Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 67 : Sharing A Pillow

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Shen Zechuan was in a slight daze as Xiao Chiye’s stubble rubbed against his palm until it felt ticklish. He gazed at Xiao Chiye and said, “… Prickly.”

“Does it not feel comfortable to the touch?” Xiao Chiye asked.

Shen Zechuan replied, “Comfortable.”

Both men were just a short distance apart, yet it seemed as if there was no gap between them. Xiao Chiye was dirty and unkempt. He hardly had time to spare these few days to tidy up. Now, he leaned close to Shen Zechuan, giving no regard to his slovenly state as he let Shen Zechuan touch him.

Chen Yang gripped the door curtain, reckoning that it was about time. He wanted to let the others enter, but then he did not hear Xiao Chiye give his permission, so he remained stuck at the entrance with a group of guards, each of them staring at the sky and the ground with a blank expression.

“Feel good touching it?” Xiao Chiye could not help but laugh out. 

“Almost.” Shen Zechuan pursed his lips and whispered into Xiao Chiye’s ear, “So prickly, it’s hurting me.” 

“Where does it hurt?” Xiao Chiye tilted his head and pressed his forehead against his. 
Shen Zechuan gazed at him with eyes that seemed like mountain lakes moistened with fog. He put that bit of yearning for more in those eyes and revealed it all to Xiao Chiye as he exchanged gazes with him. Even the corners of his eyes contained the barest hint of faintly discernible emotion. 

Xiao Chiye suddenly covered Shen Zechuan’s eyes. After a moment’s pause, he said, “This is not the right time to egg me on, is it?”

Shen Zechuan said, “What are you thinking? I’m just looking at you.”

“Not letting you look.” Xiao Chiye said, “Do it when we get back.” 

Outside, Chen Yang let out a few coughs and raised his voice to say, “Master…” 

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

Only then did Chen Yang lift the curtain, and everyone entered in a single file. 

🍀🍀🍀

Shen Zechuan leaned against the pillow with an overcoat draped over him. As he drank the medicine, he listened to them recount the details of what had transpired in recent days. When Qiao Tianya was done speaking, he contemplated for a moment before he said, “That’s right. There’s something fishy about this matter from start to end. I also suspect that the collapse of Ouhua Pavilion is not a coincidence, but a deliberate act that took advantage of the opportunity offered by the blockage of Donglong Street’s public ditches.” 

“It has only been half a year since His Majesty’s ascension to the throne. With so many things waiting to be done now, it’s just the time for everyone to get their big break.” Xiao Chiye sat on the bench beside him. “Who could bear to let him die?” 

This was also what Shen Zechuan could not figure out. He finished his medicine and handed the bowl to Qiao Tianya, then said, “We can’t very well investigate matters in the palace. We need to have a suitable person on the inside before we can do it.”

It was not a good thing for the position of the Brush-holding Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial to be vacant. Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan both could not interfere in matters within the palace. That was the Empress Dowager’s territory. The Empress Dowager had the final say over who would be appointed to the post in the future. But it was better than nothing. If they had a planted agent inside, then that would also be a lot better than being completely blind. 
When Shen Zechuan thought to this point, he suddenly asked, “You wanted to investigate Xiang Yun the last time. Did you find out anything?”