Chapter 88: You are Truly Difficult to Raise
Lin Yue returned to the diplomatic mission in a state of dazed disbelief.
“Lord Lin, where is the Princeās Heir? What time is it, and yet youāre wandering around with two bunches of grapes?”
The members of the Yuāan diplomatic mission were all trusted confidants of Yun Tianqing. The one speaking was their representative, his face a mirror image of Lin Yueās own previous anxiety and worry.
Lin Yue looked down, as if only just realizing he was holding two bunches of grapes. He looked back up and said woodenly, “The Princeās Heir gave them to me.”
The confidant was pleasantly surprised. “The Princeās Heir is alright?”
“He is fine.” Lin Yue paused for a moment. “Do you think itās possible that the Songxuan Emperor is truly sincere toward our Princeās Heir?”
The confidant looked at him as if he had seen a ghost. He reached out and gave Lin Yueās face a fierce pinch.
“Ah! Let go! Let go! It hurts! What are you doing?”
The confidant released him. “Itās the original version, and you don’t smell like much alcohol. Why are you talking nonsense in broad daylight? Did you hit your head somewhere?”
Lin Yue: “…”
Princeās Heir, don’t blame me for not believing it. Look at this, just look!
The confidant knew Lin Yue well. Seeing that his reaction didn’t suggest any harm had befallen the Princeās Heir, he took a moment to mock him before asking urgently, “How is the Princeās Heir really? What did he say to you?”
Lin Yue rubbed his stinging face, his eyes darting toward the other man with hidden “daggers.” He sneered, “The Princeās Heir has grand ambitions and far-reaching vision. His heart is vast, and his thoughts are at a realm far beyond our reach. I believe we should…”
“Get to the point!” The confidant agreed with the first two sentences, but as the man droned on, he realized he wasn’t saying anything useful. He delivered a backhanded smack to Lin Yueās back, nearly making him bite his tongue.
Lin Yue wanted to say more, but seeing the confidantās raised hand, he composed himself and said seriously, “The Princeās Heir is staying in the State of Songxuan to be the Emperor. The Songxuan Emperor is deeply infatuated with himāso mesmerized that he can’t tell north from south anymore.”
As expected, he saw the confidantās expression shift into one of confusion, shock, and suspicion.
After a long silence, the confidant studied Lin Yueās head. “Did you really hit your head?”
Lin Yue: “Heh.”
After sending Lin Yue off with the grapes, Yun Wuxiang leaned back into the chaise lounge to rest.
Bold birds gradually landed on the ground, occasionally letting out a few crisp chirps.
Suddenly, the sound of many wings flapping echoed as the birds were startled into the sky.
A large shadow fell over him. Yun Wuxiang half-opened his eyes and looked at the person blocking his sunlight. “Have you finished playing?”
“Iām bored of it. Those old faces don’t have a single fresh expression on them.” Song Yilou bent down and directly hoisted the chaise lounge onto his shoulders, carrying both the man and the chair into the room.
The doors swung shut. Two “Double Happiness” characters were pasted neatly and symmetrically on the door panels.
Song Yilou busily brought over a set of bright red wedding robes. He pressed one leg onto the chaise lounge, his fingers hooking into Yun Wuxiangās belt. “Let me help A-Yun change.”
It was already afternoon, but Yun Wuxiang was still wearing light and comfortable casual clothes.
“Emperor” and “Wedding Robes”āthese two terms combined represented unparalleled refinement and luxury, as well as complexity and weight.
Yun Wuxiang didn’t particularly want to wear them, but Song Yilou looked full of anticipation. Before he could say anything, his belt had been pulled away, and his sleeves were tugged up to his elbows.
His movements were clumsy and frantic. Yun Wuxiang swatted away the “claw” that was about to tear his clothes, then sat up. His loosened garments draped naturally, revealing half of his chestāthe partial concealment only inviting more imagination.
Knowing there was a fellow beside him who had been eyeing his physical body with predatory intent for a long time, Yun Wuxiang felt no embarrassment or need to hide. He calmly and naturally brushed aside a lock of long hair that had slipped into his collar and was itching his skin.
Suddenly, the back of his hand felt moist. The white skin reflected a vivid redāexceptionally striking. Yun Wuxiang shifted his gaze upward to Song Yilouās face. He was surprised for a moment, then his lips curled into a light chuckle. “Go to the side and clean up your nosebleed.”
Song Yilou wrinkled his nose and ran sullenly to the basin to wash his face. When he returned to the room, Yun Wuxiang had already changed into the inner layer of the wedding robes and was tying the final cord.
“How can you change by yourself? Take it off! Let me do it!” Song Yilou strode to Yun Wuxiangās side and grabbed him. With a rrrip, a long tear appeared in the inner layer of the wedding robe.
Yun Wuxiangās brow quirked. His eyes swept over the man holding half of his torn sleeve, a smile playing on his lips. “Youāll do it?”
At this moment, that smile carried a hint of mockeryāshallow but piercing. it was enough to easily stir some unpleasant thoughts buried deep within the other groom’s heart.
Song Yilou stared at that pale yet undeniably alluring neck. He opened his mouth and lunged forward, leaving two rows of teeth marks.
If only Yun Wuxiangās body could withstand the tossing…
“How about I just let you die?” To indulge in pleasure for a single moment, following one’s whims, looking only at the present and ignoring the consequencesāthat was what the world-renowned Tyrant of Songxuan would do.
“A grand wedding, the bridal chamber, and then a shared burial. I haven’t slept in a coffin yet.” Song Yilouās voice trailed upward at the end, sounding vaguely excited.
Yun Wuxiang grabbed the hair of the person at his neck and pulled him away. Holding him by the hair to steady his head, he examined those dark, hollow eyes. The corners of Song Yilou’s eyes were drooping, and his expression wasn’t as lively as his voice. Amidst the chaotic, messy emotions, Yun Wuxiang seemed to see a trace of… grievance?
This man was actually feeling aggrieved, even though he was the one who had torn the clothes, bitten the neck, and was the one being asked to die together.
Yun Wuxiangās brow furrowed slightly as he sighed, “You are truly difficult to raise.”
Song Yilou didn’t say a word, just stared at him intently. As he stared, his gaze drifted to the bite marks on the neck, then slid further down…
“Let the Imperial Physician prescribe some pills for you to clear your heart and limit your desires. Or I can prescribe them for you.” Yun Wuxiang thought this was a good idea.
Song Yilou snapped back to reality and glared. “I don’t want to be a monk!”
Such a familiar statement. Yun Wuxiang said, “I also cannot die just yet. I haven’t seen the Black-and-White Floating Life Flower.”
“Once you have that flower, we can consummate the marriage, right?” Song Yilou asked.
Yun Wuxiang nodded. “We can, but you haven’t learned yet…”
Song Yilou: “Learned what?”
Yun Wuxiang didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached out and grasped Song Yilouās wrist. He studied Song Yilou with a research-like gaze and asked casually, “You know martial arts. What cultivation technique did you learn?”
“I don’t know. I just snatched one. Was it some Great Art or a Holy Scripture?” Song Yilou tilted his head to recall. “When I was out wandering, someone killed my horse to steal the technique. So, I caught that person and used them as a horse. They did run faster than a horse.”
Yun Wuxiang: “And the technique?”
“After I learned it, I burned it in front of that human horse. He actually called me enlightened and wanted to pledge loyalty to help me build a prosperous era.” Song Yilou curled his lip in disdain. “He was too noisy, so I threw him to the border to fight your sister.”
“Interesting.” Yun Wuxiang withdrew his hand.
This Small World was truly fascinating; it could actually make iron wood bloom and stubborn stones gain enlightenment.
Even Song Yilou could teach himself a cultivation technique.
In that case, the opportunity should not be wasted.
“From today on, you will learn a few sets of techniques from me.”
“Iām not learning. Today we should be in the bridal chamber,” Song Yilou resisted. Who would want to learn cultivation techniques on their wedding day?
Yun Wuxiang: “Dual cultivation techniques. Are you sure you won’t learn?”
Song Yilou: !
A fierce, bright torch of interest lit up in his dark eyes.
An hour later, the torch had been extinguished into ash.
“What kind of dual cultivation technique is this? Who showed this to you? That person must be a liar! What kind of dual cultivation only talks about meridian circulation?!” Song Yilou quit. This was not the “dual cultivation” he had imagined!
“Meridian circulation is essential for every technique…” Before Yun Wuxiang could finish, he was hoisted up by Song Yilou and pinned onto the bed. The man’s dark and ruthless expression finally matched that of the legendary tyrant.
“Yun Wuxiang, is it fun to toy with me?”
Yun Wuxiang remained composed. “This is simply my method of teaching.”
Song Yilou said fiercely, “I saw you secretly smiling just now!”
“…You saw wrong.”
“Impossible!”
“Alright, though I may have committed a slight, insignificant fault, this is indeed a part of dual cultivation. Can you keep your hands still? Are you trying to stir up a fire and then go have another nosebleed?”
Yun Wuxiang knew that Song Yilou was habitually keen on exercising his biological male instincts, but Yun Wuxiang was not. This body couldn’t handle the strain.
He felt another bite on his shoulder, as if the other were venting his dissatisfaction.
Perhaps I should just send him out and wait. Heās already mentally unstable; if he lives like this for another few decadesāno, Song Yilou probably couldn’t endure that long.
Once I finish teaching the techniques, Iāll just kill him.
Wait, letās hold off until Iāve completely brought the State of Songxuan under control.
Yun Wuxiang allowed Song Yilou to pin him down and mess around, his attitude bordering on indulgent. In his heart, he was calculating when would be the most appropriate time to send the man out of the Small World.
His original body was outside; if Song Yilou left too early, there was no telling what he might do.
“Are you spacing out?” Song Yilouās eyes turned red, his human form radiating a trace of the gloominess of a ghost. “Who were you thinking of just now?”
“Thinking of you.” Yun Wuxiang raised a hand and patted Song Yilouās head. After two gentle gestures, he suddenly pressed the head down onto the pillow beside him. “Iām tired. Sleep.”
With that, he closed his eyes, his breathing gradually evening out.
A gaze with an overwhelming presence remained fixed on him, as if trying to stare a hole through him.
“Hmph.”
Once the wedding ceremony was over, the Yuāan diplomatic mission had to return. During this final period, Lin Yue frequently ran to Yun Wuxiangās residence, secretly observing his interactions with Song Yilou.
In the end, he didn’t leave. He only sent back several letters with the others.
“This subject believes that the Princeās Heir… no, Your Majesty, since you wish to take control of the State of Songxuan, you must have your own confidants. I volunteer myself and am willing to follow Your Majesty unto death.”
After receiving Yun Wuxiangās permission to stay, Lin Yue dove headfirst into the Songxuan political scene, becoming the most steadfast leader of the Royalist faction.
This “Royalty” referred only to Emperor Yun. As for Emperor Songxuan, he was already “old history”ātime to turn the page.
Before any waves of opposition could brew, Song Yilou made a round through the court. He smilingly hauled away two typical examples who were shouting the loudest. Their shrill, agonizing screams echoed in the ears of every official present, piercing into their hearts.
The officials fell completely silent. Fineāeven an Emperor with a different surname was better than having Emperor Songxuan return.
Human adaptability is strong. By the third year, the Songxuan capital had already grown accustomed to having two Emperors above them.
Yun Wuxiang also felt it was about time to send Song Yilou out of the Small World, as that man’s unsatisfied gaze was becoming increasingly severe. He would start grinding his teeth on Yun Wuxiang at the drop of a hat, often interrupting his research and handling of official business.
If I send him out, itāll only be a few dozen days out there. The Merman tribe should be able to hold out, right?
Then again, maybe not. I know exactly how much trouble Song Yilou can cause.
Yun Wuxiang postponed the decision once more. Suddenly, he realized that the object of his frustration hadn’t appeared before him for a while. It seemed it had been five days since he last saw Song Yilou.
Five days? Had it been that long?
No, this wasn’t normal.
“Where is Song Yilou?” Yun Wuxiang asked Lin Yue, who had come to discuss official matters.
Lin Yue smiled. “How would this subject know the whereabouts of the Grand Ancestor? So, were you listening to what I just said?”
Yun Wuxiang issued a soul-searching question: “Don’t you think the fact that Song Yilou has been missing for five days is more urgent?”
“What? He was actually willing to leave your side for that long?” Lin Yue was shocked. Having watched these two for three years, he didn’t doubt Song Yilouās infatuation with Yun Wuxiang at all.
After the shock came terror. “Five days! Thatās long enough for him to turn the capital upside down! Are you sure he hasn’t returned?”
Yun Wuxiangās eyes darkened. “He hasn’t.”
In the past, three days was the limit for Song Yilouās solo disappearances.
His voice, deeper than before, echoed in the room: “Search for him.”
“I want to see him alive, or see his corpse.”
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