Chapter 121

Chapter 121: The Long River Rolls on, Reaching the North (Part 4)

A green gauze curtain hangs, shadows intertwined.

The two, their limbs entwined, suddenly stopped all movement, and for a moment, the ambiguous moans in the 

room fell silent. In truth, it was only for a moment before a commotion erupted.

“Seventh Young Master…” Feng Xiang’s voice suddenly rang out, accompanied by the clanging of weapons.

“Get out of my way!” With a cold sneer, Feng Xiang, unable to withstand the fierce attack of the icy whip, barely 

managed to move aside before being forced into the room.

In a flash, Si Cang Qing, carrying Cheng Tian Yang, swiftly left the bed, grabbing an outer robe and wrapping it 

around the man’s naked body. The icy whip veered, striking directly at them.

Release Cheng Tian Yang, Si Cang Qing met the attack head-on, deflecting the whip’s attack and striking out with 

his other palm. The newcomer flipped over, dodging his attack, and leaped back, landing half a zhang away.

“Qi Shuangran!” Si Cang Qing withdrew his hand, standing before the man, his brow slightly furrowed. “What 

exactly do you want?”

Qi Shuangran’s eyes widened, his gaze shifting uncertainly between Si Cang Qing and Cheng Tian Yang. “It seems 

I shouldn’t have let you go last time,” he said. “I’ll kill you now!” With that, he launched another fierce attack, 

disregarding everything else.

This time, Si Cang Qing was truly enraged. He stopped dodging and holding back, and fought back without 

hesitation. The furniture in the room suffered once more; wherever the palm strikes and whip strikes landed, chaos 

ensued.

Feng Xiang hesitated for a moment, then retreated into the shadows.

Subconsciously tugging at his clothes, Cheng Tian Yang watched the two locked in fierce combat with a detached 

gaze. After a moment, he slowly lowered his eyes, ignoring them, and stood motionless.

With a sharp crack, their palms collided, sending both men staggering back several steps before regaining their 

footing.

A trickle of blood escaped from the corner of their mouths. Qi Shuangran's expression grew even more sinister. 

His gaze shifted to the scantily clad Cheng Tian Yang, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "You really do care for him! 

I can't kill you, but I can kill those around you!"

Before his words finished, Qi Shuangran moved with ghostly speed, appearing before Cheng Tian Yang and 

lashing out with his icy whip. Cheng Tian Yang quickly dodged, tearing off a piece of the curtain and retaliating.

The whip was flexible and adaptable. With a flick of his wrist, Qi Shuangran snatched the curtain from 

Cheng Tian Yang's hand. Just as he was about to swing the whip again, a pressure came from behind. He whirled 

around, using his strength to leap and dodge the attack.

Si Cang Qing, however, had anticipated this. He grabbed the end of the whip with his other hand and yanked it 

sharply, sending the unsuspecting man plummeting to the ground.

"Cough..." Qi Shuangran coughed violently, spitting out another mouthful of blood.

Si Cang Qing hesitated for a moment, then quickly withdrew his hand, snatching the man's cold whip away. 

Slightly relieved, he asked calmly, "Why?"

Seeing the man's blood-stained lips, Si Cang Qing slightly averted his eyes.

As if all his strength had been drained, Qi Shuangran's anger vanished instantly, and he suddenly calmed down. 

He casually wiped the blood from his mouth, turned his head to look at the half-closed window, "No reason! Last 

time I accidentally injured you, but this time... we're even."

He turned around, his gaze fixed on the person behind Si Cang Qing. He pursed his lips before saying, 

"The Piao Miao Palace and the Penglai Pavilion have no further connection!" He strode to Si Cang Qing, grabbed 

the Void Whip, and with a slight movement, Qi Shuangran vanished from the spot.

Si Cang Qing stood quietly, watching the sky outside darken. The image of Qi Shuangran's departing glance 

lingered in his mind—calm and undisturbed, yet unsettling. This was not the unrestrained and arrogant Seventh 

Young Master!

Perhaps… that palm strike just now was indeed excessive. Si Cang Qing slowly lowered his eyes, staring blankly 

at his empty palm.

The dimly lit room was deathly silent.

Cheng Tian Yang seemed lost in thought, unlike his usual playful interactions with Si Cang Qing. He silently 

walked to the bedside and dressed himself.

"Your Majesty…"

Si Cang Qing turned around and saw the man, his smile weary. “It’s getting late…” Cheng Tian Yang murmured. 

“His Majesty hasn’t eaten yet.” He smiled slightly, his eyes lowered. “I’ll go and have someone prepare something.”

Without waiting for Si Cang Qing’s reply, he left.

A servant entered silently, lit the lamps, and tidied the scattered furnishings.

Si Cang Qing frowned slightly, slowly walking into the courtyard. Gazing at the twinkling stars against the dark 

blue sky, his thoughts were unusually restless…

That night, afterward, was unusually peaceful.

Cheng Tian Yang was still sleeping on Si Cang Qing’s bed, nestled quietly in his arms, soon seeming to fall into a 

deep sleep. The enchanting scene of the evening seemed to be just an illusion.

Si Cang Qing gently embraced the man’s slender waist, gazing down at his sleeping face, seeing only tranquility. 

His curled eyelashes, like resting butterflies, fluttered occasionally.

Slightly tightening his grip, Si Cang Qing stopped thinking and closed his eyes, gradually drifting off to sleep.

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palaces◇

The next day, the morning light was just beginning to warm the air.

Just as Si Cang Qing was about to enjoy his breakfast, a guard came to report that Qiu Ping Tian had arrived. 

Before Si Cang Qing could even get up, a figure in blue suddenly appeared at the door.

The man approached with a warm smile, "Qing Di!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he arrived. Si Cang Qing had already stood up and taken a few steps forward 

when the man opened his arms and embraced his waist, smiling as he carefully examined his face, saying, "It's 

been many days, Qing Di, you've lost a lot of weight."

Si Cang Qing returned the embrace, looking down at the man's undisguised joy in his eyes, and said softly, "Why 

are you here?" A subtle, stirring emotion stirred within him.

Ignoring the others present, Qiu Ping Tian took the initiative and kissed Si Cang Qing's lips, his words falling 

softly, "With the situation less tense, I have more free time, and I find myself missing you a bit."

It was just a light kiss. Reluctantly pulling away from the other's lips, Qiu Ping Tian looked up from the man's 

shoulder at Cheng Tian Yang, who stood there calmly. When their eyes met, Cheng Tian Yang smiled gently.

"Brother Qiu," Cheng Tian Yang said with a smile, "Long time no see." He glanced back at the steaming food on 

the table. "Brother Qiu must not have had breakfast yet."

Released from Si Cang Qing, Qiu Ping Tian nodded. "Yes, now that you mention it, I do feel a little hungry." He 

pulled Si Cang Qing along and naturally sat down beside him.

"Brother Qing, are you going back to the palace?" Qiu Ping Tian asked after taking a few sips of porridge.

"Hmm."

Qiu Ping Tian pondered for a moment, then said, "I passed through several important towns in the former 

Hongcheng... Due to the war, they are all desolate, with refugees scattered and unable to settle down. It seems a 

period of restoration is needed before true peace can be restored."

Si Cang Qing nodded slightly, "From now on, I'll rely on you."

Glancing at him, Qiu Ping Tian teased, "I don't do unprofitable business. Besides, do you really believe I have 

that much money?"

"Once the major towns in the former Hongcheng develop, grain and cloth..." "The oil and salt business is all 

handled by Qiu Ji," Si Cang Qing said calmly. "We'll also establish a unified money exchange, managed by 

Qiu Ji as well."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ping Tian's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Don't worry, Qing Di, Hongcheng has a strong 

financial foundation. It won't be long before they recover."

"Hmm." Si Cang Qing glanced at Cheng Tian Yang, who was unusually quiet and seemed to have barely touched 

his food. After a slight pause, he pushed his bowl towards Cheng Tian Yang. "Eat more."

This man hadn't eaten much last night either.

Slightly taken aback, Cheng Tian Yang smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Meanwhile, a glint of light flashed in Qiu Ping Tian's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and continued, 

"Qing Di, is the southern expedition not continuing?"

"Hongdu has fallen, and Cheng Tian Yi has been captured," Si Cang Qing said casually, "Hongcheng no longer 

exists in this world."

Therefore, there's no need to expend all of Canghuan's forces on those remnants. Besides, the purpose of 

the southern expedition wasn't to contend for supremacy, but simply to eliminate the threat posed by 

Cheng Tian Yi.

"So, the three islands beyond the South Sea are no longer a concern," Qiu Ping Tian said thoughtfully, then asked, 

"What about the vassal states of Hongcheng?"

"They have surrendered."

As long as they don't cause trouble, Si Cang Qing doesn't want to interfere… Since those areas have always been 

controlled by a few vassal kings, they will continue to be left to them. The war is not yet over, and Hongcheng's 

vast territory is difficult to manage in the short term; those things that require less attention should be left alone.

Hearing this, Qiu Ping Tian shook her head disapprovingly, "Those feudal lords have bad reputations and are 

treacherous; keeping them alive... might not be appropriate."

Si Cang Qing casually sipped his tea, "When the time is right, we'll naturally eliminate them."

"So that is your meaning, Qing Di..." Qiu Ping Tian suddenly understood, smiling, "That's excellent. However, 

it will be a hardship for the common people."

Si Cang Qing remained silent. Taking those small kingdoms by force wouldn't be difficult, but... those feudal 

lords wouldn't amount to much; it was better to wait for them to bring about their own destruction.

Without further ado, Qiu Ping Tian smiled and changed the subject, inquiring about the previous battles.

The atmosphere at the banquet was lively.

"When will we return to the palace?" Leaning against Si Cang Qing's chest, Qiu Ping Tian asked softly, his fingers 

tracing casually across his body.

Just now, Cheng Tian Yang had excused himself, leaving the two of them alone. Inside, there was peace and 

warmth.

“Once Lan arrives, we’ll go back.”

Looking up at the man’s cool eyes, Qiu Ping Tian raised his head slightly. “Qing Di, now that the war is over, 

when will you accompany me back to the manor?”

Hearing this, Si Cang Qing thought for a moment and said, “After the festival on the ninth day of the ninth lunar 

month.”

“Good.” Smiling broadly, Qiu Ping Tian leaned in and kissed the other’s lips.

Feeling the warmth on his lips, Si Cang Qing opened his mouth and took the other’s tongue in, gently returning 

the kiss.

The sky was unusually clear at the end of May. Cheng Tian Yang walked slowly between the pavilions and 

corridors, occasionally pausing to look at the surrounding scenery.

“This subordinate greets Your Highness the West Empress…”

Turning to look at the other, Cheng Tian Yang said calmly, “What is it?”

“Your Highness the East Empress and the Luo Shui army have arrived outside the city!”

Startled, Cheng Tian Yang waved for the other to leave, standing alone, seemingly lost in thought. After a long 

while, he leisurely walked back…

“Master,” seeing that familiar figure rushing towards them in the distance, Feng Lan immediately leaped off his 

horse and went to meet him.

Lightly hooking Feng Lan’s waist, Si Cang Qing landed on the ground and surveyed the neatly arranged army. 

The soldiers looked somewhat tired, but more than anything, they were full of energy, probably because the battle 

had finally ended!

“Return to the capital immediately!”

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