Chapter 60

Chapter 60

This single sentence had exhausted Wen Zuo of all his strength.

He could only rely on the thick darkness and the serious, upright topics discussed earlier to completely conceal the selfish intent hidden behind these words.

For an ordinary man, such feelings would be considered profane—at least, that was what he believed.

Fortunately, his self-reproach did not need to be displayed openly; the darkness considerately concealed the flush on his face and the burning heat at the tips of his ears.

He secretly figured that if Shen Zheng detected any hint of impropriety and felt shocked or uncomfortable, he would simply follow up on their previous conversation, saying that he held expectations for Shen Zheng akin to Wei Zheng's hopes for Emperor Taizong, wishing him to bring peace and prosperity to the people.

But Shen Zheng sensed something different from that guilty and subtly uneasy breathing.

Could it be that Wen Zuo no longer harbored the same level of disdain and disgust toward same-sex affection as before? During their time together, had Wen Zuo's thoughts undergone some uncontrollable changes?

A thought struck Shen Zheng, and he grew increasingly convinced that Wen Zuo was fond of him.

Otherwise, Wen Zuo would not have allowed him to help with washing, applying medicine, or sharing a bed.

Throughout it all, Shen Zheng had only sensed Wen Zuo's nervousness and shyness, but never any rejection or aversion.

Shen Zheng's heart pounded fiercely in the utterly silent night, the "thump-thump" sound reverberating so loudly it made his eardrums tremble.

He was never one to follow rules or restrain his nature; he preferred to take the initiative, to cross boundaries.

Previously, out of respect, he had not dared to overstep even slightly. But if the other party showed no aversion, he would willingly step across the line.

Shen Zheng's hand crossed the precarious boundary between them, groping over the fur robe for a moment before finally touching a cool, jade-like little finger.

Without hesitation, he covered it with his palm, clearly feeling the hand beneath his stiffen abruptly, yet it did not pull away.

Time flowed quietly by. Neither spoke, both deliberately softening their breaths, like two armies facing off, each hiding in wait—whoever exposed themselves first would lose the entire game.

All of Wen Zuo's attention was firmly captured by that large hand. Shen Zheng's palm was broad and scorching hot, covering the back of his hand, carrying a roughness left by riding horses and archery.

But the roughness was good too; he couldn't find anything about Shen Zheng that wasn't good.

Silence was a wordless acquiescence. Though he couldn't see, Shen Zheng kept his eyes open, unblinkingly fixed on Wen Zuo.

After what felt like an eternity, his long, distinct-knuckled fingers slowly wedged into the gaps between Wen Zuo's delicate, soft fingers, sliding all the way to the base before gently closing, interlocking tightly with his palm.

This had surpassed the realm of accidents, carelessness, dreams, or any such excuses.

This was intentional, driven by desire, an uncontrollable surge of emotion.

Shen Zheng left himself no way out. He could think of no reasonable explanation; the only answer was that he liked Wen Zuo very much—not the kind of liking between gentlemen as light as water, but the kind of longing that seeps into the bones, whether known or not.

Wen Zuo tensed and shrank back slightly, the movement so light it was easily suppressed by that large hand.

A smart person needed only the slightest hint to grasp the situation.

He didn't know how Shen Zheng felt at that moment, but his own composure was shattered. He was like a reckless man who had turned his home into a mess, watching as everything was thrown into disarray but not knowing where to start tidying up, so he could only sit helplessly on the ground, staring blankly at the chaos.

Shen Zheng warmed the back of his hand until it was scorching hot, even sensing a slight dampness of sweat seeping from the soft palm.

He was wide awake now.

Being so close, how could merely holding hands be enough?

The flattened bundle beneath their ears emitted a faint rustling sound, like silkworms nibbling on mulberry leaves. Their noses touched, and the last sliver of space was swallowed by warm breaths.

Shen Zheng's Adam's apple bobbed upward, his lower lip gently pressing against the moist softness he had long craved.

Just touching wasn't enough. He crossed the boundary of disordered breathing, pressing tightly, rubbing gently.

Still, no one spoke. Only their intertwined breaths and the rising heat silently spread through the dark night.

Wen Zuo felt as if he were hiding inside a secret box named darkness, told it was safe and concealed. He deceived himself by remaining stiff and still, like a hibernating animal, hoping the night would pass quietly without a sound.

Yet, on such a night, he was thoroughly kissed on the lips.

At first, it was light touches, parting and meeting again, wrapped in heavy breaths. Then it became a lingering friction, from the center of his lips to the corners.

It felt both long and short, as if time had lost its meaning.

Suddenly, footsteps of returning constables echoed from outside the alley. The light of torches reflected on the window paper, faintly illuminating the room—

The two separated by unspoken agreement, each resting their head on one side of the bundle, their breaths once again becoming restrained and proper.

They were still gentlemen.

Except for the sweat dampening their inner robes, their slightly numb shoulders from the pressure, and their still tightly clasped hands in the dark, silently recounting the turbulence of moments ago.

-

The next day, the weather was clear and refreshing. Jiang Mannv knocked on the door, saying that the youth named Liu Hou'er had brought news from outside.

Wen Zuo was already up, washing his face with cold water from a copper basin. Water droplets slid down his jaw, and when one reached the peak of his lip, he instinctively pursed his lips, feeling them slightly swollen.

Lowering his eyelashes to conceal the complex emotions in his eyes, he responded to the outside, "Understood."

Turning to look, Shen Zheng was also up, leisurely straightening his disheveled belt and collar.

The bundle they had used as a pillow was crushed out of shape, and the fur robe spread beneath them was wrinkled into a heap.

Wen Zuo hurriedly averted his gaze, steadied his mind, and said solemnly, "That Liu Hou'er seems to know many secrets. We didn't have time yesterday; today we should have a proper talk with him."

Seeing Wen Zuo immediately bring up serious matters, Shen Zheng knew he wasn't yet ready to confront the impulsiveness of the darkness.

Shen Zheng, who had overstepped in the heat of the moment the night before, had also regained his gentlemanly demeanor with the dawn.

He didn't press him, instead following his lead: "I'm curious, though. Yesterday, that beast committed violence openly in the street, and no one dared to intervene. So why is his father still called Benevolent Wen?"

He cautiously avoided linking Wen Xu and Wen Yingjing to Wen Zuo.

"Perhaps it's because he offers mashed hemp stalks mixed with soybean milk, or boiled wheat bran porridge with fine chaff, and every morning he clasps his hands and raises his fists to thank the heavens. It has always been this way," Wen Zuo replied.

"Is that from Liu Shizhong's song?" Shen Zheng had already finished adjusting his belt. He rose from the bedside and walked toward Wen Zuo.

These lyrics described how, during famines, commoners who received coarse food like tree bark, hemp stalks, wheat bran, or chaff to fill their bellies would clasp their hands each morning, raise their fists high, and piously give thanks for the bounty.

The common people were always humble and easily fooled because they had no time to ponder why they had fallen into such circumstances or who had stripped them of their right to survive.

"Mhm." Wen Zuo moved aside from the copper basin, avoiding Shen Zheng's direct and profound gaze. He thought to himself, why not tidy up the bedding as well? It looked as if they had done something chaotic the night before.

He instinctively wanted to lick his lips but caught Shen Zheng watching him subtly while washing his face, so he forcefully restrained his tongue.

"I'll open the door." Wen Zuo turned and pushed open the fragile, dilapidated wooden door.

Sunlight rushed in recklessly, dazzling him so much that he tilted his head and nearly closed the door again.

How can it be this bright!

Jiang Mannv stood outside the door, her round, copper-bell eyes sweeping over Wen Zuo’s damp hair and the faint redness in his eyes. She asked with concern, “Sir, didn’t you sleep well last night?”

“Of course I did!” Wen Zuo immediately retorted.

Jiang Mannv’s lips parted slightly. He clearly hadn’t slept well. His delicate health made him prone to sleeplessness in new places, but when had he become so stubborn?

She turned and saw Shen Zheng approaching. His face was unwashed, with dark circles under his eyes, and he looked damp. Jiang Mannv sighed again, “Your Highness also didn’t sleep well?”

Shen Zheng’s lips curled into a faint smile as he said leisurely, “Last night—”

Wen Zuo immediately bolted out of the room, the hem of his robe fluttering as he stirred up a gust of wind, gone in a flash.

Jiang Mannv scratched her head, completely confused.

Shen Zheng watched Wen Zuo’s retreating figure and finished unhurriedly, “Last night, there were officers coming and going on patrols. I was on edge and couldn’t sleep.”

“What a shame for you and His Highness.” Jiang Mannv never struggled with unfamiliar beds and was easygoing. She had slept exceptionally soundly last night, never imagining that His Highness and the sir had been so anxious.

Though Shen Zheng hadn’t slept enough, he was in rather good spirits. He clasped his hands behind his back and stepped out of the room. “Let’s go. Don’t let your master run too far.”

Just beyond the courtyard gate, they heard Liu Hou'er’s excited voice from inside: “Hey, all hell’s broken loose out there! The authorities have issued wanted posters for you! They say they’ll search house by house today. This is what happens when you cross the Wen family—even the officials have to listen to them!”

But when he turned and saw Wen Zuo’s appearance without his disguise, the pancake in his hand fell to the ground with a *plop*.

He forgot to pick it up, his neck stiffening as he stared wide-eyed at Wen Zuo, his face filled with disbelief.

Last night, as soon as it grew dark, he had taken his food and returned to his room, not seeing these people again. He never expected that this sickly guy could be so… so…

He was speechless. In all his years, the most handsome person he had ever seen was Young Master Wen Xu. From a distance in the crowd, he had seemed incredibly handsome. He'd been filled with both envy and jealousy—envy for Wen Xu’s looks, jealousy for his birth into a wealthy family.

Even the scholars in the city said Wen Xu’s appearance was without equal, the best in Mianzhou.

But compared to the person before him now, Wen Xu was like an inconspicuous wildflower by the roadside.

Shen Zheng cleared his throat and stepped forward. He pulled the folding fan from Wen Zuo’s waist and gently fanned it toward Liu Hou'er. “We just fed you a full meal yesterday, and today you’re already discarding your pancake?”

Only then did Liu Hou'er snap out of it. He grinned awkwardly, quickly crouched down to pick up the pancake, patted off the dust, and shoved it in his mouth, chewing heartily.

Wen Zuo was already accustomed to such reactions. He asked calmly, “Liu Hou'er, have you been hiding here all along?”

Liu Hou'er straightened his neck, swallowed the dry pancake in his mouth, then plopped down on the ground, shaking out his tattered hemp clothes to air out the sweat. “Yeah, as the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest. Nobody's gonna come looking here!”

Wen Zuo looked at his fearless, naive look and smiled. “You’re quite clever.”

Liu Hou'er pursed his lips and said, “I brought you here because I saw you guys were willing to help that old man—didn’t seem like bad people. And what do you do? You still doubted me. Now look, you’re in even more danger than I am. When the authorities catch you, they’ll have your heads for sure!”

Hearing this, Liu Qiying crossed her arms and laughed. “Don’t worry. They wouldn’t dare if their lives depended on it.”

Shen Zheng closed the folding fan and lightly tapped it against his palm, teasing him. “Yesterday, I saw everyone in the inn’s main hall lowering their heads and avoiding trouble. I thought there weren’t many decent people left in Mianzhou City. I never expected to meet a brave soul like you.”

Liu Hou'er’s heart warmed at the praise, and he instantly liked Shen Zheng more. He scratched his round head and sighed. “I knew him. His daughter was sold to the Wen family at the same time as me. She’s a year younger than me. But I managed to run away. Zhiwa'er didn’t. I don’t know how she’s doing now.”

The matter of the ambergris still weighed on Wen Zuo’s mind. His expression turned serious as he asked, “Why were you sold to the Wen family?”

Liu Hou'er gave him a look as if the answer were obvious. “What do you think? The locusts ate everything, people were starving. What choice did we have? At least I could trade myself for ten steamed buns for my mother.”

He didn’t seem to hold much resentment about being sold, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Wen Zuo’s expression grew stern. “When did the locust plague start?”

Liu Hou'er scratched his grimy, matted hair. “About half a year ago, I think. Can’t remember exactly. It’s been too long.”

Sure enough, Shen Zheng was right. The locust disaster in Mianzhou was far more severe than they had imagined. Half a year of disaster, and Lou Changsui had managed to keep it completely hidden!

A heavy feeling settled in Wen Zuo’s heart. He asked again, “Are there many children like you who were sold to the Wen family?”

“Many! Of course there are!” Liu Hou'er nodded vigorously, though a lump in his throat muffled his voice. “Back then, inside and outside the city, people were selling their children everywhere.”

Liu Qiying glanced at Wen Zuo, then pulled a waterskin from her pack and handed it to Liu Hou'er. She asked, “After the Wen family bought you, did they treat you harshly, force you to do hard labor, and beat or scold you frequently?”

Liu Hou'er frowned, took the waterskin, drank a couple of mouthfuls, and shook his head. “Not at all. Young Master Wen Xu of the Wen family is indeed a bully, but Benevolent Wen is a truly great and kind man. After he bought us, he never made us do heavy work, never beat or scolded us. Instead, he gave us delicious food and took good care of us.”

Liu Qiying was taken aback and looked back at Wen Zuo in disbelief.

Wen Zuo narrowed his eyes and pressed further, “If that’s the case, why did you run away?”

Shen Zheng chuckled inwardly. Sure enough, clever as a monkey, a master at finding loopholes.

“Then why are you hiding here?”

Liu Hou'er hugged the waterskin, his body curling up slightly as he slowly lowered his eyes. His tone carried a hint of desolation. “I ran back home, but I couldn’t find my mother. I searched all the places she usually went, but there wasn’t a trace of her. When I asked others, they all said my mother ran off with another man and abandoned me.”

“I’ve been thinking about going back to the Wen family, but I’m afraid they won’t take me in. I could only sneak into the city, hoping to find a chance to beg Benevolent Wen for mercy and let me return. At least I’d have a full stomach.”

“Zhiwa'er’s father is a good man. He even knew to gamble for incense to earn money to find her. I wish I could trade places with her. I want to go back but can’t, and her father wants her out but can’t see her.”

These words truly took everyone by surprise. Even Wen Zuo couldn’t help but furrow his brow.

It seemed that in Liu Hou'er’s eyes, Wen Yingjing was a living bodhisattva who rescued the suffering and fed the people’s children. Even if Wen Xu was a bully, that didn’t conflict with Wen Yingjing being a benevolent man.

Liu Hou'er wasn’t one to dwell on negativity for long. He quickly perked up. “I say, why don’t you all come with me? Wait until the Mianzhou Incense Association, meet Benevolent Wen, and plead with him properly. Maybe the old master will show mercy and spare your lives.”

“So the locust disaster in Mianzhou is this severe, yet there are no refugees on the roads, all thanks to Wen Yingjing’s relief efforts?” Shen Zheng found this utterly absurd. “What about the authorities? Are Mianzhou’s reserve granaries, prefectural granaries, and official granaries just for show?”

At this, Liu Hou'er couldn’t help but change expression, anger rising as he spat fiercely. “That brings us to the biggest villain in all of Mianzhou!”

Shen Zheng’s spirits lifted. “Oh?”

Liu Hou'er rubbed his greasy hands together, then pointed a finger emphatically at the ground. “Do you know whose home this estate belongs to? And why the authorities sealed its gates?”

Immediately, the two dust-covered characters on the wooden plaque outside the gate flashed before Shen Zheng’s eyes.

Clearly, this was the home of an official surnamed Liu.

Liu Hou'er stomped his foot hard on the ground, gritting his teeth. “This man’s name is Liu Kangren. He’s the local garrison commander. You might not know his name, but his father is a huge, high-ranking official in the court. He even served as a general who fought on the battlefield!”

Everyone present was stunned in unison.

This Liu estate actually belonged to Liu Kangren—the son of Duke Liu, the man responsible for the great defeat in the southern border ten years ago.