Chapter 100: "None of them are you."
Ji Chengnin was not quite lucid, and his vision was blurry. He saw a row of hands waving in front of him, and when he reached out to grab them, he missed.
Immediately, the hand gently landed on his face.
It gets hot to the touch.
The young general was full of energy and his body temperature was already higher than that of an ordinary person. The aroma of alcohol made him even hotter. His fingertips flared like candle flames. He wanted to leave, but he couldn't bear to part with the warmth, so he clung to the alcohol even tighter.
"You two," Ji Chengnin mumbled, forcing the two to lower their heads to listen, "what are you doing?"
Cui Yao's gentle voice brushed past her ear, "This subordinate thought of sending the general back, but Your Highness," her fingertips brushed against her skin, "does not allow it."
Zhou Yu suppressed the urge to sneer.
If it were anyone else, Ji Chengning would have already said, "What business is it of yours to send me back?" But he still retained some clarity of mind, and grabbed Cui Yao's wrist. The latter's heart had just fluttered when the young marquis moved her away.
Ji Chengnin blinked his misty, peach-blossom eyes, looked up at Zhou Yu with a silly grin, and said, "Your Highness, if you don't want A-Yao to take me back, do you want me to take me back myself?"
Zhou Yu lowered his head, his eyes fixed intently on Ji Chengnin's.
The corners of his eyes were tinged with a reddish tinge from the alcohol, curving along the lines of his eyes, truly resembling a fox's tail, swaying and beckoning people to grab it.
"If you want me to deliver it..."
"In no mood."
Ji Chengnin answered without hesitation.
Zhou Yu's expression went blank for a moment.
A smug glint flashed in Cui Yao's eyes, but before he could speak, Ji Chengning turned his head away. He could barely see where the person was, so he said to the void, "You are not allowed to follow either."
For a moment, Zhou Yu felt much more comfortable looking at Cui Yao's hesitant expression.
But I still feel uncomfortable.
If it weren't for Cui Yao.
If it weren't for Cui Yao, his Xiao Ning would definitely have chosen him without hesitation.
If he had the ability to read minds, he would know that Cui Yao was also thinking that he was in the way and an eyesore. If it weren't for him, why would he put the Crown Prince in such a dilemma?
His pale, thin fingers clenched his sleeves involuntarily, but Zhou Yu's face showed no sign of it as he spoke softly, "So, Xiao Ning, what are your plans?"
Ji Chengnin placed one hand on the table and stood up nimbly.
"Clang!"
But he only managed half of it before staggering and falling heavily back down, slamming his fist on the table with a loud clanging sound.
The two of them extended their hands at the same time.
Ji Chengning seemed to be blind to both eyes, leaning against the railing and laughing. His sharp and beautiful eyes were half-closed, and his face was covered only by a touch of red on his lips. Otherwise, black and white intertwined, like a painting with rich and colorful ink.
His eyes darted around, his mind neither clear nor unclear, but he still remembered that there were people on duty today who were not allowed to drink or make merry.
The list he had personally selected earlier.
Following his memory, he called out several names in a row. In addition to the Crown Prince's guards, he also assigned four other people to escort the Crown Prince back, which moved Zhou Yu to tears and made him feel frustrated.
After arranging things for the Crown Prince, Ji Chengning looked at Cui Yao, his chin slightly raised.
What a joke! He's the one who calls the shots in the entire Yan County now. He's barely a half-landlord. What kind of logic is it for a host to ask a guest to deliver something?
Ji Chengnin went through this logic in his muddled mind, feeling it was perfect and flawless. He was about to follow suit and send his cousin back when Cui Yao decisively said, "No need."
Ji Chengning was bewildered and tried to reason with him, "It's late, and you've had several drinks without anyone keeping you company. You're all alone..." In the firelight, Cui Yao's face was as cold as ice and jade, and his chill was terrifying. He paused and turned the subject back, "I'm worried about a grown man going back alone."
The guards exchanged bewildered glances and couldn't help but laugh, thinking to themselves that the young marquis had indeed drunk too much.
Cui Yao replied, "I'm fine, not only am I fine," his gaze fixed on Ji Chengning, "I can even send someone back."
Ji Chengning smiled.
He stood up unsteadily, which startled onlookers, but he refused to be helped.
Her tall, slender figure was not quite steady on her feet, and her head was still aching, so she rubbed her forehead with her fingertips, but then she looked up and smiled at Cui Yao.
He was not wearing official robes, but rather loose clothes and a wide belt. His hair was slightly askew, and his soft, black hair was draped over his shoulders, like a jade mountain about to crumble.
Cui Yao was taken aback.
The next moment, the young marquis strode away.
The guards hurriedly followed.
Cui Yao stood motionless, her expression unreadable.
Another half hour passed, and night fell.
All was quiet.
Ji Chengnin hadn't even had time to change his clothes. He only took off his boots and outer robe and lay crookedly on the edge of the bed, with one hand hanging down, swaying with his movements.
A slight noise.
Ji Chengnin's eyelids twitched slightly.
The next second, a cool fragrance wafted over him, completely enveloping him!
"Your Highness." A voice, devoid of emotion and as cold as black iron, rang out.
Ji Chengnin seemed to be in a dream, remaining motionless.
The voice chuckled coldly, lifted its robe, and sat down with perfect ease. Then, it placed both hands on the back of Ji Chengnin's neck and moved him to its lap.
The neck in the palm is thin and long, seemingly very fragile, yet its lines are exceptionally sharp, with each bone clearly defined.
The visitor's long fingers slid down his chin.
Slow and deliberate, exceptionally gentle, yet leaving no spot untouched, the fingertips scraped away bit by bit, leaving obvious red marks.
"Your Highness."
The sound was getting closer.
My breath tickled my earlobe, making it incredibly itchy.
Ji Chengnin couldn't help but shrink his neck and chuckle.
"Meimei".
The identity of the visitor was revealed with ease.
He tried to dodge, but Zhong Mei wouldn't let him. He pressed his hands tightly against Ji Chengning's shoulders, holding him firmly in his arms.
Long sleeves, like clouds, and smooth, cold silk draped gracefully over Ji Chengning's body.
It seemed he wasn't fully sober yet, and in his hazy state, he saw layers upon layers of white covering his body, which he thought resembled spider silk.
Gently, and perfectly, gather him up and wrap him up.
Ji Chengnin half-closed his eyes, his face pressed against the cool sleeve of his clothes. "Where have you been today?"
Zhong Mei didn't answer, but instead used one hand to massage his temples. His cold voice carried a hint of complaint, "Drinking so much alcohol, you deserve a headache."
The young marquis accepted all offers of wine. No matter who offered him wine, he would drink it all in one gulp as a courtesy. He also liked to look at people with a smile and a sidelong glance, making people unable to hold their wine cups properly, and even their chins would get wet with the wine.
He was filled with resentment, hating others for their lack of discretion, and also hating that his own status was not legitimate, that he couldn't even shield the crown prince from drinking. But Zhou Yu was still there, and the crown prince's status was so illustrious, wouldn't he say something to stop him?
Useless stuff.
Zhong Mei thought expressionlessly.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, but the strength in his hands didn't change at all.
Ji Chengnin clung to him softly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he let out a muffled groan of pleasure.
Zhong Mei applied pressure with just the right amount of force, his cool fingertips scraping across his brow, effectively relieving the swelling. "It's a celebration banquet, everyone's having a good time," Ji Chengnin's voice softened from the pressure. "How could I spoil the fun? Hmm, a little harder."
Zhong Mei slightly raised his hand.
Ji Chengning then tilted his head back and pressed it upwards.
Zhong Mei seemed to have discovered something interesting. He remained expressionless and unmoved, but after pressing down twice, he subtly moved his hand upwards.
Ji Chengning subconsciously followed suit and went up.
Like a cat that wants to be petted, it has no bones and only likes to stick close to people who make it comfortable.
He didn't think anything was wrong at first, but when he realized it, he was already in Zhong Mei's arms, not on his knees.
Ji Chengnin looked up.
Zhong Mei looked completely innocent. "What's wrong?"
Ji Chengnin seemed to be thinking of something, tilted his head and smiled, hooked his finger around Zhong Mei's loose hair, and said with a smile, "Meimei, have you ever seen a pomegranate?"
Zhong Mei pondered for a while but couldn't figure out the reason, so he honestly replied, "I've seen it before."
Ji Chengning opened his mouth and bit down on the hair he was playing with, his tongue hooking the strands of hair, sticking and tangling with them.
Zhong Mei reached out and pinched his cheeks.
Ji Chengnin laughed even harder, "Meimei, you have more thoughts than the seeds of a whole pomegranate."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhong Mei pinched his face tightly.
Her breathing became slightly erratic, and the hand intensified its actions, even squeezing the area forcefully with its fingertips a couple of times.
Ji Chengnin laughed and swayed wildly in his arms.
The latter grunted and pinned him down.
Before the laughter could stop, Zhong Mei suddenly said, "Tonight, why did neither the Crown Prince nor your dear cousin—" his voice was steady, but every word was squeezed out through clenched teeth, "agree to send you back?"
Ji Chengnin's smile faltered, and he stared intently at Zhong Mei with a deep gaze.
It was still a hideous ghost face, red, black, and white, with long, brightly colored, thin lines at the corners of its eyes. There was no bright color on its face except for the scarlet tongue, which was drawn with a fine brush. The three colors intertwined, making people dizzy and disoriented. If you looked at it for too long, you would feel a chill rising from the bottom of your heart.
As expected, he was indeed from the military. Ji Chengnin thought to himself.
Move your fingers upwards and touch the edge of the mask.
Just as it was about to begin.
As if testing the waters, he first tapped lightly with his fingertips. Seeing that Zhong Mei did not object, he then pressed his advantage.
Ji Chengnin's heart began to race. He held his breath and focused his mind. The next moment, he was tightly gripped by a hand!
He chuckled softly, not annoyed, but said, "Because," his fingers slid down to lift Zhong Mei's chin, his voice filled with a lingering, almost drowning, tender smile, "it's not you."
Zhong Mei was taken aback.
He glanced at Ji Chengnin subconsciously, only to find that the young marquis had been staring at him intently, the frivolous smile fading, leaving only a clear and tender affection.
It really was genuine.
Bang!
Zhong Mei abruptly turned his head away.
His heart trembled violently, making him feel agitated and restless, as if he wanted to rip his entire heart out.
But after only a few seconds of turning his head away, he turned back again, his gaze fixed on Ji Chengnin's face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" the young marquis laughed.
Then he thought, he reached out and pressed his hand against Ji Chengnin's chest, where it was warm and beating strongly. He thought, he wanted to dig out Ji Chengnin's heart and see how much of what he said was true and how much was false.
Two bloodied hearts pressed together—that's a testament to their deep, unforgettable love, a bond that will last until death.
Zhong Mei placed one hand on Ji Chengning's eyes and continued to massage his temples with the other.
"Sleep," he said, his voice unusually hoarse, as if he were trying to suppress something. "I'll watch over you."
Ji Chengning was puzzled, but he felt very comfortable in Zhong Mei's arms.
He had been so hot and restless that he had tossed and turned all night. If Zhong Mei hadn't come, he didn't know how much longer he would have been tormented.
He put his arm around Zhong Mei's waist and naturally pressed his face against hers, saying, "Mmm."
No matter how many times.
No matter how many times, he still couldn't resist Ji Chengning clinging to him like that. Even though they had done the most intimate things, he would still be moved and infatuated by the slightest touch from Ji Chengning.
No more words were spoken, and I slept peacefully through the night.
...
Upon waking, Ji Chengning, already accustomed to Zhong Mei's elusive nature, tidied himself up and proceeded with his official duties as usual.
He acted with increasing swiftness and decisiveness, like a knife cutting flesh, causing the noble families and officials of the two regions, who had not yet had time to feel at ease, to be filled with fear once again.
Has Ji Chengning gone mad?
Inside the study, Ji Chengnin couldn't help but rub his temples.
The imperial court is already urging him to return to the capital. He doesn't have much time left. If he doesn't eradicate the deep-rooted problems in this area, the result will be the same no matter how many new officials the court sends in the future—they will collude with local powerful families again, oppress the people again, incite popular uprisings again, and send government troops to suppress them again!
Remembering Xiao Dingguan's words, Ji Chengning suddenly clenched the brush in his hand.
He took a deep breath and continued to bury himself in paperwork.
It wasn't that no one was helping him with his official duties; it was just that there was too much to do in the post-war reconstruction, and too few capable officials. The imperial court was eager for him to return to the capital as soon as possible. Even if they sent officials, whether they could be used was another matter, and it would probably be several months later.
With this in mind, the young marquis acted even more swiftly and ruthlessly.
However, besides the local powerful families finding it hard to accept, those around him were also alarmed—he wasn't made of iron, how could he endure such a thing!
After His Highness the Crown Prince offered his advice, Ji Chengnin blinked his charming eyes and asked pitifully, "Your Highness, you can't bear to see me return to the capital and still be thinking about the unfinished business in Luanyang and Yanjun, unable to sleep peacefully, can you?"
Zhou Yu hesitated, but Ji Chengnin pressed on, "Your Highness, you can't bear to treat your subject like this, can you?"
Zhou Yu felt a chill run down his spine and nodded subconsciously.
The young marquis smiled with satisfaction and saw his guest out.
Zhou Yu was so confused by what he said that he almost forgot where the door was, and he stumbled out.
After walking several dozen steps, I still felt like my soul was not in my body. Then I suddenly realized that I had advised Ji Chengning to rest, but he had sent me out without making a single promise.
His Highness the Crown Prince has been defeated and is fleeing.
Zhou Yu thought and thought, and after much deliberation, feeling as if he had swallowed a dozen pounds of bitter herbs, he moved himself to the door of Cui Yao's study.
The Crown Prince, expressionless, asked coldly through the door, "Are you just going to stand there and watch?"
Cui Yao paused, his hand holding the pen still. “Your Highness knows what kind of temperament the Crown Prince is.” Unlike others who called Zhou Yu “Crown Prince,” his address sounded very strange. “The Crown Prince doesn’t listen to Your Highness. I am just an outsider, and my words carry little weight. How can I possibly persuade him?”
Zhou Yu laughed in anger, his voice growing colder, "I know you're not important to Xiao Ning and have nothing to say about it, but if you go and persuade her, it will be a proper act of a subject. Otherwise, wouldn't Xiao Ning have valued you for nothing?"
Cui Yao wasn't unwilling to persuade him; she simply didn't want to listen to him!
After speaking, he turned and left.
The pendants around his waist jingled, one of which was a majestic jade unicorn, a gift from Ji Chengning for his fifteenth birthday.
He couldn't help but touch the jade pendant and clench it tightly.
Didn't Cui Yao look down on everyone in the Marquis's mansion? How could he possibly be attracted to Xiao Ning?
What a hypocritical, despicable person who spouts nothing but lies!
"Tick-tock".
A drop of thick ink fell onto the paper.
Cui Yao tore up the paper and casually tossed it aside.
He got up and went straight to Ji Chengnin's study.
As soon as the door opened, Ji Chengnin didn't even look up. "I know this is not good for my health, but the matter is urgent and I have no choice but to do it. I appreciate your concern, thank you very much."
His words flowed smoothly and naturally; he must have said them countless times.
Cui Yao didn't say anything, stepped into the study, sat down next to Ji Chengning, and picked up a document to read.
"This is military business, you..."
I glanced at her and saw Cui Yao pick up a pen and write down her comments smoothly. Her tense shoulders relaxed a lot, and when she looked at Cui Yao, there was a smile in her eyes. "Ah Yao is really amazing. If I had known, I should have let you come to my side as a supervisor."
Cui Yao managed logistics very well, handling everything big and small.
Ji Chengning felt it was a pity the more he looked at the man. This man should have been able to display his talents in the imperial court, rather than being confined to his side.
"What are you looking at?" Cui Yao asked.
Ji Chengnin's gaze was intense; when he stared intently at someone, it was impossible to ignore him even if one wanted to.
Ji Chengning looked away.
I can't very well tell Cui Yao, my cousin, that I'm thinking of getting you an official position through donations.
The two worked together on official business. The study was quiet and still, with only the soft rustling of a brush brush across the paper.
As darkness fell, Ji Chengning wanted Cui Yao to go back, but the latter ignored him and insisted on staying with him.
Young Marquis Fang returned home an hour earlier than usual.
However, things are different today.
"You want me to stay in your room?" Ji Chengnin's eyes widened.
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Author's Note: A red envelope will be dropped in this chapter.
Hehehe, I went for a five-kilometer run today and almost had to crawl back.
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