At the Sheng Kingdom military camp, several generals stood before the conference table, exchanging bewildered glances.
“Let me examine this letter again.” A dark-skinned general picked up the missive from the table, scrutinizing it thoroughly from top to bottom before concluding, “It is indeed His Majesty’s handwriting.”
“Why would His Majesty suddenly order us to withdraw?”
The dark-skinned general held up the letter in confusion. “Could there be some trick to this?”
He lifted the letter and held it between beams of light, finding nothing unusual. He then ran to light a lamp, but even after prolonged exposure to the heat, the letter showed no change.
“Perhaps it needs soaking in water?” General Black Skin muttered to himself.
Just as he was about to test this theory, Chu Sui, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up: “No need to test it. This is His Majesty’s command.”
There could only be two reasons why His Majesty wrote this letter.
First, he was coerced.
Second, he was persuaded.
Chu Sui contemplated both possibilities, neither of which bode well.
If His Majesty was held captive by the Yu Kingdom, they would surely deploy heavy forces to surround him in layers. Rescuing him would prove exceedingly difficult. If His Majesty had negotiated peace with Yu…
Their new emperor of Sheng, ambitious and driven, having resolved to attack Yu, would never lightly agree to peace. Moreover, with provisions and troops already at Yu’s border, to retreat in disgrace would invite ridicule from all under heaven.
How could the new emperor swallow such humiliation?
Chu Sui couldn’t fathom any reason His Majesty would agree to peace unless Yu offered to cede several cities to Sheng.
Gaining Yu’s cities without losing a single soldier would indeed be a great boon.
But would the Yu Emperor willingly surrender his territory?
Chu Sui shook his head. Impossible.
Though young, the Yu Emperor had sat upon the throne for four years. He managed state affairs with orderly efficiency, and under his governance, Yu had flourished. He was no pushover, nor would he be intimidated by Sheng’s mighty army.
No matter how much Chu Sui pondered it, he couldn’t fathom the reason.
Could His Majesty possibly be withdrawing troops for Lu Jing’s sake?
Chu Sui gave a helpless chuckle, mocking his own frantic mind for conjuring such an implausible notion.
–
Gu Yue Commandery Governor’s Residence.
The new emperor, who had been the source of such worry for Sheng Kingdom’s generals, was now busily attending to the Yu Kingdom emperor.
“Your Majesty, try this grape.”
A purple jade grape was offered to Yu Zhi’s lips. Yu Zhi turned his head. “I won’t eat it.”
“Your Majesty, just one bite. It’s sweet and tart—delicious. You’ve taken quite a liking to such flavors lately. This suits you perfectly. Please try it.”
Yu Zhi lowered his gaze. The grape before him was round as a pearl, its skin glowing with deep purple, looking exceptionally tempting. He bent his head and took the grape into his mouth.
As he held the grape in his mouth, his tongue inadvertently brushed against Luo Ting’s fingertip. Luo Ting’s finger twitched slightly.
Yu Zhi shot him a glance, his eyes flashing coldly. “Luo Ting, don’t even think about any improper thoughts.”
Luo Tingshi sighed helplessly: “In Your Majesty’s eyes, am I truly someone who thinks of that matter constantly?”
Yu Zhi retorted: “Is it not so? Hmph. I wonder how those in your palace endure you, aroused day after day…”
“When the old emperor was alive, he bestowed several concubines upon me, but I never touched them. After ascending the throne, I dismissed them all.”
Luo Tingshi slowly raised his gaze, meeting Yu Zhi’s eyes directly. He spoke each word deliberately: “Your Majesty, I have only you.”
Yu Zhi froze. So that night had been Luo Tingshi’s first time too?
No wonder it hurt so much at first.
That damn donkey had charged recklessly, drilling deep inside him, nearly killing him.
Yu Zhi snorted coldly. “No wonder your technique is so poor.”
Luo Tingshi’s expression stiffened, his smile fading. “Is that so?”
Seeing this, Yu Zhi curved his lips, leaning closer to Luo Tingshi. He deliberately whispered low in his ear, “You? You dare covet me? My Great Yu has men far more capable than you.”
Luo Tingshi’s smile vanished completely. Dark clouds gathered over his face as his intense gaze locked onto Yu Zhi. Slowly, he spoke: “I shall study diligently to ensure Your Majesty reaches the pinnacle of bliss night after night, experiencing ecstasy beyond compare.”
Yu Zhi: “…”
This man truly couldn’t utter a single decent word. He shouldn’t have started this conversation.
Yu Zhi gritted his teeth in fury: “Speak another word of filth to me, and I’ll have your tongue torn out.”
Luo Tingshi: “When passion runs high, how can one possibly restrain oneself?”
Yu Zhi: “…You dare defy me?”
Luo Tingshi: “I do indeed wish to defy Your Majesty.”
“Very well then! You repeatedly defy me. I shall—” Yu Zhi’s rage flared, ready to punish Luo Tingshi, when suddenly something flashed through his mind. His eyes widened in shock. “You… you!”
Only then did Yu Zhi realize—
Luo Tingshi’s “defiance” wasn’t directed at him.
Yu Zhi pointed at Luo Tingshi, speechless.
As the supreme ruler, no one had ever dared speak to him this way. Yet within a single day, this man had humiliated him multiple times with vulgar, obscene words.
Yu Zhi could no longer bear to remain in Luo Tingshi’s presence. He swept his sleeves and departed, coldly leaving behind a single sentence.
“Kneel here and reflect. Do not rise without my command. If your knees dare lift even half an inch from the ground, I shall not let you off lightly!”
–
Luo Tingshi knelt there until the moon climbed high in the sky.
His gaze drifted with the moonlight streaming through the latticework into the room. Suddenly, Luo Tingshi let out a soft chuckle.
The little brat had quite the temper.
But he wasn’t ruthless enough yet. As a martial artist, kneeling was no hardship.
So tender-hearted, so innocent—he found it hard to resist the urge to tease the young emperor. Every time he heard the words from his mouth, the little emperor’s cheeks would flush crimson, his embarrassment and anger making him utterly captivating.
What was the little emperor doing right now?
“Coo-coo-coo—”
The hooting of night owls echoed outside. Luo Tingshi’s eyes flickered. He rose swiftly, slipped silently through the window, and leapt into the moonlit night, soaring toward the southeast corner of the Prefectural Governor’s residence.
“Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty, are you unharmed?”
A group of black-clad figures stepped out of the shadows in the corner, approaching him with joyful expressions. They bowed low, their voices hushed.
Chu Sui discreetly scanned Luo Tingshi from head to toe before asking hesitantly, “Your Majesty, you weren’t imprisoned by them?”
Luo Tingshi: “Make it quick. Withdraw your troops back to the capital. I shall remain in Yu Kingdom for now.”
Chu Sui: “Your Majesty, you truly intend to abandon the fight?”
Luo Tingshi: “Fight for what? To lose my wife and children?”
Everyone: “???”
Had they heard correctly? Wife and children?
All eyes turned to Chu Sui, who shook his head helplessly, voicing their collective confusion: “Your Majesty, your wife and children?”
Luo Tingshi: “My family affairs are none of your concern. Withdraw your troops immediately. Upon returning to the capital, Chu Sui is to inform Chancellor Wei that he shall temporarily oversee state affairs. Should any urgent matters arise, dispatch messengers at full gallop to Yu Kingdom for my decision.”
Chu Sui’s heart sank.
Could His Majesty truly be withdrawing his troops for Lu Jing’s sake?
Chu Sui: “Your Majesty—”
Before he could finish, the figure before him vanished in a flash, lost into the vast night.
Everyone exchanged glances, not a soul uttering a word.
Chu Sui clenched his jaw and barked coldly, “Move! Return to camp. Withdraw the troops.”
–
Luo Tingshi landed lightly in the courtyard. Just as he was about to take a step, his expression suddenly changed. His narrowed eyes gleamed with a sharp light as he charged straight toward the tightly shut door.
He paused for a moment.
He smoothed his robes and strolled leisurely toward the room.
Moonlight poured down like water, casting a slanting, cold glow. Luo Tingshi pushed open the door, stepping into the moonlight before disappearing into the pitch-black room.
A faint, shallow breath echoed within.
Luo Tingshi curved his lips, striding toward the dark silhouette seated in the hall. He murmured, ” When did Your Majesty return?”
Yu Zhi slowly lifted his head. “Where did you go?”
Luo Tingshi answered truthfully, “General Chu sought me out. They mistakenly believed I was imprisoned by Yu Kingdom. I have already clarified matters with General Chu. Their troops will withdraw tomorrow.”
Yu Zhi eyed him skeptically. “Really?”
Luo Tingshi chuckled softly, his voice gentle. “I swear. If it’s a lie, I’ll never touch you again, never kiss you…”
“Luo! Ting! Shi!”
Yu Zhi snapped angrily. If he didn’t stop him, Luo Tingshi’s next words would surely be…
You bastard! You deserve to die!
Yu Zhi kicked Luo Tingshi squarely in the knee. Luo Tingshi sucked in a sharp breath, staggered, and fell heavily to his knees.
“I said, without my permission, you must remain kneeling.”
Yu Zhi leaned down, raising his hand to pat Luo Tingshi’s cheek. “Tell me, how should I punish you?”