OL CH9

Along the way, Bai Su and Chen Tian chatted pleasantly together.

In truth, Bai Su was never a talkative person; even in the army, he had mostly been a man of few words. Fortunately, Chen Tian knew how to initiate topics. Knowing his lover had spent his life in the military barracks and held deep affection for the armed forces, he used that as his primary point of entry.

Once Bai Su relaxed and opened up, Chen Tian shifted to telling him about the fascinating local customs and landscapes from other regions of Xiling.

Bai Su had never known King Ning possessed such eloquence; under his descriptions, those distant sights felt as vivid as if one were standing right in their midst. The man was well-traveled and knowledgeable, recounting countless intriguing anecdotes Bai Su had never heard before, leaving him listening with growing enchantment.

Regrettably, the journey was not long, and they soon arrived at Shuxiang Pavilion.

Noticing the lingering craving for more in Bai Su’s eyes, Chen Tian curled the corners of his lips in satisfaction.

“Heir, why don’t we head to a private room first and chat over food?”

Hearing this, Bai Su nodded and went upstairs with him.

While escorting Bai Su up the stairs, Chen Tian caught sight of the little plump bird in his sea of consciousness looking at him hesitatingly. Chen Tian raised an eyebrow: 009, speak your mind. Is something wrong?

The little plump bird curled its tiny claws in a humanlike gesture: Nothing is wrong, Boss! It’s just… why didn’t you directly have the Emperor issue a decree stating you want to marry the Heir? With official status, it would be so much easier for us to operate! I’m sure the Heir wouldn’t refuse!

Of course we can’t do that, Chen Tian replied, his eyes downcast.

Let me ask you. From the moment I arrived in this minor world until now, how long have Bai Su and I known each other?

Ah? 009 paused for a moment before the realization dawned: Two days. Counting today, it’s only been two days.

That was indeed far too fast. 009 realized that having grown used to seeing the Boss and Mr. Bai’s mutual devotion, it had somewhat overlooked the fact that Mr. Bai retained no memories in this minor world.

Seeing that 009 understood, Chen Tian sighed: It’s not just that the time is too short. More importantly, male romance is not customary in Xiling; harmony between yin and yang is regarded as the only proper path. Male concubines and male attendants exist on occasion, but they are viewed merely as playthings who please others with their looks.

Xiao Bai is currently in a vulnerable position. If I had the old Emperor issue a decree to force-marry him, even if he couldn’t defy the imperial edict, for a dignified Heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate, it would be an immense humiliation. Others would look down on him and make him the laughingstock of all Xiling!

At this point, Chen Tian fell silent, though his gaze trailing Bai Su’s back held unmistakable heartache and tenderness.

He cherished his lover like a priceless pearl; how could he bear to let others view him that way?

What Chen Tian left unsaid was that the original host and Bai Su had crossed paths before, meaning he couldn’t simply claim it was love at first sight. Bai Su’s accident had occurred long ago, back when Chen Tian had not yet entered this world, and King Ning had never shown a shred of concern back then.

Suddenly befriending him was already somewhat abrupt; if he confessed his feelings on top of that, it would appear even more suspicious. Knowing his lover’s sharp intellect, he feared it would only make Bai Su raise his guard against him.

Furthermore, even if Bai Su held some favorable impressions of him now, after losing his memories and casting his soul into a minor world, he would inevitably be influenced by this world’s norms.

Chen Tian had no certainty that his lover could immediately break through those constraints to accept his feelings. Therefore, he preferred to take things step by step.

He would wait until the water flowed and the canal formed—until the person he loved stood at the pinnacle once more.

When that time came, no one under the heavens would dare utter a single word against them!

He figured that once Bai Su woke and regained his memories in the future, every bit of this past would become new, romantic, and wonderful memories between them.

Chen Tian consoled himself inwardly; for the person he loved most, he possessed boundless patience.

However, ideals and reality were forever at war…

When the man lavishly ordered every signature dish in the restaurant and watched the young man opposite him eating until his lips were bright red, he couldn’t resist swallowing hard.

Dammit, what ‘proceed step by step’! What ‘romantic and wonderful memories’!

Right now, he only wanted to pin the man down and make rated-R memories!

Pressing the tip of his tongue against his back molars, Chen Tian mentally wiped away a handful of bitter tears for himself, then dutifully resumed fawning over his sweetheart.

He muttered inwardly: Eat, eat, it’s all your favorite food. The happier you are eating, the more you’ll love me. Better yet, let favorability skyrocket a thousand miles a day—confess tomorrow and enter the bridal chamber the day after!

Bai Su had no idea the gentle, courteous gentleman before him was currently packed to the brim with dirty fantasies.

He had few friends and didn’t know how to flatter others. Being cared for like this, aside from expressing gratitude, he could only bury his head in eating the food on his plate.

Delicious food always lifted one’s spirits. Tasting the signature beef in front of him—savory, spicy, and perfectly paired with a unique specialty sauce. Even the rice was translucent and intensely fragrant; chewing carefully, one could occasionally taste crisp, tender water chestnuts hidden within.

Bai Su’s appetite was thoroughly piqued. By the time Chen Tian collected his thoughts and began conversing about anything and everything again, the meal concluded with both host and guest thoroughly pleased.

After finishing their meal, the two went to the lakeside to enjoy the scenery, lingering until very late before Chen Tian finally escorted Bai Su back.

Everyone in the Marquis’s estate had already retired to their courtyards. Perhaps intimidated by King Ning’s formidable prestige, no one came looking for trouble with Bai Su.

When he returned to his quarters, Xuan Er, dressed as an errand boy, immediately bounded over, saying with delight: “Master, after you left today, the Marquis gave that Bai Feizhang a furious tongue-lashing, slapped him across the face, and grounded him for five days!”

Before Xuan Er could finish, Xuan Wu, dressed in black, flipped in through the window, pulled down his face mask, rolled his eyes, and sneered: “It’s merely five days of grounding. Which of Master’s punishments wasn’t far harsher than Bai Feizhang’s? The Marquis is completely biased.”

After speaking, ignoring the sullen Xuan Er, Xuan Wu bowed respectfully to Bai Su, retrieved two letters from his breast pocket, and handed them over.

One was a personal letter from Vice General Liu. Aside from thanking him for the funds and supplies sent over, it reported that all was peaceful at the border and urged him to take good care of his health.

However, the other letter contained detailed reports sent back by the Iron Xuan Guards he had secretly dispatched to investigate the border city, which painted a picture far less optimistic than what Vice General Liu claimed.

He knew it—with Great Yan and the frontier tribes growing restless, how could it truly be peaceful? Vice General Liu and the others merely knew of his difficult circumstances in the capital and didn’t want him to worry excessively.

The Iron Xuan Guards were a unit personally established by Old Marquis Bai. Having guarded the frontier for decades, he had taken in countless orphans and homeless children. Those with sound bones and upright character were either inducted into the army as elites, while the rest were meticulously trained into the Iron Xuan Guards.

Though fewer than five thousand in number, every single one was skilled in martial arts and possessed diverse specialized skills, many having infiltrated various trades and walks of life.

Having received immense grace from the Old Marquis—it could be said that without his nurturing, they wouldn’t exist today—they were unswervingly loyal, answering only to Bai Su and the Xuan Iron Token.

Very few knew of the Iron Xuan Guards; even Bai Heguang was unaware of the specifics. On his deathbed, the Old Marquis had directly passed the token into Bai Su’s hands.

After all, back when the Bai family’s influence was vast, even while remaining loyal to the sovereign, the Old Marquis understood the necessity of leaving an escape route for his own family.

After reading both letters, Bai Su sighed and instructed Xuan Wu to dispatch another small detachment of Iron Xuan Guards to the frontier. At critical moments, they could reveal themselves to heed the commands of Vice General Liu and General Shang.

Seeing the worry on Bai Su’s face and knowing he was anxious about border affairs, Xuan Er hurriedly added: “Master, rest assured. Battle should not break out at the frontier in the short term. Besides, that lad Old Eighteen made contact with the imperial merchants; he said a massive shipment of supplies and silver will be transported there very soon!”

Hearing this, Bai Su nodded, exchanged a few more words with them, then dismissed them and lay down to rest. At present, he and his subordinates could only do what was within their means.

In the days that followed, accompanied by Chen Tian, Bai Su’s life became exceptionally delightful; meeting each other became a daily routine.

Whenever he had free time, Chen Tian would always find ways to invite Bai Su out. Outings, casual conversations, tasting tea, drinking wine—they swiftly became bosom friends.

Even their forms of address evolved from “Your Highness” and “Heir” to “Chenye” and “Zisu.”

“Zisu, this is a jar of peach blossom wine I newly acquired, wheedled out of Royal Brother himself. They say it’s exceptionally mellow and fragrant. I pestered him for quite some time before he granted me this single jar—come, let’s taste it!”

As Chen Tian spoke, he poured a cup of wine for Bai Su.

Zisu was Bai Su’s courtesy name, but ever since the Old Marquis passed away, no one had called him that anymore.

Bai Su didn’t know what mindset had driven him to reveal his courtesy name to King Ning; he only knew that every time the man addressed him that way, it felt as though he were soaking in warm water after drinking.

Before the wine even touched his lips, he was already intoxicated.

Looking at the pink liquor in the cup, he raised it and drained it in one gulp. The taste was sweet and crisp, and after a moment, an indefinable warmth surged through his entire body.

The man opposite him had curved eyes and a smiling face, gazing at him with tender devotion, his narrow phoenix eyes brimming with seemingly endless affection.

Bai Su’s heart felt as though falling peach blossoms had drifted into a calm lake, stirring ripples of sparkling light.

Looking at Chen Tian, who was comfortably gazing at the scenery outside the window, Bai Su’s eyes deepened. His entire heart felt trapped in a dense, inescapable net—a faint trace of sweetness accompanied by infinite sorrow and yearning, wandering in his heart.

For some reason, he had lost his heart so effortlessly.

He was never a reckless man. Yet from that single breathtaking glimpse that day, he had thought of him day after day. He had initially believed it was merely temporary, never imagining he would truly sink deeper and deeper into it.

Yet everything seemed to have been foretold.

With a man like King Ning, if he deliberately showed favor, who could possibly resist falling?

Drinking another cup of wine, Bai Su shielded the bitterness at the corner of his lips behind the cup.

He was nothing more than a disfigured cripple, clinging empty-handed to the mere title of Heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s estate. Even if he were still as spirited and dashing as in former years, he wouldn’t dare claim he matched King Ning’s celestial grace—let alone now.

At the thought that Chenye would have a beautiful lady by his side in the future, sharing a lifetime together, his chest felt as if torn open with a gaping hole, leaving him in agonizing torment.

The dark ink in his eyes grew increasingly dense. He had never coveted power or wealth, always believing himself free of earthly desires.

He had never expected that a day would come when he would yearn for something so desperately!