Chapter 5

Li Qi is definitely a man with normal sexual orientation. The hug just now was indeed very pure. When he used to work at that super five-star hotel, most of the people he interacted with were international friends, or some celebrities, tycoons, and the like. Whenever they met, regardless of familiarity, they would usually shake hands and hug. Over time, Li Qi also got used to hugging as a form of communication.

However, this is the Northern Song Dynasty. People here usually greet each other with a bow. Actions like shaking hands and hugging are considered frivolous.

Li Qi didn't realize this at first. It wasn't until he smelled the faint scent of rouge on Zhao Jing's body that he suddenly woke up.

Men in the Northern Song Dynasty use rouge?

There has never been any record of this in history, and it's even less likely that there are any cross-dressers. From Zhao Jing's appearance, Li Qi was already very sure that Zhao Jing was actually a girl, and a flat-chested one at that.

But at this moment, even if he knew, he absolutely couldn't show it.

"Hey, Brother Zhao, why are you trembling? Are you sick? If so, you should go back and rest. I have some matters to attend to at home, so I'll take my leave." Li Qi saw Zhao Jing's face full of anger, feeling extremely uneasy, and turned to try to slip away.

"Stop! You shameless scoundrel, if I don't kill you today, I swear I won't be a man." Zhao Jing's face was flushed as he stared at Li Qi. Seeing that Li Qi was trying to run, he quickly drew the short sword from the servant's hand and rushed to Li Qi's front. With a "clank," the cold blade pointed directly at Li Qi's chest.

Damn! You dare to draw a sword and attack on the street. Do you think our Song Dynasty has no law enforcement?

Li Qi's face changed drastically. He quickly shrank back, forcing a smile and raising two thumbs, exclaiming, "Wow! What a beautiful sword! Could it be that Brother Zhao wants to give this sword to me? Hehe, that would be too embarrassing—I really don't deserve such a gift!"

Before he finished speaking, Li Qi suddenly leaned to one side, extending his right hand to grab Zhao Jing's wrist.

Surrendering? That's not Li Qi's style.

Swish! Swish!

Zhao Jing's feet didn't move, but his wrist trembled several times.

Li Qi's vision blurred, and he suddenly felt a chill on his neck. He glanced down and was startled to see the short sword resting on his neck, the cold light flashing, truly terrifying!

Could this be the so-called "Qia Li Zi" martial arts?

"If you move again, I'll cut off your head," Zhao Jing said coldly.

Li Qi really didn't dare to move again, feigning "surprise," "Brother Zhao, what are you doing? If you don't want to give me the sword, I won't take it. Why do you have to draw your sword? This is a matter of life and death. If we alarm the—police, it won't be good. Put the sword away, and I'll pretend nothing happened!"

"Still defiant at the brink of death." Zhao Jing snorted, bringing the sword closer, "You scoundrel, you just insulted me. I will take your life today."

"Insulted?" Li Qi opened his mouth wide, feigning surprise, "Brother Zhao, you can eat anything, but you can't say anything that will get you killed. My hug just now was out of respect and stopped at propriety. How could it be considered an insult? Besides, two men hugging is quite common. I don't even have body odor. Why are you so angry?"

Li Qi was afraid that Zhao Jing would reveal her true identity, so he preemptively stated that he didn't know she was a woman, thus absolving himself of any wrongdoing.

Sure enough, Zhao Jing's cheeks turned red, and her expression softened slightly.

"Master, don't waste time with this scoundrel. Kill him with one strike and see how he talks back." The servant said angrily.

Damn! You servant, so vicious. If I ever get the chance, I'll make you experience the ten most cruel tortures of the Qing Dynasty.

Li Qi sneered inwardly but knew that to catch the thief, he must first catch the king. The key was still Zhao Jing. "Brother Zhao, I see you are a learned man. You wouldn't stoop to the level of those servants who only know how to eat, drink, and sleep, right?" He glanced disdainfully at the servant and continued, "If you want to kill me, at least give me a reason so I can die with my eyes closed."

Zhao Jing snorted, "Fine, the hug I'll let slide, but you repeatedly insulted the Emperor, which is a capital offense. I already gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it."

Li Qi's heart sank. He had read and seen many stories where people were executed for insulting the emperor. He had openly insulted the emperor in broad daylight. If the emperor found out, it would be a case of exterminating nine generations.

Am I really going to die here today? No, I'm not willing. Even if I die, it shouldn't be like this.

Li Qi glanced at the short sword on his neck and suddenly had an idea. "Hey? This scene is so familiar! It's just like the classic scene between Zixia Fairy and Zhenbao. If a lie can fool a fairy, it should certainly fool a mortal. Since I'm going to die anyway, why not give it a try?"

Thinking this, a strange smile appeared on Li Qi's lips.

Seeing Li Qi silent, Zhao Jing said, "What? You have nothing to say?"

"Ha ha!"

Li Qi suddenly burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing about?" Zhao Jing frowned, angry.

Li Qi ignored her, looking up to the sky with a face full of sorrow, "I, Li Qi, a man, find life neither joyful nor fearful, but alas—"

At this point, he sighed heavily, "Once, I had a genuine love in front of me, but I didn't cherish it. When I lost it, I regretted it deeply. The most sorrowful thing in life is this. If heaven gives me another chance, I will say three words to that woman: I love you. If I must set a time limit for this love, I hope it is... ten thousand years! Why—why won't heaven give me another chance? Chun Chun, it seems we can only meet in the next life."

After saying this, he turned to Zhao Jing, "Kill me."

Oh—so touching!

The servant, moved by this heartfelt speech, had tears in his eyes, staring at Li Qi.

Zhao Jing's expression was sorrowful. Although she didn't throw the sword, she moved it from Li Qi's neck to his chest.

Li Qi was secretly delighted, knowing his life was saved.

People in the Northern Song Dynasty were always very reserved about love, unlike in Li Qi's time. This classic speech had moved many young men and women in the past, and it was even more effective now. The two cross-dressers not breaking down in tears was already beyond Li Qi's expectations.

Who would have thought this person was so sentimental? No wonder he could write such moving lyrics like "Chrysanthemum Withered." Zhao Jing felt sorry for Li Qi but wasn't stupid. She wouldn't be fooled so easily. After a moment of silence, she said, "Your loyalty to love is admirable, but one thing is one thing. Your insult to the Emperor is unforgivable."

This woman is really stubborn!

Li Qi snorted, "What do you mean, one thing is one thing? If it weren't for the Emperor taking my Chun Chun into the palace as a concubine, I wouldn't be separated from her forever. Insulting him is already giving him face."

Zhao Jing's brows furrowed, "Are you saying your beloved was chosen to be a concubine?"

"Exactly!" Li Qi said firmly. He knew that Emperor Huizong was extremely lustful, with hundreds of concubines, many of whom were forced into the palace. That's why he dared to say this.

"What is your beloved's name?" Zhao Jing asked suspiciously, glancing at him.

"Uh—why are you asking this?" Li Qi was puzzled. He didn't know the names of Emperor Huizong's concubines.

Zhao Jing's wrist trembled, bringing the sword closer, "Speak!"

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you. My Chun Chun's surname is Xin, and her nickname is Chun Ge. If you don't believe me, you can check in the palace." Li Qi added silently, "May she live forever." He didn't believe Zhao Jing would dare to investigate in the palace, as that would be courting death.

"Xin Chun Ge?"

Zhao Jing repeated the name softly and then put the sword away.

Li Qi immediately relaxed, almost collapsing to the ground, his back drenched in sweat.

Zhao Jing threw the sword to the servant and said to Li Qi, "I won't take your life today, but I will investigate. If what you said is false, I will come back to take your life."

"Little brother will always be ready to welcome you!" Li Qi bowed, but thought to himself, "If you can find me then, I really deserve to die."

{Piaotian Literature}