Chapter 115 Northern Di Woman

Chapter 115: The Northern Di Women

Lin Nanshu poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip.

As his mind wandered, he realized that the women Cheng Ge had mentioned, by their names alone, did not seem to be from the Great Zhou.

Instead, they appeared to be more like names used by the Dongyi or the Northern Di people. With this in mind, he couldn't help but look at Cheng Ge.

His mind recalled the image of Cheng Ge doing a handstand and kicking his legs, and he thought to himself that this woman must surely be skilled in martial arts.

He had heard that Dongyi women were mostly petite and delicate, while Northern Di women were tall, sturdy, and skilled in combat.

The women Cheng Ge admired must be from the Northern Di, he concluded.

Lin Nanshu gently held the edge of his teacup, looking at Cheng Ge with some worry.

Although Cheng Ge knew some martial arts, he was ultimately frail. If he married such a woman, there was no guarantee he wouldn't be bullied.

The mere thought of Cheng Ge being beaten and kicked by his wife made Lin Nanshu's heart ache as if pricked by needles.

Lin Nanshu's eyes shifted, and he said softly, "I also think she's not a suitable match."

Cheng Ge, not overthinking it, nodded and opened the package Lü Rou had brought, starting to chow down.

But before he could take a few bites, someone entered.

Fu Quan walked in with a beaming face, walked up quickly with small steps and said with a grin, "Master Cheng, His Majesty requests your presence."

Cheng Ge paused in the middle of picking up food, exchanging a glance with Lin Nanshu. What did this Dog Emperor want from him now?

Could it be that he wanted to punish him again?

At this thought, Cheng Ge quickly grabbed several pieces of chicken and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing frantically... His little mouth moved nonstop like a motor.

His expression was ferocious, thinking that even if he were to die, he would die with a full belly.

Seeing this, Fu Quan quickly said, "Master Cheng, no need to rush. Take your time eating; speak after you're full."

Lü Rou hurriedly poured him a cup of tea, and Lin Nanshu gently patted his back, afraid he might choke.

Cheng Ge wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, put down his bowl and chopsticks, and stood up to follow Fu Quan.

"Muyu, wait a moment," Lin Nanshu suddenly called out, and Cheng Ge turned to look at him.

Lin Nanshu whispered a few words to a nearby servant. The servant nodded and quickly left.

Soon, the servant returned, holding something in his hand, and handed it directly to Lin Nanshu.

"What's this?" Cheng Ge asked curiously, leaning in.

Lin Nanshu took the item, walked over, crouched down, and slowly tied it around Cheng Ge's knee.

"Wearing this will make your knees feel better," Lin Nanshu said softly as he tied it, his movements gentle and focused.

Cheng Ge watched Lin Nanshu's downcast eyes, feeling a warm surge in his heart.

The more he looked at him, the more Lin Nanshu seemed to radiate a kind of maternal glow.

His thoughts suddenly veered, and he thought to himself: if only this person were a woman, how great that would be.

After tying it, Lin Nanshu stood up and patted Cheng Ge's shoulder. "Go on. Be careful on the way."

Cheng Ge nodded and strode out behind Fu Quan.

As soon as they stepped out of the Imperial Prison's gate, over a dozen guards immediately surrounded him.

Cheng Ge thought: Are they afraid I'll try to escape?

Fu Quan led Cheng Ge to the carriage that had been prepared, silently speculating on the emperor's intentions.

The carriage moved smoothly along the way, but Cheng Ge was restless inside, occasionally lifting the curtain to peek out.

Cheng Ge followed Fu Quan through a long corridor until they reached the Imperial Study.

Zhou Mingqi was sitting at his desk reviewing memorials, not lifting his head when his peripheral vision caught Cheng Ge entering.

Cheng Ge bowed slightly as he stepped forward, went down on one knee, and prepared to kneel. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor..."

"No need for formalities," Zhou Mingqi interrupted before Cheng Ge's knees could touch the ground.

The moment the words fell, Cheng Ge immediately stood up straight and stood to the side with his head hung low.

"Fu Quan, offer him a seat." Fu Quan quickly had someone bring in a chair.

Cheng Ge was taken aback. Had this Dog Emperor changed his ways today? But he dared not disobey, so he sat down without a fuss.

Cheng Ge clasped his hands on his knees, looked down at the floor, and avoided looking at Zhou Mingqi.

Zhou Mingqi continued annotating memorials in red, looking very focused.

Cheng Ge found it boring, fiddling with the knee guard Lin Nanshu had tied for him and biting back a yawn.

About the time it takes to burn an incense stick later, Zhou Mingqi finally set down his brush and turned his gaze to Cheng Ge.

By then, Cheng Ge was sitting upright, eyes lowered and half-closed, swaying slightly from side to side.

"Cheng Muyu, come forward," Zhou Mingqi said, picking up the tea beside him.

Startled, Cheng Ge's small frame gave a sudden jerk. He quickly opened his eyes and blinked hard.

Jeez, he nearly fell asleep again.

He immediately stood up, walked briskly to Zhou Mingqi, and stood properly, his head so low it nearly touched the floor.

Zhou Mingqi set down his teacup, scanned him up and down, and reached out to feel his forehead.

Cheng Ge flinched inside and quickly stepped back, thinking: what mischief is this Dog Emperor planning now?

Zhou Mingqi's hand hung in the air before slowly withdrawing. "Is the wound on your head fully healed?"

"Thanks for your concern, Your Majesty, it has almost fully recovered."

Cheng Ge's tone was flat, clearly still holding a grudge about that beating.

Zhou Mingqi knew his temperament somewhat and let it slide. "Have you had a meal?"

Fu Quan glanced back and forth between them, quietly placed a chair beside the desk.

Cheng Ge, not sure what he was doing, dutifully answered, "I've had a bit to eat, Your Majesty."

Unspoken meaning: I ate, but I'm not full.

Zhou Mingqi grunted in acknowledgment, turned his head and ordered, "Have some food and snacks brought in." Fu Quan acknowledged the order and left.

Cheng Ge: "!!!" No way! What luck?

Before long, several palace attendants came in carrying dishes and set up a small table.

Cheng Ge looked at the food, and his stomach let out two embarrassing growls.

He pressed his lips together in embarrassment. Zhou Mingqi pointed at the table and said, "Have some food first."

"Oh... thanks for the food, Your Majesty."

Cheng Ge quickly bowed to Zhou Mingqi, then without holding back, sat down and began to eat.

At first he managed to maintain some restraint, but he quickly lost all restraint.

Zhou Mingqi's gaze involuntarily drifted toward Cheng Ge. Seeing him like this, his hand paused mid-motion.

"So, how are you settling into the imperial prison?"

Cheng Ge looked up, his cheeks still slightly bulging, mulling over what he meant by that.

If he said he was used to it, would that mean he'd have to stay there forever?

But if he said he wasn't used to it, would he come off as ungrateful?

Tch... can't a guy just eat in peace?

His thoughts spun, his eyes darted, and he came up with a compromise: "Hmm... it's actually not bad. I can sleep anywhere."

Zhou Mingqi nodded and was about to say something, but Cheng Ge spoke up again.

"But I heard from the steward that Dahuang at home hasn't been eating or sleeping well lately. The dog's lost a lot of weight. Maybe he's just missing me too much..."

Zhou Mingqi: "..."