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Pei Xuan saw Gu Qingyan’s face with a smile, but there was a faint trace of displeasure hidden beneath. His gaze dropped to the foot resting on Jiang Wan’s back, his jaw tightening. In his dark pupils, a fierce, overwhelming emotion churned.

An unnamed fire inexplicably rose in his heart.

Faster than any sound, Pei Xuan pulled Gu Qingyan away, his face turning iron-blue.

Gu Qingyan withdrew his foot following Pei Xuan’s movement, embarrassed, rubbing his nose awkwardly as he said, “I was just joking with him.”

Who could blame him? That little guy was barking wildly.

Jiang Wan rolled over and got up, trying to look fierce but weak inside. Pointing at Gu Qingyan, he scolded, “Young Master, look clearly at his true colors! This person is two-faced, honey-tongued but dagger-hearted, a petty opportunist who changes with the wind.”

Before he finished speaking, he abruptly stopped.

Pei Xuan’s eyes were icy cold, looking at him like sharp blades ready to cut his throat the next moment.

Jiang Wan, never having seen such a terrifying gaze, was scared back several steps, hurriedly lowering his head to avoid eye contact.

Then, his pupils trembled as he saw something unbelievable, something that made him doubt his very existence.

Pei Xuan bent slightly and patted Gu Qingyan’s trouser leg: “Dirty.”

Gu Qingyan bent to look but didn’t find any dirt.

He studied Pei Xuan, uncertain which one this was.

Before Jiang Wan could throw a tantrum again, Zhang Menghuai dragged him out.

“Sir, you two talk slowly, I’ll deal with this guy.”

Jiang Wan struggled hard but dared not shout; he was terrified of Pei Xuan’s earlier gaze.

Outside, Zhang Menghuai tossed Jiang Wan aside. “Are you crazy?”

Jiang Wan, still defiant, said, “I just want to expose his true nature in front of the Young Master.”

Zhang Menghuai slapped him. “Who is the Young Master? Why do you care? You don’t learn from good examples but try to snatch the Young Master’s man? What a shame.”

“Snatch a man?” Jiang Wan clutched his head.

Zhang Menghuai pointed inside. “Can’t you see? That’s the Young Master’s heart and soul in there.”

Just waking up, without asking what happened during that time, going straight to find Gu Qingyan — that shows the Young Master’s feelings.

“Brother, are you saying those two have that kind of relationship?”

Jiang Wan truly doubted reality: “Impossible! Slander! Absolutely slander! Brother, are you still human? To slander the Young Master’s reputation like that — how are you different from those who slander him in the capital?”

“They’re just friends. Gu Qingyan is pretending to be obedient and clever, trying hard to please him. The Young Master reluctantly befriended him.”

“As soon as the Young Master sees through his true nature, he’ll know no one in this world deserves to be his friend, and he’ll become the unique Young Master once again.”

“I think you’re seriously ill. No one believes my honest words.”

Zhang Menghuai grabbed him and dragged him away. “Whether it’s true or not has nothing to do with you. You meddle with everything—heaven, earth—and now the Young Master? I think you won’t give up until you’re dead.”

“Come, train with me. Let’s see if you still have the strength to meddle.”

Inside the room, the atmosphere was a little awkward.

Gu Qingyan studied Pei Xuan’s expression: still cold, but without the bloodthirsty smell that had made him uneasy before.

“Brother Pei, is that you?” Gu Qingyan was the first to break the silence.

Pei Xuan’s face softened.

Gu Qingyan noticed something abnormal about him right away. If it weren’t sincere, who could notice so quickly?

His gaze fell on Gu Qingyan’s neck. After a day, the swollen bruise had turned bluish-purple and looked even more frightening.

Regret and guilt flashed in Pei Xuan’s eyes as he spoke with difficulty, “It’s me.”

Gu Qingyan breathed a big sigh of relief, the tension in his heart relaxing. “Thank goodness, Brother Pei, you’ve returned to yourself.”

“What exactly happened before? That Left Protector said the flute sound stirred the parasites inside you, making you bloodthirsty. Later, that person appeared — not like you at all — it gave me chills.”

Pei Xuan didn’t know how to explain.

He couldn’t explain it either, only said, “Sorry for worrying you.”

Gu Qingyan understood and only said, “As long as you’re okay.”

Then he asked, “What about the parasites inside you? Will there be aftereffects? Is there a way to kill them?”

A string of concerns softened Pei Xuan’s expression, a smile appearing in his eyes.

After Gu Qingyan’s chatter for a while, Pei Xuan slowly spoke: “There are no parasites inside me.”

Gu Qingyan froze.

None?

He remembered that person had also said there were no parasites inside.

But then Gu Qingyan didn’t trust the fake Pei Xuan, nor this claim. Now the real Pei Xuan said the same thing.

Pei Xuan pulled him into the room and explained, “I’m not like ordinary people. When in an abnormal state, I lose my soul, and that guy appears. When he wakes, he’s estranged from family, cold and ruthless. If it happens again, you should stay as far from him as possible.”

“Just wait a day, and I will wake up by myself.”

“After this, I’m prepared and won’t be controlled by the magic flute again.”

Gu Qingyan frowned, worried. He feared Pei Xuan was hiding bad news on purpose.

Pei Xuan saw the worry in his eyes.

After a pause, he said, “It’s an old illness. Without external force, it happens once or twice a year.”

“When we first met, I was unconscious because of an episode.”

The more Gu Qingyan heard, the more it seemed like a split personality, probably nothing to do with parasites.

But even if not parasites, losing control of one’s body from time to time is terrifying.

“Is there no cure? The Imperial Medical Institute in the capital — they have no solution either?” he asked.

Pei Xuan smiled, “It’s not a major illness.”

Apparently, he didn’t take his condition seriously at all.

Gu Qingyan frowned, “If it’s not a big deal, what if that guy goes on a rampage and you have to take the blame? Even if not, what if he harms Huamian Liusu?”

Huamian Liusu?

Pei Xuan’s ears flushed slightly as he remembered something.

He knew that guy acted out his dark inner thoughts without restraint.

Anything that guy did came from the darkest, shameful parts of Pei Xuan himself.

“Does it still hurt?” Pei Xuan interrupted.

Gu Qingyan instinctively covered his neck, recalling that the other guy asked the same when he first woke, even…

His cheeks flushed red, stammering, unsure if Pei Xuan remembered that time.

If he did, wouldn’t it be embarrassing?

Pei Xuan acted normal, looked down, and took out a box of ointment from his pocket.

“I’ll apply medicine for you.”

Gu Qingyan stepped back, smiling awkwardly, “It’s not serious, almost healed, no need.”

“No, it’s because of me, so I’ll take responsibility to the end.”

Pei Xuan had already opened the medicine box and was applying the pale yellow ointment onto the wound.

Gu Qingyan’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I can do it myself.”

“Don’t move,” Pei Xuan reminded him.

He moved with great care, carefully applying the ointment to every wound without missing a spot.

After spreading it evenly and thoroughly, Pei Xuan asked again, “Does it hurt?”

Gu Qingyan swallowed and lightly cleared his throat, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

“No, it doesn’t hurt. I was just too scared at the time.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Xuan’s eyes showed even more guilt.

Gu Qingyan quickly explained, “That’s not what I meant. At that moment, I was only thinking about how to save myself—there was no time to be afraid.”

But the more he explained, the worse it seemed.

Pei Xuan suddenly chuckled softly and reached out to stroke his hair. “I know.”

“The Taiping Sect’s villains were acting against me. This time, I ended up involving you.”

Gu Qingyan hurried to say, “I’ve also offended that Left Protector. Maybe he’s holding a grudge and I dragged you into this, Brother Pei.”

“The Taiping Sect has repeatedly attempted assassinations. A year ago in Guangzhou Prefecture, they also sent people to kill. This has nothing to do with you,” Pei Xuan said.

Gu Qingyan was about to argue but suddenly laughed for some unknown reason.

Pei Xuan was momentarily stunned.

He then saw Gu Qingyan’s eyes shining with laughter, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Brother Pei, let’s not argue. Maybe that Left Protector found us both there and wanted to kill two birds with one stone—so no one escapes.”

Pei Xuan couldn’t help but smile. “Could be.”

“Too bad that thief got away.”

Pei Xuan was displeased with that person. If he had woken up earlier and chased after him immediately, maybe he could have killed the Left Protector.

Unfortunately, for some reason, that person stayed and even licked Gu Qingyan’s neck.

Just thinking about that scene made Pei Xuan’s whole body flush with an indescribable jealousy and anger.

He concealed his discomfort and said, “You don’t need to worry about the worm issue. I’ll keep the Taiping Sect too busy to dare disturb you again.”

After speaking, he took off the Chihu (螭虎) jade seal from his neck.

“Your jade seal.”

Gu Qingyan was about to take it but then changed his mind.

He had his own system; as long as he had enough points, he had plenty of ways to protect himself.

Pei Xuan was different. He had lost control back then; the bloodthirsty and ruthless look really scared him.

Gu Qingyan didn’t want Pei Xuan to turn into that frightening state. “Brother Pei, you keep it.”

“This Chihu seal is made of medicinal jade. It suppresses poison and restrains the worm. Since you go out often and face danger, it’s more useful for you to wear it.”

After hearing this, Pei Xuan was even less likely to leave it behind and directly hung it around Gu Qingyan’s neck.

“Brother Pei?” Gu Qingyan reached to take it off.

Pei Xuan pressed his hand down. “I have another one.”

He pulled out a double-sided seal. “The mandarin duck seal you once gave me. It works just as well.”

Gu Qingyan hesitated. Although they appeared to be made of the same material, he vaguely sensed the effects of the two jade seals were worlds apart.

Besides, that double-sided seal even had a name — the Mandarin Duck Seal. It sounded like a token of love.

Gu Qingyan realized this was the first time he’d heard the name and wondered if Pei Xuan had made it up himself.

He didn’t dare ask; it would be too awkward.

It was like asking a narcissist, “Are you secretly in love with me?” Gu Qingyan was certain he wasn’t that vain.

Pei Xuan added, “I have my means of self-protection, but you—if you don’t wear it, I’d really be worried.”

Then he awkwardly changed the subject: “Qingyan, where did you get these two jade seals?”

Gu Qingyan blinked. “Just bought them casually. Is there a problem?”

Pei Xuan examined the seal. “Wandering person’s jade. Pure white jade with a chihu carved on it. If I’m not mistaken, these two seals are modeled after the Prince Huai’s jade seal.”

Prince Huai’s jade seal?

Hearing this, Gu Qingyan suddenly became interested.

He still remembered how those cultists had gone to great lengths and killed so many people just for the so-called Prince Huai’s tomb.

“Prince Huai’s jade seal — is it related to the tomb?”

Pei Xuan nodded appreciatively. “The Taiping Sect has long wanted to find the Prince Huai’s jade seal. It’s said to command ghosts and gods and can open the path to immortality.”

“Brother Pei, do you believe that?” Gu Qingyan asked.

Pei Xuan shook his head. “All mortals must die. There’s no immortality. It’s just a hearsay legend. Only madmen would believe it.”

Gu Qingyan agreed. “The Taiping Sect is nothing but a bunch of lunatics.”

The two exchanged a smile, seeming to share an unspoken understanding.

They laughed so long their cheeks went sore. Then Gu Qingyan seriously grasped Pei Xuan’s hand.

“Brother Pei, you understand me best. Above heaven and below earth, we are born to be good brothers.”

A flicker of hesitation passed through Pei Xuan’s deep eyes.

But soon the hesitation vanished and turned into determination.

Within his black eyes flowed faint starlight — a hidden love that could no longer be suppressed.

Though the cold pool remained, it could not contain the surging feelings. The more he suppressed, the more frenzied it became.

Pei Xuan grasped those warm hands in return. “Qingyan, I already know how you feel.”

Gu Qingyan was slightly stunned, then blossomed into a brilliant smile.

Knowing was enough. Good brothers were for life, checking in every day made the existence of mobile check-in points worthwhile.

He looked at Pei Xuan tentatively. “So Brother Pei means…?”

His eyes twinkled — surely it meant they were to be best friends forever!

But in Pei Xuan’s eyes, it was overflowing affection that dared not be said aloud, only hinted at in a roundabout way.

The Prince Huai Mandarin Duck Seal hung over his heart, burning hot.

By fate’s coincidence, they had even been skin-to-skin.

Pei Xuan thought: knowing he shouldn’t, yet sinking deeper and deeper. Since that’s so, how could the older one be afraid to retreat?

“This trip back to the capital, I will report to the Duke of the Nation. I won’t let you suffer even the slightest grievance.”

Gu Qingyan felt something off about that.

Could it be the Duke was a snob, disliking the heir associating with friends of low status and strictly controlling his social circle?

He quickly assured, “Brother Pei, don’t worry. If the Duke doesn’t like me, I’ll work hard to show him my sincerity. Then he won’t oppose it.”

These words were like hot oil poured on Pei Xuan’s heart.

He even wanted to bow his head and kiss the person before him immediately.

In the end, Pei Xuan restrained himself — that would be too reckless. He wasn’t that kind of person; he couldn’t be so bold.

Unmarried, it might seem like he didn’t take it seriously.

“Why don’t we wait until we return and report to Grandfather, let him request the imperial decree, and then take our time on the wedding day?”

Thinking about the wedding night, even Pei Xuan’s usually cold, frosty face flushed red.

The fingers gripping his hand tightened slightly—this was Pei Xuan’s uncontrollable heart.

“That day, I was a bit rash. I hope you don’t mind.”

Gu Qingyan looked at him in confusion, still unable to recall what he was referring to.

Pei Xuan continued, “Rest assured, I will take responsibility. In the Great Zhou, male spouses do exist. When the time comes, you can also enter the court as an official. It won’t interfere with your future.”

Gu Qingyan’s eyes widened in shock.

Male spouse? What does that have to do with a male spouse? Who wants to marry a male spouse? And who is getting married?

“When you gave me the Mandarin duck seal, I already knew your feelings. I just had too many worries at the time—fearing your youthful nature might change, or that you had burdens behind you. I was afraid of holding you back. But now I think, since the feelings are mutual, we should happily unite in marriage.”

Gu Qingyan’s pupils dilated, his gaze dazed.

“No, Brother Pei, wait, about this matter—”

“I know everything.”

Pei Xuan gently pressed his lips against his, eyes unwaveringly determined.

“Qingyan, don’t think about anything else. As long as your feelings don’t change, leave everything else to me.”

Gu Qingyan bit his lip, feeling like his soul had left his body.

Where exactly had it gone wrong? How could Pei Xuan think his feelings were like that?

Wait, even if they were, jumping straight to marriage without any emotional talks was way too fast.

No, no, no, that’s beside the point. The most important thing now is how to explain this.

Should he just say, “Brother Pei, you misunderstood, I have no feelings for you, let’s just remain good brothers”?

Gu Qingyan opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word.

Because he clearly felt the loving gaze Pei Xuan gave him, the swirling emotions were so real and passionate it felt as if they could burn eighty-one holes into him.

Gu Qingyan couldn’t resist such an ardent look and silently lowered his head.

In Pei Xuan’s eyes, this was shyness.

He cleared his throat lightly, feeling his words had been a bit too blunt. Gu Qingyan was young, filled only with innocent affection, not thinking about the future.

Maybe he should give more gifts, so Qingyan would understand his heart, that their feelings were mutual, and then propose?

Or maybe he should let Grandfather formally propose. If he did it himself, it wasn’t solemn enough.

Gu Qingyan mustered his courage, not wanting this misunderstanding to continue.

“Brother Pei, actually I—”

“I know, it’s too fast, isn’t it?”

Pei Xuan coughed calmly, “I’m not rash, just afraid that after this, I might hurt your heart. I wanted you to know my feelings sooner.”

“If you think it’s too fast, we can take it slowly.”

“Qingyan, what do you like?”

Gu Qingyan pressed his hand firmly on him: “Brother Pei, calm down, listen to me first.”

“That jade seal, the Prince Huai jade seal and the Mandarin duck seal—I didn’t mean anything by it. Before sending it out, I didn’t even know it was a Mandarin duck seal. I just casually bought one and gave it to you as a gift. At the time, you gave me so many local specialties, I thought to give a token in return, just casually picked one. Please don’t feel forced.”

The next moment, he froze.

Because Pei Xuan’s face had flushed from cheeks to the base of his neck.

The hand he was holding felt scorching hot. Gu Qingyan instinctively loosened his grip, only for it to be held again, this time from the other side.

Since Pei Xuan came in, their hands had never separated.

Gu Qingyan’s heart screamed internally: Is this right? Isn’t Pei Xuan the cold and icy type, the iceberg snow man? Why is he suddenly like this?

Pei Xuan blushed, voice filled with unprecedented tenderness: “Is it that what I said just now made you misunderstand? I like you—not because I feel obligated.”

“Not forced at all.”

That was it.

Boom!

Gu Qingyan wished for lightning to strike him down now or for a crack in the ground to open and swallow him whole.

He kept replaying his actions, which were truly misleading. Pei Xuan had already made his feelings obvious—who visits their good friend on New Year’s Eve?

At the time, he was oblivious and even invited Pei Xuan to bed.

Bed!

In the eyes of the ancients, what was that if not a blatant confession, a kneeling, head-bowing proposal?

Gu Qingyan’s face went pale. Only he knew he was innocent; all his flattering behavior was just for check-in purposes.

But Pei Xuan didn’t know, and the innocent young man had fallen completely.

Gu Qingyan wished he could slap himself hard a few times. What should he do now?

No matter what he said, Pei Xuan could twist it to fit his own interpretation.

They couldn’t continue. The longer this dragged, the greater the hurt. Even if he lost the mobile check-in point, he couldn’t deceive someone’s feelings.

Gu Qingyan took a deep breath and interrupted Pei Xuan again: “Brother Pei, please don’t speak yet. Listen to me.”

Pei Xuan stopped, smiling at him.

His gaze was lingering and gentle. Gu Qingyan’s scalp tingled, more nervous than when his life had been on the line.

“Brother Pei, sorry for the misunderstanding. Actually, I really—”

“Sir!”

A voice interrupted the intimate atmosphere inside the room.

Pei Xuan frowned in displeasure.

He was just about to listen to Qingyan’s heartfelt confession, imagining Qingyan blushing as he recounted how he had felt a flutter the very first time they met.

How else could he explain that Qingyan had saved him without hesitation that time?

With anyone else, Qingyan wouldn’t act like that; Jiang Wan had been knocked down cold when he tried the same.

Clearly, Qingyan was special.

Zhang Menghuai didn’t know exactly what he had disrupted, but he sensed this wasn’t the right moment.

The elder’s gaze was like needles piercing his skin: “Uh, urgent news from the capital — His Majesty summons you back to the capital.”

Pei Xuan’s brow tightened.

An urgent report had arrived at Qingzhou Prefecture — the emperor must be very anxious.

Though reluctant, he tightened his grasp on Qingyan’s hand. “Qingyan, I must leave now, but rest assured, no matter the distance, my feelings will never change.”

“When we meet next time, I’ll listen to the rest of what you want to say.”

With that, Pei Xuan reached out and stroked Qingyan’s cheek, then said finally, “Farewell.”

Qingyan’s heartstrings were plucked harshly, as if Pei Xuan’s last words weren’t simply “farewell,” but “I’ll come back to marry you.”

He was overwhelmed, unable to respond, just staring blankly as they left.

When Zhang Nian came in, he saw the defeated expression on Qingyan’s face.

“Brother Gu, what’s wrong? Are you reluctant to part with Lord Pei? His official duties leave him no choice. Once you go to the capital for the exam, you’ll see each other again.”

Qingyan dropped into a seat with a bitter laugh. “Anian, I’ve caused trouble.”

Zhang Nian quickly asked, “What trouble?”

Qingyan couldn’t bring himself to say it—he couldn’t just admit that he had flattered Pei Xuan so well that it made him fall in love, turning their brotherly bond into something else.

Meanwhile, Pei Xuan was in a surprisingly good mood.

Riding quickly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Even Zhang Menghuai and the others noticed.

“Sir, what good news has happened?”

Because every other time they returned to the capital, Pei Xuan was always bitter and cold.

Pei Xuan thought: since a marriage is going to happen, they might as well know sooner or later.

“I, the heir, am going to hold a wedding — prepare your congratulations.”

Zhang Menghuai nearly fell off his horse. “What wedding?”

“Of course, the greatest event in life, the wedding ceremony.” Pei Xuan’s lips curled slightly.

Zhang Menghuai asked incredulously, “Then who’s the bride?”

Pei Xuan glanced at him, thinking this man was too dull and clueless, and quite lacking in tact. “Who else but him?”

Zhang Menghuai trembled and asked, “Could it be Young Master Gu?”

“Exactly.” Pei Xuan smiled.

Seeing Pei Xuan’s beaming expression and how his heart fluttered like a red phoenix, Zhang Menghuai didn’t dare pour cold water on it, instead asking cautiously in circles, “For such a big event, does the Duke know?”

“Not yet, but he’ll know once we return to the capital.”

Pei Xuan replied calmly, “We’ll seek the imperial consent for the marriage. The three letters and six rites require the Duke’s presence.”

Ask for imperial consent too?

Zhang Menghuai didn’t know what to say, thinking, “Lord, you really change your mind quickly. When we left the capital, you never said you were going to marry.”

And the Duke of Shou’s only heir, the heir himself, is going to marry a male spouse — can the Duke really agree to this?

Pei Xuan noticed his expression and frowned in displeasure. “What, do you have objections?”

Before Zhang Menghuai could answer, Pei Xuan sneered, “Keep Jiang Wan away from Qingyan, or I won’t spare him.”

At this moment, Zhang Menghuai resonated with Qingyan’s mood, his heart only able to think two words: It’s over.