Volume One, Chapter 15: The Yang Residence

When they arrived at the Yang residence, Sima Yun was radiant with vitality, while Liu Qi appeared utterly exhausted in both body and mind.

Although Sima Yun always brought him novel and thrilling experiences, having them several times a day was too much even for Liu Qi to endure.

Just before entering the Yang estate, Sima Yun handed Liu Qi a small box and said, “Eat this—it will help replenish your strength.”

After speaking, she pinched Liu Qi’s rear, causing him a sudden chill.

Fortunately, Liu Qi had already been satiated by her; otherwise, he might have faced yet another round of exhaustion.

Once inside the Yang residence, Sima Yun led Liu Qi to meet Yang Yuqi.

However, Yang Yuqi was not in the main hall. When Sima Yun inquired with the servants about Yang Yuqi’s whereabouts, the steward replied, “General Yang is training in the backyard and is waiting for Master Sima.”

“Waiting for me?” Sima Yun asked, surprised.

The steward smiled and said, “General Yang knew Master Sima would surely come, so he specifically instructed me to wait here. He also said that after finishing his training and changing, he would accompany Master Sima to the court to pay respects.”

Sima Yun replied, “That won’t be necessary. I have come to return this fellow to General Yang. As for attending court, I will take my leave first.”

With that, Sima Yun left Liu Qi behind and departed from the Yang residence.

“Follow me,” said the steward.

Liu Qi followed behind and soon arrived at the backyard.

Compared to the luxurious Qi Prince's mansion, the Yang estate was noticeably more modest, with fewer decorations in the backyard and no extravagant displays.

In the backyard, Liu Qi saw Yang Yuqi clad in armor, training with a long spear. The spear was as thick as Liu Qi’s arm and appeared to weigh several hundred pounds.

To wield such a heavy spear with such grace and to create dazzling spear techniques was truly extraordinary.

After a period of training, Yang Yuqi paused to rest. She removed her armor and tied it around her waist, her chest bound tightly with white cloth strips, securing her ample bosom firmly.

Yet even so, her full chest remained proudly erect, no matter how tightly it was bound.

Panting heavily, Yang Yuqi stopped, and her attendant quickly handed her a towel to wipe her face.

Yang Yuqi dabbed the sweat from her brow, glanced at Liu Qi with a cold snort, and gestured for everyone else to leave.

The steward and others took the hint and quietly exited, leaving only Liu Qi and Yang Yuqi in the backyard.

“So you dare return after leaving? Are you not afraid of death?” Yang Yuqi approached Liu Qi, the heat from her body and the distinct feminine fragrance brushing against his face.

She narrowed her eyes at him, then grasped his neck and said, “Or do you think I won’t kill you?”

Liu Qi replied calmly, “I am but a lowly servant. If you wished to kill me, you would have done so already.”

“Hmph. After a visit to Sima Yun, you’ve gotten bold. Do you think that as long as Sima Yun protects you, I wouldn’t dare touch you?” Yang Yuqi sneered.

Liu Qi said, “I mean no disrespect. My life was saved by the general. If you wish to kill me, I have no objection.”

Yang Yuqi snorted and shoved him away.

Liu Qi fell hard onto the ground but slowly got to his feet.

Yang Yuqi sized him up and mocked, “Sima Yun sure made you look quite handsome. With that appearance, you could work as a male entertainer in the pleasure quarters.”

Liu Qi replied, “If the general truly wishes to send me to the pleasure quarters, I would not oppose it.”

“You wretch! If I sent you there, it would be because I was delighted to do so. But I won’t let you have your way!” Yang Yuqi suddenly flew into a rage.

Liu Qi was taken aback, unable to understand the source of her anger, and knelt to apologize.

Yang Yuqi snorted and fell silent for a moment before asking, “Do you think I resemble a woman?”

“Huh?” This question baffled Liu Qi.

What was this question for? Was it some kind of test? But he couldn’t fathom what she intended to probe.

“I asked if I look like a woman!” Yang Yuqi repeated impatiently.

After a pause, Liu Qi answered, “The general is already a woman. There is no need to say ‘look like.’ Though you are female, your prowess surpasses many men; few men can match your abilities.”

“Is that so?” Yang Yuqi’s tone softened. She looked down at her chest, tightly wrapped in cloth, and touched it gently. “If it weren’t for it growing larger, I might almost forget that I’m a woman.”

Liu Qi glanced at Yang Yuqi. Her graceful figure was unmistakable, even beneath the tight binding.

But this method of binding would stunt development and increase the risk of future ailments. Though Liu Qi knew this well, he chose not to mention it.

First, he doubted Yang Yuqi would heed the warning.

Second, Yang Yuqi was the executioner who had brought down the Kang dynasty; Liu Qi saw no reason to advise her.

“That’s only natural,” Liu Qi replied.

Yang Yuqi said, “They become more and more troublesome. Sometimes I even consider consulting a renowned physician to have them removed.”

Liu Qi was shocked to hear this. To continue fighting on the battlefield, Yang Yuqi was willing to have her breasts surgically removed? That was brutal indeed.

No wonder the Kang dynasty had been defeated by such an enemy.

“So Sima Yun took you away but now sends you back to me to keep an eye on me, right?” Yang Yuqi asked.

Liu Qi shuddered but remained silent.

Yang Yuqi sneered and continued, “I suspect this is the Qi Prince’s idea. Otherwise, given how fond Sima Yun is of you, why would she send you back here?”

Liu Qi said, “Master Sima said I should return to the general during the day and go back to her at night.”

“The Qi Prince is quite confident. Such blatant behavior is clearly a test of my limits,” Yang Yuqi remarked.

Liu Qi replied, “The general once ordered me to monitor Sima Yun and the Qi Prince. I have not forgotten.”

“Then whose side are you on—yours or mine?” Yang Yuqi asked.

Liu Qi said, “My life belongs to you, so naturally, so do I.”

Yang Yuqi smiled faintly, “Is that so? Then stay here at the Yang residence tonight.”

Liu Qi hesitated.

Staying at the Yang estate would be preferable since returning to Sima Yun’s place meant enduring another round of exhaustion. Though previous times had been pleasurable, over time, it became terrifying.

After all, Sima Yun was like a bottomless pit, her desires like a flood breaking through a dam—uncontrollable and overwhelming, leaving Liu Qi utterly drained and miserable.

Yet this arrangement was the Qi Prince’s decision. If Liu Qi refused to return, it would be open defiance of the prince’s orders. Should the prince execute him for that, Liu Qi would be utterly helpless.

“General, I would be glad to stay here, but returning to the Sima residence is the Qi Prince’s idea. If I do not return, that would be blatant disobedience. I am lowly and my death would be insignificant, but if you were implicated because of me, I would bear an unforgivable guilt,” Liu Qi bowed his head and said.