Chapter 005: The Wife of Humble Origins

In the latter half of the night.

Qi Zhen sat silently on the edge of the bed, filled with self-loathing.

The coldness of the mountains couldn’t extinguish the restlessness in his heart.

Danger lurked around him, with hidden threats everywhere.

But today, despite knowing he shouldn’t, he still couldn’t control himself.

The earlier intimacy didn’t make Qi Zhen feel anything for this fool; on the contrary, it stirred a murderous intent within him. His gaze towards Lin Shouyan was exceptionally cold.

The person on the bed was sleeping soundly, still with tears on their face, and the exposed wrist had a deep red mark.

That was from Qi Zhen’s grip.

He was angry.

He vented all his anger on the little fool, making him cry, scream, and beg for mercy, eventually pitifully asking what he had done wrong.

He was just such a fool, pure-hearted.

If it weren’t for saving him, he should have lived freely, without being caught in the chaos of the capital.

Qi Zhen, troubled and restless, got up, dressed, and opened the door of the room.

Xu Fuquan, who was guarding the corridor, was startled awake, “Your Highness?”

Qi Zhen said nothing, not disturbing anyone, and rested elsewhere.

–

The next day, at dawn.

Qi Zhen was not in the room, and no one knew where he went.

Only Xu Fuquan was left to take care of him.

It’s better that he’s not here. If he were, Lin Shouyan would still have to act like a fool. Who knows how much Qi Zhen hates him now.

Moreover, whether Qi Zhen is here or not doesn’t matter; the first stage is already completed, and the second stage remains.

Lin Shouyan should find someone to have an affair with, and once that’s done, he can go home.

The best candidate is the Fifth Prince.

Although that scoundrel is no good, acting out a scene shouldn’t be a problem.

Sleeping with his wife and then turning around to mess with his political rival.

Just thinking about it would drive Qi Zhen crazy.

However, due to physical conditions, Lin Shouyan took a day to rest.

He spent the entire day resting in the room, mostly sleeping in a daze.

He didn’t see Qi Zhen, but in his half-asleep state, someone came in, bringing in a cold breeze.

He didn’t know who it was.

On the last day of the year-end festival, Lin Shouyan went out to find someone to have an affair with.

What a coincidence.

The affair target was taking a bath.

Lin Shouyan peeked through the door crack.

“System, I’m kind of regretting this.”

System: [ ? ]

Lin Shouyan was very disdainful, “Skinny dog.”

System: [ …… ]

Lin Shouyan was troubled, his mind racing, and came up with another idea, “How about I go in and push him?”

With that small frame, it would definitely work.

The system was speechless for several seconds.

It reminded him, [Then the one who darkens won’t be Qi Zhen.]

It would definitely be the Fifth Prince.

As for Qi Zhen, he might even elevate Lin Shouyan, set off some firecrackers, and play some music and dance to celebrate. Praise him for doing a great job.

Lin Shouyan made a decisive decision.

“Then we can go with the second plan.”

Gain Qi Zhen’s trust, then betray him!

System: [ …… ]

Before Lin Shouyan could act, he heard a man’s voice inside.

“Your Highness, sorry to keep you waiting…”

Lin Shouyan’s eyes widened.

Wow!

The Fifth Prince plays with men!

There were intermittent conversations coming from inside, and it was clear the two were involved.

“Am I better, or is the Emperor better?”

!

The Fifth Prince plays with his dad’s man!

How exciting!

Shouldn’t he share this with the protagonist? Gain some trust points?

Lin Shouyan quietly ran away, making sure the Fifth Prince couldn’t hear him, then gleefully ran to find Qi Zhen.

Qi Zhen stood in the corridor, his long black hair half tied up, his features delicate and elegant, his body like a sturdy pine bamboo, tall and aloof. Someone beside him was bowing and speaking to him, his face full of frost.

Lin Shouyan caught his breath a bit and slowly approached.

They saw him.

The person beside Qi Zhen said, “Please consider, Your Highness.”

Then that person left.

Only then did Lin Shouyan step forward, “Crown Prince brother…”

Qi Zhen’s gaze was even colder than before, almost indifferent.

“What is it?”

“I have a secret I want to tell you. I just saw a man spitting in the Fifth Prince’s mouth.”

Qi Zhen doubted his hearing, showing a bit of confusion.

The little fool looked around, then leaned closer and repeated, “The Fifth Prince had someone spit in his mouth.”

“Where did you see this?”

“Over there, they were bathing.”

Qi Zhen: “Did they see you?”

The little fool shook his head.

“Brother, why would someone spit in the Fifth Prince’s mouth? Do they really dislike the Fifth Prince? I also dislike the Fifth Prince, can I spit twice too?”

“No. Did you see clearly?”

“I saw clearly! The Fifth Prince even asked him who was bigger, him or His Majesty.” Lin Shouyan’s eyes were wide, sparkling, “Is the Fifth Prince as foolish as me? Can’t even tell the difference between His Majesty and his own age?”

Qi Zhen’s lips, which had always been without a curve, suddenly twitched, as if about to smile.

“Fool.”

He asked again, “Did you see who it was?”

Lin Shouyan shook his head.

“Why did you come to tell me?”

Lin Shouyan looked at him eagerly, reaching out a hand to grab Qi Zhen’s clothes, “I think this must be a big secret. Can I tell all my secrets to Crown Prince brother, and Crown Prince brother, can you not bully me like that night again?”

Qi Zhen’s memory was pulled back, his eyes darkening slightly.

“If Crown Prince brother wants to teach me a lesson, you can hit my palm, I won’t be angry. Or should I kiss you, kiss Crown Prince brother, okay?”

Every word, burning in the lungs.

Qi Zhen’s breath hitched, his ears turning red.

If it were a normal person, saying such things in broad daylight, Qi Zhen would have reprimanded them. At the very least, he would have said, “Shameless” or “Have you no shame.”

But the person was Lin Shouyan,

And Lin Shouyan was a fool!

The fool didn’t even know what he was saying, just straightforwardly expressing what he saw, heard, and thought.

“Presumptuous! Go back and learn some manners.”

“Huh?”

Lin Shouyan was shocked.

I tell you a secret, and you tell me to learn manners?

Do you even hear yourself?

Lin Shouyan was angry, “Crown Prince brother, you didn’t say I had to learn manners that day! You’re the Crown Prince! How can you do this! You’re bullying me! Just bullying me!”

Qi Zhen’s face turned red.

He frowned, seeming annoyed, seeming disdainful.

After a while, he said angrily, “Say one more word, and you’ll stay here until you learn and then go back!”

Lin Shouyan cowered, shutting his mouth.

It’s so cold here, and it’s full of monks, he can’t possibly find a monk to have an affair with.

That would truly be lacking in virtue.