"Anyway, I'll give you enough time to sort out your plans and decide what you will do in the future."
… Although I can only execute the plan of holding you captive and taking you away from the Wang Empire if what you decide will be inconvenient for my goal.
Yusheng slowly calms down his murderous intention while lessening the tight grip he has in Wang Ling's hand, only casually holding it such that the man can easily take his hands away if he wants.
And when Wang Ling remained silent while considering Yusheng's words without pulling his hands away, well, he couldn't stop the pleasant emotion he suddenly felt.
"By the way, I plan to be on the frontline in the war between our Empire, so I can only stay with you for about two weeks."
It's enough time to slowly treat your body into a better state so that it can withstand traveling for a longer time than it normally can.
Yusheng doesn't need to explain the entire reason why he wants to mingle with the war since anyone can guess that as an Imperial Prince, the war is the perfect place to build up prestige and merits even if it's extremely dangerous.
As for easily speaking about the war when it concerns their Empire, well, depending on the individuals, one has to weigh the options, conditions, and the importance of their situation regarding how any of their actions can affect them.
And as the Imperial Princes, their hearts are more hard, cruel, and indifferent than anyone else. Even if countless people are dying and being affected because of the war, the result will be more important than anything else.
Yusheng always needs to calculate the pros and cons in every significant matter, which was the result of living in an Ancient world while being born to the Royal Family.
"For now, we have to deal with your situation regarding a certain someone. And it will be your aide who will completely inform you about the ins and outs of the whole situation after he arrives."
It's a fitting move for Wang Ling to listen to the description from his own subordinate rather than the Imperial Prince of another Empire.
As for the evidence of a certain prestigious person in the army having contacts and dealings with other important people in the Wang Empire, Yusheng will decide the next course of action depending on Wang Ling's decision.
Ah… it's so tiring to think about the schemes and plots that needed to be done… It's easier to just kill people.
Yusheng inwardly sighs before letting go of Wang Ling's hand and planning to start handling their lunch for today. At the same time, he gives Wang Ling enough time to seriously process what he just learned without his presence or any other disturbance.
"Take a rest, and I'll personally go to the market in the town to see which dish I should include in our lunch and dinner for today."
Before Yusheng can stand up, Wang Ling suddenly reaches over to pull his long sleeves while showing a surprised expression on his usually calm or smiling face.
"... You are going to cook?"
Yusheng gazes down and shows an amusing smile on his face after witnessing Wang Ling openly showing his surprise, entirely different from how he was during their solemn situation a moment ago.
"Surprise? Even though it's below my status in other people's opinion, I quite like to enter the kitchen once in a while. And you will be the third person whom I will be making food for, so make sure to eat it alright?"
Even without the memories of modern life, Yusheng usually used to make some midnight snacks for his older brother who stayed up late, continually studying hard to better serve the common people, especially the skill of ruling the Empire.
As for the Father Emperor, well, Yusheng is a bit restrained when it comes to his father even though he is favored and loved by him.
"I'll give you some space while I'm out."
Since there is a protector in the side, Yusheng can feel a bit at ease leaving the man for a while.
"... I want to come along."
"... Are you sure? Don't you want to have some time to process the information I just revealed for a while?"
Yusheng blinks his eyes in surprise at Wang Ling's decision to come along with him instead of considering his own situation.
"Mnm…After I have experienced the change in my body, I already planned to stay with you for more than two weeks. So, will you be willing to take me as your aide in the army? Of course, I also need to hide for a while to deal with the traitor and the people who want to harm me."
It isn't so bad to stay by your side and let you protect my life. And even though I can't assist with anything physical, I can use my mind to help you out.
Somehow, Wang Ling doesn't dislike the person before him, and even if there is a chance that he is wrong about the young man being the other half of his soul mark, he can continue getting along with him.
I have never felt so light and content in my entire life. The darkness and oppressive feeling of always having the feeling of being on the brink of death are being swept away.
Surprisingly, Wang Ling feels that he can be carefree without any worries in life, just by simply being in the young man's presence.
Even though there is a motive behind the young man's careful actions, it doesn't change the fact that Wang Ling can still perceive that the young man is being genuine with every action and words he is showing.
From the first time the two of them met, Wang Ling felt the young man's complete sincerity and absolute honesty, which is the main reason why he can easily accept the young man's unexpected presence in his life.
"Your Royal Highness Yusheng, you won't mind me coming along with you right?"
"Will it make you happy if I say yes?"
Rather than thinking of the possibility of causing trouble or being a spy during the war between their Empire, Yusheng is more thinking about making Wang Ling happy since it is also part of his task of taking care of him.
"Of course."
"Alright."
It's better to have you by my side. So even after returning to the Wang Empire, I won't have to worry about your health deteriorating while I'm not with you.
"I am really happy."
Wang Ling gently smiles as he stands up, and this time, he slowly takes the young man's hand and shakes it in the same movements the young man had done in front of the residence a while ago.
"It also seems that I won't be called the short-lived Prince in the future. And since there is a possibility of having a longer life… I'm far more curious about the world around me."
Wang Ling gently pulls the young man towards the door, and at the same time, he inwardly cherishes being able to stand and walk without the usual pressure that constantly wrecks his body.
"Rather than always learning everything from books alone, I want to personally see and experience the world around me. You will accompany me, right?"
Wang Ling has never smiled so brightly in his entire life, turning around to gaze at the young man being obediently pulled outside the residence. He suddenly feels that his life that could be taken away at any moment has become more precious than it usually is.
All these years, he had been numb because of the constant pain from the unusual presence that has been eating his life away.
The unreasonable hostility from his own half-brother and half-sisters, even the sudden betrayal of the person he considered to be different from his royal family made it hard to see the world as a brighter place.
The only reason Wang Ling has never given up and has continued surviving all these years is due to the actions of those people, which were both good to bad.
To spite the people who wanted him dead, to not trample in the life that his Imperial Mother desperately tried to protect, to not disappoint the hope and love the Xing Tribe has always shown because of being the son of the leader's favored daughter.
There is also the desperate and miserable way in which his Father Emperor had tried extremely hard to keep him safe despite having a lower authority and power even if he is the ruler of the Wang Empire.
Wang Ling has continued to live because of those situations, but the main reason has always been to meet the other half of his soul mark.
"... Alright, I will accompany you."
And since this is also your wish… I will make sure to remember it.
Yusheng doesn't care about the world around him; after two lifetimes, the wonder of the world doesn't excite him anymore. Everything is just dull, and he is more interested in his goal and mission.
And yet, seeing how Wang Ling hasn't experienced the thrill and joy of life, Yusheng feels that it's his responsibility to let the man feel content and have less regret in life.
So that whatever happens in their future, at least, he can feel a bit relieved to have done one proper action in his life.
… I also owe this to you…
Yusheng again feels the throb in his left eye, completely reminding him of what kind of existence Wang Ling is in his life, aside from the mission.
Somehow, he surprisingly feels remorseful in his heart after being reminded of the fact that they hadn't got the chance to meet in their previous life.
It shouldn't be surprising for Yusheng to find his heart being affected by such strong emotions. There is a special reason why the soul marks existence as precious.
And yet, I am the one who let go and gave up after years of being unable to meet each other, causing the soul mark to disappear because of my actions.
It wouldn't have mattered if Yusheng didn't meet the person who carried his soul mark, but after meeting and getting to know each other, he suddenly finds that he owed Wang Ling just as much as his Imperial Older Brother.
… I will not reveal about the soul mark… but I promise to take care of you for the rest of my whole life...