FIMA Ch94: Tearing the Mask

A warm, soft, and moist sensation attacked from all directions, completely submerging all of Xie Xuan’s rationality.

It made him temporarily unable to distinguish whether this was brought about by the hot spring beneath him, or by the tall figure working hard above him.

Not knowing how long it had been, Xie Xuan’s voice was already hoarse from crying out. He fell into a stupor countless times only to be woken up again.

The hook-like crescent moon had also gradually faded away, and the faint morning light was slightly blinking in the eastern horizon.

The clear breeze on the cliff top, combined with the warm hot spring water, brought boundless comfort.

Xie Xuan lay lazily on Gu Siyuan’s chest.

Gu Siyuan caressed his fair and smooth back: “The Sixth Highness’s body still needs to continue recuperating. How about drilling with this general every early morning from now on?”

“…” Xie Xuan listened dazedly.

Drilling? And getting up early in the morning to drill? Why is he torturing himself like this?

Could it be just so he can be fucked by you better in the future?

If it were a normal day, he would have definitely jumped up and fought a verbal battle of eight hundred rounds with Gu Siyuan. But right now, he could only hum with a hoarse voice: “Don’t want to, sleepy…”

Gu Siyuan frowned in dissatisfaction, but looking at the continuous bruises and marks on the person’s fair body, he ultimately felt soft-hearted.

He lowered his head and planted a soft kiss on the black hair of the person in his arms. Then, he lightly patted the surface of the water with one palm. The force of the splashing water lifted the two of them, shooting them out from the spring water.

With one hand, Gu Siyuan grabbed the clothes hanging on the old plum tree by the spring, wrapped them casually around the two of them, and then, following the direction they came from, stepped on the tips of branches and leaves, descending rapidly through the air.

The mountain wind blew their clothes, making a hunting sound, their speed as fast as a demonic phantom.

In just an instant, they had already descended from the thousand-meter-high peak to the foot of the mountain, and the brightly lit grand camp appeared before their eyes once again.

Without alarming anyone, Gu Siyuan safely returned Xie Xuan to his main tent.

While the two of them had passed a comfortable night, at the foot of the mountain, who knows how many people suffered a sleepless night.

A perfectly fine exchange assembly resulted in such an incident. Whether it was the Northern Frontier or within Great Liang, winds and clouds were surging.

Regarding the investigation, Emperor Jianzhao personally arranged for the Court of Judicature and Revision to conduct interrogations on the spot. Additionally, Wang Chengying led people from the Directorate of Ceremonial to preside over it, arresting everyone who had come into contact with the fierce tiger these past few days. Everyone knew that this group of eunuchs had the most vicious and meticulous hearts.

Being caught by them, even if one didn’t die, they would lose a layer of skin.

Meanwhile, inside the central army command tent.

Emperor Jianzhao had already been sitting in silence for a long time.

The scene continuously surfaced in his mind: after danger appeared, Xie Xuan’s first reaction was to run to his side, and later, he didn’t hesitate to block the fierce tiger for him.

For a moment yesterday, he truly hoped Xie Xuan could live well.

Looking at Emperor Jianzhao’s expression, Xie Huan had thousands of thoughts running through his mind.

He had to admit that the move Xie Xuan played yesterday was quite clever, causing his Imperial Father’s heart to waver slightly.

However, it was only slightly. His Imperial Father was inherently an extremely selfish and cowardly person. In his entire life, aside from the throne and his own mother, he had no true feelings for anything else. Xie Xuan, hmph…

Xie Huan cleared his throat and carefully called out: “Imperial Father?”

Emperor Jianzhao raised his eyes, looking at this side profile under the lamp that was quite similar to his beloved’s. The gloominess in his heart instantly dispersed, and he said warmly: “I will handle the aftermath of this matter properly. However, that person in the Sixth Prince’s mansion still hasn’t been found out?”

Last time, he heard Xie Huan mention that Xie Xuan seemed somewhat abnormal and might have discovered their schemes. He then dispatched the most secretive Fish Scale Guards to secretly monitor and investigate the Sixth Prince’s mansion.

The Fish Scale Guards indeed discovered something.

Recently, the Sixth Prince’s mansion had been making frequent moves. Not only had he become much closer with the ministers under his command, but occasionally, a secret expert also came in and out. Even though there were many capable people among the Fish Scale Guards, they couldn’t keep up with that mysterious expert no matter what, let alone investigate who that person was.

With a sudden intuition, both Emperor Jianzhao and Xie Huan felt that the appearance of that mysterious expert was very likely the underlying confidence for Xie Xuan’s active movements in the royal court these days.

After all, Xie Xuan’s recent targeting had been too precise, his goals clear, and all hit the mark with a single strike. It was highly possible he was maintaining an intelligence agency under his command.

Regarding this, Xie Huan was especially lingering with fear.

Setting aside whether it was an intelligence agency or not, such an expert coming and going without a trace, leaving even the Fish Scale Guards helpless—didn’t that mean he could enter and leave the palace forbidden areas without any scruples? If one day Xie Xuan decided to smash the cracked pot (give up and resort to extreme measures), would he wake up from a dream to find his life still belonged to himself?

Where did Xie Xuan find this person?

Therefore, this time, he tried desperately to persuade his Imperial Father and settled on this fierce tiger stratagem.

Firstly, to put pressure on those haggling Northern Frontier people to finalize the alliance matters as soon as possible, or even make concessions.

Secondly, to use this sudden accident to flush out that mysterious expert in Xie Xuan’s mansion, and follow the vine to get the melon (track down clues) to uncover more things.

To make the plan go more smoothly, he also suggested having the Fish Scale Guards disguise themselves as Imperial Guards and hide at the scene, responding to all changes by remaining unchanged.

Emperor Jianzhao only hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

He originally had no feelings for Xie Xuan anyway, let alone now discovering that Xie Xuan was privately cultivating secret forces and playing with power tactics—this was a great taboo for an emperor.

But…

Emperor Jianzhao frowned.

In such a critical moment last night, the mysterious expert didn’t show up.

If Gu Siyuan hadn’t arrived in time, Xie Xuan truly would have…

The Fish Scale Guards were the Emperor’s most trusted force; he naturally wouldn’t suspect them of lying. That could only mean the mysterious expert might not have followed them to the drill ground camp.

Although Xie Xuan’s previous lack of hesitation moved him greatly, the existence of such a mysterious expert and intelligence agency still made people feel like sitting on pins and needles.

Moreover, he remembered Xie Xuan’s overly calm look when he left last night. Xie Xuan probably already had some suspicions in his heart.

Perhaps it was because he had Wang Chengying give a reminder when his second son, Xie Kuan, was feeding in front of the iron cage; perhaps it was because of the unusual movements of those Fish Scale Guards disguised as Imperial Guards after he shouted “protect the Sixth Highness”.

Even if Xie Xuan didn’t figure it out at first, combining it with the incident at the sacrificial ceremony last time, his suspicions would definitely deepen after returning.

The sacrificial ceremony?

Emperor Jianzhao suddenly thought: since that mysterious expert’s martial arts were so high that even the Fish Scale Guards were helpless, perhaps right now only Gu Siyuan had a way.

Gu Siyuan was a rigid, upright, and impartial person, and his future prospects were considered far-reaching. Originally, he didn’t want him to do these dark and deceitful things, but right now, he couldn’t care less.

Thus, shortly after returning to his main tent, before he even closed his eyes, Gu Siyuan was called before Emperor Jianzhao and assigned a task that made one not know whether to laugh or cry.

Having him monitor himself—truly a good errand.

He could only say that his usual acting skills were too superb; even at this point, Emperor Jianzhao hadn’t suspected him.

Emperor Jianzhao’s expression was solemn: “I originally promised to let you rest for a few days, but this matter is quite urgent. No one else can accomplish it except you.”

Gu Siyuan cupped his hands indifferently, saying with a serious face: “Sharing His Majesty’s burdens is inherently within this subject’s duties.”

Emperor Jianzhao nodded: “Mm, it’s perfect that you use the name of your leave to act secretly, to avoid alerting the snake by beating the grass.”

“Yes,” Gu Siyuan responded.

When Xie Xuan fully woke up, the sky was already bright, and he was lying safely in his original tent.

Before this, the attending palace servants had come to call him several times, but getting no response, they assumed the Sixth Highness was frightened by yesterday’s fierce tiger and didn’t dare to disturb him.

Xie Xuan half-sat up, reaching out to get the tea on the small table. However, due to the excessive soreness of his waist and the strange sensation from his lower back, he froze slightly.

The next moment, he watched helplessly as a pair of large hands took the cup and directly fed it to his mouth.

Leaning into the familiar hard embrace, he drank the water in the cup in small sips.

Gu Siyuan asked: “Want more?”

Xie Xuan shook his head.

Gu Siyuan was about to withdraw his hand and put down the cup.

The next moment, a moist and warm sensation, along with a slight stinging pain, came from his wrist.

Xie Xuan was biting him.

This little lion.

Gu Siyuan was too lazy to withdraw his wrist. He just quietly watched his actions and said: “The Sixth Highness is extremely energetic. It’s probably because this general was too soft-hearted yesterday. Seeing Your Highness weeping endlessly, I easily let you off.”

“…” Xie Xuan was shocked.

To think there is someone so thick-skinned and shameless in the world.

Who was weeping endlessly?

Also, when did you easily let me off?

He only remembered fainting from exhaustion last night, falling asleep, being woken up again, and then falling asleep again, tossing and turning, almost dying directly and completely.

“Next time…” Gu Siyuan’s words were halfway spoken before being impatiently interrupted by a certain someone.

“Ah, what did you say, what next time?” Xie Xuan hurriedly released his small white teeth, gently kissed the tooth mark on Gu Siyuan’s wrist, raised his face, and smiled flatteringly: “General Gu, your hand is so beautifully shaped, making this Prince joyous at first sight and unable to resist kissing it a few times. You don’t mind, do you?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him coldly and said leisurely: “Naturally I don’t mind. Presumably, the Sixth Highness likes this general’s shoulders even more. After all, there are still several clear tooth marks left on them.”

“…” Xie Xuan stared at him with moist eyes.

No need for this.

Given our relationship, can’t you yield a bit to this pitiful person?

Still bullying me?

Gu Siyuan pinched his soft cheek: “The Sixth Highness is showing this look again, wanting to act pitiful and spoiled? However, acting spoiled while crying and whimpering last night was also quite cute. Although useless, it was pleasing to the eye.”

“I did not,” Xie Xuan loudly refused.

The moment last night was mentioned, Xie Xuan felt his waist ache. He hurriedly and cowardly changed the subject: “By the way, why are you here in broad daylight? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered?”

“Who could discover me?” Gu Siyuan’s expression was cold and proud. Then, he continued, “Of course, I also have a small matter to tell you conveniently.”

Xie Xuan found a comfortable position, lazily leaning on his thigh, playing with his own hair while asking: “What matter is worth you making a trip?”

Gu Siyuan briefly explained the matter of Emperor Jianzhao looking for him earlier.

After a long while, Xie Xuan turned slightly to hug Gu Siyuan’s waist, his eyes profound, his voice ethereal: “So that’s how it is. No wonder he suddenly pulled such a stunt. This Prince even thought he truly prepared to end everything directly and take this Prince’s life?”

Gu Siyuan pinched the Little Highness’s fair and delicate chin, his expression solemn: “I think the time is about right.”

He wasn’t used to passively enduring attacks time and time again, and the person he liked naturally couldn’t either.

Moreover, during these days, he had made ample preparations.

He was busy for several months without seeing Xie Xuan previously, and it wasn’t for nothing.

Xie Xuan looked up at him, smiling playfully: “What is General Gu saying? Do you… want to rebel?”

“Why not?” Gu Siyuan’s expression remained unchanged.

Saying that, he slightly lowered his head and whispered a few words in Xie Xuan’s ear.

A moment later, Xie Xuan’s eyes widened, and at the same time, his ears turned blood-red.

This person, how could this person think like this? Or rather, how did this person dare to think like this?

If the ancestors saw this, they would be so angry they’d jump out of their tombs, right?

Is it that the colder a person looks on the outside, the more astonishing their thoughts are on the inside? It’s mostly because he’s been pretending for too long and the suppression caused problems.

But… it seems truly exciting again.

Xie Xuan looked at Gu Siyuan with considerable anticipation: “Rebellion is fine, but do you have any plans? Otherwise, an army without a just cause might be disadvantageous to us.”

Gu Siyuan’s gaze was sharp, but his tone was gentle: “Right now, you and His Majesty are stepping on each other’s bottom lines to test each other, waiting to see when the truth will be completely exposed. Since that’s the case, let’s step hard on a big one. Some things should be known by people. Let’s see who can’t hold back first—whether the father is unloving or the son unfilial.”

Seeing this person’s appearance of devising strategies within a command tent, Xie Xuan’s heart felt crisp and soft. He intentionally pinched his throat and said: “Now that my whole person belongs to you, for such small matters, I will naturally listen to my husband.”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

The Little Highness loves acting a bit too much.

However, he weighed the perfectly fitting weight in his arms, feeling the addicting warmth and softness. This whole person truly belonged to him; this phrasing was hard not to find pleasing.

“…” Xie Xuan.

Why do I feel like a sandbag?

Next, while being intimate, the two decided the matter concerning the dynasty’s replacement in a few words.

Shortly after Gu Siyuan left his main tent, and just as Xie Xuan finished lunch, Wang Chengying came over.

He said the matter of the fierce tiger suddenly going mad last night had already been investigated clearly, and His Majesty invited him to listen to the trial together.

Xie Xuan put down the clear tea used for rinsing his mouth, giving Wang Chengying a half-smile: “It’s said that Head Eunuch Wang presided over the investigation of this case. Just one night has passed, and it’s actually been investigated clearly. Truly efficient; the Six Ministries and the Court of Judicature and Revision are not even fit to carry Head Eunuch Wang’s shoes.”

Wang Chengying felt a shiver down his spine from this smile and hurriedly said: “I don’t dare accept such high praise from the Sixth Highness. How could this old slave be worthy of comparing to the lords of the Six Ministries and the Court of Judicature and Revision? It’s just that His Majesty and Your Highness have a deep father-son affection, and he specially instructed this old slave to expend ten thousand percent of my effort.”

Xie Xuan glanced at him, sneered, and nodded: “Then let’s go!”

When Xie Xuan arrived at the central army command tent, inside sat not only Emperor Jianzhao and the officials of Great Liang, but also the King of the Northern Frontier’s party. However, Gu Siyuan wasn’t there.

Emperor Jianzhao looked at Xie Xuan: “Xuan’er, you’re here.”

Xie Xuan nodded, saying calmly: “Your son greets Imperial Father.”

Emperor Jianzhao narrowed his eyes; sure enough, he suspected.

Looking at Xie Xuan’s expression, the people present were quite puzzled in their hearts.

Yesterday, the Sixth Highness protected His Majesty with his life. Logically speaking, their father-son affection should be deeper. Why did it seem like they were having an awkward conflict right now?

Strange, truly strange…

After everyone had gathered, the officials of the Court of Judicature and Revision brought out all the indictments.

According to the results of the interrogation, this case had nothing to do with Great Liang’s internal affairs, nor with the Northern Frontier people, but with the wolfish ambitions of the grassland people.

They orchestrated all this, both wanting to take the opportunity to murder the royal family and high officials of Great Liang to cause internal chaos, and also wanting to use this to divide the alliance matters between Great Liang and the Northern Frontier—killing two birds with one stone.

As for the detailed process, there were also indictments as evidence. First, a grassland person concealed their identity, infiltrated the Northern Frontier’s team, and fed medicine to the fierce tiger. After arriving in Great Liang, that person bribed a palace servant with a heavy sum of money to drug Xie Xuan’s wine with something correspondingly attractive to that fierce tiger.

Anyway, the process was very full of twists and turns, sounding exactly like that was the case.

Everyone, whether from Great Liang or the Northern Frontier, was very satisfied with this result.

Even including Xie Xuan.

Mm, it’s all the grassland people’s conspiracy. Now the alliance matters between Great Liang and the Northern Frontier can proceed smoothly.

As for Emperor Jianzhao’s fooling him, he wasn’t angry in the slightest; he had guessed it long ago anyway.

Ever since the sacrificial ceremony incident, he had long stopped holding any expectations toward Emperor Jianzhao. Moreover, just before coming, he had already decided to tear up face with Emperor Jianzhao.

However, although he wasn’t angry in his heart, in fact, he still stood up and sneered: “Imperial Father is wise. Since the murderer has been found, your son shall take his leave first!”

In the past, we had to endure and pretend we knew nothing; now, we have to trap each other and see who breaks down and flips the stall first.

“Xuan’er!” Emperor Jianzhao’s expression changed as expected, his eyes gloomy.

Although he was touched by Xie Xuan’s actions last night, Xie Xuan’s attitude was too presumptuous.

However, Xie Xuan ignored his anger completely, turned around, and left directly, as if he completely didn’t care about the future anymore.

“Rebellious son!” Emperor Jianzhao was furious.

Leaving only a tent full of ministers looking at each other in dismay. What’s going on with this father and son?

And also, Xie Huan secretly rejoicing in his heart.

Xie Xuan truly made a stupid move. Does he actually expect to act spoiled just relying on last night’s event?

Meanwhile, the “stupid” Xie Xuan immediately raised his arms and stretched after walking out of the tent.

Tsk, there will be plenty of times to rebuke people in the future, right?

Truly satisfying.

Especially with someone backing me up.

The next day, the party headed back to the palace.

Because of the accident at the drill ground, after returning, that group of Northern Frontier people didn’t put up any more resistance. They obediently signed the alliance document, agreed to some conditions they originally resisted to the death, and then prepared for the large contingent to leave the capital.

However, before leaving, there was still the marriage of the Northern Frontier Princess that needed to be resolved.

Originally, the courtiers thought His Majesty would take the princess into the inner palace, or grant her in marriage to the Sixth Prince, whom he had always favored the most.

After all, the princess represented harmony between Great Liang and the Northern Frontier; she should belong to the Emperor or the future heir apparent.

Who knew that Emperor Jianzhao actually granted her in marriage to the Fourth Prince, Xie Huan.

This made people’s glasses fall to the floor in shock. What on earth is His Majesty trying to do?

What is wrong with this father and son?

Support me on Ko-fi