Chapter 628 - Leaving on a Journey (1/2)

When Yu Xiaocao appeared in the middle of the crowd sending off the army, with dark circles under her eyes and her eyes red-rimmed from staying up the entire night, Zhu Junyang, who was seated on top of Fierce Wind, immediately spotted her.

Today, the emperor had personally come out to send off these troops. Just as he finished his speech, he saw the newly anointed Great General Zhengxi jumping off his horse and striding towards a certain area. The emperor looked in the direction the youth was headed towards and immediately spotted a familiar face.

“That stinky brat!” The emperor growled in amus.e.m.e.nt.

Su Ran lightly chuckled and stated, “Since ancient times, even heroes have a weakness for beautiful women. This is something that is quite natural for humans.”

Su Ran also looked in that direction and spotted Xiaocao, who had a worried and anxious expression on her face. The little la.s.s had just been engaged to Royal Prince Yang, yet the prince had to enter the battlefield right now. It wasn’t surprising that she was worried. The foreign invaders at the northwestern borders were all fierce and vicious warriors who weren't afraid of death. Although Royal Prince Yang was incredibly brave and strong, the battlefield was full of hidden dangers. Who could guarantee that nothing bad would happen to him? If the prince had met an untimely end, the little la.s.s would naturally be quite heartbroken and would likely decide to stay alone for the rest of her life...Su Ran’s heart suddenly felt uncomfortable at this thought and an idea sprouted in his head.

“Imperial Majesty, this subject asks to be sent to observe the army this time!” Su Ran suddenly bowed with his hands together as he volunteered himself.

Zhu Junfan was caught by surprise by this request. He didn’t understand what his chief steward was asking for and instead thought that Su Ran was afraid that his younger cousin might have disloyal thoughts after gaining so much power. He hurriedly said, “Chief Steward Su, we have full confidence and trust in Royal Prince Yang. There’s no need for you to keep an eye on him and the army, right?”

Su Ran replied solemnly, “This subject also believes that Royal Prince Yang is loyal to the bones. However, recently, the hidden soldiers have gotten information that there are some people who are quite unhappy with how the army was arranged this time. Imperial Majesty, you currently don’t have any other projects for me, so there’s really no point in me staying in the capital. It’s probably better for me to also go along this time!”

“Those so-called generals who helped to establish the empire all have too much idle time on their hands. All they do is gossip and grumble all day, like a bunch of gossipy old women. Alright, then go along with the army ah! Our younger cousin is truly like an unstable bomb that could explode at any time. Although he’s had Xiaocao keeping him in check these last two years and hasn’t lost control, there’s no guarantee that he might not lose himself in the b.l.o.o.d.y environment of the battlefield. With you there, there will at least be someone who can control him! In actuality, I was thinking about letting that la.s.s Xiaocao go along as that would be more secure…” The emperor suddenly came up with an absurd idea of wanting to send Yu Xiaocao, who was Great General Zhengxi’s special medicine, along with the army.

Su Ran hurriedly interjected, “Don’t, please don’t! Although that la.s.s is braver than most, she’s still a maiden. The battlefield is full of vicious sights and scary beasts. I’d be surprised if she wasn’t scared silly after seeing something like that. If you gave out the order, I’m pretty sure Royal Prince Yang would have a falling out with you right then and there. What do you think?”

The emperor rubbed at the tip of his nose and recalled just how much his younger cousin liked the little la.s.s. It was very likely that the prince would cause a ruckus if he did exactly that. Zhu Junfan coughed and said, “We were just mentioning a thought. What are you so nervous for? Could it be that you…”

“Imperial Majesty, this subject views Xiaocao as my younger sister!” Su Ran hastily interrupted the emperor to stop him from finis.h.i.+ng that thought.

“That’s exactly what we were referring to, alright? Why are you acting so off as if you’re feeling unconfident about something?” Zhu Junfan eyed his chief steward from head to toe. That fellow had a handsome figure, red lips with spotlessly white teeth, and an elegant scholarly demeanor. If one forgot the fact that he wasn’t a whole man anymore, he would absolutely be considered an incredibly handsome specimen. However, after all, he was still someone who had that alteration done. Could it be...that eunuchs could also end up liking women?

“When has this official ever been unconfident? Imperial Majesty, you’re the one looking too much into this!” Su Ran once again returned to his usual calm and unruffled image and looked towards that little la.s.s, whose eyes were full of worry, “If she didn’t care about my awkward status, this eunuch would truly like to make her my younger sister officially…”

“Mhm! We also believe that could be feasible!” The emperor sent another piercing gaze at him as he nodded, “When my eldest son pa.s.ses his adulthood ceremony, we will abdicate from the throne and become a leisurely emperor emeritus, bringing the empress along to tour the lands. As for you? You should hurry up and finish training up your disciples and their disciples. When the time comes, if you want to come along with us you can. If you don’t, then you can have your younger sister Yu Xiaocao provide for you in your retirement.”

Su Ran was already used to the emperor occasionally spouting off weird ideas. Although his heart clearly yearned for the ordinary lifestyle of ordinary people, this was just wishful thinking on his end. He didn’t want that la.s.s Xiaocao to be affected by malicious gossip related to him. Thus, this was only a pa.s.sing thought for him.

“Imperial Majesty, when the eldest imperial prince turns twenty, this subject will not be quite forty. That’s probably too early to retire, right?” He watched as the little maiden cried openly in the arms of Royal Prince Yang. This little la.s.s always revealed her true, sincere self around people and never seemed to care about other people’s opinions about her. Perhaps, the emperor’s ideas weren’t so far fetched after all.

The emperor and Chief Steward Su both focused on one figure——Zhu Junyang, who was currently tightly hugging Xiaocao’s trembling shoulders against his chest. He could only use his words to try to comfort her, “Don’t worry, this prince is extremely skilled. Can’t you believe in me? Don’t worry ah, the medicines you have given me won’t even have to be used. This prince will come back completely whole and safe. Not even a single hair on my body will be gone!”

“Liar!” Yu Xiaocao’s voice sounded a bit stuffed, “A person sheds around a dozen or so hairs a day. Thus, your claim that not even a single hair will be gone is just something you’re using to trick me.”

“That’s not true, this prince may trick other people but I would never try to trick you! This prince will use all of my skills to make sure I come back safe and sound, without a single injury. Furthermore, I also have the highly skilled Head Steward Liu and Dong Dali with me this time. This prince will also have a gun at my side. Even the most stubborn enemy can’t possibly get the upper hand against this prince now.”