Chapter 63 The Substitute Chapter: Male Prostitute Aoya

The two had a great time that afternoon.

Xie Changyu had almost forgotten the time. He only realized it when he looked up and saw the sky gradually darkening.

Fu Jing noticed, stopped what he was doing, and asked him, "Go back?"

Xie Changyu nodded and hummed in agreement. His eyes were bright, and a smile still lingered on his face. "It's getting late, we should go back. Let's go."

"OK."

Fu Jing had no objections. He stood up, reached out and pulled the person up, his eyes light and mischievous, "Let's go home~"

He arrived at the mansion at just the right time, just in time for dinner. He lifted his robe to the side and sat down, sitting very obediently.

"mother."

Madam Xie had a gentle expression. She gestured to the maid beside her to set out the plates, clasped her hands together, and asked with concern, "Why did you come back so quickly today? Had enough fun?"

Xie Changyu nodded, his dark eyes shining, "I've had enough fun."

"You, you."

Madam Xie looked at her mischievous and playful son, her tone reproachful, but her expression indulgent.

The maids around them were already used to it.

Xie Changyu was afraid that his mother would bring up the topic of studying again, which she always did before, and his head was about to ache from nagging her. So he changed the subject and brought up his deceased father.

"Mom, where's Dad? Didn't he come for dinner?"

"Your dad's busy, he doesn't have time to eat right now. It'll just be the two of us tonight."

Mrs. Xie always knew her children well. After she finished speaking, she asked, "What? Afraid your father will scold you?"

"No way..." Xie Changyu scratched his head, exaggeratedly furrowed his brows, and then shook his head in denial.

Although he said that, he was still relieved. Recently, his father had been trying to urge him to read books whenever he had the chance. But he had never been able to read those kinds of books for long. He would feel chest tightness and discomfort after reading for a while, let alone participate in the imperial examinations and become an official.

His mother had long given up on the idea of ​​him taking the imperial examinations. His father had recently gone mad and started making him read books again. He felt that as long as he could read and wasn't illiterate, that was enough. If he were to become an official, he felt he could become a corrupt one.

If his father, an honest official, knew that his son had such thoughts, he would definitely be so angry that he would beat him to death.

Therefore, Xie Changyu chose to keep quiet and only kept this idea to himself.

Seeing his gloomy face, Madam Xie began to comfort him, "Don't think about your father. The most important thing for you now is to eat well and get your body back in shape."

"I'm perfectly healthy..." Xie Changyu retorted silently.

"Are you feeling well?" Madam Xie picked up her chopsticks and began to select the dishes that had been laid out. Then she picked up his favorite braised pork and put it into his bowl, her tone concerned. "You get out of breath after walking just a few steps. Last night, Fu Jing carried you back, didn't he?"

Suddenly exposed, Xie Changyu looked a little guilty, but only for a moment. Immediately, his voice grew louder and he said righteously, "I was just too tired from walking. Besides, it wasn't me who asked him to carry me. He carried me voluntarily."

He himself had forgotten who had taken the initiative, but out of habit, he pushed the blame onto Fu Jing as he always had.

“Fu Jing has been practicing martial arts since he was a child and is very healthy. You’ve been to the General’s Mansion so many times, why don’t you practice with him?”

Madam Xie, who seemed to see through everything, said, "Or is it that you don't want to?"

"mother!"

Xie Changyu was a little annoyed by what she said. If it were anyone else, he would have lost his temper long ago, but this was his mother, the person who loved him the most, so he just pouted and said, "We're eating now, don't keep nagging me like Dad does."

"Okay, okay, let's stop talking and eat."

The argument ended in an instant, and Xie Changyu breathed a sigh of relief.

After finishing his meal, he said goodbye and immediately slipped away. He didn't go back to his room, but instead called Xiaohe and they went out of the mansion.

On the bluestone street, the night was dim, with only a faint light appearing and disappearing.

Xiao He, carrying a lantern, landed behind his master. Looking at the surrounding darkness, he seemed conflicted. "Young Master, where are we going? Shouldn't we call Young Master Fu to come along?"

"Why did you call him?"

Xie Changyu straightened his sleeves, his expression calm, showing no fear of the dark scene around him. He gave a slight smile and spoke softly.

"I'm going to a place tonight that he can't know about. If he finds out, he'll definitely cause trouble."

Xiaohe was even more puzzled. He looked at the unfamiliar road beside him with a somewhat doubtful expression. "Would Young Master Fu cause trouble?"

How could that be?

Young Master Fu always obeyed his master's every word. Although he would often deliberately go against his master, he could tell that Young Master Fu was deliberately trying to get his master's attention. How could Young Master Fu, who was like this, still cause trouble?

He was somewhat skeptical, but he believed his young master's words more.

"Never mind that." Xie Changyu turned his head to look at his dazed subordinate, raising an eyebrow. "Anyway, we're going to a fun place tonight. You'll see when we get there."

Fu Jing opposed his suggestion during the day, so he'll go by himself at night, hehe.

Xiaohe nodded obediently, "Okay, I'll listen to you, young master."

Xie Changyu was very satisfied. He continued to look ahead and began to look for the same route he had taken last time. It had been several days since he last went there. At that time, he was also confused and had been letting Fu Jing lead the way.

Fortunately, you can find out about this place by asking around.

The two soon arrived at a very bustling street. Xie Changyu smiled and instructed Xiaohe to ask the vendors for directions.

"Young Master?" Xiao He's expression froze. He pointed to himself in disbelief. "You want me to go and ask how to get to Changyuefang?"

Changyuefang?!

"Young Master, how could you go to a place like that? If the adults find out, you're doomed!"

After realizing what had happened, Xiaohe looked shocked and began to persuade the young master in front of him.

But who is Xie Changyu? If he were afraid of his father finding out, he certainly wouldn't have planned to do it again the day after he was released from confinement.

He's not afraid.

He hadn't had enough fun last time.

Thinking of this, Xie Changyu's expression became impatient. He kicked the scared guy and said with disdain, "What are you afraid of? Even I, your young master, am not afraid. Just do what I tell you to do!"

“But…” Xiaohe looked conflicted and worried. He remembered what the adults and mistress of the manor had said to the young master last time, “If the adults find out, young master, you will be locked up again.”

Xie Changyu clicked his tongue, "I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of? Besides, just don't let them know."

He didn't know why his father found out last time. Maybe he went too openly last time, and someone who knew him on the street told him.

He probably won't find out if he goes at night this time.

With this in mind, Xie Changyu confidently sent Xiaohe to ask for directions. When he saw that Xiaohe was hesitating again, he said directly, "If you don't go, I'll bring someone else next time."

The words were effective. Xiaohe, feeling a sense of crisis and afraid of being replaced, immediately sprang to her senses and said, "I'll go, I'll go! Young Master, I'll go ask right now, please don't replace me!"

The person quickly stepped forward and began asking questions.

Xie Changyu stood in the shadows watching the man's busy sounds. It was clear that things weren't going smoothly at first, as if not many people knew about it. But that made sense, since he was going to a place with only male prostitutes. These people were probably more familiar with places with female prostitutes.

Soon, Xiaohe returned with the information.

He leaned closer excitedly, "Young Master, Young Master, I've found out! I know how to get there!"

Xie Changyu's lips curled up. "Then hurry up and lead the way."

"good!"

This time, Xiaohe was full of energy. After feeling the crisis of being easily replaced, he didn't dare to hesitate at all about the young master's decision. Even though the adults might find out later, he didn't care!

Young Master's opinion is more important!

The two crossed a covered bridge and arrived at Changyuefang without incident.

The outer walls were covered with lanterns, and the soft candlelight shone on the red brick walls. The carved gate in front of the door was wide open, welcoming guests in droves, creating a lively atmosphere.

Xie Changyu's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at the scene before him. Without even touching his face, he stretched out his mask. "Mask."

Hearing him say that, Xiaohe took out a fox mask that he had hidden well in his clothes. He had bought it last night and brought it with him on special occasion. It was only at this moment that he understood why the young master had asked him to bring this thing and a large amount of silver notes.

Xie Changyu took the mask and put it on, instantly revealing only his bright black eyes and thin pink lips.

He opened his mouth, "Let's go."

With that, he took a long stride and walked straight into the place.

Xiaohe was taken aback for a moment, then quickly followed in his young master's footsteps.

"Hey, young master, wait for me!"

...

Xie Changyu had barely taken a few steps after entering the room when he was greeted by a sharp-eyed madam who came straight to him and waved her hand.

"Young master, please wait a moment."

A pungent smell of perfume hit him in the face, and Xie Changyu stepped back in disgust. He looked at the flamboyantly dressed man in front of him and asked with some confusion, "What are you doing?"

He hadn't encountered anyone like this when he came last time. There were just as many people there then, and out of curiosity and surprise, he got a little distracted and lost track of Fu Jing. Later, a male prostitute led him to a room, and then his father arrived...

So he didn't really know what the person in front of him did or why he was being stopped.

Ever since Xiaohe learned that this was a male brothel, he had been on edge, constantly watching his young master's condition. When he saw a scantily clad man approaching his young master, he immediately reached out and blocked him, standing between the two.

"Don't stand so close when you talk!" His tone was very stern, and his expression was serious, making him seem like a completely different person from the simple-minded man he had been before.

The madam, though her makeup was faded and patchy, still smiled broadly as she looked at the very young master and servant. She reached out and took two steps back, saying, "Alright, alright, I'll move away. Don't be angry, young master."

When they were close enough, the madam spoke again, "Is this your first time here, gentlemen?"

As the scent of cosmetics faded, Xie Changyu caught his breath, but he was still in a bad mood. He looked up at the person in front of him whose face he couldn't see clearly, suppressed his bad mood, and denied it, "I'm not."

This isn't the first time; it's his second time here.

The little river beside him kept a straight face and didn't say a word; its body was on guard.

The madam watched without saying anything. She looked at the young master in front of her, who was wearing a fox mask that only revealed his eyes and mouth, and wondered if he was some young master from a family who had come to play out of curiosity.

The incident of Lord Xie coming here to arrest Young Master Xie caused quite a stir in Changyuefang, but it was later covered up and didn't spread outside. Only the people in their neighborhood and the guests who were there at the time knew about it.

But since then, their neighborhood has seen an increase in customers wearing masks.

The person in front of me is probably the same; although I can't see their face clearly, they're probably not far off.

His air of nobility and his naive behavior clearly indicate that he's a virgin. This is exactly what the guys in their brothel love. Tsk tsk, I wonder which guy will get to eat him tonight.

The madam licked her lips, thinking, "Oh dear, I'm too old. I should leave it to the younger generation."

Xiaohe frowned and looked at the old man in a serious tone, "What are you looking at!"

Xie Changyu also felt uncomfortable with this gaze. He had a feeling that this guy was up to something. He always trusted his intuition, so he turned cold and said in a flat tone, "Why are you stopping us?"

"Oh, sir!" The madam realized they had misunderstood her and quickly explained, "I'm the madam of this Changyue Brothel. I'm here to introduce you to male prostitutes. Which one do you want? I'll call it for you!"

Oh, she's a madam.

Xie Changyu's face relaxed a little under the mask, and his voice was clear and pleasant, "No need, we'll just look around ourselves, you go ahead and do your work."

"Alright! Those two gentlemen are having a lot of fun!"

The madam is gone.

Xiaohe then put his hand down, his voice sullen, "Young Master, he doesn't look like a good person at all."

Xie Changyu recalled the man's appearance and nodded in agreement, "He certainly didn't look like a good person; he was too ugly."

"...Young Master."

Xie Changyu straightened up and then began to look at the place seriously.

There was a faint scent of incense in the air. Perhaps he hadn't gone too far in yet. Xie Changyu looked at the light gauze curtains everywhere and some men with bare arms and legs, and suddenly felt a bit disgusted.

These are too ugly; they're not even as good-looking as the male prostitute he saw last time.

Last time, there were too many people and he and Fu Jing were separated. He wandered around and bumped into a stunningly handsome man in blue. Thinking about that man's appearance, Xie Changyu realized that without comparison, there would be no harm. He felt that all the men on the first floor were too ugly.

He led Xiaohe around a large group of people to the second floor. Just as they got upstairs and were still wondering where to go, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

"Thank you, young master."

Hearing a somewhat familiar voice, Xie Changyu looked up and saw a familiar face. The person was dressed in green with black hair, had beautiful eyebrows and eyes, a delicate and small face, a calm expression, and a gentle demeanor in the candlelight. His aloof temperament now made people feel intimidated.

"It's you!" Xie Changyu's eyes lit up with surprise. He took a few steps forward to get closer to him. "You're here too?"

The man in blue smiled slightly, his manner distant yet polite. "Young Master Xie is too kind. I am originally from here."

"That seems to be true."

Xie Changyu nodded nonchalantly, but then asked, "How did you recognize me?"

He touched the mask on his face; his face was completely covered. How could this guy be so powerful?

"It's easy to tell at a glance that Young Master Xie has an extraordinary temperament and is very easy to recognize."

"I see." Xie Changyu was not entirely convinced, but he didn't want to dwell on the issue any longer. As long as his disguise wasn't deemed ineffective, he was fine with it. He didn't want to be seen by someone he knew.

Although Xiaohe wasn't disguised, few people could recognize him as a servant in his household, so he wasn't worried.

Xiaohe felt distressed as she watched the man in blue who had suddenly appeared chatting happily with her young master. Her young master was actually getting along so well with a male prostitute. If the adults found out, it would be terrible. She wondered if Young Master Fu knew.

Sigh, no wonder the young master wouldn't let him bring Young Master Fu along.

The man in blue robes had a cold expression. He slightly raised his eyelashes and looked at Xie Changyu, his voice very soft, "Young Master Xie, are you here today to find someone?"

"No." Xie Changyu shook his head, his expression unreadable. "Just came to have some fun."

"In that case, Young Master Xie, why don't you go sit in Qingya's room for a while?"

"Alright."

Xie Changyu agreed. Anyway, he had sat in this person's room before, and he didn't know what to do this time. He could ask later.

He followed the person slowly in one direction, asking, "Are you called Qingya?"

"Hmm, does Young Master find it unpleasant to listen to?" Qingya raised his eyes slightly.

Xie Changyu didn't pay any attention. He glanced at the rooms with shadowy figures passing by and said casually, "It's alright."

There was absolutely no politeness involved.

A smile gradually appeared in Qingya's eyes, and he gently shook the small box in his hand, making a soft sound.

Xie Changyu stepped into the familiar room first, while Xiaohe was blocked outside by Qingya.

"This young master cannot go in."

Xiaohe's expression was serious. "Why? If my young master goes in, I want to go in too!"

"Xiaohe." Xie Changyu heard the commotion behind him and turned around to say, "You stay outside and keep watch. I'll call you in if anything happens."

Qingya smiled but didn't say anything.

Xiaohe glared at the guy resentfully, then replied obediently in a low voice, "Yes, young master."

The door slowly closed, and the strong incense outside disappeared. Xie Changyu smelled the faint fragrance in the room and felt that the air was much fresher.

He sat down, leaning on the table, and exclaimed, "Your room smells the best."

Qingya sat down opposite him, the candlelight beside them flickering gently. He placed the small box down, his expression softening considerably. "As long as you're comfortable."

Xie Changyu removed his mask, revealing a beautiful face. His eyes glistened with tears, and his nose wrinkled slightly as he complained, "The smell outside is too pungent; I feel a little uncomfortable."

Under the light, Qingqian's eyes were calm and clear, and Qingya's eyes flickered slightly. "Why are you wearing a mask today?"

In fact, he knew the reason perfectly well, since he knew everything that had happened last time. Although he had already left the place, the person in charge told him everything he had done.

"I'm afraid of being recognized."

Xie Changyu pursed his lips, unwilling to dwell on what happened that day. Fortunately, he was alone when his father caught him last time. If he had been caught alone in a room with Qingya, he wouldn't have been locked up for just a few days.

Sigh, his old-fashioned father keeps a close eye on him.

Look at Pei Zilie, he bought a male prostitute and only punished him by making him walk around the city once. This is hardly a punishment for him, even though his reputation is ruined. The name "Little Tyrant" is known to everyone in the capital.

Recalling the figure she had seen that day, Xie Changyu looked up at the man in front of her who was sipping tea with his eyes down. She felt that the figure in the teahouse overlapped with the man in the teahouse, and a thought suddenly occurred to her: Could it be?

Sensing the lingering gaze upon her, Qingya asked him calmly, "Young Master Xie, what's wrong?"

Xie Changyu looked at that face and thought it was normal for a man of that appearance to be favored by a fool like Pei Zilie, but he wasn't interested in dwelling on it, so he shook his head and said in a low voice, "It's nothing."

His gaze wandered aimlessly, and suddenly, he noticed that the pattern on the small box on the table looked familiar. He asked, "What's this?"

Qingya followed his gaze and saw the silver notes that had just been delivered by the Cangwang Mansion. He smiled slightly and said, "Some of my savings."

"Really?" Xie Changyu stopped paying attention after hearing his words.

Qingya handed Xie Changyu a cup of brewed tea. Xie Changyu took it, blew on it gently, and then took a sip.

"How about it?"

"Delicious." Xie Changyu hadn't expected the tea here to be so good. This tea looked expensive; if he wasn't mistaken, there was still a whole bunch left in the tea box. They really spared no expense.

Even though the identity of the man in front of him had been confirmed, he still didn't quite feel the reality of it.

However, the tea was really delicious.

[Xie Changyu's favorability +1.]

Qingya looked up at him and said gently, "As long as it tastes good."

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Author's Note: What should we do when the strategist faces off against the cannon fodder group, and Changyu has no memories?