Chapter 2837 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 42

That night, in the warm room.

Jin Chen sat by the bed and treated Gu Fanghe's wounds.

Gu Fanghe was shirtless, his honey-colored skin covered with a mix of old and new scars. Today, most of the injuries were on his shoulders and back. Although none were serious, they were quite gruesome and heartbreaking to see.

Jin Chen used a clean cloth to apply water mixed with pain-relieving herbs to the wound little by little. The water seeped into the skin and flesh, causing a slight stinging sensation, but Gu Fanghe felt very comfortable.

Because Jin Chen is there.

After applying the medicine, Jin Chen sat behind him and gently kissed his shoulder.

Gu Fanghe trembled, and the tension that had been building all day finally eased.

"Xiao Chen..."

Jin Chen hugged him, gently stroking the back of his neck with her fingers. "I'm here."

Gu Fanghe eagerly grasped Jin Chen's hand that was wrapped around his waist, then raised his head, turned his face, and sought his lips.

Jin Chen lowered his head and kissed Gu Fanghe's slightly chapped lips gently and tenderly.

Gu Fanghe closed his eyes, feeling Jin Chen's tenderness.

He recalled the scene in the mountains earlier that day, where Jin Chen stood amidst the ferocious beasts, his eyes languid yet holding the lives of everyone in his hands.

His young master was mysterious and powerful, like an immortal descended to earth.

But at this moment, Jin Chen's kiss, embrace, and the sensation of his fingertips tracing his back transformed his unease into a surging, throbbing heartbeat.

How could he not be captivated, how could he not be consumed by it to the point of death?

After a long while, the two finally separated.

Jin Chen pressed his forehead against Gu Fanghe's, smoothing his slightly sweaty black hair, his breathing slightly erratic. "You seem distracted. What are you thinking about?"

Gu Fanghe remained silent for a moment before whispering, "I'm thinking... about the future."

"Xiao Chen, after today, I'm afraid Black Mountain Stronghold can't stay for long."

Jin Chen paused in stroking his back. "Hmm?"

He really wants to become emperor.

Gu Fanghe slowly raised his head and looked into Jin Chen's eyes. "Wu Zhengchu died here, and the Crown Prince was captured. The court... will not let this go easily. Even if they compromise temporarily, it will definitely be a major threat in the future. Black Mountain Stronghold is easy to defend and difficult to attack, but ultimately... it is not a place to stay for long."

"The Gu family army has been willing to follow me into banditry for seven years. I should lead them back to the battlefield. Seven years... how many seven-year periods does one have in a lifetime?"

“Yan Qi was only fifteen when he came, and now he is twenty-two. He should have spent those seven years training in the army, learning to write in school, or enjoying the company of his parents… but instead he followed me, crawling and fighting in these mountains, licking blood from the edge of a knife.”

“Liu Mianfeng… He is a genius of unparalleled talent. Back in the capital, many princes and nobles wanted to recruit him but failed. However, because of my close friendship with him, he was implicated by me and had to hide his identity and become the third leader in this mountain stronghold. He has a lot of strategies, but he can only use them to scheme against a few corrupt officials.”

"Chen Xiaoshan was my best deputy general. He should have made great achievements on the frontier and been ennobled and appointed as a general... Shi Meng was honest and loyal. He was a fierce general who charged into battle, but he also stayed with me and was trapped in the mountains."

With each person Gu Fanghe spoke, his voice grew even lower. “For the past seven years… I’ve been constantly on edge, just wanting to give them an explanation, a future where they can live with dignity, where they no longer have to hide or hide, no longer have to bear the stigma. I can’t… let them follow me and be trapped in this Black Mountain forever.”

Jin Chen listened quietly, stroking his back as if comforting a wounded beast that had finally returned to its den and revealed its vulnerable side.

After Gu Fanghe finished speaking, Jin Chen placed a kiss on Gu Fanghe's neck and wiped away the moisture from the corner of his eye with her fingertips. "You care about them, and I care about you."

"You don't care how many injuries you have, or how tired or miserable you are, so I'll care about you more and feel more sorry for you... okay?"

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple bobbed.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could utter a word, his eyes welled up with tears.

He rarely shed tears; he endured the battles on the battlefield, the infighting in the court, and even the tragic death of his younger brother.

But today, having avenged his great grudge, the string that had been taut in his heart for seven years finally loosened, only to be punctured by Jin Chen's words.

Those emotions that had been suppressed for far too long finally burst forth.

Gu Fanghe nodded vigorously, his arms tightening as if he wanted to surrender his entire life and weight to this embrace. He choked back tears, burying his face in Jin Chen's chest, his shoulders trembling slightly, soaking the fabric of Jin Chen's clothes and searing their hearts.

Jin Chen held him in her arms, gently stroking his back with her fingers, letting Gu Fanghe shed the tears he had suppressed for seven years into his embrace.

It took Gu Fanghe a long time to recover.

He raised his head, his eyes red, yet he stubbornly sought Jin Chen's lips, demanding more kisses and comfort.

Jin Chen indulged him, kissing him passionately and tenderly, almost to the point of suffocation.

Those exhilarating pains and pleasures have now been emptied from Gu Fanghe's world, leaving only a heart full of tenderness and a satisfied tranquility.

Jin Chen leaned back slightly, ending the kiss, until her breathing became erratic.

He looked at Gu Fanghe, his fingertips still gently stroking his back, and suddenly laughed, "I used to say that I would stay here with you forever... I shouldn't have said that."

Gu Fanghe was taken aback, and the unease he had finally managed to suppress surged up again.

He didn't want to hear what Jin Chen was about to say.

Gu Fanghe was afraid to hear words of regret, afraid to hear words of leaving, afraid to hear... any words he could not bear.

He thought, why shouldn't I say that?

I really like you, so you regret it and are leaving now?

But Jin Chen didn't give him a chance to overthink.

He lowered his eyes, his fingers gently caressing Gu Fanghe's chest, pressing on the indentation that rose and fell slightly due to tension.

"I should say, if you go to the battlefield, I will go to the battlefield with you."

“If you go to the capital, I will go with you to the capital.”

“If you go to the court, I will accompany you to the court.”

"No matter where you go, no matter if the road ahead is fraught with danger or smooth sailing, I will be with you, okay? Are you willing?"

Gu Fanghe stared at him blankly.

What did he hear?

He heard the most beautiful love words of his life.

He promised to walk alongside him no matter which path he chose.

Gu Fanghe wanted to say yes, to say he would never let you down in this life... but a thousand words were stuck in his chest, and he could only clumsily and stubbornly repeat the same answer over and over again, "I'm willing..."

"I do."

"Little Chen...Young Master, I do..."

Gu Fanghe pulled Jin Chen into his arms tightly, as if he wanted to embed him into his very bones and soul, never to be separated again.

Jin Chen was held tightly in his arms, her heart filled with tenderness and bittersweetness. She hugged Gu Fanghe back and kissed him.

The mountains and rivers bear witness, my heart remains steadfast.