“What kind do you like?” Shen Zechuan narrowed his eyes slightly under the pinch. It was hard to tell whether he was uncomfortable or pleased. His expression was terribly enticing, like fanning flames.
Xiao Chiye brushed Shen Zechuan’s lip corner with his thumb and said, “Figure it out yourself.”
“I’m afraid some people say one thing and mean another.” As Shen Zechuan spoke, his lips parted and closed, the tip of his tongue faintly visible. It brushed against Xiao Chiye’s thumb with damp heat, close enough to tease, yet never quite touching.
“Who says one thing and means another?” Xiao Chiye leaned down, pressing in. “This Second Young Master is very straightforward.”
“Very straightforward indeed,” Shen Zechuan sighed. “You’re so hard.”
“I just slept my fill,” Xiao Chiye said, touching him. “I’ve been holding back for days. Care to give me a little sweetness?”
Shen Zechuan lightly met him in a kiss and said, “I’ve only just recovered from a serious illness. Better rein it in. I really… don’t have the strength.”
“Who would ever make you exert yourself on the bed?” Xiao Chiye said. “Would I?”
“You would,” Shen Zechuan looked at him and said softly. “At a time like this, everything you say is just coaxing. Once we’re on the bed, none of it counts.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Chiye said. “What have I ever said when I was coaxing you?”
“If you want to hear it all, then tell me about Xue Xiuzhuo first.” Shen Zechuan raised a finger to block Xiao Chiye’s lips as he leaned in to kiss again.
Xiao Chiye tightened his arms around him and said, “What do you want to know? His background before entering officialdom isn’t very pretty. Xue Xiuzhuo is a concubine-born son from a collateral branch of the Xue family. He wasn’t favored in his early years. Look at his age—he’s several years older than Xi Hongxuan and Yao Wenyu. By rights, he shouldn’t have gone to school with them, yet he ended up as their classmate. It was all because he was neglected at home and missed the proper age for early instruction.”
“He looks refined, and he’s very skilled in dealing with people,” Shen Zechuan said. “Even more like a legitimate heir of a great family than Xi Hongxuan.”
“When he first enrolled, he was already eleven,” Xiao Chiye said. “He was gifted and willing to study hard, so he quickly stood out among the young nobles. But the good times didn’t last. A few years later, Yao Wenyu enrolled as well.”
“Nowadays everyone wants to be associated with ‘Uncut Jade, First Polished,’ to show that they have real substance. But back then, their teacher was Master Changzong, famous for his severity. After Yao Wenyu arrived, everyone else got beaten more often. In policy debates and written exams, no one could outshine Yao Wenyu. Once his essays came out, the others no longer caught Master Changzong’s eye. Xue Xiuzhuo’s momentum was cut off in those years, and he never showed his edge again afterward.”
“Later, Yao Wenyu entered Hai Liangyi’s tutelage. You know Hai Liangyi—Yao Wenyu, with his great-family background, could still become his disciple, which speaks volumes about his talent. What others don’t know is that the first person to submit name cards to Hai Liangyi was Xue Xiuzhuo. He paid three formal visits, yet Hai Liangyi never accepted him. If this were anyone else, even without an open falling-out, there would have been resentment. But Xue Xiuzhuo is remarkable precisely here. On the day Yao Wenyu performed the formal rites of apprenticeship, Xue Xiuzhuo was present. Not only present—he was the one holding the ceremonial cap. Hai Liangyi didn’t favor him, yet he never uttered a word of complaint. Hai Liangyi’s residence was a reward from Emperor Guangcheng. The Grand Secretary values quiet and doesn’t privately receive local officials or assign extra menial tasks. One year, when a pavilion collapsed, Xue Xiuzhuo heard about it and didn’t even eat—he personally went to replace the stones for Hai Liangyi.”
“He holds Grand Secretary Hai in deep esteem,” Shen Zechuan recalled. “When I checked his past Censorate evaluations, I also read the policy essays from his early years in office. They were all about increasing revenue, cutting expenditure, and rectifying local land registers—exactly the issues that troubled Hai Liangyi when he first entered the Grand Secretariat.”
“He’s even more like Hai Liangyi’s student than Yao Wenyu,” Xiao Chiye said. “Hai Liangyi served in the Ministry of Revenue for over a decade and knew all the dirty tricks hidden in local accounts. Back then, when he wanted to trace clean accounts, the one he appointed was Xue Xiuzhuo. That’s how Xue Xiuzhuo became a Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, specializing in auditing and cross-checking accounts. I think the network he has now was built during that time. He stayed in that post for eight years, with evaluations always marked as outstanding. He should have been promoted long ago, so why wasn’t he? Because Hai Liangyi deliberately kept him down.”
“It seems Grand Secretary Hai was moved by his sincerity and was willing to spend time polishing him,” Shen Zechuan said, frowning slightly. “With that bond, they’re not teacher and student in name, but they surpass it in reality. As a Supervising Secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, he could go down to the localities, control the accounts, and he even had the privilege of direct memorials. If he wanted to make friends, it would have been far too easy.”
“The Administration Commissioner of Juexi is called Jiang Qingshan,” Xiao Chiye continued. “He’s not someone to underestimate. Last time, when Xue Xiuzhuo impeached Hua Siqian over the accounts, it was with Jiang Qingshan’s cooperation. Jiang Qingshan’s achievements are remarkable. Back when Que Capital delayed disaster relief silver to Juexi, he bore the responsibility alone and saw it through, ensuring that the thirteen cities of Juexi didn’t end up littered with starving corpses. He acts decisively, with the courage to act first and report later—a real iron hand. But he has a bad temper and doesn’t deal much with judicial officials. Even when both the Hua and Pan factions were at the height of their power, he never sent Pan Rugui seasonal gifts. He’s a tough bone with real ability, which is why Hua Siqian couldn’t bring him down. Someone like that doesn’t even give Yao Wenyu face, yet he can call Xue Xiuzhuo his brother. Xue Xiuzhuo’s talent for making connections speaks for itself.”
Xiao Chiye paused.
“Grand Secretary Hai’s later promotion of Xue Xiuzhuo was really all due to Xue Xiuzhuo’s own ability. Last time, when you talked about luring the great families into a trap, I thought you hit the key point. Xue Xiuzhuo might truly be able to enter the Grand Secretariat.”
“I’ve noticed that this person is full of contradictions,” Shen Zechuan said. “His policy essays from the past few years all focus on the people’s livelihood. When he went down to the localities, he did real work. Yet he’s inseparable from people like Xi Hongxuan and other great-family sons. The Quancheng silk affair was a turning point. I think he’s extremely deep-minded—he doesn’t act rashly, but plans far ahead.”
“Didn’t you say there’s a helmsman hidden within Que Capital?” Xiao Chiye’s expression grew more serious. “He would be a good candidate.”
“Six years ago, Zhongbo suffered a military defeat. His rank wasn’t high, and he was young. How could he have manipulated those old foxes of the great families? Even the Wei family alone would be hard to deal with. I suspect that if such a person truly exists, he should be about the same age as Hai Liangyi. Otherwise, with insufficient seniority, it would be hard to command respect.”
“There are still too few clues. We’ll have to handle them carefully in the future,” Xiao Chiye said, kneading Shen Zechuan’s wrist. “The collapse of the Lotus Tower wasn’t without its benefits. Xi Hongxuan was scared out of his wits this time. In the future, even if he wants to invite you for drinks, he won’t have a place to go.”
“You can drink anywhere. If one Lotus Tower collapses, there will be others,” Shen Zechuan glanced sideways. “It’s losing Xiangyun that’s truly losing her. Second Young Master took a loss.”
“Without Xiangyun, I can find someone else,” Xiao Chiye looked at him. “There are plenty of beauties. Isn’t there one right here?”
Shen Zechuan traced a few lines across Xiao Chiye’s palm with his fingertips and said, “Without five hundred taels, I won’t accompany you to drink.”
“I’m poor to death,” Xiao Chiye caught the teasing fingers. “No money—so I can only give you something else.”
Shen Zechuan said, “What rare thing could make my heart stir?”
Xiao Chiye guided his hand to his own waist and said, “This Second Young Master—how about it?”
“I, Shen Lanzhou, am handsome as a jade tree in the wind,” Shen Zechuan said unhurriedly. “I can admire myself in the mirror. I don’t need others.”
“You really don’t know how to have fun,” Xiao Chiye said. “How can self-admiration compare to me admiring you? A mirror needs two people before it becomes vivid and fragrant.”
Shen Zechuan’s eyes shimmered. “Then what does ‘vivid and fragrant’ mean?”
“Seeing once beats hearing a hundred times,” Xiao Chiye tested Shen Zechuan’s warmth. “Another day, try it with me and you’ll know.”
Shen Zechuan was touched into soft breaths. Both of them had gone a long time without release, and after surviving disaster, the strength that had only just returned was all pressed low in their bellies. Now, with all this holding and rubbing, that spark was forcibly kindled.
“Pure-hearted and ascetic Shen Zechuan,” Xiao Chiye murmured hoarsely. “How is it I don’t recognize you?”
“That’s Shen Zechuan. The one you’re calling is Shen Lanzhou,” Shen Zechuan said. “Which one do you want?”
“I want both,” Xiao Chiye hauled Shen Zechuan up, turned him sideways, and pressed down from behind. “Will you give them to me?”
Half of Shen Zechuan’s face was buried in the bedding. He only breathed, saying nothing. Xiao Chiye bit him—his ears were sensitive. Licked and bitten, his breath hitched, and a flush rose at the corners of his eyes.
“Chenyang had water heated. Before dawn, you’ll wash,” Xiao Chiye pressed against Shen Zechuan, calling in a nasal murmur, “Lanzhou.”
The bed was a temporary one set up for emergencies—small and narrow. Squeezing two people together was difficult. Xiao Chiye didn’t dare rush this time, easing in slowly. Outside, the nearby guards all had keen ears. Shen Zechuan made no sound, clutching the cloak amid the shallow thrusts and deeper presses, feeling as though he were melting.
Their breaths grew uneven. Afraid the other might cry out, they pressed their necks together and kissed. The bed rocked lightly. The strength Xiao Chiye had stored up was fierce. Since he couldn’t thrust hard, he could only grind.
In the midst of kissing, Xiao Chiye said softly, “Call again.”
Shen Zechuan said, “Ce—mm…”
Xiao Chiye laughed, put in a bit more force, and said, “Ce’an—mm—Ce’an, what does that mean?”
Shen Zechuan couldn’t bear it and didn’t dare answer. Xiao Chiye slid his fingers into Shen Zechuan’s mouth, stirring for a moment, then held him tight from behind and went deep enough that Shen Zechuan nearly let out a sound.
After a bout of cloud and rain, both were drenched in sweat. Mindful that Shen Zechuan had only just recovered, Xiao Chiye did it only once. The place was unsuitable, and the timing wasn’t good either. The flush on Shen Zechuan’s skin took a long time to fade, and when it came time to clean up, he didn’t even want to move his fingers.
Seeing that the time was about right, Liang Cuishan organized the ledgers from the past few days and prepared to report when he saw Shen Zechuan. When he arrived, he saw Ge Qingqing drinking tea under the rain awning. He greeted him and asked, “Is Lord Zhenfu feeling better today? I’ve sorted out the accounts and have come to report the details.”
Ge Qingqing said nothing. Chenyang came down and said, “Lord Zhenfu has just recovered from a serious illness, and the epidemic has only just passed. He’s also worried about infecting everyone. He won’t be seeing visitors today. If it’s convenient, I can deliver the accounts to him later?”
Liang Cuishan had been ordered by Shen Zechuan to keep the accounts and didn’t dare be careless. He only said, “As long as my lord is well. Since today isn’t convenient, I’ll request an audience tomorrow.”
Chenyang nodded, and Liang Cuishan took his leave. Before leaving, he noticed there was no one around that building and understood that the area had been cleared, with guards watching over it. The Embroidered Uniform Guard handled cases, and Shen Zechuan had been personally appointed by the Emperor. He didn’t dare look or ask more and hurried off.
Xiao Chiye lifted the curtain and came out, having changed into clean robes. He wore a pair of half-worn boots and was still holding Shen Zechuan’s ivory fan. He asked, “Reporting the accounts?”
“I told him to come back tomorrow,” Chenyang said.
Xiao Chiye went down the steps. He felt refreshed now, and the violent edge that had hung between his brows these past days had dissipated. “Has the tiger’s fever broken?” he asked.
“It has. He’s spirited again. He ate quite a lot this morning and wanted to pay his respects to you. I told him to come tomorrow as well.”
“I’ll go see him,” Xiao Chiye weighed the fan in his hand. “The water in the streets has all receded, and the sky’s cleared. We won’t be able to stay at Zhao Crime Temple for more than two days—there should be news from the palace soon. What about Xi Hongxuan?”
“He’s awake, but the Eight Great Camps are guarding him closely and won’t let anyone see him.”
“No rush,” Xiao Chiye said with a faint smile. “The Emperor should be waking soon too. Xi Hongxuan won’t escape this. The Censorate is just waiting to impeach him.”
The drainage channels were cleared, the epidemic never broke out, and everything had been handled cleanly. Those above hadn’t suffered—that was thanks to the toil and struggle of those below. Now it was time to settle accounts. Xiao Ce’an had slept his fill and eaten well. He had plenty of energy to wear people down.
Chenyang stood to the side when Xiao Chiye suddenly asked, “The earrings I asked you to have made last time—are they ready? In a few days, when we return to the residence, I’ll pick them up along the way.”
“I urged them to work quickly. They should be done by now,” Chenyang said. “But how could it be proper for you to go in person? I can make the trip.”
“I have to pick these up myself,” Xiao Chiye tossed the ivory fan to him. “Let’s go. We’re going to see Dantai Hu.”