I’ve Got this Cannon Fodder’s Back

142: 141 142: 141 The intelligent horse felt a weight on its back and immediately galloped, kicking up a flurry of snow.

The tall palaces and pavilions quickly vanished from sight.

Lu Chengru, without saying a word, lifted the man, holding him with one arm while controlling the horse with the other.

The bandage that had previously wrapped around his arm was casually tossed aside, and his free hand tightly shielded Gu Ai in front of him.

The chief minister of the current dynasty, who had studied poetry and books since childhood, had never been carried in such a reckless manner before.

Gu Ai, still unable to speak due to his pressure point being struck, opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again, quietly listening to the fierce wind by his ear.

Lu Chengru’s arm remained firmly around him.

The young prince’s body was much hotter than the wind in the snowy field.

His chest pressed against Gu Ai’s back as if the once cold heart that had knelt on the floor had been thrown into a warm flow of blood, boiling his entire being, making his eyes burn with unfamiliar heat.

Lu Chengru, clutching him, galloped past the vermilion-high walls and overlapping palace eaves, finally reining outside the familiar but desolate palace courtyard.

The servants seemed used to the prince’s flamboyant return on horseback, not finding it strange that there was an extra person on the horse today.

They hurried to serve and welcome him, creating a rare bit of lively bustle amid the chaos.

Hot water was prepared, medicine to drive out the cold was brewed and placed on the table, clean clothes were warmed on the stove, and the kitchen was busy preparing food.

Ignoring the bustling servants, Lu Chengru carried Gu Ai straight into the house and placed him on the warm couch in the bedroom.

Gu Ai: … That day at the Imperial Academy, he even considered the idea of dragging the little prince back from under the rock garden.

After being carried and tossed around, he had somewhat gotten used to it.

Supporting himself on the edge of the couch, Gu Ai steadied himself and was about to gesture for Lu Chengru to help him unblock his mute pressure point when Lu Chengru was already kneeling down.

The young prince had been carefully nurtured these days, and his originally thin face had gained a bit of flesh, making him look more like a youth his age.

However, the wind had tousled his hair, his face was still pale, and the bandage on his arm had long disappeared, leaving an uneasy feeling in Gu Ai’s heart.

Lu Chengru lowered his head, remaining silent.

He firmly held Gu Ai in place with one hand, lifted his clothing, and rolled up his pants.

He soaked a cloth in the hot water the servants had brought and gently applied it to the vaguely bruised knee.

The cold, sharp look in his eyes had dimmed, leaving only a quiet, evasive gaze.

Feeling a heaviness in his chest under that gaze, Gu Ai frowned and raised his hand to touch his shoulder but grasped nothing.

Startled, Gu Ai looked down.

The little prince’s face was taut.

Despite having recovered somewhat recently, his shoulders were still tense.

He appeared ready to be reprimanded at any moment, yet he stubbornly kept his back straight, refusing to lower his head before the oppressive force compelling him to study.

Gu Ai, speechless, chuckled softly, pulled him into his embrace, and gently placed his hand on the back of the prince’s neck, slowly massaging in circles.

Lu Deng looked up cautiously, his eyes carefully opening.

It was the first time he had disobeyed like this.

He had portrayed similar characters in his past lives, but he always knew it was just acting, and when the director yelled “cut,” it was over.

Naturally, there was nothing to worry about.

But this time, no one was there to yell “cut.” His character was supposed to be arrogant and domineering, and his recent performance had even earned him five extra points.

He wasn’t worried about the eunuchs or guards speaking ill of him to the emperor, nor did he fear the emperor holding a grudge against him.

The reputation of being a rogue prince spreading outside the palace didn’t bother him—despite knowing that his performance would directly determine his future circumstances in this world, everything doesn’t matter.

He was only worried about Gu Ai being angry with him.

If Gu Ai were angry and no longer saw him as a good child, he would stick to his current persona, using his reputation as an unreasonable, domineering prince to clear a path for him.

It would still be worth it.

Gu Ai rubbed his head, blinked, and gestured to his own throat.

Lu Deng’s eyes slowly widened, and his face flushed bright red.

He had completely forgotten that he had sealed the other’s mute point.

The little prince scrambled out of his embrace, hurriedly reaching out to release the pressure point.

Lu Deng anxiously attempted to climb the tree outside to escape, but Gu Ai was quick to act and grabbed him, “I heard the prince bears a grudge and wants to take revenge on me?” Lu Deng: … Lu Deng dared not move, stopping in his tracks, and obediently moved back to the couch.

Gu Ai had never seen the little prince so obedient.

He couldn’t help but laugh even more, coughing lightly, “You want to take good care of me?” Lu Deng: … The Little Prince’s face flushed so hot that you could fry an egg on him.

The usually serious and rigid Prime Minister found pleasure in this for the first time and smiled at him, saying, “There’s also… you don’t like studying?” Lu Deng: … The words about disliking studying were genuine.

He had never lied.

Though he could deny the other questions, he didn’t know how to respond to this one.

He blushed from his ears to his collar, lowering his head timidly, “Lo-lord Gu…” Before he could finish, he felt a light pat on the top of his head.

Lu Deng was startled, instinctively looking up to found not even a little bit of seriousness on the prime minister’s face, “What did you just call me?” The force on the top of his head didn’t hurt at all, and his tone wasn’t harsh.

Even the stern look on his face wasn’t intimidating in the slightest.

Lu Deng tilted his head up, and his lips slowly curled up.

He glanced at Gu Ai’s deliberately stern expression but couldn’t hold back, his brows bending with a smile.

Gu Ai intended to pretend to scare him a bit more, but when he opened his mouth, he ended up laughing himself.

He reached out to pull him down to sit, but suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his waist, and he couldn’t help but grit his teeth and suck in a breath.

“Sir!” Lu Deng’s heart tightened, and he quickly reached out to support him, “What’s wrong?

I forgot Sir is a scholar.

At that time, I forgot to hold back…” “It’s nothing.

Just sit with me for a while.” The fact that he had been carried and thrown on the horse by his student, causing him to strain his waist, was absolutely something he would never admit.

Gu Ai calmly downplayed the matter, masking it subtly, and motioned for him to sit on the couch.

The little prince’s previous rebelliousness had entirely disappeared.

He obediently followed his words, sitting down and looking up, waiting for Gu Ai to speak.

“I had initially planned to scold you.” But seeing him like this, Gu Ai’s heart softened utterly.

He carefully wrap up the bandage on his arm, sighed lightly, and tapped him on the forehead, “Why are you so impulsive?

It was just kneeling for a bit.

Even though you helped me out of the situation, do you realize how much criticism you’ll face…” “Then let them criticize.” Lu Chengru interrupted him, lowered his head, and after a moment of silence, he jumped off the couch, helping Gu Ai lean back on the sofa while continuing to use the hot water to apply compresses to his knees, “I heard… from an elder that if you kneel for too long, it can cause lasting damage.” Gu Ai was slightly taken aback and looked down.

“If your legs get injured, they’ll ache every winter.

When the pain is severe, you can’t even stand.” Lu Deng lowered his head and soaked the cloth, the steam reddening the back of his hands, but he continued meticulously as if engaged in an extremely serious task.

“If you kneel for too long, it damages your spirit too.

It breaks your will and shatters your determination, leaving you half-dead.

What remains is a mere shadow, going through the motions of doing what they must… then perhaps, one day, when the right time comes, they’ll lay down their life entirely, exchanging it for peace and prosperity.” Gu Ai’s heart quickened, his hand inside his sleeve unconsciously tightening.

The little prince finished tending to both his knees, crouched by the couch, and looked up, “Is Sir also waiting for that day?” His clear, dark eyes pierced straight into Gu Ai’s heart.

Gu Ai instinctively held his breath, opening his mouth to speak, but words failed him.

He simply stared at him, his voice soft, “Chengru…” “When I heard that story, I thought… if someone were to intervene, to stay beside them, supporting them through everything, wouldn’t it be better than one person exhausting themselves, enduring hardship day after day, and ultimately sacrificing their life alone?” Lu Chengru shook his head, avoiding his gaze.

His lips curled into a gentle smile as he got up, took the water bowl, and headed outside.

“I respect your ambitions, Sir, but I don’t want you to face everything alone.” Gu Ai remained sitting in silence for a long time, looking up at him with slowly closing eyes.

The young prince’s shoulders and back were sharp, like an unsheathed sword.

Gu Ai was placed under house arrest at the Yi Wang Mansion.

The emperor, still clinging to his persona of weakness and timidity, maintained a helpless stance toward this little royal uncle.

He sent envoys to deliver an edict, but after an hour of being left standing outside in the bitter wind, they gave up on retrieving the chief minister, who had been publicly taken away.

Later that evening, several imperial physicians were sent to the Yi Wang Mansion.

This time, the gates opened, and Lu Chengru personally welcomed them, courteously guiding the physicians inside.

The Imperial Hospital, typically unbothered by worldly affairs, had a good impression of the little prince who obediently took his medicine.

No one would have expected him to be the type to snatch someone back to his residence.

The physicians arrived with a hint of nervousness, fearing that they might be detained by this prince who even the emperor feared.

The oldest of them, a seasoned imperial physician, was the only one who remained calm, having already guessed the outcome when he saw Gu Ai escorted away.

With a smile, he followed the supposedly arrogant and hot-headed prince into the mansion, all the while scolding him for riding recklessly with his injured shoulder.

Surprisingly, the little prince obediently lowered his head and admitted his mistake.

This only made the physicians more uneasy.

The chief minister, held under house arrest, was in no serious condition.

Although his knees had suffered from poor circulation due to prolonged kneeling, the timely rescue had prevented further injury or long-term issues.

The little prince’s arm had also healed considerably, and despite the strain from galloping, there were no severe dislocations.

The splint was simply readjusted.

After the senior physician completed the treatment and was about to leave, Gu Ai stopped him, “Elder Ge, please stay.” Seeing the chief minister’s hesitation, the senior physician raised an eyebrow and, dismissing the others, walked back with a smile, “Is there anything else, My Lord?

Please speak.” Gu Ai personally invited the senior physician.

Before serving the palace, he had traveled extensively and witnessed many unusual phenomena.

Though Gu Ai felt uneasy around him, he still summoned the courage to speak in a low voice, “Elder Ge, is there… a remedy for the waist?

I was… careless before…” “Is My Lord’s waist already failing?” The elderly physician stroked his beard, looking surprised.

Gu Ai’s back tensed, but he forced himself to nod, explaining softly, “The little prince is too skillful, and I… couldn’t withstand it…” … The physician’s eyes widened further.

Half an hour later, the senior physician handed Gu Ai a thick stack of prescriptions, repeatedly instructing him to take them daily once he returned to his residence.

Seeing his serious expression, Gu Ai could only agree half-heartedly, accepting the prescriptions and tucking them into his sleeve.

The physician noticed the pain flashing across his face whenever he moved and sighed while stroking his beard, “It seems the little prince is truly kind-hearted…” “The little prince has always been a good child.” Gu Ai liked hearing people praise Lu Chengru, and a smile lit up his face, a gleam of warmth in his eyes, “He’s the best I’ve ever seen… pure-hearted and talented.

Though he appears stubborn, he’s actually the most obedient, just shy.

Someone needs to look after him closely…” “That’s enough; that’s My responsibility.” The physician waved off Gu Ai’s words and picked up his medicine chest, “He’s yours to take care of.

Telling others is pointless.” Gu Ai paused, cutting off his words.

“I once saw a horse roaming alone, not following the herd, but it ran faster than any of them.

It was so thin that its bones were showing, but it never backed down from a fight.” The physician, packing up his medicine, continued, “Later, a horse trainer took it in, feeding it the best grass, grooming it, washing it, and even sleeping beside it.

The horse grew healthy, sleek, and strong.

With a saddle, it could leap over a person’s head and kick a hyena to death with one hoof.” Gu Ai listened intently as the physician patted the dust off the chest, “But then the court conscripted horses for the army.

The trainer, not wanting the horse to die in battle, untied it and let it go.” He stopped speaking there, and Gu Ai felt a sinking feeling in his chest.

Frowning, he straightened up slightly, “What happened to the horse—did it escape?” “The horse?

After three days of searching, it was found—at the bottom of a cliff.” The physician chuckled, brushing off his medicine chest as he gave Gu Ai a meaningful look, “You see him living aimlessly and feel uncomfortable about him, so it’s natural to want to bring him home, to look after him… This is human nature, and there’s nothing wrong with it.

Gu Ai’s breath quickened, looking up at him.

Lu Chengru had appeared at the doorway unknowingly, holding a bowl of medicine for Gu Ai.

It was unclear if he had overheard the conversation.

The physician left with a smile, giving Lu Chengru some licorice candy and patting him on the shoulder.

“But if you’ve already tamed him… If he has already become sensible, he learned to carry you, to fend off wolves and hyenas for you, and his heart is full of you—yet you don’t even ask if he’s willing to face danger with you or die by your side, and wave him off…” “Where in this world will you find such fortune?” Gu Ai leaned against the couch, the pain he had been ignoring spreading swiftly from his chest.

The physician continued his departure, whispering advice to Lu Chengru about “scholars being delicate”, “exercise restraint”, and “taking care of the waist.” Feeling anxious, Gu Ai gritted his teeth and tried to get up, but Lu Chengru spotted him and rushed over to help, “Sir!” The young prince held him tightly, his eyes full of concern.

Gu Ai looked down at him, the pain in his chest intensifying, but he still tried to offer a warm expression, taking the medicine bowl from him and gently patting his head.

The physician left, closing the door behind him with a grin.

Lu Chengru’s eyes softened as he felt the touch on his head, a bright sparkle lighting up his eyes as he looked up and smiled.

Gu Ai’s heart felt as if a dense fog had suddenly lifted.

He lowered his gaze, smiling warmly at Lu Chengru as he embraced his slender shoulders, “Sir was wrong.

I’m sorry.” Lu Chengru had genuinely just arrived at the doorway, so he hadn’t fully understood the physician’s words.

He blinked in confusion, looking up.

Gu Ai merely smiled back, slowly tightening his arms around him, “Sir may be busy in the coming days, but if I don’t have time to check on your studies, remember to keep learning.

In the evenings, I’ll be there to accompany you…” He had already planned things out for the future.

Surviving from now on would be far more difficult.

It wasn’t yet a dead end.

He needed to work harder and lay down more paths to find a way out.

At night, the mansion delivered freshly cooked glutinous rice dumpling soup.

After all, it was the Lantern Festival.

Although an unexpected event had prevented them from going out to enjoy the lanterns and the marketplace, it was still a tradition to eat them.

Whether by oversight or deliberate provocation, no glutinous rice dumpling soups were sent from the palace.

The mansion made its own, cooking them until they floated in the dark broth.

When lightly stirred with a spoon, the plump and soft rice dumplings would open, and the sweet sesame filling would flow out.

Blowing on the hot broth a few times and swallowing it down would bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Lu Deng, ever content as long as he was with his loved one, didn’t mind missing the lanterns at the marketplace.

Holding his bowl, he ate with satisfaction.

Feeling a little guilty, Gu Ai silently promised that next year, he would take him out to enjoy the sights.

As this thought crossed his mind, his eyes brightened, “Chengru, Sir will make you a dish.” His legs had been treated with acupuncture and hot compresses, and the bruises had long since faded.

Walking was not a problem.

The senior physician had advised him to move around more, so Lu Deng blinked and hesitated before stepping aside, “Does your leg still hurt, Sir?” “It hasn’t hurt for a long time.

The physician said it was fortunate I came back in time.” Gu Ai smiled, ruffling his hair as he slowly stood, stretching his legs, “These rice dumplings can also be fried.

When I was studying, I once saw someone make them this way…” The young prince, raised in the palace, had likely never tasted such a common treat.

Seeing his eyes light up, Gu Ai smiled and tapped him on the head, “Go study.

I’ll give you some once it’s done.” Studying meant getting fried rice dumplings.

Lu Deng nodded eagerly, returning to his book, focused.

Gu Ai watched him fondly for a moment before heading to the kitchen.

Lu Deng had expended a lot of energy acting earlier, and after eating, he felt drowsy.

While flipping through a book and nodding off, he suddenly heard the servants report that the Third Prince had come under imperial orders to check on him.

Hearing it was the Third Prince, Lu Deng was a bit surprised and sat up straight, “Invite him in.” The Third Prince, older than him and having just reached adulthood, had recently been assigned duties outside the capital by the emperor.

He had only returned today and was immediately given the unenviable task of visiting this troublesome little uncle.

The First Prince was of secondary status, while the Crown Prince was the legitimate eldest son.

The Third Prince, being neither legitimate nor the eldest, was the real protagonist of the story.

Over time, the Crown Prince, seduced by others, would go astray, clashing with the emperor.

The other princes, long groomed into irrelevance, would not be contenders.

Just when it seemed no one could succeed, the Third Prince would rise, becoming the new heir and eventually inheriting the throne.

The emperor was truly heartless and indifferent, showing affection only to the Crown Prince.

The Third Prince, who had been suppressed and isolated since childhood, had risen through his own determination and hard work, and he harbored no filial feelings toward the emperor.

As long as the protagonist successfully inherited the throne, the storyline wouldn’t deviate too much… Lu Deng pondered this and sent a message to inform Gu Ai before instructing the servants to bring the “gentle and carefree” Third Prince in.

The Third Prince, Lu Liang, had rushed back to the capital, not even having time to change his clothes.

Dusty and hungry, he arrived at his little uncle’s mansion to carry out his duty.

As he entered, Gu Ai happened to bring in a plate of golden, crispy, and fragrant fried rice dumplings.