Who would have thought that Yin Chang’s bath would take nearly two hours, leaving the scholars in the study ravenous? Yu Xiaozai glanced at the pastries on the table, his stomach growling.
“You Jing,” Shen Zechuan said, taking a break from his urgent affairs in Zizhou, “We’ll be deploying troops to Danzhou in February, and Dunzhou will serve as the supply camp. Dantai Hu over there isn’t familiar with the affairs of the government office, so you’ll need to go and oversee things again. I’m granting you the authority of an inspector; if anything comes up, you can report directly to my desk—no need to go through the postal station.”
Yu Xiaozai was a Censor of the Board of Censors and considered a student of Cen Yu. He had previously served as an itinerant censor, frequently conducting field inspections, and was well-versed in the inner workings of the local government. Now that Dunzhou was being rebuilt, the key clerks and officials dispatched there were all newcomers selected from Zizhou, and Shen Zechuan did not feel confident relying on them. Shen Zechuan did not retain Yu Xiaozai in Dunzhou as a Provincial Inspector, but instead granted him the authority to submit direct reports as a Circuit Inspector. Although Yu Xiaozai did not yet hold a specific official title, his influence was considerable; this position was equivalent to the current Provincial Commissioner of Zhongbo, holding sway over the administrative evaluations of all prefectures and districts within Zhongbo.
Yu Xiaozai quickly averted his gaze and rose to bow to Shen Zechuan.
“Dunzhou is a newly established prefecture,” Xiao Chiye said to Yu Xiaozai from his seat beside Shen Zechuan. “Dantai Hu holds a military post and should not normally interfere with civil administrative affairs. However, with personnel shortages across the prefectures, we have temporarily set aside such formalities. He is somewhat slow on the uptake in these matters, so you will need to guide him closely on major issues.”
Dantai Hu was Xiao Chiye’s confidant; his assignment to Dunzhou was intended to fill the vacant military post left by Zhong Bo. Having him guard Dunzhou was, in fact, a bit of a demotion. Given this connection, no one in the Dunzhou magistrate’s office dared to defy Dantai Hu, and Xiao Chiye’s words served to back Yu Xiaozai up. Now that Yu Xiaozai had been commissioned by Shen Zechuan to conduct direct inspections and had Xiao Chiye’s endorsement, he feared no one in Dunzhou and would have ample confidence should he be assigned to other prefectures in the future.
Yu Xiaozai’s face beamed with joy, but he knew he couldn’t let his emotions show too openly here. Suppressing his excitement, he bowed to them both once more and said, “This humble official will spare no effort to live up to the boundless grace of the Prefect and the Second Master.”
Yu Xiaozai’s reply rang out loud and clear, and so did the rumbling of his stomach. The two sounds echoed in unison, silencing the study completely.
“Tonight is the celebratory banquet for the garrison troops,” Shen Zechuan said, noting that it had grown dark. “I won’t keep you gentlemen any longer. Let’s begin the feast.”
The banquet was set up in the side hall. Shen Zechuan had originally taken the seat of honor, but since Xiao Chiye had returned and Yin Chang was not present, he sat for only a brief moment before excusing himself, having made his point. Most of those present were staff members; even when Shen Zechuan was there, they dared not drink or behave recklessly, so they felt much more at ease once the Lord of the Manor had withdrawn.
With Qiao Tianya absent and no one watching over him, Yao Wenyu couldn’t refuse the gentlemen’s warm hospitality and ended up drinking a few cups of wine. By the time Qiao Tianya returned, Yuan Zhuo was already slightly tipsy, leaning back in his chair and chatting and laughing with Kong Ling and Gao Zhongxiong.
Seeing him so rarely at ease, Qiao Tianya didn’t step inside. He pushed aside the curtain and stood beneath the eaves to keep him company.
Fei Sheng spotted Qiao Tianya and waved from a distance, calling out through the falling snow, “Come on, what are you standing there for? They’ve set up a table at the guardhouse—they’re waiting for you.”
Qiao Tianya didn’t move. Leaning against the doorpost with a carefree air, he asked, “Has everything been arranged with the master?”
“That’s certainly been taken care of.” Fei Sheng walked up to Qiao Tianya and peered inside through a gap in the curtain. “The gentlemen are staying late; you’ll have plenty of time to join them later. “The place is swarming with guards inside and out; nothing major can happen.”
Qiao Tianya thought for a moment, then lifted the curtain. Yao Wenyu, on the other side, looked over as if she knew someone was waiting here. Qiao Tianya paused briefly, lowered the curtain, and said, “I have a few jars of fine wine in my room. Have someone fetch them—consider it my way of making amends to everyone.” ”
Fei Shengli stood by for a moment before saying, “Who cares about your few jars of wine? You’re getting on my nerves. The master has already given the go-ahead, yet you’re still keeping yourself cooped up here.” He’d had a bit to drink and was more talkative than usual. “The master asked me to recruit new people the other day. Did you know that?”
Qiao Tianya crossed his arms, sized him up with a glance, and said, “I know.”
Fei Shengli pointed at himself, then at Qiao Tianya, and said with a belch, “I’ll be honest with you. When we establish the cavalry in Duanzhou, the Lord favors you the most—you’re a capable fighter. But what’s going on now? You’re following Yao Wenyu, acting as if you’ve forgotten where your roots lie. If you keep this up, you’ll ruin your future sooner or later.”
Snow had settled on the hilt of Qiao Tianya’s sword. He looked out at the courtyard and said casually, “My future is right here. You’re worrying too much.”
“You were given to His Majesty by the Grand Tutor,” Fei Sheng lowered his voice, frustrated by his protégé’s shortcomings. “The day His Majesty took you in, he also took in Yangshan Xue.”
Qiao Tianya had once sworn to be Shen Zechuan’s blade. He lacked nothing—not courage, character, or skill. If he’d been willing, he could have served as a personal guard in Zhongbo, just like Chaohui and Chenyang. His future would have been limitless, and restoring his family’s honor would not have been a pipe dream. But ever since he was assigned to Yao Wenyu’s side, **it was all over. Shen Zechuan had entrusted the task of recruiting new recruits to Fei Sheng, and the duty of accompanying the army to Fei Sheng as well—both of which Qiao Tianya had refused.
Qiao Tianya blew away a drifting snowflake, watching as the white petal was swept away by the wind in the blink of an eye, vanishing into the pitch-black night. He did not brush the snow from his sword, nor did he answer Fei Sheng.
* * *
Xiao Chiye removed his armor and, clad in a light robe, read Fei Sheng’s report detailing the campaign against Fanzhou. He remarked, “The Wing Prince has even managed to get his hands on flintlock muskets—his connections must reach the heavens.”
“One hundred and thirty-five,” Shen Zechuan said, slipping off his loose robe. “All from the Chunquan Garrison. They’re even engraved with the Ministry of War’s insignia.”
“He’s just a bandit from the mountains, with no regular army,” Xiao Chiye said, resting his arm on the chair’s armrest as he watched Shen Zechuan undress. “Who supplied him with such valuable goods?”
Shen Zechuan’s loose robe slid past his elbow and fell onto the carpet. The pearl buttons on his everyday attire clicked softly as they popped open, revealing his fair, smooth neck. Shen Zechuan’s fingers were half-closed, as if deep in thought. His demeanor was so unguarded and carefree that he seemed as though he wouldn’t resist even if he were crushed beneath the rugs.
“Firearms falling into the wrong hands benefit no one in the capital. They must have been stolen.”
Shen Zechuan’s Adam’s apple shifted as he spoke. Xiao Chiye watched it impassively, intimately familiar with its movements. Whenever Shen Zechuan was drenched in sweat, he would instinctively tilt his head back—because Xiao Chiye was so tall that even when lying beneath the covers, Shen Zechuan had to do this to meet Xiao Chiye’s kisses.
Xiao Chiye envisioned many scenes, but his expression remained composed, betraying not a single hint of his thoughts. His thumb unconsciously rubbed against the bone ring, causing it to spin gently, as he asked, “Did Yin Chang bring back any prisoners?”
“The Wing Prince’s male consort. His surname is Huo. Chengfeng says he’s the son of Huo Qing, the former commander of Dengzhou.” Shen Zechuan paused here and looked at Xiao Chiye. “You can meet him tomorrow morning.”
“This man used a flintlock to scare off Yin Chang,” Xiao Chiye said. “He knows how to play the game.”
“Someone must have taught him.” Shen Zechuan undid the final pearl clasp; as he let go, the robe fell to the floor.
The beauty finally felt at ease, kicking off his wooden clogs in the process. With the dim light behind him, Shen Zechuan’s slender waist was revealed, like jade that couldn’t be contained. Xiao Chiye tasted a secret pleasure—this was a hidden indulgence, and the lust for Lan Zhou slowly crept through his chest.
“Send a few matchlocks to Libei tomorrow morning; the armourers can draw up the blueprints. Hairigu stole Yin Chang’s battle formations at the Beiyuan training ground and fought me so fiercely I couldn’t land a single blow. For this campaign to Duanzhou, I want Yin Chang to accompany us.” Xiao Chiye tossed Fei Sheng’s report onto the desk.
Shen Zechuan sipped his tea. Upon hearing this, he glanced at Xiao Chiye and said meaningfully, “Aren’t you taking me?”
“Sure,” Xiao Chiye said playfully, facing Shen Zechuan. “I have a fierce tigress at home who keeps a tight leash on me. Only on the march can I steal a moment of joy with you.”
A mischievous glint played in the corners of Shen Zechuan’s eyes as he said, “Your wife is so fierce—I’m afraid of her.”
Xiao Chiye mimicked Shen Zechuan’s tone from their last encounter: “I’m fierce too.”
“I’m not afraid of your fierceness,” Shen Zechuan said, pressing his folding fan between their lips like a fox outside the window. “But it’s been so long since you came.” ”
Xiao Chiye tilted his head slightly and said, “What can I do? I’m afraid of my wife.”
“If it were me,” Shen Zechuan moved the folding fan aside, pressing it against Xiao Chiye’s lips, and whispered, “I’d stay home all day waiting for you, making love with you, and going to bed with you…”
Xiao Chiye kissed Shen Zechuan, cutting off the shameless words mid-sentence. He reached down but couldn’t find Shen Zechuan’s cock. The light in the room dimmed slightly; the curtains by the bed had already been drawn. Though there was clearly no one else there, they felt as if they were truly having an affair. The two of them rubbed against each other, stifling their gasps.
“I want it all,” Xiao Chiye murmured, biting him.
Shen Zechuan’s eyes welled up with tears as he rubbed his cheek against the bedding. With tear-filled eyes under Xiao Chiye’s gaze, he struggled to look up at him and said petulantly, “You… you greedy… devil!”
Xiao Chiye had spent nearly two months on the battlefield, then returned to Zizhou and stayed at the Beiyuan training grounds. Now, pinching Shen Zechuan’s chin and staring at him, he murmured with a smile, “You’re right.”
Shen Zechuan was claimed.
After such a long time, this time felt completely different. Xiao Chiye’s transformation was laid bare here. He no longer let Shen Zechuan off the hook; that sensation of forceful possession surged upward, making Shen Zechuan feel as though he had fallen completely, imprisoned by him.
Heartbeat, voice, breath.
Xiao Chiye wanted it all; he was claiming Shen Zechuan as his own.
Shen Zechuan couldn’t take it anymore. Sweat and tears mingled; he was struggling to breathe, and Xiao Chiye seemed determined to steal even the tears that hadn’t yet fallen from his eyes.
Xiao Chiye once wanted the sky, the grasslands, and even Hongyan Mountain. He trained hawks and tamed horses, galloping across the land of his dreams, but in the end, he wanted none of it.
He wanted Shen Zechuan.
Shen Zechuan began to cry, tilting his neck back as waves of emotion filled his eyes. In that peak of ecstasy, he murmured indistinctly, “Ah… Ye…”
Xiao Chiye thought he was afraid.
But he lifted his chin slightly, licking his lips as they flushed. His eyes were full of temptation, just as wild as when he had leaped from Fuxian Peak into Xiao Chiye’s embrace, and he said, “I love you so much.”
Xiao Chiye leaned down to kiss him, refusing to let him drift away even an inch amidst the turbulence, nor allow his breath to slip from his control. Each kiss was deep and intense, soaking the sheets and making Shen Zechuan tremble.
They made love in the dim light, their sweat mingling until they were drenched as one. Nothing remained but each other.