Chapter 2832: The Stand-in Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 38

When the banquet ended, the sky was already nearing dusk.

Everyone took their leave, and Wu Zhengchu personally escorted Jin Chen to the tavern entrance, dismissing the attendants so only the two of them remained.

"Shu Tong," Wu Zhengchu stared at Jin Chen with a scorching gaze, his voice lowered to a whisper, thick with undisguised longing.

"Today it's already late; why not... stay here? This palace has already prepared the upper room, located in the east wing of the top floor—quiet, elegant, and most suitable for you."

Jin Chen: "……"

Ah, how disgusting, I want to beat someone up.

He raised his hand and gave a light cough, took the jade pendant from his sleeve, wrapped its tassel twice around his fingertip, and the pendant swayed gently.

Immediately, the jade pendant touched Wu Zhengchu's shoulder, and a trace of snake poison silently spread through his robe.

Wu Zhengchu hadn't noticed yet—his breath merely tightened for a moment, and he almost instantly wanted to reach out, to grab Jin Chen's hand that held the jade pendant, those knuckles distinct.

But Jin Chen, just before his hand could make contact, suddenly withdrew it, pulling the jade pendant back into his sleeve.

"Your Highness, the great undertaking is not yet complete; the time is not right… we must wait."

"One day, Shu Tong will always be by Your Highness's side."

You all, go together to the Yellow Springs.

Wu Zhengchu completely misunderstood the meaning of his words, "Good! When this palace's great undertaking is fulfilled, I will definitely greet you with the grandest ceremony and welcome you into the palace! I will not disappoint your feelings today!"

Jin Chen gave a slight nod, turned, and left.

Jin Chen returned to the Black Mountain Stronghold's property in South Continent City, an inconspicuous inn.

The inn's lower floor was a tavern, now bustling; the storyteller clapped the storytelling board, recounting secrets of the former dynasty, and the patrons sat around, listening with relish.

Yan Qi and the others saw him return at the door, hurried forward, but glanced toward the back of Jin Chen, lowered their voice, "Older brother over there in the corner… has drunk quite a bit."

Jin Chen looked over; by the window in the corner, Gu Fanghe sat alone, with several empty wine jars before him.

He had removed the human-skin mask, lowered his eyes, and drank cup after cup, his demeanor forlorn.

Jin Chen frowned, then hurried over.

He sat beside Gu Fanghe, put an arm around his waist, drew him close, and spoke softly, "What's wrong? Are you jealous… or hurt by those words?"

Gu Fanghe lifted his eyes, his gaze somewhat unfocused; he was clearly drunk.

He looked at Jin Chen for a long time before hoarsely saying, "Both."

"But I also know that you do this for the Black Mountain Stronghold, for… to avenge me."

Gu Fanghe knew Jin Chen's scheming and maneuvering were all to lure Wu Zhengchu into the Black Mountain Stronghold, to gather intelligence, and to avenge his younger brother and the stronghold's villagers.

He understood this rationally, and even felt grateful.

But emotionally, that jealousy still left his heart unsettled.

Jin Chen let out a soft sigh, his fingers stroking his back, gently rubbing, and a faint ache welled up in his own heart.

"Your younger brother's grudge—I will help you avenge it."

Gu Fanghe nodded, then suddenly reached out to embrace him, burying his face in his neck, "Young master…"

"What the Third Prince has… I can also give you."

"The Empress… what's that?" Gu Fanghe mumbled, his lips and teeth began to move restlessly, harboring an obsessive possessiveness, "If you like it, this world… I too…"

The rest of his words were cut off by Jin Chen's sudden deepening kiss.

Jin Chen was startled.

"I don't want this world."

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, cupped Gu Fanghe's face, and leaned in to kiss him gently.

"Mm…" Gu Fanghe grunted, his arms tightening.

Jin Chen pulled back slightly, murmuring by his lips in a lazy, alluring tone, "I only want you, okay?"

As he said that, he kissed the corner of his mouth again, "Hmm?"

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple rolled as he responded indistinctly, "Hmm…"

But that voice carried a sob, his eye sockets reddened, the red beneath his eyes seeming deeper—due to intoxication, due to emotion.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +8, total 100!】

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -5, total 45!】

Gu Fanghe devoutly kissed Jin Chen's lips, not as gentle as before, and Jin Chen indulged him.

The storyteller continued his tale, and the patrons' cheers came in waves.

But this corner was blocked by the screen, preserving the ambiguity.

After a long while, Jin Chen barely pushed him away, "Upstairs."

Gu Fanghe nodded, rose unsteadily, yet still held Jin Chen's hand tightly.

The two went up to the second floor and entered the innermost side room.

The room had no lights; only the lantern light from the street outside streamed in, casting the room in a hazy glow.

Gu Fanghe pressed Jin Chen against the door and kissed him fiercely, reeking of alcohol.

Jin Chen let him take, but his fingers slowly slipped into his clothing, caressing that firm chest, his fingertips tracing the muscle, sending faint tremors.

"Mm…" Gu Fanghe grunted, his breathing growing heavier.

Jin Chen pulled back slightly, took his hand and led him to the bedside, then pushed him onto the soft mattress.

Then he leaned down, kissed his eyes, and said, "Lie down."

Gu Fanghe looked at him, his gaze hazy, yet obediently lay down.

Jin Chen rose, went to the table to pour a cup of wine, returned, and sat beside the bed.

He took a sip of wine, leaned in to kiss Gu Fanghe's lips, and passed the wine over.

Gu Fanghe's throat convulsed as he swallowed the wine, yet some liquid still slipped from the corner of his mouth, trickled down his neck, and vanished into his collar.

Jin Chen lowered his head, the tip of his tongue lightly licked.

Gu Fanghe trembled all over, his fingers tightly gripping the bedsheet.

Jin Chen sat up, his fingers plucked a stray strand of Gu Fanghe's hair, twirling it at his fingertips, his voice lax and languid, "Your jealousy is so great, I ought to soothe you properly."

Gu Fanghe lifted his eyes to look at him, "Yes."

Although Jin Chen was soothing, Gu Fanghe served him to the utmost, especially eager to please, kissing every inch of Jin Chen's skin.

Jin Chen lay on his back, his fingers slipped into his hair, gently rubbing.

"Mm..." Jin Chen hummed softly, his back arched slightly.

Gu Fanghe lifted his head to look at him, his gaze hazy, "Young master... do you like it?"

Jin Chen's fingers lightly brushed his cheek. "Like it."

His voice tinged with breathlessness, "Especially like it."

Gu Fanghe's eyes lit up, he leaned down and kissed him again, deep and heavy.

Outside the window, the moonlight grew thicker.