Chapter 34 I felt his hands trembling violently, and listened…
As the New Year approached, the Beijing garrison was extremely busy, with inspections, horse races, and all sorts of preparations to be made, as well as recruiting soldiers for the following spring.
After Hua Lang figured out that no matter how busy Zhan Yunmei was, she would still return to the mansion several times a week, he began to calculate the days when she would come back, and then obediently waited for her to return, no matter how late it was.
The general's mansion didn't have many servants; most of them were people from the countryside who had come to the capital to work. That year, the new dynasty gradually established its foundation, and the area around the capital was completely stable. Zhan Yunmei then let the people go home for the New Year.
The household was left with only servants who had no relatives, friends, or hometown, and Yao Shuniang.
As Hua Lang had arranged, Yao Shuniang led the remaining people to clean the General's Mansion, making sure it was thoroughly cleaned before New Year's Eve. There was no rush with the couplets; the servants first brought out lanterns with paper-cut decorations and hung them all over the mansion.
The flower hall should also be decorated with lanterns, and several more should be hung to surround it.
Hua Lang disliked such a bright environment and was very dissatisfied when the servants hung up lanterns, saying, "Why hang so many?"
Yao Shuniang told him that this was the general's order. He gritted his teeth, gave up, and ignored it.
Opposite the main house is the brightly lit flower hall, where the flowers and plants are bathed in the warm red glow of lanterns, creating a cozy atmosphere.
"Hmph," Hua Lang murmured softly, closing the long window of the main house and no longer looking at the bright light.
As the sky slowly darkened, dinner was not to be served to Zhan Yunmei, because according to the calculated schedule, Zhan Yunmei would be back very late today.
"Leave some warm food in the stove," Hua Lang instructed Yao Shuniang.
“Okay,” Yao Shuniang said.
After dinner in the evening, Hua Lang asked Yao Shuniang to take him out of the mansion. Yao Shuniang arranged for a carriage and horses and arranged for attendants and guards to escort him.
A high threshold separates the bustling city below from the tranquil interior of the mansion.
Perhaps it was because she hadn't left the manor for too long, but when Hua Lang stepped out the door, she felt that the outside world was very unfamiliar, and the unfamiliar environment made her subconsciously resistant.
Previously, Zhan Yunmei released him from prison. At that time, the dynasty was changing and the people were indignant. It was not appropriate for him to show his face. That's why Zhan Yunmei said that leaving the General's Mansion would only lead to death.
Now... he has been publicly displayed, right in front of the emperor, beside the founding generals, so naturally no one can touch him.
Then why the resistance? Is it simply because the outside world is unfamiliar, that's why...?
Although he wasn't entirely sure why, he was certain of the situation and didn't want to leave the mansion. It was as if leaving meant leaving safety.
"Eunuch Hua Lang?" Yao Shuniang called him softly. He stood under the carriage for a long time, hesitant to get in.
Hearing this, Hua Lang gradually came back to his senses and hummed in response, "I'm a little cold, could you please get me a cloak?"
"This servant will go right away." Yao Shuniang had no suspicions.
Yao Shuniang followed not far behind Hua Lang. As he entered the shop, she followed Zhan Yunmei's instructions and stood at a distance not too far from him. She would occasionally check if he was still there. She didn't need to monitor his every move or care what he did. She just needed to remember where he went.
After returning home, Yao Shuniang hung a lantern on the side of the long corridor outside the main house, illuminating the glazed tiles under which people waited outside the main house.
As midnight approached, she heard rustling sounds outside the mansion. Yao Shuniang picked up her robe and opened the mansion gate ahead of time.
"General." He greeted them respectfully.
Zhan Yunmei took off her velvet cloak, draped it over her arm, and walked towards the main house. "I told you, you don't need to wait for me. You should get some rest." At the same time, she handed her a letter. "It was sent by your family."
"I will only be at ease when the general returns safely," Yao Shuniang said as she accepted the letter and thanked him. She looked the envelope over and over, and the smile on her face turned into genuine joy. After a while, remembering something, she asked Zhan Yunmei, "General, can we still go back?"
Yao Shuniang has been by Zhan Yunmei's side since childhood. She came to Beijing with her and they have never returned to their original place since they raised troops and entered the city, until the founding of the country.
"There will be an opportunity, very soon."
Yao Shuniang brought up Hua Lang's outing today, "After dinner tonight, Eunuch Hua Lang went to the sugar shop. I didn't go in with him and don't know what he bought. He came back quickly and stayed in the main room after that. He didn't go out at all."
“Okay, I understand. If he’s willing to leave the manor, go with him. If he doesn’t want you to keep an eye on him, then…” Zhan Yunmei paused in front of the main house, “keep an eye on him secretly.”
Yao Shuniang said "okay," lowered her head slightly, and stepped back down the steps.
The main house was lit with burnt charcoal, and the long window was opened halfway to let in a little air so that the room wouldn't feel too stuffy.
Zhan Yunmei returned quietly this time. She walked through the outer room and stood behind the curtain and screen. No one noticed her return.
He put down his cloak, tiptoed, and approached little by little.
Behind the screen was Zhan Yunmei's desk, but she had been too busy to go back to her residence to work, so there weren't many official documents on the desk.
Hua Lang sat in her chair with her back to her, fiddling with something in her hands, and tiptoed slightly.
It turns out that they were brushing tung oil onto a withered leaf. A leaf brushed with tung oil can be preserved for a longer period of time and will not be too brittle or easily broken.
"Why are you doing this?" Zhan Yunmei stood beside the chair, startling Hua Lang, who was carefully applying tung oil.
Put it away quickly.
"I'm so bored."
"Oh," Zhan Yunmei said with a smile, watching him hurriedly stuff it into the small cabinet and then lock it, as if he was determined not to let her see it.
She didn't mind; giving him this freedom made him feel better. Instead, she asked, "Have you missed me?"
By this time, Hua Lang had returned to the couch. Hearing her teasing, he scoffed and ignored her.
"Don't you really miss me?" Zhan Yunmei knelt on one knee on the couch, approaching Hua Lang. He tried to shrink back onto the couch, but she immediately pressed down on his thigh.
Hua Lang's lower abdomen wound had scabbed over, and half of it had fallen off, indicating that it was about to heal. Pulling on it at this point could easily damage the newly formed skin and leave a scar. Given his sensitivity, he would surely be upset if he had another scar.
Therefore, Zhan Yunmei felt no pressure and simply pressed gently.
This force was enough to stop Hua Lang from retreating.
"If you don't miss me, you won't be coming back tomorrow. Military affairs are too busy," Zhan Yunmei said deliberately.
According to calculations, Zhan Yunmei returned today but won't return tomorrow. Does this mean... she'll come back tomorrow too?
Hua Lang lifted her eyes.
The moment he looked over, Zhan Yunmei bent down.
Hua Lang subconsciously lowered his eyes slightly and moved his head back a little, a typical movement that implied evasion.
Hua Lang always felt that Zhan Yunmei, as a military officer, was more or less assertive and rude. In daily life, he could only feel her assertiveness, but under her kiss, he not only felt that she was assertive and rude, but also violent.
He felt too safe with her; he didn't have to worry about anything—his safety, food, or lodging—so he didn't often use his brain.
Feeling shy and vaguely flustered, he instinctively hid, without even thinking about what she was going to do.
Zhan Yunmei noticed Hua Lang's slight movements, though they were very minor.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, she hooked the wolf-tooth rope under Hua Lang's collar, pulled him close, and said, "What, I can't even kiss you? Hua Lang, are you really that petty?"
My gaze shifted downwards.
Hua Lang's wolf fangs were pulled up, his neck tilted back, revealing his throat, which was fair and slender. Zhan Yunmei couldn't help but stroke it.
Her gentle and loving touch often carried a warmth that could penetrate every inch of his skin; the temperature of her palm seemed to melt into his skin, into his blood, and entwine his bones.
Hua Lang didn't know what to say. As a former powerful eunuch who once held absolute power, eloquence and flattery should have been his least noteworthy strengths, but here...
He can no longer speak.
He couldn't utter a single word.
I just want to snuggle in her arms, listen to her share her days in the Beijing barracks, listen to her talk about her past, or just lie there quietly without saying anything.
"Eunuch Hua Lang, can't you use your tongue anymore?" Zhan Yunmei teased, loosening the wolf-tooth rope.
Losing his support, Hua Lang had no choice but to brace himself with his hands on either side to stabilize himself.
He turned his head away, avoiding looking directly into her burning eyes.
He whispered, "I miss you so much."
"Hmm?" Zhan Yunmei smiled broadly, leaned down, and said to his side, "Say it again, I didn't hear you clearly."
"If you didn't hear me, then don't listen!" Hua Lang pushed Zhan Yunmei away, moved to the other side of the couch, lifted the quilt, and shrank back inside.
At this moment, Hua Lang, who was angry, was actually quite easy to deal with.
If she ignores him, he'll get angry at himself and then secretly come to see if she's really ignoring him.
Zhan Yunmei plans to reopen.
As she drifted off to sleep, Zhan Yunmei suddenly felt an itch on the side of her neck.
When she opened her eyes, Hua Lang buried his head in her neck and was putting something into her hand.
Zhan Yunmei closed her eyes, unable to shake off the drowsiness brought on by her busy military duties, and could only ask in a lazy tone, "What is this?"
The already warm and deep voice became even more hoarse, reaching Hua Lang's ears. He was stunned for a moment upon hearing it, and his ears burned.
Hua Lang swallowed hard, trying to keep his tone even. "It's nothing. The general was just out of sleep and misjudged the situation."
"Oh..." Zhan Yunmei was half-believing and half-doubting, but she didn't want to argue with him. He had already taken the initiative to snuggle into her arms to observe her. As for the rest... well, whatever.
She raised her hand, encircled Hua Lang in her arms, and lowered her head to kiss his forehead, "Sleep well."
The next morning.
Zhan Yunmei woke up in a tight embrace. She blinked her eyes wearily for a couple of seconds, then moved her right hand and realized there was something in it.
Open.
It's a piece of candy.
After thinking for a while, I finally remembered that today is the eve of the Lunar New Year.
Yesterday, Hua Lang went to the candy shop just for this piece of stove candy?
She loved sweets and used to pester her mother for candy.
Zhan Yunmei smiled and stuffed the candy into the small cabinet next to the bed, intending to take it with her when she left the mansion. However, she did not expect that this movement would wake Hua Lang up.
I woke up and nuzzled against her from side to side.
He was half-conscious and rubbing against her obediently. She didn't touch him; if she did, he would wake up and stop rubbing against her.
After rubbing against him for a while, Hua Lang slowly woke up.
After blinking slowly, she raised her head, her eyelids still drooping.
"Sweetie, let go of me, I have to go to work," Zhan Yunmei said, moving her left hand, which was squeezed between the two of them while they were hugging.
Hua Lang didn't say anything and consciously retreated.
Zhan Yunmei smoothly withdrew her left hand. She was not fully conscious in the early morning, and in such a comfortable environment, she did not deliberately hold back any strength.
So, when I pulled my hand away, I accidentally squeezed Hua Lang. I don't know where I squeezed it, but I felt its softness.
She was still in a daze, completely unaware of what had happened, when he suddenly pushed her away forcefully.
I almost lost my balance and fell off the tatami mat, but luckily I caught myself in time.
I didn't have a chance to ask.
Hua Lang turned around, gathered up a large bundle of bedding, and hid it away.
"Get out!" He roared fiercely at first, then his body slumped, his voice turning into a sob as he pleaded helplessly, "General... please go out first, okay..."
Zhan Yunmei was fully awake. She grabbed Hua Lang's arm, but he resisted and refused to turn around. She didn't force him and moved closer. He suddenly covered her eyes and nose.
However, he was still not as quick as her. Her fingertips had already touched a wet, warm patch on the bedding, from his festering, never-healing wound.
Zhan Yunmei's vision was completely black; she could only feel his violently trembling hands and hear his broken sobs.
She felt no disgust or aversion; she could only think of one thing: why was he being so cautious? Was it because she hadn't given him enough security?
Zhan Yunmei touched his hand, gently poked the back of his hand reassuringly, and said with a smile, "Hua Lang, don't be afraid."
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