Married Thrice to Salted Fish

l water.
Sure enough, other people’s bodies were nothing but lumps of flesh to him.
Only Gu Fuzhou’s body could make his hand feel rotten.

 

“I’ll have someone deliver the medicine to you.
After applying it for a few days, the swelling should go down.” Lin Qingyu looked out the window, “What time is it?”

Huan Tong said, “It should almost be Shenshi.” 

It was still too early for Gu Fuzhou to return to the Mansion.
Lin Qingyu thought about it and ordered Yuan Yin to prepare the carriage.
Yuan Yin asked, “Is Madam going to the Imperial Medical Office?”

“No, I’m going to the military camp.”

The capital’s military camp of the capital was located ten li away from the city.
It was a camp for cavalry that protected the safety of the capital.
Gu Fuzhou worked miracles maneuvering troops but he refused to step foot on the battlefield.
The emperor then asked him to oversee the drills of the cavalry, making the best use of him while he was in the capital.

It was the first time for Lin Qingyu to come to the camp.
As soon as he got off the carriage, he felt sharp eyes cast their eyes towards him.
A guard with a sword barred his way.
“Who is it?” 

The groom said, “This is the General’s wife.”

“Wife?” The guard looked Lin Qingyu up and down.
He’d heard that the General’s wife was a beauty and the man in front of him was indeed every inch a beauty.
The carriage he rode in on was also the carriage of the General’s Mansion.
The guards were well-trained and even though he knew that this was the General’s wife, he still handled matters according to the rules.
“I will have to ask the Madam to undergo facial recognition first.”

“Facial recognition?” Lin Qingyu wondered, “What is that?”

“Oh, uh, only those who look familiar to us can enter.
New faces must register first and then report to the General.” 

While Lin Qingyu was registering, someone had already notified Gu Fuzhou.
As soon as he put down the brush, he heard a familiar voice.
“Qingyu.”

Gu Fuzhou in the barracks is completely different from Gu Fuzhou at home.
His long hair was tied up, not a single strand left loose.
His outline looked as though it had been carved; his figure tall and straight.
He he walked towards him in large strides, his dark red cape fluttered behind him.

Gu Fuzhou stood in front of Lin Qingyu, looking down at him.
“Why did you suddenly come?”

Lin Qingyu knew that Gu Fuzhou had to put on an act while in the capital’s military camp.
“I’m here to take the general home.” 

If they were at home, Gu Fuzhou would already be smiling so wide, the corners of his lips would be sent flying.
But at this time, he did not have much of a reaction, only his eyes held a smile.
“I still have an hour to go before I can leave.
You can accompany me until then.”

Lin Qingyu followed Gu Fuzhou into the camp.
His temperament was cold but his appearance was bright and handsome.
This contrast created an irresistible attraction and he created a strong sense of presence no matter where he went.
Most of the men in the barracks big, burly and rough fellows.
Where would they ordinarily be able to see such a beauty? Everyone wanted a second look but they revered general and in turn, they held the General’s wife in awe as well.
They all firmly restrained themselves from staring.

Gu Fuzhou brought Lin Qingyu into his tent and after waving the others away, he immediately revealed his original form.
He took Lin Qingyu’s hand and sat down, saying with a smile, “What a wonderful day today is! Doctor Lin actually came to pick me up from work.
Could it be that you came here to check up on me?”

Lin Qingyu said, “Huan Tong was kicked by a sheep and I thought of you.” 

“Huh? How are these two things connected?” Gu Fuzhou asked, puzzled, “I have never been kicked by a sheep.”

Lin Qingyu smiled and said nothing.
He looked around the tent and saw that it looked very prim and proper.
He asked, “What do you normally do here?”

 

“Feed the horse, lift weights, sleep.”

Lin Qingyu understood, “In short, skipping out on work.” 

“You can’t say that.” Gu Fuzhou played absent-mindedly with the fur collar of Lin Qingyu’s marten coat, “I have also made great contributions to this cavalry camp.”

“For example?”

“I invigorate and boost the morale of the soldiers.
I a bright beacon when the soldiers are in low spirits.” Gu Fuzhou stood with his hands behind his back, a serious expression on his face, “Only by training to your utmost can His Majesty sit on the dragon throne in greater comfort; only by taking less of the provisions can the  imperial concubines’ headdresses be made even more resplendent.
The road is long and winding but the men of our Dayu is never afraid of hardship, never afraid of weariness.
By giving yourself a chance, you give the Dayu a chance.
A person’s life is but the glimpse a white horse through a chink in the wall.
Laziness in one’s youth spells regret in old age.
Everyone wants to be idl but it is only through exerting oneself that someone, one will overcome indolence.
There is nothing a determined person cannot accomplish…”

“You’re making them do what you yourself can’t.” Lin Qingyu spoke for the many soldiers who admired Gu Fuzhou, “You despicable stranger.” 

“It can’t be helped.
Who made it so that hot-blooded men loved hearing stuff like this?” Gu Fuzhou had said a lot and was now feeling a little thirsty.
There were no tea sets in the barracks, only waterskins.
Gu Fuzhou opened the waterskin and took a sip.
He asked Lin Qingyu, “Do you want a drink?”

Lin Qingyu took the waterskin.
He then took out a handkerchief and wiped the mouth of the bag.
He was about o drink when Gu Fuzhou took it back.

Lin Qingyu threw him a puzzled look.
Gu Fuzhou raised his head and took another sip.
He then stuffed the waterskin into Lin Qingyu’s hand and said, “Drink.”

Lin Qingyu stared at the mouth of the waterskin and at an angle that Gu Fuzhou couldn’t see, his lips curved.
“It seems like I’m not thirsty anymore.” 

“Does Doctor Lin not even want to touch this general’s mouth indirectly?” Gu Fuzhou sneered coldly, “Why, afraid it would ruin your mouth?”

Lin Qingyu nodded.
“A little bit.”

Gu Fuzhou laughed angrily.
For the first time, he showed his domineering side in front of Lin Qingyu.
“Today you must drink this water, Lin Qingyu.
Else, you can’t leave.”

Lin Qingyu raised his eyelashes.
“If I want to leave, will the General stop me?” 

Gu Fuzhou raised his hand, but before Lin Qingyu could react, the man took off his hairpin.
Outside, were people from the cavalry, Lin Qingyu naturally couldn’t go out with his hair down.

Gu Fuzhou twirled the hairpin between his fingers and then held it firmly in the palm of his hand.
“I’ll return it to you after you drink.”

Lin Qingyu looked at Gu Fuzhou.
“Why do you like taking people’s hairpins so much—is this a habit you developed in your hometown?”

“It’s a habit I developed on you.” Gu Fuzhou said coolly, “If I touch you anywhere else, I’m afraid you’d call me a lecher so the only thing I can take advantage of is your hair.” 

So long as it’s not a habit he’s developed on other girls.
Lin Qingyu took the waterskin, raised his head and took a sip.
He asked, “Are you satisfied?” He didn’t even know what indirect touch meant.

Gu Fuzhou was satisfied but also not completely.
He said with a not-quite smile.
“Unexpectedly, Doctor Lin still dislikes me.”

 

Lin Qingyu comforted him, “I don’t dislike you.
I was joking with you.”

“Really?” 

“If I dislike you, would I still let you in my bed?

Gu Fuzhou was finally persuaded.
He helped Lin Qingyu re-tie his hair.
“Doctor Lin has now also learned to joke.” He asked pointedly, “Who did you learn it from?”

Lin Qingyu didn’t give the answer Gu Fuzhou wanted to hear.
“Naturally, I learned from Huan Tong.
Huan Tong loves to joke.
It’s not like the General doesn’t know.”

Gu Fuzhou laughed softly and said, “Did you really come here to pick your husband up from work, Doctor Lin? Or to infuriate him to death in the military camp?” 

When the time came, the two of them went home together.
In the carriage, Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou talked about Xi Rong’s visit.
Gu Fuzhou concluded, “Now, we have the Empress in the inner palace, the Nan’an Hou among the civil servants, a lot of generals among the military and even Xi Rong and Xiao Jie have climbed on board.
It could be said that all is at the ready, all that is needed is an east wind.”

Lin Qingyu added, “The Emperor has me by his side.”

Gu Fuzhou understood what Lin Qingyu meant and reminded him, “You are not the only imperial physician by the emperor’s side.
And the others are no vegetarians.”

Lin Qingyu said, “If I want to lay a hand on the Emperor, I won’t be doing so through his medication.” 

Gu Fuzhou recalled what Lin Qingyu had been working on during this period.
“You’re thinking of using Gu?”

Lin Qingyu nodded.
“Chu Zhengde only knows a thing or two about Gu.
If a strange Gu were to be planted in the emperor’s body, he might not become aware of it.”

Gu Fuzhou thought for a while, and said, “I think the key lies in Xiao Cheng.”

“Why?” 

“As long as Xiao Cheng proves unworthy of being crown price, even if you don’t use a Gu on the Emperor, the Emperor would depose him.”

The author has something to say: Indirect kiss, dame!