Translation notes:
Yong Yin (country)– Yong Yin was formally called Ruo Yan, however, as the country shared its name with the King of Li it was changed
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Rong Wang was on the verge of making his way through the doors when Feng Ming moved with lightening speed to barricade him. His reaction speed was akin to a cat that had its tail treaded on
“Don’t go in!”
Rong Wang was baffled by his sudden insistence.
“Why?” he asked his eyes boring down onto his lover.
“Because…because…” Feng Ming’s frantic eyes locked onto Rong Tian’s own, his hands reached to dab at the sweat beading off his forehead.
“That’s because my sleeping pallet is not big enough for the two of us to share!”
He nervously observed Rong Wang’s reaction in fear the man was suspicious of his hidden agenda.
Rong Wang cast a fleeting confused look at the closed doors, then, as if it suddenly dawned upon him, a gentle smile grew from his lips.
“Is that so?” he commented before he stepped forwards and sandwiched the Prince between him and the cold wood of the entry
His large hand reached up to lightly caress Feng Ming’s lips, before bending his own to spoil them with a soft kiss. He pulled the young man into his arms.
”Standing outside at this temperature is turning you to ice.” Rong Tian’s seductive magnetism quickly distracted Feng Ming’s initial motives of his guilty conscience.
“If the bed is unfitting, why don’t you rest on top of me?” With that said, Rong Tian kicked the doors open and whisked the Prince inside. He lifted the boy effortlessly into his arms before striding towards the bedchamber. The warm air moved like currents embracing their chilled forms. The room was fragrant and threads of smoke danced in the air from the daily incense that Chiu Lan had set alit.
Soon the pair was directly across from the bed in which Lie Er laid.
“The bed is spacious enough.” The King judged, glancing down at Feng Ming who was nestled in the crook of his arms. Feng Ming’s heart could just about bungee jump from his chest, his face paled. “As long as you feel it is big enough.”
Inwardly, he added - Three will be a crowd…
The delicate tassels highlighted the fine drapery that hung on the bed frame creating a private cloaked space for within. It was this cover that was prolonging the agony.
Feng Ming watched Rong Tian in gripping silence as the older man carried him step by step closer to where an imminent storm brewed, spelling his doom
He prayed.
God, I hope Lie Er was smart enough to hear us and made his way out without a trace.
Please be an empty bed.
It has to be an empty bed! Otherwise I am a dead man…
With his eyes shut and deep in prayer, a soft and attractive voice waffled from behind the partition.
“Prince has finally returned, why was Prince out for such a length of time?”
Rong Tian halted in his footsteps with the unexpected voice. He coldly stared at the drapes before slowly turning his attention to the man in his arms and giving Feng Ming a condescending look
The eyes glaring into him made Feng Ming tremble with fear his guts harbored a foreboding feeling that Rong Tian would violently rape him as punishment
Even if he didn’t have sex with Lie Er, Rong Wang would never believe him.
Grotesque and disturbing images of sick and twisted revenge taken out by jealous men from Ancient history flashed in Feng Ming’s mind. Oh, he trembled from top to toe.
Rong Wang issued him a deceiving smile before gently asking, “Feng Ming are you cold? You are shivering.”
The fake sincere smile the King was fronting was a hundred fold more dangerous than any threat from Ruo Yan.
This is a disaster!
What a cruel world!
Is this the calm before the tempest?
Feng Ming primal instinct had him close his eyes tight, like an ostrich he buried his face into the crook of the King’s arms.
Rong Tian chuckled suggestively, prompting the Prince to rest on the bedside, one hand reached to lift the drapes to reveal Lie Er. The servant was in a simple tunic, his body reclined on the bed with one white jade-like arm propping up his head. The boy’s childlike eyes met with the intensive glare of the King.
Feng Ming held his breath, his thoughts in conflict.
Should I or shouldn’t I help Lie Er? If I save him it would be even harder to wash away this misunderstanding!
If I don’t do anything…
“Why are you here?” demanded an unimpressed Rong Tian.
Caving into the tremendous mental pressure, Feng Ming could cry he shied away from the bed.
“I don’t know! I don’t know anything!” the Prince proclaimed.
Lie Er reaction was to the contrary, in a calm manner he lifted the quilt and slipped out of the bed to kneel obediently at the King’s feet. In a small voice he made grace. “Lie Er pays his respects to his master. Today is the Prince’s last day in Fan Jia territory. Lie Er is worried, so stayed watchfully beside His Highness.”
The young servant lifted to glance at the Regent King’s expression. Seeing that there was no advert expression, he laughed playfully.
“Lie Er has not done anything. Prince belongs to the master. Lie Er dares not meddle.””
“I will forgive you for not daring! You have grown! However, you are still so mischievous and frivolous, nothing like your mature brother!”
King Rong gave a cold snort, “Have you settled matters in Yong Yin?”**
“Lie Er received Master’s instructions and secretly arranged to exterminate his post. Ensuring that no trace is left to doubt my disappearance in Yong Yin, the King of Yong Yin truly believes I have died of illness.” He replied dutifully.
The King made a sound of approval.
“You have been carrying out espionage in Yong Yin long enough it was time you returned to Xi Rei.”
Rong Tian nodded and then turned his attention to the Prince that sat stupefied on the sidelines.
“Feng Ming, I will let you know, I have assigned my best men to safeguard you. You have met Rong Hu. Although Lie Er is naughty, he is quick witted and adept at dealing with contingencies. I feel a little peace of mind to know they are by your side.”
…
…
Thump!
“Feng Ming? Feng Ming!?” Rong Tian’s deep voice permeated the room as he looked at the Prince in distress.
“Master, it appears the Prince has fainted...”
--- --- --- ---
The next day, the envoy from Xi Rei finally departed with an additional member, the Third Princess. Their departure was majestic and grand. However, during this period it was said that the Prince had fallen ill. In the carriage he settled in seclusion to nurse his ailments along the beginning of a long journey home. It appears when the Prince was ‘sick’ he had a bad temper. From time to time one could hear him curse along with the various sounds of objects being smashed. Not to mention the sharp sound of skin being slapped.
For everyone on the outside, they all inwardly awed by the male chamberlain on the receiving end of the abuse. Curiously, each time Lie Er left the carriage he was unscathed, completely without even a slightest bruise on his face.
After three or four days the bitter chiding and cluttering of random items died down. Instead, they were now replaced with interesting moans that made people blush.
The curtains that decorated the carriage in winter were thick and far from transparent. One would could only listen on and imagine what was taking place inside.
“Chiu Lan listen, they are…” giggled Chiu Yue.
“They are what? Lie Er is good looking, it’s only natural the Prince would give into temptation.” Chiu Xing commented.
“Well it’s not like I am saying anything about it in particular but I am afraid someone might feel…” teased Chiu Yue before Chiu Xing slapped her on the shoulder.
Pouting as she scolded, “Don’t make fun of me! The Prince’s business with Lie Er has nothing to do with me!”
Chiu Yue choked back her laughter before giving her playmate what she wanted to hear. “Yes, yes. It’s not any of our high and mighty Chiu Yue’s business. Nonetheless, how would the Regent King handle the matter when we return to Xi Rei?”
On the other hand, General Tong ushered his horse to stride beside Official Xia’s to ask question that has been bothering him.
“Official Xia, we’ve been on the road for four days yet the Prince has not shown his face this…”
Official Xia waved battered his fan back and forth, stroked his beard and explained, “A journey can be lonely, Lie Eris a rare specimen. Would General Tong be so eager as to dampen the Prince’s leisure?”
“But if this persists…I am afraid there will be detrimental affects to the Prince’s body.”
“No ailments shall reign over the Prince’s body as long as Official Xia is around, General Tong can rest assured.”
The matter was settled and the party continued to travel day and night for another two days where they finally left the borders of Fan Jia. They will now travel through Yong Yin for another seven days before they would reach Xi Rei.