Leaving the Manor

Emerald feathers fluttered within brocade curtains, crimson waves rolled tumultuously. As Xi Mo passed by Beigong Qiyi’s chamber, a faint moan drifted to his ears. He paused; the sound was low, yet tinged with a desperate agony. Gritting his teeth, Xi Mo stealthily pushed the door open a crack.

Inside, two lamps burned brightly, casting a warm glow upon the brocaded bedding, which swayed gently. No figure could be seen. Xi Mo was about to close the door and leave, when a leg slid out from behind the curtains.

The leg was pale, its calf taut and muscular, shimmering with an orange hue in the candlelight—like flames. Xi Mo clenched his hands, astonished, for the leg bore deep bruises and bleeding bite marks, densely covering the exposed skin from calf to foot, not a patch left unscathed.

Another moan echoed, and a beautiful hand reached out, pulling the leg back behind the curtains. Xi Mo quietly closed the door, lowering his head in panic as he hurried away.

He wondered how much one must care for another to possess such overwhelming desire, to be so cruel to the one they love—cruel, even to the point of sorrow.

“Big Brother…” The youth called softly, his voice gentle, at odds with his earlier passion. Tenderly wiping the sweat from the man’s brow, he bent down to place a reverent kiss at the center of his forehead. “Big Brother, you’ll never know how terrified I am that you might leave me. You are mine—and only mine.”

“Ah…” Beigong Juechen’s brows furrowed in pain. His long hair, damp with sweat, clung to his body—the collision of darkness and light, a mesmerizing beauty.

Beigong Qiyi pressed his legs firmly onto the bed, his movements growing more urgent. Beigong Juechen’s wrists, bound at the bedhead, had already been rubbed raw. His fingers interlocked tightly, his body rising and falling with each thrust from the youth. The grip at his thigh grew stronger, as Beigong Qiyi pressed into him, plunging deep into the man’s body, letting out a guttural growl as he released himself inside.

Panting, Beigong Qiyi lay atop him for a moment, then lifted himself to gently kiss the man’s lips, marred with tiny wounds, and sighed, “Forgive me, Big Brother.” Beigong Juechen’s eyes opened, the blood-red hue in the youth’s gaze receding. He swallowed, his voice hoarse, “Get off.”

Beigong Qiyi rolled off him, carefully untying the ropes from the man’s wrists. Upon his pristine wrists, two bloody marks were etched. Beigong Qiyi’s eyes filled with distress as he gently cradled the man’s hands, softly kissing them.

Yet Beigong Juechen abruptly withdrew his hands, not sparing the crestfallen youth a glance, and strode toward the bathhouse in the rear courtyard.

Incense smoke curled from the lotus-shaped burner at the bedhead, as Beigong Qiyi sat on the bed, head bowed, his gaze fixed upon the dark red stain on the brocade sheets, face clouded with emotion.

The candle flames flickered atop the bedside stand. Beigong Qiyi looked up as a dart shot straight toward him. With deft hands, he caught it, removed the attached note, and his obsidian eyes sparkled.

Tomorrow, at noon, hunting grounds behind Li Manor. Qiang Yanxi.

Beigong Qiyi crumpled the note in his hand. Just then, Beigong Juechen entered, chilled from his bath, and Beigong Qiyi quickly wrapped the brocade quilt around him. “The weather is cold, Big Brother. You should dress warmer after bathing.”

Beigong Juechen cast him a cold glance, pushing him aside. Beigong Qiyi stood there, face pale, watching the man turn his back on the bed. After a moment, he sighed and lay beside him, arm gently encircling the man’s waist. “Big Brother, I know I went too far tonight, but I couldn’t control myself… Whenever I think you might leave me, I lose all restraint…”

Beigong Juechen slowly closed his eyes, and the room fell silent, the only sound their interwoven breaths. Beigong Qiyi gently combed the man’s long hair with his fingers, murmuring, “Goodnight, Big Brother.” As expected, the man did not respond. Beigong Qiyi buried his face in Beigong Juechen’s back, nuzzling softly.

The candle’s wax dripped down, as if bleeding tears.

The next morning, when Beigong Qiyi awoke, Beigong Juechen was still asleep, brows tightly knit as if haunted by dreams. A pampering smile crept onto the youth’s lips. He leaned down to kiss the man’s forehead, then quietly left the bed, dressed, and slipped out.

The door closed delicately, barely making a sound. Yet the man, who should have been asleep, slowly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the paired mandarin ducks embroidered on the curtain. After a while, he sat up.

In the inner chamber of Leisure Pavilion, only Xi Mo was present. Seeing Beigong Qiyi emerge, he quickly set aside his tasks and asked, “Young master, where are you off to so early?” Beigong Qiyi turned to him, indifferent. “I have matters this morning; take good care of him.” Xi Mo glanced at the tightly shut main hall door and smiled, nodding, “Rest assured, young master.”

Beigong Qiyi regarded him with ambiguous intent. Xi Mo’s expression remained unchanged, only his eyes widened in puzzlement. Beigong Qiyi smiled and strode away. Xi Mo watched the youth’s figure recede, the smile fading from his lips. After waiting a while to ensure he would not return, Xi Mo entered Beigong Qiyi’s chamber.

Winter had arrived. The hunting grounds behind Li Manor were no longer lush and vibrant. Beigong Qiyi recalled his first hunt with Beigong Juechen; they had made a wager, but he never held the man to it—what he wanted was only Beigong Juechen.

From afar, he spotted a woman in black leaning against a tree, arms crossed. Before he could approach, a cold, gleaming dart shot toward him. Beigong Qiyi arched a brow, sidestepped, and two steps back—the dart grazed his hair, severing a lock which drifted to the ground.

He glanced indifferently at the fallen strands, clapped, and laughed, “Miss Qiang, your skills are admirable.” Qiang Yanxi regarded him with icy silence.

As he drew near, he smiled and asked, “How is Master Ran?” Qiang Yanxi replied coldly, “That’s none of your concern.” Beigong Qiyi shrugged, “May I ask the reason for your invitation today?” Qiang Yanxi’s expression grew colder. “It’s about Beigong Juechen.”

“There’s no need for you to worry about Big Brother.” Qiang Yanxi looked away, “He’s my husband, in both emotion and reason, I have the right to know about him.” Beigong Qiyi’s eyes darkened, then he laughed, “Don’t forget, Miss Qiang, at the wedding banquet, you left first. The ceremony was not completed, the wine untouched, and the bridal chamber unslept. By rights, you and Big Brother are not truly married.”

“He is your brother.” Qiang Yanxi raised her eyes. Beigong Qiyi shrugged, unconcerned. “So what? He is my brother, we share the same bloodline—he is the closest person to me in this life, and the one I love most.”

Qiang Yanxi frowned, momentarily speechless at his unashamed declaration.

A soft sword slid from his wide sleeve. Beigong Qiyi caressed the blade, his smile elusive. “Since you invited me here today, I’d like to exchange a few moves. Will Miss Qiang oblige?” Before Qiang Yanxi could respond, he lunged at her with the sword.

He knew their battle was but a performance, yet he could not let go of the woman who almost became his sister-in-law.

The soft sword flashed like a ribbon before her eyes. Qiang Yanxi sidestepped, launching another dart in return.

Indeed, she had her grievances against the youth before her—old and new scores would be settled today.

The incense in the room had dispelled the lingering scent of passion. When Xi Mo entered, he found Beigong Juechen seated at the bedhead, expressionless, as if expecting him. His gaze lingered on the man’s exposed neck and, as anticipated, found it covered in dense bite marks and bruises, extending to his chest. Xi Mo looked up, meeting those dark green eyes, and smiled faintly, “Is the manor lord’s movement still hindered?”

Beigong Juechen descended from the bed, steady with each step, voice still hoarse, “What do you think?” Xi Mo smiled, handing him a large cloak, and raised a brow, “Since you’re unharmed, please follow me.”

Beigong Juechen fastened the cloak, silent, and walked beside Xi Mo. Xi Mo glanced at him, laughing softly, “Don’t you want to know where we’re going?” Beigong Juechen donned the hood, hiding most of his face. “No need. You’re only helping me leave the manor; what comes after is no concern of yours.”

Xi Mo led Beigong Juechen out by the secluded path, the least guarded area in Li Manor. He often used this route, and as Beigong Qiyi’s trusted aide, the guards paid little attention. Even seeing him accompanied by another, they took no notice.

For none could have imagined that the person was the master of Li Manor, Beigong Juechen himself.

Outside the manor gates, Beigong Juechen removed the cloak and handed it back. Xi Mo took it, smiling, “You’re right, my agreement with others was only to get you out. What happens afterward, I hope you take care.” He looked meaningfully at Beigong Juechen. “After all, many still covet the manor lord.”

Beigong Juechen gave him a cold glance and left without a word. His priority was to find Fu Zhi and remove the curse from his body. Other matters could wait until his strength returned, then he would settle each score.

Leaves fluttered down in the woods. Beigong Qiyi leapt to dodge Qiang Yanxi’s dart, landing steadily. He sheathed his sword, raised a brow at the wary woman, and smiled, “Your skills are indeed impressive, Miss Qiang. But I didn’t come to fight to the death today, and I’m sure you didn’t invite me here for a duel either.”

Qiang Yanxi retrieved her dart, but the wariness in her eyes remained. She shook a leaf from her hair, a casualty of their sparring. Beigong Qiyi laughed quietly, “I suppose you’ve accomplished what you came for. I won’t keep you.”

Qiang Yanxi’s usually cold face shifted; she frowned at Beigong Qiyi, who smiled ambiguously at her. Her brows knit even tighter—she had a nagging feeling that the youth always knew exactly what they were planning.

Author’s Note: I’m here!

Good news, everyone…

We’ll have a holiday in about a week…