Chapter 54 (1/2)

After Zhang Jiarui went back he searched for a variety of ways to diminish Zhu Jia’s good name.

He first spread out that one of Zhu’s servants were lawlessly bullying the villagers. But the person who was arrested ended up being Zhu Lao Si’s loyal confidant. Everyone knew that Zhu Ziyu had long ago cut all ties with Zhu Lao Si. They didn’t even consider associating his confidant’s actions with Zhu.

Then some people reported that a village gentleman was modifying the scale when paying rent, there was suspicions of violation of the court tax. Zhang Jiarui sent officers to check. The result was tax evasion was found from Li and Wang house, only Zhu house had honest books.

He repeatedly investigated several cases, any that he suspected were related to Zhu, but it always turned out that Zhu was completely blameless. Not only did he not diminish Zhu family’s ‘Benevolent house’ brand, he actually made Zhu Ziyu’s fame spread farther. Zhang Jiarui was sleepless for several nights in anger. He deeply hated Zhu Ziyu, he vowed to one day make Zhu collapse.

Meanwhile, Qin Ce had returned to the capital, but he was severely wounded. If the doctors hadn’t tied him down and medicated him to clean up the festering wound on his abdomen, he probably would’ve rushed straight to Qing Min County.

“You must hand this box personally to Ziyu today.” He carefully told this to Yucheng before falling into a coma.

Yucheng didn’t delay, he personally carried the box and rode a horse to Zhu House.

“General come in, come in. Can I ask why you were in such a hurry? Do you need something?” Zhou Yun Sheng greeted the man in pleasant surprise.

“This box is for Zhu Gongzi.” Yucheng placed the box on a table, a strong smell of blood spread in the air.

Zhou Yun Sheng’s heart shook. He immediately untied the knot and opened the lid. Impressively, there was a head inside. Tweety and Lushi screamed in fright, but Zhou Yun Sheng laughed cheerfully.

This person had a giant Roc face tattoo, it was the legendary leader of the Luo Shui Mountain Bandits Wang Zhanpeng. He was the murderer of Zhu Ziyu’s father. The two hundred thousand parcels of food was not given in vain.

Zhou Yun Sheng let out a relieved breath and slightly smiled, “General Yu, you’re my benefactor. I will always remember this kindness.” After only a brief mention that day, this man actually recorded his wants in his heart. After settling the situation in the capital, he must’ve immediately departed for Lou Shui to get revenge for him. He also diligently personally sent him the head. To do this task for no personal benefit, who would do such a thing?

Could he really be the man he is looking for?

Zhou Yun Sheng’s heart suddenly overflowed with heat. He impulsively pressed the sturdy man into a chair, and while the other man was stunned, he slipped his tongue into the other man’s mouth. Stirring and sucking.

Yucheng was shocked, his refusal was pushed down by a feeling of weakness. Zhu Gongzi’s kissing skill was too superb, he felt like his soul was being sucked out.

However, Zhou Yun Sheng’s soul didn’t feel that familiar throbbing. Yucheng wasn’t his favorite man. Where was he? Zhou Yun Sheng felt depressed. He stopped his tongue exploration and took a few steps back. “General Yu, I’ve offended you. Please, forgive me. Goodbye.” He bowed and thrust his hand out, indicating that the other man should leave.

Yucheng was kissed forcefully, but he actually forgot how to resist. When his thinking ability returned, he was already riding on horseback, a few miles outside of Qing Min County. He reached the camp and sat by the Commander’s beside in a daze, his lips still tingled.

After an hour, the anesthesia drug’s effect gradually dispersed and Qin Ce opened his eyes.

“Did you send that thing to him?” He immediately asked.

“I sent it.” Yucheng’s cheeks reddened again, he whispered,” Hou Ye, if, if a man is interested in you, what do you do?”

“Which man finds you interesting?” Qin Ce scoffed.

“Zhu Gongzi. He just kissed me.” Yucheng covered his face and muffled out, “I didn’t even find it disgusting, I found it…. Hou Ye, I’m really hopeless. If Zhu Gongzi was a Ger, I’d immediately marry him. But even though that’s not the case… I can’t think straight anymore.”

Qin Ce nearly fell off the bed. His eyes froze into a sharp edge, cutting into Yucheng’s exposed skin. Yucheng jumped back and stammered, “Hou, Hou Ye, what’s wrong with you? Why are you glaring at me like that?”

“Why did he kiss you? Did you not tell him that the box was from me?” Damn this guy, he robbed his credit again! First from the guarding, now from the bandits!

“…. I didn’t have time to say it before Zhu Gongzi kissed me.” Yucheng suddenly realized his mistake, he turned around to see the Commander running out of the door in a thin, half open robe. In a blink of an eye, his silhouette was out of sight.

Zhou Yun Sheng was still in distress over the whereabouts of his love, when a servant informed him of Shen Wei Hou Shizi’s visit.

Shen Wei Hou… Little Black? What’s he doing here? While he was pondering, a haggard looking man ran down the hall. He was casually dressed in a black robe, a blood stained white bandage was easily exposed through the gaps. His handsome face was filled with ferocious wrath.

“You need to know this. I was the one who ordered Yucheng to guard your mansion, and the Luo Shui bandit tribe was personally destroyed by me for you. And…” He strode toward Zhou Yun Sheng and stretched out his arm, his eyes were burning bright.

“….this.” The smell of tobacco was so intense that it made Zhou Yun Sheng feel dizzy.

“So, the person you should feel grateful to is me. The one you should be interested in is me, not Yucheng. The one you should kiss is me, not Yucheng. If another man steals my kisses again, I’ll pull out their tongue.” Qin Ce roughly said this, then leaned over to cover the young man’s red lips.

At the touch of their tongues and the blending of their fluids, a familiar trembling passed through Zhou Yun Sheng’s soul. Their minds exploded in a warm, bright fire. It felt as if they’d obtained all the feelings of joy and satisfaction the world had to offer. The two clung to each other, constantly changing the angle to deepen the kiss. A quarter of an hour passed before they parted, a sliver line stretched between their lips.

“…It really was you!” Zhou Yun Sheng gave a satisfied sigh, then his face darkened, “You’re not already engaged to Zhang Shulin?”

“Have I been with him?” Qin Ce erased the powder on Zhou Yun Sheng’s forehead and repeatedly kissed the bright red dot.

“The rumor has become old news already. Everyone was clamoring about how Zhang Shulin is the future partner of Hou Ye. You gave Zhang Jia so many gifts and benefits, wasn’t that to pave the way to marry Zhang Shulin? If that’s how it is, why are you bothering me? Get the hell out!” Zhou Yun Sheng kicked at Qin Ce.

Qin Ce grabbed his face and stared into his eyes as he explained, “I’ve cleared my debt with Zhang Jia. I only gave them so many high-profile gifts to repay them for saving me. Kindness is kindness, love is love. I will not lose a lifetime of happiness to repay a kindness. Zhu Ziyu, I love only you. Even when I thought you were a man, I still loved you. I will dedicate my life to you and never make you regret it. If you don’t believe me, you can dig out my heart to look.”