Chapter 21

Jiang Chu Ting listened to these words, and instead of getting angry, he turned around completely and smiled at him, “Go on.”

His smile seemed to carry no other meaning, but Mo Lin suddenly felt a bit uneasy in his heart. Still, he earnestly said, “Anyway, you like men, and the Ninth Prince is of high status and power. He is genuinely interested in you now, which is undoubtedly the best choice. Moreover, if you keep refusing him, once his patience runs out, it won’t be good for you.”

Mo Lin, after realizing that what he had once rejected and disliked were merely his own imagined things, felt more and more that the past was unbearable to look back on and… he felt a bit sorry for this former master.

Mo Lin had followed Pei Jing for several years and had actually noticed Pei Jing’s feelings for Jiang Chu Ting early on. However, his master seemed completely unaware, spending his days drinking tea, reading books, and practicing swordsmanship, living freely. Mo Lin almost couldn’t resist reminding him. But ultimately, he had to prioritize his master. Whatever his master wanted, he couldn’t interfere or destroy it. Not only could he not destroy it, but he also had to assist.

After thinking for a long time, he decided to persuade Jiang Chu Ting, partly to relieve his master’s worries and partly out of consideration for Jiang Chu Ting.

If nothing unexpected happened, the Ninth Prince was very likely to inherit the throne in the future. Pei Jing’s temperament was the most extreme and unpredictable, and because of the evil skills he practiced, his temper would become more violent as he practiced. By then, if things didn’t go as he wished, no matter how big the sect of Nine Heavens was, it would be destroyed in a moment with a false charge.

Since he’s a cut-sleeve anyway, he might as well follow the Ninth Prince. Although he can’t give him an official status because he’s a man, the favor he receives would be enough for him to live well. Even if he loses favor in the future, as long as he doesn’t make any big mistakes, Pei Jing wouldn’t treat him badly. It’s still better than spending the rest of his life lonely in this wooden house.

Jiang Chu Ting listened quietly until he finished speaking, then asked, “Mo Lin, when you stabbed me and left the sect, I didn’t send you to the Discipline Hall for punishment. Do you know why?”

Mo Lin didn’t know why he suddenly asked this and hesitated, “You’re not a narrow-minded person.”

“Thank you for the compliment.” Jiang Chu Ting smiled, gently brushed his sleeve with one hand, and placed it behind him. He was shrouded in a thin mist, walking leisurely as if stepping out of a landscape painting. He said slowly, “However, even saints hold grudges. The most important reason I let you go is that you’re Xiao Jiu’s subordinate, and Nine Heavens doesn’t want to make an enemy of him.”

Mo Lin: “What… are you trying to say?”

Jiang Chu Ting stopped when he was four or five steps away from him, his eyes clear and bright, his tone gentle, “I’m saying that if I really accept Xiao Jiu, then I would be considered your master too, wouldn’t I?”

Mo Lin’s face stiffened slightly, “Yes.”

“If I’m your master and not afraid of offending Xiao Jiu, then the first thing I would do is to properly punish you, this rebellious disciple.” Jiang Chu Ting looked directly at him with his dark eyes, asking neither lightly nor heavily, “Did you come to persuade me because you want to bring about your own destruction?”

Mo Lin’s heart skipped a beat. He was indeed loyal, but he also had ambition. He wanted to have his own achievements in the grand scheme of things, which is why he sought refuge with Pei Jing. He didn’t want to ruin his future over something like this.

After a moment of speechlessness, Mo Lin felt a bit unconvinced and still tried to argue, “The Ninth Prince has always treated those with merit well and wouldn’t rashly be swayed to deal with me…”

Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t help but smile, “If, as you say, in his heart, I’m not as important as a subordinate like you, then in the future, if we have conflicts or offend other meritorious people, would he abandon me, someone without merit, first? Why should I choose to be with him then? You know this, yet you still come to persuade me. Are you trying to push me into the fire pit? But just now, you said it was for my own good. Mo Lin, I’m a bit confused about you.”

His tone was very ordinary, but when the words were strung together, they had a compelling and imposing feeling. Mo Lin’s eyes widened slightly, unable to deny or argue.

Because those words did indeed come from his mouth, no matter how he said it, it was like slapping himself in the face. After a moment of choking, he finally said, “You’re twisting my words.”

He felt that he had come to the wrong place today, that he shouldn’t have come.

Mo Lin withdrew his gaze and sighed, “Forget it, I can’t argue with you.”

He turned to leave, and Jiang Chu Ting called to his back, “If you don’t want to have a hard time in the future, you’d better persuade him to give up on me.”

Mo Lin had already taken a few steps when he stopped again, not turning back, “I won’t persuade you, but I won’t be foolish enough to persuade him either. He’s determined to have you, so be careful.”

After Mo Lin left, Jiang Chu Ting closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then turned back to stand quietly at the edge of the cliff, gazing into the distance for a long time before returning to the wooden house.

Jiang Chu Ting had just stepped onto the stairs when he heard someone inside raging, “Why are you only telling me now! I see you all, one by one, do you not want your heads anymore?!”

“It was the Imperial Concubine who said it was nothing serious and didn’t let us say anything.”

“She’s been bedridden for a month, and you say it’s nothing serious?! Get out, all of you, get out!”

Immediately after, there was the sound of things being smashed, and the messenger scrambled out. Jiang Chu Ting stepped aside and didn’t go in. Although Pei Jing was in Nine Heavens, he often had trusted aides deliver messages from the palace or used carrier pigeons to send messages. It seemed this time it was news of his mother’s illness.

Mo Lin was inside trying to calm him, “Your Highness, don’t be angry. The Imperial Concubine did this for your peace of mind while detoxifying.”

Pei Jing took a heavy breath and said in a deep voice, “Pack up and prepare to return to the palace early tomorrow.”

Mo Lin said, “What about the poison in your body…”

Pei Jing impatiently replied, “It’s almost completely removed, a few days won’t make a difference.” Then, suddenly changing his tone, he asked, restraining his anger, “Is he counting rice grains? Why hasn’t he come back after such a long meal?! Send someone to find him.”

Mo Lin: “Your Highness, are you planning to take him back to the palace with you tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

Mo Lin didn’t say anything more. After a while, he came out and was surprised to see Jiang Chu Ting standing outside.

Jiang Chu Ting averted his gaze and didn’t move. At this moment, another subordinate hurriedly came with a carrier pigeon, seeking an audience with Pei Jing. Messages delivered by carrier pigeons were usually urgent or important matters, so Mo Lin quickly took him inside. The voices inside were very low, and Jiang Chu Ting walked down the stairs to avoid suspicion, not hearing what was being said.

A muffled thunder rumbled, and he slightly raised his head. Dark clouds drifted in, covering the last bit of sunlight in the sky.

The weather was about to change.

Not long after, someone suddenly rushed out of the house. Jiang Chu Ting turned around, and when Pei Jing saw him, he quickened his pace even more.

Pei Jing stopped in front of him, staring at him intently. The deep black pupils reflected the gloomy sky, making Jiang Chu Ting’s heart skip a beat. He asked, puzzled, “Xiao Jiu, what’s happened?”

Pei Jing’s lips moved slightly, “I’m leaving today, but I can’t take you with me for now.”

Jiang Chu Ting’s eyes flickered, but his face remained unchanged. However, Pei Jing easily sensed his inner thoughts, and with strong arms, he pulled him into an embrace, whispering warmly in his ear, “Don’t be too happy. Remember what I said? Don’t be with that person, don’t be with anyone, or I won’t let you go. Remember?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Chu Ting felt a pain in his earlobe. Pei Jing was biting him. Jiang Chu Ting winced in pain, closing his eyes briefly. Pei Jing released him slightly, attempting to kiss his lips, but Jiang Chu Ting quickly turned his head away.

“What are you avoiding?” Pei Jing fiercely cupped his face, forcing him to look at him, and said harshly, “As I said, if you want me to restrain myself and not do anything else, you have to give me a taste of sweetness. Otherwise, even if returning to the palace is fraught with danger, I’ll still take you with me, even if I have to break your tendons.”

“Returning to the palace is dangerous. What’s happened?” Jiang Chu Ting asked, partly to change the subject and partly out of genuine curiosity.

“The palace is in turmoil, and things will happen soon,” Pei Jing answered simply, looking at him, “Are you concerned about me?”

Jiang Chu Ting didn’t answer.

“I’ll be fine,” Pei Jing said arrogantly, “In one or two months, at most three or four, once I’m on that throne, I’ll come for you.”

Jiang Chu Ting immediately understood. So, the weather was really about to change.

He couldn’t help but worry about Jiang Xian, who was far away in Jin City. If Lord Jiang was part of the Ninth Prince’s faction, then Pei Jing ascending the throne would undoubtedly be the best outcome.

But if he really became the ruler of a country, it would bring many difficulties for him.

Jiang Chu Ting was momentarily distracted, and Pei Jing, looking deeply at him, murmured as he caressed his face, “I really can’t bear to leave you, but there’s no choice. Who told me to treasure you? I’m afraid something might happen to you. Perhaps… the wait will make the reunion even sweeter.”

He leaned in again, trying to kiss him. Jiang Chu Ting couldn’t accept it and couldn’t think of another topic to stop him. Although he didn’t want to fight him, he chose to use his internal energy to push him away.

Pei Jing took two steps back, his face darkening. Just then, Wei Jia ran out of the house, shouting, “Master, you’re back!”

Jiang Chu Ting nonchalantly stepped aside, went up the stairs, and exchanged a few words with Wei Jia. Wei Jia looked at the sky and leaned on the wooden railing, calling out to Pei Jing, who was still standing there, “Junior Brother, it’s going to rain soon. Come inside!”

Pei Jing also went up the stairs, stopping beside Wei Jia, “Senior Brother.” The words were directed at Wei Jia, but his eyes were on Jiang Chu Ting, “I’ve been here for so long, and today I’m leaving to go home. You should at least see me off.”

The straightforward Wei Jia widened his eyes, “Ah? You’re going home?” During this time, he had eaten countless snacks and pastries from Pei Jing, and his face immediately showed reluctance. He quickly nodded, “Sure, I’ll see you off!”

Jiang Chu Ting ruffled Wei Jia’s hair, moving him behind himself, and said to Pei Jing, “Wei Jia needs to stay and watch the house. I’ll see you off.”

Pei Jing snorted coldly, “Well, thank you very much.”

The sky was filled with dark clouds, oppressive and eerie. Pei Jing quickly led his men down the mountain, where a carriage was already waiting. Pei Jing invited Jiang Chu Ting to ride with him.

Jiang Chu Ting remained quiet, and after traveling a distance, Pei Jing, who had been watching him, asked, “Master, is there nothing you want to say to me?”

Jiang Chu Ting said, “Be careful in everything when you return.” After a pause, he added, “Don’t be impatient or greedy in your practice. Know when to stop, or it will harm your temperament.” Although he still didn’t know what kind of evil skills Pei Jing practiced, such skills not only harmed the body but also affected the temperament, increasing hostility. A tyrannical ruler is not a good thing.

“I’ll remember,” Pei Jing said, gazing at him for a long time. Suddenly, he raised his hand, removed his hair crown, and let his hair down.

Jiang Chu Ting was puzzled, but then he saw Pei Jing take out a familiar brocade box from the compartment, opening it to reveal the hair ribbon Pei Jing had asked for before.

At that time, he hadn’t expressed his feelings, and since Pei Jing wanted it, he gave it to him.

Pei Jing took out the light green hair ribbon and handed it to him, “Master, help me tie my hair.”

Jiang Chu Ting didn’t move. When he went out with this face, he had deliberately replaced the wooden hairpin with a hair ribbon, and now the ribbon on his head was almost the same color as the one in Pei Jing’s hand.

Pei Jing sat there with his long hair down, quietly watching him, waiting for him to take it.

The pearl used for lighting in the carriage emitted a soft white glow, making his face even more beautiful and his eyes shine.

Jiang Chu Ting remained unmoved, and Pei Jing finally spoke, “Don’t want to do it? Then how about I do something else?”

Jiang Chu Ting thought for a moment, then reached out to take it. Pei Jing curled his lips, slightly turning his body towards him.

Jiang Chu Ting silently tied his hair. Without the hair crown, Pei Jing still looked noble, but with a touch more casual charm. Pei Jing sat upright, smiled at him, and held his hand, “Let it accompany me for now. Master, during the time I’m away, I’ll think of you every day.”

After three days of escorting, and after encountering two assassination attempts, Pei Jing worried that continuing to escort him would be dangerous, so he finally agreed to let him leave.

Before parting, Pei Jing said to him, “Don’t forget what I said, and wait for me to come for you.”

Jiang Chu Ting shook his head, saying nothing. He didn’t want Pei Jing to get into trouble; he just hoped that once Pei Jing ascended the throne, he would completely forget about him.

“Shaking your head won’t help. I’ve set my sights on you.” Pei Jing kissed the back of his hand, his gaze tracing over his eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips, his voice softening as he reminded him again, “You must be good and stay in Nine Heavens waiting for me.”

Pei Jing originally wanted to leave someone to watch over him, but then he thought that it would make him unhappy, and with his high martial arts skills, it would be easy for him to shake them off and leave. So he dismissed the idea.

He was kind-hearted, with so many lives weighing on him, he wouldn’t dare to act recklessly.

After saying this, Pei Jing stepped back to the carriage, decisively withdrawing his gaze from him and turning to leave.

The group quickly disappeared from sight, and Jiang Chu Ting put on his mask and turned back. It would take him four or five days to return, just in time to meet Lin Zhi.

Since he had anticipated this, he had brought the Disguise Pill and the Lovesick Bean Bracelet with him when he left. He planned to linger along the way and go directly to Lovesickness Cottage when the time came.

That day, as he wandered to the outskirts of the city, the air was fresh due to the continuous rain over the past few days, and a faint scent of grass and flowers filled the air.

He slowed his pace, enjoying the fragrance, when suddenly a sharp abdominal pain struck him. He staggered a few steps, trying to hold onto a nearby tree trunk, but his vision went black, and he collapsed to the ground.

This kind of pain, like a knife stirring his intestines, he had deeply experienced once after being poisoned by Lin Xuan.

Could it be that after all these years, the poison was finally acting up?

Jiang Chu Ting curled up, sweating profusely, his consciousness gradually fading.

He thought he must be in so much pain that he was hallucinating, otherwise, why would he hear Lin Zhi’s voice?

Five days after Jiang Chu Ting left Lovesickness Cottage, Lin Zhi received news that the person he had planted in the brothel had suddenly disappeared. Unable to contact Jiang Chu Ting, he came with his friend Zhao Chengyang to investigate personally. They found a body in a deserted grave outside the city. Whether it was a provocation or carelessness, the killer had deliberately carved a simple yet strange pattern on the body with a sword, resembling a tree with branches extending.

Lin Zhi instructed his men to bury the body and returned to the city with Zhao Chengyang. Zhao Chengyang was the person who had gone to the teahouse with Lin Zhi before.

As they talked along the way, Zhao Chengyang suddenly stopped and nudged him, “Lin Zhi, look, is that someone fainted by the tree up ahead?”

Lin Zhi looked over and indeed saw a green figure. The two of them quickly flew over, crouched down, and straightened the person’s body. He was still wearing a mask, his breath weak, and his eyes half-open, half-closed, not fully unconscious. His pale lips moved slightly, as if trying to speak, but no words came out.

“Hey, brother, what’s wrong with you?” Zhao Chengyang, although he had seen him once, didn’t recognize him with his face covered. He was about to carry him to the city for treatment when Lin Zhi, who had recognized him at a glance, stood up with a cold expression and said, “Leave him, let’s go.”

With that, he really walked ahead. Zhao Chengyang was surprised, “Are you really going to leave him like this?” The person he was supporting slumped weakly, and he quickly added strength to hold him up.

Lin Zhi walked several more steps, then suddenly stopped, turned back irritably, and Zhao Chengyang had already carried the person on his back, calling out, “If you won’t help, I will. I can’t just leave him to die.”

Lin Zhi said, “Suit yourself.” He didn’t spare the person on Zhao Chengyang’s back a glance, walking ahead. Suddenly, he heard a painful, hoarse groan from behind, “It hurts…”

Zhao Chengyang asked, “Ah, it hurts? Where does it hurt?”

There was no response. Zhao Chengyang said, “Hang in there, I’ll take you to see a doctor.”

Lin Zhi, in a bad mood, didn’t turn back, “Zhao Chengyang, you sure talk a lot.”

Zhao Chengyang was annoyed, “You have no sympathy, won’t help, and now you’re complaining about me talking too much? Lin Zhi, you’re acting strange today! Is the person I’m carrying your enemy? If you say so, I’ll drop him right now and even help you stab him a few more times!”

Lin Zhi’s brow twitched hard, and he walked faster, leaving them far behind in no time.

Zhao Chengyang dutifully took the person to the medical clinic, left some silver, and was about to ask the doctor about the situation.

“What are you asking for? Come with me to find out about that pattern.” Lin Zhi, already extremely irritable, dragged him away without a word. Zhao Chengyang couldn’t resist him, so he had to go along, saying, “You were in such a hurry, why weren’t you this eager to save someone just now?”

Lin Zhi sneered, “Who is he? Can he compare to Chu Ran?”

Zhao Chengyang said, “Yes, yes, you’re right. No one can compare to your precious Chu Ran.”

The two of them left the clinic, bickering as they went. Jiang Chu Ting, lying on a low couch with his eyes closed, struggled to turn his body slightly, his eyelashes trembling.

The doctor sat beside him, eyes slightly narrowed, taking Jiang Chu Ting’s hand to check his pulse. Suddenly, something red slipped from his sleeve and fell to the ground with a soft sound.

The doctor looked down, picked it up.

It was a bracelet made of lovesick beans, very delicate and beautiful.

Lovesick beans represent longing, probably a gift from a loved one.

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After entering V, I hope everyone continues to support and actively comment. There will be red envelopes for 2-point comments within 24 hours of V chapters. As you can see, I’m currently writing dog-blood birth novels. If you like this type, you can bookmark my column. I hope to break through two thousand in the first half of the year, just a little outlook =v= There are also quite a few completed birth novels before, introduced in the synopsis. If you haven’t read them, you can check out the column!

I used to mainly write ancient danmei, but recently most of my ideas are modern danmei. However, the modern danmei scene is too intense, I can’t handle it!!! (← A cry from a struggling writer! So I need to open more pre-collections and work hard to accumulate bookmarks to have a chance to get on the list. It’s still mostly dog-blood birth and running with the ball, these routines. It’s 9012, and I’m still writing this kind of thing. Sigh, I’m such a common person. I plan to write ten more running with the ball stories before I retire (hahaha don’t believe it… If you’re interested, please help me bookmark it! Thank you all =3=

Roughly calculated, there are five pre-collections including the previous ones, oh ho ho ho, I want to finish writing them all this year! (Dream talk, don’t take it seriously

ps: Although I have ideas, my synopsis, title, and character names are all thought of temporarily. If a long time passes, I might modify and improve them, including settings and elements, until I’m satisfied, based on the opening of the text! If you mind these, don’t bookmark for now.

————Pre-collection advertisement super long warning————

【After Getting Pregnant with the Rich Young Master’s Child, He Ran Away】 (Original title: He’s So Cute.) The title is similar to this one, hahaha

Fu Yinqiu is a shining rich young master. Cheng Wuzhou never thought that the heavenly pride he secretly admired would shyly confess his love to him. Cheng Wuzhou was so happy he thought he was dreaming, falling deeply and wholeheartedly into the relationship.

Cheng Wuzhou later found out that Yinqiu’s innocence and cuteness, his proposal, and being with him were all to use and deceive him. Heartbroken, Cheng Wuzhou resolutely left before the wedding, wishing never to see him again.

But, his belly grew bigger day by day… Birth novel, younger seme.

【After Being Sprayed by Traffic Fans, He Mixed in the Entertainment Circle】 (Original title: A Pot from Heaven, probably a light-hearted sweet pet novel? Maybe, if I can write a sweet novel

“Your chest is so big, I want to touch it. [Lust]”

Known for his pure and naive image, the traffic star Ning Xiu left a comment under a certain internet celebrity’s sexy and revealing picture. Although he quickly deleted it, it couldn’t match the speed of netizens’ screenshots and spreading!

A fierce fan and black fan scolding war swept the entire Weibo hot search overnight. Soon, the economic company issued a stern explanation: It turned out that it was Ning Xiu’s assistant who mistakenly logged into the account, leading to the error, and the assistant has now been fired!

The assistant, Yu Fei, who was sprayed like dog shit and was completely confused: “…???” Yes, that’s right, he was the assistant.

The heat delivered to the door shouldn’t be wasted. Yu Fei gritted his teeth and stepped into the entertainment circle, planning to make a quick buck and leave. Unexpectedly… he mixed quite well? And, he unexpectedly captured Ning Xiu’s little uncle, Ning Jinnian.

Ning Xiu knelt down with a thud: Uncle, spare me!

——————

Yu Fei: “Why is my belly getting fatter?”

Ning Jinnian: “Be good, you’re pregnant.”

Yu Fei: “Oh… huh???”

【His Ex-Boyfriend Who Dumped Him Became a Superstar】

In the entertainment circle, the struggling eighteen-line male star Shen Jiayi pointed at the handsome man on TV one day and warned his son, “Baby, Dad once offended him. If you see him in the future, make sure to avoid him, understand?”

【The Male Supporting Role Refuses to Play Along (Transmigration)】

There’s such a dog-blooded BL novel where the male protagonist B is the long-lost son of a wealthy family. The scheming male supporting role secretly took his token of recognition and became the wealthy young master, living a carefree life, shamelessly flirting with the fiancé male protagonist A. According to the protagonist’s law, the final outcome is predictable. Male protagonist A and male protagonist B end up together, and the exposed evil male supporting role meets a tragic end!

Transmigrating into the male supporting role in this book, Fang Shinian lightly blew a smoke ring and expressed: Bless you both a hundred years of happiness, I’m leaving first.

Male protagonist A & male protagonist B: Hehe, try leaving, we’ll break your legs.

This isn’t what was promised, is it? Fang Shinian slipped away, his legs weren’t broken, but his belly swelled up… damn it!

【Transmigrated into My Sister’s Serialized Novel】 (Ancient danmei still needs to be opened…

Zhou Yang accidentally discovered that his high school sister wrote a pure love novel based on him and serialized it online. After just reading the beginning, he transmigrated into this novel.

His sister was not only obsessed with all kinds of clichéd dog-blooded plots but also exaggerated, illogical, broke character settings, loved to revise, and could overturn completed plots, making everyone inside seem like they had split personalities. Enemies became lovers, hatred could instantly turn into love, and they loved each other to death.

Zhou Yang: So tired, sister, please finish it and let me out… Wait, why am I pregnant too??

Zhou Yang: Hehe.

Zhou Yang: I didn’t expect you to be such a sister 🙂