Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Spring Gathering in the North: Military Formation (Part One)

"Yang'er, what's on your mind?" Looking at Cheng TianYang who had a serious expression, Cheng TianBi asked 

with concern.

But he stared at him intently, with some struggle and complexity in his eyes, and said lightly: "Brother, I have 

something to ask you..."

Cheng TianBi looked at the other person quietly, chuckled, and gently said to dispel the possible embarrassment, 

"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't be so formal with me, your brother."

After staring for a while, Cheng TianYang slowly spoke, with a hint of probing, "What do you think of the 

Emperor, brother?" As soon as the question was asked, he fixed his gaze on Cheng TianBi's eyes, unwilling to 

miss even the slightest change.

"Qing?" Cheng TianBi murmured the name, somewhat puzzled by her brother's question, but honestly replied, 

"A great and heroic ruler of our generation."

"Brother, I don't mean that." Cheng TianYang was a little amused, "I mean, I mean Si Cang Qing..." After 

hesitating for a while, he continued, "Brother, where do you place him in your heart?"

There are some vague suspicions, but they need to be confirmed. Cheng TianYang looked faintly at his most 

valued elder brother, if it were as he suspected...

"Of course, he is a friend," Cheng TianBi said, a faint smile appearing on his face, genuine and heartfelt. Despite 

his rough voice, it was unusually soft. "At first, I treated him like you, like a younger brother. But Qing is too 

composed and aloof, always giving people a sense of reliability."

So... that warm sense of reassurance comes from trust and attachment to friends, right?

Upon hearing the words, Cheng TianYang remained silent, a complex light flickering in his eyes.

"Why did you suddenly ask about this?" Cheng TianBi changed the subject, somewhat puzzled by the other 

person's strange behavior today.

"Nothing," Cheng TianYang smiled and said casually, "just asking."

With a slight smile, Cheng TianBi didn't pursue the matter further.

Cheng TianBi's calm expression carried a hint of indulgence and concern, which Cheng TianYang noticed, 

causing his heart to slightly soften. He recalled the scene he had seen from afar today...

"Brother," he suddenly spoke firmly, "I will definitely help you."

In this world, he only has Cheng TianBi, his only family member and the person he values the most. As long as 

the other person can be happy, he... can give up some things, including changing some plans originally made for 

revenge.

Confused, Cheng TianBi murmured repeatedly: "Help me?" His brows slightly frowned, he was a little worried, 

"Did something happen to Yang'er today?" Otherwise, why would he keep asking questions and saying strange 

words?

Gently shaking his head, Cheng TianYang relaxed a little, smiled with some relief, and leaned on Cheng TianBi's 

shoulder intimately, "I'm just in a good mood."

Apart from revenge, his biggest wish now is that his brother who has suffered so much can be happy.

After years of navigating through various crowds, he can easily discern the subtle changes in others' emotions 

and states of mind. Now, he can see even more clearly the still ambiguous feelings of Cheng TianBi...

It's just...

Cheng TianYang fell into deep thought. Si Cang Qing already had Feng Lan, and there were also Qiu Ping Tian 

and Qi Shuangran, whose relationships with him were somewhat ambiguous.

But in this world, only Si Cang Qing can give Cheng TianBi support and warmth. Cheng TianYang knows that 

as the younger brother, he can only cause the other to worry and be anxious, and he cannot give up on revenge to 

put the other at ease...

Should he take a gamble? Set aside his original plans to ensure his brother's happiness.

"Yang'er?"

Cheng TianBi's gentle call interrupted Cheng TianYang's thoughts. Shaking off the complicated emotions he 

couldn't sort out at the moment, he smiled brightly at the other person, "Brother, can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Sure."

Next, Cheng TianYang rambled on about various things, finally diverting the other person's attention.

……

"Heh, Your Majesty barely won this round!"

Inside the Bi Shui Pavilion, occasional whispers and soft laughter could be heard. Cheng TianYang's voice came 

from the half-closed window.

In the distance, the dark green tiles of the roof gradually concealed the brilliance of the golden crow.

Inside the room, the heater was burning, and the temperature was a bit high. Even Cheng TianBi's usually pale 

face had a slight flush, and fine beads of sweat were even seeping from his forehead.

"Let's stop here today." Si Cang Qing did not respond to Cheng TianYang's teasing words, but looked at the dark 

dusk outside the window.

——Ever since that day when he suddenly had the urge to visit Cheng TianBi and play chess with him, he would 

come to Bishui Pavilion to see Cheng TianBi every now and then, but not too often. Sometimes, Cheng 

TianYang would invite him to Tianluan Palace, and every time he would come to Bishui Pavilion.

Playing the piano, drinking tea, or playing chess...

Si Cang Qing could sense that Cheng TianYang seemed to have some ulterior motive... but, it didn't matter. He 

was quite willing to come here, watching Cheng TianBi's complexion and spirit improve day by day, feeling 

inexplicably gratified.

"Your Majesty," Cheng TianYang said with a soft and sweet voice, tugging at Si Cang Qing's arm, "Why don't 

you stay in Tianluan Palace and have a meal with us today?"

Except for the first time he had dinner at the Bishui Pavilion, Si Cang Qing never had another meal there. After 

hearing this man's proposal, he caught the flash of hope in Cheng TianBi's eyes with a slight turn of his eyes, so 

he nodded slightly in agreement. Seeing Si Cang Qing nod, Cheng TianYang smiled even more brightly. 

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palace◇

There was a cold wind blowing outside the window, and the sound of whistling could be faintly heard.

"Your Majesty," Cheng Tian's body coiled around his superior, Cang Qing, like a snake, breathing softly in his 

ear, "Will you be staying the night with me..."

There is a hint of temptation and ambiguity in the words.

Si Cang Qing had long been accustomed to Cheng TianYang's occasional temptations, so he remained calm and 

said calmly: "Tell me, what is Cheng TianYi doing now?"

"Your Majesty is still so ignorant of romance." Cheng TianYang whispered, a sweet laugh spilled from his throat, 

and then his tone changed, "Cheng TianYi is starting to get restless, right? Most of the troops in Yancheng, 

Xiwei Pass, and Xingyun Pass have been secretly mobilized, and are gathering in the northwest and southeast 

directions respectively..."

Si Cang Qing listened silently, thoughtful.

Unconsciously playing with Si Cang Qing's scattered hair, Cheng TianYang had a playful smile on his face, his 

eyes were hazy, and his tone seemed to be very happy, "Hehe, they say the old man is about to kick the bucket, 

at most he'll last another six months. Cheng TianYi, I'm afraid he can't wait any longer!"

That man never knew how to conceal his ambition.

Gently pushing away Cheng TianYang's hand, Si Cang Qing stood up and said, "I'm leaving."

"Hey..." Cheng TianYang, somewhat displeased, blocked his path, "How can you just leave? The matter isn't 

settled yet!"

Si Cang Qing glanced at him and simply explained, "After the New Year, the royal forest in the northern 

countryside will hold a spring gathering, and you must attend."

After a moment of surprise, Cheng TianYang quickly reacted, his eyes shimmering lightly, "So His Majesty had 

already made arrangements..." In that case, he would definitely have to take a good look at the military strength 

of the Canghuan Kingdom.

Si Cang Qing slightly nodded.

"Well," Cheng TianYang unexpectedly did not insist any further, "It's getting late, Your Majesty, you should 

return to your palace and rest early!"

"Umm.”

Seeing Si Cang Qing opening the door and about to leave, Cheng TianYang spoke again, "Your Majesty..."

Looking back at the other person, Si Cang Qing waited for him to continue speaking, but saw that the other 

person looked sincere, "When you are free, I hope you can go to Bishui Pavilion to see brother more often."

Si Cang Qing raised his eyebrows slightly to express his confusion.

Cheng TianYang no longer looked at him, slightly tilting his head to gaze at the burning candle, his eyes deep 

and somber. "Being with the Emperor, my brother has become much more spirited."

Is that so? Si Cang Qing didn't hesitate much and replied softly, "Alright." Immediately, he stepped over the 

threshold, the corners of his clothes being swept by the wind, and disappeared outside.

Standing still in place, after a long while, Cheng TianYang finally curved his lips and smiled faintly.

The spring of the third year of the Qianyuan era arrived very early. During the New Year festivities, there was a 

heavy snowfall, but afterwards, the weather became increasingly clear and pleasant. Whether in the city or the 

countryside, many branches sprouted tender buds, and the early spring flowers bloomed one by one.

On the second day of the Lantern Festival, Si Cang Qing announced at the morning court that everyone would 

set out to the royal forest farm in the northern suburbs of the capital in five days to conduct early spring hunting 

in order to train the riding and archery skills of the civil and military officials in the court.

As soon as the decree was announced, everyone cheered and supported it.

In Cang Huan, there has always been a tradition of hunting in spring and autumn. However, since Si Cang 

Juetian ascended the throne, this tradition has been interrupted for nearly twenty years due to various reasons.

Looking at the civil and military officials in the Canglong Palace who were slightly restless, Si Cang Qing 

slowly lowered his eyelids.

"Master……"

As soon as he returned to the Huanao Palace, Feng Lan greeted him with a smile, taking off the crown from 

Si Cang Qing's head while saying, "The new military camp in Beiye has sent news that the two hundred thousand 

elite soldiers have completed their training objectives."

"Mm." Si Cang Qing reached out and pulled the other person into his chest, softly saying, "Today, you go ahead 

to the new military camp. When the spring gathering comes, I will personally inspect it."

"Alright." Feng Lan replied, and then began to tidy up, after all, it would take at least two days to get from here to 

Beiye.

"Master..." Feng Lan looked at Si Cang Qing in surprise, the latter holding onto his waist tightly, making it 

impossible for him to move.

Si Cang Qing didn't respond, but suddenly picked him up and walked towards the side hall...

Understanding the other person's intentions, Feng Lan slightly lowered his head, concealing his inner shyness: 

it seemed to have become a little habit between him and Si Cang Qing, that whenever they were about to be apart 

for a few days, they would inevitably indulge in some intimate moments beforehand.

With his arms wrapped around Si Cang Qing's neck, Feng Lan gazed at Si Cang Qing's eternally cold expression, 

his mind racing with countless thoughts, but in the end, all he could do was let out a soft sigh.

Quietly nestled in Si Cang Qing's embrace, Feng Lan slowly closed his eyes.

 

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