Master An clearly had a good understanding of the ways of the world. His experience was completely out of proportion to his age. No wonder Yu Chi Cheng had described him as extremely calculating. He seemed to be well - versed in the survival rules of the palace and knew everything about the Northern Cold and the Great Yong. Most importantly, his mind was full of countless interesting stories.
To Yu Chi Xu, Master An was an in - house guest. A person who could be an in - house guest in the palace must have some skills. So even though I liked listening to his stories, I still didn't dare to get too close to him. This was not only because of Yu Chi Cheng's influence but also due to my own fear of the unknown.
I sat in the carriage, following the large group led by my aunt and uncle. There were too many unsolved mysteries in my mind. Yu Chi Cheng was riding a horse outside. When he rode up beside my carriage, he asked me what I was thinking.
I shook my head, not knowing how to answer.
Just then, Ao Qing rode her horse over and said cheerfully, "Brother Yu Chi, we'll reach the Red Desert tonight. Where shall we stay?"
As soon as I saw her coming, I lowered the curtain of the carriage window. I really didn't want to see her.
Yu Chi Cheng replied indifferently, "The clan chief should come to receive us. Why do you ask?"
Ao Qing said, "Nothing. I just wonder when I can go and stay at the Moon Spring at Dawn again. The scenery there is really wonderful."
Yu Chi Cheng said flatly, "That was so many years ago. You still remember it?"
Ao Qing said, "How could I forget? It was the happiest time I spent with Brother Yu Chi."
Well, I finally understood why Ao Qing had suddenly ridden over to ask about the accommodation. It turned out she was showing off in front of me. However, I didn't seem to feel particularly upset.
"Um - hum..." I cleared my throat in the carriage, indicating that she should be more sensible. But to my surprise, Ao Qing was completely oblivious. She kept chatting with Yu Chi Cheng outside my carriage, constantly talking about the interesting things they had done together in the Red Desert.
Yu Chi Cheng hardly responded outside, but Ao Qing just rambled on. Finally, Yu Chi Cheng couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Ao Qing, go and check the road ahead. Why has the large group slowed down..."
Ao Qing happily agreed and rode her horse forward. Yu Chi Cheng then threw a jade pendant into the carriage window and said casually, "Won't you come out and ride with me? Aren't you dressed in men's clothes? It's not proper to always hide in the carriage."
I picked up the jade pendant and threw it out without thinking, saying directly, "No, thanks. I'm sleeping well in the carriage."
For a long time, there was no sound of the jade pendant hitting the ground outside, but Yu Chi Cheng's voice came, "Then shall I come in and sleep with you?"
"No." I immediately refused and then added, "What would people think if a grown man got into the carriage?"
There was a muffled laugh outside. After a while, he asked, "Are you angry?"
I was puzzled. "Why should I be angry?"
"Then I'll come in." As Yu Chi Cheng said this, the carriage immediately stopped. Just as I was about to say no, Yu Chi Cheng had already opened the door and got in.
"What are you doing? You're a hooligan! Get out of here right now!" Seeing this, I tried to push him away, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me into his arms, making me fall into his embrace.
"You..."
"What about me? I asked you to ride with me and talk, but you refused. I said I'd come in and sit with you in the carriage, and you still wouldn't let me. What on earth do you want?" He tightened his hold on me and said provocatively.
I immediately struggled. "Let go! If you want to ride in the carriage, just sit properly. Why are you being so handsy?"
"Okay, then I'll take it that you've agreed to let me in." He released me and smiled.
I was completely speechless. How could there be such a rascal in the world?
I straightened my clothes and sat properly. He also got into the carriage and closed the front door. The carriage started moving forward again. For a moment, we were silent.
As soon as he got into the carriage, he stared at me with a smile. Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help asking, "What are you looking at? Haven't you seen such a handsome man like me?"
He smiled, then quickly sat down beside me and put his arm around me. "I really haven't seen such a handsome man!"
"Let go of me!" I turned around and tried to slap his "wolf paw", but he didn't relax at all and simply said, "We're good brothers. What's wrong with putting our arms around each other?"
I was speechless again and had no choice but to let him put his arm around me. Then I said rather uneasily, "Sometimes, I think you're not like a prince at all. You're more like a hooligan!"
He just laughed and, looking at me, leaned closer and said, "Sometimes, I also think you're not like a princess. You're more like a feisty little cat!"
"You!" He was at least considered a human, but he compared me to an animal. I was so angry that I turned my head and didn't want to talk to him.
He just laughed. Just then, Ao Qing came back from checking the road. Hearing his laughter, she said sourly outside, "Brother Yu Chi, why did you get into the carriage?"
Yu Chi Cheng didn't answer but only asked, "How's it up ahead?"
Ao Qing said, "It's okay. A horse lost a horseshoe up ahead, but it's been taken care of now."
"Oh. Then there's no problem. I'm a bit tired. I'll take a rest first. Can you take good care of my horse for me?"
I looked at Yu Chi Cheng, who was so calm, and really had the urge to strangle him. Yu Chi Cheng just smiled at me and then laid his head on my lap.
Ao Qing responded listlessly outside. I could even imagine the expression on her face. Looking at the position of Yu Chi Cheng and me in the carriage, I suddenly remembered what Master An had said about Ao Qing always sticking to us and witnessing our intimate moments -
Wasn't she uncomfortable?
The sound of Ao Qing's horse's hooves gradually faded away. When I heard that it was quiet outside, I urged Yu Chi Cheng to get up.
"You've lain down long enough. Get up!"
Yu Chi Cheng sighed as he got up. "I thought I was good at acting, but I didn't expect you to be even better..."
I said, "Come on. I didn't call out just now to maintain your good image."
Yu Chi Cheng smiled and patted my shoulder. "We're good brothers. You should help me, of course."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Come on. Stop pretending."
He smiled, sat up straight, and leaned against the carriage to rest with his eyes closed.
I had nothing to do in the carriage for a while and couldn't help stealing glances at him. Looking at his perfect side profile, I couldn't help sighing at the wonder of creation. Maybe he felt my gaze on him, so he opened his eyes. As soon as I saw this, I quickly looked away. He just laughed, came over, and took my hand, asking, "Xi He, what are you thinking?"
I sorted out the questions in my mind and asked him a question.
"Why is the hunting starting in the Red Desert this time instead of in the palace? Logically, shouldn't any event in the palace take precedence over those in the tribes?"