Chapter 101: Qiu Henian
Qiu Henian’s temple veins were bulging.
He gripped the fabric around Qingyan’s waist tightly and said with restraint, “I’m afraid of hurting you.”
Qingyan wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling and sniffing at his neck.
“You can be gentler.”
Qiu Henian closed his eyes.
“Let’s wait a bit longer, until the month is a bit further along.”
But Qingyan wasn’t appreciative. He left the man’s embrace, looking at him and said, “You’re just finding fault with me!”
Qiu Henian’s Adam’s apple moved. He lifted his hand to support the back of Qingyan’s head and kissed him on the lips.
…
Half of the clothes that were being tidied up were thrown aside. The bed curtains were closed, casting a hazy light inside.
Inside the curtains, there was no sound, just occasional sobbing.
…
Qiu Henian thought that Qingyan had become a little plump, with soft flesh everywhere. After finishing, he prepared a basin of warm water to help Qingyan clean up.
Qingyan lazily lay on the bed and turned to look back, saying, “Help me check why I feel a bit sore.”
Qiu Henian raised his eyes and ignored the obvious red finger marks, saying, “It’s okay. After wiping, I’ll apply some ointment for you.”
Feeling uneasy, Qingyan looked back again but couldn’t see clearly.
He nodded reluctantly. “Okay.”
After everything was done, Qiu Henian returned to the bed and lay down beside Qingyan, holding him in his arms and asking, “Are you comfortable?”
Qingyan nodded and shook his head in his arms. Qiu Henian was about to ask further when Qingyan, not very happy, raised his head and lightly bit his chin.
Qiu Henian smiled and kissed him on the lips, saying, “Don’t be angry. Wait until the month is further along, and then it’ll be safe. You can decide whatever you want.”
Qingyan’s lips followed his, sticky and saying, “I still want a kiss.”
Qiu Henian half-sat up, carefully avoiding pressing on his belly, and kissed him deeply.
After a while, Qingyan’s arms surrendered, lying on both sides of the pillow like surrender, his cheeks flushed, his body lazy, licking his lips, his face full of satisfaction, finally happy.
…
At night, Qingyan was awakened by the urge to urinate. Although the month was still early, he used to sleep through the night. In recent days, he had to get up one or two times a night.
When he got up, he found the bed empty except for the little calico cat sleeping beside his pillow.
Qingyan got off the bed, slipped on his shoes, put on his robe, and walked outside.
In the courtyard, a tall figure stood under the moonlight, looking up at the sky, seemingly contemplating something.
Not far away, Xiaozao saw Qingyan and stomped lightly on the ground, making a slight dull sound.
Qingyan called out, “Henian.”
Qiu Henian’s body stiffened for a moment, as if he suddenly reacted, relaxed, turned around, and walked towards him.
He walked up to Qingyan, straightened his robe on him, and asked softly, “Are you going out?”
Qingyan nodded, and Qiu Henian hugged his shoulders and accompanied him to the backyard toilet, waiting outside the door for him.
After Qingyan finished, Qiu Henian directly bent over and picked him up, carrying him back to the house.
Qingyan obediently hugged his neck with both hands, leaned his head on his shoulder, and when he was put on the ground in the room, he asked, “Henian, what were you thinking just now?”
Qiu Henian paused in his action of getting a towel, then continued, washed the towel, and sat back on the bed to wipe Qingyan’s hands.
After wiping his hands, Qiu Henian asked him, “Aren’t you sleepy?”
Qingyan said, “After a trip, I’m still a bit alert. I won’t be able to sleep for a while after lying down.”
Qiu Henian nodded, “Then talk to me.”
“Okay,” Qingyan agreed.
Qiu Henian didn’t light the oil lamp either. The moon tonight was bright enough to shine through the thin window paper, allowing them to see each other’s silhouettes and even their eyes clearly.
Qiu Henian said, “Just now, I dreamed about my parents.”
Qingyan was stunned before he realized he was talking about the foster parents who had adopted him when he was a child.
“Are they good to you?” Qingyan asked.
“They are. They asked me to call them father and mother. They provided me with food, clothing, and everything just like their own children. They even let me call him brother and instructed the servants at home to call me Young Master,” Qiu Henian said.
“I was young at the time, but having wandered outside for so long, I knew I wasn’t really a Young Master. I just considered myself a servant and companion to the Young Master,” he continued.
“He always wanted to be a general since he was a child. When I first arrived at his home, we often played games of General and Wild Wolf from the North. He played the General, and I played the Wild Wolf from the North. Later, as we grew up, he lost interest in the imperial examinations. Just then, the court conscripted soldiers, and we entered the Imperial Army.”
Qiu Henian recalled the past, even though more than ten years had passed, the memories were still vivid.
They were only eighteen or nineteen at that time. On the morning they set off, their parents sent them off at the door.
Both of them were filled with spirit and vitality.
Their parents instructed them to look after each other. The Young Master patted his chest and talked about his ambitions, “Parents, rest assured that I will definitely make a name for myself in the Imperial Army, and in the future, I will live a life of luxury and enjoyment together with my younger brother!”
Their father, now middle-aged, stroked his beard and advised, “Ambition is a good thing, but do not be proud or arrogant.”
Qiu Henian nodded in agreement, though the Young Master was somewhat reluctant to accept it and wanted to argue. Their mother glanced at him, and he fell silent.
Mother smiled and said, “Whether you become a great general or not isn’t important. You two must stay safe and sound, that’s all we ask as your parents.”
At this moment, someone hurriedly came from the end of the street, repeatedly saying, “I’m late, I’m late.”
When this person arrived in front of everyone, it was clear they were familiar with them. Their attitude was friendly, and they brought a lot of food with them, as if they also expressed many caring words.
Afterwards, he called Qiu Henian aside alone.
His expression changed, his face turned serious and solemn as he said, “You must always remember, they have been kind to you.”
Qiu Henian nodded.
The person continued, “Protect him well. If anything happens to him, repay their kindness in raising you with your life.”
Qingyan’s brow furrowed gradually, asking, “Don’t you remember who said these words?”
Qiu Henian shook his head.
“I don’t remember,” he said, his fingers on his knee moving slightly.
“It’s like my mind automatically excludes people and events related to my poisoning.”
It was likely this person was involved in or orchestrated Qiu Henian’s poisoning.
Knowing Qiu Henian had no intention of investigating further into this matter, Qingyan didn’t press on.
After a while, Qiu Henian spoke again, “Did I ever tell you his name?”
Qingyan knew who he was referring to and nodded.
Qiu Henian looked out the window and said, “His name… is Qiu Qinan.”
That year, a couple encountered a wandering child on the street. Seeing his handsome appearance, intelligence, and sincerity, they took pity on him and brought him home.
The child was bathed by the servants, changed into clean clothes, fed a full meal, and when brought back upstairs, the couple waved him over.
They showed him a boy sitting nearby who was around the same age, saying, “His name is Qinan, he’s your older brother.”
“From now on, you’ll be called Henian, Qiu Henian.”
“Henian” symbolized auspiciousness and longevity.
“Qinan” symbolized embarking on a journey, soaring high, and a bright future!
Spoiler for the Next Chapter:
Qiu Henian shook his head and said, “Taking down Yang Huai won’t be so simple. There are people in the county yamen who are tied to him. If one falls, the other will fall too. They will definitely spare no effort to protect him.”
