Still angry?” Xiao Yi hugged Shu Fuyan from behind.
Outside the window, the sky was turning dark it was twilight, and before long, night would fall.
Shu Fuyan pulled his hand away and pressed his elbow against Xiao Yi’s chest, his tone stern. “You had beauties for company, so why come looking for me?”
Xiao Yi raised an eyebrow. So he is jealous!
“Having you is enough for me; I have no fortune to enjoy any others.”
Shu Fuyan lifted the corners of his mouth slightly. His melancholy dissipated, but he still didn’t want to let Xiao Yi off the hook too easily.
“What is the General saying? I am not anyone of yours. In the future, when the General takes a wife and the inner courtyard is filled with beauty, where will there be a place for me to stay?”
Thinking of this, Shu Fuyan froze.
It is true. Xiao Yi refused to marry him. If one day Xiao Yi were to get married, what would he do?
Leave him and disappear just like that? Or snatch him away and imprison him in a dungeon?
Xiao Yi understood. Shu Fuyan was using the Grand Princess’s gift as a pretext to hint that since they had already declared their feelings, they should logically move to the next step.
Xiao Yi dreamed of whisking him away into his estate, but he was a wandering soul; he didn’t know if he was alive or dead, or how he existed in this world. His current situation was worry-free, but as for the future who could say for sure?
If he were to vanish from this world, the person who loved him would be in unbearable agony.
“Fuyan, I know you harbor resentment toward me in your heart.” Xiao Yi tightened his embrace around his waist, his ink-black hair falling softly from his shoulders. “In this life, apart from you, I will not marry anyone else.”
Shu Fuyan’s lowered hand clenched into a fist of its own accord. He gritted his teeth, harboring a trace of hatred. “Since you cannot be without me, why push me outside the door?”
If they loved each other, why couldn’t they be together?
Why couldn’t lovers be united?
This world was heartless, but people had hearts. As long as their feelings were in sync, no obstacle could isolate their affection.
Between heaven and earth, their love remained tender and lingering.
“This matter is complicated and involves many issues; I cannot explain it all clearly.” Xiao Yi released his embrace, walked to his front, and gripped those cold, thin hands. “Fuyan, remember this: no matter what happens, my heart is only turned toward you.”
The resurrection of a ghost was a strange and bizarre occurrence. Xiao Yi still did not know the reason for his return to the human world. This also meant he could not explain his past and present lives clearly.
Perhaps burying this matter was better for them both.
Partly out of jealousy, and partly because his scheme to make Xiao Yi tell the truth had failed, Shu Fuyan bit his lower lip and pulled Xiao Yi’s waistband to make him lean in closer.
“I understand. If the General has unspeakable hidden pain, I can understand.”
In the days they had spent together, Shu Fuyan had come to understand Xiao Yi thoroughly. Unless the other person was deliberately hiding it, Shu Fuyan knew everything he should know.
Xiao Yi had secrets, Shu Fuyan had known that for a long time.
Unable to bear seeing his beloved in distress, Xiao Yi raised a hand to brush away the stray hairs behind his ear and kissed his cheek. “My Fuyan is so good; it is my fault for making you worry.”
“If you want to punish me, I admit my guilt.”
Shu Fuyan stroked his left cheek, gazing deeply into those eyes he was so reluctant to part with.
“General, I am greedy. Having received your favor, I am not satisfied; I even want a formal title. Is this kind of behavior, being so shameless and overbearing, something that makes you feel revulsion?” Shu Fuyan questioned himself, the warmth of his fingertips cooling inch by inch as he spoke.
As that hand departed, Xiao Yi grasped his wrist in one smooth motion. “No. I love you, so naturally, I hope you will give your heart entirely to me.”
“Loving someone means being greedy. Fuyan, move into the estate; I want to see you every day.”
Xiao Yi had been trying to persuade him when he suddenly blurted out the words from the bottom of his heart.
“It is contrary to propriety; I dare not.”
Shu Fuyan’s gloomy emotions gradually pulled away. Xiao Yi’s body heat was scorching; getting close to him was like being burned by a raging fire.
But what of it? Moths love to dash into the flame more than anything.
“Still angry at me?”
Worried that he hadn’t managed to coax him properly, Xiao Yi simply picked him up and headed toward the bed.
Once on the couch, Xiao Yi went to undress him.
Shu Fuyan’s arm was still injured. Seeing Xiao Yi trying to remove his clothing, Shu Fuyan hurriedly pulled his clothes back together and tightened his waistband.
“What are you doing? It is not yet nightfall!” Shu Fuyan scolded in indignation.
“I know you are still angry at me, and your injuries haven’t healed, so I just thought of doing my part and attending to applying your medicine.” Xiao Yi flicked the stray hair on his forehead, amused. “I am not a savage and lascivious villain who only craves that kind of pleasure.”
Shu Fuyan was embarrassed; so Xiao Yi had intended to help him apply the medicine it was he who had been narrow-minded.
Xiao Yi’s movements were gentle and slow as he removed the clothing from half of his shoulder and neck, focusing intently on applying the medicine. Shu Fuyan stretched his neck and looked up, savoring Xiao Yi’s words from just a moment ago.
According to Xiao Yi, he was not addicted to acts of pleasure and prioritized him in everything it was clear that his character was upright and he had no greedy desires.
On the other hand, his own thoughts were filthy. He hadn’t yet poked through the paper window of his longing, but every night when he dreamed, all he could think of was Xiao Yi.
Today, having tasted the blossoms of the begonia, he was in too much pain to stand; he actually felt a sense of fear regarding matters of entanglement. But that wasn’t to say he didn’t want it, it was just that if the person on top was Xiao Yi, he didn’t feel the pain.
He could endure it painful, yet happy.
Shu Fuyan realized this and let out a laugh. “It is my own thoughts that are impure.”
Xiao Yi’s movements stopped. He looked up, the remaining ointment on his fingertips transforming into a warm, watery glow. “This is a good thing. You only have me in your heart, which is why you have such devious intentions.”
“Fuyan, I am very happy.”
Shu Fuyan didn’t answer. Such shameful matters were better kept to himself.
“Those people how does the General intend to deal with them?”
There were a full ten handsome men in the main hall. If they were all moved into the estate, it was inevitable that they would run into them, and Shu Fuyan didn’t want to see people who disgusted him every two steps he took.
Furthermore, they had all come with the purpose of seducing Xiao Yi, and Shu Fuyan’s sense of vigilance was always poised on the edge of a knife.
“Send them back to the Grand Princess’s estate.”
Xiao Yi pulled his shoulder clothing back up for him and took a soft handkerchief to wipe his fingertips.
Shu Fuyan pondered for a moment and warned: “The Grand Princess intends to be on good terms with the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate. If the General sends them back, won’t that offend the Grand Princess?”
Xiao Yi grasped his hand, his large hand enveloping the smaller one, feeling it through from inside to outside.
“Offending her, or making you happy.” Xiao Yi lowered his head and kissed his wrist. “I can distinguish the two.”
His heart softened suddenly, and Shu Fuyan shifted his body to sit closer to Xiao Yi’s side.
“Xiao Yi, I love you.”
“Mn, I love you too.”
The two leaned against each other, resting quietly without speaking, holding onto this warm moment.
Night fell. Great red lanterns were hung before the gate tower, and the night lamps in the estate were all lit.
Just after finishing their meal, Shu Fuyan went to soak in a medicinal bath. Taking advantage of this time, Xiao Yi went to see the lieutenant.
The lieutenant had come once before they had finished their meal, and Xiao Yi had made an excuse about getting medicine for Shu Fuyan to temporarily send him away.
Having been interrupted in their time alone time and again, and then encountering the Grand Princess bringing people over today, Xiao Yi knew that Shu Fuyan was having a hard time; he had deliberately delayed the important business, waiting until nightfall to handle it all at once.
The lieutenant’s face was unsightly; his brows were furrowed high.
He had received orders to go to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion to search for clues regarding Cai Yan, but the crucial documents had been snatched by thieves during the search.
The man’s lightweight kung fu was not bad; he was masked, and he had snatched the documents in public.
The incident happened so suddenly that no one had seen the man’s face clearly.
Even if they wanted to look for him, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
“General, it is my dereliction of duty that I let that person run away. I am willing to accept punishment.”
The lieutenant felt ashamed; he cupped his hands and knelt, hoping Xiao Yi would punish him to get it over with.
“Get up.” Xiao Yi’s voice was cold and stern, possessing an awe-inspiring power that did not need anger.
“General, please punish me!” The lieutenant was stubborn and unwilling to rise.
From resisting enemies at the frontier to returning to the capital, he had followed Xiao Yi for seven years. The number of times he had failed in an assignment given by Xiao Yi was few and far between.
Now that they were back in the capital, Xiao Yi had encountered danger several times, and the people behind it were in the shadows and couldn’t be investigated; the lieutenant felt as if he had a bone stuck in his throat, believing himself to have failed his duty.
“People who want the crown prince to fall are everywhere. If it hadn’t been you going to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion today, the things wouldn’t have fallen into our hands anyway.” Xiao Yi stood with his back to him, observing the terrain map of the imperial city.
Lin Baiyi had killed Cai Yan and wanted to finish him off as well.
The volley of arrows had come menacingly, not even sparing Lin Baiyi.
Two groups of people had revealed their flaws in the light, but what of the others? How many pairs of eyes must be watching him from behind?
The Grand Princess who had visited today—what was her role?
Enemy. Friend.
It all depended on a single thought.
“General, I am willing to make amends for my crimes by leading troops to thoroughly search inside and outside the imperial city tonight.” The lieutenant’s eyes were firm; he was determined to make up for his own failings.
Xiao Yi raised a hand. “No need.”
“Just observe the changes and wait.”
Because of Cai Yan’s death, there were plenty of people in the court impeaching the crown prince. The crown prince’s maternal clan was powerful and would not fall overnight; the Emperor was suspicious of this, and regarding court matters, he was quite dissatisfied with the crown prince—it was a time of great annoyance.
A thorough search of the imperial city was a matter of great importance; not only did it require the Emperor’s approval, but it would also cause panic. If the crown prince’s maternal clan were to intervene and reverse the situation, that would be bad.
Chaos inside and outside the capital meant the Emperor would inevitably summon Xiao Yi to the palace.
This trip to the imperial palace would not be so simple.
The lieutenant did not think as far ahead as Xiao Yi. He couldn’t figure out how the thief knew the documents were hidden in the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
“General, do you think there is a traitor among us!” The lieutenant felt the possibility was extremely high and spoke with a raised volume: “The Drunken Immortal Pavilion is Prince Ji’s territory. Wouldn’t the person who wants to overthrow the crown prince be Prince Ji?”
The lieutenant’s words gave Xiao Yi a jolt of awareness.
Yes, how could it be such a coincidence? Just as the lieutenant found the incriminating documents, the thief snatched them away.
If a traitor was at work, did that mean that person had been hiding by his side all along?
A voice in the bottom of his heart told him not to keep investigating. When it involved that person, Xiao Yi was unwilling to believe it. He pinched his brows wearily. “Do not mention this matter again. You may go.”
The lieutenant was puzzled. Having a traitor hiding in the army was a great taboo and must be removed.
Why not think about ferreting out the traitor, and instead just let it be?
Weren’t you afraid of being stabbed in the back by the traitor!
The lieutenant wanted to say one more thing, but Xiao Yi waved his hand; his expression was cold and stern, and he was unwilling to continue discussing this matter.
The lieutenant had no choice but to withdraw.
As soon as he opened the door, Shu Fuyan, dripping with moist steam, entered the study with his hair draped over his shoulders.
“Scholar Shu.” The lieutenant was startled.
It’s late at night; why has Scholar Shu come?
Shu Fuyan nodded at him and walked straight in. The lieutenant knew his place; he pulled the door closed with both hands.
“The night is already deep; it is time to sleep.” Shu Fuyan walked slowly; the black hair on his shoulders was still wet, dripping water, and the edges of his robes were completely soaked through.
“Come here.” Xiao Yi beckoned to him. “Your arm is injured; today, let me wipe your hair for you.”
Shu Fuyan bowed his head and smiled shallowly. He, too, was living a good life, fortunate enough to have Xiao Yi wait upon him.
Shu Fuyan sat in the chair, his damp hair lifted by Xiao Yi. A clean silk cloth was placed in the study, just right for wiping Shu Fuyan’s hair.
Xiao Yi had never served anyone; he controlled his strength at every moment, careful and cautious, trying his best not to pull at his beloved’s raven hair.
Shu Fuyan squinted in comfort, leaning his back against the chair and tilting his head upward.
“General Xiao’s craftsmanship is not bad.” Shu Fuyan shifted, turning sideways to reach out and stroke Xiao Yi’s face. “I really want to have General Xiao serve me every day.”
Shu Fuyan was becoming increasingly brazen, yet Xiao Yi liked it immensely. He grabbed Shu Fuyan’s hand as he was causing mischief and squeezed it lightly. “You are injured, yet you are still not being obedient!”
Trying to seduce me on purpose, are you!
“How could that be! I just want to make the General happy.”
Shu Fuyan broke free from his hand’s constraints and used his uninjured hand to smooth the furrowed brow of Xiao Yi.
“If you frown again, you will have aged ten years.”
Xiao Yi laughed bitterly and quickly swept his emotions away. “Sharp-tongued. Even if I were to grow ten years older than you, aren’t I still your person? Outside of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate, don’t even think about going anywhere.”
Xiao Yi was a full ten years older than Shu Fuyan; if he were to grow ten years older, wouldn’t that create a generational gap?
Shu Fuyan had deliberately said this just to distract Xiao Yi and keep him from wallowing in worries. But little did he know, Xiao Yi appeared ten years older than Shu Fuyan, but in reality, he had been wandering the human world for over a hundred years.
“If the General smiles more, I won’t go anywhere.” Shu Fuyan did not know what he had figured out, but he reverted to the Shu Fuyan of before the one who was filled entirely with Xiao Yi. He rubbed against Xiao Yi’s wrist, seeking his affection, just as a fox would curry favor with its master.
Xiao Yi stared at Shu Fuyan for a long time; a struggle flickered in his eyes. While hesitant, he brought up a heart-wrenching matter: “Fuyan, we are intimate and sleep in the same bed; we can be considered to be treating each other with sincerity. Today, I have a question for you, and I hope you will not conceal the truth.”
Xiao Yi’s expression was serious, and Shu Fuyan, who had been immersed in the warmth, immediately straightened his face.
It seemed as if a storm was brewing; he couldn’t help but feel nervous, clutching his sleeves as he said: “Please ask, General.”
Xiao Yi put down the silk cloth and looked into Shu Fuyan’s eyes calmly. “Whose person are you, after all?”
“I want the truth; don’t lie to me.”
Shu Fuyan felt his heart turn cold. Although he knew this day would come, he still couldn’t help but feel panicked. He tightened his fingertips, his eyes cold and aloof, as he affirmed: “I am your person, General.”
“How can you prove it?” Xiao Yi retorted: “You will not betray me?”
Shu Fuyan’s lips mumbled, his voice deepening. “Using myself as a bargaining chip if I betray you, I will die a miserable death.”
People can lie, but eyes that hold true love cannot.
Shu Fuyan’s serious words were as if he were certain that Xiao Yi would believe him.
In fact, that was indeed the case.
Xiao Yi picked up the silk cloth once more, supporting the back of his head with one hand while weaving the other through his hair to wipe it dry.
He leaned down and planted a cold kiss. “I believe you.”
A thousand words, all in this kiss.
Shu Fuyan’s gaze fell upon the wooden door. The lantern flames outside the house were burning too brightly, illuminating the ground with a scorching, red heat.
In the night, Shu Fuyan’s heart was cold.