Shen Ziqin wrapped his clothes tighter around himself.
Though Yuzhou’s weather was good, the mountains were cold. Shen Ziqin hadn’t paid much attention to this when he arrived, and soon paid the price for his carelessness.
He had caught a cold.
More precisely, a wind-cold.
Fortunately, it wasn’t serious. His body was no longer the type to suffer for three days from a single cough. The cold was due to consecutive nights without enough rest, combined with not dressing properly for the temperature difference.
His limbs felt slightly sore, and his nose was a bit stuffy, but there were no other symptoms, so it wasn’t a major problem.
Shen Ziqin sat in the hideout sunbathing. According to the messages delivered by birds earlier, Chu Zhao should arrive today or tomorrow.
When that time came…
Shen Ziqin recalled how their last parting had been so hasty and chaotic, and couldn’t help blushing.
Anyway, since Chu Zhao had made the first move with his lips, he should be the first to open his mouth and explain clearly.
As Shen Ziqin was thinking, suddenly Flying Tiger and Bai Xiao rushed in together.
Bai Xiao exclaimed joyfully: “Marquis!”
Shen Ziqin sensed something and stood up. Could it be Chu Zhao-
Flying Tiger, out of breath: “No, no, no-not good!”
Shen Ziqin’s thoughts paused: Huh?
His eyes immediately focused, alert. Had some unexpected change occurred?
Flying Tiger caught his breath: “Prince Qin has arrived!”
Shen Ziqin: “…”
Who talks with such dramatic pauses? He gave me a fright!
Shen Ziqin’s eyes were speechless, but his mouth still had to speak: “Isn’t this expected? Why is it not good?”
“He’s brought many troops and comes with great force!” Flying Tiger said anxiously. “It looks like he’s coming to raid my home!”
“That can’t be, don’t worry.” Shen Ziqin adjusted his clothes. “Let’s go. Remember what to say when you meet Prince Qin?”
Flying Tiger: “Mm…”
Shen Ziqin and Bai Xiao walked ahead, with Flying Tiger following behind. As they walked, he grew increasingly uneasy. When they reached the entrance of the hideout and could see the mass of armored soldiers outside, Flying Tiger ran to catch up.
He felt an inexplicable panic, fearing that once Shen Ziqin left his side, he would be buried by Prince Qin. In his fear, Flying Tiger reached out, unable to resist trying to grab Shen Ziqin.
“Prince Qin’s consort, wait, first let-”
“Crack-!”
Flying Tiger: “!”
Before he could finish speaking, a whip suddenly lashed out in front of him, leaving a deep mark that sent dirt flying and drew a clear line on the ground, as if crossing that line would tear him apart on the spot.
If he hadn’t withdrawn his hand quickly, he might have been struck.
It was Chu Zhao.
Seeing Flying Tiger chasing after Shen Ziqin, Chu Zhao immediately rode forward, cutting between them. He cracked his whip while Feixue nudged Shen Ziqin with his head, keeping him on this side.
Shen Ziqin was also startled.
When he saw Chu Zhao at the bandit hideout, his heart was filled with emotions, his throat tight. He couldn’t help quickening his pace forward, but unexpectedly, Chu Zhao charged over on horseback, moving so fast that it gave him a shock.
Had Chu Zhao just used his whip? What was he doing?
Shen Ziqin was about to look back, but Chu Zhao suddenly leaned down from his horse and grabbed him by the waist.
Shen Ziqin: ?
The next second, he was lifted by Chu Zhao’s single arm and brought onto the horse, cradled in Chu Zhao’s embrace.
Shen Ziqin: !!
Wait, is this strength even humanly possible!?
So shocked that he forgot to be embarrassed, Shen Ziqin sat in front of Chu Zhao, staring at him blankly.
Chu Zhao held Shen Ziqin with one arm. As anxious and worried as he had been on the journey, the moment he saw Shen Ziqin’s face, even the fiercest volcano turned to bubbles, each popping in the air and bursting in his heart.
The explosion made him both angry and soft-hearted.
Chu Zhao couldn’t help burying his face in Shen Ziqin’s neck, taking a deep breath.
The hot breath spread across his neck. Finally coming to his senses, Shen Ziqin’s heart pounded wildly. His jade-white neck flushed red from the heat, like soft delicacy delivered to a wild beast’s mouth…
Held tightly by strong arms, Shen Ziqin said hoarsely: “You…”
Chu Zhao looked at his delicate white neck, pressed his tongue against his canine teeth, and couldn’t help reaching up to gently stroke it.
Shen Ziqin shuddered, instinctively shrinking back, which only pressed him more firmly into Chu Zhao’s embrace.
Chu Zhao was unsatisfied but had no choice for now. Gritting his teeth, he growled: “I’ll settle accounts with you later.”
Hearing this, Shen Ziqin was stunned amid his pounding heartbeat.
Was Chu Zhao angry?
But why?
He wanted to look up, but he didn’t know that his face currently held the color of spring, his eyes like lotus flowers. One look from Chu Zhao would make him have to restrain himself from biting down, and he absolutely didn’t want others to see Shen Ziqin’s expression right now.
So he raised his hand and pressed Shen Ziqin against his chest, blocking the prying eyes of others.
Caught off guard, Shen Ziqin was pressed against his heart, his face buried against solid, reliable chest muscles through the clothing.
Shen Ziqin: “…”
Without even explaining things clearly, he was already touching and embracing-what was he doing!
Damn it, he must severely criticize Chu Zhao for such behavior.
…But these pheromones were quite reassuring. He had a cold and no strength to resist, so he could reluctantly stay nestled a bit longer.
Yes, just a little while.
Shen Ziqin’s cheeks burned hot. He suspected his condition was worsening-was he getting a fever?
Chu Zhao’s heartbeat seemed quite fast too. So close…
Chu Zhao blocked Shen Ziqin’s face and coldly looked at the dumbfounded Flying Tiger beside them.
Flying Tiger shuddered under his blade-like gaze. Before his mind could react, his body had already started reciting his lines.
Because it was scared out of him, he spoke extremely fast, like firecrackers, without any punctuation.
“My name is Flying Tiger I’m the leader here the bandit chief Knife King from Feng Mountain captured Prince Qin’s consort but thought Feng Mountain wasn’t safe so transferred him to me I’ve always been righteous sheltering refugees never associating with such villains now the consort is here please investigate clearly Prince Qin!”
Chu Zhao: “…”
Well, it was obvious these were lines prepared by a certain someone, and they were recited without any heart.
Chu Zhao: “Everyone lay down your weapons and wait for questioning. Go check where the refugees are and record their testimonies one by one.”
The soldiers received their orders. Flying Tiger, having mechanically finished his lines, finally regained his senses. As the soldiers passed by him, he found some courage and strength, calling out loudly: “Prince Qin!”
“We were forced by circumstances! It was all because of Yuzhou’s corrupt officials harming the people! Otherwise, which good man would willingly become a bandit! Can you truly give us justice!?”
Chu Zhao finally gave him another look.
“As soon as I arrived in Yuzhou, I detained those corrupt officials you mentioned. Anyone in the street could tell you that.” Chu Zhao rode his horse. “If it weren’t to deal with them, why would the consort and I make this trip?”
Flying Tiger’s chest heaved as he bowed deeply to Shen Ziqin and Chu Zhao. When the soldiers patted his shoulder and led him away, he didn’t resist.
Chu Zhao brought Shen Ziqin back to the troops: “You’ve all heard it. The Feng Mountain bandits transferred the consort here. It was extremely vile, but fortunately, the consort is blessed with good fortune and escaped danger.”
Everyone agreed.
Shen Ziqin sat sideways on the horse, leaning against Chu Zhao, and tugged at his sleeve.
This small gesture softened Chu Zhao’s heart, but he felt he couldn’t let him off so easily, so he hardened his voice and said: “…What?”
Shen Ziqin wanted to ask why he was inexplicably angry, but this was a private matter, not appropriate to discuss outside, especially in front of so many soldiers. He could only focus on official business first: “Are you going to Feng Mountain soon?”
“Yes. Although I’ve already learned about the terrain in advance, I still need to see it personally. We made quite a commotion entering the city today, so the bandits on Feng Mountain have definitely received the news. I’ll deal with them within the next day or two.”
When Chu Zhao rode alone, he could be reckless, but with Shen Ziqin on his horse, even Feixue’s hooves tread more gently.
“I’ll take you back to the estate first, then go to the foot of Feng Mountain to discuss the attack with the others,” Chu Zhao said. “If I’m not coming back tonight, I’ll send a message in advance.”
Chu Zhao paused before adding: “If there’s no message, it means I’ll return. Wait for me.”
It sounded like he was waiting to settle accounts with him.
Surely not, Shen Ziqin thought, quickly reviewing what he’d done recently: he had instructed everyone not to tell Chu Zhao about his late nights, his cold was almost better and certainly hadn’t been discovered, so what was Chu Zhao angry about?
He had bitten him and run off, and Shen Ziqin wasn’t even angry about that. Was the wrongdoer accusing first?
After thinking it through, Shen Ziqin instantly felt more confident. Fine, he would wait. They did indeed need to settle accounts.
Shen Ziqin returned to the estate, where Dongning had also been brought back safely.
With official business at hand, Chu Zhao had to leave again. As soon as he left, Shen Ziqin immediately ordered someone to prepare the medicine he was supposed to take that day.
Xiao Zhen was puzzled: “According to the doctor’s instructions, we should wait another hour.”
Shen Ziqin: “It’s fine, I’m almost better. Taking it earlier is the same.”
Shen Ziqin: “By the way, tell everyone not to mention my cold to Chu Zhao.”
Xiao Zhen hesitated.
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Shen Ziqin found it strange, then heard Xiao Zhen say: “Marquis, the prince just took Hei Ying with him. I can instruct the people remaining at the estate, but I can’t control what Hei Ying might say.”
Shen Ziqin: …I was careless!
Shen Ziqin was stunned. Xiao Zhen, observing his expression, cautiously asked: “Should I still prepare the medicine now?”
Shen Ziqin pressed his brow, frustrated by his miscalculation, but still said: “Yes, prepare it now.”
Maybe Hei Ying wouldn’t mention it. Hei Ying was steady and reliable, not the type to engage in idle gossip, right?
What he didn’t know was that the steady Hei Ying had betrayed him as soon as he reached Chu Zhao’s side.
Hei Ying: As a reliable person, when reporting to the prince, I naturally include every detail.
Well done.
Shen Ziqin took his medicine early. After leaving Chu Zhao, his cheeks had cooled down, so he didn’t have a fever. With another bowl of medicine, he was almost recovered. After a good night’s sleep, he would be completely well.
He had the kitchen prepare several of Chu Zhao’s favorite dishes. Settling accounts was one thing, but they still needed to eat.
Chu Zhao returned right at mealtime.
He arrived with anger in every strand of his hair, mentally rehearsing various forceful opening lines. But when he saw the dishes on the table, his determined steps faltered, and he ground his heel at the courtyard entrance.
Chu Zhao: …A few dishes won’t appease me, impossible.
But after grinding his boot, much of his imposing aura had dissipated.
It wouldn’t hurt to eat first and settle accounts later.
#
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
A un hombre se le conquista primero por el estómago