Tu HuaLi looked at the carnage and lifted the smaller man into his arms in a princess carry. He kissed their forehead, "It's dirty. We don't want their disgusting blood to soil you, Lan'er."
Xu XiuLan kissed their nose, "Whatever you want, my Emperor."
His cloudy grey eyes were gone and held a brilliant light shone in them. Tu HuaLi looked at Wu QingJue, "Everything has been completed?"
Wu QingJue nodded, "Yes, Emperor."
Xu XiuLan, "And the survivors?"
Wu QingJue, "We came too late. They have suffered but I have sent them to receive care, your grace."
Xu XiuLan nodded, "En. That's good."
Though he hadn't cared for the civilians... They were still human, at most they wanted to avoid having any casualties on them as well. Without specific specifications on the plot, they had no idea what really went on besides that the eastern barbarians stole and killed. There wasn't any mention in that they would commit such an atrocious deed.
Not to mention that... The plot had once again veered off a little. They had waited three weeks before the attack on the main supply village occurred. It had given them more time to deal with the inner conflicts that would arise, but made them unsure of what will happen next. Bao Bao was unable to come and monitor them as well as he was currently in their country helping them assess the enemy's welfare and military power.
During the three weeks, a miracle was performed. The summoning of the rain was called upon to deal with the drought that plagued the northeastern part of Xuan Xing. The emperor would perform the ritual and make it rain. This was a conflict in the past that did remained unsolved and caused more of the people to hate the emperor.
They traveled to the northeastern area and performed the rights. Because of Bao Bao's weather forecasting ability and the preparation they had done, the ritual came out perfect.
The heavy rain came down and washed the dusty and cracked earth there. The rain continued for a whole two days before it ceased and the hidden sun came out again. Praises that Tu HuaLi was indeed the son of the Heaven's spread like a wildfire. This strengthened the hold that Tu HuaLi had on the position.
Another miracle was the cure for Xu XiuLan's eyes. After the rain ritual, Tu HuaLi had used his own energy to restore Xu XiuLan's eyes. Xu XiuLan wanted to make sure that the preparation for the rain calling was completed and it was to be successful before he had his eyes cured.
When he opened his eyes and saw his beloved, Xu XiuLan couldn't help but let out a full blown smile that exposed his pearly white teeth. He pressed Lin Jun Kai into his bosom and cradled him as he kissed their head. He was still his bunbun.
Xu XiuLan was introduced as the male empress a week later. It caused a stir in the citizens as they hadn't heard of Xu XiuLan before, he was not one of the minister's or official's daughter and there wasn't any information on the man. Tu HeJian help backed up Xu XiuLan from attacks from the ministers and officials. He kindly announced that Xu XiuLan was his sworn brother and that they've known each other since they were kids. The only reason for his absence was because he was doing his duties that the emperor had given out.
Some who had recognized Xu XiuLan were silenced, either they took hush money or were disposed of. Tu HuaLi did not care for their position, his empress would only be Xu XiuLan and no one else. With two higher powers in court defending Xu XiuLan, the ministers and officials could only swallow their complaints.
This did not tarry the other officials to send out their beloved children towards Tu HuaLi, they still had hope that their child could win favor over the current empress. Maybe even win his spot, but they had miscalculated. Tu HuaLi was not a stud horse and blatantly called out the shameless officials, making their intestines turn green with regret for even saying anything.
After killing the chicken to tame the monkey, the rest of them could only shut their mouths and keep quiet. They feared of becoming another example. One of the bolder men had counted too much on his and the emperor's bond and criticized Xu XiuLan in front of the whole crowd.
Tu HuaLi chuckled and had him escorted out. The day after, news spread that the official had his titles, deeds, lands, status, and money stripped away and he was casted out. Another one had boasted that their child could bear better children for the emperor had received the same punishment.
Hearing all of this only made Xu XiuLan chuckle at his complaining husband, who would hug his waist and have his mischievous hands grope his firm butt.
Only one lower official was daring enough to try and use Lin Jun Kai in their ploy to ensnare the emperor. They received the maximum punishment, death by a thousand cuts for trying to lay their hands on his child.
——
Seeing that things were taken care of the raiding eastern barbarians, Tu HuaLi departed from the tent and returned to the carriage where Lin Jun Kai was waiting for them.
Seeing their figures come in, he jumped up, "Mommy, daddy!"
He almost became a sack of bones waiting for them. Lin Jun Kai held onto their sleeves with both of his hands, "Take Xiao Jun with you next time, okay mommy?"
Xu XiuLan rubbed his hair, "When you're older, Xiao Jun. Be good until then."
As quick as it went up, his request was shot down by Xu XiuLan's simple words as Lin Jun Kai could never win against his mother's word. He nodded and fumbled with his fingers, he wanted to always be by his mother's side. The conversation of that day still haunts him, eventually his mother would be gone. He wanted to make as much memories as he could, and while he still can.
Tu HuaLi's piercing stare made, Lin Jun Kai's head numb. He had finally taken action the other day and taken his mother from his father. They went to the far west region to go see the wonderful lavish lands that held the big sea. Lin Jun Kai could remember Tu Hua Li talking about Xu XiuLan liking the sea and ocean very much, so he wanted to show him it.
Lin Jun Kai came prepared as he put foxed the dragon guards that were to protect the two. He didn't want his father to come mess with his mother, the other day he saw him with puffy eyes again.
It caused major chaos in the dragon chambers looking at the single note that was left behind, 'Mommy and Xiao Jun are going on a trip without Daddy~ Be good and wait for us to come home (^-^)/'
Tu HuaLi wanted to crush the paper but decided to keep it for safekeeping later. He folded it nicely and placed into a storage and departed on getting back his wife and son. It took him a day to find them before dragging them both back home. Xu XiuLan remained in bed for the next couple of days and Lin Jun Kai was to copy scriptures.
Lin Jun Kai hid behind his mother's sleeve, "Xiao Jun will be good."
It was answering to both Tu HuaLi's penetrating gaze and Xu XiuLan's statement. Aiyo, why did his father have to find them both so quick? He just wanted a day without Tu HuaLi there. Lin Jun Kai gave a cheeky smile to Xu XiuLan. His mother would help pacify his father.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing You (Arcs 1-7)
Fantasy"Do you want to live?" "If so, sign a contact with me." The young man gazes up with a faint smile on his face, "Yes." The young man didn't care who it was that he'd struck a deal with. Even if it was the devil or a God, he would have agreed. Whatev...
