Thank you to Nora7 for the ko-fi~ ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´-
Liang Feng was awakened by a light call and opened his eyes to see an anxious face.
“Lord, you have a fever!”
Hmm? At first, Liang Feng didn’t realize what he was saying, and the feedback from his body was slowly surfacing. Lethargy, exhaustion, the post-release languor, and the hard-to-mention soreness mixed together, making his consciousness somewhat muddled.
His gaze followed down the open neckline of the other person’s clothes, the abdominal muscles and waistline still tight and enticing. If you looked closely, you could find a few inconspicuous white stains.
“Lord!”
His thoughts were interrupted again. Regardless of his disheveled appearance, Yiyan wanted to get up, saying, “I’ll go find Jiang Da…”
“Wait!” Liang Feng was fully awake now, quickly grabbing his arm. This wouldn’t do—raising his body slightly, the pain behind him suddenly sharpened. Coupled with the lingering dizziness, he let out a sharp inhalation and fell back onto the bed.
“My Lord!” Yiyan was startled and quickly kneeled back down. “Are you… are you injured? I’ll go call Jiang Da…”
No way! If it escalated to calling for a doctor over some rumpled bedsheets, he couldn’t afford to lose face like that.
Awkwardly swallowing some saliva, Liang Feng reassured, “It’s nothing, just a bit exhausted from last night.”
“But you have a fever.” Yiyan still wasn’t completely at ease, placing his hand on Liang Feng’s forehead.
Now Liang Feng finally realized that, with the softness all over his body and the dizziness, it did feel a bit like a low-grade fever. He shouldn’t have been soft-hearted last night… Wait, Liang Feng suddenly asked, “What time is it now?”
“It’s not yet the hour of the rabbit.”
Yiyan still wanted to say something, but Liang Feng was fully awake now. Damn, what time is it?! He quickly said, “You go back first.”
Today is New Year’s Day! Even if they don’t hold a banquet, Liang Rong will come to wish him a happy New Year, not to mention the officials who come to pay their New Year’s respects. If someone finds out that Yiyan, in such a disheveled state, is staying in his room, the jokes would be endless!
Yiyan couldn’t let his guard down, saying, “My Lord, you’re still unwell…”
Liang Feng bit his teeth, disregarding the discomfort, and propped himself up, “Just a minor ailment, nothing serious. You go first. Today is New Year’s Day.”
This statement was crystal clear. Yiyan’s expression changed slightly, but in the end, he didn’t resist. Taking a step back, his gaze swept over Liang Feng’s face. He picked up the clothes that had fallen on the bed, draped them on himself, and left the room.
Watching his retreating figure, Liang Feng finally came to his senses. This attitude wouldn’t pass even with an ordinary bedmate, let alone a lover. However, no matter what, it was better than being confronted by a child right after “doing the deed.”
After sitting still for two seconds, he suddenly sniffed, cleared his throat, and raised his voice, “Someone, open the window.”
The smell in the room was quite peculiar. Liang Feng remembered something, shifted his body, and lifted the nearby brocade quilt. The winter bed was covered with dark quilts, with a few faint white marks on them, and no bloodstains were visible.
Thank goodness… Damn it! How did Xiao Junyi manage to face each day with a content and satisfied look? Was it that his partner had never topped him? Or was it that the overpowering force of genetic advantages was too formidable?
Thinking about the size of that thing yesterday, Liang Feng felt his abdominal muscles starting to ache. Unconsciously twisting his body, he let out a light groan. He didn’t deny that it had been quite enjoyable for a moment, but were the aftereffects a bit too intense?
However, all things considered, it was his own moment of weakness. Whether he acknowledged it or not, Liang Feng sighed inwardly and reluctantly called for Qing Mei to help him change and freshen up.
※
Liang Rong still got up early today; after all, it was New Year’s Day, and he had to wish his father a happy New Year first. Dressed neatly, he arrived at the main courtyard, only to find that his father had just gotten up and took a while to come to the main hall.
Seeing his father, Liang Rong immediately folded his sleeves and bowed, “On this New Year’s Day, I wish my father good health and a long life, surpassing the Eastern King.”
Whether it was due to aging or his newly acquired title, Liang Rong’s behavior had become more dignified. He was probably not much different from the students at Qiuxian Academy. Liang Feng smiled, “Rong’er, may this year bring you good fortune and peace, and may your studies progress. Come, here’s your New Year’s money.”
At nine years old this year, Liang Rong felt that he had grown up, but facing the small auspicious money given by his father, he couldn’t help but be delighted. After receiving the red pouch, he also drank some peach soup. Outside, firecrackers sounded, and maids hung up new peach charms with long poles to ward off evil spirits.
The firecrackers in the Liang residence were now filled with gunpowder, creating even louder sounds, accompanied by drifting smoke. Before the crackling explosions could fully dissipate, a guard entered and reported, “Lord, General Yi requests an audience.”
Liang Rong blinked in surprise; this was too early! Even if the household members were offering New Year’s greetings, shouldn’t they wait in the front hall?
Liang Feng’s mouth twitched, “Summon him in.”
In no time, Yiyan briskly entered the main hall, bowing in salutation. Then, those gray-blue eyes, filled with concern, glanced over. However, this one look left Yiyan stunned in place. Perhaps because today’s celebration wasn’t as grand, the person sitting on the seat only wore a small crown, and a simple jade hairpin adorned the hair bun.
Liang Feng remembered it only this morning and hesitated for a moment before deciding to wear the hairpin from yesterday. Now, seeing Yiyan’s dumbfounded expression, it seemed like a return to the norm.
With a faint smile, Liang Feng said, “Since Boyuan is here, let’s go to the front hall together.”
The New Year’s celebration had been postponed to the fifth day, but the greetings for the beginning of the year still had to take place. Especially since Liang Feng had recently been promoted to county duke, the officials below wouldn’t miss the opportunity to offer their congratulations.
Seeing that the Lord wanted to get up, Yiyan immediately stepped forward and supported him.
His movements were exceptionally quick, catching both Liang Rong and even Liang Feng off guard. However, now that his hand was already by his side, it wouldn’t look good to push it away. Seeing his son’s dumbfounded expression, Liang Feng tightly gripped Yiyan’s wrist as if nothing had happened, and he stood up.
At this moment, Liang Rong hurriedly came forward, “Father, are you feeling unwell?”
“Just slept late last night,” Liang Feng replied with an unchanged expression. He didn’t let Yiyan continue to assist and instead took his son’s hand, slowly moving towards the front hall.
Realizing that he had overreacted just now and angered the Lord, Yiyan hesitated for a moment before following behind the father and son toward the front hall.
The scale of the New Year’s greetings grew grander each year. Hearing about it would inevitably stir up emotions. However, this year, Liang Rong was unusually distracted, occasionally stealing glances at the main seat. His father’s demeanor remained unchanged, responding smoothly. Still, to Liang Rong’s eyes, something seemed off.
The little guy secretly worried, and even Liang Feng himself had beads of sweat on his back. Kneeling on the mat, he felt like he was facing a punishment. The soreness in his waist and legs could be tolerated, but the indescribable ache from certain regions made him restless. However, all of this couldn’t show on the surface, especially with the intense scrutiny from the side, like a spotlight. Couldn’t Yiyan use his observational skills somewhere else?!
After the greetings were done, a feast was arranged. It took almost an hour, and by the time they rose from the banquet, Liang Feng had to exert all his strength to ensure he stood up steadily.
Liang Rong seemed to notice something amiss and approached, “Father, your leg…”
Liang Feng chuckled, “No problem, just a bit numb from kneeling. I lacked sleep last night. I’ll go back for a short nap. You can find playmates, Rong’er.”
Since his father said so, Liang Rong had to nod reluctantly. After finally coaxing his son away, Liang Feng slowly returned to his room. Fortunately, Yiyan was detained by his colleagues; otherwise, who knows what kind of scene it would have caused. Liang Feng touched his forehead, unable to determine whether he still had a fever. Not bothering with that, he directly undressed and went back to sleep.
He slept deeply, and when he woke up again, a large shadow loomed in front of him. Liang Feng almost couldn’t help but roll his eyes, “Why are you here again?”
“The lord still has a bit of a fever…” Yiyan’s expression seemed to grow even more uneasy.
Liang Feng sighed, “Just a bit of inflammation, I’ll be fine tomorrow.”
Hesitating for a moment, Yiyan took out a porcelain bottle from his pocket, “But last night, you were injured… in that area? This medicine is from Doctor Jiang, it stops bleeding and reduces inflammation, very effective.”
“Wait, did you go to find Jiang Da?” Liang Feng was surprised.
Yiyan quickly explained, “It’s a healing medicine from the military. Lord, let me apply some medicine. Fever should not be ignored…”
Without waiting for Liang Feng’s consent, he leaned in and embraced him, slipping a hand under his inner robe.
Liang Feng, still groggy from sleep, was not on guard. Suddenly being held so closely, the heat rushed to his head, “Boyuan!”
But Yiyan held him even tighter. His slender fingers, without hesitation, opened the gates and applied the medicine. The ointment was slightly cool, smooth and slippery, not uncomfortable. However, the whole situation was absurd and somewhat hurtful to his pride. Liang Feng wanted to get angry, but when the words reached his mouth, he suddenly choked them back.
The hand applying the medicine was steady, but the body pressed against him was trembling slightly. Waking up to find the most cherished person sick, what kind of feeling would that be? This young man was a genuine virgin; not scaring him away was already good.
Thinking of this, most of the anger in his heart inexplicably dissipated. The vivid sensations followed immediately. The coolness of the ointment offset the dry pain, rough fingertips rubbing against tender flesh, evoking memories of ecstasy. Liang Feng clenched his teeth, pressing his head against the other’s shoulder.
“Lord, does it hurt?” Yiyan’s fingers froze, afraid to continue the movement.
“Apply the medicine!” The words seemed to squeeze out from between his teeth.
Although the tone was unfriendly, Yiyan keenly sensed that the person in his arms seemed to have given up struggling. The tense mental state that had been maintained finally relaxed. Taking a deep breath, he resumed applying the medicine.
The two were extremely close, and their actions were overly intimate, which should have given rise to some romantic thoughts. However, for some reason, those fantasies did not overflow; instead, a tender warmth emerged from the blend of their breaths.
After applying a thick layer of ointment, Yiyan withdrew his fingers, intending to soothe the other’s back. Unexpectedly, a clear sound of a gong came from outside the window.
Startled, he quickly lifted his head, wanting to get up, but was held by Liang Feng around the shoulders.
“The solar eclipse is here,” a somewhat lazy voice sounded in his ears. Yiyan’s earlobes suddenly turned red, and he relaxed. Right, there will be a solar eclipse today; traditionally, people would beat gongs and shout to drive away the celestial dog. He had forgotten about this matter.
His lips moved, and Yiyan finally whispered, “I was too careless and hurt the Lord…”
Liang Feng chuckled, “What kind of injury is this?”
Back when he was seriously injured and hospitalized, he never complained of pain. This minor issue truly didn’t bother him; it was more about embarrassment. However, knowing that this lad was more flustered than him, a strange sense of satisfaction welled up. Truly a wicked nature.
“The lord doesn’t blame me for being reckless?” Yiyan cautiously asked.
Honestly, a rookie enduring what happened yesterday deserved an award. However, Liang Feng deliberately made a disdainful sound, “Your skills are too poor.”
Yiyan immediately understood the meaning behind the words. His ears blushed even more, but his hand firmly held the other’s waist, “If the Lord doesn’t abandon me, I will study diligently…”
Who do you want to study with? Before he could retort, warm lips were pressed against his own.
Outside the window, the sky transitioned from bright to dark, and the gong sounds became more lively. However, the people inside the room paid no attention.
Standing outside the door, Liang Rong furrowed his brows, “Has Father not woken up yet?”
The solar eclipse was disturbing, and Liang Rong originally wanted to check on Father and watch this phenomenon together. However, he was intercepted by servants outside the door.
The servant with lowered eyes and a respectful tone said, “General Yi just met with the Lord; it seems there is an important matter to discuss.”
Boyuan went to see Father again? Liang Rong knew that Yiyan was the general his father trusted the most, residing in the provincial governor’s mansion. The two often had late-night discussions and slept side by side. However, considering today’s events, things seemed a bit strange.
He glanced at the closed door again. Liang Rong did not ask the servant to report and nodded instead. Turning around, he walked toward his own residence.
