Chapter 0159 How Many Days

Chapter 0159 How Many Days

The next day, when Xiao Rong came down from upstairs, the people downstairs were each munching on a plain stuffed bun, sitting there and slowly gnawing.

The clerk hadn't dared to sleep all night because he couldn't figure out who these people were. They could take turns resting and keeping watch, but the clerk couldn't, after all, he was just one person. When it was still dark this morning, the old shopkeeper and his younger son had arrived. Now, the three of them stood tightly together, like frightened animals on the African savannah, huddled behind the counter, silently watching every move of the group.

The moment footsteps were heard from upstairs, the group of men who were focused on eating instantly stood up. Led by their commander, the rest lined up in formation as if they hadn't eaten at all, except for the pile of unfinished buns on the table. ...

Xiao Rong came down first, followed by Qu Yunmie two steps behind. Despite only sleeping half the night, Xiao Rong was still full of energy. In contrast, Qu Yunmie, who had clearly won the heart of a beauty, still wore a sullen face.

Xiao Rong ignored him and simply smiled at the soldiers. "Continue eating. Shopkeeper, please bring us two servings of hot meals."

The old shopkeeper and his younger son had been away on business for the past two days and didn't know that Xiao Rong was a guest. They both stared at him blankly, wondering if he was real.

Qu Yunmie glared at the younger son first. Then, thinking better of it, he decided not to miss anyone and turned to glare at the old shopkeeper as well.

The old shopkeeper trembled with fear, and Xiao Rong immediately turned around. Although he didn't catch Qu Yunmie in the act, he knew something must have happened.

Even an old man, you can't let go!

Xiao Rong was displeased but knew he had to save face for him, so he whispered, "Go sit over there."

Unfortunately, the inn was too small, and everyone heard Xiao Rong's reprimanding tone. The next second, Qu Yunmie reluctantly turned and walked away.

Qu Yunmie approached a soldier and stared at him. After a moment of confusion, the soldier finally reacted, leaping up and extending his hand. "Your Majesty, please sit!"

Only then did Qu Yunmie condescendingly sit down.

He then lowered his head, picked up a half-cooled bun from the table, and joined the group of bun-eaters. ...

The clerk had already run off to prepare food for Xiao Rong. Now, only the father and son remained standing. The old shopkeeper's gaze towards Xiao Rong and the group grew increasingly suspicious.

He was old and wise, but his son wasn't. His son pointed at Qu Yunmie and started stammering, "Your Your Your Your Your—"

The old shopkeeper slapped his son's hand down and gave Xiao Rong a forced smile. "Honored guest..."

Xiao Rong observed their reactions and reassuringly smiled, then pulled out two gold coins he had prepared earlier and placed them on the counter. "Yesterday, I accidentally cracked the wall in the room. Please use this money to repair your inn properly."

The old shopkeeper shook his head vigorously. "No need, no need. It's just a wall; how dare I accept compensation from such an honored guest!"

It wasn't that he wasn't greedy; he was afraid the money would be too hot to handle!

The old shopkeeper tried to return the money to Xiao Rong, but Xiao Rong extended a finger and pushed the coins back. "I know repairing a wall doesn't require much money, but your inn is managed exceptionally well. Though small, it has everything needed and is spotlessly clean. You've done a great job. Since we have a connection, consider the extra money a gift to expand your inn and reinforce the walls. Your walls are really thin; we can hear everything from the neighboring rooms. A light knock caused it to crack as if it were about to collapse."

The old shopkeeper: "…………" Don't fool me.

If that person is indeed who I think he is, what good would a reinforced wall do?

The old shopkeeper dared not speak, but Xiao Rong didn't care. Internally, he could blame Qu Yunmie, but externally, it was the wall's fault. ...

Before leaving, Xiao Rong emphasized again, "Shopkeeper, you must expand your inn and hire more clerks. Your inn is on the shortest route to Qingzhou. Soon, your good days will come."

The old shopkeeper shakily held the two gold coins, looking at the group, his expression shifting from fear to contemplation.

Xiao Rong wasn't joking. With the new dynasty established, many of his previous ideas could now be implemented, such as supplying sea salt to the entire country through both water and land routes. The land route naturally passed through where Xiao Rong had traveled recently.

Since he had decided to return, Xiao Rong's vacation was over. He resumed his old habits, pondering how to govern the country. ...

After breakfast, the group set off on their journey home. Thinking about facing the mixed expressions upon their return, Xiao Rong felt some reluctance. He still disliked discussing emotions with others. Qu Yunmie spent a whole year and paid with several lives to soften Xiao Rong's attitude. For others, he wouldn't be so lenient.

Xiao Rong hoped everyone would pretend nothing happened and jump straight to living harmoniously, but he knew it was impossible. So, while bracing himself, he called out to Qu Yunmie behind him, "Hey."

Qu Yunmie was looking at the road ahead. Hearing this call, he paused, then looked down at Xiao Rong, whose posture was slightly askew. "What did you call me?"

Xiao Rong blinked. "Nothing."

Qu Yunmie: "Don't call me that. It makes me seem like just anyone to you."

Xiao Rong: "..."

This man was getting more demanding.

"Well, what do you want me to call you, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Rong spoke clearly, the words "Your Majesty" seeming to jump out of his mouth with a teasing tone. He then deliberately tilted his head to look at Qu Yunmie, who kept a stern face, ignoring his antics. "Just call me by my name."

Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow and drew out a long "Ah."

Qu Yunmie sensed something amiss in his tone and instantly became alert, but Xiao Rong had already sat up straight and turned his head away, smiling to himself where Qu Yunmie couldn't see. Qu Yunmie watched his back, feeling a growing sense of unease.

Then, Xiao Rong turned back seriously. "Alright, let's talk business. What are you going to do when we get back?"

Qu Yunmie glanced at him, understanding what he meant, and his expression softened. "We'll handle things as they come."

Xiao Rong looked at his calm demeanor and couldn't help reminding him, "Once you become emperor, your affairs are no longer just yours but everyone's. It might not be as easy as you think."

Qu Yunmie glanced at Xiao Rong, thinking, could there be anything harder than winning your heart?

In Qu Yunmie's mind, winning Xiao Rong's affection ranked first, conquering the world second.

After a moment of silence, he didn't voice his thoughts but instead reminded Xiao Rong gently, "There's nothing in this world I fear except you. As long as you stand by my side without wavering, that's enough."

Xiao Rong gazed at Qu Yunmie's determined profile, his expression subtly changing. After a long look, he suddenly reached out and touched Qu Yunmie's jawline, his tone softening. "Your Majesty, hearing you say that makes my heart race."

Qu Yunmie: "…………"

They were in the wilderness, with hundreds of people following them. Qu Yunmie, being conservative, would never show public affection with Xiao Rong, even a hug was a limit.

Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong with a somewhat terrifying gaze, as if he wanted to devour him, partly out of desire and partly out of frustration.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to do anything to him here, he dared to be so audacious.

Just last night, he had said he wouldn't scold him, wouldn't bully him, and would be good to him. But by the next morning, Xiao Rong had broken all three promises!

It was a shame he believed him. Xiao Rong was right; he really didn't learn from his mistakes. ...

The journey back was filled with this subtle bickering and playfulness, taking them nearly two days. Gao Xunzhi managed the overall situation, but Yang Zangyi kept asking him where the emperor was every day, which annoyed Gao Xunzhi to no end.

Already in a bad mood, Gao Xunzhi lashed out at Yang Zangyi, who surprisingly became quiet. This man truly knew how to bend and stretch, understanding the principle of retreat when the enemy advances. Regardless of what he planned for the future, he now submitted and started following Gao Xunzhi's orders.

Gao Xunzhi wasn't the only one feeling frustrated. Di Fazeng, who had just returned to Chenliu, was even more agitated.

He was responsible for pursuing the King of Nankang and Huang Yanjiong. The former fled when the situation turned against him, only to be betrayed by his own subordinates and chopped into pieces as an offering to Di Fazeng for merit. The latter resisted stubbornly until Di Fazeng captured him alive.

There was also an unexpected bonus: the leader of the Breeze Sect, Chen Jiancheng, who had been staying with the King of Nankang, was also apprehended. He had become increasingly anxious each day after leaving Han Qing. Zhou Liang had actively sought out the brainless giant, while Chen Jiancheng had been slowly transformed into one by Han Qing.

Chen Jiancheng still didn't realize that Han Qing was merely using him. Throughout their journey back, he cursed Qu Yunmie and the Northern Pacification Army, believing himself to be a spiritual leader capable of invoking curses. His time was spent cursing Qu Yunmie and anxiously inquiring about Han Qing's well-being. Seeing him as his trophy, Di Fazeng ignored him until they entered the city. There, he learned from Zhang Biezhi that Xiao Rong had left, followed by Qu Yunmie.

Di Fazeng: "…………"

Left? Both of them?

Who would he go to for his military merits now?!

Not capturing Han Qing had already infuriated Di Fazeng. Now, discovering the changes in Chenliu, he knew that his initial foothold in the Northern Pacification Army was due to Xiao Rong. Before officially leading troops away from Chenliu, he needed Xiao Rong.

But now Xiao Rong had run away. Why did he leave?!

He slapped the still yelling Chen Jiancheng on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious, then asked Zhang Biezhi what had happened. Zhang Biezhi looked around, then whispered something in Di Fazeng's ear.

Di Fazeng's face turned green.

Indeed, his years of observation were correct.

None of these Central Plains people were normal!!!

Di Fazeng admired Qu Yunmie and respected and thanked Xiao Rong. It took him three days to reshape his impression of the two, ultimately concluding that it wasn't that they hid deeply; he simply hadn't thought about it that way. If he had, he would have realized that they never intended to hide.

By then, most of the first echelon of the Northern Pacification Army knew about their relationship. Regardless of their thoughts, they were trying to accept it. So, the concerns Xiao Rong had were unfounded, at least among those who knew him.

On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong returned. Amidst the gloomy atmosphere, Xiao Rong reappeared in everyone's sight. As expected, he received several hugs and some tears.

Pretending nothing had happened was impossible, but few brought up anything that might embarrass Xiao Rong. Everyone's motto was simple: it's good to have you back.

Yu Shaoxie watched them with a complex expression. After everyone else had finished greeting them, he proposed speaking to Xiao Rong alone. Seeing this, Gao Xunzhi took Qu Yunmie away to avoid disturbing them.

Closing the door and distancing themselves from the outside noise, Yu Shaoxie looked at Xiao Rong, hesitating before saying, "You and the emperor..."

Xiao Rong pursed his lips, "I want to spend my life with him."

Yu Shaoxie: "……"

Even though he had heard the words on the rooftop and seen Qu Yunmie's devotion to Xiao Rong, he still felt uneasy. "Do you know how long a lifetime is? Ah Rong, being with the emperor is like walking with a tiger. Look at He Kui from the previous dynasty!"

Xiao Rong fell silent, then lifted his eyes, "Even if you're right, how should I live my life? As long as I'm breathing, I'm surrounded by risks. I could be killed by a galloping horse on the road or crushed by a collapsing wall. Even if I never leave home, I might not wake up one day. Brother Yu, I've feared these risks for many years. Now, I don't want fear to control me anymore. Many people bear risks, and I shouldn't let these unfulfilled dangers rob me of happiness."

Yu Shaoxie frowned, "But thinking about you possibly getting hurt in the future, I—"

Xiao Rong smiled, "If that day comes, I won't be helpless. And Brother Yu, you'll help me, right? We'll bring Qu Yunmie down together and take over the world."

Though Xiao Rong was joking, Yu Shaoxie nodded seriously, "Yes, we'll call Song Shuo then. He's your friend and ruthless. By then, Cheng'er should be powerful enough. With our combined efforts, no one can stop us."

Xiao Rong: "……"

Though he didn't think he'd reach that point with Qu Yunmie, Yu Shaoxie's seriousness affected him. Thinking it over, Xiao Rong decided it was better to be prepared. If Qu Yunmie dared betray him... he would personally imprison him and torture him daily until one of them died.

Qu Yunmie was the type who, if Xiao Rong left him for someone else, would rage and kill everyone except Xiao Rong. He could forgive Xiao Rong countless times until death. But Xiao Rong was the opposite; one betrayal would sever everything. Given his investment, he would make Qu Yunmie pay a thousandfold, even if torturing Qu Yunmie meant torturing himself. He didn't care; he would drag him to hell.

Qu Yunmie probably didn't know this side of Xiao Rong, as he had no chance to show it. Xiao Rong cared for very few people, and Qu Yunmie was the only one who could elicit such a response. However, even if Qu Yunmie knew, he might secretly be pleased.

After all, loving him to the point of wanting to torture him... well... it was thrilling.

Unbeknownst to others, Xiao Rong and Yu Shaoxie had discussed a one-sided prenuptial agreement. Now, let's see what Qu Yunmie was discussing.

Qu Yunmie: "Mr. Gao, I did it. Ah Rong agreed to marry me."

Gao Xunzhi was shocked, "Really?"

Qu Yunmie: "Of course."

Gao Xunzhi: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, for achieving your wish."

Qu Yunmie: "Thank you. Can you handle the wedding arrangements? Ten days enough?"

Gao Xunzhi: "…………"

Look me in the eye and say that again. How many days?!

Author's note: