kingnovel Chapter 629 I appoint you as the General of Zhenbei
Chapter 629 I appoint you as the General of Zhenbei
Lin Cheng didn't care at all. Instead, he gently held his wrist and said with a bit of mischief in his tone: "The Buddha is compassionate and won't care about these things. What's more, we didn't do anything against the will of heaven and earth. We were just being gentle to each other."
Jiang Luo was amused by his words and shook his head helplessly: "You are a person who always comes up with a lot of crooked ideas."
Seeing him smile, Lin Cheng felt relieved. He lowered his head and kissed his forehead gently: "Xiao Luo, do you know that when you smile, you are more beautiful than the scenery of Qingshan Temple?"
Jiang Luo's face turned even redder. He lowered his eyes, not daring to look directly at Lin Cheng, but a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He gently raised his hand and stroked Lin Cheng's cheek, his fingertips gently brushing across his brow bone, and whispered, "Xiao Lin, sometimes I really feel that everything is too beautiful, so beautiful that it scares me a little."
A trace of heartache flashed in Lin Cheng's eyes. He held Jiang Luo's hand and gently kissed his fingertips: "You have to think like this. Our Xiao Luo is so beautiful and deserves all this. There is no need to be afraid or hesitant. It is my pride to let you have all this."
Jiang Luo's heart was beating fast. He raised his head and his eyes met Lin Cheng's. There seemed to be countless emotions intertwined in their eyes. He bit his lower lip lightly and whispered, "Xiao Linzi, I want... I want to be closer to you."
A hint of tenderness flashed in Lin Cheng's eyes. He gently approached Jiang Luo, and the distance between them was so close that they could almost hear each other's heartbeat. His fingers gently stroked Jiang Luo's cheek, with a bit of pity and doting. Jiang Luo closed his eyes slightly, feeling the familiar warmth, and the uneasiness in his heart was gradually soothed.
Lin Cheng whispered: "Xiao Luo, don't be afraid, I'm here."
Jiang Luo nodded, his voice as soft as a whisper: "I know, I feel at ease with you here."
Lin Cheng's movements were gentle and restrained, as if he was afraid of disturbing this rare tranquility. His fingers gently brushed Jiang Luo's hair, and the temperature of his fingertips was like a warm breeze, bringing waves of subtle throbbing. Jiang Luo's heartbeat gradually accelerated, and his breathing became a little rapid, but he did not dodge, but slightly raised his head, allowing Lin Cheng's breath to wrap around him.
Lin Cheng's lips gently fell on Jiang Luo's forehead, like a feather falling, so soft that it was almost weightless. His movements were cautious and tentative, as if he was confirming Jiang Luo's feelings. Jiang Luo did not refuse, but gently closed his eyes, with a faint smile on his lips.
"Xiao Linzi..." Jiang Luo called in a low voice, with a hint of dependence and trust in his voice.
Lin Cheng responded softly: "I'm here, Xiaoluo."
The two people's breaths intertwined, and the air was filled with an indescribable warmth. Lin Cheng's movements became more and more gentle, as if he was afraid of waking something up, but with a bit of irresistible determination. His palm gently covered the back of Jiang Luo's hand, and his fingertips tightened slightly, as if silently transmitting some kind of power.
Jiang Luo's heart gradually calmed down, and his body relaxed a lot. He felt Lin Cheng's body temperature, as if all his fatigue and anxiety were dispelled. He gently leaned on Lin Cheng's shoulder and whispered, "Xiao Lin, it's great to have you. I like you so much."
Lin Cheng chuckled, his voice low and gentle: "Xiao Luo, as long as you are here, I think everything is worth it. I like you too, just like life."
The two figures intertwined in the candlelight, as if they had merged into one. The air was filled with a peaceful and warm atmosphere, as if time had stopped at this moment, leaving only each other's breathing and heartbeat.
Lin Cheng's movements always maintained a restrained gentleness, as if he was guarding something precious. His fingers gently slid across Jiang Luo's arm, bringing a subtle touch, like a spring breeze blowing across the lake, rippling layers of water.
Jiang Luo's heart was gradually filled with a warm feeling. His body relaxed slightly, allowing Lin Cheng's breath to wrap around him. He whispered, "Xiao Lin, I'm a little tired."
Lin Cheng gently put his arm around his shoulders, his voice gentle but firm: "Then take a rest, I'm here with you."
Jiang Luo nodded and gently closed his eyes. His breathing gradually became steady, as if all his fatigue was released at this moment. Lin Cheng's eyes were always on him, full of tenderness and protection.
The candlelight flickered, and the two people cast long shadows on the wall, like a quiet painting. There was an indescribable tranquility in the air, as if all the noise was isolated, leaving only each other's company.
Lin Cheng's fingers gently brushed Jiang Luo's hair, his movements so gentle as if he was afraid to disturb his dreams. His eyes were gentle and focused, as if he was silently making some kind of promise.
Lin Cheng kissed his forehead gently, hugged him tightly in his arms, and whispered: "Xiao Luo, are you okay?"
Jiang Luo's breathing gradually calmed down. His face was still a little flushed, his eyes were a little blurry, but there was a satisfied smile on the corner of his mouth. He nodded gently and whispered, "I'm fine, Xiao Linzi, thank you."
Lin Cheng chuckled and lowered his head to kiss his lips: "What are you thanking me for? Making you comfortable and giving you happiness is what I should do."
Jiang Luo's face turned red again. He gently pushed Lin Cheng's chest and whispered, "You are always like this, not serious at all."
Lin Cheng didn't care at all. Instead, he hugged him tighter and whispered, "In front of Xiao Luo, I don't want to be serious. I just want to love you well."
Jiang Luo felt warm in his heart. He leaned gently in Lin Cheng's arms, feeling his body temperature and heartbeat. The inexplicable emptiness in his heart seemed to be completely dispelled. He whispered, "Xiao Lin, I feel... I feel like we have been together for a long time."
A hint of tenderness flashed in Lin Cheng's eyes. He gently stroked Jiang Luo's hair and whispered, "Maybe. Maybe we were a couple in our previous life. We met again in this life and are destined to be together."
Jiang Luo nodded gently, with a bit of emotion in his eyes: "If that's true, how great it would be! I never want to be separated from you."
Lin Cheng chuckled and bent down to kiss his forehead: "No matter what happened in the past life, we will be together in this life and never separate."
Jiang Luo's heart was beating fast. He raised his head and his eyes met Lin Cheng's. There seemed to be countless emotions intertwined in their eyes. He nodded gently and whispered, "Okay, we will never separate."
The night at Qingshan Temple made Jiang Luo and Lin Cheng closer. When they returned to the capital, they finally received the emperor's decree, asking Lin Cheng to go to the palace to meet him early the next morning.
Jiang Luo finally felt relieved: "Thank God, the emperor finally agreed to see you. Remember, no matter what happens tomorrow, follow the emperor's wishes and don't anger him."
Lin Cheng said without much concern: "Everyone follows him. If even I follow him, then what's the point of him being the emperor? Don't worry! I'm here, there won't be any problems."
The next morning, before the sky in the capital was bright, Lin Cheng was already dressed and ready to go to the palace to meet the emperor. Jiang Luo stood at the door, his eyes full of worry, his fingers twisting his sleeves unconsciously, as if he wanted to squeeze all the anxiety in his heart into his palm.
"Xiao Luo, don't worry." Lin Cheng turned around and reached out to gently touch Jiang Luo's cheek. The warmth of his fingertips comforted him a little. "I will be careful."
Jiang Luo nodded, but his brows were still furrowed. "Xiao Linzi, the emperor is thoughtful, you must not be careless. If he mentions the princes' factional disputes, you must respond with caution."
Lin Cheng chuckled, lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on Jiang Luo's forehead: "Don't worry, I know what to do. You just wait for me at home, and we'll go to Xishi to eat your favorite wonton restaurant in the evening."
Jiang Luo was amused by his words, and the tension in his heart was slightly relieved. He gently pushed Lin Cheng's chest and whispered, "You are always like this, not serious at all."
Lin Cheng didn't care, instead he pulled him into his arms and whispered, "I've said before, I don't want to be serious in front of Xiao Luo. I just want you to feel at ease."
Jiang Luo felt warm in his heart. He leaned in Lin Cheng's arms, listening to his strong heartbeat. The uneasiness in his heart seemed to be dispelled little by little. He whispered, "Xiao Linzi, you must come back safely."
Lin Cheng nodded, loosened his arms, and looked at Jiang Luo firmly: "Wait for me."
The palace in the early morning was solemn and dignified. The golden morning sun shone on the vermilion palace walls, reflecting a brilliant scene. Lin Cheng, dressed in official uniform and with a solemn expression, followed the eunuchs' lead, passed through the palace gates and came to the imperial study.
The eunuch bowed and said in a low voice: "General Lin, the emperor is waiting for you inside."
Lin Cheng nodded slightly, straightened his clothes, and stepped into the imperial study.
In the imperial study, the emperor was sitting behind the dragon table, holding a memorial in his hand, his eyes deep and sharp. Seeing Lin Cheng coming in, he slowly put down the memorial, his eyes fell on Lin Cheng like a knife.
"Your servant Lin Cheng pays homage to His Majesty." Cheng Lin knelt on one knee, his voice steady and powerful.
The emperor did not immediately ask him to stand up. Instead, he was silent for a moment before he spoke calmly, "General Lin, do you know why I summoned you to the palace?"
Lin Cheng raised his head and looked directly at the emperor, not avoiding the emperor: "I am stupid, please explain clearly, Your Majesty."
The emperor sneered, his tone was a little mocking: "Oh, you are pretending to be innocent. Let me ask you, what is your relationship with Ci Jinglin?"
Lin Cheng remained calm and replied, "Lord Ci is my close friend and colleague."
The emperor's eyes became sharper, and his tone was oppressive: "Friends? Colleagues? General Lin, you know that many people in the court have been talking about the unusual relationship between you two. As an important official in the court, you acted so rashly, have you ever thought about the consequences?"
Lin Cheng's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, but his tone remained steady: "Your Majesty, I and Lord Ci are upright and have a clear conscience. As for what others say, I cannot control it. But I think that important officials of the court should focus on state affairs instead of getting entangled in meaningless rumors. The sage said that one should not talk about others behind their backs. What's the difference between what they do and gossip?"
The emperor frowned when he heard this, and said with a hint of anger: "General Lin, are you blaming me?"
Lin Cheng did not give in, his eyes were firm: "I dare not. I just think that Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and you should understand my loyalty. I am dedicated to the country and have no second thoughts. As for other things... Your Majesty, that is my private matter. Your Majesty is busy with all kinds of affairs. Why should you worry about my little matter?"
The emperor was silent for a moment, his eyes scanning Lin Cheng's face, as if examining every expression on his face. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "General Lin! Do you know that the Northern Border Guard has always been the focus of competition among the princes? If I hand over the Northern Border Guard to you, can you guarantee that you will not be involved in party disputes?"
Lin Cheng replied without hesitation: "I am willing to guarantee with my life that I will never get involved in party disputes. I am only loyal to the emperor and the court. As for the princes, they should fight for their own rights. I am a weapon for the country and I am willing to serve the emperor at my utmost."
Lin Cheng said these words without any burden. He just wanted to gain the emperor's trust. He was quite good at manipulating the emperor.
There was a hint of admiration in the emperor's eyes, but his tone was still cold: "General Lin, you know that if you break your promise, I will never forgive you."
Lin Cheng straightened his back, his eyes were sharp, "I understand. If I break my oath, I will be cut into pieces."
The emperor was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed, with a hint of deep meaning in his laughter: "Good! General Lin is indeed a straightforward person. I like your courage."
He stood up, walked to Lin Cheng, patted his shoulder with his hand, and said with some appreciation: "General Lin, I appoint you as the General of Zhenbei, commanding the northern border defense army. I hope you will live up to my expectations."
Lin Cheng's heart trembled, but his face remained calm. He kowtowed and said, "I accept your order. Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
The emperor nodded, his eyes full of meaning: "General Lin, the Northern Frontier Defense Force is of great importance, you must act with caution. If anyone dares to obstruct you, you can report it directly to me."
Lin Cheng nodded in agreement, but he knew in his heart that the emperor was giving him power and also testing him.
The emperor turned back to the dragon table and said with a warning in his tone: "General Lin, I hope you can understand that what I give you, I can also take back. I hope you cherish this opportunity."
Lin Cheng stood up, his eyes firm: "I understand. I will not let down the emperor's kindness."
The emperor waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw: "Go and prepare well."
Lin Cheng bowed and turned to leave the imperial study.
The moment he walked out of the palace gate, Lin Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, but his vigilance did not diminish at all. He knew that although the emperor had named him the General of Zhenbei, the deeper meaning behind it was far from as simple as it seemed.
The power struggle in the capital has put him at the center of the storm. Next, he must move cautiously step by step to protect himself and Jiang Luo in this turbulent situation.
After Lin Cheng entered the palace, Jiang Luo's heart was still hanging. He paced back and forth in the yard, sometimes looking up in the direction of the palace wall, sometimes looking down in thought. Time seemed to become particularly long, and every moment seemed like a torment.
It was not until dusk that Lin Cheng appeared at the door. When Jiang Luo saw him, the heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground, and he hurriedly went to greet him: "Little Lin, you are finally back! What did the emperor say?"