Lin Qingyu has been reluctant to open his eyes the entire time. In the darkness, unable to see, his sense of touch turned sharper. He felt something drip on his face. He opened his eyes a slit and locked eyes with Gu Fuzhou.

Gu Fuzhou… has been looking at him the whole time. The naivety of youth had disappeared from his eyes, leaving only a mature man’s surging undercurrent. Gu Fuzhou had been looking at him like this; his face flushed and his lips slightly parted, revealing an expression that would never normally appear on his face. Gu Fuzhou’s sweat dripped on his face. It was so cold outside but Gu Fuzhou was sweating all over.

Lin Qingyu couldn’t help but ask, “Are you tired?”

Gu Fuzhou laughed: “No. Why would you think so?”

“If you’re not tired, why are you sweating so much?”

Gu Fuzhou shifted and said in an uncertain tone, “Well this… maybe, it’s because it’s hard to hold back?”

Lin Qingyu was momentarily stunned. He made as if to speak but stopped.

Gu Fuzhou asked with a smile, “Are you going to help me out?”

Lin Qingyu raised his hand; seeming as though ignorant where to put it, he lowered it once again. “Forget it, I’m…not very good at it.”

He couldn’t do it well to himself, let alone help others.

“Huh? So there are actually things Doctor Lin can’t do?” Gu Fuzhou smiled, “But that’s no problem. I can teach you. It’s very simple…”

Having said that, Gu Fuzhou really grabbed his hand and taught him stroke by stroke.

Lin Qingyu closed his eyes again, Gu Fuzhou’s breath lingering in his ears. Gu Fuzhou would speak to him from time to time—calling him “Qingyu”, calling him “Baobei”; even calling him ” Laopo” towards the end. The way he sounded calling him “Laopo” almost made his knees go weak. He couldn’t help but suspect that the word “Laopo” meant something other than “old woman” in Gu Fuzhou’s home dialect, otherwise he simply couldn’t accept Gu Fuzhou’s hobby.

Fortunately, right at this moment, Gu Fuzhou kissed him. Between his lips and teeth, he temporarily put the whole “old woman” matter behind him. Gu Fuzhou then began showering him with praises; praising him for his long lashes, his beautiful body, his wonderful voice. He kept coaxing him to call him “Lao Gong”, nearly making his knees buckle once again.

Lin Qingyu knew that Gu Fuzhou talked a lot, but he really hadn’t expected for Gu Fuzhou to be able to speak so openly in bed. Gu Fuzhou’s voice was deep and low. Every sentence he uttered seemed to give him a drug of enchantment, causing strange and unfamiliar reactions to appear within him — of course, this was excluding “Lao Gong and Laopo”, these two words ought to be poison.

Gu Fuzhou got what he wanted and successfully defiled his beautiful wife. Afterwards, he got out of bed without complaint and asked the servants to bring in a basic of hot water.

Sitting on duty in the master bedroom that night were Hua Lu and a momo surnamed Yun. After Yun Momo delivered the hot water and towels handkerchief in, she smiled and said, “The long awaited day has finally come. I was beginning to think the General and the Madam would life out the rest of their lives pure of heart and free of desires.”

Hua Lu asked curiously, “The long awaited day? What day do you mean, momo?”

Yun Momo said, beaming with joy, “The young couple asked for hot water and towels in the middle of the night. Besides that, what else could it be for?”

Hua Lu had a realization and immediately blushed. She had been by Lin Qingyu’s side for so long and yet she had never thought about such a thing. In her eyes, even though the Young Master had married the General, she thought they would continue to be polite and courteous, treating each other as one would honored guests. She never thought that an Immortal-like character like the Young Master would eventually be dragged into the din of the mortal world by General Gu.

Yun Momo said cheerfully, “In the future, the people on night duty will have a bit more work to do.”

Gu Fuzhou tidied up the scene and changed himself and Lin Qingyu into clean bedclothes. The two then slept embracing each other. Having shared this physical contact without barriers, the relationship between them also shed the inexperience and innocence so unique to youth. After that, the bed in General’s Mansion’s master bedroom was replaced with a large bed. The “long-established” bunk bed was moved back to the study. Whenever the General angered his wife and got kicked out of the bedroom, he could be found in the study, lying on the bunk bed, and reminiscing about the glorious years when the two became sworn brothers.

Winter in the first year of Chuxi came earlier than usual. Before even the end of October, the first snow fell in the capital. Lin Qingyu, dressed in Dayu’s official winter uniform, was walking along a snow-cleared road inside the palace. A eunuch followed him step by step, holding an umbrella steady over his head.

At the entrance of Qinzheng Palace, Lin Qingyu saw his husband and said in surprise, “When did you get here?”

“Half an hour ago. The palace sent over a messenger with an invitation.” Gu Fuzhou looked at the plaque hanging over the palace entrance, “It seems something big has happened.”

After Xiao Jie ascended the throne, Gu Fuzhou started the semi-retirement model. Unless it was a major event like the enthronement ceremony, he rarely entered the palace. Lin Qingyu was worried that he would lose his prestige in the court because of this. As it turns out, his concerns were superfluous. Gu Fuzhou has that ability. While squatting at home, he can also gain insight into the situation in the DPRK and China, and buy people’s hearts.

On that day, they supported Xiao Jie to ascend to the throne, and one of the conditions they offered was that they could not tire General Gu. With the usual small and big trouble, Xi Rong would not disturb Gu Fuzhou, so it must be a big deal to get him to invite Gu Fuzhou to the palace.

The two entered the hall together. Apart from Xiao Jie and Xi Rong, the Empress Dowager was also present. In the presence of the Empress Dowager, Xi Rong restrained himself, behaving him an ordinary eunuch official.

Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou greeted Xiao Jie and the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager’s brows were furrowed and Xiao Jie’s small face was as pale as a sheet. “You’re here,” said the Empress Dowager. “Sit down.”

Lin Qingyu asked, “What has happened?”

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said, “Xi Rong, bring it here and show it to the General and Imperial Physician Lin.”

Xi Rong handed Lin Qingyu a brocade box the size of a palm. Xiao Jie watched as Lin Qingyu open the brocade box. He shrank back in the dragon chair. “Imperial Physician Lin, prepare yourself. Don’t be frightened by its content.”

Xi Rong’s eyes dimmed, barely visible. “Worry not, Your Majesty. Imperial Physician Lin is experienced and knowledgeable. He would not be afraid of anything he sees.”

Though he had already guessed that the content would not be anything good, Lin Qingyu still froze when he saw the dried out “strip of flesh” in the brocade box. Standing behind him, Gu Fuzhou smelled the stench of blood wrapped in cold air. He frowned and asked, “What is this?”

Lin Qingyu quickly closed the brocade box, and said, voice cold, “It’s tongue – human tongue.”

Gu Fuzhou also froze and asked, “Whose?”

Xiao Jie said in a trembling voice, “Zhao Mingwei, General Zhao’s.”

Lin Qingyu felt Gu Fuzhou’s breathing suddenly sink. He himself was feeling suffocated.

Zhao Mingwei, a famous general of the Dayu, was a deputy general under Gu Fuzhou. Although not ever-victorious like Gu Fuzhou, he was nevertheless an great talent adept at utilizing the troops and implementing tactics. After Gu Fuzhou returned to the capital, it was Zhao Mingwei who continued to lead the Northwest army to defend Yong Liang. Over the past year, under his leadership, the Dayu’s Northwest army has been evenly matched against Xixia, both sides having their share of victories and defeats.

Earlier, Zhao Mingwei suddenly sent word that he was expecting to wipe out the Xixia army in one fell swoop. Gu Fuzhou though felt that it wasn’t quite right. Although he had never had the chance to face Xixia’s military counselor face to face, but judging from news from the Northwest Army, it could be seen that this person was a profound mystery, crafty and cunning. He sent a letter to the Emperor, suggesting for Zhao Mingwei to make careful plans before moving. This order was sent to the northwest. Whether Zhao Mingwei complied with this order was unknown to him.

“Just what is going on?” Lin Qingyu said, “General Zhao… has he given his life for the country?”

Xi Rong looked at Gu Fuzhou and said, “Xixia defeated Zhao Mingwei’s army of 200,000 soldiers. General Gu, the Yong Liang that you’ve defended for more than ten years, has fallen to enemy hands. After being captured, General Zhao committed suicide, laying down his life for the country. Xixia cut off his tongue and together with news of Dayu’s great defeat, sent it to the capital.”

Yong Liang was an important city in the Northwest. It was the Dayu’s strongest line of defense on that border. If this city were to be broken, it could be said that Dayu’s gates to the Northwest would be thrown wide open.

“They’ve gone too far! They’re inhuman!” Xiao Jie said in a hoarse voice, “The people of Yong Liang didn’t have time to escape and their lives are held in Xixia’s hands. General Gu, if Xixia decides to massacre the city and then cut off everyone’s tongues, what would we do…”

“This year’s winter is colder than two years ago. It has been snowing heavily in the Northwest for several days. Many of the roads used to transport provisions and supplies are blocked. Even going as fast as possible, it would take half a month to travel from Yong Liang to the capital.” The Empress Dowager had hand in a tight fist, the nail guard embedding into her palm. “That is to say, Zhao Mingwei has been dead for half a month. We don’t even know what the current situation in Yong Liang is.”

Lin Qingyu was silent for a long time. He said, “Xixia has be assaulting Dayu’s border for many years, wanting livestock, money and grain. Since they have captured Yong Liang and even General Zhao alive, why not use this to negotiate with the Dayu instead of cutting of General Zhao’s tongue as provocation?”

Gu Fuzhou laughed but not a single trace of mirth could be seen on his face. “Probably because that military counselor of Xixia’s doesn’t want livestock, money and grain.”

Xiao Jie asked, “Then what does he want?”

There is a kind of person who likes war, who derives pleasure from devising battle plans in a tent. Only on the battlefield can they feel like their lives have meaning.” Gu Fuzhou said coldly, “And so, he hopes that battles between the Dayu and Xixia never ceases.”

Xiao Jie was taken aback. “I-is there such a person?”

After a period of silence, the Empress Dowager said, “When the late emperor was still alive, he asked the National Teacher to perform a divination for the fate of the Dayu. The divination foretold of ‘the struggle for succession, a marriage to unite with the Northern Border, a demon commander of the Xixia’. In the fight for succession, brothers fought against brothers, the emperor’s heirs withered, numerous civil and military officials lost not only their posts but even their lives. The marriage with the Northern Border resulted in the former Crown Prince’s punishment. All things have come to past and they were all related to Dayu’s fortune as a nation. The final part, ‘a demon commander of the Xixia’, could it be this elusive military advisor?”

Xi Rong said, “Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress Dowager, whether this Xixia military adviser is the one alluded to by the divination matters not for now. Now that Yong Liang has fallen, the Northwest is a host of dragons without a head. With the roads made impassable by heavy snow, funds and provisions cannot be delivered on time. This is a great chance for the Xixia. If we do not oppose this, I am afraid they would be un overpowering force; an invasion of the capital in the future might no longer lay outside the realm of possibility.”

The Empress Dowager was quite disgusted by a eunuch’s participation in politics, but the situation was urgent and she had to agree with Xi Rong’s statement. “General Gu,” the Empress Dowager’s tone slowed, “Among everyone in country, now only you can save the Northwest.”

Before Gu Fuzhou could answer, Lin Qingyu said, “Not necessarily. The General’s condition has recently relapsed. His old injury has flared up, making him unsuited to go to war.”

With profound meaning, Xi Rong said, “Whether the General’s old injury has recurred, the General should know best.”

Gu Fuzhou said indifferently, “It has recurred.”

Xi Rong narrowed his eyes. The Empress Dowager sighed and said, “Let us summon the ministers to the Qinzheng Hall to discuss matters.”

Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou exchanged not a single word on their way back to the General’s Mansion. Back in their room, Lin Qingyu said, “General Zhao’s matter… I’m sorry for him as well. But you are not allowed to go.”

Gu Fuzhou said slowly, “The army has been missing a general for a long time. If so, Yong Liang…”

“What does Yong Liang have to do with me?” Lin Qingyu said coldly, “I just want you safe.”

Gu Fuzhou shook his head: “It’s small, the pattern is small.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Xixia military counselor and the Xixia commander are the same person. He is both strategist and general. In “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch”, not much is said about this person. But the author noted him as a true genius in the use of military force. You let him burn Yong Liang today and tomorrow, he might attack the capital. By then, I definitely won’t survive. And you, most probably, because of your beauty, you’ll be — dammit, just thinking about it makes me furious!”

Lin Qingyu frowned. “So, you really want to go?”

Gu Fuzhou paused and said, “No, but it seems to me there really is no one else.”

Lin Qingyu’s eyes were cold.

Gu Fuzhou said helplessly, “Baobei, don’t be angry. Come and let me give you a hug.”

Gu Fuzhou spread his arms and wanted to hug Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu had a calm and collected expression on his face and he stepped back to avoid him. “I won’t give you a hug.”

Gu Fuzhou wasn’t angry at being rejected. He heaved an exaggerated sigh and said, “Is that half-step back of yours real? Small actions can hurt so much.”

Lin Qingyu gritted his teeth, “How can you still be in the mood to joke at a time like this? You admitted it yourself; you relied on luck to win those battles. You think you can win against the author-appointed genius?”

“I don’t” Gu Fuzhou honestly said, “But when I was studying before, every time I finished a test, I always felt I did badly. But I wound up getting first place every time.”

Lin Qingyu: “…”