OL CH6

Chen Tian could more or less guess what was going through Bai Su’s mind, yet he chose to say nothing, eager to preserve an air of mystery.

After all, countless books claimed that curiosity about someone was, more often than not, the very beginning of falling in love.

Deep down, he felt his lover inherently harbored affection for him anyway; they were soulmates whose spirits were intertwined, after all. Even so, the sensation of re-wooing and pampering him from scratch was utterly delightful.

Recalling how, when his own memories had been sealed as he traversed countless minor worlds, his partner had pursued and loved him unconditionally, making every single lifetime feel as sweet and blissful as soaking in a jar of honey, Chen Tian’s heart melted into pure warmth.

His gaze upon Bai Su deepened considerably, and his doting attentiveness grew even more solicitous. How could this person possibly be so wonderful?

The rest of the banquet proceeded smoothly without any further unpleasant incidents. The only thing that made Chen Tian slightly uncomfortable were the subtle, lingering glances cast his way from the female quarters.

Whenever he casually swept his eyes in that direction, quite a few maidens would flash shy, blushing smiles, sending cold sweat trickling down his forehead.

He was well aware of his striking, dashing appearance and noble status. Moreover, the original host had maintained an impeccably clean record at this age, preferring only to travel the scenic wilds and tinker with novel contraptions. He was indeed the ideal husband in the hearts of many young ladies—yet Chen Tian had not the slightest interest in any of them.

His wife was right beside him. If Xiao Bai were to mistakenly think he had a philandering nature, he wouldn’t even know where to go to cry his eyes out.

And so, he simply kept his head down, restricting his gaze entirely to the modest square foot of territory he shared with Bai Su. He steadfastly refused to cast a single glance at the singers and dancers, perfectly embodying the extreme self-discipline and sheer survival instincts of a paragon, twenty-four-filial devoted husband.

…Wait, why is Xiao Bai watching the dancers instead of looking at me?!

Chen Tian felt a twinge of mild grievance, entirely unaware that his intense, subconscious scrutiny had exerted an invisible pressure on Bai Su. Left with no other choice, Bai Su had simply glazed his eyes over, fixing his stare onto the performers in the center of the hall, without absorbing a single move he was actually watching.

At long last, they endured until the end of the banquet. Just as Chen Tian was debating whether to personally escort his darling wife back to the manor to foster their bond, bad news struck.

A palace attendant came over specifically to deliver an oral imperial decree: the Emperor commanded him to stay overnight in the palace, as His Majesty wished to have a long, intimate brotherly talk.

Looking up at the old Emperor, who was clearly tipsy and high-spirited at the head table, Chen Tian lamented inwardly.

Had this old drunkard not had enough, finishing one round only to drag him in as a conscript for round two?

Instead of hurrying back to the imperial harem to find your three thousand beauties, why summon an idle prince of a “cheap” son like King Ning?!

Depressed and utterly disgruntled, Chen Tian had no choice but to nod to the attendant waiting beside him. After parting reluctantly from Bai Su, he rose and followed the old Emperor back to the imperial bedchamber.

Sure enough, wine and delicacies were already laid out on the table inside.

“There were quite a few eligible maidens at today’s banquet. Did Chenye fancy any of them?” As soon as they entered, the old Emperor settled onto the couch, smiling genially at Chen Tian.

So the cheap father couldn’t resist nagging him to get married. As an ancient, overdue bachelor whose peers were already holding multiple children, Chen Tian supposed it was understandable.

As he mused, he heard Situ Hongshen continue, “I think Miss Yan Qingying from Prime Minister Yan’s household is quite fine—gentle, dignified, and a talented lady. She barely suffices to match a Prince like you.”

At these words, Chen Tian’s brow furrowed slightly.

At it again. Layers upon layers of probing. No wonder the original host had grown so chronically depressed.

Chen Tian caught the old Emperor’s drift immediately. Though this legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan manor had a decent reputation on the surface, she was of the Prime Minister’s bloodline. Empress Yan had previously made several indirect attempts to install Yan Qingying as the Fifth Prince’s primary consort, only for Situ Hongshen to deflect them every time.

It appeared the old Emperor had realized the maternal clan’s reach was overstepping, and unwilling to let them meddle further with the Fifth Prince, he had thought of this idle prince instead.

Yet deliberately entangling him in political power struggles was, in its own right, a manifestation of suspicion.

If he truly possessed no hidden ambitions, having Yan Qingying by his side would achieve nothing. But if he did, his next step would inevitably be an attempt to seize power.

Even if the Yan family would certainly favor the Fifth Prince for now, ambition was a weed that grew all too easily. Who could predict the future?

Unfortunately, Situ Hongshen’s calculated scheming was entirely wasted on Chen Tian.

He already had a lover for all eternity; he would never be fickle and take another. And even if it weren’t him in this body, the original host would never have agreed to marry Yan Qingying either.

The reason was simple. The original host had been born a cutsleeve.

This was precisely why the original host had harbored such melancholy and remained unmarried at his age.

In Xiling, male love was not widely accepted. If word got out that he favored men, it would amount to an imperial scandal, so the original host had no choice but to endure in silence. Yet, unwilling to marry the daughter of a good household only to leave her living like a widow, he had persistently refused to wed—proving himself a man of conscience.

While the original host had been burdened by countless reservations, Chen Tian had none. Understanding the mindset of those in power, he simply shook his head in outright refusal.

Seeing this, Situ Hongshen’s brow knitted tightly. “Chenye, why do you dodge the matter every time? Your estate does not even possess a single bedmaid. Could it be…”

Yes, you guessed right. I like men, Chen Tian thought.

“…Could it be that something is amiss with your body? Should Zhen summon an imperial physician to examine you?!”

Chen Tian: “…”

“It is nothing like that, Imperial Brother. This subject-brother’s health is as sound as can be,” Chen Tian replied helplessly.

The old Emperor was puzzled. “Then why?”

Chen Tian adopted a candid expression. “Imperial Brother, to tell you the truth, this subject-brother is a cutsleeve.”

“Nonsense! How could that be? Do not utter such absurdities to fool Zhen!”

A look of sheer shock flashed across Situ Hongshen’s face, though suspicion outweighed it.

Chen Tian offered a bitter smile. “Imperial Brother, were it not so, why would I have reached this age without even a single bedmaid by my side? It is truly that I hold not the slightest interest in women.”

The old Emperor’s fury was entirely within expectations. While the original host might have feared this wrath, Chen Tian couldn’t care less.

Sure enough, hearing Chen Tian’s explanation and recalling King Ning’s age—along with his cold indifference toward the countless noble ladies who had made advances over the years…

“Is this the truth?”

Looking at Chen Tian’s demeanor, Situ Hongshen believed seven or eight tenths of it. This indeed made an imperial betrothal untenable; if King Ning truly was a cutsleeve, handing down a marriage edict wouldn’t be forging an alliance, but forging a blood feud.

Moreover, Chen Tian noticed a faint wave of relief wash over the Emperor’s eyes once he believed it. After all, a cutsleeve could never, under any circumstances, inherit the throne.

Seizing the momentum, Chen Tian spoke earnestly, “Every word Chenye speaks is true, Imperial Father!”

“You… what did you call me?!”

Hearing that form of address, Situ Hongshen felt a jolt run through his heart.

This was the very first time he had heard this child call him “Imperial Father,” even though the true nature of their relationship had long been known to both of them. Looking upon that face so reminiscent of his beloved, the lingering anger from moments ago vanished like smoke.

“Imperial Father,” Chen Tian called out softly. “Though my distaste for women is something that cannot be altered, this child knows his place. I wish only to fulfill my duties. Even if I must live out my life in solitude, I will never bring shame to Imperial Father!”

Gazing at the man opposite him—looking so aggrieved yet brimming with filial reverence—Situ Hongshen felt a sharp pang in his chest.

Recalling how this child had inadvertently learned the truth of his parentage years ago, only for his temperament to shift drastically from a peerless talent to an idle wastrel, Situ Hongshen realized this had simply been the boy’s way of declaring his lack of ambition for power.

At the root of it all, it was his own fault. His greatest fear was that the illicit karma he had forged in his youth had rebounded onto his innocent child.

At this thought, the old Emperor felt an overwhelming surge of pity for Chen Tian.

He had always genuinely loved King Ning, yet no amount of fatherly affection could ever surpass imperial authority. Now, having learned this truth, he was relieved, but how could he bear to let his own flesh and blood grow old in cold solitude?

With a heart steeped in guilt and a yearning to make amends, Situ Hongshen pondered for a moment before speaking, “Enough, Imperial Father understands. If you take a fancy to the young master of any household, Zhen will bestow a marriage upon you!”

“Imperial Father!”

Witnessing the shock and joy plastered across Chen Tian’s face, the corners of the Emperor’s mouth twitched into a smile, his mood considerably improved. Once he made peace with the thought, it didn’t seem like such a terrible ordeal after all. He asked naturally, “Do you have a man you fancy at present?”

“Not… not yet. This child merely seeks someone with whom my heart resonates as one.” Saying this, Chen Tian deliberately feigned a touch of bashful embarrassment.

Seeing the faint blush on his son’s face, Situ Hongshen’s feelings grew rather complicated.

Wait… so when the time comes, rather than taking in a daughter-in-law, am I marrying off a ‘daughter’?!

He scrutinized Chen Tian closely. Though the man possessed narrow, captivatingly handsome eyes with an edge of dominance, and carried an imposing frame, his skin was porcelain-fair and delicate. He usually wore a faint smile, treating others with gentle magnanimity, and exuded an airy elegance when seated quietly. It truly was hard to say… The Emperor grew increasingly certain that Chen Tian was telling the gospel truth.

Coughing several times to mask the turbulent waves in his chest, the old Emperor hastily waved him over to drink wine together.

After several cups, Situ Hongshen recalled another matter and asked, “I heard you drilled several juniors at the martial arena today?”

Chen Tian nodded. “Imperial Father, you are perhaps spoiling Chen’er a bit too much. Chen’er is clever and has fine potential, but he must be properly guided.”

Rarely seeing King Ning speak with such righteous conviction, the old Emperor straightened his posture as well.

He knew Chen Tian was right. The attendants had already reported everything that transpired at Lan Garden and the martial grounds to him.

The Emperor enjoyed pleasure, yes, and his court had leaned excessively toward civil over military pursuits in recent years, but the surprise raid by Great Yan a few years prior had struck like a blow to the head, jolting him awake.

Yet he was old now, never adept at political machinations to begin with, and with Prime Minister Yan’s maternal faction monopolizing court affairs, he often found his strength failing his will.

He knew deep down that the Fifth Prince was the most likely candidate to succeed the throne, and fortunately, the boy possessed good character. He only hoped that when the time came, the prince would not be constrained by his mother’s clan, but become a truly enlightened sovereign.

After going through this honest exchange, father and son had truly opened their hearts to one another. Seeing Chen Tian care so deeply about the guidance of the imperial princes and the future of Xiling, the old Emperor was deeply gratified, his trust in him deepening all the more.

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Author’s Note:

The Emperor: So, which family’s young master should Zhen choose to be my royal son’s husband? 

Chen Tian: …