Mu Hanzhang saw him change the topic again. He frowned and slowly fiddled with the tip of the fluffy tail with his thumb. "If you want to see the number one scholar, after the parade is the Qionglin banquet. Why do you want to watch the parade alone in Hui Wei Restaurant?"
"Isn't it the same?" Jing Shao took the tail from Mu Hanzhang and also played with it.
Mu Hanzhang was amused by his childish behavior and pinched his fingers. "It's not like I don't let you touch me on normal days; why do you always become so crazy during the Muxiu holiday? You are young and voracious now, but you will suffer when you're old."
"It's not my fault; who made you so attractive all the time..." Jing Shao said softly as he inched close to rest on his Wang Fei's pillow.
Mu Hanzhang used his palm to push away the big head that was breathing out warm air on him. "Speak properly: supporting those people– what are you trying to do?"
"Wawu!" When Xiao Huang saw its master's action, it also used its paws to push at Jing Shao's face. The soft paw pads on his face and the fur between the claws pressed to his nose made Jing Shao sneeze again.
Jing Shao grabbed the tiger, stuffed it into the quilt, and pressed down the corner of the quilt with his arm to prevent the tiger from wriggling out. "It's just a precaution. I won't use it unless I have to."
"What are you taking precautions against?" Mu Hanzhang didn't plan to just let him be as vague as in the past. The private army was a hidden danger, and it cost a lot of money. If it wasn't absolutely essential, there really was no need to take this risk.
Jing Shao lowered his eyes and sighed. "I've fought so many battles over the years, from the northwest to the southeast. I've never lost a battle or a city. I've opened up territory for Dachen for thousands of miles. If you were imperial father, what would you think?"
Mu Hanzhang was stunned. "You mean..."
The death of the cunning rabbit, boiling alive the running dog, shooting down a flying bird with a good bow; the monarchs of all the dynasties had had little tolerance for military generals who achieved great success. But Jing Shao was a prince. Even he would not be able to escape suspicion?
"In order for my brother to ascend the throne, I have to hold part of the military power in my hands, preferably in Jiangnan. I don't know how many years it will take, and I don't know what will happen in that period. We always need to leave a way out for the both of us." Jing Shao sighed. The matter of returning military power and then being slaughtered by others which occurred in his last life must never happen again. Even if he had to go down the worst path, he still had to protect Jun Qing at all costs.
Mu Hanzhang looked up at him. Given Emperor Hong Zhang's character, even if he doted on and trusted Jing Shao now, if he perceived any threat to the imperial power, Mu Hanzhang believed that the monarch wouldn't hesitate to dispose of his son. Born in the imperial family, and without his mother's protection, there was no room to mediate with his father, so Jing Shao's heart was always restless.
Seeing the worry on his Wang Fei's face, Jing Shao pinched his face with a smile. "Don't worry, this is only just in case, and I've always been very careful. Things shouldn't go that far."
Mu Hanzhang quietly looked at him, slowly moved closer and placed a gentle kiss on one corner of his smile. "Don't worry, I support you."
This simple sentence was better than a thousand words of comfort. Jing Shao blanked for a long time before he could react; his Wang Fei unexpectedly took the initiative to give him a kiss. It was just a gentle little kiss, but how could he explain the great joy in his heart? He threw himself at his Wang Fei to kiss him back. "Wawu!" Xiao Huang, who had been battling with the quilt for 300 rounds, was finally able to tunnel out, and Jing Shao, who was overjoyed, was immediately met with a mouthful of fur.
