"I'll speak with the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and find a reason to send you."

This works.

"good."

Shen Qichuan lowered his head and kissed the young master's forehead, then tucked the blankets in to prevent the wind from getting into the bedding and chilling the boy. In this era, there was no contraception, and when passion was at its peak... Shen Qichuan was afraid he would get a fever.

It's safer to bring it home.

As soon as he stepped out of the house, the young masters and ladies of the Qi family all crowded around him, saying, "General Shen."

Shen Qichuan nodded slightly, but didn't talk to them much.

Nan Yushu wanted to say something, but Shen Qichuan had already left. The guards he brought were waiting outside. As soon as the general moved, the people behind him split into two rows and followed.

Shen Qichuan went to the study and spoke to Qi's father about something.

Qi's father agreed to let Nan Yu go to the general's mansion. Shen Qichuan was quick to act. He had just convinced her and then picked her up. He didn't even let them pack their things, only taking Shang Qing with him.

Shang Qing was completely bewildered.

They didn't make a big fuss about it, and nobody knew about it except for themselves.

General's Mansion.

Shen Qichuan carried the young master down from the carriage. The steward had been waiting for a long time. All the chairs and benches in the general's mansion had been padded, and the cobblestone paths had been paved, leaving only a few scenic trails.

"You don't need to come along."

The man spoke coldly to those behind him.

The steward replied, "Yes." He then dismissed the servants behind him.

The residence of a second-rank general is large in area.

Upon entering, one gets the illusion of stepping into a garden. The pavilions and towers are arranged in a well-ordered manner, like a slowly unfolding ancient scroll painting. After passing through three gates, one sees an octagonal pavilion with flying eaves and brackets. The glazed tiles are dazzling under the refraction of light.

The stone table in the pavilion is likely made of white marble, with delicate textures.

Chen Qichuan walked along the corridor carrying a lamp wick. The vermilion railings were reflected in the water, swaying with the waves. Looking around, one could see the carved beams and painted rafters of the pavilion, and the patterns on the window lattices were also exquisite.

After many twists and turns, we finally arrived at the courtyard.

Push open the building door.

On the wall facing you hangs a vigorous ink bamboo painting, below which is a rosewood desk. On the desk, wolf-hair brushes are neatly placed in a brush holder, and several ink sticks are placed next to the Duan inkstone, with stacks of Xuan paper.

The seat by the window is a carved daybed.

Originally, a tiger-skin rug was laid out, but Shen Qichuan knew that his young wife was timid, so he changed it to a cotton rug. It wasn't cold that day, but the young master had back pain and sore legs, so it was soft to use. Several dark brocade cushions were placed against the wall. There was only one originally, just in case the young master was uncomfortable lying down.

The emperor had originally placed a weapons rack beside the bed according to his preferences, with a bow and arrow and quiver in the corner, but those things were too menacing and might frighten the young prince, so he put them all away.

Place a few potted green plants.

The young master was in a good mood when he opened his eyes and saw them.

Compared to the General's Mansion, Dengxin suddenly realized that the Minister's Mansion was nothing special.

So luxurious.

Chen Qichuan placed the person in the bedside and had someone cook liquid food for them.

The young master didn't eat enough at home; the food wasn't good and didn't suit his taste.

The kitchen had prepared porridge, and Shen Qichuan personally fed him.

Shangqing: "..."

No, no, no, something's not right.

Shen Qichuan also slept in that room that night.

Shangqing: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you planning to make a move against his son again?

Fearing that the young master would be tortured, she dared not speak.

He knocked on the door every five minutes and asked, "Is the young master thirsty?"

"Young master, would you like to relieve yourself?"

"Young master, it's chilly at night, please make sure you're covered with a blanket."

Shen Qichuan only allowed them to keep watch outside at night. Shang Qing couldn't get in, so they could only stand outside like a timed alarm clock. Once or twice was fine, three or four times was bearable, but five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten times, just as Shen Qichuan was about to flirt with his wife, gossipy voices rang out from outside.

His face was ashen, and he threw off the covers and got out of bed.

Just as Shang Qing was about to knock on the door, it suddenly opened from the inside, causing him to slap empty air. Startled, Shang Qing jumped, and upon seeing the menacing figure, his temper immediately deflated. He shrank his shoulders and whispered, "General."

"Your young master needs to rest! If your throat is itchy, go outside and call out!"

Shang Qing quickly followed up, "You're right, my young master needs to rest. Would you mind changing his room?"

Shen Qichuan's face darkened: "You don't need to keep watch tonight, get out of here."

Shang Qing shook his head: "Young Master has always been particular about his bed since he was a child, so he will definitely not be used to a new place."

Shen Qichuan held back, while Shang Qing was thankful to be Nan Yu's man, otherwise he would have been thrown out of the general's mansion long ago. He said coldly, "Take him away!"

Shangqing: "..."

?

Who are you talking to?

Before he could react, a dark shadow appeared like a ghost, and then Shangqing lost his weight. He screamed in fright. Seeing himself suspended in the air, he dared not flail around, for fear of being thrown down and smashed into a pulp.

The guards took him to the front yard.

Before they could even stand up straight, the guards vanished again like a gust of wind.

Shang Qing was so frightened that his legs went weak.

He was scared even though it was late at night.

The general's mansion was too big, and this was his first time here. He didn't know where he was and had been thrown into the front yard. He couldn't find his way and could only grope around, trembling.

The candlelight flickered, casting ambiguous shadows throughout the room.

Dengxin sighed softly, "Have someone take him to rest. Shangqing is timid; don't frighten him."

Shen Qichuan: "This is too annoying. Let's scare them to teach them a lesson."

Nan Yu: "He's just afraid I'll be bullied. You're not allowed to bully him."

Shen Qichuan snorted, his eyes filled with displeasure, his jealousy practically radiating outwards. He pursed his thin lips and remained silent.

He insists on doing it even if he doesn't agree.

Nan Yu knew he was more responsive to gentle persuasion than force, so she hugged his arm and acted coquettishly, then wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed his face all over, and said many sweet words, which made that icy face unable to hold back, and he had the guards take Shang Qing back to rest.

Unfortunately, Shangqing was not a good student.

The guards took him to rest, but he insisted on going to find his young master.

He had barely slipped inside when the guards dragged him back inside.

I went back and forth most of the night.

The guards got annoyed and simply knocked the man unconscious, then threw him onto the bed.

He grabbed the blanket, pulled it over himself, closed the door, and left.

The next day.

The emperor granted Shen Qichuan a week's rest before returning to court. He slept with his wife and woke up with her. The lamp wick pinched the muscles on the man's arm, unable to put it down. Those who practiced martial arts and fought battles were indeed different.

I've had enough touching, time to wash up and have breakfast.

He came over as soon as he regained consciousness.

Fearing that her young master would be bullied, she stared at Shen Qichuan with a wary expression.

Nan Yu was quite content, nestled in the General's Mansion, happily eating fruit and basking in the warm sun. Life was much more comfortable than in the Minister's Mansion. The main reason was the freedom. In the Minister's Mansion, one could only lie down whenever they wanted in the courtyard. Once they stepped out the door, it was a public area.

The General's Mansion is different. Shen Qichuan's parents live far away in Bianzhou and are unwilling to come to the capital. The entire mansion has only one master, Shen Qichuan. He can relax wherever the men are.

There are maids who can massage your legs and shoulders.

Shen Qichuan insisted on doing it himself.

He was happy to do whatever Nan Yu asked of him.

Dengxin liked beautiful things, especially Shen Qichuan's half-naked appearance. He didn't say it, but men were like worms in his stomach. He dismissed the servants, took off his clothes, and showed them to his wife.

Upon seeing this, the young master lost his composure.

Her little mouth was stretched wide open.

He was eating and laughing at the same time.

He would touch it from time to time.

I rested for a week.

Feeling much better, Shen Qichuan had to go to court, so Nan Yu, feeling bored, took Shang Qing out for a stroll.

After being cooped up for a week, Shang Qing came out and complained to his young master, "Young master, let's go back to the manor. General Shen doesn't look like a good person at all."

Nan Yu: "What's wrong?"

Shen Qichuan has been behaving quite well these past few days, and Shang Qing is occasionally there too, so why is Shang Qing still so hostile towards him?

Shangqing: "Young master, you can't forgive him just because he hit you, even if you give him a date."

Nan Yu: "He didn't hit me."

Shang Qing: "You were covered in injuries just a few days before I hit you?"

Nan Yu: "My dear."

Shang Qing: "Even kisses won't work..." His brain finally registered, and with a start, he stared in disbelief: "Kiss..."

When did they become acquainted?

That day, the young master clearly didn't like being around General Shen.

No, doesn't the young master like Young Master Yu?

Nan Yu patted his shoulder, "Don't worry about him, he's fine. Let's go to Pear Blossom Restaurant, I heard they have new products."

There were hardly any silver coins left in my private stash.

When he went out today, Shen Qichuan gave him a thousand taels of silver.

I might not spend it, but I'll feel at ease.

Lihuazhai.

As soon as Nan Yu entered, he saw two people he barely knew. His cheerful expression faded considerably, but Shang Qing's eyes lit up, and he whispered to Nan Yu, "Young Master, Young Master, it's Young Master Yu."

Nan Yu: "..."

I don't understand why he's so excited about Yu Chen.

Yu Chen also saw them.

He hadn't seen Buyi for several days and didn't understand. Given Buyi's personality, he should have been looking for him all along. How could he have just disappeared without a trace?

Yu Chen couldn't possibly go to the Minister's residence to ask.

They don't even know how to subtly hint at it.

In his mind, Qi Ziming should revolve around him.

Haitang has been overthinking lately. People are just so 'cheap'—they don't cherish you when they're pursuing you, but they start missing you when they're not. Haitang sees that Yu Chen seems to be being swayed.

He was afraid.

She's been pestering Yu Chen every day for the past few days.

Yu Chen also took him shopping.

Haitang is happy.

Yu Chen made a reservation at Lihuazhai two days ago, and they received the pastries as soon as they arrived today. Lihuazhai has a place to listen to music, and just as they were about to go there, Haitang raised a sign of danger.

It's him again.

Yu Chen curled his lips into a smile. Sure enough, he knew Yu Chen would try every means to find out his location. He finally couldn't hold back any longer.

Waiting for Bu Yi to come over.

Haitang hugged the man affectionately and said, "Brother Yuchen, let's go listen to music."

He didn't want Yu Chen to have much contact with Qi Ziming.

The risk level was too high for him.

Nan Yu glanced at it and then looked away. She took Qing to see what good food was available. Custom-made items were hard to come by, but if you came early, you could still queue up and wait. However, the variety was limited. The young master wanted to eat the peach blossom cake from a few days ago. It was sweet, sticky, and delicious.

Yu Chen waited and waited, but Bu Yi didn't come to talk to him. His pride wouldn't allow him to lower himself, but the fact that Bu Yi didn't greet him was like a kitten scratching at his heart.

Haitang's smile froze slightly as she clung to the man's arm and said coquettishly, "Brother Yuchen, didn't you reserve a private room? Let's go to the private room and listen to music."

Yu Chen glanced at Haitang and gently patted the back of his hand.

She gently agreed, "Okay."

Out of the corner of her eye, however, she was looking at the young master, thinking that he would probably come and cause trouble.

To wait for him, he deliberately slowed his pace, but said to Haitang, "These are all new products launched by Lihuazhai. Take a look and see if there's anything else you want."

If it weren't for Qi Ziming, Haitang would definitely be happy to choose him.

But with him around, Haitang worried that Yu Chen had ulterior motives.

His smile also carried a hint of nervousness. "That's enough, let's go."

Yu Chen had no choice but to take Haitang to a private room to listen to music.

All the way there, he kept thinking about what he should say if Bu Yi came to stop him, but to his surprise, even after he stepped into the private room, no one came after him.

Can two years really erase the bond between childhood sweethearts?

I treated him like a younger brother.

only……

only……

Yu Chen didn't even know what he was thinking anymore.

He always felt that it shouldn't be like this.

From a young age, he never doubted that his eyes were only for him. He had been angry with him before, but the little guy would still come running to play with him happily. Two years ago, he was confessed to, which was too sudden for him, and he was indeed frightened.

Only then did he request permission to go to the frontier.

He occasionally thought of him over the past two years, but Haitang's meticulous care made it difficult for him to recall him much, because the image of the boy in his memory had become blurred, and he didn't want to think about it too much.

This is my return to Beijing.

It seems that Bu Yi has changed, yet it also seems that he hasn't.

The warm sun shone down, and the streets were bustling with activity. The young master was lucky today and didn't have to wait long to buy the peach blossom cake he had been longing for. The second floor of the restaurant was a place for guests to rest and eat pastries. He was too lazy to take the lamp wick, and since there was tea to eat here, he asked the waiter to arrange it.

They sat on the edge of the second floor, looking down. They were probably all regulars at Pear Blossom Pavilion. Some were servants running errands for their masters, while others were elegantly dressed nobles strolling around on their own.

Just then, the waiter from Pear Blossom Tea House strode over, carrying a tea tray steadily, and called out, "Your tea is here!"

After the waiter put it down, the young master looked at the celadon teapot, and with his slender, fair hand, he slowly opened the lid. A rich aroma of tea rose gently, like silk threads, intoxicating the senses.

Wow, that's great!

I put the lid on the pot, took two cups, filled both of them, and gave the other cup to Shangqing.

Shang Qing was pleasantly surprised: "Thank you, young master."

The lamp wick smiled but didn't say anything.

When Nan Yu goes out, Shangqing always benefits. Not only can she drink a cup of Lu'an Melon Seed tea, but she can also eat pastries from Lihuazhai. The pastries are soft, glutinous, and sweet but not greasy. However, eating too many can make one's mouth dry. Taking a sip of tea is a good way to neutralize the dryness.

I wanted to eat more after I ate it.

No wonder the young master is so concerned.

Who wouldn't crave it after just one bite?

After finishing the pastries and having had another pot of tea, the young master patted his full stomach, turned to Shang Qing beside him, and said, "Let's go, let's go look around somewhere else."

Shang Qing glanced subconsciously at the private room and asked, "Young Master, shall we say hello to Young Master Yu?"

If it weren't for his name, Nan Yu would have almost forgotten about him.

Upon hearing this, Dengxin frowned: "No need, let's go."

Shangqing noticed that something was wrong with the young master and asked cautiously, "Young master, are you angry with Young Master Yu, or have you truly let go of him?"

Just then, Yu Chen came out to relieve himself. He had just reached the door when he heard the two talking. Deng Xin said, "Didn't you hear what he said? He's always treated me like a younger brother."

Shang Qing: "That's true. Young Master Yu said he didn't like men, but he still brought one back. He didn't take you seriously at all. Oh well, Young Master, you'll definitely find a very, very good husband in the future."