Rebirth As a Fatuous and Self-indulgent Ruler

432. The Bait

Long Xiaoyuan woke up as usual in the morning, and the man beside him was still asleep.

Long Xiaoyuan always had a feeling similar to heartache at sight of Shi Qingzhou’s beautiful sleeping face.

He felt distressed yet happy.

Long Xiaoyuan couldn’t help thinking if he hadn’t come here.

Shi Qingzhou would have become the emperor, but in the novel, he had never felt the real happiness after he was enthroned.

Those women were his concubines, but he didn’t really fall in love with any of them.

The real Shi Qingzhou actually loved only one person in his life.

But in the novel, he had a palace of concubines.

Although there weren’t many women in the palace, the number of them was more than he wished.

So, those women weren’t his true love, right?

Besides, so what if he killed Long Xiaoyuan?

His life was ruined.

The dream of fighting in the battlefield and occasionally wandering the world with a sword and wine was ruined.

So what if he became the Emperor and killed the person who had ruined him?

Memories couldn’t be removed.

He couldn’t forget things that had happened no matter how hard he tried.

Therefore, although Shi Qingzhou in the novel had the world in his charge and became an emperor, he was not happy.

Although Shi Qingzhou was not the Emperor now, his power was no smaller than of the emperor.

In addition, he had found the person that he loved, and he could stay with him for the rest of his life.

Therefore, his sleeping face looked so beautiful. Wasn’t Shi Qingzhou really happynow?

Thinking of this, Long Xiaoyuan was grateful to the Lord, and he was even grateful for his last life in which he had been in bad health.

If it were not for that, he probably wouldn’t have been able to enter this world. He wouldn’t have found the person he loved, nor would he hold his hand until they grew old.

Alright, they were not old yet, but they were holding hands.

Furthermore, they were certain that they would only hold each other’s hands.

With that thought, Long Xiaoyuan’s heart softened, so he couldn’t help kissing Shi Qingzhou’s lips.

Shi Qingzhou didn’t wake up.

Long Xiaoyuan smiled and kissed him on the corner of his eye before leaving.

He put on his clothes in the outer room and asked Liu Xiangyang to put a crown on him.

After that, Long Xiaoyuan walked outside.

As he got into the sedan and was about to leave Qiankun Palace, Liu Suifeng arrived.

“Give me a seat,” Liu Suifeng said directly.

Long Xiaoyuan pouted. “You obviously look good, but I don’t know why I am annoyed by your face early in the morning.”

Liu Suifeng glared at Long Xiaoyuan. “What are you talking about?”

Long Xiaoyuan said innocently. “Sorry, I’m too honest. I can’t help but tell the truth.”

The corner of Liu Suifeng’s mouth twitched, but somehow his heavy mood got lifted up a lot.

Could it be that Long Xiaoyuan had ‘tortured’ him too much?

Liu Suifeng felt helpless at the thought.

Long Xiaoyuan waved. “Alright, come up.”

He said with a look that boasted he was a good person.

Liu Suifeng did not bother to argue with him, getting into the sedan.

The curtain was put down, and Liu Suifeng said, “Ouyang remembers who that man is.”

Long Xiaoyuan looked at Liu Suifeng. “So quick. I thought I had to wait a while. Who’s that?”

Liu Suifeng told him about Ouyang Chuan’s dream last night.

Long Xiaoyuan fell silent.

Liu Suifeng looked at Long Xiaoyuan and saw that he was deep in thought, so he did not disturb him.

After a while, Long Xiaoyuan said slowly, “He has the blood of three kingdoms. Why does he say he can rule the world instead of thinking he is actually a bastard?”

Liu Suifeng was lost for words.

“Have you been thinking about this only?” Liu Suifeng can’t help gnashing his teeth in anger.

Long Xiaoyuan blinked and looked at him strangely. “What else could I think about?”

His words frustrated Liu Suifeng.

A moment later, Long Xiaoyuan waved his hand. “Alright. Now know who he is, you can leave now.”

Liu Suifeng was speechless.

Long Xiaoyuan looked at him. “Go.”

Liu Suifeng thought of himself as a big fool as he came to Long Xiaoyuan early in the morning!

He left angrily.

Long Xiaoyuan’s eyes darkened after he left.

Before reaching the Golden Hall, Long Xiaoyuan got off the sedan and said lightly, “Ying Qiu.”

Soon, Ying Qiu appeared in front of Long Xiaoyuan.

Long Xiaoyuan dismissed everyone else.

Ying Qiu knelt on one knee, ready to take Long Xiaoyuan’s orders.

“Ying Qiu, listen up. From now on, if I’m alone with Ouyang Chuan, you must be highly alert. If you are the only one protecting me due to some unknown reason, and you fail to prevent Ouyang Chuan from hurting me, stop Shi Qingzhou if he wants to kill Ouyang Chuan. Is that clear? From now on, you have only one mission, that is to follow me wherever I go. You don’t have to listen to any other orders.”

“Yes!”

“Besides, keep it between you and me. Don’t tell anyone else, including Shadow Guardians and Qingzhou. Otherwise, you don’t want to know my methods. Do you understand?”

Ying Qiu stiffened and lowered his head. “Yes, I got it.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded and softened his tone. “Ying Qiu, I know you listen to Qingzhou. However, my decision is for his good, you will understand in the future. Otherwise, Qingzhou will regret it one day.”

Ying Qiu nodded slowly. “Yes, I know.”

Long Xiaoyuan nodded. “Ying Qiu, although you are my subordinate, I treat you loyal Shadow Guardians as my friends. Don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “I’m just taking precautions. Maybe things won’t go that bad.”

Ying Qiu hid in the dark. Long Xiaoyuan took the path from the house behind Golden Hall and went to the morning court.

Shi Qingzhou did not know what Long Xiaoyuan had done and said.

When he woke up, Long Xiaoyuan hadn’t come back yet. As usual, he yawned lazily and got up.

While looking at the mirror, he was satisfied with the familiar black eyes.

That faint blood red color was actually something he once hated.

Because it represented a bloody massacre, telling him that he was different from ordinary people.

Although Long Xiaoyuan said he didn’t care about the color of his eyes, Shi Qingzhou minded it a lot.

He was actually afraid that if he lost control, he would not be worthy of Long Xiaoyuan.

Now, everything was fine, wasn’t it?

Shi Qingzhou looked at himself in the mirror, satisfied.

Shi Qingzhou was waiting when Long Xiaoyuan came back from the morning court.

Long Xiaoyuan walked over with a smile. “Qingzhou.”

Shi Qingzhou nodded. “What did you discuss in the morning court?”

“Nothing special. However, there are some problems at the border.”

Shi Qingzhou raised his eyebrows when he heard this. “What is it?”

Long Xiaoyuan pursed his lips. “The war between Huhe Huangcheng and Lord has escalated, and now the war spreads in their country. Huhe Huangcheng asks for our support. He wants us to besiege the city near the border.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at Long Xiaoyuan. “What did the ministers say?”

“Some of them agree, and some object. Your father is not here, so the decision was not made.”

Shi Qingzhou thought about it and said. “Why don’t you leave it to Father?”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “Qingzhou, we are indeed a couple. We think alike. I agree with you. After breakfast, I’ll send a message to your father.”

Shi Qingzhou raised his eyebrow. “After breakfast? Why don’t you do it now?”

“Why the rush?” Long Xiaoyuan said indifferently, “Northern Barbarians is at war, not us. Although we will get into trouble if he falls, it is good for us if they suffer more loss.”

Shi Qingzhou nodded and stopped talking.

“What’s more, the liquid that we invented to test the existence of venomous insect is very useful. We’ve already sent some to Huhe Huangcheng. What else does he want? If we grant everything he asks for, he will be spoiled.”

Shi Qingzhou paused for a while before he said, “After Huhe Huangcheng wins the war, he’ll find that he has to pay much more than he thinks.”

Long Xiaoyuan laughed heartily. “Qingzhou, you know me too well. Don’t worry. I’ll stop when we are almost getting to their bottom line.”

Shi Qingzhou rolled his eyes. He did not sympathize with Huhe Huangcheng because he deserved it.

He who attempted to hurt others would always be hurt.

If he hadn’t tried to make troubles in Tianlong Dynasty, Tianlong Dynasty might have treated Northern Barbarians as an ally, even though they used to go at war many times.

This was how the world functioned.

Since you broke the rules first, you had to be slaughtered.

Long Xiaoyuan didn’t want to talk about Northern Barbarians anymore, so he took Shi Qingzhou’s hand and said directly, “Qingzhou, let’s have breakfast now.”

Shi Qingzhou nodded. “Okay. Let’s have breakfast first.”

After breakfast, Long Xiaoyuan sent the message to Shi Qingshan and said to Shi Qingzhou, “Qingzhou, Ouyang Chuan remembers who that man is.”

“Who is that?” Shi Qingzhou immediately got serious.

Long Xiaoyuan giggled. “The one who is at war with Huhe Huangcheng.”

Shi Qingzhou paused slightly and narrowed his eyes. “He is indeed in Tianlong.” “Yes. Lord even called himself ‘King’. He said that he wanted to be everyone’s king.”

“What does that mean?” Shi Qingzhou frowned.

“He has the blood of the three kingdoms, like a bastard.”

Shi Qingzhou frowned even more. “He wants to be King because of that? Is he retarded?”

Long Xiaoyuan paused and said, “Qingzhou, how do you know the word ‘retarded’?”

Shi Qingzhou glared at him. “I’ve heard you say it before and I think it’s quite nice. Is this the main point now?”

Long Xiaoyuan blinked innocently and said pitifully. “Why isn’t that the main point? I think it’s very important.”

Shi Qingzhou glared at him.

“Shut up!”

Long Xiaoyuan mumbled with grievance. “Qingzhou, do I have human rights? How can I shut up when I’m talking?”

Shi Qingzhou pursed his lips and asked, “Do you know about his plan?”

“I don’t know,” Long Xiaoyuan said honestly, “How can I know? He took out the Golden King Insect from Ouyang Chuan’s body. He thought that Ouyang Chuan had forgotten about it, because at that time, Ouyang Chuan had fainted. Luckily, Ouyang Chuan still remembers that.”

Shi Qingzhou paused and said suspiciously, “Why didn’t he kill Ouyang Chuan?”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “It’s because of Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan’s identities. Do you think that man didn’t know who Ouyang Chuan’s master was?”

“That would have made him kill Ouyang without hesitation.” Shi Qingzhou frowned.

Long Xiaoyuan shook his head, “Well, we are normal people, and we can’t guess what that abnormal man is thinking from the view of normal people.

Maybe he thought it would be better to keep Ouyang Chuan alive and make him go to Liu Suifeng, so he could kill them together.”

Shi Qingzhou couldn’t understand this logic.

Long Xiaoyuan said, “Like I say, we can’t understand the thoughts of abnormal people. Come on. We just need to know who that man is. I’m more curious about the reason why Wu Ronghan wants to kill him. We thought that Wu Ronghan was his partner. Until now, I don’t think that our guess is wrong. However, since they were partners, why did they suddenly become enemies? Why did Wu Ronghan want to kill him?”

Shi Qingzhou pursed his lips, “This is indeed strange. Could it be that they weren’t partners?”

Long Xiaoyuan thought for a while and then shook his head slowly. “No, my intuition tells me that they were partners, but they have become enemies for some unknown reason.”

“We don’t have any spies with them. There is no way to know why they have turned against each other.” Shi Qingzhou frowned. “But if we can catch Wu Ronghan, the problem will be solved.”

“Well, I think so too.” Long Xiaoyuan touched his chin. “But Wu Ronghan is not easy to catch. I think it’s very difficult to just rely on Shadow Guardians and the soldiers there.”

Shi Qingzhou looked at him. “Do you have any good ideas?”

“Good ideas? Should we go to the border like we sneaked into the Eastern Darkness?”

Shi Qingzhou frowned when he heard this.

Long Xiaoyuan clapped his hands. “Well, I think this is a good idea.”

Shi Qingzhou remained silent.

Long Xiaoyuan tried to reason with him. “Qingzhou, think about it. Now all the invisible problems in the Imperial City have been solved since the liquid was invented. It’s the same in the imperial palace, where all the people with problems had been dismissed. Those suspicious people have been either scared away or captured. There is nothing new about the ministers. Right Prime Minister should have no problem in dealing with ordinary affairs. It doesn’t make any difference if we stay or leave.”

Shi Qingzhou glared at Long Xiaoyuan. “This is not a matter of difference. It is very dangerous over there, even more dangerous than the Eastern Darkness. Emperor Zhou didn’t expect us to sneak into his territory, so we were safe last time. But the border is different, where there are Wu Ronghan and the madman who wants to rule the world. If he catches you, what shall we do? Directly give him our kingdom?”

Long Xiaoyuan felt aggrieved and said pitifully when he heard this. “So you think that I’m not as important as the kingdom?”

“You…” Shi Qingzhou almost blurted out curses. “Can you catch the key point? If you get caught, I will tell you, even if we are willing to exchange you with the kingdom, he will not keep you alive!”

Long Xiaoyuan blinked again and asked excitedly. “So in your eyes, I’m actually more important than the kingdom, right?”

Shi Qingzhou’s mouth twitched violently. “Long Xiaoyuan, I want to stress the danger of going there, not the kingdom.”

Long Xiaoyuan said casually, “Aren’t you guys going with me? Do you think those people will act if we don’t go? Neither Wu Ronghan nor the psychopath would act.”

Shi Qingzhou fell silent.

Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “Or do you want to wait for them to come to the Imperial City? If they do that, it might be because Huhe Huangcheng is defeated. Would you like us to live in worry or take the initiative to hit them once and for all?”

Shi Qingzhou remained silent.

Long Xiaoyuan held Shi Qingzhou’s hand and said slowly, “Take us as the bait. Even if we die unfortunately, we will definitely die with the group of madmen. However, there are ministers and generals here, as well as a crown prince. Although he is young, your father is not old. He can be a prince regent with full power and look after our son. When our son grows up, Tianlong Dynasty is still strong, isn’t it? There is no need to worry about the Eastern Darkness. We have already done so much for Fang Shuoyang. Emperor Zhou is not favoring Zhou Suye. If Fang Shuoyang can’t even deal with him, then I can only say that this is his fate. However, I believed that Fang Shuoyang would do everything to make himself Emperor of the Eastern Darkness even for the sake of Xu You. In this case, even if we fail, we just die together, but all the preparations have been made. The Eastern Darkness and Tianlong Dynasty will form an alliance, and Huhe Huangcheng can’t do anything even if he is enthroned. Qingzhou, what do you think?”

As Long Xiaoyuan chattered on, Shi Qingzhou changed from gloomy to thoughtful.

Long Xiaoyuan knew that he was listening.

Long Xiaoyuan kissed Shi Qingzhou and put on the last straw.

“Qingzhou, we can’t stay alert for their attack for a thousand days. Besides, it’s impossible to do that!”

Long Xiaoyuan started to make this plan after knowing that there could be potential problems with Ouyang Chuan.

‘Assemble all the conflicts and attract all the dangers to us, so we can lure out all the enemies.

Destroy them one by one!

Just like the clean-up campaign carried out by Qingzhou, we will kill them all!

If we don’t do that, we have to live in fear every day.

Ouyang Chuan is unpredictable.

Therefore, it is better to expose ourselves. This way, the enemies might come out in the light.’

Long Xiaoyuan wanted to solve Ouyang Chuan’s problem once and for all!

Ouyang had helped him a lot.

And he was Liu Suifeng’s lover.

No matter what, Long Xiaoyuan couldn’t let his good friend be controlled and used by a madman.

Looking at Long Xiaoyuan, whose eyes seemed to be shining, Shi Qingzhou finally nodded slowly.

Seeing Shi Qingzhou nod, Long Xiaoyuan couldn’t help laughing. “Do you agree?”

Shi Qingzhou rolled his eyes. “You’ve said so much. How can I disagree?”

Long Xiaoyuan laughed. “Qingzhou, you are smart and sensible.”

Shi Qingzhou rolled his eyes again. Long Xiaoyuan was going too far.

However, what he said made sense. It was difficult to stay on guard all the time.

Without Long Xiaoyuan, he would definitely take the risks and use himself as the bait to lure the enemies out and then kill them.

But with Long Xiaoyuan around, he had to think carefully.

He cared about Long Xiaoyuan’s safety the most. Because of that, he was indecisive.

However, Long Xiaoyuan was a man and an emperor. How could he tolerate the enemy’s provocation?

Men were brave. They’d solve the problem in one go rather than worry about it every day. If they were well prepared, they might get the upper hand.

Even if it was dangerous and they might die, they would kill those people and leave a stable and prosperous kingdom to their son.

Long Xiaoyuan had said that they would live and die together. What else did he want?

After they made the decision, Long Xiaoyuan said, “I’ll go to see Liu Suifeng and ask him for more herbs. You stay and make arrangements in the palace.”

Shi Qingzhou nodded without any doubt. “Okay.”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled and left.

Shi Qingzhou started to make arrangements in the palace.

After leaving, Long Xiaoyuan stopped smiling, a trace of ferocity flashing across his eyes.

Soon he arrived at Yuchang Palace.

Liu Suifeng and Ouyang Chuan had just finished their breakfast.

Ouyang Chuan’s eyes glinted when he saw Long Xiaoyuan coming over.

Liu Suifeng said casually, “Why are you here?”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled. “I’m here to tell you that you’re going far away. Pack up. Liu Suifeng, you have to prepare more things.”

Liu Suifeng was taken aback. “Going far away? Where are we going?”

Ouyang Chuan also asked, “Where are we going?”

Long Xiaoyuan smiled and announced the answer. “To the border. The border of Northern Barbarians.”

Liu Suifeng paused and then narrowed his eyes.