Chapter 21: Little Slave!

  After returning from Shenji Camp, Zhao Kui went to the relay station yard.

  The Yiguan Hall is a three-entry courtyard in a north-south layout, with the main hall's grand hall serving as his temporary meeting hall.

  At this time, Xia had already changed into her work uniform. A cyan-black straight skirt, a Luo hat, a pair of cloth shoes, and a waistband tied around her waist, dressed as a traditional servant, standing beside Zhao Zun, formally becoming the servant of King Jin.

  Zhao Zun's face was cold and stern, frowning as he deployed troops to build fortifications along the border with Wuna country.

  The dozen or so military cadets below sat up straight, silent and still.

  What made Xia Chuzi depressed was that there were fruit plates on the case tables in front of them, and the fragrance of the fruits almost hooked out all the hungry insects in her stomach, but she could only stand still, letting her belly 'gurgle' loudly.

  Since she signed the contract, she became his person. It's even more accurate to say that she became his household slave.

  Feudal society indeed has no human rights!

  She pitifully swallowed her saliva, occasionally pinching her fingers and rubbing her palms, feeling that time was passing slower than a turtle's crawl.

  Finally, when her legs were about to go numb from exhaustion, that "Cold Yan Wang" glanced over indifferently.

  Summer begins on the seventh day of the first month, and the eyes shine brightly.

  Don't look down on her, let her have two pieces of fruit!

  "It's said that 'if a worthless person can change their nature, then a bamboo basket can cover the vast ocean'", Zhao Zun simply pointed to his own shoulder and gave her a glance, but then turned back to discuss plans with his generals, not caring about her life or death. Xia Chuyi was so angry that she took a deep breath, cursed several times at the ancestors of the Zhao family, before placing both hands on his shoulders and starting to massage them for him.

  She's so talented! She was a genius since she was seven years old.

  Medicine, military, tactics... she can do anything.

  Didn't he discover it?

  Did he buy her back just for her to do this kind of menial labor?

  She had been pinching and rubbing, and they finally ended their military meeting. As the dozen or so generals with swords and armor exited the hall, Zhao Zhuo seemed tired, leaning lazily against the south official hat chair, lightly sipping a cup of clear tea brought by Zheng Erbao, closing his eyes to rest, as if he had long forgotten her existence.

  Xia's face turned black with anger, and she couldn't hold it in anymore.

  "Hey!"

  "Call me," Zhao Zhu's voice was hoarse with fatigue, without opening his eyes.

  After grinding her teeth for a moment, she finally softened and said softly, "Yes."

  "Hmm." Zhao seemed satisfied and said lightly, "Little slave, is there something you want to ask?"

  For this new title with a strong flavor, Xia Chuyi was not quite used to it yet. He shook off the goosebumps on his body and hummed heavily, "I want to know, you've made such a big fuss, forcing me to sign that contract, what exactly do you need me to do for you?"

  Zhao You lowered his voice and asked in return, "Aren't you doing it?"

  "Shoulder massage? A rubdown?" Xia Qi's voice rose in indignation, "I'm telling you, didn't you get it wrong? I, the illustrious... only have this little bit of utility value?"

  His gaze slanted over, his profound and unfathomable eyes had the familiar mockery she knew.

  "Otherwise? Serve you in bed?"

  At the beginning of summer, Xia muttered a "scum" under her breath, feeling annoyed in her heart, but she deeply understood that to deal with Zhao's cheapness, she had to be even cheaper. With a hint of playful bad smile at the corner of her mouth, she curved a pair of watery eyes, lowered her head and leaned close to him, "Sir, actually what I'm best at is not massage, but..."

  Before she finished speaking, the sound of horseshoes was heard outside. Soon, amidst the clanging of armor, a loud voice from outside shouted "Report!" and then someone hastily stepped in, first performing a set of empty courtesies, before presenting an official document sealed with red wax.

  "Your Highness, an urgent imperial decree has arrived from 800 miles away!"

  When you're away from home, courtesy is less.

  Kneeling to receive the imperial edict, he sent away the courier and only then did Zhao Zhu let Zheng Erbao open the wax seal, unfolding the yellow imperial edict inside: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The nineteenth son of the Emperor, Zhao Zhu, has a natural talent for bravery, is bold and wise, and has devoted himself to defending the borders. He led an army of 300,000 into Wunalaru as if there were no one there, suppressing bandits and destroying their dens, bringing peace to the nation above and comforting the people below. I am very pleased..."

  On the seventh day of summer, she stood beside him and took a glance at him.

  Apart from the previous pile of official commendations for Zhao Kuang's military achievements, the key point is one thing - to let him return to Beijing immediately to report on his duties.

  This is already the second imperial edict summoning him back.

  After a moment of silence, Zhao Zun handed the imperial edict to Zheng Erbao to keep, and he himself sat down on a purple sandalwood Luo Han chair by the window, looking tired. The attendant Yu Ruo hastily brought over a pillow and arranged it for him before retreating to the side.

  The air in the hall is cold and quiet, Xia Zhicheng can feel it on July 7th.

  However, the major events of the Tian family have little to do with her, although she is temporarily eating their food.

  After a long time, suddenly heard Zhao Zhu's low voice, "Little slave."

  He was called out by him, Xia Chuyi was taken aback, "Present."

  Zhao Zun's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and he waved his hand at the others, waiting for them to retreat before letting her come forward.

  "Let grandpa test you."

  Examine her? She slightly pouted and softly said "uh-huh", looking rather listless.

  He faintly asked, "There is a towering mountain that holds up the sky. The fierce beasts on the mountain all want to be the one and only beast king. For this reason, they have split into different factions and are killing each other, making a spectacle of themselves. If you were also a fierce beast in this mountain, with jackals in front and tigers behind, how would you conduct yourself?"

  This example is...

  Xia Chuqi thought for a moment and smiled lightly: "Grandfather, if one doesn't want to be the beast king of the fierce beasts, who has the right to choose?"

  Zhao Zun glanced at her and asked, "What's going on?"

  At the beginning of summer, she slightly curved her lips, and a pair of bright eyes shone with a sly light.

  "From ancient times to the present, only those who hold power in their hands have the right to speak. For example, you are superior to me, not because I am stupider than you, nor because you are stronger than me, but rather because I do not have as much power or influence as you do, and I do not have as many soldiers or followers at my command, which is why I ended up in this predicament."

  She paused, seeing that he didn't have a dark face and wasn't making a sound, she slowly said, "There's something you should understand better than me. Since ancient times, the imperial family has been like a monarch and his subject... When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked."

  "How bold!"

  Zhao Zun's face changed, and he coldly stared at her.

  At the beginning of summer, Xia raised her chin slightly and stared at him calmly. However, his eyes were deep, complex, and difficult to decipher, leaving her completely unsure if she had flattered him correctly or not.

  Wasn't he looking for an excuse to get rid of him?

  The two people locked eyes for a moment, Zhao Zun's icy face relaxed, closed his eyes, and leaned his head against the headrest.

  "Get out! Don't ever say something like this again."

  "Oh..."

  At the beginning of summer, she glared at him with hatred, gritted her teeth and didn't expect him to suddenly open his eyes and look over. Her expression was frozen on her face. Fortunately, he seemed to be used to her disrespect, and slowly commanded while supporting his temples.

  "Go and tell Zheng Erbao, to find Sun Zhengye to hand over my medical records together with the military post to be delivered to Beijing. Just say that I, the king, led the troops on a long journey, rushing and attacking, and was physically and mentally exhausted, and although I wanted to return to duty, I was unable to do so due to my poor health, which is a disappointment to the emperor's benevolence. When I return to Beijing, I will ask for punishment again."

  Yan Wen said a lot, but Xia Chuyi immediately caught on to one thing - he wanted to pretend to be ill and stay behind at Qinggang Inn.

  He's either being overly cautious or genuinely uninterested in competing for the throne.

  In history, was there ever an imperial son who did not want to be emperor?

  Xia Chu Qi responded with a hum, although she knew he didn't seem to be in a good mood, she couldn't help but ask another question.

  "Where's my fool? Can I see him now?"

  After a moment of silence, Zhao Zhuo looked over coldly, "Xu, you fool, can you behave yourself?"

  After some thought, she mischievously hooked her lips, grabbed a pear from the fruit plate that had been tempting for a long time, and took a big bite, chewing with a smile, then lowered her head, giggling, and leaned in close to his face, her mouth fragrant.

  "Shut up!"

  Zhao Zhu's face sank, and he coldly shouted, "Meizi."

  The plum outside the house came in quickly, "Sir."

  He didn't look at Xia Chuqi, but simply waved his hand coldly.

  "Take her away!"

  Plum was startled and trembled for a moment, then slowly retreated.

  As she walked to the entrance of the hall, she subconsciously turned her head back to glance at the dignified and aloof man leaning against the arhat chair. At this moment, the faint light that had entered through the window was shining on his side profile, bathing him in an extraordinary atmosphere. Half of his face was noble and elegant, while the other half was gloomy and cold - and it was as if the contradictions highlighted a sense of helplessness under the turmoil of imperial power.

  It was as if he were a lonely and bullied person.

  Digression

  That crippled General Chen's name was changed by himself because it offended General Chen Da Niu, haha, both having the surname Chen isn't too good.

  ——

  【Thanks】Thank you all beautiful and sentimental girls, for loving me with your passionate love, muah!

  Everyone (angrily): One kick will send you flying! Our fiery passion is for the 19th Master, what does it have to do with you? Self-loving lunatic.

  Two pieces of brocade (already flying in mid-air): Ah, no! Where's my skirt? My red trousers.

  Everyone (surprised): What? Are you possessed by the 19th Master?!

  To be continued...