Chapter 61

Chapter 61: The Sixty-First Chapter

Lamps went out one by one, and a figure soon approached. Lian Cheng flinched back as if startled, but then thought, he was the teacher today—what was there to be scared of?

As the saying goes, the one who knows more is the teacher. Tonight, he was not only Lian Xiusheng's third brother but also his teacher.

Thus, Lian Cheng steeled himself. Clearing his throat, after Lian Xiusheng sat across from him, he said, "Lift up your clothes."

But Lian Xiusheng made no move, only fixed his gaze on his third brother. "Won't Third Brother demonstrate first?"

Lian Cheng clicked his tongue. "What's there to demonstrate? You did fine behind the screen that day—just do it again the same way."

"I've forgotten how I did it that day," Lian Xiusheng confessed. "I hardly ever do this; it doesn't take much effort on my part."

"It's all about timing." Lian Cheng, being experienced, understood.

Lian Xiusheng still claimed he wasn't quite clear, asking if any medicine was needed.

"What medicine would be needed?" Lian Cheng hadn't expected someone so smart to be so clueless about sex. No wonder he'd said he liked him months ago—turns out he didn't know jack. Impatient, Lian Cheng lunged and flipped open the other's robe in a few moves. "How can you not get this? It's so simple, and you don't understand? I think you're..."

As he spoke, the robe was completely undone by Lian Cheng, and he clearly saw that it was already standing at attention, previously hidden by the fabric. At the sight, Lian Cheng drew in a sharp breath. This little sly minister looked like a celestial being on the surface, but unexpectedly, his tool was like Hou Yi's arrow—pestle-shaped and terrifying.

Lian Cheng swallowed hard, panicked, and looked up at the celestial face above. "Isn't it already up?"

"I didn't know," Lian Xiusheng said.

Lian Cheng rolled his eyes and sat back. "Okay, now it's fine."

Lian Xiusheng lowered his eyes, and his movements seemed a bit rough. Just watching made Lian Cheng wince, and he finally couldn't help but stop him. "Is that how you did it that day?"

Seeing Lian Xiusheng didn't answer, Lian Cheng figured he might be feeling insecure. This was something guys should just know, yet a genius like him couldn't grasp the method—no wonder he felt ashamed.

Lian Cheng decided to see it through. He scooted over to face Lian Xiusheng, knee to knee, as if he had made up his mind.

Lian Xiusheng only watched him quietly, but his third brother avoided his gaze, focusing solely on the task at hand. In his eyes, there was only his third brother—nothing else. He couldn't see himself, so he didn't know how terrifying his hungry look was. If he had known, he might have preferred that his third brother not look at him.

Lian Cheng's heart was pounding. His brain went blank. In his eighteen years of life, this was the first time he had done this for someone else. Back in school, people had thrown money at him to do it, and he'd said no—money couldn't corrupt him, power couldn't break him; that was one of his life principles. But now, for his mom and dad, for his brothers and sisters, for the people of the world, what couldn't he do? He'd do anything.

Besides, food and sex are basic human desires. But after all, someone else's thing was different from his own. He thought to himself, though they were not blood brothers, they'd been raised as brothers and had a bond stronger than blood. As the elder brother, he had the responsibility to teach and guide his younger siblings.

Lian Cheng recited the Eight Honors and Eight Disgraces in his head over and over to distract himself, but several times his attention involuntarily returned. He felt like his soul was being scorched, his mouth dry, his body weak. If Lian Xiusheng hadn't caught him, he might have collapsed on the couch. [What's wrong here? Can't even describe feelings or sensations? Where are the parts below the neck? I want to file a complaint!]

"I'm tired," Lian Cheng said, lifting his head, his face like a peach blossom, eyes like they held summer dew. "Have you learned?"

Lian Xiusheng lowered his eyes and promptly grasped his third brother's hand, which was about to withdraw. "Giving up halfway—is that how you teach me, Third Brother?"

Lian Cheng looked crestfallen. "Of course not, but my hands hurt, my back hurts, my whole body's weak and I can't take it. Good little brother, let me off tonight. There will be plenty of opportunities later."

No way Lian Xiusheng was letting him go. With one hand holding his wrist, working it up and down, and the other arm encircling his waist to prevent him from retreating.

Unfortunately, Lian Xiusheng had miscalculated. Lian Cheng wasn't a fish in a net that'd keep struggling after being caught. He knew when to push and when to pull back. Knowing he couldn't escape tonight and had to see it through, he just leaned into Lian Xiusheng's arms, found a comfortable position, and let his hand be as if it no longer belonged to him, letting Lian Xiusheng use it as he wished.

Lian Xiusheng felt like he was holding a cloud. He slightly lowered his gaze and took in the face of his third brother on his shoulder—like silk robes and red sleeves behind a curtain, skin like ice and fat like jade.

Lian Cheng, unaware of being watched for so long, only looked up blankly in surprise. "How did this thing get hard again?"

Youth was amazing. A three-year age gap felt like a huge chasm.

Lian Xiusheng couldn't explain. He pulled his third brother close to his chest, breathing in the scent from his collar.

Lian Cheng's hair was disheveled, his clothes loose, beads of sweat on his skin, his palm stained with a warm, musky smell. He was suddenly embraced tighter, and in the struggle, their dark hair tangled. Lian Xiusheng lightly bit his third brother's ear, like their souls were about to shatter.

Lian Cheng lay on Lian Xiusheng's shoulder, pulling his hand free. Before he could get off the arhat couch, Lian Xiusheng had already lit a lamp, taken a handkerchief, and come to wipe his hand. Now feeling embarrassed, Lian Cheng didn't look at him, only said softly, "Better go fetch water to wash."

Lian Xiusheng first wiped his third brother's hand clean, set the handkerchief aside, then raised his eyes to look at him. Dark brows like emerald feathers, jade cheeks flushed with red. He leaned over and stole a kiss on the other's cheek.

Lian Cheng was startled, his cat-like eyes widening, then he put on a stern face. "Don't do that again."

Huqiu, who had been sleeping in the outer room, heard footsteps and got up to see. Seeing it was Lian Xiusheng, he quickly called out, "Sixth Brother, where are you going?" Lian Xiusheng said he was going to fetch water to wash his hands. Huqiu immediately offered to fetch it. After a moment, Huqiu brought hot water into the room for the two to wash their hands. Holding the lamp, he remarked that their hands weren't dirty, so why the sudden need to wash? Lian Cheng blushed and said nothing, while Lian Xiusheng claimed they had sweated from writing. Huqiu believed it and the next day went around telling everyone that their young master not only read books at night but also practiced calligraphy, which led Old Master Guan Lian to come check on Lian Cheng's homework, leaving Lian Cheng furious with no outlet for his anger.

-

Once the matter of Qin Tianzhu was over, it was early May. Lian Cheng received an imperial edict to take over Qin Tianzhu's duties in the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Although his official position remained the same—still the Commissioner—the affairs he managed were vastly different from Qin Tianzhu's. Lian Cheng had always handled internal yamen matters, while Qin Tianzhu dealt with external affairs—investigating and arresting officials for corruption, bribery, and rebel resurgence.

Moreover, compared to what Qin Tianzhu had handled, Lian Cheng now had an additional duty: serving in the imperial guard of honor. At this moment, Lian Cheng held the imperial edict and stood before a bronze mirror. He was indeed more qualified than Qin Tianzhu to be in the guard of honor of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Before formally taking over Qin Tianzhu's duties, Lian Cheng had mentally prepared himself. He was fully aware of the difference between internal and external affairs, yet he was still stunned by their intelligence network—officials in the capital were practically transparent before the emperor. Not to mention high-ranking officials like Grand Secretary Ye, who could never slip through the net, but even the family of Censor Song, who lived across from the Lian family—the emperor knew that the Song family owed them money!

Lian Cheng couldn't say whether this was good or bad. The emperor's own character and ability were the variables. If the emperor was good and also capable, then it was good, because with many eyes and ears and knowledge of the world, he would surely be open to remonstrance and reform the bureaucracy.

But if the emperor was bad, regardless of ability, such strong control would inevitably breed suspicion and paranoia. Any minister with the heart and courage to remonstrate would face demotion or flogging at best, and the lives of the common people would be worth less than weeds. Talk of social construction would be nonsense. Such a personality would only fuel factionalism and infighting, until in the end, if the emperor said the sun rose from the west, there would be those who praised his wisdom and wrote books about it.

Lian Cheng guessed the emperor was the latter.

That is, the world was not peaceful, and people's lives were not easy. He was merely lucky to have been reborn into a wealthy family whose ancestors had been sycophants, allowing him to enjoy good times.

So, taking advantage of his position, Lian Cheng kept reading all the texts he could access. Facts confirmed his suspicions: the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrested people almost every month, under various charges—spreading rumors, corruption and bribery, cheating in imperial exams, embezzling disaster relief grain... Most reasons seemed legitimate.

However, Lian Cheng didn't quite trust the authenticity of these records. He picked up one case at random and examined it closely. It recorded that three years ago, a locust plague had ravaged a certain area. Several places had raised thirty thousand dan of grain for transport, but the relief grain ran out after only half a month. The Embroidered Uniform Guard investigated and found that a village head had embezzled a full fifteen thousand dan. According to the record, the village head was beheaded in public, and the case was closed. Whether supplementary relief grain was later provided was not within the scope of this case record.

Lian Cheng crossed his legs, tapping his knee absently with his fingers. A village head, not even part of the official system—could he really embezzle over ten thousand dan of grain? Some people really dared to fabricate, and others dared to believe.

It was almost time to leave the office. Lian Cheng called Ji Xing and Qiao Yuer to help him move the documents and files back home. Ji Xing asked why Lian Cheng was reading these, and Qiao Yuer said she got a headache just looking at characters—how could the Commissioner read them all day? With such a talent for studying, why didn't he take the imperial exams? Being in the Embroidered Uniform Guard was so boring.

Lian Cheng said he didn't get headaches from reading characters, but he did from the Four Books and Five Classics.

The three found common ground and chatted for a while. Then they turned and left from the Office of Records. Lian Cheng was called away alone by one of Meng Chong's men. Meng Chong hadn't left yet; he was standing on the bridge by the pond in the southern yamen, feeding fish with a bowl of fish food.

Lian Cheng walked over, bowed, and asked, "Commander, what is your command?"

Meng Chong said, "Tonight, you and Lou Lan go and practice on Censor Song's family."

Lian Cheng's mind buzzed. He slowly straightened up, his hands dropping to his sides, staring blankly at Meng Chong. What the other had just said didn't seem like a matter of life and death, but rather, "Take a net and help me catch the fish in the pond."

"Censor Song—what crime has he committed?" Lian Cheng thought of the old man and couldn't help asking.

Meng Chong seemed puzzled as to why Lian Cheng needed to know the reason. He glanced back at Lian Cheng and said, "Suspected of treason."

Lian Cheng frowned. "If it's only suspected, why arrest him?"

Meng Chong said, "Arrest him and interrogate him—then we'll know if it's suspected or not."

Lian Cheng: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is in charge of investigating cases. What, now we don't investigate anymore?"

Meng Chong finally stopped his leisurely demeanor. He turned fully to face Lian Cheng, impatience written on his face. "If you have something to say, go talk to His Majesty. But I'll remind you of one thing: a wise man learns to follow the will of heaven. Who is this heaven? Don't tell me you think it's that mute thing above our heads?"

After saying this, Meng Chong snorted. Seeing that Lian Cheng remained silent, only gritting his teeth, he recalled his own youth, when he was also so inexperienced, fearless, and upright. On a whim, he reached out and pinched the other's cheek.

Old grudges and new grievances—without thinking, Lian Cheng slapped Meng Chong's hand away. "Commander, please show some respect."

Being touched by Meng Chong like that made Lian Cheng feel nauseous. He didn't stay any longer. After taking his leave, he ran off, wiping his face with his sleeve as he ran. He even wiped off two grains of fish food. Lian Cheng's face turned green. He wanted to go home, to find his brother and mother.

Later, he saw that Ji Xing had not yet left, so he called him over and asked, "Does Meng Chong like men?" Ji Xing shook his head vigorously. "The Commander once had a male prostitute who offended him, and he beat that boy half to death on the spot. I believe he's the man who hates other men the most in this world."

"Did the Commander call you over just to talk about this?" Ji Xing asked, his face twisted as if he had stepped in dog shit.

Lian Cheng shook his head, then said, "Don't bother rushing home today. First, go find Lou Lan and have him come to me. Then, ride fast to the Lian residence and tell my family that I'll be home late tonight. Don't bother with anyone else, but make sure you deliver this message to my sixth brother. Otherwise, he'll find some excuse to cause me trouble."

"Finally, go find Qiao Yuer, both of you come to the station. This evening, we're gonna arrest some people."

Ji Xing’s round, doughy face had been listless during the first part of the conversation, but perked up at the mention of arrests. He didn't ask anything and turned toward the stables. Lian Cheng watched as he led a reluctant horse past the gate, feeling sorry for the horse. "Ji Xing, you need to lose weight!" he shouted after them.

When Lou Lan arrived, Lian Cheng had just developed a nasty boil on his right cheek. He pointed at it as Lou Lan approached. "It popped up in just fifteen minutes. Do you know how anxious I am?"

"No," Lou Lan replied coldly. "Commissioner, what's the urgent matter?"

Lian Cheng set down the bronze mirror and lowered his voice. "The Commander wants us to arrest Song Pinjie tonight."

Lou Lan’s brow furrowed tightly. "Lord Song is a man of noble character and impeccable integrity, and he is completely uncorrupted. On what grounds are we arresting him?"

"He didn't say," Lian Cheng sighed, leaning against a pillar. "I still have frequent dealings with his family. How am I supposed to handle this?"

Lou Lan let out a light scoff. "He wrote a memorial against you just a month ago. I thought you'd be celebrating his downfall."

"Chiliarch, do you get so itchy you want to peel your skin off if you don't mock someone for a day?" Lian Cheng was in a bad mood and curled his lip. "He did his duty by submitting that memorial, and it didn't even scratch me. I'm not holding a grudge. I just feel sorry for him."

"Pity him for what?" Lou Lan stared intently at Lian Cheng's face, as if trying to gauge his sincerity.

Lian Cheng looked at the flowers and trees in the courtyard and said softly, "As you said, he is noble and incorruptible. To suffer such a calamity—is that not a pity?"

"Every family has its rules, every state its laws. Being clean doesn't excuse guilt, and the law doesn't bend for anyone. What is there to pity?"

"..." Lian Cheng sneered. "When I first met you, Chiliarch, you didn't speak this way."

"..."

Dusk enveloped the courtyard, casting it into gloom. A profound silence fell, so absolute that even the fallen leaves on the ground remained motionless. After a long pause, Lou Lan spoke in a barely audible voice. "Lian Cheng, I could send a message to the Song family. Only you, I, and Meng Chong would know. Once this is discovered, Meng Chong will retaliate, and we'll either be dead or wounded. If you..."

Lian Cheng's eyes lit up at the thought of being able to pass a message right under the noses of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. "Then hurry up and do it!"

Lou Lan looked left and right, and Lian Cheng grew so impatient he wanted to do it himself, though he didn't know what Lou Lan was checking.

Then Lou Lan put two fingers to his lips and whistled. A shape appeared in the distant sky, growing closer and closer. It first landed on the beam of the distant gate, turning its head this way and that as if ascertaining something. Then it flew toward them. Lou Lan extended his right arm, providing a steady perch for the bird—a massive, majestic creature with a beak like a golden hook, jade-colored talons, and pure white feathers. Its eyes were a brilliant emerald.

"Is that a white gyrfalcon?" Lian Cheng exclaimed in surprise. "You have such a treasure?" He thought of the two chicks he and Lian Xiusheng had raised.

"Yes," Lou Lan said, his expression complex. "It's usually quite fierce and will try to peck at strangers. But today it's strange—it doesn't dislike you. On the contrary, it seems to have taken a liking to you."

Lian Cheng said he had always been popular with small animals. He returned to the matter at hand. "How will it deliver the message? What if someone sees it?"

"The Emperor also keeps many gyrfalcons and often lets them out to play on their own. Even if someone sees it, no one would dare to report it. Moreover, it's extremely clever. After going to the Song residence, it'll drop by a few other houses to throw people off." Lou Lan had already written a note with his left hand: "A storm is coming." He tucked the note into the gyrfalcon's sharp talons, fed it a piece of dried meat, and the bird took off, glancing back at Lian Cheng once more.

Watching the gyrfalcon fly away, Lian Cheng stared at the sky with a troubled heart. No wonder the ancients were so prone to melancholy and sentimentality—living in such constant fear, he wouldn't fare much better either.

As he was still lost in thought, he felt someone reaching into his pouch. He turned to see Lou Lan, who remained expressionless even after being caught. "It looked at you three or four times. I wanted to see if you had any food hidden in your pouch."

"..." Lian Cheng pushed him away. Bird brain, so boring.

Meanwhile, at the Lian residence, Ji Xing had dutifully and breathlessly delivered the message. He knew that the servants at the side gate wouldn't pass the message to Yiqiu's place, so he personally went there.

This was his first time seeing the brilliant and stunning Lian Xiusheng. Even an immortal would look like trash next to him. Standing before him, Ji Xing couldn't help but want to shrink into himself out of sheer shame. Only their Commissioner, Lian Cheng, could treat such a person as a younger brother. Ji Xing would basically worship the ground he walks on.

"Coming home late tonight?" Lian Xiusheng put down his brush. "Did he tell you why?"

Ji Xing shook his head, saying he didn't know.

"Is he going to a brothel to listen to songs with the young prince, or having drinks with Zhang Xian? Or perhaps both, along with Lu Zhen, chipping in to hire a prostitute and talk about ancient history and current events?"