[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 69 [English]

Chapter 67 Sleeping together

Shen Zechuan was a little dazed, his palms itching from being rubbed by Xiao Chiye’s stubble.he looked at Xiao Chiye and said, “…pricked his hand.”

Xiao Chiye said, “Does it feel uncomfortable to touch?”

Shen Zechuan said: “Comfortable.”

There was a little distance between the two people, but there seemed to be no gap.Xiao Chiye was dirty and had no time to clean it up in the past few days. Now that he was next to Shen Zechuan, he didn’t care and let Shen Zechuan touch it.

Chen Yang held the door curtain, guessing that it was almost time. He wanted to let others in, but did not hear Xiao Chiye’s permission, so he led a group of guards and stood at the door, all of them looking at the sky and the ground in a daze.

“Are you feeling good?” Xiao Chiye couldn’t help laughing.

“I almost didn’t mean it,” Shen Zechuan pursed his lips tightly and whispered in Xiao Chiye’s ear, “It hurts me so much.”

“Where does it hurt?” Xiao Chiye tilted his head and pressed his forehead against his.

Shen Zechuan looked at he, his eyes were like mountains and lakes moistened by mist. He kept the unfinished energy in them and showed them to Xiao Chiye in the eyes. Even the corners of his eyes were full of vague feelings.

Xiao Chiye suddenly covered Shen Zechuan’s eyes, paused for a moment, and said, “Now is not the time to tease me.”

Shen Zechuan said: “Where did you want to go? Just looking at you.”

“I won’t show it,” Xiao Chiye said, “Go back and look.”

Chen Yang outside coughed a few times and said in a loud voice: “Master…”

Xiao Chiye removed his palm, stood up, and said, “Come in.”

Only in the morning did the curtains open, and everyone filed in.

* * *

Shen Zechuan was leaning on the pillow, wearing a cloak, drinking medicine, and listening to them tell the details of the recent days.After Qiao Tianya finished speaking, he thought for a moment and said, “Yes, this matter is very strange from beginning to end. I also suspect that the collapse of Ouhua Tower was not an accident, but was done deliberately due to the obstruction of the official ditch on Donglong Street.”

“The emperor has only been on the throne for half a year, and now everything is waiting to be done. It is a good time for everyone to turn around,” Xiao Chiye sat on the stool next to him, “Who is willing to die?”

This was something Shen Zechuan couldn’t figure out. After he finished drinking the medicine, he handed the bowl to Qiao Tianya and said, “We can’t verify matters in the palace. We must have a suitable person inside.”

It is always not a problem for the eunuch Bingbi of the Supervisor of Ceremonies to be empty.Because neither Xiao Chiye nor Shen Zechuan could intervene in palace affairs. That was the Queen Mother’s territory, and it was the Queen Mother who had the final say on who to appoint in the future.But it is better than nothing. If there is an internal response, it is much better than being blinded by two eyes.

Thinking of this, Shen Zechuan suddenly asked: “Last time you wanted to check Xiangyun, did you find anything?”

Xiao Chiye said: “I was busy and forgot, Gujin.”

Gujin came out and said: “I went to Xiangyunfang and didn’t find out any key information. Xiangyun’s patrons are only a few people. I checked them one by one, and they all have nothing to do with the perjury last time.”

Shen Zechuan always felt that there was something he hadn’t noticed. There was a hand pulling these things, and there must be some causal connection between them.He fell into deep thought again, wondering if it was because he was recovering from a serious illness, and he couldn’t figure out the joints.

“The emperor hasn’t woken up yet, and the epidemic has not completely subsided. There are still a few days of leisure, so there is no rush at this moment.” Xiao Chiye said, moving his shoulders and arms, “The official communication has been cleared, everyone has a good rest these days. This matter will be solved eventually, and recharging your energy is the most important thing now.”

The guards responded and retreated from the house.As soon as the people left, Xiao Chiye sat by the bed and took off his boots.

“You’ve had enough sleep, but the second young master is still energetic.” Xiao Chiye lay down next to Shen Zechuan and said, “Come here and cover me with a quilt.”

Shen Zechuan turned his head and said, “Sleep in your cloak.”

Xiao Chiye closed his eyes and said, “Put it on.”

Shen Zechuan stuffed the pillow under Xiao Chiye’s neck. Xiao Chiye blindly grabbed his hand, squeezed his wrist, pulled him towards him, and hugged him.

“Too thin,” Xiao Chiye touched the hem, “I’m so nervous in my arms. When autumn comes, the game from Libei will also come. I’ll take good care of myself then, and I’ll be fat by winter.”

Xiao Chiye’s breathing was heavy and he felt sleepy. He tilted his head and pressed the tip of his nose against Shen Zechuan’s temples. He forced a smile and said, “…I’ll sleep with your second son for a while.”

Xiao Chiye was exhausted. He hadn’t slept much in the past few days. He was awake day and night, like a lone wolf wandering around the battlefield. No matter how strong his physical strength was, he would eventually run out.Shen Zechuan was on he, and he felt that the weight was just right, making him feel warm and satisfied.

Xiao Chiye originally wanted to sleep for a while and calculate the cost of medicinal materials for the past few days at night, but he didn’t expect that he would sleep until the third quarter of the next day.When he woke up, he was still in a trance. He turned to one side and was buried in Shen Zechuan’s arms.

Xiao Chiye was stunned for a moment and suddenly woke up.He stretched himself out and took a look. It turned out that he had slept off the pillow last night, and for the rest of the night, Shen Zechuan’s arm was pressed against him.Shen Zechuan leaned on the pillow on his side, holding the cloak with his other hand and covering him, which was a hugging posture similar to protection.

It was still dark and the room was dark.

Xiao Chiye fell back on the pillow and held Shen Zechuan back facing him.The cloak barely covered the two people, and he asked hoarsely: “Are you numb?”

Shen Zechuan was half asleep and said “Yeah”.

Xiao Chiye rubbed he’s stiff arms and said, “Just call me.”

Shen Zechuan warmed up and said, “Xiao Er…”

Xiao Chiye said: “Huh?”

Shen Zechuan opened his eyes, looked at he, and said, “You still called Shen Lanzhou when you fell asleep.”

Xiao Chiye smiled and said in a lowered voice, “I’m thinking about it now.”

The two of them were close to each other. Xiao Chiye was so warmed up by the sight of him that he felt so sleepy that he wanted to tease Shen Zechuan but also wanted to make Shen Zechuan sleep.

The unknown bird cooed outside, making ripples in the silent night.

Xiao Chiye said: “When you asked Xiangyun earlier, what did you think of?”

Shen Zechuan said: “Where did Mu Ru come from? Is she the girl the emperor bought?”

“She is a birthday gift from Zhuangzi below to the emperor,” Xiao Chiye circled Shen Zechuan, “She was first raised in Zhuangzi, and it took a lot of effort just to train her. I think she is from Jincheng, do you think she is?”

“The emperor completely disliked the eunuchs because of the assassination. After Shuanglu, there were no eunuchs close to him. The maids who serve him are all carefully selected people. The only one who can instigate him and help him get out of the palace is Mu Ru.” Shen Zechuan said and fell into deep thought again, “If it is her, there must be a reason… She has no heir now. She can only live as long as the emperor is alive. She should care more about the emperor’s safety than others.”

“That’s the reason,” Xiao Chiye said, “Anyone who can set up such a situation must have thought carefully and have a reason. The late emperor died suddenly, and the Hua family lost power. The subsequent impact was not only as simple as taking off a few black hats, but also affected the situation in various places in the Great Zhou Dynasty. In the past six months, Hai Liangyi and the aristocratic family have formed a confrontation and barely stabilized the situation. If the current Holy Emperor encounters something unexpected at this moment, it will be no good to anyone.”

“We have to wait until the emperor wakes up to know more,” Shen Zechuan said. “This time there was such a big mistake in the Ministry of Works. Pan Xiangjie is to blame, and he will definitely be impeached for investigation. Have you met Liang Piaoshan, the official of the Ministry of Revenue?”

“I see,” Xiao Chiye thought for a moment, “he is a diligent person.”

“I asked him to keep a detailed record of the incoming and outgoing medicinal materials in the past few days. After he leaves, the Ministry of Revenue and the Metropolitan Procuratorate will come to check the accounts. Just hand in this booklet.”

“Well done,” Xiao Chiye praised without hesitation. “When the illness occurred, I didn’t have time to wait for a note from the palace. I had someone get the medicine from the pharmacy first. The Forbidden Army had a note to record it, but it is not as convincing as the testimony of the people from the Ministry of Household Affairs. With this booklet, the Forbidden Army does not have to fight with the Ministry of Household Affairs.”

Xiao Chiye dislikes dealing with the officials of the Ministry of Revenue the most. Reconciling accounts every year is a problem. This time, there is another major issue of blocked official channels. These old foxes may want to drag the Imperial Army into trouble, so as to embarrass the cabinet and not blame everyone!The beginning of spring is the most complicated time for political affairs. Documents pile up like mountains, and the cabinet will soon have a lot of headaches.

“You don’t want to see people from the Ministry of Revenue, and they are afraid of seeing you.” Shen Zechuan smiled, “Last time, Wang Xian was implicated in the Quanchengsi incident. I see that he has been transferred to the Ministry of Rites. Is it your fault?”

“I have no personal grudges against him. In the past, debt collection was all official business. Because I was implicated, he was stigmatized for bribery. Moving him to the Ministry of Rites was just a temporary measure.” Xiao Chiye said, “This time we will investigate, and he’s excellence will definitely be gone, and he will only be released to remote and barren places.”

Wang Xian had bad luck. He was originally in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs and had a hard time dealing with Xiao Chiye.In the past few years, when the equipment of the Forbidden Army was depleted, every time he did hard work, Xiao Chiye would do the reconciliation himself. He and Xiao Chiye had no personal relationship at all.Unexpectedly, something unexpected happened, Xiao Chiye was reprimanded in front of the emperor, and the Quancheng silk happened to pass through his hands. He couldn’t explain it, but here Xiao Chiye and Li Jianheng had a deep brotherly love and sang a song of harmony between kings and ministers, but he was really removed from the post of principal and almost became a prisoner.Nowadays, he can no longer serve as an official in Qudu, and there is no good place for him to go abroad. Ducha also suffered from “neglect of duty”. Half his life’s caution has been wasted, and he really died unjustly.

However, Shen Zechuan’s heart moved and he said, “Are you trying to push the boat along and let him win the lottery?”

Xiao Chiye laughed and said, “You can guess it too.”

Xiao Chiye helped Wang Xian and got he to the Ministry of Etiquette, which at least protected his job.Wang Xian didn’t like him in the past, but now he has to be grateful to him.Xiao Chiye planned to transfer Wang Xian to Zhongbo when he was released. Zhongbo was now full of bandits, and everyone wanted to move people in.

“Other places can’t get close, Cizhou must put people in place.” Xiao Chiye said relaxedly, “You came up with a good idea for the demolition subsidy. Zhou Gui, the capital of Cizhou, is now on good terms with us. If you put Wang Xian under his hand, he will naturally understand what it means. The six states of Zhongbo will definitely focus on supervision this year, but no matter who the court sends to do it, Cizhou must be under my eyes.”

Cizhou is next to the Northeast Grain and Horse Road, and Xiao Chiye is staring at the gate of the granary for the Libei Cavalry in Qudu.He and Xiao Jiming basically did not communicate in detail, but the two brothers had a tacit understanding.

“Quancheng Silk is a hidden danger. If Fu Linye hadn’t been too eager for quick success and mixed it up by mistake, this account would have been a knife buried in the Forbidden Army’s account books.” Shen Zechuan moved his head and said, “Did Xue Xiuzhuo handle this account?”

“It’s him.” Xiao Chiye said, “Xue Xiuzhuo… what do you think of this person?”

“I didn’t notice him at first, but when I checked he’s reviews from the previous years were all excellent. He entered the court in the Yongyi year, which was the last three years of Emperor Guangcheng. After Emperor Xiande came to the throne, he served as the Ministry of Household Affairs, and he stayed in this position for eight years, until the Nanlin Hunting Ground suddenly happened last year, heCai was promoted to the position of Prime Minister of Dali Temple, and then he took on two major cases related to the emperor’s safety.He has a good reputation, has many connections in the eight major families, and has a good relationship with the officials from the humble family headed by Hai Liangyi.” Shen Zechuan pondered for a moment and said, “But I don’t know anything about his experience before entering the court.”

“I know better,” Xiao Chiye said, “Ask me.”

Shen Zechuan raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “You say it.”

“Why doesn’t this sound like a begging tone?” Xiao Chiye gathered up his cloak and faced Shen Zechuan, “I’ll tell you this only when you’re happy.”

He speaks voluptuously, half to tease people.Unexpectedly, Shen Zechuan looked at he, opened his lips and breathed, and at this short distance, he said warmly and softly: “Ce’an.”

The slight hot flash spread on his cheeks, and he breathed along Xiao Chiye’s straight nose to his lips, and the two people were touching vaguely.

Xiao Chiye suddenly turned over, opened a gap on Shen Zechuan’s body, pinched his chin, and said: “Just talk and don’t practice fake moves. Second Young Master will not accept this trick.”