Chapter 116: Joys, Sorrows, and Emotions (Second Update)

He stood before the bronze mirror, allowing attendants to dress him in complex, layered robes. He wore a dark-colored garment adorned with a majestic pattern—a dark, flying dragon holding a pearl in its mouth. The dragon’s body seemed to merge into the fabric, making it difficult to discern.

He kept his eyes closed, his exquisite face radiating a cold, sharp aura. His long, slender eyelashes stood out against his shut eyelids.

"However, the Regent of the Cheng Kingdom is currently showing an inclination to assist the Ji Kingdom. This is not favorable for us," Elder Yue reported, relaying the intelligence gathered by the Dark Pavilion. "Your Majesty is surely aware that the overall situation in the Cheng Kingdom has always been controlled by the Regent."

"Elder Yue seems quite dissatisfied with the Cheng Regent?" Suddenly, Zuoqiu Liye opened his eyes, his narrow, beautiful phoenix eyes fixed steadily on Elder Yue’s gentle, harmless-looking gaze.

"I am merely reporting the truth. Though, since Your Majesty puts it that way, I must admit such sentiment exists," Elder Yue replied unhurriedly, his tone so mild that one might believe he was incapable of holding a grudge.

Yet, ever since the Cheng Regent had snatched Yueying away from his control, he had tasted the bitterness of defeat and harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Cheng Feng.

Seeing that the elder neither denied nor concealed his feelings, Zuoqiu Liye remarked, "Since the Cheng Kingdom intends to unite with the Ji Kingdom, then the Dan Kingdom is the ally we must win over."

"Does Your Majesty mean... the Crown Prince of Dan?" Elder Yue immediately grasped his intent.

"Since he also desires Little Xue, he is an enemy to the Ji Kingdom." He was also an enemy to him, but the enemy of an enemy is a friend. "Do you remember the current crisis in the Dan Kingdom? Was it not the handiwork of Ji Wuqing? Thus, Ji Wuqing and Dan Ying are already at odds. If the Dan Kingdom and the Ji Kingdom are irreconcilable, there is naturally room for cooperation between the Dan Kingdom and the Wu Kingdom."

He stood before the bronze mirror, his long, dark hair cascading down to his ankles.

The dark-colored robe accentuated his exceptionally fair skin, while his crimson lips bloomed as wantonly and brightly as flowers in early summer.

Yet, that appearance remained an eyesore—a face more enchanting and bewitching than any woman’s; even when he wore a cold expression, he appeared exceptionally cold and alluring.

Suddenly, the attendant dressing him accidentally snagged a strand of his hair. The minor slip caused the servant to tremble and drop to his knees. "Your Majesty, please forgive me! This slave was clumsy and careless. Please, Your Majesty, spare me!"

He kowtowed repeatedly, having heard of the fates of those who had served the Sovereign before. His excessive nervousness had led to his hands becoming clumsy, resulting in the snagged hair.

However, Zuoqiu Liye laughed instead of showing anger. "If your hands and feet are so clumsy, what use is there in keeping them?"

The attendant was dragged away mercilessly, his body going limp with terror; he lacked even the strength to beg for mercy, oblivious to the fate that awaited him.

Seeing this, Elder Yue withdrew, leaving Zuoqiu Liye alone before the mirror, lost in thought.

Just as Elder Yue exited the main tent, Gongshen Ling’er, dressed in a long purple gown, approached. Her pace was hurried, her expression gloomy; it was clear she had come in anger.

"Young Mistress." As they passed each other, Elder Yue stopped her. "This is not a good time to go to His Majesty."

Hearing this, Gongshen Ling’er looked at him, her beautiful eyes filled with disappointment and fury. "You knew all along, didn't you?"

"If the Young Mistress is referring to Elder Jin, I am indeed aware," Elder Yue nodded, his gaze calm, his gentleness devoid of any fluctuation.

"So, I was the only one who didn't know." Upon hearing Elder Yue’s words, she grew unnervingly calm, the corners of her mouth curving into a self-deprecating arc. "I should have known. Zuoqiu would never tolerate Elder Jin pointing fingers at him. I just didn't expect him to be truly so heartless."

"It is not just the suspicion of an emperor. Has the Young Mistress never doubted Elder Jin? He has always wanted to seize control of the court and manipulate the Sovereign. This is hardly the conduct of a loyal subject."

"Do not speak such nonsense!" Gongshen Ling’er scolded him.

"It is only that the Young Mistress refuses to see clearly..." Elder Yue did not take offense, but added meaningfully, "His Majesty is troubled at the moment; it would be best if the Young Mistress did not go and invite his displeasure." With that, he turned and walked away.

Left standing in place, Gongshen Ling’er clenched her fists, finally loosening them before turning to leave the main tent.

Since Zuoqiu was clearly determined not to save Elder Jin, what use was there in finding him?

Ji Kingdom, Royal Palace.

Ever since Ji Wuqing returned to the palace, he had been actively deploying troops for the war against the Wu Kingdom. The Wu army had already reached the border, which was nothing short of a provocation and a declaration of war.

And Ji Wuqing’s intention was to lead the campaign in person.

This move was met with opposition throughout the court. The King is the master of the nation; how could he personally risk his life?

However, Ji Wuqing’s mind was made up; he would lead the army to war in a few days.

Anxue Palace.

She had been back in the palace for several days, constantly adapting—adapting to treat this prosperous place as her home, the final destination of her life.

In truth, it was not as difficult as she had imagined, for Ji Wuqing and Little Xi’er were both here.

Yet, Ji Wuqing had been very busy these past few days, only joining her for meals before heading to the study to work, presumably because the matters between the Ji and Wu Kingdoms were becoming imminent.

She rested her head on her hand, a trace of fatigue showing on her face. War was not as simple as she had imagined, especially a war between two nations; it was bound to be incredibly cruel and realistic. She wondered how he would cope.

"Xue’er seems particularly troubled." A voice sounded; Ji Wuqing had entered the room and quietly walked up to her.

"How could that be? I was clearly just relaxing." She sat up, subtly placing an object from her lap behind her back. However, Ji Wuqing had seen it clearly. He sat beside her and pulled the object from behind her.

"Your husband saw it quite clearly. Xue’er was hiding something good from me." He held the item in his hand; it was clearly a robe. "Did you make this for me?" His eyes revealed a hint of anticipation and pleasant surprise.

Those dark, deep eyes were bright, almost sparkling.

"This was just something to pass the time; it’s not finished yet..." Since he had discovered it, Xue Xue did not try to hide it, though a hint of unnaturalness appeared on her plain face.

"Oh? So it was just to pass the time." Ji Wuqing replied as if he understood, his tone losing a bit of enthusiasm.

"I remember someone saying a long time ago that if I were too bored, I might as well make him a sleeping robe. Was that just talk?" Xue Xue tilted her head, took the robe from his hands, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Every word I have said to Xue’er has never been a joke." Suddenly, the person beside her wrapped his arms around her, his nose gently nuzzling her cheek. "Although the pattern... uh, I suppose the pattern isn't finished yet, I am already impatient to try it on."

He reached out to flip through the robe, puzzled by the strange embroidery, yet his eyes still brimmed with delighted tenderness.

She helped him change, removing his ink-colored outer robe and replacing it with the smoke-green one she had personally tailored. The robe was well-cut, and paired with the irregular embroidered patterns, it looked quite novel.

Suddenly, the hands that had been helping him dress gently embraced his waist. She stood behind him, her petite form enveloped by his back, with only her delicate hands and red sleeves visible.

"You are going to lead the campaign yourself. Are you prepared?" she asked softly. Although she tried hard not to discuss this issue with him, she could not help but ask.

"Just wait for my triumphant return." Ji Wuqing reached out and covered her small hands, his tone and voice filled with an indescribable gentleness.

"What if I want to go too?"

"Nonsense," he reprimanded her softly. He wasn't truly angry; he just didn't want her to take this nonsense seriously.

"Stingy," Xue Xue said lightly, a touch of melancholy in her voice.

The two fell silent. She held him, and the atmosphere slowly cooled, as if they were about to part ways at any moment. Yes, they had finally been together for so little time, and now he was going away again. Who knew when he would return?

How could her heart not be troubled?

"I didn't expect Xue’er to be so willful. If you keep acting like this, I won't be able to help but soften my heart. Don't give me a reason to soften, will you?" He pulled her in front of him, his movements domineering but not rough.

He took one of her small hands, his other arm around her shoulder. "The affairs of the palace are left to you. If the inner court is not at peace, I cannot be at ease while abroad. Your responsibility is great."

"You are coaxing me," Xue Xue said seriously. She was not a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl who needed to be coaxed like this.

Just now... just now she had merely been acting on impulse. She hadn't expected that she, Xue Xue, would have such a reckless side. It seemed she had been poisoned by a toxin called "Ji Wuqing."

"So you like me that much, wanting to cling to me every single moment, right?" The Sovereign was fully demonstrating the highest realm of shamelessness.

He made it sound as if she were pestering him, her roots of affection planted deep to an extreme degree.

"If I said yes, would you let me go?" Xue Xue was not shy at all, her face earnest.

"Of course not."

"I know," Xue Xue nodded, "So I was just saying it casually, don't take it seriously."

"Are you angry?" Ji Wuqing immediately found it somewhat amusing. He looked at Xue Xue’s awkward little face. "My lady, don't be angry. You cannot be angry without my consent. Don't you know that if you get sick from anger, you'll have to compensate me?"

"I need your consent to be angry?" Xue Xue was clearly amused by his words.

"Even you belong to me, so your joys and sorrows naturally belong to me as well," the Sovereign said shamelessly.