Author: 哔哔 (Bi Bi) / Jin Gang Quan

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 42

Su Zeyang’s kiss felt different from Feng Tianzong’s. It was softer, with none of that aggressive possessiveness. He was like cool water—enveloping you, and yet capable of drowning you all the same.

Huo Fenghua tightened his arms around Su Zeyang, hooked his tongue and sucked, his fingers lightly tugging at Su Zeyang’s belt.

Very quickly, Su Zeyang caught Huo Fenghua by the collar and shoved him to the side. But Huo Fenghua’s feet stayed planted firmly on the ground. Su Zeyang couldn’t budge him. After all, Zixi hadn’t been famous for nothing; decades of cultivation weren’t a joke.

Su Zeyang looked a little surprised. And Huo Fenghua had already locked onto his wrist and forced him down onto the crates behind him.

Huo Fenghua was just about to let out a smug laugh when Su Zeyang, nimble as ever, slipped sideways, regained his footing, and twisted Huo Fenghua’s arm back. At the same time he lifted his foot and kicked behind Huo Fenghua’s knee, making Huo Fenghua obediently sit down on the crate himself.

Su Zeyang looked down at him. “In such a short time, where did you get so much inner energy?”

Huo Fenghua was angry at first. He’d gotten all that inner energy and still couldn’t beat Su Zeyang. But hearing the question, he couldn’t help grinning smugly. “Guess.”

“I can’t guess,” Su Zeyang said.

Huo Fenghua sighed. “You’re so boring. Have you heard of True Master Zixi in Fengming?”

Su Zeyang lifted his chin slightly as if searching his memory. Huo Fenghua, seeing that innocent expression, felt his heart stir and reached out to wrap an arm around his waist.

Su Zeyang then patted Huo Fenghua’s hair. “I think I’ve heard of him.”

Huo Fenghua said, “He’s actually a lecherous, shameless old monster. Master stole one of his golden pills and fed it to me, and I ended up absorbing decades of his cultivation.”

Su Zeyang said softly, “What golden pill could be that powerful? I’ve never heard of absorbing someone else’s cultivation. Show me.” As he spoke, he offered his hand to Huo Fenghua.

Huo Fenghua took it, kissed his arm once, and said, “How would I dare try? What if once it starts, it won’t stop?”

Su Zeyang was still puzzled. He pressed two fingers to Huo Fenghua’s pulse, trying to gauge his inner energy. But Huo Fenghua grabbed him in return, tugged him down, and pressed close to kiss him, murmuring intimately, “Is this really the time to talk about that? We clearly have other things we can do.”

Su Zeyang looked down at him. His long lashes trembled slightly, and suddenly he reached out and yanked open Huo Fenghua’s lapels, exposing a broad stretch of pale, clean chest.

Huo Fenghua sat on the solid wooden crate, tilting his head back.

Su Zeyang kissed his neck, one hand sliding up over his chest, thumb rubbing one nipple.

Huo Fenghua couldn’t help panting lightly. Meanwhile, his thoughts turned lively. His hand traced along Su Zeyang’s supple waistline, slid down to his ass, and gave a firm squeeze.

Su Zeyang shot him a look and took Huo Fenghua’s nipple into his mouth.

That was when Huo Fenghua said, “You abandoned me at Luofeng Ridge.”

Su Zeyang’s movements paused.

With grievance in his voice, Huo Fenghua continued, “You’ve been back in the capital so long, and you never came to find me. You didn’t even ask about me once.”

Su Zeyang straightened and looked at him. “The curse is a matter of great importance. I—”

“You do it for Feng Tianzong, but you wouldn’t do it for me!” Huo Fenghua cut him off.

Su Zeyang looked at him, confused. “Last time… were you uncomfortable?”

Huo Fenghua stood up too. “I wouldn’t say I was uncomfortable. But I want to make you feel good too, Senior Brother.”

Su Zeyang said, “Last time I did feel good.”

Huo Fenghua lowered his eyes. “You left me at Luofeng Ridge…”

Su Zeyang turned and sat down on the crate, unfastening the knot at his collar. “Come, then.”

Huo Fenghua lit up with delight. He lowered his head and kissed Su Zeyang, speaking indistinctly as he did, “You can’t take it back now.”

Su Zeyang answered softly, “Mm.”

Huo Fenghua tugged his clothes open, one hand pinching his waist, the other kneading his chest. Hearing Su Zeyang’s breathing grow heavier, he felt satisfied. He nibbled lightly at Su Zeyang’s shoulder. “Senior Brother, I really like you.”

Su Zeyang stroked the back of his neck, fingers catching in his hair, and sighed faintly.

Huo Fenghua wasn’t satisfied. “Do you like me?”

Su Zeyang opened his half-lidded eyes. “I do.”

Huo Fenghua didn’t ask whether he liked Feng Tianzong more or him more. Instead he said, “Then you have to remember me for the rest of your life.”

Su Zeyang leaned back, legs spread slightly, and answered, “Alright.”

Huo Fenghua lowered his head, about to undo his belt.

Suddenly, both of them heard footsteps coming this way.

That went without saying for Su Zeyang, but after gaining decades of inner energy from Zixi, Huo Fenghua felt his senses had sharpened a lot. The footsteps were still some distance from the courtyard, yet he could clearly judge their direction. He immediately lifted his head and looked at Su Zeyang.

Su Zeyang was looking at him too. With silent understanding, they both stopped, stood, and adjusted their clothes, tying their sashes.

By the time Liu Yong walked through the courtyard gate, Su Zeyang and Huo Fenghua were already continuing to rummage through the boxes.

Liu Yong crept up to the storeroom doorway and knocked on the open door. “Young Master Su, the Prime Minister’s residence has sent someone.”

Su Zeyang closed the lid of a wooden box and asked, “What is it?”

Liu Yong said, “It’s Xu An, the Prime Minister’s personal attendant. He says the Imperial Princess is ill and wants to invite Doctor Du from our residence to examine her.”

Doctor Du had once followed Feng Tianzong onto the battlefield as a military physician. His medical skills were excellent. Later, growing older and with no family, Feng Tianzong had invited him to live at the General’s Manor, to treat people in the household and also to let him spend his later years in comfort.

Su Zeyang said softly, “The Imperial Princess is ill?” He hesitated slightly, then said, “I’ll go see Xu An.” Something like that couldn’t simply be ignored.

After speaking, Su Zeyang looked to Huo Fenghua. “Will you keep looking for the jade ruyi here?”

Huo Fenghua looked displeased at being interrupted when things were getting good. “I don’t even know what you’re looking for.”

Su Zeyang said, “Then go back to your room and get yourself sorted out first. Steward Lu should’ve already passed the word along. Qingqing probably knows you’re back too.”

Hearing the name Qingqing so suddenly, Huo Fenghua felt a wave of longing as well. He nodded. “Then I’ll go see Sister Qingqing first.”

Huo Fenghua returned alone to his small side courtyard. When he pushed the door open, he saw Qingqing sitting on a stone stool in the yard, staring off into space. He called softly, “Sister Qingqing!”

Qingqing jerked her head around, stood up, and said, “You really came back?”

Huo Fenghua walked over with a grin. “I’m back! Did you miss me?”

Qingqing didn’t answer. She just looked at him. After a moment, her eyes turned red.

Huo Fenghua froze and said, “Don’t cry. Why are you crying the moment you see me?”

“Who’s crying?” Qingqing lifted a hand to wipe her eyes. “I thought you’d never come back.”

Huo Fenghua felt a sour ache in his chest. He asked her, “So these days… you’ve been here alone keeping watch?”

Qingqing said, “Yeah. Every day I have to clean the room and the courtyard. By the time I’m done, it’s already afternoon.”

Huo Fenghua took her hand and said softly, “Really, don’t cry. I won’t be staying long. I’m still going to leave.”

Qingqing froze slightly, glanced outside, and said in a low voice, “You still want to slip away?”

Huo Fenghua didn’t explain his plans in detail. He only said, “Don’t worry. Before I go, I’ll make Feng Tianzong decide for you and marry you into a good family.”

Qingqing didn’t even have time to feel shy. She just asked, “How will you leave? The General and Madam won’t let you go.”

Huo Fenghua said, “Don’t worry about that. Before I go, I still have some things I need to handle. When the time comes, I’ll prepare your dowry. Keep this secret for me. Don’t tell anyone, alright?”

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