Chapter 102: Fengtian is a Mystical Place
Inside Big Bowl Restaurant, Zuo You was once again standing by the window to look at the streets below. His feet were sore from waiting as he turned to ask Gu Xinglang, “Has the princess gone all the way to Zhuri to buy her roasted chestnuts?”
Gu Xinglang simply kept his head down and ate his food. He wasn’t worried for his wife a bit. If there was anyone capable of hurting her in this capital, he or she wasn’t born yet. Moreover, Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei were both inner palace experts accompanying her. In Gu Xinglang’s thoughts, Yu Xiaoxiao simply hadn’t returned because she found something delicious to taste-test elsewhere.
Jing Mo finished his cup of tea and looked at the indifferent Gu Xinglang before telling Zuo You, “Why are you so concerned about Her Royal Highness?”
Zuo You replied, “She only went to buy roasted chestnuts, but it’s been ages since then.”
Jing Mo smiled. “In any case, Her Royal Highness could never run all the way to my Zhuri to buy them.”
Zuo You slammed his hands against the windowsill. The more apathetic Gu Xinglang acted, the angrier he felt. He pointed a finger at him and said, “I say, you soft rice eater,1 aren’t you a bit worried that the princess’s disappeared?”
Gu Xinglang stopped eating at the sound of Zuo You’s voice, but soon resumed his meal once the man finished talking.
“Are you already this shameless?” Zuo You accused.
Gu Xinglang swallowed his mouthful of honey-glazed tofu skin before looking up. “Do you have business with the princess?”
“I,” Zuo You was left speechless by the question. Could he say, ‘I want to steal your wife?’ Although he didn’t fear Gu Xinglang, he fretted that Her Royal Highness would never give him face again. Over the past few days, Zuo You had already discussed things with his subordinates over methods to make Yu Linglong like him. He felt like he needed to let the girl see his good points before snatching her away.
Jing Mo craved nothing short of chaos as he said, “Grand Marshal Zuo, I heard that your White Tiger Nation has the custom of stealing people’s wives. However, this is Fengtian. Zuo You, do you need me to remind you that Her Royal Highness Princess Linglong is already married to General Gu?”
“Shut up,” Zuo You glanced at him.
Wang momo rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. After sitting with this trio, she had finally straightened some things out. This wasn’t one of Royal Son-in-Law’s peach blossoms!2 Just how unperceptive was her princess to mistake the object of his affections? And this was a girl I raised with my own hands, Wang momo thought sadly.
Jing Mo raised his wine cup at Gu Xinglang and said, “General Gu, I hope we’ll be able to match our skills on the battlefield again one day.”
Zuo You didn’t wait for Gu Xinglang to reply as he laughed. “He’s a useless waste who can’t even walk. Can he still step foot onto the battlefield in this lifetime? This cripple’s doomed to be raised by the princess for the rest of his days.”
Gu Xinglang’s tone was cold and indifferent. “These are matters between the princess and myself. There’s no need for Grand Marshal Zuo to get involved.”
Zuo You hated Gu Xinglang for the very fact that he was straight-faced for everything! Laughing coldly, he sneered, “Then what if I say I want to duel you? Gu Xinglang, would you accept my challenge?”
Jing Mo arched a brow. “Do you want to snatch his wife?”
“A duel?” Yu Xiaoxiao’s voice sounded from outside the window. Everyone inside looked out to see Her Royal Highness jump in with a person hanging from her hand.
“Your Majesty?” Gu Xinglang cried. His hand shook before he dropped his chopsticks onto the ground.
Silence fell upon the room.
Is there something wrong with my eyes? Zuo You thought.
I must be seeing things, Jing Mo thought.
My goodness, ah, is that really His Majesty? Wang momo thought.
Meanwhile, the other retainers and subordinates in the room were all staring at Yu Xiaoxiao and Xianzong. Fengtian really was a mystical country. Their sovereign could even jump in through a window while wearing only his nightclothes. Just what was this all about?!
Xianzong ignored the people in the room to shout at Yu Xiaoxiao. “Why couldn’t we have used the stairs?”
“Because…” Yu Xiaoxiao began.
“Don’t tell Zhen because it was faster,” Xianzong interrupted.
Yu Xiaoxiao thought a bit, then replied, “Because it was closer.”
Damn that! Xianzong wanted to fall over. Was there any difference?!
Yu Xiaoxiao looked at Xianzong’s greenish complexion and mused a little longer. “Should I bring you to the stairs, then?”
“Don’t,” Xianzong quickly shook his head. It really wasn’t fitting for an emperor to play around at jumping off buildings all the time.
“Then let’s eat,” Yu Xiaoxiao pointed at the table. “Find an empty seat to sit at.”
Xianzong looked at the table. Gu Xinglang attempted to slide down and kneel as he said, “This subject greets Your Majesty.”
Xianzong quickly strode over and stopped him. After knowing that he’d wronged this son-in-law, Xianzong felt a little conscience-stricken at the sight of him now. In a warm tone, he said, “You still have injuries, no need to pay your respects.”
Xianzong’s actions and tone startled Gu Xinglang. His Majesty had never looked upon him fondly, so what was wrong with him today? Third Young Master Gu glanced subconsciously towards Yu Xiaoxiao. Did my wife smack His Majesty and turn him into a halfwit?
Yu Xiaoxiao was currently in a staring match with Zuo You. “You want to duel with my family’s Little Gu?” I see. So because you can’t have this love, you want to destroy it with your own hands?
Zuo You couldn’t decide whether to admit or deny the claim.
Yu Xiaoxiao added, “If you’re a real man, speak up.”
Zuo You felt that he was a real man, so he nodded and said, “Yes, princess. My heart delights in–”
“You want to fight with an invalid?” Yu Xiaoxiao interrupted. “Didn’t your mother teach you to treat patients with compassion?”
Zuo You looked at Gu Xinglang. Why do I have to be nice to that surnamed Gu? My mother never taught me that.
“Let me tell you,” Yu Xiaoxiao believed that love was only long-lasting when reciprocated from both sides. It was clear that Gu Xinglang had no interest in Zuo You, so why did he keep insisting?
“What does princess want to tell me?” Zuo You asked.
“Feelings can’t be forced,” Yu Xiaoxiao said.
“That’s because we don’t know each other well yet,” Zuo You replied. “Your Royal Highness, with time you’ll understand that I’m a good man.”
“It’s no use if I do, ah,” Yu Xiaoxiao said. Isn’t it Gu Xinglang who has to understand?
“Princess,” Wang momo called out. She couldn’t allow this misunderstanding to keep going. If things went on, would Royal Son-in-Law still be able to live on? Either his reputation would be ruined or a green hat3 forced on his head.
“You have no hope, so don’t waste your efforts,” Yu Xiaoxiao tossed back before walking to Wang momo. “What is it?”
Wang momo said, “Princess, why were you gone for so long?”
Yu Xiaoxiao glanced at Xianzong, then said, “Little Gu is here, father, so you should apologize to him. As long as you know your mistakes and fix them, you’re still a good kid–uh, I mean, a good emperor.”
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