Your Highness, Please Love Me Tender

95. This Subordinate, Gongsun Yi, Greets You

Translator: Flying Lines

Who was this person who could make Zhou Zaiyue reveal this sort of expression?

Not to mention, he was so young, young enough to be the missing crown prince…

In a split second, many ideas flitted through Gongsun Yi’s mind, and he already guessed Su Jie’s identity—— the future Emperor of State Yanling.

At that thought, Gongsun Yi suddenly burst into laughter.

His smile was free and easy, just like untamed wild horses galloping across the grasslands, trails of wind rising in their wake as well as a savage charm.

He laughed for a while. Gongsun Yi approached Su Jie and daringly patted on Su Ji’s shoulder. His actions were as casual as he would be with his own soldiers. He smiled, “Not bad. Your assassination techniques were amazing… Can I interest you with becoming my soldier?”

Hearing this, Zhou Zaiyue’s eyelids twitched, and his gaze fell onto Gongsun Yi’s hand that rested on Su Jie’s shoulder.

Gongsun Yi pretended as if he didn’t notice Zhou Zaiyue’s unhappy gaze. He reached out a hand to touch the place where he had been injured on his left shoulder and said to Su Jie, “Come join Yanling’s army. Men should protect their country. If you enlist, I will recommend you to my father. You’re amazing. You’re even better than my soldiers.”

“Haha.” When he heard what Gongsun Yi said, Zhou Zaiyue couldn’t help the relieved smile that appeared on his face. His Highness could rely on his abilities to win over his subordinates’ acknowledgment. This was what Zhou Zaiyue hoped to see. Although Su Jie would be respected by Yanling’s citizens simply because he belonged to Yanling’s royal family even if he was mediocre, Zhou Zaiyue hoped that Su Jie would be a lord who drew people to him.

“Oh?”

Nevertheless, the corners of Su Jie’s lips curled upwards. Naturally, he noticed the glint of wisdom and cunning in Gongsun Yi’s eyes. However, Su Jie didn’t say anything. He only reached out his hand to rest it on Gongsun Yi’s left shoulder and pressed his finger somewhere into Gongsun Yi’s shoulder blade. That was exactly the spot where Gongsun Yi was injured before.

Feeling Su Jie using a hint of force, Gongsun Yi’s smile became slightly strained. Despite that, he was someone who had been honed by experiences of war. This meager amount of pain didn’t hurt him that much. Gongsun Yi’s expression was subtle and incomprehensible, revealing a trace of complex emotions. There was satisfaction but also regret. Even though the crown prince who was standing in front of him had been missing for many years, he was very skilled. Originally, Gongsun Yi had thought, if the crown prince State Yanling found was an ordinarily young man who was wet behind the ears, or if he was a fragile-looking man who was powerless and weak, what would State Yanling’s future be like? Even though being the descendant of the immortal was one of the requirements of ascending the throne, but as an excellent Vice-general, Gongsun Yi hoped that he wouldn’t have to be loyal to someone stupid.

But now that he met Su Jie, Gongsun Yi realized that even though this crown prince didn’t grow up within the royal court, he was someone who had a story to tell. For example, the crown prince’s incredible mastery of hidden weapons as well as his martial arts, which were just as good as his own… And also now, the crown prince was dressed in a robe so red, it was bright as a burning flame. His expression appeared harmless, but Gongsun Yi knew that His Highness must have killed quite a few people before. In their first fight, the intent to kill was behind Su Jie’s every move. Even Gongsun Yi, who had fought on battlegrounds before, found it tiring to defend against him.

Could it be that even if the crown prince went missing for many years, he was still able to command others’ loyalty and acknowledgment upon his return because the immortal who founded State Yanling had always been protecting his descendants?

The immortal must be protecting him. If that wasn’t the case, then how could Elder Zhou find the crown prince after sixteen years…

Since he was a child, Gongsun Yi had accepted the idea that an immortal founded the country. Even if he was more arrogant than he was now, he still strongly believed in the legend of the immortal to his very core. Now that the person in front of him was State Yanling’s future Emperor, he could only submit.

Although, to be honest, Gongsun Yi didn’t hope that Su Jie was the crown prince, because… he felt that he was attracted to the young man. Or perhaps ever since the two had first fought, it was destined that there would be something joining them together forever…

Gongsun Yi never believed in fate or destiny, but in this split second, he felt that his encounter with Su Jie and being attracted to him was predestined. No matter how it came to be or the difference in their identities, he was destined to meet this young man…

“This subordinate, Gongsun Yi, gives His Highness the Crown Prince his greetings.” Gongsun Yi breathed in deeply. He solemnly knelt on one knee and lowered his head to Su Jie.

As the sun continued to shine down, this scene seemed to freeze at this moment.

The black-robed wild, handsome man knelt on one knee. There was a cool look on his face, whilst the red-robed youth in front of him looked calm and noble, as if he was full of brilliance and beauty.

“You may rise.” Su Jie said, his lips barely moving.

Zhou Zaiyue remained silent. He knew that by Gongsun Yi’s intelligence, he would be able to guess Su Jie’s identity. Originally, he was somewhat worried that Gongsun Yi wouldn’t easily submit to Su Jie, but it seemed that… Taking into account of His Highness the Crown Prince’s abilities, it seemed that he was needlessly worried.