BLHO Chapter 37
by VolareHe Yuncheng, it was unclear if he had just returned or if he hadn’t left at all, was deliberately hiding, waiting to startle him.
Lin Shuangxu didn’t hear a single sound, so He Yuncheng’s sudden appearance gave him a fright.
He subconsciously took a step back, but before he could complete it, He Yuncheng grabbed his waist.
Extremely nervous, Lin Shuangxu started to spout nonsense, “I dropped something…”
He was quickly concocting an excuse in his mind.
But it didn’t matter, He Yuncheng wasn’t listening at all.
He lowered his head and kissed him without any reservation.
“Mmm…”
Not entirely unexpected, Lin Shuangxu should have been mentally prepared for He Yuncheng’s style of doing things.
But the instant their lips met, Lin Shuangxu was still dazed.
This kiss was turbulent and fierce, as if longing had been accumulating for a long time.
But just as He Yuncheng himself said, they had only just separated.
Lin Shuangxu was forced back against the wall by the overwhelming force, leaving him no room to refuse.
He desperately pushed against He Yuncheng’s shoulders, yet tightly gripped his clothes, unwilling to let go.
So hard to guess, the young master’s thoughts.
Like this, does he want it, or not want it?
He Yuncheng’s enthusiasm soared, his kisses becoming even more aggressive.
His body sank slightly, and without warning, he hooked his arm under Lin Shuangxu’s legs and lifted him up.
Lin Shuangxu lost his balance and quickly wrapped his arms around his neck, flustered, “What are you doing? This is the military camp, there are so many people outside, let go quickly!”
He Yuncheng’s gaze burned, deliberately pressing their bodies closer together, and said in a threatening tone, “Then give me a kiss.”
Lin Shuangxu’s face was so red it was about to drip blood, annoyed but not daring to speak loudly, “Haven’t we already kissed!”
“I want you to take the initiative.” He Yuncheng made his request clear.
Teasing Lin Shuangxu like this was the most amusing thing.
Seeing him pursing his lips in embarrassment, the more angry he was, the easier he was to bully.
He Yuncheng was extremely excited, “Hurry up.”
“Don’t go too far…”
He Yuncheng raised an eyebrow, not feeling like he was doing anything wrong at all.
The two of them remained in an ambiguous stalemate.
Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.
It was Advisor Guo Yao.
“General, Young Master, news from the border has arrived.”
Lin Shuangxu’s face flushed even redder when he heard the voice.
“He Yuncheng…” He struggled haphazardly, urging him to let go in a hushed voice.
He Yuncheng glanced back at the doorway, not responding, adopting a do-or-die attitude, not worried about being caught at all.
Afraid that he would really go crazy, Lin Shuangxu anxiously waved his fists and hit him.
“Let go!”
The light, fluttering punches landed on his chest, not bothering He Yuncheng in the slightest.
He tightened his arms, letting Lin Shuangxu struggle, determined not to give up until he achieved his goal.
Lin Shuangxu was driven to the edge by him, his throat bobbed, he closed his eyes, and quickly kissed him on the lips.
A hurried kiss, yet He Yuncheng responded with utmost seriousness.
All frivolousness was gone, those lips were warm and soft.
He returned a kiss on Lin Shuangxu’s forehead with reverence.
–
Royal Palace, Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs.
All irrelevant people had been dismissed, and Li Yuliang sat alone in the main hall, playing with a piece of jade, waiting quietly.
A person wearing a Feiyu uniform silently entered the door.
The newcomer was slender, with fair skin, and was an imposing woman.
Shen Tan.
She entered, turned around and closed the door carefully, then stepped forward and bowed to Li Yuliang, “Greetings, Grand Eunuch.”
Li Yuliang lifted his eyelids and saw that she was holding a booklet in her hands.
“This is what you ordered me to investigate, the Prime Minister’s accounts. Please review them.”
Li Yuliang did not take the booklet, and said unhurriedly, “There is no need for me to read it. The Prime Minister is noble and virtuous, and the accounts in his house must be clear.”
Shen Tan lowered her eyes and did not refute, taking it as tacit agreement.
The results of her investigation were indeed like this. The Prime Minister was honest and upright, and never engaged in any acts of favoritism or lawlessness.
Li Yuliang said, “The Prime Minister is a veteran official of the previous dynasty, holding a high position and in charge of the cabinet. Over the years, what he has hoped for is to monopolize the government and override imperial power. How could he leave himself open to trouble for a few taels of silver?”
With just a few words, a generation of loyal ministers was branded as treacherous officials with ulterior motives.
Whether the Prime Minister had any intention of seizing power was unproven, but his dedication and contribution to the Bei Sheng court over the years was obvious to all.
Unfortunately, Emperor Gu Huan was incompetent, and the Prime Minister’s temperament was too upright, repeatedly offering blunt advice, truly a case of pitying his misfortune and being angry at his unwillingness to strive.
Li Yuliang leisurely asked, “The Prime Minister’s beloved son has been supervising the court’s salt mines for a year now, hasn’t he?”
Shen Tan said, “Returning to the Grand Eunuch, it has been a full year.”
“A year.” Li Yuliang pondered, “The amount of silver he has embezzled should be enough to warrant the execution of his entire clan.”
The Prime Minister was an honest official, but somehow begot a greedy and lecherous son. Li Yuliang had no way to get at him, but his child happened to lend a helping hand.
Last year, the Prime Minister’s son spent a lot of money to secure the position of supervisor of the salt mines, thinking he had gotten a lucrative job, but little did he know that Li Yuliang was pushing him along from behind, setting a trap and waiting for him to jump in.
Shen Tan asked, “Shall we investigate now?”
Li Yuliang said, “The Prime Minister’s family has deceived the Emperor and committed treason, seeking their own death. Of course, we must grant their wish.”
Shen Tan acknowledged the order, “I understand, rest assured, Grand Eunuch.”
Li Yuliang closed his eyes to rest, continuing to play with the jade.
The dim hall was extremely oppressive, and Shen Tan, observing his expression, waited for a moment before saying, “If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”
She turned to leave, but heard Li Yuliang speak again, “Wait a moment.”
She stopped, tensing up for a moment.
Li Yuliang stood up and walked in front of her, “How is the progress on the Princess’s case?”
Shen Tan’s expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to normal, “Reporting to the Grand Eunuch, no leads outside of the General’s Manor have been found.”
Li Yuliang slowly paced back and forth, “So, it has been confirmed that General He was the perpetrator?”
Shen Tan said cautiously, “A decision cannot be made until after the joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices.”
“The Three Judicial Offices are just empty shells of useless people.” Li Yuliang’s narrow eyes were sharp as a snake, “Whether Princess Meng Ning was killed by He Yuncheng, yes or no, I gave you the power, what I want is a definite result.”
He stood in front of Shen Tan with his back to the light, his shadow stretched out on the ground, making it suffocating.
Shen Tan lowered her body further, “This subordinate…understands.”
Li Yuliang’s cold gaze swept over her, then he turned and waved his sleeve, “I have already ordered someone to prepare the life-extending ointment, go and collect it.”
“Thank you, Grand Eunuch.”
–
It was already night when she left the palace, and before she even returned to the Northern Garrison, Shen Tan sensed something was wrong.
Someone was following her.
Those who came were all experts, their movements hidden, making it almost impossible to distinguish between the sound of the wind and the sound of footsteps.
However, counting the days, it was indeed time for them to come knocking.
Shen Tan stopped in a deserted place, turned around, and took the initiative.
“Since you’ve come, don’t hide. If you have something to say, come out and say it clearly.”
Her sharp gaze swept over, confidently calling out, “Young Master Shuangxu.”