MLIAM Chapter 62
by VolareChapter 62: CP Fans, Your Highness! You really have no sense of boundaries! …
When Yu Shuli walked in, he only saw Wei Yan, dressed in brocade robes, exuding luxurious nobility, and a jailer with an adoring look on his face.
Plus, something that looked like a human sprawled on the ground.
“Wei Yan, why didn’t you say you were awake?” He strode in, grabbed Wei Yan’s wrist, and scrutinized the man’s face by the firelight. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Wei Yan’s gaze settled on his face, and he smiled slightly, “No, I feel very comfortable.”
……
Yu Shuli always felt that he wasn’t answering his question but making some kind of lewd joke.
He turned the person in front of him around and noticed the delicate gold ornaments pinned in his hair, the jade pendants on them swaying gently as he turned.
It made Yu Shuli’s heart itch.
He subconsciously looked at Wei Yan’s attire and realized that he was dressed especially flirtatiously today.
The outer robe was extremely elaborate, the cuffs made of soft silk, refined and elegant. The waist was subtly cinched, tightly bound by a jade-colored belt. The black outer robe contrasted sharply with the white inner lining he wore, appearing cold and stern on the surface, making him seem aloof and ascetic, but in Yu Shuli’s eyes, he was distinctly more alluring.
Having just tasted the joys of intimacy, Yu Shuli uncomfortably looked away, his lips twitching slightly. “Dressed like that, are you going to join some opera troupe?”
Wei Yan shook off his hand, glanced at him, clearly displeased. “You have no sense of romance.”
Yu Shuli chuckled awkwardly. “You’re getting angry over this? Just a joke, don’t be so petty.”
“Then… does it look good?”
Yu Shuli nodded repeatedly, “It looks good… it looks good. But don’t wear it out in the future.”
Wei Yan’s gaze was intense.
Yu Shuli had to explain, “I mean, it’s too good-looking, don’t wear it for others to see. Just wear it at home for me next time.”
Wei Yan’s eyes flickered slightly, and he snorted coldly, letting Yu Shuli off the hook.
The jailer awkwardly shielded his face to the side, pretending not to be there, not seeing the two flirting.
Yu Shuli sighed in relief, having appeased the man. He looked at the disheveled person sprawled on the ground and hesitated, “This person…”
“Chou Dongshuo.”
Wei Yan’s voice was unquestionable. “Still not raising your head, so the Junior General can take a look?”
Chou Dongshuo moved with humiliation, half his face illuminated by the lamplight, unsightly.
Yu Shuli chuckled softly, “Chou Dongshuo, how did you end up in such a state?”
Chou Dongshuo spat a mouthful of bloody saliva on the ground with a “Ptooey!”
“Yu Shuli, don’t be so smug.” He said with a sullen face, stubbornly raising his head, “My brother-in-law and grandfather will definitely come to save me.”
“Save you?” Yu Shuli laughed exaggeratedly, “Really? Is that true?”
Chou Dongshuo brushed off the dirt on his body. “When the time comes, everything you’ve done to me, one by one, I will repay you tenfold, a hundredfold.”
“Hiss.” Yu Shuli shook his head. “I’m so scared.” He looped his arm around Wei Yan beside him and raised his head. “You have a brother-in-law and grandfather; I have a husband. Let’s see who has the stronger backing, shall we?”
Wei Yan was stunned, somewhat surprised by his sudden affectionate gesture.
His ears turned visibly crimson. He reached out and put his arm around Yu Shuli’s waist, pretending to be calm, and said in a low voice, “Just for the Junior General’s calling me ‘husband,’ even if you kill him here today, I will take responsibility for you.”
Chou Dongshuo’s eyes widened. “Adulterous… husband!”
Yu Shuli pretended not to hear. He raised an eyebrow, looked up, and planted a rewarding kiss on Wei Yan’s cheek. “That’s the spirit.”
The jailer turned away with a red face. “This humble official… this humble official saw nothing…”
Yu Shuli laughed and looked at the timid jailer, his expression fearless. “What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that I’ll silence you because you know my secrets with Wei Yan?”
The jailer trembled.
Wei Yan pinched Yu Shuli’s cheek. “Alright, don’t scare innocent people.” He looked back at the jailer. “There’s nothing for you to do here. Leave.”
The jailer, upon receiving the order, scurried away in a panic.
Yu Shuli turned his gaze back to Chou Dongshuo, widened his eyes, and innocently said, “Oh no, I forgot Young Master Chou was here, and he saw me seducing Prime Minister Wei, forming cliques for personal gain. What should I do?”
Wei Yan played along, gently pinching his chin, lightly sniffing his hair, and pretending to be profound, “I will naturally handle everything for you properly. How could I allow you to have any worries?”
“Ptooey! Dog men… men! Vixen!” Chou Dongshuo’s fingers clawed at the dirt on the ground, retreating backward incessantly. “You won’t touch me! You won’t! My brother-in-law is Marquis Xunyang! My grandfather is the Minister of Revenue! How dare you!”
“So noisy, so annoying.” Yu Shuli took a red-hot iron from the brazier beside him. “Shall I use this to seal your mouth shut for you?”
What followed was another shrill scream.
“Didn’t even do anything yet.” Yu Shuli put down the branding iron and complained to Wei Yan, “He’s no fun.”
Wei Yan nodded. “So, waste less time with him. It’s best to close the case as soon as possible and find Miss Dong.”
“Then I won’t disturb your interrogation. I’ll just watch from the side.” Yu Shuli pulled up his sleeve, wiped the seat beside him, and sat down casually, obediently doing nothing else.
Seeing him like this, Wei Yan felt a tickle in his heart. He walked over shamelessly and demanded another kiss from the man, reddening Yu Shuli’s face. Only then did he start cleaning up after him.
The whole day passed, and the two didn’t even have time for lunch.
No one could have imagined that the people involved behind this case were so numerous. Hundreds of officials, big and small, almost turned the Dynasty upside down.
Including the Director of Waterways whom Captain Zhang had previously named, he was also on the list.
“Alright, now we can catch them all in one fell swoop.” Yu Shuli glanced at Wei Yan and sighed, “Your Censorate has a lot of work to do.”
The names recorded in Cang Xu’s notebook grew longer and longer, and Wei Yan’s face became increasingly somber.
Yu Shuli stayed by his side, unable to help with political affairs, so he could only worry anxiously.
Fortunately, Chou Dongshuo was more bark than bite. With a little scare, plus Wei Yan’s coercion and inducement, he told everything, not only the relationships but also some gains from bribery and corruption.
By the time they finally got a lead on Dong Siwen after noon, Wei Yan’s face had turned pale.
He coughed several times but still endured the discomfort, immediately arranging for his subordinates to search for Dong Siwen’s traces.
After all the case files were finalized, Yu Shuli hurriedly pulled Wei Yan, turned around, and left, glaring back. “Chou Dongshuo, your family’s sins are too numerous to count. You better hope Dong Siwen is alright, or I’ll take the lives of your entire family.”
Chou Dongshuo drooped his eyelids, his whole body listless in place. “I’ve already confessed! You promised to let me go!”
Wei Yan turned his head, his eyes filled with coldness. “Since ancient times, there have always been people who die from greed and ambition. Those who refuse gold at night are of integrity; those who are corrupt and degenerate are themselves to blame. Chou Dongshuo, retribution will come to you, and the sins you have committed, you cannot repay in this life, so you will repay them in lifetime after lifetime.”
The sunlight illuminated the road ahead, and the two walked away hand in hand, leaving the man in the cage trapped in darkness.
*
After interrogating all morning, finally getting some free time, Yu Shuli pulled Wei Yan straight to the kitchen.
The Second Prince was having a meal and, seeing Yu Shuli dragging someone in, raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you’re bringing someone to show off your love?”
Yu Shuli scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “Your Highness, we’re here to freeload.”
Before the Second Prince could ask, he said, “Your key minister is about to starve to death. You wouldn’t have the heart to let that happen, would you?”
“You have a thick face.” Zhao Lan smiled. “Aren’t you afraid that this Palace will charge you with disrespect?”
“Your Highness isn’t such a petty person, is he?” Yu Shuli sat down casually and looked at the maid behind him, pleading, “Please add two more pairs of chopsticks, sister.”
The maid curved her eyes. “The Junior General has come at the right time. Just now, His Highness said that he would add two dishes and prepare two more bowls of nourishing soup, saying that you were coming. The dishes just happen to be ready and still warm.”
Yu Shuli’s eyes lit up. “Really?! What dishes were added?”
“Spring Amomum Stewed Pig Tripe and Chinese Yam, Glehnia Root, and Solomonseal Rhizome Stewed Goose Soup.”
The originally bright eyes dimmed. “Why are they all so bland?”
“It’s better to have something lighter.” Wei Yan interjected, looking at the Second Prince, and bowed. “Thank you, Second Prince, for your thoughtfulness.”
The Second Prince shook his head.
The serving maid brought the new dishes and soup, and Wei Yan took the rice for Yu Shuli and carefully picked out the dishes for him before taking care of himself.
Seeing Yu Shuli pick up the rice bowl to eat, he carefully instructed, “Drink a bowl of hot soup before eating.”
Yu Shuli curled his lips, took the bowl of soup Wei Yan handed him, and didn’t want to reject his kindness, so he sipped it little by little.
Seeing the two finish their interaction, Zhao Lan finally spoke to Wei Yan, his voice gentle. “Prime Minister Wei has worked tirelessly for this Palace, clearing up the injustice. You’ve been working hard these days. I heard the case is closed?”
Wei Yan nodded. “It is this subject’s duty.” After thinking for a moment, he explained Yu Shuli’s previous disrespect, “The Junior General has a straightforward personality. I hope Your Highness will not take offense.”
“Why are you being so polite with this Palace? Ji’an also grew up watching this Palace, like a younger brother. It wouldn’t matter if he’s spoiled. Rules are meant to be broken. Prime Minister Wei, would you agree?”
Wei Yan breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding.”
“You’ve changed your identity quickly. The tone of your speech is already claiming to be Yu Shuli’s spouse.”
Zhao Lan smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two of them. “So, may I inquire? What time did you two make noise until last night? Yin hour?”
It must have been more than two hours! It must have been!
Zhao Lan’s face was calm, but in reality, his excitement and agitation were about to overflow from his eyes.
Yu Shuli choked on a mouthful of soup. “Your Highness! You really have no sense of boundaries!”
Wei Yan gave him a reproachful look and took out a handkerchief from his chest to carefully wipe away the soup stains, then said, “Be careful, speak slowly.”
The Second Prince widened his eyes. “So, I guessed correctly? Yin hour? Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
Yu Shuli’s face turned slightly red. He turned his head to look at the Second Prince and gritted his teeth. “Your Highness! Is it still human at Yin hour?!” Just making pancakes for three hours would take half your life, right?
Zhao Lan “ah’d” and said, his tone somewhat disappointed, blamingly glancing at Wei Yan. “Prime Minister Wei is really useless.”
He raised his eyes again, scrutinizing Yu Shuli’s face. “But looking at the Junior General’s appearance, it seems that he is not dissatisfied with Prime Minister Wei?”
Wei Yan “chih’d” and laughed, looking at the Second Prince. “Your Highness’s resentment seems quite deep today. Two out of every three sentences are about inquiring about us. It would be best to start a family soon, so you don’t always focus on other people’s married life.”
Zhao Lan’s expression stiffened, muttering, “This Palace was just asking casually.” He thought for a moment and asked again, “Then when will your version of the storybook come out? The last time it only reached twenty chapters, and this Palace has been waiting a long time for the next chapter. Ji’an also, you don’t care at all about your own storybook business.”
If he can’t hear real answers about their bedroom affairs, isn’t it the same if he reads the storybook version?
Yu Shuli frowned. What does that mean?
He suddenly widened his eyes and exclaimed self-indulgently, “Could it be that Your Highness is my fan?!” If he had said so earlier, he would immediately write a cartload of poems and send them to His Highness.
Scratching his head, Yu Shuli said, “Your Highness, my literary attainment was at its peak ten years ago, and I still have those masterpieces.” He sighed. “If you had said you admired me earlier, then my dad wouldn’t have used those things to prop up the table legs.”
He said considerately, “How about this? After I go back, I’ll tidy them up and send them to you.”
The corners of Zhao Lan’s mouth twitched. He really didn’t understand.
He sighed, no longer surprised by Yu Shuli’s ability to talk nonsense.
“The Junior General is familiar with foreign words, but, nay.” He shook his head and said, “The Junior General’s masterpieces should be given to people who can appreciate them.” He nodded to the side. “I believe someone is willing to collect them for a large sum of money.”
Yu Shuli understood.
Not only does His Highness not want them, but he also despises them very much.
He lowered his head with some disappointment.
Wei Yan smiled knowingly. “The bookshelves in my residence are still very empty. If the Junior General can’t put those works away, you can put them in the Prime Minister’s Residence.” He answered Zhao Lan’s previous question, “When the book is published, Xianqing will personally present a signed copy to Your Highness.”
The rule for signed copies has always been that they must be double-signed.
Zhao Lan smiled, satisfied.
Leaving Yu Shuli utterly bewildered.
“Your Highness, so you’re a Wei Yan fan?” He scratched his head, trying to compete for favor. “No, is my charm really not as good as his? Your Highness, you can’t favor one over the other! There’s a share for those who have helped to establish the Dynasty!”
Wei Yan rubbed his head and chuckled. “You already have a family. Why are you still trying to attract the Second Prince? Besides, when has the Second Prince ever treated you unfairly?”
The Second Prince also looked over with a kind face. “Ji’an, eat your food.”
Yu Shuli’s mouth was stuffed full. He snorted. “I’m eating. Your Highness must give me a high-ranking official position when you ascend the throne, preferably one that just takes money, doesn’t do any work, and goes home after strolling around every day.” He thought for a moment and added, “It has to be higher than Wei Yan’s rank.”
“He came much later than me.”
Who asks for benefits so openly? Besides, how can the ideas of those above be refuted? Every word and reward is a divine grace, and there has never been a reason to make all kinds of tricky demands.
It’s fortunate that the person in front of him is the Second Prince Zhao Lan, otherwise, with any other prince, it would be great disrespect, and if the Emperor heard it, he would lose his head.
But the Second Prince knew the two of them for many years and had long known Yu Shuli’s personality. Not only was he not angry, but he was also deeply touched: As expected, a couple only needs one clever person. Too many clever people will easily quarrel. This combination of Yu Shuli’s family is just right.
Faced with Yu Shuli’s expectant gaze, the Second Prince couldn’t bear to disappoint him, so he could only agree. “Indeed. The Junior General has worked hard these years and must take some time to recuperate and make up for it in the coming years.”
Satisfied with the feedback, Yu Shuli smiled, then chewed and swallowed, finished the rice in his bowl, and happily had the maid add another bowl.
“Like a little pig.” The Second Prince shook his head and looked at Wei Yan. “Fortunately, Prime Minister is rich and powerful.” Able to support him.
Thinking of this, Zhao Lan was satisfied again.
In Da Liang, the probability of divorce and separation is greatly reduced for couples with sufficient financial resources.
He absolutely will not allow the couple he has set his sights on to separate.
They must be locked together!
Wei Yan shook his head, looked at Yu Shuli eating, smiled indulgently, and finally picked up the bowl to drink the soup. The few of them no longer spoke, quietly having their meal.
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