Hua Hua You Long - Volume 2 - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Big Brother, waken up yet? Xiao Sang comes to deliver water to wash your face."

Xiao Sang was his personal attendant from Mount Lu Cang, now that he had moved to Tong An, Lu Cang brought him all along to take care of Lu Cang's diet as well as his daily needs.

"Master...." Lu Cang was awakened by the knock on his door, slowly opened his eyes - a clear bright room indicated that it had exceeded his usual wake up time by far. Lu Cang attempted to turn around his body, but a sudden of bursting sharp pain from his waist area made him cried out "ai yo" (Ouch).

That reminded him of Jing's extreme and forceful sex from last night. ---- He practically didn’t have the recollection about how he ended up fainting after the last time. If Jing was going to continue this way, he (Lu Cang) definitely would have a short life.

The greasy sticky feeling from the deepest part of his body reminded him that yesterday, after Jing vigorously loved him, he didn't get to wash up but directly went to sleep.

Heaven! Previously, the consequence of this was his upset stomach for the entire day. ---  That damned bastard was definitely the one to be blamed for, he didn’t want to take note at the least for Lu Cang’s body who had to suffer the pain. Simply knew nothing but gave even more pressure on his pain. (*It probably means that Jing doesn't know when to stop, and has no limit. *)

"You just leave water outside. I will go get it myself."

Lu Cang just barely raised his voice towards the door, he honestly didn't have any strength to dress himself at the moment.

"Master, before leaving, His Majesty had instructed me. He told me to let master know, there will be a banquet in the palace this evening. And your arrival at the imperial palace is expected after lunch time."

"I got it. You just go busy with other things first. Don't mind me!"

Now Lu Cang got more headaches.

Because he was afraid that Lu Cang would be so lonely and suffocated inside the Palace, no matter whether the palace was holding big banquet or small banquet, Jing would definitely drag him to attend.

Sitting with an unbelievable beautifully embroidered bright silk robe unsuited for his position, seat the closest to the emperor, bear with those courtiers, the royal concubines shot him with a peculiar look that tormented him from a far.  All of these tortures were beyond the enjoyment of the delicious food placed before him and transcended the touching dance and song displayed in front of him.

As one can imagine, sitting in one position with beautifully embroidered bright silk robe was already painful enough, the seats was also the closest to the Emperor, and not to mention the disapproving eyes of royal courtiers and imperial concubines would be on him. Those would make him enough to suffer that he won’t be able to delightedly enjoy either the delicious food or the entertainment (singing and dancing). (this is how other translate, leave it since I’m not sure myself which one is more correct.. J )

Lu Cang lied down on the bed for a while, after that he forced himself to crawl out of the bed and freshened up, then went downstairs.

"Master, it's almost lunch time, here, have a little something to eat first, or..." Xiao Sang who was waiting to attend to him downstairs quickly came over and asked.

Lu Cang waved his hand: "No need, just have it for lunch. After lunch I’m going to take a bath."

"Ah, yes!”

A flash of realization brushed past Xiao Sang’s eyes. He tried hard to suppress his almost smiling face by turning to kitchen and asked them to prepare for the lunch.

Lu Cang also knew that Xiao Sang was clearly aware of the relationship between him and Jing, since such a thing was simply impossible to hide from a personal attendant, he just had to understand without being told so they never mentioned nor spoke of such things.

After lunch, Lu Cang refused Xiao Sang's offer to wait on him for bath. He grabbed towels and clothes on his own and went to soak into the hot spring pool, which was located in the building in back garden.

Because Jing liked taking bath together with Lu Cang occasionally, so he specially chose a luxurious pool residence for him. Although bathing together with Jing always turned into sex games eventually, Lu Cang was still unable to reject this rare opportunity of being naked together with Jing.

Jing had the most perfect male body he had ever seen, the only flaw for him was that he had very pale/white complexion - soaking in the hot spring pool, Lu Cang couldn’t help but recalled Jing’s slender and strong legs rubbing his own body’s scene. It made Lu Cang heated up and seethed with excitement.

His hands as if had their own will, uncontrollably slid down to the water. Lu Cang’s fingers were gently touching and stirring his own desire, --- an extremely hot and hard one.  Just from merely thinking of Jing, he became like this. Lu Cang quietly cursed himself :

“Utterly shameless! The lowest!”

“Who did you say was shameless and lowest?”

Lu Cang was completely surprised by an unexpected voice and he quickly let go his hand from his sex organ, then he turned around and shouted: “Who is it?"

“Who else do you think dare to take a peek on our marquis while he’s having a bath?” Along with the teasing words, a simple robe of Jing appeared from behind the folding screens.

Lu Cang was taken aback for a moment: “Jing? Shouldn’t you be in the Palace right now?”

“He He…” Jing walked to the pool and started to unfasten the buttons on his clothes.

"I know that you don’t do good things behind my back, that's why I especially came to catch you. It’s really disappointing. I caught you violating a rule right away.”

In Lu Cang so called three rules of contract, there was one with a very unreasonable agreement: forbid self-relief.

Only heaven knew why did Jing set this point, however, he was caught by Jing several times before and also received his “Personal Punishment” so since long ago he already didn’t dare to secretly do this sort of men’s “healthy exercise”.

Knowing Jing saw the entire scene a moment ago, Lu Cang's face turned red all of a sudden, didn't know how to reply and just stayed still in the middle of the pool.

Jing neatly took off his outer and under garments, and then he jumped into the water. He went further until next to Lu Cang who still looked distracted, and embraced him tightly by his waist.

"Because of your hunger and thirst (for sex), you even ignored my rules, huh? You really have a lot of nerve. It seems that yesterday was not enough so you still have some strength left?" Jing softly whispered to Lu Cang as he almost licked Lu Cang's ear with his tongue. Lu Cang's face went red even more. Although Jing was playing with his mind like this, he didn't know how to refute him and had to remain silent.

"Was it this hand that dared to touch my belonging?"

Jing was truly in a good mood today. While making fun of him, he grabbed Lu Cang's right-hand and examined it closely. Next he put the hand on the very part of his body, which was partially immersed in water...

"You...."

Touching Jing's body-part, which had already became hot, Lu Cang's face went bright red quickly as if it's on fire.

"See, do you know why I sneaked in here now?" With a look of grievance on Jing's face: "Yesterday, you passed out on me only on the second or third times, therefore today you have to make it up for me!"

Of course it didn't need a detailed description in the end. Without a doubt, everything would go by Jing's way.

Jing rushed back to the Palace with a satisfied smile on his face. Afterwards Lu Cang who was left behind in the pool, had to gather all of his strength so that he could dress himself the ceremonial robe to have an audience with the Emperor. As the result, he couldn't even ride a horse to enter the Emperor's Palace, without any better option, just had to ride a sedan chair to attend the banquet.

Even his waist couldn’t support him enough to sit up straight. He had to lean on the small table, which used to arrange foods, in front of him to support his moving about staggering body that couldn’t sit still. Looking at the fresh and bright face Jing, the today host for holding this banquet in honor of the foreign country’s ambassador, cheerfully engaged in a small chat, Lu Cang felt so envious to the point almost vomiting blood. ----

Yesterday’s intense making out, in addition, today in the hot spring bath they did it several more times. His waist was hurt like hell, it felt like it almost broke down. But that creator and source of all this precedent, making a face like he didn’t care in the least…. No, it was beyond common sense, it was as if he miraculously gained more energy and vitality. Where exactly was this man common sense lie!

Since this was significantly important banquet, overwhelming majority of courtiers were participating in attending.

For this special banquet purpose, the western side of the palace hall was used. The seats were spreading from both side all the way to the gate. It was such a grand banquet to the extend even the chief of capital general affairs section’s governor had to be seated at the seat near the entrance gate.

When Lu Cang entered the door, he was fully aware that his seat was very close to Jing’s. Even closer than several ministers who held a higher rank than him. Of course the seat he was sitting now made him in uncomfortable situation, but wherever he sat, he simply would sense the pins and needles sensation. But now, this wasn’t the issue that he ought to concern about. There was a greater issue before him that urged him to immediately find or dig a hole in the ground and buried himself.

“This sir here looks unfamiliar, are you just recently transferred to the imperial capital?” On the seat oblique behind his own, there were the government officials from Dali Si Judicial Officer. (t/n : or Dali temple, not too sure.) Among them, there was one person whose age seemed to be not too old, curiously observed Lu Cang and cared to hold a small talk with him.

“Ahh…. It’s…..” Every time people asked him this sort of question, he was forced to talk evasively to dodge the issue. Inwardly he detested Jing who was insensible at all and did thing without thinking.

“Sir Liu, you don’t recognize Lord Lu? However, it is understandable. Lord Lu was granted the title by His Majesty when Sir Liu was away on the outside duty.”

Of course, there were people who would join in and press near to say the full of envy words to insult him.

“Is that so? Then, may I ask, which respectful post of affairs are you in charge of?” This Sir Liu looked like he was very interested in Lu Cang. He kept on put up a conversation.

“That is……” Just drop dead!! Lu Cang was afraid the most when people questioned him about this. It was absolutely no way he would likely to say “I am in charge of sleeping with the emperor”.

But indeed, as the matter of fact, he didn’t have any active participation nor authority in the government. No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn’t think of any excuses to create a cover.

By this surname’s Liu side, there was an official who had been persistently looking at Lu Cang with consistently sour expression.

When he saw Lu Cang stopped his words halfway in the middle of conversation, he took the chance to ridicule and insult Lu Cang : “Sir Liu, it was not a good thing to inquire our honorable Lord about this sort of matter, right? Our lord here is His Majesty most favorable. The way thing was done surely different. Sir Liu, who has to rely on true ability to advance step by step from below in order to rise to the top, won’t understand. Right?”

The way he spoke insolently with obvious thorny speech made Lu Cang both troubled and irritated. He was basically unable to speak out whatever words to refute. Since young, he had been practicing the swordmanship skill. Regarding this kind of words argument skill, he was not these scholars opponent.

This Liu person clearly heard this for the first time. He was dumbfounded for a while. But soon after that, he resumed to his normal state. : “Lord Lu, the humble me returned to the imperial capital from outside duty just a month ago. Still not aware of the current affairs situation. Beg your pardon for such rude remark. Humble me is Liu Zhong Tang, presently in charge of Dali Si judicial office general affairs. Therefore, ask for Lord Lu’s guidance from here after.”

“No.. no.. I don’t deserve such honors!” Lu Cang quickly cupped his hands in front of his chest to return the salute in humble way. He barely knew a little penmanship to pass as literate, so he always deeply respected the scholars. This Liu Zhong Tang didn’t look like a bad person, of course this person also wouldn’t be an overly supercilious person.

Liu Zhong Tang looked as if still having words to say to Lu Cang, but the music had started to resound throughout the hall. Beautiful women dressed in dance apparel pouring out from behind the screen to the middle of the imperial hall. ---- The performance had begun, Liu Zhong Tang had to suppress the words he was about to say.

Today leading dancer was the palace most beautiful dancer, Xi Yan. She was as lithe as a swallow bird. Her waist was as delicate as the willow. Thus, she was very well known.

Before Lu Cang entered the palace, once, she had been doted on by Jing. She used to be Jing’s favorite. In the palace of royal concubine, the harem, she held the highest status among the other female dancer concubines.

Lu Cang watched her started dancing lightly and gracefully along with the music. Because of her unearthly dance, the whole imperial palace’s hall had become as beautiful as a fairyland. Deep in his heart, he admired the woman mystical alluring charm of her. He softly sighed with regret.

“……… level by level of the tower, The already past events, I don’t ask. When I look back, the long river is streaming hollowly..”
The melancholy song conveyed the memory of the past relationship. Xi Yan as if using the song and the melody to uncover her somewhat deeply distressed heart-broken feeling.

“…… the rulers, since ancient time are inconsistent in love. Anonymous maiden of palace miserably wish. The love until today is nothing. Someday, the shadow of the candle will reflect a figure whom wiping the tears alone…..”  The melody suddenly changed. Xi Yan spun her body very fast as if she was about to fly. She stretched out the long fluttering ribbon and eventually stroke Lu Cang’s cheek. It caused his heart beat skip a beat in a “tha dump” for a while.

It wasn’t his first time to receive such resentful provocation from Jing’s women.

He recalled, there was once in the middle of the palace’s garden, Jing and he seated side by side. Jing was carelessly in front of all these women, fed Lu Cang a cup of wine. One of these jealous royal concubines, while they were on the slope, shoved him. Though Lu Cang was promptly stopped his body from stumbling down the slope, nevertheless, he unsightly lost his balance and broke his back bone. He was constrained to recline on the bed for half a month.

The furious Jing decreed to execute this royal concubine. But because she was the third prince’s mother and the opposition of many powerful officials in order to prevent the execution. Lastly, there was because of Lu Cang who pleaded on her behalf that considered as saving her life.

However, she was banished to the cold palace to settle this affair.

Now, there was this Xi Yan who was using a song to taunt him. Lu Cang could only swallow the insult and assume the manner of endurance to handle it.---  Although, if he turned to Jing, and asked for it, the problem would be solved. But his pride as a man wouldn’t allow him to take advantage of another man’s affection towards him. Also, he wouldn’t do such a completely lack in moral integrity things.

Jing was observing with such a sharp eyes. Even with one eye he could clearly see that Xi Yan was through this dance occasion taking the opportunity to insult Lu Cang. He slightly knitted his brow in a frown. His eyes flared up by anger. He sat up-straight on his seat like a demon king.

“What a nice song! What a nice song! A very good  ‘The love until today is nothing. Someday, the shadow of the candle will reflect a figure whom wiping the tears alone’ phrase to describe a certain someone destined to be doomed fate.” The one who spoke was the brother of the royal concubine who shoved Lu Cang on the slope. Because of his sister’s issue, ever since he was extremely loathed Lu Cang. Now, in his drunken state after downing more than 2 cups of wine, he was unwilling to let go the good chance to mock and taunt his enemy.

With his staggering and swaying condition, he stood up. Walked with his faltering steps, he came to Lu Cang’s seat. Looking down on him : “But in this world, there is no lack of strange things. There is actually a man who relies on the ruler’s favor and wishes to attain the highest level position in one step! Don’t know when will they get their turns to sorrowfully cry, right? Ah.. Lord Lu, what do you think?”

Lu Cang, suffered this kind of grave provocation, unwilling to be insulted furthermore, put down his wine cup heavily on the table. Initially, he wanted to stand up, but there was a sudden stinging sharp pain from below his waist and caused him lost his strength at once. He had no other option than to sit back.

The sound of the music in the imperial palace’s hall gradually became softer and slowly faded out. Lu Cang could felt the countless curios looks and the despising eyes on himself. They were looking forward to the amusing things ahead. His face became hot and uncontrollably heated up.

He shot a glance at Jing. Unexpectedly, Jing’s was wearing this mischievous kind of expression as if he was enjoying and wondering how would Lu Cang deal with the bold and reckless challenge by this scoundrel.

That bastard!!  Deep in his heart, he was cursing Jing inwardly. Lu Cang made an effort to gather his physical strength to stand up, he coldly open his mouth : “Sir, pardon me, who do you mean by the man who relies on the ruler’s favor and wishes to attain the highest level position in one step?”

“Hehehe.. Who do I mean, in your heart you must clearly understand.”

That outrageously brainless man fearlessly approached Lu Cang. He made a face like he wouldn’t give a damn even he was about to flare up and caused commotion in this hall.

When he entered this imperial palace, he was disarmed from his weaponry, otherwise, the bad tempered Lu Cang absolutely would already draw out his sword and showed this prick a few tricks of his skill.

However, this kind of circumstances in this grand occasion, he better not to start a fight. Nonetheless, it was asking too much for Lu Cang to settle this kind of provocation in this big hall depending merely on his brain. To be honest, it was extremely the utmost caused of difficulty for him.

As the result, he could only resort to utilize his eyes to show his wrath. He fiercely glared at the man in front of him.

Looking at the furious Lu Cang, as angry as a bull, fiercely confronted people with his severe eyes, also his unspoken refute words, Jing couldn’t help but smile for he felt that Lu Cang was so adorable in that way. He knew that if he didn’t help Lu Cang at once, the one who would feel better was only him.

“Minister Zhang, you don’t require my favor as the emperor so you can be the government official, do you?”

Jing’s voice and expression was solemnly stern. That man he called out to jumped high out of terror. He turned around to face Jing and knelt down :

“Your humble subject wouldn’t dare. Your humble subject earlier had spoken rudely, beg for Your Majesty forgiveness.”

“Everybody is receiving my utmost favor to gain the chance to reach the sky. Minister Zhang, there is no need for you to pester Lord Lu and talk further about this matter, isn’t it? Why don’t you quickly return to your seat.”

“Your humble subject obey.”

Zhang Zi Dong gritted his teeth and silently retreated to his seat. Before leaving, he shot Lu Cang a meaningful glance.

End of chapter 12