Can I Uninstall This Dating System!? chapter 104

Chapter 104: Harboring Improper Thoughts

After the fall of the city and the occupation of the Xindu Palace, Ying Xi pushed forward with various tasks at the highest possible speed.

First, he proclaimed to the world that Jiangnan and Jiangbei were unified and that the rebel regime no longer existed. This decree spread out from Xindu in all directions.

Next came the logistical arrangements for the matters within the city.

There were roughly three categories of affairs Ying Xi needed to handle: the commoners, the officials, and the rebel imperial family.

The commoners were the easiest to settle. All citizens were encouraged to resume production. For those whose homes were destroyed due to the war, the Imperial Court dispatched soldiers to help with repairs.

Throughout the campaign, the Imperial army had always operated this way; the troops were well-versed in the routine. Even while deep within the Xindu Palace, Ying Xi could hear the sounds of construction echoing from near and far as he worked.

The settlement of officials was more complicated.

Ying Xi could not guarantee who among the officials still yearned for their old master, or who might harbor rebellious thoughts against the court due to changes in their treatment.

He had to be heartless, sending some officials away from their ancestral lands and weeding out many who lacked capability. It was a move that invited much resentment, yet he had no choice.

Finally, he had to deal with the rebel imperial family.

If Li Yilong’s massive harem had been a great burden to Xindu, that burden had now fallen squarely onto Ying Xi’s shoulders.

There were over forty concubines, numerous princes and princesses, and the various palaces were still filled with elderly nannies and eunuchs…

The roster of the Jiangnan rebel imperial family sat on Ying Xi’s desk; its thickness was enough to crack someone’s skull if thrown.

Killing them would wound the harmony of heaven, but letting them go would leave behind future troubles.

He did not want a day to come where some rebel would simply grab one of Li Yilong’s sons and set up a new base for rebellion. He could not give those scoundrels such an opportunity.

The nannies and eunuchs were disbanded on the spot; he couldn’t afford to keep them.

As for the imperial clan, Ying Xi decided to temporarily bring them back, packed together on a single ship.

The Longwu Army’s station remained outside the city.

With the return journey imminent, Xie Qianli was organizing military affairs. Before long, once the Emperor issued the order, he would have to lead the Emperor back to Chang’an.

Today, the Longwu Army had a special guest: General Xie Meng.

Sponsored

Once they returned to Chang’an, they would likely be separated by vast distances again. The two brothers met for a small gathering in the camp, having the mess kitchen fry up a few dishes.

Xie Meng was a hearty eater and drinker, especially bold with his wine. Even with an injured arm, it didn’t stop him from lifting a wine jar with his other hand while resting his left foot on a low stool. Gulp, gulp.

The room was thick with the scent of alcohol, and Xie Meng’s voice boomed like a bell:

“Brother, another toast!”

“Come, come, lift another jar—you don’t know, this Jiangnan yellow wine only has the taste of alcohol; its kick is far weaker than what we have in Chang’an. They talk about it being… right, ‘mellow and soft,’” Xie Meng exhaled a breath of wine. “It’s just not as satisfying as the stuff that burns your throat.”

Being in the military, how could one not know how to drink?

Xie Qianli’s alcohol tolerance was excellent, but he still held down Xie Meng’s wine jar. “Brother, you have injuries. You shouldn’t drink too much.”

Since there were only the two of them in the room, Xie Meng laughed loudly. “Hahahaha! You’ll save your future wife a lot of worry; you manage yourself so well.”

Xie Qianli froze. He did indeed have more self-control than others, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that his brother couldn’t stay away from that topic.

Marriage.

Xie Meng put down the jar and let out a sigh. “Are there no beautiful girls in Chang’an? Not a single one caught your eye???”

“With your status as a Duke, your military merits, and the Emperor’s deep favor, are your conditions not solid enough?”

“If they think you’re cold and fierce, then let the matchmakers tell them that the Duke of England treats his own people and animals exceptionally well. That falcon of yours—it was a sick bird you picked up outside the falconry after a soldier threw it out, yet you insisted on saving it.”

[Chirp, chirp, chirp.]

Being mentioned for his dark history, the “Lord Falcon” covered his face with his wings.

Xie Qianli shook his head slightly. Urging someone to marry seemed to be an innate skill of married elders. Xie Qianli remained silent.

“Ju’er!”

“Big Brother.”

The alcohol was starting to hit Xie Meng; his face flushed, and he looked ready to lose his filter.

“Listen… well,” Xie Meng whispered vaguely. “Our Xie family has gone through several generations; our military merits have reached their peak. The Emperor has nothing left to grant you. Is he supposed to make you a Prince?”

Sponsored

“If you keep burying yourself in military affairs, staying a lone man with no attachments, I fear it will have the opposite effect and—”

Xie Meng lowered his voice even further: “You’ll instead make the Emperor suspect you have other intentions.”

Xie Meng hooked his arm around Xie Qianli’s shoulder. “Do you have improper thoughts?”

Xie Qianli’s throat bobbed slightly.

…Actually, he probably did.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a way no one would notice.

Xie Meng demanded, “Do you or not!”

“I don’t.”

Xie Meng laughed and slapped Xie Qianli’s broad shoulder. “Good lad! You can’t have them! Our Xie family has been loyal for generations; we cannot rebel against the Emperor!”

“So, for the sake of long-term planning and keeping the Emperor’s trust stable, we should intermarry with the imperial family for generations.”

Xie Meng’s voice rose again sheepishly: “Did the Emperor not grant you a princess? The Emperor’s sister must be a beauty.”

“It did not come to pass.”

Xie Meng was shocked. “Why???”

He originally wanted to say he wasn’t interested, but his cousin Huachao’s reputation was important.

He took the blame: “Her appearance is beautiful, but I am not worthy. I am away from home year-round; it would only cause her worry.”

“Aiya!!!”

Xie Meng was so frustrated he wanted to hit him with the wine jar.

But this was the Longwu Army’s station; even as an older brother, he had to give his sibling some face.

After all, nine out of ten soldiers in the Longwu Army didn’t know that once their majestic commander stripped off that silver shell, he was actually a bit of a blockhead inside.

Xie Meng stomped his foot. “Even though I haven’t been back to Chang’an, I’ve heard the Emperor has a particularly beloved sister. The Emperor wasn’t willing to marry her off far away and repeatedly snubbed the Barbarian King’s face, making the Barbarian King howl with rage. If you married the little princess, wouldn’t you have another death-exemption tablet?”

Sponsored

After speaking, Xie Meng listed countless other reasons to marry a princess.

Xie Qianli knew that if he didn’t let him finish, his brother would be unhappy, and any rebuttal would only bring more persuasion. Under Xie Meng’s overwhelming verbal induction, he actually remained unmoved.

If one day Xiao Xi wants my life…

Then it’s fine if I die.

Such inner thoughts were known only to himself and not for others to hear.

He also knew that the person he liked cared about him. Thinking of Ying Xi was like having a cold room suddenly illuminated by moonlight.

Xie Qianli’s lips curled up again.

Xie Meng suddenly slammed the table:

—“Have you taken a fancy to the Emperor instead?!”

Xie Qianli’s heart skipped a beat.

The wine jar gave a great bounce; his heart was filled with shock.

Xie Meng immediately realized his drunken slip of the tongue—making a joke about the Emperor. He quickly lowered his voice and returned to summarizing his stance.

“The Emperor can give you everything, but he can’t be your wife. You still have to get a wife.”

“Tell me, if you don’t marry and the Emperor doesn’t marry, the two of you will be like two bare branches. What will happen in the future?” Xie Meng hummed a little tune with his wine-breath and pushed the jar away. “Forget it, you’re still serving by the Emperor’s side; I’ll save my strength to drink at your future wedding.”

Xie Qianli took the jar away just in time.

His brother had drunk quite a bit. He opened the door and ordered Lian Qing to take him back.

When the door opened, the first thing he heard was a major event in the city: His Majesty was bringing all of Li Yilong’s concubines back to Chang’an.

“Those forty-plus concubines… many of them are peerless beauties.”

“No wonder His Majesty doesn’t marry. Is it more valuable to conquer other people’s women?”

Lian Qing whispered as he supported Xie Meng, constantly observing Xie Qianli’s reaction as if his intuition could sense something.

Sponsored

Xie Qianli said coldly, “Have you had too much to drink as well?”

Lian Qing felt a cold sweat on his back from that one look and quickly lowered his head. “This subordinate will see General Xie Meng back to his camp.”

After handling his duties, Xie Qianli entered the Xindu Palace before nightfall.

“General Xie!” the soldiers guarding the door greeted him.

“Mn. Is His Majesty still handling affairs?”

“He rested for half an hour this afternoon and walked around the palace. Now he’s listening to a report from young General Lu.”

The soldier whispered, “Young General Lu said Li Yilong has many beautiful concubines and suggested bringing them to fill the rear palace; the returning ships shouldn’t be too small.”

Xie Qianli frowned. “Understood.”

His state of mind was completely different from a while ago.

Before, his love was against propriety, and the object of his secret affection possessed absolute freedom.

Now, he knew Ying Xi liked him a little—even if just a little.

He had fired his arrow, and there was no turning back.

As for how much that “liking” could reach, and whether it was unique, he had to earn it himself.

“Have the medical officer bring the medicinal soup.”

“Yes.” The soldier went off.

A short while later, the soldier returned.

The door to the room wasn’t closed, and they weren’t discussing secrets. Lu Hehu was still continuing enthusiastically, “Your Majesty needs someone close to your heart; otherwise, when you’re tired or ill, there’s not even anyone to serve you soup or medicine.”

Xie Qianli entered the room.

Phrasing it delicately, his voice was warm and deep: “This subject is on duty at the door tonight. I’ve also brought His Majesty’s medicinal soup.”

Ying Xi lifted his eyes, waves of light flowing within them.

Sponsored

Lu Hehu froze slightly. Connecting the words before and after, he was inexplicably stifled, yet he couldn’t say anything, only blinking a few times.

Ying Xi: “I will return in a few days. Xizhou’s geographical location is important; Hehu must guard it well and not fail my trust. You may go.”

“Yes.” Little Lu said tearfully, “The next time we meet will be for the year-end debriefing. Please take care, Your Majesty.”

Little Lu wiped his tears and withdrew.

Ying Xi’s mind was delicate. Tasting the words just now, he lowered his eyes to look at the bowl of medicine. The liquid reflected Ying Xi’s exquisite features.

For some reason, a playful thought arose, and he said lightly, “General Xie, I intend to take away Li the rebel’s concubines.”

Xie Qianli’s dark eyes flickered.

“The rebel Li lost his state because of his massive harem. Your Majesty is not the rebel Li; bringing those concubines back surely serves another purpose.”

“Mn, they are useful.” Ying Xi used a spoon to stir the bitter medicine, his voice trailing upward. “Shall I grant you a few?”

Xie Qianli was stunned. “This subject…”

He was truly stiff for a moment. His “heart’s desire” was still thinking about granting a marriage; Xie Qianli wracked his brains for words to refuse.

Ying Xi’s voice, however, grew cold: “Do you want them?”

Xie Qianli sighed, speaking carefully, “This subject does not want them.”

Ying Xi’s lips curved slightly. “I knew it. I was just joking with you. Bring Li Yilong in from outside.”

Outside the study, two Longwu guards pushed the bound former Jiangnan Sovereign into the room.

Li Yilong possessed martial skills and was quite cunning, which was why Ying Xi only summoned him when Xie Qianli was by his side.

“Kneel!”

The former Jiangnan Sovereign was forced down before the desk in the Xindu Palace. Li Yilong’s face was full of emotion.

“Your Majesty…”

“I once heard you started your rise with benevolent governance. Have you thought about why everyone turned against you?” Ying Xi asked.

Sponsored

Recently in his cell, Li Yilong always dreamed of Rui-niang and those brothers who had fought alongside him.

The dead were gone, and the glory was no more. Li Yilong sighed, “Your Majesty has elite troops and ample grain, and many famous generals under your command.”

“Your ‘famous general’ stabbed my beloved general, and Che Chengren killed countless of my subordinates. Is that the answer?”

Li Yilong remained silent.

In the lamplight, that beautiful face radiated a cold majesty.

Ying Xi lifted the roster:

“Because your greed was insatiable.”

“Before your career had even taken shape, you granted eight Great Princely titles.”

“You have nearly a hundred children and dozens of concubines. You used the excuse that if you died, the state would have an inheritance, but why not just admit you were lustful?”

“Killing meritorious officials, imprisoning military families, and employing petty men—everything revolved around your own considerations. I truly find it laughable.”

Back then outside Linchuan City, Li Yilong had nearly made him die of anger.

Ying Xi’s revenge never failed to arrive.

“A large ship will carry all of you to the capital. I will build a tall wall; naturally, someone will arrange work for you. You have many wives, many children, and many blessings; you shall raise those hundreds of people yourself. Whether your household is harmonious or not, and whether you live or die, has nothing to do with me.”

“Minister Li, eat the fruit you planted yourself.”

[Sweetie System: Pfft—!]

[Sweetie System: Is he going to be torn apart by his concubines?] the system tsk-tsked.

The Emperor didn’t need to punish him further.

After Li Yilong returned to the capital, he would face massive financial expenses, sinking into endless fatigue, the nagging of concubines, and the despair of wanting to die but being unable to—until his life was shortened.

Li Yilong’s face turned gray. Rui-niang’s words echoed in his ears once more: “Yi-lang, live on; only then can you save more people from fire and water.”

He was the one who changed. After he became successful, he became the fire and water for the people, and finally, his own fire and water.

Sponsored

And what could he resent Ying Xi for?

Ying Xi hadn’t even killed him.

No one in the world would feel pity for him working himself to death; they would only praise Ying Xi’s sagacity.

Li Yilong was dragged out the door by the Longwu guards like a living corpse, his cries—sounding like both laughter and weeping—echoing in the corridor.

Xiao Xi is glowing, Xie Qianli thought.

The one he loved possessed beauty and wisdom that surpassed all under heaven. Only a tiny possibility remained for him to belong to himself in the future.

He had to cross the river by feeling the stones—get closer, then a little closer.

It was getting late. Xie Qianli leaned down to bid Ying Xi goodnight. Seeing that Xiao Xi was in a good mood, he helped him organize the desk.

Attempting to stop the Emperor’s work was something even Yu Lianjing didn’t dare do.

Yet he cautiously reduced the sense of intrusion, closing the memorials one by one.

“Rest. Now that the trivial matters of Xindu are handled, we should return to Chang’an.”

Ying Xi watched his actions and tilted his head slightly.

The Emperor’s heart was hard to fathom, and the heart of a loved one was even harder to guess. Xie Qianli’s heart was suspended; slow-simmering was the sweetest torture.

But what could he do?

It was like approaching a butterfly that was easy to startle.

“Ju’er, here.”

Ying Xi took a perfect leaf with a rounded tip from under the desk drawer and handed it to Xie Qianli.

“This is a tallow leaf (Wujiu). It only grows in Jiangnan; Chang’an doesn’t have them. In autumn, the tallow leaves turn red. It’s a pity you won’t see it. You’ll just have to imagine them filling the forests, looking like a fire everywhere.”

Xiao Xi must have picked it up while walking in the palace.

Xie Qianli took the leaf, holding the stem and spinning it a few times.

Sponsored

A northern man, because of the favor of his beloved, was able to experience the autumn of Jiangnan in advance.

Xiao Xi, already the Emperor, seemed to reveal a bit of the innocent posture he’d had when they first met.

—So… when will I be able to hold you legitimately?

Volume 3: Thrusting Left and Charging Right — END (ahem~)

📖 Return to Table of Contents

« Previous Chapter | Next Chapter »