Lian Qun Fang Chapter 2

The door was kicked open with a 'bang' and it jostled awake the occupants of the room from their half asleep stupor. 

Xue Dan did not know how he ended up lying on Du Menglou's leg. He rubbed his drowsy eyes and vacantly looked at the other: "gege?"

Du Menglou did not look at him, he only emotionlessly removed Xue Dan's from his embrace and the two intruders who entered then took hold of Du Menglou, one on each side, and dragged him out.

"Gege, Gege……"

Xue Dan's cries continued disjointedly behind the re-closed door.

Du Menglou was dragged across the courtyard by the two strongmen like a rag without edges and corners. His long eyelashes covered his eyes, veiling the emotions in them.

It is nearly late autumn, a whole three months have pa.s.sed since Du Menglou was confined here. He is still wearing that thin shirt from when he left Yunmeng manor, and together with the night wind, he felt chilled to the bones.

The night was deathly, the moon bright and the stars scarce. Under the bright moonlight, the surrounding areas were well lit and visible. Du Menglou has already forgotten how many times he traveled this particular road. Stopping outside the magnificent residence (Huawu), it was as habitually — remove his clothes and get doused with ice-cold water from top to bottom. Du Menglou closed his eyes, heart already knowing the process.

Being sent into that warm room caused the invading cold air of before to seep out from his bones. Du Menglou clenched his teeth and fought back a shiver.

The room was so brightly lit, like it was trying to make people feel ashamed and afraid to show their faces.

Du Menglou drooped his head, but his gaze remained on the deliciously fragrant food on the table.

"Want to eat?" The overhead voice suffused with a tinge of intoxicated fervor murmured. 

Lines rippled his forehead and Du Menglou docilely shook his head.

"Don't be afraid." Again said the voice clear like spring water, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with goodwill. A slithering hand snaked around his jaw and forced him to look him in the face. He was met at once with dark brows and phoenix eyes, white teeth and vermilion lips. This is precisely the marquis of Ningw.a.n.g fu who captured Yunmeng manor overnight, Zhao Ci.

"Well?" Zhao Ci hummed at his silence. He smiled and the effects of it rippled across his eyes and brows.

Du Menglou blinked and forcibly plastered a smiling expression on his face. Although his appearance was eminently handsome, when he smiled, it was like the meeting of blade to stone- coa.r.s.e.

Zhao Ci narrowed his eyes slightly and indifferently observed the face in his hand: "How did this appearance of yours capture his liking?"

Du Menglou knew there will be consequences if he keep silent again. Lowering his lids and relaxing the stiff muscles of his cheeks, he said: "the lord of the manor is often preoccupied with matters of the house, despite my lowly self wanting to offer help, it was in fact difficult for us to meet in March and May."

"Oh?" Zhao Ci seemingly smiled. He released Du Menglou and sat in front of the table. He filled a goblet with wine and brought it to his nose, inhaling it gently, then slowly turned to look at the person beside him. "Have you ever wondered why he never sought you out, but sought out that idiot instead?"

His hand stealthily molded into a fist; with a hint of apathy, Du Menglou replied, "although Xue Dan is simple in mind, he is pure and harmless. He naturally has his own merits which captivates the lord."

Glancing at the swaying goblet in Zhao Ci's hand, Du Menglou steeled his resolve and continued: "this is merely like a n.o.bleman raising a few pets. The lord may find joy and delight in us, but we are of no imperative significance to him."

Zhao Ci drowned his cup, his face looking more and more red by the minute. His watery eyes were surging with sentiments. His limpid voice held a slight quality of pleasure as he said: "Benw.a.n.g has heard of Lord Cui's style of conduct in the past. He is inordinately conceited, but positions himself as virtuous. He has always stayed far from women and wine, but turns out he had been quietly raising two pets in his manor. This kind of sanctimonious behavior surprises even Benw.a.n.g."

It's not as if Cui Jin is a monk, even if he's not busy raising pets, he still would not live such a sanctimonious life. But Du Menglou did not have the courage to be frank about this, he could only remain respectful and pliant.

Zhao Ci consumed one cup after another and stopped caring about the silence of the person next to him. Intoxicated with liquor, even his voice became more rich and captivating: "Does he like you more, or does he like that youngster named Xue Dan more?"

Du Menglou feigned contemplation and then shook his head. He whispered: "This lowly one does not know."

"Heh," Zhao Ci chuckled and abruptly tugged at Du Menglou's leg, "you're still afraid of me that's why you still aren't speaking the truth."

A cold hand settled on his waist. Du Menglou cautiously looked at Zhao Ci and said, "w.a.n.gye is n.o.ble and awe-inspiring, this lowly one is reverential and dare not deceive him."

"All right. Benw.a.n.g won't force you." He pinched the chin of his beloved person and said, "I'll have someone bring Xue Dan in. You ask him on my behalf, how about that?"

The strength of Zhao Ci's grip was so great it seemed like it was going to crush his bones. Perspiration drenched Du Menglou but he didn't dare to cry out. He willfully opened his mouth to say, "Xue Dan is a fool. I simply fear this fool will offend w.a.n.gye. Just then when I said I did not know, I truly did not know. The lord is a busy person, there's little reason for him to reveal his inner thoughts to low ones like me. We are merely playthings for his entertainment."

A stifling silence ensued. Soon after, low laughter erupted. Zhao Ci delivered the goblet to Du Menglou's lips and said, "Benw.a.n.g's treat."

"Many thanks, w.a.n.gye." Du Menglou did not do anything else and merely accepted the wine.

Zhao Ci saw that his face did not turn red so he poured him another cup. Seeing how natural Du Menglou was at drinking prompted him to ask, "does he often feed you like this?"

Du Menglou knew who the "he" was referring to. If he pretends not to know again, perhaps that will only stir Zhao Ci's ire, so he responded after a quick deliberation, "occasionally."

Zhao Ci took a sip of wine and then abruptly pressed his lips to Du Menglou's.

After the liquor seeped past the other's lips, he took a step back and murmured, "and this?"

Du Menglou's palms were b.l.o.o.d.y from his nails digging into them. He hung his head and whispered, "never."

"He has never treated you like this before, so why did you wait upon him so loyally?"

A strong musky smell of liquor rushed onto Du Menglou's face the moment Zhao Ci opened his mouth. He didn't hesitate and immediately responded, "this lowly one never dared to act rashly in front of the lord."

"Haha!" Zhao Ci suddenly burst into laughter. "How can he like someone as prudish as you?"

Before Du Menglou can answer, Zhao Ci interrupted: "Let Benw.a.n.g teach you a thing or two about pleasuring men!"

Du Menglou's weak body hit the bed, and at once a great pain seared from his lower half, paralyzing him.

Zhao Ci did not hurry to the bed. He looked down at Du Menglou for a moment and then suddenly grabbed him by his hair to force his head up.

"Benw.a.n.g can tell you are not truly afraid of me." Zhao Ci's other hand caressed Du Menglou's face gently like one would a lover, "is it because you think Cui Jin can save you?"

Seeing mania in Zhao Ci's eyes, Du Menglou said nothing.

"Naive! How can he save you when he can't even save himself!" From within those dark pupils emerged a shadow, and the smile suddenly appeared unfitting of the beautiful face. "Cease your delusions!"

Du Menglou's lashes wavered, and a small curve seemed to weigh down his lips.

Seeing that, Zhao Ci's body emitted a chillingly cold air and he clenched tighter on Du Menglou's hair, ramming his head against the bedpost!

tn: chapter 3 is locked in jjwxc.

…and I a.s.sume we all know why.