Chapter 146: Watching The Two Beasts Figh (1/2)
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Nan Xun's smile dropped. He sat up and asked if Jun Huang was alright.
“I am, but…” Jun Huang trailed off, pointing at the open door with a finger. It took no time for Nan Xun to figure out what her unspoken words were.
He let out a silent laugh and blinked at Jun Huang like a kicked puppy. “He has misunderstood our pure relations.h.i.+p! After a lifetime of fighting on battlefields, I've never felt this insecure… Gentleman Feng should take responsibility.”
Jun Huang was used to Nan Xun's stoic look and half-smile. She had never seen Nan Xun acted so shamelessly. She snorted, tension draining out her body. She put aside her awkwardness and put what had happened behind her.
Nan Xun relaxed when he saw the carefree look on Jun Huang's face. He sat up and helped Jun Huang up. He then started ma.s.saging her arms.
Jun Huang had felt much better after soaking in the medicinal bath, but her limbs and eyelids started to grow heavy when Nan Xun ma.s.saged her. The soreness in her muscles seemed to spread through her entire body. She leaned against the bed frame and slowly closed her eyes.
Nan Xun considered her openly. Every inch of her face radiated a bone deep tiredness. Jun Huang had been training hard and making arrangements for Wan'er's wedding the past few days. Her health was bad enough as it had been, and now she had taken on so many responsibilities… Nan Xun didn't like to see her push herself. He wanted to give her a life free of concerns. She shouldn't be running herself to the ground for other people.
He let go of Jun Huang's hand when he noticed that Jun Huang had fallen asleep. He lay her on the bed and tucked her in before leaving the room.
Nan Xun's second in command was waiting for him in his study. The man gave him an awkward smile and briefed him on the affairs at the border.
Nan Xun was tired as well, and it showed. He supported his head with a hand and rubbed at his forehead with the other.
After a good while, the officer had finally finished his report. He snuck a few glances at Nan Xun. He couldn't suppress his curiosity. “Are you serious about him, Your Highness?”
Nan Xun opened his eyes and gave his second in command a puzzled look. The officer didn't know what else to say. He sighed and left without another word.
As he walked through the winding hallway, the officer thought back to what he had witnessed. Nan Xun and Jun Huang actually looked like a good match –
He quickly shook away his thoughts. It was Nan Xun he was thinking about, for heaven's sake! Nan Xun was a general in command of the army. He stood above many others. Jun Huang, similarly, was a graceful gentleman known to many as an ethereal figure. How could people like them be into men?
It must have been a misunderstanding, the officer thought. He shook his head again and quickened his pace.
The third prince had not met with Ji Bo for a while. Today, he went straight to Ji Bo after returning from the palace. Ji Bo invited him to take a seat and poured him a cup of tea, which pleased the prince.
“This gentleman can tell that Your Highness is in a good mood,” Ji Bo said with feign nonchalance as he handed the cup of tea to the prince. “Has something good happened?”
The smile on the third prince's face deepened. “The gentleman is observant. A few days ago some of the courtiers started talking to me personally. Today quite a few of them came to me and expressed their interest in an alliance.”
Ji Bo thought for a moment before breaking into a smile. “Congratulation, Your Highness, for winning their support. It won't take long before Your Highness gains the same level of influence in the imperial court as the crown prince. Then you will be able to easily replace him.”
Ji Bo had as good a silver tongue as Jun Huang. The third prince had been in a good mood already. Ji Bo's words made him feel even better about himself. His eyes crinkled.
Ji Bo looked up at the prince, who had clearly forgotten himself, and drank some of the herbal tea. “What does Your Highness plan to do next?”