Chapter 2829 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 34

Jin Chen and Ling Gun Gun were bickering when the training session on the field ended.

Gu Fanghe sheathed his sword, took the towel handed to him by the bandit, casually wiped the sweat from his face and neck, and then strode towards him. Sunlight fell on his honey-colored neck, and his chest and abdominal muscles rose and fell slightly with his breath under his short shirt, making him look wild and sexy.

Jin Chen picked up a handkerchief and wiped his forehead, then handed him a teacup. "The chief has impressive skills."

Just being praised like that filled Gu Fanghe with joy.

He took the teacup, tilted his head back and drank it, then kissed Jin Chen on the lips, the aroma of tea mingling between their lips and teeth.

At this moment, Liu Mianfeng and Chen Xiaoshan walked over.

Liu Mianfeng waved his fan and said, "Brother, a scout has reported that Shi Meng and Yan Qi are already waiting in the council room."

Gu Fanghe hummed in agreement and took Jin Chen's hand. "Let's go together."

The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy.

Besides the five leaders and Jin Chen, there were also two weary spies kneeling below.

One of them clasped his hands and reported, "Reporting to the chief and fellow chiefs, our spy team has discovered in Nanzhou City that the Third Prince... has secretly arrived in Nanzhou City. He did not make a big fuss, but only brought a team of elite guards, disguised as an ordinary wealthy merchant."

Gu Fanghe frowned. "When did this happen?"

"After entering the city in about a few days, the Third Prince secretly acquired three restaurants, located in the most bustling East Market, the most spacious West Suburbs, and the most secluded North Alley. These three places form a triangle, so if anything changes, they can support each other."

"The place is heavily guarded, and our men dare not get too close. However, we discovered that the governor of Nanzhou and several of his confidants have secretly visited the place several times in the past few days, and their demeanor is respectful, unlike a normal visit."

Liu Mianfeng waved his fan and narrowed his eyes. "Strange, why isn't the Third Prince busy vying for power with the Crown Prince? What is he doing in Nanzhou?"

Shi Meng interjected in a gruff voice, "Who cares what they want to do! Anyway, anyone connected to the imperial court is up to no good! We, Black Mountain Stronghold, are their sworn enemies!"

Another spy chimed in, "Our undercover agents have discovered that the Third Prince's bodyguards are secretly searching for someone."

"Who are you looking for?" Gu Fanghe's eyes narrowed.

“Seeking…” The scout raised his head, glanced at Jin Chen sitting next to Gu Fanghe, and then quickly lowered his head again, “Seeking… Young Master Ruan.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Gu Fanghe sneered, "He really is connected to the prince. His so-called search for medicine for his father is a pretense; his real purpose is to secretly investigate Black Mountain Village."

Chen Xiaoshan: "We are sworn enemies with the Crown Prince, but the Third Prince... is no pushover either. He has come to Nanzhou now, and I'm afraid he has no good intentions."

Shi Meng clenched his fists and said in a gruff voice, "Shall we go into the city to scout it out?"

Gu Fanghe was silent for a moment, then said, "If I go myself, perhaps... I can still see old friends."

The "old friends" he referred to were not the Third Prince, but those who had joined forces with the Crown Prince's faction in the court to drive him to the brink of despair.

Is the Third Prince's visit also related to the events of that year?

Jin Chen sat beside him without saying a word, her fingertips playing with Gu Fanghe's fingers under the table. Only then did she look up and say, "Going into the city? Then I'll go too."

He leaned back in his chair, his fingertips idly playing with Gu Fanghe's fingers. "Staying in the village for too long is getting rather boring; it's good to go out for a walk."

Gu Fanghe frowned. The situation in the city was unclear, the Third Prince was hiding, and there were many dangers. How could he let Jin Chen take risks?

However, before he could speak, Yan Qi next to him clapped his hands excitedly, "Great! Brother Jin, I'll go with you! I know where the most fun places are in Nanzhou City, which snacks are the most authentic, and which storyteller tells the most exciting stories!"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow and gave him a look that resembled that of the two brothers.

Looking at his smile, Gu Fanghe swallowed back the refusal that was on the tip of his tongue.

He recalled Jin Chen's appearance in the bamboo forest with the mountain king, and his calmness when dealing with Ruan Shutong's body... His young master was never a delicate flower that needed to be raised in a greenhouse.

Jin Chen has the ability to protect himself, even... far beyond his own imagination.

More importantly, Gu Fanghe didn't want to leave Jin Chen alone in the village. Even though he knew the village was safe, the thought of being separated, even for just a few days, filled him with a sense of emptiness and unease. Only by keeping Jin Chen under his watchful eye at all times could he feel at ease.

"Okay, but you must stay close to me and not act on your own."

Jin Chen blinked, her smile deepening. "Alright, I'll do whatever you say, Boss."

-

That night, in the warm courtyard.

Gu Fanghe was pulled along by Liu Mianfeng and Chen Xiaoshan to discuss the details and contingency plans for entering the city the next day.

Jin Chen sat at the stone table, waiting for Gu Fanghe to return.

The moonlight was beautiful. He suddenly felt a gaze upon him, looked up, and saw that the murderous intent appeared for only a moment before turning into a faint doubt.

A dark shadow swept across the wall, followed by two loud thuds as something fell to the ground.

A short knife and a jade pendant.

The short sword has a thin blade, making it suitable for someone without martial arts skills, while the jade pendant...

Jin Chen picked it up and examined it. A royal item, how strange.

wrong.

Jin Chen looked at the two items and suddenly smiled, realizing that someone had mistaken him for someone else.

He casually tossed the dagger and jade pendant into the house. As soon as he sat down, Ayan brought over a fruit platter. The fruit wasn't in season for spring, but it was very fresh.

"Young Master, the Boss sent me to deliver this." Ayan said with a grin, "I heard from Adong that this is fresh fruit from beyond the Great Wall. It was sent to you by fast horse. The Boss is so good to you."

Jin Chen smiled and told him to put it down.

Ayan placed the fruit plate on the stone table, then brought out the tea set before leaving and returning to her side room. She quietly closed the door, knowing she shouldn't be disturbed at night.

Jin Chen picked up a grape.

Grapes have thin skins and thick flesh. When you put them in your mouth and press them with the tip of your tongue, the flesh melts in your mouth, releasing its abundant juice.

After a while, Gu Fanghe walked in.

He had already washed up and changed into clean nightgowns, loosely tied, revealing his honey-colored chest and firm abs. He walked up to Jin Chen, who raised his hand, pinching a grape between his fingertips and bringing it to his lips.

"Want to try some?" Jin Chen tilted his head, his smile incredibly gentle in the warm candlelight.

Gu Fanghe looked at the alluring water droplet on his fingertip and suddenly took a step forward.

Jin Chen sat while he stood, his legs straddling Jin Chen's knees. To Jin Chen's slightly surprised look, Gu Fanghe slightly bent his knees, facing Jin Chen directly, and straddled him.

The loose robes appeared less loose due to the straddling posture, subtly outlining the waist, hips, and taut thigh muscles.

Jin Chen took the opportunity to put his arm around Gu Fanghe's waist, his fingertips gently caressing his waist. "The chief is in high spirits tonight."

Gu Fanghe leaned down slightly, took the grape that Jin Chen offered from his fingertips, and touched Jin Chen's fingertips.

She looked up again, then down at him, her eyes deep and filled with complex emotions: infatuation, possessiveness, and a vague unease.

Jin Chen noticed it.

He picked up a grape and offered it to Gu Fanghe's lips.

One, and another.

Gu Fanghe accepted all the food offered and ate it all.

There were too many grapes, and the juice was too abundant. Some of them spilled out of the corners of their lips, slid down their chins, and dripped onto their chests before they could be swallowed.

The white nightgown was soaked with juice and clung to the honey-colored chest, revealing the firm texture and slight bulge.

The water stains spread, and Jin Chen pressed his fingertips against them.

Through the soaked fabric, he could feel the rise and fall of her chest beneath him. He pressed very lightly, as if playing with a precious jade artifact, his fingertips slowly drawing circles on the wet patches, as if he were handling any object.

Gu Fanghe froze, then looked up at Jin Chen.

Jin Chen looked at him, her lips curved into a smile, her eyes deep and her gaze like hooks, captivating him completely.

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, but the words that came out of his mouth turned into a muffled groan of pain.

The grape juice continued to drip down, soaking more of his clothes and also wetting Jin Chen's fingers that were pressed against his chest.

Sticky, sweet and fishy, ​​mixed with body heat, it becomes an ambiguous sensation.

“Tomorrow…” Gu Fanghe finally spoke, his voice hoarse, “Tomorrow we enter the city, you… must stay close to me.”

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, his fingertips idly toying with the redder grapes, which were sweeter than any of the grapes in the fruit bowl.

He asked with a playful tone, "What? Afraid I'll get lost?"

Gu Fanghe didn't answer, but lowered his head and buried his face in his neck. The scent of sandalwood mixed with the sweetness of grapes was like some kind of poison, penetrating deep into his bones, making him feel sweet but also terrified.

He feared that something might happen if he went into the city tomorrow.

They were afraid that the Third Prince and his group would harm Jin Chen.

I'm afraid... afraid that if Jin Chen leaves Black Mountain Village, he won't need me anymore.

Gu Fanghe tightened his arms, holding the person even closer, his eyes glazed over, "Xiao Chen..."

Jin Chen sensed his unease and stopped teasing him. She raised her hand and stroked the back of Gu Fanghe's neck, her voice soft, "Yes, I'm here."

"I won't lose you, and I won't... abandon you."

Gu Fanghe was startled.

He suddenly lowered his head and kissed Jin Chen's lips.

Jin Chen indulged him, but his hand was still on Gu Fanghe, making Gu Fanghe's breathing more and more disordered, his face as red as blood, and his face covered with a thin layer of sweat.

After a long while, the two finally separated.

Gu Fanghe's eyes were tinged with a rosy, decadent red, as if they were stained with rouge, and his lips were stained with grape juice.

Looking at him like this, Jin Chen felt a slightly wicked urge to control being satisfied. She cupped Gu Fanghe's face, wiped the water droplets from the corner of his lips with her thumb, and asked in a low voice, "Want more?"

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple bobbed, but he didn't speak. He simply lowered his head and kissed her again.