Edited by DancingDolphinsYo

  Man Yue rubbed his aching eyes, carefully reading the information he had received from the capital in the dim light.

  It had been over ten days since he had a good night’s rest. He had always put on weight like a balloon whenever he was busy. This time round, he first gained over five kilograms of weight, and then he started losing weight. Now, even after inserting a fist into the waistband of his trousers, it was still very loose.

  If he thought about this positively, it would not be a bad thing if he could lose weight until he turned into a crescent moon. If he thought about this negatively, the baseline of his health had been affected, and he was afraid that he would need to spend some time to recover.

  Thinking about it, this was all Guan Shanjin’s fault.

  That fellow could not lose his sanity earlier, or just lose it later, yet he had to collapse at this very critical moment. He was injured more extensively than what had been expected. After recuperating for the past many days, he finally managed to recover a fair bit.

  However, this injured person did not want to keep still. The moment he woke up, he hurried away to chase after another. Afraid that he would not be able to catch up, he even refused to take a carriage, choosing to ride a horse instead. Moving rapidly, he had already searched through Qingcheng County, Goose City as well as their surroundings. He then vomited blood again, collapsing onto the ground. With no choice but to acquiesce, he stayed on in Qingcheng County.

  When Guan Shanjin vomited blood for the second time, Man Yue was terribly frightened, afraid that this person would die just like this.

  Guan Shanjin and Man Yue had been childhood friends, and they were pretty much each other’s shadows. Although he had only arrived at the northwest battleground a few years later because of his age, he took up the position of Guan Shanjin’s adjutant willingly, assisting him as the military leader of the Guan’s army. Man Yue could pound his chest with full confidence and proclaim that there was no one else who understood the General more than him.

  However, Man Yue had never expected that he had assessed the situation wrongly. He had laid a savage trap for Guan Shanjin, and he caused himself to be a victim of the whole plan as well.

  Wu Xingzi was able to flee without leaving any signs or information, and even Guan Shanjin was unable to find a single clue or trace of him despite personally leading his men in the search. How could Guan Shanjin not have guessed that Man Yue had a hand in this matter? Still, during the past dozen or so days, Guan Shanjin had never asked Man Yue a single question. There had been no change in his attitude towards him, and he still liked to caress Man Yue’s tender, fleshy chin. Today, he even complained, “Man Yue, did you lose weight? I don’t want to see a crescent moon instead of our full moon.”


  Man Yue spat at him.

  Guan Shanjin’s attitude caused Man Yue to feel a swirl of mixed emotion. It was a rare occasion for him to not have a clue about what his leader was thinking, and so he could only conscientiously help him share his worries, and come up with plans.

  This time, Guan Shanjin was severely injured. His blood circulation was badly damaged, and together with his exhaustion from not being able to recuperate properly, his entire being was sickly pale. As his ethereal and divine appearance was touched with the fragility from his illness, he seemed even more exquisite and enchanting. A casual glance from him could leave heat blazing within the other person, and make them feel at a loss for what to do.

  Fortunately, Guan Shanjin had a very strong baseline of health, or they would have long prepared a coffin for him.

  Man Yue could not help but sigh again. He looked at the sky. Tidying up the letters in his hand and tucking them into his clothes, he planned on going to the kitchen to help brew Guan Shanjin’s medicine.

  At this moment, a few light knockings came from his window. His forehead creased as he hurriedly opened it. Hei’er, who had just left three days ago, now appeared in front of him again.

  “Why are you here?” He quickly let the man in. Guan Shanjin’s room was only two windows away. Man Yue did not want him to catch Hei’er at this time, and then catch Wu Xingzi through tracking him.

  Hei’er was clearly travel-stained, a shake of his head scattering dust and sand everywhere. His lips had turned white from fatigue. Walking over to the table, he grabbed the teapot and started gulping the tea down right from the spout. Only then did he take a breath, collapsing onto the seat next to the table and dusting off the layer of dust on him.

  “Rancui says, someone is following us.” Hei’er did not even have the energy to weigh his words, and his tone was flat.

  “Oh?” Man Yue sat down next to him. Carefully studying Hei’er, he then revealed a mocking smile. “Who’s following you?”


  “It might be someone with evil intentions towards Mr. Wu.” Hei’er shook his head like a dog. The dust flying up made Man Yue wrinkle his nose, and he retreated to the side a little.

  “And then?” Man Yue looked at him directly. Of course he understood what Rancui meant, but as he was now frustrated and stifled, he could not help but want to vent on others.

  Hei’er turned to look at him, annoyance on his face. However, he was used to following Man Yue’s orders, and still quietly replied, “He said that you’ll know what to do once you hear it.”


  Hei’er then mumbled to himself a little, and then added, “Mr. Wu wants to come back and clean up his ancestors’ graves.”


  “I know,” Man Yue snorted, waving Hei’er away. “Alright, you should go now. Don’t expose yourself. If the General catches you now, he’ll definitely flay the skin off your back.”


  When the General was mentioned, Hei’er looked even more stern. “How has the General been recuperating? To take a journey like this suddenly, will he…”


  “It won’t come to that.” Man Yue shook his head. Although Guan Shanjin’s internal injuries were very serious, it was mostly caused by himself, and he would be fine after taking his medicine and resting well.

  “Should I inform Mr. Wu of this matter to see what he thinks about it?” Hei’er dared not visit Guan Shanjin. He still had a mission, and he could not allow anything to go wrong now. However, just by hearing about the situation from Man Yue, how could he not be full of self-reproach?

  Even if this was only to aid the relationship between Guan Shanjin and Wu Xingzi, the price paid was a little too great.

  Furthermore, once they returned to the capital, it would be another battle among officials. It was highly likely that Guan Shanjin would not have the chance to recuperate properly.

  He wondered, if Wu Xingzi found out that Guan Shanjin had lost control of his sanity for him, vomited three litres of blood, and searched for him at the expense of his health, would his heart soften, and would he be willing to return? It would at least prevent Rancui, that little fox, from creating even more complications.

  He did not expect that Man Yue would shake his head.

  “It has to be said, but this is not the right time.”


  “What do you mean?” Hei’er’s brows knitted deeply. If not for knowing that Man Yue was extremely loyal to Guan Shanjin, he would have suspected that he was trying to manipulate the situation to Guan Shanjin’s disadvantage.

  “Let me ask you, how does Mr. Wu feel about the General currently?” Man Yue rubbed his face tiredly.

  Hei’er ruminated for a moment, recalling what Wu Xingzi had said about Master and Madam Mao. “His feelings for him should be quite deep.” He was not as perceptive as Rancui, but he was still able to understand what Wu Xingzi felt.

  “And why would you say that?” His answer baited Man Yue’s curiosity. He had not expected that Hei’er would be able to tell.

  As such, Hei’er told Man Yue about Madam Mao’s story. After that, Man Yue’s round cheeks seemed to wilt a little, and his shoulders hunched over as well.

  “Ai, things are going to be difficult…”


  “Difficult?”


  “You’re right, Mr. Wu has already developed very deep feelings for the General.” Man Yue wanted to pour some tea for himself. Realising that the pot was completely empty when he lifted it up, he could not help but sigh forcefully. “That’s why things are going to be difficult! Mr. Wu had long discovered his own feelings, so why do you think he told you about that matter? His personality is much more stubborn than I had thought.”


  “He thinks that the General likes Mr. Lu, and so he’s unwilling to stay. However, if we let Mr. Wu understand that he’s the most important person in the General’s heart, do you think he might be willing to come back?” Hei’er completely could not understand why Man Yue and Rancui were twisting and turning around the entire situation. In his mind, such feelings, rather than speculating over it, would it not be better to just lay everything out in the open? One’s heart was never easy to guess, and a careless mistake may cost them everything. This was not a war, why endure such suffering?

  “If this was before the interruption at the wedding, laying things out in the open might have worked. Hei’er, let me put it this way. It’s true that once Mr. Wu finds out that the General vomited blood, and is severely injured, he would definitely come back immediately. However, what would he be thinking? Would he think that the General has fallen in love with him, or would he think that the General does not cherish a heart that has been given to him? Don’t forget, throughout the entire time, Mr. Wu has always believed that the person in the General’s heart is Lu Zezhi.”


  Man Yue knocked on the table forcefully, his smooth, plump face very dark. “He’s only just torn down the Yue family for Lu Zezhi, snatching him away from the wedding hall. The Great Southern Garrison General, who had fallen for his childhood teacher, throwing a fit over a pretty face, this matter has already spread out from Bastion City, and even the capital has heard of it. At this time, if you were to tell Mr. Wu that because he left without saying goodbye, the General’s inner energy was affected and he lost control of both his inner force and his sanity, ai… Let’s not talk about Mr. Wu, but you. Would you believe it?”


  Faced with this question, Hei’er opened his mouth, but he was unable to provide an answer.

  He naturally would not believe it. How could he believe it? In this world, people who lay affections everywhere could be often found, and these people were often the most heartless as well, just like that Master Mao… Although Hei’er could understand the logic, he still could not feel at ease.

  His brows creased tightly as he asked, “Then what should we do about Manager Rancui? He keeps goading Mr. Wu, and he wants to return to the capital before mid-June.”


  “You don’t have to worry about him,” Man Yue gave a wave of his hand. “Wu Xingzi is a person who holds onto his affections for a very long time. The one in his heart now is our General, and any other pengornises are just clouds floating by. Rancui understands this as well.” Unlike Man Yue, Hei’er was not reassured at all. He thought that he should still watch them closely, and prevent any sudden situation from cropping up. With that thought in his head, he did not plan on staying any longer. Nimbly, he opened the window and exited, melding into the night in the blink of an eye.

  Man Yue stared at the darkness outside the window, sighing faintly.

  He had yet to brew the medicine.

  However, just as Man Yue opened his door, he was shocked by the person standing outside.

  “General?” He pressed his hand to his chest, putting on a very exaggerated expression of startlement, and his chubby face even turned pale.

  “Mn.” Guan Shanjin acknowledged him, a hint of something that looked like a smile curling around his lips. With no change of his expression, he surveyed Man Yue’s room.

  He was not alone. In his arms was Mr. Lu, and Guan Shanjin was lazily playing with his slender, marble-like fingers.

  “Why aren’t you resting in your room?” Man Yue noticed the reddening of Mr. Lu’s lips, and the few red marks on his fingertips. He could not help but exclaim that Guan Shanjin was truly going all in with his acting. Even he was about to believe that the favour Lu Zezhi was enjoying was real.

  “I’m accompanying laoshi for a stroll.” A faint smile appeared on Guan Shanjin’s face. He looked to be very spry, just that his complexion was still terrifyingly pale.

  “Oh.” Man Yue nodded with an understanding look. He was deliberately bringing Mr. Lu all over the place, wanting to catch the attention of everyone. Guan Shanjin was feeling unhappy, and so his actions were even less restrained. Man Yue was starting to feel sorry for Lu Zezhi.

  However, in Lu Zezhi’s ears, their conversation held a completely different meaning. The man’s elegant and refined face tinted red; shyly and with a trace of reservedness, he lowered his head. Pulling his hand out from Guan Shanjin’s palm, he hid it in his sleeve.

  Lu Zezhi knew that Qingcheng County was Wu Xingzi’s hometown. For the past few days, he had been quite vexed. Since the old fellow had already left, just let him leave! Why did Guan Shanjin have to search for him so deliberately? However, without the support of the Yue family, and with the relationship between Guan Shanjin and him spreading everywhere, other than staying closely next to Guan Shanjin, he had no other path to take.

  Probably because he saw his unease, Guan Shanjin doted on him even more, never mentioning Wu Xingzi even a single time. Thinking about it, the reason they were in Qingcheng County was only because Guan Shanjin could not take this lying down. After all, how could that ugly old thing have the cheek to just run away without saying a word? It was a fierce slap to Guan Shanjin’s face!

  “General, why don’t you return to your room to rest? I’ll brew your medicine for you and bring it over.” Man Yue headed down the stairs.

  “There’s no hurry about the medicine, there’s something I need to say to you.” Guan Shanjin stopped Man Yue. He looked down, coaxing Lu Zezhi, “Laoshi, return to your room and wash up first, alright? I’ve specially requested the chef from Restaurant of Songs in Goose City to come, we’ll have dinner together later, alright?”


  “Alright.” Lu Zezhi nodded obediently, soothing the unease that was vaguely welling up within him and returned to his room as Guan Shanjin watched.

  “If you have something to say, it can be said later. You can’t stop taking your medicine.” Since the eyesore was no longer around, Man Yue put away his formality and glared at Guan Shanjin.

  “The medicine can be taken later, let’s go into the room first.” Guan Shanjin dragged the person into the room. After closing the door quietly, he turned to look at Man Yue.

  “Just now, who was the person in your room?”


  “You know that I won’t answer that question.” Man Yue raised a brow.

  Guan Shanjin smiled. His steps were a little weak, and after sitting down by the table, he inhaled deeply, his voice a little hoarse. “Get me a cup of tea.”


  The teapot in Man Yue’s room had long been emptied by Hei’er. Frowning, he opened his door and whistled. A bodyguard came over, and Man Yue quietly instructed him to brew the medicine as well as bring over a pot of tea.

  When he turned back again, what he saw was Guan Shanjin’s side profile, staring out of the window. His marble-like skin glowed softly under the candlelight, the lines of his features soft and exquisite, as though they had been carefully carved. However, no matter how good his appearance was, it could not cover the defeat between his brows. That Lu Zezhi was truly too negligent. Something was so obviously wrong with Guan Shanjin, yet he could shut his eyes to it. Compared to six years ago, he could only be described as being blind.

  “What did Hei’er say?” Guan Shanjin did not waste any more effort on beating around the bush. He was severely injured, but it was his circulation that was affected, and not his brain. Only two windows away, how could he not know about what was happening in Man Yue’s room? Furthermore, Hei’er’s skills were way below his. Three days ago when Hei’er had appeared for the first time, Guan Shanjin had already noticed him.

  He had kept silent, not mentioning it, only because he wanted Man Yue to personally admit it openly to him.

  “Do you want to listen to the truth, or would you prefer a lie?” Man Yue naturally understood what he meant.

  Guan Shanjin laughed upon hearing that. Shaking his head, he said, “How about telling me both, hmm?”


  “Sure. The truth is, Hei’er passed the message that someone’s watching Mr. Wu.” Man Yue was not afraid that Guan Shanjin would cause him any difficulties. After all, it was not easy to gain Guan Shanjin’s trust, but once a person had it, it would not be easily lost as well, especially in a friendship that had gone through life and death together.

  “According to who?” Guan Shanjin’s shoulders tensed, his voice becoming even more hoarse.

  “Rancui.” Man Yue pressed his lips together.

  “Is that so…” This answer made Guan Shanjin relax. Coughing lightly, he then asked, “What about the lie?”


  “No one came looking for me.” Man Yue shrugged, giving Guan Shanjin a good-natured smile. “How would Hei’er dare to appear? He’s taken Mr. Wu away, he’s definitely afraid that you’ll flay his skin off as you keep him alive.”


  “Nonsense.” Guan Shanjin chuckled lightly, reaching out and pinching Man Yue’s chin. “How much does Hei’er know?”


  Man Yue sighed. “The things that he should know, he knows them all.”


  Guan Shanjin nodded, no longer saying anything else. Not too long later, a knock resounded. The bodyguard was back with a teapot, quietly telling Man Yue that the medicine was being brewed.

  “Understood. Bring it up once it’s done.” He poured Guan Shanjin a cup of tea, and also poured one for himself. When Guan Shanjin lifted his cup, his hand shook a little. A few drops of tea splattered out, and despite feeling anxious, Man Yue did not say a word.

  The silence did not last for too long. After wetting his throat, Guan Shanjin spoke, “What are your plans?”


  Man Yue jerked. His tea still in his mouth, he looked at Guan Shanjin, only swallowing it down slowly after a few moments.

  “Would you be willing to hear me if I were to say it?”


  “Tell me.”


  Man Yue muttered thoughtfully to himself, then gave a great sigh. “We have to leave Qingcheng County for the capital immediately.”


  “Oh?”


  “General, the longer we stay in Qingcheng County, the more danger we’ll pose to Mr. Wu. We’ve finally managed to push Lu Zezhi to the front already, and didn’t we do this just to ensure Mr. Wu’s safety? Yan Wenxin is not a fool. Staying for three to five days, we can say that we’re looking into his background, but we’ve already stayed here for over a week. It’s hard to say if he will find out about Mr. Wu.” Man Yue looked very stern, but his words were reasonable, jabbing right into Guan Shanjin’s Achilles heel.

  His hand, playing with the teacup, paused. With a frown, Guan Shanjin maintained his silence for a bit, then finally spoke gloomily, “You’re right, it’s me who became obsessed…” Now that things were at this stage, he could not let their previous efforts go to waste.

  “Then, shall we leave tomorrow?” Man Yue probed.

  “Mn. Give the command.” Guan Shanjin carefully placed the teacup back onto the table. His complexion seemed to pale even further, and the greenish veins under his skin were starkly noticeable, spreading like fissures.

  “Your subordinate obeys.” Man Yue cupped his hands together. Just as he was about to open the door and call for the guards, a question that sounded like a faint sigh suddenly came from behind him.

  “Why, Man Yue?”


  Why?

  That round, plump face stiffened, but very quickly, it returned to normal. As though he did not hear the question, he opened the door, summoning the guards and giving them their commands.