ABBLEIP Chapter97

In the second year of Tianqi, the emperor led the army in person, and the Youbei army won a great victory.

 

The Great General, Shen Fenglan, captured the leader of the Xirong alive. The Rong tribe lost its last leader. The Rong commander led the remaining tribes to surrender and beg for mercy, praying to return to Dayong.

 

The Youbei Iron Cavalry has driven them to the deepest part of the desert. Without the pastures and water they depend on for survival, their horses will soon starve to death, and their women and children will gradually wither and eventually die.

 

Fortunately, the Emperor of Dayong accepted the surrender of the Rong tribe, personally killed the leader of the Xirong, and appointed the Rong’s commander as King Shunning.

 

The Rong tribe has since become part of the Youbei border, accepting the civilization of Dayong, communicating with the Youbei territory, and at the same time taking on the responsibility of maintaining the stability of Dayong’s border.

 

General Shen will lead an army of 100,000 to guard the Youbei territory, like an unbreakable barrier, protecting the people of Dayong for decades.

 

“In this battle, Dayong not only subdued the Rong tribe but also frightened the border tribes that were ready to make a move.” Shen Qingzhuo stood on the city gate, looking at the endless grassland in the distance. “If the country is rich and the army is strong, all the princes will obey its policies, and the neighbors will fear its power. Then the country will be peaceful and the people will live and work in peace.”

 

The young emperor stood beside him with his hands behind his back, but his eyes were not attracted by the scenery of the thousand-mile grassland but always fell on his master’s beautiful profile.

 

“Master is talking to you, why are you in a daze?” Not getting a response, Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but look to the side, and then he found that Xiao Qi was staring at him stupidly.

 

“I heard everything you said, Master.” Xiao Shen raised his hand to stroke his hair that was blown by the breeze, his tone gentle and firm, “Whatever Master wishes for, it will come true one day, and I will work hard for it all my life.”

 

He didn’t love this beautiful country, but he loved the person in front of him.

 

He spent his whole life just to make his master realize what he wanted as well.

 

In the brief silence, Shen Qingzhuo seemed to understand the deep feelings in the emperor’s eyes and slowly held his hand.

 

“Master, do you want to see the grassland under the sunset?” After a while, Xiao Shen leaned close to his ear and said temptingly, “It must be beautiful, very beautiful…”

 

Shen Qingzhuo thought that he didn’t know when he would return to Youbei next time, so he nodded.

 

The two of them rode on a tall and muscular warhorse and went slowly towards the grassland.

 

Xiao Shen sat on the horse’s back, hugged his master from behind, and asked in his ear, “Are you not dizzy at this speed?”

 

“It’s fine.” Shen Qingzhuo stroked the slightly prickly black horse mane. “Now Master is in much better health, not that fragile.”

 

“Really?” Xiao Shen laughed and clamped his feet on the horse’s belly, and the warhorse finally ran away.

 

“Ah!” Shen Qingzhuo exclaimed, subconsciously leaned down, and hugged the horse’s neck tightly with both hands, “Xiao Qi!”

 

“What are you afraid of, Master? I’m here!” Xiao Shen laughed triumphantly, picked up his master in the whirring wind, and held him tightly in his arms.

 

The thin back leaned against the solid chest, and the heart that had been hanging high in the air instantly settled down and then turned into another kind of worry. Shen Qingzhuo turned his head and shouted, “Wound! The wound will burst!”

 

Xiao Shen didn’t care. He pinched the cute jaw, bit the open lips, and fed his hot tongue into them.

 

When Shen Qingzhuo came to his senses, the young man was holding his face to face and kissing him, and the running warhorse slowed down.

 

The hot kiss continued to fall on the tip of the red ear. Xiao Shen tightened his arms and laughed hoarsely, “Master, do you want to try it? Right now…”

 

The tip of the red ear was instantly as red as blood. Shen Qingzhuo pressed against him shyly and fearfully, “Don’t be silly. If the wound opens, are we still going back to the capital or not?”

 

Xiao Shen pestered him relentlessly, “The big hole has been plugged, how can it be so easy to burst open again?”

 

“Xiao Qi, don’t do anything reckless just because you are young and strong…” Shen Qingzhuo tried hard to avoid the eager kiss and softened his voice, “Qi Lang[mfn]Qi Lang refers to the seventh son like Xiao Qi.[/mfn], let’s get off the horse and watch the sunset, alright?”

 

The “Qi Lang” instantly made Xiao Shen’s muscles and bones soften, and he finally let his master go.

 

The two men dismounted and walked hand in hand on the grassland.

 

The Youbei grassland is flat and vast. The sunset glow in the distant sky is as brilliant as flames, covering the green land with a layer of colorful clothes. When the strong wind blows across the grassland, the green grass surges like waves, and the scenery in front of them is as beautiful as a poem or a painting.

 

This is the fertile grassland that countless border tribes have fought desperately for throughout history.

 

While walking, Xiao Shen suddenly stopped and lay down on the lush grass in a big letter shape. “Master, lie down and try it. It’s very comfortable.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo hesitated for a moment, then lay down as he was told.

 

The setting sun shone down generously, and he turned his head to look at the handsome face that was so close to him.

 

Xiao Shen also looked at him, and soon couldn’t help but move over and give his master a gentle kiss.

 

Shen Qingzhuo’s eyes narrowed slightly. Just as he was enjoying the rare warmth and silence, he was suddenly pulled and rolled onto the young man.

 

He quickly supported himself on the grass with both hands, not daring to lie down. “Xiao Qi, what’s wrong?”

 

Xiao Shen raised his head, bit his lower lip, and smiled vaguely.

 

The setting sun gradually sank under the Beiqiong Mountains.

 

“Qingqing, my dear Qingqing, open your eyes and take a look at the beautiful scenery of the grassland…” Xiao Shen kissed the trembling eyelids, insisting that his master open his tightly closed eyes.

 

The crow-like eyelashes fluttered open and soon closed again. “Xiao Qi, I want to go back, back home…”

 

“Master, if you call me something nice, I will take Master home.”

 

“Qi Lang, Ah Shen… what to call ah…”

 

“Call Xianggong[mfn]Xianggong means husband.[/mfn]…” With small and hot kisses all over the place, Xiao Shen smiled maliciously, “Master, if you want to say it, say, Dear Xianggong, please take Qingqing home.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t say it, but as the night darkened, he could only beg in a low voice, “Dear Xianggong, please take Qingqing home…”

 

Take the sky as the gent and the land as the sleeping mat, they can do whatever they want.

 

***

 

At the end of March, the spring was in full bloom, and the emperor led his army back to the capital.

 

The city gates were wide open, and the people in the city cheered, just to catch a glimpse of the emperor’s face.

 

Finally, the rumbling sound of horse hooves rang out from far away. The thousands of horses and soldiers stirred up dust flying all over the sky, as if shaking the entire road and also shaking the hearts of the people.

 

Leading the way was a tall and heroic black warhorse. The young emperor was wearing golden armor, which gave him an innate dignity and majesty. The heavy helmet concealed his face, and only his dark eyes were revealed. They were dark and sharp and exuded a cold and murderous aura, which made people involuntarily submit to the emperor’s majesty.

 

No one knew that the most noble grand tutor of the time sat in the carriage behind the emperor. When the wind occasionally blew through the curtains, a glimpse of his divine figure could be seen.

 

Among the people kneeling to greet the Emperor, some of them dared to secretly raise their eyes, took a startled glimpse, and immediately lost their minds.

 

The emperor rode his horse to the Shenwu Gate. All the civil and military officials were already waiting in front of the city gate. Upon hearing the news, they all knelt down and shouted, “Welcome Your Majesty back to the palace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor—”

 

Xiao Shen raised his hand to signal the officials to stand up, jumped off the horse with a sleek movement, and then walked to the carriage behind him. “Master, we are here.”

 

A jade-white, slender hand lifted the curtain, and in full view of the crowd, the emperor carefully helped the imperial preceptor down from the carriage.

 

Afterwards, the emperor and the imperial preceptor returned to the palace, surrounded by civil and military officials.

 

After returning to the palace, the emperor rewarded the three armies according to their merits and specially appointed the Great General, Shen Fenglan, as King Zhenbei, succeeding his father to kill the enemy and guard the Youbei territory for Dayong for the rest of his life.

 

Half a month later, news came from Youbei that King Zhenbei had passed away.

 

When Shen Qingzhuo received the letter, he was in the study scolding the young emperor. After quickly scanning the contents of the letter, he suddenly leaned on the desk as if he was exhausted.

 

“Master?” Xiao Shen quickly put down the memorial, walked around the desk, and supported his master’s shoulder. “What happened?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo calmed down and whispered, “Father has passed away.”

 

Xiao Shen silently held his master in his arms, letting him lean against him, and said hesitantly, “Master… do you want to go back to Youbei to attend the funeral?”

 

“Forget it.” Shen Qingzhuo raised his hand and hugged him back. “By the time I rush to Youbei, the funeral will have already passed.”

 

He has fulfilled his wish already by being able to see his father for the last time in this life.

 

Xiao Shen secretly breathed a sigh of relief but continued to comfort him: “If Master wants to go back to Youbei in the future, I will accompany Master back.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo stopped talking and closed his eyes in his arms.

 

***

 

In the next six months, the imperial court issued a decree to develop commercial trade and began to concentrate human and financial resources on the development of livelihood projects.

 

Repairing official roads made Dayong’s roads accessible in all directions, opening canals to enable the booming of water transport, building water conservancy projects to control drought and prevent floods, and vigorously promoting high-yield and drought-resistant crops.

 

Every single thing he did was to benefit the people.

 

After the beginning of autumn, His Majesty celebrated his 20th birthday.

 

At this time, the civil and military officials in the Manchu court remembered that this young emperor, who had conquered the border with lightning speed within two years of his accession to the throne and transformed the Dayong Dynasty, had not yet come of age this year.

 

Just as the court officials were discussing how to hold the emperor’s birthday in a grand manner, the emperor was racking his brains to try to get into the grand tutor’s room.

 

“Master, Master!” Xiao Shen slammed the window and shouted, “Master, open the window and let me in ah!”

 

The room was completely silent.

 

Xiao Shen became anxious and turned around and yelled, “Xiang Chen, is Master in the room?”

 

Wait, did his master sneak away when he wasn’t paying attention again?

 

The handsome and innocent face suddenly sank. He gritted his teeth and thought in his heart that if his master dared to run away again, he would definitely catch him and lock him up tightly this time…

 

“Master is in the room.” Xiang Chen jumped down holding the sword. “He hasn’t come out since dinner.”

 

Xiao Shen frowned, “Then why didn’t Master let me in?”

 

“Maybe…” Xiang Chen seemed to be hesitant to speak.

 

“What did you say?” Xiao Shen was about to ask, but he heard the door creak open.

 

He ran to the door at lightning speed. “Master finally opened the door!”

 

Shen Qingzhuo stared at him angrily. “Why didn’t I open the door? Don’t you know what’s going on?”

 

“What’s wrong? What did I do wrong again…” Xiao Shen asked aggrievedly, while calmly squeezing in, “Is it because of that night—”

 

The door was still open. Shen Qingzhuo was afraid that he would speak without restraint, so he rushed over and covered his mouth, “Don’t say it!”

 

Xiao Shen shamelessly kissed the soft palm of his hand and laughed in a husky voice, “Master, don’t be angry; at worst, I will let Master bully me back…”

 

Shen Qingzhuo was both angry and embarrassed. He kicked the door hard and walked inside. “You are the ruler of a country. If you secretly open people’s windows to break in every day, where will you save your face if it gets out?”

 

“How can opening Master’s window be called a break in?” Xiao Shen replied confidently and then rubbed against his master, “Master, my twentieth birthday is coming soon. What birthday gift do you plan to give me?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo was rubbed soft by him and whispered, “I’ll give you a big slap.”

 

“One big slap, how can it be enough?” Xiao Shen kissed the sensitive ear tip and took the slender jade hand to greet his face. “After the slap, can I ask for a birthday gift?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo completely collapsed in his arms. “What do you want?”

 

Xiao Shen hugged his master tightly, stroking his smooth and warm skin with his fingertips, but his tone couldn’t be more serious. “Master knows what I want best.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo took a breath, turned from his arms, and faced him.

 

Xiao Shen was full of expectation: “Master?”

 

“Have you thought it through, Qi Lang?” Shen Qingzhuo looked into the affectionate black eyes and said seriously, “I have never been a broad-minded person. If I recognize a person, I will not tolerate sharing a single bit with others. If you betray me one day, I will definitely not let you go easily.”

 

Xiao Shen’s eyes were not filled with fear or hesitation but were filled with ecstasy, “I couldn’t ask for more!”

 

“You can’t have three palaces and six courtyards[mfn]It simply refers to a place where all the concubines of the Emperor live, the imperial harem.[/mfn] if you’re with me.”

 

“Qingqing is so beautiful, what do I need the three palaces and six courtyards for?”

 

“You can’t have children if you stay with me.”

 

“Master taught me to love people like my own children. All the people in this world are our children.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo laughed: “You are quite good at comforting yourself.”

 

Xiao Shen’s eyes flashed, and he suddenly knelt down on one knee, pleading solemnly and devoutly, “Master, marry me and share with me the vast territory of Dayong, and the dragon soars into the prosperous world[mfn]The dragon soars into the prosperous world, referring to a period when the great country under the emperor’s feet was prosperous.[/mfn].”

 

Shen Qingzhuo lowered his eyes and said with a smile, “Master doesn’t want to be described by historians as a wicked concubine who brings disaster to the country and the people.”

 

Xiao Shen took his hand and kissed it, then settled for the next best thing: “Then… will Master marry me?”

 

At this moment, fireworks suddenly burst out from outside the window.

 

Under the reflection of the extremely gorgeous fireworks, Shen Qingzhuo said softly, “The moonlight tonight is beautiful.”

 

Xiao Shen was slightly stunned: “What?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo helped him up and took the initiative to kiss his lover’s thin lips, “I love you too.”

 

The moonlight is just right tonight, and lovers are finally married.

 

The author has something to say:

The main text is finished! Thank you very much to all the readers for your company along the way. I love you guys as always~