UCTOOT CH48

On the day of the Great Heat, the willows swayed gently.

Outside the city gate, people came and went. Atop the gate tower, banners flew.

The second time Shi Shu left the Eastern Capital, it was not the enchanting scenery of early spring, but the scorching sun of summer, baking the earth.

Shi Shu’s clothes were originally worn properly, but now it was unbearably hot. He tied up his hair, revealing a section of his fair arm, tore open his collar, and fanned himself frantically with a fan.

A bead of sweat rolled down his handsome nose. “So hot, so hot, so hot! Xie Wuchi, so hot, so hot, so hot. Save me, save me!”

Xie Wuchi was looking at the new policy letters from various prefectures. Hearing this, he said, “You fan yourself.”

Shi Shu: “It’s still hot even when I fan myself. So hot I want to jump in a river.”

Shi Shu looked up and realized Xie Wuchi was in a similar state. He himself could be casual, but as an official, Xie Wuchi’s attire had to be proper and neat. The two outer layers of crimson long robes made sweat bead on his forehead.

Shi Shu said, “No wonder we got up at three in the morning to travel. Walking at noon would give us heatstroke. Let’s always set off early from now on.”

Xie Wuchi: “Alright.”

Shi Shu fanned him a little with his fan as well. Learning that there was a place to escape the heat in the forest ahead, he urged the horses to hurry. But he didn’t expect that after leaving the city, he would often see people sitting and waiting in pavilions. As soon as Xie Wuchi’s carriage approached, they would stand up.

“Censor Xie! Please wait!”

A feast every five steps, a banquet every ten, all to see him off on his journey!

Shi Shu had no choice but to stand under the sun and wait. He thought of how a few months ago when they went to Shukang Prefecture, he and Xie Wuchi had led a donkey and run all over the mountains. Now that Xie Wuchi had entered the court, there was also this custom of seeing people off and welcoming them.

Among the crowd, besides the new policy officials who were on the same side as Xie Wuchi, there were also the students from the Imperial College who had eaten together at Liushui Nunnery. “Censor Xie, a golden dragon is not a creature of the pond. At the crown prince’s mansion that day, we could already see Censor Xie’s extraordinary appearance!”

This group of people was very happy. “With the nation in peril, for someone to disregard their own safety, promote the new policy, and plead for the people, it truly lifts one’s spirits!”

“The Crane Guard of the Orchid Terrace, Censor Xie, with you, the accumulated ills of the Great Jing might be swept away, and the nation’s revival is in sight!”

“We have all written poems for you! Many of these poems have already spread throughout the Eastern Capital.”

“…”

Sure enough, Shi Shu looked around and saw that many common people were sending him off along the road.

Xie Wuchi had always treated everyone peacefully, agreeing with their words. Many of the court officials who supported the new policy had sent invitations. The crown prince also came, patting his shoulder and joking, saying he would be enfeoffed as a prince soon.

Xie Wuchi: “Thank you. I won’t drink. I’m afraid of delaying matters.”

The weather grew hotter and hotter. The convoy was in a hurry to get to the next post station. Xie Wuchi no longer stopped to give thanks, only nodding in acknowledgment as he hurried along, until a servant boy came before him. “Censor Xie, my master invites you for a cup.”

Xie Wuchi’s brow furrowed in thought. He looked around. “Where are we now?”

“The Lan Bridge, also known as ‘Ba Bridge’.”

“Alright, then it would be disrespectful to refuse.”

He went again? Shi Shu wiped his sweat, watching Xie Wuchi walk towards a small pavilion by the river. The back of a scholar in a colorful robe and square scarf was visible, casually pouring tea.

Shi Shu followed, standing in the cool shade of a tree. After Xie Wuchi entered the pavilion, the face turned around. A refined middle-aged man, gentle and elegant, his long green robe reflecting the lake and mountains, giving one a sense of being as gentle as jade.

Shi Shu’s eyes widened. This person was none other than the current Prime Minister, Fu Wen!

Xie Wuchi was about to bow. “Prime Minister Fu.”

Fu Wen stopped him. “You carry the emperor’s command out of the capital. There is no need for formalities. The weather is hot, drink some tea.”

Xie Wuchi picked up the teacup and took a sip.

“You go on this journey to do His Majesty’s work, to work for the sake of the Great Jing, for the common people of the world. The burden is heavy. This old man is old and has a leg ailment. This cup of tea will be in place of wine. I wish you a smooth journey.”

“Thank you, Prime Minister Fu.”

“Go, go.”

Xie Wuchi drank some more tea, made some small talk, bowed, and left the pavilion.

The convoy clattered on, crossing the Lan Bridge.

Shi Shu sat in the carriage, looking back at the departing middle-aged man. “What did that Fu Wen come for?”

Xie Wuchi took a fan and fanned himself. “He has to show an attitude for the emperor to see. Ten years ago, the new policy officials were all killed, and he, as a member of the opposition party, gained power. Ten years later, His Majesty restarts the new policy. He must come to send off the emperor’s ‘will’ to show his loyalty.”

After the convoy crossed the Lan Bridge, sure enough, no one else set up banquets.

Shi Shu fanned himself. “So that’s how it is. I thought he was with the new school of thought, specially coming to support you.”

Xie Wuchi: “If the new policy succeeds, it’s a great merit. The new policy faction will gain power. It’s already a good thing that he doesn’t obstruct it. Why would he support it?”

Party strife, power, wealth, and honor.

Shi Shu turned to look at the pale white sky outside the window.
Needless to say, this journey was once again a matter of life and death.

The dog days of summer. Scorching, unbearable heat.
On the road to Qian’an, Shi Shu felt like he was back in the special training before the college entrance exams.

After leaving the convoy at the post station each day, Xie Wuchi would lead a horse, and he and Shi Shu would walk through the nearby villages, visiting and inspecting, their feet measuring every inch of the Great Jing’s mountains and rivers.

The sky was dark, and distant mountains lay like brows. A high and low slope. As they walked, they actually arrived at a mass grave!

Crows took flight, corpses lay strewn about, and wild dogs were fat. After climbing the slope, Shi Shu supported himself on his knees. “So many dead people. They look like they’ve been dead for several years, all turned to skeletons.”

The silhouette of Xie Wuchi leading the horse drew closer. His robe was billowed by the night wind. He watched as he walked towards Shi Shu.

He looked down at the bodies and said, “According to the local county records, there was a bandit clash on this mountain three years ago, with countless casualties. It seems to be true.”

Shi Shu followed Xie Wuchi, walking through the mountain of corpses.

Xie Wuchi held his diary and wrote and wrote. Shi Shu held a staff, poking around as he walked.

If it were a few months ago, Shi Shu would never have thought he could be so calm. But walking with Xie Wuchi really did have a magical power that made one unafraid of ghosts and gods.

Shi Shu walked to the entrance of a cave and took a step back. The cave was piled with countless corpses, legs folded, arms intertwined, heads resting against each other. Shi Shu called out to him, “Xie Wuchi, come quick! There are so many dead people here!”

Xie Wuchi approached, pushed aside the tattered clothes, looked for a long time, and said, “They are all common people.”

“The county records state that in suppressing the bandit disaster, only a few commoners were casualties. In fact, there were many injuries, and the bodies were all thrown here. The prefect even received a ‘ten thousand people umbrella’ when he left office. The county records are also unreliable. This place is not peaceful.”

Xie Wuchi wrote in his diary.

Shi Shu turned his head to look at him, understanding that this was Xie Wuchi’s inspection diary. He pursed his lips and remembered something. “Xie Wuchi, that day I brought your luggage back from the Censorate, I found a strange hairpin.”

The wind messed up Xie Wuchi’s hair. He closed his book. “Oh?”

Shi Shu: “You have that kind of hobby?”

Xie Wuchi: “I picked it up.”

Shi Shu, in a mass grave, had never felt as cold as he did now. “What?”

“I picked it up before I met you. It should have been handmade by a girl. I’ve been wondering if we are the only two transmigrators.”

Shi Shu: “There are other transmigrators?”

Xie Wuchi glanced at him faintly, then looked away. “Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Who’s to say there were no little cats in ancient times?”

Shi Shu thought about it carefully. “That’s not without reason.”

The sky grew darker. The two of them returned along the slope next to the mass grave. Shi Shu said, “I’ve been wondering, you and I don’t have any similar characteristics. How could it be that just the two of us transmigrated? Maybe there are others.”

Xie Wuchi: “If there were others, what would you do?”

Shi Shu: “If there are others, then I’ll have one more friend.”

Xie Wuchi turned his face and said faintly, “Is that so? What if they’re not a friend, but an opponent?”

Shi Shu was nonchalant. “An opponent? Why an opponent?”

“Is it competition, or cooperation? I don’t know the answer. But knowing you, it seems to lean more towards cooperation.”

Shi Shu responded lazily. The two headed back to the post station, chatting casually. “Xie Wuchi, that first night I came to Xiangnan Temple, what were you thinking? Were you very surprised, very unexpected?”

Xie Wuchi: “At that time, I was thinking, I don’t like sleeping with other people.”

 Before Xie Wuchi transmigrated, he was used to a life of being fawned over by everyone. It was easy to be polite on the surface, but to maintain politeness while sharing a bed required a conscious effort for him.

 At least on the first night Shi Shu slept in the same bed with him, he was not very happy.

Shi Shu: “Oh? Then if you hadn’t met me, what would you have done?”

 “If I hadn’t met you, I would have led a horse alone and traveled around the Great Jing.”

 With a purpose, it couldn’t be called lonely.

Xie Wuchi’s eyes were thoughtful. Just as he finished speaking, he heard a “thump.” Shi Shu, who had been darting about, jumped headfirst into a crystal-clear stream between the rocks, very happy. “Xie Wuchi, this water is so cool! So refreshing, come down quickly!”

“…”

 Xie Wuchi’s face was calm. He led the horse to the side to drink.

 Without realizing it, he had adapted to living with someone with different habits. Xie Wuchi let the horse drink, and before Shi Shu came up, he tied the horse’s rope to a green tree branch and walked behind a rugged rock.

Shi Shu emerged from the water, shaking his hair. Water droplets flew, and the clear stream trickled down his skin. “On a hot day, taking a bath is so refreshing. Why don’t you come, Xie Wuchi? Let’s swim together?”

 Xie Wuchi: “Forget it.”

 Shi Shu: “You’re really concerned about face.”

Shi Shu was halfway out of the water when he suddenly thought of something and sank back down. “Xie Wuchi, turn around first. I’m going to get dressed.”

 Xie Wuchi: “Now you remember to be wary of me?”

 Shi Shu: “I told you to turn around.”

 “I won’t.”

 Not only did he not turn around, Xie Wuchi stepped on the rocks and waded through the stream, deliberately walking right up to him.

“…………”

 “You’re really something.” Shi Shu saw it was getting late and didn’t have time to dally with him. He got out of the water. “What can you do? Are you going to stare a hole through me?”

 With that, Shi Shu reached for his clothes, hooked them, and hummed a song while swinging them in his hand. The next second, the clothes slipped from his fingertips, and he failed to catch them. They fell into the stream and were quickly washed downstream.

“Ah!??!!?”

 “My clothes!”

 Shi Shu’s heart panicked, and he went to chase after his clothes. But his bathing spot was blocked by rocks. As soon as he went out, he suddenly heard a burst of laughter. “Washing clothes, Auntie Li?”

 “Sister-in-law, are you washing clothes too?”

 “Yes, my old man, after harvesting rice these past few days, you can wring out the sweat from his clothes. A whole family’s worth of clothes.”

 “…”

Shi Shu darted back abruptly. “Help me out, Brother Xie.”

 Xie Wuchi: “Are your hands idle?”

 “Hurry up! I’m not wearing any pants! I’m in a hurry!”

 “I see. You’re not wearing any.”

 Xie Wuchi lowered his eyes, his gaze moving from Shi Shu’s lips to his chest, lingering for a moment before moving down. Shi Shu reached out to cover himself but felt it was more awkward to cover up, so he steeled himself and stood bare. “Had enough of a look? If you’ve had enough, go get my clothes back.”

Shi Shu had a healthy, well-proportioned body, a slender waist, long, well-built bones, and skin as white as snow, making the other colors on his body even more vibrant.

 Whatever. As long as Xie Wuchi didn’t admit to being gay, he didn’t care how he looked at him.

 But in the dim light, Xie Wuchi lowered his eyes and stared at him, his gaze like an assessment, a scrutiny, and also like the lick of a flame. It made the hairs on Shi Shu’s back stand on end. 

“Have you had enough of a look!?”

Xie Wuchi smiled. “Not yet.”

 “…………”

 Shi Shu wanted to curse him for being a libertine, but he was afraid that if his voice was too loud, it would attract the people nearby and they would see his embarrassing state. Shi Shu: 

“What do you want? Addict bro.”

 Xie Wuchi: “I want to kiss.”

As expected. Shi Shu breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. This bro’s intimacy always stopped at kissing. Especially after kissing several times, Shi Shu’s threshold had been raised. As long as he wasn’t after his ass, it should be fine, right?

 Shi Shu knew some gay men who were only interested in other people’s lower bodies. That was too weird, unbearable!

 Xie Wuchi usually just wanted to kiss people. It felt like he had some kind of psychological barrier. It was still within an acceptable range.

 Shi Shu knew kissing wasn’t exactly normal either, but sometimes when there were too many abnormal things, he didn’t have time to think about whether kissing was normal or not.

 When it happened with Xie Wuchi, in this world, it seemed like anything was normal.

 Shi Shu: “Fine, kiss then.”

 “Thank you.”

“…………”

 Shi Shu: Holy crap! It’s still not normal, is it!!

 No! All men, scram!

Just as Shi Shu was about to flip the table, his lips were lightly licked by a cool tongue. A hand pried open his jaw, a shadow fell before his eyes, and his lips were completely covered.

By the hot late-summer stream, Shi Shu smelled the mossy scent of the large rocks on the riverbank, mixed with the sound of the wind and the flowing water. Xie Wuchi kissed his lips lightly, one hand holding his jaw.

Xie Wuchi held his neck, the posture full of oppressive control and aggression, but his kiss was not so reckless. He pecked at his lips, rubbed against them, and after a moment, his tongue entered.

It was very smooth, moist. Their tongues intertwined tightly. At first, Shi Shu thought he would just kiss a couple of times and be done, but unexpectedly, Xie Wuchi was enjoying this secret in this corner, one hand holding his waist.

 Shi Shu’s mouth was pried open. He turned his head. “Alright, that’s enough!”

His face was immediately turned back by calloused fingers. Xie Wuchi’s fingertips caressed his face. Shi Shu’s lips were rubbed by the rough finger pads. He stared in surprise, and Xie Wuchi turned his face to kiss him again, pressing and turning over every inch of his lips and tongue, until he was stirring deep inside his mouth.

 “…………”

 Shi Shu’s pupils reflected Xie Wuchi’s face, so close. It was very handsome, the lines of his side profile sharp, even having the cold feeling of a blade. His eyes were slightly narrowed, looking down on all living beings from above.

 But such a person, every time he kissed him, became extremely lost. His eyes were filled with that monster-like love, extremely seductive, full of irrational fanaticism and incitement.

Shi Shu: “Mmph…”

 He was held by a strong arm, his posture adjusted. In his mouth, Xie Wuchi was still kissing him.

 “Mmph… ah… enough.” Shi Shu grabbed his shoulder, but unknowingly, he was pinned in the crevice of the rocks by Xie Wuchi again. Every time, Xie Wuchi was like this, trapping Shi Shu tightly in a forbidden place.

 Shi Shu’s mouth was wet. He was ashamed from being kissed, his consciousness a little blurry, and Xie Wuchi still hadn’t let go. Shi Shu desperately bumped him with his forehead, kicked him with his feet, and kneed him with his knees, but Xie Wuchi still occupied his lips and tongue.

“Mm… haven’t you had enough of kissing?” Shi Shu turned his face away. “It’s getting dark!”

 His face was turned back by fingers, and Xie Wuchi’s hot lips met his again.

 Shi Shu’s legs went weak from his kisses, his breathing labored. He panted softly, one hand unknowingly grabbing his sleeve, tangling with it desperately. Every time Shi Shu wanted to break free, he was pulled back and kissed until his chest heaved and his nose was full of Xie Wuchi’s chaotic scent, the tip of his nose red.

The sounds from the side became clearer.

 “I’ve finished washing these few pieces of clothes. It’s getting dark, I’ll take a quick dip too. This water is really cool!”

 “Sister-in-law, go behind that rock. The water is clean and cool. I’ll keep an eye out for you. And you won’t have to waste the well water at home.”

Shi Shu snapped back to his senses, tearing at Xie Wuchi’s arm. 

“Someone’s coming!”

 Shi Shu didn’t dare to speak loudly, keeping his voice down. Xie Wuchi broke their lips apart, took a breath, and then kissed him wetly again.

 “!!!”

Shi Shu was really anxious now, struggling desperately in his arms, his palms pressed against his shoulder, pushing outwards. But he was held in his arms, Xie Wuchi pressing him down so tightly he couldn’t breathe.

 Shi Shu panted and swallowed his saliva, brushing against him. Xie Wuchi held his jaw, kissing him until he was a little out of breath.

 A moment later, a horse sneezed.

 The voice also stopped not far away. “Whose horse is this? Is anyone there?”

 As the voice spoke, it went to another rock in another direction. A moment later, the sound of gurgling water was heard.

From a short distance away, on the wide river beach, two people spoke, their voices near and far. “Yes, if we can have a bigger harvest this year, I’ll use the money from selling the grain to send my little one to a private school.”

 “What good fortune! Those two of mine are not cut out for studying. They only have the strength for farming, like two big wild oxen.”

 “Don’t say that, auntie.”

 “…”

In his ears were the sounds of chatting. On his lips and teeth, a man was insatiably pressing and turning, the touch fiery.

 A sense of shame suddenly rose in Shi Shu. He clamped his mouth shut. “No more kissing.”

 Xie Wuchi’s eyes were dark, his mouth open, his scarlet tongue holding. “Open up, be good.”

 “No.”

 “Let me kiss you.”

Shi Shu shook his head. “No!”

 Xie Wuchi’s breath fell on his nose. “Let brother kiss little Shu.”
Shi Shu’s back trembled violently. The Xie Wuchi before him, his clothes long ago disheveled by his restless hands, revealed the sinewy, strong muscles of his shoulders and neck. He looked sinister, and the hot aura from his body almost swallowed him whole.

 “Open your mouth.”

Shi Shu shook his head again. The kiss landed. When Xie Wuchi really bit him, Shi Shu opened his teeth.
 

Shi Shu ground his teeth. “…Xie Wuchi, you’re a dog.”

 One hand desperately clutched Xie Wuchi’s collar. Shi Shu was supported by that powerful arm, his smooth skin rubbing against his clothes until it was hot and painful, his tongue exploring and turning unconsciously with the man’s.

 “MM… mm… ah…”

 “Ah…”

 “Xie Wuchi… let me go…”

Separated by just a few rocks, a few leaps and bounds away.
Shi Shu’s heart was like walking a tightrope, constantly in suspense. Their tongues were wetly pressed together. In his nose was only his scent, his strength, the high temperature, the feeling of his jaw being held, the stiffness of his arched back, and his kissing lips.

 Shi Shu’s eyes were bright. Slowly, Xie Wuchi had had enough and slowed down.

“I don’t know how many years he can study. However many years is however many years. If he has the ability, he should pass an exam and get an official title.”

 “He’ll definitely pass. Did you see the notice at the prefecture gate a few days ago? They’re implementing some new policy now…”

 “Mmm…”

Shi Shu’s back was against the cool rock wall. Their lips parted. He half-closed his handsome, clean eyes, panting in and out, the heat in his mind blown by the wind, still dizzy.
Xie Wuchi gently pecked him.

This time, it was very gentle. Shi Shu looked into his eyes.

A clear, cool gaze. Both of them had calmed down. Shi Shu wanted to turn his face away, but he was kissed on the cheek again.

Shi Shu didn’t feel much anymore. It vaguely felt like a messy romance, the kisses so tender. But how could men be in love? Just thinking about it, Shi Shu pushed him away.

Shi Shu walked out from behind the rock, his legs a bit wobbly. The sound of chatting outside grew more distant; they had finished their laundry and were returning to the village together. Shi Shu stared at his clothes. Xie Wuchi took off his outer robe and draped it over his shoulders. “Don’t wear the wet one. Wear mine back.”

Shi Shu turned his head. Xie Wuchi was left with only a single inner garment. Usually proper and elegant, he now looked a bit indecent. “You’re just going to wear that?”

“It’s late at night, no one will see.”

Shi Shu said “oh,” and walked onto the pile of rugged rocks. Xie Wuchi stood by the water, picked up his clothes, and hung them on the horse’s back. “Come over.”

 “…”

Shi Shu pursed his lips. His tongue gently pressed against the inside of his mouth. He felt something was not quite right and silently walked to the horse’s side.

Xie Wuchi: “Get on.”

Shi Shu’s legs happened to be weak. Hearing this, he grabbed the saddle and climbed onto the horse’s back, stepping into the stirrup. Xie Wuchi led the horse along the weed-strewn dirt path, his back to the setting sun, walking towards the post station of a strange prefecture.

Shi Shu was a bit bored. Xie Wuchi’s clothes didn’t fit him. He lay down on the horse’s back, hugging its neck. His view was inverted, and he happened to see Xie Wuchi and the moon behind him.

Xie Wuchi said, “Shi Shu.”

Shi Shu smelled the dry scent of horsehair. “Hm?”

 “Can I kiss you every day from now on?”

“…………”

 Shi Shu didn’t make a sound. He hugged the horse’s neck and turned to the other side, his hair rubbed messy and fluffy like a dandelion.

“What, in a bad mood?”

Xie Wuchi stopped the horse, turned, and stopped in front of Shi Shu.

Shi Shu jumped off the horse’s back and kicked his calf hard. “You kissed me until it hurts! And you still have the nerve to say that to me! Don’t even think about touching me ever again! Go suffocate yourself, bro.”

With that, Shi Shu took off in a sprint, ignoring Xie Wuchi. His figure quickly disappeared at the end of the grassy road under the setting sun.

Shi Shu ran very fast, shouting as he ran, “I’m a straight man! I’m a straight man! I hate men!”

Finally running off that awkward shame and strange feeling, Shi Shu’s mood became open and clear. He saw the sign of the post station ahead.

An urgent 600-li dispatch rider was just tumbling off his horse, shouting loudly, “Is Censor Xie here!?”

Support me on Ko-fi