Content Warning
The weather appeared to abhor Dong Xian as much as Liu Xin abhorred him. It was early winter, the northern wind howled and withered yellow leaves fell to the ground. Currently, Dong Xian lived in a run-down ‘cabin’ of a courtyard. Through its numerous cracks the wind seeped into the room and chilled him to the bone Since he and Liu Xin finished their first class a few days ago, he had been resting in this run-down room. Dong Xian felt feverish, he must’ve caught a cold.
Other than Zhiwei, the servants of Yuyang Palace seemed to know that he didn’t get along with Liu Xin; when they met Dong Xian, they merely exchanged ever perfunctory greetings.
Thankfully, Zhiwei visited him every day to bring him meals and medicine. The more Zhiwei learned of Dong Xian, the more amiable he appeared. She couldn’t understand why Liu Xin kept him at a distance. Even if Liu Xin stands on opposite sides as the Grand Marshal, he should oppose him, not bother others!
Each time Zhiwei tried to defend him Dong Xian laughed out loud. In less than half a month his severe cold had been cured by her considerate care. Recently, Dong Xian thought of seeing his sister-in-law before the weather turned freezing. He’d requested Liu Xin for leave several times now, stating that he’d like to visit a relative, yet he never received a reply.
For the first time since his class on the Basic Annals, Liu Xin came to see him this morning. Before Dong Xian could speak up he heard Liu Xin indifferently say, “Are you alright?”
Dong Xian was slightly surprised by Liu Xin’s sudden arrival He’d recovered from his cold, but his complexion remained pale. Dong Xian softly saluted, “Thank you, Your Highness for taking the trouble to visit me. My illness has mostly improved.”
Their eyes met. The two men looked at each other in silence, neither willing to speak for a while.
In the end, Liu Xin shifted his line of sight first. His eyes fell on the untouched food on the table, as he said, “Lord Dong, you appear to refuse food and drink. Are you protesting against me, because I didn’t approve your request for leave?”
Dong Xian was of restrained personality and rarely expressed his likes and dislikes directly. He didn’t protest against Liu Xin, he was simply a picky eater by nature. He’d been ill and had no appetite for some time. Seeing Liu Xin’s suspicion of him reach new heights, Dong Xian coldly said, “Your Highness why would you feel threatened by a single person on a hunger strike?”
The remark made Liu Xin look at him again.
Guardedly, he glanced at Dong Xian’s handsome facial features, only to suddenly slam the table, causing the dishes to clatter. Liu Xin replied in a low voice, “Stop pretending! Lord Dong, you’re in a haste to leave the palace because you want to inform Wang Mang of your newest intelligence report. It’s a pity that I decide if you pass it on or not. Besides, there’s no need to exchange any important information at this time, at most you’ll talk about the next course of action.”
Hearing this, Dong Xian lightly pursed his lips; not revealing any embarrassment. After some time, he stretched out his hands toward Liu Xin; his slender fingers weren’t soft, but firm. Seeing that the other seemed clueless, Dong Xian’s graceful lips parted to speak in a gentle tone, “Your Highness since you’re certain of my actions, then use your sharp sword to cut through the tangled hemp. If you hand me over to the Emperor, revoke my teaching rights, I’ve no complaints.”
Liu Xin’s thick eyebrows furrowed and his expression looked overly menacing. Sarcastically, he said, “Wang Mang covers the sky with one hand he’s won the trust of the Emperor. If I accused you at this time, wouldn’t I fall into your terrible trap and appear like a traitorous official?”
“In other words, you’re unable to replace me?” Dong Xian’s words ridiculed Liu Xin, as if acting in defiance of any criticism. Noting that Liu Xin didn’t reply, he added, “Your Highness, you are aware that you cannot relive me of my current position, thus wouldn’t it be better, if you’d let me leave, now that you’re here? In the future, the student needn’t worry about the teacher.”
Hearing the term of address, Liu Xin’s expression darkened. Sharp as a sword his eyes slashed across the other’s, as he chided “Think clearly! Only during our lessons shall I address you with ‘Teacher.’”
“Your Highness, I may only be your teacher during our lively lessons, though throughout the ages the teacher, not the student, choses the time to teach.” Dong Xian enunciated each word, his tone without ambiguity. Pointing to a scroll on the shelf, he said, “Please, go get this scroll for me. I intend to teach you now, Your Highness.”
Liu Xin’s face froze abruptly, he hadn’t expected Dong Xian to exploit his position as a teacher and use it against him. In the past, Emperor Xiao’wu of Han had given exclusive patronage to Ruism; placing it above Legalism and Daoism. Liu Xin was well aware that Ruism advocated ‘governing the land with filial piety.’ Except for Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han, the posthumous titles of every succeeding emperor contained the character ‘xiao’ for filiality. It’s heaven’s law and earth’s principle for a student to be filial to his teacher. Once our roles are reversed, I’ll be at a disadvantage again.
Clenching his hands into fists, Liu Xin gritted his teeth, then reluctantly went to the shelf to fetch the scroll. Unrolling the silk scroll, he identified the poem, upon reading its first few lines, as Qu Yuan’s Li Sao, part of the poetry anthology Songs of Chu.
Seeing the sentence ‘For my elder brother and sister-in-law, Yulan’ written in elegant style at the start, the inscription’s hand-writing the same as the poem’s, Liu Xin assumed that Dong Xian had copied the poem for his family.
Receiving the scroll Dong Xian ignored the other’s sharp pair of eyes and asked instead, “Your Highness, who is the author of this poem?”
Not understanding why Dong Xian insisted on discussing the author of a work time and again, he replied in formulaic manner, “Qu Yuan, styled Lingjun, wrote Li Sao; he was a native of Chu during the Warring States Period. In his early years, he dutifully served King Huai of Chu; then, during King Qingxiang of Chu’s reign, Prime Minister Zilan slandered Qu Yuan. This caused his exile to the south of the Yangzi River. After Ying, Chu’s capital city, was captured by General Bai Qi from the state of Qin, Lord Chunsen, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States, was soon assassinated. Internal and external troubles left Qu Yuan deeply depressed, he eventually drowned himself in the Miluo River.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Gbcu Wljc ilrafcfv ab tlr fzqijcjalbc, atfc defralbcfv tlw, “Tbeg Llutcfrr, ktja vb sbe atlcx bo He Tejc?”
“C ibsji jcv glutafber boolmlji, ktb vlfv obg tlr bkc mbecags, bo mbegrf.”
“Vlcmf tf kjr remt j ojlatoei boolmlji, kts kbeiv tf mbwwla relmlvf?” Gbcu Wljc wfa Ole Wlc’r fsfr, kbgv obg kbgv, tf rjlv, “Djl Hl bgvfgfv tlr agbbqr ab jaajmx atf rajaf bo Itjb yfobgf Jte. Ktf obeg tecvgfv atberjcv wfc bo Itjb kfgf klqfv bea klatlc atgff vjsr’ alwf, j tbgglv wjrrjmgf. Yc Itjb’r wjlc ragffa, atfgf kjr ktlaf ujehf obg wbegclcu tecu ogbw jc fcagjcmfkjs fnfgs tecvgfv htjcu. Ktf mbega tjv vloolmeias olcvlcu fcbeut wfc ab vfofcv atflg mjqlaji mlas. Ktf Blcur bo Itjb jii gfilfv tfjnlis bc Itjb Vtfcu, Obgv Ulcusejc, sfa tf vlvc’a mbwwla relmlvf.”
Liu Xin was taken aback and replied “Teacher you’re correct. Zhao Sheng didn’t commit suicide, despite seeing the fall of his state. However Zhao Sheng was held in high regard by the Kings of Zhao and hailed as Lord Pingyuan. How can he be compared to the depressed Qu Yuan?”
“Alright, let me ask you this instead. Wei Wuji, Lord Xinling, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States was the half-brother of King Anxi of Wei; but the King of Wei envied his outstanding talent and appearance. Not understanding the fundamental idiom ‘when the lips perish, the teeth become cold,’ he didn’t listen to Wei Wuji’s persuasion and refused to rescue Zhao. How did Wei Wuji react at the time? Did he kill himself for his state?”
Liu Xin was startled by his strong tone, he answered, “Seeing that the King of Wei stayed stubborn, Wei Wuji took the risk of stealing the tiger tally, then fought with his troops against Qin in an attempt to rescue Zhao.”
“Indeed.” Dong Xian added, “In fact… if the six states joined forces, they would’ve definitely defeated the single state of Qin. The Four Lords of the Warring States were aware of this yet they each had their own master, scattered apart across the six states. Even their kings harbored their own doubts.” Dong Xian sighed, “The four of them had a strategy to save their states from the Qin troops that devoured every cun of their territory yet they couldn’t use it. Though the Four Lords were disheartened like Qu Yuan, they didn’t end their own lives.”
Dong Xian’s black pupils seemed to burn brightly, when Liu Xin suddenly said, “This student has a question for you, Teacher. Other than Tian Wen, Lord Mengchang, who died late in his life, why didn’t Lord Chunsen, Lord Pingyuan, and Lord Xinling die on the battlefield fighting against Qin, but in their own states?”
Every topic Dong Xian and Liu Xin discussed, turned into a double-edged sword. Dong Xian’s body trembled slightly yet he stayed silent. I know that the deaths of the other three lords was caused by treacherous officials and pedantic monarchs. Voicing his thoughts meant falling into his crafty trap. Liu Xin is forcing me to go against Wang Mang, he’s attacking by insinuation.
After a while without an answer, Liu Xin smiled a triumphant smile, appearing aloof and arrogant, “Teacher, if you truly hated Qu Yuan, you wouldn’t have written down his poetry anthology for your family.” Liu Xin declared, “I won’t withdraw nor throw myself into a river, I’ll fight for my place in history.”
Finished speaking, Liu Xin turned and left.
Seeing him so high-spirited Dong Xian whispered to himself, “If only you’d see.”
Back straight, the person by the doors stopped and softly said, “Likewise.”
Dong Xian intended to see his sister-in-law the same day, not receiving Liu Xin’s agreement he asked for an audience with the Emperor instead. Liu Ao granted him an imperial token that gave him access to the palace gates. Liu Xin wouldn’t ask him to hold a lecture at this time, thus Dong Xian left the palace to pay a visit to his last remaining relative.
Liu Xin learned a number of poems in the Classics of Poetry, though he lacked a teacher for a lesson; when he didn’t recognize a character, he’d rather look up its meaning by himself than ask Dong Xian for advice. That’ll only be upsetting, he thought.
Mere mortals can’t suppress the feelings surging in their hearts.
Liu Xin flipped through the silk scrolls and wooden slips, but each scroll and slip reminded him of the one he didn’t dare think about. Dong Shengqing is beautiful beyond belief… he’s proud and lofty, gentle and quiet, even pitiful when he’s sick…
Thinking of him leisurely chatting and laughing with Zhiwei, Liu Xin frowned and hit the table in rage, “For a teacher, he truly doesn’t conduct himself properly!”
Before the flames of fury dowsed, he heard loud noises erupt outside. Liu Xin walked out of the wing room, only to notice Liu Yun aggressively rushing through the gates of Yuyang Palace.
Liu Yun had assumed that the Emperor thought highly of him thus he’d been the one ordered to rectify Commandery Prince of Xianyang in his stead. Liu Yun resented the commandery prince for his actions against Dong Xian, readily travelling to Xianyang to exact revenge.
Once he returned to Chang’an he was struck with a bolt from the blue–
Liu Xin lives with Dong Xian, his teacher!
In Yuyang Palace where the crown princes of the past resided.
Liu Yun silently scolded the cunning and despicable Liu Xin. While I’m away, he strikes first! He initially intended to ask for an audience with the Emperor to prove his point, when he heard that the Emperor was getting increasingly irritated and irrational since losing his sons. Afraid of angering him, Liu Yun’d gone to the Empress Dowager instead. The Empress Dowager had been just as upset over the status quo, so she scolded him and sent him out of Changle Palace. In rage, Liu Yun ran to Yuyang Palace to argue with his cousin.
Noticing his rival in love exit a room, Liu Yun put on the airs of an elder brother and teased, “I haven’t seen you for a few days yet you changed a lot; you’re taller, Xin’er.”
Liu Xin realized Liu Yun was making fun of him, so he stared straight at him and stated, “What’s so strange about that, Cousin Yun? I’ve always been taller than my cousins, let alone you.”
Liu Yun felt furious when he heard him and yelled, “Liu Xin, don’t rest on your laurels! Even if you reside in Yuyang Palace, you aren’t the heir apparent. What you stated just now, is enough to present to the Emperor.”
“What? Me being taller than you?” Liu Xin lightly swung his long sleeves and said with a sneer, “Perhaps the Emperor is truly unaware. Go talk to him then, I might win the position of crown prince even earlier.” Liu Xin had long been displeased with Liu Yun’s presumptuousness. Tit for tat, the two insulted each other. The servants didn’t dare to intervene and stood aside instead.
Rendered speechless in anger, he remained silent for a while. When he abruptly remembered that Dong Xian also resided in a courtyard of Yuyang Palace. He glared at Liu Xin again, asking, “Where’s Dong Shengqing?”
“He left the imperial palace to visit his relative. I don’t know when he’ll return.” Liu Xin chuckled, countering, “Cousin, you aren’t interested in my teacher, right?”
“Hmph, you wouldn’t make a move so soon. It turns out, you truly don’t know to cherish the fragrance and pity the jade.” Liu Yun spoke with jealousy, yet Liu Xin’s expression turned stern. Though the sentence was short, its content was ambiguous. The moment Liu Xin noticed Dong Xian he felt annoyed, he’d never even touched him, let alone had a skin-to-skin relationship. The thing irritating him the most was Liu Yun’s tone, it made him ill when he heard it. Liu Xin narrowed his dark eyes, his expression terrifying. In an instant, he was about to tear Liu Yun to pieces. Seeing his stare, Liu Yun shrank back in fear. Liu Xin clenched his fists and stated, “What do you mean by ‘make a move?’ Tell me, why aren’t I ‘cherishing the fragrance and pitying the jade?”
I thought he was about to make an actual move against me… Liu Yun let out a sigh of relief and ridiculed, “It’d be a bother to make it clear to you. Xin’er, brothers should share their blessings It’s absurd of you to hide Dong Xian from me.”
“I don’t need to lie to you, he’s left the palace. Feel free to go find him.” Liu Xin had enough, he turned around and entered the wing room again. He then closed the door with a heavy ‘thud.’
Noticing his expression darken, Liu Yun smiled and sat down in a pavilion nearby.
Dong Xian accompanied his sister-in-law at present. He was relieved to see her in good health. He’d talked to Yulan for most of the day, when he decided to take his leave. However, as soon as he left his sister-in-law’s main chambers he was dazzled by a sudden glimmer of gold. Wang Mang stood before him, wearing an extravagant garment that had a phoenix in flight embroidered on its fabric with golden thread. The garment made him look like Zhao Feiyan a little.
Seeing Dong Xian, Wang Mang’s lips rose into a slight smile. He wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed him on his lips. Startled, Dong Xian pushed him aside and shouted “What’re you doing! Don’t you dare let me sister-in-law see.”
“She regards me as her benefactor, it’d be better if she saw.” Wang Mang argued as he snuck his hands into the other’s robes.
“What’re you up to? Pink lips and pale skin, paired with this garment… you look like Her Majesty, the Empress.” Dong Xian had a hunch and quickly pulled Wang Mang away from his sister -in-law’s door. The two hurried to Wang Mang’s main courtyard and once they entered, he kissed him again. Dong Xian held him, admiring his gender-neutral appearance. One moment charming, mighty the next, he’s utterly terrifying.
“If I were a woman, I’d be hundreds of times smarter than the Empress.” Soft lips covered a fair face while Wang Mang lifted his hand to untie Dong Xian’s sash.
“Lord Wang, you’re enchanting enough to lure the Emperor like this. Why bother to practice the procedure with me?”
Entangled in each other’s arms, the two men reached the bed. Wang Mang let go, took a step back and undressed both of them. He said with a smile, “Liu Ao? That weakling isn’t worth fearing I merely want to taste you topping me.”
“You’ve had me more than enough times.”
NSFW
Despite Dong Xian’s inner despisal, he seized Wang Mang’s bare shoulders and responded to his passionate kisses. Their lips and tongues were entangled yet they interacted without emotion. Slender fingers caressed Wang Mang’s body, Dong Xian panted, “Many prefer to dominate and directly penetrate the one below; yet you, Lord Wang, prefer to be penetrated.”
“Don’t say I’m strange, aren’t you the same? You’d rather be the one below too.” Wang Mang slowly spread his legs apart and wrapped them around Dong Xian’s body, then added, “Those’re ignorant brutes who show off their status; they don’t realize that, for a moment, their body is taken control of.”
His machinations reached new heights. Dong Xian answered briefly, then, in one go, penetrated the entrance that began to get restless. Gasps for breath filled the room, Wang Mang groaned, “Sheng… qing… Shengqing…”
Pressing on the other’s lips with two long fingers, Dong Xian advised, “Don’t call my name, the person on top of you’ll change from time to time. Be careful, or you’ll call out the wrong name.”
Wang Mang smiled lightly, squeezing the penis thrusting into his lower half. He had a good grasp of his strength, able to arouse whoever was on top till they were unwilling to halt. Dong Xian’s whole body trembled as the hot, tight hole clamped around him; he couldn’t help but want to ejaculate.
“Whispering the wrong name in bed means you are thinking of them. Except for the one on the throne, there’s no one worthy of my heart.” Wang Mang stroked Dong Xian’s lips, then stated, “You cannot compare to me in this regard, you ought to remind yourself.”
Not only cautious, he’s narcissistic too!
Dong Xian taunted, eyes gleaming like a sword’s sharp edge, “I wouldn’t shout out the wrong name either; if you don’t believe me, then let’s switch positions.”
“Hahaha” Wang Mang laughed out loud, “Shengqing, others might fall in love with you, yet I won’t.” He tightened his lower half, pushing Dong Xian to the peak of pleasure. Though he was merely playing around, Wang Mang’s appearance was alluring.
Dong Xian calmed his mind, heavily thrust into the depths of the flower path and made the other cry out.
“Lord Wang, you’re overestimating me, not everyone falls in love with me. I can think of one man, who’s annoyed at the sight of me.”
“Oh? You mean Xin’er?” Wang Mang shook his head, saying “I noticed his talent and aptitude already, he’ll turn into a serious issue after he matures. Shengqing you must make him submit as soon as possible.”
Dong Xian regretted mentioning Liu Xin at this time, Who knows why I suddenly thought of him… Erasing Liu Xin’s suspicious and distrustful expression from his heart, Dong Xian lowered his head and bit the red nipple under him. Kissing from chest to shoulder, he noticed certain teeth marks on one of Wang Mang’s shoulders. Dong Xian touched his own shoulder with his hand, the same teeth marks were there too. Taking a closer look at the corner of Wang Mang’s mouth, it seemed slightly swollen.
Dong Xian halted and asked, “The Emperor slapped you?”
Hearing his question, the other froze.
Wang Mang picked up a piece of cloth and wiped away the white fluid on his abdomen. He sneered, “Liu Ao likes biting people’s shoulders in bed. It’d be hilarious, if every concubine in his inner palace had injuries on their shoulders.” He laughed out loud and added, “In a drunken daze, Liu Ao mistook me for Zhao Feiyan. We spent the night together but in the morning he slapped me in anger. Liu Ao doesn’t even understand that a gentleman doesn’t stick to the smaller details, so how’s he worthy of sitting on the throne of Great Han?”
Offering one’s body means not bothering about trifles? Dong Xian didn’t think of the emperor and the throne, he only noticed the teeth mark on his own shoulder. For Sister-in-law Yulan, I’m more than willing to sell my body and soul.
Seeing him stay silent, Wang Mang stood up and stated, “Do you think this is shameful? That it’s all for nothing?” He paused, “In the future, I’ll order him to hand over the throne, the realm! Shengqing, you’ll be hailed as a founding hero. I won’t treat you badly.”
“May you achieve your aim, Lord Wang.” Dong Xian rose to put on his robes. “I need not go down in history, you merely need to take care of my sister-in-law for me.”
“Feel free to ask Yulan, whether I’m treating her well or not.” Wang Mang said with a smile, “Liu Ao isn’t an issue anymore, he doesn’t have an heir either. The heavens are helping me!” He halted, “By the way, did you notice his early ejaculations?”
Dong Xian had no desire to discuss the topic, “Lord Wang, if you don’t have further orders, I’ll head back to Yuyang Palace.”
“Youths are always ambitious and a long night is fraught with dreams. You must subdue Xin’er before its too late, he’s highly intelligent. I had to abolish your martial arts skills, otherwise this nephew of mine would’ve avoided you out of suspicion.” Wang Mang’s eyes shone, “If you really can’t accomplish this task, I’ll take care of it myself.”
“No need, I can settle the matter.” Dong Xian resolutely said. Unwilling to listen to Wang Mang any longer he hurried back to the palace complex.
Wang ‘dog shit’ meng
Mang*
He really is one hell of a villain. 😡
Fr