Edited – Zaki

Happy New Year! Wishing all a very happy and prosperous new year!

Zhao Lu led the troops to escort the provisions and food to the lower reaches of Ming River. When he passed by Peach Blossom Pond, he was ambushed. However, the other party’s troops were obviously not strong, and just a small number of people. They were relying on the rugged terrain to ambush and surprise the other party but Zhao Lu was barely surprised.

Zhao Lu ordered someone to protect the provisions and food and captured several people alive. After interrogation, he learned that they were Zhang Hong’s remaining party who had fled to Peach Blossom Pond because the terrain was dangerous there.

The area around Peach Blossom Pond was covered with Black reeds. Although Black reeds by themselves were not poisonous, it would become poisonous after being exposed to the sun. There were no nearby villages, so these remnants of Zhang Hong’s army couldn’t find other people to rob, had no food to eat, and were afraid that their enemies would come after them. So, when they saw the grain transportation party, they simply came out to fight for it.

Because Zhao Lu’s priority was to protect the food and grains, a small number of the remnant party were not caught and they fled to the Ming River.

Unfortunately, the remnant group that fled to Ming River were caught by the Feng Army and in order to protect their lives, they gave up information about Xue Country’s military movement and told Feng Ming about Zhao Lu moving troops to Peach Blossom Pond.

Feng Ming got military intelligence but did not spare these people. Zhang Hong himself was an unkind and unrighteous man, and so were the rest of his party. If these people were left alive, for sure they would betray Feng Country in the future if the opportunity arose.

Feng Ming looked at the map. There was a hill not far from the Peach Blossom Pond. Although it was not high, due to the low-lying terrain next to it, the complete scenery below could be viewed from the top of this hill. If Zhao Lu was moving troops to Peach Blossom Pond, then it was surely for occupying this land. If there would be  any movement in the future, he would be able to see it clearly.

Feng Ming clearly understood that Emperor Xue was suspicious in nature and just because there was a marriage alliance between the two countries, it did not mean peace would be easily restored. When he secretly strengthened his defence, Xue Junliang also sent troops.

Indeed as Xue Junliang had thought, if there would be a secret sneak attack, Peach Blossom Pond was bound to be the best place for breakthrough.

Feng Ming closed his eyes and sneered. Xue Junliang was smart, but he was too smart. He always miscalculated when calculating others’ mistakes. Did Xue Junliang think that if Zhao Lu was sent to Peach Blossom Pond, Feng Ming would not be able to let go of his old love and would not be ruthless?

“What a pity…”

Feng Ming muttered to himself and sighed. Zhao Lu was indeed a great General. But Xue Junliang underestimated Feng Ming. Feng Ming and Zhao Lu had been together for nearly ten years. How could he not understand Zhao Lu’s temperament? His routine of marching and using troops in a battle was quite clear. If a war started, it may be a blessing in misfortune.

Zhao Lu ordered people to camp in the mountains and built a watchtower. Within a month, a camp was set up by the Ming River, and watchtowers were set up every 20 miles, facing Zhao Lu’s military camp from afar.

Because it was difficult for spies to communicate across the Ming River, it took another half a month for Zhao Lu’s spies to return with news, “The General of the Feng army is surnamed Lu, he is a Literary Master who only holds a pen.”

Zhao Lu was shocked. Unexpectedly, it was Lu Shichen.

———

Xue Junliang sat on the dragon chair, with a smile on his face, and said, “What do the Ministers think?”

Some ministers said that Lu Shichen was only a scholar. Feng Ming sent a scholar to calm the borders. At first glance, it seemed that Feng Ming’s luck was exhausted.

Xue Junliang smiled coolly at this time and said, “Oh… This Emperor remembers that earlier, this Seat also sent Lang Jing, a Literary Master to Ming River. So going by your words, this Emperor’s luck also has been exhausted?”

As soon as his words came out, the scared Ministers quickly knelt down and kowtowed, saying they didn’t dare say that.

Teng Yun said: “Although Lu Shichen is a scholar, few people can be as resourceful as him. As long as one underestimates an enemy in the battlefields, they would only be defeated miserably.”

Xue Junliang nodded and said, “Teng Ying has a point, exactly what this Seat has in mind as well.”

Teng Yun glanced at the other party’s smile and couldn’t stop his face from turning red in embarrassment. He quickly lowered his head. Since that wedding night  spent in Yunfeng Palace, although Teng Yun still went to the court as Marquis Tengnan and participated in state affairs, Xue Junliang’s looks towards himself were different. Sometimes it was gentle and sometimes it was a worried look, which made Teng Yun think that the other party must have thought he was asleep that night as he revealed his heart.

Teng Yun didn’t know that in fact, Xue Junliang deliberately confided his heart because he knew Teng Yun wasn’t asleep, and then pretended as if he had confided in a sleeping Teng Yun. In this way, Teng Yun would not feel forced too much but it would also break open the thin veil so as to avoid Teng Yun from being kept in the dark about his intentions.

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Lang Jing said, “As Your Lordships have said, Lu Shichen should not be feared.”

“Oh? So Lang Jing, you already have the certainty of winning?”

Lang Jing’s face remained unchanged as he said, “There will be no war yet, but if the Feng Country tries to fight the war using sinister means then I am sure that Lu Shichen is not enough to be feared.”

Xue Junliang held his head with one hand and said with a smile, “Tell us carefully.”

Lang Jing said, “Lu Shichen is a Literary Master. Literary Masters naturally have their weaknesses. For example, they can’t pick up weapons and fight and their  benevolence towards women and children. Lu Shichen is not only unable to fight, but is also unwilling to fight. If it ends in a fight, he would use a method with the least casualties, and often on the battlefield it is impossible to have the best of both worlds.”

Xue Junliang nodded slightly, “That’s right. If you want to sit and secure the world, how could there be benevolence towards women and children? Sometimes temporary benevolence and unwillingness to fight would cause more and more soldiers to lose their lives.”

Lang Jing said, “As long as it’s Feng country who takes the lead, no matter whether he is famous or not, Lu Shichen will definitely feel guilty. When the time comes, he will naturally feel unbearable. On the battlefields thousand miles away, If he doesn’t do his best, he wouldn’t be able to win.”

Xue Junliang laughed: “They say that Lu Shichen is too wise, I see him as inferior to you.”

Lang Jing paused for a moment and said, “This lowly subject thanks Your Majesty for your kindness, but unfortunately I know I am not as good as others, I just know myself and my enemy. Moreover, although King Feng was able to get Lu Shichen, he did not know how to let him develop his ambition, while Your Majesty got Marquis Tengnan, but did not stick to the customs and etiquettes, which is the real wisdom.”

Everyone could hear that he was flattering, but Xue Junliang was extremely receptive to hearing them. They hit the nail on the head, praising Teng Yun as well as saying that Emperor Xue was good at judging talents.

Xue Junliang knew that Lang Jing was flattering him mainly for the sake of Xue Yu. Although Xue Yu had been released, his freedom was still restricted and could not go to court.

Xue Yu’s temperament was relatively straightforward. He sneered at Lang Jing not for anything else, but for being a subordinate under Xue Junliang. Now, Lang Jing could enter and leave the Military Office freely, but Xue Yu, although had the title of Marquis, his access was secretly being monitored.

Lang Jing knew of Xue Yu’s disposition, but still he was bent on working for Xue Yu. Naturally, he wanted to fight for real power for Xue Yu, and Xue Junliang also knew it.

After listening to the opinions of the court officials, Xue Junliang ordered the dismissal of the court. Before leaving, he said to Lang Jing with a smile, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Marquis Zhenjiang. Ask him to hand in his name plaque to enter the Palace.”

Only then did Lang Jing show a hint of surprise, but immediately regained his usual composure and knelt down to thank him for his kindness.

Teng Yun’s residence changed from Marquis Tengnan’s residence to Yunfeng Palace. Naturally, once the court was dismissed, he wouldn’t need to go out of the Palace again. He could only go back to Yunfeng Palace. He had not even returned halfway when he was stopped by Xue Junliang, who said with a smile: “Teng Ying doesn’t have to go to the Military Office today, so just come with me.”

Teng Yun’s mind has been in turmoil since that day. If one spoke it out, his and Xue Junliang’s grudges could last several lifetimes. After all, Xue Junliang once killed him with an arrow, but then confided in himself. Teng Yun did not know what he should think.

But the other party always looked breezy and light tempered, always smiling while looking at himself. Sometimes they ate together and sometimes just looked at him intently while listening to his own opinions. There were no more big things happening except the occasional cheek touching and kissing.

Teng Yun had something in his mind and was distracted, so he didn’t care where Xue Junliang was taking him. He only realized something was wrong when they got there.

Xue Junliang smiled and pushed open the door for Teng Yun with his own hands, saying, “I saw that Teng Ying was not in good spirits these days, so I specially asked someone to bring spring water.”

Teng Yun looked at the steaming jade hot water pool in front of him. He didn’t know whether it was the heat  from the steam or because of Xue Junliang’s words, he felt his face was burning as if he had a fever.

Xue Junliang knew that Teng Yun was thin-skinned so he waved away the maidservants who were standing at the side to serve him. Jiang Yu also understood and also retreated, before leaving he said, “If Your Majesty has any problem, this old slave will be outside.”

Jiang Yu closed the door on his way out. The brightness of the inner room dimmed further creating an ambiguous atmosphere. Teng Yun couldn’t help trembling as he heard the door close. He felt that his legs and stomach were a little soft and feeling squeezy, which was completely unprecedented because he had never been nervous even when he went to the battlefields.

Teng Yun took a deep breath and could smell the scent of a soaked medicine. Presumably, some nourishing herbs were added to the hot water decoction, which made the scene even more ambiguous at this time.

Xue Junliang saw him staring at the pool water in a daze, walked over two steps and smiled: “What, is Teng Ying touched by my thoughtfulness?”

Teng Yun suddenly felt a breath hitting his ear, and could not help but shrink his neck. Xue Junliang leaned over and reached out to undo his clothes.

Teng Yun did not move. Xue Junliang looked at his serious expression and laughed: “Don’t worry, I saw that you are not in good spirits all day. I thought you might not have slept well. The Imperial Physician has prescribed some medicinal herbs for the hot water bath decoction. You go in and soak, I will be on the side, you don’t need to worry much.”

Teng Yun heard his undertone and understood that Xue Junliang didn’t plan to enter the hot water medicinal bath with himself and he couldn’t help feeling a little complicated in his heart. Xue Junliang had sent out all the maidservants who were standing to serve them. Now only himself and Emperor Xue were left. Did that mean Emperor Xue would serve him?

Xue Junliang helped him take off his outer robes and put them on the screen separating the bath. He was about to help Teng Yun untie his inner clothes when Teng Yun took a step back and said, “Your Majesty… this lowly Minister can do them by myself.” His voice trembled as he spoke.

Xue Junliang pretended not to hear Teng Yun’s trembling voice and just said, “Alright.”

Then he turned around, and seemed to be looking for something, pretending not to look at him.

Teng Yun saw Xue Junliang had turned around. Feeling a bit relieved, he hurriedly took off his clothes, and then quickly went into the hot water bath.

Xue Junliang heard the slight sound of water and sighed in his heart, really regretting his pretence of thoughtfulness. If he had not turned his head away, maybe he would have been able to enjoy the scene of Teng Yun undressing.

Only then did he turn back around and sit on the big chair by the pool, smiling, “Is the water still warm?”

Teng Yun leaned against the other end of the pool and sank down his body until the water reached his chin. Xue Junliang wanted to laugh at this. He said, “Teng Ying, you don’t have to hide so far. There’s water vapour all around. One can’t see anything clearly at all, not to mention…”

He said with an ambiguous smile, “What’s more, if I want to see, why bother so much?”

Teng Yun was even more embarrassed by his tone. He just moved a little closer at the edge. Xue Junliang couldn’t help laughing. “It seems that I have caught General Teng’s weakness.”

Teng Yun did not speak, and did not look at Xue Junliang anymore. He stood in the pool water awkwardly. Although Xue Junliang didn’t make any movement, he kept looking at Teng Yun. Although this kind of thing was very common in the Military camp, after all, no one dared to hold this kind of thought towards Teng Yun. In addition, Teng Yun pretended to be asleep when he heard the confession, so it was even more embarrassing.

Xue Junliang just wanted to tease Teng Yun at first and just liked to see Teng Yun thinking seriously, but now he was regretting it.

The steam was heavy and the room was humid. Xue Junliang didn’t have time to change out of his Imperial Court clothes. The heavy cloth made him sweat a lot and listening to the sound of slight movements  on the water, Xue Junliang suddenly felt that he was needlessly asking for trouble.

Xue Junliang finally couldn’t sit still. He stood up and took off his outer robes. This action surprised Teng Yun who subconsciously straightened his spine and looked at his every move.

The water in the medicinal bath was not deep. If one stood up straight, the water level would reach below the chest. Teng Yun naturally stood up straight when he was nervous. Xue Junliang looked at Teng Yun’s chest that had water drops rolling off it and couldn’t help but cough.

Xue Junliang took off his outer robes, took off his coronet and loosened his collar. Only then did he feel a little cooler, but soon the heat and humidity made him sweat again.

Teng Yun looked at Xue Junliang fanning himself while loosening his collar, and the subtle complications in his heart came up again.

Xue Junliang was the Ruler of a country. He was above all the people of the nation. No one in Xue country would dare to compete with him. Naturally, no one could go against his will. As an assertive Emperor, doing so much for a single person; it was impossible for Teng Yun to not be moved.

Especially Teng Yun, who was a person who remembered others’ kindness and attentiveness towards himself. He would remember every bit of kindness he received.

Teng Yun suddenly sighed and thought that it was fortunately Xue Junliang’s arrow that pierced his heart at that time. If it were any other person, Teng Yun could not be so forgiving. Even if Xue Junliang was kind to him, he would absolutely never let go…..

Xue Junliang was “tortured” by the sound of water and heat, but he had decided that as long as Teng Yun did not show his willingness, he would not come on too strong on Teng Yun. After all, he had done him wrong before, he did not want to hurt Teng Yun again.

Xue Junliang coughed again and said, “Teng Ying, you soak slowly. When the water is cold, you call for Jiang Yu. I suddenly remembered I have something……”

Before he could finish speaking, he heard Teng Yun’ s voice so soft that it was almost inaudible: “Your Majesty... Your Majesty doesn\'t have to do this.”

Xue Junliang’s action of pulling the door suddenly stopped, and he turned to look at Teng Yun. After Teng Yun said this, he quickly lifted some water on his face to wake himself up, but the water was warm, making him more dizzy.

Xue Junliang was overjoyed. Naturally, he would not pretend to be a Sage. He immediately took off his clothing and went into the medicinal bath.

Teng Yun immediately regretted so much that he wanted to die. The medicinal bath was very huge and impressive, but Xue Junliang obviously wouldn’t stay at the other end. He came over and gently hugged Teng Yun.

This was the first time the two people met sincerely. Teng Yun retreated a few steps . Unfortunately, Xue Junliang was not as behaved as he wanted. When the two bodies met, Xue Junliang obviously felt Teng Yun trembling. Although it was very slight, he couldn’t restrain it.

Xue Junliang just hugged him, rubbed his hair with his chin, smiled and sighed, and said, “When would you understand? Until when would I have to wait……”

Teng Yun panicked. He knew Xue Junliang was referencing the other night but he didn’t know what was in his own heart yet. So he could only keep silent and not answer anything.

Xue Junliang did not force the issue, did not want Teng Yun to immediately reply to himself, but the hand holding his back began to wander around taking some liberties.

Teng Yun had been soaking in the hot bath for a time, and his body was already soft. At this time, his back was rubbed by Xue Junliang’s slightly callused palms and he couldn’t help the rapidness of his breathing.

Teng Yun was not good at this kind of thing, and he didn’t understand how things worked between men. Although he knew about Teng Shang and Xue Houyang, because he was thin-skinned, he never asked, nor wanted to find out. At this time, he just fell into Xue Junliang’s hands.

Xue Junliang found that Teng Yun’s reaction was very sensitive, which gave Xue Junliang a feeling of satisfaction ……

And when Teng Yun encountered this kind of thing, all the Martial Arts he had learned were forgotten. The only thing he could do was lie in Xue Junliang’s arms, clutching Xue Junliang’s arm as if it were a life-saving straw.

Xue Junliang found that his back was very tight, smiled and comforted him: “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything. Are you very uncomfortable?”

Before Teng Yun could reply, Xue Junliang surprisingly held that part of his lower body with one hand and tentatively slid his hand up and down slowly.

Teng Yun’s eyes widened, he bit his lips, and his grasp on Xue Junliang’s arm suddenly increased. His body curled up. And because he was curled up in Xue Junliang’s arms, this posture made him look extremely obedient.

Although Teng Yun was generally very obedient, it was the first time Xue Junliang saw him so obedient towards himself. Suddenly, a dry heat rose in his heart, as if the bath water had become scorching hot.

When Xue Junliang felt that the other party did not struggle, the hand holding the private parts gradually accelerated and he could even hear the humming that leaked out of the corners of Teng Yun’s mouth.

Teng Yun felt that his mind was blank, his body had stopped listening to his command, and was completely dominated by Xue Junliang. The numbing pleasure seemed to allow him to only grab Xue Junliang and do nothing else.

Xue Junliang was very proud of himself. Suddenly, he felt a stabbing pain on his neck. Teng Yun’s eyes had reddened due to the pleasure he was experiencing and with blurred eyes, he had bitten down on Xue Junliang’s neck to prevent his moans from echoing out.

Xue Junliang didn’t mind this kind of pain and was quite happy that he could make Teng Yun totally lose control.  But thinking about the area he was bitten, he thought that even the collar of his Imperial robes would not hide the bite mark……..

After Teng Yun had orgasmed, Xue Junliang helped him clean his body. Fortunately, Teng Yun was thin and not too heavy. Xue Junliang carried him out of the medicinal bath and wiped him dry. When everything was done, Teng Yun came back to his senses and wanted to speak, but his throat was a little uncomfortable because of what happened just now. When he tried to speak, his voice was totally hoarse.

Xue Junliang knew Teng Yun was embarrassed, so if he teased him again at this time it would be counterproductive, he just said softly, “Quickly put your clothes on, or you’ll catch a cold.”

Teng Yun recalled that he had just seen the bite marks on Xue Junliang’s neck. He couldn’t help but blush in embarrassment. He quickly put on his clean clothes.

Jiang Yu had waited outside for a long time before seeing the door open, Emperor Xue seemed to be in a good mood, and only then said: “This Seat just remembered, did you ask the Marquis Zhenjiang to hand over the name plaque to enter the Palace? Has he arrived?”

Jiang Yu wiped his sweat and said, “He has arrived, he has arrived… The Marquis has been waiting for more than an incense stick of time.”

—-

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