OL CH5

Knowing his status couldn’t even begin to compare with King Ning’s, Bai Feizhang could only forcefully suppress his anger. He bowed to Chen Tian and said, “Your Highness, I am the son of the Marquis of Zhongyong, Bai Feizhang.”

“Oh, so you’re the son of that outside mistress of the Bai family.”

Chen Tian wore a look of sudden realization, nearly making Bai Feizhang cough up a mouthful of blood from sheer anger.

Calling him the son of an outside mistress directly was basically calling him the Marquis’s bastard. He originally had no name or status; if he wasn’t entered into the family genealogy, he couldn’t even be considered a true member of the Bai family.

Although his mother had indeed been Bai Heguang’s outside mistress for a time, she had long since been brought into the manor and made a concubine.

Furthermore, the Marquis had already promised that it wouldn’t be long before he elevated his mother to the position of the official wife. When that happened, he would be a legitimate son in name and reality, able to sit as an equal with Bai Su, and the position of Heir would naturally be his!

Bai Feizhang harbored immense hatred in his heart, but hindered by Chen Tian’s status, he didn’t dare show it. Yet, unwilling to let that label stick, he could only stiffly deflect the heavy blow with a lighter one: “Your Highness, I am a concubine-born son of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate.”

After saying this, Bai Feizhang wanted to add something more, but who could have known that King Ning opposite him would actually wave his hand and say, “Even as a concubine-born son, you cannot completely disregard your appearance and throw away the Marquis’s face.”

After speaking, Chen Tian looked thoroughly disgusted, as if he were looking at something filthy.

He even turned to look at Bai Su several times, patting him on the shoulder as he said, “To have such a younger brother in the family, it must be truly exhausting for the Heir.”

The crowd paused at Chen Tian’s reaction, but turning to look at Bai Feizhang’s face, they instantly understood King Ning’s response. A few people even couldn’t hold back their laughter.

It was no wonder the Prince said such things; facing a pig-headed face covered in bruises and sporting two panda eyes was indeed an assault on the eyes. Even Bai Su didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at his tone.

Chen Tian took a few more glances at his “wife” to wash his eyes clean, then deliberately said to Situ Chen opposite him, “Looking at Chen’er’s martial arts, it seems there hasn’t been much progress. It appears this Prince should go have a word with Royal Brother and take over your instruction myself.”

“No, no, no, Imperial Uncle manages a myriad of affairs every day; how could you waste your time on us?”

The Fifth Prince hurriedly waved his hands in a conditioned reflex of refusal, but upon seeing the teasing glint in Chen Tian’s eyes, he realized the other party was just messing with him.

Thinking of the lesson he had been taught today, the Fifth Prince felt grateful. Furthermore, since his Imperial Uncle hadn’t put on the airs of an elder afterward, he couldn’t help but feel a bit closer to him.

Looking again at Bai Su beside Chen Tian, he took a step forward and solemnly said, “Heir, I know I was wrong! Old Marquis Bai is a true, unparalleled hero. For Xiling to have its present day, we owe many thanks to the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate!”

After speaking, Situ Chen even bowed deeply to Bai Su.

“Your Highness’s words are too kind!”

Bai Su hurriedly reached out to support the Fifth Prince’s arm. Seeing his sincere attitude, the dissatisfaction in his heart completely dissipated, and he felt even more grateful to King Ning.

Chen Tian patted Situ Chen’s shoulder in satisfaction, feeling that the male lead was reasonably sensible, and kindly reminded him: “Imperial Uncle knows you are intelligent; you were merely provoked by those with impure motives. Your Royal Father is busy with state affairs and cannot look after you, so you must keep a sharp eye out yourself. Understood?”

As he spoke, Chen Tian swept a glance at Bai Feizhang beside him.

The Fifth Prince immediately understood. Bai Feizhang’s performance today had indeed greatly disappointed him. Originally, hearing his attendants praise this concubine-born son’s literary talent, and hearing that he would eventually replace the current Heir of the Marquis estate, he thought keeping him around might be useful.

Looking at him today, however, he seemed to be nothing but a sycophant who clung to the powerful.

Though the prince himself was at fault, he knew to admit his mistakes and correct them. But this man, as a member of the Marquis’s estate, lacked even a sliver of the Bai family’s proud backbone, earning nothing but unwarranted contempt.

Looking again at Bai Su, despite his physical ailments, he still stood straight as a pine, neither obsequious nor arrogant. This kind of character was the true demeanor of a descendant from a military family.

Recalling that Bai Su had once been a fierce general on the battlefield as well, the Fifth Prince sighed inwardly. For the man to be on good terms with his Imperial Uncle now was indeed a stroke of good fortune for him.

As for Bai Feizhang, who was obviously targeting Bai Su at every turn, even if only to avoid offending his Imperial Uncle, the prince had no intention of paying him any more mind.

Looking at the group of bruised and swollen young masters, Chen Tian, citing that they were an eyesore and would displease the Emperor, dismissed them all from the traveling palace, forbidding them from attending the upcoming Autumn Banquet.

This Autumn Banquet was originally a grand opportunity. This group hadn’t expected that by causing trouble for Bai Su, they would miss their chance.

Most importantly, they had offended King Ning. Being kicked out by King Ning like this threw away their families’ face, and they didn’t know how they would face their elders when they returned home.

At the thought that all of this was instigated by Bai Feizhang, they inevitably began to harbor some hatred toward him. It was only out of consideration that he might become the Heir in the future that they temporarily held off on doing anything to him. However, those of higher status certainly wouldn’t give him any good looks.

As the group scurried away in disgrace, Chen Tian paid no mind to the little tail, Situ Chen, following behind him; his entire heart was focused on his lover. Chatting idly with Bai Su, they headed toward the flower hall.

In the original plot, Bai Feizhang had used the opportunity of the poetry gathering at the Autumn Banquet to claim the title of the capital’s number one scholar. Although he had previously displayed some supposed literary talent among the common folk, that couldn’t possibly compare to a royal banquet.

Through this, Bai Feizhang had gained immense face in front of the Fifth Prince and the Emperor.

But today, because of Chen Tian, Bai Feizhang not only failed to show off, he had severely lost face. He had even provoked the dissatisfaction of the noble scions and the Fifth Prince. Just thinking about it brought Chen Tian a great sense of delight.

By the time the group arrived, the banquet was just about to begin.

Chen Tian was a Prince; his and the Fifth Prince’s seats were naturally at the very front. Bai Su’s seat, on the other hand, was surely placed quite far back, making it unlikely they could sit together.

Figuring that since it was their first meeting, he shouldn’t be overly attentive and risk scaring away his precious darling, Chen Tian could only temporarily take his leave.

But who could have guessed that before he had walked far, a slightly plump middle-aged man would walk up to Bai Su with a face full of dissatisfaction, rudely demanding, “Why are you the only one here? Where is Feizhang?”

Bai Su was long accustomed to his father’s cold looks, and replied flatly, “Your son does not know.”

Seeing Bai Su’s indifferent attitude and that constantly expressionless face, which was practically a carbon copy of his strict and unreasonable old father, Bai Heguang felt a surge of dislike.

This son of his had never been intimate with him since birth. Later, after following his grandfather to the battlefield, the son became even more imposing than his own father. He opened his mouth, wanting to sting him with a few harsh words, but before the words could leave his lips, a large shadow fell over him.

Lifting his head, he noticed that King Ning had somehow come over at some unknown point.

Seeing this, Bai Heguang immediately put away the impatience on his face, attempting to pull up a smile, but the rapid shift in expression left his face looking somewhat twisted. He hastily bowed and said, “Greetings, Your Highness King Ning.”

“Mm,” Chen Tian nodded. He cast a breezy glance at Bai Heguang, then directly grabbed Bai Su’s arm, asking, “Where is your seat?”

Bai Su, not understanding his intent, pointed to a seat beside a pillar.

Chen Tian narrowed his eyes at the sight. Bai Su was clearly a member of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate, yet his seat was arranged in a corner, completely separated from the rest of the Marquis’s household. But just now, when he saw Bai Heguang walk over, there had been an empty seat next to him.

To refuse to let his legitimate son sit beside him, reserving it for a concubine-born son instead. Even if the entire capital knew of the dirty laundry in the Marquis’s estate, this behavior was truly too unpresentable.

His undisguised gaze of contempt swept over the Marquis of Zhongyong. Sure enough, Bai Heguang realized what was happening, his face flushing thoroughly red, his heart filling with endless regret.

Before leaving home, he had listened to Madam Liu’s pillow talk and felt dissatisfied with Bai Su. On the carriage, he had scolded Bai Su a few times, but who knew the other party would actually dare talk back. Thus, in a fit of anger, he had ordered someone to move Bai Su’s seat to the corner.

Looking at it now, he had instead slapped his own face.

Chen Tian was in no mood to figure out what his lover’s cheap excuse of a father was thinking. He strolled leisurely over to Bai Su’s seat. After sitting down comfortably, he waved to Bai Su, gesturing for him to hurry over and sit together.

Seeing this, Bai Su pressed his lips tightly together, but he couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes.

Paying no mind to the Marquis beside him, whose eyes were practically cramping from winking so furiously, Bai Su steadied his posture and slowly walked toward Chen Tian, generously taking a seat beside the man.

Bai Heguang hadn’t expected Bai Su to be so unperceptive. Yet, King Ning had always been favored before the Emperor, and he didn’t dare offend him. He could only bite the bullet, walk over, and say, “Your Highness, for you to sit here… it is against the rules.”

“Oh? This Prince actually finds the feng shui here quite excellent. With a confidant by my side, it is very comfortable. The banquet is about to start; Marquis, you should hurry back to your seat.”

After speaking, he ignored Bai Heguang, leaning back against his chair to close his eyes and rest.

Seeing that it was truly inappropriate to say anything more, Bai Heguang could only stealthily glare at Bai Su before unwillingly turning to leave.

Due to Chen Tian’s actions, the people around them couldn’t help but peek toward the corner. In their hearts, none of them could understand how the Heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate, having already been reduced to such a state, had managed to catch King Ning’s eye.

Yet, whether the peeping was covert or blatant, both subjects of their attention turned a blind eye to it.

Chen Tian twirled a white jade teacup in his hands. He appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was beating a bit anxiously. That man was Bai Su’s father, after all. He wondered if his lover would feel unhappy that he had just publicly stripped away the man’s dignity.

But after stealing several glances, the other party merely sat to the side with lowered eyes, making it entirely impossible to read his mood.

The banquet soon began, with the old Emperor accompanied by Empress Yan. The scenery in the flower hall was pleasant, aided by singing and dancing for entertainment. For a time, cups and dishes clinked together in a bustling, lively atmosphere.

Both Bai Su and Chen Tian had lined their stomachs before the martial arts tournament at the training grounds and didn’t feel hungry. However, the food at the banquet was exquisite and delicious, making it worth tasting.

Seeing that the others were busy drinking and chatting and wouldn’t notice him, Chen Tian loosened up and began picking up food for Bai Su according to his lover’s past preferences.

Bai Su thanked him for each dish, holding his chopsticks as he shot the man a somewhat suspicious look.

“What’s wrong? Are the dishes I picked not to your taste?” Chen Tian asked with a smile.

“No.” Bai Su shook his head. “Everything Your Highness has picked out is exactly what I like.”

He just didn’t understand how this man could know his preferences so intimately.

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Author’s Note:

Bai Su: How does he know my preferences so well? What is his motive?

Chen Tian: Wrong! You should be thinking: How does he know my preferences so well? He must be secretly in love with me!