Chapter 39: Black Dragon Greets the Moon

 

As the night deepened, the sky was still covered with dark clouds after the rain, casting a hazy dark red color.

 

After waiting another half hour, Ye Tiance still hadn’t returned. Feeling somewhat helpless, Shen Yian decided to enjoy the copper hot pot with the silly girl, silently hoping his old man had prepared dinner for the grandfather-in-law at the palace.

 

Ye Liyan, being perceptive, could keenly sense that His Highness seemed to have something on his mind today.

 

Though she lived secluded in the residence, she knew well that this was Tianwu City, right under the Emperor’s feet. Every day, whether in court or among the common people, there were constant conflicts and rivalries, open and hidden. Today, her grandfather had been summoned to the palace, giving an air of impending storm.

 

Shen Yian held his teacup, the rising steam gradually blurring his vision as his thoughts drifted.

 

“Your Highness…”

 

“Hmm?”

 

A gentle tug at his sleeve and Ye Liyan’s soft call quickly brought Shen Yian back to the present.

 

“Your Highness seems to have something on your mind. Is it troubling you? Can you tell Liyan?” Ye Liyan mustered up her courage and asked with concern. She wanted to help His Highness share his worries and solve his problems.

 

Shen Yian chuckled, setting down his teacup with a soft sigh. “I suppose it is troubling. Many things have happened recently. If I tell you, I’m afraid a certain silly girl will worry again.”

 

“Liyan will worry secretly, and won’t disturb Your Highness. Please tell me,” Ye Liyan urged, her voice slightly anxious, fearing something bad had happened. She even leaned forward a bit.

 

Shen Yian’s heart clenched as he saw a mist forming over those sapphire eyes that shone like stars.

 

Ye Liyan held back her tears. She didn’t want anything to happen to His Highness, her grandfather, or anyone close to her. She was no longer the little girl who couldn’t do anything; she now had the ability to protect those around her.

 

“You’ll look less pretty if you cry and become a little flower cat,” Shen Yian said gently, carefully cupping her face of unparalleled beauty. 

 

“Silly girl, what are you imagining? I’ll be leaving on a journey for a few days soon. I won’t be able to see you during that time, that’s why I’m a bit troubled.”

 

“Your Highness is going on a journey?”

 

“Yes, don’t overthink it. It’s not like last time. I’ll only be gone for a few days this time, and I’ll return as soon as my business is done. And I can assure you, Duke Ye’s summons to the palace isn’t about anything bad.” Shen Yian couldn’t resist gently rubbing the silly girl’s cheek.

 

It’s a pity this world doesn’t have cameras or phones, he thought. Otherwise, he’d really want to capture the silly girl’s adorably “ugly” expression from just now.

 

Feeling his large hand gently rubbing her cheek, Ye Liyan was stunned for a moment before her face gradually heated up, the warmth quickly spreading to her ears.

 

The prince was going away on business. What business, she had no right to ask if he didn’t say.

 

“Don’t worry, you’ve seen my abilities, right? It’s just some small matters. I’ll rush back as soon as I’m done,” Shen Yian smiled, reassuring her again.

 

“Liyan believes in Your Highness,” Ye Liyan nodded obediently.

 

His Highness is so capable, he definitely won’t be in danger, she told herself. She must trust him.

 

“Silly girl, wait patiently for me to return and marry you,” Shen Yian said with a slight cough, his face reddening.

 

“Your Highness…”

 

Ye Liyan lowered her head shyly, and in the next moment, she was enveloped in his embrace.

 

“Liyan…”

 

“Your Highness…”

 

*Smooch*

 

If love is long-lasting, why worry about not seeing each other day and night?

 

It was already midnight when he returned to his residence. Everything was quiet.

 

After some preparations, under the watchful eyes of Mendu and Cheng Hai, Shen Yian put on the ugly, fierce bronze mask.

 

“These days will be tough for you two,” he said.

 

Shen Yian’s voice became a bit more somber.

 

“We await Your Highness’s safe return!” the two said in unison, bowing respectfully.

 

“Mm, I’m off!” 

 

His voice quickly faded. When the two looked up, their lord’s figure had already vanished from the courtyard.

 

North of Tianwu City, two figures had instantly traveled thousands of meters.

 

“Long Yuan!”

 

Shen Yian slid two fingers, and the Long Yuan sword flew out of its sheath into the sky.

 

The sword spirit appeared!

 

“Roar!!!”

 

A hundred-meter black dragon tore through the thick clouds, soaring to greet the moon.

 

“Yin Hai, we’ll rest for half a day after reaching Sebei City,” Shen Yian said, sitting cross-legged on the dragon’s head with his eyes slightly lowered.

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Yin Hai sat behind him, continuously channeling his vast true qi into his lord through his palms.

 

Northern Frontier – Sebei City.

 

Currently, this was the brightest place in the Great Qing.

 

As the sun slowly rose, warm morning light poured down.

 

Two tall war horses stood early at the city gate.

 

“Phew…” 

 

On horseback, a middle-aged man wearing a black qilin robe exhaled a cold breath and muttered, “The mornings here are quite cold.”

 

“Does Master Xuanwu dislike the cold?” 

 

The young man on the other horse couldn’t help but ask.

 

“Not really dislike, I just felt emotional. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here,” Xuanwu smiled and looked at the young man. 

 

“I didn’t expect His Majesty to send you here too. Baihu is still more pleasing to the eye.”

 

Zhuque’s face fell. “It’s Sister Baihu’s turn to guard Tianwu City this year. I’m afraid it’ll be a long time before I see her again.” He added, “Also, Master Xuanwu, am I that ugly in your eyes?”

 

“Hold on, I didn’t say you were ugly. It’s simply because you’re male,” Xuanwu laughed heartily.

 

Zhuque helplessly held his forehead.

 

“Master Xuanwu, what do you think His Majesty’s urgent thousand-mile order yesterday was about?”

 

In the urgent order, His Majesty only instructed them to rush to Sebei City overnight and await further orders, without explaining the matter.

 

“Big things,” Xuanwu said with a smirk, slowly uttering the two words.

 

After waiting for less than half a cup of tea’s time, the city gate finally creaked open slowly.

 

“Martial Guard Division Inspector Doumu pays respects to the two lords.”

 

As the city gate opened wide, a team from the Martial Guard Division had already been waiting for a long time.

 

“Mm, lead the way to the general’s mansion,”

 

Xuanwu nodded and said calmly.

 

“Yes sir!”

 

At the general’s mansion.

 

“Report!”

 

“What’s the rush so early in the morning?” Ye Feng asked with a frown as he walked out of his room, fully armored.

 

“Reporting to the general, Masters Xuanwu and Zhuque of the Martial Guard Division are here to visit!”

 

“Who?” Ye Feng asked again, thinking he must have misheard.

 

“Reporting to the general, Master Xuanwu and Master Zhuque of the Martial Guard Division are here to visit!” The soldier lowered his head and raised his voice.

 

“Quick! Bring them in!” 

 

Ye Feng ordered urgently, his brow furrowed as he strode towards the main entrance.

 

These two rarely moved, and when they did, it was surely with the Emperor’s orders. 

 

Coming to Sebei City at this time – could it be that something drastic had happened with the barbarians again?

 

Considering the barbarians’ frequent harassments in recent days, everything seemed very unusual!

 

Could the barbarians be planning to move south before autumn?

 

Ye Feng walked to the main entrance with a heavy heart to greet the two.

 

“Master Xuanwu, Master Zhuque!”

 

“General Ye, you’re too kind!”

 

“Please, come in, honored guests!”

 

After exchanging pleasantries, Ye Feng led the two to the reception hall and called for servants to bring hot tea.

 

“I’m not much of a tea drinker, so I don’t have any fine teas. I hope you won’t mind.”

 

“General Ye is too polite. I’m not much for tea either,” Xuanwu said with a smile.

 

After a few more courtesies, Ye Feng’s expression grew serious as he got to the point: “May I ask if you two have come regarding the barbarian matter?”

 

“Yes and no.”

 

Ye Feng was taken aback.

 

Xuanwu and Zhuque exchanged a smile.

 

“To be frank, His Majesty sent us here only to await further orders. He didn’t explain anything specific.”