HMAM CH 73 Indulgent
The old city lord Le did not make an appearance. Before Le Zhenghuan arrived in the capital, he entrusted everything to his only son and his subordinates, leaving without a trace, clean and unburdened.
The martial arts of the Le family clashing with the sword techniques from Daxue Mountain. Lin Qiqi seriously injured Le Zhenghuan, but in turn as predicted by Lin Hangyu, her heart sword shattered, nearly leaving her lifeless, yet the person she was waiting for never came.
She walked to Xiaoyi Pavilion, and for every word she spoke, blood would spill from her lips.
“He is so cruel, abandoning Pingyue, leaving that child behind. He... he’s free... but what about me?”
In an instant, her black hair turned white as snow, and her beauty faded.
Jing Le, standing on the other side of the door, timidly said, “Teacher...”
Lin Hangyu replied, “Do not look.”
Suddenly, a hurried person came from the sleeping quarters: “Mr. Lin, the young city lord Le has awakened. His Majesty has summoned you to see him.”
Jing Ye looked at Le Zhenghuan curled up in the corner of the bed, his eyes vacant and mumbling nonsense. The joy of seeing him awaken instantly dissipated.
“Mr. Lin, since this matter arose from someone within your sect, shouldn’t you show some response?”
Lin Hangyu said, “His blood is boiling; he has fallen into madness.”
Jing Ye felt a tightness in his chest, “What method can zhen use to help him?”
“Sever one of his arms.”
Jing Ye grit his teeth, “No!”
Lin Hangyu looked at him, “Or I can guide him using the true energy from my sect, but this method will cause unbearable pain. If he tries to escape from it, it will be futile.”
“It won’t happen.” Jing Ye held the young man’s hand, “I’ll keep a grip on him.”
The youth, confused, curled up in Jing Ye's arms. When the true energy entered his body, it churned like insects gnawing at his insides, cutting into his heart. He immediately began thrashing, screaming in agony.
Jing Ye grasped his hand and recited, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Can you recognize who I am?”
Le Zhenghuan was momentarily stunned and let out an “Ah.”
Jing Ye swallowed his bitterness, “Endure it; once you do, you’ll recognize me.”
The youth cried out “Ahhh!,” and suddenly bit down on his shoulder.
Blood seeped through layers of clothing, and Jing Ye trembled as he said to Lin Hangyu, “Please hurry.”
Though Le Zhenghuan was disoriented, he still had his strength; as the true energy guided through him, he almost tore a chunk of flesh from Jing Ye’s shoulder.
The young man lay on him, slowly closing his eyes and peacefully drifting off to sleep.
Ye Mao sneaked into the sleeping palace and almost gasped at the sight of the emperor’s bloodstained shoulder; he was met with a glare from Jing Ye, which lodged his voice in his throat.
Lin Hangyu observed emotionlessly and rose, “I will return tomorrow at this time.”
Jing Ye nodded and replied, “Please take care.”
Ye Mao, trembling, came closer to examine the wound but didn’t dare touch it; he hurriedly rolled out to summon the imperial physician.
“Fortunately, it’s just a flesh wound, nothing serious…” the old physician felt Jing Ye’s pulse.
“He’s not made of iron and steel; he can’t crush bones.” Jing Ye still found time for humor, but upon turning, he saw Gu Hong and Lin Xiaosheng both looking grim, their faces ashen and tinged with a hint of darkness. He couldn’t help but cough and ask, “What’s with the long faces? Are you showing your tempers to zhen?”
Lin Xiaosheng gripped his other wrist tightly, his voice cold, “Your Majesty presides over all affairs in the realm. Don’t you know to care for your own well-being?”
Jing Ye fell silent and did not respond.
The old physician left behind the medicine for the injuries and bowed before departing.
Gu Hong looked at Jing Ye with lowered eyes and said, “Your Majesty is too sentimental, unaware that being overly sentimental can also lead to insensitivity.”
Jing Ye shook his head, smiling, “There’s no point in saying more. I only hope you won’t one day have me worrying about your lives.”
Gu Hong replied, “Pingyue City has long held power in its territory. If not dealt with, trouble is bound to arise sooner or later.”
“That’s still unrelated to the current situation,” Jing Ye responded, momentarily distracted. He smiled gently, “The old city lord left alone, and everyone in the city looks to the young city lord for leadership. If he cannot return safely, the situation will be genuinely troublesome.”
“Indeed.” Gu Hong raised his gaze, “But Your Majesty’s actions are not merely out of a desire to appease the people of Pingyue, are they?”
Jing Ye replied, “Ah Huan... is a good boy. It pains zhen to see him fall at such a young age.”
On the day when the first heavy snow fell, Jing Yun pressed his face against the window and exclaimed, “Uncle, it’s snowing!”
Jing Ye turned to look, “This year’s snow is heavy. The common folks will have a better year to come.” He gestured to Ye Mao.
Ye Mao hurriedly lifted Jing Yun down, “Your Highness, don’t keep the window open. You’ll catch a cold.”
“Don’t close it; let me have a look too.”
A voice came from behind, startling Jing Ye. He turned around to see Le Zhenghuan, supported by a small eunuch, slowly walking out and smiling at him.
When the winter snow finally melted and the buds on the branches of the imperial garden began to sprout, the Xirong made their move. The struggling tiger, wounded but still a threat, could not be underestimated.
The officials in court looked hesitant, like shy young maidens, as they nominated a few individuals, none of whom Jing Ye found satisfactory. Ye Mao cautiously suggested, “From Zhengde Gate…”
Jing Ye impatiently replied, “He's still injured; what’s there to boast about!”
Ye Mao wisely fell silent.
To everyone’s surprise, just a few days later, a memorial from Li Tingqiu arrived on his desk. Jing Ye frowned as he read it, placing it aside while saying, “Send it back.”
“Your Majesty…” Ye Mao bent down and said, “General Li is waiting outside the hall.”
Jing Ye’s hand paused, then he commanded, “Let him in.”
Moments later, Li Tingqiu stepped through the hall, following a little eunuch.
Jing Ye supported his chin while watching him. Li Tingqiu knelt on one knee, saying, “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty. This subject humbly petitions to march north.”
Jing Ye was silent for a while, furrowing his brows, “Zhen thought you knew your limits…”
“This subject's old injuries have healed about eighty to ninety percent, Your Majesty needn’t worry,” Li Tingqiu raised his head and said, “This subject lacks the fortune to remain by Your Majesty’s side, so asks the permission to let this subject take care of this matter for Your Majesty.”
Jing Ye was taken aback, mentally preparing numerous reasons to refuse him, but they ultimately turned into a soft sigh.
“The journey is long and arduous; you... take care of yourself.”
In three days, to gather troops, news arrived from the northern border; the Wuhuan King, leading his troops, had fallen into an ambush by the Xirong, gravely wounded and unconscious.
Jing Ye commanded, “Keep it tightly under wraps and don’t let Fengyang Palace know.”
Ye Mao, looking pained, replied, “Your Majesty, the courier has entered the palace, and the palace staff have certainly seen him; it may not be easy to hide it from Consort Xiang.”
Jing Ye understood this; he furrowed his brows and said, “Zhen says so; you needn’t say more.”
The next morning, as he was waking up, Ye Mao softly called from outside, “Your Majesty.”
Jing Ye attempted to sit up, but Lu Baizang hugged his waist from behind, half playfully and half coaxingly saying, “Sweet Majesty, after this little separation, you should sleep a bit longer.”
Ye Mao hesitated before saying, “Your Majesty, Consort Xiang wishes to see you.”
Jing Ye pushed his hand away, saying, “It’s probably about the Wuhuan King; if I don’t meet him, he may be left waiting.”
Lu Baizang reached out to pinch his chin and kissed his lips, “Mmm... waiting a bit longer is fine…”
Jing Ye pushed his face away and replied, “Zhen's waist hurts; you entertain yourself.”
Lu Baizang chuckled, “Your waist hurts? Let me massage it for you…”
Jing Ye swatted his inappropriate hand aside, threw off the bedding, and said, “Get dressed.”
“This subject knows this goes against the agreement,” Gesha knelt on the cold stone floor of the hall, “but this subject asks Your Majesty to allow me to return to Wuhuan to see my brother.”
“Your brother was ambushed and injured,” Jing Ye said, “Zhen will send someone to treat him diligently with the best medicine; you…”
Gesha clenched his teeth, fists tight: “Your Majesty, why do you deceive this subject? If it weren’t a matter of life and death, would a message be sent from a thousand miles away? All this subject asks is to see my brother once before I die.”
Jing Ye was at a loss for words, watching the young man lower his head, sensing fear radiating from him. Fear was not wrong; in life, if there weren’t one or two people to worry about, then what was the meaning of it?
Jing Ye turned his head and said, “Consort Xiang, as a concubine in the palace, you cannot step out of the palace gate even a single step.”
Gesha’s forehead felt icy cold, still bitterly chilly from early spring, but he was drenched in a thin layer of sweat.
What was he doing? He was the hostage sent by the Wuhuan and should remain obediently in Fengyang Palace. He had barged in here early in the morning, hoping that this person controlling the fate of his Wuhuan people would grant him favors…
He thought that this person would indulge him.
What he just said truly betrayed the expectations of his tribe.
Jing Ye rubbed the armrest and suddenly said, “Li Tingqiu is heading north to face the enemy; the journey is arduous. Zhen wishes to appoint a palace servant to take care of him. Who do you think would be suitable?”
Gesha averted his eyes. “Whoever Your Majesty prefers, let that person go.”
Jing Ye replied, “Actually, zhen already has someone in mind, but this child’s name is not suitable. If I say it out loud, it might raise suspicion; perhaps we should choose another.”
What he said seemed more like self-talk, but Gesha felt a spark of hope.
“Zhen has heard of a renowned pipa player from the previous dynasty who composed ‘Hai Qing.’ The technique was astonishing. You... shall use this as your Han name. Consider it a gift from zhen.”
Gesha suddenly looked up. Jing Ye, watching him teasingly, added, “Once you bear the name zhen has given you, you will be zhen's person.”
Three days later, the army set out, and the emperor personally went to the city gates to see them off.
After the sacrifice was made to the heavens, Li Tingqiu knelt and accepted the sword that Jing Ye handed over before getting back up to mount his horse.
The young general pulled back the reins, glancing back at the emperor being surrounded by the crowd.
The flags fluttered in the wind, and the drums sounded loudly.
Jing Ye stood with his hands behind his back, watching the figure gradually fade into the distance, feeling somewhat lost for reasons he couldn’t articulately grasp.
Ye Mao discreetly said, “Your Majesty.”
The cold wind brushed against his face, startling Jing Ye back to reality as he instructed, “Return to the palace.”
After a few days, Le Zhenghuan healed quickly and insisted on wanting to drink wine.
Having walked a journey between life and death, his nature remained unchanged; even though he had lost his martial skills and was immobile, he could still cause trouble while lying down. Only Jing Ye could manage him.
Jing Ye asked, “Is drinking all you want?”
“Exactly,” the youth said, draping himself lazily over Jing Ye and smiled brightly, “If I can’t have wine, I won’t be happy, and if I’m not happy, the injuries will heal slowly.”
He didn’t care much for the wounds on his body, but knowing that Jing Ye was tirelessly trying to have him treated, he could only listen. However, he needed some excuse for Jing Ye to accompany and reassure him.
Villa Master Lu hadn’t gotten laid for several nights now, and the way he looked at the young devil was as if he wanted to turn him into ground meat.
Jing Ye thought for a moment and smiled, “Alright, since your wounds have scabbed over, I suppose having some wine wouldn't hurt.”
Did that mean he agreed? Le Zhenghuan laughed and bit his earlobe, saying, “So, can you feed me, too?”