The Young Master Becomes a Wife Chapter 79 Part 1

Chapter 79: En Ke

On the night after the emperor's passing, Xiao Yanchu came in plain clothes under cover of darkness to visit Jiang Rongjia, but after only saying a few words, he was driven away. After that, Xiao Yanchu obediently listened and did not come again. However, aside from his relationship with Jiang Rongjia, there were also the emperor's funeral and the new emperor's enthronement ceremony. As the crown prince, Xiao Yanchu was indispensable in all these matters, keeping him so busy he had no time to spare, so naturally, he couldn't come even if he wanted to.

The two met again a month later. It was still at the Jiang residence, in Jiang Rongjia's courtyard. Different from before, this time Xiao Yanchu came during the day, but to avoid unnecessary trouble, he was still in plain clothes and traveling incognito.

With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, to demonstrate his benevolence, a general amnesty was declared and an extra special imperial examination, known as En Ke, was announced. Although Jiang Rongjia was somewhat troubled in his heart about his relationship with Xiao Yanchu, once the edict for En Ke was issued, he temporarily set this matter aside and buried himself in books, preparing for the examination.

[恩科 (ēn kē): lit. grace examination; fig. an extra imperial examination held outside the regular schedule to celebrate a special occasion, such as a new emperor's ascension, often granting more candidates the opportunity to pass.]

Xiao Yanchu did not have the servants announce his arrival when he came. Jiang Rongjia was focused on writing an essay and did not notice his arrival for a while. Xiao Yanchu did not disturb him either, only standing quietly by Jiang Rongjia's side watching.

It wasn't until Jiang Rongjia finished an essay and lifted his sore, stiff neck that he felt a pair of warm hands land on his neck, kneading it gently but firmly, that he suddenly came back to his senses.

"Brother Mo—Your Majesty?!" Seeing that the person beside him was actually Xiao Yanchu, Jiang Rongjia was very surprised and delighted. However, the next moment, he suddenly remembered Xiao Yanchu's current status and hurriedly took a step back, avoiding Xiao Yanchu's hands, then bowed and bent his knees to perform the ceremonial greeting.

Before Jiang Rongjia could actually kneel down, Xiao Yanchu's hands firmly held his arms, directly helping him up.

Forced to stand up, Jiang Rongjia was about to say something, but Xiao Yanchu spoke first: "Is Jiajia going to keep his distance from Brother Moyan now?"

Even though he was the sovereign of all under heaven, the one who ruled over all, Jiang Rongjia seemed to hear a hint of grievance in Xiao Yanchu's tone. When he looked up, Xiao Yanchu's face had indeed lost its previous gentle smile, replaced only by full disappointment and melancholy.

Jiang Rongjia's heart clenched. He subconsciously stepped forward and hurriedly said, "Of course not..."

Only then did a smile reappear on Xiao Yanchu's face. "I knew Jiajia wouldn't ignore me."

This time, Jiang Rongjia was somewhat helpless. He deeply understood that now he and Xiao Yanchu were separated by the distinction between ruler and subject. But every time he tried to harden his heart and interact with Xiao Yanchu according to protocol and rules, to avoid causing gossip and criticism for both himself and Xiao Yanchu, Xiao Yanchu would look deeply hurt and abandoned, making Jiang Rongjia not know what to do.

Xiao Yanchu didn't know Jiang Rongjia's concerns. Seeing that Jiang Rongjia was no longer distant and reserved with him, he stepped forward, pulled Jiang Rongjia to sit on a chair, and said gently, "You've been writing essays for a long time, you must be tired. Here, let me massage you for a bit."

"Your Majesty, you must not!" Jiang Rongjia quickly stood up. Although he had said he wouldn't keep his distance from Xiao Yanchu, after all, times were different now. It was absolutely impossible for him to interact with Xiao Yanchu as casually as in the past.

"Why not?" Xiao Yanchu, however, wouldn't let Jiang Rongjia refuse. He pressed him back down and said, "Back when we were in Ningcheng, didn't we often give each other massages? Now I'll massage you first, and later you can massage me. I've been reviewing memorials for several days in a row, my neck is stiff. Jiajia, you have to give me a good massage."

When Xiao Yanchu and Jiang Rongjia lived in Ningcheng as children, besides studying and practicing calligraphy with Yan Jingshu, they also practiced martial arts for an hour every day under Jiang Chenghan's guidance. Although, considering their young age, it was only basic skills like horse stance, it still left them sore and aching every day.

During afternoon breaks or in the evening, they would help each other, taking turns massaging one another. Over time, if nothing else, they both became self-taught and quite skilled at massage techniques.

Hearing Xiao Yanchu talk about the past, Jiang Rongjia couldn't help but recall their days in the border city. Even though several years had passed, thinking about it now still felt like it was just yesterday.

"Your Majesty, are you uncomfortable?" Jiang Rongjia was initially lost in memories brought on by Xiao Yanchu's words, but upon hearing that Xiao Yanchu was uncomfortable, he immediately snapped back to attention. He then stood up, pulled Xiao Yanchu to sit on the chair he had just been sitting on without allowing refusal, rubbed his hands together vigorously a few times to warm his palms.

"I'm fine. I haven't finished massaging you yet, there's no hurry." Xiao Yanchu had actually just said that to keep Jiang Rongjia from refusing him. But Jiang Rongjia's concern for him was just like his concern for Jiang Rongjia. Knowing he was uncomfortable, Jiang Rongjia couldn't possibly remain indifferent.

"I'm really fine, it's okay without a massage. You're the one who doesn't look fine—your shoulders are as hard as wood." As Jiang Rongjia spoke, he already began applying pressure, massaging Xiao Yanchu.

Being cared for by someone he cherished naturally made Xiao Yanchu happy. Feeling Jiang Rongjia's hands repeatedly moving over his back, he couldn't help but smile contentedly and narrow his eyes in comfort. "Jiajia is so good."

Behind him, where Xiao Yanchu couldn't see, Jiang Rongjia pursed his lips, his cheeks unconsciously flushing slightly.

Xiao Yanchu didn't want to hear Jiang Rongjia call him "Your Majesty." It would be best if he could call him Brother Moyan like when they were children, but he knew that wasn't possible now, so he didn't say anything more. Then he closed his eyes, savoring this rare time alone with Jiang Rongjia.

After some time, a voice came from outside the room—it was the palace attendant who had come with Xiao Yanchu reminding him that it was time to return to the palace.