Pei Jingyi’s restraint was at its absolute breaking point. The stunning beauty was currently draped over the crook of his neck, feeding and biting with abandon. Fine white teeth tore at his flesh while a damp, hot breath ghosted beneath his jaw. Who could possibly endure this?
Gu Huaiyu didn’t care whether he lived or died; he was focused solely on venting his pent-up emotions. The stronger the scent of blood grew, the more excited he became, completely disregarding Pei Jingyi’s status as a living human being.
Pei Jingyi simply tilted his head back, making it easier for the other to tear at him.
He was no saint capable of sitting still amidst such temptation. One arm wordlessly wound around that supple waist, drawing him closer inch by inch. Eventually, Gu Huaiyu was fully submerged in his embrace, unconsciously sitting atop Pei Jingyi’s tensed thighs.
After biting several wounds into the man’s neck and drinking his fill, Gu Huaiyu finally released his grip, satiated.
The potency of the Nine Li Blood sent a surge through his veins, igniting a heat that raced through his four limbs and hundred bones. His eyes were startlingly clear, and his mind was sharper than it had ever been. His thoughts were filled entirely with the logistics of reorganizing the Provincial Army; he didn’t even realize he was still sitting on Pei Jingyi’s lap.
“Pei Du.”
He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, his tone maintaining its usual condescending edge. “Once the order to centralize the Provincial Army is issued, the various prefectures and provinces will certainly push back.”
“Recruitment is a lucrative position, and the amount of graft involved is beyond calculation. We must kill a few typical examples first to give these greedy provincial officials a reminder they won’t forget.”
Pei Jingyi was in no state to discuss official business. On his arched neck, circular bloodstains were scattered like blossoms, and his Adam’s apple bobbed violently as he panted. “The Chancellor’s insight is brilliant.”
Gu Huaiyu’s fingertips tapped lightly on the General’s tensed shoulder. His gaze drifted toward the distance as he let out a cold sneer. “They say it is easy to meet the King of Hell but hard to deal with his petty ghosts. I shall make them understand exactly what a ‘Living King of Hell’ looks like.”
Pei Jingyi straightened his back, using every ounce of willpower to suppress the instinct to thrust upward. Beads of blood mingled with seeping sweat, but he didn’t even stop to wipe them away. The depth of his dark eyes was bottomless. “The Chancellor turns his hand to clouds and his palm to rain. Those provincial officials…”
He suddenly let out a heavy rasp of breath, his hand on the waist involuntarily pressing Gu Huaiyu down. “…will naturally never escape the Chancellor’s grasp.”
Gu Huaiyu gave a noncommittal hum. It was only then that he noticed the General’s expression—restrained to the point of being contorted—and the undeniable, rigid sensation beneath his seat.
His pupils shrank slightly as he slowly lowered his gaze. For the Great Chancellor to be sitting astride a subordinate like this was already scandalous, let alone being pressed against by such an… impure thing.
Pei Jingyi didn’t bother to hide it. He stared straight at him, his voice dropped to a low growl. “I was already losing control just watching the Chancellor command the Land earlier. Then you licked my neck like a little cat… and it became like this.”
The council chamber appeared quiet. The Iron Eagle Guards, standing with their backs turned, acted as if they heard nothing. The servants tidying the equipment were trembling, and the attendants coming in to clear the tea sets kept their eyes strictly ahead. But none of these people were deaf.
It wasn’t the first time Gu Huaiyu had encountered such a situation. He took a deep breath to suppress his annoyance and stood up with practiced composure.
He leisurely smoothed his slightly rumpled sleeves. “General Pei has worked hard. I am now refreshed and energized. I must thank the General.”
Pei Jingyi lowered his head to sniff the palm that had just held the Chancellor’s waist. His gaze was so direct it bordered on an insult. “This official does not deserve such praise. To be able to relieve the Chancellor’s fatigue is my greatest fortune.”
Without looking up, Gu Huaiyu returned to his primary seat and picked up a memorial to read. “The General may go down and rest.”
This cold, heartless turnabout made Pei Jingyi let out a low chuckle.
When he cupped his hands in a parting salute, he intentionally pushed his hips forward slightly, making no effort to conceal his state. “This official takes his leave.”
He said he was leaving, yet he remained rooted to the spot until Gu Huaiyu looked up.
Pei Jingyi suddenly pressed his hand against the bleeding tooth marks on his neck. Using his blood-stained thumb, he slowly smeared the red across his lower lip, leaving a mark that looked as though he had been kissed by crimson lips.
Gu Huaiyu expressionlessly raised the memorial, shielding himself from that burning gaze behind the paper pages.
Gu Yu, oh Gu Yu! How can you be so fallen? How can you allow this degenerate to defile you time and time again?
This cannot continue!
***
After half a month of non-stop work across all departments, the grand plan for the Eastern Expedition was finally finalized.
The vanguard units from the Ministry of War and the Bureau of Military Affairs had already departed for Bingzhou. Gu Huaiyu’s carriage was set to depart in three days.
This journey would take at least a year or two before he could return to court.
All matters in the capital were to be handed over to Yuan Zhuo, but Gu Huaiyu’s heart remained uneasy. If chaos broke out in the rear, the front lines would inevitably be affected.
