Translator: Storm in a Teacup

Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou were welcomed ceremoniously into Jiuyang City.

The group went straight into the Yamen.

The several thousands of soldiers surrounded the Yamen, which was like an iron buckets now.

Long Xiaoyuan felt that this was quite troublesome, so he sent people to tell the officials in the next cities that no one was allowed to give such a grand welcome. If the commoners made a fuss of it, the local government must stop them in advance.

If they failed to comply? Well…

The word “Well” was practically a threat!

After making this decision, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou had to look around since they had come to Jiuyang City.

After dismissing all the officials in the Yamen and ordering them not to disturb them, Long Xiaoyuan, Shi Qingzhou, Liu Suifeng, and Ouyang Chuan disguised themselves and left with a few Shadow Guardians who would hide in the dark.

Including Ying Qiu.

Since Ying Qiu took the order that day, he had been following Long Xiaoyuan. When Shi Qingzhou and Long Xiaoyuan stayed together, he would take a break.

But when Long Xiaoyuan was alone, he paid attention.

Especially when Long Xiaoyuan and Ouyang Chuan were together, he was highly alert.

Shi Qingzhou did not notice this. Because Ying Qiu had been following Long Xiaoyuan.

The four of them went to the streets.

Due to their disguise, no one knew their identities.

People were gossiping.

“I had never imagined that as an old man, I can see the Emperor before I die, a living Emperor.”

“Hey, what are you talking about? The living Emperor?”

“Well… I used to think that the emperors were like Buddhist patriarch, who I could only see in the portraits or in my dream. Do you think that you can see the real person?”

“That’s true. I had never thought that I would be so lucky to see the Emperor in my lifetime.”

“Absolutely. And the Empress. Oh, our Empress is really handsome. No wonder our Emperor chose a male Empress. He looks better than a woman!”

“Yeah, he’s really handsome.”

“How long do you think our Emperor and Empress will stay? Will they come out to play?”

“I don’t think so. The Emperor must have something to do, so he can’t stay for long.”

“That’s right.”

“Did you see that? His Majesty’s team is so big.”

“Not at all. There are only a few thousand people. If the Emperor wants, there can be tens of thousands.”

“Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands!”

Listening to the gossips among the people, Long Xiaoyuan couldn’t help smiling.

“Qingzhou, do you hear that? They say you are handsome.”

The people’s comments surprised Shi Qingzhou.

He pulled a wry face.

In fact, he didn’t care much about his appearance.

Long Xiaoyuan often said that he was beautiful, and he thought it was just a kind of compliment.

Now the people focused on his appearance.

Shi Qingzhou felt a bit complicated.

Long Xiaoyuan knew what was on Shi Qingzhou’s mind just by a glance at his expression.

He grinned delightfully.

Liu Suifeng complained, “Are they blind? How could Shi Qingzhou be more beautiful than me?”

Long Xiaoyuan glanced at Liu Suifeng, so did Ouyang Chuan.

Liu Suifeng said matter-of-factly. “It’s true.”

Shi Qingzhou was speechless. ‘You are a man. Why are you obsessed with this?”

Long Xiaoyuan sneered. “Liu Suifeng, what a nerve. You’re more beautiful than Qingzhou? Impossible. Qingzhou is a true beauty, and you are beautiful like a woman.”

Liu Suifeng got annoyed. “What did you say? A woman? I dare you to say it again.” There was violence in his eyes.

Long Xiaoyuan shrugged. “Alright, I will stop talking now. I know that the truth is always the hardest to accept. I won’t say it anymore.”

Liu Suifeng was lost for words.

Ouyang Chuan cleared his throat. “Well, let’s go.”

Liu Suifeng turned to Ouyang Chuan sadly. “Ouyang, do you agree with him?”

Ouyang Chuan said naturally. “Of course not.”

Liu Suifeng continued, “Why?”

“You are the most beautiful among men or women,” Ouyang Chuan said firmly.

Liu Suifeng was instantly satisfied. “That’s right! Only Long Xiaoyuan is blind to my beauty. Ouyang, we will ignore him from now on.”

Ouyang Chuan comforted him with a smile. “Okay, we’ll ignore him.”

“Childish.” Long Xiaoyuan pouted and pulled Shi Qingzhou forward.

The four of them wandered in Jiuyang City for a long time. From the conversations of the local people, the officials here seldom bullied the commoners.

Long Xiaoyuan was quite satisfied.

If the people were forcefully suppressed by the government, at least they would secretly discuss it.

Most importantly, the people here looked happy.

Therefore, Long Xiaoyuan was delighted with Jiuyang City.

At night, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou were talking in their room.

“Although we haven’t arrived at the border yet, we are getting near.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded and yawned. “Indeed, we are approaching the border.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at Long Xiaoyuan. “Do you have any detailed plans?”

Long Xiaoyuan waved his hand indifferently. “Take it easy. We don’t need to think about any plans. Anyway, we will cross the bridge when we come to it.” Shi Qingzhou squinted and looked closely at Long Xiaoyuan.

“Why do I feel you are hiding something from me?”

Long Xiaoyuan looked at Shi Qingzhou in surprise. “What can I hide from you?”

Seeing that Long Xiaoyuan was not feigning his surprise, Shi Qingzhou stopped suspecting him.

Long Xiaoyuan pulled Shi Qingzhou over.

“Qingzhou, it’s already very late. We should sleep now.”

Shi Qingzhou pursed his lips. “Okay.”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “Come on. Don’t think too much. If the sky is falling, I will hold it up. Don’t worry.”

“Okay.” Shi Qingzhou finally nodded.

Long Xiaoyuan smiled and hugged him in his arms, and they fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Long Xiaoyuan and the others continued their journey.

As a matter of course, the city officials came to see them off.

Long Xiaoyuan didn’t see them. He sat in the carriage and set off.

All of the officials knelt down, not daring to feel disgruntled about that. They were relieved that the Emperor was not dissatisfied with them.

Long Xiaoyuan continued to rest in the carriage, holding Shi Qingzhou’s hand.

Although he slept well last night, Long Xiaoyuan felt very sleepy in the morning in this weather.

There was nothing to do on the way, so he continued to sleep in the carriage.

Ouyang Chuan walked to Long Xiaoyuan’s carriage and suddenly felt that he was in a trance, so he abruptly stopped. Liu Suifeng came over. When he saw Ouyang Chuan suddenly stop, he was confused. “What’s wrong?”

Ouyang Chuan came back to his senses and shook his head. “Nothing. I didn’t sleep well last night, so I feel a little unwell.”

Liu Suifeng said hurriedly, “Let me feel your pulse.”

Ouyang Chuan smile. “It isn’t a big deal.”

Liu Suifeng insisted, “No. I have to see.”

Ouyang Chuan no longer refused and extended his hand to Liu Suifeng.

Liu Suifeng felt his pulse carefully and said a moment later, “You are fine. You might be tired.”

Ouyang Chuan smiled, “I said I’m fine.”

Liu Suifeng rolled his eyes. “We have to take it seriously. We are travelling, and it will be troublesome if we get sick.”

Ouyang Chuan smiled and nodded, “Okay, I got it.”

Liu Suifeng was satisfied.

After that, they caught up with Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou.

A few days later, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou were resting in an inn at night in a small town.

Shi Qingzhou said, “We are entering the territory of Northern Barbarians after we leave this town.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded, “Yeah, what’s wrong?”