After that meal, Wang Bin felt uneasy. Once the guests had left, he immediately called in a trusted confidant to discuss, “Do you think Liang Zixi will truly join forces with us?”
Zhang Dian’s expression was serious as he shook his head, “This young man is no ordinary person; we cannot simply view him in an ordinary way. I believe that his words today were nothing but excuses.”
Wang Bin could sense the evasion in his companion’s response and sighed softly, “Zixi is, after all, just a scholar, lacking in courage. Perhaps he will only dare to join when the situation is more favorable…”
Zhang Dian quickly interrupted Wang Bin, saying, “Young Master, you are mistaken! Without courage, how could he lead an attack on the city on New Year’s Day? Remember, a solar eclipse can be calculated according to the calendar. If the situation were contrary to our expectations, it might not be that he attacked during the eclipse, but that he knew about the eclipse before attacking. This shows both remarkable foresight and courage!”
Wang Bin was taken aback. This was the first time he had heard such a theory. Launching a battle during a solar eclipse? Wasn’t that madness? And how could one accurately predict a solar eclipse? Nonetheless, these words stirred his thoughts, “If he truly fears nothing, why did he reject such a golden opportunity? As long as the Xiongnu remain in Bing County, Shangdang will never have peace. Could it be that he intends to stand alone against tens of thousands of Xiongnu troops?”
That sounded incredibly exaggerated. How could one command a whole country with just one commandery?
Zhang Dian sneered, “Who said he wants to stand alone? By refusing to yield, he merely seeks a better buyer. He went to such great lengths to ally with Taiyuan, and do you think he has no desires? Now, within Luoyang, there is a dearth of ‘loyal ministers’.”
“To Luoyang? But didn’t he refuse Prince Dongyin’s recruitment? How could he suddenly want to please Prince Donghai?” Wang Bin was skeptical of this assumption. Luoyang was in chaos, and anyone with some sense wouldn’t rush to join. Moreover, Prince Dongyin was known for his grudges. Anyone who had offended him wouldn’t expect to gain much in Luoyang.
“Luoyang has an emperor,” Zhang Dian offered an answer, “and how many are currently in mourning attire?”
Was he truly loyal to the emperor? Or did he have high hopes for the new emperor and wished to take advantage? It wasn’t impossible, as Liang Zixi was young. When most of the senior ministers were in their twilight years, he would still be in his prime and could vie for the position of Prime Minister. Moreover, during the power struggle between Sima Yue and Sima Ying, he could align himself with the new emperor. If he had such intentions, it would go against his father’s plans!
“…This is just speculation, not necessarily true,” Wang Bin finally shook his head. When he considered the solar eclipse matter, he couldn’t connect Liang Zixi with being a loyal minister. Furthermore, he didn’t show much respect for the emperor. To jump to such a conclusion was premature.
Seeing Wang Bin’s disbelief, Zhang Dian smiled sinisterly in his heart. It’s okay; there will soon be “evidence.”
While the two were discussing, guards rushed in, “Captain! The Liang household’s troops have pulled out!”
“What?!” Wang Bin stood up abruptly, they’ve pulled out? In the middle of the night, right after leaving the banquet? Why?
Zhang Dian’s eyes flickered with a trace of satisfaction, and his voice grew urgent, “Young Master! I’m afraid this young man has ulterior motives! He just learned about Wang Gong’s plans, and he’s leaving in the dead of night. He may be turning against us!”
Wang Bin was becoming quite anxious. He had discussed his father’s ambitions, and if this matter reached the ears of Prince Donghai, even if it didn’t impact You County directly, it would damage Sima Yue’s trust in his father. It was not the right time to raise suspicions when the opportunity wasn’t ripe, and it was not what they wanted.
But why would Liang Zixi be so decisive? After a friendly conversation, he immediately left? Was he not afraid of angering his father, who was both the commander of You County and the rightful heir of Taiyuan?
Zhang Dian didn’t care about Wang Bin’s thoughts. He urgently said, “Young Master, given the situation, why not eliminate the problem entirely? Liang Zixi only brought two hundred riders, while our troops number three hundred! If we pursue them relentlessly, we can surely eliminate them cleanly! This will cause chaos in Shangdang, and we can install someone obedient to our cause. Isn’t this a better solution?”
“But…” Wang Bin hesitated, “What if the other party had no intention of opposing us, and we end up breaking relations? After all, he’s family by marriage…”
“Young Master!” Zhang Dian exclaimed with frustration, “Let’s pursue them first. If they don’t fight back, we can bring them back. If they fight desperately, it will confirm their intentions. We’re both cavalry; further delay, and they may escape!”
These words finally made Wang Bin determined, and he shouted, “Summon the men!”
Seeing that Wang Bin was now mobilizing his troops, Zhang Dian felt relieved. The plan was a success!
Among the two groups of riders, he was the only one who knew why things had escalated to this point. It was because Liang Zixi had inadvertently ingested the Cold Food Powder that had been placed in the lamb soup!
Liang Zixi had once nearly died due to an overdose of this medicine, which was well-known. It was the primary reason he had refused Sima Teng’s recruitment in the first place. At the time, Sima Teng had even sent a royal physician to diagnose him. It couldn’t be a mistake!
However, if someone had previously overdosed on the medicine, would they be immune to its effects? No, they wouldn’t. Even though Zhang Dian couldn’t afford the Cold Food Powder himself, he had seen many noble scions who used it. These individuals lacked restraint and would continue to use the miraculous remedy even when their bodies rotted, plagued by unceasing pain, never giving up its consumption. So even if Liang Zixi didn’t behave like someone who had taken the powder, this substance was not something he could easily quit.
Hence, a dose of Cold Food Powder mixed into lamb soup could become the most deadly poison!
If he had previously taken the medicine, an overdose would immediately occur. Even if it wasn’t time for him to take the medicine, there were strict rules for its administration. It required cold clothing, cold drinks, cold food, and lying in a cold bed, primarily consuming cold foods and wearing thin clothing as the extreme cold was beneficial. However, wine had to be warm and pure to neutralize the effects of the medicine.
Lamb soup was warm, and it wasn’t the right kind of meal for taking the medicine. On the table, there was only tea and cold, thin wine, which wasn’t conducive to dispelling the poison.
How many noble scions died violently each year due to improper administration of the medicine? Anyone who had taken the medicine wouldn’t dare to be so careless with Cold Food Powder! But this small detail was enough to be deadly. What’s more, his cause of death was supposed to be from the medicine, and no one would suspect it was poison.
Not to mention others, even Wang Bin himself couldn’t fathom the details.
If the person with the surname Liang had been lucky and didn’t die on the spot? This was the current situation. He discovered the poisoning, panicked, and fled. And this escape gave Wang Bin the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot. Wang Bin had spoken too much, exposing his vulnerability, and he felt uneasy. Liang Zixi, who had been inexplicably poisoned during the banquet, would only suspect the host. This led to a situation where one was desperate to escape while the other was eager to pursue, and a battle was on the brink of breaking out. They had strong Xianbei soldiers, outnumbering the other party by over a hundred men. Stopping them would be a piece of cake!
As long as the person died, they would control everything. Even if they didn’t achieve their goal in negotiations, Wang Bin could still explain it to his father. And he would become the key figure in “rescuing” this “crisis.”
One event led to another, and there was no doubt that the person posing as the seemingly genuine commandant would die!
After expelling the toxic gas from his body, Zhang Dian adopted a diligent and conscientious counselor’s posture and watched as most of the cavalry rode out of the camp.
※
It was already summer, and the night wind was no longer biting. However, as he rode, Yiyan felt an icy chill throughout his body. All his strength was focused on holding the body in his arms tightly. Regret, frustration, anger—all these emotions had dissipated, leaving only a deep-seated fear in his bones. He couldn’t lose the person in his embrace. He needed to get back to Lu City and have Jiang Da treat his lord’s illness…
Unable to hear the sounds around his ears and see the things beside him, all that remained in his eyes was the road under the moonlight, stretching into the distance, leading back to the city he had come from…
“General! General!” a horse rushed up desperately. “There are pursuers behind us!”
These words broke through Yiyan’s confused consciousness. His teeth clattered as he spoke, “Leave a hundred and eighty riders to block the pursuers. Ensure they stop them at all costs!”
Those were Xianbei cavalry, and their numbers were greater than his own. This command was, in fact, a death sentence. Only by facing death could they have a chance to stop the enemy.
However, the soldiers accompanying him were all from the Liang family’s territories. They were the most trusted of the trusted, the closest of the close. Upon hearing this order, no one hesitated. Several captains immediately turned their horses and rode to confront the enemy riders.
Yiyan didn’t slow down his horse one bit and continued galloping. The sounds of battle, the cries, and the wails were all blown away by the night wind, along with the scent of blood. The moon climbed slowly to the center of the night sky. Soon, a dark cloud drifted across, obscuring the silver moon. The not-so-clear road in front of him disappeared as well.
A miserable neigh resounded. One horse stumbled and crashed to the ground, causing a commotion among the riders. Even Yiyan’s dappled gray steed began to falter, its front legs going weak.
A hand grabbed the reins and yanked hard, stabilizing the out-of-control horse. However, the riders behind him weren’t as fortunate.
“General! The night road is rugged; we can’t go on!” a voice shouted.
In all directions, darkness surrounded them. The night path was treacherous, making it difficult even to walk, let alone ride. Continuing would only lead to broken necks and senseless deaths.
Yiyan understood this perfectly well. Not to mention the other horses, his beloved mount was already exhausted. The best course of action was to let the horses rest for two hours and set out again at dawn.
He reached out and felt that the person in his arms was no longer sweating; they were getting cold, but they were still shivering. Yiyan pulled the reins tightly and a lightning-fast thought crossed his mind. He immediately issued an order, “Split into two groups. One continues forward, and one comes with me to find a place to take shelter.”
This was a plan to divide their forces. In case they couldn’t stop the pursuers, the people and horses continuing forward could act as bait to lure the enemy away.
The captain of the personal guards who had been by his side all along, didn’t say a word. He led ten riders and disappeared into the night.
Yiyan remained silent, turned his horse, and galloped toward the nearby mountains and forests. After about a quarter of an hour of careful maneuvering, they found a sheltered cave by a ridge. Yiyan dismounted, carrying the person in his arms, and entered the cave.
The cave had been deserted for who knows how long, covered in dust and dried grass. Several guards quickly cleared a clean space, spread a blanket, and then Yiyan gently placed the person he had been carrying on the ground. After the bumpy ride, the color had faded from the person’s face, their eyes remained tightly closed, and they were trembling all over. Their fingers were clenched into hooks, gripping their clothing as if trying to tear it off.
A pang of pain shot through Yiyan’s heart. In a low voice, he ordered, “Everyone, go outside, take turns on guard duty, and fetch some water!”
Seeing their Lord in this state, the guards felt a mixture of anger and sadness, and quickly left the cave. Yiyan kindled a small fire and then turned back to the person in his arms. After some hesitation, he reached out and began to unfasten Liang Feng’s outer robe.
Just a while ago, Yiyan suddenly remembered having seen his Lord in this condition before. It was three years ago when he had just entered the Liang family’s service. At that time, the Lord had experienced a reaction to the poison, behaving as if he were in a frenzy. Yiyan had often heard Lüzhu lecture about the specifics of poison and the need for strict dietary and lifestyle choices. If one did not properly observe these rules, there was a risk of death…
The outer robe slipped from his fingertips and loosened. Following that, it was the inner garment. On that fair-skinned body, the intense heat had already subsided, leaving it cold and sticky. Yet, no matter how cold it was, it couldn’t provide warmth. This was a necessary condition for cold detoxification, and they also needed a cold water bath.
“General, the water’s here!” a voice came from outside. Yiyan didn’t let them enter but went to the cave’s entrance, received the water, and said in a low voice, “Hang the curtains too to prevent drafts.”
Even on a summer night, it was cold in the mountains. Yiyan couldn’t allow his Lord to catch a chill. The guard quickly did as instructed, and Yiyan returned to Liang Feng’s side with a basin of water.
On the black thin blanket, the person remained unconscious, shivering violently with clothes wide open, like a gust of wind could snatch them away. Yiyan’s body trembled too, and he knelt down quickly, dampening a cloth with cold water, and began to wipe them. His movements were rapid, and in no time, the cold sweat was wiped away.
Yiyan halted his hand and retrieved a flask hidden on his person. This was alcohol given to him by Jiang Da, specifically for disinfecting his shoulder wound. It hadn’t fully healed, so he needed to apply some to speed up the recovery.
People at the hospital always said this alcohol was strong enough to harm a person if consumed directly. But in the wild, where could they find fine spirits to remove the poison effectively?
The water in the bowl was steaming, and Yiyan gritted his teeth. He tilted the small flask and let the concentrated alcohol stream gently into the bowl. In a moment, a strong scent of alcohol filled the air. He took the bowl and waited for a short while until the sides were no longer scalding hot, then lifted it. He held the trembling body half in his arms and brought the bowl closer.
The copper bowl met the pale lips. However, due to pain or cold, the person’s teeth were tightly clenched, and the alcohol could only trickle down the corner of their lips and onto their neck. Yiyan’s hand froze, hesitated for a moment, then he raised the bowl and placed it against the quivering lips.
The deadlock of clenched teeth was gently pried open by his tongue. The rich and strong alcohol, following the base of the tongue, slid down the throat.
Liang Feng felt like he had plunged into icy water. The water was bone-chilling and made him numb all over. The waves surged and churned incessantly, wrapping around his limbs and gripping his throat. Even if he struggled desperately, he couldn’t break free. However, very close to him, there was always a hint of warmth, like a flickering firefly. It made him want to snuggle up, to draw from it, to hold it tightly in his arms and escape the torment of the cold.
One cold, one hot, like shadows intertwined, they tugged at each other, driving his consciousness into madness. The burning heat returned to his abdomen, and his skin felt like it had grown a multitude of tiny thorns, itching and tingling intensely. In his mind, something was wailing, moaning, and shrieking.
Free me! Free me!
Just then, a warm current emerged. It wound its way down his throat, rich and spicy, soothing his screaming consciousness inch by inch and washing away the icy thorns. The burning sensation in his chest burst open with a bang. Liang Feng felt his entire body’s hair standing on end. This was what he wanted!
His tongue, frozen stiff moments ago, suddenly came to life. He hungrily sucked it back, entwining with the warm, moist thing inside his mouth, just like a famished young beast, extremely thirsty and ferocious. Caught off guard, Yiyan froze, his entire body stiffening as the spicy alcohol fumes surged into his nostrils, stirring the long-suppressed burning desire.
In that instant, his consciousness collapsed. He couldn’t help but clumsily kiss back, trying to respond to that nimble tongue. But when his scorching palm touched Liang Feng’s cold shoulder, it was like a bucket of cold water being poured over him. He remembered where he was and what he was doing.
In a state of disarray, he pushed the person in his arms away, panting heavily, sweat dripping down his body, whether from heat or cold he couldn’t tell. He stammered, “My Lord…”
He couldn’t take advantage of the situation, couldn’t destroy what little remained of himself. He was helping his Lord suppress the poison, feeding him the alcohol…
However, what met his eyes were a pair of round, wide-open black pupils. Liang Feng didn’t know when he had opened his eyes, and he stared straight at Yiyan. Those eyes lacked luster, filled only with chaos and desire.
The thing that could save him had escaped, and he wanted to seize it back!
Somehow finding the strength, Liang Feng’s body shot up, pouncing on Yiyan! He grabbed Yiyan’s collar and kissed him again with all his might. This was a real tongue kiss, using all his strength and unconscious skills. He hadn’t truly awakened; he was just following his instincts, plundering, fighting, using every ounce of his strength to let that persistent demonic fire within his chest erupt!
This frenzied, passionate kiss sent Yiyan tumbling to the ground. The nude body in his arms writhed like a live fish, and that wanton tongue almost sucked away the last shreds of his sanity. Veins on his forehead throbbed, and Yiyan suddenly flipped over, pinning the person beneath him. With one hand, he seized the restless wrist, ruthlessly pressing it into the ground.
“My Lord… you’re… poisoned…” Each word was forced out of his throat. Tears welled up in Yiyan’s eyes as he continued, “You need to detox… you need to drink… alcohol…”
However, for Liang Feng, whose mind was clouded, any persuasion was futile. The fire inside him burned fiercely, dispelling the cold, pain, and madness. It raged, boiled, and sought an outlet for release! He had suppressed it for far too long, and no one could take the warmth of that body from his grasp. He held onto that solace to soothe his aching shell.
Liang Feng’s legs hooked upward, and his bare thighs slid against Yiyan’s waist, drawing closer. His already erect member pressed against the taut abdominal muscles. There was a firm yet supple sensation, sweat-slicked skin, and comforting warmth, allowing him to unleash his pent-up desires.
Yiyan’s breath caught. The person beneath him moved as if he were an unrestrained python, writhing energetically, trying to coil around him. Months of training had sculpted his physique, and his thin muscles were now well-defined and glistening with sweat. His fair skin glowed under the orange firelight, resembling a golden radiance.
The person’s face had transformed. No longer elegant and composed, they now appeared with vivid peach-colored cheeks, and their eye corners were like they had been brushed with thick rouge, glowing with moisture. In those lifeless dark eyes, his own reflection was cast.
Yiyan let out a choked moan as his once unyielding and seemingly invulnerable shoulders slumped, submitting to the person beneath him.
Trembling lips pressed against those pale, thin ones.
The fierce tongue-kissing resumed. It was ravenous, stirring his own tongue, sucking on his teeth, even greedily attempting to enter, brushing against the uvula. Yiyan had never experienced this, but he stumbled and struggled to keep up with the chaotic rhythm, chasing after the other’s lips and tongue.
Their breaths became sticky and gradually melded together. The restrained wrist broke free and began to roam freely. It seemed to want to embrace tightly, yet it also wanted to shred and crush. Then there was that slender waist that kept moving, thrusting, seeking a way to release.
Yiyan’s hands tightly encircled the person’s chest and abdomen as he abruptly sat up. The oversized robe draped over them swayed with this motion, falling back onto both of them. Due to this action, Liang Feng involuntarily leaned forward, straddling Yiyan’s thighs. A pair of strong arms clamped tightly around his chest and abdomen, pressing him against that iron-like firm chest.
Yet, this was still not enough. He grunted, and Liang Feng’s hand moved downward, attempting to grasp his erect member. But someone was quicker, a large hand with rough calluses slipping into his groin, seizing that hard object.
“No…” The force was too much, and Liang Feng involuntarily moaned, trying to curl his body.
However, this sound did not bring back Yiyan’s reason. On the contrary, he pressed down harder, as if trying to stick that pillar of flesh against his flat lower abdomen. There was no rhythm, no melody, just kneading, pressing, and greedy rubbing of every inch of tender skin.
The flames had consumed the last shreds of reason. Liang Feng clamped down on the arm beneath him with force and bit down. Something spurted out underneath him, and the viscous fluid sprayed between the person’s fingers.
“My Lord…” Yiyan let out a short, breathless moan, the pain in his neck making him tense his body. Then, he grabbed the slender waist in his arms and thrust upward with force.
He hadn’t removed his pants, and the rough fabric rubbed against his exposed groin. Just after the climax, that area was incredibly sensitive. Liang Feng couldn’t help but recoil, trying to put some distance between them. However, the hand pressing on his waist was like an unyielding shackle, not allowing any retreat.
It sounded like a moan, like a cry of pain. He let out a long, high-pitched cry, pointing his fingers upward, digging into the other’s light brown hair bun. The copper hairpin fell, and the wavy hair scattered. Yiyan didn’t care about anything and lifted his head, swallowing the soul-stirring sounds into his throat.
In his pants, a hot liquid burst out, wetting a patch. Yiyan’s mind buzzed, and his whole body trembled.
This was his! It belonged only to him! No one could take it away!
However, this time, the passionate kiss did not elicit a response. The body in his arms went soft like all the strength had been drained from it.
A rush of cold air shot up his spine, and Yiyan abruptly let go of the person in his arms, testing gently with his hand. When the warm breath sprayed into his hand, he finally regained his composure. His Lord was unharmed!
At this moment, something else mercilessly entered his field of vision. Swollen lips, bruises on the body, the white fluid that stuck to his groin, and the exposed clothes made the scene truly unbearable to witness.
A buzzing sound filled his head, and Yiyan trembled again. What had he done? Hurriedly, he picked up a cloth from the basin and began wiping away the marks little by little. But how could he ever truly erase them?
What had he done, after all?!
A choked sob escaped his throat as Yiyan clenched his fist and smashed it against the ground.
Blood instantly spurted out, as if you could hear the sound of bones shattering. Yet he didn’t feel anything, not even the loss of his once-vibrant gray-blue eyes.
After a long time, Yiyan lifted his hand and gently brushed it over that peaceful sleeping face. Perhaps from exhaustion, those terrifying symptoms had passed, and he seemed to be sleeping soundly.
Blood from his finger had dripped down his fair cheekbone. Yiyan took a deep breath, reaching to pick up the hairpin, haphazardly securing the disheveled hair. He carefully wiped the cloth over once more, gently cleaning the sweat and impurities from the person’s body, and then straightened the clothing.
Everything was concealed beneath the thin garments.
Yiyan remained still, unaffected, letting the flickering firelight dance around them, the bone-chilling cold settling in, as if he had merged with the person by his side.
The next day, before dawn, the group set off again, racing towards Lu City.
After that meal, Wang Bin felt uneasy. Once the guests had left, he immediately called in a trusted confidant to discuss, “Do you think Liang Zixi will truly join forces with us?”
Zhang Dian’s expression was serious as he shook his head, “This young man is no ordinary person; we cannot simply view him in an ordinary way. I believe that his words today were nothing but excuses.”
Wang Bin could sense the evasion in his companion’s response and sighed softly, “Zixi is, after all, just a scholar, lacking in courage. Perhaps he will only dare to join when the situation is more favorable…”
Zhang Dian quickly interrupted Wang Bin, saying, “Young Master, you are mistaken! Without courage, how could he lead an attack on the city on New Year’s Day? Remember, a solar eclipse can be calculated according to the calendar. If the situation were contrary to our expectations, it might not be that he attacked during the eclipse, but that he knew about the eclipse before attacking. This shows both remarkable foresight and courage!”
Wang Bin was taken aback. This was the first time he had heard such a theory. Launching a battle during a solar eclipse? Wasn’t that madness? And how could one accurately predict a solar eclipse? Nonetheless, these words stirred his thoughts, “If he truly fears nothing, why did he reject such a golden opportunity? As long as the Xiongnu remain in Bing County, Shangdang will never have peace. Could it be that he intends to stand alone against tens of thousands of Xiongnu troops?”
That sounded incredibly exaggerated. How could one command a whole country with just one commandery?
Zhang Dian sneered, “Who said he wants to stand alone? By refusing to yield, he merely seeks a better buyer. He went to such great lengths to ally with Taiyuan, and do you think he has no desires? Now, within Luoyang, there is a dearth of ‘loyal ministers’.”
“To Luoyang? But didn’t he refuse Prince Dongyin’s recruitment? How could he suddenly want to please Prince Donghai?” Wang Bin was skeptical of this assumption. Luoyang was in chaos, and anyone with some sense wouldn’t rush to join. Moreover, Prince Dongyin was known for his grudges. Anyone who had offended him wouldn’t expect to gain much in Luoyang.
“Luoyang has an emperor,” Zhang Dian offered an answer, “and how many are currently in mourning attire?”
Was he truly loyal to the emperor? Or did he have high hopes for the new emperor and wished to take advantage? It wasn’t impossible, as Liang Zixi was young. When most of the senior ministers were in their twilight years, he would still be in his prime and could vie for the position of Prime Minister. Moreover, during the power struggle between Sima Yue and Sima Ying, he could align himself with the new emperor. If he had such intentions, it would go against his father’s plans!
“…This is just speculation, not necessarily true,” Wang Bin finally shook his head. When he considered the solar eclipse matter, he couldn’t connect Liang Zixi with being a loyal minister. Furthermore, he didn’t show much respect for the emperor. To jump to such a conclusion was premature.
Seeing Wang Bin’s disbelief, Zhang Dian smiled sinisterly in his heart. It’s okay; there will soon be “evidence.”
While the two were discussing, guards rushed in, “Captain! The Liang household’s troops have pulled out!”
“What?!” Wang Bin stood up abruptly, they’ve pulled out? In the middle of the night, right after leaving the banquet? Why?
Zhang Dian’s eyes flickered with a trace of satisfaction, and his voice grew urgent, “Young Master! I’m afraid this young man has ulterior motives! He just learned about Wang Gong’s plans, and he’s leaving in the dead of night. He may be turning against us!”
Wang Bin was becoming quite anxious. He had discussed his father’s ambitions, and if this matter reached the ears of Prince Donghai, even if it didn’t impact You County directly, it would damage Sima Yue’s trust in his father. It was not the right time to raise suspicions when the opportunity wasn’t ripe, and it was not what they wanted.
But why would Liang Zixi be so decisive? After a friendly conversation, he immediately left? Was he not afraid of angering his father, who was both the commander of You County and the rightful heir of Taiyuan?
Zhang Dian didn’t care about Wang Bin’s thoughts. He urgently said, “Young Master, given the situation, why not eliminate the problem entirely? Liang Zixi only brought two hundred riders, while our troops number three hundred! If we pursue them relentlessly, we can surely eliminate them cleanly! This will cause chaos in Shangdang, and we can install someone obedient to our cause. Isn’t this a better solution?”
“But…” Wang Bin hesitated, “What if the other party had no intention of opposing us, and we end up breaking relations? After all, he’s family by marriage…”
“Young Master!” Zhang Dian exclaimed with frustration, “Let’s pursue them first. If they don’t fight back, we can bring them back. If they fight desperately, it will confirm their intentions. We’re both cavalry; further delay, and they may escape!”
These words finally made Wang Bin determined, and he shouted, “Summon the men!”
Seeing that Wang Bin was now mobilizing his troops, Zhang Dian felt relieved. The plan was a success!
Among the two groups of riders, he was the only one who knew why things had escalated to this point. It was because Liang Zixi had inadvertently ingested the Cold Food Powder that had been placed in the lamb soup!
Liang Zixi had once nearly died due to an overdose of this medicine, which was well-known. It was the primary reason he had refused Sima Teng’s recruitment in the first place. At the time, Sima Teng had even sent a royal physician to diagnose him. It couldn’t be a mistake!
However, if someone had previously overdosed on the medicine, would they be immune to its effects? No, they wouldn’t. Even though Zhang Dian couldn’t afford the Cold Food Powder himself, he had seen many noble scions who used it. These individuals lacked restraint and would continue to use the miraculous remedy even when their bodies rotted, plagued by unceasing pain, never giving up its consumption. So even if Liang Zixi didn’t behave like someone who had taken the powder, this substance was not something he could easily quit.
Hence, a dose of Cold Food Powder mixed into lamb soup could become the most deadly poison!
If he had previously taken the medicine, an overdose would immediately occur. Even if it wasn’t time for him to take the medicine, there were strict rules for its administration. It required cold clothing, cold drinks, cold food, and lying in a cold bed, primarily consuming cold foods and wearing thin clothing as the extreme cold was beneficial. However, wine had to be warm and pure to neutralize the effects of the medicine.
Lamb soup was warm, and it wasn’t the right kind of meal for taking the medicine. On the table, there was only tea and cold, thin wine, which wasn’t conducive to dispelling the poison.
How many noble scions died violently each year due to improper administration of the medicine? Anyone who had taken the medicine wouldn’t dare to be so careless with Cold Food Powder! But this small detail was enough to be deadly. What’s more, his cause of death was supposed to be from the medicine, and no one would suspect it was poison.
Not to mention others, even Wang Bin himself couldn’t fathom the details.
If the person with the surname Liang had been lucky and didn’t die on the spot? This was the current situation. He discovered the poisoning, panicked, and fled. And this escape gave Wang Bin the opportunity to strike while the iron was hot. Wang Bin had spoken too much, exposing his vulnerability, and he felt uneasy. Liang Zixi, who had been inexplicably poisoned during the banquet, would only suspect the host. This led to a situation where one was desperate to escape while the other was eager to pursue, and a battle was on the brink of breaking out. They had strong Xianbei soldiers, outnumbering the other party by over a hundred men. Stopping them would be a piece of cake!
As long as the person died, they would control everything. Even if they didn’t achieve their goal in negotiations, Wang Bin could still explain it to his father. And he would become the key figure in “rescuing” this “crisis.”
One event led to another, and there was no doubt that the person posing as the seemingly genuine commandant would die!
After expelling the toxic gas from his body, Zhang Dian adopted a diligent and conscientious counselor’s posture and watched as most of the cavalry rode out of the camp.
※
It was already summer, and the night wind was no longer biting. However, as he rode, Yiyan felt an icy chill throughout his body. All his strength was focused on holding the body in his arms tightly. Regret, frustration, anger—all these emotions had dissipated, leaving only a deep-seated fear in his bones. He couldn’t lose the person in his embrace. He needed to get back to Lu City and have Jiang Da treat his lord’s illness…
Unable to hear the sounds around his ears and see the things beside him, all that remained in his eyes was the road under the moonlight, stretching into the distance, leading back to the city he had come from…
“General! General!” a horse rushed up desperately. “There are pursuers behind us!”
These words broke through Yiyan’s confused consciousness. His teeth clattered as he spoke, “Leave a hundred and eighty riders to block the pursuers. Ensure they stop them at all costs!”
Those were Xianbei cavalry, and their numbers were greater than his own. This command was, in fact, a death sentence. Only by facing death could they have a chance to stop the enemy.
However, the soldiers accompanying him were all from the Liang family’s territories. They were the most trusted of the trusted, the closest of the close. Upon hearing this order, no one hesitated. Several captains immediately turned their horses and rode to confront the enemy riders.
Yiyan didn’t slow down his horse one bit and continued galloping. The sounds of battle, the cries, and the wails were all blown away by the night wind, along with the scent of blood. The moon climbed slowly to the center of the night sky. Soon, a dark cloud drifted across, obscuring the silver moon. The not-so-clear road in front of him disappeared as well.
A miserable neigh resounded. One horse stumbled and crashed to the ground, causing a commotion among the riders. Even Yiyan’s dappled gray steed began to falter, its front legs going weak.
A hand grabbed the reins and yanked hard, stabilizing the out-of-control horse. However, the riders behind him weren’t as fortunate.
“General! The night road is rugged; we can’t go on!” a voice shouted.
In all directions, darkness surrounded them. The night path was treacherous, making it difficult even to walk, let alone ride. Continuing would only lead to broken necks and senseless deaths.
Yiyan understood this perfectly well. Not to mention the other horses, his beloved mount was already exhausted. The best course of action was to let the horses rest for two hours and set out again at dawn.
He reached out and felt that the person in his arms was no longer sweating; they were getting cold, but they were still shivering. Yiyan pulled the reins tightly and a lightning-fast thought crossed his mind. He immediately issued an order, “Split into two groups. One continues forward, and one comes with me to find a place to take shelter.”
This was a plan to divide their forces. In case they couldn’t stop the pursuers, the people and horses continuing forward could act as bait to lure the enemy away.
The captain of the personal guards who had been by his side all along, didn’t say a word. He led ten riders and disappeared into the night.
Yiyan remained silent, turned his horse, and galloped toward the nearby mountains and forests. After about a quarter of an hour of careful maneuvering, they found a sheltered cave by a ridge. Yiyan dismounted, carrying the person in his arms, and entered the cave.
The cave had been deserted for who knows how long, covered in dust and dried grass. Several guards quickly cleared a clean space, spread a blanket, and then Yiyan gently placed the person he had been carrying on the ground. After the bumpy ride, the color had faded from the person’s face, their eyes remained tightly closed, and they were trembling all over. Their fingers were clenched into hooks, gripping their clothing as if trying to tear it off.
A pang of pain shot through Yiyan’s heart. In a low voice, he ordered, “Everyone, go outside, take turns on guard duty, and fetch some water!”
Seeing their Lord in this state, the guards felt a mixture of anger and sadness, and quickly left the cave. Yiyan kindled a small fire and then turned back to the person in his arms. After some hesitation, he reached out and began to unfasten Liang Feng’s outer robe.
Just a while ago, Yiyan suddenly remembered having seen his Lord in this condition before. It was three years ago when he had just entered the Liang family’s service. At that time, the Lord had experienced a reaction to the poison, behaving as if he were in a frenzy. Yiyan had often heard Lüzhu lecture about the specifics of poison and the need for strict dietary and lifestyle choices. If one did not properly observe these rules, there was a risk of death…
The outer robe slipped from his fingertips and loosened. Following that, it was the inner garment. On that fair-skinned body, the intense heat had already subsided, leaving it cold and sticky. Yet, no matter how cold it was, it couldn’t provide warmth. This was a necessary condition for cold detoxification, and they also needed a cold water bath.
“General, the water’s here!” a voice came from outside. Yiyan didn’t let them enter but went to the cave’s entrance, received the water, and said in a low voice, “Hang the curtains too to prevent drafts.”
Even on a summer night, it was cold in the mountains. Yiyan couldn’t allow his Lord to catch a chill. The guard quickly did as instructed, and Yiyan returned to Liang Feng’s side with a basin of water.
On the black thin blanket, the person remained unconscious, shivering violently with clothes wide open, like a gust of wind could snatch them away. Yiyan’s body trembled too, and he knelt down quickly, dampening a cloth with cold water, and began to wipe them. His movements were rapid, and in no time, the cold sweat was wiped away.
Yiyan halted his hand and retrieved a flask hidden on his person. This was alcohol given to him by Jiang Da, specifically for disinfecting his shoulder wound. It hadn’t fully healed, so he needed to apply some to speed up the recovery.
People at the hospital always said this alcohol was strong enough to harm a person if consumed directly. But in the wild, where could they find fine spirits to remove the poison effectively?
The water in the bowl was steaming, and Yiyan gritted his teeth. He tilted the small flask and let the concentrated alcohol stream gently into the bowl. In a moment, a strong scent of alcohol filled the air. He took the bowl and waited for a short while until the sides were no longer scalding hot, then lifted it. He held the trembling body half in his arms and brought the bowl closer.
The copper bowl met the pale lips. However, due to pain or cold, the person’s teeth were tightly clenched, and the alcohol could only trickle down the corner of their lips and onto their neck. Yiyan’s hand froze, hesitated for a moment, then he raised the bowl and placed it against the quivering lips.
The deadlock of clenched teeth was gently pried open by his tongue. The rich and strong alcohol, following the base of the tongue, slid down the throat.
Liang Feng felt like he had plunged into icy water. The water was bone-chilling and made him numb all over. The waves surged and churned incessantly, wrapping around his limbs and gripping his throat. Even if he struggled desperately, he couldn’t break free. However, very close to him, there was always a hint of warmth, like a flickering firefly. It made him want to snuggle up, to draw from it, to hold it tightly in his arms and escape the torment of the cold.
One cold, one hot, like shadows intertwined, they tugged at each other, driving his consciousness into madness. The burning heat returned to his abdomen, and his skin felt like it had grown a multitude of tiny thorns, itching and tingling intensely. In his mind, something was wailing, moaning, and shrieking.
Free me! Free me!
Just then, a warm current emerged. It wound its way down his throat, rich and spicy, soothing his screaming consciousness inch by inch and washing away the icy thorns. The burning sensation in his chest burst open with a bang. Liang Feng felt his entire body’s hair standing on end. This was what he wanted!
His tongue, frozen stiff moments ago, suddenly came to life. He hungrily sucked it back, entwining with the warm, moist thing inside his mouth, just like a famished young beast, extremely thirsty and ferocious. Caught off guard, Yiyan froze, his entire body stiffening as the spicy alcohol fumes surged into his nostrils, stirring the long-suppressed burning desire.
In that instant, his consciousness collapsed. He couldn’t help but clumsily kiss back, trying to respond to that nimble tongue. But when his scorching palm touched Liang Feng’s cold shoulder, it was like a bucket of cold water being poured over him. He remembered where he was and what he was doing.
In a state of disarray, he pushed the person in his arms away, panting heavily, sweat dripping down his body, whether from heat or cold he couldn’t tell. He stammered, “My Lord…”
He couldn’t take advantage of the situation, couldn’t destroy what little remained of himself. He was helping his Lord suppress the poison, feeding him the alcohol…
However, what met his eyes were a pair of round, wide-open black pupils. Liang Feng didn’t know when he had opened his eyes, and he stared straight at Yiyan. Those eyes lacked luster, filled only with chaos and desire.
The thing that could save him had escaped, and he wanted to seize it back!
Somehow finding the strength, Liang Feng’s body shot up, pouncing on Yiyan! He grabbed Yiyan’s collar and kissed him again with all his might. This was a real tongue kiss, using all his strength and unconscious skills. He hadn’t truly awakened; he was just following his instincts, plundering, fighting, using every ounce of his strength to let that persistent demonic fire within his chest erupt!
This frenzied, passionate kiss sent Yiyan tumbling to the ground. The nude body in his arms writhed like a live fish, and that wanton tongue almost sucked away the last shreds of his sanity. Veins on his forehead throbbed, and Yiyan suddenly flipped over, pinning the person beneath him. With one hand, he seized the restless wrist, ruthlessly pressing it into the ground.
“My Lord… you’re… poisoned…” Each word was forced out of his throat. Tears welled up in Yiyan’s eyes as he continued, “You need to detox… you need to drink… alcohol…”
However, for Liang Feng, whose mind was clouded, any persuasion was futile. The fire inside him burned fiercely, dispelling the cold, pain, and madness. It raged, boiled, and sought an outlet for release! He had suppressed it for far too long, and no one could take the warmth of that body from his grasp. He held onto that solace to soothe his aching shell.
Liang Feng’s legs hooked upward, and his bare thighs slid against Yiyan’s waist, drawing closer. His already erect member pressed against the taut abdominal muscles. There was a firm yet supple sensation, sweat-slicked skin, and comforting warmth, allowing him to unleash his pent-up desires.
Yiyan’s breath caught. The person beneath him moved as if he were an unrestrained python, writhing energetically, trying to coil around him. Months of training had sculpted his physique, and his thin muscles were now well-defined and glistening with sweat. His fair skin glowed under the orange firelight, resembling a golden radiance.
The person’s face had transformed. No longer elegant and composed, they now appeared with vivid peach-colored cheeks, and their eye corners were like they had been brushed with thick rouge, glowing with moisture. In those lifeless dark eyes, his own reflection was cast.
Yiyan let out a choked moan as his once unyielding and seemingly invulnerable shoulders slumped, submitting to the person beneath him.
Trembling lips pressed against those pale, thin ones.
The fierce tongue-kissing resumed. It was ravenous, stirring his own tongue, sucking on his teeth, even greedily attempting to enter, brushing against the uvula. Yiyan had never experienced this, but he stumbled and struggled to keep up with the chaotic rhythm, chasing after the other’s lips and tongue.
Their breaths became sticky and gradually melded together. The restrained wrist broke free and began to roam freely. It seemed to want to embrace tightly, yet it also wanted to shred and crush. Then there was that slender waist that kept moving, thrusting, seeking a way to release.
Yiyan’s hands tightly encircled the person’s chest and abdomen as he abruptly sat up. The oversized robe draped over them swayed with this motion, falling back onto both of them. Due to this action, Liang Feng involuntarily leaned forward, straddling Yiyan’s thighs. A pair of strong arms clamped tightly around his chest and abdomen, pressing him against that iron-like firm chest.
Yet, this was still not enough. He grunted, and Liang Feng’s hand moved downward, attempting to grasp his erect member. But someone was quicker, a large hand with rough calluses slipping into his groin, seizing that hard object.
“No…” The force was too much, and Liang Feng involuntarily moaned, trying to curl his body.
However, this sound did not bring back Yiyan’s reason. On the contrary, he pressed down harder, as if trying to stick that pillar of flesh against his flat lower abdomen. There was no rhythm, no melody, just kneading, pressing, and greedy rubbing of every inch of tender skin.
The flames had consumed the last shreds of reason. Liang Feng clamped down on the arm beneath him with force and bit down. Something spurted out underneath him, and the viscous fluid sprayed between the person’s fingers.
“My Lord…” Yiyan let out a short, breathless moan, the pain in his neck making him tense his body. Then, he grabbed the slender waist in his arms and thrust upward with force.
He hadn’t removed his pants, and the rough fabric rubbed against his exposed groin. Just after the climax, that area was incredibly sensitive. Liang Feng couldn’t help but recoil, trying to put some distance between them. However, the hand pressing on his waist was like an unyielding shackle, not allowing any retreat.
It sounded like a moan, like a cry of pain. He let out a long, high-pitched cry, pointing his fingers upward, digging into the other’s light brown hair bun. The copper hairpin fell, and the wavy hair scattered. Yiyan didn’t care about anything and lifted his head, swallowing the soul-stirring sounds into his throat.
In his pants, a hot liquid burst out, wetting a patch. Yiyan’s mind buzzed, and his whole body trembled.
This was his! It belonged only to him! No one could take it away!
However, this time, the passionate kiss did not elicit a response. The body in his arms went soft like all the strength had been drained from it.
A rush of cold air shot up his spine, and Yiyan abruptly let go of the person in his arms, testing gently with his hand. When the warm breath sprayed into his hand, he finally regained his composure. His Lord was unharmed!
At this moment, something else mercilessly entered his field of vision. Swollen lips, bruises on the body, the white fluid that stuck to his groin, and the exposed clothes made the scene truly unbearable to witness.
A buzzing sound filled his head, and Yiyan trembled again. What had he done? Hurriedly, he picked up a cloth from the basin and began wiping away the marks little by little. But how could he ever truly erase them?
What had he done, after all?!
A choked sob escaped his throat as Yiyan clenched his fist and smashed it against the ground.
Blood instantly spurted out, as if you could hear the sound of bones shattering. Yet he didn’t feel anything, not even the loss of his once-vibrant gray-blue eyes.
After a long time, Yiyan lifted his hand and gently brushed it over that peaceful sleeping face. Perhaps from exhaustion, those terrifying symptoms had passed, and he seemed to be sleeping soundly.
Blood from his finger had dripped down his fair cheekbone. Yiyan took a deep breath, reaching to pick up the hairpin, haphazardly securing the disheveled hair. He carefully wiped the cloth over once more, gently cleaning the sweat and impurities from the person’s body, and then straightened the clothing.
Everything was concealed beneath the thin garments.
Yiyan remained still, unaffected, letting the flickering firelight dance around them, the bone-chilling cold settling in, as if he had merged with the person by his side.
The next day, before dawn, the group set off again, racing towards Lu City.
