BLHO Chapter 3

Chapter 3: You Can Do Anything

That imperial decree stated that He Yuncheng was to draft a troop dispatch plan within a month and submit it to the Emperor.

Now only a few days remained. Further delays would be considered defiance of the decree, giving the eunuch even more reason to punish him.

“General,” Guo Yao said cautiously, “I shouldn’t meddle in your personal affairs, but your father and I were close friends for many years. As an elder, I must remind you that the marriage with Princess Meng Ning should be put on the agenda as soon as possible. The Emperor is young and unfamiliar with court matters, and he is controlled by the eunuch. We cannot rely on him. Princess Meng Ning is the daughter of the Qi dynasty long princess, born of a marriage alliance with the late Emperor. She is backed by the Qi dynasty’s influence, and no one in Bei Sheng dares to underestimate her. Marrying her would be like having the Qi dynasty as your backing. If the eunuch wants to move against you, he will have to think twice.”

A cold wind swept through, and the military flag fluttered in the wind. He Yuncheng’s gaze was deep, “A dignified Bei Sheng general, relying on the protection of a foreign power.”

Guo Yao sighed and lowered his head.

Although He Yuncheng was young, he had inherited the spirit of the old General He. He was a born, heroic man. How could he place his hopes on his wife’s family?

“I’d like to see what that eunuch can do to me if I defy the decree.”

Guo Yao knew that it was useless to try to dissuade him given his temperament. He had heard a few days ago that he had been made to kneel for half a day in the General’s Manor by Lin Shuangxu because he was unwilling to marry.

He had always respected the young master, and if even Lin Shuangxu couldn’t persuade him, there was no need for others to say anything.

Fine.

Guo Yao pondered for a moment, ceasing to offer further advice, and changed the subject. “General, you’ve been staying in the camp for seven days now, right? Aren’t you returning to the General’s Manor?”

In the past, no matter how busy he was with military affairs, He Yuncheng would always make time to go home. He would avoid spending the night in the camp if he could. When he really couldn’t spare the time, if he didn’t return home one day, he would make sure to go back within two days.

This time, however, he had been staying in the camp without leaving, which was truly abnormal.

He Yuncheng didn’t hide anything from Guo Yao. “There’s someone in the General’s Manor who doesn’t want to see me, so I won’t go back and make myself unwelcome.”

What kind of talk was that? The General’s Manor belonged to the He family, and he was the only bloodline of the He family, inheriting his father’s legacy. How could he speak of himself as if he had no status?

“Who doesn’t want to see you?” Guo Yao asked, “The young master?”

He Yuncheng smiled, taking it as a response. Guo Yao knew that he had been afraid of Lin Shuangxu since he was a child.

“General,” Guo Yao considered, “After the old General and his wife passed away, the young master is the only close person you have by your side. Whether he punishes you or scolds you, it’s all for your own good. If you have your own plans, you can talk to him properly. Don’t deliberately act in defiance and make him feel disheartened.”

You should go and tell him this.

He Yuncheng thought to himself.

Anyway, Lin Shuangxu was the most perfect person in the world. He was sensible, responsible, and could not make mistakes. If there was a conflict between them, regardless of the reason, it must be his fault.

“Yes.” He Yuncheng watched the soldiers training on the parade ground and said, “Guo Yao, don’t worry. I’ll go back in a couple of days.”

His words were somewhat perfunctory, mainly because he was too clear that no matter how many days passed, Lin Shuangxu’s decision wouldn’t change. He would still force him to marry Princess Meng Ning.

“Then today…” Guo Yao tentatively asked, “Doesn’t the General want to see the young master?”

He Yuncheng glanced at him, wondering why Guo Yao seemed even more anxious than he was.

“Didn’t I say I’ll go back in a couple of days?”

Guo Yao pondered for a moment, “Then… shall I have the young master return to the General’s Manor to wait for the General?”

“Yes.” He Yuncheng agreed absentmindedly, but after a while, he realized something was wrong and turned his head. “What did you say?”

Guo Yao said, “The young master is here.”

“?” He Yuncheng thought he had misheard. “Lin Shuangxu is here??”

“Yes, he’s been here for half an hour.”

“Where is he?”

“In the military tent. Does the General want to see him or…”

Before Guo Yao could finish speaking, He Yuncheng pushed him, not lightly, almost causing him to fall.

“You old man, why didn’t you say so earlier!”

He Yuncheng strode off quickly, hurrying back to the military tent. When he reached the door, he steadied his steps, trying to appear less flustered, before lifting the curtain and entering.

Inside the tent, the fire pit burned fiercely, but it was still not as warm as the house. Cold wind seeped in through the gaps, and Lin Shuangxu’s slender figure was wrapped in a moon-white cloak, sitting quietly beside the desk.

It seemed he had been waiting for a long time. The tip of his nose and fingers were tinged with red frost.

Without saying a word, He Yuncheng took off the fox fur cloak he was wearing and, with a wave of his hand, went forward and put it on him.

He carefully tightened the collar and tied the belt. When he was a child, Lin Shuangxu had always taken care of him like this, and now it was time for him to repay the kindness.

But what was strange was that Lin Shuangxu didn’t dodge.

Shouldn’t he have pushed him away and said, in a serious manner, “I can do it myself?”

Since he didn’t resist, He Yuncheng didn’t take it too far. After tying the fox fur cloak, he stepped back to a suitable distance and asked, “Why are you here?”

Lin Shuangxu rarely came to the camp to find him. In the past, when he sent food and supplies, he always sent servants from the General’s Manor. Today, he came in person, even if it was to chase after him to lecture him, it was enough to make him feel flattered.

Also… had he been seeing too many rough men in the camp these days? He Yuncheng only felt that… Lin Shuangxu’s eyebrows and eyes were becoming more and more beautiful.

His heart skipped a beat. He quickly suppressed his thoughts, quickly withdrew his gaze, not letting Lin Shuangxu notice his depravity.

“Cough.” He cleared his throat, smiled respectfully, and asked, “Are you still angry?”

“He Yuncheng.” Lin Shuangxu called his full name, which was very intimidating.

He Yuncheng waited to hear his lecture.

But he wanted to discuss… could the punishment of kneeling be done back at the General’s Manor? There were so many people watching in the camp, he was, after all, a general.

“Do you keep your word?” Lin Shuangxu asked.

“What?”

He Yuncheng didn’t know which sentence he was referring to.

Lin Shuangxu said coldly, “As long as I agree once, you will listen to me and get married obediently.”

Agree… once…?

He Yuncheng reacted for a moment and immediately understood.

He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Alright, you brought it up yourself. Don’t blame me.

He tilted his head, using that flippant tone again, “Of course, I keep my word. What’s the matter, Young Master?”

Lin Shuangxu said, “I agree.”

Huh?

Agree?

Just like that? No more beating around the bush? No more laying the groundwork with grand principles? Not even getting angry and venting his temper first?

This was really… caught him off guard.

He Yuncheng suppressed a smile, resting his hands on the desk, and said to Lin Shuangxu, “Young Master, you’ve misunderstood my meaning, haven’t you? When I said agree once, it’s not as simple as a kiss or a hug like back then.” He leaned closer to him and softly asked, “Do you know what I want to do with you?”

Lin Shuangxu didn’t flinch or dodge, and the answer he gave was still very decisive.

“You can do anything.”