Smoking in the tent
Jiang Heng was surprised that Zhao Peiming recognized him, and quickly said, "Just now I thought you were still hallucinating, so I imitated the maid's tone... Please don't be offended."
“It’s alright,” Zhao Peiming reached out and hooked Jiang Heng’s loose hair. “Let’s change.”
"Let me go first." Jiang Heng struggled a couple of times, but it was clearly no use, like a cat scratching an itch. "Let me untie you."
Zhao Peiming reluctantly released his grip, standing to one side with his arms crossed, watching Jiang Heng. Jiang Heng walked to the window, using the moonlight to confirm that no one else was there. He flicked his finger, lowering the curtain halfway, and then fell into deep thought—this medicine had two antidotes: one was to cut open the flesh and let the blood flow to stimulate and restore sanity; the other was to directly relieve lust. But Jiang Heng wasn't carrying any weapons, and Zhao Peiming had naturally sheathed his sword at the banquet. What should he do?
“Young Master Jiang, let’s detoxify him.” Zhao Peiming said, pressing closer step by step. Jiang Heng had nowhere to hide and retreated to the window. The moonlight slanted into Jiang Heng’s eyes, making them appear as clear as glass. At this moment, he wavered, his gaze constantly shifting. Zhao Peiming stepped forward, enveloping him in the moonlight.
Jiang Heng was still worried about the people outside, but he was also being pressured by Zhao Peiming. His heart trembled like a butterfly, and he could only say incoherently, "We shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's go back quickly."
"I'm having a good time here," Zhao Peiming said, now under the influence of the drug and displaying some of the airs of a spoiled young master. Seeing Jiang Heng's expression, he became even more smug. "Look, the bedding is all new. It's obvious they're welcoming us."
"This isn't a welcome; this is a place where you can't leave..." Jiang Heng finally came to his senses—he couldn't really leave now, so he could only wait until midnight before making any plans. Just as he was thinking this, something suddenly poked him from below. He instinctively tried to dodge, but was grabbed.
Jiang Heng looked up and saw the other person looking at him with a somewhat aggrieved expression, their eyes glistening as if with tears. Despite their pitiful appearance, Jiang Heng was too heartbroken to soften.
"You... let go first." Jiang Heng's lips were already bleeding, and his body was trembling uncontrollably. If Zhao Peiming truly lost control, given his physique, it was entirely possible that he would be torn to pieces.
From what standpoint should I accept this? Although we have already expressed our feelings for each other, I am sure I cannot withstand the overwhelming impact. My body, which has never experienced love before, has been given away like this. When he sobers up, how should I face him?
"Jiang Heng, look at me." Zhao Peiming's voice grew increasingly hoarse, tears welling in his eyes, and there were still bloody bite marks on his arm. Jiang Heng frowned and stepped forward to restrain the other's arm.
Zhao Peiming raised his other hand and gently stroked Jiang Heng's cheek, earnestly saying, "If I say or do anything in a moment, you will refuse it all... promise me."
Jiang Heng was heartbroken. He didn't listen to anything Zhao Peiming said, nodding as he pondered how to deal with the situation. Only then did he realize that the other's body was burning hot, and his grip on her arm had been broken. Zhao Peiming let out a soft gasp and nestled into Jiang Heng's arms, gently rubbing against him, her eyes fixed intently on the exposed collarbone of Jiang Heng's neckline, a predatory look on her face. The footsteps outside the door grew closer and quieter, the sound of someone standing guard at the door.
Jiang Heng gripped the other's wrist tightly as they tried to tear at his clothes. He was already terrified, his hands and feet ice-cold. He struggled futilely for a moment, then let the other do as they pleased. But was this what he wanted? The kiss in the Imperial Garden was a step he had taken with all his might. There was still a long time ahead, and he could slowly guide and accept it. But facing Fu Qinxiang's despicable scheming and uncontrolled demands was absolutely unacceptable.
Jiang Heng opened his mouth to speak, but the other person captured his tongue first. He was momentarily dazed and raised his hand to cup the other person's cheek. What a warm embrace! It felt as warm as the cold snow of a winter night when he was twelve years old—like a plum blossom trembling on a branch, about to fall, had met its kindred spirit.
There are clearly two people who have been drugged, Jiang Heng thought.
Zhao Peiming could have forced himself on her, but when faced with his jade-like lover, when faced with his lover who was clearly trembling with fear in his arms but still went forward to please him, his burning desire gradually cooled down. Gradually, Fu Qinxiang's incense took effect, and the hazy images that appeared in his mind reignited the evil fire in his lower abdomen, and the string finally snapped.
"Do you truly love me?" Zhao Peiming pressed Jiang Heng down on the bed, his hot breath washing over Jiang Heng's neck. Though urgent, he kept his voice low, whispering, "All that you've done to me, was it to get me to cooperate with you in seizing the position of Prime Minister? Or... to save the so-called common people?"
Jiang Heng was startled by the sudden questioning and was surprised that Zhao Peiming didn't trust him at all. His eyes reddened, and after a moment he said, "Before, it was... but now, I have... selfish motives."
Zhao Peiming lifted Jiang Heng's chin with his other hand, his canine teeth deliberately scraping against the other's neck intermittently, and said, "What ulterior motives? Tell your brother." As he spoke, his horrifying thing rubbed against Jiang Heng's thigh.
Jiang Heng subtly pulled his official robe to one side, revealing his legs in the candlelight, which gleamed coldly. Zhao Peiming's eyes burned with desire, and he pressed Jiang Heng down.
"It's true that the chance encounter on the tower was my design, and it's also true that the smile after being rejected was my design, but... the subsequent rescue, the attentive care, and the letter sent in half a day, all of that was out of the blue... um, you... believe me." Jiang Heng's words were already incoherent, each sentence broken into pieces, leaving only a soft murmur.
Zhao Peiming, seemingly satisfied, kissed Jiang Heng's neck contentedly before resuming their passion. Neither of them had removed their shirts, which clung damp with sweat, seeping through their warm skin. Suddenly, Zhao Peiming stopped, his arms around Jiang Heng, lost in thought. Jiang Heng's eyes were blurry with tears, his hair clung to his face, his lips, nose, and ears all red. He leaned against the person behind him, grasping Zhao Peiming's hand and whispering, "Come here, come here..."
“I’ll follow you from now on.” Zhao Peiming was spouting nonsense again, and Jiang Heng agreed without questioning whether it was true or false. “Whether I live or die, I’ll be in your hands.”
Jiang Heng chuckled softly, and Zhao Peiming said with a choked voice, "I will set off the day after tomorrow, and I do not know when I will return... During this time, it will be difficult for us to communicate or see each other. What should I do?" He then struck him heavily, "Lord Jiang, please show me the way."
Jiang Heng, soft-hearted and exhausted, slumped over and said, "Soon, very soon we will meet again. Hmm, then... then we can reminisce..."
"Ah—no wonder you're so calm, sir; you must already have a plan." Zhao Peiming probed along Jiang Heng's lower abdomen, his gaze smug as he moved back and forth. Jiang Heng's voice suddenly changed, and he instinctively tried to stop him, but his wrist was held captive. So he said softly, "Good general, please spare me."
"Is this an attitude of begging for mercy? Whether it's begging for mercy or seduction, you can decide for yourself," Zhao Peiming said in a low voice.
Jiang Heng liked this feeling, even if it was revealing his true feelings under the influence of the drug, even if it was being forcefully possessed, he liked it. He had almost never experienced the feeling of being loved so intensely before, the frost melting into a warm bed that could embrace everything.
The person outside leaned closer to listen and heard only faint voices and the sounds of the bed. Thinking that the plan had been successful, he exchanged glances with the others and returned to the mansion to report the news. Fu Qinxiang was naturally satisfied with the plan and left Fu Chengxi to go back to the corridor to collect the body.
"How do you think Fu Chengxi will report this? Will he try to exonerate Zhao Peiming, or will he cover up Zhuoyu's body?" Fu Qinxiang asked with a playful tone, a knowing smile on her face.
"In my opinion, Zhao Peiming has done him no favors, so why should he show any kindness? He probably just reported the facts this time," Heng Hui corrected.
Fu Qinxiang fiddled with the snake whip at her waist and said, "That's true... Where's Jiang Heng?"
A guard grabbed a bystander and said, "I saw Jiang Heng enter the kitchen to test for poison with my own eyes. After Zhuoyun died suddenly, he pretended to be calm and gave us two money to keep quiet. But after we left, he ran off to the west!"
"West? Isn't that the direction of the Zhao residence..." Heng Hui became somewhat wary.
"Hmph, have you forgotten how dejected he looked when I used him to kill a few servants that day?" Fu Qinxiang said indifferently, "He probably went to complain to his uncle again."
Heng Hui was quite surprised. How could Fu Qinxiang not suspect anything despite her strange behavior? Had the beauty pills ruined her brain? She gripped the short blade in her hand tightly and remained silent.
After midnight, Zhao Peiming awoke as if from a dream, her bones still aching from exhaustion. Jiang Heng, nestled in her arms, slept soundly, unresponsive to Zhao Peiming's attempts to get up. He lay still, nestled in her clothes, rising and falling gently with his breath, as calm as a still pond. Even the kiss marks on his neck and arms seemed to melt into peach blossoms, drifting down and creating ripples. Zhao Peiming recalled the events of the previous night—how she had viciously and forcefully demanded things, how she had used lewd words to coerce him into submission. All those words about "selfishness" and "affection" now felt like icicles, piercing her heart with unbearable pain.
How could she have treated him like this… How could she have treated him like this! Zhao Peiming's outstretched hand froze in mid-air. What right did she have to touch him again? How could someone already stained with the stench of blood be allowed to taint a pure and innocent jade? If Jiang Heng woke up, he could just curse her a few more times as a beast or a vicious dog, and if he found her dirty and hated her for her rudeness, then she truly deserved to die.
"What are you doing? Get up!" Jiang Heng woke up to find Zhao Peiming kneeling on one knee, maintaining the military salute, his eyes sparkling. He asked urgently.
Zhao Peiming didn't move, but lowered his head. Suddenly, he felt a warm sensation on his head. When he looked up, Jiang Heng's hand was gently placed on his face, sliding down to his cheek as he looked up.
“It’s all in the past. We couldn’t avoid this calamity, so we’ll bear it together.” Jiang Heng smiled. “In the past, I saved your body, but you were saving my heart.” After saying that, he pulled Zhao Peiming up, made room for him, and looked at him from the couch.
"You... really don't hate me?" Zhao Peiming sat on the edge of the bed with some doubt, supporting Jiang Heng's shoulders to ease his strain.
"Good general, I, Jiang Heng, am quite straightforward. I wear my heart on my sleeve, so why should I pretend with you?" Jiang Heng leaned against Zhao Peiming and looked at him affectionately.
The phrase "good general" stirred up Zhao Peiming's memories from the night before. He coughed lightly and retorted, "Is that so? But the officials in the court never gave me a chance to speak."
Seeing Zhao Peiming making a joke, Jiang Heng knew that he had put his mind at ease and smiled with relief.
Fu Chengxi was right outside the door, the corridor filled with the fragrance of flowers, which entwined with his thoughts.
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