L'hibiscus comme peinture - Chapitre 80
"Hmph, I won't give you that chance again," Ao Jun said with a cold snort.
"You think you can stop me? You should know that no one can stop me from doing what I want to do." Ao Xue said arrogantly with a cold laugh as she stepped forward.
"Stop right there, or don't blame me for being heartless if you come any closer," Ao Jun said coldly, arms crossed.
"You've said that many times, can't you come up with something new?" Ao Xue smiled mockingly, her steps forward unwavering.
"Hmph, mind your own business. Anyway, you won't get away with this today." Ao Jun adopted a defensive stance as Ao Xue pressed closer, retreating while staring intently at her and speaking resolutely.
"The word 'give up' doesn't exist in my dictionary." Ao Jun's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he spoke proudly, no longer retreating but standing straight, like a warrior preparing for battle.
"Alright, since that's the case, it seems we can only use the old method?" Ao Xue smiled confidently, as if she were talking about the weather with ease, glancing sideways at Ao Jun with an air of certain victory.
"Alright, let's use the old method." Ao Jun said indifferently. Compared to Ao Xue's ease, Ao Jun seemed a little nervous. Although she still stood proudly, her tense face, tightly pursed lips, and slightly hesitant tone all indicated that she was a little nervous.
For a moment, a tense atmosphere filled the air between the two, which was clearly felt by those around them.
Jin Xuan clenched his fists, his eyes never leaving Ao Jun on the basketball court. He could feel her tension and unconsciously took a step forward, his face full of questions: Why is Jun afraid of Yu Qing? He knew very well that Yu Qing could be said to know no martial arts at all, while Jun, although she was hiding her true abilities, was obviously better than him. Even if they were to fight, it should be Yu Qing who was afraid. Why is it all the other way around?
Zhengxuan, his face also somber, lips pressed tightly together, his eyes fixed solely on his confident and proud beloved on the basketball court. He unconsciously took a step forward, despite Aoxue's confidence. He noticed Aojun's nervousness, but he remained uneasy. From Jindi, he knew that the seemingly harmless Mojun possessed unfathomable internal strength and martial arts skills. As for Qing'er, he knew her best; her martial arts moves were strange and unorthodox, but she lacked any internal strength. She could handle a few ordinary people with low martial arts skills, but against someone with slightly higher skill, she would be helpless. Since they already knew each other, Qing'er couldn't possibly be unaware of Mojun's prowess; why was she so careless? And was Mojun's nervousness feigned? He would not allow anyone to harm Qing'er, no matter what.
The civil and military officials, who had finally managed to stand up with great difficulty, also stared intently at the two facing off. Their thoughts, however, differed from Zhengxuan and Jinxuan's. No one knew that Aojun possessed martial arts skills, while the current Empress was known for her quirky and unpredictable nature, and was rumored to have considerable martial arts prowess. Therefore, everyone took their reactions for granted. All the daughters of officials were extremely nervous for Aojun, while some officials worried about their 'future sons-in-law,' hoping the Empress would show mercy and not harm her. Military generals like Wei Ziqi stepped forward with anxious expressions, poised to rescue their strategist from the Empress's clutches at any moment.
Under the breathless gaze of everyone, Ao Jun and Ao Xue slowly extended their hands. Just when everyone thought they were about to fight and was incredibly tense, two loud voices, loud enough to make everyone collapse again, suddenly rang out:
"A little bee, flies into the flowers, flies... flap flap..."
"A little bee, flies into the flowers, flies... flap flap..."
Ao Jun and Ao Xue clapped their hands and shouted. This time, even Zheng Xuan and Jin Xuan fell down with everyone else. Only Ao Jun and Ao Xue were still standing. What made them weak in the knees and fall down this time was not their beautiful figures, but their unexpected actions. The bloody scene they had imagined did not happen. Although none of them knew what they were doing, they could tell at a glance that it was a game for children. Such a sharp momentum and such a tense atmosphere, was this what they were talking about?
Zhengxuan and Jinxuan finally managed to stand up, only to witness a scene that instantly made them want to kill. Veins bulged on their foreheads, and their hands were clenched so tightly they bled. The other officials, sweating profusely, glanced fearfully at their emperor.
"A little bee, flies into the flowers, flies... flap flap..."
"A little bee, flies into the flowers, flies... flap flap..."
It turned out that Ao Jun and Ao Xue had made a gesture of kissing each other in mid-air because they threw punches at the same time. Although it was just a formality, it was still extremely improper for the Empress Dowager to make such a gesture with a 'man' in front of all the civil and military officials and the Emperor. How could the Emperor bear it?
The two, engrossed in their game, were completely unaware that the Ouyang brothers were on the verge of exploding, and continued playing with their little bees as if nothing had happened.
"You lost." Just as the Ouyang brothers were about to lose control, Ao Xue crossed her arms, a smug smile on her face, and glanced at Ao Jun with delight.
"I know." Ao Jun's face was ashen, his eyes dimmed, and he lowered his head, saying in a defeated voice.
"So, are you ready?" Ao Xue suddenly stared at Ao Jun, the poor little lamb, with a greedy wolf-like gaze, a wicked smile spreading across her lips.
"Hoo, come on!" Ao Jun closed his eyes, glanced down at his white robes, his eyes filled with helplessness and pity. When he raised his head, he had an expression of being ready to die, and gritted his teeth.
Upon seeing Ao Jun's expression, Jin Xuan tensed up and was about to fly over. Zheng Xuan also rushed over, and Wei Ziqi and the other generals were about to rush over as well. However, just as everyone moved, Ao Xue acted even faster than them, causing everyone to stop immediately.
“Jun…” Ao Xue rushed over at lightning speed and hugged Ao Jun tightly. Although Ao Xue’s momentum was great, Ao Jun seemed to have been prepared. Although she took two steps back, she finally stood still with a strong force, like a wooden doll, letting Ao Xue hug her tightly.
"Jun, it really is you... Waaah... Am I dreaming... Waaah..." Ao Xue cried loudly, wiping her snot and tears all over her snow-white clothes, as if the Yellow River had burst its banks.
"What do you think?" Ao Jun looked at the robe, which was now unrecognizable, and said with a pained expression. She kept blaming herself. Why could she never beat the snow? Why? My poor, beloved robe! I, your master, am so useless! I can't even save you. I should have worn a black dress today. Waaah... Ao Jun, who has always been a germaphobe, could only reflect on herself in her heart.
"Ouch! That hurts!" Just as Ao Jun was blaming herself, she suddenly felt a pain on her face and couldn't help but cry out. It turned out that Ao Xue had pinched her cheek.
"Will it hurt?" Ao Xue asked naively. Receiving a glare from Ao Jun, and just as his hands were about to touch her face again, she swiftly threw herself into his arms once more, in a gesture even more exaggerated than Gang Qi's. Tears and snot flowed uncontrollably onto Ao Jun's pristine white robes—no, now they should be called his yellowed robes. Between sobs, she cried, "If it hurts, it's not a dream! Waaaaah... Jun, it really is you! I can really see you again... Waaaaah..."
"It really is me, don't cry. My clothes are completely ruined. Can you turn off the tap now?" Ao Jun's hand, frozen in mid-air, still naturally embraced Ao Xue, seemingly a little helpless. But only she and Ao Xue knew how excited and thrilled she was. It's just that Xue has cried for far too long this time!
"I...I'm so excited, sob sob...please let me cry a little longer! Just a little bit more, sob sob...I...I'll help you wash your clothes, sob sob...Jun, my little Junjun...sob sob..." Ao Xue cried harder and harder, and Ao Jun's white robes were already ruined and beyond saving.
Ao Jun simply gave up. Let her wash it? Forget it! All those beloved clothes that were once in such a terrible state floated past Ao Jun's eyes. Have you ever seen anyone wash clothes so artistically? Either there was a big tear here, or a place that was already stained by her crying had a big hole in it, which she had cut off... It would be better to just throw it away, that would be more worthy of the clothes.
"Xue, I really miss you..." Ao Jun finally couldn't help but hug Ao Xue tightly, whispering emotionally. The first tear she shed since arriving in the Longxuan Dynasty rolled down her cheeks, her excitement beyond words.
The Strategist and the Princess: Kyoto Chapter Sixty - The Ouyang Brothers' Jealousy
The two of them flew to Ao Xue and Ao Jun's side at the same time, and pulled the two of them apart one by one, who were crying silently like tearful people.
Unsurprisingly, both of them received a murderous glare at the same time.
"Ouyang Zhengxuan, what are you doing? Let me go..." Ao Xue's face was still wet with tears. Her eyes, which had just been blurry with tears, were now glaring fiercely at the 'culprit' who had separated her from Ao Jun, and she roared angrily. She was still immersed in the joy of seeing Jun again, and this brat Xuanzi was acting crazy for no reason.
"Jinxuan, let me go." Aojun seemed much calmer than Aoxue, but her cold and indifferent tone, which left no room for refusal, still revealed her extreme displeasure.
"We won't let go." The two brothers said in unison, their voices filled with tension.
"Qing'er, look at yourself! Do you even have the bearing of an empress?" Zhengxuan roared, displaying the imposing manner of an emperor. What he really meant wasn't the proper conduct of an empress, but rather whether she truly cared for her husband. To be seen embracing and kissing a 'man' in front of the entire court, so openly expressing their love—how could she bear it? Did she still truly love him?
"Your Majesty, Yuqing is the Empress. How can you hug her like this in public? Are you courting death?" Jinxuan roared, his face grim. A bitter ache gnawed at him: Even if you truly love Yuqing deeply, you must consider the situation. Not only are all the officials present, but your brother is also here. Do you know that your brother once harbored murderous intent towards you? No matter how intelligent or skilled you are, if your brother wants to kill you, you will not escape. Your Majesty, are you truly willing to risk your life for Yuqing? He knew the answer best. Back then, for Yuqing, he had also risked offending his brother and was willing to give up his life for her. Now, for Your Majesty, he was willing to do the same. This was love; once in love, no one could remain rational. Yet, he still felt he should remind her that her actions would not only endanger her life but also disrupt Yuqing's loving relationship with her brother.
"None of your business." Ao Jun and Ao Xue said coldly in unison. The arrogant aura of their Ling family was strongly emanating. Even if you were an emperor or a prince, you would be deeply shocked. This aura was different from Zheng Xuan's imperial majesty and also similar to Jin Xuan's deep domineering aura, but it made people feel that they were the kings who controlled the world. It was not outwardly expressed but inwardly expressed, making people feel extremely oppressed from the bottom of their hearts.
Taking advantage of Zhengxuan and Jinxuan's momentary lapse in attention, they simultaneously and skillfully broke free from their grasp. Their movements were so synchronized and coordinated that when Zhengxuan and Jinxuan tried to grab them back, they were already prepared and avoided them.
"Qing'er." Zhengxuan said through gritted teeth, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Aojun with hostility. He shouldn't have hesitated when he took advantage of the situation. If he had decided to kill her back then, he wouldn't have had to witness Qing'er's 'betrayal' today. At this moment, he felt as if he had returned to the scene when he saw Qing'er with Nangong Jun. He was so angry, so desperate, and so heartbroken. But this time, it wasn't just a setup like last time. This time, it was real. The 'feelings' between them were real. But he couldn't hurt her or torment her like last time. Otherwise, he would really lose Qing'er forever.
He could only vent all his anger on this 'adulterer.' He now only wanted to kill Mo Jun, the one who had shattered their happy life. Even though she was Jin Di's beloved, reason told him he couldn't kill Mo Jun. Given her current reputation, killing her could not only incite the discontent of the entire court but also potentially destabilize the entire country. As the emperor, he could never allow such a thing to happen. Moreover, considering Qing'er's feelings for her, if he really killed her, Qing'er would never forgive him, and he would absolutely lose Qing'er. Although he couldn't kill her, he wouldn't let Qing'er be with her either. If this was a test for him and Qing'er, he was willing to accept it. But Mo Jun, don't blame me…