Chapter 2828: The Stand‑In Was Forcibly Seized by the Mountain Bandit

Jin Chen and Ling Gun Gun were bickering, and the training in the field ended.

Gu Fanghe sheathed his sword, took the sweat towel from the little bandit, casually wiped the sweat on his face and neck, then strode over toward him; sunlight fell on his honey-colored neck, and beneath his short shirt his chest and abs rose and fell slightly with his breath, wild and sexy.

Jin Chen picked up a handkerchief, wiped his forehead, then passed over a tea cup, saying, "Chief, you've got great skill."

Just being praised like that, Gu Fanghe felt a surge of pleasure.

He took the tea cup, tilted his head back and drank, then kissed Jin Chen's lips; the tea aroma mingled between their lips and teeth.

At that moment, Liu Mianfeng and Chen Xiaoshan walked over.

Liu Mianfeng shook his fan, "Dage, scouts have reported that Shi Meng and Yan Qi are already waiting in the council chamber."

Gu Fanghe grunted, took Jin Chen's hand, "Let's go together."

The atmosphere in the council chamber was solemn.

Besides the five chiefs and Jin Chen, two dust-covered scouts knelt below.

One of them cupped his fists and reported, "Report to Chief, all chiefs. The covert squad discovered in Nan Zhou City that the Third Prince… had secretly arrived in Nan Zhou City, without making a show, bringing only a squad of elite guards, posing as ordinary wealthy merchants."

Gu Fanghe frowned, "When did this happen?"

"He entered the city a few days ago; after entering, the Third Prince secretly bought three taverns, respectively in Nan Zhou's most prosperous East Market, the most open western suburbs, and the most secluded north lane. These three places form a triangle, so if anything changes, they can support each other."

"The defenses there are tight; our people dare not get too close, but we discovered that the Governor of Nan Zhou and several of his confidants have been secretly visiting there several times these days, with respectful demeanor, not like ordinary visits."

Liu Mianfeng shook his fan, narrowed his eyes, "Strange, the Third Prince isn't busy fighting the Crown Prince for power—what's he doing running to Nan Zhou?"

Shi Meng interjected in a gruff voice, "Who cares what he's up to! Anyway, anyone involved with the court harbors ill intent! Our Black Mountain Stronghold and they are irreconcilable!"

Another scout said, "The covert inquiry found that the Third Prince's hidden guards are secretly looking for someone."

"Looking for whom?" Gu Fanghe's eyes narrowed.

"Looking…" the scout lifted his head, glanced at Jin Chen seated beside Gu Fanghe, then quickly lowered his head, "Looking… for Master Ruan."

The room fell silent in an instant.

Gu Fanghe let out a cold laugh, "He really is connected to the prince; the pretense of seeking medicine for his father is false—secretly scouting our Black Mountain Stronghold is the truth."

Chen Xiaoshan: "We and the Crown Prince cannot coexist, but the Third Prince… is also no pushover; now that he's come to Nan Zhou, he probably harbors ill intent."

Shi Meng clenched his fists, his voice rough: "Should we go into the city to scout?"

Gu Fanghe fell silent for a moment, "I'll go myself; perhaps… I could see an old acquaintance."

The old acquaintances he referred to were naturally not the Third Prince, but those who, back in the imperial court, allied with the Crown Prince's faction and drove him to desperation.

Whether the Third Prince's visit this time is also related to those past events?

Jin Chen sat beside him, silent all along, playing with Gu Fanghe's fingers resting under the table with his fingertips; only now did he look up, "Going into the city? Then I'll go too."

He leaned back relaxed in the chair, his fingertips toying with Gu Fanghe's fingers, "Staying in the stronghold too long has gotten boring; it's just right to go out for a walk."

Gu Fanghe furrowed his brows; the situation in the city was unclear, the Third Prince lurked hidden, dangers piled up—how could he let Jin Chen risk danger?

However, before he could speak, Yan Qi beside him clapped excitedly, "Great, great! Jin brother, I'll go with you! I know the most fun spots in Nan Zhou City, which pastry shop is the most authentic, and which storyteller tells the most exciting tales!"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, throwing him a look of brotherly camaraderie.

Gu Fanghe watched his smile; the refusal on the tip of his tongue was swallowed back.

He recalled Jin Chen's demeanor in the bamboo grove with the Mountain Lord as companion, recalled his calm while handling Ruan Sutong's corpse… his little lover had never been a delicate flower needing to be sheltered in a greenhouse.

Jin Chen had the ability to protect himself—and even… far beyond his own imagination.

More importantly, Gu Fanghe didn't want to leave Jin Chen alone in the stronghold; even knowing it was safe, just the thought of being apart—even for a few days—filled him with inexplicable emptiness and unease; only by keeping the person constantly in his sight could he feel at ease.

"All right, but you must stay close to me and not act on your own."

Jin Chen blinked, his smile deepening, "All right, I'll obey the Chief."

——

That night, in the Warm Pavilion Courtyard.

Gu Fanghe was pulled by Liu Mianfeng and Chen Xiaoshan to discuss again the details and contingency plans for entering the city the next day.

Jin Chen sat by the stone table, waiting for Gu Fanghe to return.

The moonlight was lovely; he suddenly felt a gaze, looked up—killing intent flashed for an instant, then turned into a faint doubt.

All he saw was a black shadow flash over the wall, then a clang—something fell to the ground.

A short dagger, and a jade pendant.

The short dagger's blade was light and thin, suitable for someone without martial arts, while the jade pendant…

Jin Chen picked it up to look; it was an imperial object—how strange.

No.

Jin Chen looked at these two items, suddenly smiled in realization—it seemed someone… had mistaken the person.

He tossed the short dagger and jade pendant casually into the room, just sat down, and A Yan arrived holding a fruit platter—not spring seasonal fruit, but very fresh.

"Young master, the Chief had me bring this." A Yan said grinning, "I heard A Dong mention that this is fresh fruit from Saiwai, rushed here on express horse for you to eat—the Chief really treats you well."

Jin Chen smiled and told him to set it down.

A Yan set the fruit platter on the stone table, brought over the tea set, then withdrew, returning to the side room and gently closing the door, knowing not to disturb at night.

Jin Chen pinched a grape.

The grape's skin was thin, its flesh thick; he placed it in his mouth, tipped it with his tongue, and the flesh melted away, juice abundant.

After a while, Gu Fanghe walked in.

He had washed up, changed into clean nightclothes, loosely tied the sash, revealing his honey-colored chest and firm abs; walking to Jin Chen's side, he saw Jin Chen raise his hand, fingertips pinching a grape and bringing it to his lips.

"Want a taste?" Jin Chen tilted his head, his smile softening in the warm candlelight to an almost unreal degree.

Gu Fanghe looked at that tempting hint of moisture on his fingertip, then unexpectedly stepped forward.

Jin Chen sat, he stood; this step, his legs straddled either side of Jin Chen's knees, and under Jin Chen's slightly surprised gaze, Gu Fanghe slightly bent his knees, faced Jin Chen directly, and straddled his lap.

His wide robe, because of this straddling posture, appeared less loose, faintly outlining his waist and hips, thigh muscles taut.

Jin Chen, taking the opportunity, wrapped his arms around Gu Fanghe's waist, his fingertips lightly rubbing his waist, "Boss, you're in high spirits tonight."

Gu Fanghe lowered his head slightly, took the grape from Jin Chen's fingertip into his mouth, touching Jin Chen's fingertip.

He then lifted his eyes, lowered his gaze to look at him, his eyes deep, surging with complex emotions—infatuation, possession, and a faint unease.

Jin Chen noticed.

He picked up a grape and brought it to Gu Fanghe's lips.

One, then another.

Gu Fanghe accepted them all and ate them.

But there were too many grapes, too much juice; some he couldn't swallow in time, so it spilled from the corner of his mouth, slid down his jaw, and dripped onto his chest.

The white sleepwear was soaked through, clinging to his honey‑colored chest, faintly revealing the tight musculature and a slight protrusion.

The water stain spread, and Jin Chen's fingertip pressed onto it.

Through the soaked fabric he felt the rising and falling chest beneath; he pressed lightly, as if playing with precious jade, his fingertip drawing slow circles on the wet trace, as if toying with everything.

Gu Fanghe's body tensed, and he lifted his eyes to look at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen also gazed at him, lips curved, pupils deep, his eyes like hooks that seemed to steal his soul.

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple bobbed; he wanted to say something, but when the words reached his lips they turned into a pained groan.

The grape juice kept flowing down, soaking more of the fabric and also the finger Jin Chen had pressed against his chest.

Sticky, sweet‑savory, mixed with body heat, it became an ambiguous sensation.

"Tomorrow…" Gu Fanghe finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "Tomorrow we go into the city—you… stay close to me."

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, his fingertip playing with a redder grape, sweeter than any in the fruit plate.

His tone teasing, he said, "What? Are you afraid I'll get lost?"

Gu Fanghe didn't answer, only lowered his head, burying his face in the crook of Jin Chen's neck; agarwood mingled with the grape's sweet scent, like some poison, seeping into his marrow, making him both blissfully addicted and panicked.

He feared that something might happen when they went into the city tomorrow.

He feared that the Third Prince's entourage might act against Jin Chen.

He feared… feared that if Jin Chen left Black Mountain Stronghold, he would no longer be needed.

Gu Fanghe tightened his arms, pulling him closer, his gaze dazed, "Xiao Chen…"

Jin Chen sensed his unease, stopped teasing, raised a hand to stroke Gu Fanghe's nape, his voice soft, "Mm, I'm here."

"I won't lose you, and I won't… not want you."

Gu Fanghe shuddered all over.

He suddenly lowered his head and kissed Jin Chen's lips.

Jin Chen indulged him, but his hand remained pressed, making Gu Fanghe's breathing grow more ragged, his face flushed blood‑red, a thin sheen of sweat covering it.

After a long while, they finally parted.

Gu Fanghe's outer eyes glowed with a deep red allure, like rouged, his lips stained with grape juice.

Seeing him like that, Jin Chen's slightly wicked desire for control was satisfied; he cupped Gu Fanghe's face, his thumb wiping the moisture from the corner of his lips, his voice low, "Want more?"

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple bobbed; he said nothing, only lowered his head and kissed him again.