Your Highness, The Mad Emperor Is Acting Up Again!

"Just disguised as a man…"

"Hmm, alright. What kind of appearance do you want? A flawless beauty? Charming? Alluring? I can be anything you want for a lover.

… I can also learn what kind of preference you desire for a partner... 

Yusheng can only give a helpless look to the opposite person who seems to be having fun, especially when he gazes at the bright light in the man's fake colored eyes.

After a few seconds of getting over the utterly surprising question, Yusheng finally manages to inform Wang Ling about his choice.

"... No need to be overly attractive, just a bit adorable and charming, being too attractive will get you in trouble. Although I would prefer for a normal appearance, some people would become suspicious if I got a lover that wasn't attractive enough."

… So, either you like the cute type or a person with an average appearance?

Wang Ling nods his head, showing an 'I understand' expression on his face, at the same time, he begins to remember how to act coquettishly from the various information and knowledge that remain in his mind.

Or how to make this person become interested after seeing that he has an extremely beautiful appearance after revealing his genuine face which was far from being average.

"Come, let's eat what I caught, so we can go home after we are done. The hot temperature will definitely increase, let's just stay indoors rather than hanging outside for the rest of the afternoon."

Yusheng picks up the finished steaming crabs on the side before gently breaking them down and putting all the fresh meat in a bowl before placing it in front of a curious Wang Ling who has already gotten used to being served after countless times.

"Hm! It tastes great! Yusheng, you also eat some."

"Ok."

Although there is still some stiffness, Yusheng doesn't hesitate to lean over and open his mouth when Wang Ling extends his hand holding a simple chopstick clasping crab meat with a gentle smile on his face.

One can say that he is getting used to acting intimate with Wang Ling. So instead of shying away from such an ambiguous act, he doesn't hesitate to react in a way that will make the man happy.

Take care of him… pamper him… make him happy…

Those are the words that Yusheng has basically ingrained deep in his mind. Of course, there is also a warning that will keep reminding him to always secretly observe the person before him, just in case something deeper grows beyond what he plans to do.

So after a peaceful and pleasing picnic near the riverside, Yusheng and Wang Ling have returned back to the residence, this time, choosing to ride the beautiful black stallion instead of walking with their hands gently clasped with each other.

Of course, the two Imperial Princes have completely ignored the silent and still disbelieving Xing Gen following them in the dark.

Soon, a few more peaceful and relaxing days have passed by, and during a night where Yusheng is sitting on top of the roof of the room where Wang Ling is sleeping, which is what he has been doing every night, he has received a letter from Qi.

"... Heh, someone is panicking…"

Well, it's understandable, despite how kind and gentle Yusheng's older brother is, Yusheng had been the easiest to control, deceived, and manipulated by him in the last life.

The hidden self-blame, inferiority because of the burned mark on his face, and concern for other people's opinions have always been his greatest weakness in his previous life.

Particularly when regarding the way of a ruler, it was his Older Brother who had been mainly trained by their Father Emperor. No matter how much he has tried to learn, the way to manipulate, control or suppress the people underneath him has been something he wasn't taught.

Although the Father Emperor didn't declare who was the crown prince, everyone had already considered the fact that it was his Imperial Older Brother who would become the next ruler.

… Fortunately, I already learned a similar skill of leading and manipulating people to do my bidding in the modern world… 

"Well, I have always been the substitute and the second choice if something bad occurred to the Imperial Older Brother."

Yusheng smiles wryly as he murmurs those words that had greatly pained his heart in the previous life. After all, who wouldn't feel hurt when his Imperial Mother had always whispered those words in his ears at a young age.

It was also a warning and a reminder to never give birth to a thought that he shouldn't have as long as his Imperial Older Brother is alright.

Of course, he also understands that his Imperial Mother loved him, but there was also selfishness and greed within. It wasn't just a pure and genuine motherly love for her children.

"Oh, I'm also a helper."

Yusheng disintegrates the letter in his hand while whispering those words out. Nonetheless, he genuinely loves and cares for his older brother and would never waver upon his feelings, especially after everything that occurred in his previous life.

The test of time has already shown that his Imperial Older Brother feels the same way. Particularly all the sacrifice he witnessed while staying by his older brother's side.

It's going to be a massive headache though...

Yusheng understands how overly protective his Imperial older brother can be, so he doesn't know how his older brother would react after knowing that he wanted to be the Emperor.

"... We wouldn't have to fight each other… right?"

Somehow, he feels an ominous premonition after having such impossible thoughts flashing in his mind before shaking his head and gazing upon the clear sky filled with brilliant shining stars.

And yet, despite gazing upon such a beautiful scene, he is unable to appreciate it, his heart remains dull and cold.

The only time he can feel a bit of happiness while appreciating his chance in life or simply having emotion is when he thinks of his Imperial Older Brother. And lately, after meeting the person he had never gotten the chance to know in his previous life.

Of course, the interaction they have has so far has been quite interesting and a pleasant experience.

… I would have never thought that there could be a chance to even face the hidden regret I had buried deep within my heart… 

Despite having a difficult and troublesome future or what the result will be, Yusheng continues to feel grateful for having a chance to come back again.

"I'll definitely succeed."

While Yusheng once again has affirmed his determination and resolve, the rest of the night has been peaceful, particularly upon the man peacefully sleeping in the room where Yusheng is guarding.

Soon, the time has come for the two of them to leave such a peaceful and pleasant place. And Yusheng calmly wraps one of his arms around Wang Ling's waist as they ride the beautiful black stallion, leaving the simple town.

While Xing Gen and one dark guard follow in the dark, as for the reason why Yusheng doesn't have his own people, it is part of the plan he had already discussed with Wang Ling.

Which is creating a logical reason and explanation for Wang Ling's existence when Yusheng takes him to the frontline.

Although it is going to be a cliche scene, nonetheless, it's the best reason Yusheng and Wang Ling could create when they don't have enough time to make a meticulous preparation.

It's also going to be the fastest method to give everyone a resounding explanation, why Yusheng has fallen in love with a young man, to the point where he has been willful and unreasonably taking the young man in the army during a war.

Basically, he is going to be clingy, possessive, and downright unreasonable, showing the image of a person completely falling in love to the point of infatuation.

As for what kind of cliche scene it was, Yusheng's lips can't help but raise up, completely showing an evil taste. Unfortunately, Wang Ling is sitting on Yusheng's front, so he isn't able to witness such a charming sight.

"Haa.. some people tend to think of complicated plans, but the most simple actions work out the most."

"Hm?"

"I'm speaking about our performance later on."

"Oh!"

Wang Ling's eyes light up after imagining the act the two of them would be performing in a few days.

"Well, it's going to be interesting being your savior."

After all, besides the love at first sight, or meeting the person who has the soul mark as the other half, the easiest to capture a person's heart is becoming a benefactor, someone who saves the person who is about to die.

Basically in Yusheng's opinion, it's going to the famous cliche, a hero saving a damsel in distress. Of course, as the Imperial Prince, Yusheng will become the 'husband' while the weak but mentally strong young savior will become the 'wife' in other people's eyes.

"It's going to be fun, right my soon-to-be savior, Young Master Li?"

"Yes, it is, Your Royal Highness Yusheng."

While riding a beautiful black stallion in the road that leads to the border where the main battlefield is, the corner of Yusheng and Wang Ling's lips rise into a beautiful arc with their eyes flashing an evil glint.