# Chapter 51: Light Promises, Few Trusts
## Background
Zhang Zhou followed Lan Xing into the Zhongbi Residence. Lan Xing said, "This servant will go check if the general's medicine is ready." Zhang Zhou nodded and entered Mancheng's room alone. He sat by the bed with a stern expression and asked, "What happened?" As he touched Mancheng's burning forehead, his brow furrowed.
Mancheng offered a weak smile. "The doctor said if I take the medicine for two or three days, I'll be fine."
Lan Xing entered with the medicine. Zhang Zhou said, "Give it to me. You may leave." Lan Xing nodded and withdrew, closing the door behind her. Zhang Zhou blew on the medicine, took a small sip, and said, "It's still too hot. Let's wait."
The two gazed at each other in silence for a while. Zhang Zhou watched Mancheng's flushed cheeks and felt his breath quicken. He called out, "Mancheng!" and leaned in to kiss him softly.
Mancheng's body and mind relaxed completely. He pulled Zhang Zhou close, their kisses lingering and tender. Zhang Zhou suddenly remembered something and smiled. "You should take your medicine first." He turned to pick up the bowl, took another small sip, and handed it to Mancheng.
Mancheng pouted but took it anyway, closing his eyes as he gulped it down. He thrust the empty bowl back into Zhang Zhou's hand, his features contorting, his voice hoarse. "So bitter!" He sighed, and his expression grew somber. "Mandu has to drink this bitter medicine every single day. Poor thing."
Zhang Zhou's heart ached, and he fell silent. He stroked Mancheng's face, gazing at him with tender affection. "Mancheng, every time I look at you carefully, I notice your face has changed again."
Mancheng replied coolly, "That's because it's been a very long, very long time since you've bothered to look at me properly."
Zhang Zhou caught the loneliness in his words and felt a pang of guilt. He pulled Mancheng into his embrace. "Mancheng, tomorrow I'm going to Yu Kingdom to seek reinforcements."
Mancheng didn't respond. Zhang Zhou continued, "With Yu Kingdom's aid, Jianqing City..."
Mancheng cut him off. "Zhang Zhou, can you stop talking about this? Do you have nothing else to say to me? Is that all you can talk about?"
Zhang Zhou fell silent, truly at a loss for what else to say.
After a moment of silence, Mancheng forced a bitter smile, then leaned weakly against Zhang Zhou's shoulder. "Then just don't talk. Just hold me like this."
Zhang Zhou tightened his arms and said nothing more. He only felt Mancheng's warm ears and cheeks rubbing against his neck, and Mancheng's voice, carrying a warm breath, drifted into his ear: "Zhang Zhou, will you stay with me tonight?"
"Yes." Zhang Zhou said this single word, then turned his face to kiss Mancheng's temple. His lips traveled across Mancheng's face...
The two were in the middle of undressing, about to lie down together, when there was a rustling at the door, followed by someone announcing: "Your Majesty, General Qi and the others are waiting for you at Yaoji Palace. There are developments in the military situation at Liqi!"
Zhang Zhou awkwardly stopped what he was doing, looking at Mancheng with embarrassment.
Mancheng also gazed at him silently.
Zhang Zhou sighed and stood up.
Mancheng's body was weak and limp. At that moment, he forced himself to reach out and grab Zhang Zhou's hand, pleading. "Zhang Zhou, can't you just not go? Can't you just ignore them? Zhang Zhou..." In his sick and weak state, he was utterly vulnerable, desperately hoping that the one he loved would stay by his side. His voice had already turned tearful. "Zhang Zhou! You promised to stay with me! You already promised me! You... just don't go, okay?"
Zhang Zhou hesitated, but from outside came another announcement: "Your Majesty, Chancellor Lei is waiting at Yaoji Palace to discuss the Danhu flood disaster..."
Tomorrow he would be leaving for Yu Kingdom, and all these matters were piling up one after another,恨不得在章周出发前一一解决。There was so much to handle before Zhang Zhou's departure.
Mancheng watched the shifting expressions on Zhang Zhou's face, and boundless disappointment welled up in his heart, yet he refused to let go of Zhang Zhou's hand.
Zhang Zhou spoke gently, trying to comfort him. "Mancheng, I'll come back to keep you company later, okay?"
"Will you really come?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Really!"
Mancheng released his hand, and at the same time, the disappointment faded from his brow. He watched Zhang Zhou leave, then sat obediently on the bed, hugging his knees, waiting.
Outside, rain began to fall, pattering against a heart痴痴等待的心，滴答滴答，敲掉了一秒一秒。Spring was fading, flowers withering, time flowing like water. This limited life, already bitter enough, was being idled away and wasted by this轻诺寡信的人，蹉跎浪费，等得他骨化形销。
Until the depth of night; until the sky began to lighten; until the rain stopped and the sun came out; until the thunderous war drums and soaring horns from the city tower reached his Zhongbi Residence; until Lan Xing opened the door and urged him, "General... please eat something. Take your medicine."
Mancheng felt dizzy. He swallowed a sigh, took the food quietly, and managed a few bites, finding no pleasure in the taste. Lan Xing brought the medicine bowl. Mancheng closed his eyes and drank it down, the bitterness overwhelming, tears streaming down his face like scattered rain.
---
Two horses carried their riders at an easy pace into the Sugarcane Slope Forest. Before they had gone far, Mancheng noticed Zhong Shan looking around restlessly, clearly not familiar with the route, so he asked, "How many times have you actually traveled through the Sugarcane Slope Forest?"
"Once!"
Mancheng flew into a rage. "Cheng Zhongshan! Don't you dare waste a whole day wandering around here! If we miss the lantern festival, I'll go on a killing spree!"
"Hahaha... You're not even carrying a blade. What can you do to me?" Zhong Shan laughed triumphantly, but when Mancheng glared at him fiercely, he quickly tempered his amusement. "I can get us out. Trust me."
Mancheng thought: The day is still young. Might as well trust him. So he said, "Remember, we have to reach Fupeng Xiang before dark!"
"Got it!"
The two rode for nearly another hour. Ahead appeared a grove of trees with white leaves. "Wow, Zhong Shan, what kind of trees are those?" Mancheng asked in wonder.
"How would I know?"
Mancheng撇嘴。"嗤，你还有不知道的事啊？"
"Ha, so you think I'm omniscient after all!" Zhong Shan laughed. "I don't know what kind of trees they are, but I know that passing through this white-leaf path leads directly to Fupeng Xiang!"
Mancheng's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" Then he cursed, "Damn it! Last time I brought Mandu here, we wandered for most of the day before finding our way out, and we never saw these trees!"
There was a barely visible trail through the grove, just wide enough for one horse to pass slowly. Zhong Shan rode behind him and asked, "Last time you came, did you grab some local and force them to guide you?" When he received no answer from Mancheng, he诡笑。"If I were that local, I wouldn't have shown you the shortcut either."
"Stop laughing!" Mancheng snapped.
Exiting the grove, Mancheng stood on the cliff. The village below was now clearly visible—Fupeng Xiang had arrived.
"Zhong Shan! We made it!" Delighted, Mancheng asked, "How did you know how to find this white-leaf grove?"
"I won't tell you that." Zhong Shan gave a mysterious smile.
Mancheng imitated the women in the pleasure houses, speaking in a cooing,撒娇 tone. "General Cheng, don't be so mean. Tell me, please~"
Zhong Shan laughed so hard he nearly fell off his horse. He nudged his horse closer to Mancheng, reached into the褶皱 of the saddlebag behind Mancheng's horse, and pulled out a small green fruit the size of a soybean. He placed it in Mancheng's palm. "That's the secret."
Mancheng looked at the rotting fruit in his hand, its green skin split open with black oozing liquid. He frowned. "You're tricking me again!" He flicked his hand and threw the fruit away, then grinned wickedly at Zhong Shan. "Fine, I won't ask anymore. Every time we come here from now on, you'll have to guide me, and I'll only come with you. Your wish is granted, right?" He finished with a meaningful glance at Zhong Shan before urging his horse down the mountain.
Zhong Shan stood frozen on the cliff for a long while. A hint of happiness crept to his lips.
---
Fupeng Xiang's lantern festival, held once every ten years, was famous far and wide. As night fell, the streets blazed with fiery trees and silver flowers, alive with excitement. People pressed shoulder to shoulder, and the acrobatic and martial arts stalls were so crowded it was impossible to move. At the peak of the临时搭盖的赏灯玉棚, several enormous colorful ornate lanterns hung high, illuminating the street as bright as day. The shops lining both sides of the street and those in the alleys were thriving with business. Whether they sold rouge and clothing or trinkets and snacks, every storefront hung colorful lanterns of every shape and size. The wine houses and gate towers echoed with music and laughter. Children running through the crowds held glowing lanterns or sparklers that sent sparks flying, laughing and playing as they squeezed through the sea of people.
Every inn in Fupeng Xiang was completely booked. The two had no choice but to stable their horses in the backyard of a pancake shop, then went out to enjoy the festivities. Mancheng found it ridiculous. "If we revealed our identities, who would dare refuse to give up a room?"
Zhong Shan pointed at the bustling street and mocked him. "If you revealed your identity, the entire village would clear the street for you!"
Mancheng had never been to a lantern festival before and was overjoyed. He ignored Zhong Shan's sarcasm and wandered about, looking at everything with wonder, finding every rural novelty amusing, every variety of street food intriguing! As he walked past row after row of food stalls, anything that caught his eye, Mancheng picked it up and ate it. Zhong Shan followed behind,来不及付钱，cursing, "Didn't you have dinner? Are you a hungry dog?"
Mancheng, his mouth stuffed full, nodded from time to time, then shoved whatever he had taken a bite of into Zhong Shan's mouth, or pointed at something while making "mmwm" sounds—his speech so jumbled that no one could understand him. Zhong Shan laughed often. He knew Mancheng was saying either "This is delicious, try some!" or "This is good, buy more!"
Zhong Shan felt somewhat puzzled: for some reason, Mancheng's mood today was exceptionally good.
As Zhong Shan called for the vendors to wrap up the snacks Mancheng wanted, he teased, "I've never heard you say anything isn't delicious..." Before he could finish, Mancheng suddenly dropped the meat skewer in his hand, raised his arms to cover his face, and crouched down on the ground.
"Mancheng?" Zhong Shan grew anxious, quickly pushing Mancheng's arms aside to examine his face. "What's wrong?"
Mancheng's face was flushed red, his eyes full of tears. He managed to spit out one word: "Spicy."
Zhong Shan laughed so hard he nearly choked. Mancheng shoved him down, his features contorted, hands covering his mouth—he couldn't speak. It seemed the spice had burned his throat. Zhong Shan quickly unbuckled the water pouch from his waist and handed it over. Mancheng took several gulps before finally recovering. He wiped his tears and said, "That almost killed me!" When he saw Zhong Shan still sitting on the ground laughing nonstop, he was overcome with embarrassment and rage. He threw the water pouch—still not properly fastened—back at Zhong Shan, splashing him completely.
Zhong Shan didn't mind at all, brushing the water off his clothes while still laughing. "Who told you to eat random things! Serves you right!"
---
Though Fupeng Xiang had visitors from various kingdoms, wherever Mancheng and Zhong Shan—two outsiders—went on this bustling street, they attracted countless eyes. Of course Zhong Shan noticed this: although he had refused to let Mancheng bring his blade when they left the city, even in rough homespun clothes, that face was eye-catching enough!
Zhong Shan casually grabbed a mask from a nearby stall, caught Mancheng, and without explanation tried to put it on his head.
Mancheng pulled it off and saw it was a pig-face mask with a raised snout. He complained, "Cheng Zhongshan, what are you doing?" Though his words carried reproach, his tone was cheerful.
"The whole street is staring at you. You'd better cover your face for safety's sake! Avoid unnecessary trouble." Zhong Shan grabbed the mask and tried to put it on him again.
Mancheng jumped away, laughing. "Are you crazy! It's not my fault I was born with this face. If I walk around with you, wouldn't I have to wear a mask for the rest of my life?"
Zhong Shan quickly seized his hand and asked intently, "What did you just say?"
"I said I'm going to agree to leave Yuanliao with you."
Zhong Shan froze. Mancheng stood before him, smiling as he gazed at him. The street was still noisy and bustling, but Zhong Shan heard these words clearly. He felt as if he were dreaming—the words echoing in his ears like a hallucination.
A fervor surged through Zhong Shan's heart. He was about to ask again, to confirm whether these words were real, when he heard Mancheng burst out laughing: "Just kidding!"
The light in Zhong Shan's eyes vanished instantly.
Mancheng quickly shook off Zhong Shan's hand, not daring to look at the profound disappointment spreading across his face. He turned and walked ahead.
After taking a few steps, hearing no response from Zhong Shan, Mancheng regretted what he'd done. He stopped, lowered his head in contemplation, then summoned his courage. "Zhong Shan, I don't believe in him anymore. I'll help him one last time. After we repel the Yongzhao army, I will never return to Yuanliao. Zhong Shan, I will never leave you from now on. I will love you properly."
Silence stretched on. When he heard no answer from Zhong Shan, Mancheng flushed with embarrassment. "Damn it! How embarrassing these words are! I've already felt self-conscious enough. You bastard, why are you still standing there发呆? If you didn't hear clearly, don't expect me to say it a second time!"
Zhong Shan still didn't respond. Mancheng turned his head: where was Zhong Shan? There was no sign of him behind him.
"Zhong Shan?" Mancheng stood dumbfounded. Where did this guy run off to?
"Zhong Shan?" He unconsciously walked back several steps, but still no Zhong Shan.
"Zhong Shan?"
Mancheng began to panic. He searched in all directions along the path they came, ran back a hundred meters, but still nothing! In the crowds of people flowing past, every face was a stranger. Suddenly, Mancheng was seized by fear. His hand shot instinctively to his waist.
No blade!
Cold sweat immediately broke out across his forehead. This was the first time in his life he had been alone in a strange, chaotic crowd without a weapon for protection!
In the dazzling, radiant light of the lanterns, every smiling face suddenly twisted into something terrifying. The laughter and joy became as jarring as a death knell! How many people seeking revenge might be混在这人群中?
So many people—was there anyone here who recognized me?
No, there couldn't be! I didn't leave any survivors. No one would come after me for revenge!
Wait, I can't be sure whether some people actually died!
"Zhong Shan?" Mancheng's voice carried a tremor of tears. The world began to spin before his eyes. In this tightly packed crowd, he felt that at any moment, a blade might flash out to take his life! The ghosts of all those who had fallen beneath his blade seemed to possess everyone around him, watching with cold, sinister smiles.
Suddenly, a pair of large hands suddenly wrapped around him from behind. That familiar voice rang out cheerfully: "Haha, got scared, didn't you? That's the punishment for tricking me!"
Mancheng broke free and spun around, expecting to have to dodge a punch, but he saw Mancheng's tear-filled eyes, still tinged with fear, as he softly called out, "Zhong Shan!"
Zhong Shan felt an immediate pang of regret. Without caring about the stares of passersby, he held the Mancheng who had rushed into his embrace and said guiltily, "I'm sorry. I promise never to play a trick like that again."
Mancheng held onto him tightly, refusing to let go. His terrified nerves suddenly released.
Zhong Shan, please, never leave me!
---
Swoosh—
A red streak of fire shot straight up into the clouds, then exploded with a bang in the sky above Fupeng Xiang. Sparks of light scattered across the heavens, drawing the gaze of the entire street. More explosions followed in rapid succession. Countless fireworks competed to rise into the sky, one after another, enduring endlessly.
Mancheng gazed up at the sky, mesmerized, his hand gripping Zhong Shan's tightly, terrified that once the fireworks ended, Zhong Shan would disappear again.
But Zhong Shan wasn't watching the fireworks at all. His gaze remained fixed on Mancheng. An irresistible surge of love coursed through his body, rushing through every vein with his blood, unstoppable.