FENG YU JIU TIAN [VOLUME TWO]

Chapter Two

During the Prince's diplomatic journey, countless officials governing various regions of Xi Rei naturally provided his reverence with their utmost hospitality. His journey was accompanied by music and celebrative welcomes all along the way, until the entourage finally made their way to the outskirts of Xi Rei on the seventh day.
However, to arrive at their ultimate destination, Feng Ming and his retainers would have to cross a country called Ruo Y an. Ruo Yan was similar to Xi Rei, a country situated in mountain ranges and slopes. Ruo Yan bordered Xi Rei, Fan Jia and Tong Guo.

In this era with the vast number of countries spread across the land, parties of ambassadors journeying was a common event, thus, Ruo Yan was a major transit portal with a regular stream of important officials.

Once Feng Ming's group arrived at the border between the two countries, he had to wait for official correspondence concerning the passage through Ruo Yan's territory. They rested the day. When night fell, Zhang Qian, the local official in charge of the area the foreign Prince had entered personally arrived to greet the important guest and welcomed the weary travelers to an extravagant banquet prepared especially to fit the man's status.

During the feast, the crowd was in high spirits and frequent toasts and flattering speeches were offered to the Prince. General Tong strictly upheld his duty, protecting the Prince as he enjoyed himself. The large man refused any alcohol offered to him, preferring to stand on guard with one hand rested on the hilt of his sword ready to serve his purpose if required. Contrary to his gallantry, official Xia loved his liquor and had a large capacity for his favorite beverage, even after his hundredth refill he appeared completely devoid of any signs of intoxication.

Prince An He's great appetite for good wines was notorious, poor Feng Ming was a victim to the late Prince's only ability. Feng Ming couldn't falter his guise and forced down countless and seemingly endless cups of strong alcohol served to him throughout the evening.

In reality, Feng Ming had actually never consumed alcohol in his previous life, and his initial encounter with alcohol was when he woke up in Xi Rei. It wasn't surprising after a few glasses of wine his alcohol tolerance was met, he barely had a grip on staying upright and his sense of orientation went out the door.

Around him, he was only aware of the blaring music in the great hall and the masses of dancers that made his head spin and eyes blur.

Early next morning, he had the joy of reflecting on the unfriendly consequences of alcohol, a devil of a jackhammer like hangover.

Feng Ming's head was just about to split open, as he struggled to open his drowsy eyes, it was a challenge to sober from the drumming pain in his head. Even his vision remained slightly fuzzy.

He raised a hand and rested it on his forehead before releasing unearthly groans of pain several times over.

"Prince is awake?"

Who was beside him?

He had never heard this voice before.

Feng Ming reluctantly turned to face the stranger and with one look jumped out of his skin.

To his surprise sharing the other side of his bed and lying within the cozy blanket was an astoundingly beautiful youth. Soft slender eyes, translucent skin perfect like jade that had a healthy luster and long silky hair that covered his shoulders. Although his bed partner was a man, the stranger was exuding an air of seduction.

The most frightening aspect the attractive stranger's arm jutting from the covers, the youth's smooth exposed flesh was tainted with encircling marks around his wrist. The skin was sore and red, which didn't leave much to the imagination. The sight made Feng Ming flush from head to toe.

Although Feng Ming's feisty and defiant behavior towards Rong Wang was long in the past, the Prince was very clear what those marks were and under what circumstances it takes to acquire them.

Moreover, according to how raw the wounds appeared one could extrapolate that there was a high probability that they were formed last night.