Due to the strenuous activities of the previous night, Qin Huaiqiu slept until late morning.
When he opened his eyes, the other side of the bed was already cold. He was taken aback for a moment, then angrily punched the place where Sikong Ting had lain.
"Damn it! You bastard!"
The passion of the previous night was still vivid in his mind. Maybe because Sikong Ting had abstained from such pleasures for too long, Qin Huaiqiu didn't even know how he had fainted. All he knew was that his whole body ached terribly, especially his lower back and a certain (beep -) area, which had been brutally ravaged and were in excruciating pain.
Gasping for breath, he managed to sit up in bed, covering his lower back with one hand and muttering curses.
Leaning against the edge of the bed, he began to recall the details of the previous night.
Sikong Ting wanted him to lead troops into battle.
This news made Qin Huaiqiu extremely excited. As the young master of the Qin Mansion, he had grown up on the border and on the battlefield. During his days in the palace, although he had Sikong Ting's company, it was like an eagle with its ankle tied or a steed trapped in a corral. What he yearned for was still the sandstorms of the Western Regions Protectorate, the setting sun over the long river, and the customs of the border areas.
Sikong Ting had said last night that he wanted Qin Huaiqiu to take over Qin Feng's position. Qin Huaiqiu naturally understood the reasons. Firstly, his father was getting old, and after years of continuous warfare, although he had never been defeated, he was still an old general. Even Qin Huaiqiu didn't want his father to continue fighting on the battlefield with such a body.
As early as when he heard that Qin Feng had led troops into battle, he had actually planned to take Qin Lan away. It was only because of his relationship with Sikong Ting that he had hesitated. Now that Sikong Ting had brought it up on his own initiative, it warmed Qin Huaiqiu's heart. However, following that was a wave of sadness at the thought of separating from Sikong Ting.
Qin Huaiqiu hugged his knees, and his eyes fell on a prominent bright red hickey on his forearm.
He was stunned for a moment, and his eyes were filled with affection and warmth. Almost instinctively, he lifted his forearm and pressed his thin lips against the hickey.
"Qiu'er!" Sikong Ting burst in through the door without any warning, scaring Qin Huaiqiu into quickly pulling his hand away. He looked at Sikong Ting in a flurry, his face blushing.
During the morning court session today, Sikong Ting barely paid attention. He just casually dealt with some major matters and pushed all the other trivial things to Dou Yuan. For the rest of the time, he was basically thinking about Qin Huaiqiu.
Sitting on the dragon throne, just thinking about Qin Huaiqiu's reactions from the previous night made his blood boil.
Sikong Ting had abstained from such pleasures for over twenty years. Finally, he had tasted the sweetness. But poor Qin Huaiqiu! Sikong Ting, like a fierce tiger, pounced on Qin Huaiqiu and pushed him onto the bed. He leaned over and whispered in his ear.
"Let... let me go!" Qin Huaiqiu suddenly pinched Sikong Ting's waist and roared, "I'm warning you, don't mess around. My butt still hurts!"
Sikong Ting let out a cry of pain but still refused to let go of him. He just softened his movements a bit and kissed his neck, saying, "I'll rub it for you. It'll stop hurting after I rub it."
Who knows what kind of "rubbing" you mean? Qin Huaiqiu was furious. Just thinking about how no matter how much he begged the previous night, Sikong Ting wouldn't stop, a surge of anger rushed to his head.
You lecherous bastard! Qin Huaiqiu thought, and then he opened his mouth and bit down hard on Sikong Ting's hand!
"Ow!" Sikong Ting let out a pained cry and quickly pulled back his hand that had been bitten while blowing on it. He complained aggrievedly, "Qiu'er, you're trying to kill your husband!"
"I warned you. My butt still hurts!" Qin Huaiqiu gritted his teeth and stared at him with a blushing face, his voice filled with annoyance.
"Alright, alright, alright. I won't move. I'll just hold you." Sikong Ting let out a sigh, sat behind Qin Huaiqiu, wrapped his arms around him, and rested his chin on his shoulder, greedily enjoying this peaceful and beautiful moment.
Qin Huaiqiu also leaned against him, his eyes half - closed in comfort, and remained silent.
I don't know how much time had passed when Sikong Ting moved slightly and whispered, "I... have ordered the Ministry of War to recruit ten thousand elite soldiers. They've all been trained by Wu Qiuyang. I'll hand them over to you. You'll be the general and lead the troops to the Western Regions Protectorate to assist your father."
Qin Huaiqiu was taken aback. For some reason, he suddenly felt a bit desolate. He lowered his eyes and looked at the brocade quilt in front of him, asking, "When does Your Majesty want me to set out?"
Sikong Ting was silent for a while and hugged Qin Huaiqiu even tighter. He whispered in his ear, "The military situation is urgent. It takes at least seven days to travel from the capital to the Western Regions. You have to set out by the night after tomorrow at the latest."
Qin Huaiqiu nodded and asked, "Under what identity should I lead the troops into battle?"
Sikong Ting reached out and turned his face towards him. Looking into his eyes, he said, "I don't want you to continue using the absurd title of Noble Consort De on behalf of your sister. From now on, there will be no Noble Consort De in the harem. There will only be the young general of the Qin Mansion."
Qin Huaiqiu gave him a grateful look and then lowered his head a bit guiltily, saying, "My younger sister was captured by the people of Loulan because she fled from marriage. But Your Majesty can rest assured. I won't ignore the safety of the Great Sheng Empire because of personal grudges. I'll wipe out both Loulan and the Xiongnu for you."
Sikong Ting smiled. He reached out and ruffled Qin Huaiqiu's hair, saying softly, "I know. I trust you. When you go to the Western Regions this time, be extremely careful of your own safety. You not only have to rescue your sister and repel the enemy, but also remember what you promised me."
Qin Huaiqiu was deeply touched. A warm current flowed into his heart. He looked up at Sikong Ting and said firmly, "Your Majesty can rest assured. I'll definitely come back in a year. Wait for me."
"I'll wait for you." Sikong Ting looked down at him, his eyes shining with a faint light.
Qin Huaiqiu seemed to be in a daze. He felt Sikong Ting's face getting closer and closer until his lips were caught, nibbled, and kissed.
The feeling of impending separation weighed heavily on both of them. Although they didn't say it explicitly, the desolation and longing were like strong chains, binding the two who were about to part more and more tightly.
Gradually, Qin Huaiqiu was once again pressed down on the bed by Sikong Ting. He was kissed until his whole body went weak. Sikong Ting's kisses fell like gentle spring rain, igniting all the heat in his body.
He was about to lead the troops into battle.
Once he left, he didn't know when they would meet again.
Although Wu Qiuyang strongly recommended Qin Huaiqiu, saying that he was extremely skilled in leading troops, resourceful, and with his quick - witted young mind, he would surely outshine Qin Feng.
But after all, he was going to the battlefield.
On the battlefield, swords and arrows were merciless. If he accidentally got injured or was hit by a stray arrow...
Just thinking about this, Sikong Ting felt his nose turn sour. His helplessness and longing, which had nowhere to be vented, could only be expressed in the most primitive and wild way. Both of them were covered in a fine layer of sweat as they poured all their longing into their deep kisses.
In the following days, except for the time in court, Sikong Ting accompanied Qin Huaiqiu all the time.
Since he had restored Qin Huaiqiu's original identity, Qin Huaiqiu and his maids moved back from the harem to the Qin Mansion in the capital.
As for the explanations to the Empress Dowager and the court officials, Qin Huaiqiu didn't bother to care and left it all to Sikong Ting to worry about.
The time was pressing. He needed to count the military supplies and weapons within two days. Then, as the general, he had to meet and talk with the soldiers who were about to set out. Besides Qin Lan, he selected two more people from the ten thousand elite soldiers as his trusted aides. They were Lieutenant Feng Zuo, who had military experience, and Commander Wan Chengyan, who got along well with Qin Huaiqiu in terms of leading troops.
Since Qin Lan also had battlefield experience, except for the things that had to be done personally by the young general Qin, Sikong Ting had given strict orders for Qin Lan to handle the miscellaneous tasks. And for the rest of the time, the young general Qin was locked in the room of the Qin Mansion by Sikong Ting, who took from him again and again.
They were crazy and affectionate, as if they were trying to turn all their countless thoughts of longing into actions.
The gears of history turned quietly, and time flew by. In the blink of an eye, Qin Huaiqiu was wearing armor and standing on the general - appointing platform outside the imperial city, in front of the army of ten thousand.
The gilded armor was specially made for Qin Huaiqiu according to his figure by Sikong Ting. Qin Huaiqiu rode his horse to the front of the army, drew out the sword from his waist, held it above his head, and roared with all his might from his young body, "Soldiers! The people of Loulan and the Xiongnu have colluded. They have bullied our border people and insulted the glory of the Great Sheng Empire! Our Great Sheng Empire, a nation that has existed for hundreds of years, is not afraid of these barbarians! Today, all of you soldiers will follow me into battle. Follow me to trample on Loulan and slay the Xiongnu!"
Immediately, the soldiers below roared in unison -
"Trample on Loulan! Slay the Xiongnu!"
"Trample on Loulan! Slay the Xiongnu!"
The Ministry of War arranged the formation, and when the horn sounded, the roars of the entire army reached their peak!
"His Majesty the Emperor is coming -" Xu Xian's voice rang out. The army neatly parted in the middle. Sikong Ting didn't take the imperial carriage but rode a blood - sweating horse and galloped in from the Vermilion Bird Street inside the city gate.
Qin Huaiqiu watched the figure getting closer and closer in the distance. He dismounted from his horse and stood in the distance, the corners of his mouth curving up, showing a row of white teeth.
Sikong Ting reined in his horse in front of him. He dismounted and, in front of everyone, handed the reins of his horse to Qin Huaiqiu.
"... Your Majesty?"
"It's for you." Sikong Ting smiled and said, "Its name is Treading on Clouds. It's my imperial steed."
Qin Huaiqiu was shocked. He quickly knelt down to express his gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty, this is not appropriate! Your imperial steed cannot be given away casually. I can't accept it."
"Get up." Sikong Ting grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up, then brought him in front of himself. He secretly ruffled his hair with his hand and whispered in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "Ride it. It's like I'm accompanying you."
Qin Huaiqiu felt his nose turn sour. He looked at Sikong Ting's face. Under the setting sun, Sikong Ting was enveloped in a golden - red glow. If they weren't standing in front of the army at this moment, Qin Huaiqiu would have rushed forward to kiss him passionately.
Sikong Ting felt the same way. It was the first time he had seen Qin Huaiqiu in armor. The valiant figure in front of him overlapped with the figure of Qin Huaiqiu wearing the wedding dress half a year ago. He knew that this was the real Qin Huaiqiu, the one who belonged on the battlefield.
Sikong Ting's eyes were gentle and full of longing. He traced Qin Huaiqiu's face countless times before finally saying in a trembling voice, "Qiu'er, I've wronged you in the harem."
Qin Huaiqiu was shocked all over. He slowly raised his head, and their eyes met in the air, instantly transporting their thoughts back to half a year ago.
At that time, he had also looked up at him like this, but both of them were wearing wedding clothes.
Time had passed quickly.
Qin Huaiqiu suddenly smiled. He reached out and gently punched Sikong Ting's chest, saying, "What are you thinking about? I feel very lucky."
Yes, if Qin Huailian hadn't fled from marriage, how would he have met him?
Qin Huaiqiu stood under the setting sun, letting the north wind mess up his sideburns. He knelt on one knee in front of Sikong Ting and said firmly, "I, Qin Huaiqiu, will surely drive out the barbarians and bring peace to the Great Sheng Empire. I hope Your Majesty will await good news!"
The enthusiasm of the soldiers below was ignited once again: "I hope Your Majesty will await good news!"
"Good!" Xu Xian brought two cups of wine. Sikong Ting picked up one first, raised his head, and drank it in one gulp. With tears in his eyes, he said tremblingly, "I'll wait for you."
Qin Huaiqiu was filled with mixed emotions. He picked up the cup of wine, looked at Sikong Ting one more time, and then raised his head and drank it all.
Qin Huaiqiu's eyes were filled with tears, and his thin lips were tightly pressed. He took a step forward and passed by Sikong Ting.
Facing the soldiers, he shouted in a trembling voice, "Soldiers, let's set out for war!"