L'hibiscus comme peinture

Chapitre 24

Her coldness hurt him a little. Hadn't they made up? Why was she still so cold to him? Was it just her personality? No, she wouldn't treat Mo Yueying and Wei Ziqi like this, and even generals like Zhao Zhiyang were treated better than him. It seemed she hadn't forgiven his suspicions and distrust.

Silence, nothing but silence. Ao Jun ignored the dignified prince standing beside him and continued to 'admire the moon' as usual, while Jin Xuan looked at the 'immortal' bathed in moonlight with complicated eyes.

"I'm sorry." Finally, Jinxuan broke the silence first, it seems that Aojun's 'skill' was slightly better.

"What?" Ao Jun, who was lost in homesickness, was jolted back to reality by these three words. He looked at Jin Xuan, who looked even more charming in the moonlight, with an expression that seemed to say, "Did I hear that right, or did you say something wrong?"

"I'm sorry." Jinxuan said it again, his sincere expression strongly conveying the message that 'you heard me right, and I didn't say anything wrong.'

"Huh? Why did Your Highness apologize to Mo Jun?" Ao Jun asked, puzzled.

A thought became even more certain in her mind: this man was sick, and seriously so. Could it be that the blow of being 'abandoned' by Xue was too great, driving him insane? Otherwise, why would he suddenly offer her a cloak while she was enjoying the moon, and inexplicably apologize? Although she wasn't from the Longxuan Dynasty, she knew that in ancient times, let alone a prince with such a large army, even a random member of the royal family probably wouldn't 'recognize' those three words, right? Yet he said it to her twice! What else could this be but insanity?

"You suspected the strategist without even knowing the facts." Clearly, Jin Xuan had no idea what the person he was apologizing to was thinking at that moment. Otherwise, either Ao Jun would have had his neck broken, or Jin Xuan would have been so angry that he would have died.

"As for this, Mo Jun has already said so, and I don't blame you," Ao Jun replied calmly. Inwardly, however, she was incredibly frustrated: So that's what it was about! How could this man be more long-winded than an old woman? He'd told them hundreds of times over hundreds of years ago, forgive, forgive, forgive… Does he even have ears?

"You really forgive her?" I asked again, just to be sure. Good heavens! This dignified, cold-faced prince was now anxiously apologizing over whether a strategist had forgiven him, as if he was afraid she wasn't truly forgiving him. Was he out of his mind?

"Really." She nodded emphatically, her tone almost clenched through gritted teeth. If he asked again, she would definitely give him a good beating with her Taekwondo, regardless of his martial arts skills.

"Since the strategist no longer blames me, why are you so cold to me?" Jin Xuan simply sat down next to her and asked. If she doesn't blame him, then she dislikes him? He really minded her attitude towards him, a mindset remarkably similar to how he minded Yu Qing's feelings for him back then.

"Cold? Really?" Ao Jun asked doubtfully. Why did his words unconsciously remind her of a husband questioning his wife about why she was neglecting him? She shook her head. Why did that even come to mind?

"No? Weren't you very indifferent when you saw me appear? You ignored me completely," Jin Xuan continued to accuse.

"Your Highness misunderstands. Mo Jun is just like this by nature; it's not directed at Your Highness." Ao Jun felt an urge to rub his temples. Was this the same taciturn, emotionless Prince Jin that Yu Qing had described?

"That's just how you are? Surely not? The strategist was quite happy just now when he thought it was Miss Mo!" Jin Xuan said, his tone a little strange. As soon as the words left his mouth, Jin Xuan realized it was inappropriate; his tone had a sour undertone. He was just annoyed that she treated Mo Yueying better than him. Just because she hadn't turned around didn't mean he didn't know she was smiling. The moment she turned and saw him, her face immediately turned cold. Did the difference in treatment really have to be so drastic?

"Ying'er is Mo Jun's sister. What's wrong with being happy to see your own sister?" Ao Jun asked, increasingly confused. What does this have to do with Ying'er? Why is this person speaking in such a strange tone? She just doesn't understand what he's talking about. (Sigh, he really is an idiot with zero emotional intelligence.)

"Haha, there's nothing wrong with it, I was just asking casually." Jin Xuan laughed it off. She was right, that was her sister, why was he so upset?

Looking at Jin Xuan, who was just laughing it off, Ao Jun was even more confused about what this man was trying to say. If you don't know, don't worry about it; this was Ling Ao Jun's consistent principle. Unless absolutely necessary, she was definitely not the kind of 'curious child' who would pry into everything.

Seeing Ao Jun silently look up at the moon again, Jin Xuan followed her example, gazing at the moon in the sky. Such a moon easily evoked memories of the past: Yu Qing, the first woman to stir his heart—how was she now? She must be about to give birth! He wondered what it was like for someone as active as her to be carrying such a large belly. Memories flooded his mind, some sweet, some bitter… but whatever they were, they were all memories of Yu Qing.

"There seem to be more stars in the sky again?" The words, which sounded like a question or a murmur, escaped Ao Jun's lips, but were enough to break the silence between the two.

“Stars?” Pulled back to his senses, Jin Xuan looked at the starry sky following Ao Jun’s words, not understanding what she meant by those words.

“Yes! Some people say that after people die, they become stars and watch over us from the sky,” Ao Jun said suddenly, a little sadly.

Hearing Ao Jun say this, Jin Xuan turned his head and looked at Ao Jun, saying, "Is the strategist grieving for the brothers who died in battle today?"

Ao Jun didn't answer directly, but sighed softly, "War is truly cruel. Whether it's the soldiers of Longxuan or the soldiers of Cangliao, they all have families waiting for them to return. But from today onwards, they can never go back. Heh... 'Pitiable are the ten thousand miles of mountain passes, year after year, the bones of warriors lie buried among the autumn grass'!"

"The road through mountains and passes is long and arduous, with countless soldiers dying and their bones scattered among the autumn grasses year after year. ... Since ancient times, there has been war wherever there are nations; it is unavoidable. There is no need for the strategist to be so sad," Jinxuan comforted her, not wanting to see her so distressed.

He actually hated war too, but he had no choice. He didn't attack, yet they attacked him. For the sake of the Longxuan Dynasty, he had to don his armor and fight, to protect more innocent people. He just hadn't expected that she, seemingly cold and ruthless, was so kind-hearted and compassionate. He had already witnessed her exceptional military strategy, but to describe the cruelty of war so clearly in just a short poem—her talent was undeniable, certainly no less than that of the top scholar of the dynasty. He didn't know how much more talent she possessed, or what surprises and shocks she had in store for him!

"I didn't kill Bo Ren, but Bo Ren died because of me. How can I pretend nothing happened?" She didn't consider herself a kind person, but more than 20,000 people lost their lives because of her scheme. This was still hard for her, who had received a higher education in the 21st century, to accept.

"Strategist Mo, mercy to the enemy is cruelty to yourself. Sympathy for the enemy and reluctance to show mercy are major taboos on the battlefield." Jin Xuan suddenly said seriously. As a strategist and a commander-in-chief, if one is reluctant to show mercy during the decisive battle, not only will one die, but also one's brothers who have gone through thick and thin with him. Perhaps this is how his ruthlessness was honed on the battlefield.

"Hehe... I understand that. Don't worry, I won't offend others unless they offend me. Once we're at war, I won't show any mercy." She paused for a moment, then said firmly, "I won't let anyone hurt her, not a single person." Even if it meant taking her life, she wouldn't let anyone invade the Longxuan Dynasty, wouldn't let Xue become the empress of a fallen kingdom, and wouldn't let her get hurt.

"Her? Is she a very important person to the strategist?" Jinxuan murmured, as if asking Aojun, or perhaps asking himself.

"Yes, very important, very important. She is the most important person to me in this world." And also very important to you, Ao Jun added in his heart.

"Is this Miss Mo?" A pang of sadness welled up inside me.

"She's important to me too, but it's not her." A gentle light welled in Ao Jun's usually calm eyes as she thought of Xue, and happy memories of her childhood surfaced one by one.

"Then..." The soft light in her eyes, which he had never seen before, was dazzling to him and brought him back to his senses. Even if she was his strategist, he had no right to ask her personal questions—who was the most important person to her? He then used a light tone to cover up the bitterness in his heart: "That person must be the strategist's confidante!"

Ao Jun smiled without answering, which made Jin Xuan think she had tacitly agreed, making him even more jealous. However, his tone became even more mocking: "Does Military Advisor Mo know what kind of impression you gave me before?"

Military Advisor and Princess Consort: Battlefield Chapter 25 - Heart-to-Heart Talk

Seeing Ao Jun looking at her, Jin Xuan smiled and said, "Cold, heartless, unfaithful..."

"Unfaithful?" Ao Jun, who hadn't reacted much, frowned slightly when she heard this word. Cold, heartless... Xue often said these things about her, and she was already used to it. But where did this "unfaithful" come from? She didn't seem to have ever been in a relationship!

"Military Advisor Mo, you haven't forgotten again, have you? Back then, you so heartlessly abandoned that girl named Mo Qing, seemingly because you 'fell in love' with another girl. Later, when Mo Family Village was destroyed and Mo Qing was killed, you not only weren't sad, but you also frolicked and played with Yueying, as if you had completely forgotten Mo Qing. Tell me, what is this if not heartlessness?" Jin Xuan asked sharply, sounding a bit like his own sister had been deceived and was now questioning her unfaithful lover.

"Ah? Why is it about this again, Your Highness..." Ao Jun really raised her hand to rub her temples this time. Why does he keep remembering this? And he keeps bringing it up in her ear every few days. There's no way to explain it clearly.

Before Ao Jun could finish speaking, Jin Xuan's cold and stern expression vanished, replaced by a knowing smile. "However, after tonight's conversation, I realize that my previous assessment of the strategist was wrong. Although the strategist appears cold and ruthless, he is actually warm-hearted beneath his cold exterior and is not a heartless person; he simply prefers to hide his true feelings." Ao Jun was somewhat surprised by Ouyang Jin Xuan's assessment of her. Just as Xue had said, she had very little contact with him; aside from now, they had hardly had a proper conversation. Yet, he understood her so well.

Before Ao Jun could finish her surprise, Jin Xuan's next words almost made her vomit blood: "Actually, the strategist is just amorous and fickle."

Passionate? Fickle? When did she become a playboy? She's never bothered anyone! That damned Ouyang Jinxuan dared to say that about her? Fine, then she won't be so ungrateful!

"Your Highness, would you like to know what Mo Jun thinks of you?" Ao Jun asked with a mischievous smile.

"I want to." Jinxuan blurted out without thinking. He could tell from her smile that there was a scheme behind it, but deep down he really wanted to know what kind of person he was in her eyes.

Ao Jun cleared his throat and said with a serious expression, "Your Highness is handsome and extraordinary, intelligent and wise, with superb martial arts skills that are hard to match in the world. He is skilled in military administration, fair in rewards and punishments, and proficient in all military strategies. He is a pillar of the nation, the ideal husband in the dreams of countless young women, the object of worship for heroes, and a role model for all people..." Hold it in, hold it in, don't laugh, don't laugh, but it's so hard to hold it in!

Jin Xuan, who was used to flattery and sycophancy, had heard it countless times, and he despised those who said such things to him. But now, hearing it from Mo Jun's mouth, he felt unusually happy, as if it were the most beautiful sound in the world. Her praise made him feel a little elated.

But Ao Jun wasn't finished yet! What she said next sent Jin Xuan plummeting from her pedestal. Ao Jun remained unfazed and said, "These are things Mo Jun heard from others before she met the Prince." Jin Xuan's lips twitched. Ao Jun pressed on, "After meeting the Prince, she discovered that it wasn't quite like that at all!"

"What is it?" Jinxuan asked blankly. How could the usually wise Prince Jin, knowing there was a trap, still foolishly jump in?