Chapter 28: The Wise Jinshi x The Obsessed Emperor 07

The next morning.

Yun Huai was half-asleep when he felt the man beside him roll out of bed.  He heard the rustling of clothes as the man gradually walked away.

He snuggled deeper into the covers and slept until he woke up naturally.  As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw the man he wanted to pretend to be still asleep to avoid.

Qin Jingchuan pulled the young man out of the bright yellow silk covers and held him in his arms.  He said softly, “Ah Huai, wake up and get dressed.”

Yun Huai pursed his lips and looked at him.  “My clothes…”

He had been carried out of the Yun Mansion wrapped in blankets by Qin Jingchuan yesterday.  He hadn’t brought any changes of clothes, and even the undergarment he was wearing had been torn by the Emperor.

Qin Jingchuan touched the young man’s neck, which was covered in red marks.  His obsidian eyes shone with a sharp light, like a wolf king about to devour its prey.

“I’ve had people prepare some clothes.  Don’t worry.”

Yun Huai changed into new clothes under the Emperor’s watchful eye.  The blue silk robe looked good on him, adding a touch of wealth and nobility to his previous snow-white appearance.  He now had the air of a noble youth.

Qin Jingchuan looked at the handsome and elegant young man, feeling an indescribable sense of pride.

Look!  This is my future Empress!

Yun Huai reached out and tugged at Qin Jingchuan’s sleeve, his voice soft.  “Your Majesty, may I go home for a while today?”

Qin Jingchuan took Yun Huai’s hand.  “Of course.  I’ll send a royal guard with you to prevent anyone with poor eyesight from bumping into my Empress.”

Yun Huai frowned slightly.  “That’s not necessary.”

He was going home, not into a dragon’s lair.  Why would he need a royal guard to accompany him?

Qin Jingchuan embraced the innocent young man.  “I’ve had people investigate your father’s back courtyard.  They’re all ruthless people, like wolves and tigers.”

“Don’t underestimate them.”

Yun Huai twisted his fingers.  “I know.  I’ve never underestimated them.”

He raised his beautiful, bright phoenix eyes and said calmly, “But I’m not going to live with them anymore.  It doesn’t matter to me if they’re like wolves and tigers.  I’m not going to be bothered by them.”

He wanted to change his fate, and to thwart the transmigrated woman’s schemes.  What did it matter what others thought?

He didn’t underestimate them, but he didn’t care about them either.  No one was worth his concern.

“I’m a man who wants to do great things.  I won’t allow myself to be confined to the intrigues of the back courtyard.”

Qin Jingchuan smiled.  “Alright, Ah Huai.  Don’t worry about these things.”

“If they behave themselves, fine.  But if they seek their own demise, I don’t mind adding a few more lives to my guard’s list.”

His beloved didn’t want to bother with the women of the back courtyard, but he was quite vengeful.  To bully Yun Huai was the same as bullying him.

His beloved could only be bullied on his dragon bed.  At other times, in other places, he couldn’t be wronged in the slightest.

“…” Yun Huai’s eyes twitched.  He looked at Qin Jingchuan helplessly, feeling like the Emperor was thinking about some strange things.

Qin Jingchuan asked, “Ah Huai, what do you want to do when you go home?”

Yun Huai said softly, “I want to take my servant and my old lady out of the Yun Mansion and give them their freedom.  They don’t need to be bullied in the Yun Mansion anymore.”

Even he, the master, wasn’t happy in the Yun Mansion.  How could Zhang Ping and Zhang Mama, two servants, stand it?  He would take them with him if he could.

Qin Jingchuan stroked the young man’s hand.  “If you want to bring them to the palace, you can.  It’ll be reassuring to have people you’re close to by your side.”

Yun Huai said calmly, “That’s not necessary!  Your Majesty, you’ve already tricked me into the palace.  Now you want to bring my servants in, too?”

He was adaptable.  He could live anywhere, but Zhang Mama and Zhang Ping were just ordinary servants.  They couldn’t handle the strict rules of the palace.

Besides, he didn’t want to push the only two people who were loyal to him into the fire!

Qin Jingchuan didn’t seem angry.  He pinched Yun Huai’s snow-white neck.  “Whatever you want.  But you should change how you address me.”

“We’re going to be partners.  You can’t keep calling me Your Majesty.”

Yun Huai looked at him in confusion.  “If not Your Majesty, what should I call you?”

Qin Jingchuan’s eyes flickered.  “Call me Husband.”

Yun Huai:  I’m cracking up!

I’ve discovered, you’re really not shy at all!

Qin Jingchuan stared at the silent Yun Huai, his furrowed brows tightening.  “It’s okay if you’re not willing now.  You can call me that after we’re married.”

He pondered for a moment.  “I’m the second son in the previous Emperor’s eight sons.  You can call me Erlang (Second Brother).”

Yun Huai was slightly stunned.  “Erlang?”

Qin Jingchuan’s fierce expression softened when he heard the clear, gentle call.  Even the strength of his grip loosened.

“Ah Huai, you’re so good.”

He hugged the young man, who only reached his shoulders, his possessive gaze sweeping over his entire body.

“Go back to the palace.  The sooner you go, the sooner you come back.”

His Ah Huai was still young.  He couldn’t help but crave the excitement and bustle of the outside world.

He would let Ah Huai spread his wings and fly, but he couldn’t abandon him.

Yun Huai nodded slightly.  “I understand.”

He walked away without looking back, unaware of how much Qin Jingchuan longed for his return.