Long Xiaoyuan sent ten Shadow Guardians to escort Huhe Huangcheng.
On one hand, he wanted to send him safe and sound to the border. On the other hand, he wanted to keep Huhe Huangcheng under control.
At least, Huhe Huangcheng wouldn’t be able to cause any troubles in the territory of Tianlong Dynasty.
They escorted him, at the same time they watched over him.
The Shadow Guardians travelled day and night, and on the fifth night, they arrived at the border, where Huhe Huangcheng was picked up by his people from Northern Barbarians.
Long Xiaoyuan was handling files in the Imperial Study when he received the news.
These days, Liu Suifeng has been restoring Shi Qingzhou’s health, and he even said that sex was strictly forbidden during recuperation!
This upset Long Xiaoyuan a lot, but there was nothing he could do about it. For the sake of Shi Qingzhou’s health, he had to endure it!
Actually, Long Xiaoyuan was just complaining. What he cared most about was Shi Qingzhou’s health.
After receiving the news, Long Xiaoyuan told Shi Qingzhou, who was in the study as well.
Shi Qingzhou read the news and said. “He’s arrived in Northern Barbarians. He is quite fast, but it’s been ten days since the emperor’s death. Even though he gets back fast, I guess it is not peaceful there.”
“But there is no news of the new king being enthroned in Northern Barbarians, from which we can see the murderer did not have power in the court even though his assassination succeeded.”
Shi Qingzhou nodded. “Indeed. If the murderer had the power, he would have settled everything during the ten days before the crown prince went back.”
“But there is another possibility,” Long Xiaoyuan continued, “Maybe that person won’t be enthroned until Huhe Huangcheng gets back.”
Shi Qingzhou paused and thought about it. That could be possible.
Long Xiaoyuan touched his chin. “But no matter what the situation is, the internal strife in Northern Barbarians is inevitable, which is good for us.”
“How’s the Eastern Darkness?” asked Long Xiaoyuan. Now that the news was sorted by Shi Qingzhou, Long Xiaoyuan asked him directly.
Shi Qingzhou said, “Everything went well. We have received two pieces of news from the Shadow Guardians. Fang Shuoyang does not make any moves. And… Emperor Zhou has been a little strange recently.”
“Tell me more.” Long Xiaoyuan was surprised.
“We framed up Zhou Suye when we left. Emperor Zhou seemed to be disappointed with him.”
Long Xiaoyuan was shocked. “How could that be? Doesn’t Emperor Zhou adore Zhou Suye the most? Even if he failed him one or two times, he couldn’t be so disappointed, right? If he changes his mind and makes Fang Shuoyang the heir to his throne, we don’t have to make a lot of efforts.” Shi Qingzhou nodded. “Right, but Zhou Suye will go mad.”
“That’s fine. If Emperor Zhou has this intention, Zhou Suye has to be capable of usurping the throne.”
Shi Qingzhou reminded him. “He doesn’t need to usurp the throne. He just needs to kill Fang Shuoyang.”
“No, no.” Long Xiaoyuan shook his head. “It will be difficult for him as well. Emperor Zhou won’t allow his country’s future emperor to be killed.”
Shi Qingzhou fell silent.
Long Xiaoyuan put down the file in his hand. “By the way, Qingzhou.”
Shi Qingzhou looked at him. “What is it?”
“Your mother’s birthday is approaching, right?”
Shi Qingzhou paused and looked at him. “It’s still a month away. What’s the matter?”
Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “Your father hasn’t come back for a long time, so let him come back for her birthday. Anyway, Northern Barbarians is in chaos, and our border won’t be disturbed for the time being.”
Shi Qingzhou paused again and smiled at Long Xiaoyuan. “Alright, then I will thank you on behalf of my father.”
When Long Xiaoyuan heard this, he immediately pulled him into his arms. He moved his chair back, and put him on his lap.
“You want to thank me? How do you thank me?”
Shi Qingzhou looked at him. “What do you want?”
When Long Xiaoyuan heard this, he slipped his hand under Shi Qingzhou’s clothes.
Shi Qingzhou slowly looked down. “You want me to thank you this way?”
Long Xiaoyuan’s kiss fell on Shi Qingzhou’s neck. “Of course, this is the way I want you to repay me the most.”
Shi Qingzhou said slowly. “You should ask Liu Suifeng if you can.”
Long Xiaoyuan got frustrated. “Qingzhou, you’re talking about another man on my bed. Isn’t that bad?” As he spoke, he fiercely bit Shi Qingzhou on the neck.
Shi Qingzhou glanced at him lightly, “We are not in bed.”
“Qingzhou, do you like to do it in bed? Isn’t this simple?” As Long Xiaoyuan spoke, he abruptly stood up and carried Shi Qingzhou with his arms.
“There is a soft bed at the back.”
Shi Qingzhou rolled his eyes. “You’d better ask Liu Suifeng. I don’t mind, but you might think all your efforts are wasted. It’s been so hard for you to have endured for so many days. It won’t be long before you can do what you like, but you just…”
Long Xiaoyuan paused, looking at Shi Qingzhou with sadness. “Qingzhou.”
Shi Qingzhou smiled and showed his white teeth. “Sorry, I’m really worried.”
Although he said apologetically, he could not hide the smile in his eyes.
Long Xiaoyuan instantly got frustrated, kissing Shi Qingzhou’s eyes and lips. “Shut up!”
Shi Qingzhou shut up obediently.
Long Xiaoyuan threw him onto the bed fiercely.
He kissed, groped, and pinched, but in the end, he didn’t do it.
Shi Qingzhou’s threat worked. Long Xiaoyuan was afraid of wasting all the previous efforts!
Therefore, Long Xiaoyuan felt disgruntled as his desire was not satisfied.
In the evening, Long Xiaoyuan had dinner with Liu Suifeng.
He didn’t say anything, glaring at Liu Suifeng, as if he wanted to kill him.
That sent chills up Liu Suifeng’s back. “Why are you looking at me like that? I don’t like you, really. I like someone else.”
Long Xiaoyuan looked at him helplessly. “Do you think I will take fancy to a piece of trash like you?”
Liu Suifeng coughed. “That’s hard to say. Besides, why do you say I’m trash?”
Ouyang Chuan said with irritation. “What are you talking about? Don’t forget that Suifeng and I are helping you right now!”
Long Xiaoyuan said firmly, “Why are you not trash? Don’t you just provide some healthy diet? Why do you demand abstinence? Aren’t you a piece of trash? What a quack!”
Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan’s mouths twitched at the same time.
Forget it. A man whose desire was dissatisfied was scary. They’d better not argue with him.
Liu Suifeng coughed and looked at Shi Qingzhou who was eating calmly. He thought to himself, “Why doesn’t he step in?”
Besides, was it proper to shout about such private things in public? How embarrassing!
Ouyang Chuan also looked at Shi Qingzhou, hoping that he could intervene.
However, Shi Qingzhou didn’t seem to notice anything.
Long Xiaoyuan continued to look at Liu Suifeng with sorrow.
In the end, Liu Suifeng gave in. “All right. I will improve the prescription.”
Long Xiaoyuan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yes! Absolutely!” Liu Suifeng nodded earnestly.
Long Xiaoyuan got satisfied and said with a solemn face. “Doctor Liu, eat more. If there’s any dish you don’t like, I’ll ask the Imperial Kitchen to make another dish.”
Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan were lost for words.
After dinner, Liu Suifeng went to change the prescription, while Long Xiaoyuan took Shi Qingzhou for a walk in the yard.
The next day, Liu Suifeng changed the prescription and announced that Long Xiaoyuan could indulge himself, but he still had to restrain himself.
Long Xiaoyuan drove him away without the slightest bit of politeness at dinner yesterday!
Liu Suifeng was pissed off. Long Xiaoyuan was getting more ungrateful!
Liu Suifeng took a deep breath and left.
Long Xiaoyuan carried Shi Qingzhou into the room, completely ignoring that it was still daytime.
Shi Qingzhou turned to look at Long Xiaoyuan, and then slowly closed his eyes when he was thrown to the big bed.
He did not reject it long ago, and it was fun to see that Long Xiaoyuan was impatient.
Long Xiaoyuan felt that Qingzhou was lovely when he closed his eyes.
Yeah, he was lovely.
It was rare of Qingzhou to be docile.
Especially when he attracted his attention!
Long Xiaoyuan did not delay and kissed him anxiously…
Shi Qingzhou slowly wrapped his hands around Long Xiaoyuan’s shoulders.
Long Xiaoyuan got more excited.
And his excitement lasted for over four hours!
They missed lunch, and it was almost dinner time!
In the end, they fell asleep, exhausted.
By the time they woke up again, it was already midnight.
They were hungry. As they hadn’t cleaned themselves up, Long Xiaoyuan took Shi Qingzhou for a bath first. After they were cleaned up, he went to the dining room and asked for dinner.
The dinner had been prepared in the Imperial Kitchen, and it was being warmed all the time, so that Long Xiaoyuan could have it at any time.
Long Xiaoyuan always had the way he wanted, eating quite some with Shi Qingzhou.
However, it was midnight after all. Long Xiaoyuan did not dare to eat too much, afraid it was not easy to digest.
The two of them took a stroll in the palace for a while, and then went to sleep again…
A few days later, when Shi Qingshan was about to arrive at the Imperial City, he was assassinated.
Fortunately, Long Xiaoyuan arranged quite a few Shadow Guardians to protect Shi Qingshan, and he sent troops to pick them up when they left the border, so the assassin did not succeed.
However, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou were worried.
In fact, the assassination this time was very dangerous. Although Shi Qingshan was not seriously injured, he got slightly injured.
When Shi Qingzhou received the news, he immediately said, “My father is arriving soon. I’ll go pick him up.”
Long Xiaoyuan frowned slightly and said slowly, “Qingzhou, it’s not that I’m not worried about your father, but Shadow Guardians have been sent out. You won’t make any difference even if you go.”
Shi Qingzhou shook his head. “I have to go. This assassination is probably just the beginning.”
Long Xiaoyuan fell silent.
Shi Qingzhou looked at him. “Let’s go together and bring along Liu Suifeng.”
Long Xiaoyuan was taken aback.
Shi Qingzhou said softly, “I’ll be worried if I leave you behind. Let’s go together, and leave the court to the Left Premier and Right Prime Minister.”
“Alright,” Long Xiaoyuan had no objections to going out with Shi Qingzhou.
After they had made arrangements in the palace, Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou left together…
At the same time, they took Ouyang Chuan and Liu Suifeng with them.
Shi Qingshan was eighty miles away from the Imperial City.
Long Xiaoyuan and Shi Qingzhou hurried forward at high speed while Shi Qingshan was also rushing to meet them.
When they received the news of assassination, it was almost midday, and they spent some time on the arrangement.
Therefore, the two groups of people met at night.
To their surprise, an army of poisonous insects attacked them just as they met.
The soldiers who got bitten screamed and fell down. Although they didn’t die right away, their faces instantly turned green. Shi Qingzhou turned grim. “Father, are you alright?”
Shi Qingshan was very calm. “I’m fine. You are being reckless. How can you bring His Majesty to such a place?”
Shi Qingzhou pursed his lips.
Long Xiaoyuan said hurriedly. “It’s not his fault. I insisted to come. General Shi, please don’t blame Qingzhou.”
Shi Qingshan glared at his son.
Ouyang Chuan asked, “Suifeng, what do you think? What kind of insects are these?”
“The antidote pills we brought are not enough for so many people. Now we can only try to save their lives and think of a way later.”
“Hurry up and tell me what to do.” Long Xiaoyuan immediately said.
“The people who are not poisoned should make a circle and light torches on the ground. All insects are afraid of fire.”
Shi Qingshan quickly made the order.
“As for those that have been poisoned, gather all of them together. I will dissolve the antidote pills into water and let them drink it first. It can’t detoxify the poison, but it should be able to keep them alive, provided that the poison is not too strong.”
“Their faces have turned green and they are paralyzed. Are you saying that this poison is not strong?” Long Xiaoyuan immediately said.
Liu Suifeng said, “No, it’s normal. If the poison was strong, these people would have died on the spot.”
“Alright, that’s all we can do.”
Shi Qingshan brought with him two thousand people.
Shi Qingzhou took five hundred people with them.
Including the Shadow Guardians.
All the wounded and poisoned soldiers were soldiers. They didn’t see any assassins up to this point, only the army of poisonous insects.
The Shadow Guardians had gone to track down the assassins, but there was no response.
After Shi Qingshan gave the order, the soldiers immediately executed it.
Countless torches lit up and made a fire circle on the ground. Everyone stayed inside the fire circle.
The injured soldiers were also surrounded by a fire circle, and they had drunken the water made from the antidote pill.
Some soldiers obviously got better, but the soldiers who got more bites did not improve.
Liu Suifeng personally treated the seriously injured people, pushing needles on them and sucking out the poisonous blood.
Although more than two hundred people were injured, less than ten people died, which was a good result. A few insects made it into the fire circle, but they were quickly killed by the soldiers. Most insects flinched at the fire.
The insects scattered on the ground, which was disgusting and scary.
Liu Suifeng said. “Burn them. Toss the torches to the insects.”
The soldiers immediately followed the order. They made more torches and looked for fuel. After they threw the fire torches into the insects, things were getting better. Most of the insects were killed, but there were still quite some insects intending to attack stubbornly.
“Can we retreat now?” Long Xiaoyuan asked softly.
Liu Suifeng shook his head, “We’d better not. It would be a disaster if we are ambushed by the poisonous insects along the way. We should rest for the night before advancing in the daytime.”
Long Xiaoyuan nodded, “Okay.”
This night, they didn’t catch any assassins, who never showed up actually.
Shadow Guardian didn’t have any clues, nor did they see any suspicious figures.
Long Xiaoyuan and the rest did not sleep for the whole night. In this situation, no one dared to sleep.
Fortunately, they were not far away from the Imperial City, and they could make it during the day tomorrow, so these soldiers did not mind that they didn’t sleep at all.
Liu Suifeng frowned slightly. Were there only poisonous insects?
The assassins didn’t appear. Was the purpose of the assassins just to release these poisonous insects?
These poisonous insects alone would not be able to kill Shi Qingshan.
Instinctively, Liu Suifeng felt that something was wrong.
However, they would arrive at the Imperial City tomorrow. Did the assassins were late to release the insects?
That could be possible. If he had not come this time, the problem would not have been solved so easily…
But he still felt that something was wrong.