BLHO Chapter 56

Lin Shuangxu’s wound recovered well, and by the day of staying up for the New Year, he was basically able to move around without any problems.

After too many days of dullness, the General’s Manor was lively again for once.

People from the military camp all came, and the servants busily prepared the food and drinks, and everyone celebrated the New Year together in a lively manner.

At the New Year’s Eve dinner table, everyone raised their glasses and exchanged toasts, listening to the sound of firecrackers in Fengdu City, and a string of auspicious greetings were spoken one after another.

The unknowing deputy general felt that this confrontation with the imperial court was a triumphant victory for the He family, and that in the future, those eunuch traitors would definitely not dare to provoke them easily again.

But Lin Shuangxu knew, and He Yuncheng also knew, that things had not come to an end.

Shen Tan was taken away by Li Yuliang, and she would not be able to reveal Princess Meng Ning.

If Lin Shuangxu didn’t speak, no one would know that the princess was still alive.

This meant that, at present, the He family was still the mastermind behind the princess’s case.

They had not yet been able to seize He Yuncheng’s military power, and such an elaborate scheme would not be easily abandoned without achieving its goal.

But the imperial court had been silent for so many days, which was eerily calm.

Lin Shuangxu kept his thoughts and worries hidden in his heart, maintaining a light smile on his face, and since his injury had not yet healed, he replaced wine with tea and drank with the soldiers.

The scene at the table was one of lively peace and harmony. He Yuncheng was worried that he would run out of energy, so he drank a few of the toasts offered by his subordinates. Having no more heart to deal with them, he moved closer to him and asked if he wanted to go back to rest.

Lin Shuangxu was indeed not very comfortable in overly lively occasions. He nodded to He Yuncheng and allowed him to help him back.

The noise gradually faded away, and the courtyard was quiet. Once inside the bedroom, with no outsiders present, Lin Shuangxu stopped pretending, and a cloud of sorrow covered his eyes.

He Yuncheng helped him take off his cloak and hung it aside, then supported his waist back to the bed. After he sat down, he knelt on one knee and carefully helped him take off his shoes and socks.

He said to him, “I asked Guo Yao to keep an eye on the Ministry of War’s movements. He said that yesterday, the Emperor secretly summoned Han Mao and Chen Chang.”

As he spoke, he lifted Lin Shuangxu’s legs and placed them into the quilt, “Lie down.”

Lin Shuangxu leaned against the head of the bed, listening to him continue, “This time I led the troops to intimidate the imperial court, no matter how the Emperor viewed the He family before, after this incident, he will definitely not dare to trust me anymore. The previous dispatch order was fueled by the eunuchs. No matter how much I disobeyed the order, he wouldn’t dare to openly move against me, but now, if the Emperor personally comes forward to strip me of my military power, once the imperial decree is issued, I can only obey.”

Lin Shuangxu’s worries deepened, and he didn’t respond.

He Yuncheng smiled helplessly, “I didn’t expect to be tricked by that girl Gu Mengning.” He asked Lin Shuangxu, “Are you really not planning to reveal the matter of her faked death?”

Lin Shuangxu shook his head, “It’s not the time yet, let’s protect her first, she may be useful in the future.”

“She is a person who wants to rebel,” He Yuncheng said, “Doing this is already conspiring with her.”

Lin Shuangxu took a deep breath, he knew it only too well.

But protecting Gu Mengning was partly his personal motive, and on the other hand, given the current situation, the more chaotic the situation, the more advantageous it would be for the He family.

“To be a loyal minister, one must first protect oneself,” Lin Shuangxu said.

He Yuncheng smiled fearlessly, “Loyal minister or treacherous minister, it doesn’t matter to me. It makes no difference to me who becomes the emperor of this world. I only care about two things: the peace of the northern border of Bei Sheng, and you. I have learned about Han Mao, he is brave but lacks strategy, a self-indulgent playboy, definitely not a choice for a general. I can not be this general, but to let me hand over the He family army and the lives of hundreds of thousands of border people into the hands of such a person, I cannot agree.”

He Yuncheng’s breath was filled with a few hints of alcohol, and his words were firm and unquestionable when he spoke.

He was a man who knew why he lived.

What to do and what not to do, he had his own judgments in his heart, and he would not be swayed by others at any time, upright and honorable.

Such a happy life was something Lin Shuangxu could never have.

So it became his most fatal seduction.

He could not get rid of his shady identity, nor could he change his cautious nature. With too many concerns, the freedom and joy he longed for could only be felt in He Yuncheng.

He was the one who first coveted He Yuncheng.

“What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that.”

Lin Shuangxu’s absent-minded gaze worried He Yuncheng, “Did I say something wrong?”

Lin Shuangxu shook his head, the solemnity in his eyes slowly melting away, and said to He Yuncheng, “Go lock the door.”

He Yuncheng was stunned, but without asking why, he went to the door as he was told and bolted the door from the inside.

Then he came back and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at him without saying a word.

Lin Shuangxu said again, “Sit closer.”

He Yuncheng’s breathing couldn’t help but quicken. Knowing what kind of proper person Lin Shuangxu was, he still couldn’t help but expect something messy to happen.

But, for no reason, how could it be possible?

He leaned forward, closer to Lin Shuangxu.

Lin Shuangxu looked at him with watery eyes, and in the next moment, he gently raised his arms, wrapped them around his neck, and actually took the initiative to hug him.

After the surprise, every hair on He Yuncheng’s body couldn’t help but be excited.

Mindful of Lin Shuangxu’s injury, he tried his best to restrain his reaction.

Warm breath pressed against his ear, and he heard Lin Shuangxu say, “Tonight, we welcome the New Year, let’s not talk about worries, let’s just assume that everything goes smoothly, and no matter how many difficulties and obstacles there are, there will always be a way out tomorrow.”

His heart felt as if a warm current had swept through it, and He Yuncheng was deeply moved, and wrapped Lin Shuangxu in his arms, “Okay.”

“Yuncheng…”

Lin Shuangxu’s voice became even softer, scratching at people’s hearts like a cat’s paw.

The few glasses of wine he had just drunk suddenly had an effect, and He Yuncheng’s mind began to spin.

“Hmm.”

He responded in a deep voice, and then felt Lin Shuangxu’s hand slide down his back, groping all the way to his waist.

That palm was trembling slightly, as if it was also nervous.

He Yuncheng leaned back slightly, lowered his head, and watched with his own eyes as those slender hands slowly untied his belt.

Alcoholic fumes swirled, warmth rose in the bed, and things got moving.

He Yuncheng really wanted to know what Lin Shuangxu was thinking in his mind at such a moment.

He cupped Lin Shuangxu’s face and kissed him passionately.

Lin Shuangxu closed his eyes tightly. He was the one who took the initiative, and he was also the one who was ashamed and dared not face it.

He Yuncheng always liked to say that he was hypocritical, but did he know that what made him the most fascinated by He Yuncheng was his saying one thing and meaning another.

While scolding him to get out, and saying time and time again that he didn’t like him.

At the same time, he was falling with him, unable to extricate himself.

The sound of firecrackers outside the window rose and fell one after another. It was almost midnight, and every household in Fengdu City was staying up for the New Year, and no one was asleep.

When a firework exploded, He Yuncheng saw that Lin Shuangxu’s eyes were filled with mist, as brilliant as gemstones.

Too beautiful.

“The New Year has arrived,” he said to Lin Shuangxu.

“Yes, my Yuncheng, may you be safe and well every year.”