OL CH63

Seeing Chen Tian take the sword meant for him, Young General Qi’s face turned completely pale with shock. However, it was too late to withdraw his attack.

Even though he managed to pull back some of his strength, the blade still slashed a large gash across Chen Tian’s back. Fortunately, the wound was not deep, but the blood pouring out made it look rather terrifying.

It all happened too fast. Before Bai Su’s vision even cleared, he was shielded by the person next to him. Hearing the muffled groan from above, his heart turned completely cold.

“Tianchen!” Bai Su cried out in alarm.

He had never imagined the person beside him would take a sword for him. Instantly breaking free from Chen Tian’s embrace, seeing the arm-length gash, he was frightened out of his wits.

Regaining his senses, Bai Su tightly supported Chen Tian. With red-rimmed eyes, he said frantically, “Quick, let’s go! Get in the carriage, I’ll take you to see a doctor right now!”

How could Chen Tian not sense Bai Su’s panic? Not wanting his partner to be afraid, he hurriedly patted Bai Su’s arm and comforted him, “Suzhi, I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound. Don’t worry. A simple bandage when we get back will suffice. I remember there’s a medicine chest in the carriage.”

Although Chen Tian’s voice was a bit weak, he seemed to be fine overall, which allowed Bai Su to calm down slightly.

Then, turning his head, he looked at the stunned Pei Meng and Young General Qi, and said, “I will explain things to you two later. What happened today must not be told to anyone else.”

Chen Tian’s gaze was stern. Only after seeing the two men agree did he allow Bai Su to support him towards the carriage, completely ignoring the two men left standing there in conflicted silence.

Throughout the journey back, Bai Su’s heart was in turmoil. He carefully supported Chen Tian, deeply worried about his injury. Fortunately, the carriage wasn’t far, and they soon got inside.

Once inside the carriage, with the curtain drawn, Bai Su was about to say something when he was suddenly pulled into an embrace by the man opposite him.

Immediately after, a searing kiss was planted on his lips.

Chen Tian kissed his sweetheart gently, softly patting Bai Su’s back as if trying to soothe his emotions.

Bai Su had already been highly emotional, merely holding it back. Now, being treated so gently by Chen Tian, his already red-rimmed eyes truly spilled tears.

A cold teardrop slid down his cheek and landed on the back of Chen Tian’s hand.

Chen Tian quickly lifted his head. Seeing his lover’s tear-stained face, he hugged him tightly and whispered, “It’s okay, don’t be afraid!

Baby, don’t be afraid. I’m right here! I will stay with you forever. Be good, don’t be scared.”

It was the gentlest tone, like coaxing a clueless child. And at this moment, Bai Su truly felt like a child, sinking deeply into Chen Tian’s embrace.

He cried intensely, ignoring all notions of etiquette and disregarding what he looked like right now. It was as if he wanted to vent all the emotions he had suppressed in his heart over the past year.

But he ultimately kept Chen Tian’s injury in mind. So, after crying for a while, he hurriedly broke free and said, “Your wound! You have a wound on your back!”

“I told you, it’s just a flesh wound.”

Chen Tian spoke helplessly, but seeing Bai Su’s expression, he knew that if he didn’t let him treat the wound, the young man would never find peace.

So, he had no choice but to take off his robe and turn around, letting Bai Su inspect the wound on his back.

However, what Chen Tian didn’t know was that what he considered a flesh wound was truly terrifying to Bai Su.

Blood had spread across his entire back. The sharp blade had slashed open his flesh, and because Chen Tian had been busy comforting Bai Su without minding his movements, the flesh at some spots was flayed outwards grotesquely.

Seeing such an injury, Bai Su couldn’t stop the hot tears from welling up again.

He had never known he was such a crybaby. But this had nothing to do with losing face; he simply couldn’t control his emotions in front of this person.

He had always thought he was the one controlling this person over the past year, but thinking about it now, he was completely wrong. His own heart had long been entirely controlled by the other party.

Sniffling, Bai Su hurriedly dug out the medicine chest in the carriage. He took out a bottle of premium hemostatic powder and, as if it cost nothing, poured the entire bottle onto Chen Tian’s wound. Then, taking white cloth from the chest, he carefully bandaged it for him.

Only when the wound was completely covered by cloth strips did Bai Su remember to tell the driver outside to hurry and return to the estate at top speed to fetch a physician.

It was only after the physician arrived and confirmed that Chen Tian’s back wound indeed hadn’t harmed the bones or tendons—and that such a flesh wound would heal completely with two months of rest—that Bai Su finally relaxed.

Nevertheless, he had the physician prescribe plenty of blood-nourishing and wound-healing medicine, ordering the servants to prepare medicated meals for Chen Tian every day.

Once the physician left, only the two of them remained in the room.

Lying on his stomach, Chen Tian watched Bai Su return to his side, looking at his back with heartache but not daring to touch it. So, he simply reached out, grabbed Bai Su’s wrist, and pulled him close.

“Suzhi, I sincerely want to spend the rest of my life with you. If you feel insecure, then it’s fine if I don’t become this Emperor.

I know you are very capable, baby. With your talent, you can definitely govern Dongye extremely well. You’ve worked so hard this past year. I was afraid of making you feel uneasy, which is why I never said these things before.”

As Chen Tian spoke, he affectionately reached out to smooth a stray lock of hair at Bai Su’s temple, then stroked his cheek before continuing, “As for what happened today, if you’re worried Pei Meng and the others might speak of it, leave it entirely to me. I will convince them.

I stayed voluntarily, and no one can make me leave. So stop worrying, alright?”

The gentle words felt like warm sunlight, enveloping Bai Su’s riddled heart, soothing and healing him bit by bit.

So he knew. He had known all along!

He knew of his worries, and he knew of the deep-seated fears in his heart.

He was clearly the one who had been wronged, so why was he the one offering comfort instead?

Bai Su clenched his fists, pressing his lips tightly together. Thinking of his imprisonment of this man over the past period, he felt increasingly ashamed.

The love his sweetheart held for him was so sincere and fervent, yet he had never been able to erase his own suspicions and fears, forcing this man into such a state.

The man he loved was the Emperor of Dongye. He was supposed to stand at the absolute pinnacle, looking down on the world. Yet, he had confined him to the inner courtyards, treating him like a pet completely dependent on others.

If it were anyone else, they would never have endured such humiliation. Yet, this person seemed to accept it gladly.

Why must he sacrifice so much for him?!

It turned out that over this past year or so, every sweet moment they shared had come from the bottom of his heart.

Compared to Tianchen, his own love was so selfish and unworthy. How could someone like him be worthy of a lover who treated him with such true sincerity?!

“Tianchen, I’m sorry!”

Choking on a sob, Bai Su sat on his knees beside the bed. Resting his head on the back of Chen Tian’s hand, he wept silently.

Once upon a time, the brilliant and strategic favored son of heaven—the ultimate authority figure who, in the eyes of all, stood below one person and above ten thousand as the Prime Minister of the dynasty—revealed his most fragile side.

Bai Su despised himself inwardly. If a love like this couldn’t be trusted, then he truly didn’t know what else in this world was worthy of trust.

Chen Tian could sense Bai Su’s self-reproach and pain, but he couldn’t bear to let him continue like this. The past was in the past. He knew that from this moment on, their hearts would be drawn even closer.

Reaching out to cup Bai Su’s face, Chen Tian gently kissed away the tears on his cheeks, then whispered in his ear, “Baby, I got hurt for you. How are you going to repay me?”

“Huh?”

Still immersed in his sorrow, Bai Su was stunned. He lifted his head and looked blankly at Chen Tian.

He saw the other flash a thoroughly innocent smile. Reaching out to touch Bai Su’s lips, he murmured softly, “Suzhi, I want compensation. I have a wound on my back; I can’t lie flat. Baby, do you remember a couple of days ago when we were painting in the room, I sat on the chair, and then you…”

Having been subjected to a certain someone’s roguish behavior for over a year, Bai Su immediately caught his drift, and his ears instantly burned red. Hesitantly, he said, “But, your wound…”

Chen Tian knew instantly that there was a chance. He leaned in, thick-skinned, and nibbled his sweetheart’s ear. “We can just be a little careful. Okay, baby? Please!”

Seeing Chen Tian’s eager, pleading look, not only Bai Su’s ears but his entire neck turned red. He had no choice but to quickly nod in agreement.

The heat in the room rolled like waves. When the clouds and rain finally subsided, Bai Su collapsed beside Chen Tian in sheer exhaustion.

Looking at the satiated man carefully trying to please him, Bai Su felt for the first time that he had been played.

And to think he had always assumed this man was just pretending to go along with him to make him lower his guard so he could escape.

Pah!

This guy was nothing but a massive pervert! Over the past year, he had probably lived more comfortably than anyone else!

Having finally helped his partner untie the knot in his heart, Chen Tian felt the sword slash he took was entirely worth it.

And just as he expected, the very next day, Young General Qi and Pei Meng came knocking, claiming they wanted to visit Prime Minister Bai.

Although they said they were visiting Prime Minister Bai, it was glaringly obvious who they truly wanted to see.

Looking at Chen Tian, who was lying on his stomach on the bed recovering from his injury, Young General Qi felt a rare surge of intense guilt.

His sword strike had landed squarely on the current Emperor’s back. As long as His Majesty said the word, his head would truly roll. He was filled with profound regret.

As for their realization that the person in the grand hall was an imposter, Chen Tian managed to gloss over it with just a few sentences.

He merely claimed that government affairs were too tiring every day, so for boring palace banquets like that, he simply found a stand-in. This way, he had the chance to go out and enjoy some romance with his lover.

In passing, he also came out of the closet to his confidants.

Knowing the relationship between the Emperor and the Prime Minister shocked Young General Qi and Pei Meng, but they didn’t offer any blunt admonishments. After all, both the Emperor and the Prime Minister possessed genuine capability.

Furthermore, having just slashed the Emperor, did they dare speak out of turn? Did they think they had lived too long?!

With 009’s help, after a month of rest, Chen Tian’s body completely recovered, and the drug that caused his limbs to be weak was completely neutralized.

With Bai Su’s help, swapping the fake Emperor out was as easy as pie.

In fact, the fake Emperor practically wanted to beat gongs and drums in joyous celebration as he threw away this hot potato of a job.

He was originally an opera singer from Jiangnan. Because he bore a slight resemblance to Huo Tianchen—and their builds, in particular, were indistinguishable—he had accidentally caught Bai Su’s eye.

Bai Su had bought his freedom from the opera troupe and brought his parents from the countryside, keeping them comfortably housed as hostages. Naturally, the man didn’t dare disobey Bai Su.

But having little education and zero understanding of state affairs, he felt incredibly guilty every time he attended court, constantly living in fear that his cover would be blown and his life forfeited.

So now that the real Emperor had finally returned, the fake practically wept tears of joy.

Bai Su gave him some silver and sent him off to reunite with his parents.

After spending a few days reacquainting himself with government affairs behind the scenes, Chen Tian returned to the imperial court.

Sitting on the dragon throne, the very first thing Chen Tian did was announce in the grand hall that due to an injury sustained in past battles, he was now impotent.

In order not to ruin the lives of daughters from good families, he decided to dismiss the inner palace, refuse all concubines, and directly select a few children from the royal clan to raise as heirs.

Chen Tian’s words sent the court into an uproar. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to admonish him. But how could they? The Emperor had stated with absolute certainty that he was impotent—which meant even the imperial physicians were powerless to cure him.

To still force the Emperor to take concubines and place them in the inner palace… weren’t they just deliberately embarrassing His Majesty?

Therefore, the ministers cast subtle, sympathetic glances at their exceedingly heroic Emperor, chose to keep their mouths firmly shut, and decided never to bring the matter up again.

Standing at the head of the civil officials, Bai Su stared blankly at his lover on the dragon throne, touched beyond words.

He knew the man had said this entirely for his sake.

Over the past year or so, many ministers had submitted memorials requesting an imperial draft for concubines. Bai Su had found excuses for the fake Emperor to decline them, but that was never a permanent solution.

But now, to remain faithful to their love, this man had actually slapped the label of impotence on himself, completely disregarding his own dignity.

One could only imagine just how deep his feelings for him truly were!

In this lifetime, Chen Tian once again lived an incredibly happy life with his lover. The two became a wise ruler and capable minister recorded in the annals of history.

The only regret was that neither of these famous historical figures left behind any heirs.

However, a few unofficial histories recorded that Dongye’s wisest Emperor, Huo Tianchen, and history’s greatest Prime Minister, Bai Su, were actually lovers.

Though of the same sex, they spent their entire lives deeply in love with only each other, their devotion unwavering until death.