# Chapter 14: Wounding/Harm
A lone rider on a swift horse galloped into Yuanliao City, rushing straight toward the Yaòjí Palace.
The spacious hall still held a single eternal flame. The monarch of this nation was alone, bent over his desk, toiling away. Suddenly, he stopped. He hadn't heard footsteps, hadn't heard anyone call his name—yet his heart sensed a familiar presence drawing near.
He raised his head. Standing at the side chamber's private entrance was a person, with cold and peerless features, yet eyes warm and bright.
He gazed at that person, lips moving: "You're... back..."
"Zhangzhou!" Mancheng could no longer contain himself, rushed over and embraced him, collapsing into his broad dragon chair.
"Mancheng! You're... you're back!" Overwhelmed with emotion, he frantically kissed the one he'd longed for day and night, wishing only to freeze this moment, to keep his heart forever so peaceful, so blessed.
Mancheng's passion burned through his entire body. Trembling fingers undid the clothing clasps...
Zhangzhou, my back itches unbearably like fire. Touch it for me! You'll be heartbroken!
Zhangzhou, touch it quickly! Tell me quickly that your heart aches for me...
You...
Zhangzhou's hand slowly came to rest on Mancheng's bare, searing chest, then gently pushed him away.
One moment of reckless passion was ultimately defeated by reason. Zhangzhou's face filled with guilt as he softly said: "Mancheng, you can't stay here..."
The words were like a basin of ice water poured over him from head to toe. Mancheng tightly knit his brow, pained and helpless as he closed his eyes.
Zhangzhou buttoned his clothing, one clasp at a time, back into place...
"Zhangzhou, then you..." His voice trembled with a hint of crying, carefully asking: "When will you come keep me company?"
"Whenever I'm free, I'll go to you..."
Mancheng rose, the corners of his mouth lifting, yet unable to conceal the sorrow and disappointment, gentle voice: "I... I'll wait..."
I have been waiting, always waiting for your comfort, for your embrace, for your kiss.
You... why are you so stingy? I've given everything, yet you can't even give me a little more without making me wait again and again...
"You're awake."
"Mmm... Let's linger in bed a while longer." Mancheng didn't move an inch.
"Then at least change your position. My arm's gone numb."
Mancheng laughed and rolled over, clutching Zhongshan tightly.
Zhongshan gently kissed his ear, soft voice: "I really can't figure you out. At times you're docile as a woman, yet once you grip a blade, you harm without blinking..."
"Hehe..."
Seeing Mancheng in a good mood this morning, Zhongshan took the opportunity to ask: "That day at Youlian Mountain, you encountered an old acquaintance. Why did you have to eliminate him so ruthlessly?"
A cold reply: "I killed him for the world to see. Anyone who opposes Yuanliao meets this fate! No exceptions."
Zhongshan caressed his delicate brow, asking: "And me?"
"You? If you rebelled, I'd join you."
Zhongshan burst out laughing, "You're lying again! If I rebelled, you'd be the first to kill me! How would I dare? Silly, I was just joking!"
Mancheng stroked his face, serious: "Zhongshan, no matter what happens from now on, I will never point a blade at you."
Zhongshan smiled, pressing close and whispering: "Mancheng, why did you cry again last night? It tore my heart apart."
"Tsk!" Mancheng laughed, mocking: "Bullshit! I don't recall you looking even slightly heartbroken! Weren't you quite smug last night? Didn't you take the chance to try every trick in the book?"
Zhongshan gently bit his cheek, cursing: "No justice! I labored all night to comfort you, nearly worked myself to death, and now you talk as if I was the only one having fun!"
Mancheng dodged, covering his face and curling down, pressed against his chest, laughing endlessly.
"Mancheng..." Zhongshan used his fingertips to carefully trace the dense red marks and blood scars on Mancheng's back, heart aching beyond words, sighing: "Why isn't that medicinal powder working... Let's find another doctor, try different medicine."
"No need. I'm not very itchy anymore..." Mancheng listened to his heartbeat, peacefully closing his eyes. After a long while, slowly asked: "Zhongshan, what is your heart thinking right now?"
"..."
Mancheng pressed his lips against his skin, kissing again and again, deeply asking the ceaselessly beating heart beneath: "What are you thinking?"
Zhongshan laughed dumbly, saying: "It's thinking: I want to be Mancheng's number one."
The person in his arms instantly stopped laughing. He looked up at Zhongshan right before him, eyes wide: "Zhongshan, you..."
A flash of sorrow crossed Zhongshan's eyes. He then laughed out loud, "Ha, I was kidding. What's with that expression? You're so adorable! Come here, little cutie, let me kiss you properly!"
Mancheng flushed, annoyed: "Drop dead!" He pushed Zhongshan away with effort, got up while putting on clothes, cursing while laughing: "Beast! Dare to trick me? Put on your skin and get out!"
Zhongshan caught the clothes Mancheng threw at him, haphazardly pulled them on, laughing till he nearly doubled over.
Then they heard Lanxing's flustered voice approaching from outside: "Madam, please let me announce—General isn't up yet..."
The two inside instantly stopped laughing. The door burst open as Weiyang pushed through.
Lanxing stood to the side, embarrassed: "General, the Madam says..."
"I understand. You can go attend to your duties." Mancheng smiled without concern. "What brings Her Majesty here?"
Weiyang opened the door and upon seeing the scene, understood everything. Mancheng had been gone over a month, and she'd missed him so desperately she'd nearly lost her mind—yet he had... Tears streamed down her face, unsure whether to feel heartbroken or shocked.
Zhongshan hastily got up to dress, patted Mancheng and whispered: "We're dead. Caught in the act. What do we do now?"
"Zhong Shan Cheng, shut up!" Weiyang shouted: "Get out!"
"On what grounds?" Mancheng glanced at Weiyang expressionlessly. "Is Her Majesty the Queen meddling in too much?"
Weiyang, disregarding Zhongshan's presence, broke into tears and shouted: "Xia Mancheng, what do you take me for? How could you do this?"
Zhongshan tried to smooth things over, smiling apologetically: "Don't cry, don't cry. Don't let me ruin your harmony!"
"You don't get a say," Weiyang glared at him. "Get out now!"
But Mancheng reached out and grabbed Zhongshan, coolly facing Weiyang: "I should be the one saying that. Between Zhongshan and me, you have no say. Understand that and get lost!"
Weiyang nearly collapsed. She gripped the doorframe, her fragile shoulders trembling violently. "Fine, I'll go!"
Zhongshan watched Weiyang stumble out, sighed and frowned: "Look how heartbroken she's crying. Of all people, you had to get involved with the Princess of Shangyu! Why didn't you listen to my advice?"
"I listened." Mancheng's gaze wandered across the courtyard, calm: "I'm bored of playing anyway."
The night air was thick with gardenia fragrance, gentle and intoxicating.
Mancheng sat in a rocking chair, swaying. He heard the door open and knew Zhongshan had entered, yet without turning around said: "Where did you go? Why so late?"
The person behind him remained silent. Puzzled, Mancheng turned, then brightened: "You... what brings you here today?"
Zhangzhou sat on a square chair nearby, face dark.
Mancheng felt a flicker of unease, cautiously asked: "What's wrong?"
Seeing Mancheng's indifferent manner, Zhangzhou could no longer suppress his fury, berating: "I knew about you and Weiyang long ago. I turned a blind eye! Look what you've done! Debauchery in the palace! Do you even know what shame is?"
Mancheng froze, then coldly laughed: "What do you want to do with me?" When Zhangzhou didn't respond, he asked again: "What do you want?"
"That's my question!" Zhangzhou shouted in anger: "Weiyang has been crying since yesterday! Why can't you treat her properly?"
Mancheng raised his voice too: "Ha, you want me to comfort her? Are you even a man? Your woman commits adultery with another, yet you come begging the adulterer to treat her well?"
"I thought you got close to her because she resembles Yingyou." Zhangzhou softened his tone, eyes weary.
"The one who can't forget Yingyou is you, isn't it?" Mancheng spoke without a shred of responsibility, cold voice: "I've long forgotten Yingyou's face. I was just bored, just toying with your woman. Debauchery in the palace? You're heartbroken for her? Then kill me!"
Seeing the cold fury suppressed on Mancheng's face, Zhangzhou couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. "I'm worried about you! Mancheng, does this make you happy? You know I've only ever loved you in this lifetime—why make it so hard for me? I'm already exhausted! Stop torturing me, please?"
Mancheng smiled despondently. "You're not worried about me—you're worried about your Yuanliao. If anything happens to the Princess of Shangyu in your palace, Yuanliao will never know peace!" Mancheng lowered his head, voice hollow: "If you truly love me, take me away! What does any other country's princess matter? What does any rebellion matter? None of it would concern you anymore. In the end, I will never be more important than your Yuanliao!"
"I'm sorry..." Zhangzhou tightly furrowed his brow, eyes filled with helplessness.
Mancheng couldn't bear to meet his eyes, turned his head away and softly said: "What you've asked of me, when have I ever refused? I understand. I'll ensure she won't cry again..."
A silence fell between them. Zhangzhou took Mancheng's hand and drew him close.
Mancheng's expression softened, gaze gentle as he softly said: "Zhangzhou, don't go. Please?"
Zhangzhou nodded, wrapped his arms around him: "Mancheng, I've missed you so much..."
A thousand words, a million words—only by looking into each other's eyes could they fully understand.
Mancheng relaxed his brow, smiling.
As long as Zhangzhou gave him the slightest bit of happiness, it could shatter all troubles, dissolve every grievance.
"I'm sorry! I spoke too harshly just now. Don't be angry." Zhangzhou's eyes were full of apology. He tightened his arms. Through his loose, thin sleeping robe, his warmth emanated ambiguous signals, passing continuously between them.
Zhangzhou had been busying himself day and night until his head spun. Every time he closed his eyes, he thought of his beloved. Now pressed close to him, how long could he hold back?
Mancheng had waited far too long. He held Zhangzhou's face, kissing repeatedly. Zhangzhou's bones melted, his senses numbed. He gathered Mancheng and fell onto the bed together, hastily tearing at his clothing.
Mancheng reached out to undo Zhangzhou's elaborate clasps, one by one, growing somewhat impatient. Zhangzhou had already removed his upper garment, pressing against his bare neck and chest, caressing. Looking at this person he loved so deeply, his mind full of this person's gentleness like gentle rain, his entire body burned with desire for this person—yet from his lips came an extraordinarily tender moan: "Zhongshan..."
The words couldn't be taken back. Mancheng himself was startled. Zhangzhou felt as if struck by five thunderbolts. Both immediately stopped, eyes locked in frozen standoff.
After a long moment, Zhangzhou sat up, turned his back to Mancheng, and began buttoning his clothing. He bent to put on his boots.
"Zhangzhou!" Mancheng frantically held onto him, trying desperately to salvage the situation, pleading in fear: "Zhangzhou, I'm sorry! Don't be angry! It was just habit! I..." Mancheng knew he'd spoken wrongly again, and abruptly stopped.
Zhangzhou's fury burned. This raging jealousy he'd suppressed for years could no longer be contained. He knew that if he spoke now, it would be thunderous rage—thus he clenched his teeth, pushed Mancheng away without mercy, and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.