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A small box of polished black wood was placed in Gu Yun’s hands. The golden swirling motif wrapped around the edges to form the delicate outline of gilded flowers.
The affluent merchant who gifted him the box and its content looked at him with keen eyes. Gu Yun fully ignored him and elegantly opened the lid to reveal the inside lined with deep-blue silk. Three glass vials of perfume were individually placed in velvet sachets. Such vials crafted out of colourful glass were only found in the far west, in countries where culture and science flourished alongside stories of golden seas of sand and evil jinns.
‘Would Marshal Gu still take the challenge?’ The merchant tried to temper his agitation, but his eyes shone like the ones of a cunning fox.
He was not the only one excited. Gu Yun had an audience of a few dozen people, all nobles, members of the government, influential scholars, and seasoned businesspeople. It was late spring and the gardens of the imperial palace bloomed with gentle flowers and lush greenery. Well versed in the language of luxury and coquetry, Gu Yun proposed Chang Geng to throw a small party for those with both influence and a taste for leisure. It was to show that Great Liang was smoothly recovering from the hardships of war and that Chang Geng was not a stingy and inflexible ruler.
Now in the garden, the party was in full swing. The main course had already been served. Only pastries and confectioneries were left on the tables, alongside jugs of fragrant peach wine. The sweet smell of sugar and alcohol blended with the perfume of blooming flowers. Almost everyone was either tipsy or fully drunk.
The guests were sharing jokes and playing small pranks on each other when one merchant approached Gu Yun and proposed a challenge. He had a box of expensive perfumes that was incredibly difficult to procure and then protect during a dangerous journey across the continent. Each ingredient was procured from different corners of the region. If Gu Yun guessed the correct ingredients of each vial, he would keep the box as a gift. If not, he would pay the correct but exorbitant price.
Would Marquise Gu take the challenge? Of course he would, Chang Geng mulled in his heart.
‘I accept. An enticing gift, though surely not as enticing as the Flower of the Northwest.’ Gu Yun winked at the audience, causing several cheeks to blush. The merchant in turn replied: ‘Gift, only if Marshal Gu shall guess correctly.’ Some people could not help but snicker.
‘Then bring me a long piece of opaque silk.’
The crowd cheered at Gu Yun’s words. Everyone was in a good mood, they would either watch the Marshal show his sharp sense of smell and his knowledge of fine luxury, or see him fail miserably. No matter what, a good show was ahead.
A servant close by quickly procured the needed silk. Blindfolded, Gu Yun smiled wickedly at the crowd. His long black hair poured over his shoulders and his blue robes like spilled ink. In the soft peach colour of the twilight sky, his pale skin glowed softly. He looked almost like a seductive fox spirit from old stories.
Gu Yun could clearly not see, but Chang Geng was certain his spoiled Zi Xi directed the smile at him. Seeing him blindfolded and with his long hair free, Chang Geng was suddenly reminded of a repressed memory from his youth. The small garden he was cultivating in his heart was suddenly disturbed by a scorching fire.
As if knowing exactly what was burdening Chang Geng, the corners of Gu Yun’s smirk ever so slightly extended, before he opened the first vial and deeply inhaled its contents.
‘The base note of this perfume is wild rose. In particular, it is the Monastery Rose that can only be found in the northern parts of the continent. There are also heart and top notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, and cardamom. An excessively sweet and warm perfume.’
‘That is correct.’ the merchant answered with a pleased smile. Immediately, the crowd gasped in awe.
The next one was slightly more difficult. It was easy to tell that the base note was green tea leaves, and the top was camellia flower. A deep herbal fragrance with balmy notes. But there was something else hidden in the herbal smell, something fresh and airy like the snow at the top of the mountains.
‘The heart note is the mint that grows in the famous caves in the southeast of the continent.’
‘Another correct answer.’
Now the crowd was nearly ecstatic. There was only one vial left.
Gu Yun pondered for a long time after smelling the final perfume. It had both a heavy and fleeting fragrance as if it intoxicated you to just quickly dissipate and leave a dreamy aroma behind. He took a couple more whiffs and slowly deciphered the aroma as if he was plotting his moves in a war.
The top note must have been jasmine, more exactly Silver Jasmine that could only be picked at night so the scent could be preserved. The airy scent flowed into the warm sweetness of Blood Peaches. It warmed Gu Yun’s cheeks and put him in a drowsy mood.
Then suddenly, the top note finally revealed himself and sent shivers down his spine. It was almost euphoric, the medical bitter smell of tranquilizers engulfed all his senses. He could feel Chang Geng’s fingertips caress his bare skin, his hot breath against his left ear, biting the tender lobe with the cinnabar mark, whispering … Yifu …
Gu Yun pulled the silk ribbon away and blinked a few times, trying to dispel the heat wrapping around his body. Slowly, the crowd came back into view but his mind remained confused.
‘Is Marshal Gu ready to accept defeat?’ The merchant was cheeky, his eyes filling with resentment.
‘Rather, I am ready to add something new to my collection. Silver Jasmine, Blood Peaches, and Evergreen Pine Tree.’
There was a moment of silence. The merchant carefully watched Gu Yun close the box's lid and give it away to a servant. ‘Indeed, Marshal Gu is once more correct. As per our agreement, please accept these exquisite fragrances as a gift.’
The crowd shouted and laughed joyously, porcelain cups were quickly emptied of their sweet contents, and rumors were already leaving the imperial walls.
But Gu Yun’s flirtatious guise did not match the inner conflict. He guessed the base note wrongly on purpose. One, because he suspected the last fragrance was spiced to smell familiar no matter who tried it, so he did not wish to link Chang Geng to whatever this was. Two, he wanted to see if the merchant indeed tried to trick him.
Now that he had his answers, he tried to find the reason behind the trick. Yet, it was futile as he could feel his breath quicken and vision blur. His mind was also slowly plummeting into confusion.
Despite his attempt at hiding his state, there was someone who always picked up on even the smallest changes in Gu Yun.
Chang Geng watched him like a hawk, already worrying at how dazed Gu Yun was becoming.
In the dying daylight, paper lanterns were lit by servants while artists were brought to play music and dance. The tender blossom of the flowering trees glowed elegantly in the reddish sun rays, a few fallen petals sleepily stumbling in the warm breeze. Only Chang Geng remained sober among everyone.
Gu Yun never touched a sip of alcohol, but he was anything but awake. His complexion did not improve since he completed the challenge. He looked feverish and restless, even though no one besides Chang Geng picked on the change.
Right when Chang Geng planned on calling for some calming tea, Gu Yun half-closed his eyes, the long lashes accentuating the cherry blossom shape. Ignoring all the people at their table, he looked at Chang Geng and cheekily licked his lips.
Luckily, Gu Yun did that right when the people around turned to watch the new troupe of acrobats. When the crowd cheered at a fun trick, he leaned over and whispered closely: ‘Beauty ah, don’t you know you have to pay to look?’
As if already not shameless enough, Gu Yun slipped a hand between Chang Geng’s thighs and purred: ‘Though, I am willing to make an exception for you.’
Gu Yun was shameless and knew no limits when in private. But at public functions, he always strived to keep an untouchable appearance. This behaviour was not normal and Chang Geng had the inkling that it could escalate.
A night of heavy drinking was ahead and Chang Geng’s presence was now starting to inconvenience the guests. It was the right time to withdraw. He thanked his guests for their presence and invited them to fully enjoy themselves tonight as a present from his majesty. Many were surprised but welcomed the invitation. Without his intention, Chang Geng won the heart of some who thought of him as too stingy and uptight.
The truth was that Chang Geng needed the whole palace distracted tonight, from the servants caring for the crowd and the guards keeping an eye on anyone who tried to wander further than allowed.
He whispered to Gu Yun to follow him, who thankfully did so with a fully inebriated look. He tried not to walk quickly, even though the soles of his feet burned as if walking on hot coals. Why were the palace quarters he offered to Gu Yun so far away?
In front of the tall doors that lead inside the quarters, there were two guards standing put. Swiftly, Chang Geng ordered them to keep an eye on the party and make sure no one disturbed the Marshal’s rest tonight.
As soon as the main doors were shut, Chang Geng was pushed against them and heatedly kissed. The golden crown holding his hair was swiftly removed, his fluffy curls kneaded and pulled mercilessly. Even his tight regal robes were spread open around his chest as hungry hands grabbed everywhere.
In a matter of seconds, the image of a measured emperor quickly vanished away.
There was clearly something wrong with Gu Yun, as he had never been so forward before. He always had to play some trick, tell some lies to rile up Chang Geng. Always had to make it seem like it was Chang Geng’s idea.
This Gu Yun had no technique. He kissed and touched like he was burning up from inside and only Chang Geng could relieve him of that heat. While a scheming and seductive Gu Yun was preferred, this new flavour also suited Chang Geng’s tastes well. Too well.
He tried his best to stay gentle and sober. Gu Yun must have been drugged, most likely by something contained in those perfumes. He would need to have the merchant investigated …
He did not finish that thought as the lower half of his body was groped by Gu Yun. How could he stay sober when he dealt with the potent liquor that was Marshal Gu?
‘Zi Xi, please …’ he tried to plead but was interrupted by his lover’s low moan.
Reaching his limit, Chang Geng reversed their roles and pushed Gu Yun against the doors, pinning his hands above his head.
‘Beauty ah, don’t stop. I really need you to help me out now.’
Gu Yun looked fully drunk, his peach blossom eyes dazed and wet. His cheeks were flushed a bright pink and his thin lips were already swallowed. Just one more step and there was no return.
‘Beauty ah’ he whined again.
‘Who am I?’ Chang Geng asked, suddenly feeling the old sting of jealousy.
Gu Yun smiled drunkenly as if even in that confused state he knew he won another battle. ‘Chang Geng’ he answered and leaned into another kiss.
There was no turning back. Chang Geng kissed him harshly, taking full control. Gu Yun’s hands tangled in those luscious curls as he hooked his legs around Chang Geng’s waist. They tried to grind against each other, but there were too many layers of fabric and too little patience. They needed to move to somewhere more comfortable.
The quarters featured a series of rooms. Gu Yun always enjoyed a comfortable stay. The bedroom was preferable in their current situation, but it was far too far away. They needed a place now.
That place ended up being the wide wooden desk in the library. All the books, documents, and writing utensils were trashed to the floor. Gu Yun was sat there instead, as Chang Geng placed a trail of kisses and bites along his thin neck.
One by one, each layer of blue robes fell to the ground till Gu Yun was fully naked in front of him and lay spread on the desk. The silver moon shone gently through the windows, casting soft shadows over his body. To this day Chang Geng was fascinated by how his lover’s body was both so strong and lythe at the same time. He could not help but pinch at the thin waist, twisting the tender meat in between his fingers.
Gu Yun jerked, accidentally sending the lamp flying to the floor. As it landed, it somehow turned on and bathed the room in its bright glow. Gu Yun instantly hissed in pain and covered his eyes. Seeing his reaction, Chang Geng quickly turned it off and then checked on him.
Gu Yun hid against his broad chest, breathing steadily. ‘No lights’ he insisted.
‘No lights.’ Chang Geng assured him. The soft moonlight would need to be their guide.
They fell in a tense silence, their gazes roaming down their bodies, one still fully dressed and one bare. Gu Yun smiled seductively, the cinnabar dot in the corner of his left eye shining alluringly in the silver light.
‘Beauty …’ he called as Chang Geng traced with his thumb the outline of those over-kissed lips. Gu Yun obediently licked the tender inside of the thumb before fully swallowing it.
Slowly, Gu Yun sucked on one finger, then two, then finally three before no more could fit in. Change Geng watched attentively as each finger went in and came out slick with saliva. How that smart mouth that was the bane of his existence was now only able to accept what it was given. Though, that did not mean that Gu Yun did not have his means.
When the fingers reached a bit too far, he moaned loudly and half-closed his peach blossom eyes. Chang Geng clicked his tongue and used two of his fingers to pinch Gu Yun’s tongue.
‘Yifu should be obedient if he wishes to receive his treatment.’ The words were heard by the walls only. Instead, Gu Yun directed the slick hand down his chest, the flat stomach, to the warm area between his legs. Before Chang Geng could protest, Gu Yun wrapped his legs around the other’s waist and pulled him down. Like this, Gu Yun was fully sprawled over the desk with a riled Chang Geng on top.
‘Beauty Chang Geng why not help me out a bit. Just a bit.’ Gu Yun whispered against a reddened ear. ‘Be good, en?’
Gu Yun still had him completely at his mercy even fully drugged up.
From inside his regal robes, Chang Geng took out a small metal container. Inside was a smooth and watery liquid. He poured some of the liquid over his already wet fingers and in between Gu Yun’s legs. All this time, his lover watched him full of anticipation.
‘Beauty Ch- ah!’
He never managed to finish his sentence, as Chang Geng swiftly pushed one finger inside, quickly followed by the other two. He initially planned on taking it slowly, fully unwinding Gu Yun and turning him into a sloppy mess, but like most of his previous attempts at control, his attempt fizzled quickly.
Gu Yun bit Chang Geng harshly at the junction between the neck and the shoulder.
Without mercy, Chang Geng pushed himself fully in, causing his lover to moan and arch his back in pleasure and pain.
What followed after was just mindless fucking, the desk moving back and forth so sternly that deep scratches were formed on the wooden floor. The wet slapping noise together with wanton moans and low grunts accompanied the muffled screeching of the desk.
When the sky suddenly erupted in a myriad of colourful fireworks, they instantly stopped. Gu Yun winced in pain and covered his eyes with his hands. Chang Geng woke from his heated daze and cradled his lover against his chest and rushed them to the farthest place from the windows in the library, a comfortable daybed.
The fireworks show was planned to go on for a long while and Gu Yun was still burning up from the drug. Chang Geng was looking for a solution when a memory from earlier came back. He pulled the golden sash from around his waist and swiftly tied it against Gu Yun’s eyes, blindfolding him.
The relief was nearly immediate. Gu Yun gently straightened in Chang Geng’s lap and breathed in steadily. Feeling his heart breaking, Chang Geng caressed his lover’s right cheek in comfort.
Gu Yun clasped a hand over Chang Geng’s and leaned into the touch, turning his head to place tender kisses on the rough palm before he inhaled deeply. ‘My favourite smell’ he breathed out in a whisper.
Gu Yun’s voice was hoarse from all the moaning and groaning. His long hair stuck to his sweaty temples and flushed cheeks, falling over marked shoulders. But Chang Geng’s attention was fully on the spoken words. He could feel the taste of vinegar on the tip of his tongue as he thought of what the final perfume in the challenge would smell like.
‘What did you smell?’ Chang Geng asked. He was burning for the answer, yet his touch remained tender.
‘Tranquillizers.’
In an instant, Chang Geng pushed Gu Yun under him into the soft daybed. He looked down on his Yifu, fully mesmerized by how beautiful and enticing he looked all ravished and blindfolded. Vibrant colours danced across his marred skin, like the rainbow peeking through a clear river.
‘I did not know you were into this kind of play.’
Chang Geng ignored the playful words and placed one pillow under Gu Yun’s head and one underneath his lower back. ‘Why do you like this smell so much?’
‘It tells me you are there. Even in my sleep. And when you are not, it reminds me that I miss you.’
Chang Geng’s heart beat faster, each throb seeming to pour through his entire body and then rush back, leaving a ticklish echo behind.
‘I may be too rough on you tonight.’ His voice was both gentle and dripping with desire.
‘Beauty Chang Geng, tonight you may do as you please’ Gu Yun hummed.
It was all Chang Geng needed before went back into bullying his dear Zi Xi, lowering his head so his ear was right against his lover’s loud moth. Like this, he could hear Gu Yun’s pleading clearly over the booming of the fireworks show.
For once, it was Gu Yun who had more stamina, asking again and again for his beauty to give him more. They went at it till the early hours of the morning when Gu Yun was finally relieved of the effects of the drug. He passed out soon after, and it was Chang Geng who made sure to wash and care for him.
Once they settled to sleep, Gu Yun cuddled to Chang Geng’s chest and inhaled deeply as he fell into a deep rest.
In the following days, Chang Geng secretly investigated the issue and sent the merchant and everyone else involved to a swift death. No one would dare pull this type of trick ever again in the future.
As for Gu Yun? He would never acknowledge he remembered the night and the things he said and the way he behaved. Though under the pretense it was only Chang Geng’s idea, they dabbled into some blindfold play again.