OL CH61

Waking up once more, Chen Tian found himself lying on a large, soft bed, the fabric beneath him made of fine brocade.

Opening his eyes and taking in his surroundings, Chen Tian concluded he was currently in an unfamiliar room. He tried to sit up, only to find his limbs completely devoid of strength.

His original martial arts felt as if they had been sealed away entirely, impossible to muster. He didn’t even need to think to know he had definitely been drugged.

Recalling the scene before he lost consciousness, the man who shared his exact appearance must have been a stand-in meant to replace him. He just didn’t know if it was a specialized mask or something else.

If anyone else encountered such a situation, they would undoubtedly be furious and panicked, but Chen Tian was not in a hurry at all. He had seen clearly that the person orchestrating all of this was none other than his lover, Bai Su.

He naturally believed his partner would never truly harm him. So what was the reason behind this?

Could it be that, without realizing it, he had accidentally done something to touch a nerve, causing his partner to obsess over a negative thought and hatch a bad idea?

At this thought, Chen Tian didn’t feel angry at Bai Su. Instead, he felt worried and self-reproachful, believing his own carelessness had caused his lover to feel heartbroken again.

After all, the whole point of him traveling through so many minor worlds was to ensure his partner could live a happy life, thereby smoothly peeling away the residual taint from Bai Su’s soul. But looking at it now, he was clearly still not doing enough.

The drug in his system could easily be completely purged with 009’s help, but Chen Tian chose not to. He preferred to let Bai Su have his way.

Although he knew he would be a wise and capable ruler if he took over the court, he also understood Bai Su’s character. Even if Bai Su found someone to replace him, he would absolutely never treat the affairs of state or the people as a child’s game. Therefore, Bai Su must have made foolproof preparations.

Just as Chen Tian was thinking this, a noise came from the door. Someone pushed it open and entered. Turning his head, Chen Tian saw Bai Su, still wearing the exact same robes from when they were separated.

Clearly, the other had been busy with this matter up until this very moment.

However, what caught Chen Tian’s attention was that Bai Su’s head was currently wrapped in a white bandage, with obvious blood seeping through it. This made Chen Tian’s heart lurch.

“Baby, how did you get hurt?! Who on earth hurt you? What’s with the blood on your head?”

Chen Tian asked urgently, trying to sit up but lacking the strength. His eyes were full of anxiety as he looked at Bai Su.

Hearing Chen Tian’s words, Bai Su was stunned. He hadn’t expected him to wake up this early.

He couldn’t help but feel somewhat glad he had injured himself earlier, as his sweetheart still seemed to worry about him.

Regardless of whether the concern was genuine or fake, it was better than waking up and hurling curses at him.

“It’s nothing. His Majesty was just in a rather foul mood,” Bai Su said mildly.

As for the reason for that foul mood, it was entirely to be expected.

Earlier, after Bai Su knocked Chen Tian out, he brought in someone with a similar build and had him wear a human skin mask crafted by skilled artisans to impersonate Huo Tianchen.

However, to avoid certain complications, Bai Su had the impersonator take some injuries and colluded with the imperial physicians.

Thus, from the old Emperor’s perspective, right after the palace banquet, one of his sons was dead and the other was severely injured. Naturally, he flew into a violent rage. On the spot, he grabbed a paperweight from the desk and threw it, which coincidentally smashed right into Bai Su’s head.

At this juncture, Bai Su didn’t care about his own injury. Since the person in front of him had already lost the ability to resist, he no longer hid anything, recounting the entire process of how he had orchestrated the bait-and-switch.

“You must be feeling weak in the limbs right now, finding it difficult to even sit up. Yes, I drugged you. Moreover, there are layers of guards stationed outside. It is absolutely impossible for you to leave this place!”

Bai Su’s voice was slightly cold. He appeared ruthless, but in reality, he was staring intently at the man in front of him, terrified of seeing even the slightest trace of disgust on his face.

However, this fear could not outweigh the agony of potentially losing him.

Chen Tian also understood that even if he told Bai Su a ten-thousand times that he wouldn’t leave, his partner, having locked himself into this obsessive mindset, would not believe him.

And in this lifetime, this suspicion seemed deeply rooted in their difference in status.

His partner in this life seemed to have an extremely deep desire for control. But since he wanted to be the one in control, Chen Tian was perfectly willing to humor him. However, he still needed to say what had to be said.

“Suzhi, I have never once thought of leaving you. Even if I were to become the Emperor in the future, I would only ever have you. We are destined to be together lifetime after lifetime!”

Chen Tian’s eyes were filled with deep affection. Without waiting for Bai Su to retort, he flashed a smile and said, “But if Suzhi feels insecure, then everything is my fault.

Then I will stay right here and keep you company forever. Once I’ve spent this entire lifetime with you, you will eventually believe me!”

Chen Tian spoke with utmost sincerity. Yet, such beautiful words could not truly pacify Bai Su’s heart.

He took a few quick steps and threw himself onto Chen Tian. Fighting back the sourness in his eyes, he thought to himself: Whether it’s true or false, only by truly holding this person firmly in the palm of my hand can I find peace.

Raising his head, he forcefully kissed the lips of the person he loved most.

The man offered absolutely no resistance, even kissing him back as gently as he always did.

This brought Bai Su a measure of reassurance, while also making him greedy for the happiness of holding this person tightly in his grasp.

The power and authority he currently possessed were still far from enough. He absolutely had to stand at the very pinnacle to ensure that what he desired would never escape his control.

With Chen Tian taking the initiative, the two spent an incredibly intimate and lingering night together. Of course, given his lack of strength, he couldn’t turn the tables, and could only watch helplessly as his partner fed him several delicious riding sessions. Chen Tian frankly felt this life was delightfully nourishing.

In truth, ever since they got together, they had always been deeply in love. And in the days that followed, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

The two lived sweetly together, seemingly even more affectionate than before.

If one had to pinpoint a difference, it was that Chen Tian no longer had any business to attend to, and was strictly forbidden from stepping foot outside the courtyard. Bai Su, on the other hand, holding an official post, had much more on his plate.

But no matter how late he worked, he always returned to this courtyard to sleep in his lover’s arms.

Moreover, perhaps because the man had nothing else to do all day, Bai Su found him exceedingly enthusiastic about being intimate.

Every time he returned, Chen Tian would pull him into endless embraces. If Bai Su still had work to do and couldn’t go further, he would inevitably be kissed until he was thoroughly breathless.

This situation actually left Bai Su with rather mixed feelings.

But with the man constantly coaxing him with all sorts of sweet talk, Bai Su found himself utterly unable to resist, entirely incapable of refusing.

As time passed, he even had to secretly ask a physician to prescribe some kidney-tonifying medicine to brew and drink…

On the surface, everyone believed “Huo Tianchen” was gravely injured, taking over two months before he could even get out of bed, declining all visitors during that time.

Afterward, the “Crown Prince’s” injuries slowly healed. By the time he could attend court again, although his speech and habits were exactly the same as before, he seemed considerably more grounded and steady.

Of course, from another perspective, it just meant he was much more silent.

But the old Emperor was already physically and mentally exhausted, so he didn’t think too deeply about it. Seeing his son recovering and capable of handling state affairs, he simply abdicated, handing the entirety of Dongye over to him.

Once the new Emperor ascended the throne, it was blatantly obvious that he favored Bai Su even more.

Initially, he was appointed Minister of Revenue, and then he was assigned numerous tasks that allowed him to demonstrate his capabilities. Because he executed these tasks flawlessly, Bai Su’s prestige in the imperial court soared higher and higher.

A year later, Prime Minister Cao was imprisoned for corruption, purging yet another massive parasite from the court.

Having been promoted continuously over the past year, Bai Su seized this opportunity and was directly appointed Prime Minister by the Emperor. Ranking as a first-grade official, he monopolized the power within the court.

Without anyone quite realizing when it happened, the young Zhuangyuan had become the most powerful minister in all of Dongye, whose word was law.

Over this past year or so, Dongye had enjoyed favorable weather for crops, the borders were peaceful, and the people’s livelihoods had improved.

While this was undeniably linked to the new Emperor’s governance, the court officials knew perfectly well in their hearts that the lion’s share of the credit belonged to the newly appointed Prime Minister, Bai Su.

Bai Su exhausted his mind and efforts for Dongye, and his prestige in the court grew by the day. However, a few of Huo Tianchen’s original confidants always felt a bitter taste in their mouths.

Of course, this bitter taste wasn’t out of jealousy toward Bai Su. They had supported the Second Prince because they were good officials who cared for the country and the people. Currently, they were all genuinely convinced by Prime Minister Bai’s abilities.

It was just that, although they had all received promotions according to their strengths, ever since the Second Prince became Emperor, he no longer seemed as close to them as before.

While they understood the distinction between ruler and minister, for some reason, the new Emperor seemed exceedingly distant towards them.

“I say, Suzhi, I keep feeling that His Majesty is somewhat different from the past,” Young General Qi complained as he walked beside Bai Su after court.

“Think about the past. His Majesty clearly loved riding and archery. Yet two days ago at the martial arts competition on the training grounds, His Majesty attended but seemed completely disinterested. When I tried talking to him about our past campaigns on the battlefield, His Majesty seemed to not remember it at all.”

Young General Qi frowned as he spoke, seeming to feel more and more that something was amiss the more he talked.

Seeing this, a light flickered in Bai Su’s eyes. He smiled and said, “His Majesty might just be tired from being too busy with court affairs lately. You shouldn’t overthink it.

Besides, His Majesty is the Emperor now, no longer the general galloping on the battlefield. He naturally must be more steadfast than before. He has to consider not just the military, but the entirety of Dongye, so he will naturally be different from the past.”

“What you say makes sense.” Hearing this, Young General Qi nodded, seemingly accepting Bai Su’s explanation. However, a lump still lingered in his heart. The two chatted casually for a bit longer before parting ways.

Lately, quite a few colleagues who were on good terms with Bai Su had explicitly or implicitly mentioned feeling that His Majesty seemed to have changed.

Bai Su naturally knew they were right, because the Emperor in the court was nothing more than a puppet in his hands, not the real one at all.

Every single decision the impostor handed down had to pass his approval first. A fake would naturally not act intimately with those who were intimately familiar with the original.

Pondering this, Bai Su boarded his carriage. Upon returning to his estate, he headed straight for Chen Tian’s courtyard.

Seeing Chen Tian sitting in a rocking chair in the courtyard, reading a book while eating pastries, he walked over briskly.

Reaching out to grasp the man’s hand, Bai Su frowned and said, “The weather is getting a bit chilly now. Why are you reading out here? What if you catch a cold?”

Only upon hearing his voice did Chen Tian stand up, pulling Bai Su directly into his arms. Without another word, he captured his lover’s lips. The two shared a lingering kiss before Chen Tian lifted his head and smiled.

“My health has always been excellent, it’s not that easy for me to catch a cold. I just wanted to sit here so I could see you the very first second you got back.”

After over a year together, although Bai Su still had people keeping strict watch over Chen Tian, the drug dosage had been reduced considerably.

At the very least, it no longer left his limbs so weak he couldn’t stand. Although he still couldn’t use martial arts, he could handle basic tasks within his ability.

Hearing this, the tips of Bai Su’s ears turned red, and his arms tightened around Chen Tian. He felt as if he had been living in a dream this past year, accompanied by the person he loved every single day, without having to worry about anyone snatching him away.

Yet Bai Su still didn’t dare believe Chen Tian’s sincerity was genuine; he only felt that it was his own methods that made it impossible for the man to escape.

He just hadn’t expected this person to be so patient and composed. Having been stalled here for so long, he hadn’t raised a fuss or thrown a tantrum.

Dongye had a new Emperor, the nation’s various industries were developing steadily, and the people’s lives were improving.

He hadn’t kept these matters from Chen Tian and had even instructed his subordinates to tell him about them, so Chen Tian was well aware of the general situation outside.

Yet even knowing this, he still wasn’t the least bit anxious. His throne had been usurped, and he was forced into confinement in this small courtyard, but he acted as if he were genuinely on a leisurely vacation.

If Bai Su didn’t speak of it, Chen Tian didn’t ask. Every day spent with his lover was simply passing the time leisurely and sweetly.

Once his strength recovered, he would even personally make some snacks or carve small trinkets for Bai Su. Or he would hold his partner, whispering sweet nothings and reading together, showing him that he truly had no intention of leaving.

Bai Su thought to himself: If this person truly remains as he appears now forever, then if he isn’t genuinely willing, he must have an incredibly deep and calculating mind.

However, one couldn’t push a person too far. Since his sweetheart was being so sensible, Bai Su was willing to give him a taste of sweetness.

Now that Dongye’s political situation was stable and Bai Su held absolute power, he felt much more secure. Thinking it wasn’t good to keep someone cooped up in a courtyard forever, he figured occasionally taking him out for a breather would surely make the man even more affectionate toward him.

“Would you like to take a walk in the suburbs? I heard the greenery is lush there, and the flowers are blooming beautifully right now. I have a day off tomorrow, we can go for a stroll together.”

Hearing this, Chen Tian nodded eagerly. Although staying in this courtyard for the rest of his life for his lover was acceptable, he definitely wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to go out.

“Sure! Then I’ll go to the room right now and get things ready, and tell the servants to pack plenty of pastries, food, and wine. We can have a picnic while we’re there!”

Saying this, Chen Tian leaned in and planted a kiss on Bai Su’s cheek. Then, cupping his face, he rubbed his own against it vigorously before happily heading inside to prepare.

Watching his retreating back, Bai Su’s expression darkened for a moment, feeling that this person was indeed still thinking about getting out.

But soon after, he concealed his expression, walking into the room looking completely normal, and even began bustling about to help Chen Tian prepare.