MLIAM Chapter 44
by VolareYu Shuli pressed down on Wei Yan’s wandering hand, “You’re getting dressed, why are you touching me?”
“Hmm, I couldn’t help myself for a moment.” Wei Yan gave a brazen smile. “What to do? I’ve already touched, is the Junior General going to punish me?”
Yu Shuli glared at him, “Punish you? Wouldn’t that be giving you a treat?”
Wei Yan chuckled softly, finally squatting down, his hands beginning to dutifully tie the straps on his legs.
“Are you done yet?” Yu Shuli kicked him, seeing that he remained crouched after bending down.
Wei Yan’s fingers traced along the side of his leg, and he looked up to ask, “I’m just curious, when the Junior General used to wear armor, who helped you?”
“Am I so incapable that I need someone else to help me dress?”
Wei Yan said, “I’m worried some fool might have designs on the Junior General.”
“The only one with designs on me is you.” Yu Shuli rolled his eyes, knowing that his old habits were acting up again, and didn’t bother to pay him any attention, kicking him away as he was about to leave.
Wei Yan pulled him back and pointed to his cheek.
“What?” Yu Shuli pretended not to understand.
“Aren’t you going to give me some reward?”
“Reward your big head.” Yu Shuli pushed him. “Don’t delay me.”
“Xu Song sent those ten people with connections earlier, don’t you want to know how to place them?” Wei Yan raised an eyebrow. “Call me ‘husband’ and beg me, and I’ll help you.”
Yu Shuli said, “I have my own ideas.” He did have ideas, but compared to Wei Yan’s, they were probably not big enough.
After taking two steps, Yu Shuli finally turned back, gritting his teeth, “Tell me.”
Wei Yan pointed to his cheek again, looking at him with a smile.
*
Having tidied up his armor, Yu Shuli fled as if escaping.
After finishing training, Zhong Nian came to find him. “Junior General, those people arranged by Xu Song have arrived…”
Yu Shuli nodded. “Wei Yan told me.”
“The Prime Minister’s idea is that he’ll take these people away and bring them to Quzhou together. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”
Yu Shuli shook his head. “That won’t do. They’re nominally assigned to my troops. If Wei Yan takes them away, it’ll easily stir up suspicion.”
“Does the Junior General know what kind of people are among them?” Zhong Nian leaned closer, lowering his voice. “There are distant relatives from the enemy’s side, and several who are also inextricably linked to Shan Shihai, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.”
“People from The Crown Prince Party?” Yu Shuli frowned. “So what?”
“The Prime Minister said that The Crown Prince wouldn’t be so stupid as to hand you a handle, so the person who arranged this matter is someone else.”
Yu Shuli hesitated slightly, and Zhong Nian continued, “I heard that the Second Prince is returning to the Capital City early. It’s His Majesty’s decree.”
Yu Shuli’s heart jumped, and he had a feeling that something was about to happen.
“What about the Third Prince?”
Zhong Nian was stunned. “What Third Prince?”
“The Crown Prince is under house arrest, the Second Prince is returning to the Capital City, so what about the Third Prince? No news of him?”
Zhong Nian said “Oh,” and replied, “The imperial examination is coming up, and His Majesty has put him in charge of coordinating the examiners and exam questions.”
Yu Shuli’s brow furrowed. “In the past, these tasks were done by the Inner Cabinet and the Crown Prince.”
The affairs that should have been Wei Yan’s and the Crown Prince’s were suddenly placed on the Third Prince, which was clearly not a good thing.
Was the old emperor trying to shift power and slowly weaken Wei Yan? Did he become suspicious of Wei Yan?
Zhong Nian was momentarily at a loss for words, clicking his tongue. “Ah… then this…” He scratched his head and asked, “Could it be because the Prime Minister was sent to Quzhou, and His Majesty is worried that he won’t be able to take care of everything?”
Yu Shuli shook his head.
What struck him as odd was why the Third Prince, who had always been considered useless, was choosing to show his hand at this time? It was clearly not the time for him to reveal his fox tail.
The Second Prince had said that the Third Prince was extremely cunning.
Would such a cunning person be so impatient?
Unless… unless he had another conspiracy… a conspiracy that would make him willing to risk exposure to seize the position of chief examiner.
Yu Shuli ordered Zhong Nian with a gloomy face, “Have people check the list of this year’s candidates. I suspect they’re selling official positions. If it’s confirmed, have someone go directly to Quzhou and give the list to Wei Yan. He’ll know what to do.”
Zhong Nian nodded in agreement and then asked, “Oh, right, the Prime Minister also said he found you a helper to assist you.”
“Who?”
“They say his name is Chen Li.” Zhong Nian asked curiously, “Who is this person?”
“Chen Li…” Yu Shuli muttered. “He really saved Chen Li?”
Seeing that Zhong Nian didn’t understand, Yu Shuli explained, “Chen Li is a death row inmate I met in prison before…” He frowned. “Wei Yan promised to get him out, but I didn’t expect him to come to the battlefield.”
Zhong Nian widened his eyes. “A death row inmate? Truly worthy of being the Prime Minister, daring to fish out even this kind of person!”
Yu Shuli wasn’t surprised by Wei Yan’s abilities. He was just curious about why Wei Yan had arranged for Chen Li to come to the military camp. What did Chen Li know? A person who could get arrested for assassinating the Crown Prince… Yu Shuli couldn’t imagine what great talent he had.
Except that his family was rich…
When Chen Li arrived in front of Yu Shuli, Wei Yan had also gotten up, so they walked over together.
“Junior General, long time no see?” Chen Li greeted Yu Shuli with a beaming smile.
“Chen Li, what are you doing here causing trouble?” Yu Shuli frowned, waving his hand at him. “The military camp isn’t a place where you can mess around just because you have a few coins.”
“No, no, no… Junior General, don’t get angry…” Chen Li quickly waved his hands, pointing to Wei Yan. “It’s not that I wanted to come myself, it’s that your Prime Minister invited me.”
Yu Shuli looked at Wei Yan.
Wei Yan nodded. “Chen Li’s grandfather was Chen Xiuguan, a famous geographer and cartography theorist of Da Liang.”
Chen Li proudly puffed out his chest.
Yu Shuli was surprised, looking Chen Li up and down, and commented, “That was just your grandfather’s ability.”
Chen Li retorted, “Although I’m not as good as my grandfather, I’ve still learned seventy to eighty percent of it.”
Wei Yan nodded. “There’s no need for him to lie about this. I released him for this reason as well. Now that the war is pressing and Xizhao’s terrain is complex, it’ll be beneficial for you to take him with you.”
Yu Shuli’s expression was dubious.
Chen Li stamped his foot. “Hey! Don’t look down on me. Don’t mention the mountains and rivers. Even the smallest dense forests and caves, as long as I’ve been in contact with them, I can point out a clear path for you.” His voice was very confident. “I heard you went deep into the tiger’s den before and almost got into trouble. If I were there, I wouldn’t have let you fall into such danger!”
Yu Shuli glanced at Wei Yan, seeing that he was also anxiously awaiting his reaction, and couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart.
Wei Yan must have been frightened by his previous disappearance, which was why he insisted on fishing out Chen Li, whom he despised and regarded as a rival, from prison.
And he had just fallen out with the Crown Prince, and the old emperor must be wary of him. Under these circumstances, rescuing someone would not be beneficial to him, but he still did it…
With Wei Yan’s ability, he must have known about Chen Li’s background long ago, but he didn’t mention it before and didn’t recruit him for his own use, which showed that he didn’t rely on or need Chen Li’s ability that much.
But now he was taking the initiative to bury the hatchet… because of him, Yu Shuli.
In any case, Yu Shuli would not fail to appreciate this gesture. He took a deep breath and looked at Chen Li. “If you want to stay, then stay, but if you stay in the military camp, you must listen to my orders and follow the rules of the military camp. Otherwise, go back to your life as a young master as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Chen Li said seriously, “Although I’m a mess, I still have this much sense of national responsibility.”
“Mm.” Yu Shuli nodded. “That’s good.”
Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, Wei Yan walked to Yu Shuli’s side. “Alright, is there anything else? I haven’t had breakfast yet, I’m hungry.”
Only then did Yu Shuli reach out and pull him. “Why didn’t you say so if you hadn’t had breakfast?”
“Waiting for you.” Wei Yan’s fingers brushed against the palm of Yu Shuli’s hand, and he raised an eyebrow to look at Chen Li. “If you’re free, go on down. Just listen to Vice General Zhong’s arrangements.”
Seeing Wei Yan like this, the corners of Chen Li’s mouth twitched, and he looked at Yu Shuli and asked, “Is he trying to win favor?”
“You just arrived today and missed our wedding banquet. It’s a pity.” Wei Yan turned to the side and took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat that Yu Shuli had accumulated from training, saying in a strange tone, “I should have invited you to have a cup of wedding wine.”
Yu Shuli sighed helplessly, already numb to Wei Yan’s behavior.
He even suspected that Wei Yan had deliberately arranged for Chen Li to come today to prevent him from interfering with the wedding banquet.
Chen Li widened his eyes. “You really got married?!” He frowned and asked Yu Shuli, “Didn’t they say the engagement was called off?”
Yu Shuli gently closed his eyes and nodded in agreement. “It was called off, but now it’s back on.”
Chen Li hissed and muttered, “No wonder you could agree to let me come to the military camp. So you’ve already succeeded in becoming the rightful spouse…”
Wei Yan lightly lifted his eyelids, glancing at Chen Li, and didn’t get angry in a good mood. He just wrapped his arm around Yu Shuli in a rather possessive manner.
Yu Shuli glared at him. “There’s a type of person who has the status of the main wife, the attitude of a mistress, and the manners of a brothel owner…”
Chen Li just kept laughing, nodding in agreement.
Wei Yan impatiently tugged at Yu Shuli’s belt, a dangerous signal flashing in his eyes.
Seeing this, Yu Shuli understood and didn’t continue teasing, but quickly interrupted the conversation, saying to Chen Li, “From now on, you’ll be my strategist. Have Zhong Nian take you to meet everyone, and have breakfast with the brothers to build relationships.”
Chen Li waved his hand, not wanting to stay any longer. When he left, his voice was still sour. “Alright, I get it. A man with a career is no match for a man who fights for what he wants… I’m heartbroken.”
Yu Shuli: …
He looked at Wei Yan. “He’s talking nonsense, don’t mind him.”
Who knew that Wei Yan would raise an eyebrow? “Fighting for what I want isn’t wrong.” He smiled. “However, now I have a title. How can wild flowers and weeds outside compare to the fragrance of flowers at home? I still have this much confidence.”
Yu Shuli clicked his tongue, thinking: I wonder who that crazy person was before.
He didn’t want to bring up the past, so he simply took Wei Yan’s hand, and the two walked side by side back to the house for a meal.
After finishing breakfast, Yu Shuli let Wei Yan turn his head to wipe his mouth, and asked in a muffled voice, “Then when are you going to Quzhou?”
Seeing that he was in a low mood, Wei Yan couldn’t help but find it funny. “What? Are you reluctant to part with me?”
“Bullshit!” Yu Shuli snorted. “We’re now grasshoppers on the same rope. I have to know your follow-up arrangements.”
Wei Yan didn’t expose him, saying, “I’ll leave after you leave Rongcheng.”
Yu Shuli pursed his lips. “That’ll be in the next two days.”
“Mm.” Wei Yan pulled at Yu Shuli’s finger. “Don’t worry, with Chen Li helping you, the battles ahead will be very smooth.”
Yu Shuli looked up at him. “Will you be in danger when you go to Quzhou? Why do you want to take those ten people away?” Although he had seen Wei Yan shoot a hundred arrows and hit the target every time, being good at archery didn’t mean he was good at martial arts. If he was attacked by assassins, even the best archery would be useless.
“It can’t be called taking them away, it’s more like house arrest.” Wei Yan’s expression didn’t change, and he lowered his eyes indifferently. “The case of Qiu Shuchun might need them.”
“You suspect they’re also related to Qiu Shuchun’s case?”
Wei Yan didn’t commit himself. “These noble children must have a huge chain of interests behind them. When we find one cockroach, the dark places are likely already infested with larvae. Selling official positions is secondary… but…” He was pensive. “I’m afraid it’s far more than that.”
“But if we do this… it’ll be too big of a commotion… His Majesty might not really be unaware of this matter. Do we really want to get involved? I always feel like the old emperor is taking the opportunity to test you.”
“If His Majesty wants me to enter the game, it means he already doesn’t trust me.”
Yu Shuli suddenly thought of something. “Is it because you suddenly asked to marry me again that His Majesty became suspicious?”
Wei Yan shook his head. “How is that possible? I have people in the palace who will help us whisper in his ear.”
“It’s the Crown Prince’s matter… right?” Yu Shuli suddenly stood up, gritting his teeth. “I knew it. That old emperor still can’t give up his most favored son.”
He couldn’t help but feel annoyed. “If I had known, I shouldn’t have acted against the Crown Prince that day. I should have endured it for now. It wouldn’t have mattered if I was scolded.”
“It has nothing to do with you, Ji’an.” Wei Yan said, “I was the one who acted.”
“So, that really is the reason, right?” Yu Shuli grabbed Wei Yan, not allowing him to avoid his gaze.
Wei Yan sighed and didn’t plan to hide it anymore. “The Crown Prince has another handle in my hand. His Majesty wants to protect him, so naturally he’s more wary of me.”
Yu Shuli remained silent.
“Is it appropriate for us to suddenly get married at this juncture?” He began to feel uneasy. “If the old emperor knows you’re in Rongcheng, wouldn’t that make it clear that you’re outwardly obedient but inwardly disobedient? That’s a capital crime.”
“Of course there’s another me in Quzhou. The one who married you in Rongcheng is just Wu Qingqing.” Wei Yan smiled. “The Junior General is infinitely charming. After returning to the Capital City, you’ll have multiple husbands, and outsiders won’t be able to criticize you.”
Yu Shuli said “Ah,” in surprise. “It can be like this.” He scratched his head in distress. “But when we return to the Capital City, where will I conjure up a Wu Qingqing from?”
He cautiously raised his head to peek at Wei Yan. “Um… if I really take a concubine for this…”
Before Wei Yan could finish speaking, his face darkened. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Whether he’s missing or dead, it’s fine. To the ends of the earth, you can only have one husband.”
“You should shut your mouth.” Yu Shuli covered his mouth, cursing. “I’ve seen people curse others, but I’ve never seen anyone curse themselves.”
Wei Yan’s tongue touched his fingertip, and he chuckled softly. “I’ve finally gotten my wish. I’m happy, I can say anything. Nothing is taboo.”
Yu Shuli hissed and pushed him away awkwardly. “I’ll try to control the charm I exude in the future, and you should also try to control your feelings for me.”