CH 9

The palace maid stood in front of a floor-length bronze mirror, carefully combing the black hair of the person sitting in front of her.

The person was wearing a bright yellow wide-skirt; the flowing yellow silk was tightened around the person’s slender waist, the figure was lithe and graceful. 

“Rui Xue, can you see if I am starting to have white hair?” The person asked, his soft fingers gently picked a few strands of hair.

Although the person was wearing a skirt, the voice that came out didn’t at all sound tender or gentle like that of a woman; the voice had a low timbre. It was clear that the person was, in fact, a man.

“Your Majesty,” Rui Xue smiled, “What white hair? This slave servant can’t even see a shadow of it.”

The man gave a laugh that sounded like flowing water, his lightly powdered face giving him an elegant appearance and compelling aura, he said,  “You’re just indulging me.” 

“This slave servant doesn’t dare, this slave servant is only telling the truth! Also, if Master comes to know that this slave servant lied to you, he would definitely break off this slave servant’s legs.”

Hearing Rui Xue say ‘master’, the man’s smile abruptly dimmed. He said, “How is your master these days? He doesn’t come to the palace but sends you here everyday, aren’t you tired of me?”

“How could I be tired of Your Majesty?” Rui Xue said, “Master is working hard, running around every day in the morning court to handle all the political affairs for Your Majesty. This slave servant is only a small woman and does not understand much, but my master  has been very exhausted lately and has become thin as well. I heard that it’s because Minister Zuo has always been opposing Master. He doesn’t want you to be worried, so he instructs me not to tell you.”

The man suddenly gave a sarcastic laugh, “Minister Zuo actually dares to oppose Marquis Zhulu? Who gave him the courage?”

“Your Majesty, please don’t be angry, this slave servant is talkative and has spoken out of turn. Master was afraid Your Majesty’s health would be harmed if you got very angry and he would be very distressed if that happened.”

“You’re just saying that to appease me.”

The man knew Rui Xue’s words were only half-truth, yet he couldn’t resist smiling over hearing them. The frown on his face melted away instantly, his knitted eyebrows loosened with a smile.

While the two of them were talking, a chamberlain came in and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, King Feng, Marquis Zhulu and Minister Zuo are asking for an audience.” 

“Perfect timing”

If you asked about Feng Ming, everyone would immediately curse him, saying he was an incapable ruler.

But the truth was, in the past generations of Kings of the Feng Country, there was no one whose achievements were even comparable to Feng Ming. This man was cruel and ruthless. But just saying he was vicious and tyrannical was not a major issue. After all, which King was not ruthless? Which King was not domineering? These small flaws were all insignificant when one was a King. 

It was just that, Feng Ming had one grave fault that doomed him in people’s eyes. The fault was that he played favorites; he only favored one person.

The extent of Feng Ming’s favoritism to this particular person was tacitly understood by everyone.

In Feng Country, there was a Marquis Zhulu, by the name of Zhao Lu. It was said that young Zhao Lu originally was a refugee; destitute and homeless. Later, he joined the army for the sake of his livelihood. One time, Feng King was personally taking part in an Imperial expedition and inadvertently set eyes on this one young soldier.

From then on, the young soldier’s career had a meteoric success. All the way from an order-obeying soldier to a Marquis, overshadowing more than ten thousand people beneath his boundless path of success. 

Moreover, this Marquis climbed onto King Feng’s bed. Because of him, the cold-hearted and iron-fisted King eagerly tossed and turned on the bed under the marquis’ body, enjoying pleasure every night.

Also due to Marquis Zhulu’s words, the insufferably arrogant King even willingly wore women’s clothing.

When Zhao Lu and Minister Zuo entered the main hall, King Feng had already situated himself behind a veiled couch bed. Behind the curtain, the newcomers could only see a silhouette of someone lying languidly on the bed.

Zhao Lu was wearing a black official attire; his figure tall and sturdy, his features strong and sharp as a knife. His straight and sharp-pointed nose along with his firm-set lips made him look grim and cold. 

As soon as Minister Zuo entered, he immediately kowtowed to pay respect to King Feng, meanwhile Zhao Lu, neither knelt nor paid any respect, instead he walked straight and opened the gauzy curtain.

None of the palace personnels dared to stop him.

Zhao Lu entered through the gauzy veil , and it was unclear whether it was done intentionally or not, he just left the curtain open and also did not bother to close it fully. He reached out and embraced Feng Ming into his arms before saying lowly, “Have you been thinking of me?”

A faint crimson seeped into Feng Ming’s face, making him look a bit shy and embarrassed. Then his long and slender fingers hooked around Zhao Lu’s belt, he gazed intently at Zhao Lu from under his very long eyelashes. He didn’t answer, but there was no doubt in regards to what his actions meant. 

Zhao Lu smirked, and then didn’t bother about Minister Zuo, who was still paying respect outside. The two of them made out for quite some time, before he indicated that there was still a person outside kneeling on the ground, paying respect to King Feng.

Leaning lazily against Zhao Lu’s embrace, Feng Ming said, “Minister Zuo, no need to be so polite. Rui Xue, bring a chair for Minister Zuo.”

Rui Xue obediently moved a chair closer to the elderly minister, for him to sit.

Minister Zuo was still shaking in anger due to Zhao Lu’s unbridled impudence and arrogance, he said, “Your Majesty, this old subject has come here because I have a little disagreement with Marquis Zhulu, and hope Your Majesty could help in resolving it.” 

“Oh?”

Feng Ming didn’t sound too enthusiastic, as if he was just going along with what Minister Zuo was saying, “Minister, please tell me about it.”

“Today at the court assembly, many ministers proposed to immediately send troops to sneak attack Xue’s Capital City, taking advantage of its shortage of soldiers. Otherwise it would be too difficult to win after Xue Country has welcomed Teng Country’s Grand Princess and Xue’s soldiers have recuperated their strength. It’s just that, it seems like Marquis Zhulu disagrees…”

Zhao Lu suddenly cut Minister Zuo off, “This servant, indeed, does not agree.” 

As he spoke, his hands which had been holding Feng Ming, got unruly. He turned sideways and pushed King Feng down to the bed, Zhao Lu lay on top of him then reached out to tear open his collar, feeling up King Feng’s naked skin.

Feng Ming almost yelped in shock. There were still people outside and the curtain was not closed properly.

However, Zhao Lu had not come to his palace and bedchamber for more than half a month. Let alone being intimate, he thought Zhao Lu was tired of him. After all, this person was not a cut-sleeve, which was why Feng Ming, a proud king of Feng, was actually willing to wear women’s clothing.

And now, because Zhao Lu had suddenly shown interest, Feng Ming instantly melted; his body turning soft and pliant. 

As Zhao Lu was kissing King Feng’s chest, he continued, “Xue Junliang is very cunning and scheming, that’s why for so many years, we have been in a deadlock against Xue Country. I wonder how Xue Junliang would be stupid enough to let his Capital City be vulnerable enough for a sneak attack to happen. Also, even if our soldiers managed to travel long-distance to Xue at full-speed, they would be exhausted. Launching a sneak attack at that kind of situation, it’s clearly a suicide.”

As he spoke, Zhao Lu’s lips opened and closed at each word, grazing and brushing against Feng Ming’s skin.

Feng Ming’s garments were torn open, but not taken off fully. They were messily entangled around his elbows and waist. In all honesty, Feng Ming didn’t want anyone to see him like this, but he was afraid of defying Zhao Lu’s wishes and making him unhappy. So, even if he felt ashamed, he simply complied with the other man’s wishes.

Zhao Lu saw Feng Ming’s corner of the eyes turning red, and knew the other party was aroused. He turned Feng Ming to lie on his stomach on the couch and took his clothes all the way off, leaving Feng Ming’s back completely exposed and bare. Then Zhao Lu’s palms stroked the bare back and slowly his fingers rubbed at the crack between his butt-cheeks. 

In a low whisper, he said, “Your Majesty, please reflect on this humble servant’s words, is my reasoning truly faulty?”

“Ahh…” Feng Ming moaned lowly. Clearing his throat, he tried to restrain the strangled sounds from his throat. When he regained a steadier voice, he said coldly, “I think Marquis Zhulu’s words are quite correct. Minister Zuo, you haven’t thought thoroughly…”

Halfway through his speech, abruptly his voice trembled and both of his hands gripped his clothes that were crushed under his body. The man behind him had entered his body without any preparation or gentleness.

Feng Ming urgently took deep breaths, he was in so much pain that his body was covered in cold-sweat. Still, gritting his teeth, he continued, “Minister Zuo, King Teng is a coward. If we attack Xue Country, King Teng might send his troops to help fight against us just to please Xue Junliang. Did you even consider this fact?” 

“That…” Minister Zuo was stunned by Feng Ming’s question. What Feng Ming said was indeed true, King Teng had always been cowardly, in order to survive he often took refuge from either Xue or Feng.

After saying this much, Feng Ming did not speak anymore words. He and Zhao Lu hadn’t seen each other for more than half-month, so naturally his butt had become too tight due to disuse. He was in so much pain that he almost fainted.

Zhao Lu, on the other hand, had no intention of stopping.  Hearing that Feng Ming had managed to convince Minister Zuo, who then excused himself, he gave a pleased smile. His hand on King Feng’s waistline tightened even more forcefully.

——– 

Xue Junliang was applying soothing ointment on Teng Yun. He had originally intended to give the Empress a red date, so he was not in a hurry to go do something else. He spread the ointment slowly, little by little.

The ointment was a bit cold, but it seemed to be working immediately. Teng Yun, who had been bothered by the slight pain on his face and by being in a foreign country, couldn’t be relaxed enough to have a good sleep. Only now he felt the pain ease.

Although he didn’t like Xue Junliang’s face being so close, he’d just had to accept it. The other man was smearing the ointment very carefully, Teng Yun’s tight nerves slowly loosened and without him knowing it, sleepiness washed over him and his eyelids grew heavy.

Xue Junliang noticed the other party hadn’t said anything for a long time. Unexpectedly, the Empress had actually fallen asleep on the soft couch. 

He straightened up and whispered to Jiang Yu to go find him a cloak, then he personally covered the Empress with it.

Jiang Yu leaned closer and whispered in his ears, “Your Majesty, there is a message from the spy in Feng Country.” After saying that he handed him a note.

Xue Junliang took the note. There was only a small row of letters on it   — First remove Minister Zuo.

The note was just signed with, “Lu.”