Chapter 35 "You bastard!"
He heard her voice, unchanged from any other day, gentle yet powerful. She had accepted him completely, past and present, including his flaws and disabilities.
However, the more Hua Lang felt comforted by her, the more sorrowful he became. After questioning why he was the one who was crippled and why his fate was so tragic, he...
His facade crumbled.
Before Zhan Yunmei stood Hua Lang, his back bent, leaning against the couch. Everything around him was silent, so quiet that she could almost hear the sound of his tears falling onto the back of his hand.
One drop, two drops.
Tears flowed like a river.
The hazy water blurred my vision. My mind, eye sockets, and cheeks were all throbbing and burning.
It felt like being plunged into the sea, chilled to the bone; otherwise, why would my body be trembling and shaking...
But suddenly it felt warm.
Instead of sinking into the sea, it entered a soft, comfortable embrace.
Zhan Yunmei tightened her grip, making Hua Lang lean against her.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry," Hua Lang murmured repeatedly as she backed away, not wanting her dirty clothes to soil Zhan Yunmei.
Zhan Yunmei stopped her movements with her hand, gently rubbed his forehead, and tenderly kissed his cheek. It was a kiss without any ambiguity or provocation, but only contained boundless tolerance.
It's no use saying anything to him. He's naturally sensitive and suspicious, and no matter how much you say, it won't get into his head. Words are pale and powerless in his eyes.
So instead of trying to comfort him, I just held him and let him cry silently, patiently waiting for him to finish crying.
He couldn't understand why a person could be so lowly, why he could show such an embarrassing state in front of her and yet receive her comfort, as if... this disability wasn't entirely useless.
Half disgusted, half confused.
His eyes were swollen from crying, and the tears on his cheeks dried only to be wet again. His swollen head finally began to function slowly.
Zhan Yunmei was holding him...
He has to take her back, otherwise what will happen if she stops carrying him?
Hua Lang quietly reached out and put his arm around Zhan Yunmei's shoulder.
Outside the door, Yao Shuniang knocked and reminded him, "General, it's past 5:15 AM. If we don't leave now, it will be too late."
Upon hearing this, Hua Lang's arms around Zhan Yunmei's shoulders froze. She didn't know whether to let go or what to do. She was crying and confused, her mind not working properly.
His bewilderment was obvious, and Zhan Yunmei noticed it all. She tilted her head slightly, nuzzled his messy sideburns, and whispered to him, "Hua Lang, go change your clothes and come with me to the Beijing Garrison."
Then, raising her voice, she said to the door, "Shuniang, go and say hello to Lanwan. I'll be arriving at the capital garrison later tonight."
"yes."
After changing her clothes and washing her bedding, Hua Lang was still lost in thought.
Pushing open the bathroom door, Zhan Yunmei was still leaning against the door waiting for him.
"Are you done washing?" She stepped forward, draped the dark blue-green cloak over his shoulders, and carefully tied the belt.
Her slightly rough fingers were tightly wrapped and bound with ribbons, but her fingers were nimble and she could fix them in no time.
Hua Lang looked down at Zhan Yunmei's fingers and the ties on them.
I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he were that frenulum.
It'll probably be more tangling than a tie... She always says it hurts when she bites her hand.
"Hmm? Why is your face so red? Could you have a high fever?" Zhan Yunmei reached out to check Hua Lang's forehead temperature. "It's a bit hot. Should we call a doctor? We won't be going to the Beijing garrison today."
She paused, then smiled and said, "It should be fine if I don't go to work for a day."
Hua Lang blinked, regaining consciousness for a moment. She quickly reached out and placed her hand on her forehead, shaking her head. "No, no high fever..." He couldn't possibly delay her duties. "General, please go to your post."
"You really don't have a high fever? Remember to tell me if you feel unwell," she said, holding his hand in her palm, her fingers overlapping and holding it firmly.
The snow on the eve of the Lunar New Year this year was so heavy that it was almost impossible to see the road ahead while walking in the courtyard. Only by setting up a small lantern could we illuminate the bluestone path under our feet.
"Be careful, there's water," Zhan Yunmei pointed to a stone slab ahead and pulled Hua Lang around it.
Hua Lang is confused.
You could say that I haven't been out of a daze since I woke up this morning.
Why is she suddenly so concerned about him...?
Although I usually care about it.
But something just doesn't feel the same as usual.
With Zhan Yunmei's prior instructions, the carriage traveled slowly and steadily. Hua Lang sat by the window, her attention entirely focused on the hand that Zhan Yunmei was holding, which she had not let go of.
Why did I end up following her out?
I felt like the outside world was completely unfamiliar just yesterday.
Unable to figure it out, I simply stopped thinking about it and turned to look out the window.
The capital garrison was vast, accommodating millions of soldiers, all dressed in imperial guard uniforms. The new dynasty did not make any major changes to their attire.
A feeling that was both strange and familiar filled Hua Lang's heart. He suddenly felt a little empty, but when he turned around, Zhan Yunmei was sitting next to him, their legs touching. That feeling disappeared again.
In order to be able to return to the manor a few days a week, Zhan Yunmei was busy with military affairs every day and had very little time to rest. Today, with another unexpected incident, she was not in good spirits. She half-reclined on Hua Lang's lap and took a short nap. She pulled half of his cloak over herself, and the two of them squeezed under one cloak.
It's both funny and sad.
A faint smile appeared on his face, which was swollen and red from crying; it probably didn't look good. Hua Lang lowered his eyes, his lips pressed down.
“You’ve been crying your eyes out,” Zhan Yunmei said, sitting up from under her cloak, peeking out, and gently placing her thumb on Hua Lang’s eyelids.
Under her influence, he closed his eyes, at a loss.
She gently rubbed his eyes to relieve the swelling.
"Are your eyes dry? Are they itchy?" she asked.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "A little."
"Have your servant bring the medicine later."
"Oh... okay. Thank you."
The fingers were withdrawn, and the eyes opened.
Zhan Yunmei was still observing Hua Lang from under her cloak.
Her gaze was so intense that Hua Lang felt a burning sensation under her ears, so she covered them with her hands and glanced around erratically.
I noticed her hair ornament was askew from sleeping.
Zhan Yunmei also realized that her hair ornament was crooked, because Hua Lang's pupils reflected her image.
She lowered her head slightly, and he understood without needing any prompting.
I adjusted her hair ornament and tucked away any stray hairs around her ears.
Hua Lang was unwilling to show his face in public, so Zhan Yunmei led him through a side door, past the main hall of the Beijing Garrison, and directly into her duty room.
"Come back soon. If you're sleepy, lie down for a while. There's a small couch in the inner room," she left her instructions.
He nodded.
The Beijing garrison is not your residence and does not burn charcoal, so Zhan Yunmei had draped a cloak over Hua Lang in advance.
Hua Lang sat on the edge of the couch and shrank into his cloak.
Her pleasant scent lingered in my nostrils.
He must have cried for too long, because he was exhausted. He leaned against the headboard, his cloak fur collar covering half his face, and in the warm embrace, he unconsciously closed his eyes and fell asleep.
When Zhan Yunmei returned to her duty room, Hua Lang was curled up in her cloak with her back to her.
He was so dazed today that he even forgot to cover himself with a blanket.
She had just pulled the covers up when he woke up immediately.
The first thing he did upon waking was to back away so she wouldn't touch him, lest something bad happen again.
"Are you awake yet?" Zhan Yunmei saw it, but ignored it.
"Yes." Hua Lang nodded.
"There are tea and snacks on the small table, as well as tea brewed by Lanwan. Cover yourself with a blanket if it gets cold, and find something to do when you're free," she said, brushing aside the strands of hair that fell across his cheek and tucking them behind his ear, then pinching his face.
I've gained weight.
Zhan Yunmei smiled and walked out.
Hua Lang sat alone for a while.
At midday, reason finally returned.
Looking around, I saw that the commanding officer of the Beijing garrison was now on duty. He used to come here often, but not to sleep. He either competed with the former commanding officers for military affairs or carried out imperial orders.
This is my first time visiting this place.
It's very novel.
The thought that Zhan Yunmei was outside made it even more intriguing.
Hua Lang's hand, hidden beneath her sleeve, touched something small, and she pinched it.
He hadn't had a chance to give it to Zhan Yunmei yet.
The duty room was like a partition between the drill ground and the main hall, utterly silent.
Hua Lang walked to the door between the inner and outer rooms, lifted the curtain, and saw Zhan Yunmei sitting alone in a grand chair, reviewing military documents and occasionally checking something. There were too many booklets, and she was always busy searching for something.
Three knocks sounded on the door of the duty room.
Open.
Princess Rongning entered lightly, carrying a brocade box. Not seeing Hua Lang, she smiled and said to Zhan Yunmei, "General, this is for you."
Beneath the brocade box lies a precious and exquisite hair crown, its jade translucent and its polishing superb. Even without wearing it, one can imagine the gentle and dignified presence of Zhan Yunmei when she wears it.
It was worlds apart from what he had prepared to give away.
A strange sense of unease crept into my heart.
Over there, Princess Rongning said, "You're so late today. I came here once before but didn't see you. Vice General He said you'd be a little late today."
Zhan Yunmei thanked her, but didn't explain much about the princess's later words. She urged her, "Go to training quickly. Your gifts have been prepared. Go back to the manor tonight and see for yourself."
The princess left not long ago.
Zhan Yunmei spoke up, but didn't turn around, still looking at the official documents, "How long are you going to stand there? Come over if you get bored."
Hua Lang was taken aback, and subconsciously retorted, "No, that's not true."
Zhan Yunmei smiled and said, "Bring a chair over and sit next to me."
“…Ah,” he didn’t finish his sentence.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to?"
"……willing."
It was a strange feeling to accompany Zhan Yunmei in handling military affairs for the first time.
It turns out she's such a decisive person. She never hesitates when reviewing and reporting military affairs. She gets angry, gets annoyed, pinches her brow, and is at a loss.
Only now did Hua Lang realize that he didn't understand Zhan Yunmei at all.
"What's hidden in your sleeve?" Zhan Yunmei suddenly asked.
Hua Lang snapped out of her daze, withdrew her hand, and shook her head: "It's nothing."
"I can see one edge."
"It's really nothing."
"It's nothing, then let me see."
A force pulled Hua Lang's body forward from his waist, causing him to lurch forward off the chair. He was suspended in mid-air and instinctively swung his arms, trying to find something to hold onto.
They supported Zhan Yunmei's shoulders.
He straddled her lap.
She easily took out what was hidden in her sleeve.
"A bookmark I made myself?" Zhan Yunmei held up the small withered leaf. A beam of light shone through the long window, piercing the veins of the leaf and passing through her pupils.
Bathed in light, her pupils appeared almost transparent, her irises bright and clear. Hua Lang was unconsciously drawn to her expression.
He quickly turned around, reached out and snatched the fallen leaves, saying, "They're not for you!"
"Oh?" Zhan Yunmei bent down behind her waist, put the withered leaf bookmark behind her back, and looked up at Hua Lang with a smile. "I haven't even asked if it's for me yet."
Hua Lang was momentarily embarrassed and annoyed.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her slender eyes held a mixture of shyness, anger, and something else that Zhan Yunmei couldn't quite put her finger on.
I want to kiss you.
So I did it.
She pressed Hua Lang's head down, her tongue lightly touching his lips, and he immediately opened his lips to let her in.
Pain and pleasure swept over her, sweetness and bitterness enveloped her body. Hua Lang closed her eyes, then opened them again, but she was powerless to contend with Zhan Yunmei's domineering power, and finally closed her eyes again.
Sucking, biting, rubbing, entwining.
It hurts so much.
Her lips and tongue were being bitten and curled, Hua Lang was breathing heavily, her waist and abdomen trembled habitually, and her back arched slightly.
She never closed her eyes, watching the pain in his expression, a pain that was not pure, containing both acceptance of her possession and enjoyment.
Gradually, Hua Lang responded a few times, but all of them were very slight.
He was holding his breath, so she let go of him to let him catch his breath.
Leaning against Hua Lang's neck, feeling his pulse rise and fall rapidly, Zhan Yunmei closed her eyes and said, "Hua Lang, I really like this bookmark."
Hua Lang heard it, heard it clearly, and for some reason, her eyes welled up with tears again. She reached out and pushed Zhan Yunmei away.
He was puzzled and dissatisfied, but quickly broke into a smile.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his nose against her low-cut neckline, his breath tickling her like a cat's claws gently scratching her.
“Why,” he said, “why are you being so good to me?”
A hot drop of fluid trickled down my neck.
Zhan Yunmei stroked Hua Lang's hair. "Hua Lang, I've said it many times, it's because I like you. I liked you from the first time I saw you in the previous dynasty."
"Hmm..." she pondered for a moment, "Back then, I probably just liked your body."
Hua Lang was shocked.
How could she be so blunt!
He sat up stiffly, cupped Zhan Yunmei's face in his hands, and shook her.
"You bastard!"
His voice trembled, lacking any power.
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Author's Note: I'm adding some content to this book, so the main text plus side stories might reach 200,000 words [please!]. For side stories, feel free to suggest anything you'd like to see; I'll write whatever's suitable and comes up with [starry-eyed].
Also, "The Princess" won't be able to start on the 25th. I didn't expect that I would get busier and busier every day. I'm exhausted every day. It might be delayed until the end of November or December.
And the pre-orders aren't that much, so I'm thinking of changing it to GB. I'll think about it some more. [Please!]
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