Xiaobao was drenched in sweat, appearing as if he had been pulled out of water, sleeping deeply with his eyes closed. Huan en used a damp cloth to gently wipe Xiaobao's body, parting his legs and carefully cleaning the sticky, milky fluid around his groin and inner thighs. Despite the cold touch, Xiaobao did not wake, allowing Huan en to continue with his gentle care.
Huan en watched Xiaobao's face closely, noting the mischief and carelessness that his smile carried when his eyes were open, forming crescents and revealing small, white teeth. But with his eyes closed, there was an innocence to his expression, his cheeks plump and his mouth pursed in an unwitting look of innocence.
Huan en thought to himself how Xiaobao, despite his age, always seemed like a child—innocent, easily deceived, and easily pleased, with every emotion visible on his face, transparent to the world. He carried the flaws of a spoiled child, owning nothing of value, yet living as he pleased, always a burden to others and unable to stand on his own. Huan en could find no redeeming qualities in Xiaobao, which puzzled him as to why he hesitated, for he never hesitated for anyone else.
Huan en saw Xiaobao as someone who could quench the insatiable desire that stirred within him, needing him exclusively, unable to bear the thought of anyone else touching Xiaobao or being touched by him. That was all there was to it, and yet he wondered why he hesitated for Xiaobao.
In Huan en's view, everything had its value. Just as Zuo Ying and You Ying's value lay in their loyalty and service to him, Xiaobao's value was to submit to him, similar to how he viewed the Jin family as nothing more than fattened pigs ready for slaughter, and himself as an unfailing weapon.
In his world, relationships between people were transactional, devoid of concern for the thoughts or feelings of those beneath him. Every action should be purposeful, not hindered by the inconsequential.
Only by adhering to this philosophy could one remain unbeatable.
Huan en's slender fingers gently brushed Xiaobao's hair back from his forehead, gazing quietly at his peaceful sleeping face for a long while.
Zuo Ying and You Ying, even in sleep, maintained a high level of alertness. Sensing the presence in the room, they immediately woke and leapt from their beds, exclaiming, "Who's there?!"
In the moonlight, the figure standing with his back to them was slim and ethereal.
Recognizing the familiar silhouette, they quickly knelt, "Young Master?"
Huan En gazed at the full moon above, speaking slowly, "Two things.
You Ying, take the roster via the water route through Ning Sha back to Jin Qi Mountain, and hand it over to my father personally. The item and person must be intact, no mistakes allowed. Zuo Ying, follow me and Xiaobao, as we head towards Yu Xia."
Both shadows looked up, surprised.
"My lord, we don't understand."
Taking the water route from Ning Sha back to the organization would double the journey. And at this time, one should stay at the Jin residence to plan thoroughly. Why then head to Yu Xia?
"Xiaobao is going to Yu Xia to seek medicine from Zhang Zi Qing for his father."
"My lord?!" You Ying was greatly dissatisfied, "My lord, we have little time, how can you delay important matters for the sake of Xiaobao?"
Zuo Ying's expression turned stern, and he gave You Ying a harsh slap, "How have you still not learned, the lord has his own considerations."
Huan En remained unmoved, his voice calm and unwavering, "The sect has been quiet for a long time, surely lying in wait for an opportune moment. The path to the organization can go through Yuxia, he must think I will personally bring the roster back to report, which will be his last chance to act. He will not miss it. Xiaobao and I will take a fake roster to Yuxia, to draw his men away. You Ying, you must set off alone and must not be discovered. Zuo Ying, follow us closely. I will leave secret signs along the way. When the sect moves, come to support us immediately."
Both expressed their joy, "My lord is wise, my lord is wise."
"You Ying, after handing the roster to my father, do not stay any longer, immediately return, and you must rush back to Suzhou before the third day of next month."
"Yes! You Ying will not disappoint the young master's trust."
"Zuo Yin, the Jin family will definitely pursue once they discover Jin Xiaobao is missing. Do not underestimate his two attendants. You all need
to be responsible for delaying them along the way, but must not be discovered by them. If Zong Zheng inside makes a move, you must arrive before them."
"Yes! The young master can rest assured."
Huan En slowly turned around, giving You Ying a deep look, "Don't talk too much with my father, you know the consequences."
"Your subordinate dares not!"
"I and Jin Xiaobao will leave tomorrow night. After confirming that there is action within Zong Zheng, then you set out."
"Your subordinate understands."
Huan En seemed to sigh so faintly it was almost inaudible. While the two were still wondering if they heard wrong, they looked up to find the person had already disappeared, leaving only the evening breeze gently caressing the window grilles.
Xiaobao was pacing back and forth in the room restlessly, feeling somewhat nervous but mostly excited.
The luggage was already prepared, and a letter explaining the reasons was left, telling the family not to worry and that he would return in a few days.
He didn't know if the young lady of the household, who was planning to elope with the poor scholar, felt the same way as he did.
Will he come? Can we escape? What will happen in the future?
But the thought that this was merely two gentlemen traveling together made the beautiful fantasy somewhat nauseating.
He was now only anxious about whether Huan En would change his mind.
There was no helping it; Huan En had always been indifferent to him, only showing a hint of humanity in their intimate moments. Now, not only had he agreed to this, but last night he also helped him clean his body, dressed him, and sent him back to his room. The feeling of having his efforts rewarded was too wonderful, sometimes making him wonder if everything happening lately was just a dream, or if he was just too infatuated with Huan En, leading to illusions.
Past midnight, a white figure arrived as promised.
Xiaobao, excited, looked at him and whispered, "You're here."
Huan En glanced at him and then at his luggage, "Yes. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I've been waiting for you."
Huan En grabbed the large bundle on his back, "Bringing so much stuff for a long journey, don't you think?"
Xiaobao looked innocently at the bundle he had dropped on the ground, "Everything in there is very important."
"I'll allow you the duration of a single incense stick to pack, and the package should be only this size." He evaluated the small cloth bag he held.
Feeling helpless, Jin Xiaobao resignedly squatted down to open the parcel.
Upon seeing his belongings scattered about, Huan En sharply glared at him, squatting down to cast all his trivial items to the side.
"Ah, this one's useful, it aids in sleeping at night, and this one's useful too, for when water rabbits might cause trouble on our journey. Don't discard this, it's for alertness, oh... this... is premium Biluochun tea..." Jin Xiaobao protested.
"If you keep complaining, you can go on your own," Huan En warned sternly.
Silenced, Jin Xiaobao sat quietly aside, filled with a sense of grievance.
As Huan En deemed he had sorted through enough, about to secure the bundle, he suddenly rose, stepping over the table to grab an item from near the bed, "We need to bring this, anything else?"
Jin Xiaobao's face flushed with embarrassment when he realized Huan En had picked up the ointment they previously used to open his back door.
When Huan En noticed his silence, he inquired, "Is there more? One bottle won't suffice."
Jin Xiaobao leaped up, exclaiming, "We're going to ask for more of my fathers medicine!! Business!! legitimate reasons!! How can you... why would you even think of that!!"
"This is a legitimate reason as well," Huan En stated with a serious demeanor.
The situation left Jin Xiaobao not only infuriated but also fearful, as if bracing for an epic struggle of three hundred rounds in a day, wondering if it wouldn't be simpler to just tear him apart.
Xiaobao realized arguing with Huan En was futile, so he beseechingly said, "Can we take it easy on the road? We should aim for a swift there-and-back, the quicker the better."
"Of course, we'll make it quick. Three hours of rest a day should suffice.
I have plenty of experience with speedy travels, so don't worry," Huan En
assured.
Xiaobao was astounded, "Three hours? Including time for meals, bathroom breaks, and sleep?" And fucking you.
Huan En affirmed, "That's plenty. By myself, I'd only need an hour." He recalled being left in the snowy mountains at seven years old, staying awake for seven continuous days and nights, fearing a wild animal attack at any moment. This routine was now relatively easy for him.
Despite Huan En believing he was being considerate towards Xiaobao, Xiaobao was a piece of trash who seemed utterly incapable of coping of, always trying to negotiate further.
Xiaobao looked despondent, pleading, "Please, Grandpa Huan En, have mercy on me. That pace will kill me."
Xiaobao was really used to being spoiled and useless. Huai En was very disdainful in his heart.
He tossed his things into a pack, "If you want to go and return early, follow my lead without complaint. Let's move on."
Recognizing Huan En's unwavering stance, Xiaobao left the room filled with a tragic feeling.