Chapter 10 Flattery

Chapter 10: Sucking Up

The weather was so cold, yet Jiang Wang was sweating all over.

He had climbed more mountains today than he had in his entire previous life.

On the way down the mountain, the system notified him that the task was complete.

"Congratulations host! The second task has been completed! Reward: 10 task points!"

"Current points: 10"

At the sight of that '10', Jiang Wang almost cried.

First, he had inexplicably become a spy, and then he had to climb like crazy. It had been seriously tough.

What did this mean? It meant Jiang Wang had gotten out of the negatives, broken through the zero barrier, and finally had a positive score!

Jiang Wang was instantly filled with hope for the future, feeling as if he had been injected with adrenaline, raring to go.

A hundred points was just around the corner!

Hui Yue next to him was a bit dumbfounded, not quite understanding why the person beside him suddenly started walking so fast.

Originally, it would have taken the time it takes to drink a cup of tea to descend the back mountain, but under Jiang Wang's swift pace, they made it down way faster.

However, this burst of energy came and went quickly. By the time the two entered the temple's rear courtyard, Jiang Wang could no longer walk.

He first stopped the still energetically advancing Hui Yue, then bent over, leaning on his legs, and plopped down on a relatively clean stone platform.

Jiang Wang let out a long sigh of relief. He had finally come back to life.

Without exaggeration, if he had sat down a second later, he would have almost lost all feeling in his feet.

Hui Yue had originally wanted to hurry with the firewood to confess his mistake to the Abbot, but seeing this, he could only keep Jiang Wang company while he rested.

After a moment, Jiang Wang recovered. Although his legs were still sore and numb, it was much better than before.

But just as his legs improved, his stomach began to growl.

Looking at the sun, it was already noon. After such intense exercise, the pastries he ate in the morning were long gone.

Jiang Wang whispered to Hui Yue, "Little Master, when do we have lunch?"

From the looks of things this morning, Xiao Yan clearly didn't want him to eat.

If he couldn't stand up to him, he could at least steer clear.

He would just sneak off to eat later, as much as he wanted, without letting Xiao Yan know at all.

But before Hui Yue could answer, they heard a door creak open not far away, and someone walked out.

Jiang Wang looked over and met Xiao Yan's gaze, also seeing Fang Fengshi.

The next moment, an elderly monk stepped out from inside. Hui Yue called out, "Master Abbot."

Well, well, everyone was gathered.

An awkward atmosphere circled around the group before settling back on Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang felt a little nervous, unsure whether his words had been heard by the people in the room.

Especially since the very person he was talking about was right there. How was this any different from being caught talking behind someone's back...

Just as the group fell silent, Hui Kong spoke.

"The vegetarian meal is in the back hall. Benefactors, please follow me."

Oh no, it seemed they had all heard. Otherwise, why would the Abbot immediately bring up the meal?

Jiang Wang felt someone's eyes on him, but he didn't look back. He just followed the Abbot's steps, walking with his head down.

It must be Xiao Yan. He refused to look back.

What's wrong with having a vegetarian meal? The Abbot isn't objecting. As the Emperor with vast wealth and property, can't he even spare a meal?

Fang Fengshi, following behind, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

He was seeing Xiao Yan being helpless against someone else for the first time.

Right then, he got kicked.

The back hall wasn't far; they were there in no time.

Even before entering, Jiang Wang could smell the aroma of the food.

The vegetarian meal was already set on the table. Although it was all vegetarian dishes, he was drooling.

As they were taking their seats, the Abbot stood beside Jiang Wang and said something to him.

"In this fleeting journey of life, you, Benefactor, are a lone traveler from a distant land. Eat more."

Jiang Wang was taken aback. How did the Abbot know he wasn't a local of Zhaojing?

But then, glancing at Xiao Yan, he understood. Changes in the Emperor's entourage had already spread throughout Zhaojing. It wasn't strange for the Abbot to know.

Jiang Wang immediately clasped his hands together and said, "Thank you, Master Abbot."

He then subtly glanced at Xiao Yan, as if to say, "Look at him, how broad-minded and kind he is."

But these little actions, Jiang Wang only dared to do covertly, expressing his resistance in this timid, cowardly way.

On the surface, he still had to show great respect to the Emperor.

Only after Xiao Yan picked up his chopsticks could he start eating.

The tofu was smooth, the greens crisp and refreshing. In no time, Jiang Wang finished a bowl of rice.

He put down his bowl and chopsticks, licked his lips, and secretly looked around. Everyone else was still eating.

Fang Fengshi, across from Jiang Wang, noticed his little action and asked, "Lord Jiang, do you want more? I haven't touched this plate of cabbage. Would you like to take it?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang's eyes lit up with joy.

"Thank you Commander Fang!"

But just as he stood up, he heard Xiao Yan clear his throat lightly.

"If you're not full, go serve yourself. Do you think I can't afford to feed you?"

Jiang Wang gave a little pout, looked down and answered, "Yes."

Hui Yue took Jiang Wang to the kitchen, where Jiang Wang heaped himself a full bowl of rice and a full plate of vegetables.

He only felt truly full after finishing the second bowl.

At that moment, the satisfied feeling in his stomach was enough to fight off the soreness in his body.

Really, a good meal was its own kind of pleasure.

*

The purification ritual was complete, and the midday meal had been eaten. Xiao Yan and the others prepared to return to the palace.

However, while waiting for the carriage, Jiang Wang noticed an extra person with them.

Clearly, when they arrived, it had only been him and Xiao Yan. How come there were three people now?

Jiang Wang quietly asked, "Commander Fang, why are you here?"

Seeing Jiang Wang's curious expression, Fang Fengshi obviously couldn't tell him, "I came to discuss matters with the Emperor."

Fang Fengshi tapped the saber at his hip and replied, "My duty is to protect the Emperor. Any problem with that?"

So that was it. Thinking about it, that made sense.

How could it be enough for the Emperor to travel with only Ling Shan as his guard? Naturally, he'd need more guards for safety.

Moreover, it had been awkward being alone in the carriage with Xiao Yan. Now that Commander Fang was accompanying them back, he could relax a bit.

But then, the sound of approaching hoofbeats came from a distance. Besides the familiar carriage, there was also a tall, impressive horse.

The horse walked right over to Fang Fengshi. Fang Fengshi gently patted its head, mounted it, smiled at Jiang Wang, and rode off.

Oh no. Now it was just him and Xiao Yan alone in the carriage again.

With others present earlier, it hadn't felt so strange. But now, stuck in such a small space with just the two of them, the "reckless" things Jiang Wang had done earlier resurfaced in his mind.

Would Xiao Yan find some random excuse to have him killed?

Then again, that seemed unlikely. After all, he had gone there whole and intact; he should return the same way.

Xiao Yan was indeed a tyrant, but his tyranny always had its reasons.

If he were to disappear without a trace, how would Xiao Yan explain it to others, right?

With this thought, Jiang Wang steadied his nerves and followed Xiao Yan into the carriage.

The interior of the carriage was as warm as ever.

A light scent hung in the air, the cushions were soft and comfortable, and coupled with Jiang Wang's exhaustion from climbing the mountain and his recent full meal, sleepiness slowly washed over him.

His reason and sleepiness fought a repeated battle, but in the end, reason lost.

He leaned against the carriage seat and fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Wang's peaceful sleeping appearance was all taken in by Xiao Yan.

Previously, it was always Xiao Yan who slept while Jiang Wang stayed awake. Now, their roles were reversed.

Jiang Wang's eyes were closed, his nose bridge was high and straight, and his lips were a soft, translucent pink. This appearance was indeed among the best in Zhaojing.

However, his brows remained slightly furrowed, as if even in his dreams, he was not at ease.

Xiao Yan watched for a while, tightening his hand into a fist.

He was somewhat puzzled by Jiang Wang.

The reason he specifically brought Jiang Wang along to Longquan Temple this time was to personally observe if Jiang Wang had anything strange.

But so far, everything seemed normal.

Jiang Wang not only did not keep constant tabs on him but also did not ask a lot of questions.

He had even forked over some money for the disaster victims.

Xiao Yan took out the limp pouch from his chest again. The few pieces of broken silver inside couldn't even buy a luxurious piece of clothing.

Moreover, he had picked up the small wooden plaque and gone out of his way to deliver it to the monk.

Xiao Yan doubted once more.

Could Jiang Wang really be the spy sent by Chang Wenji...

As if he felt the eyes on him in his sleep, Jiang Wang shifted his body, as if he might wake up.

But perhaps he was too attached to the current comfort and warmth. In the end, he just nuzzled against the carriage seat, found a more stable position, and continued sleeping.

However, he was still mumbling something.

Xiao Yan leaned forward, bringing his ear close to Jiang Wang's to listen carefully.

Only two words.

So tired.

The corners of Xiao Yan's lips lifted, and he couldn't help but smile.

The carriage could have gone up to the mountainside, even stopping steadily at the entrance of Longquan Temple. But he hadn't let the carriage proceed further. Instead, using piety as an excuse, he had gotten off directly at the foot of the mountain.

When the Emperor disembarks, it is only right for his subjects to walk too.

Xiao Yan walked ahead, and before they were even halfway, he had already left Jiang Wang far behind.

For Jiang Wang to climb to Longquan Temple on the mountainside and then go up the back mountain to find Hui Yue, it must have taken at least an hour and a half.

Looking at his slender frame and his clothes covered in mud, no wonder he was tired.

The carriage swayed its way back from Longquan Mountain to Zhaojing, and the sky was already dark.

The ride had been smooth, but just as they were about to enter the palace gates, they hit a large rock.

The carriage shook violently, causing the horses to rear up and whinny.

Jiang Wang jolted awake from his sleep, his heart hammering, sure it was an earthquake.

But after fully waking up, he realized he might have been better off continuing to sleep.

Xiao Yan was looking at him, seemingly enjoying his panicked expression.

Not that he could blame Xiao Yan for looking. After all, he had slept so soundly the entire way, as if he were the master of this carriage.

Jiang Wang gave an affected cough and glanced out the window.

"Your Majesty, it is growing late. I should take my leave."

But Xiao Yan remained silent for a long while. Just as Jiang Wang was about to reach his limit, Xiao Yan spoke, his tone inscrutable.

"Minister Jiang, did you sleep well on the journey?"

*Of course, he slept well.*

The carriage was brightly lit, but he had slept so deeply that the light didn't bother him at all.

If not for that jolt, he could have slept for another hour.

However, he couldn't say that.

He reminded himself to suck up to Xiao Yan from time to time—not too obviously, but seamlessly, to please him without a trace.

Jiang Wang cleared his throat and replied smoothly, "I slept so soundly entirely thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence."

The subtext was clear: it was Your Majesty's tolerance that allowed it, not his own disrespect.

Surely *this* wouldn't earn him a punishment.

Unfortunately, the target of his flattery did not share that view.

A faint smile curled at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips as he calmly declared, "Jiang Wang, for impropriety in the Imperial presence, you are fined one month's salary."

Author's Note:

Abbot: "Life is an inn, and mortal beings are but passing travelers. You, Benefactor, are a stranger in a foreign land, blah blah..."

Jiang Wang: "How does he know I'm not a local?!"

Hmm, darling, maybe the abbot meant something else?