ABBLEIP Chapter93

The colorful painted boat was lying on the water, breaking through the rippling water and heading towards Jingdu.

 

Xiao Shen kissed his master deeply and led him back until they reached the soft bed, then suddenly changed their positions and lay on his back.

 

The sound of saliva exchanging with each other was heard in the cabin. Shen Qingzhuo was lying on the firm and hot chest. He was clearly in a dominant position, but he was still unable to breathe due to the kiss from his little disciple.

 

The young man fiercely seized his lips and tongue, as if he wanted to swallow him up bit by bit through the kiss and melt him into his body, so that no one could separate them anymore.

 

The air in his chest became thinner and thinner, and his master uttered a soft hum of protest from his nose. Xiao Shen inhaled the tip of the soft and fragrant tongue heavily and then withdrew a little.

 

“Have you learned it, Master?” He leaned against his master and laughed dully, “You already can’t stand it, Master, you are so delicate…”

 

Shen Qingzhuo’s cheeks were flushed, and the corners of his slightly upturned eyes were stained with a touch of red. He was panting dazedly, “I, I won’t do it anymore…”

 

After recovering from a serious illness, his body was still not as good as before. He could not do any physical work and could not even withstand the kiss from his little disciple.

 

At this time, the steadily moving painted boat seemed to hit a big rock, and the cabin shook violently.

 

“Hmm…” Shen Qingzhuo groaned and tried to climb up from his little disciple but was lifted up instead and sat face to face on his lap.

 

“I miss Master so much…” Xiao Shen raised his face with a silly look and kissed his warm, jade-like jaw, “Do you miss me, Master?”

 

For a month, he spent not a single day without the torment of missing his master.

 

At first, he thought that when he caught his master, he would hide his escaped master and teach him a lesson until his master learned his lesson and never dared to leave him easily again.

 

But the moment he saw his master, all the angry thoughts in his mind disappeared. He just wanted to hug, kiss, and cuddle with him and just wanted to see his figure reflected in his master’s beautiful eyes.

 

His master was so delicate that it seemed as if his slender waist would break if he exerted too much force. How could he bear to do that?

 

“En…” Shen Qingzhuo stuck out his tongue and buried his hot face in his sweaty shoulders and neck. His red fingertips also sank into the brocade robe, tolerating his little disciple’s insolence.

 

A gust of wind blew, and the painted boat swayed violently again. Xiang Chen’s serious voice came from outside the cabin: “Master?”

 

Xiao Shen was in high spirits and frowned in displeasure when he heard the words. He raised his handsome face and shouted hoarsely, “Get lost!”

 

Shen Qingzhuo, who was nestled in his arms, was startled and then soothed by the continuous hot kisses…

 

……

 

On the way back, the painted boat encountered some turbulence, but it was generally smooth sailing and finally arrived at Shengjing Ferry before dark.

 

Xiang Chen stood on the deck holding the sword and waiting, and soon saw the emperor step out holding his master.

 

His master was completely immersed in a wide black and gold brocade robe. The hem of the long green robe hung slightly to the ground. The pair of jade hands that clasped his shoulders had a wet red color on even the delicate finger bones.

 

The emperor looked lazy and glanced at him indifferently. He was probably in a good mood and did not care about his recklessness just now. He carried his master to the shore steadily.

 

Xiao Dezi stood beside him and couldn’t help but sigh: “After so many twists and turns, we are back again.”

 

Xiang Chen nodded silently.

 

“Xiang Chen, tell me, just now in the rear cabin, did His Majesty…” Xiao Dezi suddenly lowered his voice and whispered mysteriously into Xiang Chen’s ear.

 

Xiang Chen’s eyebrows jumped, but he heard Xiao Dezi continue: “Did he bully Young Master?”

 

Xiang Chen: “……”

 

“The cabin was shaking violently, and I could faintly hear Young Master crying. His Majesty must be angry and throwing things inside.” Xiao Dezi muttered worriedly, “Our Young Master can’t stand being bullied now; moreover, the Young Master is so good to His Majesty and thinks of His Majesty in everything. But for such a small thing…”

 

Xiang Chen didn’t want to listen anymore, so he took the sword and took the first step.

 

***

 

At the request of Lord Shen, the carriage drove straight to the Shen Mansion.

 

As soon as he entered the house, Shen Qingzhuo came to his senses and struggled to get off and walk by himself.

 

This is his residence. How can it be proper for the emperor to carry him in?

 

“Alright, alright, alright, Master can go by yourself.” Xiao Shen smiled and kissed the tip of his nose, then carefully put his master down on the ground.

 

As soon as he landed, Shen Qingzhuo let out a soft hiss. His legs were so weak that he couldn’t even stand. Fortunately, the big hand behind him was ready and caught him in time.

 

“Master, be careful.” Xiao Shen held his willow waist, and his voice even sounded a little complacent. “Let me carry Master in.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo steadied himself, pinched his arm hard, and cursed in a low voice: “The cat weeps for the dead mouse[mfn]idiom, hypocritical pretence of condolence.[/mfn].”

 

He didn’t even bother to see who had caused him to be like this.

 

The servants of the Shen family came forward, and Shen Qingzhuo pretended to be indifferent and walked forward under the cover of his long robe.

 

When he reached the bedroom, he closed the door as soon as he entered, blocking his little disciple, who was about to enter.

 

His high nose almost hit the door frame, and Xiao Shen took a step back. “Master, I haven’t entered yet.”

 

“My humble abode is too simple to accommodate such a huge Buddha like Your Majesty.” Shen Qingzhuo inserted the bolt on the door and said slowly, “The humble minister is not feeling well, so the humble minister is sorry for not being able to see Your Majesty off.”

 

Listening to his master’s rising final tone of voice, Xiao Shen gritted his teeth impatiently and quickly moved to climb out the window.

 

As a result, his master was one step ahead of him and locked the window as well. He could only lean against the windowsill and explain humbly, “I just want to help Master apply ointment, nothing else. Please let me in, hmm?”

 

“The weasel pays New Year greetings to the rooster[mfn]Does not have good intention.[/mfn].” Shen Qingzhuo poured a cup of tea. “If you still don’t return to the palace, tomorrow Master will go to see Xie Gelao and ask him to help Master discipline the rebellious disciple.”

 

“Fine, fine, fine, I’ll go back to the palace now, Master, have a good rest.” Xiao Shen responded quickly and walked out the door with a depressed look on his face.

 

When he returned to the palace, he summoned several guards and ordered, “From now on, your mission is to protect the Shen Mansion.”

 

These guards were the sacrifice guards[mfn]What I mean is that they’re the type of guards that will die to protect their master but idk what the right term for it is, was it dead soldier?[/mfn] he brought out from the Suixi battlefield. Each of them was extraordinary and only obeyed his orders.

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The guards responded in unison.

 

“Also, stay hidden, don’t let Lord Shen find you.” The emperor stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, his tone cold, “If you are discovered by the Grand Tutor, you all know what to do.”

 

He could not bear the blow of losing news of his master again, he had to keep a firm grasp on his master’s whereabouts.

 

***

 

After Lord Shen returned to the capital, he gradually resumed attending court.

 

Soon, good news came from Suzhou that the corn harvest was very good, with each corn kernel full and sweet and delicious. The person in charge sent a batch of corn to the capital as a tribute for His Majesty to taste.

 

A pot of golden corn was steamed in the kitchen, and the aroma of corn immediately filled the inner hall.

 

Xiao Shen picked up the corn that looked the fullest, peeled the kernels diligently with his hands, filled his palm with the kernels, and then put it to his master’s mouth.

 

“What’s the point of eating corn if you’re gonna eat like this?” Shen Qing glanced at him, picked up a corn cob, held it in his hand, and took a bite. “En, not bad.”

 

The sweet juice overflowed from his lips and teeth. Although the taste was slightly different from the corn of later generations, but the texture was excellent, and it was absolutely fine as a food to fill the stomach.

 

Xiao Shen asked, “Then can we promote its cultivation?”

 

Shen Qingzhuo took another bite, swallowed it, and replied, “Don’t eat this batch of corn for now. Use them all as corn seeds and plant them in large quantities next year.”

 

“If Master likes it, I’ll have them all delivered to the Shen mansion.” Xiao Shen looked at him with a smile, “But in exchange, Master is not allowed to lock the door at night. Leaving a window open is fine as well.”

 

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingzhuo immediately threw the corn back into the plate. “I don’t want it.”

 

Xiao Shen raised his eyebrows and was about to say something when the eunuch’s announcement came from outside the palace gate.

 

A fast horse from Youbei came in hurriedly. The eunuch knelt on the ground exhausted, raised his hands, and presented the secret report.

 

Xiao Shen frowned slightly, opened the secret report, and glanced at it, his expression suddenly became solemn.

 

Shen Qingzhuo stood up, with a bad feeling in his heart, “Is there another fight in Youbei again?”

 

Xiao Shen looked up at him, opened his mouth repeatedly, and finally answered truthfully: “Your father was attacked by the Beirong enemy and was seriously injured.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo was silent for a moment before he asked in a hushed voice, “Father… is his life in danger?”

 

Before this, the Shen family was just strangers to him, but now he knew that they were his family. Although he still had some grudges in his heart, but he still couldn’t remain completely indifferent either.

 

“It’s not mentioned in the letter, so he should be safe now.” Xiao Shen walked back to his master, raised his hand to hold his thin shoulders, and whispered to comfort him, “Don’t worry too much, Master. I will send the best physician to Youbei.”

 

“That’s not right.” Shen Qingzhuo propped up the table with one hand, frowning, “The Beirong have been at a truce for a year, why did they suddenly launch a sneak attack again?”

 

A cold light flashed in his phoenix eyes, and Xiao Shen replied, “Master, you don’t know. Last year, a warlike leader emerged in the Beirong. During the year of truce, he unified several barbarian tribes in the north and west. Not long ago, he annexed the Xirong that retreated to the west of Suiling River. Now they are collectively called the Darong.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo narrowed his eyes and sighed softly, “It seems that they are fully prepared this time and are coming back again.”

 

This time the barbarians came with great force. At the beginning, King Zhenbei was seriously injured, and his life or death was uncertain, which greatly hit the morale of the Youbei army. Fortunately, the great and powerful general Shen Fenglan drew his sword and led the Zhenbei army to resist the invasion of the barbarians.

 

“The Xirong and the Beirong have merged, and now the main battlefield is in Youbei, but Suixi cannot relax its vigilance either.” Shen Qingzhuo said calmly, “The cold winter is coming, and the most urgent task right now is to transport sufficient food and material to support Youbei.”

 

Soldiers must be well fed in order to win the battle.

 

“The Ministry of Revenue should arrange for your trusted confidants to personally escort grain and fodder to Youbei. Not a single stone should be missing. You must feed the soldiers of Youbei.” The emperor sat behind the desk and gave the order in a deep voice.

 

He had suffered enough from the lack of rations and fodder when he was fighting in Suixi, and he would never let Youbei suffer the same fate again.

 

“Yes, the old minister will arrange it immediately!” Lord Lin accepted the order and withdrew first.

 

“Although the national treasury is now full, but it is still unknown how long this war will last.” Shen Qingzhuo added, “Your Majesty can issue an imperial decree to collect money and food from the wealthy people in Jiangnan.”

 

Pei Yanqi said with a worried tone, “When the imperial court levied property taxes, wealthy merchants from all over the country had already suffered heavy losses. I’m afraid it will be difficult this time…”

 

“Using business to force business.” Shen Qingzhuo glanced at him and explained in detail, “The government first selected wealthy businessmen from Jiangnan who were willing to raise funds, established an official business association, granted it management rights, and then forced other wealthy businessmen to participate in fundraising.”

 

“In order to protect themselves, the remaining wealthy people have no choice but to participate in the fundraising.” Pei Yanqi responded quickly, “Lord Shen’s move is brilliant. The wealthy people in various places are like frightened birds. They will definitely not dare to go against the court’s wishes at this time.”

 

The emperor thought for a moment and then made the decision, “Lord Pei, this matter is handed over to you to supervise. You must make sure that wealthy Jiangnan businessmen get a good beating.”

 

Half an hour later, the ministers finished their meeting and left one after another.

 

Xiao Shen walked out from behind the desk, stared at his master’s tired face, raised his hand, and held him in his arms. “Master, it’s time to rest.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo didn’t have the strength to push him away. He pressed his cheek against his hard chest and replied softly, “This battle has to be fought.”

 

“Who cares if they are the Xirong, Beirong, or Darong? They are just a bunch of uncivilized barbarians.” Xiao Shen gently stroked the thin back, but his tone was very cold. “Master has forgotten how I beat them and made them run away in fear, crying for their parents so quickly.”

 

“Don’t show off.” Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but sigh, “Are you just gonna pretend that the injuries on your back don’t exist?”

 

“I’m not trying to show off, Master.” Xiao Shen tightened his arms, his tone fierce and firm, “This time I will lead the army myself and completely defeat those barbarians.”

 

Shen Qingzhuo was shocked and suddenly raised his head from his arms. “What did you say?”

 

“Whoever offends Dayong will be punished no matter how far away he is.” Xiao Shen laughed in high spirits, “I have always kept what Master taught me in mind.”