“Ah—”

Gu Qingyan held the book, his eyes glazed over, unable to focus at all.

He couldn’t help but open the system. The little black dot on it was leaving Qingzhou Prefecture, heading toward the capital city.

Gu Qingyan’s gaze followed the little black dot as it moved, until it left the activated map and vanished without a trace.

Rubbing his forehead, Gu Qingyan’s headache worsened.

“Ah—”

After Pei Xuan left, Gu Qingyan sighed over and over again.

His eyes returned to the book, but the classical characters blurred into just a few large words:

[I know your feelings]

[Male spouse]

[Come back to marry you]

[My heart belongs to you]

[Not forced at all]

Gu Qingyan covered his face and laid his head flat on the book, utterly frustrated.

He wished he could bang his head on the ground just to sober up and find a way to solve this problem.

“Gu, Gu Dage?” Zhang Nian came in and was startled by his state.

He cautiously asked, “Gu Dage, is it because the academy exams are coming up, and you’re nervous? Why not have some tea and snacks and rest for a bit?”

“Exams are important, but Gu Dage, your health is even more important. You’ve always ranked first in the county and prefecture exams; you will surely pass the imperial exam without worry.”

Gu Qingyan’s eyes teared up: “Anian, are we good brothers?”

Zhang Nian hurriedly shook his head.

Gu Qingyan looked at him anxiously: “Then who am I in your heart?”

This was a disaster. When did he trigger the “heartthrob” aura that even Zhang Nian hadn’t escaped?

He was still just a kid!

Zhang Nian gave a goofy smile and said word by word, “In my heart, Gu Dage is a benefactor, a master, a brother, a teacher, and the most important person. I want to follow Gu Dage for life.”

Gu Qingyan’s tense heart finally settled.

He let out a breath: “That’s how it should be. Normal people think that way. Where did I go wrong to cause such a big misunderstanding?”

Gu Qingyan kept thinking but couldn’t recall where he had acted ambiguously.

Could it be that he increased physical contact to sign in more? Damn system, it’s ruined him.

Zhang Nian didn’t understand and asked curiously, “Gu Dage, who misunderstood?”

Gu Qingyan was too embarrassed to say it. He couldn’t tell Zhang Nian that Pei Xuan misunderstood his feelings, thought they loved each other, and now, after reporting to their elders back in the capital, even wanted to marry him as a male spouse.

How could that be?

He didn’t answer. Zhang Nian scratched the back of his head and tentatively said, “If it’s a misunderstanding, can’t you just explain it clearly?”

Gu Qingyan paused, then replied, “That’s one way, but if I explain, maybe we won’t even be friends anymore.”

He really liked Pei Xuan. Besides the moving sign-in points, they got along very well.

Zhang Nian said, “If you can’t be friends because of a misunderstanding, then it wasn’t true friendship. Losing that isn’t a big deal.”

“Gu Dage is so good; if he doesn’t want to be friends with you, it’s his loss.”

Gu Qingyan sighed softly. If only it were that simple.

But Zhang Nian was right — this misunderstanding couldn’t continue.

Gu Qingyan pursed his lips, took out paper, and started writing quickly.

After finishing, he looked down and thought it sounded too stiff. Would Pei Xuan feel embarrassed reading it?

Hesitating, Gu Qingyan began to revise and rewrite, trying to be more tactful and avoid hurting feelings.

After an hour of editing, he read through it again and felt it was too gentle.

He already said it was a misunderstanding before, and Pei Xuan didn’t believe it. If it was too soft, wouldn’t Pei Xuan think it was a confession letter, purposely written to express their feelings?

Wouldn’t that be a waste?

Gu Qingyan pressed his lips, then tore up the gentle letter and put the original one back in.

“This will do.”

He looked up. “Anian, I need you to do me a favor.”

Zhang Nian looked confused.

Gu Qingyan handed him the letter. “Pei Dage took the land route and just left Qingzhou Prefecture. If you hurry, you might still catch up. Help me deliver this letter to him.”

Zhang Nian was even more puzzled. Pei Xuan just left, and Gu Dage immediately wanted to send a letter?

Still, he took the letter without hesitation and left.

Gu Qingyan had no mood to continue reading and kept pacing in the courtyard.

He clenched his fists, wondering how Pei Xuan would react to the letter.

Would he be furious, heartbroken, angry, or cut ties and become strangers forever?

Thinking of such a result made Gu Qingyan sad, but he couldn’t lie to Pei Xuan.

He only hoped the misunderstanding could be cleared up. Once this passed, they could still be friends.

Not being able to sign in was okay, Gu Qingyan thought.

On the other side, Pei Xuan and the others were not traveling very fast.

Zhang Menghuai watched his lord glance back every few steps, riding carelessly, as if ready to turn back at any moment.

He couldn’t help but sigh inside: That old house fire was really something. Who would have thought that the cold and icy Pei Dage would be like this once moved?

But Pei Dage was just in his early twenties, not some old bull chasing young grass.

Since his lord always appeared so mature and steady, no one would have guessed he was still young.

Thinking of the things Pei Dage would soon face back in the capital, Zhang Menghuai felt sympathy.

Unlike Pei Xuan, he was sure the Duke of Shouguo wouldn’t approve.

Tsk tsk, the Duke would surely break up the couple, and Pei Dage would angrily stand up for his blue companion.

“Brother, what are you thinking about? You’re smiling so weirdly.” Jiang Wan caught up and murmured.

Zhang Menghuai saw him and snapped, “Go away! I really must have bad luck for eight generations to have agreed to let my uncle take you out. Once we get back to the capital, hurry home and don’t bother me again.”

Jiang Wan puffed up his cheeks.

“You’re being pitiful now? Tell me how much trouble you caused on the way.” Zhang Menghuai reached out to slap him.

Jiang Wan quickly dodged, whining, “What did I do? I didn’t hold everyone back.”

“Say that to the lord,” Zhang Menghuai snorted coldly.

Jiang Wan wanted to, but dared not.

He had been scolded thoroughly and still had a bruised and swollen face. Now he only dared to stealthily observe Pei Xuan.

That sneaky, dog-like expression made Zhang Menghuai want to smack him even more.

But thinking of all the rotten things in the Jiang family, Zhang Menghuai felt sympathy for this cousin and said softly, “Listen to me. When you go home, lower your head to your father, admit your mistakes, study hard. If that really doesn’t work, just donate some official service or take a minor post—it’s better than drifting around like this.”

But as soon as Jiang Wan heard this, his face grew even darker.

“I’m not wrong.”

“Why are you so stubborn?”

Zhang Menghuai scolded, “You have no say in elder matters. Your mother didn’t even enter the door back then. How much do you know about those grudges? Don’t be used as a pawn without even realizing it.”

Jiang Wan’s face was cold: “That Jiang Ting disrespects his teachers, even grandmother got sick because of him, and father blindly sides with him. He just relies on the late Lady Bai. I don’t believe that dead woman can help him forever.”

“Shut up!”

Zhang Menghuai shouted sharply. Seeing his cousin’s stubborn expression, he felt helpless.

The Jiang family’s mess was something he didn’t want to get involved in at all.

If not for the blood relation, he would have said, “Jiang Wan, if you mention Lady Bai again, no one will be able to save you.”

Jiang Wan was startled by his cold and harsh tone but was still full of resentment.

Zhang Menghuai had little patience to begin with and was so annoyed by this cousin that he wished he could just leave him by the roadside.

Pei Xuan knew exactly what had happened in the group.

But he had no interest in Jiang Wan, nor would he bother to care. The only reason he brought him along this time was because of the friendship between the Duke of Shou and the Yongchang Marquis’s household.

In his eyes, the Yongchang Marquis was completely backwards. If he wanted his son to become capable, he should just apply family discipline directly, not shove the kid off to someone else to raise.

Such a trivial matter could not ruin Pei Xuan’s good mood.

His expression softened, warmth in his eyes. Every time he thought of the scene where the two confided in each other, he couldn’t help but smile.

Unfortunately, official duties called and he had to leave.

Pei Xuan was somewhat regretful. If possible, he wanted to stay in Qingzhou Prefecture to take care of Gu Qingyan. Qingyan was young and naive, and the only person nearby was the even younger Zhang Nian. That really made him uneasy.

Maybe he could pick a few people and assign them to Gu Qingyan’s side, so he could feel more at ease.

Or he could wait until he returned to the capital, quit his current duties, and then come back to Qingzhou Prefecture.

Pei Xuan showed no expression. No one would have guessed the terrible thoughts running through his mind.

Suddenly, hurried hoofbeats came from behind.

Xia Liu turned and exclaimed in surprise, “Sir, it looks like Zhang Nian.”

He spurred his horse forward. Indeed, it was Zhang Nian, galloping to catch up with them.

Pei Xuan stopped, barely suppressing his eagerness, “Stop.”

“I’ll go see.”

It was right not to rush on; Qingyan was equally reluctant to part, even sending someone to chase after them.

Perhaps Qingyan cared for him even more than Pei Xuan thought.

From afar, Zhang Nian saw the figures, ready to catch up. Suddenly, a fine horse leapt out and met him at a faster pace.

In the blink of an eye, Pei Xuan was beside him.

“Why did you come over? Did Qingyan have something to tell you? What did he say?”

Zhang Nian was stunned for a moment and took a letter from his bosom: “The young master wrote a letter and asked me to deliver it to Lord Pei in person.”

So it was a letter.

A faint smile tugged at Pei Xuan’s lips. He recalled how, back in Guangzhou Prefecture, every time they corresponded, Gu Qingyan always wrote a heavy letter.

He liked to flip through those letters again and again, storing them carefully in a box.

Maybe on their wedding night, they could take them out and enjoy them together.

Thinking of this, Pei Xuan felt a bit regretful. He had been too cold before, always dismissing Qingyan’s letters with only a few words. Fortunately, Qingyan hadn’t distanced himself because of Pei Xuan’s coldness.

Pei Xuan quickly took the letter without opening it: “Thank you for your effort.”

“Tell him to study hard and prepare well for his exams. I’ll be back.”

Zhang Nian looked puzzled. Back? Didn’t Lord Pei’s home reside in the capital? Why would he return there?

But he was sensible and didn’t ask further. He turned his horse and left.

“Wait.” Pei Xuan called after him.

“When I arrive in the capital, I will write to him, telling him not to worry. Everything will go smoothly.”

Zhang Nian nodded, “I’ve noted it all.”

Pei Xuan held the letter close to his chest, warmth filling his heart. He was eager to open it.

But when he turned, he saw many eyes watching him.

He cleared his throat lightly, “Let’s continue.”

He didn’t want to read the letter in front of everyone.

At dusk, the group entered the relay station. Pei Xuan didn’t eat but went straight into a room to open the envelope.

Behind him, Zhang Menghuai fussed, “Time to eat and rest.”

Jiang Wan spoke up, “Lord Pei hasn’t eaten yet. I’ll go bring him some food.”

“There’s no need for you. ‘Love can fill one with just water’ — do you get it or not?” Zhang Menghuai pushed him away directly.

Inside the room, Pei Xuan carefully opened the envelope, afraid of damaging the letter inside.

“Brother Pei, I hope this letter finds you well…”

Pei Xuan was about to read further when suddenly his vision went black.

If Gu Qingyan were here, he would be terrified, because Pei Xuan’s usually dark eyes suddenly showed strands of blood-red.

He was still the same person, but his aura changed instantly.

A murderous, overwhelming presence, casual teasing — every bit of it showcased his identity.

“The eager messenger from Qingniao brings a letter, let me see what’s really written.”

Pei Xuan’s gaze dropped onto the letter, his expression tightening slightly. After a moment, he patted the table and burst into laughter, a mixture of mockery and madness.

“Wonderful, it turns out it was all your one-sided wishful thinking. Hahaha, I almost got jealous of you, thinking you could be loved.”

He laughed wildly, rocking back and forth, delighted beyond measure.

After a long while, the mad laughter stopped, his expression grew dark and unclear.

His fingers clawed the letter, tearing streaks through it. Pei Xuan’s lips curved into a careless smile, full of deep malice, his eyes cold and obsessive.

“Such self-delusion, truly a pathetic fool. Well then, I’ll give you a hand.”

He raised the letter and set it on fire with the candlelight.

Soon, the letter burned completely under his eyes, leaving only ashes.

Pei Xuan blew on the ashes, scattering them. Even a divine being couldn’t piece them back together.

“Bastard!”

A loud shout came from inside the room, freezing everyone drinking and eating downstairs.

Zhang Menghuai was surprised. Just now, the lord was happy and cheerful, why did he suddenly lose his temper?

He hurried upstairs to ask, “My lord, are you alright?”

“Nothing.” Pei Xuan gritted his teeth, full of hatred.

He had been about to read the letter when he suddenly lost consciousness. When he woke again, the letter had already been burned to ashes.

It was obvious who had done it, but Pei Xuan was helpless.

Unless he killed that thing himself, no harm could be done to it.

Over the years, that entity mostly slept. Even when awake, it stayed no more than three days, usually just to hunt those who wronged him.

Whatever it did, whoever it killed, it never hid it.

Pei Xuan could feel that entity lacked human emotions, despised and isolated from the world, and didn’t want to stay here any longer than necessary.

Because of this, they maintained a delicate balance.

But this time, that entity not only appeared but deliberately erased its memory of this time, and completely burned the letter Gu Qingyan sent, leaving no ashes.

A wave of fear rose in Pei Xuan’s heart.

If that entity also developed feelings for Qingyan, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He needed to find a way to make that thing disappear, completely, forever!

Pei Xuan suppressed the boiling hatred in his mind, looked at the scattered ashes, frowned slightly, and tried to pick them up one by one. Unfortunately, the ashes crumbled with a pinch — no chance to see what was written.

Maybe he would never know what was in that letter.

Thinking of this, Pei Xuan’s hatred for that thing grew even deeper.

Gu Qingyan anxiously waited for Zhang Nian’s return.

He couldn’t calm down, his mind constantly guessing Pei Xuan’s reaction. Maybe he’d fly into a rage, maybe he’d be heartbroken — either way, it would definitely affect their relationship.

He rubbed his head, full of worry.

By the time Zhang Nian returned, the sun was setting and it was already dark.

Gu Qingyan heard the noise and hurried to open the door. Seeing Zhang Nian drenched in sweat, he immediately felt guilty.

Zhang Nian was so young, yet running back and forth for his personal matters — he really shouldn’t have burdened him.

“Brother Gu, the letter has been delivered.”

Zhang Nian didn’t feel bothered, actually quite happy. “Luckily, they weren’t too fast. If a little later, I wouldn’t have caught up.”

Gu Qingyan hesitated, then asked, “Did Brother Pei say anything?”

“Lord Pei said to tell the young master to prepare well for the exams, and to wait for his return. He also said not to worry — everything will go smoothly.”

Gu Qingyan frowned, “Did he even read the letter?”

“Yes. Lord Pei took the letter and immediately put it in his chest pocket without reading.”

Zhang Nian explained, “But Lord Pei seemed very happy to see me deliver it.”

Gu Qingyan grew even more troubled. Pei Xuan probably thought it was a love letter, but it was a rejection — how could things still go well?

But since the letter was delivered, it was useless to regret. Gu Qingyan could only hope this would be settled soon.

Seeing Gu Qingyan’s mood hadn’t improved, Zhang Nian asked curiously, “Brother Gu, why are you still unhappy?”

Gu Qingyan sighed, feeling he shouldn’t wallow in hesitation.

The letter was delivered, everything was clear. What happened next was up to Pei Xuan.

Thinking about it, it was useless for him to dwell here. Better to study hard, improve skills, raise reputation — all better than this.

With this thought, Gu Qingyan immediately brightened up.

Even if friends are lost, life must go on.

“I’m fine. Just tired from studying.”

Gu Qingyan told him to go eat and rest, then walked into the study and picked up a book to start studying diligently.

Zhang Nian scratched the back of his head, feeling conflicted. He thought, “Big Brother Gu said he was tired from studying, so why did he just go back to studying again?”

Fortunately, from that day on, Gu Qingyan returned to normal.

He said what needed to be said, laughed when appropriate, ate when hungry, drank when thirsty, studied hard when it was time to study, and rested well when he should.

Everything seemed normal again—just like the Gu Qingyan Zhang Nian was familiar with.

No one knew that when midnight came and he was deep asleep, Gu Qingyan was still sighing in his dreams, his inner struggle not gone but merely buried deep inside.

All this tossing and turning, Pei Xuan knew nothing about.

Pei Xuan never saw the letter; his memory was wiped clean. He was convinced that the letter was a confession of feelings.

It must have been that right after he left, Qingyan hesitated but was too shy to follow, so he had Zhang Nian deliver a letter.

Pei Xuan regretted not seeing what was written but only cursed that troublemaker for making a mess.

After leaving Qingzhou Prefecture, Pei Xuan sped up, urging his horse faster, and forced himself to reach the capital within three days.

At first, Jiang Wan kept up, but in the latter half of the journey, Zhang Menghuai took over leading. Once they reached the capital, Jiang Wan was handed over to subordinates and sent straight back to the Marquis of Yongchang’s mansion.

He didn’t even have the chance to argue.

Pei Xuan didn’t even spare him a glance but hurried straight toward the Duke of Shou’s mansion.

Zhang Menghuai watched this with growing worry, fearing he’d hear the next day that Pei Xuan had been punished by family law.

Marrying a male husband? The Duke of Shou would never agree.

At the Duke of Shou’s mansion, the Duke was leisurely drinking tea under a peach tree.

Even seeing Pei Xuan rush in, he remained unfazed: “Oh, you’re back.”

He was about to ask why Pei Xuan returned so dusty and exhausted without even completing his mission.

But the next moment, the Duke’s eyes went wide.

Pei Xuan lifted his robe hem and knelt down directly: “Your grandson has something to ask.”

The Duke was so shocked he jumped up and onto the peach tree: “Get up, get up! Oh heavens, that brat just knelt to me! The sun must have risen in the west!”

Even used to the Duke’s nonsense, Pei Xuan looked speechless.

“Damn it, what trouble did you cause this time? Did you tear the sky open or dig through the earth? Did you massacre Qingzhou Prefecture and just not stop?” The Duke peeked his head through the branches.

Pei Xuan frowned: “You come down first.”

“No, you tell me what trouble you caused that’s worth kneeling for, or I’m not coming down,” the Duke insisted.

Pei Xuan fell silent.

Looking at the old mischievous man in the branches, he suddenly felt maybe asking him to intervene wasn’t a good idea.

Maybe he should seek the official media, or go directly to the palace to petition, otherwise it wouldn’t seem dignified enough.

Seeing Pei Xuan’s face darken, the Duke suddenly jumped down and landed before him.

Though old, he was still agile.

He suddenly reached out to feel Pei Xuan’s pulse; his expression turned grave: “You had another episode?”

Pei Xuan pulled back his hand: “Just an accident.”

“What accident? I’ve told you, this is a top priority for your life. It’s better if that guy doesn’t show up. But if he appears frequently, he might completely take over your body. Then you won’t be you anymore.”

“Xuanxuan, don’t be overconfident thinking you can fully suppress him. It seemed easy before because he didn’t fight or compete. But if he changes his mind, you’re in danger.”

“Ah, my fault for never finding the Huai King jade seal. If I had it, everything would be solved easily.”

“That guy appeared twice last year, more frequent than before. And now, less than a year later, he’s back again. No, no, something’s wrong. I must find out why.”

Pei Xuan grabbed his arm: “The Taiping Sect ambushed us, but their thousand-year peach wood flute was destroyed.”

Hearing this, the Duke’s face changed drastically.

“The thousand-year peach wood flute—” only he knew where that thing came from but didn’t know why it ended up with the Taiping Sect.

Pei Xuan didn’t care: “I have something more important.”

“What could be more important than your life? No way. Someone’s targeting you deliberately. I must go to the palace to petition the emperor—”

Pei Xuan’s eyes flickered: “Since you want to go to the palace, then help me request an imperial decree for marriage.”

The Duke froze, looking somewhat ridiculous.

He vigorously scratched his ear: “Request what?”

“Request a marriage decree.”

“What marriage? Whose marriage?”

Pei Xuan frowned: “Naturally, mine.”

“Your grandson wants to marry Qingyan as his wife.”

The Duke looked at his grandson in disbelief, his jaw almost dropping. He quickly caught it with his hand and quietly sat back down at the table, sipping tea.

Seeing this, Pei Xuan’s frown deepened: “You urged me repeatedly to get married. Now that I’m willing, why won’t you allow it?”

The Duke pretended not to hear and continued drinking tea.

Pei Xuan tightened his brow and took the tea cup away: “You said before, as long as I want to marry, no matter the gender, age, or background, anyone is acceptable.”

“A respectable Duke of Shou, yet your words don’t hold.”

The Duke lowered his eyebrows: “Xuanxuan, you have someone in your heart and want to marry him as your wife. As your grandfather, I am one hundred percent supportive.”

“But, there’s a small problem.”

Pei Xuan asked coldly: “What problem? Where’s the problem?”

The Duke spread his hands: “I agree, but will His Majesty agree? Will the Crown Prince agree?”