Turning Point

Qingping.

He Anchang got off the carriage.

Yan Jueshu lifted the curtain, made a not-so-polite gesture at him, then let the curtain fall and rode off in a cloud of dust.

He Anchang's body, which had just warmed up, rapidly grew cold in the bitter wind, his lips turning blue from the chill. He was just a small bundle, standing in the wind and snow with his wide sleeves fluttering, looking even colder than a snowman by the roadside.

Unfortunately, Yan Jueshu didn't relent.

He Anchang walked slowly along the road, pondering how many slivers of silver were left in his bundle. Who knew, when he reached the inn and felt in his bundle, not a single coin was left. The innkeeper was kind-hearted, and seeing he was young and handsome, dressed in neat, clean thin robes, relented and offered him a night's stay.

He Anchang stood silently at the counter for a moment, then thanked him for his kindness and turned to leave the inn.

The heavy snow filled the sky, and he couldn't help but sneeze.

Xie Jingsheng had just finished the task Bai Jiu gave him, and when he came out of the room, he saw that it was already dark. Xiao Yan had gone to station troops along the Chang River, and because Bai Jiu was present, the manor was so quiet you could hear the sound of the snow falling.

Xie Jingsheng felt bored, so he walked along the corridor, a large cloak he had casually grabbed earlier loosely draped over his shoulder, and yawned as he left the door.

The snow outside was heavy. He grabbed an umbrella and casually stepped on the snow on the road, treating it as a way to clear his mind, which had been racing for days.

After walking a few steps, still within the bounds of his manor, he saw a 'snowman' standing motionless by a roadside wine stall. Xie Jingsheng glanced at him, saw the man in thin blue robes, found him familiar, and simply turned his head to look. The result of that look was that his soul nearly flew out of him in shock.

"He Anchang!" Xie Jingsheng shouted, dropped his umbrella, strode over in a few steps, pulled the person, and felt a freezing cold touch. He tore off his large cloak and wrapped the person in it, rubbing and patting off all the snow from He Anchang's head and shoulders, exclaiming, "What are you doing standing here!" Seeing the man's lips were frozen blue-purple, he immediately scooped him up and ran back towards the manor.

He Anchang's fingers were stiff with cold. He shrank his neck and buried himself in the large cloak.

Hot water, scalding hot bedding, and warm stoves all came at once. Xie Jingsheng tucked him into his own quilt, which had already been warmed by attendants with hand warmers. When taking off his boots, half a bootful of snow fell out. He quickly stripped the man clean, wrapped him up, and placed hot soup in his hands.

Only now did He Anchang regain some sensation. His lips, as if frozen, moved slightly, almost imperceptibly. He said, "Yan Jueshu forced me off the carriage."

Xie Jingsheng saw the color returning to his cheeks, and was about to eagerly ask him why he was here, but hearing Yan Jueshu's name, he frowned, "What's wrong with him? Did a donkey kick his brain?"

He Anchang pressed his lips together and said, "You didn't let me in."

Xie Jingsheng was both angry and annoyed. He held He Anchang's hand, finding it still icy, and then slapped himself on each cheek, saying, "I'm a bastard! How did you get here? When did you come? What were you doing standing by the road?"

He Anchang said blandly, "My silver was gone."

Xie Jingsheng saw how calm and unperturbed he was, and was truly infuriated and pained, yet dared not scold him, so he could only say, like a grandson, "So you just stood by the roadside?"

"Wouldn't you have seen me if you came out?" He Anchang lowered his gaze. "You came out so late."

Xie Jingsheng was speechless and found it a bit funny. He rubbed He Anchang's cheek with his thumb. "I was wondering why I felt so restless today, turns out my lord was waiting for me at the door. Tomorrow I'll tell everyone that from now on, the moment you step into Qingping, I'll be there on time to pick you up." As he spoke, he pressed harder with his fingers, "Drink the soup quickly."

He Anchang didn't move, only saying, "I came to see Yan Jueshu."

"We'll talk later, drink the soup first."

"Yan Jueshu has seized the grain, Beiyang is already in a predicament without food, and if—" The palm on his cheek suddenly exerted force, lifting his face.

Xie Jingsheng pressed his lips wildly against those thin, pale ones, even pulling him fiercely into his embrace. He Anchang could only raise one hand to prevent the soup from spilling onto the bed. Xie Jingsheng's hand traced up his arm, took the bowl, tilted his head to drink a large mouthful, then turned back and delivered it all into He Anchang's mouth.

He didn't know when he had been pressed onto the bedding. The burning heat spread to his toes, and He Anchang's watery eyes were a drunken peach-red, his breathing already ragged and confused when he could finally gasp for air.

"I thought you came to see me," Xie Jingsheng hugged him tight, rubbing affectionately against his dazed eyes. "Standing by the roadside really scared me to death. Let me tell you, Qingping nights are colder than the capital's! If you had silently frozen into an ice sculpture, Beiyang would have completely chilled." He then loomed over him, forcing, "If Xiao Jin had raised his voice, I would definitely have been waiting for you outside the capital."

He Anchang raised his hand and patted his cheek, "What for, seeing you?"

The two hadn't actually seen each other for half a year. Xie Jingsheng missed him terribly; just thinking about him was enough to make him incredibly hard, let alone with his breath so close and audible. But now was certainly not the time to do anything.

Xie Jingsheng buried his head in He Anchang's temple and took a deep sniff, then pressed the person into his embrace and lay down sideways on the bed.

"Beiyang's grain is an issue. The lord is currently keeping an eye on Yan Jueshu, making it impossible for him to act. Without Xuhang, there should be the capital. As long as the Little Prince sends someone out, the grain problem can be left to us to manage."

"Is the Prince of Pingding trying to secretly connect with the capital's and southern granaries to transfer grain to Beiyang?" He Anchang was held too tightly by him. He muffledly pushed him away a bit before he could lift his head to speak. "The Prince of Tang won't just stand by and do nothing."

"Jiangtang, huh." Xie Jingsheng smiled lazily. "No matter how anxious the Prince of Tang is, he can't cross the Chang River."

"Who is blocking him?"

Xie Jingsheng leaned down closer, "I need some compensation to tell you, Lord He."

He Anchang didn't fall for his tricks; with a slight movement, he understood, "You're blocking the Prince of Tang."

"Beautiful answer." Xie Jingsheng suddenly kissed his brow. "Reward!"

He Anchang immediately kicked him below. Xie Jingsheng met the move, clamping it between his legs, clearly intent on sticking to him sweetly.

"Xie Jingsheng." He Anchang's cheeks were flushed from being squeezed by him. "Are you sick?"

Xie Jingsheng suddenly thrust his hips, pressing his desire against He Anchang's waist, somewhat excited yet suppressed, saying, "I'm about to die."

He Anchang was expressionless, "Then go die."

Xie Jingsheng whispered into his ear, "That won't do. I haven't gotten what I wished for yet; I couldn't rest in peace."

He Anchang didn't need to ask what his wish was; he was already stripped of his composure by this man's shameless hardness. Gritting his teeth, he bumped his chin with his head and said, "So, did the Prince send anyone out or not!"

"No." Xie Jingsheng squinted from the bump. "This person needs to be capable. Currently, Beiyang's old guard is all consumed on the battlefield. The Little Prince probably can't pick someone out for a while. Moreover, this matter is still about seeking stability; the lord hasn't informed the Little Prince yet."

"Any later and it'll be too late." He Anchang frowned. "Seeking stability?"

"The capital's grain all relies on requisitioning; it's not easy to get past the Crown Prince." Xie Jingsheng spoke a bit slowly, half-swallowing his words.

The Crown Prince still had cards up his sleeve. This business was not easy; it required someone of sufficient weight who could withstand the pressure from the capital to remain stable.

He Anchang was silent for a moment. "I came precisely for this matter." He said, "I'll do it."

"No." Xie Jingsheng refused without a second thought.

He Anchang forcefully bumped his chin, but unexpectedly, this time he missed the mark and hit his nose. "I'll do it!"

Xie Jingsheng hissed faintly in pain. He wanted to cover his nose but couldn't bear to let go of the person, so he could only bury his head and rub against He Anchang's cheek for a while, "It hurts! No!"

"You know how important Beiyang is." He Anchang pressed his forehead against Xie Jingsheng's chin and said, "Apart from Beiyang, the central region's garrisons are empty; they simply can't stop Arslang. How fast is Great Yuan's iron cavalry? By the time the southern armies rush to meet them in battle, half of the land north of the Chang River will have already fallen. Half the country, people in chaos, the rear will surely be in turmoil. The Crown Prince harbors ill intentions, the Prince of Tang is watching covetously, and Yan Jueshu is still wavering. I share a classmate's bond with him and understand him best. Moreover, I have already separated from the Left Faction. My actions are unrelated to my teacher, clean and decisive. It is most suitable for me to go."

"What kind of person is the Crown Prince?" Xie Jingsheng hugged him tightly. "You have no martial arts skills. If he uses some dirty tricks, are you going to fight him to the death? At worst, I can go, but you..." He paused, then closed his eyes and whispered, "You are far more precious."

Xie Jingsheng was like a common foxtail grass; blocking the Chang River, dealing with the Crown Prince, clean or dirty, he could do it all with ease. But He Anchang was not.

He Anchang was not.

The He family was a prominent household, taught by Chancellor Zhang, enlightened by Huiyang. If He Anchang could look back, he would know that this was the kind of background and connections that countless scholars in the world dreamed of. Zhang Taiyan valued him so highly; his prestige in the Left Faction was by no means as shallow as he himself thought. The Qing Liu was like this; without 'this like this,' how could the Qing Liu still be called Qing Liu? He was young; when the country was pacified and all industries were flourishing, it was by no means impossible for him to take over Zhang Taiyan's position as chancellor. He was capable; he shouldn't be involved in this.

He Anchang suddenly pushed him away and sat up. Xie Jingsheng was stunned. He Anchang was only in his inner garments, his hair even loosened by Xie Jingsheng. Yet, when he knelt up straight, he still maintained that aloof and self-possessed uprightness.

"Xie Jingsheng." He Anchang said seriously, "To be an official, one must become a chancellor – this is bullshit."

Xie Jingsheng hadn't yet recovered from the "bullshit" coming from this prim and proper gentleman's mouth, when he heard him continue.

"To be an official is for the country, and for the country is for the people. The righteousness of an official lies in their personal integrity, not in their official rank, status, or burgeoning fame. My being an official is where my heart leads. To seek peace, to repay the myriad people, to stabilize the nation – these are the essence of my office, the root of my official name. From the day I entered court, I have never dared to forget the He family's ancestral teachings. No matter what happens to Great Lan, I will strive and call out for it. Likewise, no matter what happens to you." At this point, he became slightly shy, "You... are equally precious to me. I don't possess great abilities; I only strive to live fully and die meaningfully. Even if I have to toil for these two things my entire life, it's perfectly fine."

He slowly leaned down, reached out to caress Xie Jingsheng's cheek, and softly, pleadingly said, "Let me go, Jingsheng."

That final "Jingsheng," combined with the preceding "you are equally precious," and further catalyzed by the wish to "toil for these two things my entire life," was astonishingly potent, directly causing the notoriously shameless, uninhibited, and tyrannical Lord Xie Jingsheng to blush. His ears, neck, and cheeks all turned bright red.

He quickly sat up, raised a palm to cover his mouth and nose, not wanting He Anchang to see his bashful excitement, but his eyes were already gleaming like a wolf starved for days. Covering himself, he uncharacteristically stammered, "You, you really, really are..."

He Anchang hummed in response. Xie Jingsheng pulled him close by the waist, growling, "I was careless!"

He Anchang lowered his gaze, staring at his lips, and countered, "Do you want to kiss me?"

Xie Jingsheng felt as if he'd been hit hard, his entire being almost bubbling over. The strength in his hands almost pinched He Anchang's waist painfully. He struggled to maintain, "N-no."

He Anchang looked up at him, speaking with serious sincerity, "I really want to."

There was a thump from the bed, and being pressed onto the bedding also hurt a little. Xie Jingsheng kissed very roughly, their intertwined hands gripping tightly, like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey.

After paying more in terms of 'appearance' and 'deeper' costs, Lord He couldn't leave immediately the next day, supposedly because he 'hurt his back from strenuous exercise.' In short, Lord Xie was kicked very badly. This matter was presented to Bai Jiu and then entrusted to He Anchang.

When Yan Jueshu ambled over, he didn't see He Anchang, only Xie Jingsheng running in the courtyard like an idiot. He stood by the side, craned his neck to look, and asked, "Where's He Anchang?"

Xie Jingsheng glanced at him. "A father for life, why are you looking for your father?"

"..." Yan Jueshu's face twitched. "You damned bastards' mouths really have eighteen generations of ancestors' leisure to spare!" Seeing that Xie Jingsheng ignored him, he angrily declared, "I'm going to give Jiangtang three more boatloads of grain! Let the Prince of Tang play with it!"

Xie Jingsheng stopped, stretched his shoulders, and turned to walk towards him. Yan Jueshu, a frail scholar, saw the situation was bad and turned to run, but was dragged back by his collar.

"What are you doing!" Yan Jueshu exclaimed in shock. "I'm still the Xuhang Provincial Administration Commissioner! I still have official duties! If you dare touch me, the Prince of Pingding will surely—Pfft!"

Xie Jingsheng shoved him into a snowdrift, maliciously burying him. Slippery ice shards slid down his back collar, freezing Lord Yan into silence, his small face a terrified pallor, like a little rooster whose neck had been wrung.

"Xie, Xie, Xie Jing—"

"You're too polite, Lord Yan." Xie Jingsheng squatted closer, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't this about official duties? Coming here as my guest, please don't be shy." He then took another handful of snow and piled it on Yan Jueshu's head. "Your carriage is quite high. You should lower it a bit when you go out in the future."

With that, he bit out his words into Yan Jueshu's ear.

"Otherwise, I'll beat you every time I see you."

The snow rustled down. Yan Jueshu gritted his teeth and said, "You're threatening me, Xie Jingsheng!"

"This is Qingping, after all." Xie Jingsheng showed a toothy grin. "You know, right? If you're on official duty and die suddenly, there's no compensation."

Yan Jueshu suddenly shivered.