Chapter 97 - Energetic
Lu Zheng paused briefly, emitting a snort before resuming his task of tending to Zuo Shaoqing's wound.
Had Zuo Shaoqing not noticed the faint blush on Lu Zheng's ears, he might have mistaken his actions for disdain.
With his bare arms wrapped around Lu Zheng's neck, Zuo Shaoqing took the initiative to kiss those slender lips. Inside his trembling chest, an untamed passion was on the verge of breaking free.
He was fully aware of the predicament he was in. The deepening infatuation, the ability to disregard everything else in Lu Zheng's presence, the powerful allure that clouded his rationality—it was all overwhelming.
Lu Zheng responded to his kiss briefly before gently pushing him back onto the bed with a warning, “Stay still!”
The pain he felt was tolerable for Zuo Shaoqing. He had endured far greater agony in the past. However, when he looked into Lu Zheng's eyes and saw a mixture of pain and affection, he couldn't help but hiss in response.
Lu Zheng didn't doubt him, softening his touch as he commented, “A scholar indeed. Making such a fuss over a minor injury!”
Zuo Shaoqing blinked and chuckled softly. What happened to the scholar? Wasn't it still Master Lu who held a grudge against him?
Lu Zheng's fingers delicately traced Zuo Shaoqing's chest wound, and he spoke somewhat awkwardly, “Regarding today… Thank you.”
Zuo Shaoqing hadn't anticipated such a formal expression of gratitude, which momentarily dispelled any thoughts of accepting Entu's letter. He cleared his throat, “No need to thank me; I acted out of self-interest.”
If the lady had indeed perished in the assassination attempt while he remained unscathed, even the most broad-minded Lu Zheng would have faced difficulties.
Would he truly have left the lady behind and fled on his own at that point?
Lu Zheng's tone shifted, “Considering your inner strength, you needn't have suffered so greatly. It appears your martial skills are lacking.”
Zuo Shaoqing turned his head, embarrassment tinting his voice as he mumbled, “I'll train harder in the future.” He now understood the necessity of acquiring some means of self-defense in Lu Zheng's world.
He couldn't predict how many such incidents he might encounter in the future.
After tending to his upper body, Lu Zheng covered it with the quilt. He then lifted the blanket that concealed Zuo Shaoqing's lower half, and his gaze immediately fixed on the particular area.
Initially, Zuo Shaoqing was still unconscious, but as he realized that Lu Zheng hadn't made any moves, he turned his head. When he saw the embarrassing state of his lower body, he hastily pulled the blanket over it and pressed down.
“Ah…” Zuo Shaoqing winced in pain, genuinely feeling the discomfort this time. His hands instinctively pressed against the wound, causing the once-erect lower body to go limp.
Both embarrassed and vexed by losing face in front of Lu Zheng, he couldn't bring himself to meet Lu Zheng's penetrating gaze.
A faint smile curled at the corner of Lu Zheng's lips. He withdrew his hand, lifting the blanket while first glancing at the now-inert region. He commented in a soft tone, “Despite your injury, you can still muster up quite the enthusiasm.”
Zuo Shaoqing felt so mortified he wished he could disappear. He spoke with a stiff demeanor, “That's… Well, anyone would react that way with those kinds of touches!”
Lu Zheng's rough palm grazed the inside of Zuo Shaoqing's thigh, relishing the softness. Initially focused on treating Zuo Shaoqing's injury, he now found it difficult to banish certain thoughts from his mind.
Sensing an urge to retract his leg to avoid a recurrence of their previous awkward situation, Zuo Shaoqing hurriedly urged, “Master, my leg injury hasn't been treated yet, and I'm feeling cold.”
Lu Zheng glanced at him, suppressing the rising heat within him. He concentrated on applying the medicine, dismissing the restlessness in his heart.
Once Zuo Shaoqing's wounds were tended to, Lu Zheng noticed his own back was soaked, whether from nervousness or irritation, he couldn't tell.
He leaned down, nipping at Zuo Shaoqing's lip, and asked while restraining his emotions, “How many days until the Conference Test?”
“Ten days.”
“So slow…”
After a while, Zuo Shaoqing finally comprehended the significance of those three words. He gazed at Lu Zheng with widened eyes and asked, “Do you mean…?”
Lu Zheng responded with a cold snort, “The Conference Test will lead to the Hall Competition. What harm is there in me waiting a few more days for you?”
Zuo Shaoqing didn't know how to describe his current mood. Although the two of them had agreed not to reveal their relationship before the end of the Spring Festival, he didn't expect Lu Zheng to be able to extend it even with this kind of thing.
He touched Lu Zheng's chest with one hand and slid vaguely. A brilliant smile appeared on his face as he licked his lips and said seductively, “No worries!”
Seeing Lu Zheng's throat move up and down, Zuo Shaoqing smiled even more. He grabbed Lu Zheng's hand and put it on his belly. “Have a feel, did you grow some meat?”
The two of them had been moved earlier, so they couldn't stop touching him now. Lu Zheng measured him from head to toe and frowned, “He's only half an inch taller.”
The youth below him was only fourteen years old. He emitted a green aura from inside to outside, but it was extremely tempting. His frown and smile seemed to be purposely seducing himself.
At this moment, he was naked, and the red lines on his body made his white skin seem extremely tempting.
Lu Zheng kissed his forehead, the bridge of his nose, and his lips. He bit his chin and neck, but stopped when he saw the long and narrow wound on his chest.
He took a deep breath, suppressed his desire, pulled over the blanket to cover Zuo Shaoqing, and said: “Rest well!” He strode out of the tent with a punitive smile on his face.
Zuo Shaoqing's originally blurry eyes instantly became round. He couldn't believe that Lu Zheng would run away at this time. He rolled on the bed and grinded against the bed sheets.
His skin was burning hot, his lower body was high, and his body felt like it was on fire. He gritted his teeth and recited the chant for the Heart Cleansing Spell until his body regained its normal state, then he hit the bed board and cursed, “Lu Zheng, good job!”
When the soldiers outside the camp saw Master Lu walking out with a smile on his face, they were so scared that they even forgot to salute, crying out for a miracle.
Lu Zheng stopped in his tracks. The corner of his mouth slowly curled back into his usual straight line. He ordered, “Go get some food. Eat lightly.”
“Yes.” The soldier came back to his senses, saluted and ran away.
Not long after, Soong Hanlin came back with his men, “Master, the madame has safely returned home.”
Lu Zheng put his hands behind his back and his eyes turned cold. Even his voice became cold, “Hm, I'll leave the five men in black to you. Try your best to pry open their mouths.”
“It's likely a Death Soldier, rigorously trained. Extracting information from them may prove quite challenging,” Soong Hanlin expressed his concerns.
“Then proceed with the investigation. I suspect someone wants to use this situation to pressure me into surrendering the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince.”
Soong Hanlin comprehended the implications and leaned in closer to Lu Zheng, whispering, “Master, should we consider relocating the place where we're holding those two?”
“No need. Simply have someone spread the rumor that the two princes are imprisoned in the underground cells of the justice courts.”
“Are you suggesting…?”
“If someone dares to court their own demise, I won't stand in their way!” A sharp glint flickered in Lu Zheng's eyes. “The branch family is nearly purged, and an assassin of such caliber shouldn't exist. It appears there are still concealed traitors.”
“Should I inform His Majesty about this matter?”
Lu Zheng glanced at him with indifference. “Do you think he's unaware? He's merely using me to clean up his mess.”
Soong Hanlin was perplexed; when did these two come up with such a scheme?
Observing Lu Zheng's demeanor, it seemed he harbored no complaints about that man. Little did Soong Hanlin know that Lu Zheng was concerned about not having the opportunity to secure Zhan Yuanfeng's support for his marriage.
After their discussion, Soong Hanlin wanted to inquire about the young scholar, but upon entering the barracks, he learned that Master Lu had taken him to his own tent and strictly prohibited anyone from entering.
Soong Hanlin was aware of Lu Zheng's inclinations towards men. Despite the presence of numerous attractive young men during their time in the Northern Frontier, Lu Zheng had never shown interest in anyone, let alone allowed anyone to touch him. He never anticipated that the person who would finally captivate him would be a delicate and gentle scholar.
Correction. This scholar, as he had heard, had saved the old mistress' life. He had single-handedly taken on five opponents for the duration of an incense stick's burning, all for the sake of protecting Lu Zheng.
“Master…” Soong Hanlin's eyes brightened. He gazed at the opaque white curtain shrouding the tent and inquired, “The person inside…?”
Lu Zheng looked at him, eyebrows raised, his eyes hinting at a warning.
“Ah…” Soong Hanlin wiped the nervous sweat from his brow. He fumbled with his words, “Uh… Your subordinate would like to know if there's a chance for our State Duke's consort?”
Upon seeing the soldier returning with food, Lu Zheng disregarded the question and stated, “You have three days. Ensure a thorough investigation of this matter.”
“Three days?” Soong Hanlin lamented, no longer concerned about his curiosity as he hurriedly rushed back to the barracks' dungeon.
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