{"id":7743,"date":"2026-01-06T09:19:39","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T08:19:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=7743"},"modified":"2026-01-06T09:19:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T08:19:39","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-96-2-listening-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-96-2-listening-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn’t! – Chapter 96.2: Listening to You"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Sympathy? Do you think after I heard about this, my feelings toward you are sympathy? Then tell me, before I woke up, did you ever sympathize with me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong\u2019s grip on Qu Yunmie\u2019s hand tightened slightly. Qu Yunmie looked away, glanced at Xiao Rong\u2019s knuckles turning white from gripping hard, then looked back at him. \u201cSo, no.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie was silent for a moment, then continued, \u201cHave you noticed you\u2019ve always been guarding against me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong raised his eyes. His gaze was somewhat fierce, but Qu Yunmie remained calm. \u201cBy my past words and deeds, I\u2019m not a good commander or a good Northern Garrison King. So every time, when you assume I caused the trouble, I didn\u2019t blame you for that. But in front of you… I always showed the best of myself. Yet you always misunderstood my meaning, attributed to me thoughts I never had. You seem to believe I\u2019ll hurt you sooner or later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong could no longer maintain his fierceness. Qu Yunmie\u2019s words rushed into his mind, making him uneasy. At that moment, his hand was suddenly held by Qu Yunmie, who didn\u2019t use much force, only a gentle grip that made Xiao Rong loosen his hold.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie\u2019s hand was warm, but Xiao Rong\u2019s hand was cold like an ice cube. Qu Yunmie frowned, covering Xiao Rong\u2019s fist with one hand. Knowing Xiao Rong wouldn\u2019t want to hear this, he still asked, \u201cXiao Rong, have you ever thought about why you fear me when you aren\u2019t afraid of anyone else in this world?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Suddenly, Xiao Rong pulled his hand away from Qu Yunmie, sneered coldly, and retorted stiffly, \u201cDon\u2019t flatter yourself. I\u2019ve never been afraid of you. I just\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He didn\u2019t know how to finish the sentence. Qu Yunmie looked at him and finished it for him. \u201cYou just inexplicably became like this. It\u2019s not your choice, and it\u2019s not something you can figure out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie shouldn\u2019t have said that because after he did, visibly, Xiao Rong calmed down. He lowered his head, took a deep breath, then raised his head again. \u201cBeing physically weak doesn\u2019t mean my heart is weak. I don\u2019t want to be a burden to anyone. I don\u2019t want to see a general give up fighting on the battlefield just because he worries about me. Your Majesty, your life has been magnificent, your era has just begun, and you shouldn\u2019t become a stagnant pool at this time. If you give up your freedom because of me, that\u2019s when I would really hate you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie absorbed his words but was puzzled about one thing. \u201cBut you also said you didn\u2019t want me to act impulsively and hoped I would cherish my life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong lowered his eyes and suddenly laughed. \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After laughing, with the afterglow, he looked up again but without any smile in his eyes. \u201cThis is who I am, Your Majesty. Something I can\u2019t do myself, but I hope you can. I want you to continue with your glorious warlike spirit, to conquer and overwhelm. I want you safe and victorious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He smiled again at Qu Yunmie, but Qu Yunmie really couldn\u2019t smile with him because Xiao Rong didn\u2019t look well. His smile was self-mocking, and though he spoke jokingly, anyone could hear the self-disgust in his words.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong probably didn\u2019t realize this because he still asked Qu Yunmie, \u201cYour Majesty, do you think I still look like a gentleman now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie looked at the corner of Xiao Rong\u2019s mouth that curled up. He was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and pressed down on the dimples on both sides of Xiao Rong\u2019s face, quite childishly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie said, “I didn\u2019t like the way you forced a smile.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a pause, he added, “From a scholar\u2019s standard, you didn\u2019t look like a gentleman at all.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong\u2019s expression changed slightly. Immediately after, Qu Yunmie said the next sentence, “But by my standard, no matter what, you are fine.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He tried to step back again, but Qu Yunmie seemed to know what he was thinking. He pressed a little harder on Xiao Rong\u2019s cheeks. This seemed to be a silent warning telling Xiao Rong to listen to what he had to say.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This time, Xiao Rong really couldn\u2019t smile. He quietly looked at Qu Yunmie, who quietly looked back at him. Suddenly, Qu Yunmie smiled. Unlike Xiao Rong\u2019s forced smile, this one was truly from the heart.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie said, “I really don\u2019t know how you lived so long before meeting me. Such unreasonable demands, how could ordinary people possibly meet them?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Saying this, the smile on his face grew wider. “But I\u2019m not an ordinary person. If there is only one person in this world who can meet your expectations, that person must be me.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He had just said he wanted to see Qu Yunmie\u2019s overwhelming, imposing expression, but now that Qu Yunmie really showed that proud look, Xiao Rong had the urge to roll his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That said, after brushing away Qu Yunmie\u2019s hand, Xiao Rong touched his own cheek and realized it felt warm and was probably a bit red.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He couldn\u2019t help but mutter, “Before I met you, I wouldn\u2019t have demanded this from anyone. I was originally a refined gentleman. After knowing you, I became hypocritical.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He said this on purpose to vent a little, but after hearing it, Qu Yunmie laughed out loud. “That\u2019s really great. I become better, you become worse. Maybe one day, we\u2019ll end up the same.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong imagined himself holding the Snow-Drinking Spear, shouting \u201ckill, kill, kill!\u201d while Qu Yunmie sat calmly behind him, squinting and chatting with others.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “…”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He got goosebumps.<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

*<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

For the second time, Jian Qiao informed Yu Shaoxie, who brought along Yu Shaocheng, whose spy network was very balanced. The royal tent was large, and Yu Shaocheng, having the best hearing, naturally stood on the front line of eavesdropping, constantly relaying conversations inside to those behind.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaocheng: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He really didn\u2019t care at all whether the King and Xiao Rong were arguing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While Yu Shaocheng was eavesdropping, Yu Shaoxie was scolding himself. “When I saw Rong\u2019s state back then, I knew his old problem recurred, but I never guessed it was this serious. No wonder Mr. Gao and others were so careful with Rong. I\u2014I was really incompetent.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaocheng\u2019s ears twitched, and he turned to ask suspiciously, “Brother, you\u2019re not related to Xiao Rong. What does your competence have to do with him?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaoxie said, “Who told you to listen to me? Listen to what\u2019s inside!”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaocheng silently turned his head back again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jian Qiao looked at Yu Shaocheng\u2019s restless appearance and couldn\u2019t help but recall his own troublesome Zhang Biezhi.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He seemed not to say more because Zhang Biezhi performed very well this time. He successfully escorted Xiao Rong and others, kept his mouth shut tightly, and in three days at the camp, didn\u2019t reveal a single thing he shouldn\u2019t. When Xiao Rong told him to leave, everyone expected Zhang Biezhi to make a fuss, but he didn\u2019t. He told Xiao Rong to take care of himself, then sadly followed Gao Xunzhi away.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

T<\/span>he kid had grown up. Finally, the day came, but Jian Qiao felt a bit strange about it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Such things could only be told to one\u2019s wife in a letter, so he put away his feelings and quietly advised Yu Shaoxie, “Sir Yu, don\u2019t blame yourself too much. If Mr. Xiao doesn\u2019t want to talk about it, how could we know? This time we owe it to the Buddhist Disciple, otherwise, we would only learn after returning to Chenliu.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaoxie pursed his lips upon hearing this.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Just arriving at the camp and causing such a big incident, Yu Shaoxie felt this wasn\u2019t so simple. Maybe the Buddhist Disciple did it on purpose.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Whatever, it wasn\u2019t the most important matter now. Yu Shaoxie patted Yu Shaocheng\u2019s shoulder and quietly asked, “What are they talking about? Are they still arguing?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaocheng replied, “They\u2019re not arguing anymore. Xiao Rong is talking to the King about rectifying the army. That some generals and scholars are undisciplined and eavesdropping on the royal tent\u2019s messages. If other soldiers followed suit, it would be bad.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaoxie: “…”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaocheng pricked up his ears again and reported, “Xiao Rong suggests corporal punishment. If caught once, twenty lashes.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jian Qiao: “…”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

They all left dejectedly. Inside the royal tent, Xiao Rong asked Qu Yunmie, “Have they left?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie nodded. “They left.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaocheng\u2019s hearing was indeed good, but Qu Yunmie\u2019s was even better. He could hear whether there was anyone outside even lying in bed, though most of the time he didn\u2019t care or say anything.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Compared to that, Xiao Rong\u2019s hearing was ordinary. If Qu Yunmie hadn\u2019t reminded him, he wouldn\u2019t have known someone was eavesdropping again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong said, “This group was raised by Chancellor Gao. We can\u2019t let them be so indulgent anymore.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie squinted, seeming to recall, “Didn\u2019t you eavesdrop with him once? Back in the palace.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “…”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

You still remember such an old thing!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a pause, he said, “I\u2019ve realized my mistakes. I won\u2019t make them again, and others shouldn\u2019t either.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie chuckled. “It\u2019s fine. You can eavesdrop on what I say anytime. I have nothing to hide from you.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong said, “That\u2019s not allowed either. Rules are rules.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie looked at him while thinking, \u2018you haven\u2019t followed any rules either.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The atmosphere had finally softened a bit, and he didn\u2019t want to ruin it, so he said something else. “You came immediately after vomiting blood, didn\u2019t you?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong\u2019s eyelashes trembled, and he said, “You know I often vomit blood, but that doesn\u2019t stop me from doing other things. My constitution is different. Spitting some blood is just detoxifying.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After speaking, he smiled at Qu Yunmie, who looked at him heavily without a word.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong was moved and said, “I know my own body. The King need not worry.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie snorted but still said nothing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a moment, he changed the subject. “King, do you still remember the last words you left?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie turned his head. He didn\u2019t understand why Xiao Rong brought it up, so he just said, “Mm.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie was a little afraid Xiao Rong intended to settle scores later, but Xiao Rong didn\u2019t mean that. He just had a question for Qu Yunmie. “Among the four generals, General Yuan was the one the King trusted most. I want to know why the King didn\u2019t give the Northern Army to him but gave it to General Jian instead.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie was stunned and recalled the situation back then. Actually, he didn\u2019t have time to think deeply, everything was arranged instinctively. After thinking carefully, it wasn\u2019t hard to guess why he did that. “Though I trusted Yuan Baifu, he wasn\u2019t as obedient to you as Jian Qiao. I didn\u2019t give the Northern Army to Jian Qiao, I gave it to you.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong quietly looked at him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Though he said \u201cobedient to you,\u201d in that scene it was actually obedient to Qu Yunmie, because they listened to Qu Yunmie first, then Xiao Rong. It seemed Qu Yunmie himself knew that at critical moments, this childhood friend wasn\u2019t trustworthy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It was unknown whether Yuan Baifu knew about this.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sympathy? Do you think after I heard about this, my feelings toward you are sympathy? Then tell me, before I woke up, did you ever sympathize with me?\u201d Xiao Rong\u2019s grip on Qu Yunmie\u2019s hand tightened slightly. Qu Yunmie looked away, glanced at Xiao Rong\u2019s knuckles turning white from gripping hard, then looked back at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-majesty","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20240106180053_200_280-1.jpg?fit=199%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7743"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7744,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7743\/revisions\/7744"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7743"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}