Chapter 13

Drenched in the downpour, Gu Jingyuan felt like an insignificant drifting duckweed at the mercy of others.

Sometimes, he would struggle a little.

But this type of weak struggle only ignited a man’s primal instinct to conquer, becoming the most potent aphrodisiac, carrying both of them to climax.

During this time, Long Yanzhao loved to tease him.

His mind was a bit unclear having drunk himself into a stupor today. He was unable to restrain himself from his baser impulses, and his speech became utterly lewd.

Gu Jingyuan’s remaining shred of sanity registered these filthy words, and he couldn’t help but blush.

However, his body very honestly endured it all, even actively cooperating…

His cheeks flushed rosily, and the mark above his eyebrow was hauntingly seductive. Meanwhile, his eyes had long grown misty with tears.

At the end, he turned his head away.

Tears still lingered in his eyes, and he faintly sensed a massive wave about to hit, bracing himself to endure it all.

Just then, he felt someone touch the mark above his brow.

In the instant the waves crashed over, he heard Long Yanzhao’s muffled words: “Come riding with me, Ah Qi.”

…

His words were slurred and low, and the breath from the dragon sovereign reeked of alcohol.

But Gu Jingyuan’s eyes still widened in shock.

Imperial yellow covered everywhere, red candles casting a warm and ambiguous glow within the room.

The man who was holding him wore a dazed expression, but Gu Jingyuan already withdrew from his previous state, unable to arouse his interest anymore.

The next day, Long Yanzhao rose early to review memorials.

Even though he was resting in the traveling palace, a day of respite was the most an emperor could ask for. Indulgence, too, could only last but a moment. Things that must be done still had to be done.

While Long Yanzhao attended to national affairs, Gu Jingyuan was wrapped in a quilt, sleeping in the inner chamber.

Gu Jingyuan appeared extremely haggard today. His usually fair complexion was utterly drained of color, and he couldn’t even muster the energy to rise and help Long Yanzhao review the memorials.

He was utterly exhausted yesterday. Not only was his body covered in marks, but a certain unspeakable area was even injured.

Upon regaining his senses, Long Yanzhao also felt deeply remorseful and guilty.

Every now and then, he would run over to check on him, touch his face, and feed him water.

Fortunately, Gu Jingyuan was young and could withstand the ordeal. He slept fitfully until evening, and his complexion and spirits improved visibly.

Long Yanzhao wrapped him snugly in a quilt and helped him to his feet.

The injuries on Gu Jingyuan’s behind made it difficult for him to sit upright, thus Emperor Yuwen took the initiative to sit behind him, leaning Gu Jingyuan against him.

He personally fed him soup.

“Zhen had this ginseng chicken soup specially prepared for you. It’s been simmering in a hanging pot all day—give it a taste.”

The bowl of ginseng chicken soup didn’t have any oil and was a milky clear white. It looked very appetizing.

Moreover, the chicken that had been stewed until soft was melted into the broth, its fragrance wafting everywhere. No worries about indigestion either, which was perfect for Gu Jingyuan right now.

Long Yanzhao’s hand was steady as he scooped up a spoonful of soup and brought it to Gu Jingyuan’s mouth. Seeing that he took a sip, he finally felt reassured and said, “Chicken soup is nourishing and replenishes vitality. Ah Yuan, drink some more.”

Gu Jingyuan’s eyelashes fluttered, and he said before the man could deliver the second spoonful, “Your Majesty, this minister can manage it myself.”

“Zhen will do it.” Long Yanzhao did not agree, simply saying: “Zhen likes it this way.”

Gu Jingyuan said, “Your Majesty needs not blame yourself for yesterday night’s matter…”

As he spoke, his eyelashes fluttered.

Such shameful acts like what they did last night were tolerable when it was just the two of them in the dead of night.

However, Gu Jingyuan still found it rather difficult to actually speak aloud.

Though that was the case, he still pressed on, “This minister… did it willingly.”

“Zhen knows.” There was a hint of amusement in Long Yanzhao’s voice.

As Gu Jingyuan blinked his limpid eyes and shifted his gaze up at him, the supreme sovereign remarked playfully, “Ah Yuan loves being done by me that way.”

Gu Jingyuan: “…”

“Okay, enough fooling around—hurry up and drink the soup.” Long Yanzhao quickly added.

As he fed Gu Jingyuan soup, he solemnly said, “But Zhen still hurt you. If it happens next time, you should push me away.”

Gu Jingyuan smiled, “Alright.”

He clearly didn’t take it to heart.

His smile was faint, features exquisitely alluring, and every glance and arch of the brow carried flirtatious undertones.

But he still remained that always-submissive Gu Jingyuan. His eyes carried an air of docility that made one want to pull him close and thoroughly bully him.

Long Yanzhao sighed and stopped mentioning the matter, simply feeding the chicken soup scoop by scoop until it was finished.

After setting down the bowl, the Emperor even particularly thoughtfully asked Eunuch Hong to bring in a cup of tea. He personally handed it to Gu Jingyuan, telling him to rinse his mouth.

He performed such tasks with extreme familiarity. Even the noble young men of the capital weren’t able to take care of someone this attentively, much less the Emperor himself.

It was evident that the experiences in his youth left a deep impact on him…

Gu Jingyuan lowered his eyes, unknown what he was thinking. After rinsing his mouth, he suddenly said, “Your Majesty, how about we go horseback riding?”

“…What did you say?”

Long Yanzhao was surprised before showing a look of faint excitement.

It wasn’t obvious.

Even Long Yanzhao himself didn’t notice.

He pressed, “Is Ah Yuan being serious?”

“Yes.”

As Gu Jingyuan spoke, his eyelashes fluttered lightly, “If Your Majesty truly wishes to… ride, then let us go.”

“Since Ah Yuan said so, you can’t take it back.” Long Yanzhao said, then chuckled and laid Gu Jingyuan down flat.

He teased, “But with Ah Yuan’s backside… If my dear subject wants to go riding, it’s better to rest for a few more days.”

“…”

Only then did Gu Jingyuan realize.

That place was still injured, but he insisted on going riding…

Gu Jingyuan’s pale face flushed red.

Seeing him like this, Long Yanzhao couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

Instead, Eunuch Hong and the other palace attendants weren’t surprised that Gu Jingyuan agreed.

In fact, what really surprised them was Gu Jingyuan refusing the Emperor when he was asked to ride earlier.

…This was the always-okay Lord Gu!

Furthermore, everyone knew that the Prince of Beirong liked to go riding and hunting. His Majesty also enjoyed it.

Such a great opportunity to win the ruler’s heart…

But now, things were looking up.

Hearing the emperor’s hearty laughter, some started to think: it was said that Lord Gu was a savvy man, and it certainly appeared to be true. Wasn’t the emperor now teased into a happy mood?

However, some of the old veterans led by Eunuch Hong thought that Lord Gu truly cared for the Emperor. Even though he clearly disliked riding and wasn’t in suitable physical shape to go, he still said he wanted to learn. In the end, wasn’t it all for the Emperor?

Regardless of everyone’s thoughts, Gu Jingyuan had already closed his eyes again without speaking. Truthfully, he was still embarrassed about the earlier matter.

Later, Gu Jingyuan fell asleep.

He had a jumbled mass of chaotic dreams with lit lanterns and the biting cold of winter snow.

Warm lights and freezing snowflakes juxtaposed like a prison with no end. Inside, there was only endless cold and pain.

Gu Jingyuan lingered there for a long time.

But the good thing was, when he once again opened his eyes, he only saw Long Yanzhao’s straight back.

It was pitch black outside, the hour unknown, yet Long Yanzhao still seemed to be reviewing memorials.

The traveling villa wasn’t as comfortable as the palace, and the bed wasn’t as large either.

Since Gu Jingyuan had already “taken over” the bed, His Majesty could only sit on the edge to flip through the memorials.

Even so, Long Yanzhao was exceedingly serious.

Or perhaps, Gu Jingyuan’s outward sleep appeared calm and still even in the midst of a nightmare, thus not disturbing the other person.

Gu Jingyuan turned over lightly and shifted onto his side, staring at Long Yanzhao’s back.

Emperor Yuwen had broad shoulders, a slim waist, and an upright back.

Coupled with his tall height, just sitting there made him like a barrier–solid and reliable, as if he could ward off all demons and evil spirits.

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Translator Note: Today one of my managers from the first company I ever worked for passed away after battling pancreatic cancer for 3 years. I’d like to offer a moment of silence to her.