As soon as Cén Yàn spoke, Zhuāng Dōngqīng became a bit nervous.

Cén Yàn seemed to notice and said, “Aren’t we going to have a late-night snack? Go ahead and eat, or else it’ll be too late and you’ll get indigestion.”

“Oh, oh.”

When a bowl of soup with a big bone was brought out, Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s attention was instantly diverted.

So fragrant, so fragrant, so fragrant.

It was no wonder it had been simmered all day.

And it was cooked in a clay pot!

Zhuāng Dōngqīng dug into his bone!

Slurp, slurp.

The taste of the bone marrow was so nostalgic, so delicious.

Slurp, slurp, slurp.

Cén Yàn refused to get his hands dirty with the bones and only took a small half bowl of soup. He tasted it and thought it was just okay, so he set it down and saw Zhuāng Dōngqīng practically burying himself in the bowl.

Cén Yàn: “……”

Cén Yàn turned to Liù Qī and asked, “How old is he again?”

Liù Qī replied, “He’s a little over a year away from coming of age.”

So, he’s about eighteen and a half.

Cén Yàn hesitated, “Still growing?”

Liù Qī said, “Lord Zhao said that Young Master Zhuāng’s foundation isn’t great, so if he takes care of himself, he should still grow a bit.”

That means he was delayed before.

Thinking back to when he first met Zhuāng Dōngqīng, he was still a bit thin under his robe.

With his sleeves pulled up, Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s wrists and forearms were exposed. Cén Yàn’s gaze settled, noticing the prominent finger bones, the back of his hand lacking flesh, but his skin was delicate, reflecting a warm luster like jade under the moonlight and candlelight. When his gaze swept to Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s elbows, then up to his upper arms hidden by his sleeves, Cén Yàn lowered his eyelashes without a sound and took a sip of the soup.

Yet, many details suddenly floated in his mind—the texture of that skin, the warmth of his breath, and those tearful eyes…

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was eating particularly well, while Cén Yàn silently drank his soup. For a moment, the courtyard was quiet, only the sound of the wind rustling the leaves remained.

You shouldn’t eat too much late at night, but he still felt full.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng let out a satisfied burp, allowing Liù Fú to carefully wipe his hands.

Even his face was comfortably wiped with a warm towel before Zhuāng Dōngqīng entered the main house with Cén Yàn.

Walking side by side, he faintly caught a whiff of a fragrance, subtle yet pleasant.

Once inside the room, in the enclosed environment, Zhuāng Dōngqīng confirmed that it indeed came from Cén Yàn, likely from some expensive scented clothing that people in this era loved to use.

Once they sat down, with only the two of them left, Zhuāng Dōngqīng nervously said, “Your Highness, you can speak now.”

Cén Yàn was calm, “I should have asked you this when you entered the residence, but it’s not too late now.”

At that time, he didn’t even know what kind of person Zhuāng Dōngqīng was, so asking these questions wouldn’t have made much sense.

Without further explanation, Cén Yàn directly said, “Lord Zhao said that for men of the Rén clan, most of the children born with men are also sons.”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng nodded; the child he was carrying was indeed a boy, as written in the book.

Cén Yàn continued, “If he is born, he will be the legitimate son of the royal residence.”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng nodded again.

Cén Yàn looked at Zhuāng Dōngqīng, his gaze calm, “Do you have any objections to this?”

“Wh-what objections?”

“To his status as a legitimate son?”

Oh, this.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng nodded, “Of course.”

Given the current relationship between him and Cén Yàn, it couldn’t be said to be entirely different from the convoluted plot in the book, but it was certainly unrelated. He had never thought about becoming Cén Yàn’s legitimate wife, even though having male spouses was quite common in this world…

Blinking, Zhuāng Dōngqīng seemed to realize what Cén Yàn was about to ask.

“Then you…”

Taking a deep breath, Zhuāng Dōngqīng said at the same time, “How about I speak first?”

When he first came to find Cén Yàn, he wouldn’t have dared to be so bold, but after some time, he felt that Cén Yàn wasn’t that scary after all.

He was a bit unpredictable, and he could never quite grasp the other’s thoughts, but Cén Yàn didn’t seem to lose his temper easily.

At least during the time he had stayed, he hadn’t seen Cén Yàn hit or scold any servants, nor had he heard any gossip about it.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng took the initiative to say, “You want to ask me about my plans for him, right? I’ve thought about it.”

“I-I’ll go first.”

Muttering, “There’s no need for you to probe anymore.”

Although it wasn’t laid out in the open, Zhuāng Dōngqīng could still feel Cén Yàn’s constant scrutiny on him.

As soon as he finished speaking, Cén Yàn raised an eyebrow, and Zhuāng Dōngqīng pretended to be calm as he picked up his cup, avoiding eye contact.

His fingertips tapped on the table, and the voice in his ear was teasing, “Alright, you go first.”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng gulped down a mouthful of water to steady himself.

In ancient times, having offspring was highly valued, and the distinctions in status were also detailed. The legitimate and illegitimate children had different standings, and changing a title could lead to a change in treatment. Cén Yàn was the last remaining prince of a different surname in the current dynasty, and Zhuāng Dōngqīng understood what that meant for his firstborn son.

So, under the premise of having no feelings for each other, what kind of status would Cén Yàn give this child? Whether he would acknowledge him, and how he would acknowledge him, Zhuāng Dōngqīng had thought it all through.

“Well, I’ll say it.”

Clearing his throat, Zhuāng Dōngqīng said, “If you acknowledge him, then he will be your legitimate son. Um, I know that having an illegitimate son older than a legitimate son can be a bit troublesome, but since it’s already happened, I can’t change that. I can only apologize to your future wife.”

The last sentence felt a bit excessive, and he said it quickly.

“If you want to cultivate him, then do as you wish; if you don’t want to, I will teach him well from a young age and not let him have any delusions about the title.”

Cén Yàn’s eyebrows moved slightly, their gazes crossed, and he raised his chin, signaling Zhuāng Dōngqīng to continue.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng said, “If you don’t acknowledge him and don’t include him in the family tree, he can still follow me.”

Cén Yàn was surprised.

“Not being included in the family tree means there won’t be any disputes over titles, fundamentally cutting off his thoughts, which is also quite good.”

“But not being included in the family tree still depends on whether you acknowledge him as your child. After all, blood relations are not something that can be easily severed. If you’re willing to acknowledge him, then he can follow me, and we can discuss how to raise him.”

“If you’re unwilling to acknowledge him, then it’s simpler; you can just pretend this child doesn’t exist, and the things you give me will remain the same. I will raise him well.”

Cén Yàn asked, “What things do you want from me?”

“Assets.” Zhuāng Dōngqīng counted on his fingers, “I’m a jǔrén, a person of noble status, and I should be able to own a thousand acres of land and a certain number of servants. I can manage a certain amount of land and shops.”

“Whether you want to send me off or send this child off, the reality is that I need certain assets to sustain my livelihood.”

“I don’t need too much land; I’m not very good at managing it. Just give me some of your shops in the capital. The profits should be enough to cover the expenses of the Zhuāng family, and that would be a decent life.”

“Oh, and before you give it to me, you might need to assign two people to teach me and Liù Fú how to manage the accounts, to teach me how to fish. Otherwise, if I get tricked later, I won’t be able to maintain these assets.”

Cén Yàn: “……”

He was quite clear in his thoughts.

Cén Yàn rubbed his temples, “Let’s not talk about the child for now. Is this all you want from me?”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng nodded, “I have to live, right?”

After thinking for a moment, he added, “I also don’t want the child to have a poor life. If you don’t acknowledge him, he can’t suffer with me. Um, this is just a drop in the bucket for the Dìngxī Wángfǔ, so you have no reason not to give it, right…”

By the end, his tone was affirmative, but there was a hint of doubt, sounding not very certain.

Cén Yàn: “……”

Cén Yàn pinched the bridge of his nose, “Let’s not discuss that. Don’t you want to stay in the Dìngxī Wángfǔ?”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was also confused, “Why would I want to stay in the royal residence?”

Cén Yàn just quietly looked at Zhuāng Dōngqīng.

Although he didn’t speak, everything was understood without words.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng: “Uh, do you think I should stay for this child?”

Cén Yàn’s expression was blank, “To be included in the family tree, you must have some status, even if it’s as an illegitimate son…” After a pause, he revealed, “The side consort’s child is also an illegitimate son, and he also needs to be formally recognized.”

“Ah?!”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s surprise was genuine.

Cén Yàn’s expression darkened.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was confused, “B-but I…”

Stammering for a moment, he was calmly interrupted by Cén Yàn, “But you don’t plan to stay in the royal residence and raise this child with a status.”

That was a very accurate summary, but it made Zhuāng Dōngqīng feel a chill.

His mind raced, but it was still blank.

However, Zhuāng Dōngqīng began to understand Cén Yàn’s meaning. Considering the situation in ancient times, if Cén Yàn were to take responsibility for them, that would mean two things: the child would have a status, and he would too.

In this era, that was indeed a responsible approach, as women couldn’t pursue careers, but the key was that he wasn’t a woman!

Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s lips trembled, looking at Cén Yàn in panic, unable to say a word for a long time.

Cén Yàn: “Or are you saying that’s not what you mean?”

“No, no, I, I…” Zhuāng Dōngqīng quickly denied it.

“What about you?”

Pressing closer, Zhuāng Dōngqīng struggled to evade, “We’re not in love, so there’s no need to…”

There’s no need to force ourselves together.

And a side consort, come on!

Cén Yàn’s feelings were complicated, “In the end, you don’t want to enter the royal residence for him?”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was at a loss for words, “Isn’t it unnecessary? I’ve accepted him and will give birth to him, but…”

“But?”

Cén Yàn was relentless, clearly wanting a definite answer.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng felt overwhelmed, closing his eyes and going all out, “But I don’t need to sacrifice my whole life for him, right? I-I’m a person too.”

“I… still have my own life ahead.”

“Besides, if I’m not happy, it’ll be hard for him to be healthy and happy if he sees me with a long face every day.”

Cén Yàn’s pupils constricted.

Once he finished speaking, the room fell into a long silence.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng had said he didn’t want to be an official, while Cén Yàn only thought that not being an official and entering the residence as a noble would be a better path.

He never expected that this was just a literal meaning.

The person in front of him didn’t want to be an official, nor did he want to be valued for his child.

Cén Yàn suddenly let out a laugh.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was startled by the laugh.

Did he hurt Cén Yàn’s pride?

After all, in ancient times, if someone wanted to give him a status and he refused, it would seem like he didn’t know what was good for him.

Cén Yàn closed his eyes, “You’re right.”

His voice was soft, but it couldn’t hide his exhaustion.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng felt uneasy, “W-what did I say?”

“You’re not happy, and he won’t be happy either.”

Oh, this was indeed a profound truth in education.

Cén Yàn rubbed his forehead.

The room fell silent again.

This silence lasted too long, and Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s heart trembled again and again.

Finally unable to bear it, he mustered the courage to say, “Your Highness, do you have more questions for me?”

Please don’t be silent; it’s really scary!

Cén Yàn did answer, his words stiff, “Not anymore for now.”

He had set up the chessboard, but Zhuāng Dōngqīng had directly flipped the table!

“……”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng stammered, “Then, what about this…”

Cén Yàn said, “I’ll go back and think about it.”

“What about the child…”

“Together.”

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was puzzled, “Haven’t you thought about it for so long?”

His own matters could be set aside, but the child was something both sides had known from the beginning.

Cén Yàn opened his eyes and looked at him, his shallow gaze expressionless, making Zhuāng Dōngqīng break out in a cold sweat.

He spoke slowly, “It has been quite a while. Otherwise, how about we switch? You go work at the Dàlǐ Sì, and I’ll stay in the residence to enjoy flowers and tea, and think about how to handle this?”

“……”

Oh, Cén Yàn had been busy with the Zhuāng family’s matters, busy with the corruption case, staying up all night.

Zhuāng Dōngqīng was left speechless. He didn’t speak, and Cén Yàn ignored him, closing his eyes to sit in silence again.

Once his emotions settled, Cén Yàn stood up, “You have nothing else to say, right?”

As soon as he mentioned it, Zhuāng Dōngqīng remembered something serious: “Oh, right, what about the deposed crown prince? Is he just going to be imprisoned?”

“Currently, that’s what the Emperor means.”

“Then, he won’t be executed?”

His voice was very small, and he realized it was inappropriate, but he had to ask.

Cén Yàn looked at Zhuāng Dōngqīng deeply and still answered, “Li Chéng was raised by the Emperor himself. Even if he’s deposed, the father-son bond is still there. Unless he attempts a coup, the Emperor won’t treat him that way.”

Li Chéng was the deposed crown prince.

Cén Yàn left.

Leaving Zhuāng Dōngqīng in a daze.

In the book, the deposed crown prince was executed, so according to Cén Yàn’s statement, was there still a coup plot in the future?

Was this matter not over yet?

Could there be a military coup in the capital?!

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, he didn’t sleep well that night. By midnight, he felt uncomfortable, and Liù Fú reached out to touch Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s forehead, feeling it was a bit hot, and quickly lit a lamp to check.

Under the light, Zhuāng Dōngqīng saw that his skin was a bit red, looking quite like an allergic reaction.

His mind immediately went to the fragrance on Cén Yàn…

Liù Fú got up to find Lord Zhao and recounted Zhuāng Dōngqīng’s original words. When he mentioned the fragrance, Lord Zhao looked at him in surprise.

He was afraid of being poisoned; Cén Yàn never used fragrance!