RR Chapter 297

Thank you to Nora7 for the ko-fi~ ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-

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As the year comes to an end and a new one begins, the night before New Year’s Day sees the lights in the city of Jinyang extinguishing early. Amidst the chaos in Luoyang, with the emperor relocating the capital, the world seems to be growing more difficult. However, with Lord Liang stationed in Jinyang, even the bad news seems distant. Trade caravans pass through, the population gradually increases, and the familiar disasters of previous years are nowhere to be seen. Each day brings more hope than the one before. So, people go to sleep early, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new spring.

On the other hand, in the governor’s mansion, many are already aware of the solar eclipse, and it seems quiet as if not eagerly awaiting the Lunar New Year until the cursed celestial phenomenon passes.

However, some people don’t care about such trivial celestial events.

Behind a folding screen, a large wooden tub makes a splashing sound as Yiyan steps into it. The warm water instantly wet his bare skin. The room is already heated by a ground furnace, and the water is at the perfect temperature, making it feel warm and pleasant rather than cold. Yiyan wets a cloth, takes some bathing grains from the side, and carefully rubs them together.

These bathing grains are not cheap. They are mainly made of bean powder, combined with various medicinal herbs and spices. They are now available in the market in Jinyang, a new formula developed by some research institutes, and only a few can afford them. During the festival, Lord Liang also distributed some to important officials, along with winter-use face cream. Others may hesitate to use such valuable rewards, but Yiyan is not sparing at all.

Wasting a handful of bathing grains, Yiyan’s skin exuded a faint fragrance as he just got out of the bath. Drying off the watermarks on his body, he walked to a box and took out a set of clean clothes. After hesitating for a moment, he put them back and chose another set of brand-new clothes that he had never worn. The blue-patterned clothes, slightly darker than his eye color, accentuated his fair skin, setting him apart from others.

Once dressed neatly and with his hair tied up, he walked towards the main courtyard.

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Liang Feng put down the letter in his hand and let out a sigh of relief. Tomorrow, those two wine flasks should be placed on Liu Yuan’s desk. Xingling’s actions were indeed swift.

This is just the beginning. The territorial disputes that follow are not as simple as fighting battles. There are also methods like sowing discord, assassination, bribery, spreading rumors, and various forms of economic warfare. Every inch of land is stained with blood, either one’s own or someone else’s.

Facing all this, he surprisingly didn’t feel much. He simply chose the most optimal means among all the options to achieve his goals. Anything effective in killing the enemy and protecting himself would be considered a good strategy. Perhaps this is the mindset that every politician must have. However, now he is protecting his own people. When the whole world is in his hands, who will be the one facing this cruelty?

No wonder power changes people. No matter how wise an emperor is, after sitting on the throne for a long time, they will become confused and make mistakes. Because politics is too cruel, it can wash away human nature, turning the person on the throne into a block of iron. All humility, all obedience, all life and death decisions gradually erode judgment, turning people into swollen madmen.

But he cannot retreat, not one step.

The candlelight on the table flickers, and the flame makes a crackling sound. Someone outside reports, “Lord, General Yiyan requests an audience.”

Liang Feng wakes up from his thoughts, “Let him in.”

Before the words fall, the door opens, and a man strides into the room. Seeing the person’s attire, Liang Feng smiles, “Should I set up a general’s residence for you?”

Yiyan is dressed in a brand-new outer robe with a deep blue color and subtle patterns, much brighter than his usual attire. Under the lamplight, it makes his skin appear even fairer. He is not wearing a crown, only a ribbon wrapping around his hair bun, and even the tips of his hair seem slightly damp. Washing up in the middle of the night, and dressing up, the intention is not too difficult to guess.

Yiyan was momentarily stunned. Why would he suddenly want to set up a residence for him? Is he asking him to move out of the governor’s mansion? However, in the next instant, he saw the smile in Liang Feng’s eyes, so he also smiled, “How could I refuse the Lord’s reward? If the Lord could visit my residence, it would be even better.”

With that, he walked to Liang Feng’s side and knelt. The two were quite close, and even the faint fragrance left by the bathing grains on his body drifted over.

Liang Feng couldn’t help but tease, “Is the incense you changed today a bit strange, Boyuan?”

Yiyan didn’t respond but instead carefully looked at the expression on Liang Feng’s face, then suddenly asked, “Is there something troubling you, Lord?”

Liang Feng choked up. He hadn’t expected that the residual emotions from before could be noticed by Yiyan. However, when he heard these words, the burden in his heart suddenly lightened. Liang Feng smiled, “It’s not a bad thing. It can save many lives.”

Yes. Regardless of how things may change in the future, whether he can hold onto his original intentions, at this moment, all these actions are aimed at minimizing casualties and providing Yiyan with a bit more assurance during the upcoming battles. As long as it’s possible, he will do it. It’s as simple as that. Just like how someone risks their life just to bring peace of mind to oneself.

Watching the dissipated melancholy from that person, Yiyan’s heart leaped quickly. He liked the Lord’s smile. Whether it was casual, meaningfully teasing, hearty laughter, or now, full of trust and care, it stirred his heartstrings.

He took a step on his knees and moved closer, “Lord, after being busy for several days, do you have some leisure today?”

Indeed, Liang Feng had been quite busy these days. After establishing the new state in Shangdang, there were countless ceremonies every day. The new county government had many people with various opinions, making it difficult for Yiyan to get close. After returning to Jinyang, there were a bunch of banquets, no wonder this person couldn’t hold back and came here in the middle of the night.

“Tomorrow is New Year’s Day, naturally, it will be busy. Why? Boyuan, do you want to give me a gift first?”

This remark had a teasing implication. Yiyan liked to personally give him something during the New Year’s Day greetings. It’s challenging for a dignified general to spend his time carving jade every day. But this year, this person probably couldn’t come up with anything. Half the time spent on recuperation, half the time on expeditions, where would he find the time to polish jade?

Unexpectedly, after hesitating for a moment, Yiyan actually pulled out a jade hairpin from his bosom. The hairpin had a simple and ancient design, and the jade material was excellent, clearly showing signs of careful carving.

Liang Feng raised an eyebrow, “Do you know the meaning of giving a hairpin?”

In this era, giving a hairpin represented more than meets the eye. If a woman gave a hairpin to her lover, it meant mutual affection and that she would only marry him. On the other hand, when a man gave a woman a hairpin, it symbolized a willingness to be married, a commitment for a lifetime. Such gifts weren’t to be taken lightly.

Yiyan pursed his lips, “I didn’t know back then.”

Back then? Was this something he had wanted to give but didn’t? And today, he knew the meaning of giving a hairpin, yet he still wanted to present this personally carved jade hairpin to him?

That hand was steadily extended in front of him, holding a hairpin, yet there was a hint of stubbornness. Clearly, he had done what he should and shouldn’t have done, but in the person’s expression, there was still a hidden unease. It seemed that what he sought earnestly had still not been obtained.

Perhaps he could never find peace, all because of their identities, the insurmountable class division. They were ruler and subject, master and servant. There was only hierarchy, no equality.

However, he never wanted to let go.

Liang Feng reached out and took the hairpin, saying, “It seems you have a side job. One day, it might fill up a dowry.”

A dowry, a box for a woman’s cosmetics and accessories, often referred to as a bridal dowry in later times. However, this playful remark didn’t fall on the other person’s ears. The hand holding the hairpin was tightly gripped by Yiyan.

“My lord, are you willing to grant me…” he opened his mouth but didn’t finish the sentence.

Those gray-blue eyes shimmered with desire and an almost worshipful yearning. Could he grant it? Grant him a lifetime? Sparks surged through his entire body along the hand being held. Liang Feng didn’t answer, only slightly leaned in and planted a kiss on the man’s lips.

A lifetime was too long, with too many possibilities and variables. He couldn’t guess or see through them. However, at this moment, he didn’t mind indulging his desires, letting the flames burn even more fiercely.

The words were stuck in their mouths, along with their breath. However, the kiss came fast, and the retreat was swift, just a touch as if trying to withdraw. But how could Yiyan let go? Tightening his grip, he pulled the person who tried to pull away into his embrace. His other hand slipped into the black hair, securing the back of the head, turning the initially gentle touch into an intense, lingering one that couldn’t be separated.

They didn’t know how long they kissed. Perhaps due to running out of breath, the hand holding the hairpin unintentionally loosened. The jade hairpin gently fell onto the mat. However, no one cared about this small object. After a moment, Yiyan suddenly stood up, lifting the person in his arms and walking towards the inner room.

Startled by this action, Liang Feng, somewhat annoyed, exclaimed, “Boyuan!”

This light reprimand quickly vanished into the dampened kisses. The room’s lights were still on, flickering for a while, and eventually, the oil ran out, turning into a wisp of blue smoke.