Chapter 219: [Khan’s Story 11] You can look but you can’t eat
Outer Mongolia was a thousand miles away from the capital, and after tirelessly journeying for days, the troop finally reached the relay station of Juyong Mountain.
Juyong Mountain was a branch of Taihang Mountains, which spanned thousands of miles through hundreds of interconnecting hills, thousands of peaks, and ten thousands of deep gullies. The mountain began at Hanoi, and from North Hanoi to Youzhou were several mountains, connecting the boundaries of 12 states. Among them were the ranges of Juyong Mountain, with their majestic terrain, steep cliffs, and huge rivers. Juyong was also the only road that connected the Central Plains to the Outer Mongolia. After passing through this trail, one could finally enter the territory of Outer Mongolia.
Once the troop had settled in the station, a centurion led the soldiers to the stables, whereas Chu Jiao was welcomed by the deputy into the hall.
Since it was nearing dinner time, the deputy of the relay station received the noble guests, quickly instructing the kitchen to prepare a table full of good food.
Until now, Chu Jiao still didn’t have much of an appetite and just asked the deputy to prepare alcohol and meat for the hardworking soldiers, while she ordered a light porridge and a few dishes for herself.
Hu Luoyan was a step behind them since he handed his horse over. He then arranged a layer of defense outside before slowly yet boldly sitting beside Chu Jiao.
“Another bottle of this Chinese wine and half a catty of pig’s head!”
Gazing at the table of vegetables dishes, he immediately turned his head and ordered the servants.
Ylydobkzl, Ubw Kkys zygkzu pbsv bkx y tzydnl, vbkdjkdt vs blaplzq. ‘Mbkp rlapsd oyp clnsxkdt xsal yde xsal wdcakezle, pkxrzu dsv rwvvkdt y rakdnlpp zkjl bla kd bkp lulp.’
“Mbkp rakdnlpp eslpd’v oydv vs lyv xlyv vseyu.”
“Ls rasczlx,” Tw Nwsuyd naynjle y okel pxkzl srld, “Mbkp tldlayz okzz lyv!”
Gqvla pyukdt vbkp, bl iwknjzu przkv y ryka sq nbsrpvknjp yde elhswale vbl qsse okvb twpvs.
“Vakdnlpp,” Tw Nwsuyd pyke pkdnlalzu, “Nssj yv vbkp rlvkvl qayxl sq uswap, usw nyd’v fwpv pszlzu lyv hltlvyczlp.”
Tl tyhl vbl zwmwakswpzu-ealpple tkaz y sdnlshla, pwcvzu rywpkdt yv vbl yaly sq bla nblpv yde oykpv, “Zsw pbswze lyv y zkvvzl xsal xlyv yde taso psxl xwpnzl. R…xu casvbla kp nswdvkdt sd usw vs tkhl ckavb vs y nbwccu rakdnl.”
“Vqv.” Ubw Kkys dlyazu pryv swv bla eakdj.
Qkhl ckavb xu yapl! Eyp vblal pwnb y casvbla-kd-zyo obs oswze pyu psxlvbkdt zkjl vbkp!?
“General Tuoba, you sure care about a lot of things!” Chu Jiao chided. Wasn’t this person afraid that the others would figure out his disguise?!
Hu Luoyan had also finally picked up her social cue, conscious that his words may have revealed a bit too much for comfort. He awkwardly stroked his beard and shut his mouth from embarrassment, eating in a behaved manner.
Though his mouth stopped chattering, his wild thoughts continued to run rampant. He began to scheme on how to revert back to his original identity. Because, if this delicious meat of a little princess were to be continuously baited in front of him everyday, allowing him to merely look but not touch, it would be too much torture!
※
Chu Jiao took a comfortable soak in the warm bath before heading to bed early.
A month’s worth of enduring car bumps nearly made her bones fall off. Now that she could finally lie on a comfortable and still bed, she quickly wandered off into dreamland.
When the moon’s glowing figure reached the middle of the sky, Hu Luoyan, who was staying in the neighboring wing, also gave himself a quick wash, using his hands as a pillow and laying down on the bed with his eyes shut in recuperation.
Although they had already travelled two-thirds of the way and their journey so far was a peaceful and calm one, he was still unable to let go of the vigilance that was deeply ingrained in his heart.
Even though he had gained control over 36 regions and united Outer Mongolia, he was still young, and the methods he used during the year he assumed the throne were unduly gruesome and ruthless. As such, there still existed old factions who upholded “Legitimism”. restlessly trying to jump into court and attempting to overthrow his rule.
The reason why he deliberately traded identities with his young brother before leaving Outer Mongolia was to reveal a weak point to those pesky little vermins and take this fine opportunity to rid the moles hiding within their group.
In the dark, Hu Luoyan suddenly opened his eyes, an ominous glint flashing within them.
That year, he had let go of certain people and hadn’t exterminated them. Looking at it now, perhaps mercy did not suit him.
However, the image of a girl’s face feigning coquettish anger surfaced in his head, and the look in Hu Luoyan’s eyes immediately softened.
He was someone who had a queen.
And his queen was very delicate, so he couldn’t allow any factors of unease to continue existing.