The Sovereign – Chapter 36

Volume Two: An Abundance of Blossoms Always Feels Lonely

Unite Hearts to Conquer the Enemy

This kiss is the deepest desire from the bottom of the heart

Yun Yao was in a very good mood today. To please Qin Junlan, he specially opened a ten-year aged fine wine. He did not invite Qin Junlan alone but instead invited both Qin Junlan and Liu Qianxun to the hall. These two people were both handsome, yet each possessed a different graceful demeanor, simply like rare beauties of the world.

Today, he absolutely would not let the meat at his mouth fly away. Originally, he only coveted Qin Junlan, but seeing Liu Qianxun also delivered to his door, he thought, why not take both. He was hungry and thirsty for too long, having had enough of the rough people in the army. Qin Junlan’s appearance truly brightened his eyes.

After the two people entered the hall, the main door was closed. This place was furnished more luxuriously than usual places, looking like Yun Yao’s private room. Inside, there was a wine table already filled with wine, just waiting for the two to come.

“You finally came, quickly sit down,” Yun Yao said with a happy expression. He always wanted to extend his hand to touch the two, but again forcibly suppressed that impulse, thinking that anyway soon good things would happen, so there was no need to rush at this moment.

“Thank you, Brother Yun, for specially receiving us and for the disturbance, Yan Mo feels deeply uneasy,” Qin Junlan responded generously, as the surface courtesies still needed to be performed. However, Liu Qianxun remained silent, as in her role as a follower, it was inappropriate to speak when the master of the family had not spoken.

Just looking at Yun Yao gazing at Qin Junlan with eyes passionate like fire, it was as if a beast was staring at its prey, wishing to devour her completely. This kind of drooling gaze made her very unhappy, and her heart was very uncomfortable. She felt that even one more glance from such a vulgar man like Yun Yao was offensive, and he should not dare to look at her like that; it would be best to gouge out his eyes.

“You are not strong with alcohol, a small drink will do, Brother Yun has me to accompany,” Qin Junlan said, holding her hand under the table. The two looked at each other, and Qin Junlan seemed able to read her thoughts, sensing the anger in her eyes and the disgust in her heart, giving her a comforting glance. The warmth of that palm seemed to reach her heart, instantly making all her discomfort vanish.

“Naturally, naturally,” Yun Yao smiled wickedly; today’s main event was not drinking. He picked up a bowl of wine, first drinking it as a sign of respect, to show sincerity, and after drinking, turned the bowl upside down, “Come, Brother Yan, it’s your turn.”

Qin Junlan picked up the wine, and Liu Qianxun quickly tugged at her sleeve. She knew there was surely something hidden in the wine, as a Shura disciple had just signaled to her that the sedative drug in the wine was personally placed by him.

Today, this clumsy trick could not possibly deceive Qin Junlan. She was fully aware of Yun Yao’s malicious intentions towards her. She raised the corner of her mouth, squeezed her hand, and indicated for her to be at ease. Her clear, deep eyes seemed to tell her: no problem, Xun’er.

“Truly, the fragrance of the wine is overwhelming.” Qin Junlan did not immediately drink, but instead placed it under her nose to smell its fragrance, pretending to taste the wine, yet she detected the strange odor in the wine.

The sedative drug is originally colorless and tasteless, but Yi Qingyu had taught her early on how to discern the safety of wine and food. The purity of wine varies, and as it passes the tip of the nose, the aroma differs. If arsenic, sedatives, or even hedinghong and similar drug powders are added, they will produce a slight effect on the wine’s aroma, causing a subtle change in smell.

“Since it is good wine, why does little brother still not taste?” Yun Yao waited somewhat anxiously; he had been enduring since he first saw Qin Junlan until now for two days, and if he had to endure any longer, he feared he might go mad.

“Good wine should not be missed.” Qin Junlan held the bowl in one hand and discreetly pressed two fingertips on her lower abdomen, sealing two acupoints, then drank it all at once.

Liu Qianxun’s pupils slightly contracted, and her heart still held some nervousness. Although she wanted to trust Qin Junlan’s confidence, she still did not understand why she sealed her own acupoints. Could it be to prevent the wine from passing through her stomach?

“Little Brother Liu, will you also drink?” Yun Yao raised his eyebrows, determined not to let the two go without drinking.

Liu Qianxun smiled lightly, gently raising the wine cup, “This humble one is not strong with alcohol, a small sip to express gratitude.” After speaking, she lightly sipped a mouthful and moved her throat, making Yun Yao think she had already drunk.

“Hahahahaha, good!” That single word “good” was like thunder, carrying a sense of triumphant joy, happier than any battle he had won.

Qin Junlan cheerfully joined in the laughter, then began to pretend to be dazed. She held her head, feigning dizziness, “Today, how come just after one bowl….”

“Just like that?” Yun Yao’s eyes lit up, and he stood up from his seat, slowly leaning over. Qin Junlan took the opportunity to fall onto the wine table, pretending to have fainted, and Liu Qianxun immediately leaned on the table as well.

Yun Yao rubbed his hands, his tongue unconsciously licking his lips, as the pair of beautiful men finally fell into his hands. “Having entered the bandit’s den, there is no reason to let you leave.”

He had already instructed others to seal the door, intending to fully enjoy this night. His hands caressed Qin Junlan’s shoulders, just as he was about to pull her into his arms. Qin Junlan suddenly opened her eyes, striking a palm towards him. He reacted quickly, using his elbow to block, but Qin Junlan’s moves were faster. In astonishment, he barely received three moves, retreating step by step, not noticing that someone else was still standing behind him.

At some point, Liu Qianxun had also risen, quickly moving behind him. Taking advantage of his distraction in blocking Qin Junlan, she delivered a fierce blow to the back of his head. Yun Yao was immediately knocked down, fainting on the ground.

“Are you okay, Yan’er?” Liu Qianxun rushed forward, afraid she had suffered any harm.

Qin Junlan shook her head, immediately pointing her fingertip to an acupoint, moving her fingertip half an inch to the left, then pressing lightly. A wave of nausea rose from her abdomen, “Hoo~” she vomited all the wine she had drunk, the strong aroma of the wine causing her to cough, “Cough~ cough~ cough~ cough~”

“It’s okay, it’s okay, luckily it’s okay.” Liu Qianxun nervously and with heartache gently stroked her back, helping her to breathe.

She knew clearly that the wine was drugged, yet she still watched her drink it down. Luckily, it was only a sedative; if it had been poison, it would have been unimaginable.

“I’m fine, I’m fine, don’t worry.” Qin Junlan straightened up, took a deep breath, and adjusted her breathing. She suddenly remembered that Liu Qianxun also drank the wine and quickly asked, “You also drank the wine, are you okay?”

“No harm, I took a sip and spat it out.” Liu Qianxun glanced at Yun Yao on the ground, her eyes suddenly becoming sharp, filled with killing intent, but she couldn’t kill in front of Qin Junlan.

Although Yun Yao liked men, it was not hard to see his agility, surely making him a talent in leading armies to battle. Since ancient times, wise rulers have cherished talent, and if not for this, how could Qin Junlan tolerate him like this? Surely, there is still hope to persuade him to surrender.

“It’s good that nothing happened. How did you know the wine was drugged?” Qin Junlan was surprised at Liu Qianxun’s quick-wittedness.

“His intentions towards you were obvious, even a blind person could see. Today, he forcibly brought you back to the mountain, surely with designs on your beauty. How could today’s Hongmen Banquet let go of you, the prey at hand?” Liu Qianxun was full of resentment and anger towards Yun Yao, even somewhat complaining about Qin Junlan for disregarding her own safety and sending herself into the tiger’s mouth.

“Could someone not be….” Qin Junlan’s heart was delighted, and she leaned slightly towards her, raising an eyebrow as she said, “Could it not be….”

“Be what?” Liu Qianxun glared at her, “Do you know how dangerous this is? If it were poison and not a sedative, do you think your acupoint sealing and shifting method could save you?”

“Xun’er understands martial arts well.” Qin Junlan squinted her eyes, looking at her. Generally, only experts understand this acupoint sealing method; if the inner strength is insufficient, performing this method is not only useless but also puts oneself in peril.

“I saw you point the acupoint, and naturally, I guessed.” Liu Qianxun slightly turned, her lingering anger not yet dissipated. Qin Junlan stepped forward and embraced her from behind, resting on her shoulder. Even in men’s clothing, her fragrance was overwhelming, the familiar scent she missed day and night. “With you here, I won’t let myself take risks. If something happens to me, who will protect you?”

Liu Qianxun slightly turned her head to meet her eyes. She cupped Qin Junlan’s face, her thin lips slightly parted as if wanting to open and close, her fingertips grazed her fair skin until they reached the corner of her lips, and gently said, “You won’t be in trouble, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The two were inches apart, their breaths full of each other’s scent, like mingling warm currents, with an ambiguous atmosphere running rampant. Qin Junlan’s eyes were blurred, as she greedily inhaled Liu Qianxun’s breath, feeling her heart tighten, turning her inner longing into action, gently moving forward to kiss her soft lips.

Liu Qianxun’s vermilion lips were light and soft, like a shy sandalwood mouth, her slender tongue lightly trembling, only feeling her heart suddenly jump, yet secretly delighted. She slightly parted, carefully touching Qin Junlan’s tongue tip, feeling a burst of numbness throughout her body, like an unbearably hot July day.

“Xun’er~” As their lips and tongues intertwined, in the gaps, Qin Junlan called her name, their slender hands intertwined, palms fitting together, as if they had entered another world. The overflowing sweetness filled their hearts, making them forget that at this moment, they were still in the tiger’s lair.

A passionate deep kiss, intoxicating their hearts, expressed unattainable longing, the worries of entering the tiger’s den, and the deepest desires in their hearts, as if even this cold night was lit with a layer of light.

“Knock knock knock~” An untimely knocking sound interrupted their chaotic emotions. Qin Junlan only felt a sourness in her mouth, her cheeks still warm, and her shyness paused, yet she was a beauty that shames flowers.

Liu Qianxun’s eyes were moist, her shy demeanor charming and graceful. She avoided Qin Junlan’s blurred eyes, stepped to the door, and listened closely.

“Master, it’s me~” came Li Yue’s whispered voice. Liu Qianxun immediately opened the door, and Li Yue entered with a rope.

“What is this?” Liu Qianxun asked suspiciously.

“Tie him up, this dead pervert who dares to covet our master.” Li Yue threw down the rope, dragging Yun Yao to the pillar and tying him tightly.

It turns out Qin Junlan already had a plan and was just intentionally cooperating. She had already discussed with Li Yue how to deal with Yun Yao. Because there were many men and horses in the mountain, they couldn’t act recklessly and went along with the plan. The deeper she delves, the more Liu Qianxun realizes Qin Junlan’s wisdom and capability, comparable to Ling Yu, perhaps even superior.

Ling Yu is skilled in scheming, adept in methods and strategies, stopping at nothing to achieve goals, even at the cost of rivers of blood. But Qin Junlan is a true wise person, benevolent and virtuous, even leaving someone like Yun Yao, a talented but flawed individual, alive, attempting to persuade him to surrender.

“Li Yue, what is the situation outside now?” Qin Junlan had already recovered from the tenderness to a normal state, but her heart was like a hundred flowers blooming, filled with indescribable joy and warmth, filling her tumultuous heart.

“Xiao Yi is placing black gunpowder, and today the men and horses have decreased by one or two thousand. This servant suspects that the mountain has other secret exits.” Li Yue tightened the rope binding Yun Yao even more, ensuring he could not escape.

“Mm, right now we can’t find out anything, so we can only interrogate him.” Qin Junlan glanced at Yun Yao, lost in thought.

“Then, how should we interrogate? Use torture?” Li Yue truly did not know how to proceed.

“Now that we are in the tiger’s den, we must use wisdom and cannot fight head-on. Even if your martial arts are strong, two fists cannot defeat four hands, especially on someone else’s territory; we cannot take risks.” Liu Qianxun’s thinking was clear, and her insight into the surrounding matters was not inferior to Qin Junlan’s. This extraordinary wisdom and calm response made Li Yue feel admiration; she seemed to understand why the master was so taken with her, why she cared so much.

Perhaps her wisdom is more than enough to serve as an advisor to the master.

“Xun’er is absolutely right, I have a plan, we can try it.” Qin Junlan raised a confident smile, leaned close to Liu Qianxun’s ear, and whispered instructions. Liu Qianxun showed a surprised expression, then understood and agreed.

Li Yue looked at the two confusedly, thinking, how does the Emperor come up with strategies so easily, and can this spontaneous plan work well with Liu Qianxun?

“I understand what to do now.” Liu Qianxun’s awareness was very high, and she very much agreed with Qin Junlan’s strategy, though her feelings for her seemed to have changed again.

“Li Yue, splash him awake for me!”

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