Volume 1, Chapter 10: Seizing the Person
At that moment, Sima Yun was still entangled with Liu Qi inside the canopy. Suddenly, a spear-bearing guard outside reported, “My lord, Vice General Guan requests an audience.”
“Vice General Guan?” Sima Yun, lying atop Liu Qi and about to resume their intimate moment, was interrupted.
Slightly annoyed, she called out, “Tell him to wait outside!”
Yet Vice General Guan’s voice came through the canopy, “Lord Sima, under General Yang’s orders, I have come to take Liu Qi back.”
Hearing this, Liu Qi instinctively glanced at Sima Yun resting on him—her alluring form left him momentarily unsure where to look.
Sima Yun looked down at Liu Qi, a mischievous smile curling her lips, then said to Vice General Guan outside, “General Yang is quite amusing. She sent him to me, and now she wants him back. Is this some sort of game?”
Guan explained, “My lord, General Yang means no mockery. I am merely carrying out orders. Please—”
“Carrying out orders? Then go back and report this: when the general gives an order, it is swift and final. Once something is sent out, there is no reason for it to come back,” Sima Yun scoffed coldly.
Vice General Guan was speechless. After a pause, he said, “My lord, please do not make things difficult for me.”
“Not for you, then for me?” she retorted.
“That is not my intention, my lord, please believe me!”
Sima Yun snorted, no longer interested in play. She sat at the bedside, crossing one leg over the other, arms propped behind her—both indulgent and commanding.
“He’s right here. If you have the courage, come inside and take him yourself,” she said coldly.
What was meant as a threat unexpectedly prompted the straightforward Vice General Guan to draw aside the canopy and step inside.
Though the canopy concealed her body, it was made of sheer silk. While details were unclear, from outside it was unmistakable that Sima Yun was naked.
Seeing this, Vice General Guan was terrified, immediately dropping to his knees and bowing deeply, unable to raise his head.
“I deserve death!” he trembled in fear.
Sima Yun, draped casually in a silk shawl, stepped out of the canopy, looking down at the trembling vice general. Her sumptuous figure was irresistibly seductive, yet he dared not meet her gaze.
“Do you like what you see?” she asked coldly.
“I deserve death! I deserve death!” he stammered.
Though Sima Yun’s rank was modest, her connections were intricate. Not only was Vice General Guan afraid to offend her openly, even Yang Yuqi dared not cross her.
Still, Sima Yun would not kill recklessly in Yang Yuqi’s camp, especially since Guan was Yang’s trusted deputy who had fought alongside her in many campaigns.
“The man is on the bed. Go get him yourself,” Sima Yun ordered.
Vice General Guan knelt frozen in place.
“Come here,” Sima Yun said, turning to Liu Qi.
Liu Qi rose and approached her.
With a swift movement, Sima Yun drew a knife and handed it to Liu Qi. “Treat him the way he treated you.”
Vice General Guan shuddered, lowering his head further.
Liu Qi looked at the knife in his hand, then at the kneeling Guan.
This man had not only humiliated him but nearly killed him. With one strike, Liu Qi could end his life.
Yet he did not.
He was not foolish. If even Sima Yun dared not kill him, how could he, a mere slave?
Moreover, their paths would cross again. To make an enemy of Guan now would only invite greater trouble.
When lowly and powerless, one must refuse any so-called reward—it is not generosity but a test.
True rewards come only when your status merits them. Liu Qi understood this well.
Though still a slave, Sima Yun had given him the power to kill Guan. Was this reasonable?
Clearly not.
Since Sima Yun herself did not dare kill him, how could he?
So Liu Qi lowered the knife and said to Sima Yun, “I will go back with him.”
“What?” Sima Yun’s eyes blazed. “Say that again!”
“I don’t want to put you in danger. If Vice General Guan reports back like this, General Yang will surely hold a grudge against you. That’s not something I want to see,” Liu Qi explained.
Sima Yun’s expression softened slightly but remained displeased. “Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
“My position is low, my words insignificant. Death means little. But if my death causes you harm, I would be unforgivable,” Liu Qi said sincerely.
Of course, this sincerity was a mask.
Sima Yun’s gaze shifted subtly, and her tense body relaxed a little.
She said nothing, turned, and began dressing inside the canopy.
“Then go,” her voice came from within.
Vice General Guan exhaled in relief, stood, still bowing his head, and did not dare look forward.
“Thank you, my lord,” he said, clasping his fists.
“Tell General Yang I will join her shortly. Keep that boy’s life for me,” Sima Yun commanded.
“Yes,” Guan bowed and left the camp with Liu Qi.
As soon as they left the canopy, Guan slapped Liu Qi hard across the face.
Dazed, Liu Qi fell to the ground.
“You’re truly worthless. So quick to cozy up to Lady Sima. If you don’t become a male prostitute, you’re wasting your talent,” Guan sneered, spitting on Liu Qi.
Liu Qi said nothing but quietly rose, burning with anger inside.
I saved your life, yet you repay me with blows and humiliation. Truly a cursed fate!
Yet Liu Qi understood one thing: in their eyes, he was not even human. Gratitude was out of the question.
Sometimes it’s not that what you do is wrong, but your low status means everything you do is wrong—even if it’s right.
Liu Qi followed Guan into the camp. Once inside, Guan kicked him in the knee, forcing him to kneel.
“General, the man has been brought,” Guan announced.
Yang Yuqi sat calmly by the table, sipping wine, motioning Guan away.
Guan bowed and said, “General, Lady Sima said she will arrive shortly and asked you to spare this boy’s life.”
“Hmm,” Yang Yuqi replied without looking up.
Guan left the camp.
“Come here,” Yang Yuqi commanded, removing her boots to reveal pale, delicate feet.
Liu Qi hesitated a moment, then silently stood.
“Crawl over here!” Yang Yuqi ordered angrily.
Liu Qi immediately knelt and crawled toward her.
“Lick,” she commanded.