Your Highness, Please Love Me Tender

52. Hand in Hand

Translator: Flying Lines

Though a small country, the soldiers stationed at the border of State Xi were all brave and skillful in battle. They did not let down their guard because of the status of Xiao ShenNian, the envoy of State Yanhui, until their general appeared.

“Are you the envoy of State Yanhui?” asked the general.

Xiao ShengNian took out his identity token. His fingers, slender and fair as jade, glowed under the sun, a clear indication that its owner had been enjoying a noble life.

The general was forthright and let them pass after confirming their identity, who even offered them horses and asked whether they’d like to change their means of transport.

“No, thanks.” Xiao ShengNian wasn’t planning to go to the capital of State Xi as he was after all the prince of State Yanhui. He was already condescending himself for coming to this country. If he did show up in the capital of State Xi, his paranoid father would probably suspect him of some evil intentions, like colluding with other country or something.

“Please have the traitor escorted to my place so that I can save the trouble of visiting your capital.” He didn’t reveal his identity as the prince, pretending to be an official from State Yanhui.

Having no right to interfere with Xiao ShengNian’s decision, the general arranged accommodation for the group before having the word sent to his Emperor in the fastest manner.

It was no easy task for State Xi to survive between two powerful countries, especially with State Yanling as its neighbor.

More than a decade ago, the throne of State Yanling changed hands. After that, a general took control of a part of the territory, claiming to set things right and restore the throne back to rightful heir. So the present State Yanling was incomplete. The internal turmoil of State Yanling also put an end to the peace of State Xi. Plus State Yanhui, the other neighbor, was getting increasingly prosperous and powerful in recent years and no one would know whether its emperor would someday have the ambition to conquer all the lands.

“Please have the traitor escorted to City Hao.” Xiao ShengNian didn’t intend to stay in State Xi, who after exchanging several formalities with the general, went straight back to City Hao.

Their return shocked all the officials of City Hao. The guard at the city gate reported their return before they could have the time remove the reception banquet in time.

“Is he deliberately torturing us?” some thought.

The officials all put their formal robes back on in a hurry and hastened to the city gate to greet Prince Rui. What shocked them more was that, when they arrived, they only saw two empty carriages at the entrance of the city gate.

“Where is His Highness Prince Rui?”

“His Highness has entered the city.”

“Where did His Highness go?”

“…No idea.”

…That put all officials in dismay, which however, didn’t last long as the whereabouts of Prince Rui came in a short while ­– His Highness Prince Rui was wandering in the streets.

The noble Prince Rui was wandering in the streets with his boy, hand in hand.

Zhou ZaiYue followed at a distance with Yu Che by his side protecting him. Though of advanced age, Zhou had quite a stamina, not showing the slightest sign of weariness after the long journey.

Zhui Xing, however, was following in Xiao ShengNian’s wake to protect him.

The group of five were already conspicuous with their gorgeous outfits. And two of them were even walking in the streets hand in hand, attracting quite a lot attention, which was why the news spread to the officials so fast.

It was true that males were allowed to get married in State Yanhui. Common folks, however, were still adhering to the marriage of men and women as they had to have children. Now seeing two men hand in hand, they couldn’t help but feel curious.

Xiao ShengNian was unaffected by the curious gazes but Su Jie felt his face burning hot again, so hot that he felt it even scorched his heart.

“You don’t like this?” Xiao ShengNian asked, probably having felt the sweats in Su Jie’s hand.

“I’m…just not used to this. No one has ever held my hand in streets.” Su Jie spoke his mind. And…he was quite impressed by Xiao ShengNian’s boldness and calmness. Not even couple of different gender dared to walk on the streets hand in hand. But Xiao ShengNian just declared publicly to the world – This boy is mine!

Zhou ZaiYue couldn’t take it anymore. He forced himself to not look at the two walking ahead.

As a prince, what Xiao ShengNian was doing was injurious to morals.

People of State Yanhui were all conservative, who dared not to be so intimate in public. The farthest they could go would be waking side by side. As for holding hands in public, that was too much.

Therefore, in merely a day, all folks of City Hao learned one thing: An honorable guest came to their city, and this guest was a gay who loved the boy by his side so deeply that he couldn’t even bear to let go of his hand in public.