Author: 哔哔 (Bi Bi) / Jin Gang Quan

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

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Chapter 57

When Feng Tianzong entered the courtyard, the first person he saw was a young man in white sitting by the fire. He froze for a moment before realizing it was Huo Fenghua, not Su Zeyang.

He walked over and asked, “Didn’t you say Zeyang called me over to roast fish for him?”

Huo Fenghua lifted his head to look at him. “What, is it not okay to roast it for me?”

Feng Tianzong smiled at that. “It is.”

Huo Fenghua called for the servants to carry a soft couch out from Su Zeyang’s room and place it beside the fire. He had Su Zeyang sit to one side, while he himself lay with his head resting on Su Zeyang’s lap. Feng Tianzong sat on a low stool and put the already-marinated fish over the fire to roast.

Feng Tianzong said, “Just one fish? Why not have Liu Yong catch a few more, send them to the kitchen to be marinated, then bring them over. We can roast them all.”

“No need,” Huo Fenghua said comfortably, sprawled at ease. “I caught this one myself. I’m roasting it for Senior Brother.”

Feng Tianzong glanced at him. “Are you roasting it, or am I?”

“I was going to,” Huo Fenghua said, “but my head feels dizzy now and I can’t be bothered to move. Lucky you.”

Su Zeyang reached out and gently kneaded Huo Fenghua’s forehead. “Dizzy? Who told you to jump into the water to catch fish?”

Feng Tianzong was flipping the fish. He lifted his eyes. “You went into the water?”

Su Zeyang gave a low hum. “I couldn’t stop him.”

Huo Fenghua wrapped his arms around Su Zeyang’s leg and urged Feng Tianzong, “Is it done yet? It smells so good. I want the first bite.”

“Almost,” Feng Tianzong replied.

When the fish was cooked through, Feng Tianzong set it on a plate, pulled out the wooden skewer that had been run through the flesh, and used chopsticks to pry open the most tender meat along the belly. Avoiding the long bones, he picked up a bite and offered it to Huo Fenghua’s lips. “Do you want me to feed you?”

Huo Fenghua opened his mouth and ate it. But when Feng Tianzong picked up a second bite and offered it again, Huo Fenghua refused to open his mouth. “Give it to Senior Brother.”

Feng Tianzong smiled and lifted the chopsticks to Su Zeyang’s lips.

Su Zeyang glanced at him, then opened his mouth and took the fish. His soft tongue tip brushed the chopsticks.

Feng Tianzong used his thumb to wipe away the oil at the corner of Su Zeyang’s mouth.

Huo Fenghua watched them quietly. Then he suddenly sneezed twice. He rolled over and sat up. “It’s cold. I’m going back.”

Feng Tianzong asked, “The fish is done and you’re leaving after just one bite?”

Huo Fenghua stood and tugged his robe hem straight. “I called you here to roast fish for Senior Brother to eat. Those fish in the lake have grown that big and the great General still never has time to roast fish for Senior Brother. Isn’t now a perfect chance?”

Su Zeyang sat and watched him without speaking.

Huo Fenghua hooked a finger under Su Zeyang’s chin. “I’m going back. You two eat slowly. I still have to go out early tomorrow.”

Su Zeyang said, “You got chilled and you’re still going out?”

Huo Fenghua smiled. “A gamble cures all ailments.” He stretched luxuriously and started toward the courtyard gate. After taking two steps, he remembered something and hurried back, trotting into the room to dig through the inner pocket of the clothes he’d taken off. He found the jade pendant Feng Tianzong had given him.

He stroked the pendant with his fingers and carefully tucked it back against his body. Then he pulled open the door and stepped out, seeing Feng Tianzong and Su Zeyang sitting together, using the firelight to patiently pick the bones from the fish.

Huo Fenghua raised his hand and waved hard. “I’m going!” With that, he left Su Zeyang’s courtyard with light, cheerful steps.

The next morning, Huo Fenghua left the General’s Manor and headed for the house Pan Yuanjun had given him to settle Linglong.

He’d finally managed to have a home of his own in the capital, and now he was about to leave. The whole way there, Huo Fenghua kept sighing, feeling thoroughly unwilling. He wondered how housing prices in Yujing had been rising these past years. If he could coax Pan Yuanjun into transferring the deed to him, then come back in a few years, could he become rich overnight? He turned it over in his mind, only afraid he didn’t have enough time anymore.

Pan Yuanjun’s house was near the outskirts, in a secluded area. When Huo Fenghua arrived at the gate and carefully confirmed it was the right place, he lifted his hand and knocked.

He knocked for a long while before Linglong opened the door from inside. When she saw him, she froze slightly, then stepped forward and hugged him. “Young Master Huo, Linglong has been waiting for you.”

Huo Fenghua held her and patted her back lightly. “Miss Linglong, wait a little longer. Don’t be anxious.” As he spoke, he lifted a hand to cover his mouth and gave two soft coughs.

At the time, Linglong didn’t think much of it. She took his hand and led him inside.

Huo Fenghua looked around and found that though the house wasn’t large, it was clean and the rooms weren’t shabby. He sat down in the main hall, and Linglong turned to brew tea for him.

When she came back, Huo Fenghua asked, “Are you the only one living here right now?”

Linglong set the teacup on the table. “Commander Pan said the fewer people who know, the better. He had Linglong stay here alone for now. Once Young Master Huo has everything arranged, Linglong will go with Young Master Huo to the General’s Manor.”

Huo Fenghua nodded. He lifted the teacup and pretended to touch it to his lips without drinking, then set it down and said, “You know as well as I do that I’m just a male concubine in the General’s Manor. I don’t have any real say there. Linglong, wait a bit longer. You and I will soon be together day and night.”

Linglong looked at him, then lowered her head with a small smile.

They talked in the main hall for a while until someone knocked at the door. This time it was Pan Yuanjun.

This place was even more hidden than yesterday’s tavern, so Pan Yuanjun spoke with fewer scruples. He asked Huo Fenghua, “Young Master Huo said you can contact the Xichou side. Can you give me a token of proof?”

Huo Fenghua gave a short laugh. “When I entered the General’s Manor, I didn’t bring a single old possession with me. Even my clothes were newly made. I really can’t produce any token.” This part wasn’t a lie. His old residence in Yujing had long since been sealed up.

Pan Yuanjun nodded. “No matter. Then why not write a letter, and we’ll take it to meet Marshal Shao of Xichou?”

Huo Fenghua shook his head. “I won’t write a letter. You can go find Marshal Shao yourselves and bring his token to see me.”

Pan Yuanjun’s expression darkened slightly. “Young Master Huo, are you saying you don’t trust our Prime Minister?”

Huo Fenghua sighed. “Commander Pan, Feng Tianzong destroyed my Xichou and killed my family. Between him and me, we cannot share the same sky. Why guard against me? I won’t write that letter. It’s true I don’t trust you. Commander Pan, if our positions were reversed, would you dare to trust so easily?”

Pan Yuanjun said, “The Prime Minister has shown sincere intent. Young Master Huo can rest assured.”

Huo Fenghua said, “I trust the Prime Minister’s sincerity. The Prime Minister should trust me as well. With a letter from Marshal Shao, I can cooperate with the Prime Minister wholeheartedly against the Feng brothers. Otherwise…” He didn’t finish. He suddenly turned his head and began coughing.

This bout was worse than before. His fair, smooth face flushed red, and even the corners of his eyes reddened slightly.

Pan Yuanjun examined him from head to toe. Remembering Huo Fenghua’s status as Feng Tianzong’s male concubine, he couldn’t help looking toward Huo Fenghua’s waist and hips. In the end, he still sneered inwardly and let out a cold laugh, then sighed. “I understand Young Master Huo’s meaning. I’ll go back and explain everything to the Prime Minister and see what he plans to do.”

Huo Fenghua covered his mouth with the back of his hand. When he lowered it, his lips were a deep red. He nodded. “Commander Pan, please rest assured. With my status, I have no possible way to threaten the Prime Minister, and even less chance of helping the Feng brothers frame him. If I want to return to Xichou and restore my country, I have to rely entirely on the Prime Minister. I’m only asking for peace of mind, so that in the end the Prime Minister doesn’t take hold of some leverage over me and turn his face and deny me.”

Pan Yuanjun answered, “I understand.” He stood, looked at Huo Fenghua for a moment longer, and asked, “Young Master Huo, are you ill?”

Huo Fenghua took the silk handkerchief Linglong offered and wiped his lips. “Maybe I caught a chill. It’s nothing.”

Pan Yuanjun said, “Your constitution is delicate. You should take extra care. When I get back, I’ll have someone send over some nourishing medicines. Have Linglong boil them for you.”

Huo Fenghua stood as well and cupped his hands. “Many thanks, Commander Pan.”

Pan Yuanjun smiled and waved. “Then I’ll go first. I won’t disturb Young Master Huo and Miss Linglong.”

Linglong saw Pan Yuanjun out, then returned and replaced Huo Fenghua’s tea with a hot cup. “Young Master Huo, if you’re feeling unwell, why not lie down in the room for a while?”

Huo Fenghua nodded and went with her into the side room in the inner courtyard.

After they entered, Linglong closed the door. She turned to face him and called shyly, “Young Master Huo…”

Huo Fenghua lifted a hand to touch her cheek and leaned close to whisper in her ear, “Go to the bed and wait for me.”

Blushing, Linglong walked to the bed and sat down.

Huo Fenghua raised his hands and unfastened the knotted buttons at his collar at an unhurried pace. He removed his outer robe first, then pulled open the sash at the side of his inner garment. As the layers loosened and fell open, the first thing revealed was the pale line of his waist.

Linglong had been watching him the whole time. Now she suddenly froze, eyes widening. “Young master!”

Huo Fenghua paused mid-motion as he loosened his trousers. “What is it?”

Linglong looked flustered. “What… what is that on your waist?”

Huo Fenghua startled. He looked down and saw that his side waist really was covered in densely packed red rashes, creating an alarming scene. He touched his own waist, then seemed to remember something. He hitched his trousers up a little and found the same red rash had appeared on his thigh as well.

Linglong cried out and sprang up, instinctively backing away. “What is that?” She didn’t know what kind of rash it was. She only thought he was flirtatious by nature and wondered if he’d picked up some filthy disease outside.

Huo Fenghua hurriedly tied his sash back up and threw his outer robe on again, voice full of alarm. “Don’t be afraid. It’s just an ordinary wind rash. Wait for me to go back and see a doctor. Once it’s better in a couple days, I’ll come see you again.”

With that, he fastened his clothes tight, turned to leave, and as he walked out he began coughing violently again.

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