Thank you to Nora7 for the ko-fi~ ❀⸜(˶´ ˘ `˶)⸝❀
His own courtyard remained unlit, but the main hall was brightly illuminated. Walking all the way here felt like stepping from night into day. When that haunting figure entered his vision, Yiyan tensed all over, and somewhere in his chest, a painful twist ensued.
“Why are you back so late? Have you eaten?” The person, dressed in elegant attire, spoke with a smile, appearing casually indifferent.
Yiyan didn’t answer, slowly approaching the table and kneeling beside it.
As he got closer, Liang Feng furrowed his brows, “Are you injured? How did you get hurt?”
He reached up and wiped a spot on Yiyan’s forehead as if trying to remove the bloodstains. That hand always felt cold in the winter; one needed to hold it for a while to feel its warmth. However, today, just a touch felt like burning coals, causing even the wound to throb in pain.
Why was he so calm? Was it because this matter wasn’t worth the mental effort? Because Yiyan should know better and willingly give in? Because a bit of personal sentiment could never outweigh the grand cause?
Yes, this was something he had forced upon himself. The person had never promised, never agreed, just pitied him. How could he dare to expect more?
Something snapped in his mind. Yiyan suddenly pounced.
The table wasn’t spacious. With this lunge, he knocked over the low table, even causing the incense burner on the table to fall to the ground. The pain in his back made Liang Feng momentarily dazed. However, before he could react, the hot breath sprayed on his face, and the person lying on top of him fiercely captured his lips.
It didn’t even qualify as a kiss; it was more like a bite. The tongue pried open lips and teeth, forcefully invading, as if intending to swallow him whole. The invasive nature of it sent shivers down Liang Feng’s spine, immediately arousing his resistance. He struggled. However, the one pressing him down was none other than Yiyan, who could wield a three-stone bow and command Wusun horses! How could he resist?
Seemingly provoked by the struggle, Yiyan exerted even more force. His well-defined palm tightly grasped Liang Feng’s wrist, as if nailing him to the ground.
In the distance, there was a clatter as if a plate had tipped over, accompanied by muffled gasps. Presumably, a maid had been serving tea and was scared into dropping the tray. Even if the maidservants attending to them were well aware of the intimate relationship between the two, Liang Feng hadn’t intended for anyone to witness this “scene.” As the other’s hand ventured under his clothes, intending to go further, he couldn’t hold back any longer and fiercely bit down.
The taste of blood instantly permeated the mouths of both. The bite was not light at all, but Yiyan still did not retreat. Saliva mixed with fresh blood was pushed into their throats as if being fed back. A layer of goosebumps formed on Liang Feng’s back. He wanted to evade, but with each retreat, two units of space were taken away. The forcibly dominating kiss, robbing him of all air, made his vision start to darken, and even his fingers twitched.
Just then, a crisp sound echoed in their ears. It was the sound of jade hitting the ground. Due to the excessive struggle, Liang Feng’s headdress loosened, and the jade hairpin that was stuck in his hair fell to the ground.
The sound, not loud, felt like a startling thunderbolt, piercing through Yiyan’s violent consciousness. He suddenly stopped his actions. Air rushed into his throat, and Liang Feng involuntarily coughed. Looking at the disheveled black hair, blood-stained lips, and the pale face that lost its color, Yiyan’s shoulders also trembled.
What was he trying to do just now?
Persuade? Yield? No, he just wanted this person to belong to him forever, exclusively his!
“Yiyan!” Liang Feng finally came to his senses and shouted in a low voice. However, after calling out, he found that the person riding on him didn’t seem right. Clearly the aggressor, but the person’s eye sockets were red, the body was trembling, and in those gray-blue eyes, there was only heart-wrenching despair.
After two seconds of silence, the fire in Liang Feng’s chest surged again, “What the hell were you thinking?!”
Yiyan’s lips trembled, “Is the Lord going to marry?”
“What?” Liang Feng was stunned, suddenly realizing, “How do you know?!”
The deduction about the intention of the Xiongnu envoy was limited to the top echelons of the Governor’s Mansion. The meeting had just taken place in the afternoon, and the number of people who knew about it was extremely limited.
“Duan Qin came to me.” Yiyan gritted his teeth, suppressing the overwhelming hatred. This matter was indeed true!
Oh no! Liang Feng felt a toothache. Duan Qin personally went to Yiyan? Could it be that this guy had already figured out their relationship? If he had known, he should have had Yiyan move out of the Governor’s Mansion!
But his thoughts drifted, and he snapped back to reality, “Wait a minute, who said I’m going to get married? Did Duan Qin tell you that?”
Yiyan was stunned. Didn’t you just admit it?
Looking at the dumbfounded expression, Liang Feng couldn’t help but laugh, “Duan Qin found you, probably to persuade me, right? You’re so quick to jump to conclusions, without even asking me directly, you’ve already sentenced me, huh? Who told you I’m getting married?!”
“Lo… Lord…” Yiyan was completely at a loss now, “Isn’t the method you thought of dealing with it without the Emperor’s marriage decree?”
“Dealing with it using just this one method?” Liang Feng struggled to sit up, annoyed, “Get up!”
The two of them were still half-leaning behind the desk, having just crashed into the table. Liang Feng’s shoulder was turning blue!
The once silent heart suddenly began to beat. Yiyan scrambled to get up, reaching out to help Liang Feng, but he was slapped away.
Adjusting his torn outer robe, Liang Feng snorted, “Marriage alliances might be convenient, but it depends on whether I want it or not! Do you understand the concept of weighing pros and cons? If I go mad now and actually marry, what then?”
Yiyan opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. What would he do if Lord Liang truly married and took concubines? Today’s events likely exposed his true colors, and he could no longer pretend to be submissive.
Seeing the regret and ecstasy in that person’s expression, a complex emotion too difficult to articulate, Liang Feng sighed deeply and placed his hand on the other’s lips, “If such a day truly comes, I will personally tell you. Not relying on anyone else’s words.”
The bitten wound was still bleeding, staining the delicate lips with a shade of red. Liang Feng always knew Yiyan was possessive, but what could be done? All genuine desires from the heart are exclusive and possessive; the more intense, the harder to restrain. He had already let this man pull him down, how could he simply withdraw?
Regarding the future, Liang Feng had no absolute certainty and was unwilling to make empty promises. However, he could guarantee one thing: no matter when, he would leave room for Yiyan to retreat, rather than letting unrelated bystanders harm that sincere affection.
It was still not a promise, but Yiyan’s heart gradually settled. At least at this moment, Lord Liang did not deceive or betray him. He had begged for what he wanted. And surprisingly, this was even better than his original speculation.
The fingers pressing on the wound caused some pain. Yiyan caught that hand, kissed it, and gently licked away the bloodstains.
This action was quite tender and pure, but Liang Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly. Curling his fingers, he pressed them on the red tongue, “Do you want to continue what you were doing just now?”
Although the recent actions were infuriating, they also awakened hidden desires. Those intense, wild, and intoxicating things. Like a suffocating game, it was addictive.
Seeing the slightly raised eyebrows, Yiyan was momentarily stunned, and a gleam filled his blue eyes. With a bite on that fingertip, he wrapped his hands around the other’s waist and lifted the person in his arms, striding towards the inner chamber.
※
“The Lord refuses the Emperor’s proposed marriage?” On the second day, when Duan Qin heard the Lord’s decision, he could hardly believe his ears. Didn’t Yiyan advise the Lord last night? Or did he not want the Lord to marry?!
Liang Feng leaned against the table, saying casually, “That’s right. If the Emperor sends an envoy, say that I willingly renounce marriage and am unwilling to marry again.”
Zhang Bin frowned upon hearing this, “If the Lord says so, then no one can marry anymore!”
The unwillingness to remarry implies a different meaning than refusing the Emperor’s proposed marriage. The Lord is not yet thirty, does this mean he will never marry again?!
“In the recent years, I have no such intention.” After listening to the two explaining the pros and cons the other day, Liang Feng truly made up his mind.
For most people, marrying is mainly for political reasons or to have heirs, without much consideration for the woman entering the family. However, Liang Feng deeply understands that women are also human beings. There are countless smart, ambitious women out there. Whether marrying a high-born lady or a modest girl from an ordinary family, it ultimately means bringing a stranger into his life. If not careful, it could lead to endless troubles.
In case there is another heir, it would be even more troublesome. He carefully instructed Liang Rong, not to let him compete for power with his half-brothers. It’s better to have fewer problems than more.
Duan Qin was anxious, “But my Lord only has one son. If something goes wrong, won’t it shake the foundation?”
Liang Feng pondered for a moment and sighed lightly, “To be honest, Si Ruo, in recent years, I’m afraid I won’t be able to produce a healthy heir. The poison hasn’t been completely cured, and it’s extremely difficult for a woman to conceive. Even if she does get pregnant, the child may not be healthy.”
This was the plain truth. Heavy metal poisoning was not a problem that could be solved in a day or two. Even with the help of a genius doctor like Jiang Da, it would take a long time to truly eliminate the toxins from the body. During this period, forcing childbirth would only increase the likelihood of miscarriage and deformities. Why bother?
“With Doctor Jiang’s expertise, he can surely cure the Lord of the poison…”
Duan Qin wanted to say more, but Liang Feng raised his hand to stop him, “You can personally ask Ji En about this matter. Whether the outbreak of the poison or excessive drinking affects having children. A little investigation should yield results.”
Zhang Bin, on the side, touched his chin thoughtfully, “Matters of having children can indeed be delayed. Before Emperor Han Gaozu ascended to the throne, he also had only two sons. The legitimate son was even taken hostage by Xiang Yu along with his legal wife. Now, my Lord is not yet thirty. It’s not too late to have children after his body is restored.”
Listening to Zhang Bin, Duan Qin became somewhat anxious, “Even if it’s not for having children, my Lord can still form alliances through marriage! Marrying a noble lady will have the support of in-laws…”
“What if personal relationships cause trouble?” Liang Feng retorted, “Have you forgotten the lessons of Luu Zhi and Huo Guang? I have discussed this with Meng Sun as well. In troubled times, alliances through blood relations, which can’t even be considered relationships in the face of power, are of little use.”
This is not a time of peace. In fact, as far as Liang Feng knows, those who can dominate in troubled times, like Liu Bang, Zhu Yuanzhang, and the great figures from later generations, rely nine out of ten on their own strength. Although marital alliances may have a temporary effect, their side effects cannot be underestimated. In chaotic times, the only reliable thing is military power in one’s own hands!
Zhang Bin looked at Duan Qin with some confusion and nodded, “Using this reason to reject marriage is also acceptable. However, in doing so, what about the Lord’s reputation?”
Renouncing marriage is not a good reason. Moreover, it is hard to escape the speculation of others. If there are no women in the backyard, does it mean there is a hidden illness? If such rumors spread, it will greatly affect the Lord’s reputation.
Liang Feng sneered, “I don’t care what the Emperor thinks. But as for the people of Bing County, it’s not impossible to manipulate them. If handled well, it might be more beneficial than a marital alliance.”
Zhang Bin’s eyes lit up, “Please tell me more!”
Watching the two discuss official matters with great interest, Duan Qin’s forehead broke out in a cold sweat. It seems that this matter is even more troublesome than he imagined, and he must find another solution!
