EHW Ch81

(37)
In the days that followed, Gu Yunchuan would occasionally think back to that long kiss.

It had truly been something new, an experience he’d never imagined before. It felt completely different from the awkward way he’d once tried it with the back of his hand.

When he looked at Lu He again, the expression that used to tug at his heart, the look of someone abandoned, was no longer there.

(38)
The governor had recently expanded his residence, saying it was built in imitation of Jiangnan gardens. He invited the officials and Gu Yunchuan as guests.

Gu Yunchuan was not fond of social gatherings, but socializing with officials was part of his duty. Whether he liked it or not was irrelevant.

Naturally, his usual plain military robes would not do. He asked Lu He to prepare suitable attire for the banquet.

Lu He helped tie his hair up high, then stepped back to look at him. With a smile on his face and bright eyes, he said, “The General looks truly gallant, so commanding.”

Gu Yunchuan glanced down at himself, dressed neatly and with dignity, and had to admit that clothes really did make the man.

He looked Lu He up and down. The boy was a little taller and broader than himself, but not by much. “I brought a few extra sets from home,” Gu Yunchuan said. “Would you like to try one?”

Lu He blinked and smiled. “Alright, General.”

(39)
Gu Yunchuan handed Lu He an outer robe. Lu He, unfamiliar with such elaborate clothing and afraid of damaging it, fumbled clumsily with the buttons.

“I’ll do it,” Gu Yunchuan said. “Come here.”

The Gu family had always lived frugally, neither in poverty nor luxury. When he was a child, he only got new clothes at New Year’s, hand-sewn by his mother.

Once they were finished, she would personally help him into them, gently guiding his arms through the sleeves. His mother’s face would shine with joy, and his own with innocent happiness.

But as he grew older, he became embarrassed to let her help him dress.

Now, he was already around the same age his mother had been back then.

The memory flowed past him like a bustling crowd he could no longer join, leaving him standing still in quiet nostalgia.

Still… he couldn’t help but think with a faint smile, I definitely wasn’t this tall back then.

The thought lightened his mood, dissolving the melancholy that had momentarily settled over him.

(40)
After fastening the inner clasps for Lu He, Gu Yunchuan stepped back to take a look.

Lu He, who always smiled so readily, actually had rather striking, sharp features, deep-set lines, dusky skin, and blue eyes that gleamed like a wolf’s in the dark.

The dark robe Gu Yunchuan had chosen made him look taller and more commanding, full of vigor and strength.

Gu Yunchuan, mimicking the way his mother once inspected him, said, “Turn around, let’s see.”

But Lu He didn’t. Instead, he raised an arm to smell the sleeve, then looked up at Gu Yunchuan.

There was a light in his blue eyes, bright sparks flickering within. Gu Yunchuan was caught off guard by that gaze, and Lu He smiled again, sweet and obedient. “The General treats me so well.”

Then softly he added, “I’ll make sure to treat the General well too.”

Gu Yunchuan replied, “And His Majesty.”

After a pause, he added, “And the Great Qi.”

Lu He’s smile deepened.

He nodded twice, then suddenly leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly against Gu Yunchuan’s cheek.

Gu Yunchuan froze, instinctively meeting Lu He’s eyes.

Lu He grinned. “The General is really interesting. I just want to be closer to you.”

Gu Yunchuan touched his own cheek, still faintly feeling the warmth of that fleeting touch.

Recently, his relationship with his younger brothers had improved too. Before he left home, his youngest had kissed his cheek in farewell, with the same childish affection.

Gu Yunchuan didn’t find it strange, only sighed helplessly. “You’re already grown, yet still doing such childish things.”

(41)
The governor’s banquet was lively, with exotic dancers, fruits, and fine wine.

Gu Yunchuan sat straight-backed, conversing politely with the governor and other officials, drinking more than he should.

Lu He and another deputy tried to take the wine for him, but Gu Yunchuan refused.

In everyone’s eyes, he was the bold and unshakable general, a hero who could drink a thousand cups without falling.

If he was to be the man they revered, the general they trusted, then every cup must go into his own stomach.

He kept his posture firm, hiding any sign of drunkenness, while most of the other guests had already collapsed in laughter and stupor.

The governor offered rooms for everyone to stay the night, but Gu Yunchuan, thinking of tomorrow’s training and uncomfortable on another man’s territory, declined.

He rode back through the dark, swaying in the saddle, reaching camp near dawn.

The mix of alcohol and cold night air churned his stomach. Behind his tent, he knelt and vomited quietly.

From behind, he heard Lu He’s voice speaking to another adjutant: “Go on ahead. I’ll take care of the General.”

(42)
Afterward, Gu Yunchuan felt somewhat better. Lu He helped him up and guided him to bed, then poured him a cup of water.

Gu Yunchuan took it, still managing a nod of thanks. “Thank you.”

He rinsed his mouth several times before realizing the water was sweet, warm and soothing as it slid down his throat.

He handed the cup back to Lu He and, half-dazed, lay down.

He heard faint sounds of Lu He moving around, the rustling of cloth. Drowsiness soon crept in, and his consciousness began to fade.

“General, General,” Lu He called softly. “You haven’t changed clothes yet.”

Gu Yunchuan wanted to answer that he would, but it took all his strength just to move a finger.

Lu He noticed, gently wrapping his fingers around that one. “Sleep, General,” he whispered. “I’ll take care of it.”

As soon as he spoke, a warm, damp cloth touched Gu Yunchuan’s face.

Lu He wiped gently, from his forehead, down across his brow.

The cloth glided over Gu Yunchan’s brow, and Lu He remarked, “The general’s brows and eyes are so smooth, not at all like someone from the north.” The cloth traced down Gu Yunchan’s nose, and Lu He said, “The general’s nose is so straight, his profile strikingly handsome and imposing.” 

“The general’s skin is so fair, but after a few drinks, his face flushes so red.” 

“The general has so many strands of hair clinging to his ears. His hair is so soft, and his earlobes too.”

These words sounded like praise, yet they were unlike any compliments Gu Yunchan had ever heard. He barely registered them, too absorbed in the warmth of the cloth in Lu He’s hands and the shame of letting someone attend to him like this.

Lu He’s fingers, through the cloth, kept kneading Gu Yunchan’s eartips and earlobes. Gu Yunchan let out a muffled hum from his throat and turned his head away.

His ears and shoulders were ticklish; he couldn’t bear much pressure. Even when he held his little brother, the child’s chin resting on his shoulder as he dozed off would make him feel uncomfortably tingly. How could he endure someone’s fingers pinching him, however gently?

Fortunately, Lu He didn’t chase after him when he pulled away. The cloth moved downward, wiping Gu Yunchan’s lips.

Lu He pressed his thumb against Gu Yunchan’s lower lip through the cloth, his blue eyes brimming with an almost tangible infatuation. 

“General,” he called softly, “General… General… Your lips, when you pout, are as soft as freshly steamed cloud cakes, and your tongue is sweet. Your lips turn so red when you pout… General…”

Lu He removed the cloth. From the wiping, Gu Yunchan’s lips had parted slightly. In the dim candlelight, Lu He could see the tip of Gu Yunchan’s tongue hidden within.

Trembling, Lu He leaned in, capturing Gu Yunchan’s lips and coaxing his tongue into his own mouth, holding it there for a moment.

Gu Yunchan stirred, his breathing uneven, a sound escaping his nose.

Lu He gracefully pulled back. A silver thread of saliva connected their lips. Lu He licked it away, whispering, “General, let me wipe you down some more.”

He rinsed the now-cool cloth and reached for the fastenings of Gu Yunchan’s collar.

Gu Yunchan’s chest and abdomen were firm and smooth, his skin flushed like his face.

Lu He trailed the cloth down Gu Yunchan’s neck, finally reaching the place he most wanted to touch. He pressed through the cloth, then bent down to take the neglected side into his mouth, sucking at it like a nursing babe.

Gu Yunchan’s body began to tremble. He propped himself up on his elbows, as if trying to sit up, or perhaps just overwhelmed by the strange sensation.

Lu He pressed against him, murmuring indistinctly, “Don’t move, General. You’re so good… Let me have a taste.”

He savored Gu Yunchan as he had before, but a strange sensation arose from his lower abdomen. Lu He looked down, his blue eyes glinting with amusement. “Are you uncomfortable, General? You must be, how else could your pants be so wet? My clothes are damp from you too.”

He kissed Gu Yunchan’s lower abdomen and said, “Don’t worry, General. I’ll take care of you.”