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Finest Servant Chapter 623
🕑 Added 2023-11-05 11:01:55 +0000 UTCChapter 623 I Am Your Eyes
"Wo Lao Gong—"
"Mmm?!"
"Why do you like me?"
"Oh—this, Yueya'er, have I ever said I liked you?!"
"Despicable, lowly, fickle villain! I'll hit you!"
The sound of punches thudded, like the beating of two young hearts. He looked at her with a mischievous smile, suddenly leaned in, and gently kissed her delicate, tempting lips, whispering tenderly, "Don't ask me why I like you, just as you shouldn't ask me why I breathe."
Yueya'er nestled into his embrace, her gaze filled with surprise and delight, her long lashes trembling slightly: "Wo Lao Gong, have the sweet nothings you’ve told me ever been compiled into a book of poetry in Great Hua? Why does every time you sweet-talk me, I feel so blissfully inclined to bite you?!"
"Better not bite, look at me, how am I supposed to face people like this?" He shook his head in feigned distress.
Seeing the vivid marks on his forehead, behind his ears, on his cheeks, and on his chest, Yueya'er let out a chuckle, pressing her soft bosom tightly against his chest, the fullness of it pressing firmly against him, warm and moist, her eyes seductively as if they were about to drip water: "I want you to face people exactly like this! I want the whole world to know, Wo Lao Gong is my man, and will be mine for all eternity!"
"That, how embarrassing! You know, my greatest flaw is my shyness, extreme shyness!" he said, caressing her silky smooth waist, his voice deadly serious, yet floating with emotion.
"It's because of me that you're shy!" Yueya'er laughed softly, taking one of his playful hands and pressing her cheek to his palm. Softly she asked, "My man, how old are you this year?"
His heart felt tender and tingly, his hands wandering over her without aim: "Sixteen!"
Yueya'er laughed: "That's wonderful. You're only a year older than me!"
"No way, can someone be this— developed at fifteen?"
"What's so strange about that? It's certainly better than some people learning to be so shameless by sixteen!"
What a clever girl! Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, inhaling deeply from her hair.
Yujia cradled his hands, burying her face within them, murmuring, "Your Yueya'er is nineteen this year! You mustn’t forget!"
"Forget you? That might as well be forgetting myself!" His eyes glistened slightly, a silent sigh escaping him.
Yueya'er's face lit up with joy, smiling radiantly as she carefully held his palm, examining it for a while. Suddenly, with a pout, she hummed, "Wo Lao Gong, why does the love line on your palm branch off so intricately?!"
"Oh. No way. You must be seeing it wrong!" His eyes widened in panic, hastily attempting to withdraw his hand: "I have always been known for my devoted and steadfast affections. In Great Hua, that is universally acknowledged, lauded by all!"
Yueya'er, annoyed, retorted, "This method of palmistry, it was you who taught me. I've looked very carefully. How could there be a mistake?!"
"Oh—actually, it's like this." His eyes darted around: "These intricate lines are actually what legends call 'nine apertures of the heart, each clear and distinct,' the symbol of the most intelligent people."
"I see you possess a heart with nine apertures, each one brimming with charm," Yueya'er nestled against his chest, playfully thumping his torso with a feigned annoyance. Her gaze fell upon the massive scar on his chest. Suddenly, her eyes softened, and she whispered gently, "You must keep this scar forever. Don't you dare seek out that Fairy Sister to apply ointment to remove it!"
He paused, baffled, and hastily inquired, "Why is that, little sister?"
Yujia slowly pressed her cheek against the deep scar, tears welling up in her eyes, simultaneously crying and laughing. Her eyes shimmered with a gentle tenderness like rippling water: "This is the mark I've carved on you! It remains on your body and etched in my heart, a token of mine, Yueya'er! Whether you hate or love me, I want you to remember me for all eternity!"
This girl, even her imperiousness was endearing. Lin Wanrong smiled silently and pulled her tightly into his embrace, inhaling the fragrance of her hair at his temples.
Under the crescent moon, her skin was as smooth and luminous as shiny satin. Her naked form glowed with a crystalline sheen, like the most beautiful and enticing angel bestowed upon mankind by the heavens.
He gently stroked her snow-white temples, where every tender lock of hair seemed to tug at one's heartstrings. Lin Wanrong gently said, "Little sister, your medical skills are so exceptional, can you restore it, returning your hair to its cloud-like beauty?"
Yujia abruptly looked up, her eyes wide in astonishment. She bellowed furiously, "Why restore it? Do you find it ugly?"
"No, not at all," Lin Wanrong quickly waved his hand, "You are very beautiful indeed! You were already the prettiest girl on the steppes, but now you're even more noble and refined, pure like the white clouds!"
"This is an everlasting testament!" she glared at him fiercely, stating firmly and softly, "If you dare make me forget you again, I will follow it, step by step, no matter the years or lifetimes it takes, I will find you! Do you dare to try me?"
His nose tingled, and he quickly turned his head away, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Do you dare?" Yujia's gaze was profound, her long, powerful legs angrily kicking at his feet, her bare chest standing proudly against the wind, trembling delicately, her figure as enticing as a ripe peach.
The wily Lin Wanrong chuckled awkwardly, not daring to turn his head: "Let's not set a precedent for this, shall we?"
Yueya'er lifted her crystal-like delicate foot and fiercely kicked a few times at the base of his thigh, snorting, "I thought as much! So, I'll bring you fragrant soup tonight, will you come or not?"
"There's the matter of negotiations, many details to iron out—"
Yujia's eyes swirled with tears, she snapped angrily, "Why bring that up now?! I'm just asking if you will come or not—no hesitations. Don't blink, answer me now!"
She lunged forward, grasping his eyelids to prevent him from blinking.
Lin Wanrong nodded hastily, and only then did Yueya'er huff and joyously let him go.
Rubbing his eyes, Lin Wanrong lamented, "My bright eyes were not so big, but now you've artificially turned them into double eyelids, others might not recognize me when I return!"
"As long as I recognize you! Hmph, I'll bring more tomorrow night!"
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "The more you bring, the happier I'll be, best if it's for a lifetime!"
Hearing this, Yujia froze momentarily. She gazed at him gently, her face clearly radiant with joy, yet tears kept falling.
"What's the matter? Don't cry, don't cry. Everything I said is true! If there's a single lie, may the heavens strike me with lightning. May I meet a terrible end!" Lin Wanrong's heart ached, and he hurriedly embraced her, gently patting her smooth shoulders.
"I know. I know everything!" Yujia cried and laughed at the same time, tightly hugging him and said, "Wo Lao Gong, will you always remember me?"
"Of course!"
"Will you always miss me?"
"Is there any doubt?!"
"Then why won't you kiss me?!"
Caught off guard, his lips were fiercely seized by hers. Her lips were like a naked, beautiful serpent, her smooth arms wrapped around his neck, her slender legs pressed tightly against the bend of his legs, her flawless peaks changing shape constantly under the pressure of their bodies. She kept moaning and murmuring...
Another tremor! It had been seven or eight times now, the sky was almost light, was there no end to this?!
Nalan and Xiangxue, a few Turkic girls, glanced subtly, their cheeks blushing as they slowly knelt down!
...
Dawn had broken. The wide imperial carriage that stood on the border had been silent for a long time, and the pink curtains were finally drawn slowly. A head peeked out, cautiously scanning the surroundings before tiptoeing out. Yet, he heard several soft and delicate voices at the same time beside his ear: "Greetings, sir!!"
"Oh." He turned quickly, covering his cheeks, "It's the young ladies. You've all worked hard last night!"
The cheeks of the maidservants like Xiangxue and Nalan blushed in unison: "It's our duty. Sir, you've worked hard!"
He truly has worked hard! He laughed a few times, lifted the curtain, and swiftly made his way toward the desert.
"Look, look, who is that?!" Du Xiuyuan exclaimed in surprise, pushing the two dozing beside him.
Hu Bugui opened his eyes, looked hazily at the figure approaching through the sandstorm, and suddenly inhaled sharply.
The figure's clothing and build were vaguely recognizable, the contours somewhat familiar, but the forehead, the corners of the eyes, cheeks, behind the ears, neck, and arms were all marked with deep and shallow, neatly arranged bite marks. Horizontal, vertical, straight, diagonal, each distinct, clearly made by human teeth. Without several days, those marks would hardly fade. The fresh red lip marks on his body seemed adorned with numerous crescents.
My goodness, this battle was too intense! The men looked at each other, truly admiring from the bottom of their hearts.
Lin Wanrong strode over, smiling and waving: "Good morning, brothers. Have you eaten yet? Eh, why are the circles under your eyes so dark? Remember to rest more!"
‘Rest my foot. If it weren't for us keeping watch, Miss Xu would've cleaved you in half by now. And you ask why my eyes are dark, could they be white?’
Hu Bugui looked at his face, Du Xiuyuan at his chest, while Gao Qiu was somewhat vulgar, glaring with wide eyes specifically at his lower body. They sized him up and down, speechless and in awe at the row upon row of bite marks. Yujia's oral skills, just like her triple consecutive arrows, were unmatched in the world!
Lin Wanrong suddenly startled, stepping back swiftly: "Brother Gao, where are you looking?"
Old Gao stared at his lower half and chuckled mischievously, "Brother Lin, are all these the handiwork of Yueya'er? Tsk tsk. The marks of her teeth, truly a marvel to behold. Hahaha!"
A few people burst into unrestrained laughter, their faces displaying indescribable lewdness. Lin Wanrong’s face turned red, but as someone who had often walked in the dark, he was not afraid of ghosts and laughed dryly, "Oh, it's nothing. The Great Khan and I were merely discussing the future direction of our two countries. It was splendid indeed, but also quite exhausting. I haven't slept all night!"
"Your hardship, we all understand," the three brothers jested noisily. Du Xiuyuan, with a bit more conscience, laughed for a while before carefully turning his head back and suggested, "General, you should go see Advisor Xu. She hasn’t stepped out of her tent all night!"
Mentioning Xu Zhiqing, Lin Wanrong's head began to throb. With Yueya'er, the sky was their blanket, the earth their bed, a dance of passion as grand as a dragon leaping over mountains. Any man would appreciate the genuine passion of that Turkic woman. But all this had not escaped the female strategist’s eyes, and no one would believe she wasn't jealous to death!
Seeing General Lin’s troubled expression, the three men looked at each other, none daring to utter a word.
Advisor Xu's tent was right next to his felt tent; the wooden tub used for yesterday’s bath was still placed outside. The water was cold, the flowers wilted, devoid of any warmth. Listening tentatively outside the tent for a while, he heard not a whisper, uncertain if she was even there.
"Miss Xu, Miss Xu!" he called out bravely a few times. The inside of the tent was deathly silent. No one responded.
He gently lifted the curtain and saw a slender figure lying on the simple bed, completely wrapped in blankets, motionless.
He tiptoed over, leaned in close to the bed, and whispered with an embarrassed grin, "Advisor Xu—"
"Miss Xu—"
"Zhiqing—"
"My darling—"
"Don’t you dare!" Xu Zhiqing finally moved in response to his thick-skinned advance. Annoyed, she flung off the blankets, turned to face him, and huffed angrily.
"Oh. Then I'll go call someone else!"
"Whoosh!" The blankets, pillows, and even the sheath of a sword flew at him. Xu Zhiqing sprang up, her eyes red and swollen, her chest heaving rapidly, glaring at him fiercely as if she could devour him whole!
Lin Wanrong lowered his head and took the opportunity to embrace her, whispering, "Didn’t you say to treat Yueya'er kindly because she’s pitiful?"
"I told you to be nice to her, but not to be intimate without a matchmaker!" Xu Zhiqing angrily twisted his arm, her tears falling freely, "You... in front of me—you’re shameless, lewd and adulterous, without decency. I'm so angry I could die."
She continued her tirade, her grip on his arm growing tighter, pinching him hard. Lin Wanrong grinned in pain, hugging her tightly, and kissed her ear, teasing, "Since Miss Xu detests intimacy without a matchmaker, since we have one, it should be fine for us, right?"
Xu Zhiqing's face flushed with a rosy glow, her body went limp, and she snapped, "You reek of that woman. Don’t touch me!"
"Oh!" He complied with a sullen tone, slowly releasing his grasp, his head drooping down, his face the picture of sorrow and pity.
His pitiful appearance only served to further irritate Miss Xu. Tears welling in her eyes, she bit down hard on his arm, scolding him through clenched teeth, "I told you not to touch me, why can't you listen? You infuriating man, you're really going to be the death of me!"
Ah, the temper of a woman is not to be provoked! Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, pulling her into his embrace. He bowed his head to kiss her fragrant lips and said with a smug air, "Then let's be together every day, for the rest of our lives! Miss Xu, Zhi'er, my sweet darling. Would you be willing to become my wife?"
Such cheesy words could only come from him. Miss Xu's beautiful face flushed red, a feeling of being caught in a vulnerable spot washed over her. With someone as shamelessly thick-skinned as him, arguing was utterly pointless!
"Did you say these sweet nothings to that beautiful Khan of the Turkic people too?" Xu Zhixing asked, her delight tinged with an indescribable sourness.
How should he answer that question? He shook his head, remaining silent.
Xu Zhixing gave him a few glances, unable to suppress a snort. She grabbed several water skins at her side, poured the clear water into her palm, and smeared it fiercely across his face. No matter how much strength she used, the red from her lips could be smeared off, but how could she possibly erase those crescent-moon bite marks?
"Look at what you've done! Does it not hurt? How are you going to face others?" Miss Xu patted his face, a mix of concern and annoyance. Those rows of teeth marks wouldn't fade for days!
"Don't waste water!" Lin Wanrong protested, his face nearly scraped raw by her rubbing, and he hurriedly said with a grin, "Your fragrant bath is still outside. I'll just go and wash there. Don't worry, I don't mind it at all!"
Shameless man! Miss Xu blushed to her ears, her body suddenly going limp, "Don't you dare mention that fragrant bath again! And to think I was grateful to her last night, unaware of her real intentions – she infuriates me!"
"So, if she brings the fragrant bath tonight, will you still want it?"
"I do—huh?!"
"Oh, I mean if, just if!" Lin Wanrong quickly interjected with a laugh.
The female strategist eyed him, feeling a mixture of bitterness and acidity, and through gritted teeth said, "Not just today, but likely tomorrow too, right? Adulterer, harlot!"
Miss Xu had been matchmaker-ed by Li Tai, and Lin Wanrong had personally accepted. Though they had not been brought together formally, she was already truly Mrs. Lin. Her rebuke was just and upright.
The adulterer hung his head, too embarrassed to speak, and by his demeanor, it seemed he took great pleasure in the use of that fragrant bath.
Xu Zhixing spoke with exasperation, "Aren't you afraid she's using a beauty trap, deliberately tempting you into conceding?"
"If that's the case, then I'm employing a handsome trick!" Lin Wanrong sighed in resignation.
Love is a double-edged sword, affecting him just as it does the Golden Blade Khan. It's like when Yueya'er was a captive, seeking to seduce him to gain her freedom, not knowing that in trying to entrap the enemy, she would ensnare herself. It's all such a muddled affair. Even if Yujia were the cleverest person in the world, how could she see through such confusion?
Xu Zhixing fell silent for a long while, then spoke softly, "Do you think she will agree to your four conditions?"
He felt a twinge of sorrow in his heart and shook his head in bewilderment, "I don't know! We should find out in three days!"
"Three days?" Miss Xu sighed without a word, her head bowed in silence. In her eyes, there was a mix of pity and envy, and faintly, a touch of jealousy: "If she agrees, then she will be the world's most devoted lover. No one could surpass her!"
The world's most devoted lover? Lin Wanrong's eyes momentarily glistened with tears, and his mind suddenly became a turmoil. In a daze, he felt as though the greatest sorrow of life was about to descend upon him.
"You must treat her well these next two days!" The female strategist suddenly tightened her grip on his hand, her voice warm and soft.
Lin Wanrong was startled into a leap: "You, you’re not jealous?!"
"I am jealous! Very jealous!" Miss Xu leaned into his chest, crying out loud: "But what can jealousy do? That woman, she has suffered a thousand, no, ten thousand times more than I have! Not to mention her, even I want to kill you! You’re a plague, truly deadly!"
Was he truly a scourge that everyone should condemn? He tried to force a smile, but tears streamed down his face.
...
The standoff continued, the Turks remained quiet. The people of Great Hua anxiously awaited their response. Time flew in a blur, and before the sun set, the palace maids brought over the fragrant soup.
This time, everyone understood the meaning. To speak of the Golden Blade Khan, she truly was exuberant and unrestrained. The things that would embarrass a Great Hua lady, she wanted the whole world to know.
"The Great Khan has ordered us to deliver the fragrant bath to Mr. Mute!" The leading girl, Nalan, knelt on the ground, her head so low in embarrassment from the previous day’s intimate spectacle that she dared not lift it.
"Yes, yes. Quick, go take your bath!" Hu Bugui and his two companions winked at each other, eagerly pushing General Lin into the tent. They held grudges against the Turks, but they had genuine respect and pity for Yueya'er. Such a devoted woman, if betrayed, would surely be struck by lightning even while walking!
Miss Xu glanced at him, then turned her head away without a word. But this time, she absolutely refused to accept the fragrant bath sent by the Great Khan.
It was somewhat embarrassing to bathe under the watchful eyes of so many, but thinking of Yueya'er, who was surely accompanying him in spirit during this bath, his heart warmed. This bath was unprecedentedly thorough.
"Quick, quick, quick, General. It's time to ascend to the palanquin!" As soon as he emerged, Hu Bugui and the other two could hardly wait, almost pushing him along.
Lin Wanrong was touched. He nodded to the men: "My brothers, thank you all!"
Old Gao sighed deeply, gripping his shoulder: "Our countries may be at war, but this Yueya'er—ah, Brother Lin, all I ask of you is not to fail her, please do not!"
Looking at Hu Bugui and Du Xiuyuan's similarly hopeful gazes, he sighed deeply, unable to utter another word.
"Please, sir, ascend to the palanquin!" The palace maid Nalan urged gently.
Lin Wanrong stepped up, and as the palanquin started to move, two snake-like, soft and fair arms trembled as they wound tightly around him, her breath fragrant like orchids echoing in his ear: "Wo Lao Gong, why have you only just arrived? Did you not miss me?"
Lin Wanrong jumped in surprise: "Little sister, how did you get here? The sun has only just set!"
"I don't care!" Yueya'er burrowed into his arms, her voice a whisper, her fragrant shoulders quivering rapidly, tears already rolling down her cheeks: "I've missed you so much I could die! Do you miss me? Dare not to, and I'll kill you!"
He didn't need to answer as he gazed at the purest pear blossoms. Cradling her tender cheeks in his hands, he kissed her fiercely, wolfishly.
Yujia's graceful figure shook uncontrollably as she clung to him madly, her bare, voluptuous body like the most beautiful octopus, seeking to fuse every bit of herself into the marrow of his bones.
"Wow, why is the shaking so early today?" The royal palanquin was already enveloped in layers of peach blossom curtains, the scene inside obscured, with only the quivering of the palanquin to be felt. Du Xiuyuan exclaimed in surprise.
"Is early shaking not good?" Gao Qiu laughed heartily: "It's because they are enduring, isn't it!"
Hu Bugui sneaked a glance at Advisor Xu, only to see her biting her lip, her face sinking like into water.
...
"Why are you biting me again?!" Looking at the bite marks all over him, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but laugh and cry. His old wounds had not healed, and now here were new ones! This girl really was a wild leopardess!
Yueya'er giggled, her firm and creamy chest trembling as she pressed against him: "Didn't you bite me?! Humph. I'm happy, I like it. I just want to bite you, what can you do to me?!"
"Our biting is not the same thing," he laughed heartily, truly at a loss for words.
Yujia's eyes were alluring as silk as she obediently nestled against his chest, compliant as a clever kitten: "Wo Lao Gong, you truly are courageous!"
"Little sister is quite brave too. From yesterday until today—"
"Don't you dare speak!" Yujia, blushing, hurriedly covered his mouth and nose, only to receive a playful bite on her finger, her face blushing even more deeply.
Her body smooth as jade, shimmered with a glamorous silver light. Lin Wanrong, his heart racing, caressed her a few times, causing the little sister to gasp and giggle, "Wo Lao Gong. Don't be naughty. I'm going to dance for you!"
Dance for him? His eyes widened instantly.
Yujia nodded slightly, brushed aside the heavy pink gauze, and with a gentle smile said, "You see!"
Wow! Lin Wanrong's eyes widened in astonishment.
Somehow the palanquin had crossed the national boundary and had stopped in the middle of the grassland. Around them hung pink gauze curtains, forming a large circle. In this enclosed space, there were only the two of them. Beneath their feet lay countless fiery red Elisha flowers, dripping with pearly dewdrops, cluster by cluster, so vivid they seemed like the most magnificent clouds at the edge of the sky.
So many roses, where she had gathered them from he did not know. Golden Blade Khan, indeed daring in thought and deed!
Yueya'er stepped down from the palanquin, holding his hand tightly, running through the flowers, frolicking like a carefree common girl. Such a relaxed feeling, for her, was almost a luxury!
Yujia picked a small flower, sniffed it at her nose, took a deep breath, and suddenly turned back to him with a gentle smile that made the surrounding blossoms pale in comparison: "Wo Lao Gong. Do you like it here?"
"I do. Of course, I like it!" he nodded eagerly.
Yujia looked at him with seduction in her eyes, a shy smile on her face: "Then watch me closely!"
Her body suddenly stilled. Her arms, smooth and lustrous as lotus roots, slowly stretched out like branches of blossoming flowers. Her delicate fingers, sometimes pressed together and at other times splayed, constantly shifted shapes like a proud peacock. Her golden nails quivered under the moonlight, shimmering with an exquisite luster.
With a swoosh, she suddenly leaped up. The sleeping robe fluttered down from her body, revealing her flawless, jade-like figure, which under the cold moonlight sketched the seductive shape of the character "大," akin to the most sacred goddess. Her body’s curves were like overlapping mountains, undulating waves, unspeakably magnificent and holy.
At this moment, Lin Wanrong’s breath halted!
Her eyes were like pools of water, her cheeks flushed, twirling and shifting like a celestial fairy in flight. Her exquisite form, amid the fiery red of the surroundings, bloomed into a pure white kapok flower. The grace and tender passion of a steppe maiden was thus displayed to their fullest extent.
This dance, stunning beyond measure, set the onlooker's hearts quivering uncontrollably.
Yujia slowly ceased her movements, collapsing softly to the ground. Her chest heaved rapidly, her breaths coming out in short gasps. She cast a shy glance at him and said, "This is called ‘Flourishing Branches.’ It's the chastity of us steppe girls, meant to be danced only for the man of our life! Do you like it, Wo Lao Gong?"
Looking at the faint beads of sweat on her crystalline skin, he felt a twist in his heart and tenderly responded, "I like it. I like everything you dance."
Tears suddenly filled Yujia's eyes. "You must not like it! Otherwise, why haven't you embraced me?!"
His throat went dry and with a low growl, he pounced forward. Yujia flung herself into his arms, clutching him wildly. Her sharp nails dug deep into his flesh, as if fearing he would disappear. She burst into tears, crying out, "Love me. Love me fiercely—"
Her cry thundered in his ears like a rolling thunderclap. An endless tide of passion spread wildly across the steppe, their bodies entwined tightly together. They kissed and caressed frantically, rolling, whispering, moaning on the verdant grass...
Their fierce and fiery passion was like an unending bonfire—once unquenched, now ignited anew. No one dared to interrupt them; heaven and earth seemed to cease to exist!
After who knows how many ebbs and flows of tides, the panting finally calmed, and the steppe returned to silence, quiet and still.
"Wo Lao Gong—"
"Hmm?"
"Why are the stars so bright?"
"Because they shine!"
"Ugh, I didn’t need to ask you that! Can you pluck them down for me?!"
"I have already plucked them down. Didn't you know?"
"Where?"
Wo Lao Gong gazed deeply into her eyes and smiled, "Your eyes. They are the brightest stars in my night sky."
Tears glistened in Yujia's eyes as she countered, "What if I become blind?"
"Then I will be your eyes."
Yujia stared at him in amazement, joy spreading across her face, and then she suddenly threw herself into his arms, her tears dropping one by one onto his chest: "Every word you say makes me want to bite you. Why is that?! Wo Lao Gong, I want you to gaze at the stars every night, think of me every night! Can you do that?"
"What if it rains?"
"I don't care! You have to make it clear even when it rains! Who asked you to let it rain?"
There was no reasoning to be offered, only nods of agreement. Yujia looked at him with joy in her eyes several times. She buried her head forcefully into his embrace, exclaiming, "Wo Lao Gong, you are truly wonderful!"
"Little sister, you are also truly wonderful!" His gentle reply unexpectedly caused Yueya'er to bury herself in his embrace, sobbing without sound.
Dawn approached with streaks of fish-belly white in the eastern sky. Lin Wanrong patted her shoulder and sighed softly, "It's getting light!"
Yujia's body shook violently, and she clung to him desperately, "Why? Why must the night be so short?"
How could he respond to such a question? He shook his head silently.
As the sky brightened further and the yellow sun was about to burst forth from the ground, Yujia stood up reluctantly. She dressed him carefully, painstakingly smoothing out the golden corners of his clothes. After examining him up and down for a long time, she hummed, "You must never criticize my handiwork. You are never to discard these clothes!"
Lin Wanrong smiled and hummed in response, then suddenly sighed, "About those negotiations—"
"Don't talk to me about that!" Her cheeks flushed, "You are my man, not the esteemed Master Lin of Great Hua!"
Such evasion could only postpone the inevitable until tomorrow. Once tomorrow passed, they would have to face reality again. The bitterness in his heart was indescribable. As daylight grew stronger and the neighing of warhorses could be heard, he kissed Yueya'er's cheek tenderly and said with resignation, "It's light out, I must go."
"Mhm," Yujia trembled slightly.
He squeezed her hand and then chuckled, "Will there be a fragrant bath tonight?"
Yueya'er nodded fiercely, her body trembling, tears flowing like rain.
"You must not deceive me!"
With a tearful smile, she replied softly, "If I deceive you, may I be cursed to pine for you until death!"
The little girl had truly seized his heart. His eyes moistened as he patted her tear-stained cheek and slowly turned to leave. He had only taken a few steps when he heard a trembling, heart-wrenching call from behind, "Wo Lao Gong—"
"Hm?" He turned back.
Yueya'er rushed towards him like a shooting star, "This is for you!"
In her delicate hand, she clutched a bright rose, its thorns piercing deeply into her palm, blood dripping profusely.
Remembering the days when she had adorned him with flowers, his heart wrenched. He quickly took the vibrant blossom, gently kissing away the bloodstains in her palm, chastising, "You silly girl, doesn't it hurt?!"
"It doesn't hurt!" She covered her lips, silently shedding tears.
Lin Wanrong plucked the fiery rose and tenderly pinned it into her hair, like clouds. The red bloom amidst her hair made her look like the most exquisite painting in the world. He was stunned by her beauty and softly said, "Little sister, you are the most beautiful person in this world!"
"Wo Lao Gong, Wo Lao Gong—" Yueya'er suddenly burst into tears and threw herself into his arms, her fingers digging into his flesh. Clinging to him as if he was her sole support, she wept loudly, "You must think of me, you must! Otherwise, I'll die!"
He felt as though he was dying too. His nose congested, he gently patted her fragrant shoulders and whispered, "Think? I'll think of my little sister Yueya'er every single day!"
Yujia sobbed in his embrace as if her breath would break. She stood trembling, her frame constantly swaying, as if she might collapse at any moment.
"Mmm!" She planted a light kiss upon that familiar dark face. Gazing deeply into his eyes, she smiled a poignant, beautiful smile, "Remember, tonight, I will send you a fragrant soup!"
Leaving behind the breathtakingly beautiful peach blossom palanquin, he felt utterly hollow. Dejected, the journey of a few miles seemed unbearably heavy, his every step devoid of life.
Crossing the boundary, he slowly looked back. The ground was still covered with the delicate gauze and glittering roses, just as lovely and elegant. But where had his little sister hidden herself? He sighed heavily, dejectedly walking back to camp. When Hu Bugui and the others saw him, they were instantly alarmed, "You, why have you come back?"
"Why can't I come back?" He looked at his brothers in confusion.
Miss Xu's gentle voice anxiously rose beside him, "You, don't you know?! Didn't Yueya'er tell you?"
"Tell me what?" A bad feeling began to stir in his heart. In his urgency, he grasped the strategist's shoulder, "Speak quickly, tell me!"
"The moment you left last night, Lu Dongzan sent over the agreement!" Miss Xu spoke rapidly, "Yueya'er signed it! She agreed to all four conditions! They were to set off on their return journey first thing this morning!"
"What?!" He was stunned. Snatching the golden parchment from Miss Xu's hands, he saw it was inscribed in Turkic script and Great Hua language, not a single condition overlooked. Sealed with a golden wolf stamp and signed with "Yujia" — that delicate word trembled slightly, starkly visible, searing before his eyes.
Tears streamed down Miss Xu's face as she murmured, "She is the most foolishly affectionate woman in the world! And you, such a fool!"
"Ah—" He suddenly roared like a madman, hurling the parchment furiously away, tears streaming down his face as he cried out, "Little sister, you promised to bring me fragrant soup tonight. You deceived me. How dare you deceive me?!"
‘If I deceive you, then may I be cursed to pine away for you until death!’
Her steadfast oath, her trembling form, the sparkle of her tears slowly surfaced before his eyes. The tender, soft-spoken words still echoed in his ears. In an instant, he felt his heart shatter into fragments.
Seeing the tear stains on his face, the vacant look in his eyes, and the trickle of blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth, Miss Xu was both heartbroken and furious. She wished she could kick him hard as she angrily said, "What are you standing there for? Chase after her, it's almost too late!"
"Oh. The horse, the horse—" His usual wit deserted him, and he began to call out in a panic.
Hu Bugui hurriedly brought his warhorse over. He mounted in one fluid motion, and with a fierce stab to the horse's flank, he spurred it forward, "Hyah—"
With a painful neigh, the warhorse dashed away, kicking up a trail of dust, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Clearly the cleverest pair in the world, yet when it comes to love, they turn into the greatest fool and the most foolish of all! It's infuriating!" Miss Xu sighed deeply, shaking her head in resignation.
Hu Bugui and the others listened and couldn't help but feel that Miss Xu's summary was brilliantly apt. In just a few words, she captured the essence of love!
He had come back in a daze, letting the reins loose, wasting precious time. Now as he rode swiftly back into the steppe, the figures of the Turkic people were nowhere to be seen. The sky was filled with remnants of the tents, the ground littered with rose petals scattered like rain — as if someone had ruthlessly plucked them, leaving behind a broken heart.
Chase! He must chase, even if it was a matter of life and death, to find his little sister!
His lips curled into a grimace as he let out a loud cry. He had spurred his steed to its limits, its hoofbeats shattering the tranquility of the grasslands, leaving behind a trail of long bloodstains.
He did not know how long he had been riding when, in the distance ahead, a line of long black dots slowly became visible — the Turkic horsemen! A golden palanquin, not in the formation, its light gauze curtains fluttering and dancing in the wind, appearing and disappearing intermittently.
"Yujia—"
"Yueya'er—"
"Little sister—"
In his ecstatic joy, tears gushed forth like springs as he shouted himself hoarse, his horse streaking across the plain like a shooting star, whipping up a fierce wind as he charged towards the Turkic troop.
The rear flank of the Turkic troops, hearing this cry, instantly drew their swords, looking around warily!
"Yueya'er, little sister—"
His heart-wrenching cries, one after another, penetrated the palanquin. The person within trembled: "Wo Lao Gong—"
In haste, she lifted the curtain. The distant black dots were drawing closer, becoming more defined with each moment — covered in dust, with eyes wide with fury, dark skin, and streaks of tears, he looked like a disheveled monkey. Who else could it be but Wo Lao Gong?
"Wo Lao Gong, Wo Lao Gong—" As if struck by a blade, she gripped the edge of the palanquin tightly, her delicate veins trembling, tears falling heavily as her body heaved with sobs, choking as she collapsed onto the soft couch. In her forcefulness, the pink curtains rustled loudly, torn down by her hands.
"I cannot see you, I must not," she suddenly murmured to herself, covering her face as she wept bitterly: "If I see you, I will never want to leave again!"
"Little sister—" It was as if he could faintly see her tear-streaked beautiful face. Lin Wanrong's eyes were bloodshot, his expression one of madness. With a slash, he spurred his horse yet again, and with a proud neigh, the steed surged forward.
The warhorse, pushed to its limits, was already exhausted from the rapid journey. With this last strike, it had not gone a hundred paces before it neighed tragically, its front hooves buckling, and it collapsed with a thunderous fall.
"Little sister, wait for me. Oh—" His cry was cut short as he fell with his horse. Yujia's heart skipped a beat, and with her eyes snapping open, she saw his body plummeting to the ground like a stone thrown with force.
"Wo Lao Gong—" Yueya'er cried out in shock, feeling a void in her heart. She could not care for anything else. With a swift movement, she leaped from the high palanquin. Without a thought for her numb legs, she gathered her long dress in her hands, bare feet flashing as she ran wildly across the grassland.
No rugged terrain, no thorns or broken stones could impede her. Watching Wo Lao Gong crash to the ground, she dashed over like the wind, overtaking everyone. The hundred paces between them seemed to her as if only an arm's length away.
"Wo Lao Gong—" Her form soared through the air, and with a forceful leap, she threw herself into his embrace. The joy and sorrow in her heart burst forth like clouds on the horizon, pouring down in an instant.
What of the affairs of state, what of the grudges between nations? To hell with them! All he wanted was his Yueya'er; nothing in this world was more important than his little sister. He held her trembling, delicate body tightly, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, tears streaming down unrestrained. In that moment, he was rendered speechless, feeling the world spin, with the entire universe collapsing into his arms.
"Wo Lao Gong—" Yueya’er lifted her head, tears mingled with laughter on her face. She slowly reached out with her delicate hand, tenderly trying to wipe the tears from his face, but the more she wiped, the more they flowed, unstoppable.
Lin Wanrong shook his head, his mouth puckered in a grimace that looked even uglier than tears: "Little sister, my riding skills are poor indeed, will you teach me more in the future?"
Yueya’er's eyes were blurred with tears, her heart felt as if it were being pricked by needles, yet she didn't know how to respond to his words.
Lin Wanrong's gaze turned fierce as he firmly grasped her hand, declaring resolutely, "Come with me!"
Yujia shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face in joy: "Yujia cannot leave the grasslands now, nor can she leave her people, otherwise, she will never be at peace for the rest of her life!"
She lifted her head eagerly, her face wet with tears, her eyes shining with hope: "My man, can you wait for me for ten years? After ten years, would you still want your Yueya’er?"
"Ten years?" Lin Wanrong was stunned. He had to detain Salmu for ten years, and his little sister had to spend ten lonely years on the grasslands—was this the punishment heaven had given him?
Yueya’er stroked his cheek softly, speaking gently, "I need ten years to manage the grasslands properly, to eventually return a whole and orderly grassland to Salmu! I have sworn this solemn oath before the spirit of our father Khan! Moreover, those four conditions of yours, without me, nobody can fulfill them! My man, my Wo Lao Gong, are you willing to wait for me for ten years?"
Ten years? How many decades does one have in life? He suddenly felt as if he were trapped in a cocoon of his own making, wanting to burst into tears.
Yujia gently wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, choking up, "Don't force me to leave the grasslands now, you know I can't resist you! But I don't want to live the rest of my life in restlessness! Can you understand your woman?"
"But longing, it's so painful, I can't bear it for a moment!" He murmured a few words, then suddenly broke into a wide grin and began to cry like a child, his wails lost amidst his sobs.
"Wo Lao Gong—" Yujia whimpered as she flung herself into his arms, beating and biting him in a frenzy, sobbing so hard she could hardly catch her breath: "I don't want you to bear it, I just want you to miss me, to miss me fiercely! I will be your woman in every lifetime, and you must long for me in every lifetime!"
This was truly the greatest torment in the world! His chest heaved with rapid breaths, he sighed towards the heavens, nearly unable to breathe.
Seeing him in such agony, Yujia lifted her head from within the shimmer of her tears and said gently, "Wo Lao Gong, would you be willing to come and see your little sister Yueya’er every year?"
Yes! He sprang to his feet, his eyes suddenly widening, berating himself for his confusion—He had legs! He wiped away his tears, excitedly proclaiming, "Little sister, I'll come to see you every month! I know the way to your palace by heart; with a swoosh, I’ll be right in your bed! Wow, I remember now, you have hot springs there, taking a mandarin duck bath would be perfect!"
Yujia couldn't help but laugh through her tears, "You fool, do you think you have wings, that you can just swoop in like that?! From Kyzil to the capital city of Great Hua, even on the fastest steed, a round trip would take more than a month! If you came every month, you'd spend the whole year on the road!"
“Then I shall undertake a mission to the Turks every three months!” He grunted affirmatively. But soon his brows knitted together in frustration, as he complained, “Yet three months is such a long wait, I fear the yearning might age me prematurely!”
Yueya’er gave a shy smile. “I don't care how often you visit—hmph, I warn you, if you don't come, you won't be able to bear the consequences!”
“What consequences?” He was suddenly alarmed.
Yujia gave a gentle smile, her cheeks blushing. As she tenderly stroked her flat belly, she proudly said, “I'll have our son come and beat you!”
Their son to beat him? He was taken aback, catching the sight of Yueya’er caressing her belly with such a triumphant air that he stared, eyes wide, mouth agape, “You, you, you—”
“What about me?” Yujia’s smile was shy as she covered her face and said, “Brave warrior, you are truly courageous! Our son will definitely be the smartest person in the world!”
“This, it’s only been two days! You, you could be with child already?” His lips started to quiver. This news was indeed too unexpected!
“Do you doubt my medical skills?” Yueya’er smiled lightly, “Then you just wait and see!”
This was no laughing matter. Given Yujia’s medical expertise, if she declared she would bear a son, it was almost certain to happen! No wonder she had been coiling around him like a serpent for the past two nights, trying to wring him dry—she was actually harvesting seeds! How had he not realized this before?
“Little sister, can we negotiate,” he pleaded, trembling with excitement, his palm slowly caressing that smooth belly, “can you not go back to the prairie? I fear I truly might not endure the separation!”
“Then you'll die longing for me!” Yueya’er caressed his cheek tenderly, her eyes brimming with soft affection, “My man, I warn you. If you don't come to see me at least once a year, I'll crown our son as Khan in the future and have him lead troops to attack Great Hua! Whether it is you who ascends the throne or the son of Princess Chuyun, can you bear that outcome?”
His son as Khan? Fratricide, patricide? Ah—He covered his mouth, his face turning pale with fright.
One crisis after another, a relentless succession of sorrow, joy, and shock—it was enough to drive anyone with the slightest fragility in their nerves to madness.
A shyly joyous smile appeared on Yujia’s face as she lightly patted his cheek, “So, my man, you’d better behave and visit me at least once a year! After ten years, come with the bridal sedan, and take your woman home safely. If you're even one day late—hmph!”
This... He was torn between grief and joy, and besides nodding, he truly didn't know what else to say.
“Wo Lao Gong. I must go now!” Yueya’er looked at him, tears cascading down: “Don't you want to embrace your woman? She doesn’t know when she’ll be able to see you again!”
Holding her trembling delicate body, he felt the sorrow in her heart. Yueya’er's strength was just a facade. The ten-year separation was an impossibly distant prospect, unbearable for anyone. She was deliberately trying to ease his mind.
His eyes moist, he softly spoke, “Little sister, don’t worry, I will keep my word! I will surely come to see you. But I won’t tell you when; I must surprise you with happiness!”
"Wo Lao Gong—" Yujia could no longer hold back her strength. She threw herself into his arms, beating desperately against his chest as she cried as if her life depended on it. "You must think of me, you must come to see me. In ten years, you must come in your carriage to take me as your bride! Otherwise, I really will die! Your woman will truly die!"
Lin Wanrong wept bitterly, burying his head fiercely in her long hair, nodding vigorously with all his might.
Yueya'er lifted her head, her eyelashes glistening with tears, as she gently wiped away the tears from his face. Softly, she commanded, "When I leave, you must not watch me! If you do, I will never be able to leave in this lifetime! And, you mustn't cry. You look so ugly when you cry!"
Faced with such a Yueya'er, he didn't know how to make her stay. His heart was filled with sorrow and bitterness, but he was at a loss for words.
Yujia slowly stood up, kissed him fiercely on the face, then clenched her teeth and waved gently.
Palace maid Nalan hurried over and blindfolded her with a piece of black cloth, leading her away slowly.
She walked gently, her body trembling fiercely, each step causing countless tears to fall. Without the palace maid's support, she would have collapsed to the ground long before.
At this moment, for all his wit and wisdom, he could think of no way to make her stay. Watching the palanquin move away step by step, his sorrow was beyond any outsider's comprehension.
"Ah—" He suddenly knelt on the ground, arms raised high, crying out to the heavens. This cry, piercing and shattering, seemed to threaten the very sky above.
The palanquin trembled violently as Yueya'er stood up in a frenzy. In a daze, tears streamed down her face, and blindfolded, she waved her arms with all her strength toward him, calling out loudly in a delicate voice, "Wo Lao Gong, you are my eyes!"
Lin Wanrong was stunned for a moment, then beat his chest and stamped his feet, crying out loud, but his voice was already hoarse, inaudible to anyone but himself. The icy cold grassland had become his only companion.
"Sir, Sir!" A few soft calls came to his ears. He lifted his head and there stood Xiangxue, with a group of Turkic palace maids by her side: "This is from the Great Khan, he entrusted me to deliver it to you!"
Xiangxue respectfully handed over a brocaded box, glittering with gold and incomparably luxurious, embroidered with a golden wolf's head. As he opened it slowly, a dazzling light flashed before his eyes.
Gazing at the unique golden saber in his hand, all the palace maids were greatly alarmed, falling to their knees, bowing deeply, and calling out in unison, "We greet the Prince Consort!"
‘Prince Consort! I am Yueya'er's Prince Consort! I am your eyes!’ Caressing the magnificent golden saber, tears falling like rain, he murmured, "Little sister, I am your Prince Consort, and your eyes too!"
The melodious sound of the jade flute was clear and pleasing, echoing slowly over the depths of the grassland. In the distance stood a figure with graying temples, she looked expectantly forward, parting her red lips, the wind carrying her soul-stirring song:
You are by my side,
Silently making wishes.
The smoke from the pastures,
Love, like the forever unchanged youth.
How long is love supposed to last?
It should last until the end of time.
Two people in love,
I am holding your hand.
Holding it till the world ends...
The endless yearning seemed to weep in one's ear, the haunting melody drifting further and further away, turning into the most beautiful symphony of the grassland…
