Chapter 11

Several days later, in the early winter season, Wei Huai’s army arrived at the South Border of Great Yong.

This was the final destination of Wei Huai’s campaign. After leaving the South Border, the army would turn back north, marching swiftly to return to Shangjing before the New Year.

The journey had been arduous, so Wei Huai had prepared a carriage for Qixue. The interior was spacious and comfortable, padded with thick soft cushions and woolen blankets. One side held a bookshelf and five layers of food boxes stocked with books and various pastries and snacks for Qixue’s convenience.

The carriage was pulled by two demonic beasts, making it both fast and steady. These days, Qixue felt utterly delighted, tempted to transform back into Rabbit Tuan and roll around on the blankets, but he refrained to avoid leaving any demon qi behind.

That day, fierce winds howled, and dark clouds blanketed the sky—it looked like rain was imminent.

Qixue heard the whistling wind and lifted the curtain, calling out to Luxiangqiu perched on the carriage roof. “Aren’t you coming inside to shelter from the wind?”

Luxiangqiu’s feathers were blown into a mess. She shrank her head, feeling the chill, but still replied, “Nah, I get motion sick in carriages. It’s more comfortable out here.”

Hearing this, Qixue didn’t press her. “If it rains, come in for a bit. Carsickness is better than getting soaked through.”

“I know.”

Luxiangqiu swayed in the wind, opening her beak several times as if to speak, hesitating. “A Xue, actually… actually, I—”

Before she could finish, Wei Huai, riding the White Tiger at the front, slowed down and drew alongside the carriage.

He glanced up at Luxiangqiu on the roof. She instantly fell silent, curling into a fluffy ball.

Qixue waited a long time for the rest of her sentence and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Luxiangqiu buried her head in her wings. “N-nothing.”

Wei Huai withdrew his gaze, lifted a corner of the curtain, and smiled at Qixue. “It’s about to rain. Will you shelter me?”

“Just come in.” Qixue said. “I never forbade you from riding in it. You’re the one who doesn’t like carriages.”

Even Apricot felt the same; she couldn’t get used to such soft blankets and insisted on riding in the hard supply wagons, which suited her fine. The spacious carriage had only Qixue as its passenger, but fortunately, the supply wagons had canopies, so Qixue didn’t worry about Apricot getting wet.

With Qixue’s permission, Wei Huai nimbly leaped from the White Tiger’s back onto the carriage platform, kicked off his boots, ducked under the curtain, and entered.

Wei Huai carried a chill on him, so once inside, he first removed his armor and set it aside. Wearing only his dark inner robe, he drew close to Qixue, pulling him into an embrace and kissing him freely.

“Mm…”

Qixue hooked his arms around Wei Huai’s neck, letting out a sweet, muffled moan as he yielded to the fervent kiss.

Lately, Qixue had been utterly compliant with Wei Huai in these matters, even trying out tricks from the erotic novels. After finishing the full Jade Heng Chronicles, he discovered that Wei Huai was a major character in the book as well.

In the original story, Wei Huai held high position and illustrious military achievements. He was childhood friends with the Emperor, Helan Ji, and remained utterly loyal to him.

But later, Helan Ji went half-mad, his actions erratic and frenzied, nearly destroying the entire realm. Deeply disappointed, Wei Huai resigned, left the capital with his entire family, and sailed far away, vanishing without a trace.

Qixue already liked Wei Huai a great deal, and seeing his portrayal in the original only made him more satisfied. However, Qixue felt the ending needed changing. Wei Huai was both loyal and a formidable fighter—he shouldn’t be allowed to leave. He ought to stay and serve His Majesty for life.

To sway Wei Huai’s heart, Qixue grew even more affectionate toward him. He had also planned ahead: once they reached Shangjing, he would part amicably with Wei Huai, preserving some goodwill so that in the future, he could help His Majesty win him over together.

They kissed for a long time until the rain began to patter outside. Qixue wanted to call Luxiangqiu in to shelter, but Wei Huai pulled him back. “She’s already gone. Don’t worry—she’ll go find Apricot.”

Qixue realized he was right and obediently stayed still. Wei Huai loosened his collar, exposing slender snow-white shoulders, and leaned down to suck kisses, leaving plum-blossom-like red marks.

With a hook and tug of his fingers, followed by a gentle pull, Qixue’s outer robe peeled away like the husk of a lychee. Qixue pressed a hand to Wei Huai’s chest in surprise. “You’re not thinking of doing it in the carriage…”

“It’s raining. As long as you’re quiet, no one will hear.”

Wei Huai’s eyes curved in a smile as he nipped Qixue’s earlobe. “Whether we get caught depends entirely on you.”

Qixue’s eyes grew misty, and he bit his lower lip lightly. He had little sense of shame—aside from a child like Apricot, being discovered by others wouldn’t matter. But since Wei Huai enjoyed seeing him feign shyness, he’d play along.

The rain grew heavier, and the army halted in a sheltered spot. The carriage rocked faintly, but everyone was drenched and focused on starting fires to dry their clothes—no one noticed the secret inside.

…

In the supply wagon, Luxiangqiu munched on melon seeds Apricot shelled for her, her heart conflicted. She wasn’t sure if she should tell Qixue what she’d discovered.

That day, she’d learned Wei Huai wasn’t human and thought she’d be silenced. But Wei Huai said nothing and calmly let her go.

These past days, she’d tried several times to spill the secret, but either Wei Huai scared her silent, or she chickened out at the last moment.

Though he hadn’t killed her yet, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t later. The more she knew, the greater the danger. If she told Qixue the truth, it might drag him down too.

But Qixue was in the dark, which was dangerous as well. He shared a bed every night with a monster—what if it snapped one day and devoured him? It wasn’t impossible.

Sigh, what a worry…

The little parrot ate until her belly was round. After much thought, she decided to keep it secret for now.

Wei Huai only showed his vertical pupils in extreme excitement, and he controlled himself otherwise. As long as they didn’t provoke him further or burst the bubble, things could stay peaceful, and Qixue would be safe.

In any case, whether she spoke or not, she’d protect Qixue with all her might and ensure he came to no harm.

With that resolved, Luxiangqiu’s mood lifted. She rubbed against Apricot’s cheek. “I want more melon seeds!”

–

The rain cleared, and the sky brightened.

Once the road dried somewhat, the army pressed on.

Inside the carriage, Qixue lay naked and languid on the blankets, his pale body covered in red marks.

Wei Huai wore only his undergarments, revealing lean, powerful muscles. He sat beside Qixue with one leg bent, toying with a lock of his long hair, twirling it around his fingers as if reluctant to let go.

After half a shichen of travel, Wei Huai lifted the curtain, glanced at the scenery outside, and smiled at Qixue. “We’ve entered Nanping County. At this rate, we’ll reach Linyang City by tomorrow evening at the latest.”

“Nanping County?” Qixue perked up at the name. “Which Nanping County?”

“There’s only one in the realm—naturally, the one you know.” Wei Huai said.

The protagonist Ji Yuheng’s hometown!

Qixue hadn’t expected to arrive in Nanping County so soon. That meant he now had a chance to meet Ji Yuheng. If he could kill him before Ji Yuheng headed to Shangjing, His Majesty could rest easy!

The original plot went like this: Helan Ji ascended young, with no consorts or heirs. Frail and childless per the imperial physicians, he summoned royal kin to the capital to select a crown prince.

Ji Yuheng was one of the summoned kin and a top contender.

Before entering the palace, Ji Yuheng was already renowned in Nanping County. As the son of Baohua County Princess, backed by his mother, he led the people to tame floods, reclaim fields, promote trade, and build defensive cities. In a few years, he turned this demon-infested wasteland into a prosperous haven.

Yet this paragon revered as a god by the people would one day personally shoot Emperor Helan Ji.

That was why Qixue refused to believe Ji Yuheng was any good. Killing Helan Ji made him the most loathsome villain in the world, Qixue’s mortal enemy.

In the original, Helan Ji had made Ji Yuheng crown prince, and with his poor health, Ji Yuheng could’ve been emperor in a few years. But he couldn’t wait, staging a rebellion and slaying his benefactor.

Thinking of Helan Ji’s tragic end in the original filled Qixue with bone-deep hatred. He suddenly gripped the blanket beneath him.

Passing through Nanping County this time, he would kill Ji Yuheng and eliminate the threat to His Majesty forever!

…

After two days of marching, the next evening, the army reached the outskirts of Linyang City and set up camp.

Along the way, they encountered only two small groups of man-eating demons. Nanping County, after years of governance and development, was far more prosperous and stable than other borderlands, with few such threats.

Linyang City housed the County Princess Mansion. Upon hearing the news, Baohua County Princess promptly sent an invitation for Wei Huai to dine at the mansion the next evening.

Wei Huai commanded heavy troops and was exalted among men. No official or noble dared neglect him wherever he went—they all hosted banquets in his honor. Baohua County Princess was no exception.

Wei Huai accepted readily and asked Qixue, “Want to come with me?”

“No way.”

Qixue waved him off, feigning disinterest. He did want to see Ji Yuheng, but not at a banquet—too public for him to strike.

Wei Huai wasn’t surprised; Qixue always skipped such events. He chuckled. “Fair enough, banquets are dull anyway. But Linyang City is nice—I’ll take you around.”

He acted on his word, changed into casual clothes, and led Qixue into the city.

This time, Wei Huai didn’t ride the White Tiger but chose an ordinary steed. His handsome, roguish looks drew eyes as he led the horse like some playboy out for cockfights or dog races.

Even more striking was how this noble air clung to him while he played groom, with Qixue—head veiled in a white hat—riding leisurely atop, looking every bit the master.

Qixue noticed nothing amiss, lost in Linyang City’s bustle. He loved the lively scene.

Even at dusk, pedestrians thronged the streets. Shops blazed with open doors, displaying dazzling wares. Gorgeous lanterns hung like a shimmering dragon stretching into the distance.

Qixue fancied a rabbit lantern and reached for it, but couldn’t quite grasp Wei Huai. He prodded his back with the riding crop. “Seventh Brother, I want the rabbit lantern.”

Wei Huai smiled at him, bought it with coin, and as he handed it over, kissed Qixue’s outstretched hand before passing the lantern.

Anyone could see their intimacy. The lantern vendor teased, “Newlyweds, are you?”

“Not married yet.” Wei Huai laughed. “But soon—next year.”

The vendor cupped his hands. “Congratulations in advance, then.”

Qixue held the rabbit lantern, a bit dazed. This was the first time Wei Huai had voiced any intent to marry him.

How could that be? Weren’t they just a fling? Wei Huai was serious about him?

But… he had to enter the palace as His Majesty’s consort. Marriage to Wei Huai was impossible. If he wasn’t joking with the vendor, Qixue needed to dissuade him soon…

His playful mood soured. He looked at Wei Huai in distress, who gazed back—not distressed at all, but with gentle mirth in his eyes. “Well?”

“Well what?” Qixue asked.

“Getting married next year.” Wei Huai said. “Spring if quick, summer if not. What do you think?”

“I…”

Realizing he was serious, Qixue panicked. “I don’t know. I never thought you’d want to marry me…”

“Why not?” Wei Huai countered. “Do you see me as some cad who toys with hearts? Or…”

He stared intently at Qixue. “Is it you who wants to toy and abandon? A Xue, are you planning to leave me?”