Chapter 153

"I think he is the one with ulterior motives. He pretends to be faithful to his deceased wife, but he still has thoughts about his brother. He is so greedy that he wants to swallow an elephant." Xie Chen couldn't help but speak out what was in his mind.

"So this is why you don't get along with him?" It was windy outside, and Lin Shuge walked into the house with him.

The tall pine trees in the house rustled in the wind, and Xie Chen hurried forward a few steps to help him block the wind.

Lin Shuge stopped and looked at him, smiling faintly. He didn't know whether to say that Xie Chen did a good job or a bad job in hiding these little thoughts.

"Zhongxuan, countless nobles in the previous dynasties kept male favorites without delaying their marriages and having children. Most people in the world think the same way..."

Before Lin Shuge finished speaking, Xie Chen said, "No matter what they think, it's fine as long as my brother and I are not together."

So he was afraid of Wei Huan when he was young, but not now. He just couldn't stand the way he acted in front of Lin Shuge.

When Lin Shuge heard him say this, he knew that Xie Chen knew his feelings and thoughts, so he raised his hand and held his, "Let's go, we've been out for a while, and we don't know what's going on inside."

The two returned along the stone steps, and before they entered the door, they heard Zhou Du's loud voice, shouting something at the top of his lungs.

As soon as Lin Shuge came in, he ran over to him and complained that he had been missing for a long time. Lin Shuge looked around at the others, and saw that they were all drunk and staggering. He quickly asked someone to send them back one by one.

The next morning, Lin Shuge got up early to see Wei Huan off. Although he could drink a lot without getting drunk, he always had some aftereffects after drinking, and would have a headache the next day.

He rubbed his sore temples, and seeing that Xie Chen was sleeping soundly, he got up and went out.

Outside the posthouse, Wei Huan was already ready to go, and Lu Yuechuan and others were also waiting with their hands hanging down.

"Are you here to see me off, Magistrate Lin? Why are you here alone and no one else?" Wei Huan asked, while the guards beside him had already led the horse to his side.

"Also bring the things that Envoy Wei wants." Lin Shuge ignored his sarcasm and had the things presented. Wei Huan raised his hand and someone took them away.

Wei Huan looked at him deeply for a few times, wanting to say something but stopping himself. The group sent Wei Huan out of the city. Before leaving, Wei Huan and Lin Shuge walked in front. He still couldn't help asking, "You and he are both men, so don't you want to marry and have children?"

"Sir, some things don't have to be done. Besides, getting married and having children will not only be unfair to him, but also to that innocent woman. As Zhongxuan said, there will be no one else between us." He and Xie Chen had a tacit understanding about this matter.

"So this is why you chose him?" Wei Huan said a little depressed.

"Sir, you still don't understand."

"What don't I understand? If you really want to do this, I can also..."

"Sir, you'd better not say that. This is not something that can be compared. Ask yourself, do you really have that kind of feeling for me? It's just that your competitive spirit has been aroused. Besides, with Envoy Wei here, he will pave a way for you instead of leading you astray." Lin Shuge said frankly.

Wei Huan's expression changed again and again, and he didn't say a word for a long time.

"Do you think I'm a coward who only hides under my father's protection and won't resist at all?" Wei Huan didn't know whether he was angry at Lin Shuge's indifference or wanted to prove himself.

"Then, young master, you will be pointed at by the world because of a man, and your family will be disgraced. What's worse, the reputation of Envoy Wei will be criticized because of you." Lin Shuge continued.

"You...I..." Wei Huan was speechless after hearing his words and could only utter a few words.

The air was silent for a long time, and everything was unspeakable.

"Sir, I have always admired Envoy Wei. Your future achievements will not be inferior to your father's. I hope you will forget what we said today. Be a good county governor and shoulder your mission together with Envoy Wei."

Wei Huan sighed, "You are right, I really can't. My father is old and can't be criticized because of me. The Wei family also needs me to shoulder the responsibility. I am wishful thinking but I can't bear it. I am not as good as him."

"Lin Huaiting, I will think carefully about what you said today. The mountains are high and the road is long, so there is no need to see me off. Goodbye." Wei Huan mounted his horse and said to him.

"Have a safe journey, young master." Lin Shuge and others also said.

The horses' hooves broke the silence outside the city, and the figures of the group were getting farther and farther away. Lin Shuge slowly exhaled, finally he didn't have to say these things to this difficult young master anymore.

Although he looked calm on the outside, his heart was in turmoil. How come after traveling through time, he had so many romantic encounters, and they were all men? He touched his face. Could it be that he had become a person who attracted romantic encounters in ancient times?

Lu Yuechuan looked at his movements and asked curiously, "Sir, what are you doing? Young Master Wei has already left. Let's go back quickly. This day doesn't feel good."

Lin Shuge looked up at the overcast sky and said with a smile, "Let's go."

As soon as they returned to the county government office, they ran into Zhou Du who was waiting there. "You guys are back? Sorry, I drank too late last night and couldn't get up today. Has Master Wei left?"

Lin Shuge smiled at the listless Zhou Du and said, "Let's go, Erlang, you were drinking so much last night that you even had a drinking contest with others."

"My alcohol tolerance is okay, but your Wei Zhongxuan is worse. Hasn't he gotten up yet? It's almost noon now." Zhou Du also drank a few glasses with Xie Chen yesterday and found that his alcohol tolerance was not as good as his.

Oh yes, why hasn’t Zhongxuan woken up yet?

Lin Shuge hurried to the inner house. How could Zhou Du miss such excitement? He also clamored to go with him.

Lu Yuechuan hurried forward to stop him. Lord Lin had not yet told Zhou Du about him and Lord Wei. Wouldn't it be bad if he saw something he shouldn't see?

Lin Shuge gave him a thank you expression in return and went back to the house to find Xie Chen.

Actually, Xie Chen had woken up a long time ago, but he drank too much last night and was exposed to the wind, so he felt a little bloated and nauseous. Now he was leaning against the door watching the servants help him boil medicine.

As soon as Lin Shuge stepped into the house, he smelled a scent of medicine. He was shocked. He returned to the room but did not see Xie Chen. He called Xie Chen a few more times and then he heard some movement in the kitchen.

Xie Chen came over with the medicine in his hand, "Brother, were you calling me just now?"

"What's wrong with you? Are you sick?" Lin Shuge walked up to him and touched his forehead, which didn't feel hot.

"I felt a little uncomfortable when I woke up this morning, so I asked the doctor to prescribe some medicine." Xie Chen is usually full of energy, but now he looks a little listless.

"Where do you feel uncomfortable? Did you drink too much last night? Or did you catch a cold? What does the doctor say?" Lin Shuge said as he took the medicine from Xie Chen's hand.

"It may be because of the wind after drinking. It's nothing serious." Xie Chen opened his mouth to drink the medicine, his voice a little hoarse.

"It's my fault for not paying attention when I got up this morning. Have a good rest today. There's nothing important in the military camp, right?" Lin Shuge pushed him to the bedside and sat down.

After drinking the medicine, Xie Chen rested his head on his legs. "Brother is not a doctor. I didn't even notice it myself." He yawned again. "There is nothing to do in the army. The autumn harvest is over. We can just train as usual."

"Be good and rest. I'll have someone send some things over later." Lin Shuge moved him to the pillow and was about to get up and leave, but Xie Chen hugged him around the waist, "Brother, don't you want to rest with me?"

"I have something to say to Zhou Du." Lin Shuge said.

At this time, Zhou Du's voice came from outside. Lin Shuge touched his cheek and gave him a few more instructions before walking out of the room.

"Brother Huai Ting, what's wrong with Lu Yuechuan? He insisted on dragging me to eat spicy hot pot, saying it's a local specialty. I said I couldn't even go at noon, and I finally got rid of him. Why wasn't he so enthusiastic before? It's weird." Zhou Du said, looking behind him, "Where's your Zhongxuan? Is he really not up?"

Lin Shuge pretended not to hear his complaint and only replied, "He feels a little uncomfortable."

"Is it serious? Why don't I go see him? He toasted him several times last night." Zhou Du said as he was about to walk inside.

"It's okay, just let him rest for a while." Lin Shuge said, "Let's go, Erlang, let's go out first."

Zhou Du looked at him in confusion. He had just seen Lin Shuge coming out of the main house, so why was the direction he was blocking to enter also the main house?

"Erlang, the spicy hotpot that Ah Chuan mentioned is delicious. Madam Wen's cooking skills are better than mine. There are several dishes made with potatoes, but you may not be able to eat them this year. You can try the others. I guarantee you will like them."

Zhou Du turned around and looked at him, "This must be another new trick you came up with?"

Lin Shuge did not deny it. "Erlang, I will send some things to your residence today. I will ask Zhongxuan to send someone to teach you how to use them."

"What is so mysterious?" The two walked to the lobby and sat down. Zhou Du said after seeing Lin Shuge dismiss everyone.

"I told you about the self-defense items last time, Erlang. I'm sure you've heard about the Xiongnu. Although there are county governors and military governors stationed at the border, the things I give you may be of great use at a critical moment."

Several counties in Dingyuan County are not far from the territories occupied by the Huns. If a war really breaks out, every county will be in danger of being targeted by the Huns. Ding Wenhong is not a man who can be of great use, so he has to leave something for Ganzhou County and also for his good friends.

Zhou Du looked at Lin Shuge and asked, "Do you think the Xiongnu are different this time and are worried that the Duwei Mansion will be at a disadvantage in sending troops?"

"It's just a rainy day preparation. Just treat it as my worry."

Zhou Du slapped Lin Shuge in the face and said, "Good brother, you are really good to me. Are you worried about my safety? But you don't have to be afraid in Qingquan. Your Zhongxuan is here. I have heard about his subjugation of the Qiang people in Ganzhou."

"But why do I feel that the boy is getting closer to you? He's an adult now, but you still spoil him every day. Just now, when you heard that he had something to do, you ran away faster than anything else." Zhou Du said casually.

Lin Shuge glanced at him and pondered his words in his heart, "Erlang, I really need to tell you about what happened between Zhongxuan and me. We..."

Zhou Du had intended to test him. He had noticed something when he came to Qingquan to see Lin and Xie getting along. He had just seen them living in the same room. He knew what he was going to say from his expression. His eyes showed his emotions clearly. Before Lin Shuge had finished speaking, he slapped the table and stood up. "Don't say anything yet. Let me take a break." He stood up from the chair and paced back and forth. "I was saying, I had a feeling a long time ago. Was he the one who pushed you first? I was saying that you spoiled him too much, letting him find your weakness step by step..."

"Erlang, he didn't force me." Lin Shuge couldn't help but speak for Xie Chen.

Zhou Du was so disappointed that his son failed to live up to his expectations. He looked like an old father whose son had been kidnapped. His eyes had become much more vicissitudes. "Do you dare to say that you took that step first? Do you dare to say that he didn't force you to agree at that time?"

Zhou Du simply didn’t believe that with Lin Shuge’s personality, he would drag his younger brother down this path.

Lin Shuge explained: "I didn't see my heart clearly, so I can't blame Zhongxuan."

Seeing that he seemed to be bewitched, Zhou Du was so angry that his head was dizzy, "Don't come to me if I want to bully you next time, you little brat."

Lin Shuge smiled and said, "Erlang, Zhongxuan is not such a person. I also considered it for a long time before deciding. I told you because you are my best friend."

Zhou Du had his back to him, and he was secretly delighted when he heard his next words. Thinking about his friend's future life, he quickly suppressed the smile on his face, "Are you going to stay with each other like this from now on?"

That’s right, both of their parents are no longer alive, so no one takes care of them.

"Okay, okay, give me a few days, I'll come to see you again in a few days." After saying that, he ran away as if there was a ghost chasing him, leaving Lin Shuge stunned.

He sat there without moving. He was exhausted both physically and mentally from the series of coming outs in the past few days. He rubbed his aching forehead and stood up to see Xie Chen.