EHW Ch82

(43)

Lu He used his teeth to undo Gu Yunchan’s belt, his large hand sliding down against Gu Yunchan’s skin.

Gu Yunchan’s body tensed abruptly.

“Is my hand too cold?” Lu He’s voice was already hoarse. He widened his eyes at Gu Yunchan’s furrowed brows, softening his tone and speaking in a strange, coaxing lilt, “The general will feel better soon.”

His slender wrist moved up and down, and Gu Yunchan’s body gradually relaxed, only to tense up again.

Being touched by someone else was entirely different from touching himself. Even though Lu He had imagined it countless times in his mind, he still felt uncertain.

A bead of sweat formed on Lu He’s forehead. He shifted upward, wrapping an arm around Gu Yunchan’s shoulders and kissing him. His tongue filled Gu Yunchan’s mouth, and with a mix of saliva dripping, he mumbled, “General… Does it feel good? It must feel good, you’re trembling so much, your waist is arching.”

Realizing Gu Yunchan was struggling to breathe, Lu He changed to nipping at his lower lip with his canine teeth, grinding gently. When Gu Yunchan’s entire body arched, Lu He released him, turning his head to rest his cheek against Gu Yunchan’s chest.

“General. ”

Feeling the dampness on his hand, Lu He’s ears were filled with the sound of Gu Yunchan’s heart pounding like a war drum. General Gu Yunchan. The people’s general, the people’s hero. He is also his, his silent, upright, scarred, and imposing hero.

(44)

The next day, Gu Yunchan woke with a pounding headache from his hangover.

He pressed his aching forehead, propping his elbows on his thighs to steady himself. When he finally felt a little better, there was a knock at the door. “General.”

“Come in.”

A tall figure entered gracefully. Lu He carried a tray with several bowls. “I brought breakfast and sweet tea for the general.”

Gu Yunchan hummed in acknowledgment and got up to wash his face.

As he moved, something felt off.

He looked down at himself and realized the clothes he had worn to the banquet the night before had been changed. Beyond that, his body felt unusually refreshed, as if-

Gu Yunchan washed his face with the perfectly warm water, which was soothing.

After washing, he turned back, glanced at the unfinished documents, and picked up the sweet tea.

Lu He was a capable assistant. From the temperature of the water for washing his face to the taste of the breakfast, even the sweetness of the tea meant to curb his drinking, everything was perfectly suited to his preferences.

If he kept being taken care of like this, he didn’t know how lazy he might become.

Thinking this, Gu Yunchan took a sip of tea.

The sweet taste slid down his throat, moistening his dryness. The flavor was familiar, ah, yes, Lu He had given him sweet water last night too.

The familiar taste stirred Gu Yunchan’s memories, and suddenly, the events of last night flashed vividly in his mind.

He remembered Lu He feeding him water, his tongue being teased and sucked, and Lu He saying, “The general will feel better soon,” while his rough palm slid inside his pants. 

Gu Yunchan: “…”

His hand trembled, spilling some tea on his hand and the floor. He silently placed the cup on the table. “Lu He.”

Lu He responded, “General.”

“Last night, ”

Gu Yunchan composed himself, his face flushed. He forced himself to sound calm. “Last night… thank you for your trouble. You didn’t have to do that for me. Don’t force yourself next time. Thank you.”

(45)

Lu He was tidying up Gu Yunchan’s desk.

Hearing this, he turned to glance at Gu Yunchan.

His gaze was inscrutable, and for a moment, Gu Yunchan couldn’t tell what Lu He was thinking. Suddenly, Lu He stood and walked to the door, closing it firmly.

Only then did Gu Yunchan realize the door had been slightly ajar. He was relieved no one had passed by or overheard him. The camp was full of gossips, if anyone had heard, who knew how the story would be twisted.

Like how some people claimed the eighteen-year-old emperor favored seventy- or eighty-year-old men, and many actually believed it.

(46)

Gu Yunchan praised, “You’re always so attentive.”

Lu He smiled but said, “General, sit down for a moment.”

“Why?”

Gu Yunchan sat in the chair, his mind in turmoil, but he maintained his usual posture: elbows resting naturally on the table, legs slightly apart, back straight. He might not have the refinement of a scholarly gentleman, but he was far from crude or impolite, just strikingly imposing.

Lu He walked over to Gu Yunchan and suddenly crouched down, placing both hands on Gu Yunchan’s thighs and spreading them apart with unexpected force.

Before Gu Yunchan could react, Lu He’s head was between his legs, nose and mouth pressed against the root of his thigh.

Gu Yunchan was startled, his face flushing red. He tried to stand. “Lu He!”

But Lu He didn’t let go. Gu Yunchan’s thigh muscles were caught between Lu He’s fingers, while his other arm, veined and strong, wrapped around Gu Yunchan’s leg, twisting behind him like a grappling hold, pressing against his waist and pushing him forward.

Lu He kissed him through the fabric, and Gu Yunchan’s entire body stiffened, his mind nearly blank. He pushed at Lu He’s head. “Lu He, let go of me! Lu He!”

Gu Yunchan was strong, and he finally managed to push Lu He away. Lu He’s lips glistened with moisture.

Gu Yunchan stood abruptly. “You…”

“I like the general,” Lu He said. “I’m willing to do this for the general. It’s not forced.”

 

(47)

 

The tent was silent, but Lu He’s words exploded in Gu Yunchan’s mind like thunder.

Gu Yunchan was never good with words. He didn’t know how to break the silence, but Lu He crouched down again, cradling Gu Yunchan’s hands in his warm palms. His blue eyes gazed sincerely into Gu Yunchan’s. “General… If you still want me, I’m willing. Don’t despise me, and don’t push me away.”

The scene reminded Gu Yunchan of a clumsy, loyal puppy, eager to please its master but not knowing the right way.

Gu Yunchan sighed, his face flushed. “I don’t despise you,” he said, sighing again. “I’m grateful you helped me. I can’t thank you enough.”

Lu He’s blue eyes shimmered with flecks of joy. “General,” he said, pledging his loyalty, “I am yours.”

He left the second half of that sentence unsaid, swallowing it back down for fear of startling Gu Yunchan.

(48)

The tent was silent, but Lu He’s words exploded in Gu Yunchan’s mind like thunder.

Gu Yunchan was never good with words. He didn’t know how to break the silence, but Lu He crouched down again, cradling Gu Yunchan’s hands in his warm palms. His blue eyes gazed sincerely into Gu Yunchan’s. “General… If you still want me, I’m willing. Don’t despise me, and don’t push me away.”

The scene reminded Gu Yunchan of a clumsy, loyal puppy, eager to please its master but not knowing the right way.

Gu Yunchan sighed, his face flushed. “I don’t despise you,” he said, sighing again. “I’m grateful you helped me. I can’t thank you enough.”

Lu He’s blue eyes shimmered with flecks of joy. “General,” he said, pledging his loyalty, “I am yours.”

He left the second half of that sentence unsaid, swallowing it back down for fear of startling Gu Yunchan.

A few days later, as spring faded and summer deepened, the borderlands revealed their beauty. The mountains and waters were lush and vibrant, painted in bold strokes of nature’s palette.

The sky turned a deep, vivid blue in summer, much like the color of Lu He’s eyes. Every time Gu Yunchan met the young man’s gaze, he felt the sky and those eyes were made for each other.

Soon after, new recruits arrived at the camp.

Lu He and the other deputies settled them in before Gu Yunchan made an appearance to boost morale with a few words.

The situation was much better than before. The new recruits weren’t just starving children from poor families, some came from decent backgrounds.

The recruits were noisy, and even when Gu Yunchan raised a hand for silence, they barely quieted down. A young man in the front row, brash and bold, kept staring at Gu Yunchan’s empty sleeve. When the fabric swayed, the man even reached out and pinched it.

Gu Yunchan took a step back, but a tall, dark figure suddenly lunged from behind him, pouncing on the man with ferocity.

“Lu He! Stop!” Gu Yunchan barked.

Lu He acted as if he hadn’t heard. His fist, as big as a sandbag, pummeled the man’s face and hands. The man, clearly no stranger to street brawls, retaliated swiftly. Blood splattered the ground almost instantly, and it was impossible to tell whose it was.

Gu Yunchan and the other deputies rushed forward, pulling Lu He and the man apart.

Lu He was hauled to his feet, spitting out blood. His gaze, dark and furious, remained fixed on the man on the ground. His voice, thick with anger, carried an even stranger cadence. “Keep your eyes and hands to yourself.”

The man lay there, face bloody, eyes closed, whether from pain or defiance, it was unclear.

(49)

Fighting was forbidden in the camp, and the punishment was a caning.

Both Lu He and the man received five strokes and were carried back to their tents.

When Gu Yunchan went to see Lu He, he found him lying facedown on the bed, shirtless. His wheat-colored back and lean waist were marked with purple bruises and dried blood.

Lu He, however, was still full of energy. Seeing Gu Yunchan, he tried to get up. “General, why are you here? Let me get you some water.”

Gu Yunchan couldn’t help but laugh and press him back down. “Just rest.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and placed a peach in Lu He’s palm. “I came to thank you,” he said, “and to apologize.”

Lu He propped himself up slightly on his elbows. Gu Yunchan hurriedly said, “You don’t need to move. Just lie down.”

But Lu He shifted anyway, turning his head to rest it on Gu Yunchan’s thigh.

“General doesn’t need to thank me,” he said. “I wanted to protect you because you’re someone worth protecting.”

“And General doesn’t need to apologize,” Lu He added. “I broke the rules. You were just doing your duty.”

Gu Yunchan’s heart softened at his words. Before he could respond, Lu He let out a soft groan. “But, General… my back hurts so much.”

“I brought medicine for your wounds,” Gu Yunchan said, reaching into his robe for the ointment.

Lu He rubbed his face against Gu Yunchan’s leg, and the light summer fabric made Gu Yunchan itch slightly. Lu He smiled. “No need for medicine, General. Just a kiss from you, and it won’t hurt anymore.”