Husband I Came Back with a Bun!
Husband I Came Back with a Bun Chapter 20 Holding Gratitude

If he could start over, Zhuang Dongqing definitely wouldn’t have gone out today.

Damn it, he just wanted to step outside for some fresh air!

Zhuang Dongqing was struggling desperately, “Your Highness, are you very familiar with the Sixth Prince?”

He directed this question at Cen Yan, his eyes pleading as if they were about to overflow with desperation. Zhuang Dongqing thought Cen Yan should understand.

Cen Yan indeed understood.

But whether to agree or not was another matter.

Zhuang Dongqing only saw him raise an eyebrow, leisurely saying, “It’s alright. I lived in the palace for a while, so I know the princes and princesses.”

Li Yang chimed in, “The Duke of Dingxi is being modest. You were personally raised by the Emperor; I don’t know how many people in the palace envy you for being able to stay by the Emperor’s side.”

This wasn’t wrong.

Although he was the heir of a fief in the southwest, Cen Yan had entered the capital to study as a companion when he was just over ten years old. By the time he was nearing adulthood, the old duke fell seriously ill, and the various tribes in the southwest were in turmoil. They couldn’t delay any longer; a new heir was urgently needed to stabilize the situation, so the old emperor allowed Cen Yan to return home.

Upon returning to the southwest, it seemed he didn’t even get to see his father for the last time.

After inheriting the title, he quickly gathered the forces of the duke’s residence and began to suppress the rebellious tribes. After nearly a year of fighting, the southwest was finally stabilized, and only then did Cen Yan firmly sit in this position as a prince of a different surname.

However… just two years of peace later, he returned to the capital to serve the Emperor again.

Zhuang Dongqing’s emotions were too complex for a moment, causing Cen Yan to pause, “What’s wrong?”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

He quickly shook his head, “Nothing.”

“Nothing at all!”

He actually felt a bit of sympathy for Cen Yan!

Heavens, is he someone who can feel sympathy for?

“Ahem, well,” Zhuang Dongqing tilted his head, trying to change the subject, “Since Your Highness is familiar with the Sixth Prince, you two go ahead, haha, the weather is nice today, ha, take a stroll.”

Cen Yan looked at him with a smile, “And you?”

“I… I’ve been walking too long, I want to…”

He didn’t finish his sentence because Cen Yan’s smile faded, and at the same time, Li Yang also looked over.

Under the gaze of four eyes, Zhuang Dongqing said, “Of course, I’ll go with everyone. Let’s go, let’s go.”

Ugh, he really was useless.

So Cen Yan’s smile returned, and Li Yang nodded as well.

Inside, Zhuang Dongqing felt like a little person lying flat.

Help!

  • Though he said he wanted to stroll, Zhuang Dongqing was genuinely tired of walking. Cen Yan only glanced at him twice and somehow noticed, even suggesting they find a place to rest.

Li Yang had also walked with Zhuang Dongqing for quite a while and nodded in agreement.

The three of them finally settled down in a teahouse by the river.

One side was bathed in sunlight, and Zhuang Dongqing took the initiative to choose that side to bask in the sun.

Once they were seated and had ordered tea and snacks, Cen Yan and Li Yang began to chat.

The first few sentences were about recent corruption cases and the health of the noble ladies in the palace, while Zhuang Dongqing was lost in thought, completely uninterested.

The tea was served quickly, but due to his health, Zhuang Dongqing’s cup was filled with flowers, and he didn’t see any tea leaves. It was mainly about enjoying the atmosphere, but the snacks looked particularly exquisite. The peach blossom pastry was soft and pink, and Zhuang Dongqing picked one up, ah, delicious!

Cen Yan glanced at him.

Li Yang asked, “I heard recently that Brother Dongqing has been a guest at the duke’s residence?”

Cen Yan replied, “That is indeed the case.”

Li Yang looked at Zhuang Dongqing, who had picked up a second piece of pastry, his gaze perfectly missing Li Yang’s.

Cen Yan smirked.

Li Yang continued, “For no reason at all, how did you end up staying at the duke’s residence?”

Zhuang Dongqing calculated that he had already been there for over half a month, so it could indeed be called a stay.

Cen Yan raised the corner of his mouth, “How can you say it’s for no reason? I’ve interrogated Zhuang Daren, and Zhuang Dashao was personally escorted by the officials of the Dali Temple when I was on duty.”

Li Yang choked a bit.

Zhuang Dongqing finished chewing the pastry, delicious!

Li Yang looked at Zhuang Dongqing again, but Zhuang Dongqing was completely not listening to their conversation, his gaze directly fixed on the third piece of pastry.

It was so cute, a little round white rabbit.

With pink ears, little eyes, and a small flower on its back.

This little rabbit looked so adorable; it must be delicious.

Ah!

Under Li Yang’s pleading gaze, Zhuang Dongqing mindlessly swallowed the third piece of pastry.

Ugh, it was really so good.

Zhuang Dongqing squinted his eyes in satisfaction.

Cen Yan raised his cup, using the act of drinking tea to hide his smile.

When he swallowed half of it, Zhuang Dongqing finally met Li Yang’s gaze, looking completely confused, while Cen Yan took another sip of tea.

“Is it… really that good?” Li Yang asked helplessly.

Zhuang Dongqing enthusiastically recommended, “Yes, yes! Each piece has a different flavor; the peach blossom pastry is soft and sticky…”

Li Yang interrupted, “I was talking to the duke about you staying at the duke’s residence.”

Zhuang Dongqing paused.

Li Yang repeated Cen Yan’s words, and Zhuang Dongqing fell silent.

Cen Yan took a third sip of tea, and sitting next to him, Zhuang Dongqing glanced over, catching a glimpse of the smile that the teacup couldn’t hide, as if the words “enjoying the fun” were about to be carved on Cen Yan’s forehead.

He patted his chest, straightened the pastries, and silently thought, it’s a blessing, not a curse; it’s a curse that can’t be avoided.

Clearing his throat, he said seriously, “What the duke said isn’t wrong. If it weren’t for my father and elder brother being locked up in the Ministry of Justice, I wouldn’t have gone to the duke’s residence for help.”

“Help?”

“Yes, my elder brother was the first to report the case, and this credit wasn’t earned for nothing.”

Li Yang was surprised.

He looked at Cen Yan in disbelief, then turned back to Zhuang Dongqing, asking curiously, “I didn’t know when Brother Dongqing became acquainted with the duke…”

Clearly still skeptical.

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t indulge him, “By chance, through twists and turns, we became like old friends.”

In short, they had slept together.

Cen Yan remained silent, while Li Yang’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two, as if he wanted to figure something out. After a long silence, Zhuang Dongqing picked up the last piece of pastry.

Li Yang: “…”

Cen Yan said, “Have the shopkeeper bring two more plates of different tea snacks.”

Liu Qi responded and went to take care of it.

Li Yang: “…………”

“Ahem!” Li Yang persisted, “So, Brother Dongqing went to the duke’s residence voluntarily?”

Cen Yan’s smile faded.

Zhuang Dongqing nodded, his eyes clear; just looking at his expression, it didn’t seem like he was forced.

Li Yang said, “But now the Zhuang family is no longer in trouble, and Zhuang Daren is about to be transferred out of the capital, right?”

Zhuang Dongqing showed no displeasure on his face and calmly said, “Yes, I’m being demoted for failing to teach my son, and it’s likely I won’t be able to return.”

Li Yang asked, “So when will Brother Dongqing go home?”

Cen Yan’s expression was already blank.

Zhuang Dongqing, however, didn’t understand the implications in his words and directly said, “Go back? I’m not going back.”

“Ah?” Li Yang was surprised, and his gaze towards Cen Yan became more guarded, “Why…”

Zhuang Dongqing took a sip of tea, “The duke has been kind to the Zhuang family, so I’ll temporarily stay at the duke’s residence to see if I can… help the duke with something. If it’s suitable, I’ll stay.” He paused, fearing Cen Yan wouldn’t like it, and didn’t make his words too absolute, “Of course, it’s also possible that I’ll leave the duke’s residence later to seek other opportunities.”

Hmm, his passive skill of having children depends on whether Cen Yan wants it or not.

Li Yang misunderstood, instantly frowning, “Isn’t this taking advantage of kindness to repay?”

Cen Yan said coldly, “Sixth Prince, be cautious with your words.”

Zhuang Dongqing retorted, “How is this taking advantage of kindness to repay?”

“Brother Dongqing, with your talent, even if you don’t succeed this year, you’ll surely pass in the future. If you stay at the duke’s residence…” Li Yang paused, then said solemnly, “Do you want to be a guest for the rest of your life?”

Looking into Li Yang’s eyes, Zhuang Dongqing sensed his concern.

As expected of the male lead, he was truly sincere.

And this concern, if the original owner were still in that shell, Li Yang wouldn’t be wrong, but unfortunately, he wasn’t.

Zhuang Dongqing fell silent, feeling both gazes on his face. One regarded his silence as acquiescence, as if their speculation had finally been confirmed, their expression growing more indignant, while the other was unreadable to Zhuang Dongqing.

But it didn’t matter; he just needed to be himself, “Is being an official really that good?”

Li Yang was caught off guard by this question and paused.

Cen Yan just stared at him.

Zhuang Dongqing spoke honestly, “Perhaps I used to think that way, but my thoughts have changed now; my ambitions lie elsewhere.”

“As for my relationship with the duke, Sixth Prince, you don’t need to think too much about it. Even if the duke is taking advantage of kindness to repay, during such a critical time, it’s unlikely to find a second noble willing to treat me this way, don’t you think?”

Li Yang was speechless.

Cen Yan suddenly spoke, “Perhaps the Sixth Prince intended to help the Zhuang family at that time, but unfortunately, you didn’t go.”

This statement was not only sarcastic but also hit the nail on the head, sounding quite unpleasant.

Li Yang was the son of a favored concubine, and at this moment, he was already disinterested in that chair. The old emperor liked that he didn’t compete, so even if the original owner had survived, the Zhuang family wouldn’t have been saved… Even if he had the ability, Li Yang wouldn’t dare to act during the critical moment of the deposed crown prince.

Sure enough, after saying that, Li Yang’s face instantly turned red.

Flushed.

Zhuang Dongqing felt something was off and was about to smooth things over when Cen Yan placed the newly arrived pastries in front of him.

The meaning was clear: shut up.

“…”

Li Yang said, “I was being petty.” He awkwardly admitted, “During special times, even if Brother Dongqing came to find me, I wouldn’t be able to help.”

After a pause, he bowed to Cen Yan, “Your Highness, you are noble.”

Cen Yan was somewhat surprised but sat steadily and accepted it.

Zhuang Dongqing still spoke up, changing the subject, “So is the current turmoil settled?”

Cen Yan didn’t guard against him, “The case is almost wrapped up; the deposed crown prince has also moved out of the East Palace, just waiting for the order of house arrest.”

House arrest?

Zhuang Dongqing was puzzled, “Just… locked up?”

After all, it was a matter of the emperor’s family. When it was brought up, Li Yang’s expression also turned gloomy, “Yes, if nothing unexpected happens, the crown prince will likely live like this for the rest of his life.”

Fearing Zhuang Dongqing would think the emperor was heartless, he added, “Actually, the emperor is also very sad; he has been ill recently. The crown prince was raised by the emperor, so the feelings are different…”

No, what shocked Zhuang Dongqing wasn’t this.

But just house arrest?

This didn’t match the plot he knew.

Even though it felt very ominous, with so many people around, Zhuang Dongqing pressed down his doubts firmly.

He would ask when he returned to the duke’s residence.

Li Yang was suspicious of Cen Yan, and Cen Yan didn’t seem to like Li Yang either. Fortunately, not long after this, a eunuch came to say the emperor summoned Li Yang. Li Yang apologized a couple of times and hurriedly left.

Zhuang Dongqing breathed a sigh of relief.

This wasn’t a big deal; Cen Yan suddenly said beside him, “Why do you look like you don’t really like this friend?”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

Zhuang Dongqing forced a smile, “Not at all.”

Cen Yan asked, “Then why did you cry during the spring banquet?”

“…”

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t dare to speak, silently lowering his head to eat pastries. Cen Yan watched him for a while, then suddenly laughed. Zhuang Dongqing didn’t say anything, and he didn’t continue to press.

Dinner was at a restaurant outside, and Zhuang Dongqing ate with great enjoyment.

Cen Yan noticed that Zhuang Dongqing’s eating speed had slowed down a bit.

He still liked it, but it wasn’t as quick as before; it was as if he had been starving for a long time.

After observing Zhuang Dongqing discreetly for a while, Cen Yan lowered his gaze, deep in thought.

Sitting with Zhuang Dongqing was indeed very appetizing; he added another half bowl, while the person who usually ate until full understood some moderation and only ate until he was about eighty percent full.

Cen Yan teased him, “Is this it? You’re putting down your chopsticks?”

Zhuang Dongqing replied sincerely, “When I left the residence, the kitchen made a big pot of bone soup; it smelled so good. I have to save some room for a midnight snack.”

Cen Yan: “…”

He had underestimated him.

The spring day was warm, and after walking for a while to digest, they finally got on the carriage back to the residence.

Zhuang Dongqing and Liu Fu chatted all the way, discussing everything from what to eat tomorrow, whether to go out, to whether they could wash their hair again at night, all trivial matters.

Cen Yan listened, surprisingly not impatient at all.

When they reached the door of the East Wing, Zhuang Dongqing finally realized Cen Yan was still following him.

Zhuang Dongqing said, “Oh right, Your Highness, I have one more thing I want to ask you.”

Cen Yan replied, “Just in time, I also have something to discuss with you.”

Zhuang Dongqing: “?”

Cen Yan exhaled and said seriously, “Let’s talk about this child.”

Oh, this was indeed an important matter.

Lost Nexus[Translator]

Hi, I’m Lost Nexus or call me Nex! I translate web novels into English so more people can enjoy these amazing stories.

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