An Ordinary Heart

Chapter 25: My Baobei**

2025-06-14T18:10:00.003+05:30

Chao Ge finally let him go. If he had really gone all in, not only would Yan Guan not be able to bear it, he himself wouldn’t have been able to restrain either.

The next day, Yan Guan didn’t wake up again until afternoon. Chao Ge wasn’t in the palace hall. Yan Guan sat on the bed for a while, the absurdity of the past two days flashing through his mind. He looked down at his body. Was there even a single patch of skin left unmarked? He nearly fainted at the sight.

Ding ding dang! The crystal curtain outside the hall clinked, and Yan Guan quickly wrapped himself up tightly and flopped back down into bed.

Chao Ge came in and saw the person still asleep, he couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. He hadn’t even eaten breakfast yet. Chao Ge reached out and pinched Yan Guan’s cheek. No reaction. But when he saw his jaw tighten, Chao Ge coughed to hold back his smile.

“So now you know how to be shy? I don’t even know which Yao Jing possessed you last night…”

Yan Guan instantly sat up, and clamped a hand tightly over Chao Ge’s mouth, both ashamed and angry, his face flushed red all the way down to his neck. “Don’t say it, don’t say it!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything. Come eat something,” Chao Ge caught his hand and kissed it.

After dinner. Although the effects of the medicine had worn off, what they had done truly broken all his personal boundaries. Yan Guan sat on the beauty couch stubbornly cuddling a soft pillow in his arms, and refused to even glance at the bed.

Chao Ge leaned over and pulled him into his arms with practiced ease. Yan Guan stiffened for a moment before relaxing.

“Did Bindeya tell you the effects of that medicine?” Yan Guan had understood by now that it was no ordinary aphrodisiac.

“Hmm…", Chao Ge pressed, and Yan Guan nodded.

Chao Ge sighed, lowered his head and kissed the top of Yan Guan’s head. “The medicine only accounts for only three — tenths, what about the remaining seven — tenths?”

Yan Guan stared at the exquisite wood carvings in front of him and didn't speak for a long time. Chao Ge was not in a hurry, and gently coaxed him, “That first night when I stroked your back, and you cried like that. Do you know what I was thinking then?”

The back of my neck was suddenly covered with warmth. Chao Ge pecked him carefully, tone slightly strained, "I love you...ojianame."

Yan Guan trembled, his cheeks quivering uncontrollably. He bit down hard on his lips. Pain that had festered for years had long since scabbed over, but he never thought that one day new flesh and blood would grow again.

The language of the foreigners was distant and mysterious, but Yan Guan knew what it meant. He turned around and looked at Chao Ge, crashing headfirst into those deep brown eyes — brimming with a smile, and glistening with tears. It turned out that the eagle of Sangta Grassland would stay for him, and the most honorable king of Wugan also shed tears.

He had always worried about gains and losses in front of his lover. He was also afraid that he would be rejected. Even if he didn't want to care about those rumours, the words had still reached his ears saying that he was using his beauty to please others...

Yan Guan buried his head in Chao Ge’s embrace and softly mimicked his tone, “Ojianame.”

The tips of their noses touched each other, Chao Ge smiled and asked, "Me?"

A question he already knew the answer to. Yan Guan held his face and kissed him, as if to block his mouth. He silently thought in his heart that never would he waver, or be afraid, ever again. Three parts of medicine and seven parts of true love — he should have figured it out long ago.

Chao Ge wrapped his arms around him, and deepened the kiss. All the anxious uncertainties finally melted away.

When Bindeya entered Tongfeng Hall again, she was surprised to find Chao Ge actually looking quite well. Summoning her courage, she asked, “Is Yan Guan feeling better?”

Chao Ge gave a soft “mm,” but he couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at his lips. Since the day they laid bare their hearts to each other, Yan Guan had clearly become more indulgent toward him. The last remaining barrier between monarch and subject had finally crumbled, and now the two got along like ordinary lovers.

After listening to him speak Bindeya sniffed emotionally, thinking that she was really a miracle doctor who could not only heal people, but also heal hearts.

She was still patting herself on the back, when she suddenly heard Chao Ge say, “Put your black market dealings on hold for now.”

“What?! Chao Ge, how can you kill the donkey once the grinding is done?!”(1)

"I will be returning to the palace in a few days. There will definitely be some fluctuations after the Crown Prince is appointed. Then I’ll have to go south to Liang Dynasty to offer an apology. With the Emperor so far away, there will be no one to keep an eye on you.”

“Oh,” Bindeya let out a sigh of relief — so it was in preparation for Chao Lun’s ascension. Then she really needed to keep a low profile for a while. Thinking of her elder brother far away in Sangta, she realized that Chao Ge had already started planning everything back then. When she thought about it this way, why did she feel a little pitiful?

Bindeya shook her head and thought to herself, Why am I worrying about this? That guy’s got a beauty in his arms and is having the time of his life.

Later, Yan Guan got in touch with Dr. Wuritu from the Imperial Medical Bureau. He was more comfortable writing books, and he didn't have to stay up all night. The two of them enjoyed carefree shameless time in the Summer Resort. Yan Guan and Chao Ge’s relationship became even more unrestrained, but Chao Ge was more than happy to see such a change. That’s how it should be.

—-

August. Chao Lun, now stationed in the capital, finally dealt with all the powerful noble families and rode out of the city to welcome Chao Ge back to the court.

Back at Cheng’en Hall, the two brothers sat talking in the study. After calmly explaining his plans, Chao Ge looked up and saw that at some point, Chao Lun had started crying. Chao Ge clicked his tongue in disgust, "Why are you crying? You are about to become the ruler, but you are still so fragile."

Chao Lun wiped his tears and called out, voice choked with emotion, “Big Brother…”

Chao Ge broke out in goosebumps all over his body. Who made him bear this title for so many years? Now that things had come to this, what else could he do but go over and offer a few words of comfort.

"Let the priest pick a good day for the coronation ceremony to establish the crown prince. I’ll be gone for two or three months heading south. When I come back, it will be just in time for the annual sacrifice. By then, with all the gods as witnesses, the enthronement can take place on the Holy Mountain.”

“Hmm,” Chao Lun had been handling government affairs in recent days, and now had a deeper understanding of the warmth and coldness of human relationships. Occasionally, letters would arrive from the Summer Resort, and between the lines, he could catch glimpses of the life shared by Chao Ge and Yan Guan. He didn’t even know when he had begun to feel envious. Looking back, he realized that his past self had been rather narrow-minded.

His eldest brother was an exceptional man. He was brilliant in both governance and military affairs, and his character and moral conduct were excellent as well. Since he wholeheartedly recognized only Yan Guan [as his consort], then as the younger brother, what reason did he have to side with outsiders?

“Then you can let the Pingkang Marquis receive the honour alongside.”

Yan Guan had never received an official title or recognition. If he were to stand beside Chao Ge in the great hall, his identity would be self-evident. Chao Ge was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then smiled, “You’ve actually come around. Saves me a lot of talking. The ceremonial robes were ordered long ago.”

"Ah?" Chao Lun looked at his smiling eldest brother and was speechless for a moment. He had indeed overthought things…

On the day of Coronation, Chao Ge stayed in the room to help Yan Guan dress in his ceremonial robes. The lotus patterns were all embroidered in gold thread, with jade and red pearls adorning the cuffs and shoulders. The only difference from Chao Ge’s was the colour — one black and one white. Dressed up and standing together, they were a perfect couple. Anyone could see the meaning behind it, and no one dared to say a word.

After the lengthy ceremony concluded and a few days of rest, Chao Ge and his entourage prepared to head south.

Footnotes:

**wǒ de bǎo bèi (我的宝贝) - people familiar with c-dramas would know that “baobei” can mean a lot of things from “precious treasure” to “darling baby”. I didn’t want to choose one meaning for it, so it’s kept as is.

卸磨殺驢 (xiè mò shā lǘ) – lit. to kill the donkey once it’s done grinding the mill; fig. to discard someone once they’re no longer useful

T/N: Happy Pride, everyone, and sorry for the delay.

I haven’t abandoned it, believe it or not. If you are familiar with Hills have Eyes, the place I live in will give that setting an inferiority complex. While generally we don’t have an issue with power outage (unless someone steals the Distribution Transformer, or hangs themselves from the electric lines - both of which actually has happened in the past), this year we were blessed with early monsoon (April-end, instead of usual mid-June). So to prevent disasters, since this is a high-rainfall prone mountain/jungle area, they have been shutting off the power lines for safety reasons. So, our electricity schedule has been something like 3 days off, then 1 day on… And when we did have electricity, the network was so bad (no wifi, I use mobile data. Jio works here fine, so don’t worry) that I even started paying for youtube premium because that’s literally the only thing that’s stopped me from going crazy.

So, anyways… we just have 4 more chapters to go till the end. Will upload the rest of chapters in one go in a day or two. Till then, thanks for your patience and understanding.

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Chapter 24: So Sweet

2025-04-06T16:01:00.013+05:30

Chao Ge carried him back to the sleeping quarters. He said they were going to soak in the hot spring, but in reality, it only made him even dirtier.

When the ring was removed, the prolonged suppression had already caused him to become... limp. Yan Guan still felt uncomfortable, twisting his body to get out of bed. Although he wasn’t fully conscious, his instincts told him that he was about to lose control.

However Chao Ge restrained him, and pulled him into his lap, "What are you doing?"

"I... I need to pee…” Yan Guan was so ashamed in that moment that his eyes turned red with humiliation.

Chao Ge thought for a moment and then let out an understanding "hmm." He dragged a white jade basin from under the bed, "Go ahead, it's clean."

Chao Ge didn’t even pretend to be sincere in coaxing him - he was downright wicked. He truly was a hypocrite: on the one hand, he despised his own perversion, yet on the other, he wallowed in it.

He just wanted to see Yan Guan—whether laughing or crying—free from his shackles. Only then did Yan Guan seem genuinely adorable. He would never again be like before, expressionless and silently enduring everything.

Yan Guan dug his fingers into Chao Ge’s arm. Chao Ge let him vent his frustration, indifferent even as scratch marks drew blood, and continued to wipe Yan Guan clean with a handkerchief. He hadn’t cried like this in years. Somehow, through the haze of tears, his mind settled into a sudden, startling clarity. Why had he become so fragile after meeting Chao Ge? It shouldn’t have been like this.

Chao Ge smoothed down his cocked-up hair. He heard the crying of the one on his shoulder come to an end, and a slightly hoarse voice sounded beside his ear, “Chao Ge?” The tone carried a trace of confusion about the current situation, and perhaps also some unease.

Chao Ge turned his head and was met with a pair of clear, limpid eyes. His heart fluttered. Had Yan Guan woken up? He thought maybe the soak in the hot spring earlier had hastened the evaporation of the medicine’s potency.

“Mm, where do you feel uncomfortable?”

But Yan Guan didn’t speak again. He tilted his head and leaned against Chao Ge’s shoulder, letting out a big yawn. Teardrops clung to his eyelashes as he rubbed against Chao Ge, much like a cat stretching lazily, looking for a secure place to rest.

Chao Ge's heart melted into a complete mess. How could he have awakened so quickly? At the very least, it should have been tomorrow. So he dressed him in his nightclothes, carried him to bed, and let him sleep. They didn’t even get to eat dinner. It wasn’t until the second half of the night, after he’d slept his fill and woken up again, that Chao Ge fed him a few mouthfuls while holding him down.

Strange how the medicine worked. Just a few hours ago Yan Guan had been so exhausted, he worried his waist might snap, yet after waking he no longer seemed particularly hungry or fatigued.

Watching the head that kept burrowing around in his arms, Chao Ge couldn’t help but laugh. After these two days, he’d come to understand that Yan Guan craved his body. Though he didn’t say it out loud, thanks to the medicine, his actions spoke clearly enough.

“You’re being naughty again. What are you trying to do?” Chao Ge teased, trailing his fingers through Yan Guan’s hair.

The person in his arms froze. Then Chao Ge suddenly felt a pain in his chest. “You…!”

He was tall and broad, with solid chest and abdominal muscles—none lacking in the slightest. Yan Guan had probably wanted to get his hands on him for a while now. This time, he mustered his courage and gave a squeeze, which made the man laugh in exasperation.

Chao Ge caught the misbehaving hand and pressed it firmly against his chest. “If you like it, keep touching. What are you hiding for?” he chided, unwilling to let himself be on the losing end.

When he relaxed, his pectoral muscles [or as we like to call them, man-titties] turned out to be soft and pliant. Yan Guan gave a few more squeezes, then, clearly unsatisfied, leaned in and simply pressed his face against them, burying himself in Chao Ge’s chest.

Chao Ge’s expression remained impassive, but inside, his heart was blooming with joy. His gaze swept across Yan Guan’s bare back, and then downward… Whatever he’d just thought of made his throat tighten. [( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

He lifted the man up from his embrace, ignoring the other’s furrowed brows. “Xiao Guan, do you want to try this…?” His tone quivered slightly, clearly excited and laced with temptation.

Yan Guan didn’t understand what he meant and stared blankly at Chao Ge. Who would’ve thought this man - brimming with raw, ox-like strength - directly hauled him up, hooked under his armpits, and straddled him onto his lap. Everything below was laid bare in an instant. Chao Ge’s unabashed gaze made Yan Guan feel deeply embarrassed.

“Doesn’t Xiao Guan like it?”

Though the voice was low and deep, Yan Guan felt his ears buzzing, and his mind grew muddled.

(Not allowed to write) [this is literally part of the text, lmao]

The fierce beast that had long lain in ambush had finally corralled the prey into its territory. It was time to hunt.

The brocade quilt was tossed like rolling waves…

“So sweet…” Chao Ge licked the residue at the corner of his mouth, then added in a lewd tone, “Xiao Guan, would you like to taste mine as well?”

T/N:

This chapter isn’t part of the official raws. They skip from c.23 to c.25. The smut ends here. The rest of the story is back to being sweet and wholesome. Happy Reading!

Funny story: As I was looking up cock rings in ancient china (shut up, it's research!), I found this site which sells chinese antiques, where I came across this amazing gem: (paraphrasing) "Because Chinese men are smaller than average, and European men have shorter, stubbier thumbs - some of the more decorative cock rings (made of jade or precious metals) were sold as thumb rings. But if you want to talk about embarrassing- just try telling some white guy that just paid thousands of dollars for a nephrite jade “thumb” ring to add to his collection, that he’s had for years and inherited from his Dad, that it was originally probably used on a Chinese man’s penis.

The case of Chinese cock rings being sold as thumb rings all these years, though, is a great example of why it is important to do scientific research on artifacts, to try to understand them and what their function was- instead of just selling them for the highest amount possible before people know what they were used for.

This also gives whole new meaning to the term of “jade stalk” which is how the penis is classically referred to in ancient Chinese texts. Being covered by jade, it truly was that."

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Chapter 23: Container

2025-04-05T01:36:00.006+05:30

After being coaxed into eating a few grapes, Yan Guan watched as Chao Ge's eyes gradually became distracted. He no longer cared about propriety, leaning in to nip at his lover’s lips.

Their roles immediately reversed. Chao Ge reacted at once, gripping the back of Yan Guan’s head to deepen the kiss. The sweet, juicy flavor of the grapes was plundered without mercy. Yan Guan stuck out his tongue slightly, a small part of it scraped raw from the friction. His original intention was to protest, but in Chao Ge’s eyes, it took on a completely different meaning.

"You were the one who provoked me first. Don’t try to act innocent now."

His lips, which had been ravaged so many times, were red and tender. His slightly parted lips made people want to bully him even more. Chao Ge pressed his thumb against them, ripples of desire spreading through his heart.

How was he so soft everywhere…? Just like a freshly steamed bun. Chao Ge remembered how, from the moment these perverse thoughts took root in his mind, he had wanted nothing more than to knead him thoroughly.

Yan Guan was stunned. His instincts told him something was off about that statement, yet, at the same time, it seemed to make some sense. So, he simply wrapped his arms around Chao Ge and stopped talking, sulking with quiet frustration.

"Shall I carry you to the bath?" Chao Ge’s mind had been full of mischief last night, so he hadn’t cleaned Yan Guan up properly.(1)

Yan Guan didn't know that no matter what Chao Ge did, he would not resist.**

If Chao Ge could draw a bow weighing nearly 100 jin, he had no trouble lifting Yan Guan’s slender frame, or carrying him with steady ease. Yan Guan nestled in his arms, fidgety, constantly shifting about. Chao Ge knew he was [starting to feel] uncomfortable again.

The steam curled thickly over the hot spring in the rear courtyard of the sleeping palace. When the attendants saw Chao Ge coming in, they lowered their heads and withdrew quickly. Out of the corners of their eyes, they caught a glimpse of Yan Guan, draped casually in a plain wide-sleeved robe. If they weren’t mistaken, it was the lotus-patterned robe that only a Monarch could wear. The leading servant couldn't help but feel a quiet shock.

As soon as they entered the bathtub, they both couldn't help but sigh contentedly. Yan Guan, stripped bare, was set down on the stone steps at the edge of the pool. Chao Ge scooped up warm water and used a cloth to gently wash him.

The gentle washing somehow ignited a fire. Yan Guan was already on the edge, and now he clung to Chao Ge even more, craving him.

The stone surface was bone-chilling cold, but Chao Ge's body burned scalding hot. Yan Guan was pinned to the edge of the pool and bullied repeatedly.

T/N:

**Yan Guan has no idea he is drugged. He thinks he is having consensual sex with the man he loves. [That’s how Bindeya’s drug is supposed to work - the victim, driven mad with lust, acts on “his heart’s desires” without restraint - he may think he is in control, when in fact, he is being manipulated by someone else, because he can't deny that person] That’s why Chao Ge is being extra cautious and letting him take the lead. But well… he is still a ravaging swashbuckler.

The official raws for this chapter end at (1). I appropriated the rest of the chapter from some not-so-savoury sources (The previous chapter is a combination of both official and unsavoury as well) and took some creative liberties to fill in the gaps. The title of the chapter (as implied in the next chapter) comes from the use of “container” or cock rings to minimize Yan Guan’s “loss of vital essence” (as advised by Bindeya in the last chapter).

That said, the next chapter deals with Golden Shower (watersport kink or piss-play). If it’s not your thing (or if you are younger than 18, no judgments here, but this is ADULT territory), please skip the next chapter.

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Chapter 22: Toy

2025-04-04T04:23:00.005+05:30

With his belly full of sex, Yan Guan trembled and gradually quieted down, mumbling something unconsciously. Chao Ge leaned in closer to listen, and, unable to resist, lowered his head and kissed him.

In the past, Yan Guan had always slept in a very proper manner - he woke up in the same position that he went to bed the night before. Chao Ge deliberately wanted to tease him, so he lifted him up and made him lie on top of him. The movement made Yan Guan squirm in discomfort.

“What’s wrong?”

Yan Guan raised his head, his expression dazed. Chao Ge touched his forehead and wondered if the effect of the medicine still hadn’t worn off. Just as he was about to pull his hand away, Yan Guan rubbed his cheek against his hand, and rested his head on his palm without moving.

Yan Guan was strikingly beautiful, his eyes glistening with a watery gleam. Even though he was completely naked, he still retained a hint of innocence and purity, which made Chao Ge’s face heat up even more.

Only then did Chao Ge realize something was wrong. Usually, [their tryst] would end after one time because Yan Guan couldn’t handle it. So how would he show an expression that indicated he wanted more?

This drug… Chao Ge opened his palm, and sure enough, Yan Guan’s head followed the motion, trying to press against it. Chao Ge refused, and Yan Guan’s lips pursed as more tears welled up. He usually wasn’t one to cry, but now that his mask had come off, he couldn’t hide any grievance. Blame Chao Ge for spoiling him too much.

“Chao Ge, I feel so uncomfortable…” Yan Guan whimpered, coquettish and seductive.

The drug had already been taken, and there was no going back. Chao Ge, panting heavily, turned over and pressed the man underneath him once more. [Chao Ge’s heaving bosom hehe]

…………

Yan Guan, having borne favour for too long, began shivering with exhaustion. Chao Ge paid no mind to him, his hunger growing even more due to Yan Guan’s indulgence.

With a flip, Yan Guan was turned over once again. For a brief moment his mind cleared and he started struggling violently, crying, “No… no!”

Chao Ge stroked his back [to calm him], and his roaming hand felt the ugly, uneven scars… He paused. They had used this position before, so why had he not realised Yan Guan disliked it?

‘Is it because of these marks?’ Chao Ge wondered, feeling a dull ache in his chest. “Why didn’t you say so?”

He leaned over, gently lifted Yan Guan’s chin with his hand, and softly called, “Xiao Guan?”

Yan Guan stopped crying and reverted to his earlier state of disorientation. Chao Ge couldn't bear to continue, as he had a feeling that Yan Guan was not in the right condition. He would have to call Bindeya and ask her about it tomorrow.

A warm palm covered Yan Guan’s eyes, his eyelashes fluttering against the skin of that hand. His whole body was held by Chao Ge, trying his best to give him a full sense of security. Yan Guan calmed down. He couldn't explain why he was crying; he was eager to explain but didn't know where to start. His usually sharp mind had stopped working.

Chao Ge touched his hair carefully and comforted him, as if coaxing a child. "Go to sleep. Are you going to the pharmacy tomorrow?"

Yan Guan struggled to understand, then shook his head after a while.

The next day, Yan Guan still hadn’t woken up. After dressing him and tidying his blanket, Chao Ge went out and found Bindeya standing in the corridor with a sheepish look on her face.

“What’s wrong with your medicine?”

Bindeya’s expression froze. “What happened? Are there any symptoms?”

“Yan Guan, he…” Chao Ge felt that this matter couldn’t be explained in just a few words. “Hey, he’s still asleep. Come in and take a look.”

Bindeya stood beside the bed, placed her hand on him, and clicked her tongue, "Uh... the effects of this medicine are really beyond my expectations." Seeing Chao Ge's face darken, she immediately continued, "But my lord, please rest assured. It will clear up in three days at most, and I promise there will be no side-effects."

“Can’t we use medicine?” Chao Ge’s face was already very troubled. Three days! If this continued for three days, it would be very harmful to his body!

“It’s better to loosen than to block. Taking medicine is never ideal. We just have to wait for it to resolve on its own. Besides, this medicine also contains restorative ingredients. If Your Highness is truly worried, then simply employ some methods to minimize Yan Guan’s loss of essence.”

After Bindeya finished speaking, she no longer dared to meet Chao Ge’s eyes. She figured that her business deal was already doomed…

After a moment of silence, Chao Ge recalled Yan Guan’s behavior and words from last night and asked, “What exactly is the effect of this medicine? It doesn’t seem quite right.”

Bindeya lifted her head but quickly lowered it again. Forcing herself to speak, she said, “Indeed it’s different from other ordinary aphrodisiacs. Its primary effect is to amplify what’s in one’s heart. It also has somewhat hallucinogenic properties. If Yan Guan acts a little out of ordinary or childish, that’s normal.”

Hearing this, Chao Ge frowned. As it turned out he was anxious about his scars and scared of being rejected. Was this fear born out of love? Thinking back, even Yan Guan's rare initiative last night left him with a vague sense of heartache. The scars on his shoulders and back were caused by carrying the shackles. When he first arrived in Liangzhou, no one took care of him, so naturally, the wounds hadn’t healed properly. Chao Ge couldn’t help but despise himself. He had his own battle scars, and had never cared about such trivial matters. Why had he forgotten to ask others if they minded? Yan Guan never said anything, but clearly he had been uneasy about it.

As he understood the situation, Chao Ge felt disheartened. He waved his hand to dismiss the servant without saying any harsh words. Bindeya slipped away in a hurry, feeling as if she had narrowly escaped a disaster.

So Yan Guan would be like this for the next three days?! Forget it, at least he wouldn’t let him get bullied or hurt. They could talk about the scars after he sobered up.

Chao Ge lifted the plain blue bed curtain and saw Yan Guan’s peaceful sleeping face. It had taken him quite some time to settle down. After thinking about it, Chao Ge decided not to wake him. It would be okay for him to be hungry for a while. He raised his hand and touched Yan Guan’s face, then turned around and closed the bed curtain so as not to disturb him again.

Because Yan Guan was uncomfortable being waited on, there were no attendants left in the hall to serve them. So Chao Ge went to the outer room and ordered, "Prepare some refreshing side dishes and place them in the corridor. Reheat them if they get cold."

"Yes," the servant was very perceptive. Seeing Chao Ge's concerned look, he knew it was something he didn't understand*, so he asked, "There are tribute grapes from Longxi. Would you like us to bring some?" [*it’s something above his pay grade]

Chao Ge nodded and said, "Sure. No need for ice, just soak them in well water."

After giving the orders, Chao Ge returned to the inner hall and sat on the recliner by the window, waiting for Yan Guan to awaken.

It wasn’t until late afternoon that Yan Guan slowly stirred. Chao Ge hurriedly fed him some rice, watching him with a trace of nervousness.

“There are grapes. Do you want some?”

Yan Guan stared at him, unable to move his eyes away. Whatever Chao Ge asked him to do, he did obediently, as if he had lost the ability to think. When he heard Chao Ge, he didn't reply. He just wanted to get closer to him.

Chao Ge shook his hands and thought, ‘Oh no, this medicine has damaged Xiaoguan's brain.’ In fact, Yan Guan was just following his inner thoughts. He himself had no idea that he’d cared so much about Chao Ge. But now his heart and eyes were really full of him.

Chao Ge's sleeve was pulled, and Yan Guan rushed into his arms without thinking, clinging tightly and refusing to let go. "Don't go, Chao Ge."

Chao Ge's heart skipped a beat. He patted Yan Guan's back, picked up a robe from the side to cover him, and lifted him onto his lap. Yan Guan automatically adjusted himself into a comfortable position and cuddled up to him.

While Chao Ge was happy, he also felt a bit worried. also a little sad. Yan Guan had become clingy, more proactive, and had somehow learned to act spoiled and throw little tantrums without being taught. Chao Ge felt a little overwhelmed by this sweet burden. He nuzzled against Yan Guan's neck, brushing their hair and temples together.

After the kiss, Yan Guan's cheeks were flushed. Chao Ge still felt it wasn’t enough, so he leaned in and sniffed him again. He’d always felt that there was something addictive about Yan Guan's scent, as if it seeped out from the bones, enveloping him into a state of intoxication.

Yan Guan didn’t resist. After all, the last night had been intense, and he was still a little exhausted.

"Eat grapes, I'll feed you," Chao Ge was excited, probably because the overly obedient Yan Guan was like a doll that could be manipulated at will. And Chao Ge was like a big dog enjoying the fun, with a heart full of love and possession that had nowhere to vent, so he circled around him in vain, licking him from time to time to satisfy his hunger. Taking care of Yan Guan was undoubtedly one of his ways of venting his emotions. Watching him quietly eat the grapes he had peeled, he felt an inexplicable sense of accomplishment.

Yan Guan had been poisoned by the drug, but it seemed as though Chao Ge was the one infected by it.

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Chapter 21: New Medicine

2025-04-04T03:37:00.002+05:30

Bindeya chuckled, "Doesn’t Your Excellency just want to get closer to Dr Yan? With this, you will get twice the result with half the effort."

A bang! startled Bindeya. Chao Ge, his expression dark, had slammed his palm onto the desk. "We don't need this. Get out," he snapped, feeling a headache coming on.

Bindeya sighed, frustrated, and thought to herself, why pretend? If he had spent all that effort into being polite [nice], he’d have caught that person long ago.

It’s been said that the people of Wugan are fierce and unrestrained, and Bindeya had some of that Jianghu spirit. But Chao Ge felt uneasy in his heart, and thought it was a bit humiliating.

Bindeya stuffed the medicine bottle back into her pocket and leisurely made her way to the pharmacy.

Yan Guan was writing something when he heard footsteps. Recognising them as Bindeya, he quickly called her over.

"Oh, done already? You've worked hard."

The small characters packed densely on the paper, arranged in neat rows and columns, clearly showed that a lot of effort had been put into writing it. It had taken nearly a month of hard work for it to be accomplished. Once it was fully completed, he would share it with the other doctors in the Medical Bureau, so they could all finish the book together.

Yan Guan couldn't contain his joy. The stone that had been weighing on his heart had finally settled. He had worried that he might not be able to do a good job, but things had gone surprisingly smoothly.

Bindeya circled around the table thinking this matter could finally be put to rest. Right now, however, there was another, more pressing issue.

"Yan Guan, I’ve recently concocted a new medicine. Do you want to try it?"

Bindeya had experimented with potions when she was studying pharmacology. She had good medicinal skills, and wouldn’t cause him any harm. So he agreed without thinking, "Sure, what kind of medicine?"

Seeing his innocent expression, Bindeya suddenly felt a pang of guilt for tricking him. But then she thought about the deep affection between her lord and Yan Guan. Helping them could be considered as a good deed.

Ha, she just enjoyed stirring things up for fun. After working seriously for a few days, she was now looking to make a bit of mischief. Of course, this new medicine was also part of it.

"Here you go," Bindeya placed the medicine bottle down. "I’ve got a new business going. This medicine was originally intended to be sold, but I'll let you try it first. It's really a bargain for you guys, eh..."

Yan Guan looked puzzled. "You guys? Isn’t this medicine meant for one person?"

For once, Bindeya felt a bit embarrassed. She coughed and explained, "This is... a medicine for sex. It’s for you and Chao Ge to use together."

Yan Guan's face turned red with embarrassment. "This… this… how can you bring this up? Bindeya, you..."

"Oh come on, you and Chao Ge have been together for so long. What’s there to be shy about? Since I can sell this kind of product, it shows that this is not something to be ashamed of in Wugan. Just think of it as doing me a favour, and test the effectiveness of this medicine. It's not a loss for you, and it won't harm your body."

Bindeya felt a little guilty and deliberately raised her voice. Yan Guan was so flustered that he rushed over to cover her mouth.

Bindeya jumped away nimbly, "Take it, take it. Chao Ge’s too much of a coward to use it, so don’t be polite. I’m off now!"

With that, she ran off, skillfully leaping over rooftops, and left Yan Guan speechlessly staring at the medicine bottle.

After scratching his head for a while, Yan Guan finally stuffed the bottle into his sleeve.

………

When Yan Guan returned to Tongfeng Hall, Chao Ge was lying lazily on the couch reading a miscellaneous book. As soon as he saw Yan Guan, he immediately tossed the book aside and rushed over.

"You're early today," Chao Ge pulled Yan Guan onto his lap and, without waiting for a word, began teasing him.

Chao Ge grasped Yan Guan's hand, feeling along his sleeve. Before Yan Guan could react, Chao Ge's fingers touched a cold object hidden inside.

"What are you hiding?" Chao Ge pulled it out and his expression immediately became playful. "You..."

Yan Guan quickly snatched it back, explaining, "Bindeya gave me this new medicine."

"Oh? This bottle looks quite familiar."

Startled, Yan Guan glanced up at him, realizing that Chao Ge already knew. Apparently, Bindeya had gone to him first.

Chao Ge pulled Yan Guan closer into his arms. "Bindeya gave this to me earlier, but I didn’t want it. Did you bring it back because you wanted to use it?" He fixed his gaze on Yan Guan, eyes burning with intensity.

Initially, Chao Ge had found the idea of using medicine distasteful, but if it was something Yan Guan also wanted, that was a different matter. After all, it would be hypocritical of him to say he wasn’t tempted.

Yan Guan, embarrassed, turned his head away and muttered softly, "These past days, I’ve been busy and haven’t had the time… but now things have calmed down a bit…"

Hearing this, Chao Ge understood immediately. He clamped Yan Guan's chin and kissed him passionately. It took him a long time to catch his breath. Before long, he was already hard, pressing against Yan Guan’s butt.

Yan Guan grabbed Chao Ge's collar, bit the cork off the bottle, and poured the medicine into his mouth. Chao Ge lifted him up and carried him toward the bed.

It had been a while since they had been intimate. In the past, Chao Ge had been gentle, mindful of Yan Guan's health, and would at most rub against his body with restraint. But now, Chao Ge held nothing back, tearing off Yan Guan's outer robe without care, even snapping the ties.

"Xiao Guan..." Chao Ge's hot breath brushed against Yan Guan's ear, filled with endless desire.

The effect of the medicine took hold, and Yan Guan felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen. His mind grew foggy, and he clung to Chao Ge, desperate for closeness. The touch of Chao Ge's hands felt overwhelmingly pleasurable.

If Bindeya had been there, perhaps she would have noticed something unusual about the reaction to the medicine. But by then, both men were too consumed by their desires to care.

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Chapter 20: Summer Villa

2025-03-11T12:16:00.005+05:30

The two of them shamelessly stayed in Cheng'en Hall for a few days, and only set off for the summer villa after Yan Guan had recovered.

The carriage was spacious and comfortable. Yan Guan reclined, feeling a little drowsy. He felt that he had been spoiled a bit too much these past few days, and now couldn't bear even the little bumps [of the carriage]. Reflecting on this, he realised that this couldn't go on. As they say, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go back. He decided to pick up his old habits again. So, he sat up straight.

"Just sleep if you're tired. It's okay," Chao Ge suggested as noticed his motion-sickness.

Yan Guan stubbornly shook his head, placed his hands on his knees, and sat very upright. This is a way of maintaining health, and of preventing qi and blood from stagnating after sitting for a long time. The previous slouching posture was not good [for health].

Since Yan Guan was determined, Chao Ge didn't persuade him any further.

When they arrived at the mountain villa, the sleeping chambers had already been tidied up. Yan Guan was stunned as soon as he got off the carriage. This mountain villa was not as big as the Imperial Palace, but it was exquisitely built with the Southern aesthetic in corners and eaves.

Chao Ge took his hand and went in, explaining, "It's modeled after Liang Dynasty’s architecture, as a symbol of the friendly relationship between the two nations. But, in truth, it was built because the founding monarch once favoured a woman from the Liang Dynasty."

Yan Guan found it novel but didn't look around too much. Hearing this, he couldn't help but be intrigued and asked, "Then what happened to this concubine later?"

Chao Ge paused, his expression stiffening, and changed the subject, "Our bedroom is over there. The servants are all outside, so there will be less restraint." After speaking, he pulled Yan Guan inside. Yan Guan understood that the concubine's ending was probably not good. Looking at himself and Chao Ge now, didn’t it feel like some kind of a karmic cycle?

Yan Guan hurriedly banished these unpleasant thoughts from his mind and focused on listening to Chao Ge's rambling.

The Cheng'en Hall in the Imperial Palace was the emperor's residence. Naturally, it was built to be grand and majestic, with an abundance of heavy and opulent furnishings, but lacking warmth. But here, the sleeping chamber was called Tongfeng(1). Just hearing the name evoked a sense of romance, and upon entering, indeed it was [romantic] — jade-carved balustrades, every object, every item inside was exquisitely crafted. The most eye-catching thing, however, was the large bed — intricate patterns, emerald gemstones, gold-threaded brocade quilts…all these were secondary. The most important thing was that it was too big...

Yan Guan stopped in his tracks, wondering whether he would fall off even if he rolled over three times. He had heard before that some wealthy families used such large beds where they could eat and dress without needing to move. Chao Ge wouldn't possibly... well, it was hard to say. After all, he had been treated quite roughly before, and hadn't gotten out of bed much.

Chao Ge saw him lost in thought and tugged at him, "What's wrong? Is there something you don't like?"

Yan Guan shook his head, quickly replying, "No, everything is fine, it's just a bit too extravagant."

Ordinary people yearned for a life of ease and abundance, but Yan Guan still couldn't adapt to it, always feeling unworthy of such treatment. Chao Ge understood that and, after a moment of contemplation, said, "In a few days, I'll introduce you to someone. She is proficient in witchcraft, which has some similarities with medical theory. Didn't you say you were thinking about medical books? You can discuss them with her. The borderlands of Wugan are freezing cold and frequently plagued by epidemics. Most of the people are illiterate and only know folk remedies. If you two can compile the folk remedies and medical theories into books, it would greatly benefit Wugan."

Yan Guan's eyes lit up. Doing something useful would also make him feel more at ease. Thinking this, Yan Guan couldn't wait to meet the person he was talking about.

Since helping to suppress the rebellion in Dezhou last time, Bindeya had been staying in the Holy Mountain to avoid the limelight. She was so bored that she was about to burst. When she finally received Chao Ge's summons, she immediately rushed to the mountain villa.

Bindeya’s identity was special. As a secret agent of the Imperial Court with a rare set of skills, ordinary people didn't dare to approach her, and with her elder brother, Boerjin, staying in Sangta, she had no one to talk to. When she learned that Chao Ge wanted her to interact with Yan Guan and work on medical books, she didn't even have time for gossip and was eager to meet Yan Guan.

Seeing them both so excited, Chao Ge inexplicably felt a bit jealous, and pressed Yan Guan down for a kiss.

"Don't bite there, I'm meeting someone tomorrow," Yan Guan pushed him away, his face flushed. Chao Ge stubbornly nipped at the skin on his neck.

Inevitably a mark was left, the dark red standing out starkly against the fair skin, obvious to anyone. Yan Guan covered his neck, belatedly realizing Chao Ge's intentions.

Chao Ge snorted, "You're already thinking about her before you've even met." It wasn't that he was wary of anything, but the thought of Yan Guan being busy all day in the future, spending more time with Bindeya than him, made him feel uneasy. At this moment, he had forgotten his own past actions of working day and night.

The next day, Bindeya and Yan Guan met in the pharmacy.

Bindeya had heard a little about Yan Guan's background, but she wasn't narrow-minded. She didn't care about his status as a convict, only judging people by their character and ability.

"Dr Yan, just call me by my name. We'll be working together in the future," she said, taking out the books she had collected in the past few days for Yan Guan to see.

Her straightforwardness made Yan Guan feel much more relaxed, and he bowed in thanks.

Both of them were a bit obsessed with medicine, and they forgot the time as they discussed and learned from each other. When Chao Ge came to call them, they were still buried in their discussions, completely engrossed.

"Witchcraft isn't all evil. It's just that it has a long history and is difficult to explain with medical theory. Moreover, much of it is passed down orally, so there are many omissions. The language and writing is also a problem." [writing refers to old script/alphabet]

Yan Guan nodded in agreement, "These things are too mysterious, I need to study them carefully."

"It doesn't matter, take these books first, I've already translated them," Bindeya had tried to record the techniques into books a few years ago. Just using Wugan script wouldn't spread them widely, so she also wrote them in Chinese characters.

Both earnestly shared the knowledge. Bindeya realised that these traditions would be passed down, and found Yan Guan more and more adorable.

"Ah, no wonder Chao Ge likes you," Bindeya couldn't help the urge to pinch his cheek, but barely restrained herself. Her keen hearing had caught the movement behind her.

Chao Ge had been standing there for a while, deliberately suppressing his presence so as not to disturb them. Who would have thought Bindeya was about to touch his? He walked forward with a stern face.

"Chao Ge, you're here," Yan Guan stepped up to greet him, while Bindeya smiled awkwardly from behind, preparing to slip away.

"Mm," Chao Ge held Yan Guan's hand, giving her a subtle glare.

Bindeya was naturally free-spirited, and she had joined Chao Ge purely out of admiration. So they didn’t adhere strictly to the formalities of a Sovereign and his subject. He usually didn't demand much from people like her, valuing their abilities, which had emboldened her, Chao Ge thought with some irritation.

Back at Tongfeng Hall for dinner, Chao Ge served Yan Guan food while reminding him not to get too engrossed and neglect his meals and sleep. He also subtly reminded him to stay away from Bindeya, as Boerjin's sister was capable of doing anything eccentric and might lead him astray. [dang the foreshadowing!]

But that was impossible. Yan Guan met with Bindeya almost every day, and they became increasingly familiar.

After Yan Guan forgot the dinner time for who knows how many times, Chao Ge finally couldn't bear it anymore and took the time to call Bindeya over.

"What does Your Excellency want to see me for?" Her respectful demeanor was rather unsettling.

Chao Ge's eyes and nose were out of sorts, but he still patiently asked, "How's the progress of the book recently?"

"It's going well. Dr Yan is smart and understands everything with just a hint. He also taught me a lot. It's very enjoyable."

Very enjoyable? Chao Ge felt something was off. They were happy, but he wasn't happy at all. He had come to the summer retreat thinking there would be no one else, so he could be intimate with Yan Guan. But now, Yan Guan read until late every night, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. How could he be intimate? With a warm jade in his arms, who knew how much he had to suppress his desires every day?

Chao Ge didn't speak for a long time, feeling angry.

Bindeya suddenly chuckled, "My apologies, the outline has been completed, and it should be finished in a few days."

Chao Ge looked miserable every day, treating Yan Guan like a bone, making his affection obvious to everyone. Bindeya had been a secret agent for many years, how could she not understand? Only Yan Guan was oblivious, focusing solely on his work.

"Your Excellency," Bindeya winked, indicating she was about to act up again.

"What?" Chao Ge asked impatiently, feeling that this person could never say anything good. She wasn't old, but she had seen and done a lot, even disguising herself as a man to visit brothels and spending lavishly. Speaking of which, it still puzzled Boerjin. How could a normal girl think of doing that? [oh my sweet summer child!]

That's a story for later. In short, Bindeya placed a small porcelain bottle in front of him, "Consider it an apology. It's a newly concocted medicine. Why doesn't Your Excellency help me test it?"

It probably wasn't anything proper.

Footnotes:

Tongfeng comes from the Chinese idiom 桐花凤栖 (tóng huā fèng qī) which translates to translates to "The Phoenix perches on the Paulownia Tree."

The paulownia tree (桐, tóng) is believed to be the only tree where the phoenix (凤, fèng) will perch. This symbolizes the idea of finding the ideal home, partner, or environment. In poetry and romance, this phrase suggests a fated connection, where two people are destined to be together, just like the phoenix and the paulownia tree.

T/N: Sorry for taking so long. These few chapters (thanks to all the censorship) were basically hell to translate. I AM using chatgpt, but there was no coherancy between sentences. Which made the reading experience horrible. It was like a bad MTL and I couldn’t bring myself to upload it. It took a while, but I’m finally happy with this version. I have translated the rest of the story. Just some minor edits and then done. I will upload them soon as well.

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Chapter 19: First Time

2025-01-30T04:31:00.004+05:30

“It’s not…” Yan Guan shook his head. The cat-like eyes gazed pleadingly at Chao Ge, and his heart softened.

“Then what the hell are you thinking?” Chao Ge pinched his waist, lowering his voice as he asked.

Yan Guan thought for a moment and decided it was best to be honest. “I think of medical texts, of being a good doctor praised by everyone, in order to be worthy of you. You’ve done so much, how could I be indifferent…”

“Yan Guan!” Chao Ge stopped him, practically gritting his teeth.

Not a single word was what he wanted to hear.

Chao Ge pulled Yan Guan into his arms. “You don’t need to do any of this. Forcing it like this is pointless. You still haven’t figured me out, and you haven’t truly recognized who you are (to me).”

After saying that, Chao Ge closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, his fingers caressing the back of Yan Guan’s neck, as if trying to suppress the urge to tear everything apart.

Yan Guan rested his hand on Chao Ge's shoulder, moving closer with small, secretive motions like he was begging for mercy. He didn’t quite understand why Chao Ge was angry. He was always wrapped around him, hadn’t he ever thought about that?

Chao Ge rubbed his cheek against Yan Guan's ear, letting out a sigh. He thought to himself, ‘Forget it. Yan Guan is young and inexperienced. Since I’m so much older than him, I'll have to guide him well in the future. He’ll understand eventually.’

He told himself not to rush. Yan Guan had been lured onto this path by him, almost in defiance of all the upbringing and teachings he'd received in the past. The fact that he could even accept it already took a great deal of courage.

After a moment, Chao Ge patted Yan Guan’s back. "I’ll carry you to bed."

As he stood up and started walking toward the side hall, Yan Guan suddenly resisted.

“What is it?”

Yan Guan straightened up and faced Chao Ge. “Can I sleep here?”

Chao Ge gave a bitter smile. “You should think about what's most important first.”

Yan Guan's breathing quickened as he clung to Chao Ge’s arm, refusing to let go. "I have thought about it!"

“You're not even letting me finish,” Chao Ge said, sounding aggrieved.

Yan Guan continued, “Since I’ve already agreed to be with you, then rumours and my reputation are secondary. I just want... to be closer to you…”

Chao Ge froze, staring at him for a while, thinking to himself, "Did I misunderstand again?"

Yan Guan's face turned red with embarrassment. He couldn't help but regret saying such things. As they say, he who touches ink turns black….

"Once you get in bed, there's no turning back. Have you thought this through?" Chao Ge deliberately reminded him with a straight face.

Yan Guan smiled, not afraid at all, and hugged him a bit tighter.

The one who felt insecure was actually Chao Ge. He was so worried that Yan Guan might not be able to figure things out, that he went to great lengths to have their names engraved together. As Yan Guan thought of this, he was already pushed down onto the bed.

Chao Ge was excited and no longer bothered to hide it.

He immediately removed their clothes, and they tumbled together in a heap.

.....................

Finally, they got dirty…

Chao Ge once again nuzzled his neck—the dangerous spot—but only lightly placed his mouth there, not even daring to grind his teeth.

“What are you doing?” Yan Guan weakly pushed him, unable to catch his breath with this person pressing down on him.

“I want to bite you to death… but I can’t bring myself to.”

Yan Guan coughed as he laughed, probably understanding what Chao Ge meant. It was like when he was petting a cat, he couldn’t help but want to kiss the little kitten to death.

Yan Guan blinked, thinking this was interesting, and very much in line with Chao Ge’s usual straightforward style.

T/N: Hello, everyone and thanks for your patience, once again. I have been trying to put faces on the our leads for a while now, considering "dark-skinned nomadic warrior" ML are pretty rare in bls. No matter who I pictured, it just didn't seem right, until finally youtube algorithm came to my rescue.

So anyways... for Chao Ge, I see him as a combination of Gong brothers from My Journey to you, specifically Gong Shangjue, but with dressing style of Gong Yuanzhi.

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Chapter 18: Misunderstanding

2025-01-30T02:43:00.002+05:30

Yan Guan was forced to stay in Cheng'en Hall by Chao Ge. This man, who had tasted love for the first time, wished he could be with Yan Guan every moment. He would frequently pull him over for a kiss, or leave marks on his neck and shoulders.

Yan Guan was still young and inexperienced, and he was often kissed until he felt dizzy and breathless. When he couldn't bear it anymore, he would push Chao Ge away, muttering that he didn’t want it anymore.

Chao Ge shamelessly responded, "Kiss a little more, and you'll get used to it."

At night:

Chao Ge wandered around the sleeping chamber, restless at the thought of sleeping together. He reminded himself that it was too soon. After all, even Daxi knew that before marrying Cao Du, it was inappropriate to engage in intimate behavior. But he and Yan Guan couldn’t hold a wedding banquet. Having their names inscribed on the clan records, and in official history, was already the biggest concession of the Court. Even so, when word got out tomorrow, he would still face criticism.

Chao Ge paced back and forth, trying to figure out a solution.

Yan Guan, sleeping in the side hall, also had a restless night. Everything had happened so quickly, but it all seemed inevitable. In truth, he hadn't yet figured out what path to take next. However, since Chao Ge had already taken so many steps toward him, he thought it wouldn’t hurt to treat him a bit better.

The next day, as soon as Chao Ge woke up, a servant reported that several ministers were outside the hall requesting an audience.

Sighing, Chao Ge thought to himself, ‘No rest all year long. What is Chao Lun doing? He can't even stop them.’

Cai Dan led the group, kneeling with an unhappy expression. Clearly, he was dissatisfied with Chao Ge's actions the previous day. The next words out of his mouth were probably going to be to ask Chao Ge to take back his decision.

In their eyes, Yan Guan was a foreigner and an exiled slave, not to mention a man. No matter how skilled he was in medicine, or how many lives he saved, he was not worthy of being acknowledged in public. They simply didn’t want to bow down to him, clinging to their fragile pride and dignity.

Chao Ge stared coldly at them, not saying a word to let them rise, leaving them kneeling.

Chao Lun, who was handling political affairs in the front court, had deliberately allowed these people to come. He knew Chao Ge liked Yan Guan, but making Yan Guan a real member of the royal family was another matter entirely.

Chao Lun was different from Chao Ge. He had been raised as the rightful heir, and his sense of social hierarchy was deeply ingrained. Deep down, he didn't acknowledge Yan Guan's status. Besides, Yan Guan had once been his servant. Now, suddenly he was wang fei?

Before long, Chao Lun arrived.

"Big brother," Chao Lun greeted Chao Ge with a bow.

Chao Ge observed Chao Lun. Chao Lun’s reaction was expected, but Chao Ge didn’t care.

“Are you all free today? Have you finished handling your affairs, that you have time to meddle in mine?” His tone was quite rude.

"The elder already knows, so why don't you take a good look at the ancestral records? Yan Guan will not go through the formal title ceremony, nor will he receive royal salary. In terms of estates, power, wealth, and gold, who can compare with you? Is an honorary title worth kneeling for, so early in the morning? Why don’t you go and clean up Bulagan’s affairs if you have the time?”

Chao Ge was usually lenient, and rarely spoke so crudely, so they had forgotten what Chao Ge was like before he ascended the throne.

“With military power, He pacified the realm, and with literary virtue, He educated the land.” He was originally a prince wielding a sword on horseback, living on the borderlands. Someone who had survived the wars between the two nations of Liang and Xia, did they really expect him to be a mild-tempered person?

"If it’s just an empty title, why does the elder brother care so much and invite criticism?" Chao Lun interrupted from the side.

"This honorary title is to protect him from you all! Without written records or proof in the ancestral records, who knows what kind of filth would be thrown on Yan Guan a hundred years from now."

Everyone present suddenly lost their voice.

Chao Lun also felt awkward. What Chao Ge said was true—if Yan Guan had this "honorary title," it would formally legitimize his position, reducing baseless rumours in the future. However, doing so would also infringe upon the interests of many people.

Chao Ge had made up his mind. He had long said that he only wanted Yan Guan, and he would not let him suffer any grievances.

In the end, Chao Lun had to concede. “Since big brother is so determined, and Yan Guan has performed meritorious deeds in saving lives, as long as he doesn’t hold actual power and stays out of court politics in the future, then let it be.”

Chao Ge glanced at him and sneered, “As if anyone cares. Forget Yan Guan—after Bulagan's head is cut off, I’ll issue an edict to abdicate the throne and live freely.”

The expressions of everyone present changed. None of them had expected Chao Ge to speak so frankly. In fact, after Chao Ge had entrusted the handling of Bulagan's rebellion to Chao Lun, many courtiers had grown restless. They wondered what Chao Ge’s true intentions were—whether he was sincere, or if this was just the prelude to a lengthy power struggle.

Now that he had said it outright, it seemed he had no intention of vying for power. Otherwise, there would have been another bloodbath. For a moment, everyone felt a bit ashamed of their own suspicions.

Chao Ge noticed the change in their expressions, and his tone softened. “Throughout my life, I have owed nothing to the people and nothing to the court ministers. My conscience is clear. This is the one thing I am being selfish about. I hope you all will stop making things difficult.”

At this point, there was nothing more for them to say, and they retreated one by one.

Chao Ge sighed. The noble clans had always been intolerant of true feelings, constantly scheming against each other. He truly had had enough of it.

Yan Guan had woken up early. Hearing the sounds from outside and the quiet murmurs of the servants, he understood the general situation.

Before he could dwell on it for long, Chao Ge came in, followed by a group of servants carrying meal boxes.

“From now on, I’ll have every meal with you,” Chao Ge said, patting the seat beside him, signaling Yan Guan to sit down.

Yan Guan ate with great elegance, chewing slowly and carefully; a clear indication of the great effort his parents had put into his upbringing when they were still alive. Chao Ge, on the other hand, took only a couple of bites before his eyes glued onto Yan Guan’s face.

Yan Guan’s mind was a mess. The words of those ministers were still ringing in his ears. How could he be worthy of the painstaking efforts Chao Ge had taken for him?

Chao Ge noticed his unease and after some thought, he felt he needed to hurry to the summer resort. Staying in the palace would only give rise to more rumours. No matter what he did, as the ruler, it wouldn’t be enough to silence the critics.

At night, a servant brought up a candlestick to light the lamps.

Yan Guan sat on a soft cushion, reading a book, while Chao Ge lazily flipped through a few pages of memorials. They were all matters that Chao Lun and the others had already dealt with. He just glanced over them, and since there were no mistakes, he let them be. Now that he intended to relinquish power, there were some things he didn’t need to manage anymore.

The bedchamber was quiet. Yan Guan was fully immersed in his book, sitting upright with his back straight —like a well-educated young master from a family of scholars and poets.

Chao Ge's gaze followed the line of his spine, but after a few moments, his thoughts shifted.

Yan Guan was wearing a light blue long robe, and the dark green accents made the few inches of his exposed skin appear astonishingly pale. In the dim candlelight, his skin seemed to shimmer faintly with a delicate glow. The three-finger-wide belt tightly cinched his waist. Chao Ge dared not look further down.

“Stop reading. Save it for tomorrow, the dim light will hurt your eyes,” Chao Ge leaned forward and very naturally put his hand on the young master's waist. Yan Guan raised his head and glanced at the dozens of candles burning around him, but said nothing.

Seeing that Yan Guan didn’t resist, Chao Ge took the opportunity to pull him onto his lap. Yan Guan stiffened slightly, his chin resting awkwardly on Chao Ge’s shoulder. He raised his eyes and saw the bed with curtains not far away.

After nuzzling him for a while, Chao Ge bit the tip of Yan Guan’s ear, as if to punish him for being distracted.

Suddenly, Yan Guan wrapped his arms around Chao Ge's neck and turned his head to kiss the corner of Chao Ge’s mouth. It was inexperienced, but undeniably shocking.

The warm tip of Yan Guan’s tongue tentatively licked, igniting a fire in Chao Ge. In an instant, he exerted force, pressing the back of Yan Guan's head to deepen the kiss.

Yan Guan half-opened his mouth, letting Chao Ge to intertwine their tongues. Chao Ge’s actions lacked finesse, and his movements were so rough that it gave the impression that he was going to eat him.

But Yan Guan was too obedient. After Chao Ge finished ravaging his lips, he moved down to Yan Guan's neck, kissing and sucking along the way, leaving a trail of ambiguous marks like red plum blossoms in the snow.

Finally, Chao Ge let go of him, caressed Yan Guan's face, the lust in his eyes not concealed, and asked: "This morning, did you hear?"

Yan Guan didn’t speak, but his arms tightened around Chao Ge as he leaned in again for a kiss, a very explicit temptation.

Chao Ge dodged, suppressing his anger and questioned, "Is this a transaction?"

Hearing his tone, Yan Guan froze in place.

“I did all that, so you thought about how to repay me with your body, right?” he added, hardening his heart.

He really hated it so much, why couldn’t Yan Guan understand?

Yan Guan wanted to say that wasn’t the case, but Chao Ge had turned too aggressive now. He instinctively tried to turn away, but Chao Ge grabbed his chin, not allowing him to lower his head.

T/N: Just a head's up, but next chapter onwards the story is going from sweet to lemon. Though most of the raws I found are censored, there's still enough to veer into NFSW territory. I'm trying to get as much uncensored as I can, so thanks for your patience.

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Chapter 17: Yì dòng – desire stirs, emotions move

2025-01-30T02:37:00.004+05:30

Yan Guan's body trembled, but he did not struggle. His tears continued to fall silently, streaming down uncontrollably. He cried without a sound, barely able to stand.

"Are you happy?"

Chao Ge suspected he had misheard, and it took him a moment to realize that Yan Guan was asking him back.

Chao Ge remained silent for a long time. Yan Guan's expression darkened, thinking to himself, ‘How could he be happy? The plague and Bulagan, both had claimed lives. Chao Ge could only do his best. As for me, which ruler would tolerate their possession leaving them?’

"Why are you asking?" Chao Ge seemed to realize something and his expression changed. He took a half step back and let go of him.

Yan Guan turned around. This was probably one of the few times he had directly faced Chao Ge. Tears still stained his face, and Chao Ge, unable to hold back, sighed and raised his hand to wipe them away.

Why?

Yan Guan’s eyelashes quivered slightly, unwilling to answer. "I don’t know..."

Chao Ge gripped his hand, his tone slightly urgent, losing the usual calm, "Speak clearly, Yan Guan."

Yan Guan's open eyes welled up with tears [🥺], but Chao Ge hardened his heart, determined to force out an answer.

For a long time, Chao Ge thought the other wouldn’t respond, when Yan Guan suddenly spoke, "I shouldn’t have asked. I overstepped my boundary." As if waking up from a dream, he tried to pull away from the hands that held him.

Again, it’s like this again! Not a single word acknowledging his feelings, nor did he even dare admit it.

The pent-up rage almost tore him apart, but reason told him that those horrible desires would scare Yan Guan.

Chao Ge gave a bitter smile, "You asked me if I would be happy. Was it to test your importance in my heart? If I said I would be very happy for you to return home, clean and free of guilt, what would you do?"

The hidden thoughts were laid bare, and there was no longer any barrier between them.

Yan Guan was too cautious, but it wasn’t his fault. His parents died when he was young, forcing him to take charge of the household and stand his ground. Then, at such a tender age, he was burdened with a crime, forever disgraced, reduced to a foreign slave. If he hadn’t been so careful, cautious with every step, his life could have been snatched away at any moment.

Chao Ge's love was a burden for him, like a sword constantly hanging over his head. He couldn’t escape it, yet he didn’t know when he had developed a desire to touch it, like licking blood from the tip of the blade.

Yan Guan didn’t want to fall into it— this sweet yet suffocating cage that came at the price of his freedom.

But, Chao Ge said he was happy. Happy, because he was redressed and returning to his hometown.

He wasn’t a cage.

He was the vast forest, capable of calming Yan Guan’s restless, wandering heart.

In that moment Yan Guan closed his eyes, tears rolling down uncontrollably. He saw himself clearly and fully accepted Chao Ge.

“I’m sorry. I won’t push you anymore. If you don’t want to speak, then don’t,” Chao Ge felt a sharp pain seeing the expression on Yan Guan’s face, unable to bear it any longer.

But in the next second, Yan Guan suddenly snapped out of it, throwing his arms around Chao Ge, “Don’t go… I’ll stay with you. I…”

Upon hearing this, Chao Ge’s breath stopped. All the times he had pleaded with the heavens, it turns out there was an answer.

Chao Ge rushed forward, holding Yan Guan tightly as if trying to merge him into his own body, “Since you’ve said it, you can’t take it back. I will rely on you for the rest of my life.”

“Huh?” Yan Guan was a bit confused. What did Chao Ge mean by “rely on you”? Shouldn’t it be him relying on Chao Ge in Liangzhou?

Chao Ge mischievously pinched his cheek, “Whoever wants to be this exhausted, overworked King of Wugan can have it. I'll go to Yangzhou to be a rich and idle man, and be with you every day, like a pair of mandarin ducks.”

Yan Guan thought about Chao Lun, who was busy dealing with the chaos of the Bulagan situation at this very moment, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Thinking of the instigator of this situation, Yan Guan silently cursed Chao Ge. If he didn't agree now, when he returned to Yangzhou, this person would probably follow him, shamelessly pestering him until he gave in.

Really…

Yan Guan pouted slightly, and Chao Ge immediately realised what he was thinking. With a laugh, he lowered his head and kissed Yan Guan’s lips, “There’s no way I’m letting you go. Even if you think I’m too determined now, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Yan Guan blushed again, instinctively pushing Chao Ge away and attempting to run outside.

Chao Ge grabbed him by the waist and pulled him back. Yan Guan, unwilling to back down, slapped his hand in protest, “Easy, you’re pinching me too hard… it hurts.”

“No running. You’ll stay here with me for the next few days.” Chao Ge relaxed his grip.

“I know,” came the barely audible reply, as quiet as a mosquito’s hum—he was embarrassed. Chao Ge, satisfied, held him close and kissed him a few more times before finally letting go. When he went outside to call for Daxi, his face was beaming with happiness.

“I’m taking Yan Guan to the Sacred Mountain to escape the heat for a few months. You can stay with Chao Lun in the meantime—he’s been very busy lately.”

Daxi almost rolled his eyes but managed to hold back, reminding him, “My lord, it’s only April—don’t you think it’s a bit early to escape the heat?”

Chao Ge thought to himself, it’s fine, the main thing is that there are too many people here, and if anyone sees or hears something, it could cause trouble.

“Who said the Summer Resort can only be visited in June? Alright, alright, go prepare a few carriages. We’re leaving immediately. Staying around Chao Lun isn’t letting me do much.”

Daxi was taken aback upon hearing this, feeling a bit sad. Was his lord preparing to abdicate? Then what would happen afterward…

“As for your marriage with Cao Du, let’s hold off for a while. We’ve been busy lately. I’ll give you a grand gift when the time comes.”

Pei! ‘There’s no need for you to be so considerate, old man,’ Daxi stormed off angrily.

Chao Ge then turned and went to see the priest, saying he wanted to add Yan Guan’s name to the ancestral records, nearly scaring the seventy- or eighty-year-old priest to death.

The old man flared his nostrils and glared at him, “No way! He’s a man—under what status could his name be added to the ancestral records?”

Chao Ge pondered for a moment and replied, “By rights, it should be under the title of Wangfei (Consort), but since he’s a man, that doesn’t seem appropriate. So, let’s just grant him the title of ‘King of Equal Standing.’ It’s essentially the same thing. But I’d have to trouble you, Priest, to make a special note of this on a separate page.”

The priest was so angry he nearly fainted, firmly refusing.

Chao Ge didn’t understand, “Yan Guan and I are bound by marriage. According to ancestral traditions, we should be hosting a grand wedding banquet and announcing it to the world. But he didn’t want that kind of high profile event, so we let it go. At the very least, his name should be added to the ancestral records. Otherwise, without any official proof, what right does he have to be with me?”

“You still call yourself a wise ruler? How can you casually grant the title of ‘King of Equal Standing’ like that?”

“He won’t actually take on the duties, and he won’t go through with the formal conferral ceremony either. It’s just a title, and he won’t draw any salary. What’s wrong with that?”

Chao Ge couldn’t be bothered to argue with the stubborn old priest any longer. “Give it here,” he said, snatching the registry away.

The priest couldn’t outmatch him in strength, nor could he win in words, left speechless with frustration.

After Chao Ge finished writing, he still didn’t feel fully satisfied. In his view, his relationship with Yan Guan should be something everyone knew about. Otherwise, without any formal recognition, it simply seemed improper.

“Summon the historian,” he ordered.

“You still want to have this recorded in the history books? Future generations will criticize you for this!”

Chao Ge didn’t care. “I think I’ve done pretty well as a ruler. I may not be on par with sage kings like Yao and Shun, but I was tasked with ruling in a time of crisis. If anyone tries to discredit my achievements because of this, it shows they’re short-sighted and narrow-minded. Why should I care about such people?”

When the historian arrived and heard Chao Ge’s instructions, he was stunned.

Chao Ge, impatient with his dumbfounded expression, said, “Just record it as it is. I’m not asking you to do anything special.”

“Yes, yes,” the historian stammered. It was the first time he had encountered a ruler so eager to have his story truthfully documented.

A smile tugged at the corner of Chao Ge’s mouth. “Yan Guan is a man of benevolence and skill. His heart is pure, like a clear spring, and his virtue shines like jade. Both the people of Sangta and I owe him our lives. Soon, I will abdicate in favor of Chao Lun, and thereafter, Yan Guan and I will live a peaceful, leisurely life, no longer involving ourselves in the affairs of state.”

Chao Ge added, “You can record this after it happens, but my mind is made up. There will be no changes.”

"Anyway, make sure you write this down: Yan Guan is not some kind of disastrous villain or treacherous figure, and don’t go comparing me to King Zhou of Shang or Emperor Ming of Tang. What we have is simply mutual affection, a love between ordinary people."

The historian was momentarily stunned, and even the priest beside him had a look of disbelief.

After finishing his words, Chao Ge casually walked off.

The priest sighed. “Let it be. It hasn’t been easy for the ruler all these years.”

The historian muttered in agreement. Who said the Imperial family lacked emotion?

When Chao Ge returned to the Cheng’en Hall, Yan Guan asked what he had been up to. Chao Ge gave a vague response, which only left Yan Guan confused.

"Why go to such lengths…"

Chao Ge pressed Yan Guan back into his seat and said earnestly, “Yan Guan, there’s no point in just talking. Private oaths of eternal love are the most meaningless things. I must let future generations and the whole world know that you are my partner, and not some favored concubine from a scandalous love story. That would not only demean you, but also tarnish the purity of our relationship.”

Yan Guan lowered his head and remained silent. Chao Ge had truly given him a deep sense of security. If it weren’t for Yan Guan’s own reluctance, he would have even held the grand wedding banquet. But with how little he had, how could he ever repay Chao Ge?

T/N:

The raw title of this chapter is “意動 (yì dòng)”, which can be translated to "emotional stir" or "aroused feelings." It suggests a state where one's emotions are moved or stirred, often implying a shift in one's mood or a spark of interest or desire. My MTL gave me two possible translations for the title - “desires stir” or “emotions move”. Instead of either one, I personally think together they fit the chapter better.

That said, this is my fav chapter by far. First, Yan Guan acknowledged Chao Ge’s feelings and accepted them.They are finally, officially, a pair of mandarin ducks. Next, we have Chao Ge making damn sure that no future historians can call Yan Guan his “close brother-roommate”. Also, not him turning Daxi from “#1 Shipper” to “#1 Hater” with just one sentence.

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Chapter 16: Conspiracy

2025-01-30T02:32:00.002+05:30

Back at the royal tent, Geqi and his men stormed in, their faces dark with anger.

"Master, there’s no need to keep pretending to be friendly with Ba-Yun. That man is truly vicious."

Chao Ge pressed his wrist down, signaling for calm. "He is indeed cunning. If we arrest him now and his ties to Wang Xun are exposed, I, as the ruler, will be blamed by the Liang Dynasty. After all, he is a Wugan."

Wang Xun had already rebelled, and if he had association with foreigners, it wouldn’t be too hard not to overthink things.

[A bit confusing to read, but it’s a roundabout way of saying that since Bayun is related to the Wugan Royal family, it wouldn’t be too hard to assume he was working under Chao Ge’s orders]

Geqi, both anxious and furious, asked, "Then how should he be punished?"

"Bindeya has already infiltrated Dezhou. Once Wang Xun falls, we will deal with him."

A shocking event quickly unfolded.

As the smoke of battle spread to the border, Chao Ge sat astride his horse, his expression cold and solemn.

Though it was already spring, the wind blowing in his ears was still bitterly cold, as if carrying whispers of hellish curses.

In the distance, a young girl rode towards them. Boerjin, standing beside Chao Ge, could barely contain his joy and shouted, "Bindeya!" The rider was none other than Boerjin's sister, who was skilled in witchcraft.

Bindeya dismounted and bowed to the ruler. "Xuanfu Envoy Wenshan has completely defeated Wang Xun!"

Bindeya had been placed as a spy within Dezhou. Upon receiving news that Chao Ge was ready to make his move, she immediately contacted the newly appointed Xuanfushi(1), coordinating as an inside agent and launching a night raid on Dezhou. Bindeya devised a plan to lower ropes from the city walls, allowing soldiers to enter. She also revealed the locations of the city's armories and supply warehouses. Once chaos erupted, she swiftly fled the city.

Now, the southern sky was ablaze, likely due to Wang Xun employing huǒ lóng (fire dragons) in resistance. However, this wouldn’t last long—it was merely a futile, desperate defense.(2)

"Has everyone from the camp evacuated?"

"It has been an hour. They should have crossed the river by now."

Chao Ge nodded slightly. "Let's go. We'll return with Ba-Yun's head and offer it to the Emperor of Liang as an apology."

"Yes!" A few men swiftly mounted their horses, their movements clean and efficient. They galloped away, leaving behind Yixian Mountain.

Yixian Mountain, a place divided by a thin line—on one side, the hellish furnace of war, on the other, the rampant spread of plague. Fortunately, the spring wind had finally blown, and the ice was beginning to melt.

In Ganzhou, Bulagan received word that Wang Xun's forces had been defeated, and Chao Ge had narrowly escaped. He was momentarily left without a plan. Knowing that this time he couldn’t escape a certain death, he resolved to go down fighting!

However, just as he sent out assassins to kill Chao Ge, Dai Qing acted swiftly, intercepting and killing them.

Dai Qing wiped the blood off his twin blades, still smiling with an innocent expression, "I've been watching for so long, and you finally made your move."

Bulagan had no idea that the mountain villa he thought was well-hidden had been exposed to Chao Ge two years ago. He lunged forward with bloodshot eyes, eager to fight. Dai Qing struck down with his twin blades, and in a single move, Bulagan’s wrists were split open. He knelt down in agony.

"Master will make the final judgement after he returns. Just be obedient and don't die," Dai Qing mocked.

Chao Ge and his group traveled lightly and reached the capital in just three days. By now, Bulagan was already fermenting in prison.

Chao Lun was excited, but before he could revel in it for long, his older brother crushed his joy with an Imperial decree.

"Since you're already back, why do I have to deal with Ba-Yun?"

Chao Ge calmly took a sip of his tea. "He is from your mother's clan. Handling it yourself will be better for your future succession. It will intimidate people both inside and outside of the Court. And when you marry a queen in the future, it will also prevent your in-laws from interfering in state affairs.

What? You can't do it?"

Chao Lun muttered quietly under his breath, but said nothing.

"The Ba-Yun Clan has lasted for three dynasties and has deep roots. There's no need to wipe them out completely. But if there are marital ties with any other major clans, you needn’t be too lenient. They have been at ease for far too long, and have enjoyed enough of this blessing."

Bulagan was still locked up in prison, but Chao Ge couldn't even be bothered to look at him. In the early days of his ascension, he had to rely on these people’s connections and influence to get things done. But now that Imperial power had been consolidated, there was no more use for these people.

"What about Consort Mother?"

Chao Ge paused at these words. If it were up to him, he would have revoked her title. But Chao Lun and Chao Bao were born of the same mother and shared a close relationship. Doing so would clearly give Chao Lun the reputation of being ruthless.

“You decide for yourself.” Chao Ge didn’t comment further, naturally taking a step back. It made Chao Lun feel relieved.

“By the way, this matter is complicated. Take care of it thoroughly. For major decisions, you can always consult with Cai Dan and the others. If you need more people, feel free to go to Daxi.”

Chao Lun felt a mix of emotions. His elder brother clearly had no hidden agenda in treating him like this, but when he had gotten into trouble before, even Cai Dan had advised him to take the throne as soon as possible.

It was only at this age that Chao Lun realized that it seemed like no one was truly by his brother’s side. His subordinates and ministers were all being trained for the future monarch. Their loyalty to him was based on the assumption that Chao Lun was the sole heir. Can someone in such a position really maintain their pure heart without seeking anything in return?

“What?”

Chao Lun realized that he had accidentally said the question out loud. Half panicked, half ashamed, he looked at Chao Ge.

Chao Ge remained silent for a long time, then pretended to be nonchalant, “I have no ambition for this. Back then, I was forced to take on the responsibility in a time of crisis. Besides, how do you know I don’t have something I desire?”

Chao Ge turned to dismiss him, “Enough. I haven’t recovered from my illness yet, so I need to rest for a few months. You’ve been handling court affairs well. Just keep learning from Cai Dan. That old guy is a bit pedantic, so you don’t need to follow everything he says - be flexible and adapt when necessary.”

Chao Lun took his leave. In a blink, Yan Guan was summoned to the Cheng'en Hall.

“Your Majesty,” Yan Guan bowed formally, his expression calm and composed. But Chao Ge’s heart was already itching like a cat's claws, filled with unbearable restlessness. He had already heard from Chao Lun about what Yan Guan had said when he insisted on coming to Sangta to save him. After thinking it over for quite some time, Chao Ge felt that Yan Guan wasn’t completely without affection for him.

Previously, when Chao Ge had forcibly kissed him, he had indeed gone a bit too far. He expected Yan Guan to avoid him afterward, at the very least. Yet, during their time together in Sangta, Yan Guan’s behavior had become increasingly hard to decipher.

Chao Ge had a vague suspicion.

"Things were busy before, and I never had the chance to properly reward you. Now, since you’ve done a great service by saving me, is there anything you want?"

Yan Guan was silent for a moment, as if he was weighing something in his mind. In the end, he shook his head and said, "My Lord’s recovery is not solely due to my efforts. The Seniors of the Medical Bureau also did their best."

"That has all been recorded by the historians, and I will reward them accordingly. But right now, I’m only asking you—what do you want?" For no apparent reason, Chao Ge felt a surge of nervousness. This was truly strange.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Chao Ge finished speaking, Yan Guan raised his head and looked at him with a complicated expression, as if he had finally come to a decision.

Seeing Yan Gaun suddenly kneel down and bow deeply, Chao Ge had never felt a sight so jarring.

"This humble servant dares to appeal, my Lord, for redress..."

Hearing Yan Guan mention how he had been forced to confess under the threat of death, Chao Ge interrupted, "There’s no need to say more, I know everything." Heaven only knew how furious Chao Ge had been when the case file containing Yan Guan’s life history had landed on his desk.

But at the time, Chao Ge had no grounds to appeal to the court of the Liang Dynasty on Yan Guan’s behalf.

Once again, the hall fell into a long silence. Chao Ge rose and walked toward Yan Guan, suppressing the ache in his heart, and gently said, "Get up, I have something to show you."

Yan Guan stood, keeping his head lowered, and followed Chao Ge to the desk. Chao Ge stood behind Yan Guan and waved his hand to sweep open the case file.(1)

The document read: "The Court of Wugan in Liangzhou relied on unworthy people. Clan member Ba-Yun Bulagan, and his relatives, colluded with foreign enemies to harm the Royal family, leading to the rebellion and harming the diplomatic relations between the two nations. Yan Guan, a medical officer of the Liang Dynasty, saved my life, and I owe him a debt of gratitude. When I think of the cause of the disaster in Dezhou, I feel both ashamed and angry... However, I have heard that there seem to be some unjust elements in the charges against Yan Guan. His only wish is to return home with a clean record. As the ruler of Wugan, I cannot leave this matter unresolved. I hope His Majesty will show leniency towards the crimes in Liangzhou..."

After reading the contents of the paper, Yan Guan’s lips moved, but before he could speak, Chao Ge said, "I'm sorry. I knew about your situation a long time ago but delayed seeking justice for you. One reason was that the timing wasn’t right. At that time, the situation in Liangzhou was extremely unstable. The other reason..." Chao Ge paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse. "I had selfish motives."

Yan Guan repeatedly looked over the petition that was meant to be presented to the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty. In his heart, he thought, why apologize? Chao Ge clearly owed nothing to anyone.

This petition that Chao Ge was preparing to present to the Liang Dynasty Emperor was written with sincerity, even humbling himself. In reality, Ba-Yun Bulagan’s collusion with Wang Xun wasn’t as deep as claimed, and it wasn’t the true cause of the Dezhou rebellion. Chao Ge’s willingness to personally go to the capital with gifts to ask for forgiveness was probably more for his own sake.

Yan Guan was indeed smart, and Chao Ge’s next words confirmed his thoughts. "Once Chao Lun finishes cleaning up, I’ll go South with you. The matter with Ba-Yun needs to be resolved, and you shouldn’t bear this false accusation. As long as I’m here, you have someone to rely on, right?"

Why did the feeling of wanting to cry feel so unfamiliar? Was it because he hadn’t shed a tear since the day he was condemned? Yan Guan clenched his jaw, thinking, why would the heavens toy with him like this? Why drag his name through the mud and then bring someone like Chao Ge into his life? Such a good person...

"Don’t cry," Chao Ge embraced him from behind, "You’ll be home soon. You should be happy."

As soon as Chao Ge finished speaking, he himself couldn’t hold on any longer. It was unbearable. No matter how many times he tried to confess, he still couldn’t make Yan Xiaoguan stay.

Chao Ge stared at the half-exposed porcelain-white neck in front of him, and, with a sudden impulse, he bit down.

Footnotes:

宣撫使 (xuān fǔ shǐ) - Xuanfu Envoys or “Pacification Commissioners” were originally high ranking military officials appointed to monitor the border regions. They were responsible for announcing the power of the state, pacifying the border, protecting generals, and supervising the military.
火龙 (huǒ lóng) - fire dragons were the earliest form of multistage rockets used in post-classical China. Huolongchushui were the primary inspiration for the man-portable artillery depicted in Disney's Mulan films.
The important documents in those days were written on rolled-up scrolls (as you can see in historical c-dramas). So, Chao Ge is sweeping open a scroll to show the redressal appeal to Yan Guan.

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Chapter 15: Typhoid Fever

2025-01-30T02:29:00.001+05:30

Yan Guan and his team rushed nonstop towards Sangta.

Just a few days ago, Chao Ge had been perfectly healthy, unaware that illness had already taken root in his body. But several days of exhaustion, coupled with mental stress, had caused the symptoms to manifest fiercely and within just a few days, he was seriously ill. Wuritu was at a loss, administering decoctions and medicines daily, but seeing no improvement. When Yan Guan arrived, Wuritu felt like he’d seen a savior.

"Doctor Yan, I know your medical skills are no less than mine. You've probably treated a lot of cases like this in the South. Please, help him," Wuritu pleaded, urgently pulling Yan Guan into the tent.

After worrying the whole way, Yan Guan was taken aback when he saw Chao Ge lying in bed, covered in a rash. How could he have gotten this sick?

Chao Ge was burning up, slipping in and out of consciousness. When he saw a blurry figure in front of him, he thought it was a dream. If he was imagining Yan Guan, he must really be dying. At least one regret would be laid to rest.

After diagnosing, Yan Guan remained silent for a moment, then wrote the prescription. Wuritu glanced at it and hesitated.

“Strong medicine to induce sweating. It will help balance and stabilize the body’s rong and wei aspects.”

“This is risky! If there’s even a small mistake in the dosage, in his current state, his body might not be able to handle it.”

"Exactly, if he sweats too much, it could lead to yang deficiency. That would be life-threatening!” The other doctors in the tent, all spoke at once.

“I’m willing to bet my life and my skills on this. Does anyone have a better idea?” Yan Guan had swept away his usual modesty.

Everyone fell silent.

“I trust Doctor Yan,” Wuritu said, slipping the prescription into his sleeve. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” No one objected after that.

The two quickly brewed the medicine and gave it to Chao Ge. Yan Guan checked the dosage multiple times to be sure it was correct. The most dangerous moment would be during the sweating, so he insisted on staying close to monitor him.

“Doctor Yan, make sure to wear your mask properly. This disease is highly contagious,” Wuritu reminded him.

“I know,” Yan Guan smiled at him with his eyes. [^_^]

After everyone left, Yan Guan added two more blankets over Chao Ge and quietly sat beside him, watching his face.

When the sweating started, Chao Ge began trembling violently, like he’d fallen into an icy pit. Yan Guan quickly checked his pulse. It wasn’t time yet. Frowning, he tried to hold Chao Ge down. Instinctively, Chao Ge clung to his wrist, seeking warmth. Yan Guan couldn’t pull free, so he sat down by the bed, letting Chao Ge hold onto him.

Soon after, Wuritu came in with more medicine. He was briefly startled by the scene. “Is it time?”

“Not yet. Just wait a little longer.”

Chao Ge drank the medicine, and within half an hour, he began to calm down. The redness on his face faded significantly. Wuritu checked his pulse, overjoyed, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Guan finally relaxed, rubbing his wrist, which was bruised from Chao Ge’s grip. The remaining symptoms would be easier to treat with medicine to expel the cold.

“Looks like Dai Qing actually used his brain for once,” Daxi joked, shaking Yan Guan’s shoulder as they left the tent. “You must be exhausted after traveling so far. We really owe you for this one. I didn’t know you were this capable, Yan Xiaoguan.”

Yan Guan, drained both physically and mentally, still managed to take a step back. “I’ve been in close contact with the Lord for too long. I might be infected. Don’t come too close.”

Daxi immediately ordered a separate tent for Yan Guan to quarantine.

—-------

The next day, Chao Ge woke up, already strong enough to sit up, thanks to his robust constitution. His first words were, “Where’s Yan Guan?”

An unfamiliar doctor came in. “Doctor Wu and Doctor Yan are both in isolation, but so far, they haven’t shown any symptoms.”

Chao Ge looked down, stirring his medicine with an unreadable expression. “Call for Daxi and the others.”

“But my lord, your body is still—”

“Hurry,” Chao Ge interrupted. Some matters couldn’t wait because of an illness.

Daxi and his men entered, filling the tent with their tall, broad presence.

“My lord, I have something to report.” Chao Ge's subordinates included a pair of twins, both with blue eyes. The brother was a brave and skilled warrior, while the sister was skilled in witchcraft and poison. The one who spoke just now was the brother, Boerjin.

Boerjin handed over a piece of white cloth wrapped around dark, charred medicinal dregs.

“We’ve investigated. It’s lílú (veratrum)—extremely cold and poisonous. It was in the preventive medicine you drank before you fell ill. We have been monitoring the situation, but we haven’t spread the news.”

Chao Ge acknowledged it with a hum, as if he had expected it all along. A cold, toxic herb had weakened his body, making him vulnerable to the plague. It made sense.

After everyone left, Chao Ge leaned against the headboard, eyes half-closed, lost in thought.

Within two days, he was up and walking again, refusing to rest.

“My lord, Dai Qing has sent a letter.”

A saker falcon swooped down and landed on Chao Ge’s shoulder. As Chao Ge read the letter, his brow furrowed.

He handed it to Geqi. The falcon, indifferent, preened its feathers.

“Ba-Yun and Wang Xun are in contact? What’s their aim?” Geqi asked.

“And what about the Liang Dynasty?” Chao Ge murmured.

Why would Chao Ge say this? To explain, the New Year in the Liang Dynasty was celebrated a month later than that in Wugan. It was a time for the exchange of spring banners and snow willows. But this tradition had been disrupted by the rebellion in Dezhou.

The local magistrate had been killed, and the rebel general Wang Xun had declared himself king, using a cult to gather hundreds of thousands of followers across De, Gong, and Lian prefectures.

After more than a month of stalemate, the rebels were growing stronger, and even more troubling was the covert spread of the White Lotus Sect* among the populace, with signs of expansion towards the border.

Chao Ge had been away from the capital for three months. When the plague struck, he received word of the rebellion and chose not to return, suspecting that someone would take advantage of the situation. And now, his suspicions were confirmed.

“We just got word—a new magistrate’s been appointed, but we don’t know if he can suppress the rebellion.”

“What about the border?”

“They’ve captured several refugees from the Liang Dynasty.”

Chao Ge’s eyes sharpened. “Take me to see them.”

When they arrived, the crowd was muttering among themselves. But the moment they saw Chao Ge, the room went silent.

A shifty-looking man sneaked a glance at Chao Ge. Chao Ge sensed it, turned and cast him a sidelong glance. The man hadn’t done anything, yet Chao Ge’s presence alone was so oppressive that the man dared not look up again, hastily averting his gaze in panic.

Chao Ge pointed at him, and a strong man lifted him up. Gripped by terror, the man begged for mercy."Mercy, my lord, mercy! I’m just an ordinary man. I barely escaped the rebellion in Dezhou. I’m only seeking a meal, I swear I won’t cause any trouble, no trouble at all..."

Chao Ge stared at him for a long moment. “I have some questions for you.”

The man nodded quickly.

“How much do you know about the rebellion in Dezhou? Tell me everything.”

The man described the chaos—Wang Xun killing the officials, soldiers looting the city, and how he had barely escaped.

Chao Ge’s gaze sharpened. “Did you hear anything about the White Lotus sect?”

The man’s face went pale. “Yes... but we common folk don’t know much about such things.”

Chao Ge snorted coldly, and the man shivered.

“What were you muttering earlier?” Chao Ge asked, pressing a whip handle against the man’s neck.

“Just idle talk... nothing more.”

Chao Ge glanced at the other refugees, including women, children, and elderly people.

“The Liang Dynasty despises the White Lotus sect. The rebellion will be crushed eventually. If you go back, you won’t survive.”

Realizing he’d been found out, the man collapsed, knocking his head on the ground in desperation. Chao Ge raised an eyebrow but remained unmoved.

“If you want to live, tell me the truth.”

The man began crawling toward Chao Ge, trembling. But just as he got close, he suddenly sprang to his feet and shouted, “Under heaven, all land belongs to the king! The Wugan ruler is illegitimate! The White Lotus will—”

Before he could finish, Daxi kicked him hard, sending him flying. Blood spewed from the man’s mouth as the knife he had hidden fell from his sleeve.

“Who put you up to this?” Daxi barked, kicking him again. “Our nations are allies, and you still try to mess with us?”

The man, coughing up blood, muttered, “The White Lotus leader, the most noble of—”

Daxi kicked him again. “Enough with your nonsense.”

Chao Ge lost interest and turned to leave.

As they walked out, Chao Ge spoke. “It’s only a matter of time before word of this reaches the capital. Tell Bindeya, it’s time to move.”

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Chapter 14: Changes

2024-12-30T04:11:00.004+05:30

After several more days of rushing about, they finally returned to the capital. However, Dai Qing and a few soldiers left early, parting ways before they even reached the city. Yan Guan noticed this, feeling a vague sense of unease, but he didn’t dare ask further.

When Chao Lun found out that Yan Guan had returned by himself, he was displeased. "Why did you come back alone? Is my elder brother alright?"

"The master is fine. He ordered me to return and reassure Your Highness that there is nothing to worry about. He is safe and sound," Yan Guan added, mentioning the outbreak of the epidemic, which caused Chao Lun’s face to pale.

"So dangerous... Thank goodness my elder brother had the foresight. Otherwise, who knows how many would have died if the epidemic spread. Do you think this trip to Sang Ta has something to do with Jue Mu’s prophecy? But now that the disaster has been resolved, why hasn’t he come back yet?"

Yan Guan’s heart skipped a beat, but he merely shook his head and said, "The person who brought me back to the capital was Dai Qing. He specifically asked me to inform Your Highness. There are also some official documents." As he spoke, he handed over the letters.

"Dai Qing?" Chao Lun was taken aback, then quickly grew serious. He hurriedly took the letters and started reading. The content was all about the current situation in Sang Ta, written in a neat and formal manner, clearly in Chao Ge's handwriting.

After quickly reading through the letters, Chao Lun threw the papers onto the table, pretending to cry, "I’ve been working non-stop at court for over two months, and yet he still wants to stay in Sang Ta!"

"The master has important matters to attend to. Your Highness has worked hard."

"Yan Guan, how could you speak on his behalf?"

Yan Guan laughed apologetically. Chao Lun sighed, "Dai Qing is my elder brother’s shadow guard. He rarely makes an appearance. For him to escort you back, it means my brother values you greatly. Don't leave the palace for the next few days."

Yan Guan agreed, but his thoughts drifted away.

The next morning at court, Chao Lun presented the letters and official documents, putting the ministers' worries to rest. He clearly understood the situation in the court: the only faction with hostile intentions was the Ba-Yun clan, who might not let this opportunity slip by. But if something were to happen to Chao Ge, he would be the one to ascend the throne, and the first group he'd punish would be the Ba-Yun clan—they wouldn’t gain anything. Or... did they also want him dead?

Chao Lun returned to Yongning Palace, feeling troubled. The more he thought about these complicated political matters, the more his head hurt.

"Go, summon Yan Guan," Chao Lun ordered. Yan Guan entered empty-handed, and heard the Second Prince’s sarcastic tone. "Hmph, you used to massage my head and hands, and bring me fruits and pastries. Now, it seems you're truly my brother's man."

Yan Guan blushed, "Whose man? I just came in a hurry, that’s all."

"Oh~ fine, I’ll let it go for now," Chao Lun said, dropping his sarcastic tone. "I want to ask you something."

"Your Highness, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."

"When you were with my brother, did you notice anything? Or did you suspect anything?" Chao Lun guessed his elder brother was using himself as bait to lure someone into action. This was too dangerous a move, and Chao Lun couldn’t figure out what the other party’s intentions were, so he brought in Yan Guan, hoping he might offer some insight.

"The master doesn't show his emotions, so I couldn’t tell."

"Then why did he send Dai Qing to bring you back?" Chao Lun was surprised. He had assumed Yan Guan was at least a trusted confidant, but he didn’t know anything?

Your brother likes me was something Yan Guan couldn’t bring himself to say.

Who would've thought, Chao Lun was just as sharp as Daxi and the others.

"Hah, I knew it. I said from the start that he had his eye on you, but he refused to admit it," Chao Lun muttered, now uncomfortable with the idea that he might have a male sister-in-law. Being around Yan Guan suddenly felt awkward. "Uh, you can go now. And don’t leave the palace, understand? If you think of anything, come tell me right away."

Yan Guan was just as uneasy. Although nothing had happened between him and Chao Ge, this ambiguous situation hanging in the air left him unsure of how to explain it.

Within a couple of days, the court descended into chaos. Many officials submitted petitions, pleading for Chao Ge to return to the capital. Despite Chao Lun’s multiple attempts to reassure them, it was to no avail. Truth be told, Chao Ge had been away for far too long.

Late at night, back at Yongning Palace, Chao Lun sighed at the pile of memorials stacked high in front of him. He thought to himself, 'If they really want to train me, my brother doesn’t have to stay away this long. I kind of miss him.'

Three days later, Yan Guan, having learned his lesson after being lectured by Chao Lun last time, brought in a large plate of noodles. Chao Lun didn’t notice the confusion in Yan Guan’s eyes.

Seeing the food, Chao Lun’s eyes lit up. He quickly pushed aside the memorials, making room for the meal. He devoured the food like a starved ghost reborn, and between mouthfuls, he vaguely asked, "Have you thought of anything lately?"

"Second Prince, today Dai Qing came by."

Chao Lun paused mid-bite, "Has the Ba-Yun clan made a move?"

"No, Dai Qing said that Master has fallen ill..." Yan Guan’s voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Chao Lun was shocked, "How could that be? He was fine when you came back!"

"Illnesses like this have incubation periods. Perhaps Master was already... and I failed to notice." Guilt overwhelmed Yan Guan. If he had known, he would never have agreed to return.

"There are so many physicians there, nothing will happen," Chao Lun tried to comfort himself.

The two fell silent for a long time. Chao Lun lost his appetite and stood up, throwing on his cloak, preparing to rush out, "This is serious. I need to see Dai Qing."

Yan Guan stopped him, "Dai Qing is under orders to secretly monitor the Ba-Yun clan. If you rush over now, it might arouse suspicion."

Chao Lun calmed down. Yes, he had forgotten there was still a member of the Ba-Yun clan in this very palace—his dear mother, who had thoughtfully placed so many attendants around him. And yet, when something truly happened, there were only a few people he could trust.

"My brother has always been resilient. If things are dire enough that Dai Qing had to deliver a message, then the situation must be very bad. We need to summon Cai Dan."

Yan Guan obeyed and went to fetch the man.

Chao Lun knew that summoning someone into the palace so late at night would draw attention, but he had no other choice. Sitting alone in the vast, empty hall, he suddenly felt he could understand his elder brother a little more.

Cai Dan hurried over, his heart filled with unease after hearing the news on the way.

"Teacher," Chao Lun stood up and saluted. Cai Dan had once been an imperial tutor in the inner court, having taught Chao Lun for several years. It had been a long time since he’d called him 'teacher.'

"Second Prince, I am unworthy of such a title. The Sovereign faces difficulties in Sang Ta, we must make preparations early."

"Teacher, please advise."

"I'm afraid this matter cannot be kept hidden. If the situation truly deteriorates, I beg the Second Prince to ascend the throne," said Cai Dan, his voice trembling as his elderly body tried to kneel.

Yan Guan, standing behind the door, couldn't help but shrink back when he overheard this. He felt as if his face had gone numb with cold, but this time, no one was there to warm him up.

Chao Lun didn’t know how to respond. Cai Dan was a loyal minister, and in his eyes, Chao Lun was the rightful heir. Back when Chao Ge was brought back to the court, it had seemed like it was merely to ensure that Chao Lun, who was still a fledgling, had some support. Now, hearing Cai Dan speak of immediately ascending the throne in the event of Chao Ge’s misfortune, it wasn’t unexpected.

"No," Chao Lun muttered, feeling lost, "My brother will be fine. It must be the Ba-Yun clan’s doing. How is it that Dai Qing has no news?" he murmured.

Cai Dan hastily said, "Now is not the time to hunt down the culprits behind the scenes. The Master is in critical condition, and someone is definitely spreading the news. It will be impossible to keep it hidden. When the time comes, Your Highness must ascend the throne to stabilize the situation."

"And then what?" Chao Lun suddenly burst out in anger, "My brother has endured the Ba-Yun clan for so long. If I ascend the throne, how could I possibly let them stay? In that case, shouldn’t they have already killed me? Don’t I... still have a younger sister?"

In Wugan Kingdom’s history, there had been female rulers before, and according to their beliefs, the status of women was not low. His younger sister was only nine years old, just the right age to control.

"Teacher, there’s no need to say more. I know my own weight. I’m not fit to be the ruler now, and even if I ascend, I’ll be obstructed at every turn, unable to defend myself against both open and hidden attacks."

Cai Dan sighed, "We, your ministers, will protect you, Your Highness."

"Enough. I will speak about this at tomorrow’s court. There’s no hiding it anyway. Please, Teacher, quickly come up with a plan. No matter what, I must expose the ones behind all this, which will at least allow me to deal with them openly."

Cai Dan didn’t agree but had no choice but to nod in acknowledgment.

After Cai Dan was sent off, Yan Guan walked into the hall and saw Chao Lun with a somber expression. Usually, Chao Lun was somewhat unsteady, but now, he bore a slight resemblance to Chao Ge. Yan Guan felt a sense of unease. "Your Highness, why don’t you let me return to Sang Ta?"

Chao Lun’s eyes lit up for a moment but then dimmed again, "No, you hold a special place in my brother’s heart. He sent you back on purpose. If something were to happen to you, it would pierce him right in the heart."

"How can we worry about that now? I know Doctor Wu’s skills. If Dai Qing sent a message, it must mean that even he finds the illness difficult to treat. Perhaps I could go and try. Besides, if the Master deliberately spread a false message, why would he send Dai Qing to tell me? Even Your Highness knows that my relationship with him is not ordinary. How could he bear to make me worry...?" Yan Guan’s voice choked up as he spoke.

Chao Lun fell silent. It was true. If this was just a ruse to lure out the enemy, Chao Ge could have simply told him or Cai Dan. After all, the court needed people to respond to the situation. Moreover, Yan Guan was keenly perceptive, and the way Chao Ge had hastily sent him away showed the care and love that were not faked. How could he bear to tell him about his serious illness and make him worry? Chao Ge knew that Yan Guan was an excellent doctor, and Yan Guan would certainly insist on coming to Sang Ta. It was likely that Dai Qing had made the decision on his own to inform Yan Guan, though the reasons behind it were something Yan Guan dared not think about. Perhaps the illness was severe and difficult to treat, and he was called to provide medical help. Or maybe... Dai Qing couldn’t bear to let his master be unable to see his sweetheart one last time.

Chao Lun turned his head away, "I’ll have someone make the arrangements."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Yan Guan bowed deeply to him.

The next day, the court was thrown into an uproar, with everyone having their own hidden agendas and conspiracy theories.

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Chapter 13: Plague

2024-12-30T04:08:00.002+05:30

As the carriages and horses ventured deeper into the grasslands, Yan Guan increasingly felt the chill in the air.

It was too quiet.

It wasn't until the soldiers dragged a body out of the hunter's house that the stillness was broken.

"Sovereign, there are blood spots and bruises on the face. It appears to be typhoid fever..."

"Put on masks and go investigate immediately," Chao Ge's expression instantly turned cold. The people from the Medical Bureau quickly took out preventive pills and distributed them.

The worst fear had come true. Chao Ge's only consolation was that he had come personally. Otherwise, with the local officials’ indecisiveness, the casualties would have been much greater.

Now that they had reached the border, the population was sparse and people lived scattered. So the situation was slightly better than expected. Most people infected with typhoid had mild symptoms, though the old hunter who had died was just too old.

A physician hurriedly walked towards Wuritu's tent. "Master, there's a girl whose fever hasn't gone down even after taking medicine. Instead, it's gotten more serious."

Who would have thought that Wuritu wasn't in the tent at this moment? Only a few green-robed attendants were there, boiling the medicine. Upon hearing this, Yan Guan immediately stood up from behind the stove, "Master Wu is seeing another patient elsewhere. Take me to her first!"

The physician recognized Yan Guan and didn’t refuse his help. As the two hurried along, Yan Guan asked worriedly, "Have you already diagnosed her?"

"I have. She has chills and nausea, which are indeed symptoms of typhoid fever. She was given Guizhi Decoction earlier, which should have been correct, but her vomiting worsened."

When they arrived at the girl’s tent, to his surprise, Daxi was there as well, holding the girl’s hand, muttering anxiously, and even crying. Yan Guan didn’t have time to think about it and quickly stepped forward to examine her.

"The illness has penetrated the muscles, blocking the effectiveness of the medicine," Yan Guan placed the girl's hand back under the blanket. "Acupuncture at Fengchi and Fengfu points, then give Guizhi Decoction again."

Yan Guan pulled out silver needles from a cloth bag, sterilized them with liquor, and prepared to administer the acupuncture. "The acupuncture points are at the back of the head. It’ll be quick and painless."

Daxi supported Cao Du to sit up. The young man in front of them still had a bit of youthful innocence, but his gentle yet firm words inexplicably put people at ease.

Yan Guan's needlework was swift and precise. Cao Du, already feverish and drowsy, barely felt anything, but Daxi kept his eyes fixed on Yan Guan. After all, Liangzhou was a nomadic region, and its medical practices were not as well-established as in the Liang Dynasty. Techniques like acupuncture were rare.

After administering medicine to Cao Du, Yan Guan stood up to leave, as there were many more patients to care for. Daxi, worried about Cao Du, only murmured a soft thank you and didn’t get up to see him off.

Seeing him like this, Yan Guan couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy. So, this is Daxi’s beloved? They truly seem to share a deep bond.

The patients from the surrounding locations had all been gathered at this location, and the officers of the Medical Bureau were so busy that they lost track of time. Yan Guan, who had been practicing health preservation [a healthy lifestyle] since childhood, had never stayed up this late. Being at an age where one grows and gets sleepy easily, he was exhausted to the point of passing out. Though he appeared to still be sitting in front of the pot, his eyes had long glazed over.

When Chao Ge entered the tent, he immediately saw this scene, and a rare smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Yan Guan," Chao Ge called out. After a few seconds, the person in front of him finally pulled his dazed gaze away from the pot, and responded blankly, "Huh?" He even forgot to address him as "Master."

Chao Ge couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a soft laugh. This time, Yan Guan snapped fully awake and quickly stood to bow. Chao Ge waved him off, "Forget it. I’ve come to ask for some medicine."

Realizing what he meant, Yan Guan hurried to fetch the medicine for him. For several days now, Chao Ge had been leading patrols around the area - searching for any missing patients, setting up quarantines, and distributing medicine. He probably hadn’t had a full night’s sleep for a few days either. Given his constant contact with patients, drinking some preventive medicine was indeed necessary.

Chao Ge downed the medicine in one gulp, but the dim candlelight couldn’t hide the bluish-black exhaustion beneath his eyes. "How are the patients here?" he asked.

"Most have mild symptoms and have shown improvement after taking the medicine. The more severe cases have been specially arranged for care in separate tents."

Chao Ge nodded. "Good. You’ve worked hard. Once the situation here stabilizes, you should return to the capital," he said, his tone a bit stiff.

What did he mean by that? How could he ask him to leave alone? "No," Yan Guan refused without thinking, "There aren’t enough doctors here. Many are still young and lack experience in treating plagues. I have to stay."

"Are you saying they're young, and you're not?" Chao Ge retorted with a hint of anger. At first, Yan Guan had followed him here of his own accord, but now that things had stabilized, he still refused to leave.

The atmosphere grew tense. Chao Ge took a step forward, his tall figure completely overshadowing Yan Guan, his voice lowered, "You're smart. You can’t possibly be unaware of the reason."

Yan Guan recalled that night. Of course, he knew, but he couldn't believe that Chao Ge would truly regard him so highly.

Romantic feelings would become his weakness.

"Don’t make things difficult for me." Chao Ge leaned in closer to Yan Guan, his hand gently stroking his face, carrying a hint of tenderness. Yan Guan's face, chilled by the cold wind, felt the warmth of Chao Ge's hand.

It shouldn’t be like this. A ruler of a nation shouldn't treat someone who was either a plaything or a male concubine in this way. Yan Guan’s eyelashes trembled slightly, the answer was clear, but he didn’t dare face it.

"Why are you so stubborn," Chao Ge sighed helplessly. "The court is full of tangled power struggles. I don't know what will happen. I can’t make promises to you, nor can I keep you by my side day and night, carrying you in my pocket or hanging you at my waist." Chao Ge paused, and Yan Guan felt the pressure around him intensify.

His cheek was rubbed gently, a gesture full of disappointment. Finally, Yan Guan spoke, "There will be danger... I'm afraid someone will use me to threaten you."

"I won’t betray the people of Wugan."

Chao Ge’s meaning was clear. He couldn’t bear to part with Yan Guan, but as the ruler of a nation, his responsibilities were far greater. If it truly came to a dilemma, Yan Guan would be the one sacrificed. Therefore, Yan Guan had to return to the capital, where someone could protect him.

In fact, using Yan Guan to hurt and slander Chao Ge was a childish plan, but Chao Ge didn’t dare to take the risk.

A few days later, Daxi came to find Yan Guan, looking quite relaxed. It seemed the girl had recovered.

"Cao Du has fully recovered, and I have to thank you," Daxi placed a bracelet in Yan Guan's palm. "She strung this jade herself. It's not worth much, just a little token of appreciation."

Since Daxi said that, Yan Guan didn’t refuse and accepted it. "It's quite beautiful. Why does it look like water?" The jade was smooth and glossy. The beads on the bracelet weren’t large, but each one was clear and pure, clearly requiring a lot of effort to make.

"Yes," Daxi said, a little proud, "Cao Du is quite skillful, just like her name."

"Cao Du? Does her name mean 'clever'?"

"Exactly," Daxi’s eyes sparkled with joy. "I plan to propose in the spring and take her to the capital."

Yan Guan hummed in response, then suddenly asked, "What does the master’s name mean?"

"Majesty."

Yan Guan smiled, "It truly fits."

Speaking of this, Daxi remembered his earlier idle chat with Geqi. "I heard you're about to return to the capital soon? It's the master's order."

Yan Guan sighed, "Yes, the master insists I leave. Once the patients have stabilized and the physicians from the Medical Bureau are able to manage, I'll be on my way."

Daxi stared at Yan Guan for a long while, then suddenly clicked his tongue, "So? You understand the master's feelings now?"

Yan Guan touched the jade bracelet, smiled, but said nothing.

Daxi, never one to hold back, blurted out, "Have you slept together?" [Da…Xi!]

Yan Guan froze, then his face flushed bright red. "W-What are you saying? Daxi, you... you'd better go back and take care of Cao Du..."

Daxi smacked his lips, thinking to himself, ‘I thought something had happened between them.’

Yan Guan, mortified to the core, scolded lightly, "Does Brother Daxi treat Cao Du like this too, so recklessly?"

"Hey, don’t say that!" Daxi immediately became anxious, "Cao Du and I follow proper conduct. Our feelings are pure! Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you."

Yan Guan hadn’t seen Chao Ge for a few days, but he had heard that he went to the border. Yan Guan started preparing to head back to the capital. The team had more than a dozen messengers, led by Dai Qing.

"Little Doctor Yan, have you packed your things?"

"Yes, yes," Yan Guan hastily slung his bag over his back and mounted his horse, following Dai Qing.

"We've met before, do you remember?"

Yan Guan nodded, "We had a brief encounter at the temple. I didn't catch your name back then."

"Dai Qing. But don’t go telling unrelated people about me."

Yan Guan was startled. If his name was so important, why had he casually told him? He quickly swore not to say a word.

Dai Qing laughed heartily, amused by how nervous Yan Guan became.

"Oh, by the way, there's something I need you to take care of. When we return to the capital, please inform the Second Prince of my arrival, and also deliver some official documents to him."

Yan Guan naturally agreed.

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Chapter 12: Sangta

2024-12-30T04:04:00.005+05:30

The next morning, Daxi brought the meal. Chao Ge didn’t say anything, but it was Daxi who couldn't hold back and asked, "Lord, are you upset? Before, Yan Xiaoguan used to eagerly bring the food and watch you finish it."

‘Eagerly? He’s just too moral and treats me like a patient,’ Chao Ge thought angrily. "It’s nothing. Did you notify Yongning Hall?"

"I did. Are you really not taking Yan Guan?"

"I'm not."

Daxi was helpless, his expression worried, wondering if the Lord’s first love would just end without a trace. After bringing the items back to the dining room, he saw Yan Guan standing by the railing, looking out. So he stepped forward to greet him.

"Daxi," Yan Guan smiled and pointed to the carriages in the distance. "Are you leaving soon?"

"Yes, everything’s packed."

Yan Guan nodded.

Looking at him, Daxi bit his lip and said, "You should go with him. The Lord might need you."

Yan Guan was startled and turned his head, but his expression remained calm: "But the Lord ordered me to return to Yongning Hall." Daxi was a little anxious. Yan Guan, feeling some pity, asked, "Is it very important? If I need to go... it's not impossible."

Last night, Yan Guan had tossed and turned the entire night. Chao Ge, the ruler of a nation, could take lives easily, and getting a man would be even more effortless. He couldn’t escape, no matter what.

"Ah, Brother Daxi, I just don’t know how to face the Lord," he sighed.

"Oh? Did the Lord bully you?" Daxi teased, with a hint of mockery.

Yan Guan hadn’t expected him to be so sharp and could only change the subject. "Going to Sangta—is it very harsh there?"

Daxi shook his head and looked toward the distant snowy mountains. "Beyond them lies the beautiful Sangta Grasslands. There are herds of cattle and sheep, lush water and grass. People gather around bonfires to sing joyfully, praising the gifts of Changshengtian (Eternal Heaven). At night, the stars are very bright, and you can even see ghostly green fireflies and glowing stones." Daxi paused, his expression suddenly softening, "And of course, my beloved is also there."

Yan Guan blushed a little. He still wasn’t used to the Wugan people's direct expressions of love.

"It sounds wonderful. Even if something happens, the Lord will take care of it, right?"

Daxi smiled, "Of course. I’ve never seen the Lord fail at anything." The people of Wugan held deep admiration for their young king. "In your Liang Dynasty’s words, this is called 'preparing for a rainy day,' isn’t it?"

Yan Guan jumped down from the steps and looked up at Daxi. "I understand now. I’ll ask the Lord to let him take me with him."

Daxi was clear-headed about the important matters. He knew that if Yan Guan had come to beg him to go along, it meant that this journey wouldn’t be easy. He thought to himself that he would simply consider this as repaying a favor.

But things didn’t go quite as he expected. Before Yan Guan could even find Chao Ge, someone from Yongning Palace arrived.

"The Lord said his illness is already cured and has sent someone to take you back to the Second Prince," said the gentle maidservant.

"But..." Before he could finish, the maidservant took hold of him. "Alright, just go quickly. The Second Prince is still waiting."

Upon returning to Yongning Hall, the ever-concerned Second Prince naturally didn’t let him off easily. He asked a series of detailed questions, confirming that the elder brother's illness had indeed improved.

When Yan Guan mentioned that Daxi hoped he would accompany Chao Ge to Sangta, Chao Lun was silent for a few seconds. Then, with some hesitation, he asked, "If no one from Yongning Palace had come for you, would you be willing to go?"

"Of course. I was already planning to ask the Lord for permission."

Chao Lun frowned, suddenly stood up, and pulled Yan Guan into the inner chamber. "Listen carefully to what I’m about to say. I have a way to ensure you can stay by my brother’s side, but you must promise to guarantee his safety. There’s likely to be an outbreak of plague in Sangta this year, and I’d feel more at ease with you watching over him."

Yan Guan quickly suppressed the surprise in his heart—this information absolutely couldn’t be leaked.

"My brother must have treated you well. You mustn’t..."

"That won’t happen, Your Highness, don’t worry," Yan Guan interrupted him. "I come from a good family. Since I studied medicine as a child, I was taught that human life is of the utmost importance. If there really is an outbreak of plague, I cannot just save myself and ignore others."

Chao Lun was somewhat relieved and immediately went to find Daxi. The two of them discussed it and decided to bring him along anyway—after all, with one more person, he wouldn’t attract much attention.

In short, by the time Chao Ge realized, they had already traveled hundreds of miles. Even if he wanted to act out, it was too late.

Yan Guan was hauled into the carriage, and Chao Ge, with a dark expression, asked if Chao Lun had forced him to come. Yan Guan had never seen Chao Ge suppress his anger like this, and nervously murmured that he came of his own accord.

"I told you to go back, and you insisted on coming?! How stupid are you? What—didn’t you get enough of a lesson last night?"

Yan Guan choked, quickly sneaking a glance at Chao Ge’s expression before lowering his head again. It was the first time he had seen him so furious.

Chao Ge wasn’t letting him off easily. "Did I not make myself clear enough? Or do you think I’m some kind of righteous gentleman?"

"The Second Prince said there might be a plague, and they’ll need me," Yan Guan said hurriedly when he saw Chao Ge was about to speak again. "Of course I’m scared, but when it comes to saving lives…"

Yan Guan’s confidence faltered, and his voice grew softer and softer. He had been in Liangzhou for six months, and the people around him had actually treated him pretty well. He was well-fed and clothed, and had even made some friends. Many of their families lived in Sangta, so naturally, he was worried for them. If there was something he could do, it would be worth it.

Chao Ge stared at him for a long time, but in the end, didn’t say anything more.

Yan Guan lowered his head and stared at the wooden lattice pattern on the carriage window, deep in thought. Was it really just the compassion of a healer, or a case of repaying a kindness?

The group traveled on and off for several days, eventually reaching the Sangta Grasslands. Yan Guan spent most of the journey following the Medical Bureau cart. When he got tired, he would get on the cart and lie down for a while. The older gentlemen laughed at him, calling him a little kid.

"I'm seventeen!" Yan Guan protested, feeling indignant.

"You are not even as big as my grandson," Wuritu laughed. His grandson was fifteen, so he was clearly teasing Yan Guan for being short.

Yan Guan wasn’t happy about it and thought to himself, ‘I wasn’t considered short back in Yangzhou! It’s just that people from Liangzhou grow so tall, it makes me look shorter.’

As they made stops along the way to rest, the snow on the grasslands hadn’t melted. Yan Guan trudged through the snow, his feet sinking deeply with every step, as he made his way toward the tent.

The weather really didn’t look good. It’s been far too cold this winter. If the cattle and sheep froze to death, once the snow melted in the spring, wouldn't those carcasses start to spread diseases?

"Sovereign, several households have already lost half their cattle and sheep to the cold," Geqi reported back with a few subordinates after scouting.

"Did they bring the felt blankets and bedding straw?" asked Chao Ge.

"They were taken, but the wind is so strong at night that it often blows the tents away."

How could this happen? This weather was really strange.

"Send more people, and distribute the clothes and medicines first. Call Dai Qing over."

"Yes," Geqi replied and went off to carry out the orders.

Not long after, a lean, young man lifted the tent flap and entered. "Your Highness, everything is frozen, and the dirt and rocks are difficult to dig through."

"Dig anyway. The enclosures aren't stable. Do you want to wait for the wind to blow the cattle and sheep to death? As for those already frozen, buy them at market price and burn them all. Do not bury them on the spot."

This kind of weather is rare. Even the herders, despite their preparations, couldn’t have predicted it.

Even so, Chao Ge’s group was limited in number, and the households on the edges of the Sangta Grasslands couldn’t be attended to. Meanwhile, the plague spread quickly, with one case leading to a hundred others.

"It’s still this cold even after spring has started," Yan Guan muttered. He was bundled up, stepping carefully on the crunchy ice.

"The Lord said we should continue walking East. The Scouts reported that there are signs of disease there," Wuritu said, busily sorting through the herbs.

"Why does the Lord put himself in danger? Wouldn’t it be better to let subordinates take a Physician there? He could return to the Court sooner and take charge of the overall situation."

Wuritu shook his head and quickly bagged the herbs. "Perhaps he has his own considerations. How can we know?"

They had been in Sangta for four or five days, and Chao Ge’s group had traveled south. Though some herders had been affected by the snowstorm, the relief efforts had been timely, and there were no casualties. The frozen cattle and sheep had been properly handled.

Chao Ge had been away from the capital for nearly a month. The snowstorm was so fierce that the messenger hawks couldn’t fly through, and communication with the capital had been almost completely cut off. Yan Guan couldn’t understand what kind of Prophecy could make Chao Ge take such risks. If it was a plague, it would get far worse.

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Chapter 11: Revelation

2024-12-30T03:58:00.004+05:30

The Second Prince’s maternal uncle, currently the man with absolute power in the Ba-Yun Clan, had once been a close friend who fought side by side with Chao Ge.

Chao Ge forced a half-hearted smile, casually raised his cup for a toast, and said, “May the new year bring you good health.”

“I heard the lord plans to head south?”

Chao Ge was growing irritated, as one person after another kept asking about this. “Since you already know, why bother asking?”

In the Wugan language, "Bulagan" means "leopard," and the man himself was indeed both sharp and cunning. “Is the lord in a bad mood?”

Chao Ge’s expression finally shifted slightly. Though he smiled, the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Watch yourself, Bulagan,” he said lazily, though he didn't seem truly angry.

“I’ve overstepped,” Bulagan quickly reined in his expression and retreated without delay. As he turned and left the hall, Chao Ge did not miss the flash of arrogance that crossed his face.

Chao Ge rubbed his brow. This wasn’t the first time Bulagan had tested him - today’s encounter was actually rather routine. They were probing the limits of his tolerance towards the Ba-Yun Clan, using the flimsy excuse of their youthful friendship. But Chao Ge wasn’t a kindhearted man to begin with. How merciful could someone who’d walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood be? This indifferent attitude of his was nothing but a tactic of warfare—humble yet proud. The Ba-Yun Clan would never let go of the opportunity to interfere with his trip south to Sang Ta. He was waiting for them to make a mistake.

Chao Ge returned to Hui'en Hall, feeling a bit weary. Yan Guan, who had been crouching by the stove, immediately stood upon hearing the footsteps.

Chao Ge's heavy wolf-fur cloak, laden with wind and snow, fluttered as Yan Guan approached to take it. However, Chao Ge gently brushed his hand away. “It’s fine, I’ll do it myself,” he said, walking a few steps ahead, putting some distance between them.

Yan Guan lowered his hand and followed him. Ever since the first night he'd stayed up on watch in Hui'en Hall with the Lord, this routine had become fixed. But when there was a lot of official work, Chao Ge would often dismiss him early. Yan Guan still didn’t quite understand, or rather, he didn’t dare to dwell on the more romantic possibilities. Maybe the Lord just felt too lonely working alone.

Once Chao Ge had settled into his seat, Yan Guan promptly served him tea.

Taking a sip, the slightly bitter tea rolled over Chao Ge’s tongue before leaving a hint of sweetness. Outside, the snow was still falling, and the wind battered the doors and windows, making them creak. Inside the study, this little corner of the world was momentarily warm and peaceful.

Yan Guan noticed Chao Ge slowly setting down his cup and thought, "Could the Lord be drunk?" He had indeed drunk a lot, and his reactions were a bit slower than usual.

“My lord?” Yan Guan couldn’t help but ask, “Shall I pour you more tea? If you’re working on documents tonight, I’ll turn up the oil lamp.”

Chao Ge didn’t respond. Instead, he stared directly at Yan Guan. The intensity of his gaze made Yan Guan uncomfortable, forcing him to lower his head and avoid meeting his eyes. It was fortunate he did so, or he might have been burned by the overwhelming desire in the lord’s eyes.

Chao Ge’s gaze trailed down Yan Guan’s bowed head, resting on a sliver of neck exposed above the dark fur collar. Just half a palm’s width of skin, yet it inexplicably reminded Chao Ge of how Yan Guan’s waist had looked back when he had worn women’s clothing - half-hidden under the veil. Chao Ge felt a heat rise in his throat, though he knew it wasn’t from the tea.

Chao Ge’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he swallowed. He closed his eyes and said, “Have you ever had Wugan wine? You’ve been here half a year now,” his voice a little hoarse.

“Does mare’s milk wine count?”

Chao Ge chuckled, “Only children drink that,” making Yan Guan’s face flush a little.

Tonight, Chao Ge had drunk too much liquor, and the warmth inside the room seemed to create an atmosphere where indulgence felt permissible. Though Chao Ge was drunk, he knew it wasn’t real drunkenness. But seeing Yan Guan standing before him, so obedient, like a little lamb, he thought maybe he could give it a try.

“Come here,” Chao Ge said, and Yan Guan’s body trembled sharply. He saw the look in Chao Ge’s eyes.

Yan Guan almost wanted to bolt for the door. He cursed himself for being foolish, for ever thinking that Chao Ge treated him with special favor merely because of his insignificant medical skills. The oppressive aura of the king had never felt as intense as it did now. Yan Guan couldn’t move his feet, the same paralyzing fear from that day in court when the judge’s gavel slammed down seemed to return, sending shivers through him.

Yan Guan stood there, frozen.

Chao Ge realized the little lamb had disappeared, and now before him was someone covered in icy thorns. His excitement instantly deflated, like he was conceding, “Don’t be afraid of me. I just want… to hug you, that’s all.”

Yan Guan still didn’t move. Chao Ge couldn’t fully conceal the frightening possessiveness he harbored. Even if it was only for a moment, Yan Guan feared he might be torn apart and devoured.

Suddenly, Chao Ge reached out, pulling Yan Guan into his arms with one swift motion. “It’s just a hug, can’t even do that?”

Yan Guan froze in place, shocked to hear the tone in Chao Ge’s voice, which almost sounded aggrieved. Chao Ge didn’t make any other moves, merely holding him, his arms wrapped around Yan Guan’s shoulders and waist.

“Tomorrow I’ll be leaving for the south. Someone from Yongning Hall will come to take you back,” Chao Ge said.

Yan Guan was left speechless, but Chao Ge continued speaking, as if talking to himself, “Just stay quietly in Yongning Hall. Don’t stand out, don’t let anyone notice you. If you can stay safe...”

Chao Ge’s words were disjointed, but miraculously, Yan Guan understood. He never imagined that one day he would become the King’s Achilles' heel. These words seemed to be spoken to him, but in truth, Chao Ge was saying them for his own benefit. He didn’t want anyone to notice his special feelings for Yan Guan, nor did he want Yan Guan to be hurt because of them, or for himself to be restrained by them.

The shadow of the prophecy made by the oracle lingered, refusing to fade. Chao Ge furrowed his brows deeply and tightened his hold on Yan Guan, burying his face in the crook of his neck. The warm breath tickled Yan Guan, who instinctively turned his head to the side.

Unexpectedly, Chao Ge reacted as if he had been provoked. His hand, which had been resting on Yan Guan’s waist, suddenly gripped the back of his head, pulling him back into place. Yan Guan’s pupils contracted as their noses brushed against each other.

Chao Ge rarely desired anything. The throne and power were never his ambitions, and he had no particular preferences in food or clothing. People said their ruler was easygoing, but in reality, people like him were the hardest to deal with. Because once he did want something, he would fixate on it, never letting go.

After all, right now, all he wanted was Yan Guan. He desired so little—couldn’t he be satisfied just this once?

Chao Ge, thinking like this, suddenly moved his legs and jolted Yan Guan.

Yan Guan's body swayed, and before he could react, the light before his eyes dimmed.

Chao Ge kissed him fiercely, with no technique, driven purely by feeling. It was rough, domineering, and rude, making Yan Guan feel as if he was meeting this man for the first time. Chao Ge sucked on his lips, prying open his teeth with his tongue in an overbearing invasion. Yan Guan trembled with shock but had no room to retreat. The gap in their strength was vast; Chao Ge’s muscular arms, taut with passion, left no escape.

Chao Ge felt a surge of sparks light up his nerves. He had fantasized about being physically intimate with Yan Guan more than once, but he hadn’t known that even something as simple as kissing could make him so addicted—like tasting something so good he couldn’t stop. He held on tightly, like a wolf clamping down on its prey, refusing to let go.

Yan Guan felt pain from the kiss, letting out a muffled whimper. Chao Ge loosened his grip slightly, but his invasion only intensified. His tongue swept through Yan Guan's mouth, still unsatisfied even after a full exploration. Chao Ge pinched Yan Guan's face, reluctantly pulling away. As he withdrew, a silver thread of saliva connected them, and Chao Ge casually wiped it away with his thumb, his eyes glued to Yan Guan's face.

Yan Guan’s face flushed a deep red, most likely from anger, and he couldn't even manage a word.

After a long pause, Yan Guan spoke, “Your Highness is drunk. You should rest early.” His tone was distant, making Chao Ge both frustrated and helpless.

The boy’s face still had a youthful innocence to it, his lips swollen from the kiss, and his complexion pale and soft. No matter how he looked, it was a face that evoked pity and tenderness. Yet, in reality, he was fiercely stubborn. Otherwise, how could he have survived the thousands of miles to make it here to Wugan?

Chao Ge knew he had made a mistake, but only a coward would blame his loss of control on strong wine. The truth was, he wanted this too much. The road ahead was uncertain, and he feared he might never see Yan Guan again. Let him be hated, let him be despised—Chao Ge thought. At least with tonight's false warmth, he could be happy for a while.

“Yan Guan,” Chao Ge released him but grabbed hold of his sleeve. “You can hate me, but please don’t despise me.”

Yan Guan froze, lowering his eyes. “How dare I harbor resentment? Both thunder and rain are bestowed by Your Highness. Your grace in allowing this humble servant to serve you is already a great favor.”

Chao Ge felt a sharp pang in his heart. The image of Yan Guan learning to braid his hair, holding a cat, secretly eating snacks—these fragments of memory felt painfully disconnected from the person standing before him now, who called himself nothing but a humble servant. Given his age, liveliness should have been natural, but with what he had gone through, being reserved had become his only path to maturity.

The words were polite and grandiose, but Chao Ge knew that once the surface was torn away, the crude desires underneath were something Yan Guan couldn’t bear to face.

Footnotes:

“Let even an affectionate Goliath get himself tied to a small tender thing, dreading to hurt it by pulling, and dreading still more to snap the cord, and which of the two, pray, will be master?”

― George Eliot, Silas Marner

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Chapter 10: New Year

2024-12-23T02:22:00.005+05:30

Chao Ge’s ten-day period of offering prayers at the Shrine ended, and Liangzhou welcomed the first day of the New Year.

“Master,” Yan Guan bowed to Chao Ge, “this morning’s meal includes braised radish and pork ribs, barley porridge, lamb buns, and glutinous rice flower tea.” Chao Ge had been vegetarian for ten days, with not a drop of oil in his stomach, and Yan Guan, pondering what to add to the meal, did not want to make it too greasy.

At night, there was a banquet to host the officials, so it needed to be a bit more formal. Chao Ge, with his back to Yan Guan as he braided his hair, merely nodded in response.

“Can you braid hair?” A sudden question caught Yan Guan off guard.

Yan Guan naturally could not, as after arriving in Liangzhou, he had not even bothered to tie his hair properly, simply gathering it together with a cloth strip.

Seeing that Yan Guan was standing there, unsure of what to do, Chao Ge understood he couldn’t and called out, “Come here, I’ll teach you.”

Yan Guan moved over and stood behind Chao Ge. “String these on,” he was handed a few turquoise beads.

Yan Guan obediently did as told, afraid of pulling Chao Ge’s hair too roughly, and moved very carefully. Chao Ge, emotionless, watched the reflection in the copper mirror. The young man’s features were calm and gentle, focused as he threaded beads onto the end of Chao Ge’s hair. Suddenly, a memory of the Confucian classics he once studied came to mind. The people of Liang seemed to have a unique attachment to hair—an expression of romantic love, much like the fleeting beauty of wind, flowers, snow, and moon. Now, as someone held his hair in their hands, Chao Ge felt a secret sense of pleasure stir in his heart. [I can’t with this guy]

Before long, a few turquoise beads had been threaded on. Chao Ge withdrew his gaze, took the ends of his hair, and swiftly braided two locks together. “Did you understand? Give it a try.”

Yan Guan, imitating his actions, clumsily picked up a few strands of hair and intertwined them, finally securing it with a bright red coral bead.

“Hmm, not bad,” Chao Ge praised him, and while doing so, grabbed a handful of amber and agate from the box and placed them into Yan Guan's hands.

“Auspiciousness and good fortune,” Chao Ge said, lifting his palm as if to pat Yan Guan’s head. But after hesitating for a moment, he curled his fingers back and lowered his hand.

Yan Guan, stunned by the sudden bounty, didn’t even notice Chao Ge’s movements. In a daze, he echoed, “Auspiciousness and good fortune.”

Seeing Yan Guan’s dazed expression, Chao Ge almost wanted to laugh. Feeling a lightness in his heart, he said, “You don’t need to prepare any more meals today. Let’s go for a stroll outside the palace. The streets should be lively.”

Unexpectedly, Yan Guan shook his head. “I don’t know how to talk to people, so I’d rather not go. The palace is lively enough.”

Chao Ge, being much taller than him, observed his expression for a moment to ensure he wasn’t upset, then simply let it go.

“Have you gained weight?” Chao Ge suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Yan Guan hadn’t expected that question and mumbled vaguely, “Mm, the meals from the kitchen are quite good.”

Chao Ge was very pleased. He thought to himself that the older staff in the palace really knew how to take care of people. Yan Guan had been with Chao Lun for so long without gaining weight, but after only a few days here, his complexion had already improved so much. [That’s only coz Daxi moonlights as a town-crier]

Yan Guan felt a bit anxious, thinking, Does the Master dislike his attendants getting fat? After hesitating for a moment, he nervously suggested, “I’ll eat less in the future.”

Oh no! Chao Ge, who had taken the trouble to instruct the nannies to take good care of him, realised Yan Guan had misunderstood. He quickly said, “Absolutely not! The winters in Liangzhou are harsh. If you don’t gain some weight, you’ll freeze to death!” Chao Ge’s face was serious, showing no hint of embarrassment at using such a severe warning.

Yan Guan widened his eyes in surprise but obediently nodded in agreement.

After they went outside, Yan Guan found a fragrant sachet to carry the items with him. Just as he finished, he bumped into Geqi, who was coming on shift. “Where’d you get that!” Geqi asked.

His sudden movements when stashing the items must have looked suspicious, like someone caught in the middle of doing something sneaky, which led to the misunderstanding. Yan Guan hurriedly explained that they were a gift from the Lord.

Geqi crossed his arms and stared at him for a while, but in the end, he let him go.

As soon as Yan Guan was out of sight, he rubbed the goosebumps on his arms and took off running. Geqi is so scary. ‘The master is much kinder,’ he thought to himself, completely unaware of how strange his wording was.

The kitchen was busy preparing for the evening banquet, so with nothing to do, Yan Guan wanted to help. But he ended up being shooed away. Feeling at a loss, he held the large cat the nanny had handed him. “Take it for a walk,” the nanny had said, so Yan Guan, not knowing what else to do, wandered aimlessly around the palace with the cat.

He didn’t dare go too far, as the New Year’s banquet meant heightened security everywhere. It was cold outside, so Yan Guan found a quiet corridor to sit down. The building had a floor heater, and the warmth radiated through the walls. Leaning against the wall, Yan Guan lazily stroked the cat.

He couldn’t tell if the cat was just fat or simply old, but its throat sounded like a boiling kettle, purring away. Yan Guan found this amusing and said to himself, “What’s your name? Li Nu,” as he picked up the cat and squeezed its paw. [貍奴 (Línú) - lit., cat-servant/slave]

The cat, ever prideful, acted like it didn’t hear a thing. It gave a big yawn, licked its paw, and burrowed back into Yan Guan’s arms, determined to continue its interrupted dream.

Yan Guan didn’t disturb it again, thinking, ‘In the whole palace, this cat is the freest. It’s something to be envied.’

The window of the palace behind the corridor had been quietly opened. Chao Ge leaned against it, and who knows how long he had been watching through the narrow window slit, no wider than half a palm.

Outside the corridor, snow continued to fall. Yan Guan was leaning against the wall but didn’t feel cold, burying his chin into the cat’s thick fur. From a distance, he looked like a handsome young man wrapped in a scarf. Chao Ge, inside the room, was sweating profusely from the heat, yet he still ordered the floor heater to be stoked even higher.

Daxi couldn’t stand the heat anymore. “Master, why don’t you let Yan Guan come inside?”

Chao Ge wiped the sweat off his brow, his gaze unwavering. “The cat follows its master. If he comes inside, it’ll just run off and hide,” he said, smiling.

Daxi thought to himself, ‘The Lord’s fallen for someone and lost his wits’. He couldn’t understand it. According to the customs of the grasslands, if you liked someone, you just told them directly. There was no need for all this beating around the bush.

Only Chao Ge understood that if he showered Yan Guan with flowery words or grand promises right from the start, it would be meaningless—what the people of Liang would call frivolous. He might not be a perfect gentleman, but his feelings for Yan Guan were sincere and deep. He hid them cautiously, not wanting anyone with ill intentions to notice and harm Yan Guan because of it. Yet, in the end, such restrained desire either leads to crippling self-doubt or an insatiable urge for possession and control…

Seeing that the snow had lightened, Yan Guan patted his sleeves, and got ready to leave. But he suddenly heard a noise from the palace behind him. A corner of a lotus-patterned robe peeked out from around the corner, and Yan Guan quickly set the cat down and bowed in greeting.

Just as he extended his hand, a broad and warm palm gently lifted him up. “No need. How did you end up here?” The voice carried no displeasure, and it seemed like the speaker was just making casual conversation.

“I was walking around with the cat. I didn’t know Master was here…”

“Pastries, they’re still warm. Have some to fill your stomach. There’s still a little time before the banquet starts,” as he spoke, a plate of pastries was placed in front of him.

Yan Guan thanked him and, holding the plate, followed behind Chao Ge. Daxi winked at him, signalling for him to eat while it was still hot. Yan Guan picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth. It was a chestnut cake, warm and fragrant. He started counting the pieces, intending to save a few for the kitchen staff.

The person walking ahead seemed to have eyes on the back of his head. “Stop counting. The kitchen staff will have plenty to eat at the banquet.”

Yan Guan’s face turned red, and he mumbled an acknowledgment before stuffing another piece into his mouth.

When they returned to Hui’en Palace, the plate of pastries had been completely eaten. Yan Guan, feeling as satisfied as a well-fed cat, thought no one was watching. He stood in the corner, using his finger to pick up the crumbs on the plate, then licked them off with the tip of his tongue.

Chao Ge’s gaze froze for a moment before quickly shifting back to the documents in his hand. But in his heart, it was as if a cat’s tail had lightly brushed against him, leaving him with a soft, ticklish feeling that he couldn’t shake. [aiyooo]

In the end, he couldn't resist and waved Yan Guan over. He had noticed Yan Guan's casually tied-up hair when he had tricked him into braiding his hair that morning.

Chao Ge reached out and pinched a strand. "So, still can’t braid, huh?"

Yan Guan was startled. “Ah, uh…,” he actually remembered how, but he never thought about tidying himself up.

The next second, his vision dimmed as Chao Ge stood up, blocking the light. From somewhere, he produced a string of red agate beads. Before Yan Guan could recover from the shock of the Lord personally braiding his hair, the translucent red beads were already woven into it.

“Th-thank you, Master…,” Yan Guan stammered, barely able to speak coherently.

“Go figure out how to braid it yourself,” Chao Ge stopped at the right moment, knowing that pushing too hard might scare him away.

Yan Guan retreated to the side once again. Chao Ge rubbed his fingertips, feeling a bit of regret. Watching Yan Guan struggle to smooth his loose hair, Chao Ge almost burst out laughing.

The New Year’s banquet was held in grand style, and Chao Ge went to the main hall early.

The front hall was bustling with activity, the clinking of cups and lively conversations filling the air. But in the inner chamber behind the great hall, silence hung heavy, and everyone quietly observed each other's expressions. Finally, the stillness was broken.

"Master, forgive my bluntness, but travelling south to Sangta at the start of the New Year, whether or not there will be an outbreak of disease… Such rumours are damaging."

Chao Ge's expression remained calm. "I’m aware, but Sangta is far from the capital and is a strategically crucial location. If I don’t personally go, I fear it will leave room for troublemakers to stir up unrest."

Tseten, sitting off to the side, remained silent. It was clear that Chao Ge had already informed him of his plans beforehand.

The minister still wanted to persuade further. "If no epidemic arises and the Lord leaves the capital, the Second Prince will be unable to handle everything alone. Wouldn't that just create an opening for the schemers in the court? And if an epidemic does break out, those people will start spreading rumours about the throne and the Lord. Rumours can be terrifying, Master, please think carefully!"

"My decision is made. Today, I am simply informing you all. After the New Year, Tseten will assist the Second Prince in handling the court’s affairs. All of you here are capable ministers of the court—I trust you won’t fail in managing this. When I went to Liang Dynasty for half a month, things were handled the same way, and we will do the same now."

Chao Ge had been in power for five years, and even as a young man, he had been influential in his territory. Now, he commanded even more authority. The ministers understood that there was no changing his mind, so they could only bow and take their leave.

In the front hall, the banquet commenced. Chao Ge knew he wouldn’t enjoy their endless chatter, so he only sat for a short while, drinking a few cups of wine. He didn’t like watching these people’s hypocritical flattery. Since the important matters had already been discussed, he was about to leave when someone stopped him by the arm.

"Master, wishing you health and prosperity in the New Year—shall I offer a toast?" There weren’t many people who could boldly stop him like that. It was Ba-Yun Bulagan

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Chapter 9: Temple

2024-12-23T02:20:00.004+05:30

While Chao Ge was at the temple, his subordinates weren't idle either. Chao Lun was sent by his elder brother to handle New Year's affairs, stuck in Yongning Palace day after day, not even allowed to leave the palace gates.

As he was attending to governmental matters, someone reported that the Consort Dowager had arrived.

"Mother?" Chao Lun stood up to greet her.

Ba-Yun Taifei stepped over the threshold and entered with a slight smile on her face. "The New Year is approaching, so the little princess and I came to see you," she said, gesturing for the servants to present gift boxes.

Although Chao Lun was her biological son, he had been raised by his father from a young age. After Chao Ge ascended the throne, he became cautious of the power of the previous dynasty and avoided letting Chao Lun grow too close to the Ba-Yun family, so the two of them rarely saw each other and weren’t particularly close. Thinking of this, Consort Ba-Yun couldn’t help but resent Chao Ge. If not for him, her son would have been the king already, and she would be the most honored Huangtaihou (Empress Dowager) of Wugan.

"You didn’t need to bring gifts, just coming is enough, Mother," Chao Lun said as he lifted Chao Bao. The little girl was about to turn nine after the New Year, chubby and round, making it a bit difficult for Chao Lun to carry her.

Chao Bao, however, wasn’t shy and immediately tried to climb onto her brother's shoulders. "Hey, hey, hey, don't pull on me, I can't hold you!" Chao Lun, afraid she might fall, hurriedly called for her to come down.

Ba-Yun Taifei's expression also changed, and she sharply reprimanded Chao Bao.

Reluctantly, Chao Bao got down. "Big Brother can still carry me and fly. Why can't you?"

Chao Lun was momentarily speechless. How could his strength compare to his elder brother's? But, of course, he wouldn’t admit it out loud. "Oh right, Chao Ge sent a lot of New Year's gifts. I'll take you to pick some," he said, satisfied as he saw his sister’s attention shift.

Ba-Yun Taifei didn't follow them but instead focused on the scattered documents on the desk. "Has the Second Prince been working on these things for the past few days?"

"Yes, with the Sovereign confined to the temple, many of the internal and external New Year affairs are being handled by His Highness," said a servant assigned to Chao Lun by Chao Ge, deliberately trying to win favour in front of the Ba-Yun Taifei.

Who would have thought Ba-Yun Taifei would snort coldly? "All these trivial matters—who couldn’t handle them?" This response not only rejected the compliment but also embarrassed Chao Ge.

The servant thought to himself that Ba-Yun Taifei was aiming too high while lacking real skill. The Second Prince was still far from being capable of ruling. How else could he develop if not by starting with the finer details? The Sovereign’s efforts were truly being wasted.

The servant forced a smile and stood quietly to the side, his mind racing.

Chao Lun returned carrying Chao Bao, followed by several people carrying a row of gift boxes. Seeing this, Ba-Yun Taifei couldn't help but scold Chao Bao softly, blaming her for taking so much without understanding the situation.

"It’s fine. Big Brother gave plenty, and I still have more. If Chao Bao likes it, let her take it," Chao Lun reassured.

"The Sovereign seems to be paying close attention to you," Ba-Yun Taifei said, her tone oddly sarcastic. Chao Lun looked up at his mother and forced a slight smile.

Although he usually engaged in frivolous matters, he was, after all, the Heir, and his sharp instincts were not lacking. How could he not know about the dirty dealings between the Ba-Yun family and the royal family? However, due to his age, he couldn’t harden his heart and could only pretend to be ignorant. But since Consort Ba-Yun spoke that way, it left him feeling uneasy, and the atmosphere grew cold. Ba-Yun Taifei didn’t stay long.

After Ba-Yun Taifei left, Chao Lun was filled with frustration. No matter how many times he tried to organize the accounts, they never made sense. Seeing his agitation, the servant standing by his side comforted him, "Your Highness, there’s no need to rush. Take your time, and things will eventually fall into place."

Chao Lun turned to look at him and asked, "But what if I never manage to figure it out?"

"Our dynasty has many talented people. Surely someone skilled in calculations can assist you, Your Highness. When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Besides, don’t you still have the Sovereign?"

Chao Lun sighed, "My elder brother handles countless affairs every day, never taking a break year after year. How could I trouble him further?"

Chao Lun held a near-reverential admiration for Chao Ge, almost like one would for an elder. This was a fact that still angered Consort Ba-Yun but left her powerless. An heir that couldn’t be controlled was of no benefit to them.

While Chao Lun was overwhelmed with the complicated New Year's matters, things weren’t going smoothly for Chao Ge either.

The temple was dimly lit, and the servants moved quietly, fearing they might anger the spirits. The surrounding stone walls were etched with bloody totems, their dark red strokes appearing ominous and fearsome in the shadows. Yan Guan carried the meal inside and was startled by the wild and brutal atmosphere, his breath faltering for a moment. It wasn’t until he set the food in front of Chao Ge that he calmed down.

Chao Ge noticed Yan Guan’s unease and said, "Next time, have Daxi bring it in."

Yan Guan, eager for an excuse to leave, nodded and knelt on a cushion, shrinking like a quail.

As Chao Ge was eating, he heard someone enter. The newcomer was a lean young man whom Yan Guan had never seen before.

"Sovereign," Dai Qing bowed to Chao Ge and cast a curious glance at Yan Guan.

Yan Guan thought that they must be discussing important matters, so he tactfully got up and left.

"The carriages and horses heading south are all prepared."

Chao Ge watched Yan Guan’s departing figure and replied absentmindedly, "You’ll accompany the army as well. People in the court know who you are, so after the business there is done, return to the capital secretly with the messenger."

"Understood," Dai Qing responded. Trying to gauge Chao Ge’s intentions, he asked, worried, "Sovereign, leaving for the southern inspection during the New Year—won’t this unsettle the people and play right into the hands of the Ba-Yun family?"

Chao Ge shook his head, his expression darkening, "I can’t take the risk of neglecting the welfare of the people. If an epidemic really breaks out and rumours spread, that’s when the public will truly become unsettled."

No one could influence Chao Ge's decisions, not even Caidan had been able to change his mind.

"How is it over in Sangta?"

Dai Qing shook his head, "The hawks we released haven’t returned, and I suspect they’re lost."

Could the wind and snow there already be that severe? It took at least half a month to travel to and from Sangta. The vanguard had already been sent, but they wouldn’t arrive so soon. Hawks were faster, but sadly they likely froze to death mid-flight. No word had yet come from Sangta.

Chao Ge put down his chopsticks, lit an incense stick, and bowed deeply toward the statue in front of him, saying, "May the Divine Lord protect our people." The vast temple echoed with his words, sounding like both a sigh and a lament.

Not long after, Dai Qing came out holding the food box, and Yan Guan, who was standing by the temple door, quickly stepped forward to take it.

"You look unfamiliar. Are you new?"

Yan Guan took a moment to respond, speaking awkwardly in Wugan dialect, “yes”.

Dai Qing raised his eyebrows in slight surprise, "From Liang Dynasty?" There weren’t many servants from Liang in the palace. Without a unique skill, it was impossible to stay. Thinking back to a previous conversation with Daxi, he connected the rumors to the person in front of him, "Oh~, you’re the one the Second Prince sent to the Sovereign."

Yan Guan wanted to argue, but when he looked up and saw the smile on Dai Qing's face, he closed his mouth. So, it was a joke at his expense. Yan Guan couldn't help but grumble inwardly, wondering how the people around the Sovereign—Chao Lun, this man, and even Daxi—didn’t seem very serious.

"Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. You're a physician, right? I’m leaving now," the young man said without malice.

Yan Guan sighed quietly and carried the food box back.

Chao Ge had to stay in the temple for ten days. Every time Yan Guan entered that place, he felt a sense of oppression and discomfort, so later Daxi was sent in instead, leaving Yan Guan happy to have some peace.

"Hmm? That little guy from before didn’t come today?" Dai Qing, who delivered messages to the temple every day didn’t see Yan Guan this time, so he asked Daxi who was cleaning up nearby.

Chao Ge glanced at him and replied, displeased, "He doesn’t feel comfortable coming here. What are you so concerned about?"

Dai Qing shrugged, "I teased him once last time, and he almost took it seriously. It was kind of funny."

Chao Ge was not pleased, "The customs between the North and South are different. Stop messing with him."

Daxi, listening nearby, almost burst out laughing but quickly excused himself, pulling Dai Qing out with him.

Dai Qing followed behind Daxi, chewing on the thought for a while before finally catching on. With a few quick strides, he caught up with Daxi and playfully bumped him on the shoulder, “Hey, hey, are those two...?”

“They aren’t,” Daxi replied with a serious expression, thinking to himself that their Sovereign (Chao Ge) was dead set on a slow-burn romance, letting feelings grow naturally over time. But who knew when that little spark would be reciprocated? Right now, there’s not even the slightest sign.

“Not? Then why is Chao Ge so jealous?” Dai Qing asked.

Daxi coughed, leaned in, and whispered, “I feel like the Sovereign is interested, but that Yan Xiaoguan doesn’t have the same thought.”

Dai Qing’s eyes lit up as he put an arm around Daxi’s neck, “Tell me more! How can you tell? The Sovereign's iron heart blooming with affection after a thousand years, that’s rare!”

Chao Ge didn’t know his two loyal subordinates were gossiping about him behind his back. But sometimes he unconsciously or instinctively showed his feelings, and it was hard to suppress. Fortunately, Yan Guan wasn’t familiar with Chao Ge and just assumed it was a difference in customs between foreign people.

In Huien Palace, with the master away, Yan Guan had little to do besides preparing three meals a day. He spent most of his time holed up in the kitchen, studying medicinal recipes and dishes.

Outside, the wind and snow howled, but inside, it was warm. Yan Guan sat by the stove, warming himself, his face glowing red from the heat. The old housekeeper brought him a bowl of lamb soup and smiled as she watched him drink it.

It had only been a month since he came to Huien Palace, and Yan Guan had already gained a bit of weight. His once thin face had filled out a bit, finally giving him the appearance of a proper young man. Before, he always looked pitifully frail.

The kitchen staff never skimped on his meals, sometimes even spoiling him a little too much. The housekeeper treated him like the palace cat, determined not to stop until he was plump and healthy.

“Ay, poor thing,” the housekeeper said, stroking the fat cat in her hands, though her eyes were on Yan Guan. Her Wugan dialect was so singsongy that it sounded like she was singing. Yan Guan tried to understand, but couldn’t, so he just smiled at the old lady.

“Aiya, the old woman says you’re ‘poor’,” the butcher at the chopping block explained while rhythmically hacking away at the meat.

“I’m not poor,” Yan Guan said, confused, lifting his head from the large bowl, only to see the housekeeper’s smile deepening.

“She’s complimenting you, you get it? It’s like in your country when people say ‘adorable’ or ‘rare’,” the butcher clarified. Embarrassed, Yan Guan buried his head back into the bowl. Liang people were more reserved, and Yan Guan had never been complimented like this before.

Footnotes:

Imperial Hierarchy (Ming dynasty onwards) goes:

Empress (皇后; huánghòu)
Imperial Noble Consort (皇貴妃; huángguìfēi)
Noble Consort (貴妃; guìfēi)
Consort (妃; fēi)
Concubine (嬪; pín)

The Imperial consorts of the former emperor would be addressed as dowager (太; tài) according to their rank. A consort would be called consort dowager (太妃; tàifēi).

An empress who outlived her husband would become empress dowager (皇太后, huángtàihòu) and would be known as “imperial mother (母后皇太后, mŭhòu huángtàihòu)”. If the new emperor's birth mother was one of the former emperor's consorts, she would also become empress dowager and would be known as “sage mother (聖母皇太后, shèngmŭ huángtàihòu)”, as well as being posthumously honored as empress.

Consort Ba-Yun is NOT the empress dowager. She was a Consort, that’s why Chao Lun was personally raised by the late King. She was hoping to be honoured as “huángtàihòu” after her son ascended the throne, but Chao Ge ruined her plans.

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Chapter 8: Taking Care

2024-12-23T02:16:00.004+05:30

Yan Guan was very tired and fell asleep as soon as he returned to his room.

The next day, remembering Daxi's instructions, he got up early and ran to the kitchen.

He ground some hawthorn and barley into powder, boiled a large pot of it, and used it as a tea substitute. He also made millet porridge, and when he saw the bubbles rising in the pot, he quickly cut a pumpkin into small pieces and tossed them in. The mutton soup was ready. Yan Guan recalled how they did it in Yangzhou’s eateries. He broke up some steamed buns and soaked them in the soup until soft—a method likely passed down from the capital.

An old woman in the kitchen saw Yan Guan busying himself and couldn't help but come over. "New servant? This breakfast... so little meat and no milk. How is the Lord supposed to eat?"

Yan Guan tried to decipher her dialect but could only understand bits and pieces. He vaguely mumbled, "I'll give it a try."

He carried the food back to the palace. A guard knocked on the door for him and announced.

"Come in."

Yan Guan walked around the screen and placed the tray on the table.

Chao Ge was faced away from him, undressed and washing. Having trained in martial arts since he was a child, Chao Ge’s broad shoulders and smooth muscles were striking. Several scars meandered across his back, not too dark, but they didn’t detract from his overall appeal. They seem to be from long ago, Yan Guan thought.

Chao Ge pulled on his outer robe and turned around, causing Yan Guan to quickly avert his gaze. With nowhere else to look, his eyes settled on the humble breakfast, which suddenly seemed rather plain.

"Lamb soup? I've had it a few times in the Forbidden Palace."

Seeing that Chao Ge wasn’t displeased, Yan Guan breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "You’ve just returned from Yangzhou, where the food is heavy and oily. That’s why your digestion is off. If we gradually adjust your meals, you'll get used to it."

"This hawthorn and barley tea can be drunk like regular tea. I made a big pot," he added with a hint of pride.

Chao Ge curved his lips slightly and he graciously ate everything.

Just past noon, Yan Guan brought another food box to the main hall.

Daxi took the box from him and asked, "What did you make?"

"Chicken soup with Chinese yam, stir-fried lettuce, and some noodles."

"Is that enough?"

"His appetite was about the same this morning. Eating too much isn’t good either," Yan Guan glanced at the box again.

Daxi nodded, but as they approached the study, he suddenly paused, turned around, and handed the food box back to Yan Guan. "You take it in."

Yan Guan didn’t know why but obediently complied.

Daxi stood on tiptoe, peeking in, and thought to himself, ‘Lucky I reacted quickly. If I’d gone in and Chao Ge didn’t eat well, the Second Prince would come complaining to me again. But Xiao Guan is different. He’s likable at first glance—he'll definitely get Chao Ge to eat.’

Chao Ge, hearing the noise, glanced up and relaxed a little when he saw it was Yan Guan.

"Lord, please eat now."

"Mm, put it on the tea table."

Yan Guan did as instructed, thinking to himself, ‘He doesn’t seem that hard to persuade? Maybe there’s less work today?’

Chao Ge ate quickly, and Yan Guan, standing by, hesitated several times before finally speaking up. "Lord, eating too fast isn’t good for your digestion."

Chao Ge didn’t say anything but did slow down a bit. Realizing he had overstepped, Yan Guan kept quiet from then on.

"Let Daxi take the food box back. You stay here."

"Okay," Yan Guan greeted Daxi, unsure of what else to do, and then returned to stand behind Chao Ge.

"Go sit over there and pour me tea every half an hour."

Yan Guan sat on the cushion, staring at the water clock to count time. Though he came from an ordinary family and had never served high-ranking officials, he knew a bit about etiquette and propriety.

‘I’ve never heard of a servant being allowed to sit in front of their Lord, not having to handle brush and ink, and only needing to pour tea every half an hour. It almost seems like he’s just finding an excuse to keep me around?’

Yan Guan shook his head, thinking, ‘Where is my mind going?’ After pondering for a while without understanding, he attributed it to the differences in customs between Wugan and Liang Dynasties.

Yan Guan ended up accompanying Chao Ge in the study all day. In the evening, he went out to make dinner, and Chao Ge ate promptly. Yan Guan became even more convinced that the previous meals had just been unappetizing, which was why the Lord wasn’t eating well.

As the candles in the study were changed again, Yan Guan poked the coals in the tea stove and inched closer to the warmth.

The study was large, and despite the circle of charcoal basins, it still didn't feel warm. Yan Guan exhaled a puff of mist, rubbing his hands together and tightening the collar of his coat.

Chao Ge, crossing over some books, looked up and noticed that even though Yan Guan wore a thick official robe, it still seemed cold.

"Geqi," Chao Ge called out.

A guard, someone Yan Guan had seen many times before, entered from outside.

"Your Lordship's orders?"

"Bring two more charcoal basins and place them in front of me."

Geqi left to fetch the basins, and Yan Guan took the kettle to pour tea for Chao Ge.

The charcoal basins were placed in front of Chao Ge, and Yan Guan naturally sat to the side, enjoying the warmth. He subtly scooted his cushion a little closer.

Chao Ge noticed his small movement and smiled faintly.

At midnight, Yan Guan yawned and stared blankly at the water clock, clearly drowsy.

Chao Ge glanced over at him, the dim candlelight softening around Yan Guan. The flickering charcoal fire illuminated his face with a warm glow. For some reason, Chao Ge suddenly felt a subtle warmth in his chest.

"You can go back," Chao Ge said softly, his tone carrying an unintentional tenderness.

Yan Guan snapped out of his thoughts and immediately straightened up, shaking his head in refusal. "The Lord hasn't rested yet."

"I'll be staying here tonight. You can go back."

Yan Guan had no choice but to rise and take his leave. When closing the door, he turned his back, but through the crack, he caught sight of Chao Ge's slightly tired expression. The study was so large that even the candlelight seemed insufficient to fill the space, making the figure seated within it appear lonely. Realizing the fluttering feeling in his chest, Yan Guan quickly lowered his gaze and turned away.

The door closed softly, and the study fell into solitude. Chao Ge lifted his head and stared for a few seconds before lowering it again.

Time passed quickly. On the day of the Little New Year, there was a lively bustle in the palace. Chao Ge, who rarely took a day off, still had to visit the temple to pray for blessings.

"From today until the New Year, the Lord must eat vegetarian food and kneel in the temple to pray for the people," Daxi explained to Yan Guan.

No wonder, Yan Guan thought, recalling how busy Chao Ge had been in the past few days.

"I understand now. The meals will be adjusted accordingly."

Daxi glanced at Chao Ge, who was talking to Jue Mu by the mountain. "The Lord’s appetite seems much better these days."

"Mm, but the Lord refuses to take medicine. Otherwise, he could recover faster."

"Refuses medicine? Why?"

Yan Guan shook his head, unwilling to ask.

Daxi thought to himself that the Lord had never minded taking medicine before. "That’s Jue Mu, the mother of all living beings," Daxi casually chatted with Yan Guan.

Yan Guan, intrigued, widened his eyes and sighed, "So powerful. Does that mean the Lord will be worshiping her in the coming days?"

Daxi laughed. "No, Jue Mu is praying to the Gods for instructions from Eternal Heaven . Some of the Clansmen will be coming later. It’s going to be a big ceremony, so stay put and don’t wander off."

"Mm, I won’t walk around."

In the days that followed, Daxi and Yan Guan built a good rapport. Daxi was quite lively in private, and since Yan Guan was around the same age as his younger brother, he took a little extra care of him.

The ceremony was indeed grand, but it was far off. Yan Guan leaned against the carriage and stood on tiptoe for quite a while, reluctant to leave.

Today, Chao Ge wore a black robe, with mink fur on the cuffs and collar. His chest was embroidered with fish, dragon, and water cloud patterns, and he wore a red embossed belt adorned with lotus flower motifs. The wind on the mountain was strong, which made the robe flutter, but his back never bent even slightly. His solemn and dignified appearance made Chao Ge stand out even more among the ministers.

He knelt at the altar, listening to Jue Mu’s prayer.

After the ceremony, Chao Ge followed Jue Mu alone into the forbidden palace.

"What does the Lord wish to ask this year?" Jue Mu had the ability to communicate with spirits, and asking for divine answers was a tradition.

"First, ask about the health and safety of the people. Second, ask if the governance is smooth. Third, ask if I have any personal faults."

Jue Mu showed a faint smile and closed her eyes.

"The people are suffering, the yin of the Clan will bring disaster to the government..." a hoarse voice echoed heavily in the room.

Jue Mu suddenly displayed an expression of pain. "My Lord..."

Chao Ge held his breath, not daring to disturb her, waiting for the second half of the sentence which did not come.

Jue Mu opened her eyes and gradually regained clarity.

It wasn’t a good omen. Chao Ge’s face darkened. And there was no answer to the third question. He didn’t know whether it was a good sign or a bad one.

"My Lord, the calamity originates from the southeast, and it will also fade there."

Southeast? What’s in the southeast? The southeast of Liangzhou borders the Liang Dynasty. Is it a war?

Jue Mu showed a trace of reluctance. "The third question is about oneself. The gods have not spoken, perhaps this is the key to resolving it."

Jue Mu was very old and had seen many members of the royal family. Some emperors had even used spiritual means for personal gain. There were few rulers like Chao Ge, but unfortunately, his fate seemed grim, which made Jue Mu worried.

Chao Ge listened to Jue Mu’s words without loosening his brow. After thanking her, he left. The prophecy lingered in his mind, and it didn’t ease even after returning to his chambers.

Daxi, observing carefully, walked closely behind Yan Guan. “The Lord’s expression isn’t right.”

“Is it because of the Prophecy?”

“Perhaps,” Daxi replied with concern. “After all this time of peace, will trouble rise again?”

“Don’t worry. The Lord is diligent and capable. Nothing bad will happen,” Yan Guan reassured him.

After returning to the palace, Chao Ge didn’t speak a word about what happened. He immediately entered the sacred temple and summoned Cai Dan.

“Elder, please sit.” Chao Ge waved his hand, signaling those nearby to prepare tea.

“I plan to go to the Sangta Grasslands.”

Cai Dan was secretly alarmed, but he knew this had something to do with the prophecy. “When will you depart?”

“After the new year. Arrange for transportation now. Jue Mu said the calamity originates from the southeast.”

“What? The southeast borders the Liang Dynasty, could it be… Could it be…?” Cai Dan grew restless, but then reconsidered, thinking it shouldn’t be that way. “Liang and Xia signed a peace treaty two years ago. It’s time for recovery. It doesn’t make sense for war to break out again.”

Chao Ge’s eyes were shadowed, “Maybe it’s not war. This winter seems to be unusually cold.”

The Sangta Grasslands, located at the southern edge of Liangzhou, were lush with water and grass. It was the largest pasture in Wugan, and hundreds of thousands of people relied on it for their livelihood.

“You know how my uncle died,” Chao Ge’s words seemed a bit blasphemous, but Cai Dan couldn’t help but shudder.

The previous king of Wugan had died of an epidemic after a secret inspection trip to the south, which cost him his life.

“Don’t worry, my lord. The arrangements for the new year have already been made. We will make sure to guard the court well.”

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Chapter 7: Tangerines

2024-12-23T02:13:00.004+05:30

Yan Guan was carrying a basket of tangerines as he walked towards the sleeping chambers.

“Be careful! These were brought from the south, and are not easy to come by. If you bruise or damage them, you will be punished,” Mama warned. [mama - head maid]

Naturally, Yan Guan became even more cautious.

Back in Yangzhou, tangerine was the one fruit you could eat as much as you wanted. They cost only six or seven wen per jin (~500 grams), and the quality was even better than these. But Liangzhou, with its harsh winters and dry conditions, couldn’t grow orange trees.

Yan Guan swallowed, suddenly missing Aunt Yang’s candied oranges.

Just as he was arranging the fruits in the gilded bowl, a loud voice announced the arrival of The Lord at the door. Chao Lun, who was lazing on a wolfskin rug, immediately jumped up and hurried to greet the visitor. Following Mama’s instructions, Yan Guan quickly rushed to prepare tea.

“Why is Elder Brother here?!” Chao Lun asked, his eyes glued to the line of chests behind the visitor.

“Are you really happy to see me?”

“What do you mean? Of course I’m sincere!” Chao Lun barely acknowledged Chao Ge as he eagerly approached the chests the moment they were put down.

Chao Ge’s eye twitched. “It would be more believable if you weren’t so focused on those things.”

Meanwhile, Chao Lun had already draped himself with agate beads in one hand and gold-glazed glass in the other. Chao Ge paid him no further attention and turned to enter Yongning Hall.

Upon seeing the guest enter, the attendants inside immediately bowed in greeting.

With one glance, Chao Ge noticed Yan Guan standing by the table serving tea. He was really hard to miss: slender and pale, looking somewhat thinner, but still healthy after a bout of recent illness.

Chao Ge sat down in the main seat, and one of the servants took the teapot from Yan Guan’s hands to pour milk tea. With nothing left in his hands, Yan Guan lowered his head and stood obediently behind Chao Ge.

Not long after, Chao Lun entered, gleefully showing Chao Ge the jewelry and treasures.

The room was heated with several charcoal braziers. After drinking some hot tea and joking around with Chao Lun for a while, Chao Ge began to feel a bit warm. He tugged at his collar and gave it a shake.

Mama noticed this and asked, “Master, are you feeling warm? Perhaps you should change into something lighter.”

Chao Ge nodded and stood up, turning his body to the side.

The servants around him were all holding tea pots or trays of fruit. The only one with empty hands was Yan Guan, who was shrinking into the background as if he found something fascinating on the floor.

“Yan Guan?” Chao Ge called out after waiting a few moments with his hands outstretched.

Yan Guan jerked in surprise, almost doubting his own ears. How did Wugan King know his name?!

Seeing him startled like a frightened squirrel, Chao Ge couldn’t help but chuckle.

Yan Guan quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Chao Ge, reaching out to untie his belt. The belt was wide and long, wrapped around three times, and Yan Guan practically had to hug him to remove it.

Standing up straight, Yan Guan only barely reached Chao Ge’s chin. When Chao Ge glanced down, he caught a glimpse of Yan Guan’s eyebrows and noticed the old branded scar had almost faded, leaving only a dark red mark. ‘Good that it’s gone,’ Chao Ge thought. ‘He never deserved that in the first place.’

Yan Guan swiftly untied the belt and raised his hands to unfasten the overlapping buttons on Chao Ge’s robe. He didn’t dare look around, his eyes fixed dutifully on the buttons, but (he didn’t realise that) someone was watching him…

Chao Ge didn’t push too hard, afraid to scare him away. He only glanced down for brief moments between the blinks.

After unfastening the buttons, Yan Guan circled behind Chao Ge to remove the outer robe, and a maid stepped forward to hand him a lighter garment.

When Chao Ge sat back down, Yan Guan had already disappeared, likely off to hang up the robe.

Behind the screen, Yan Guan nervously tidied the outerwear, his thoughts in turmoil. They really looked too similar… But how could the esteemed Wugan King have extended a hand to help a lowly slave like him?

When the rainstorm had struck at the hunting grounds, he had met a kind person who brought him back. Yan Guan had always remembered that benefactor. Later, when he snuck into the banquet with Chao Lun, he couldn't even dare to raise his head, let alone look at anyone’s face. But today’s fleeting glimpse confirmed what Yan Guan had been reluctant to accept—the person who had ridden the horse and brought him back was none other than the Wugan King.

‘So that’s the kind of person the King of Wugan is,’ Yan Guan thought. ‘No wonder Maji said his rule was peaceful. He must be a good ruler as well.’

Feeling a bit more at ease, Yan Guan finished his task and followed the maids to the kitchen to fetch the food.

Chao Ge ate a few pieces of braised lamb but soon grew tired of it, setting down his chopsticks and peeling an orange.

Chao Lun, his mouth greasy from the scallion-fried rabbit, asked, “Not eating anymore?”

“Feeling a bit greasy.”

“Hmm? You’ve never minded the grease after all these years. Did your taste get spoiled during your trip to Yangzhou?”

Chao Ge smiled, “It’s just my digestion hasn’t been great lately.”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“I know my own body. It’ll pass in a few days.”

Unhappy, Chao Lun turned to question Daxi, the attendant, “How have you been taking care of my elder brother?”

Daxi replied apologetically, “Second Prince, the Master has been so busy lately, he barely eats. We’ve tried to persuade him, but to no avail.”

“All right, all right, I’ll eat properly. You don’t need to worry,” Chao Ge said, cutting off the conversation.

Yan Guan, standing nearby, overheard everything. The Master had been to Yangzhou?

He secretly glanced up at Chao Ge. His complexion didn’t seem too bad, so there shouldn’t be a major problem with his stomach and spleen (digestive system).

After the meal, with the New Year’s affairs piling up, Chao Ge didn’t linger.

“Master Fuzi will come tomorrow to continue your lessons. Behave yourself.”

Chao Lun reacted as if struck by lightning, “Elder brother, the New Year is just a few days away!”

“You can take a day off on New Year’s Eve,” Chao Ge said, putting on his thick outer robe. “You’ve certainly neglected your studies for over half a month, while I was away in Yangzhou.”

Chao Lun sulked. Those first few days after Chao Ge’s return, he had given him and his group of rowdy friends quite the lecture.

Feeling cornered but still defiant, he proposed, “Elder brother, you’ve worked hard all year. How about tomorrow I take you out of the palace for some fun? The common folk are having a lively time around now.”

“If I want to go out, Daxi will accompany me. I don’t need you.”

Chao Ge was not in the mood for further conversation. He knew if they continued, Chao Lun would start pestering him.

Seeing his brother about to leave, Chao Lun sprang up.

“What now?” Chao Ge asked, exasperated.

“Uh, uh…” Chao Lun’s gaze darted around the room and landed on Yan Guan, who had been standing idly in the corner.

Sorry, Yan Xiaoguan. [xiao means “little”. It’s a nickname]

“Elder brother!” Chao Lun raised his voice, causing Yan Guan to look up at him. “Elder brother, your digestion has been poor, and those around you aren’t really suited to take care of that. Why not have Yan Guan stay by your side? He knows a bit about medicinal diets.”

Daxi, trying to keep a straight face, thought to himself, ‘I can’t force the Master to eat, can I? But if Yan Guan stayed, it might work in someone’s favor’, so he chimed in, “Master, having someone around who understands nutrition might indeed be beneficial.”

Chao Ge replied, “Is the Medical Bureau out of people?” He obviously understood Chao Lun’s intentions — to plant someone next to him so that he would owe a favor, giving Chao Lun an excuse to skip his studies.

“Yan Guan is from the medical bureau. Besides, you always find it a hassle to see the doctor. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to have someone close by to make you some stomach-nourishing tea and soups?”

Chao Lun thought, with Yan Guan’s abilities, it wouldn’t take long to nurse big brother back to health. Besides, he was only “borrowing,” not “giving” him away. Once big brother recovered, Yan Guan would naturally return.

Yan Guan swallowed nervously, thinking, Second Prince really is… really is…

Chao Ge tilted his head and glanced at Yan Guan, who was still studying the floor. “If that’s the case, fine then.”

Chao Lun’s face lit up with joy. “Then I...”

“Finish your studies properly, and I’ll let you leave the palace for a few days.”

Chao Lun grabbed Yan Guan and patted him heavily on the shoulder twice. “Take good care of my brother! You’re not allowed to come back unless you’ve nursed him back to health.”

Yan Guan was utterly confused. How had he suddenly been ordered to stay by Chao Ge’s side?

Chao Ge, who had been listening from the side, found it amusing. Not allowed to come back? So this kid was essentially lending him to me? He wasn’t so generous that he’d ever give him back.

In a daze, Yan Guan followed Chao Ge into Huien Hall.

“Do you know medicine?” Daxi switched to the official Mandarin and asked Yan Guan.

“Mm, my father taught me.”

When Yan Guan first arrived, he couldn’t speak the Wugan language well, but now he was much better. Daxi’s Mandarin sounded even more refined than Chao Lun’s.

“The master rises at dawn (mǎo shí, 5-7 am), and by 5:15 am, the meal must be ready. Lunch is often delayed until afternoon (wèi shí, 1-3 pm), and he eats very little for dinner,” Daxi explained to Yan Guan.

Yan Guan frowned and nodded, thinking to himself that, judging by the master’s condition, this eating schedule was indeed abnormal. “When the master has a free moment, I’ll give him a diagnosis.”

“That would be good,” Daxi smiled at Yan Guan, dimples appearing on both sides of his cheeks.

Yan Guan waited outside the hall until evening. Finally too sleepy, he sat against the doorpost. The guards changed shifts several times before he heard the sound of furniture being moved inside.

Suddenly, the door opened without warning. Yan Guan rubbed his sore bottom and quickly stood up, turning to face the door.

Chao Ge looked at him with a bit of surprise. “You’re still here?”

“I was waiting for Master. If I can give a diagnosis now, I can prepare the meals and medicinal soup for tomorrow.”

Chao Ge seemed to sigh. “Come inside.”

Once they were in the sleeping quarters, there wasn’t a single attendant present. Yan Guan guessed that Master probably didn’t like being attended to closely, so he quietly took a few steps back.

Chao Ge sat on the bed and extended his hand to Yan Guan.

Yan Guan carefully checked his pulse and asked a few questions. He already had an idea in mind and was about to speak.

“I won’t take medicine.”

Yan Guan was stunned. If he didn’t take medicine, relying only on diet and tea would make recovery much slower. But since the master had said so, he agreed, “In that case, I’ll bring the meals tomorrow.”

“Do as you see fit.”

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Chapter 32.2: The live broadcast room was blocked

2024-12-21T14:46:00.004+05:30

Liang Qi had already prepared himself for their reaction. But his preparation didn’t account for them playing dirty. He gritted his teeth and decided to just drag this out with them, starting with ten minutes. After ten minutes, if they were still acting like this, he’d think of another way.

Lu Yiwei handed his coat to Mu Zhengqing.

Although they were indoors, the temperature difference between day and night on the island was huge, and wearing just a short-sleeve shirt still felt a little cold.

Although Mu Zhengqing was indeed a little cold, he didn’t take Lu Yiwei’s coat because Lu Yiwei only had one, and if he took it, then Lu Yiwei would be left without one.

Of course, another reason was that if he accepted Lu Yiwei’s coat, Wu Pandan would see their interaction and think even more suspiciously about him and Lu Yiwei.

"I'm not cold," Mu Zhengqing said, noticing Lu Yiwei's concern. "I also..." Mu Zhengqing started to say, but before he could finish,

"Shige (Senior Brother), I'm a bit cold. Can you give me your coat?" Long Cheng came over at some point, looking expectantly at Lu Yiwei.

Lu Yiwei didn’t respond to Long Cheng but instead directly draped the coat over Mu Zhengqing’s shoulders.

Because Long Cheng was there, Mu Zhengqing had no choice but to accept Lu Yiwei’s kindness. He didn’t forget to block Long Cheng from getting any closer to Lu Yiwei.

After putting on Lu Yiwei’s coat, Mu Zhengqing looked over at Wu Pandan and realized that she wasn’t even looking at him. Instead, Di Jiaxun was handing her his coat.

Without hesitation, Wu Pandan took the coat and put it on.

Mu Zhengqing looked around and noticed that not only he and Wu Pandan had coats draped over them, but Yong Xinyi did as well.

Seeing this, Mu Zhengqing didn’t care whether Long Cheng was still around and took off his own coat, unceremoniously putting it on Lu Yiwei.

Lu Yiwei didn’t ask why, he simply cooperated and put on the coat.

Just as Long Cheng was about to interrupt, Lu Yiwei spoke first, "Aren’t you usually very tired?"

This was the first time Lu Yiwei had taken the initiative to speak to him, and it was words of concern. Long Cheng immediately smiled and answered, "Usually it's fine, it's just a bit tiring when I'm writing songs, but it's okay to be a little tired in order to create better works."

Lu Yiwei didn’t pay attention to his long-winded speech but coldly reminded him, "Do you remember what I just said?"

"I remember," Long Cheng subconsciously nodded.

"That's good, I hope it’s helpful to you." After saying that, Lu Yiwei grabbed Mu Zhengqing and left.

This was the first time Mu Zhengqing saw Lu Yiwei confront someone like this, and it felt somewhat fresh.

Confused, Long Cheng thought for a long time but still couldn’t figure out what Lu Yiwei had meant.

"Teacher Lu means that if you speak less, you wouldn’t be so tired," Fu Kaile, holding the Mulu, kindly reminded him when he saw Long Cheng still not responding.

Mulu also cooperatively called out.

It wasn’t even dark yet when the program crew brought Mulu over. When Mulu arrived, it didn’t look for its father or its dad but went straight to Fu Kaile. This scene broke Mu Zhengqing and Lu Yiwei’s hearts.

After hearing Fu Kaile's words, Long Cheng approached him to say something. But as soon as he got close, Fu Kaile immediately stood up and distanced himself.

"Fu Kaile, what’s wrong with you?" Seeing Fu Kaile move away, Long Cheng said impatiently.

"It’s nothing, just that since we’re divorced, it’s better to keep our distance," Fu Kaile said, emphasizing the word "divorced" as if reminding Long Cheng not to forget their current relationship.

Another ten minutes passed, and still no one moved.

Liang Qi was getting anxious. His concern wasn’t that they hadn’t moved all night, but that they might continue to be as passive and uncooperative in the upcoming live broadcasts.

There’s a huge difference between just getting by and genuinely taking things seriously.

What Mu Zhengqing and the others were trying to convey to the production team was exactly this: if you don’t make some concessions, we’ll start slacking off.

After all, you can’t back out on the appearance fee. As for the program's effect, that’s no longer our concern.

The contract clearly states that as long as they show up, it's enough.

"The cameras cannot be easily removed," Liang Qi spoke first.

The phrase "cannot be easily removed" meant that under certain conditions, they could be taken down.

This was his concession.

"How can they be removed?" Shang Jingwei asked.

"You just need to spend ten points to remove one camera from the bedroom," Liang Qi explained.

"How many cameras are there in each bedroom?" Mu Zhengqing quickly grasped the implication in Liang Qi’s words.

"Ten," Liang Qi said, a bit nervously.

Aside from the bathroom, their bedrooms were fully covered by cameras in a 360-degree setup.

Upon hearing that there were ten cameras installed in their bedrooms, Mu Zhengqing and the others fell silent.

In order to remove all the cameras from the bedrooms, they would need to spend a total of 100 points, which was a huge amount of money for them, who were currently living on nothing but cabbage stew and vermicelli.

"Nine points, no less," Liang Qi continued when no one spoke.

Still, no one said anything.

"Eight points," Liang Qi gritted his teeth and continued.

"One point," Yong Xinyi said slowly.

"One point is impossible," Liang Qi directly rejected.

Without giving Liang Qi a chance to respond, Yong Xinyi immediately started negotiating.

Yong Xinyi: 1.5.

Liang Qi: 7.5.

Yong Xinyi: 2.

Liang Qi: 7.

Yong Xinyi: 2.5.

Liang Qi: 6.5.

Yong Xinyi: 2.6.

Liang Qi: 6.

...

Yong Xinyi: 3.

Liang Qi: 3.

"Okay, then it's 3."

Yong Xinyi decisively made the final decision.

"No, how did it end up being 3? My bottom line was clearly 5," Liang Qi said, somewhat confused.

"Director Liang, the older you are, the more seasoned you become," Wu Pandan said with a grin from the side.

In the end, the production team agreed that as long as they spent 3 points, they could remove one camera from the bedroom.

With their goal achieved, Mu Zhengqing and the others happily left.

However, before Mu Zhengqing and Lu Yiwei left, there was a small incident.

Their beloved son just refused to leave with them.

"Mulu, let’s go," Mu Zhengqing extended his hand and said.

Mulu looked at his hand, hesitated for three seconds, and then buried its head into Fu Kaile’s arms.

Seeing this, Mu Zhengqing took a deep breath and said to Lu Yiwei, "You do it."

Lu Yiwei took over the task of comforting their son, walking over to Mulu and starting to massage it. Mulu, enjoying the massage, let out a comfortable sound, and when Lu Yiwei tried to pick it up, it immediately dodged his touch.

Seeing this, both Mu Zhengqing and Lu Yiwei’s faces turned dark.

It had been so attached to them just last night, and today it ran off with someone else. The speed of its change of heart was even faster than that of a human.

"How about letting Mulu stay at my place for the night?" Fu Kaile said, a bit embarrassed.

He hadn’t expected Mulu to be so clingy to him. It wasn’t the first time a cat had been clingy, and his method was always to wait until they were tired from playing and fell asleep before he could leave.

Mulu simply refused to leave with him and Lu Yiwei, and Mu Zhengqing had no other choice but to let it stay here for the night.

Suddenly, Mu Zhengqing had the feeling of sending his own child off to school. On the child’s first day of school, it’s not the child who can’t let go, but the parents.

Just as Mu Zhengqing had just stepped out the door, Mulu jumped out of Fu Kaile's arms and ran towards him. Hearing the noise, Mu Zhengqing immediately turned around and saw Mulu run over and stop at Lu Yiwei's feet. Fine, in the end, it was his mistake to invest in the wrong person.

After returning to their residence, Mu Zhengqing took out the remaining three points that he and Lu Yiwei had and asked the production team to remove the camera facing the bed in their bedroom.

On the way back, he and Lu Yiwei had already discussed it. To save points, they would share a bedroom from now on, and they would work to remove all the cameras in the room as soon as possible. After the camera facing the bed was removed, Mu Zhengqing felt a lot more relaxed.

Unless necessary, he wouldn’t leave the bed’s range.

Mulu probably sensed that Mu Zhengqing was angry and instinctively pushed its body into his hands.

Mu Zhengqing arrogantly rejected it three times, and when Lu Yiwei finished tidying up and returned, Mu Zhengqing was already contentedly petting the cat.

Although the camera facing the bed had been removed, the room’s audio equipment was still intact. With a belly full of things to say, Mu Zhengqing immediately patted the spot beside him when Lu Yiwei finished tidying up and was about to get into bed.

After Lu Yiwei sat down in the designated spot, Mu Zhengqing immediately whispered, "Do you feel like our show doesn’t really seem like a divorce reality show?"

This question had been on Mu Zhengqing’s mind for most of the day, and he had been wanting to ask Lu Yiwei, but there had always been cameras around them. Mu Zhengqing never found the right opportunity, so he had to hold it in until now.

As for why he chose to ask Lu Yiwei this question...

It was because he and Lu Yiwei were the closest here. After all, they had lived together and shared the same bed, creating a bond between them.

Although his relationship with Fu Kaile was also good, it was just like tonight when Mulu made its choice. Although it liked Fu Kaile very much, at critical moments, it would still choose its father and dad.

"Indeed, it doesn’t really seem like it," Lu Yiwei agreed.

"Right, right. Let’s not talk about it. But look at Teacher Shang and Teacher Yong, do they seem like they’re divorced? And also, Di Ge and Pan Dan, their relationship doesn’t seem as bad as what the netizens are saying. They clearly look like they get along well."

After confirming that Lu Yiwei shared his thoughts, Mu Zhengqing became excited.

"It really doesn’t seem normal. The show’s current state doesn’t feel like a divorce reality show; it actually feels more like a slow-paced variety show," Lu Yiwei said after thinking for a moment.

"I feel the same. And what about Long Cheng and Le Le? It always feels like Long Cheng’s attitude toward Le Le isn’t the same as toward an ex-husband," Mu Zhengqing said with some confusion.

He actually really liked the current atmosphere of the show. Apart from Long Cheng occasionally trying to get attention, his interactions with the others were very comfortable.

He paused in his steps.

Not to mention, their current state actually fits the show’s name quite well.

Actually, before coming here, he had already prepared for everyone to ignore each other, sitting awkwardly together as if the air was frozen.

"Let’s see how Long Cheng behaves next," Lu Yiwei said.

He had a feeling that Long Cheng wouldn’t stay so well-behaved.

Hearing this, Mu Zhengqing thought for a moment and agreed. They had only been on the island for two days, and everyone might not have fully adjusted yet. It was possible they hadn’t shown their true personalities yet.

"You’ve been tired all day. Let me give you a massage."

Seeing that Mu Zhengqing was getting sleepy, Lu Yiwei said.

Mu Zhengqing didn’t refuse, lying on the bed and beginning to enjoy Lu Yiwei’s massage.

However, this time, he forced himself not to fall asleep immediately, intending to secretly learn from his master.

At this stage, his attempt at "stealing techniques" was still limited to simply feeling it out.

As soon as he focused, the pressure from Lu Yiwei’s massage made him unable to hold back and let out a sound. The key was that he forgot to control the volume when he shouted.

As a result, the viewers in the live stream heard the following:

Mu Zhengqing: "Ouch, ouch, ouch, you’re too strong!"

Lu Yiwei: "Then I’ll go lighter."

Mu Zhengqing: "Hey, hey, hey, you can’t touch this spot."

Lu Yiwei: "Bear with it, it’ll be over soon."

Mu Zhengqing: "Hoo... that feels so good."

Lu Yiwei: "If it feels good, we can continue tomorrow."

...

Live stream viewers: ???

Is this something we can listen to?

This is a thousand times more shocking than an official announcement.

Mu Zhengqing’s fans: I just want to be left alone.

Lu Yiwei’s fans: As expected.

The two’s CP fans: As expected from my ship, they really don’t treat us like outsiders.

Before Mu Zhengqing could say "thank you for the massage tonight," the live stream was shut down.

The reason for the ban wasn’t stated by the production team, but those who understood knew the reason.

This time, the fans were very understanding. Not only did they not go to the production team’s Weibo to curse, but they even felt a bit of sympathy for them.

To turn a divorce variety show into this... it really is something else.

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Chapter 32.1: The live broadcast room was blocked

2024-12-21T14:43:00.004+05:30

Although the dinner was quite simple, everyone except for Long Cheng was very satisfied with the meal.

The more people there are eating together, the more delicious the food seems. Especially when there are many people and they need to fight for food, it becomes even more delicious.

After the meal, they were about to return to their respective accommodations when Liang Qi stopped them. Liang Qi said that they were, after all, recording a show, and after eating, they should chat for a while to enhance their relationships.

In short, they could not leave.

Since they couldn't leave, Mu Zhengqing glanced at Wu Pandan, then said to the person sitting on his right, Lu Yiwei, "Shall we switch seats?"

Upon hearing that Mu Zhengqing wanted to switch seats with him, Lu Yiwei immediately stood up and switched seats with him. He had been wanting to switch seats for a long time, especially since Mu Zhengqing and Fu Kaile, sitting to his left, kept whispering non-stop.

Mu Zhengqing: How far apart does one need to be for it to count as whispering?

Fu Kaile: Does saying less than five sentences count as talking non-stop?

Lu Yiwei: It does, why wouldn’t it?

However, not long after the seat change, he regretted it because he realized that the person he had to watch out for wasn’t just Fu Kaile.

After the seat swap, Mu Zhengqing didn’t continue chatting with Fu Kaile. Instead, he started whispering to Wu Pandan.

In Lu Yiwei's eyes, this "whispering" simply meant that Mu Zhengqing, fearing his voice might be heard by the online viewers in the livestream, moved slightly closer to Wu Pandan.

Although Mu Zhengqing didn’t want the viewers in the livestream to hear his conversation with Wu Pandan, there were so many people in the livestream that even as he spoke with Wu Pandan, viewers were translating in real-time.

"Brother Mu, why are you so close to me?" When Wu Pandan saw that Mu Zhengqing was even closer to her than to Lu Yiwei, she secretly glanced at Lu Yiwei and, with a slightly fearful expression, said.

"Close?" Mu Zhengqing looked at the distance between himself and Wu Pandan, which was almost twenty centimeters, and asked in confusion.

Alright, this distance did indeed qualify as intimate distance, and he had been too forward. He just wanted to say a few words to her alone. Why was it so difficult?

At Wu Pandan’s nod, Mu Zhengqing widened the gap between them to one meter. By increasing the distance with Wu Pandan on one side, it inevitably meant that he had to decrease the distance with Lu Yiwei on the other side.

Lu Yiwei was very satisfied with this result, as was Wu Pandan. Only Mu Zhengqing was dissatisfied.

He had originally wanted to explain his relationship with Lu Yiwei to Wu Pandan. He and Lu Yiwei had a perfectly clean and innocent relationship, with nothing that should warrant strange or suspicious looks.

That’s right, after the meal, he finally understood what kind of look Wu Pandan had been giving him and Lu Yiwei.

It was the fiery, burning gaze of gossip.

He was sure that Wu Pandan was speculating about him and Lu Yiwei being a couple. Actually, he should have realized this earlier, since he had seen that kind of look many times before.

As a figure in the entertainment industry who was often targeted by people trying to latch onto his fame, he should have been immune to such looks by now.

But when it came to Wu Pandan’s gaze, he really couldn’t be immune.

He and Lu Yiwei had even been labeled by netizens as the "least likely couple."

Considering they had known each other for a while, he wanted to stop Wu Pandan from getting the wrong idea.

Of course, what mattered most to him was that he truly had no relationship with anyone else.

But with Lu Yiwei, they not only had a relationship, but it was a deep one, and they were still in the "marriage survival period."

In his heart, he really felt a little guilty.

However, with the distance between him and Wu Pandan now, he wasn’t sure whether she could hear him clearly, but he was certain that Lu Yiwei and the netizens in the livestream would definitely hear him more clearly than she would.

Forget it, I’ll find another opportunity to talk to her next time.

Livestream Netizens: That's it? We still want to hear the big secrets of the entertainment industry!

Little Devil Whispering: You should consider yourselves lucky. You were almost personally stopped from being a couple by the main person.

To ignore the look that Wu Pandan was giving him and Lu Yiwei, Mu Zhengqing turned his head toward Lu Yiwei.

Then he realized that Lu Yiwei was also looking at him.

"Is something wrong?" Mu Zhengqing asked, puzzled.

"Nothing," Lu Yiwei answered, with a hint of grievance.

Although Lu Yiwei said it was nothing, Mu Zhengqing could clearly tell from his expression that it wasn’t nothing at all—it looked like something big was on his mind.

However, since Lu Yiwei didn’t want to talk, Mu Zhengqing decided not to press him. After all, with so many years in the entertainment industry, he knew where to draw the line.

Lu Yiwei's inner thoughts: We don’t need to draw lines.

Lu Yiwei's inner thoughts: I should have just admitted it right away. Friends are allowed to be jealous, right?

Seeing that they weren’t speaking up, Liang Qi started to get anxious.

He suggested that each person share one thing they only learned after entering the entertainment industry.

"Are there any points?" the eight of them asked in unison.

Even Long Cheng, who usually acted independently, now had his mind focused on how to earn points.

There was no choice—when it came to basic needs like food and shelter, everything else became insignificant.

He had just eaten plain rice earlier and wasn’t full yet.

The attitude of the eight people was very clear: if there were no points, they wouldn’t cooperate.

For the sake of viewership and dramatic moments, Liang Qi had no choice but to promise to give each of them one point.

There was no other option. Although the guests were all quite good-looking, even Fu Kaile, a regular person, couldn’t be called ordinary by the netizens, who honestly couldn’t say anything negative about his appearance, but peaceful, simple days didn’t bring any highlights.

What he wanted was discussion, the kind of "explosive" popularity that made someone go viral.

The first one to speak was the oldest among them, Shang Jingwei.

"Before entering the entertainment industry, you must be prepared to handle pressure," Shang Jingwei said.

Hearing him say that, everyone subconsciously nodded.

When it came to handling pressure, Shang Jingwei was indeed the most qualified to speak. He had long been known as "Yong Xinyi's husband," and many people didn’t even know his name. They mockingly called him names like "living off a woman" or "soft rice man."

Even though his acting skills were always excellent, most people still believed he only got roles because of his relationship with Yong Xinyi.

Seeing that no one else was speaking, Shang Jingwei continued, "Actually, I’m lucky. I’ve had the chance to showcase my acting skills. There are many talented and hardworking artists who never get the opportunity, and in the end, they don’t even get the chance to meet the audience."

"Xinyi, I’ve always wanted to say thank you. Thank you for letting the audience get to know me, and thank you for choosing me among all the people," Shang Jingwei said seriously, looking at Yong Xinyi.

Hearing Shang Jingwei’s gratitude, Yong Xinyi’s eyes turned red.

So many years had passed, and although their relationship had always been good, she had never dared to ask him one question: after marrying her, did he ever regret it?

Top-tier idol (just wants to make enough money and retire early) Mu Zhengqing: "Separating work and life makes everything much easier."

The netizens in the live stream and the people in the production team originally thought they would brush through this segment, but who knew they actually gave serious answers.

Seeing their cooperation, Liang Qi couldn’t stop smiling. This one point was definitely worth it.

Now, he slightly regretted letting them speak freely.

Every topic they brought up could spark heated discussions.

With enough buzz and discussion, Liang Qi finally relented and allowed them to go back.

However, before they left, Liang Qi cheerfully told them that, due to the strong requests from the live stream audience, the production team, under duress, had no choice but to install cameras in their bedrooms.

Upon hearing this news, the few of them looked at each other, unsure, and sat still without moving.

Their attitude was firm: if the cameras in their bedrooms weren’t removed, they wouldn’t go back.

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Chapter 31: Although it is difficult to accumulate points, the happiness is boundless

2024-12-21T14:14:00.002+05:30

Upon hearing Fu Kaile say "no," Long Cheng immediately shifted his target. He walked over to Di Jiaxun and pitifully said, "Brother Di, do you have any extra points vouchers? Can you spare me a little? I just had a leg cramp, and it hurt so much I couldn't walk. It's only just gotten better."

Long Cheng thought that using the excuse of a leg cramp would make the viewers feel sorry for him.

After all, the cameraman wasn't around him just now, so the viewers wouldn’t know whether he had a cramp or not.

But what he didn’t know was that, although the production team had told them there was only one live-streaming window, in fact, they had opened a live window for each of them. Even if there wasn't a cameraman following them, it was possible that hidden cameras had been installed where they were.

Unfortunately for him, there were quite a few hidden cameras exactly where he was just now.

So, all his actions were seen by the viewers in the live broadcast room, and whether or not he had a leg cramp was something they were all very clear about.

Although his fans have always been lenient with him - as long as he doesn’t break any laws - this time, his behavior made even his fans unwilling to defend him. "You’re lazy, I’m lazy too, whatever. If the worst comes to worst, I'll just listen to fewer of his songs."

Di Jiaxun felt awkward refusing Long Cheng, so he gave him a few points vouchers.

Long Cheng happily accepted the vouchers, but after seeing the number of points on the slip, he muttered softly, "That little?"

"If you think it's too little, then don't take it," Wu Pandan, who overheard him, said bluntly.

Long Cheng wanted to ask others for more vouchers after that, but learning from the earlier example, no one else gave him any.

Since they had spent a lot of time and energy looking for points, each person used ten points to exchange for lunch.

But Long Cheng, with only five points, could only watch them eat.

In the end, it was Fu Kaile who softened up and asked Wu Pandan for five points to give to Long Cheng, allowing him to finally have lunch.

Instead of thanking Fu Kaile after getting his meal, Long Cheng gave him a fierce glare once he found out that Fu Kaile had points all along but didn’t give him any earlier.

Soon, everyone finished eating the last meal provided by the production team.

Why is it the last meal? Because from then on, they planned to buy ingredients from the production team and cook their own meals.

They discussed it and concluded that, in the long run, cooking for themselves would cost fewer points.

There were definitely going to be many areas where they would need points in the future, so they had to spend them wisely.

For anything where they could save points, they absolutely couldn't waste them.

Those who had worked to earn points had no problem cooking for themselves, but Long Cheng, who had done nothing and just lay around, wasn’t happy about it.

Since he wasn’t happy about it, nobody indulged him. They directly told him that, because he didn’t have any points, he wasn’t even qualified to join, even if he wanted to. Whenever he has saved up enough points, then he can give his opinions, and it won’t be too late.

Seeing that everyone had excluded him, Long Cheng started trying to get Fu Kaile on his side.

For some reason, ever since they came here, Fu Kaile, who used to obey everything he said, was now unwilling to pay him any attention. Could it really be just because he lied about being allergic to cat fur? Was it that big of a deal?

Fu Kaile realized that the best way to deal with certain people was to simply ignore them.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Long Cheng decided to stop caring. He didn’t believe that after they finished cooking, they wouldn’t give him any food. As long as he had thick enough skin, he could be fearless. This was also the unique persona his manager had crafted for him.

Then, his leg “suddenly cramped” again and, now, besides lying on the couch, he couldn’t do anything.

Once they decided to cook for themselves, each person put in five points, and the group headed to the supermarket set up by the production team.

Shang Jingwei and Yong Xinyi were in charge of buying kitchenware with 20 points, Mu Zhengqing and Lu Yiwei were responsible for buying seasonings with 8 points, and Fu Kaile, Wu Pandan, and Di Jiaxun were responsible for buying ingredients with 7 points.

Mu Zhengqing followed Lu Yiwei to the seasoning section, and when he saw the prices, he was completely stunned.

A bottle of oil cost 5 points, and a bag of salt cost 3 points. If they bought these two things, their points would be gone.

In the end, Mu Zhengqing took out 3 of his own points to buy a bottle of Weidamei soy sauce. [it’s a popular name brand]

High-quality ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods. But for a cooking novice like Mu Zhengqing, cooking without Weidamei soy sauce was like cooking without a soul.

By the time Mu Zhengqing and Lu Yiwei came out with the things they bought, the group of three who went to buy ingredients had also come out.

They spent 5 points to buy a bag of rice, and then 2 points to buy a Chinese cabbage.

The three of them had completely run out of points. Otherwise, they would have definitely bought some glass noodles as well.

They weren’t expecting to have pork stewed with cabbage, but cabbage stewed with glass noodles would have been fine, too.

The wealthy Mu Zhengqing, with a grand gesture, took out another 3 points and gave them to Wu Pandan, telling her to go buy the glass noodles. No matter what, they were going to eat cabbage stewed with glass noodles today.

When Mu Zhengqing handed her the points, Wu Pandan was so happy she almost hugged him.

Why "almost"? Because just as she reached out her hands and before she could take the next step, someone stepped in front of Mu Zhengqing.

As for who it was, who else could it be but Lu Yiwei?

However, seeing Lu Yiwei block Mu Zhengqing, Wu Pandan became even more excited than if she had actually hugged Mu Zhengqing.

Shang Jingwei and Yong Xinyi were the last ones to come out. They each spent 10 points to buy a rice cooker and a wok.

Originally, the marked price for each of these items was 15 points, but Shang Jingwei and Yong Xinyi had bargained with the production crew for a long time, eventually getting them both for 10 points, which was why they were the last ones to come out.

When the others heard they had been able to bargain, Mu Zhengqing and the rest felt like they had lost a fortune. Each of them wished they could return what they bought and buy everything over again.

Liang Qi saw what they were doing and quickly issued an emergency notice: from now on, no more bargaining when buying things. Anyone who tries to haggle will lose 1 point.

After they finished buying everything, it wasn’t time for dinner yet, so the group started brainstorming ways to earn more points.

You could say the production crew was really stingy—they didn’t even take the initiative to give them opportunities to earn points, instead leaving them to figure it out on their own.

When it came to earning points, the group coincidentally all thought of picking up trash.

The reason they thought of picking up trash was because there were no traffic lights here, nor were there any elderly grandmas for them to help across the road.

But after they looked around, they found that not only was there no trash on the ground, but in this vibrant spring season, there wasn’t even a single leaf on the ground.

“Who says there’s no trash? Wasn’t the treasure chest we opened by the beach earlier basically garbage?” Mu Zhengqing suddenly had a bright idea and said.

Everyone agreed that was true. Without wasting any time, they immediately headed toward the beach.

Liang Qi opened his mouth to say something as they walked away, but in the end, he said nothing. Considering they were newcomers, he decided to let them off this time. He quickly called the staff responsible for cleaning up the treasure chests by the beach and told them to dump out the cleaned-up chests again.

However, after the group left Liang Qi’s sight, they didn’t head straight to the beach. Instead, they each returned to their respective residences.

Picking up trash at the beach was secondary, their main purpose in going to the beach was to have some fun.

They had already skimped on their meals, so when it came to their mental well-being, they definitely needed to relax and enjoy themselves.

Liang Qi waited at the beach for a long time, but only one person showed up, and it was none other than Long Cheng, who had previously complained about his leg cramping.

“Where are the others?” Long Cheng asked in confusion when he didn’t see anyone else.

He didn’t really want to come either, but without showing up, he wouldn’t get any screen time. So, after his "leg got better," he came.

"I’d like to know the answer to that myself," Liang Qi said through gritted teeth.

Of course, he knew where they were, but knowing was one thing, and being angry was another.

To increase the difficulty for them, he had the staff throw treasure chests everywhere. Now that they didn’t show up, some of the chests that had been tossed into the sea had to be fished out by the staff immediately.

If the show’s recording caused marine pollution, no matter how many sponsors he had, there would be no way to ensure the show’s continuation.

By the time Mu Zhengqing and the others arrived in their comfortable vacation-style outfits, the production crew had almost finished cleaning up the treasure chests.

There was no way they were going to throw the chests out again, so in the end, Mu Zhengqing and the others didn’t manage to earn any points by picking up the treasure chests.

However, since they had already changed clothes and showed up, how could they not fully enjoy themselves? How could they waste the time they spent walking over and the effort of changing their outfits?

Points? They didn’t care about that. After all, they had a bag of rice—at worst, they’d just drink porridge three times a day. They had food, a place to stay, no work to do, and still got paid. Where else could you find such a great deal?

Liang Qi watched them slack off, so angry that his mouth twisted. Since that was the case, he decided not to go easy on them. He gave a few instructions to his assistant, and soon after, the assistant left with a few people.

In such a leisurely moment, even just walking barefoot on the soft sand could lift one’s spirits.

Not to mention, they even played a series of childish games like water fights and tag—games that even eight-year-olds find too childish.

Hmm, eight-year-olds might think these games are too immature, but for these twenty-somethings, it felt just right.

However, there was one exception: Long Cheng, dressed in a high-end tailored suit, sat not far from them, looking up at the sky at a 45-degree angle.

With his elegant demeanor and melancholic gaze, how could he not utterly captivate the viewers in the livestream?

Reality in the livestream: "Long Cheng, could you move over a bit? You're blocking the camera."

As a celebrity, making money is indeed fast, but the pressure is also real. They have to be mindful of every word and action, and it's been a long time since they relaxed like this.

Even Shang Jingwei and Yong Xinyi, who were over fifty years old, looked at them and laughed along.

It wasn't until the tide started coming in that they reluctantly left.

After considering the features of various accommodations, they ultimately decided to set up the kitchen at Fu Kaile, Shang Jingwei, and Di Jiahun's place. After all, it was a three-person residence, so it had the largest space, and having more people wouldn't make it feel crowded.

Since their ingredients were too simple, there wasn't even enough to divide among everyone, even if they wanted to help.

In the end, they decided that Shang Jingwei and Yong Xinyi would cook this meal.

As for the others, they didn’t stay idle. They each found some tools and decided to go foraging by the sea.

When they arrived at the beach, it was like they had discovered a new world—there were sea snails, starfish, oysters, and everything else one could hope for.

It was everyone’s first time foraging by the sea, and whenever they found something tasty, fun, or beautiful, they would exclaim in surprise.

Originally, Mu Zhengqing, Lu Yiwei, and Fu Kaile were together, but at some point, Fu Kaile was pulled away by Wu Pandan, so now only Mu Zhengqing and Lu Yiwei were left.

Of course, the cameraman following them was still there the whole time.

The viewers in the livestream, seeing how much fun they were having foraging, started flooding the chat with comments.

"Pause the bricklaying, I want to go foraging by the sea."

"Pause the class, I want to go foraging by the sea."

"Pause the game, I want to go foraging by the sea."

...

Before long, Lu Yiwei's container was full, but seeing that Mu Zhengqing was still having fun, he took off his own jacket and let Mu Zhengqing put his findings inside.

Luckily, he had worn a jacket when he came out, otherwise, the livestream might have had to be cut off.

The livestream viewers also noticed this and commented in disappointment. They were this close to seeing the ‘model gentleman class leader’ bare-chested.

And so it went, Mu Zhengqing foraging ahead while Lu Yiwei packed everything up behind him.

By the time Mu Zhengqing turned around, Lu Yiwei's jacket was nearly overflowing.

It was only then that Mu Zhengqing noticed Lu Yiwei had taken off his jacket. Hurriedly, he took off his own jacket and gave it to Lu Yiwei.

Although Lu Yiwei really wanted to wear the jacket that Mu Zhengqing had just worn, he was worried that Mu Zhengqing might catch a cold, so he placed the things he was holding on the ground and helped Mu Zhengqing put his own jacket back on.

"I'm not cold, let's head back," Lu Yiwei said after making sure Mu Zhengqing had put the jacket on.

He truly wasn't cold—whenever he was around Mu Zhengqing, his body was always brimming with excitement.

Mu Zhengqing glanced around but didn’t see Wu Pandan and the others, so the two of them decided to head back first.

When they returned, they found that Wu Pandan and the others had already gotten back.

Their timing was perfect - it was almost time to eat.

Long Cheng had appeared at some point. Since everyone was here, they couldn't just kick him out, so they simply added an extra pair of chopsticks.

As it was getting late, they decided to save the things they’d collected from the sea for tomorrow’s meal.

Mu Zhengqing and the others had long known what dinner would be, so when a large pot of cabbage stewed with vermicelli was served, they all ate with great enjoyment. After all, they had nearly been stuck with only cabbage to eat.

Long Cheng, who had originally come expecting a grand feast, had an expression that matched the dish on the table.

Plain.

But no one cared about his expression—not even Fu Kaile spared him a glance.

Although there was only one dish, Shang Jingwei and Yong Xinyi’s cooking skills were excellent. The cabbage stewed with vermicelli turned out to be especially delicious.

Long Cheng, who initially looked down on the fact that there was only one dish, found that by the time he wanted to grab a bite, all that was left for him was an empty pot.

This time, Long Cheng wasn’t pretending—he was genuinely shocked. Are they still celebrities? Do they not need to watch their figure? Then again, he hadn’t done anything all day besides lying on the couch and sleeping.

Mu Zhengqing and the others, on the other hand, had been busy hunting for treasure chests, playing water fights, and foraging by the sea—they were exhausted.

And when you're that tired, not only do you eat a lot, but your appetite is even better.

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Chapter 6: Anger

2024-12-10T16:16:00.003+05:30

Chao Ge was also momentarily stunned when he heard this and immediately turned to Chao Lun with a reproachful look in his eyes.

What nonsense! He was brought here, dressed like this! God knows that after returning that day, he had secretly investigated and found out the guy was placed in the Bureau of Medical Affairs, a relatively safe place. But who knew that Chao Lun would go and provoke him again! He really couldn’t feel at ease if he wasn’t watching over him every single day.

Chao Lun gave a soft cough and weakly muttered, "It has nothing to do with him. I was the one who insisted on dragging him here."

Yan Guan was utterly speechless. Not only had he been forcefully dragged into this mess by the Second Prince, but he had also been molested by a few impertinent drunkards. If it weren’t for Chao Lun's suspicions leading him to enter the room first, he wouldn't be in such a relatively good state now… [lmao, not 2nd prince protecting his future brother-in-law hehe]

Yan Guan lay flat on the ground, his short upper garment revealing half of his waist, the sheer veil doing little to conceal his appearance.

Chao Ge merely glanced at him, then silently averted his gaze, holding back his anger as he said stiffly, "You may leave."

Yan Guan, in disbelief, raised his head. Was his lord really letting him off just like that?

Chao Lun quickly shot Yan Guan a glance, urging him to leave quickly, while the attendants below also stepped forward to escort Yan Guan out.

After taking a few steps, Yan Guan couldn't help but ask, "Am I really okay now?"

"The lord is generous and lenient. Since he has let you go, it means you're in the clear.”

“However, the people inside are of high status. Even if they accidentally offended Chao Lun, they wouldn’t be in danger of losing their lives. But if they remember teasing you while you were dressed as a woman, there’s no guarantee you won’t be bullied.”

Yan Guan looked troubled. One of the attendants chuckled, saying, "What are you worried about, little brother? You’re the Second Prince’s man."

"I…" Yan Guan didn’t know how to explain that Chao Lun really had just pulled him along without much thought.

But looking at the current scenario, it seemed this was really the only way forward.

Chao Ge didn’t waste more time with these few individuals. He just had them beaten with dozens of lashes and sent them home for solitary confinement. [I think the author is trying to say house arrest, here]

Chao Lun, however, was quite dissatisfied, "Big brother, these people don’t deserve to live!"

"Punishments are carried out according to the law. Why are you still so reckless?"

Chao Lun pouted and turned to leave.

Chao Ge hesitated but eventually called after him, "What's the story with the person you brought along? I haven’t seen him by your side before."

"I picked him up halfway, just a brief encounter at the Bureau of Medical Affairs."

Chao Ge secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that if he didn’t have someone’s protection after this incident, he would face retaliation from those scums.

Chao Lun noticed his brother staying silent and seemed to realise something. His expression changed, and he teased, "Big brother, don’t tell me… you aren't attracted to him, are you? He’s not officially mine yet. If you want him, you’ll have to notify the Bureau of Medical Affairs."

"Nonsense!" Chao Ge’s anger flared, and he coldly snorted, "I didn’t realise you had such peculiar tastes." [xiao didi hit a nerve there, lmao]

Chao Lun’s face turned red. "It was just a moment of impulse, a moment of impulse."

"Don’t let there be a next time. Even if it’s a servant, you shouldn’t humiliate people like that. And also..." for some reason, Chao Ge hesitated.

Chao Lun looked up at his brother, waiting for him to continue.

"Bring him into Yongning Hall." From the moment Chao Ge recognized Yan Guan, he had wanted to gouge out the eyes of those people. He had thought about immediately bringing him to Huien Hall, but after the anger subsided, he realised that wouldn’t be wise. If he was promoted too quickly, it might invite unsavoury rumours, which would not be good for him.

Chao Lun was embarrassed. He had been under his elder brother’s discipline since childhood and, though he was rebellious, Chao Ge’s words still had an effect on him.

"I understand."

"Alright, go back."

Once they returned to the hall, they saw Yan Guan, who had already changed back into his official robe, standing by the side.

"Your Highness, the dance gown has been put away."

Chao Lun gave a light hum in acknowledgment. Remembering Chao Ge’s instructions, he turned and said, "I keep my word. From now on, you’ll work here."

Yan Guan finally felt relieved. He had been terrified that tonight’s events might upset Chao Lun, and that he’d end up ruined along with him.

Now that Chao Lun was his master, if those people wanted revenge, they’d have to think twice.

Yan Guan didn’t have much, so after gathering a few things, he moved to Yongning Hall.

His roommate, Maji, saw this and asked a few questions, expressing some surprise, and remarked that perhaps this misfortune had turned into a blessing in disguise.

Yan Guan gave a bitter smile. He thought to himself that with Chao Lun being a prince, under the watchful eyes of so many, he would have to be even more careful in the future.

The first thing he needed to do was get rid of the tattooed character on his forehead. Wouldn’t walking around with a black tattoo draw more unwanted attention?

This was an easy matter to handle. He asked the Bureau of Medical Affairs for some solution to corrode the skin, removing the mark, and then applied ointment to heal the scar. The process was painful, but Yan Guan didn’t care.

As fate would have it, Yan Guan hadn’t stayed in Yongning Hall for long before he fell ill.

Previously, when he was disguised as a woman in that thin dancing gown, he had been out in the freezing cold for a long time. New to the place and afraid of being criticised, he had stubbornly pushed through even as he started to feel unwell, which only worsened his condition.

"That little southern barbarian sure has good fortune. I wonder what tricks he used to get into Yongning Hall. Even though he’s sick now, it seems like his luck hasn’t run out," a few servants whispered among themselves.

"I heard he caught the lord’s attention. But then again, things don’t look so good for him now."

"What do you mean, is he dying? It can’t be that bad, can it? Is he really that weak?"

"Hard to say. I went to take a look last time, and he was babbling nonsense from the fever. It took two people to hold him down just to get the medicine into him."

"Sounds pretty pitiful."

"Who knows… He’s just a little slave from the Liang Kingdom. His life is pretty worthless anyway..." In the palace, most people tailor their behaviour based on the status of others, and Yan Guan’s entry into Yongning Hall had stirred up a lot of jealousy.

As the group continued chatting and walked away, they failed to notice the hem of a patterned robe behind the rock. Chao Ge gritted his teeth instantly. "How could he be sick again? It’s only been a few days!"

Daxi, standing by, watched his lord’s shifting expression and thought, This is bad. Looks like he's really fallen for him. "Doctor Wuritu is treating him, so it shouldn't be too serious," he said.

Although Chao Ge had instructed them to keep an eye on the little southern barbarian, Daxi hadn't anticipated his lord's current emotions. He had initially thought Chao Ge’s intentions were to monitor the boy out of suspicion, since no one would normally jump to other conclusions. Thus, Daxi hadn’t mentioned the illness.

Chao Ge didn’t make things difficult for Daxi, but he instructed people to take better care of Yan Guan. Meanwhile, Chao Lun, for some reason, found his academic duties suddenly increasing.

"Kid, can you get up?" Doctor Wuritu from the Bureau of Medical Affairs handed Yan Guan a bowl of thick broth.

"I can get up, I can get up!" Yan Guan hurriedly pulled off the blanket and tried to rise.

Wuritu laughed heartily and pushed him back down with ease. "Alright, alright, you just rest." Wuritu was a kind, small, elderly man.

Yan Guan’s throat felt a little dry.

The little old man patted his nonexistent hair twice and cheerfully pinched Yan Guan’s face. "Eat more or, if this happens again, you’ll really be done for."

Yan Guan bit his lower lip, holding back his tears, and slurped down the soup noisily.

His illness dragged on for over half a month, but the tattooed character on his face faded during the recovery, leaving only a darker scar behind.

After Yan Guan returned, because he was capable and sensible, when some servants in Yongning Hall suffered from minor ailments like headaches or fevers and were unwilling to spend money on doctors, Yan Guan helped them with the treatments. This earned him a lot of goodwill from the servants, and they began treating him much more kindly, making his movements around the hall much easier.

For the past several days, Chao Ge had been trying different ways to keep Chao Lun confined to the palace. Even the tutors had gotten a lot stricter. Every day, they could hear the Second Prince complaining loudly in the study room.

Yan Guan, holding his head, sat on the steps in front of the study and sighed.

"Xiao Guan, go grab some snacks and take them to His Highness. I’ll stand guard here," a maid pinched Yan Guan’s cheek affectionately.

From inside, the Second Prince’s demonic screeches were still going strong. From the sound of it, the teacher had assigned some writing homework again, and Chao Lun couldn’t manage it.

Yan Guan sprang up, bowed to the older sister in gratitude, finally able to escape the torment of Chao Lun’s voice.

He carefully placed a tray of chestnut cakes and some dried apples on Chao Lun’s desk. Just as he was about to leave, Chao Lun grabbed his sleeve, pulling him closer to the desk. Yan Guan took a look—it was writing in Liangchao script. [Official script of Liang Kingdom, Yan Guan’s home country]

Chao Lun waved the draft paper in his hand, "Our dynasty promotes the culture of Huaxia. First, to foster trade with the Liang Kingdom, and second, to educate our own people. As a prince, I have no choice but to study." [Huaxia is ancient China]

Learning the Han characters of the Central Plains was notoriously difficult for foreigners, and Yan Guan couldn’t help but admire this effort. He offered a compliment, "Your Highness is truly diligent."

Chao Lun, feeling slightly embarrassed, coughed lightly. "There aren’t many people around me who can read, let alone write. Since you’re a southerner, surely you recognize some characters?"

Yan Guan nodded cautiously.

"Then... could you help me copy some of this?" Chao Lun looked at Yan Guan with hope. "Copying is no big deal, it’s not like composing poetry or writing essays—it doesn’t require much thought, just wastes my time."

"But, Your Highness, my handwriting is different from yours. The tutor will notice."

"Ah, can’t you just imitate mine?"

Seeing Yan Guan hesitate and stay silent for a long time, Chao Lun realised that he didn’t want to do it. Reflecting on the risk, Chao Lun recalled how his hand still ached from being beaten last time.

"Never mind, never mind. Just go. Let me suffer and die here."

Yan Guan was startled. "Your Highness, don’t talk about death like that."

"My head hurts, and my hand hurts too, look."

Chao Lun hadn’t seen anyone his own age for a long time, so when he finally caught someone, he naturally didn’t miss the chance to joke around and relax.

Yan Guan considered for a moment before speaking, "Shall I give Your Highness a massage?"

"Hmm? You know how?"

"A little, my father taught me."

"Then give it a try." Chao Lun lay down on the couch as instructed.

Yan Guan had inherited his family’s medical skills, so his technique was quite good. After a round of massage, Chao Lun instantly felt refreshed and rejuvenated.

"You really know what you’re doing," Chao Lun said, accepting the hot towel Yan Guan handed him and placing it on his face. He let out a long sigh, the exhaustion from days of academic pressure finally swept away.

"Your Highness should sleep earlier in the future. Staying up every night will take a toll on your body."

Even though he offered this advice, Yan Guan knew it wasn’t likely. So, he added, "Shall I brew some herbal tea for Your Highness to nourish your liver energy?"

Chao Lun readily agreed.

After drinking the herbal tea a few times, Chao Lun increasingly felt that Yan Guan had some real skill and began to rely on him more for his health.

As the days passed, the year finally came to an end, and everyone became busy preparing for the new year.

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Chapter 5: Exposed

2024-12-10T16:13:00.006+05:30

Chao Ge sat at the head of the table, listlessly watching the wine cups pass between the guests below. He didn’t like such formal affairs, but Cai Dan, this old man, loved these kinds of events.

“Your Majesty, is the food not to your liking?” Cai Dan, the elder from Wugan, asked from the lower seat.

“It’s done very well,” Chao Ge smiled at him and raised his wine glass in the air.

It was Cai Dan who had insisted on bringing him back from his fief to inherit the throne. Although Chao Ge was not particularly happy about it, he still had to show some courtesy.

Chao Ge kept his smile, chatting for a few moments, and mentioned what he had seen last month in Yangzhou.

Cai Dan was not happy about his ruler’s sudden decision to visit Yangzhou. Although he understood that Chao Ge had gone there to open a sea route for transporting grain, he still thought it was a difficult undertaking that shouldn’t be planned at this time.

“Your Majesty, forgive me for speaking frankly, but as the king of the people, you should now constrain yourself, and not act as you did before. Moreover, the Second Prince still needs guidance.”

“Mm, Chao Lun is in his own study catching up on his lessons,” Chao Ge didn’t respond to the first part of Cai Dan’s words, and Cai Dan furrowed his brow, still wanting to speak further.

Chao Ge waved his hand, stopping him. “Elder, no need to say more. I didn’t indulge in wine and women in Yangzhou. Since I’ve sworn before the gods, I will surely abide by my oath.”

Chao Ge knew what some people thought of him. They feared that if he left a child behind, it might one day pose a threat to Chao Lun and the throne.

Looking at Cai Dan's aged face, Chao Ge found it hard to imagine what kind of mindset this long-serving minister, who had served through three reigns, must have had that he was willing to go against ancestral traditions to bring him back to the throne. It must have been an agonising decision.

Chao Ge felt an unexpected pang of guilt and ordered his attendants to bring more dishes to Cai Dan.

Actually, Cai Dan’s concerns were understandable. When the old king passed, Chao Lun was only ten years old, and his maternal family’s influence was too strong. If Chao Lun ascended to the throne, it was unclear who would truly hold power in Liangzhou.

Helpless, Cai Dan and the other old ministers could only bring Chao Ge back and wait for Chao Lun to grow stronger before planning his succession.

As it turned out, Cai Dan’s judgement was correct. Five years after Chao Ge took the throne, he governed diligently, focusing on reform and the welfare of the people. His private conduct had never faltered, and he paid great attention to Chao Lun’s education.

But what the future held was uncertain, and Cai Dan did not dare to draw conclusions. He was unsure whether someone who held great power would still be willing to return the throne.

At least for now, Liangzhou still needed Chao Ge. He was placed in this position with no room for personal desires.

Chao Ge drank his wine silently, and the court officials began to announce the musical program. Soon, a troupe of musicians and dancers entered in procession.

Chao Ge was uninterested, idly stirring the dishes in front of him. They were all beef and lamb, and he had no appetite.

……

"Hey, keep an eye out. When those people finish dancing and come out, we’ll sneak in."

Chao Lun whispered to Yan Guan, crouching behind the wall. The inner palace was heavily guarded, and entering through the main gate was impossible. Chao Lun had to find another way in.

“Your Highness, forgive me for speaking out of turn, but with your status, no one would dare stop you from entering directly…” Yan Guan's voice grew softer and softer.

“What do you know? I’m doing this because I want to.”

Alright, then. The young master wanted to have some fun, so how could he not go along with it? Yan Guan, embarrassed, lifted his skirt and followed Chao Lun.

“Come on, come on, this way.”

Chao Lun pulled Yan Guan along, stumbling as they climbed into the side chamber of the inner palace—Gongfang.

Chao Lun acted as if he hadn’t noticed anything and dragged Yan Guan into the garden. “Now that no one’s around, we’ll just circle around to the side hall, and it’ll be easier.”

Yan Guan said nothing. Even if he did speak, it wouldn’t matter…

In the brief moment when he was being pulled along, Yan Guan’s thoughts wandered for a while. He felt that the decision by Wugan and the court to bring Chao Lun’s cousin back to become the king was very wise.

Chao Ge grew tired of the music and dance after just a couple of glances. He instructed the court officials to make proper arrangements and then found an excuse of being drunk and unwell to slip away.

“Your Majesty, will you return to the palace to rest?” his attendant, Daxi, asked.

Chao Ge shook his head. “No, I came back in a hurry and haven’t had a chance to see Chao Bao properly.” Chao Bao was Chao Lun’s sister, now eight years old.

“The young princess has been calling for you every day these past two months.”

Chao Ge smiled. An eight-year-old child’s thoughts are fleeting—anything tasty or fun could distract her, so how could she always be thinking of him? Still, hearing this made his heart feel somewhat warm.

Standing outside Ximing Palace, Chao Ge instructed someone to send a message. Ximing Palace was where the Empress Dowager resided, Chao Lun and Chao Bao's mother, Consort Bayun.

The Bayun family had great power in the previous dynasty, and due to the competition for the throne, the Empress Dowager naturally didn’t favour Chao Ge.

“Your Majesty, please return. The young princess has already gone to sleep.”

Chao Ge looked at the woman before him, saying no more.

"The inner palace is hosting a banquet. Please bring some snacks for Chao Bao."

Daxi quickly handed over the food box to the attendants at Ximing Palace.

“Your Majesty is very thoughtful,” Consort Bayun said in a cold, indifferent tone.

"The Empress Dowager has retired early," Chao Ge was used to her attitude. She could behave this way simply by relying on her powerful family from the previous dynasty. Even during the reign of the late king, she was given special consideration.

Chao Ge walked down the corridor, his gaze fixed on the blurred shadow before him, lost in thought.

During his years in his fief, Liangxia had been at war, which affected the borders of Liangzhou. While he was able to quell the unrest and ensure the people’s safety, the political infighting in the court drained him emotionally.

Especially Bayun… Cai Dan had once mentioned that he had a bit of feminine kindness, and that was not wrong.

Chao Ge blinked slowly and drew his thoughts back in.

The Empress Dowager’s younger brother, Bulagan, was not much older than Chao Ge. From the age of fifteen, the two had been close friends until Chao Ge left for his fief. No one could have predicted that five years later, they would become political rivals in the court.

Chao Ge pinched the bridge of his nose. Bulagan had been causing him trouble for years. When family interests were at stake, even their friendship had become insignificant.

Chao Ge had barely rested since returning from Yangzhou, and thought he had finally found a moment of peace.

However, as soon as he stepped into his sleeping quarters, servants rushed in in a panic. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Second Prince has caused a scene in the inner palace!”

Upon hearing that it was Chao Lun, Chao Ge immediately felt dizzy. He knew that this troublemaker would cause trouble.

“What happened?” Chao Ge turned around and headed toward the inner palace.

After Chao Lun grew older, Chao Ge had intentionally reduced his meetings with his maternal family. He was worried that, due to his age and lack of resolve, people could manipulate him. That was also why he didn’t let Chao Lun attend the banquet today.

“The Second Prince sneaked into the orchestra, and several young lords didn’t recognize him, which angered the Prince. They just got into a fight!”

Chao Ge furrowed his brows and entered the inner palace’s side hall.

Inside was a bustling area where the musicians and attendants were getting ready. It was chaotic.

As soon as Chao Lun saw someone enter, he immediately straightened his back. “Big Brother, these lowlifes dared to hit me!”

On the floor, a group of people knelt, all with swollen faces and bruises, while Chao Lun appeared unscathed.

Chao Ge casually pointed at one of the kneeling men. Naturally, he didn’t believe Chao Lun’s side of the story. “Get up and explain what happened.”

The man, a member of the royal family, was known for his indulgent lifestyle, and infamous for his reckless behaviour. He certainly didn’t dare to speak of the real reason for the commotion, and knelt on the floor, drenched in cold sweat.

Chao Lun snorted coldly and yelled, “Hah! If you don’t want this two ounces of flesh, I’ll cut it off for you so it doesn’t harm anyone!”

Chao Ge was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood what was happening. He certainly hadn’t expected things to develop in this way.

While Chao Lun continued to curse loudly, Chao Ge’s head throbbed in frustration. He waved his hand to summon a palace attendant nearby. “Take these people down, they’re embarrassing themselves…”

It was quiet, finally, but Chao Lun was still upset.

“It was all men! Was it really that bad just being touched a few times?” Chao Ge handed Chao Lun a cup of tea.

“Of course it was! It wasn’t just a few touches! That thing was right against my waist!”

Chao Ge fell silent.

Chao Lun gritted his teeth and continued, “Those guys were like randy beasts! If I weren’t so agile, hmph!”

Chao Ge gave his younger brother a glance, feeling somewhat at a loss for words. “Maybe they just mistook you…” Chao Lun was much more solidly built than others his age, so it was hard to imagine that anyone would…

“Exactly! Oh, where’s the servant who came with me?”

“Who?”

“The one who came with me. The few of them intended to bully him, but I got to this room first. They’re blind, and as soon as the door opened, they shoved me right inside!”

“Let’s go and take a look,” Chao Ge said, feeling somewhat helpless.

This situation was awkward. The few royal family members involved were clearly in the wrong, so they didn’t dare to act recklessly. It could be dealt with easily, but Chao Ge feared that Chao Lun might lose his temper and directly have someone beaten to death.

The five people present were all taken to a lower room. The side hall had too many people and too many eyes, so it wasn’t a suitable place for questioning.

Among the four ruffians, there was also a dancer. Chao Ge was puzzled—when did his younger brother start associating with such people?

Chao Lun had a high status, and the maidservants serving him were all carefully selected by the Empress Dowager, so they were supposed to be trustworthy. Chao Ge couldn't help but feel suspicious.

“Come here.”

Yan Guan was in a daze, praying to his ancestors, hoping that if he could make it through today safely, he would go to the temple to light incense and make a vow of thanks.

Yan Guan stood up and walked toward Chao Ge, not daring to raise his head, and quickly knelt down with a thud.

“I know I was wrong, please, Your Majesty, show mercy.”

As soon as Yan Guan spoke, everyone in the room froze in shock.

Du De and his friends exchanged glances. What? It’s a man?!

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Chapter 4: The Dancing Skirt

2024-12-10T14:59:00.002+05:30

Chao Ge rode his horse directly into the king’s tent. It wasn't until they entered the royal grounds that Yan Guan, who was riding with him, realised something was wrong and tried to dismount.

“Sir, sir, please don’t go any further. This is the king’s palace!” Yan Guan warned, twisting his body to get off the horse.

Chao Ge glanced down at him and thought to himself, given Yan Guan's current status, if someone with malicious intent were to witness this, it could bring trouble upon him. With that, Chao Ge pulled on the reins to stop.

Yan Guan dismounted quickly, trembling, and stammering in thanks. “Thank you, sir. I am just a lowly servant. If you ever need anything from me in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“There’s no need for that. You can leave now,” Chao Ge responded casually, knowing that it was his horse that startled the young man in the first place.

Chao Ge was aware of how many people perish on the road to exile, whether from illness or from being beaten and tortured. He guessed that less than half of them made it to Liangzhou alive, and he hadn’t expected to ever see this boy again.

Recognizing Yan Guan, Chao Ge found it hard to believe.

He lowered his head to glance at Yan Guan, who was shivering in the cold, and frowned. “Haven’t this year’s thick robes been issued yet?”

“Ah, no, it’s not that. I left mine in the house,” Yan Guan lied, terrified that if he admitted the robes weren’t distributed, Chao Ge might take out his anger on the person in charge, which would only result in Yan Guan suffering in the end.

Chao Ge tugged at the corner of his mouth. How could he not understand what Yan Guan was worried about? This man really was... oh well, being a bit cautious is good.

Listening to the sound of the horses' hooves gradually fading away, Yan Guan hurried back to his room to change clothes. His body was dry, and after drinking some hot water, he slowly regained his strength.

It was pouring rain today, so there was no need to go to the Medical Bureau for duty. Yan Guan brewed some ginger tea to ward off the dampness and, by the faint candlelight, started reading a book in his room.

The next few days passed uneventfully. The rain continued to pour for several days, leaving people feeling sluggish due to the constant gloomy weather. The only thing that stirred a bit of excitement was hearing that King Wugan had returned to the city.

Maji was a colleague who worked shifts with Yan Guan, and he always got excited when talking about court gossip. From him, Yan Guan learned almost everything there was to know about the Wugan royal family.

"You think King Wugan governs his people well? Do you think he might kill people at will?" Compared to gossip, Yan Guan was more concerned about his own safety.

"The lord has been on the throne for five years and treats his subordinates quite generously," hearing this from Maji, Yan Guan was relieved.

Ten days later, Yan Guan returned to the Medical Bureau for duty. Two days earlier, the Office of Internal Affairs had delivered winter clothes, so now Yan Guan felt warm and in good spirits as he went about his work.

Sorting through the damp medicinal herbs in the storage room, and drying and washing them took all day. By night, dragging his sore arms, Yan Guan returned to his room to sleep.

The nights in Liangzhou were different from those in Yangzhou. The moon was so high, it lit the road brightly. Yan Guan didn’t bother lighting a lamp and walked leisurely down the corridor. Looking up, he saw the sky no wider than three fingers—the palace walls were too tall.

Yan Guan gazed at it for a while, feeling inexplicably stifled. Dragging himself to Liangzhou half-alive, when would these dark days ever end?

Just a turn ahead and he would arrive. Yan Guan collected his thoughts and quickened his pace.

As soon as his foot stepped past the corner, a shadow darted out from behind and suddenly covered Yan Guan's mouth and nose.

Yan Guan was shocked. He grabbed the person’s hand and bit down hard. Caught off guard, the assailant let out a low gasp of pain. The pressure on his face loosened a bit. Yan Guan elbowed backward, not knowing where he hit, and took off running.

Chao Lun was furious to the point of exploding!

His older brother's constant oversight after returning was already annoying, and just as he was about to sneak out of the palace under the cover of a servant, someone had attacked him!

In a fit of anger, he shouted on the spot, “If you dare leave, I’ll kill you right now!”

Yan Guan’s legs gave out, but he took a deep breath and ran forward like mad.

Chao Lun had been wild since he was a child—how could Yan Guan outrun him? After just a few steps, Chao Lun grabbed him by the back of the neck.

“Trying to run again? I’m not even a bad guy,” Chao Lun said, sounding somewhat aggrieved.

Yan Guan fell backward and, under the moonlight, recognized the person. It was the Second Prince, the same one who had told him to go to the hunting grounds but never showed up himself.

“Y-your Highness, why are you looking for me so late at night?” Yan Guan got up and saluted.

“Oh? You recognize me?”

Well, well, well, how forgetful the nobility can be. The Second Prince had completely forgotten him. Yan Guan forced a smile.

Chao Lun stood with his hands on his hips, acting important, and commanded, “I want to leave the palace. You take me.”

“Huh?” Yan Guan shook his head like a rattle-drum. “I’m just a servant. How could I possibly take someone out of the palace?”

“You find me some clothes, and then just tell the guards I’m an official off duty. Simple.”

Yan Guan glanced at Chao Lun with a look of difficulty.

"Hey, are you up for this or not? If my brother hadn’t been keeping me locked up, I would’ve already downed three jugs of wine by now..."

"Your Highness, maybe you should find someone else. I’m a convict slave, I don’t even have a waist badge," Yan Guan pointed to the branded character on his forehead.

When Chao Lun saw this, his heart sank halfway. He realised that the person he had grabbed was useless. Tonight, it seemed he was destined to stay in the palace.

With a sigh, he glanced at Yan Guan a few more times, unwilling to give up. Then it suddenly struck him, "Wait, haven’t I seen you somewhere before?"

Yan Guan forced a smile, "Yes, Your Highness had asked me to serve at the hunting grounds before."

"Oh~" Chao Lun remembered. He lingered on Yan Guan’s face for a few seconds, and a mischievous thought crept up. He thought, well, since tonight was bound to be boring, stuck in the palace...

"Hey, last time I had something come up and couldn’t make it. Since we can’t leave tonight, let’s do something else. Come with me!"

Yan Guan stood still, but Chao Lun yanked him along toward the palace hall.

Stumbling to catch up, Yan Guan heard him say, "It’s nothing bad, just looking for someone to hang out with."

Yan Guan thought to himself, you’d better not be up to anything shady.

They ended up behind the wall of the royal sleeping chambers. Yan Guan hesitated, but Chao Lun urged him, "Stop staring, hurry up."

Saying that, Chao Lun leaped up and grabbed Yan Guan to pull him up with him.

"Tonight there’s a banquet in the inner palace, and Chao Ge actually locked me in the palace to catch up on my studies! Isn’t that infuriating?"

So the Second Prince had sneaked out by climbing over the wall. Yan Guan was still feeling a bit dazed when he climbed down after him.

The two of them then climbed through a window into the room. Yan Guan stood stiffly in the centre of the chamber. Although Chao Lun’s sleeping quarters weren’t large, there were all sorts of things scattered everywhere—strange and curious little trinkets. It was clear that the Second Prince’s playful nature hadn’t faded.

Chao Lun rummaged through a few large chests and pulled out a piece of cloth. "Here, put this on."

Yan Guan took it and shook it open, freezing in place. It was a dancer’s skirt.

Chao Lun, however, was quite pleased with himself. "I’ve seen plenty of people, but their figures were all too broad, tsk," he said with disdain, "You can definitely wear this!"

Yan Guan didn’t know what to say. Was he supposed to express his gratitude for this “great favour”?

"Your Highness, this… this really isn’t proper…"

Chao Lun twisted his arm in annoyance and said, "It’s just a dancer’s skirt! What’s all this fuss about rules?"

"Alright, alright, just put it on. We’ll disguise ourselves as musicians and sneak into the banquet for some good food! What a lavish feast! It’s so fancy even I’m not allowed to eat!"

Yan Guan was left speechless.

Judging from the tone of his voice, it was clear that the Second Prince had a good relationship with the ruler. If he truly wanted to attend, all it would take is a simple request. But from the looks of it, he must have been caught doing something wrong and now couldn’t bring himself to ask for permission.

Yan Guan squeezed the fabric in his hands, thinking to himself that, if they were discovered, the Second Prince wouldn’t face much trouble, but as for him—a mere slave—he could end up accused of corrupting a royal prince, and that would be the end of him.

Seeing Yan Guan’s hesitation, Chao Lun’s expression darkened. After all, he was the Second Prince, raised with indulgence and privilege from a young age.

"Do you dare disobey me?" His tone carried an obvious threat.

Yan Guan sighed, thinking to himself that today was truly unlucky. If only he hadn’t gone out, he wouldn’t have run into someone so difficult to deal with. He could only try to placate him.

"Your Highness, as a convict slave, I’ve never entered the inner palace before. If I offend anyone, I hope Your Highness will guide me."

Chao Lun nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, since you’ve agreed, I won’t leave you behind. If you handle this well, you can come work by my side from now on."

What else could Yan Guan do? He could only nod submissively, murmuring his agreement as he turned to go behind the curtain and change.

So be it, he thought helplessly. He had no idea what kind of strange pleasure the Second Prince got from this. There were so many ways to sneak in, yet he insisted on making Yan Guan dress up as a dancer, clearly just to mess with him.

After changing into his outfit, Yan Guan came out to find that Chao Lun had also changed into the attire of a musician.

The moment Chao Lun saw Yan Guan, he uncharacteristically fell silent for a moment.

The dancer’s skirt was a raven black, a colour rarely worn by the women of Wugan, who were typically tall and voluptuous, favouring bright colours like red to accentuate their figures. Hardly anyone wore this shade.

But Yan Guan’s frame was slender, and his skin pale. His features were cool and delicate, and surprisingly, he pulled off the look. With the headscarf and veil on, it would be impossible to tell in a crowd that he was a man.

Feeling uncomfortable, Yan Guan tugged at his sleeves, silently cursing the outfit for being too short. If he stood up straight, his waist would be exposed!

Chao Lun circled around him, "How old are you this year? Why are you so short?"

"...I'll be seventeen after the New Year."

Chao Lun blinked in surprise, not expecting Yan Guan to be older than him. "Tsk, does your family not feed you?"

Yan Guan took a deep breath. "Your Highness, can we go and return quickly?"

Chao Lun dropped the topic, now excited, and led Yan Guan towards the inner palace.