45

At the halfway point up Yushan Mountain, there was a secluded area slightly off the mountain path. Surrounded by cliffs on three sides, with only a narrow road leading directly to the mountain path, this open space exudes tranquility. In response to the special requests of some devout worshiper, Yuhuang Temple constructed some small yards in this beautiful and quiet space. Since Zhou Chuyu would stay overnight here every first and fifteenth day of the month, Yuhong Xun hired two small yards for Zhou Chuyu and his bodyguards and servant. Inside the yard for Zhou Chuyu, there is a pavilion for tea and scenic viewing, a modest two-room flat and additional rooms along the outer edge facing the narrow road. Outside this yard, the road was blocked twice every month by the bodyguards who lives in another yard beside the road. The bodyguards underwent careful inspection before allowing Zhou Chuyu to enter.

Today, clad in plain white attire, Zhou Chuyu did not immediately head to the small yard as usual. In stead, he knelt and prayed in Yushan Temple for a long time. Offering incense and money, he requested the temple to enshrine a memorial tablet for his deceased mother. It was only when it began to darken, fearing the difficult to walk on the mountain's road, that he departed to his yard. Standing in the small pavilion for a while, he admired the evening scenery in the mountains until it turned completely dark. Only then did he return to the dwelling, light a candle and begin writing <Diamond Sutra>. However, his heart was filled with profound sadness and self-blame for the reckless actions that led to his mom's passing. Tears streamed down his face as he wrote and this moment, the door slowly creaked open. Wiping away his tears, he said:

"Your prince has promised to me that no one can enter my room without my permission. Go away!"

He lifted his head. Upon seeing the person who had entered into the room, he was immediately stunned. His mind went blank and just stood up, slowly stepping backward. He was in disarray, unsure of what to do, just staring intently at that person. Nie Huanzhang looked at him but he felt pain in his heart. He walked towards Zhou Chuyu slowly. Zhou Chuyu hurriedly said with cry:

"Please don't come here. Please leave here! Please forget me! Please!" Suddenly he thought of something and urgently said, "Yes, please leave here at once. There are some bodyguards outside. If they know you're here, you are in a danger. Please! Leave now please! You will be in great danger. How did you get in? Hmm, how did you get in?"

He watched outside anxiously. Luckily, no one came into the yard. Watching Zhou Chuyu in panic, Nie Huanzhang calmly said:

"I climbed up from the cliff."

Zhou Chuyu was frightened and rushed over, tightly grabbing Nie Huanzhang, saying:

"Did you get hurt? How did you climb up here? It is very high."

Nie Huanzhang pulled Zhou Chuyu in his arms and said:

"Don't worry. This cliff isn't high for me. It's easy to climb up. Why? Concerned about me?"

Suddenly Zhou Chuyu realized something, his eyes dimming. He pushed Nie Huanzhang away, took a few steps back and said with a hint of sadness:

"Sorry, Mr. Nie, I lost my control. Why do you come here?"

Nie Huanzhang felt a tightness in his heart and said:

"What do you mean? Do you want to push me away?"

Supporting himself on the table, Zhou Chuyu lowered his head and said softly:

"It is obviously that I'm already someone else's sexual partner, a toy."

Nie Huanzhang said with sadness:

"Your elder brother has told me everything. How do you expect me to spend for the rest of my life?"

Zhou Chuyu still kept his head lower and whispered:

"Forget me! Wangshi is already dead. Now, I'm just a walking corpse."

Nie Huanzhang approached, attempting to embrace Zhou Chuyu again but Zhou Chuyu quickly retreated, expressionless, saying:

"Don't, don't touch me. I'm filthy and unworthy so I no longer deserve your embrace."

Nie Huanzhang continued advancing towards Zhou Chuyu, staring at him and saying:

"What did you say? Say it again!"

Zhou Chuyu kept retreating until he was backed against the wall, with a hint of sobbing in his voice:

"Even I despise myself and hate myself. How can I deserve to be with you? I'm dirty"

Zhou Chuyu did not dare to lift his head and meet Nie Huanzhang's gaze because he couldn't hold back his tears. Nie Huanzhang cried:

"No, it's my fault. I didn't protect you properly. I'm not good enough. Sorry, my baby! Please forgive me!" Zhou Chuyu kept shaking his head in disagreement and Nie Huanzhang continued speaking, "Do you remember what the babies are?"

Zhou Chuyu looked up, eyes filled with tears and said:

"Suihou Pearl and He Shibi."

Nie Huanzhang cradled Zhou Chuyu's face and said:

"These treasures are priceless. If they were covered in dust, do you think the people would still want them or not? So you're my treasure, my baby no matter how you are."

Zhou Chuyu couldn't control his tears anymore and shouted while crying:

"I want to die. I want to die."

"Sorry, It's my fault. I didn't protect you. Sorry!"

Nie Huanzhang embraced Zhou Chuyu tightly, also crying. Zhou Chuyu continued crying for a long time in his embrace. Nie Huanzhang said nothing but cried and held Zhou Chuyu tightly. After a while, Nie Huanzhang kissed Zhou Chuyu on the head, on the cheek then on the lips. Zhou Chuyu couldn't help but kiss back, allowing Nie Huanzhang's tongue to invade and entwine in his mouth.

Finally Nie Huanzhang cupped Zhou Chuyu's face and kissed away the tears on his face. Zhou Chuyu asked:

"Ugly?"

Huanzhang smiled through tears and said:

"No, you're always cute and handsome."

"Are you cheating me? I know it is ugly."

"My baby, for me, you're always cute and handsome but this hurts me a lot. I love you!"

The tears continued flowing on Zhou Chuyu's face. He asked:

"Can I still deserve your love?"

"The only one and forever."

Zhou Chuyu's eyes were always filled with tears. Nie Huanzhang, as before, sat in the chair, letting Zhou Chuyu sit on his lap and was about to push his clothes. Zhou Chuyu grabbed him and asked:

"What are you doing?"

"Let me see your wounds on your body."

Zhou Chuyu said with a depressed tone:

"Don't see them. This is me now! I've been scrapped, whipping scars, disfigurement, self-inflicted and injuries and poisoning. I really want to die because I already despise myself, I no longer expect your love. But he used my family to threaten me so I used words and actions to provoke him, hoping he would kill me or torture me to death. But I didn't expect to harm my little mom. I'm truly a sinner. If he finds out about you, he must kill you. I don't hope that you are also involved in this. I don't want this."

"Don't be sad, my baby. I don't care whether he knows about me or not. I'm not afraid of him. Don't worry. But how did Your little mom die?"

Zhou Chuyu briefly described the events of that day and said:

"If I didn't have provoked him so much at that time, maybe my little mom wouldn't have...., I'm the one who killed my little mom, my biological mom."

"My baby, don't think like that. All of these are not your fault. Don't blame yourself too much. Trust me! I will definitely avenge for your family. Leave here with me. I've lived in the Eldest Prince's mansion and your elder brother, Chuqi, is there too."

"But what about my parents? And Chuqin's family? As for my elder sister, Xiang, she is already pregnant. I can't just leave them alone here."

"I'm afraid you'll continue to suffer a lot, which make me feel heartbroken. Let's leave Jingdu forever."

Zhou Chuyu shook his head and said:

"I can't. They are my family and they have treated me very well. Till now I don't know where my parents are but they are still in his hand. In addition, I don't know whether Chuqin's family is safe or not. In this situation I can't just walk away. This is also why I don't want you to be involved. Ge, please go away! Leave Jingdu and have your own life. Don't return to the capital again. Perhaps, if I die, all of you will be safe."

Nie Huanzhang kissed him and said:

"Zhou Wangshi, listen to me. If you only think about death, then either you kill me first or I'll jump off the cliff immediately. Don't doubt my words and give it a try." Zhou Chuyu immediately panicked, tears welling up in his eyes as he shook his head. Nie Huanzhang continued, "So from now on don't keep thinking about death and don't self-harm anymore. If you don't leave, make sure to protect yourself first. Please promise me! If not, I will feel heartbroken. As for your family, please rest assured, I am currently looking for your family. I've sent Feng Yuan to check on your eldest brother. Guzi is living with Feng Yuan's family now. In Yucheng town, there are official supervisors overseeing your family but they dare not to harm anyone in your family. Yu Weiwei told me the Eldest Prince has already sent someone to Yucheng. Your eldest sister, Zheng, has moved out from her husband's home. I think she is upset that her husband didn't help you. She's considering to divorce with her husband with help of Yu Weiwei and Chuqi. In addition, Princess Yun likes the embroidery from your family and will protect her. So don't worry about her. As for Chuqi, he is fine in the Eldest Prince's mansion. I've pushed him to find an antidote for you. Oh, by the way, he was prepared some medicine for you." After speaking, he took out a slightly larger medicine bottle and handed it to Zhou Chuyu, "Chuqi said you know how much to drink and hide it well. Don't let anyone find out."

Zhou Chuyu, moved, said:

"I really don't know how to thank you, I..."

"You say thank you to me? I might have to spank you. Don't say useless things. Please promise me you'll take good care of yourself. I've pleaded with the Eldest Prince for help to search for your parents. Don't worry. You're not alone and I'm here. Promise me!"

Zhou Chuyu nodded and said:

"I promise you. Oh, by the way, as for Princess Yun, I have something to tell you about her." Zhou Chuyu became sorrowful, lowering his head and continued, " He threw away the jade pendant you gave me and I searched for it but couldn't find it. You don't know how heartbroken I was at that time. Unexpectedly, one day, Princess Yun came to the Second Prince's mansion and met me secretly. She asked more about the pendant. Then I knew this pendant had been in her hand. I was afraid she might harm you so I didn't say anything to her."

Nie Huanzhang was taken aback and said:

"I've had that pendant around my neck since I was a child. My teacher never told me anything about it. But it's indeed a high-quality white jade. Alright, I understand. I'll get it back for you. I know you like it very much."

Zhou Chuyu said sadly:

"If you give it to me, it is impossible for me to keep it."

"I keep it for you. Don't worry. I will find your parents as soon as possible and ensure their safety. By then, I will take you away and go anywhere you want. My home is always where you are. But, unfortunately, I can't kill him."

"Don't take any risk for me. Please! I don't want you being hurt. Please promise me. You're safe and I am at ease."

"So you're safe and I am at ease. Understand?"

"Ge, you are really a good person. Frankly speaking, thinking that we might not be together, I really wanted to die."

"No, don't think about it. We will be together forever. You're mine and I won't let you go. And I'm also yours forever. Understand?"

Zhou Chuyu nodded and whispered:

"Ge, if I want you to sex with me, would you think I'm dirty and…dis…disgusting?"

"Do you want?"

"Yeah, as long as it is you, I always want to make love with you."

"It is what I want."

Zhou Chuyu, with tears in his eyes, lay there drenched in sweat, feeling Nie Huanzhang's kisses on his body. He felt the kisses on the fresh or scarred whip marks. He also felt Nie Huanzhang's tears falling on him. After a while, Nie Huanzhang, with a crying voice, asked:

"How did you endure this? He is an asshole. Given the chance, I'll definitely kill him for avenge."

"How could you possibly kill him? Now his power is overwhelming and he might become the emperor in the future. To tell you the truth I really don't hold any hopes."

Nie Huanzhang wiped away the tears, kissed Zhou Chuyu and said:

"It's not certain. Although I don't know exactly what the Eldest Prince and others are up to, one thing I know is that he doesn't want the Second Prince to inherit the throne. And the current emperor sealing the palace and letting him oversee the country is likely temporary."

Suddenly Zhou Chuyu remembered something and said:

"Did Chuqi tell you about Xie Guansan?" Seeing Huanzhang nod, Chuyu continued, "Please let the Eldest Prince to investigate the auction house in Nanyue. I accidentally overheard the conversation between the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince, saying that Xie Guansan seemed to have discovered some irregularities in the accounts of the auction house. They planned to set up and kill Xie Guansan so I made the fought with his son and angered him. He came to beat me so I took a chance to warn him. But till now I don't know whether Mr. Xie is safe or not."

"Yu Weiwei said there is no news of any official being killed so I think he should be safe."

"That's great." After saying this, Zhou Chuyu looked at Nie Huanzhang with affection and continued, "Ge, can we sex more?"

Nie Huanzhang smiled and said:

"My little fox."

Then he kissed Zhou Chuyu, continuing their passionate and intimate moments.