Chapter Twelve: The Moon Is With Us

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So, the conversation lasted so late this time. Qin Jinghao stood up and extinguished the lamp. Had he agreed, or had something unexpected happened? He walked to the window, gazing at the full moon like a silver plate, faintly reflecting the figure of that boy named Luo Yao.

“If I become someone two-faced, would people dislike me?” When Luo Yunyao asked this question back then, Qin Jinghao gave no clear answer. Now, in his heart, he silently promised two words: “No.” As long as you remain true to your original intention. As long as you are safe.

Qin Jinghao was well aware of Xiao Limo’s character. This seemingly aloof noble young master, after all, was born into royalty. No matter how refined Xiao Limo appeared, he was a shrewd figure. His noble air was innate, as was a king’s desire to rule.

Qin Jinghao worried that something might happen to Luo Yunyao. After much consideration, he decided to pay a visit to Luo Yunyao’s residence the next day to confirm his safety.

Everyone knew that Qin Jinghao, the great general, lived a secluded life, akin to a paradise hidden from the world. Except for mandatory court affairs, he avoided meeting guests and never visited others.

He was a neutral party, a powerful general whose every move attracted attention and suspicion, especially from the emperor.

Yet this time, for Luo Yunyao’s sake, Qin Jinghao abandoned his usual principles and the middle way.

He looked at the moon and smiled slightly, a smile that could charm a city, yet carried a hint of bitterness.

The tranquil moon offered no reply or sound.

When Luo Yunyao woke the next day, her head felt as if it had been exploded.

She held her temples, her mind still foggy and unable to recall what had happened.

“Awake? Here, have some soup,” came a gentle voice, accompanied by a bowl of sobering soup appearing before her.

Luo Yunyao gathered herself and realized it was the crown prince’s smile before her, not the silly grin of her bamboo maid. Gradually, she sensed something amiss.

She stepped back a few paces, leaning against the headboard, and asked, “I am to blame for disturbing Your Highness through the night.”

Xiao Limo glanced at her, “It’s nothing, just drink this first.”

Luo Yunyao was indignant at his casual attitude. “Your Highness promised yesterday to escort me back to my residence.”

Xiao Limo looked puzzled. “Yao’er is not a maiden. What harm is there in resting overnight at my prince’s mansion?”

Luo Yunyao was momentarily speechless, realizing she had overreacted and hadn’t even noticed how Xiao Limo addressed her. She sought to justify her unusual behavior, “My family is strict; I am forbidden from staying out overnight.”

Xiao Limo nodded in understanding and beckoned her over. “My fault. Drink the soup first. As for Uncle Luo, I will send someone to explain.”

Luo Yunyao moved closer as instructed, holding the bowl, but still curious. “What time is it now?”

“Headache gone? Drink before it cools.” Xiao Limo showed some impatience at her disobedience. “Finish the soup, wash up, then you can have lunch.”

Luo Yunyao felt deeply struck, unable to believe she had wasted the entire morning. Alcohol truly was harmful.

Watching her silently drink the soup with a look of despair, Xiao Limo waited patiently. “It’s only the hour of morning prayers. If you really want lunch now, I’ll have someone prepare it.”

Nine o’clock. Not too bad.

Though her head still ached, Luo Yunyao lifted her head excitedly, eyes brightened as she looked at Xiao Limo.

How fortunate not to have wasted time. Her muddled mind began to think about what still needed to be done and how to finish it quickly.

She sipped the soup and suddenly remembered a serious matter. “I am not a good drinker. Did I cause trouble for Your Highness last night?”

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Luo Yunyao was uncertain about her drinking habits. However, being unclear-headed was extremely disadvantageous for her, especially since she was disguised as a man and risked being discovered.

“Hmm…” Xiao Limo looked awkward, lowering his head in a gesture of “what was seen cannot be unseen” and seemed reluctant to speak. “Yao’er, you…”

Yao’er?! Why the sudden feminine address? Luo Yunyao wasn’t sure if it was the hangover, but her vision darkened.

“Your Highness, please speak freely.”

Luo Yunyao anxiously awaited his words, her mind racing to organize her thoughts and prepare an explanation.

Xiao Limo lowered his head and concealed a mischievous smile in his eyes, but his voice was shy: “You said you like me.”

…

A long silence followed, leaving Luo Yunyao blinking in disbelief.

Was her drinking really that bad? A drunken confession? Or a man confessing to another man?

Xiao Limo’s kindness in not sending her to the imperial hospital was remarkable!

But… how to explain? The issue of “断袖” (a euphemism for same-sex love) could be significant or trivial, but it must be clarified. Otherwise, who knew how rumors might spread, and how could she survive in official circles?

Luo Yunyao braced herself but hesitated to speak.

Should she say that Xiao Limo resembled her childhood sweetheart sister? No, that would surely offend the crown prince completely.

Xiao Limo watched Luo Yunyao’s agonized expression.

Her teeth unconsciously bit her rosy lips, tightening as her thoughts deepened.

He really wanted to kiss her — it must taste good.

“I beg Your Highness to scold me for speaking out of turn,” Luo Yunyao closed her eyes and steeled herself. “Your Highness is truly breathtaking, admired by all regardless of gender. Naturally, I am one of them. Moreover… please believe I have no other intentions. Everyone in my hometown knows I am betrothed to a lady from the western neighbor’s family, just waiting to return home in glory for our wedding night.”

Xiao Limo raised an eyebrow and met her gaze.

The noble young master’s eyes flashed with anger.

Luo Yunyao was struck by the kingly glare, frozen, wondering what she had said wrong again.

“Minister Luo, rising so quickly to officialdom and already dreaming of romance — far too hasty and not good for the people.”

He clearly knew Luo Yao’s true gender, knew she was lying to stall.

But Xiao Limo dared not imagine how painful it would be if he did not know her identity and heard such words. Regardless of truth, he did not want to hear that the wedding night she spoke of did not involve him.

Luo Yunyao hurriedly nodded, “Yes, that was my mistake. Establishing a career first, then marriage — no rush.”

Who had ever heard of a superior forbidding a subordinate from marrying?

But Luo Yunyao cared not how strange her words sounded. As long as she could prove the scholar Luo Yao’s orientation was normal. No matter how difficult a step Xiao Limo gave her to save face, she would follow it.

Xiao Limo knew he had lost composure. Seeing Luo Yunyao so obedient, he felt guilty but, as crown prince, still needed to maintain his dignity and could not apologize.

He thus changed the subject: “You’ve finished the soup. It’s getting late. Are you hungry? I’ll have someone prepare something. Let’s dine here at the prince’s mansion.”

Luo Yunyao feigned looking out the window, sighed softly, “Indeed, it is getting late.” She took the step he offered to serve herself, “Though I wish to dine with Your Highness again, I have indeed troubled you long enough, and my duties are many.” After some thought, she added politely, “If Your Highness does not mind, I shall await your gracious presence anytime.”

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Xiao Limo nodded, “Thank you, Yao’er, for your readiness.” His words implied he genuinely intended to visit whenever he had time.

Luo Yunyao did not expect her polite gesture to be seized upon and was dumbfounded as she looked at Xiao Limo.

Enough bullying. The crown prince was a sensible man. Taking her bowl, he rose. “Someone, attend Minister Luo to change clothes.”

On the way back, Luo Yunyao felt a heavy weight in her chest. Leaning in the sedan chair, she thought no more, attributing it to her hangover.

“General, your tea has gone cold. Would you like more?” Qingzhu was like an ant on a hot pan.

The young lady had not returned all night. No one knew if something had happened at the prince’s mansion, yet she dared not go look.

Early in the morning, the jade-like man before her had been waiting for the lady.

Like jade in temperament, appearance, and disposition, his expression remained unchanged — or rather, expressionless.

Hearing this was the great general Qin Jinghao of Western Qin, Qingzhu nearly cried.

“Miss, have you offended someone you shouldn’t?”

Qingzhu sighed.

She had sent Yan Ci to investigate, but no news came. Qingzhu guessed Yan Ci had forgotten about her while attending to the scholar’s mansion.

Yan Ci was Luo Yunyao’s loyal bodyguard, steadfast and devoted.

When Luo Yunyao stepped out of the sedan, Yan Ci appeared like a ghost before her.

“Master, you’re back,” he greeted with a bright smile shining in the sunlight. “General Qin Jinghao has been waiting for you a long time.”

Qin Jinghao? Luo Yunyao wondered why he was here. Looking up at the sun, it was indeed late.

Hurrying toward the reception garden, she asked, “When did he arrive?”

“At the hour of the hare.” That was around five in the morning? Did Qin Jinghao have urgent matters?

Luo Yunyao panicked and said, “Why didn’t anyone notify me?”

Her words were unfortunate. She was at the prince’s mansion; how could anyone notify her?

“The general didn’t send word. He said he would wait himself.”

Luo Yunyao looked back at the warmly smiling Yan Ci, thought it over, and did not apologize for her earlier slip but replied, “General Qin is considerate.”

Qin Jinghao must have known about her situation with Xiao Limo. That’s why he forbade notifications, to avoid causing her trouble. Even so, Luo Yunyao felt guilty for making him wait so long.

Yan Ci, well aware of her temperament, comforted her, “The general is a gentle man. He surely understands, miss.”

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. Luo Yunyao smiled faintly, “Indeed.”

Though a great general commanding the battlefield, taciturn and aloof, he was truly gentle at heart.

“Brother Qin, thank you for waiting.”

Before he appeared, his voice was already heard. Qin Jinghao knew Luo Yunyao was not one to neglect manners.

Yet now, she seemed so. Perhaps she simply worried he had waited too long.