ITOTIABSAM | Young General | 104
Kissing to communicate, such an unscientific thing, surprisingly found a logically consistent explanation by the other party. Xie Ye remained silent, but his eyes curved slightly.
Excessive physical exertion led him to only stay awake for a short while before drifting back into a deep sleep.
In the afternoon of July, even on the grassland, the temperature was somewhat high. Gu Cong sat by the bedside, patiently fanning the youth, waiting for the slightly furrowed brows to completely relax before silently stepping out of the tent:
The horse race was won, and there face was saved. He was eager to bring Xie Ye back to treat his injuries, but it didn't mean he would turn a deaf ear to everything.
The grassland youths participating in the martial arts competition suffered greatly.
In previous years, Gu Cong understood the principle of stopping at the right moment. Apart from horse racing, he would not participate in other events.
But this time, the obvious injury to his newlywed wife angered the opponents. On the stage, one after another, sturdy opponents were thrown off, and few could withstand more than five moves.
Finally, Wu Qige, who had been waiting for an opportunity, couldn't sit still anymore. He decisively gave up his qualification to directly enter the final round of competition, confessed his mistake, and jumped onto the adjacent stage:
For every opponent Gu Cong defeated, he would also defeat one, equalizing the consumption, thus ensuring fairness.
Also, due to Wu Qige's insistence on fairness, the martial arts competition, which was originally expected to last three days, ended unexpectedly on the following afternoon.
Half of his body hung outside the ring, the snow-bright spear pointed at his throat: "You've lost."
In the continuous battles, even with breaks in between, it was enough to drain the last ounce of strength. With just a slight difference in moves, each breath became heavier. Yet, Wu Qige felt extremely exhilarated:
"Next year, I'll come again."
Gu Cong calmly retrieved his spear, reached out, and pulled him up, glancing towards the stands: "That depends on whether my wife is willing."
The young man who had been resting in the tent after winning the horse race finally showed up this afternoon. He still had that delicate and frail appearance, but no one dared to underestimate him anymore.
On the contrary, the Third Prince, who had been arrogant and challenging yesterday, lost his position at the highest seat.
Wu Qige, whose invitation failed, wondered: What does it have to do with Xie Ye?
It's hard to understand once you've become married.
The three competitions of horse racing, archery, and martial arts unexpectedly saw the guests winning twice. The Khan's face didn't look good, but he lacked an excuse to act out.
After all, it was his foolish son who provoked Gu Cong first.
Moreover, it wasn't yet time to tear apart relations between the grasslands and the Yan Dynasty. The deficits caused by past wars required ample time for recuperation and recovery.
Precisely because of this, regardless of their private thoughts, everyone maintained a facade of harmony.
Of course, except for the Third Prince.
At the bonfire party held to celebrate the end, under the pressure of his father Khan and with his siblings watching eagerly, the Third Prince reluctantly raised his glass to Xie Ye.
Seeing his expression clearly illuminated by the firelight, Gu Cong couldn't help but chuckle.
——After all his years of maneuvering within and outside the royal tent, the Third Prince wouldn't be directly brought down by this one mistake. But coincidentally, the grasslands revered heroes, and every adult prince had to participate in the martial arts competition. He was unlucky to run into Gu Cong. At the time, it didn't seem like much, but now, under the scrutiny of the firelight, hmm, he had a swollen nose and a bruised face.
There was no longer the mild and handsome demeanor of the strategist.
Ultimately, on someone else's turf, the Khan gave him a way out, and Xie Ye didn't mind letting it go after downing a cup of pure white horse milk wine.
But as soon as the Third Prince left, the guards immediately approached, talking eagerly:
"How do you grip the handle with such force, General? Can you teach me?"
"It must be hidden strength, definitely hidden strength."
"Let that kid be arrogant again."
Gu Cong, who only wanted to enjoy the bonfire with the young man beside him, waved them off: "Go away, eat your meat."
Glancing at the two of them, the guards chuckled kindly: "Got it, General is too tired, he needs Mr. Xie to comfort him."
"We're leaving."
After this experience, they fully admitted Xie Ye as the new wife, and even felt that Xie Ye, who was still in the womb when he was betrothed to the General, was truly a man with keen insight.
The huge bonfire burned brightly, as if it could illuminate the entire night sky. Gu Cong didn't sit with the royal family, waiting for the guards to disperse. Instead, he simply lay on the soft grass on the outskirts, using Xie Ye's uninjured knee as a pillow, watching the crowd not far away, holding hands in a circle, singing and dancing.
In any case, the scene before him was much more beautiful than the battlefield strewn with corpses and flowing with blood.
Xie Ye lightly stroked his hair with delicate fingertips.
Wu Qige had also fought in the ring for two days, and in the end, Gu Cong was exhausted. He hadn't really exerted much force on him, hadn't drawn blood, but he had bruises. There had been too many eyes watching him earlier, and it wasn't until the moment the youth touched him that he truly relaxed and let go of his strength completely.
Bending his legs slightly, Gu Cong withdrew his gaze and looked at Xie Ye. "Are you feeling better now?"
Due to his experiences, he was usually calm and reserved, rarely as impulsive as a young kid. But today, not only did he win the martial arts competition, but he also turned the handsome face of a prince into a palette.
When the youth nodded, Gu Cong reached out and brought his hand to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss.
Although Xie Ye knew he was deliberately teasing him to get a kiss, he still couldn't resist and, when no one was around, leaned down to exchange a light breath with Gu Cong:
"General, you're mighty."
The man, satisfied with the reward he had obtained, looked up at the vast expanse of the sky, filled with stars. Suddenly, he felt a longing for their little courtyard, gradually filled with their touches. Playing with the youth's fingertips, he said, "Once the bonfire is out, we'll go back."
The bonfire at the celebration often burned until dawn, when the sunlight was faintly visible, perfect for setting off on a journey.
Xie Ye: "My legs..."
Gu Cong didn't hesitate: "Of course, I'll carry you."
They came together, and they would return together.
Xie Ye teased: "But I can ride a horse."
"In that case, I can't," Gu Cong said confidently, lying without any hint of guilt, "You'll have to control the reins, my wife."
Understanding the implications behind Gu Cong's words, Xie Ye deliberately redirected the conversation after borrowing another kiss: "When I went to the stands earlier, I happened to run into Anari. I was curious why she decided to help."
Given Gu Cong's personality, even if it involved himself, he wouldn't easily get involved in the royal tent just because of a riding outfit or a reminder.
When the outcome was uncertain, all the spectators—including the guards around Gu Cong—didn't think they would win. Taking the risk of offending the Third Prince for nothing didn't seem like something a shrewd person would do.
It was merely some scheming and manipulation, which Gu Cong had seen too much of and had little interest in. But because it was Xie Ye who brought it up, Gu Cong played along: "Why?"
Xie Ye smiled brightly: "Because..."
"She said I'm a beauty."
The simple compliment made it clear to Xie Ye that Gu Cong had always been emitting goodwill towards him ever since he first entered the royal tent.
The man who was lazily reclining suddenly sat up.
Knowing that idle flattery often concealed ulterior motives, Gu Cong said, "I've never had much interaction with that princess."
"What's wrong?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
Knowing the answer already, Xie Ye smiled lightly. "Could it be that I'm not worthy of such praise?"
The usually pale skin was now bathed in a warm, soft light, lips red as blood, still moist from his kisses, with a lingering sweetness of horse milk wine.
"Of course you deserve it," Gu Cong replied. After a brief rest, an endless surge of strength suddenly welled up in his limbs. Crackling, the bonfire reached its peak. Gu Cong suddenly took Xie Ye's hand and, in his surprised gaze, invited him:
"Beauty."
"Let's elope."
Author's Note:
Gu Cong: Princess? Beauty? I'm taking my wife home!
PS: The plot just happens to end here, so it's a bit short.
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Thanks for the update
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