The guards outside the stone gate rushed in as a group, blocking Liu Qi’s path.
These men were burly and formidable, their faces full of menace. They were clearly not ordinary house guards.
The Kunshan Jade Shattered Gu in Liu Qi stirred violently after encountering alcohol. His inner breath grew chaotic, and the strength throughout his body slowly drained away. If it came to a fight, he feared he wouldn’t stand a chance against them.
Yet if the Gu’s unique scent were to be released here and now, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The guards, ordered to stop Liu Qi, dared not harm him. Shen Yuncong approached quickly and pulled him into his arms, demanding, “Where are you going?”
Liu Qi pushed him away, speaking faintly through shallow breaths. “I’m unwell. Returning to the inn.”
“If you’re unwell, then rest here. Why bother going back to the inn?” Shen Yuncong took him by the arm and started leading him toward the inner residence, leaving no room for refusal.
Just as Liu Qi was about to speak, a wave of dizziness struck. By the time he regained his senses, Shen Yuncong had already slung him over his shoulder.
The young man held his legs tightly to prevent him from struggling, but Liu Qi used the strength in his elbows to strike Shen Yuncong’s shoulder, forcing him to release his grip almost instantly.
As Liu Qi turned and strode away, Shen Yuncong caught up again and grabbed the corner of his sleeve. “Si Heng, you can’t—”
Slap.
Liu Qi raised his hand and struck him across the face.
The guards in the garden were stunned, then drew their blades and surged toward Liu Qi, only to be stopped by Shen Yuncong’s angry shout. “No one is allowed to harm him.”
Liu Qi lifted his gaze. The warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced only by a chill. Shen Yuncong stood frozen, a vivid red handprint blooming on his cheek, as he watched Liu Qi walk away.
Back at the inn, Liu Qi immediately ordered a bucket of bathwater to be brought and instructed Liu Feng to guard the courtyard outside, not letting anyone near.
Liu Feng, knowing the Gu had been triggered, grew worried and cautiously asked, “Young Master, shall I call for Minister Yun?”
Liu Qi cast him a cold glance. Liu Feng fell silent and obediently closed the door behind him.
In less than a moment, the Kunshan Jade Shattered Gu’s poison fully activated. Liu Qi, still clothed, stepped into the bath and submerged himself completely. The warm water poured over his head, helping him stay calm and clear-headed.
The lust triggered by the Gu was nearly impossible to control or dispel through internal cultivation. Left with no choice, Liu Qi undressed and attempted to relieve the pressure himself. But after two attempts, his inner breath was no steadier. Instead, it grew increasingly agitated, as if a raging fire were burning in his dantian, ready to scorch his meridians to ash.
The water cooled gradually, but Liu Qi’s body only burned hotter. A dull ache began to spread through his lower abdomen. At first faint, it soon sharpened into something like blades slicing through him. The pain was unbearable.
He vaguely recalled that if the Kunshan Jade Shattered Gu was not relieved upon relapse, the venom would intensify and cause the infected to die with their intestines torn apart.
After a long hesitation, Liu Qi opened his mouth and softly called Liu Feng’s name.
Liu Feng immediately stepped to the door, worried. “Young Master, what is it?”
Liu Qi’s voice was hoarse. “Bring Yun Shiqing here.”
The footsteps outside gradually faded into the distance, and silence returned to the surroundings.
—
When Yun Shiqing arrived, the entire room was filled with a rich fragrance, more intense than a hundred blooming flowers, more intoxicating than the strongest wine, seductive to the bone.
He turned his head slightly, gazing at the crane-embroidered screen, and could vaguely glimpse half of a refined silhouette behind it.
Yun Shiqing didn’t deliberately hold his breath and walked straight toward the bath through the strange scent. Liu Qi was slumped in the tub, clothes in disarray, his whole body soaked in hot water. His collarbone and the side of his neck were stained with gu poison, resembling a lotus after the rain.
Vivid and alluring.
His breath was the source of the scent. With each exhale, the room became more charged with that seductive air, making it harder for anyone nearby to stay in control.
Suddenly, Liu Qi’s expression sharpened. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and blood immediately welled up at the corner of his mouth.
Yun Shiqing frowned slightly but didn’t say a word.
Liu Qi wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and said in a low voice, “Come in.”
Yun Shiqing stood silent for a few seconds, then gave a faint smile. “Come in where?”
Liu Qi wasn’t in the mood for dirty jokes. He lifted his eyes slightly and said in a commanding tone, “Take off your clothes and get in the tub.”
Yun Shiqing raised an eyebrow. “So this is the kind of game the Lord enjoys.”
Liu Qi’s gaze darkened again, and another mouthful of blood burst out. His face turned pale as paper, his body trembling uncontrollably from the intense pain in his abdomen.
As Yun Shiqing undressed, he said, “The Lord is asking a favor of me this time. If you get your satisfaction and still want to kill me afterward, then I’ll have no choice but to face you in court.”
Liu Qi yanked him into the tub and snapped, “Enough talking. Are you doing it or not?”
Yun Shiqing locked eyes with him for a moment, then turned his body and pressed him against the edge of the tub. He leaned in close and whispered teasingly at his ear, “You’re the one begging me, so why the commanding tone? Can’t you lower yourself and say something nice?”
“There’s nothing between us to—” Before he could finish, Liu Qi’s eyes suddenly widened, veins bulging at his neck, cold sweat pouring down from his temples.
His strength had nearly drained away, yet his fingers still clutched the rim of the tub tightly, the bones on the back of his hands showing through.
The pain struck so suddenly that it nearly overwhelmed the gu poison. Liu Qi couldn’t even tell which was deadlier.
A warm breath landed without warning on the nape of his neck, and his earlobe was lightly nipped. Liu Qi shuddered, a prickling numbness spreading across his scalp.
Yun Shiqing wrapped his arm around Liu Qi’s waist, his tone full of teasing flirtation. “If the Lord could be a bit gentler, maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much.”
Once the yang energy entered him, the pain in Liu Qi’s internal organs gradually eased. He clenched his teeth, sweat slipping from his brow.
He suddenly flung his elbow back, pushing the man behind him a few inches away. “Don’t touch me.”
Yun Shiqing smiled faintly. “If the Lord only wants that part, then I won’t use my hands.”
The only sound left was bathwater slapping against the sides of the tub. Liu Qi closed his eyes, exhaled a breath laced with that strange fragrance, and cursed, “Animal.”
Yun Shiqing wasn’t the least bit angry. He grabbed Liu Qi’s soaked black hair and gave it a gentle tug, pulling him closer. “How does the Lord like the taste of an animal?”
The bathwater had lost most of its heat, but the fire between them still burned. The yang energy nourished the Kunshan Jade Shattered gu. Once the pain faded, Liu Qi came alive again.
Yun Shiqing moved with alternating rhythm. Liu Qi only clenched his jaw, not letting out a sound, let alone responding to him.
No one knew how long had passed when Liu Qi finally couldn’t take it anymore. He turned his head and barked, “Yun Shiqing, are you the one poisoned or am I?”
Yun Shiqing deliberately misunderstood. “The Lord is tired? Shall I help you to the bed?”
“Yun Shiqing!”
“Your orders, my Lord.”
Liu Qi’s face remained cold, but a flickering flame danced faintly in his eyes, impossible to put out.
The initial craving from the Kunshan Jade Shattered gu had passed. The two of them were both completely clear-headed.
After a moment, Liu Qi sneered. “Is this how Prime Minister Yun usually handles matters? Always this noisy?”
Yun Shiqing paused, then suddenly picked up the pace. “Since the Lord is in such high spirits and wants to chat at a time like this, how could I not keep you company?”
Knowing he wouldn’t win, Liu Qi stopped arguing with him.
After another while, Liu Qi calmed his breathing and asked seriously, “Did you hear anything useful from Prefect Ran today?”
Yun Shiqing didn’t answer but asked in return, “It’s still six or seven days until the full moon. Why did you activate the gu so early? Were you flirting with Young Master Shen and accidentally drank the wine he gave you?”
He leaned toward Liu Qi’s ear with a teasing smile. “Flirting with him one moment, rolling with me the next. If Young Master Shen finds out, that pure and devoted heart of his will probably shatter into dust.”
Annoyed, Liu Qi used what little strength he had left to shove Yun Shiqing to the other end of the tub. He raised an arm and pressed it against his throat, voice low and threatening. “Shut up.”
The splash of water landed across Yun Shiqing’s chest, but he remained calm and even chuckled. “Prefect Ran of Chengdu is a soft persimmon. Squeeze him a little and he spills everything.”
“He said…” Liu Qi began, but the rest of his words were forced back down by another jolt. He gave Yun Shiqing a glare and continued, “What did he say?”
Yun Shiqing questioned, “The Lord really wants to talk business at a time like this?”
“What else should we talk about?” Liu Qi said coldly. “Romance?”
Yun Shiqing opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment, voices were heard arguing in the courtyard outside the Tianzi Room.
“Si Heng, come out and see me.”
“Young Master Shen, please wait. My master is unwell and resting inside.”
It was Shen Yuncong and Liu Feng’s voices.
Liu Qi froze, fingers clenching hard, leaving bright red marks on Yun Shiqing’s shoulder.
Even as the pain struck, Yun Shiqing couldn’t help teasing, “The Lord is so nervous. Clearly, Young Master Shen holds quite a place in your heart.”
Shen Yuncong, stopped by Liu Feng at the courtyard, didn’t try to force his way in. Instead, he called out loudly, “Si Heng, I drank too much earlier. If I offended you, please forgive me. I heard you’re unwell, so I brought some healing ointments. Si Heng, may I come in to see you?”
Liu Feng said helplessly, “Young Master, please return. Once my master has recovered, he will pay you a visit.”
After some shoving back and forth, the two finally left.
Yun Shiqing maliciously pinched Liu Qi’s chin, half-smiling as he teased, “Young Master Shen seems very concerned about you. He even brought medicine to restore your strength. Why not invite him in for a chat?”
Liu Qi gave a cold snort, then deliberately wrapped his arms around Yun Shiqing’s shoulders, meeting him with intent. In a soft voice, he pleaded, “I’ve no strength left. Why doesn’t Prime Minister Yun speak on my behalf, how about it?”
A slight crack appeared in Yun Shiqing’s composure. He said nothing, thrusting a few more times. Only after both had found release did he speak, and it had nothing to do with Shen Yuncong. “The Prefect Ran’s wife and children are being held under house arrest by Shen Jie in Shen Yuncong’s private villa. All affairs in Chengdu are managed solely by Shen Jie. Prefect Ran is just an empty figurehead, only used to deal with the court.”
Liu Qi pushed him away, stepped out of the tub, and dried himself off. “Does Prefect Ran know the true identity of the person impersonating Shen Jie?”
“He doesn’t.” Yun Shiqing replied while dressing. “Shen Jie controls all the military forces and officers in Chengdu. We’re short-handed and can’t fight him head-on. We must submit a memorial to the court as soon as possible and request that His Majesty send troops to suppress him.”
As he spoke, his gaze inadvertently fell on the fingermarks at Liu Qi’s waist.
After a moment of silence, he added, “How exactly did your Kunshan Jade Shattered gu flare up?”
“I accidentally ate pastries laced with wine.” Liu Qi finished dressing and gave him a faint smile. “Thank you, Prime Minister Yun, for dispelling the poison. Young Master Shen is still waiting for me at the inn. I should go see him.”
Yun Shiqing sighed. “The Lord is truly heartless. After using me, you either try to kill me or leave me out in the cold.”
Liu Qi gave him a deep look and remarked, “You’re sick.”