"What's wrong with Mr. Xie?" Qian Ming stopped the carriage, looking a little surprised.
Xie Ling glanced at the place he just passed by:
"I see a candy man in front of me, let's go take a look."
"Xiao Qian, please wait a moment."
"Okay, Mr. Xie, go ahead and don't worry."
Qian Ming waited obediently, and after a while he saw Master Xie coming back with two sugar men.
The color of the brown paper package made it impossible to see what was inside. Xie Ling held the thing mysteriously and did not take it out until he reached Qianyuan Hall.
Ever since the accident that day, Xie Ling found that he could enter the Qianyuan Hall without being informed.
When he quietly walked into the main hall, he saw His Majesty bowing his head to deal with memorials. Wang Bao saw him raise his eyes slightly, and just as he was about to report, Xie Ling blocked his way with his hand.
"Shhh."
Wang Bao lowered his head again, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Master Xie walk up to His Majesty, hold his breath slightly, and suddenly reach out to cover His Majesty's eyes.
"Your Majesty, who do you think I am?"
Because of years of surfing the Internet, Xie Ling still has some voice changing skills. The slightly low and hoarse voice surprised Wang Bao.
However, Emperor Wu, whose eyes were covered, remained calm. Who else would dare to cover his eyes at this time?
Moreover, he knew it as soon as Xie Lingren entered the hall. Could this guy really think that his frivolous footsteps could be hidden from a martial artist?
His throat rolled: "Are you back?"
Xie Ling: …
"Your Majesty recognized me?"
The fingertips on his eyes still carried the scent of magnolia, and Xiao Huan chuckled lightly.
"You are the only one in this palace who has this privilege."
These words made Xie Ling blush slightly and he coughed lightly.
“I see.”
"I thought I could amuse your majesty a little."
He slowly withdrew his hand and saw Emperor Wu looking at him.
Xie Ling blinked and pointed to his sleeve.
"Your Majesty, since you guessed so accurately, why don't you guess what I brought back?"
After Master Xie came in, Wang Bao took the eunuchs and walked a little further away, not daring to disturb Master Xie and His Majesty.
Xiao Huan glanced into his sleeves and vaguely saw something placed in the wide sleeves, but he didn't know what it was. He raised his eyebrows slightly but didn't say anything.
Xie Ling coughed lightly: "Your Majesty, please take a guess."
"After being busy for so long, I just want to relax."
Because of the Yinshan robbery, he has been very busy with government affairs these days. He has not rested for a whole day from morning till now. His forehead is throbbing slightly and his eyes are a little sore.
Xiao Huan closed his eyes.
"Cherry fried?"
Xie Ling: …
How come His Majesty served food right away? Is he only good at buying food?
Although, he did buy food, but this sugar painting is still worth appreciating. Xie Ling continued after feeling a toothache.
"Guess again, Your Majesty."
No? Xiao Huan thought about it.
"Sugar-fried fruit?"
Damn it! Xie Ling recalled the aroma he smelled when he passed by and sniffed it in his heart. If it wasn’t for the need to return to the palace as soon as possible, he would have queued up to buy it.
“No.”
Xiao Huan paused for a moment, then noticed that Xie Ling was rustling around with something.
Seeing that His Majesty closed his eyes to rest, Xie Ling simply took out the sugar painting and quietly placed it next to His Majesty's mouth.
In an instant, a slight sweetness of wheat sugar appeared, not as sour as cherry fried. Xiao Huan paused for a moment, opened his eyes and saw the sugar painting in front of him.
Xiao Huan took it and asked, "Why did you buy this?"
Xie Ling was a little embarrassed: "When I was little, my parents would buy me candy whenever I was in a bad mood."
"I thought I'd give it a try on Your Majesty."
Do you think I'm a child?
Xiao Huan choked, but he did not show any disgust. Instead, he lowered his head and looked at the sugar painting.
When he saw the lifelike figure, he paused and knew at a glance who had drawn it.
"I made it myself. It doesn't look very good. But it should taste about the same." Xie Ling felt a little embarrassed when he saw His Majesty staring at the person in the sugar painting, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Is your Majesty feeling better?"
Xiao Huan: ... "When did I ever say I was in a bad mood?"
Xie Ling: You didn’t say it, but everyone knows it.
Their eyes met, and Xie Ling comforted him, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. They just can't understand it for the time being, but they will understand Your Majesty in the future."
Xiao Huan did not respond to this, but only asked: "Did you come here specially to comfort me?"
Xie Ling nodded.
Xiao Huan said calmly: "I am not as fragile as you think." If he really cared so much about gossip, he would have died in the fight for the throne long ago.
Xie Ling certainly knew that Emperor Wu was determined, otherwise he would not have been able to accomplish so many great things.
If it were in the past he would only admire her, but now...it seems to be different.
"Tongzi, I actually have the potential to be in love."
Xie Ling discovered this seriously.
The system looked the host up and down and found nothing wrong.
Xie Ling shook his head, thinking that the system really didn't understand.
After Xiao Huan had a good rest, he just raised his eyes casually, but inadvertently saw the words above Xie Ling's head.
"For example, I certainly know that His Majesty the Emperor Wu is not that fragile."
"But I went out of my way to buy the sugar painting because I really feel sorry for Your Majesty."
This was different from when he tried to please Emperor Wu with the intention of pleasing his superior. Even if Xie Ling was slow-witted, he could sense this.
Treating idols and treating people you like are completely different.
Feeling distressed?
Xiao Huan tightened his hand holding the sugar painting slightly, his eyes darkened, and his fatigue seemed to be relieved a little after reading the previous line of words. But in just a moment, Xiao Huan thought that this guy's heartache might not be what I thought.
I want to confirm it again.
After Xie Ling put down his things, he saw His Majesty suddenly asked.
"Do you remember the price?"
His body stiffened slightly, and without recalling anything, the scene of that night had already appeared in his mind. Xie Ling wanted to raise his eyes, but someone suddenly grabbed the back of his neck.
The slightly cold fingers rubbed the back of the neck twice, making people shudder.
His Majesty was taller than him, and this posture was no different. Xie Ling's heart was pounding, not knowing why His Majesty suddenly did this. This action seemed to bring him back to that day.
Xiao Huan's eyes fell on his face and he looked deeply into Xie Ling's eyes.
When Xie Ling was confused, he said word by word: "If you really feel sorry for me, it will be like that day."
"——Prove it to me."
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