Chapter 307: Aid (1/2)

“What if I say I can help Eastern Wu turn the tide? Would Your Majesty welcome me then?” The masked man's words sounded like they were uttered with a smile. Something about his tone demanded trust. His aggressive presence vanished without a trace, making him seem like a regular man.

The emperor looked at the man, his eyes inquisitive. If the man was bothered by the scrutiny, he didn't show it.

After a long stretch of silence, the man scoffed and turned to leave. The emperor frowned and stopped him. “Why are you helping me? Who are you, and what do you want?”

The man laughed, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. This close, he seemed to radiate coldness. The emperor suddenly felt his mouth turn dry.

“There are things Your Majesty is better off not knowing. We'll see each other again.” The masked man left without looking back and disappeared without a trace.

“Your Highness, Mister Ji Bo is asking for you,” a shadow guard entered the room and said respectfully.

Nan Xun looked up at the guard and thought for a moment before putting down the bowl of medicine in his hands. He wiped Jun Huang's mouth with a handkerchief and said, “Tell him to come in.”

Ji Bo followed the guard into the room and frowned when he saw Jun Huang lying on the bed. He heard that her poison had been cleansed, but it didn't seem like she'd completely recovered.

“Are you well?” he asked gently.

Jun Huang nodded with a smile. “I'm fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“Is there anything the gentleman needs?” asked Nan Xun.

Ji Bo wondered how he should word his question. If he asked what he wanted to ask, Nan Xun and Jun Huang would no doubt be worried. He sighed and pulled a chair for himself. He gave them the usual spiel, congratulating them for their marriage.

Jun Huang and Nan Xun knew Ji Bo had something else he wanted to say. They smiled and waited for him to get to his point.

It didn't seem like Ji Bo was going to do that anytime soon, though. Noting Jun Huang's exhaustion and not wanting to stop her from resting, Nan Xun interrupted Ji Bo with a cough and said, “The gentleman may be frank with us. There's no need for you to beat around the bush.”

Ji Bo coughed awkwardly. Nan Xun had seen through him. Jun Huang's m.u.f.fled laugh made him even more embarra.s.sed.

“It's not a big deal, really,” Ji Bo finally said. “I'm just wondering what the two of you plan to do after everything.”

Nan Xun frowned. His expression was replaced with a smile when he turned to Jun Huang. “We'll leave for a peaceful land and spend the rest of our lives together. Neither of us want to endure being apart again.”

Ji Bo paused. He had a feeling that would be Nan Xun's answer, but he still felt a sense of resignation when he heard it from Nan Xun. He smiled wryly. “You two truly have no desire for power.”

“It's not something we should covet,” Nan Xun said with a smile, his eyes bright like stars as they settled on Jun Huang. “Besides, it's rare enough for a couple to be able to live a life together. Why would we ask for more?”

Jun Huang's smile slipped. She could hear what Ji Bo had left unsaid. After the war between Northern Qi and Eastern Wu, the world would be in chaos. That was when talented people would be needed the most. However, she no longer wanted to be the one to pull the strings. She simply wanted to spend her life with Nan Xun.

Ji Bo waved a hand in the air with a smile and had his belongings moved into the house. Clearly he's decided to stay for long term. When asked, he only said the scenery was nice and his business at the border was about finished. He'd like to stay and enjoy the view.

Ji Bo had led a nomad life. He gave up his freedom because he shared the same ambition as Jun Huang. Jun Huang and Nan Xun didn't object to his action and instead prepared a room for him.

Days pa.s.sed without any events. Jun Huang and Nan Xun remained close. They weren't pa.s.sionate like most newlyweds, but theirs was a bond that didn't break easily. They were close friends, companions, and also soulmates. There was a resemblance between the way they acted and talked. Their intimacy was worthy of envy.

Just when Jun Huang was starting to forget about the chaos around them, problems arose within the Northern Qi's army.