Chapter 50 Actually, I have no feelings for women…

Lin Yan lay limply on the bed, not wanting to move at all.

No, at this moment he was no longer Lin Yan, but rather a piece of melted malt candy, which is why he was stuck to the bed. It had absolutely nothing to do with his willpower.

After returning home from the bustling night market, Lin Yan struggled to take a shower. It was quite an achievement that he could lie down on the bed by himself; as someone who works in an office, his physical fitness was really not that great.

I slept soundly for a long time, and when I woke up, the sun was shining brightly outside the window, clearly past noon.

Lin Yan sat up in a daze, rubbing his head which felt like it was covered in paste. Just as he was about to stretch, he suddenly felt a cool sensation in his lower body, a subtle feeling.

Looking down, the unmistakable coolness and slightly sticky residue on his underwear instantly sobered him up completely.

"Damn it?" Lin Yan cursed under his breath, his face burning.

Last night's bizarre dream immediately flooded back into my mind in fragments.

In his dream, Lin Yan fell in love, something he had never done in either his past or present life. He never imagined that his first experience of falling in love would happen in a dream.

As Lin Yan drifted into his dream, it was as if he had fallen into an ancient scroll painting rendered in warm sunlight and soft colors. Everything was shrouded in a soft light, clear yet hazy, as if seen through a veil of morning dew.

The season in my dream seemed to be warm spring, with gentle but not scorching sunshine, and the air filled with the sweet fragrance of peach blossoms and the fresh scent of sun-warmed grass.

The place where Lin Yan and her "lover" were located was a boundless peach blossom forest, with branches covered in a riot of pink, white and crimson blossoms. When the wind blew, a shower of petals would fall from the sky, as unreal as the dream itself.

In the distance, there is the sound of flowing water, and further away, the outline of hazy, undulating green mountains.

The "lover" was half a head taller than Lin Yan, with a straight figure and smooth shoulder line. In the dream, Lin Yan had to tilt his head slightly to meet the eye. However, the "lover's" face was like a mosaic, making it impossible to see clearly, so it was impossible to even tell whether it was male or female.

They were flying a kite together. The other person's hands were large, warm and dry. Occasionally, they would cover Lin Yan's hand and pull on the string to adjust the direction. Lin Yan could feel the deep laughter coming from the other person's chest, pleasant and relaxed, but the laughter seemed to come from a very distant underwater place, and he couldn't make out the specific timbre.

The scene shifts to a crystal-clear stream, where sunlight casts shimmering golden light on the water's surface.

The two sat side by side on a large, cushioned rock, sharing a fishing rod.

Lin Yan's attention wasn't on the fishing float at all; instead, he tilted his head, trying to make out the profile of the person next to him. But it was as if he was looking through a layer of flowing light and mist, and he could only catch a glimpse of the superior jawline and the corners of his lips that always seemed to be slightly upturned.

Occasionally, the other person would turn their head to look at him. Even if the gaze was blurry, it carried a focus and tenderness that made Lin Yan's heart race. He could feel the other person's body temperature coming through the thin clothes, a reassuring yet heart-fluttering warmth.

A large, plain-colored mat was spread out under the peach tree, covered with various exquisite pastries, fruits, and a pot of sake.

The other person thoughtfully served Lin Yan food, offering him deboned fish or peeled fruit.

Her fingertips would occasionally brush against Lin Yan's lips unintentionally, bringing a tingling, electric-like sensation.

They seemed to be talking, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, but I couldn't remember a single word of what they said after I woke up. All that remained was a sweet atmosphere of being completely understood and accepted.

After a hearty meal and drinks, the warm breeze made one feel intoxicated.

They lay side by side on the mat, their heads very close together.

Peach petals kept falling, landing on their hair, eyebrows, and clothes.

The other person reached out and gently brushed away the petals from Lin Yan's nose, the movement as gentle as if handling a rare treasure, the warmth of the fingertips lingering on the skin with an exceptionally clear sensation.

Then, instead of withdrawing, the hand grasped Lin Yan's hand, and their fingers slowly intertwined.

Lin Yan could feel the other person's steady and strong pulse beating through their skin, mingling with his own gradually accelerating heartbeat.

The final fragments of a dream are the most blurry and the most intense.

The light and shadow became ambiguous, and the fragrance of peach blossoms grew stronger.

Lin Yan was pulled into the other person's arms, an embrace that was broad and warm, carrying a unique and intoxicating fragrance.

A gentle, butterfly-like touch landed on his forehead, his eyelids, and perhaps finally on his lips.

The touch was warm and soft, like a petal falling, so light it was almost an illusion, yet it ignited a deeper, unfamiliar longing and trembling.

Lin Yan did not resist; on the contrary, she was inclined to become immersed in it, her body relaxed, and her consciousness floating in the boundless pink mist.

...

Lin Yan sighed, rubbing his forehead.

He must have been holding back for too long, even his dreams are so colorful.

This was the first time in my two lifetimes that I had a wet dream, and I must say, it tasted pretty good.

Lin Yan didn't take it too seriously; after all, it was a physiological phenomenon, and understanding was key.

He nimbly rolled out of bed, found a clean pair of pants to change into, and then crumpled up the dirty ones and stuffed them into a corner, planning to secretly wash them later—although there were many servants in the house now, it was safer to do such a private matter involving a man's dignity himself.

After changing my clothes, my stomach started growling.

Lin Yan staggered out of the room with unsteady steps, only to find out that everyone in the family had already eaten lunch. So she simply asked the kitchen to make her a bowl of meat sauce noodles.

The noodles were chewy, and the meat sauce was savory. After slurping down a bowl, I finally felt the grogginess from oversleeping subside.

Just as he put down his bowl, a commotion came from the front yard. Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, came in to report that the Marquis of Yongjia and his wife had arrived.

Lin Yan didn't think much of it, treating it as just a normal visit.

His parents had already gone out to greet him, but he was too lazy to move, so he continued to slump in the chair to digest his food. His mind was still replaying that absurd dream, and he wondered what his "lover" in the dream actually looked like. It was a pity he hadn't seen her clearly.

In the front hall, after exchanging pleasantries, Lady Yongjia, holding a teacup, spoke with a warm smile: "Madam Lin, my husband and I have come here today because we have a joyous occasion to discuss with you and Lord Lin."

Wen Yun asked in confusion, "What makes you say that, Madam?"

Their family had no connection with the Yongjia Marquis's family.

Their only connection was last night in the palace, when Lin Yan saved Zhao Wanru.

"We see that our young master Lin Yan is already a Hanlin scholar at such a young age, and he is deeply favored by the Emperor. He is truly a promising young man with a handsome appearance." The Lady of the Marquis first praised him, and then changed the subject, "It is also a matter of fate. At the palace banquet that day, my daughter Wanru accidentally lost her manners, and it was thanks to young master Lin that she was able to speak up and save the day. Our Yongjia Marquis family will remember this kindness."

Lin Chengji and Wen Yun exchanged a glance, a strong premonition rising between them.

Sure enough, Marquis Yongjia chimed in, "Indeed, Young Master Lin is of the highest caliber in terms of character and talent. My wife and I have been thinking that since Young Master Lin and my daughter are of similar age and have a history together, wouldn't it be a wonderful thing if they could become husband and wife?"

Lady Yongjia immediately nodded in agreement: "That's right, that's right. Although our Wanru is a bit impulsive, she has a very good heart and is quite pretty. If Lady Lin and Lord Lin don't mind, we would like to act as matchmakers for the two children. What do you two think?"

The smiles on Lin Chengji and Wen Yun's faces froze instantly.

Sure enough, when the Marquis of Yongjia and his wife saw that Zhao Wanru couldn't enter the palace, they set their sights on their own child.

They're supposed to be the same age? Sixteen and twenty-five, what kind of age is that?

Wen Yun immediately refused, saying, "My lord, my lady, we are truly grateful for your kindness, but that child Yan'er is so focused on official duties, constantly talking about wanting to share His Majesty's burdens, and hasn't grasped the concept at all."

Lin Chengji quickly chimed in, "Yes, my son is dull-witted and probably not worthy of the Marquis's daughter."

The smiles on the faces of the Marquis of Yongjia and his wife faded somewhat.

The Marquis frowned slightly: "Lord Lin, you are mistaken. Young Master Lin is a talented young man, how can you say he is not worthy of you? Could it be that you think our Yongjia Marquis's family is of low social standing..."

"No, no!" Lin Chengji quickly explained, "I had no such intention. It's just that matters between men and women cannot be decided solely by us parents. The child must also have the intention himself. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

Just then, Marquis Yongjia seemed to remember something and looked around: "Eh? Today is a day off, where is Young Master Lin? Did he go out to visit friends?"

Just as Lin Chengji was about to find an excuse to brush it off, Lady Yongjia smiled and said to the maid behind her, "Go and invite Young Master Lin over. It's good for young people to meet and talk to each other."

Wen Yun's expression immediately changed. Was the Lady of Yongjia Marquis starting to take charge of their household?

“Since Madam wishes to see him, then let him see him. However, if Yan’er has no intention of seeing him, please do not make things difficult for him.” Wen Yun said calmly, and waved her hand. A maid behind her understood and went to invite Lin Yan.

Lin Yan was slumped in his chair, pondering what to eat for dinner, when the nanny next to his mother rushed in like a whirlwind, her voice low and urgent: "Oh my young master, something terrible has happened up front!"

Lin Yan was startled: "What happened? Did the sky fall?"

"The Marquis of Yongjia and his wife are here! They say they think you and Miss Zhao are a match made in heaven and want to arrange a marriage between you two!" The nanny was sweating profusely. "The master and mistress are desperately trying to refuse, and they're almost at their breaking point!"

Lin Yan: "???"

Arranging a marriage? With Zhao Wanru? That time-traveling fellow villager who almost caused an accident while reciting poetry?

Lin Yan was instantly overwhelmed.

What does this even mean?!

He simply wanted to make a quick buck off his fellow villagers, how did it escalate to discussing marriage?

What's going on at the Yongjia Marquis's residence?

Is it because His Majesty favors him and he sees him as a rare commodity, so he wants to secure him as soon as possible?

"Don't worry, Granny." Lin Yan calmed down instead. "I'll go and meet them. Don't worry, I'll make sure they give up on that idea and leave politely on their own."

The old woman asked, "Oh? Young Master, you have an idea?" Seeing Lin Yan's sudden "troublemaking" aura, the old woman felt even more uncertain.

"Of course." Lin Yan straightened his robes. "Let's go and pay our respects to the Marquis's wife."

The atmosphere in the lobby was at its most delicate.

When the Marquis of Yongjia and his wife saw that the Lin family parents were making all sorts of excuses, their expressions became quite unpleasant.

Marquis Yongjia held his teacup, his tone indifferent: "Lord Lin, Madam Lin, while the young man's own wishes are important, the wishes of parents and the words of matchmakers are also the proper order. Young Master Lin's refusal, could it be that you feel our Marquis Yongjia's family is no longer worthy of the noble Lin family? Or do you have some dissatisfaction with my Wanru?"

Just as Lin Chengji was about to debate with Marquis Yongjia, Lin Yan arrived.

"No one in our Lin family has any complaints about Miss Zhao." Lin Yan walked into the front hall and greeted them politely. "Lord Marquis, Madam, I'm so sorry, I just woke up and was rude."

When Lady Yongjia saw Lin Yan arrive, she stopped arguing with Lin Chengji and Wen Yun and turned her attention to Lin Yan: "At yesterday's palace banquet, thanks to you, young master, you helped my daughter out of a difficult situation. My husband and I have come to express our gratitude, and we also feel that you and my daughter get along very well..."

Lin Yan raised his hand, signaling to Lady Yongjia not to worry.

“My lord, my lady, when it comes to compatibility and marriage… let’s be frank.” Lin Yan suddenly revealed a mysterious yet somewhat embarrassed expression. “There are some things my parents can’t say for fear of hurting our relationship, but I think we should be honest with you two to avoid jeopardizing Miss Zhao’s lifelong happiness.”

Lin Chengji and Wen Yun's eyelids twitched wildly.

The Marquis of Yongjia and his wife were also taken aback by Lin Yan's words: "What do you mean by that, Young Master Lin?"

Lin Yan took a deep breath, as if he had made a great decision, and lowered his voice, but it was enough for everyone in the hall to hear clearly: "Actually, I have no interest in women."

quiet.

A deathly silence.

Lin Chengji nearly dropped the teacup in his hand, and Wen Yun gasped, gripping her handkerchief tightly.

The Marquis of Yongjia and his wife were completely stunned, their eyes wide open as if they had heard some earth-shattering secret.

Lin Yan seemed oblivious to their shock and "kindly" explained further, his tone tinged with self-deprecation and a sense of resignation: "That's right, just as you two think. My heart can't hold a woman's affections; I only admire... cough cough, I only admire those heroic young men. So, it's not that Miss Zhao is bad; it's just that I'm fundamentally not right. Tell me, how could I marry and have children? Wouldn't that be ruining a good girl's life?"

As he spoke, he sighed wistfully, as if he were very regretful.

The Marquis of Yongjia and his wife understood.

I see! I see!

No wonder the Lin family made so many excuses!

No wonder Lin Yan, despite his young age and high position, is not interested in women!

No wonder His Majesty favors him so much...

Could it be that...

More alarming, secret speculations about His Majesty and the young minister before them flooded the minds of the Marquis of Yongjia and his wife, making them instantly break out in a cold sweat. How could they dare to have even the slightest thought of marriage?

This isn't a marriage alliance! It's practically dragging the whole family into a fire pit, brazenly defying His Majesty's wrath!

"I see." Marquis Yongjia suddenly stood up, his face flushed red and then pale, his voice trembling. "We were so abrupt! So offensive! Young Master Lin... uh... his aspirations are lofty and noble, beyond the reach of ordinary people! We would never dare to delay him!"

Lady Hou also stood up hurriedly, wanting only to leave this place of trouble where she had learned of a shocking secret: "Yes, yes! It was our oversight! We've disturbed you! Farewell! Farewell!"

The two practically fled in panic, forgetting even to take the gifts they had brought, as if a ghost were chasing them.

Lin Chengji and Wen Yun stared dumbfounded at the retreating figures of the Marquis of Yongjia and his wife, who had disappeared in a disheveled state. Then they looked at their son, whose face seemed to say, "I can finally tell the truth." They were completely bewildered.

The hall was deathly silent.

After a long while, Lin Chengji pointed a trembling finger at Lin Yan, his voice slurred, "You, you bastard! What nonsense are you spouting? Don't you care about your reputation? If this gets out..."

Lin Yan knelt down before his father with a "plop": "Father, Mother, your son is not making this up. Your son really doesn't like women."

Even if his dreams are blurry, he would never be unable to distinguish whether the "lover" in his dreams is male or female.

Lin Chengji and Wen Yun nearly fainted upon hearing this.

This is unacceptable!