“I want you to carry me on your back.”

Li Fuquan wanted to cry.

He was just doing his job, serving his Majesty on the side. So how did the heat get thrown at him?

“Your Majesty...” Li Fuquan said with difficulty, “This servant doesn't know how to ride a horse.”

Anyone with eyes could see who Huyan Kemu was really targeting.

“That’s right, why would Prince Huyan want to make a eunuch’s life difficult.” Ji Yue said naturally, “There are plenty of generals present. Who is willing to accept this order?”

Several generals immediately got up, cupped their fists and replied. “Please give the order to this subject!”

He easily diffused the tense atmosphere just like that.

But Huyan Kemu was relentless. “Your Majesty, I wasn’t talking about your eunuch.”

“Who else could be beside us?” Ji Yue appeared puzzled.

Huyan Kemu gritted his teeth. “The one on your right isn’t he...” Isn’t he a human?

How could you miss such a large thing!

“You mean Wei Lang?” Ji Yue was even more puzzled. “You said that there are many talented individuals in my Qin Empire. Wei Lang is not from the Qin, he is from the Chu. What does this have to do with him?”

Huyan Kemu: “...”

He would never have expected that this good-looking man was not from the Qin Empire.

As soon as Ji Yue’s voice fell, Wei Lian could no longer hold back his chuckle.

Everything paled at the joy in this laughter.

It was actually more moving than Princess Chonghua’s dance.

Wei Lian was very happy that Ji Yue protected him.

But he was not the type who would hide behind Ji Yue.

Huyan Kemu might have appeared like a brute, but he was in fact smooth among the rough. He had set countless traps in his speech.

—There are many capable people in the Qin Empire. Anyone at random should be able to tame the horse.

In front of all the envoys, he praised the Qin Empire to heaven and up in the clouds. Then if the ‘random’ individual Huyan Kemu selected could not complete the task, wouldn’t that mean that individual would give the Qin Empire a bad name in the eyes of the public?

—Even my seven year old sister, Huyan Yuya, could also ride a pony on the grassland.

These words were meant to block all of Wei Lian’s retreats. If he refused on the grounds that he could not ride a horse, then he would be admitting that a nearly adult man in the Qin Empire was not as good as a seven-year-old girl from the grasslands.

How could a grand dominant empire spoil their reputation?

In this situation, he could not expose the fact that he knew horsemanship, so he could only admit that he lacked the skill. When he admitted this, it would be the same as admitting the incompetence of the Qin Empire.

If he and Ji Yue were in an ordinary noble consort and emperor relationship, this would certainly lead to Ji Yue’s displeasure and him falling out of favour. As soon as he fell out of favour, it would be Princess Chonghua’s opportunity.

Huyan Kemu’s aim of venting out anger for Princess Chonghua would also be achieved.

None of those who represented each empire were good people, except for Wei Yan who was an embroidered pillow, all talk and no bite.

But having the experience and vigilance to stave off evil, Ji Yue’s single reply, ‘Wei Lang is not from Qin’, had skilfully shattered the careful setup laid out by Huyan Kemu.

But Wei Lian did not need it.

This was a battle that was better off won by his own hands.

“Since this subject is married to your Majesty.” Wei Lian opened his mouth, “Then this subject is naturally from the Qin.”

Ji Yue was puzzled and gave him a stern eye signal.

What was Wei Lian doing?

This was not the right time to show affection. Wei Lian was a smart man. There was no way for him to not understand how Ji Yue was helping him out. He just fished the younger man out of the vortex. Why did Wei Lian jump back in by himself?

Wei Lian pretended to not see the older man’s eye signal. “I will tame the horse in three days.”

Ji Yue: “...”

“Wei Lian!” Ji Yue bellowed, nearly triggering a heart attack.

This matter was not something to play around with.

Wei Lian did not have horsemanship skills. It was fine within the three days time period if it was a gentle natured horse of normal breeding. But this was a fierce horse they were talking about.

This was Wei Lian playing with his life!

Wei Lian only turned to him. “Your Majesty, please believe in this subject.”

Ji Yue: “...”

It was not a matter of believing. He naturally would believe in Wei Lian unconditionally, but to tame a fierce horse? This was equivalent to starting to run before learning to walk. Ji Yue would not be blindsided.

Hearing Wei Lian’s response, and fearing that the young man would take back his words, Huyan Kemu immediately said, “Great! I knew that someone as courageous and knowledgeable as the Qin Emperor would not have a gutless individual around him. I hope to witness Gongzi galloping on the horse course in three days!”

Originally, the Qin Emperor made his statement to defend Wei Lian. He thought all was said and done. Who would have thought that this attractive young man with an extremely delicate body would not use his brain properly, and actually jumped into the fire pit by himself.

If one could not stand the heat, get away from the flame. Did the pretty face even know how to get on a horse’s back? If he could not subdue the chestnut horse in three days, the Qin Empire would become a laughing stock.

Wei Lian could not afford to lose.

The hall’s atmosphere became slightly heavy for a moment. The Qin Emperor was in a bad mood and everyone noticed it.

Wei Lian, who was sitting next to Ji Yue, could feel this bad mood. Ji Yue’s face was covered with ‘We are unhappy, we are very unhappy’. The heavy pressure lingered around him, a cold aura that made the palace workers afraid to approach.

Wei Lian had no doubt that all Ji Yue wanted to do was to kill Huyan Kemu on the spot.

But this was not the best time or place.

Although the Qin Emperor was superior, he could only stifle each empire one at a time. Supposing that if the six empires united, it would be a tough battle even for the Qin Empire.

The reason why the six empires have not united thus far is because of a good deal of implication and quarrel. For example, if the Liang Empire and Chen Empire were not forced into a desperate situation, it was absolutely impossible for them to join hands because of their deep-seated hatred for each other. There were countless enmities among the six empires that were ocean deep and dyed blood red. If they could not let down their guard and trust each other, how could there be cooperation?

They were like a plate of sand, a state of disunity, not even fear could change it.

Only when in desperate straits where they united, but at what point?

Naturally it was when the Qin Emperor decided to completely annihilate the six empires.

But that time had not arrived yet. Battles with the Qin Empire went on for many years. It cost human resources and money, they needed time to recuperate.

So Ji Yue could not tear the prince’s face off, giving a reason for these sands to spin into a sand storm, sweeping through the Qin Empire.

As this Empire’s ruler, each of his every move needed careful consideration.

But also because of this kind of misgiving that Ji Yue could only watch Wei Lian accept this hot potato. How could his mood be good?

Wei Lian called, “Your Majesty.”

Ji Yue hmphed.

Wei Lian quietly pulled the older man’s sleeve under the table. “Don’t be mad.”

Ji Yue leaned to the other side. “Hmph.”

Wei Lian picked a grape from the fruit plate, peeled it slowly, and then handed the shiny round pulp to Ji Yue’s lips. “Try it.”

Ji Yue opened his mouth and accepted the grape. After swallowing it, he did not forget that he was still angry and added, “Hmph.”

Wei Lian would have laughed on the spot if this wasn’t the most inappropriate situation.

Three-years-old Ji Yue, could you stop being so childish?

“You must believe that this is within my power.” Wei Lian said, “I won’t embarrass you.”

“This is not about embarrassing us.” Ji Yue glanced at him, before turning away and whispering, “...We just want you safe and sound.”

He blamed himself. He said he would teach Wei Lian how to ride a horse, why did he keep delaying on honouring his words? Now he was on this tight schedule to teach the younger man the way of horsemanship.

Even as smart as Ji Yue was, he could not think of a way to solve this situation. He could quickly tame the horse, but Wei Lian had to be the one riding the horse in front of everyone in three days. The chestnut horse would view him as master, but not others.

If that beast dared to throw Wei Lian off of itself, he would be the first one to cut off its head.

The brilliant lights in Wei Lian’s eyes shone. “Does this mean you are no longer angry at me?”

He immediately huffed, “Still angry!”

“Then,” Wei Lian held up his wine cup, “Allow this subject to drink this cup of wine to compensate your Majesty.”

Being drunk could solve a thousand worries. Not only could he skip over the shame of Ji Yue taking steps in applying ointment, but also not deal with Ji Yue after the banquet. To lose consciousness, an excuse to avoid all things.

He was too clever.

Alcohol was such a good thing.

“Don’t!” Ji Yue looked back in horror and saw that Wei Lian had drunk the whole cup in one gulp.

Wei Lian raised his hand and wiped the wine stains on his lip. “Don’t what?”

“...”

The wine at this party was not as strong as one Ji Yue specially prepared last time, so Wei Lian should be able to stay awake.

“This is a very good wine...” Wei Lian paused, wanting to pour himself more. “Another cup.”

Then he went for the grapes from the plate.

Ji Yue: “...”

He felt that Wei Lian wasn’t very sober right now.

Wei Lian took a grape and was ready to eat it before peeling them. Ji Yue quickly snatched the grape and said, “You can’t eat it directly.”

Grapes were washed and could be eaten with skin, but for Wei Lian’s situation, Ji Yue was more afraid of the young man swallowing the unpeeled grape, seeds and all.

Wei Lian raised his dazed eyes and said, “Give me back my wine.”

Ji Yue uttered, “...This is a grape.”

“Don’t steal my wine.”

“This is a grape.”

“Why are you like this? Why do you take my wine when you have your own.”

Ji Yue: “...” Why was he arguing with a drunk?

Ji Yue quickly peeled the grape and hand fed Wei Lian. “All right, here is your wine.”

Wei Lian slowly chewed before spitting out two grape seeds into the plate. Then he said unhappily, “Why are there spent grains in the wine?”

The corner of Ji Yue's mouth twitched.

Impressive, the youth still knew how to spit out seeds.

Wei Lian finally couldn’t hold on. He lowered his eyelids in a daze and his body went sideways, leaning against Ji Yue’s shoulder and quickly falling asleep quietly.

When the young man rested his head on Ji Yue’s shoulder, his whole body froze before he gently steadied Wei Lian. “A-Lian?”

The young man’s eyes were closed. His eyelashes covered his eyes as he slept soundly.

Even if the hall was filled with all kinds of instrument sound, it could not disturb the youth’s peaceful sleep.

Ji Yue raised his hand, gesturing for silence.

The music came to a screeching halt.

“We are tired. This is the conclusion to this banquet.” Ji Yue said in a low voice.

The crowd: “...”

We are not blind. The tired one is not you, it is the sleeping Gongzi in your arms. We can see it.

Of course, who in their right mind would say this to the Qin Emperor’s face. So they got up and saluted, “Your Majesty, please have a good evening and congratulations.”

Ji Yue carried Wei Lian out of the imperial palace and instructed that no one was to follow them.

He was afraid of what drunk Wei Lian might do, better not let anyone witness it.

Once they were outside of the hall, a cold breeze woke Wei Lian up.

After waking up, he immediately struggled. “Ji Yue, put me down. I don’t want you to carry me.”

Ji Yue put the man down with a gloomy face. “What? We can’t carry you in our arms anymore?”

Wei Lian stood in front of him. Raising his head slightly and said with a crystal clear yet soft and fluffy tone, “I want you to carry me on your back.”

There was no trace of emotion visible on Ji Yue’s face.

Wei Xiao Lian always had the courage to act ten times more presumptuous when he was drunk.

Wei Lian put his arms around Ji Yue’s neck and kissed the corners of his mouth. “Please?”

Ji Yue sighed and squatted down with his back to Wei Lian. “Come on.”

He did not like to show his back defenselessly to anyone, for fear that he would succumb to a merciless knife.

But if it was Wei Lian.

It didn't matter.

Wei Lian acted like a child having a taste of a sweet candy as he smiled brightly and happily jumped onto Ji Yue’s back.

His body might appear thin, and it shouldn’t take too much force to carry the man. But Ji Yue felt the heavy weight on his back.

Of course Ji Yue would not comment on it.

He adjusted his posture slightly and lifted the man on his back.

The pale moonlight shined down, creating two long shadows on the ground.

The young man in black walked steadily while carrying the young man in white on his back.

The young man in white laying on his back whispered, “When I was a child...a small child, I was young and dreamed of riding on my father’s shoulder.”

“But later, I found out that I had to kneel down whenever I saw him.”

“I always thought that all emperors were like this.”

“But not you, not Ji Xiao Yue. You are different.”

Ji Yue kept walking, but a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips. “Oh? Different where?”

Wei Lian thought carefully, put his head down and whispered, “I only like you.”

In this vast sea of people, in this mass of living beings.

I only like you.