Chapter 62: Night Raid

Chapter 62: Night Raid

After the Crown Prince incident, Sang Yu's visits to the palace became more frequent.

Li Zhiming couldn't stand his behavior and refused to be pushed around by him. Just as he was trying to figure out how to avoid him, Sang Yu got summoned to the palace again.

Li Zhiming did go to work sometimes. Even though his post was basically a sinecure, he was really bored all by himself. The servants were too cautious around him, and even small talk felt like a chore.

The sun was setting in the west.

Just as he was about to get on the carriage to head home, he saw Sang Yu standing a few yards away, looking in his direction.

Well, what do you know.

"Going home, Young Master Li? Oh, how convenient—my carriage hasn't shown up."

Sang Yu climbed into the carriage without a shred of courtesy, not even bothering to look at him.

Tsk.

This guy was seriously weird.

Li Zhiming grudgingly climbed in after him and sat on the far side, keeping his distance. There was enough room between them for another person to squeeze in.

Sang Yu closed his eyes, looking all calm and collected, and drawled, "Trying to keep your distance from me, Young Master Li? What, scared that my killing spree will drag you down with me?"

Damn right!

You're the emperor's bastard, and I'm not!

He didn't dare say that out loud, just vented it in his head.

When he got no response, Sang Yu frowned in annoyance, grabbed his wrist, and yanked him hard. Caught off guard, Li Zhiming stumbled and landed on his knees in front of him.

"..."

"Sang Yu, are you out of your mind?"

Fed up, Li Zhiming cursed and scrambled back up, sitting down again. But Sang Yu yanked him over again, forcing him to sit right next to him.

"Why you sitting so far away, Young Master Li? Scared I'll eat you?"

That "eat" was a real kicker. Who knows who'd be eating who. He sure could talk, but he never actually put his mouth to use—every time, it was Li Zhiming who had to use his—the poor sucker.

Just thinking about it pissed him off.

Li Zhiming's face went pale, and he didn't hold back: "You're the emperor's golden boy now. Your status is totally different—why are you still mooching off someone else's place?"

The second he said that, Sang Yu squeezed his wrist hard enough to leave a red mark.

His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at him.

Li Zhiming flinched back. "Why you staring at me like that? I'm just looking out for you."

"Looks like Young Master Li can't wait to shake me off."

You bet.

"Fine. The old emperor gave me a new place. I'll be moving out in a few days."

"For real?"

"Happy about that, are you?"

"Ahem, isn't this great for you? You've finally made it big. The future's looking good, and you'll go back home with even more glory."

Sang Yu let out a cold snort and said nothing.

He was only moving out to make it easier to carry out his plans.

Li Zhiming thought about Sang Yu moving out soon, and he could barely keep from grinning. This life of being bossed around and pushed down was finally over.

Maybe, after a while, he could even get remarried.

The two returned to the Prime Minister's residence, each harboring their own thoughts.

Li Ruoyao had returned home.

"Brother." The moment she saw him, Li Ruoyao happily trotted over to him, her increasingly mature face beaming with a smile. "Your sister greets her elder brother."

"Enough, enough."

Li Zhiming cheerfully helped her up. "You girl, you never cared about formalities before. Now you're putting on such airs."

"Hmph."

Li Ruoyao pouted coquettishly, glanced at Sang Yu with a slightly complicated expression, and said in a flat tone, "Young Master Sang, would you please excuse us? I have something to discuss with my brother."

Sang Yu turned and left without a word.

The siblings sat down in the front hall. Li Zhiming looked at her and asked, "What's wrong? What do you need to tell me? Is it something important?"

"Yes."

Li Ruoyao shyly twisted the hem of her clothes, hesitating a few times before speaking in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "Brother, I... I..."

She stammered for a long while but couldn't get the words out.

"What's wrong with you? Just say it! You're driving me crazy with suspense."

"Brother-in-law." Lu Zhao walked in, full of vigor and beaming with joy. "Ruoyao came home today to share some happy news with you—she's pregnant."

"Really?"

"Really!"

Li Zhiming was both shocked and delighted.

Seeing the joy and shyness on Li Ruoyao's face, she walked over to Lu Zhao's side as he approached, shyly leaning against him and tugging at his sleeve.

The image of a demure young wife was plain to see.

It seemed the two truly had a good relationship. Ruoyao had really found her ideal match. Thank goodness he had stopped her from throwing herself at Sang Yu back then.

As long as she was happy.

As her brother, Li Zhiming was overjoyed.

That evening.

Lu Zhao was the first to invite, "Brother, why not come stay at our place for a while? It'd be a good chance to catch up and strengthen our bond. It's been ages since the last hunt."

Li Zhiming gave it some serious thought and figured it made sense.

Sang Yu would still be here for a few more days, and he'd been stressing about how to deal with him during that time. Leaving for a bit would give him a solid excuse.

That works.

"Alright! I'll stay at your place for a few days, and we can play some chess."

"Obviously."

Li Ruoyao cut in, annoyed, "Oh, big brother, you can't just play chess with him. You need to talk with me too—I haven't seen you in ages either."

"Haha, of course, of course." Li Zhiming had a big, fond smile as he looked at the two of them.

The longer he looked, the happier he got.

While they were all cheerful over here, someone over there was not happy.

Sang Yu stood behind a pillar, hidden in the darkness, silently watching the group laugh and chat, listening to Lu Zhao push Li Zhiming to come stay at his place.

He watched Lu Zhao sling an arm around Li Zhiming's shoulder, all chummy and close.

Still too free, he thought.

Sang Yu slipped back into the shadows, called over a carrier pigeon, scribbled a note, and released it toward the south.

&

Li Zhiming went to the Lu residence and was having so much fun he forgot to go home, not heading to his room until late at night.

As soon as he entered and closed the door, someone clamped a hand over his mouth from behind, yanked his arms behind his back, and shoved his face into the doorframe.

"Mmph... mmph..."

Li Zhiming struggled wildly, kicking at the person behind him.

The next second, his legs were blocked and forced apart, almost making him do the splits, a sharp, tearing pain jolting through his crotch like an electric shock.

The person behind him said nothing, their slightly cool hand releasing his mouth, only to quickly stuff something into it.

It was packed so tightly that he couldn't spit it out, couldn't push it away, and couldn't produce any coherent sound.

Seizing the moment his hand was freed, the guy tied his hands behind his back, then swiftly undid his cloak and tore open the sash of his outer robe.

In no time, the loose outer garment hung slack around his waist.

"Mmph mmph..."

Let me go.

Li Zhiming seized the chance to turn his head and look, only to see in the pitch-black room a tall, slender figure busy behind him, with soft, handsome features all too familiar.

Bang.

He was shoved forward by the back of his head, nearly slammed into the door with a loud thud, the pain bringing tears to his eyes.

What a shameless bastard.

This was General Su's residence—this man was bold beyond reason, not only breaking into the general's mansion at night but also ambushing him!