Chapter 24: So Sweet

---

Chao Ge carried him back to the sleeping quarters. He said they were going to soak in the hot spring, but in reality, it only made him even dirtier.

When the ring was removed, the prolonged suppression had already caused him to become... limp. Yan Guan still felt uncomfortable, twisting his body to get out of bed. Although he wasn’t fully conscious, his instincts told him that he was about to lose control.

However Chao Ge restrained him, and pulled him into his lap, "What are you doing?"

"I... I need to pee…” Yan Guan was so ashamed in that moment that his eyes turned red with humiliation.

Chao Ge thought for a moment and then let out an understanding "hmm." He dragged a white jade basin from under the bed, "Go ahead, it's clean."

Chao Ge didn’t even pretend to be sincere in coaxing him - he was downright wicked. He truly was a hypocrite: on the one hand, he despised his own perversion, yet on the other, he wallowed in it.

He just wanted to see Yan Guan—whether laughing or crying—free from his shackles. Only then did Yan Guan seem genuinely adorable. He would never again be like before, expressionless and silently enduring everything.

Yan Guan dug his fingers into Chao Ge’s arm. Chao Ge let him vent his frustration, indifferent even as scratch marks drew blood, and continued to wipe Yan Guan clean with a handkerchief. He hadn’t cried like this in years. Somehow, through the haze of tears, his mind settled into a sudden, startling clarity. Why had he become so fragile after meeting Chao Ge? It shouldn’t have been like this.

Chao Ge smoothed down his cocked-up hair. He heard the crying of the one on his shoulder come to an end, and a slightly hoarse voice sounded beside his ear, “Chao Ge?” The tone carried a trace of confusion about the current situation, and perhaps also some unease.

Chao Ge turned his head and was met with a pair of clear, limpid eyes. His heart fluttered. Had Yan Guan woken up? He thought maybe the soak in the hot spring earlier had hastened the evaporation of the medicine’s potency.

“Mm, where do you feel uncomfortable?”

But Yan Guan didn’t speak again. He tilted his head and leaned against Chao Ge’s shoulder, letting out a big yawn. Teardrops clung to his eyelashes as he rubbed against Chao Ge, much like a cat stretching lazily, looking for a secure place to rest.

Chao Ge's heart melted into a complete mess. How could he have awakened so quickly? At the very least, it should have been tomorrow. So he dressed him in his nightclothes, carried him to bed, and let him sleep. They didn’t even get to eat dinner. It wasn’t until the second half of the night, after he’d slept his fill and woken up again, that Chao Ge fed him a few mouthfuls while holding him down.

Strange how the medicine worked. Just a few hours ago Yan Guan had been so exhausted, he worried his waist might snap, yet after waking he no longer seemed particularly hungry or fatigued.

Watching the head that kept burrowing around in his arms, Chao Ge couldn’t help but laugh. After these two days, he’d come to understand that Yan Guan craved his body. Though he didn’t say it out loud, thanks to the medicine, his actions spoke clearly enough.

“You’re being naughty again. What are you trying to do?” Chao Ge teased, trailing his fingers through Yan Guan’s hair.

The person in his arms froze. Then Chao Ge suddenly felt a pain in his chest. “You…!”

He was tall and broad, with solid chest and abdominal muscles—none lacking in the slightest. Yan Guan had probably wanted to get his hands on him for a while now. This time, he mustered his courage and gave a squeeze, which made the man laugh in exasperation.

Chao Ge caught the misbehaving hand and pressed it firmly against his chest. “If you like it, keep touching. What are you hiding for?” he chided, unwilling to let himself be on the losing end.

When he relaxed, his pectoral muscles [or as we like to call them, man-titties] turned out to be soft and pliant. Yan Guan gave a few more squeezes, then, clearly unsatisfied, leaned in and simply pressed his face against them, burying himself in Chao Ge’s chest.

Chao Ge’s expression remained impassive, but inside, his heart was blooming with joy. His gaze swept across Yan Guan’s bare back, and then downward… Whatever he’d just thought of made his throat tighten. [( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

He lifted the man up from his embrace, ignoring the other’s furrowed brows. “Xiao Guan, do you want to try this…?” His tone quivered slightly, clearly excited and laced with temptation.

Yan Guan didn’t understand what he meant and stared blankly at Chao Ge. Who would’ve thought this man - brimming with raw, ox-like strength - directly hauled him up, hooked under his armpits, and straddled him onto his lap. Everything below was laid bare in an instant. Chao Ge’s unabashed gaze made Yan Guan feel deeply embarrassed.

“Doesn’t Xiao Guan like it?”

Though the voice was low and deep, Yan Guan felt his ears buzzing, and his mind grew muddled.

(Not allowed to write) [this is literally part of the text, lmao]

The fierce beast that had long lain in ambush had finally corralled the prey into its territory. It was time to hunt.

The brocade quilt was tossed like rolling waves…

“So sweet…” Chao Ge licked the residue at the corner of his mouth, then added in a lewd tone, “Xiao Guan, would you like to taste mine as well?”

---

T/N: 

This chapter isn’t part of the official raws. They skip from c.23 to c.25. The smut ends here. The rest of the story is back to being sweet and wholesome. Happy Reading!

Funny story: As I was looking up cock rings in ancient china (shut up, it's research!), I found this site which sells chinese antiques, where I came across this amazing gem: (paraphrasing) "Because Chinese men are smaller than average, and European men have shorter, stubbier thumbs - some of the more decorative cock rings (made of jade or precious metals) were sold as thumb rings. But if you want to talk about embarrassing- just try telling some white guy that just paid thousands of dollars for a nephrite jade “thumb” ring to add to his collection, that he’s had for years and inherited from his Dad, that it was originally probably used on a Chinese man’s penis.

The case of Chinese cock rings being sold as thumb rings all these years, though, is a great example of why it is important to do scientific research on artifacts, to try to understand them and what their function was- instead of just selling them for the highest amount possible before people know what they were used for.

This also gives whole new meaning to the term of “jade stalk” which is how the penis is classically referred to in ancient Chinese texts. Being covered by jade, it truly was that."

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Chapter 23: Container

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After being coaxed into eating a few grapes, Yan Guan watched as Chao Ge's eyes gradually became distracted. He no longer cared about propriety, leaning in to nip at his lover’s lips.

Their roles immediately reversed. Chao Ge reacted at once, gripping the back of Yan Guan’s head to deepen the kiss. The sweet, juicy flavor of the grapes was plundered without mercy. Yan Guan stuck out his tongue slightly, a small part of it scraped raw from the friction. His original intention was to protest, but in Chao Ge’s eyes, it took on a completely different meaning.

"You were the one who provoked me first. Don’t try to act innocent now." 

His lips, which had been ravaged so many times, were red and tender. His slightly parted lips made people want to bully him even more. Chao Ge pressed his thumb against them, ripples of desire spreading through his heart.

How was he so soft everywhere…? Just like a freshly steamed bun. Chao Ge remembered how, from the moment these perverse thoughts took root in his mind, he had wanted nothing more than to knead him thoroughly.

Yan Guan was stunned. His instincts told him something was off about that statement, yet, at the same time, it seemed to make some sense. So, he simply wrapped his arms around Chao Ge and stopped talking, sulking with quiet frustration.

"Shall I carry you to the bath?" Chao Ge’s mind had been full of mischief last night, so he hadn’t cleaned Yan Guan up properly.(1)

Yan Guan didn't know that no matter what Chao Ge did, he would not resist.**

If Chao Ge could draw a bow weighing nearly 100 jin, he had no trouble lifting Yan Guan’s slender frame, or carrying him with steady ease. Yan Guan nestled in his arms, fidgety, constantly shifting about. Chao Ge knew he was [starting to feel] uncomfortable again.

The steam curled thickly over the hot spring in the rear courtyard of the sleeping palace. When the attendants saw Chao Ge coming in, they lowered their heads and withdrew quickly. Out of the corners of their eyes, they caught a glimpse of Yan Guan, draped casually in a plain wide-sleeved robe. If they weren’t mistaken, it was the lotus-patterned robe that only a Monarch could wear. The leading servant couldn't help but feel a quiet shock.

As soon as they entered the bathtub, they both couldn't help but sigh contentedly. Yan Guan, stripped bare, was set down on the stone steps at the edge of the pool. Chao Ge scooped up warm water and used a cloth to gently wash him.

The gentle washing somehow ignited a fire. Yan Guan was already on the edge, and now he clung to Chao Ge even more, craving him.

The stone surface was bone-chilling cold, but Chao Ge's body burned scalding hot. Yan Guan was pinned to the edge of the pool and bullied repeatedly.

---

T/N:

**Yan Guan has no idea he is drugged. He thinks he is having consensual sex with the man he loves. [That’s how Bindeya’s drug is supposed to work - the victim, driven mad with lust, acts on “his heart’s desires” without restraint - he may think he is in control, when in fact, he is being manipulated by someone else, because he can't deny that person] That’s why Chao Ge is being extra cautious and letting him take the lead. But well… he is still a ravaging swashbuckler.

The official raws for this chapter end at (1). I appropriated the rest of the chapter from some not-so-savoury sources (The previous chapter is a combination of both official and unsavoury as well) and took some creative liberties to fill in the gaps. The title of the chapter (as implied in the next chapter) comes from the use of “container” or cock rings to minimize Yan Guan’s “loss of vital essence” (as advised by Bindeya in the last chapter). 

That said, the next chapter deals with Golden Shower (watersport kink or piss-play). If it’s not your thing (or if you are younger than 18, no judgments here, but this is ADULT territory), please skip the next chapter. 

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Chapter 22: Toy

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With his belly full of sex, Yan Guan trembled and gradually quieted down, mumbling something unconsciously. Chao Ge leaned in closer to listen, and, unable to resist, lowered his head and kissed him.

In the past, Yan Guan had always slept in a very proper manner - he woke up in the same position that he went to bed the night before. Chao Ge deliberately wanted to tease him, so he lifted him up and made him lie on top of him. The movement made Yan Guan squirm in discomfort.

“What’s wrong?”

Yan Guan raised his head, his expression dazed. Chao Ge touched his forehead and wondered if the effect of the medicine still hadn’t worn off. Just as he was about to pull his hand away, Yan Guan rubbed his cheek against his hand, and rested his head on his palm without moving.

Yan Guan was strikingly beautiful, his eyes glistening with a watery gleam. Even though he was completely naked, he still retained a hint of innocence and purity, which made Chao Ge’s face heat up even more.

Only then did Chao Ge realize something was wrong. Usually, [their tryst] would end after one time because Yan Guan couldn’t handle it. So how would he show an expression that indicated he wanted more?

This drug… Chao Ge opened his palm, and sure enough, Yan Guan’s head followed the motion, trying to press against it. Chao Ge refused, and Yan Guan’s lips pursed as more tears welled up. He usually wasn’t one to cry, but now that his mask had come off, he couldn’t hide any grievance. Blame Chao Ge for spoiling him too much.

“Chao Ge, I feel so uncomfortable…” Yan Guan whimpered, coquettish and seductive.

The drug had already been taken, and there was no going back. Chao Ge, panting heavily, turned over and pressed the man underneath him once more. [Chao Ge’s heaving bosom hehe]

…………

Yan Guan, having borne favour for too long, began shivering with exhaustion. Chao Ge paid no mind to him, his hunger growing even more due to Yan Guan’s indulgence.

With a flip, Yan Guan was turned over once again. For a brief moment his mind cleared and he started struggling violently, crying, “No… no!”

Chao Ge stroked his back [to calm him], and his roaming hand felt the ugly, uneven scars… He paused. They had used this position before, so why had he not realised Yan Guan disliked it? 

‘Is it because of these marks?’ Chao Ge wondered, feeling a dull ache in his chest. “Why didn’t you say so?”

He leaned over, gently lifted Yan Guan’s chin with his hand, and softly called, “Xiao Guan?”

Yan Guan stopped crying and reverted to his earlier state of disorientation. Chao Ge couldn't bear to continue, as he had a feeling that Yan Guan was not in the right condition. He would have to call Bindeya and ask her about it tomorrow.

A warm palm covered Yan Guan’s eyes, his eyelashes fluttering against the skin of that hand. His whole body was held by Chao Ge, trying his best to give him a full sense of security. Yan Guan calmed down. He couldn't explain why he was crying; he was eager to explain but didn't know where to start. His usually sharp mind had stopped working.

Chao Ge touched his hair carefully and comforted him, as if coaxing a child. "Go to sleep. Are you going to the pharmacy tomorrow?"

Yan Guan struggled to understand, then shook his head after a while.

The next day, Yan Guan still hadn’t woken up. After dressing him and tidying his blanket, Chao Ge went out and found Bindeya standing in the corridor with a sheepish look on her face.

“What’s wrong with your medicine?”

Bindeya’s expression froze. “What happened? Are there any symptoms?”

“Yan Guan, he…” Chao Ge felt that this matter couldn’t be explained in just a few words. “Hey, he’s still asleep. Come in and take a look.”

Bindeya stood beside the bed, placed her hand on him, and clicked her tongue, "Uh... the effects of this medicine are really beyond my expectations." Seeing Chao Ge's face darken, she immediately continued, "But my lord, please rest assured. It will clear up in three days at most, and I promise there will be no side-effects."

“Can’t we use medicine?” Chao Ge’s face was already very troubled. Three days! If this continued for three days, it would be very harmful to his body!

“It’s better to loosen than to block. Taking medicine is never ideal. We just have to wait for it to resolve on its own. Besides, this medicine also contains restorative ingredients. If Your Highness is truly worried, then simply employ some methods to minimize Yan Guan’s loss of essence.”

After Bindeya finished speaking, she no longer dared to meet Chao Ge’s eyes. She figured that her business deal was already doomed…

After a moment of silence, Chao Ge recalled Yan Guan’s behavior and words from last night and asked, “What exactly is the effect of this medicine? It doesn’t seem quite right.”

Bindeya lifted her head but quickly lowered it again. Forcing herself to speak, she said, “Indeed it’s different from other ordinary aphrodisiacs. Its primary effect is to amplify what’s in one’s heart. It also has somewhat hallucinogenic properties. If Yan Guan acts a little out of ordinary or childish, that’s normal.”

Hearing this, Chao Ge frowned. As it turned out he was anxious about his scars and scared of being rejected. Was this fear born out of love? Thinking back, even Yan Guan's rare initiative last night left him with a vague sense of heartache. The scars on his shoulders and back were caused by carrying the shackles. When he first arrived in Liangzhou, no one took care of him, so naturally, the wounds hadn’t healed properly. Chao Ge couldn’t help but despise himself. He had his own battle scars, and had never cared about such trivial matters. Why had he forgotten to ask others if they minded? Yan Guan never said anything, but clearly he had been uneasy about it.

As he understood the situation, Chao Ge felt disheartened. He waved his hand to dismiss the servant without saying any harsh words. Bindeya slipped away in a hurry, feeling as if she had narrowly escaped a disaster.

So Yan Guan would be like this for the next three days?! Forget it, at least he wouldn’t let him get bullied or hurt. They could talk about the scars after he sobered up.

Chao Ge lifted the plain blue bed curtain and saw Yan Guan’s peaceful sleeping face. It had taken him quite some time to settle down. After thinking about it, Chao Ge decided not to wake him.  It would be okay for him to be hungry for a while. He raised his hand and touched Yan Guan’s face, then turned around and closed the bed curtain so as not to disturb him again.

Because Yan Guan was uncomfortable being waited on, there were no attendants left in the hall to serve them. So Chao Ge went to the outer room and ordered, "Prepare some refreshing side dishes and place them in the corridor. Reheat them if they get cold."

"Yes," the servant was very perceptive. Seeing Chao Ge's concerned look, he knew it was something he didn't understand*, so he asked, "There are tribute grapes from Longxi. Would you like us to bring some?" [*it’s something above his pay grade]

 Chao Ge nodded and said, "Sure. No need for ice, just soak them in well water."

After giving the orders, Chao Ge returned to the inner hall and sat on the recliner by the window, waiting for Yan Guan to awaken.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that Yan Guan slowly stirred. Chao Ge hurriedly fed him some rice, watching him with a trace of nervousness.

“There are grapes. Do you want some?”

Yan Guan stared at him, unable to move his eyes away. Whatever Chao Ge asked him to do, he did obediently, as if he had lost the ability to think. When he heard Chao Ge, he didn't reply. He just wanted to get closer to him.

Chao Ge shook his hands and thought, ‘Oh no, this medicine has damaged Xiaoguan's brain.’ In fact, Yan Guan was just following his inner thoughts. He himself had no idea that he’d cared so much about Chao Ge. But now his heart and eyes were really full of him.

Chao Ge's sleeve was pulled, and Yan Guan rushed into his arms without thinking, clinging tightly and refusing to let go.  "Don't go, Chao Ge."

Chao Ge's heart skipped a beat. He patted Yan Guan's back, picked up a robe from the side to cover him, and lifted him onto his lap. Yan Guan automatically adjusted himself into a comfortable position and cuddled up to him.

While Chao Ge was happy, he also felt a bit worried. also a little sad. Yan Guan had become clingy, more proactive, and had somehow learned to act spoiled and throw little tantrums without being taught. Chao Ge felt a little overwhelmed by this sweet burden. He nuzzled against Yan Guan's neck, brushing their hair and temples together.

After the kiss, Yan Guan's cheeks were flushed. Chao Ge still felt it wasn’t enough, so he leaned in and sniffed him again. He’d always felt that there was something addictive about Yan Guan's scent, as if it seeped out from the bones, enveloping him into a state of intoxication.

Yan Guan didn’t resist. After all, the last night had been intense, and he was still a little exhausted.

"Eat grapes, I'll feed you," Chao Ge was excited, probably because the overly obedient Yan Guan was like a doll that could be manipulated at will. And Chao Ge was like a big dog enjoying the fun, with a heart full of love and possession that had nowhere to vent, so he circled around him in vain, licking him from time to time to satisfy his hunger. Taking care of Yan Guan was undoubtedly one of his ways of venting his emotions. Watching him quietly eat the grapes he had peeled, he felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment.

Yan Guan had been poisoned by the drug, but it seemed as though Chao Ge was the one infected by it.

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Chapter 21: New Medicine

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Bindeya chuckled, "Doesn’t Your Excellency just want to get closer to Dr Yan? With this, you will get twice the result with half the effort."

A bang! startled Bindeya. Chao Ge, his expression dark, had slammed his palm onto the desk. "We don't need this. Get out," he snapped, feeling a headache coming on.

Bindeya sighed, frustrated, and thought to herself, why pretend? If he had spent all that effort into being polite [nice], he’d have caught that person long ago.

It’s been said that the people of Wugan are fierce and unrestrained, and Bindeya had some of that Jianghu spirit. But Chao Ge felt uneasy in his heart, and thought it was a bit humiliating.

Bindeya stuffed the medicine bottle back into her pocket and leisurely made her way to the pharmacy.

Yan Guan was writing something when he heard footsteps. Recognising them as Bindeya, he quickly called her over.

"Oh, done already? You've worked hard."

The small characters packed densely on the paper, arranged in neat rows and columns, clearly showed that a lot of effort had been put into writing it. It had taken nearly a month of hard work  for it to be accomplished. Once it was fully completed, he would share it with the other doctors in the Medical Bureau, so they could all finish the book together.

Yan Guan couldn't contain his joy. The stone that had been weighing on his heart had finally settled. He had worried that he might not be able to do a good job, but things had gone surprisingly smoothly.

Bindeya circled around the table thinking this matter could finally be put to rest. Right now, however, there was another, more pressing issue.

"Yan Guan, I’ve recently concocted a new medicine. Do you want to try it?"

Bindeya had experimented with potions when she was studying pharmacology. She had good medicinal skills, and wouldn’t cause him any harm. So he agreed without thinking, "Sure, what kind of medicine?"

Seeing his innocent expression, Bindeya suddenly felt a pang of guilt for tricking him. But then she thought about the deep affection between her lord and Yan Guan. Helping them could be considered as a good deed.

Ha, she just enjoyed stirring things up for fun. After working seriously for a few days, she was now looking to make a bit of mischief. Of course, this new medicine was also part of it.

"Here you go," Bindeya placed the medicine bottle down. "I’ve got a new business going. This medicine was originally intended to be sold, but I'll let you try it first. It's really a bargain for you guys, eh..."

Yan Guan looked puzzled. "You guys? Isn’t this medicine meant for one person?"

For once, Bindeya felt a bit embarrassed. She coughed and explained, "This is... a medicine for sex. It’s for you and Chao Ge to use together."

Yan Guan's face turned red with embarrassment. "This… this… how can you bring this up? Bindeya, you..."

"Oh come on, you and Chao Ge have been together for so long. What’s there to be shy about? Since I can sell this kind of product, it shows that this is not something to be ashamed of in Wugan. Just think of it as doing me a favour, and test the effectiveness of this medicine. It's not a loss for you, and it won't harm your body."

Bindeya felt a little guilty and deliberately raised her voice. Yan Guan was so flustered that he rushed over to cover her mouth.

Bindeya jumped away nimbly, "Take it, take it. Chao Ge’s too much of a coward to use it, so don’t be polite. I’m off now!"

With that, she ran off, skillfully leaping over rooftops, and left Yan Guan speechlessly staring at the medicine bottle.

After scratching his head for a while, Yan Guan finally stuffed the bottle into his sleeve.

………

When Yan Guan returned to Tongfeng Hall, Chao Ge was lying lazily on the couch reading a miscellaneous book. As soon as he saw Yan Guan, he immediately tossed the book aside and rushed over.

"You're early today," Chao Ge pulled Yan Guan onto his lap and, without waiting for a word, began teasing him.

Chao Ge grasped Yan Guan's hand, feeling along his sleeve. Before Yan Guan could react, Chao Ge's fingers touched a cold object hidden inside.

"What are you hiding?" Chao Ge pulled it out and his expression immediately became playful. "You..."

Yan Guan quickly snatched it back, explaining, "Bindeya gave me this new medicine."

"Oh? This bottle looks quite familiar."

Startled, Yan Guan glanced up at him, realizing that Chao Ge already knew. Apparently, Bindeya  had gone to him first. 

Chao Ge pulled Yan Guan closer into his arms. "Bindeya gave this to me earlier, but I didn’t want it. Did you bring it back because you wanted to use it?" He fixed his gaze on Yan Guan, eyes burning with intensity. 

Initially, Chao Ge had found the idea of using medicine distasteful, but if it was something Yan Guan also wanted, that was a different matter. After all, it would be hypocritical of him to say he wasn’t tempted.

Yan Guan, embarrassed, turned his head away and muttered softly, "These past days, I’ve been busy and haven’t had the time… but now things have calmed down a bit…"

Hearing this, Chao Ge understood immediately. He clamped Yan Guan's chin and kissed him passionately. It took him a long time to catch his breath. Before long, he was already hard, pressing against Yan Guan’s butt. 

Yan Guan grabbed Chao Ge's collar, bit the cork off the bottle, and poured the medicine into his mouth. Chao Ge lifted him up and carried him toward the bed.

It had been a while since they had been intimate. In the past, Chao Ge had been gentle, mindful of Yan Guan's health, and would at most rub against his body with restraint. But now, Chao Ge held nothing back, tearing off Yan Guan's outer robe without care, even snapping the ties.

"Xiao Guan..." Chao Ge's hot breath brushed against Yan Guan's ear, filled with endless desire.

The effect of the medicine took hold, and Yan Guan felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen. His mind grew foggy, and he clung to Chao Ge, desperate for closeness. The touch of Chao Ge's hands felt overwhelmingly pleasurable.

If Bindeya had been there, perhaps she would have noticed something unusual about the reaction to the medicine. But by then, both men were too consumed by their desires to care.

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Chapter 20: Summer Villa

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The two of them shamelessly stayed in Cheng'en Hall for a few days, and only set off for the summer villa after Yan Guan had recovered.

The carriage was spacious and comfortable. Yan Guan reclined,  feeling a little drowsy. He felt that he had been spoiled a bit too much these past few days, and now couldn't bear even the little bumps [of the carriage]. Reflecting on this, he realised that this couldn't go on. As they say, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go back. He decided to pick up his old habits again. So, he sat up straight.

"Just sleep if you're tired. It's okay," Chao Ge suggested as noticed his motion-sickness.

Yan Guan stubbornly shook his head, placed his hands on his knees, and sat very upright. This is a way of maintaining health, and of preventing qi and blood from stagnating after sitting for a long time. The previous slouching posture was not good [for health].

Since Yan Guan was determined, Chao Ge didn't persuade him any further.

When they arrived at the mountain villa, the sleeping chambers had already been tidied up. Yan Guan was stunned as soon as he got off the carriage. This mountain villa was not as big as the Imperial Palace, but it was exquisitely built with the Southern aesthetic in corners and eaves.

Chao Ge took his hand and went in, explaining, "It's modeled after Liang Dynasty’s architecture, as a symbol of the friendly relationship between the two nations. But, in truth, it was built because the founding monarch once favoured a woman from the Liang Dynasty."

Yan Guan found it novel but didn't look around too much. Hearing this, he couldn't help but be intrigued and asked, "Then what happened to this concubine later?"

Chao Ge paused, his expression stiffening, and changed the subject, "Our bedroom is over there. The servants are all outside, so there will be less restraint." After speaking, he pulled Yan Guan inside. Yan Guan understood that the concubine's ending was probably not good. Looking at himself and Chao Ge now, didn’t it feel like some kind of a karmic cycle? 

Yan Guan hurriedly banished these unpleasant thoughts from his mind and focused on listening to Chao Ge's rambling.

The Cheng'en Hall in the Imperial Palace was the emperor's residence. Naturally, it was built to be grand and majestic, with an abundance of heavy and opulent furnishings, but lacking warmth. But here, the sleeping chamber was called Tongfeng(1). Just hearing the name evoked a sense of romance, and upon entering, indeed it was [romantic] — jade-carved balustrades, every object, every item inside was exquisitely crafted. The most eye-catching thing, however, was the large bed — intricate patterns, emerald gemstones, gold-threaded brocade quilts…all these were secondary. The most important thing was that it was too big...

Yan Guan stopped in his tracks, wondering whether he would fall off even if he rolled over three times. He had heard before that some wealthy families used such large beds where they could eat and dress without needing to move. Chao Ge wouldn't possibly... well, it was hard to say. After all, he had been treated quite roughly before, and hadn't gotten out of bed much.

Chao Ge saw him lost in thought and tugged at him, "What's wrong? Is there something you don't like?"

Yan Guan shook his head, quickly replying, "No, everything is fine, it's just a bit too extravagant."

Ordinary people yearned for a life of ease and abundance, but Yan Guan still couldn't adapt to it, always feeling unworthy of such treatment. Chao Ge understood that and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "In a few days, I'll introduce you to someone. She is proficient in witchcraft, which has some similarities with medical theory. Didn't you say you were thinking about medical books? You can discuss them with her. The borderlands of Wugan are freezing cold and frequently plagued by epidemics. Most of the people are illiterate and only know folk remedies. If you two can compile the folk remedies and medical theories into books, it would greatly benefit Wugan."

Yan Guan's eyes lit up. Doing something useful would also make him feel more at ease. Thinking this, Yan Guan couldn't wait to meet the person he was talking about.

Since helping to suppress the rebellion in Dezhou last time, Bindeya had been staying in the Holy Mountain to avoid the limelight. She was so bored that she was about to burst. When she finally received Chao Ge's summons, she immediately rushed to the mountain villa.

Bindeya’s identity was special. As a secret agent of the Imperial Court with a rare set of skills, ordinary people didn't dare to approach her, and with her elder brother, Boerjin, staying in Sangta, she had no one to talk to. When she learned that Chao Ge wanted her to interact with Yan Guan and work on medical books, she didn't even have time for gossip and was eager to meet Yan Guan.

Seeing them both so excited, Chao Ge inexplicably felt a bit jealous, and pressed Yan Guan down for a kiss.

"Don't bite there, I'm meeting someone tomorrow," Yan Guan pushed him away, his face flushed. Chao Ge stubbornly nipped at the skin on his neck.

Inevitably a mark was left, the dark red standing out starkly against the fair skin, obvious to anyone. Yan Guan covered his neck, belatedly realizing Chao Ge's intentions.

Chao Ge snorted, "You're already thinking about her before you've even met." It wasn't that he was wary of anything, but the thought of Yan Guan being busy all day in the future, spending more time with Bindeya than him, made him feel uneasy. At this moment, he had forgotten his own past actions of working day and night.

The next day, Bindeya and Yan Guan met in the pharmacy.

Bindeya had heard a little about Yan Guan's background, but she wasn't narrow-minded. She didn't care about his status as a convict, only judging people by their character and ability.

"Dr Yan, just call me by my name. We'll be working together in the future," she said, taking out the books she had collected in the past few days for Yan Guan to see.

Her straightforwardness made Yan Guan feel much more relaxed, and he bowed in thanks.

Both of them were a bit obsessed with medicine, and they forgot the time as they discussed and learned from each other. When Chao Ge came to call them, they were still buried in their discussions, completely engrossed.

"Witchcraft isn't all evil. It's just that it has a long history and is difficult to explain with medical theory. Moreover, much of it is passed down orally, so there are many omissions. The language and writing is also a problem." [writing refers to old script/alphabet]

Yan Guan nodded in agreement, "These things are too mysterious, I need to study them carefully."

"It doesn't matter, take these books first, I've already translated them," Bindeya had tried to record the techniques into books a few years ago. Just using Wugan script wouldn't spread them widely, so she also wrote them in Chinese characters.

Both earnestly shared the knowledge. Bindeya realised that these traditions would be passed down, and found Yan Guan more and more adorable.

"Ah, no wonder Chao Ge likes you," Bindeya couldn't help the urge to pinch his cheek, but barely restrained herself. Her keen hearing had caught the movement behind her.

Chao Ge had been standing there for a while, deliberately suppressing his presence so as not to disturb them. Who would have thought Bindeya was about to touch his? He walked forward with a stern face.

"Chao Ge, you're here," Yan Guan stepped up to greet him, while Bindeya smiled awkwardly from behind, preparing to slip away.

"Mm," Chao Ge held Yan Guan's hand, giving her a subtle glare.

Bindeya was naturally free-spirited, and she had joined Chao Ge purely out of admiration. So they didn’t adhere strictly to the formalities of a Sovereign and his subject. He usually didn't demand much from people like her, valuing their abilities, which had emboldened her, Chao Ge thought with some irritation.

Back at Tongfeng Hall for dinner, Chao Ge served Yan Guan food while reminding him not to get too engrossed and neglect his meals and sleep. He also subtly reminded him to stay away from Bindeya, as Boerjin's sister was capable of doing anything eccentric and might lead him astray. [dang the foreshadowing!]

But that was impossible. Yan Guan met with Bindeya almost every day, and they became  increasingly familiar.

After Yan Guan forgot the dinner time for who knows how many times, Chao Ge finally couldn't bear it anymore and took the time to call Bindeya over.

"What does Your Excellency want to see me for?" Her respectful demeanor was rather unsettling.

Chao Ge's eyes and nose were out of sorts, but he still patiently asked, "How's the progress of the book recently?"

"It's going well. Dr Yan is smart and understands everything with just a hint. He also taught me a lot. It's very enjoyable."

Very enjoyable? Chao Ge felt something was off. They were happy, but he wasn't happy at all. He had come to the summer retreat thinking there would be no one else, so he could be intimate with Yan Guan. But now, Yan Guan read until late every night, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. How could he be intimate? With a warm jade in his arms, who knew how much he had to suppress his desires every day?

Chao Ge didn't speak for a long time, feeling angry.

Bindeya suddenly chuckled, "My apologies, the outline has been completed, and it should be finished in a few days."

Chao Ge looked miserable every day, treating Yan Guan like a bone, making his affection obvious to everyone. Bindeya had been a secret agent for many years, how could she not understand? Only Yan Guan was oblivious, focusing solely on his work.

"Your Excellency," Bindeya winked, indicating she was about to act up again.

"What?" Chao Ge asked impatiently, feeling that this person could never say anything good. She wasn't old, but she had seen and done a lot, even disguising herself as a man to visit brothels and spending lavishly. Speaking of which, it still puzzled Boerjin. How could a normal girl think of doing that? [oh my sweet summer child!]

That's a story for later. In short, Bindeya placed a small porcelain bottle in front of him, "Consider it an apology. It's a newly concocted medicine. Why doesn't Your Excellency help me test it?"

It probably wasn't anything proper.

---

Footnotes:

1. Tongfeng comes from the Chinese idiom 桐花凤栖 (tóng huā fèng qī) which translates to translates to "The Phoenix perches on the Paulownia Tree." 

The paulownia tree (桐, tóng) is believed to be the only tree where the phoenix (凤, fèng) will perch. This symbolizes the idea of finding the ideal home, partner, or environment. In poetry and romance, this phrase suggests a fated connection, where two people are destined to be together, just like the phoenix and the paulownia tree.

T/N: Sorry for taking so long. These few chapters (thanks to all the censorship) were basically hell to translate. I AM using chatgpt, but there was no coherancy between sentences. Which made the reading experience horrible. It was like a bad MTL and I couldn’t bring myself to upload it. It took a while, but I’m finally happy with this version. I have translated the rest of the story. Just some minor edits and then done. I will upload them soon as well.

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