Chapter 97 Bone clashing against bone, flesh pressing against flesh...
Swish—
A chilling aura swept over us.
Zhong Mei suddenly approached.
"What's wrong?"
The voice, even after passing through the voice-changing lock, remained flat and even, yet a hint of tension seeped in due to the owner's anxiety.
Ji Chengning didn't answer, but suddenly exerted force, forcing Zhong Mei's face to press against his.
Skin to skin, breath to breath.
Sticky and humid.
Ji Chengnin's breathing became increasingly trembling and rapid.
A glistening drop of moisture burst from her eyelashes, and her damp skin pressed against Zhong Mei's face without any obstruction.
It was cool and smooth, like a piece of soft jade.
Ji Chengning's breath caught in his throat for a moment.
But he didn't open his eyes; he simply slowly loosened his grip on Zhong Mei's neck.
His eyes were red and watery, and the upper half of his face was wet. His complexion was unusually pale, with only a touch of glamour on his arrogant, upturned eyes, making him appear unusually weak.
But they still stubbornly persisted.
He clenched his teeth so tightly that even his lips were stretched into a thin line.
The young Marquis Ji, who was of a fairly upright character, obviously did not know that the more he acted this way, the more people wanted to ruin him.
"Your Highness." Zhong Mei gently wiped away his tears.
She slid her fingertips down and shamelessly wiped her tears onto his lips.
As a result, her lips became glossy and moist.
Zhong Mei lowered his head, his cool breath brushing against Ji Chengning's cheek. They were too close, the air thick with moisture. If Zhong Mei wanted, he could easily bite Ji Chengning's lips, the contact almost imperceptible.
"It's salty," he sighed.
Ji Chengnin chuckled softly, "The young marquis can't see gold in his eyes."
His voice was so hoarse it sounded like a knife, and Zhong Mei's mind suddenly went blank.
What exactly happened to the Crown Prince?
Was he lamenting the suffering of the people? Or did he feel it was unrighteous for a general to draw his sword against rebels who were once commoners? Or perhaps, Zhong Mei's mind was racing—could it be because of Xiao Dingguan?!
He knew that Xiao Dingguan was dead, but he didn't care.
Looking at Ji Chengnin's reaction now, I can only feel that it is shocking.
What did Xiao Dingguan do, or what did he say to the prince, that caused the prince to kill him in a fit of rage?
Ji Chengnin is extremely determined, so anything that could cause him to lose his composure like this must be something of immense importance.
Zhong Mei showed no sign of it. He didn't ask why, but instead moved even closer.
"Your Highness." His voice was unusually gentle.
Before Ji Chengnin could respond, the next second, his body felt light, and he instantly felt dizzy!
He was actually picked up by Zhong Mei and the two of them fell onto the bed together!
“Um… Zhong Mei!” Ji Chengning grunted.
The two of them were in a strange posture.
Zhong Mei was clearly in control, but Ji Chengning was the one who was in a superior position.
The young marquis was passively straddling Zhong Mei's waist.
Her long hair fell down, the black strands intertwined and knotted together.
Zhong Mei gently grasped Ji Chengnin's trembling hand, letting his hand wander with his movements.
He crossed his hands and traced them from his firm, muscular abdomen down to his subtly undulating chest.
But Zhong Mei didn't let him stop; instead, he continued upwards.
Finally, it hovered above the neck.
Ji Chengnin paused for a moment, "Zhong Mei?"
Immediately, Zhong Mei pressed his hand down, firmly against his neck.
It has distinct, sharp neck bones.
It rose and fell slightly with Zhong Mei's breathing.
The fingers and neck were joined perfectly.
It was a very strange feeling. Ji Chengning seemed to be able to feel the meridians attached to his bones, where blood was flowing steadily and repeatedly. However, as soon as he increased his strength slightly, the muscles and bones under his palm would become tense, and his breathing would become more rapid.
With just a little force, one can control a person's reaction.
Or perhaps it's someone like Zhong Mei, who has an extremely strong desire for control and doesn't tolerate any resistance.
His Adam's apple bobbed laboriously.
This thing was uncontrollably hitting Ji Chengnin's palm.
Zhong Mei's hand remained on the back of his hand, but she did not stop his movements. Instead, she smiled gently in his ear as if to encourage him.
"Your Highness."
A soft, slightly husky voice entered my ears.
He increased the pressure on his hands.
But Zhong Mei still smiled.
Like a small brush, it slips into it hesitantly, as if it wants to say something but doesn't.
Ji Chengning trembled from the shock, almost feeling annoyed.
Zhong Mei's most vulnerable spot is in his palm. He can kill Zhong Mei at any time if he wants to. What is Zhong Mei laughing about?
Zhong Mei felt it wasn't enough, so he placed his hand on it and helped Ji Chengning exert force.
Bone clashed against bone, flesh pressed against flesh, the pain was so sharp it was hard to ignore. The suffocation made Zhong Mei's ears ring, and even his vision blurred. The only thing that was clear was Ji Chengnin's face.
A face contorted with pain, yet desperately trying to endure.
Zhong Mei's heart raced instantly. He couldn't describe his feelings at that moment. It was like having charcoal fire pressed against his heart, yet his throat was being filled with sweet water. It hurt, but he felt a strange pleasure.
So intimate.
True blood ties, sharing joys and sorrows.
The suffocation caused a blurry mist to appear before Zhong Mei's eyes, but he was still smiling.
The lingering sweetness is unforgettable.
His fingers traced the veins on Ji Chengnin's hand, and he felt the trembling of Ji Chengnin with satisfaction, whether it was because he didn't want to really hurt him or because of the physical reaction of using too much force.
Finally, gently place it on your wrist, close your fingers, and firmly grasp it in your palm.
"Kill me." Zhong Mei's voice was incredibly gentle, as if Ji Chengning was giving him not a painful suffocation, but a passionate kiss. He propped himself up slightly, his lips obediently pressing against Ji Chengning's other hand, which was resting on his face.
The skin on the inside of the wrist is soft and sensitive.
Ji Chengning felt as if he had been splashed with ice water, and his body trembled slightly.
Zhong Mei opened his mouth, his canine teeth gleaming coldly. He tried his best to restrain himself from the urge to bite down hard.
The bloodthirsty demon insisted on posing as a virtuous man, his hot, moist breath corroding the skin. He laughed, seducing and coaxing, "As long as you're happy."
Ji Chengning abruptly pulled his hand away and pressed down on Zhong Mei's chest, forcing him back down.
Zhong Mei laughed.
He wrapped both hands around Ji Chengning's arms. "Your Highness, you truly cherish me," he said, his eyes crinkling with a smug smile, before planting a kiss on Ji Chengning's body. "Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness."
Even if Ji Chengning were a fool, he would know why Zhong Mei had gone through all this trouble. His heart felt as if it had been pinched hard, a mixture of soreness and pain.
He rolled over and lay down next to Zhong Mei, covering his eyes with his arm.
He chuckled sullenly.
Yet, it trembled and became hoarse.
Zhong Mei turned to the side, staring intently at Ji Chengning. He didn't pull Ji Chengning's arm away, but simply looked at him.
He burst into laughter, his whole body trembling.
“I understand your good intentions,” he said, his laughter punctuated by broken words, “but I don’t know how to say it.”
Zhong Mei raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing against the back of Ji Chengning's neck. He pulled the man into his arms and softly comforted him, "Then we won't say anything."
...
Five days later.
The capital city, the Imperial Study.
It was early autumn, and the sound of cicadas could be heard.
"Your subject Ji Chengning respectfully reports: I have heard that Xiao Dingguan's atrocities are intolerable under the law and even more so under human circumstances. During my interrogation of Xiao Dingguan, I inadvertently killed him. I beg Your Majesty to punish me. Even dismissal from office would not be enough to atone for my actions. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Qin Min's shrill voice echoed in the imperial study.
Zhou Yu's expression was somewhat somber. According to established rules, Xiao Dingguan had to go to the capital for trial and verification of his identity before being formally executed.
However, the news of Ji Chengnin's great victory, along with the full battle report, truly excited the capital. Even the censors who had always been at odds with the young Marquis Ji praised him several times.
His Majesty was overjoyed. The rewards had already been arranged by the Ministry of Rites, and the Emperor had added even more. The imperial edict to reward the entire army had been sent to Luanyang by express courier.
Unexpectedly, news arrived that Ji Chengning had "accidentally" killed Xiao Dingguan.
The Minister of War and the Minister of Revenue present both looked on with suspicion, their eyes meeting in a meaningful exchange.
Looking at Ji Lin again, he remained seated, not only sitting still but also slowly blowing away the foam from his teacup.
Song Guanghe was quite impressed with Ji Lin's composure. During the two months that Ji Chengning was away on military missions, no matter what news came back to the capital, Ji Lin showed no sign of it.
A few days ago, the news of a great victory shocked everyone, but Ji Lin remained calm and composed. At the time, he was in the government office, and it is said that when he heard an official come to report the good news, he didn't even lift his eyelids. He just kept his body turned to the side and drank his tea. After hearing the good news, he only nodded.
Song Guanghe, of course, did not know that Ji Lin was sitting half-side up because she had been so surprised by the good news that she had put the teacup on her lap and sat there until her clothes were half-dry before getting up.
Song Guanghe seemed to be deep in thought.
Ji Chengning's killing of Xiao Dingguan can be dismissed as a momentary act of anger and carelessness, and a light reprimand to be more careful next time would suffice. But more seriously, why did Ji Chengning kill Xiao Dingguan? Was it to conceal some unspeakable secret?
This is enough for many people to make a big deal out of!
Zhou Yu lowered his eyes.
Xiao Ning is not a careless person, so what exactly happened?
He felt a sudden pang of panic for some reason, and covered his mouth with a handkerchief, coughing and coughing...
All eyes immediately fell on him.
Zhou Yu smiled apologetically and said softly, "I just read General Ji's battle report. Even I, an outsider who knows nothing about military affairs, found it shocking. How much more so for those who experienced it firsthand. Xiao Dingguan's crimes were heinous. As the commander-in-chief, General Ji was extremely angry at the tragic state of Luanyang. It is only natural that he made a mistake."
Everyone in the court knew that His Highness the Crown Prince and Ji Chengnin were so close they were practically inseparable. Song Guanghe observed the emperor's expression, preparing what he would say next.
Ji Lin and Zhou Yu exchanged glances. The latter nodded with a smile and silently called out, "Uncle." However, his eyebrows and eyes were tired, and there was a layer of blue under his eyes. He was emaciated and looked ten times weaker than Ji Chengning had been before he left.
It's like a paper effigy; it would break if the wind blew it away.
Crown Prince, Ji Lin was feeling depressed and her health was deteriorating.
"I watched Cheng Ning grow up. He is a bit impatient," the emperor said with a smile, "but he has a good heart. He hates evil and will definitely not tolerate the actions of the traitors. This is nothing serious." He looked at Ji Lin and said, "Ji Qing, you have raised your nephew well."
Ji Lin stood up and replied respectfully, "This great victory is entirely due to Your Majesty's ability to recognize and utilize talent, and the soldiers' bravery and fearlessness. I dare not claim credit for this victory."
The emperor slowly descended the steps, reached out and patted Ji Lin's arm. The latter had her head down, so her expression was not visible. The emperor smiled and said, "Ji Qing, I know you are the most cautious. Cheng Ning has made great contributions and deserves to be rewarded. This child is also about to come of age. Why don't we let him inherit his father's title after he returns to the capital?"
Zhou Yu was overjoyed.
Ji Lin suddenly looked up.
He met the emperor's eyes, which were full of smiles, yet held an ambiguous meaning.
Ji Lin felt as if she had entered an ice cave.
His handsome and clean face revealed gratitude perfectly. He took three steps back, bowed, and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness on behalf of Ji Chengning."
...
"Kindness? Who doesn't know that our Emperor is the most ruthless and ungrateful?" A middle-aged man with a fair complexion and a slight beard, who looked mostly like a scholar, sneered. "Ji Chengnin is going to such lengths, isn't he afraid of being discarded like a hunting dog after the rabbit dies?"
The emperor's decree to reward the entire army had long been issued to the court and the public. Soon after, they also learned of Xiao Dingguan's death. In the morning, he was hurriedly taken out and cremated, his bones crushed and his ashes scattered, and everything disappeared completely.
They had hoped that the emperor would be furious upon learning that Ji Chengnin had acted on his own initiative. Even if the emperor did not punish Ji Chengnin, at least he should not be in charge of the affairs of Luanyang and Yanjun in the future.
However, a hint of ferocity appeared on the middle-aged man's refined face. Who would have thought that the emperor would so easily dismiss the matter?
"Lord Zhao, please be careful with your words!"
One person quickly stopped them.
Zhao Wenying sneered, "There is no one else here. If Lord Zhou is afraid, why did you come here in the first place?"
Zhou Shang's face immediately turned bright red. "Who said I'm scared?"
Zhao Wenying mocked, "If you're not afraid, then you're just putting on an act."
"I was merely worried about Lord Zhao; why must you be so aggressive!"
"Alright," came an impatient voice from the head of the table.
The entire Wenqin Pavilion immediately fell silent.
The leader glanced at the two men expressionlessly. Zhou Shang and Zhao Wenying lowered their heads and dared not utter another sound. He said coldly, "When disaster strikes, instead of showing solidarity, you attack each other. Gentlemen, you have only yourself to blame for your current predicament."
The two men turned pale from being scolded.
Not only the two of them, but everyone else in the main hall had rather unpleasant expressions.
“Lord Feng is quite right,” someone chimed in, sighing softly. “It’s all our fault for being so disorganized that Ji Chengning was able to take advantage of us. But now that things have come to this, it’s pointless for you to reprimand us further; it will only make you more angry.”
“Yes, Lord Feng,” another man sneered, “Since you can’t stand our argument, why don’t you share your thoughts? We are all ears.”
The man addressed as Lord Feng casually tossed his teacup onto the table.
"Smack!"
Tea splashed everywhere.
He said coldly, "The people sent to deliver the gifts may not be reliable. Under torture, how many people can resist confessing? Even if they don't confess, the troops are in Ji Chengning's hands. Taking our lives is easier for him than crushing an ant. For now, there is only one way to go."
"What road?"
"Kill Ji Chengnin!"
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Author's Note: A red envelope will be dropped in this chapter.
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