Chapter 45: Into a Political Intrigue Novel, Day 23

Chapter 45: Day Twenty-Three of Transmigrating into a Political Intrigue Novel

An Ping changed course, driving the carriage in another direction.

Just as the carriage went around a corner, a figure swiftly slipped inside the carriage.

"Who's there?!"

"Milord!"

"Milord!"

An Ping and several guards were startled by the figure that appeared so suddenly and immediately drew their blades, moving to charge forward.

"It's nothing!"

An Yi sighed and stopped them.

"Heh."

A low yet clear chuckle sounded inside the carriage: "How is Lord An doing today?"

Ge Lian's tall figure squeezed in beside An Yi. A smile played on his face, his gaze like a clinging spiderweb, from head to toe, firmly entangling An Yi.

An Yi could distinctly feel the intense aura emanating from Ge Lian—a mix of the smells of blood, sweat, and rust—carrying the bloodthirsty aura of one just returned from the battlefield, along with a deeper, unsettling heat.

Ge Lian's gaze finally settled on An Yi's cheek.

There, near the temple, was an extremely faint, almost invisible scratch. Ge Lian couldn't help but frown: "What happened?!"

Sensing his gaze, An Yi raised a hand to touch it and felt a slight sting—it was a tiny wound left by a shard of the broken wine cup that had accidentally grazed him.

Ge Lian's eyes immediately darkened. He slowly raised his hand, his fingers, calloused with distinct knuckles, gently brushing An Yi's cheek.

The pad of his thumb, rough and scalding hot, traced over the faint scratch with extreme slowness and care. The calluses on his thumb caused a subtle sting to the wound on An Yi's face.

Then he lowered his head and gently sucked away the faint trace of blood.

An Yi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

The skin on his cheek, seared by Ge Lian's lips and tongue, held a lingering, strange burning sensation.

This pervert!!

What is that pervert doing?!

The corners of An Yi's eyes turned red, and he gave Ge Lian a hard slap: "Ge Lian! Get out of here!!"

Ge Lian's face was turned aside by the slap. He pushed his tongue into his cheek, and a smile actually appeared on his lips. He reached out and caught An Yi's hand, placing a light kiss on his palm: "Does your hand hurt from slapping me?"

An Yi: …

It didn't hurt before, but now it does—he has a headache!

He really seemed to be stuck with this guy.

Comment Section:

"Aaaaaah!"

"So perverted! So thrilling! I love it!"

"Thrilling!! (gasping) (trembling)"

"Ge Lian, what are you doing? Don't you dare do that kind of thing!"

"In broad daylight, in this bright and open world—what are you doing?"

"So shy!"

"Guide → 'Ripples — The Kneeling Him': An Yi sits in the carriage, his long legs casually placed under his deep crimson official robe, holding a black whip in his hand. Ge Lian kneels before him, hoping he will severely punish him. The driver An Ping and the people on the street have no idea what is happening inside the carriage... [Link]"

"Drool drool!"

"The author is amazing!"

"So good!"

"..."

An Yi: …

What is all this nonsense?

Was An Ping also part of their game?!

Enough! Seriously, enough!

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Grand Court Session.

The golden bricks of the Taihe Hall were tinted a cold, crushed gold by the morning light.

Yet this brilliant daylight could not dispel the thick, metallic scent of blood that permeated the hall.

That scent did not come from real blades, but from the head of the Chief Grand Secretary, which had been cleanly severed by the executioner's axe just yesterday, and from the mountains of gold and silver, tainted with the wails of countless wronged souls, poured out when the Duan faction's mansions were confiscated.

It made every official present taste the rusty sweetness of iron with every breath.

On the dragon throne, the Old Emperor seemed to have one foot in the grave.

"Decree—"

The eunuch's shrill voice rang out:

"Those with matters to present, step forward! Those without, disperse!"

The civil and military officials stood in place one after another. Ge Lian was not in black armor; he had changed into a new, crimson Xuanduan court robe, with golden threads embroidering the ferocious beast pattern of a *suanni* on his shoulders and sleeves, revealing its fangs and claws.

His back was as straight as a spear, his angular face with brows as sharp as knives and thin lips pressed together.

Two positions ahead of him stood An Yi. He still wore a dark crimson official robe, the cloud-crane patterns on it exquisitely detailed, a jade belt cinching his waist, making his figure appear even more slender and upright.

Under the black gauze hat, his clear, jade-like face was calm and unruffled. He lowered his eyelids slightly, his long lashes casting two deep shadows, concealing all possible emotions.

The affairs of the court were discussed quickly. None of the ministers dared to waste time at this moment. The usual passing the buck and arguments were all pushed aside for later discussion. Soon, there was no sound left in the court.

Seeing no one else dared to submit a memorial, the Old Emperor's eyes flickered with gloom, and he waved his hand at the chief eunuch.

The chief eunuch unrolled an imperial edict of dazzling bright yellow silk, and his sharp, piercing voice rose loudly as he began to recite.

"...Ge Lian, heir of the Marquess of Jingbian, whose loyalty and valor are as brilliant as the sun, and whose wisdom and strategy surpass the ordinary! By imperial decree, he was appointed Governor-General of Jiangnan, where he purged the malevolent forces, uncovered the great corrupt officials, and eliminated the treacherous clique. His merits are immortalized in the state's annals and will shine for a thousand years! He is specially promoted to General of the Swift Cavalry, commanding the Capital's Five Patrols Office and the Imperial Garrison! Bestowed with ten thousand taels of gold, ten bushels of pearls, and an imperially granted 'Mountain-Subduing' precious saber! Respect this—!"

"General of the Swift Cavalry!"

"Commanding the Capital's troops!"

A stifled intake of breath immediately swept through the ranks below.

Ge Lian, his expression calm, stepped forward and knelt on one knee. His voice was resonant: "Your servant Ge Lian kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's immense grace! I will devote my very being to guarding the capital and ensuring the eternal stability of my Great Yin's realm!"

He raised his head, his gaze brushing past An Yi beside him with a seemingly casual glance, but deep in his eyes was an undisguised fervor.

After Ge Lian had expressed his thanks, the Grand Eunuch took a deep breath, raised his voice even higher, and continued reading:

"...An Yi, the Master of the Secretariat, who is upright and loyal, serving the state with keen insight! Though he was under suspicion, he kept the nation's welfare close to heart, endured humiliation and burden, secretly uncovered the great villain, offered strategies and plans, and contributed immensely to pacifying Jiangnan and eliminating the rebel Duan! Furthermore, his learning is profound and his virtue is pure—he is worthy to be a model for all officials! He is hereby promoted to Chief Grand Secretary, with the additional title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and will oversee all state affairs! Bestowed with a purple-golden fish pouch, a jade Ruyi scepter, and five thousand taels of gold! Respect this—!"

All civil and military officials held their breath and did not dare to speak.

The blood of Duan Mingde had not yet dried, and his vacated position was taken over so swiftly and so seamlessly by An Yi—his 'prized disciple' who had personally sent him to hell!

An Yi lifted his robe and slowly knelt down. His movements were elegant and composed, the hem of his deep crimson official robe spreading out over the cold golden bricks.

He kowtowed, his forehead touching the ground, and his voice was as clear as a jade chime: "Your servant An Yi thanks Your Majesty for the immense favor. I will exert myself to the utmost, rectify and support the state, and live up to Your Majesty's entrustment and the expectations of all under heaven."

He raised his head, his calm gaze meeting the turbid eyes on the dragon throne, which flickered with a complex light—without sorrow or joy, deep and unfathomable.