Chapter 8

Qixue took a slap and couldn’t help but whimper, feeling extremely wronged.

He didn’t understand why studying diligently had turned him into a little lecher in Wei Huai’s mouth, but he had no time to explain. He could only raise his hand to block Wei Huai’s chest and plead pitifully, “Apricot… Apricot is still here. Let’s not do this here…”

He had no sense of shame, but he couldn’t accept being intimate in front of a child. Wei Huai glanced at the soundly sleeping Apricot, took down the cloak hanging on the clothes rack, and wrapped Qixue from head to toe before carrying him out of the tent.

The campfire in the military camp burned brightly, illuminating Wei Huai’s features clearly. The patrolling soldiers all saluted him.

They all knew that the Prefect of Qing County had given a beauty to Wei Huai, who doted on him deeply, but the beauty stayed secluded and rarely left the general’s tent, so few had seen his true face.

Yet those who had seen him always spoke of him with enchanted expressions, unable to forget that fleeting glimpse.

Those who hadn’t grew even more curious. If not for the strict military discipline and Wei Huai’s immense prestige in the army, they would have boldly sneaked a peek long ago.

Naturally, they saw the person Wei Huai held in his arms—it had to be that beauty. Unfortunately, the beauty was wrapped tightly in the cloak, so they couldn’t see his face, only a cascade of raven-black hair spilling from the edge of the hood.

The soldiers regretfully lowered their heads and respectfully saw the general off. But as he passed by with the beauty in his arms, a faint fragrance wafted through the air—fresh and elegant, the beauty’s subtle scent.

It was enough to linger in their memories for a long time.

Wei Huai held Qixue as he mounted the White Tiger. The tiger leaped up, nimbly vaulting over the barricades and galloping into the open wilderness.

Moonlight shone like silver, a gentle breeze rustled the lush tall grass, creating a serene and peaceful rustle.

The White Tiger ran until it was far enough from the camp before gradually slowing and lying down on the ground. Wei Huai and Qixue didn’t dismount but instead leaned over on the tiger’s back, kissing.

Qixue lay on the warm tiger fur, intimidated by the White Tiger’s aura, his body trembling slightly as he hugged Wei Huai in fear.

The more he acted this way, the less Wei Huai wanted to let him go, pinching his waist. “You’re throwing yourself at me again.”

“I’m scared…” Qixue wrapped his arms around Wei Huai’s neck and kissed his ear ingratiatingly. “Can we get down?”

Wei Huai paused at the proactive kiss, a smile flickering in his eyes. He lifted Qixue’s chin. “Call me ‘Seventh Brother,’ and I’ll carry you down.”

“Seventh Brother… please, carry me down.”

To please Wei Huai, Qixue was willing to do anything, especially something as simple as that.

This “Seventh Brother” was drawn out soft and lingering—even a stone Buddha would melt into spring water upon hearing it. Wei Huai’s heart filled with delight as he lightly kissed his lips. “My good A Xue, call me that from now on. I like hearing it.”

The two indulged wildly for most of the night and only returned to the camp as dawn broke. The moment Qixue touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep, slumbering heavily until dusk.

Qixue rubbed his eyes and sat up in a daze, surprised to find Wei Huai still there.

Wei Huai wore an exquisite casual robe and sat at the desk, leisurely propping his legs on the table like a debauched young lord. In his hand was a military treatise with slightly yellowed pages, clearly well-read.

Hearing Qixue stir, Wei Huai raised his smiling peach-blossom eyes. “You sure can sleep.”

Qixue’s face flushed slightly as he looked around for his clothes but couldn’t find them. Wei Huai fetched a new set for him. “A gift for you. See if it fits.”

He had prepared a light peach-pink outfit for Qixue. The vibrant, delicate color suited him perfectly, accentuating his lush, radiant features. Qixue liked it too. “Thank you, General.”

“You promised to call me ‘Seventh Brother.'”

Wei Huai lightly pinched Qixue’s nose. “I’m the seventh in my clan, and close friends call me that. Since you’re with me, we should be intimate—don’t be so distant.”

Qixue complied readily. “Thank you, Seventh Brother.”

“Good boy.” Wei Huai patted his head and then said, “The man-eating demons in Qing County have mostly been cleared. In two days, the army will break camp and head south. I’ll be free these days. If you want to bid farewell to Prefect Xu, I can go with you.”

Qixue nodded. “I’d like to go out tomorrow and see.”

He wasn’t particularly eager to see Prefect Xu; mainly, he needed a chance to talk to Luxiangqiu. He still didn’t know where she was hiding.

To ensure Qixue could get up the next day, Wei Huai did nothing that night, simply holding him to sleep.

Qixue had slept too much during the day and couldn’t fall asleep at night. He tossed and turned in Wei Huai’s arms, making Wei Huai chuckle. “This is what you get for oversleeping.”

He stroked Qixue’s slender back and said, “Since you can’t sleep, let’s chat. Tell me about yourself. I want to know what kind of life you led before.”

He couldn’t tell the truth, of course, and Qixue knew too many lies would lead to slip-ups. Instead, he turned the tables. “My life was ordinary, nothing special. What about you, Seventh Brother? Becoming a great general at such a young age must not have been easy.”

“It wasn’t hard—just born lucky.”

Wei Huai said breezily, “My father is the Duke of Qing, my mother a noble lady from a prestigious family and a close friend of the Late Empress. I often entered the palace as a child to play with His Majesty. After His Majesty ascended the throne, out of our childhood friendship, he appointed me great general. That’s all.”

“You’re His Majesty’s good friend?”

Hearing him mention Emperor Helan Ji, Qixue perked up. “In that case, you must know His Majesty well. What kind of person is he?”

Wei Huai’s gaze fell on his face. “You’re very interested in His Majesty?”

Qixue blinked. “Isn’t everyone?”

Wei Huai replied, “What do you think? The world fears and hates His Majesty, reviling him as a tyrant who killed his brothers and father. Few are interested in him like you.”

“Rumors can be fearsome—who knows if they’re true?” Qixue didn’t quite believe the tales. Helan Ji couldn’t even bear to kill a rabbit, so how could he kill his father emperor and brothers? “Maybe it’s just folk exaggerations…”

“It’s all true.” Wei Huai smiled and said without hesitation, “I was there the night His Majesty forced his way into the palace. I saw with my own eyes how he killed the former emperor and the crown prince. Want me to describe their deaths? The former emperor was torn apart by five horses, his bones and flesh separated, and the crown prince…”

“No, don’t.”

Qixue was a bit frightened, unable to believe his kind benefactor had done such things. “I don’t understand. The former emperor was His Majesty’s blood kin. Killing him was one thing, but why the cruelty of five-horse dismemberment? Could father and son have such hatred?”

“That’s a long story.” Wei Huai said, “Want to know?”

“Yes.”

Qixue hooked his arms around Wei Huai’s neck and kissed his thin lips proactively. “Seventh Brother, good Seventh Brother, tell me.”

Wei Huai enjoyed his coquetry, savoring the kiss for a while before refusing. “I’m sleepy. We’ll talk another day.”

What?

Qixue was stunned, watching Wei Huai fall asleep, so angry he wanted to splash ice water on his face.

But he thought better of it. He was under Wei Huai’s roof now and would need him to take him to Shangjing later—he couldn’t afford to offend him. He mentally noted the score and planned to settle it once he gained power.

The next day.

Wei Huai rose early for martial training and military affairs. Qixue overslept again. After getting up and eating the breakfast Apricot made, Wei Huai took him out of the camp on horseback into the city.

Qixue wore a veiled hat, and Wei Huai wasn’t in armor, so the gate guards didn’t recognize them. They led their horses and strolled through the city. Qixue noticed it seemed livelier than when he’d first arrived, with smiles on the people’s faces.

From their chatter, Qixue learned the government had distributed grain, flour, and cloth to every household. They were also recruiting for water conservancy projects—not as corvée, but paid labor with good wages. Many planned to sign up.

Qixue wondered where the money came from. He learned from Prefect Xu that it was all from Wei Huai.

Wei Huai had promised any request. Prefect Xu boldly asked to waive Qing County’s taxes for three years, extracted a large sum of silver from him, and requested three hundred Zhu Huai Guards to stay in Qing Province long-term against future man-eating demon invasions.

When he made these demands, the other officials thought him mad and urged him to retract them, fearing Wei Huai would behead him.

But Prefect Xu stubbornly submitted them as is. To everyone’s surprise, Wei Huai agreed readily, even sending more silver than requested.

The day dozens of carts of fine silver ingots arrived at the Prefect’s Mansion, the officials were dumbfounded. Qing County was poor; they’d never seen so much money. Suddenly rich, they were at a loss, some even tearing up and muttering, “Qing County is saved.”

Only Prefect Xu wasn’t surprised. He knew it was all thanks to Qixue.

Spending a fortune on Qixue was Wei Huai’s willing choice—he enjoyed it, and the bigger Prefect Xu’s demands, the more satisfied he was.

Seeing Qixue, Prefect Xu felt a surge of emotions, his eyes misting.

Knowing Qixue was leaving Qing County, he had his wife fetch a small sandalwood box containing ten gold bars and several fine southern pearls.

He stuffed the box into Qixue’s arms. “I know it’s not much, but it’s all I can give now. Take it for now—when times improve, I’ll send more silver to Shangjing.”

Qixue knew enough about money to know this was plenty, too much even. He waved it off. “I don’t need so much. Better to give it to the county’s people.”

“You’ll need it, definitely.”

Prefect Xu insisted, “Shangjing is the empire’s most splendid metropolis—towers of jade and silver palaces, gold pavilions, endless wealth and glory. But enter penniless, and it becomes a hell that devours lives. You won’t leave alive.”

“I know General Wei dotes on you, but extra silver for security is wise. Even if you must leave the General’s Mansion someday, it’ll give you some leverage.”

The southern pearls were Madam Xu’s youthful dowry, and two gold bars came from Prefect Xu selling rare ancestral books, but the couple said nothing of it.

Madam Xu said, “Young Master Qi, you have our gratitude. If you’re wronged and unwilling to stay at the General’s Mansion, return to Qing County. Treat us as your aunt and uncle—we welcome you back.”

Qixue’s heart warmed. He held the box and called sweetly, “Auntie, Uncle, don’t worry. I’ll do well in Shangjing.”

The couple smiled, relieved. “Good child.”

Prefect Xu kept Qixue and Wei Huai for a simple lunch. In the afternoon, while Wei Huai discussed official matters with Prefect Xu, Qixue sneaked to the back garden to meet Luxiangqiu and told her about recent events.

Luxiangqiu nodded repeatedly. “Prefect Xu is an old fool, but he’s good to you. If we can’t make it in Shangjing, we’ll come back to Qing County together—no worries about food or drink.”

Qixue said, “Don’t jinx it. Things have gone smoothly so far.”

Luxiangqiu: “Hurry and find a way to get me by your side. It’s too inconvenient otherwise—I can’t help you.”

Qixue nodded. “I’ll figure something out.”

Back at camp, Qixue packed his bundle, placing the sandalwood box with Sang Chi’s Young Master’s Command Token and hiding them securely. These were his most precious items, lifesavers in a pinch.

The next morning at dawn, the army broke camp.

Wei Huai lifted Qixue onto the White Tiger’s back. Qixue took one last look back and left Qing County for good.