Is the Director General Groveling for His Highness Again? - Chapter 3

Even though climbing into this bed was hardly a first for him, Xie Yu always maintained an air of utmost deference. He lived in constant fear of overstepping terrified that a lapse in etiquette during their intimacy might make the Prince find him uncouth.

As Xie Yu crawled onto the bed, Qin Hechuan made no move to draw the curtains. Xie Yu, long accustomed to this lack of privacy, offered no objection.

Kneeling, Xie Yu leaned in to undo Qin Hechuan’s robes, but the Prince suddenly caught him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Qin Hechuan began to graze his teeth against Xie Yu’s ear, his breath hot and deliberate.

“The Director smells so lovely of jasmine today,” Qin Hechuan whispered.

The words sent a shiver through Xie Yu’s ears. Despite their history, Xie Yu remained utterly defenseless against the Prince; his body went limp in an instant.

Arching his back slightly as he rested in Qin Hechuan’s arms, Xie Yu was too bashful to lift his head, yet his body betrayed him, instinctively leaning closer. A single question from the Prince was all it took to leave his breathing in tatters.

“Your Highness. your servant has bathed before coming. You may… use me as you please…”

The room was thick with an undeniable sensuality. Even a glimpse of the Prince’s bare skin sent a surge of desperate longing through Xie Yu. He couldn’t help but inhale deeply, intoxicated by the Prince’s scent.

Qin Hechuan reached out, his fingers threading through Xie Yu’s hair before suddenly tightening his grip.

Having served Qin Hechuan many times, Xie Yu knew exactly what this gesture meant. He had been stealing glances for a long while, but without the Prince’s signal, he didn’t dare move, fearing he would appear too eager.

“Master, your servant has missed you so. You haven’t seen me for days. Was my service lacking? Or does Master have someone else? someone more skilled than me?”

Hearing the faint, petulant note in Xie Yu’s voice, Qin Hechuan pinched his chin and tilted his face upward.

“Oh? Does the Director now require I seek his approval before choosing whom to favor?”

“No… your servant wouldn’t dare. Please, Master, do not say such things. I misspoke…”

In the haze of the moment, Xie Yu had let his guard down and forgotten his place. Terrified that the Prince would fixate on this mistake, he hurried to redirect his attention, lowering himself and pouring every ounce of effort into his service.

Amused, Qin Hechuan didn’t press the matter. He leaned back against the headboard, lazily enjoying Xie Yu’s devoted ministrations. His touch was rough and careless, showing no regard for whether Xie Yu could handle it.

Only when the candles had nearly guttered out did Qin Hechuan finally let go. Xie Yu huddled against the quilt, coughing fitfully. Once he had gathered himself, he looked up again, his expression returning to that familiar, submissive mask. He uttered a single line that finally made Qin Hechuan laugh.

“Master was. truly magnificent.”

“Hahaha! Well said, Director Xie!”

Qin Hechuan was two years younger than Xie Yu, and in the prime of his youth, one round was hardly enough. Yet, he had no intention of continuing with Xie Yu. He leaned back with his arms spread wide. Xie Yu, seeing this, knew his work wasn’t finished, but. anything further was beyond his station to provide.

Xie Yu gave the Prince a fawning smile, his eyes shimmering with a seductive charm that seemed to fill the room. Qin Hechuan was partial to this look, the fact that the formidable, ruthless head of the Eastern Depot became a docile lamb in his presence.

“Director, are you satisfied?”

Qin Hechuan knew Xie Yu was addicted to him. If the Prince so much as dropped a handkerchief, Xie Yu would secret it away in his sleeve, clutching it to his heart and inhaling its scent in private.

“I am. I thank Your Highness for the grace. Shall your servant sing a few lines of ‘Crossing the River’ for you?”

“Sing.”

Qin Hechuan tilted his head back, his silk robes draped loosely over his frame. He listened listlessly as Xie Yu sang a performance for his ears only. That supple waist and melodious voice were his alone to enjoy. He watched with cold clarity as Xie Yu’s eyes remained fixed on him, filled with nothing but him.

Xie Yu stood barefoot on the brocade sheets. Despite his bare face and lack of adornment, he sang with all his heart. His thin garment, translucent against the light, accentuated every curve of his body.

To Qin Hechuan, the Xie Yu in his bed was far more captivating than the one on the stage.

“Master.  if I am still pleasing to your eye. might I beg for one more favor?”

Looking into Xie Yu’s obsessive, longing gaze, Qin Hechuan didn’t speak. Instead, he simply let his left hand drop from the headboard, dangling it in front of Xie Yu.

Even with his head bowed, Xie Yu couldn’t hide his joy. He knelt by the bedside, cradling Qin Hechuan’s hand in both of his own, and pressed his lips to it with a mixture of restraint and fanaticism. He kissed every finger with meticulous care, unwilling to miss a single inch.

“Director, do you know why I sent Lin Wuyan to see the play?”

One moment, Xie Yu felt as though he were floating in paradise; the next, a single sentence from the Prince sent him crashing into the abyss.

“Yes. Your servant knows. The Lin family has guarded the southern borders for generations. Lin Wuyan is the brightest of his generation, but with his elder brother Lin Yu in the way, the hereditary title will never be his. Your Highness. wishes for me to arrange a position for him in the capital. To keep him here.”

Even though Xie Yu knew the Prince was merely playing the long game and that Lin Wuyan was just a friend, he was still consumed by a lethal jealousy. The Prince was using this “reward” today to pay for a favor for Lin Wuyan.

To put it bluntly, this intimacy was a payment.

The thought soured Xie Yu’s expression, the adoration vanishing into a dark, somber look. Seeing this, Qin Hechuan’s smile remained, but his tone turned icy as he dismissed him.

“Well, it is late. The Director surely has a busy day tomorrow. I won’t keep you.”

Realizing he had let his “viciousness” show, Xie Yu panicked. He scrambled off the bed and knelt on the footstool, his hands trembling as they touched the Prince’s ankles. It was a light, desperate hold; one that Qin Hechuan could break with the slightest movement.

“Master. Your Highness, I was wrong! I will handle the matter you entrusted to me perfectly. Please don’t be angry. Your Highness.”

Qin Hechuan didn’t pull his leg away, but he signaled toward the door. In an instant, the young male entertainer from earlier entered the inner chamber. He walked right past Xie Yu and climbed directly onto the Prince’s bed.

Only moments ago, that bed had been Xie Yu’s world. Now, he was replaced. Watching the boy shamelessly cozy up to the Prince, chatting and laughing, Xie Yu felt a bitter ache in his chest. He wanted to drag the brat off the bed, whip him, and throw him into the lowest brothel.

But then, he realized was he any different? At least the boy was “whole,” and the Prince had personally redeemed him. He could share the Prince’s pillow in a way Xie Yu never could.

“Does the Director have anything else?”

Qin Hechuan pulled the youth into his lap, his face still wearing that faint, detached smile.

“No… nothing. Your servant will take his leave. May Your Highness… sleep well.”

As he reached the door, Xie Yu stole one last look. The bed curtains had been drawn. He knew exactly what was happening behind them, and he knew that no matter how or where it happened, he was excluded.

Standing outside the door, Xie Yu lingered for a long time. His eyes grew blurred with tears.

Someone like me doesn’t deserve to serve the Prince. Why do I feel so wronged? It’s my own fault for losing control and letting the Prince see my temper.

The walk to the back gate was quiet. He knew the way by heart. But the more he thought, the angrier he became.

“What’s so good about that little brat? He can’t even sing! Why does the Prince like him so much?!”

“Master, you’re out. Why the long face? Didn’t you sing for the Prince? Did he not reward you?” Fuzhen, his subordinate, asked, confused. The Prince had seemed in high spirits during the play; surely the night should have gone well.

“He did.”

“Then why are you still angry?”

“Is that boy really that special? Why did the Prince set his eyes on him?” Xie Yu hissed. “Fuzhen, tomorrow, find a reason to seize that boy. Teach him a lesson for his flirtatious ways better yet, just get rid of him. He’s an eyesore!”

Fuzhen realized his master had been snubbed in favor of the youth the Prince had taken in six months ago. “Master, calm down. That boy is the favorite right now. If you kill him, won’t you just provoke the Prince’s ire?”

Xie Yu deflated instantly. It was true. He didn’t dare cross the Prince.

“Master, it’s late. Let’s head back.”

“Fuzhen… later, compile a list of all the handsome young noblemen in the capital for me.”

The Prince was a man of many appetites. Since Xie Yu couldn’t satisfy them all himself, he would swallow his bitterness and hand-pick the replacements himself.

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