Chapter 208

Chapter 200: Secret Love Affair

Who could have imagined that Yin Chang's bath lasted almost two hours, leaving the scholars in the study hall with rumbling stomachs. Yu Xiaozai glanced at the pastries on the table, his belly protesting loudly.

"Yujing," Shen Zechuan said, stepping away from his duties in Chizhou, "we'll launch an operation in Duanzhou in February. Tan Taihu is unfamiliar with the administrative affairs there. You'll have to oversee them again. I grant you the authority to conduct inspections and report directly to my desk, no need to go through the postal station."

Yu Xiaozai was an imperial censor from the Board of Censors, considered a disciple of Cen Yu. In his earlier years, he had served as an inspection censor, often dispatched to local areas, thus familiar with the intricacies of government offices. Now, with the reconstruction of Dunzhou, the key officials sent there were all newcomers chosen by Chizhou, and Shen Zechuan didn't feel at ease entrusting them with responsibilities. Instead of making Yu Xiaozai the supervisor of Dunzhou, he granted him the power to inspect and report directly. Though Yu Xiaozai didn't hold a specific official title, his influence was significant, akin to the current Taiwei in Zhongbo, holding the reins of the civil service evaluations across the various states and circuits.

Promptly, Yu Xiaozai withdrew his gaze and stood up to bow to Shen Zechuan.

"Dunzhou is a newly established region," Xiao Chiye said, sitting beside Shen Zechuan, addressing Yu Xiaozai. "Tan Taihu holds a military position and should not normally intervene in civil affairs. However, with shortages of personnel across the provinces, such scruples have been temporarily set aside. He might be somewhat slow on the uptake in these matters; you'll need to guide him more in important affairs."

Tan Taihu is Xiao Chiye's trusted aide, assigned to Dunzhou to fill the void of a military commander left in Central Bo, which is actually an underestimation of his abilities. With this connection, no one in the Dunzhou government dares to defy Tan Taihu. Xiao Chiye's words are meant to support Yu Xiaozai. Now, with Shen Zechuan's mandate as an inspector and Xiao Chiye's endorsement, Yu Xiaozai can confidently walk through Dunzhou without fear of anyone, and will have ample authority when he proceeds to other provinces in the future.

A smile illuminated Yu Xiaozai's face, yet he refrained from revealing too much emotion in public. With contained joy, he bowed to the two of them once more and declared, "This humble official shall spare no effort and strive to repay the immense kindness shown by Lord Prefect and Second Master."

Yu Xiaozai replied loudly, and his rumbling stomach echoed in response. Their harmonious exchange left the study chamber utterly silent, as if even the crows and sparrows had been startled into silence.

"It's the banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of the garrison tonight," Shen Zechuan observed as the sky darkened. "I shall not hold back any of you gentlemen any longer. Let the feast commence."

The banquet was arranged in a side hall. Initially, Shen Zechuan was to occupy the main seat, but with Xiao Chiye's return and Yin Chang's absence, he only sat for a short while as a gesture before excusing himself. Most of those present were advisors, and they did not dare to drink excessively or behave recklessly in Shen Zechuan's presence. With the Lord of the Manor gone, they felt more at ease.

In Qiao Tianya's absence, no one was watching over Yao Wenyu, who, unable to resist the gentlemen's enthusiastic hospitality, indulged in a few cups of wine. By the time Qiao Tianya returned, Yuan Zuo had already acquired a slight buzz and was leaning back in his chair, laughing and chatting with Kong Ling and Gao Zhongxiong.

Seeing Qiao Tianya in a rare state of relaxation, he didn't enter the door but hung back, holding the door curtain aside and accompanying him under the eaves.

Fei Sheng spotted Qiao Tianya from afar and immediately beckoned, his voice carrying over the fine snowfall. "Come now, what are you standing here for? There's a table laid out in the duty pavilion, awaiting your presence."

Qiao Tianya remained still, leaning nonchalantly against the door frame as he asked, "Has everything been arranged for His Highness?"

"Absolutely, it must be arranged properly." Fei Sheng approached Qiao Tianya and peered through the gap in the curtains. "The gentlemen tend to linger, so you can come later without worry. There are guards everywhere, so nothing major will happen."

Qiao Tianya pondered for a moment before lifting the curtain. Yao Wenyu on the other side seemed to sense someone waiting. Pausing for a moment, Qiao Tianya lowered the curtain and said, "I have a few fine jars of wine in my quarters. Send someone to retrieve them as an apology to everyone."

Fei Sheng stood by, contemplating for a while before replying, "Who cares about your measly jars of wine? You're losing your touch. The master has given his approval, yet you still confine yourself here." Sipping some wine, he became more talkative than usual. "Did you know that the master asked me to recruit new members recently?"

Qiao Tianya crossed his arms and assessed him with his gaze. "I'm aware."

Fei Sheng pointed at himself, then at Qiao Tianya, speaking with a slight slur from the alcohol. "Let me tell you the truth. In the future, when we establish the cavalry in Duanzhou, the master has his eye on you, given your combat skills. But what's going on now? You're following Yao Wenyu and seem to have forgotten where you come from. If you continue like this, you'll ruin your prospects sooner or later."

Qiao Tianya's saber hilt was covered in snow. He glanced at the courtyard and said nonchalantly, "My future lies here. You worry too much."

"Your master got you from the Grand Tutor," Fei Sheng whispered, frustrated with Qiao Tianya's lack of ambition. "On the day he took you in, he also acquired Snow on Mount Yang."

Qiao Tianya had once vowed to be Shen Zechuan's weapon – courage, wit, and martial prowess, he possessed them all. If he had been willing, he could have become a personal guard like Zhao Hui or Chen Yang in Zhongbo, with an illustrious future ahead of him and the chance to restore his family's honor. But ever since he was assigned to Yao Wenyu's side, those ambitions vanished. Shen Zechuan entrusted the task of recruiting new talent to Fei Sheng, as well as the responsibility of accompanying the army – both roles that Qiao Tianya had no interest in.

Qiao Tianya blew away the falling snowflakes, watching the white petals whisked away by the wind, disappearing into the dark night. He didn't bother to clear the snow from his sword nor did he respond to Fei Sheng.

* * *

Xiao Chiye removed his armor and, clad only in a simple robe, read through Fei Sheng's report detailing the military campaign in Fan Prefecture. "The Duke of Yi can even get his hands on firearms. His connections must reach the heavens."

"One hundred thirty-five of them," Shen Zechuan unfastened his wide sleeves. "They belonged to Chunquan Camp, and each one is marked with the Military Ministry's identification number."

"He's just a bandit in the wilderness, without a regular army," Xiao Chiye raised his arm and leaned against the chair's armrest, observing Shen Zechuan undress. "Who supplies him with such valuable weapons?"

Shen Zechuan's wide sleeves slipped off his shoulders and landed on the fur rug. The pearl buttons on his everyday attire clicked softly as they popped open, revealing his fair and smooth neck. With his fingers partially covering his lips, Shen Zechuan seemed deep in thought. His relaxed demeanor was almost defenseless, as if he wouldn't resist even if pressed down upon the fur rug.

"The loss of firearms benefits neither Qui nor our enemies. They must have been stolen."

Cheng Feng's Adam's apple moved subtly as he spoke, and Xiao Chiye watched it with familiarity, his expression unchanged. Whenever Shen Zechuan was drenched in sweat, he would tilt his head back, for Xiao Chiye was too tall, requiring him to adopt this position even when lying in bed to receive Xiao Chiye's kisses.

Xiao Chiye had many images flashing through his mind, but he kept them well-hidden, his expression calm. His thumb unconsciously rubbed against the bone ring, making it spin slightly as he said, "Did Yin Chang bring back any captives?"

"Ying Wang's favorite, surnamed Huo. Cheng Feng says he's the son of Huo Qing, the former Commander of Dengzhou," Shen Zechuan replied, looking at Xiao Chiye. "We can meet him tomorrow morning."

"This man scared Yin Chang off with a firearm," Xiao Chiye commented. "He's quite the player."

"He must have been taught by someone," Shen Zechuan said as he undid the last pearl button. His everyday attire fell to the ground as he let go.

The beauty was finally comfortable, kicking off his wooden clogs in the process. With his back to the dim light, Shen Zechuan's narrow waist seemed to barely contain his milky-white skin. Xiao Chiye tasted a subtle pleasure, a secret dalliance that filled his chest with the slow crawl of possessiveness over Lan Zhou.

"I'll send a few firearms to Libei tomorrow. The military artisans can draw up plans. Hyrigu spied on Yin Chang's formations at the Northern Training Ground and defeated me. This time, I want Yin Chang to accompany me on the campaign to Duanzhou." Xiao Chiye tossed Fei Sheng's report onto the table.

Shen Zechuan held his tea and glanced at Xiao Chiye as he spoke meaningfully, "Not bringing me along?"

"Sure," Xiao Chiye replied, facing Shen Zechuan with a mischievous grin. "I've got a fierce tiger at home, and I keep an eye on you too closely. We can only sneak around during military campaigns."

A hint of mischief glinted in Shen Zechuan's upturned eyes as he said, "Your wife is so fierce; I'm afraid of her."

Xiao Chiye mimicked Shen Zechuan's tone from before: "I'm also quite fierce."

"I'm not afraid of your fierceness," Shen Zechuan pressed his fan between their lips, like a sly fox outside. "But you took so long to come."

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 fan away, leaning close to Xiao Chiye's lips and whispered, "I'd stay at home all day, waiting for you, longing to share a pillow with you, desiring to be with you in... intimacy..."

Xiao Chiye kissed Shen Zechuan, interrupting his shameless words. He reached down but couldn't find Shen Zechuan's tail. The room dimmed a little as the curtains by the bed had been drawn. Even though there was no one else, they seemed to be truly engaged in a secret affair. They rubbed against each other, suppressing their gasps.

"I want it all," Xiao Chiye bit him and whispered.

Tears welled up in Shen Zechuan's eyes as he was bitten. He rubbed his cheek against the bedding. With Xiao Chiye watching him, he moistened his eyes and struggled to look at him, saying with resentment, "You... You greedy... devil!"

Xiao Chiye had been away for nearly two months, first on military campaigns and then at the Northern Plain training grounds. Now, he held Shen Zechuan's chin, gazing at him with a soft chuckle. "You're right."

Shen Zechuan was taken.

After such a long time, this felt completely different. Xiao Chiye's transformation was evident here. He no longer spared Shen Zechuan; that overpowering sensation rose from below, making Shen Zechuan feel as if he had fallen entirely, captured by him.

Heartbeats, sounds, breaths.

Xiao Chiye wanted them all, possessively claiming Shen Zechuan.

Shen Zechuan could barely withstand it; sweat and tears mingled as he struggled for air, and Xiao Chiye even sought to snatch away the unshed tears in his eyes.

There was a time when Xiao Chiye had yearned for the sky, the grasslands, and Mount Hongyan. He had tamed eagles and horses, racing across the land of his dreams. Yet, in the end, he desired none of those.

He wanted Shen Zechuan.

Tears welled up in Shen Zechuan's eyes as he lifted his chin, his gaze filled with emotion. Amidst the peak of pleasure, he mumbled, "Ah... Ye..."

Xiao Chiye assumed he was afraid.

But Shen Zechuan raised his chin slightly, moistening his lips with a lick amidst the flush on his cheeks. His eyes brimmed with temptation, just as they had been when he leaped into Xiao Chiye's embrace from Fuxian Peak. He said wildly, "I love you so much."

Xiao Chiye leaned down to kiss him, unwilling to let him escape even an inch from their rhythmic movements or for his breaths to be beyond his control. Each thrust was forceful, dampening the bedding and causing Shen Zechuan to tremble.

They indulged in each other under the dim light, their sweat intertwining, leaving them drenched. Nothing else mattered but each other.