Your Highness, Please Love Me Tender

53. Chess

Translator: Flying Lines

Xiao ShengNian didn’t care what others thought of him, but he did care what Su Jie thought. Now seeing Su Jie showing no sign of aversion, he felt quite relieved and continued his public declaration of love.

However, he didn’t get the chance to enjoy this for long as the officials of City Hao all hurried to block his way after getting the news.

“Your Highness…” One of the officials had barely spoken anything when Xiao ShengNian massaged his brows, his eyes narrowed, and said in a lazy tone of voice, “Fine, I’m getting a bit tired.”

“Your Highness, your accommodation is arranged.”

The officials’ sudden appearance shocked the folks in the streets, who all got down on their knees and greeted “Your Highness” when knowing the noble guest was a prince.

Xiao ShengNian said in a gentle voice, “Please get up.”

The folks, however, was probably too surprised to see such an amicable prince, who all remained in kowtowing posture and silence, not knowing what to do.

“Please save such formalities. Now get up, all of you.” Xiao ShengNian said with his usual casualness, grace and elegance exhibited in every move and act of his. If not for the fact that he was still holding Su Jie’s hand, he would strike people as a person too noble and lofty to approach. Yet now, Su Jie, the good-looking boy in gorgeous red, exuded his own charm and pride of a youth that were not only a perfect match for Xiao ShengNian but also added a touch of accessibility and gentleness to the prince.

A simple-minded folk stood straight up on Xiao ShengNian’s words, who received a gentle smile from the noble prince. Seeing that, the rest of the folks also followed suit but still looked quite reserved, not knowing what to do.

Xiao ShengNian knew that these common folks would never relax as long as he was still present. Just as the saying goes, great men’s favor is uncertain. And a prince was certainly not someone they could trifle with. In this small border city of State Yanhui, Xiao ShengNian could easily determine their life and death. So in order not to cause further disturbance, Xiao ShengNian left with the officials without any delay.

However, little did he know that one day it would become a trend for male couples to walk in the streets hand in hand. When officials noticed that, they did some investigation and found it was the influence of Prince Rui, therefore not daring to do anything to forbid it. Gradually, it developed into a local costume of City Hao.

Now back to the group of five.

After lunch, they all went to take a nap. Su Jie, however, slept the whole afternoon. After waking up, he was still in his usual blankness. Unknowingly, he let all his guard down in front of Prince Rui, which he argued secretly in heart: An unruly and hotheaded Jianghu boy wouldn’t always be vigilant. Only Men of Sacrifice would have to stay alert and sober the whole time. Because the slightest negligence would mean fatal danger.

Su Jie massaged his dizzy head as he slowly walked out into the yard where Xiao ShengNian and Zhou ZaiYue were playing chess.

Xiao ShengNian was wearing his usual gentle smile, the look in his eyes serene. Though his chess style was mild, he was confident and keen in spotting his opponent’s weak point.

Zhou ZaiYue looked even more indifferent whose loving smile was only shown to Su Jie. His chess style was sophisticated and scheming like he himself. And his tenacity could be seen from his long years of secluded life in the mountain. He nodded to greet Su Jie, loving care in his eyes.

Su Jie walked to their side to watch them playing chess. Half in their chess battle, Zhou ZaiYue said with a smile, “ShengNian, your skill has improved. There is no need for us to continue.”

Xiao ShengNian nodded.

“Would you like to have a try?” added Zhou ZaiYue as he turned to Su Jie.