Chapter 04 : Willing to Sacrifice Oneself for the Brotherhood
Zhao Wujiu had been in charge of the army for many years, and he demanded exact compliance. If he ordered you to go, you go, and if he forbade, you stop. Normally, just from the pressuring gaze within his eyes, the soldiers would inevitably feel uneasy in their hearts and would question themselves whether they had done something inappropriate.
His prestige in the army was not because of his status, rather because of years being on the frontline, he took the lead in every war, and his ability to strategize. However, it seemed like he did not have it easy in dealing with a pain in the neck like this Bai Shiqi.
Bai Shiqi was not afraid of him. She acted like someone naïve and pretended she did not see his pressuring gaze. She spoke about the local customs alongside the canal and invited passionately: “Staying cooped up inside the cabin for long periods will not be good for Cousin Brother’s health. When we get to the next town, the ship will need to replenish foods and other provisions, at that time, why don’t we get off the ship and stroll around?”
Zhao Ziheng’s complexion darkened: Cousin Brother’s legs…… My brother, do you not have eyes?
Zhao Wujiu lost the feeling in both of his legs, he did not even participate in the banquets held by the empress. He rejected all visitors aside from the visiting imperial physicians, nobody without any exception could meet him.
Shu Changfeng was holding his breath at the side, his expression nervous. He predicted that Bai Shiqi’s offer will face rejection, however, he did not know whether this will arouse his master’s ire or not.
Zhao Wujiu’s sharp gaze fell on his legs, then he stared directly at Bai Shiqi.
He wanted to know if this glib-tongued youngster before his eyes had invited him sincerely in good faith, or just making use of this opportunity to ridicule his legs.
Bai Shiqi’s pair of eyes were bright like stars, with red lips and white teeth, she was unexpectedly good looking, even the words said were somewhat pleasant to hear: “The scenery from each side of the canal is different. Being stuck on the ship for a long time, it will be tiresome only looking at familiar faces every day. Now that we have the opportunity to get off and walk around, taste the local delicacies, and listen to the folk songs, what a nice way to spend leisure time.”
Zhao Wujiu did not see the slightest bit of ridiculing expression from her eyes, her manner of speaking was also normal, and she even turned a blind eye towards the fact that he was sitting in a wheelchair.
“With me being like this, can I just walk around as I wish?” His heart felt uneasy, and his tone was harsh.
Bai Shiqi was very confused: “Why can’t you? Compared to walking with one’s own legs, sitting in a wheelchair is much more comfortable.” She leaned closer to look: “However, this wheelchair is broken!” Nobody knew where did she pull a dagger’s sheath from, she tapped around the wheelchair with it.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Zhao Ziheng was stunned, he thought about pulling his foolish brother back, as to avoid being kicked by Cousin Brother’s feet, but then he recalled the matter of doing horse stance miserably by himself, and stopped this train of thought.
Shu Changfeng was even more stupefied.
Zhao Wujiu was absolutely not an amiable person, to a certain extent, he could even be called cold and self-disciplined to the extreme.
After quite some time, Bai Shiqi had already checked from the wheel on the left side to the wheel on the right side. Now she moved to the front side, and lifted the blanket that was covering Zhao Wujiu’s legs, attempting to look at the pedal at the bottom.
She leaned very close. Zhao Wujiu lowered his head, and his eyes fell precisely on her face, he unexpectedly found that her eyelashes were thick and curled. He was about to move the wheel, preparing to retreat backward. His mind was slightly distracted, which was a rare occurrence. This distraction made him drive the wheelchair forward instead, making Bai Shiqi, who did not expect this move at all, knocked her head against his knee. When she was going to fall on her back, she was pulled by him, which resulted in an even worse mistake—as now she was being held in his embrace.
Zhao Ziheng: “… …”
Shu Changfeng: “… …”
Zhao Wujiu was also startled by this turn of events. He despised being close to other people, even more so being intimately close to the point of having skin contact. The brain that was usually capable of calculating accurately suddenly stopped working, and he mercilessly pushed the shoulder of the person in his bosom.
Bai Shiqi tried to get up at the same time her buttock was about to sink down, her body was lowered, and so, when she raised her head, it was met with Zhao Wujiu’s rough big palm……
Zhao Ziheng covered his eyes and screamed bewilderingly: “Cousin Brother, it is now clear to me as to why you refuse to get married after so many years. Even if you like men, you can’t start with my brother, okay?!”
Shu Changfeng: “… …”
Shu Changfeng was deeply humored by the repeated coincidences in front of him, and with Zhao Ziheng’s stupefied expression, he did not need to add any more unnecessary remarks.
From the onlookers’ point of view, just now Bai Shiqi had been inspecting the front part of the wheelchair, afterward… Master had pulled into his embrace, and nothing could be said about that. However, when Bai Shiqi raised the head, Master would unexpectedly… unexpectedly stroked someone’s household’s young lad’s face…
This passionate move was not good at all!
Zhao Wujiu: “Shut up!”
What Zhao Ziheng had seen with his eyes was similar to those seen by Shu Changfeng. In an instant, his heart was struck by the noble moral principle—Bai Shiqi you stinky young fellow, you did not share your blessings with Laozi, however, Laozi still treats you like a brother. But look, now you have been violated by Cousin Brother!
Bai Shiqi who was still crouching on the ground, turned her head and looked at him in astonishment, and deeply admired his brain circuit—This youngster had most probably been to male brothels, his mind must be filled with strange thoughts.
However, her astonished expression, in Zhao Ziheng’s eyes, looked as if she was shocked and humiliated after being molested by Cousin Brother. Zhao Ziheng recalled the past when the brothers had just got to know each other and sighed with emotion: Even if Cousin Brother is almighty, I can’t let my brother be humiliated!
It was his decision to introduce Bai Shiqi and Zhao Wujiu, and he was also the one who led him aboard, so he should be responsible for Bai Shiqi’s innocence. Aggrievedly and acting as if he was striking the drum to report injustice: “Cousin Brother, even with your lofty identity, you cannot just bully my brother, right?” He bent over and pulled Bai Shiqi up, and while rushing out: “Shiqi, don’t be afraid, you have me for everything!”
The two left the cabin like a gust of wind, leaving only the pair of Shu Changfeng and his master staring at them.
Shu Changfeng: “If there is nothing else, this subordinate asks to be excused.” Then he hastily left the scene.
There was only Zhao Wujiu left in the cabin. He heard the sound of footsteps outside and moved the wheelchair closer to the side of the wall adjacent to Bai Shiqi’s cabin. His expressionless face atop the dark patterned wheelchair, seemingly like a copper bell sticking to the cabin wall.
Zhao Ziheng drew the person into the cabin next door, and Bai Shiqi threw his arm away, with a lowered voice she said: “It’s alright ah, brother! Isn’t it just for show, just now you made a ruckus with Cousin Brother so you don’t have to wake up in the morning to do horse stance, right?”
“Nonsense!” Zhao Ziheng tried to justify himself in a low voice: “Brother, I did not hesitate to offend Cousin Brother for you, even if you’re not moved, at least don’t slander me!” Under Bai Shiqi’s sarcastic gaze, he added embarrassedly: “It is true that I attach great importance to our relationship, and will not hesitate to sacrifice a little bit for you, while conveniently… conveniently let Cousin Brother feel my anger, so maybe tomorrow I can be excused from the morning exercise.”
Bai Shiqi sneered at him: “I knew you were only planning for yourself!”
Zhao Ziheng reclined on the bed and sighed in comfort, then he spoke about Zhao Wujiu’s affairs: “Don’t you know, Cousin Brother is a cold person. I have many cousin brothers, but he is the only one who is not easy to get close to. He is usually so busy with handling national affairs and has not married at this age, making his parents dying from anxiety. On top of that, now he has hurt his legs, such bad luck.”
Bai Shiqi: “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. You said that your cousin brother’s identity is lofty and he is busy with national affairs, in the end, what kind of lofty identity is it?” The two had known each other for many years, and he always boasted that his family was filthy rich. Bai Shiqi conveniently only thought of him as some typical rich kid. However, now she was aware that within his family there was a cousin brother with a supposedly lofty identity. Therefore, his status should not be low.
Chapter 04 : Willing to Sacrifice Oneself for the Brotherhood
Zhao Wujiu had been in charge of the army for many years, and he demanded exact compliance. If he ordered you to go, you go, and if he forbade, you stop. Normally, just from the pressuring gaze within his eyes, the soldiers would inevitably feel uneasy in their hearts and would question themselves whether they had done something inappropriate.
His prestige in the army was not because of his status, rather because of years being on the frontline, he took the lead in every war, and his ability to strategize. However, it seemed like he did not have it easy in dealing with a pain in the neck like this Bai Shiqi.
Bai Shiqi was not afraid of him. She acted like someone naïve and pretended she did not see his pressuring gaze. She spoke about the local customs alongside the canal and invited passionately: “Staying cooped up inside the cabin for long periods will not be good for Cousin Brother’s health. When we get to the next town, the ship will need to replenish foods and other provisions, at that time, why don’t we get off the ship and stroll around?”
Zhao Ziheng’s complexion darkened: Cousin Brother’s legs…… My brother, do you not have eyes?
Zhao Wujiu lost the feeling in both of his legs, he did not even participate in the banquets held by the empress. He rejected all visitors aside from the visiting imperial physicians, nobody without any exception could meet him.
Shu Changfeng was holding his breath at the side, his expression nervous. He predicted that Bai Shiqi’s offer will face rejection, however, he did not know whether this will arouse his master’s ire or not.
Zhao Wujiu’s sharp gaze fell on his legs, then he stared directly at Bai Shiqi.
He wanted to know if this glib-tongued youngster before his eyes had invited him sincerely in good faith, or just making use of this opportunity to ridicule his legs.
Bai Shiqi’s pair of eyes were bright like stars, with red lips and white teeth, she was unexpectedly good looking, even the words said were somewhat pleasant to hear: “The scenery from each side of the canal is different. Being stuck on the ship for a long time, it will be tiresome only looking at familiar faces every day. Now that we have the opportunity to get off and walk around, taste the local delicacies, and listen to the folk songs, what a nice way to spend leisure time.”
Zhao Wujiu did not see the slightest bit of ridiculing expression from her eyes, her manner of speaking was also normal, and she even turned a blind eye towards the fact that he was sitting in a wheelchair.
“With me being like this, can I just walk around as I wish?” His heart felt uneasy, and his tone was harsh.
Bai Shiqi was very confused: “Why can’t you? Compared to walking with one’s own legs, sitting in a wheelchair is much more comfortable.” She leaned closer to look: “However, this wheelchair is broken!” Nobody knew where did she pull a dagger’s sheath from, she tapped around the wheelchair with it.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Zhao Ziheng was stunned, he thought about pulling his foolish brother back, as to avoid being kicked by Cousin Brother’s feet, but then he recalled the matter of doing horse stance miserably by himself, and stopped this train of thought.
Shu Changfeng was even more stupefied.
Zhao Wujiu was absolutely not an amiable person, to a certain extent, he could even be called cold and self-disciplined to the extreme.
After quite some time, Bai Shiqi had already checked from the wheel on the left side to the wheel on the right side. Now she moved to the front side, and lifted the blanket that was covering Zhao Wujiu’s legs, attempting to look at the pedal at the bottom.
She leaned very close. Zhao Wujiu lowered his head, and his eyes fell precisely on her face, he unexpectedly found that her eyelashes were thick and curled. He was about to move the wheel, preparing to retreat backward. His mind was slightly distracted, which was a rare occurrence. This distraction made him drive the wheelchair forward instead, making Bai Shiqi, who did not expect this move at all, knocked her head against his knee. When she was going to fall on her back, she was pulled by him, which resulted in an even worse mistake—as now she was being held in his embrace.
Zhao Ziheng: “… …”
Shu Changfeng: “… …”
Zhao Wujiu was also startled by this turn of events. He despised being close to other people, even more so being intimately close to the point of having skin contact. The brain that was usually capable of calculating accurately suddenly stopped working, and he mercilessly pushed the shoulder of the person in his bosom.
Bai Shiqi tried to get up at the same time her buttock was about to sink down, her body was lowered, and so, when she raised her head, it was met with Zhao Wujiu’s rough big palm……
Zhao Ziheng covered his eyes and screamed bewilderingly: “Cousin Brother, it is now clear to me as to why you refuse to get married after so many years. Even if you like men, you can’t start with my brother, okay?!”
Shu Changfeng: “… …”
Shu Changfeng was deeply humored by the repeated coincidences in front of him, and with Zhao Ziheng’s stupefied expression, he did not need to add any more unnecessary remarks.
From the onlookers’ point of view, just now Bai Shiqi had been inspecting the front part of the wheelchair, afterward… Master had pulled into his embrace, and nothing could be said about that. However, when Bai Shiqi raised the head, Master would unexpectedly… unexpectedly stroked someone’s household’s young lad’s face…
This passionate move was not good at all!
Zhao Wujiu: “Shut up!”
What Zhao Ziheng had seen with his eyes was similar to those seen by Shu Changfeng. In an instant, his heart was struck by the noble moral principle—Bai Shiqi you stinky young fellow, you did not share your blessings with Laozi, however, Laozi still treats you like a brother. But look, now you have been violated by Cousin Brother!
Bai Shiqi who was still crouching on the ground, turned her head and looked at him in astonishment, and deeply admired his brain circuit—This youngster had most probably been to male brothels, his mind must be filled with strange thoughts.
However, her astonished expression, in Zhao Ziheng’s eyes, looked as if she was shocked and humiliated after being molested by Cousin Brother. Zhao Ziheng recalled the past when the brothers had just got to know each other and sighed with emotion: Even if Cousin Brother is almighty, I can’t let my brother be humiliated!
It was his decision to introduce Bai Shiqi and Zhao Wujiu, and he was also the one who led him aboard, so he should be responsible for Bai Shiqi’s innocence. Aggrievedly and acting as if he was striking the drum to report injustice: “Cousin Brother, even with your lofty identity, you cannot just bully my brother, right?” He bent over and pulled Bai Shiqi up, and while rushing out: “Shiqi, don’t be afraid, you have me for everything!”
The two left the cabin like a gust of wind, leaving only the pair of Shu Changfeng and his master staring at them.
Shu Changfeng: “If there is nothing else, this subordinate asks to be excused.” Then he hastily left the scene.
There was only Zhao Wujiu left in the cabin. He heard the sound of footsteps outside and moved the wheelchair closer to the side of the wall adjacent to Bai Shiqi’s cabin. His expressionless face atop the dark patterned wheelchair, seemingly like a copper bell sticking to the cabin wall.
Zhao Ziheng drew the person into the cabin next door, and Bai Shiqi threw his arm away, with a lowered voice she said: “It’s alright ah, brother! Isn’t it just for show, just now you made a ruckus with Cousin Brother so you don’t have to wake up in the morning to do horse stance, right?”
“Nonsense!” Zhao Ziheng tried to justify himself in a low voice: “Brother, I did not hesitate to offend Cousin Brother for you, even if you’re not moved, at least don’t slander me!” Under Bai Shiqi’s sarcastic gaze, he added embarrassedly: “It is true that I attach great importance to our relationship, and will not hesitate to sacrifice a little bit for you, while conveniently… conveniently let Cousin Brother feel my anger, so maybe tomorrow I can be excused from the morning exercise.”
Bai Shiqi sneered at him: “I knew you were only planning for yourself!”
Zhao Ziheng reclined on the bed and sighed in comfort, then he spoke about Zhao Wujiu’s affairs: “Don’t you know, Cousin Brother is a cold person. I have many cousin brothers, but he is the only one who is not easy to get close to. He is usually so busy with handling national affairs and has not married at this age, making his parents dying from anxiety. On top of that, now he has hurt his legs, such bad luck.”
Bai Shiqi: “I’ve been meaning to ask you something. You said that your cousin brother’s identity is lofty and he is busy with national affairs, in the end, what kind of lofty identity is it?” The two had known each other for many years, and he always boasted that his family was filthy rich. Bai Shiqi conveniently only thought of him as some typical rich kid. However, now she was aware that within his family there was a cousin brother with a supposedly lofty identity. Therefore, his status should not be low.
