Xu Yan Ze refused to listen and directly threw Xiang Han onto the bed and straddled him. He gripped the other person’s chin, “I’ve been spoiling you for too long and allowed you to grow unrestrained. Your elder brother1 is right, there’s no point in thinking so much. I should have just fucked you and made you unable to leave.”
Saying so, he disregarded the alarm in Xiang Han’s eyes and forcefully tore apart his clothes. At the same time, he lowered his head to catch the latter’s lips. After an intense bout of biting and sucking, he directly invaded Xiang Han’s mouth and wantonly conquered him with his tongue.
Originally, Xiang Han had already been feeling unwell. After being tossed about, the discomfort in his gut grew and as Xu Yan Ze’s kiss deepened, he suddenly had the urge to throw up. Thus, he began to struggle even more desperately.
Xu Yan Ze wanted to pin his hands down but ended up being clawed a couple of times. He watched as Xiang Han’s resistance grew more desperate and finally discovered the abnormality. After a moment of deadlocked silence between them, he finally released him but asked bleakly, “Are you… that unwilling to be with me?”
There was no way Xiang Han would waste time with his nonsense. After pushing him away, Xiang Han ran towards the side of the bed and began retching.
Xu Yan Ze’s heart sank and the light in his eyes dimmed further. Was he that disgusting? But why did he admit to liking him before?
Xiang Han’s heart had also chilled by now. After puking his guts out, he looked up with tear-filled eyes, “I can’t be expecting, right?”
“What?” Immersed in melancholic sadness, Xu Yan Ze didn’t understand. “Expecting what?”
“I’m talking about the miracle fruit. I ate it that day.” Xiang Han kicked him furiously but because he’d just been puking, he couldn’t muster much energy and Xu Yan Ze easily grabbed him. He had no way of resisting.
It took Xu Yan Ze half a day before coming to his senses. “But we… we only touched a little. I didn’t even go all the way.” Could it be possible? Was the fruit too miraculous or was he too powerful?
W-Wait. Expecting?
His hands shook and cautiously lowered Xiang Han’s legs before helping him put on his clothes. After tucking him into bed, he seemed at a loss. “You… can’t catch a cold now. Do you need me to get you another pillow? Is there anything that you feel like eating?”
Xiang Han: …
It had merely been a slip of his tongue amidst his anger. He wasn’t certain about it himself.
But Xu Yan Ze said they didn’t go all the way? Then what was that strange feeling?
Xu Yan Ze definitely wouldn’t tell him about them using their hands. At this moment, his head was only filled with the thought of him ‘becoming a father’ and the abundant joy in his heart was overflowing. He couldn’t resist asking, “A-Are you sure? You’re not lying to me because you’re afraid I’ll get angry about those servants, right?”
In the first place, it had only been a suspicion. Now, Xiang Han no longer avoided this topic but forced himself to ask the system, [Little Nine, help… help me do a body check and see if I-I’m… cough. You should have heard it.]
System, [Understood. Please wait for a moment.]
Xiang Han immediately grew nervous, his heart thumping in his chest. Xu Yan Ze was staring intensely at him and the silence between them seemed to freeze the atmosphere.
After several moments, the system slowly replied, [Mr Xiang, you’ve only suffered a minor cold in addition to overeating. You’re not pregnant.]
Thank goodness. Xiang Han immediately released a breath and turned to look at Xu Yan Ze in shame, “S-Since we didn’t go all the way… it probably isn’t true. It’s most likely a cold.”
“Not necessarily.” Xu Yan Ze immediately denied. Although the possibility was very small, it wasn’t impossible… right? He seemed to have seen something similar in his past life. What if he was really the blessed son of the heavens?
Xu Yan Ze paced around the bed for a while before he suddenly turned back. His expression was solemn, “Why don’t we call for a physician? What if it’s true?”
“Ah?” Xiang Han’s expression stiffened, “There’s no need. It’s already late and moreover, it must simply be a cold. Right, my head suddenly feels dizzy. It’s definitely a cold…”
Saying so, he pretended to touch his forehead.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yan Ze didn’t agree. “In that case, we must definitely call for a physician.”
He left immediately and soon, the two servants who’d been thrown out previously daintily began to pack up the mess.
Standing by the door behind them, Xu Yan Ze frowned, “Hurry up. Get out once you’re done.”
The servant girls had a face full of grievance, looking at Xiang Han with bitterness in their eyes.
Xiang Han hurriedly looked away, not daring to meet their gaze.
When the servants finally left, Xu Yan Ze sat by his bed once more, tucking Xiang Han back under the covers. He asked, “Do you want some water? Or do you feel like eating anything?”
Xiang Han’s heart was bursting with embarrassment. He merely covered his eyes and replied, “I want to sleep.”
After a moment of silence, Xu Yan Ze said, “Then rest a little.”
Thinking of the possibility that Xiang Han may be expecting, he no longer had the mood to bicker about the matter of their wedding night. After all, Xiang Han’s expression earlier was genuine. No one could know for sure about this matter.
Even though Xu Yan Ze didn’t bring it up, Xiang Han couldn’t forget about it. The moment he’d closed his eyes, he’d opened them once again. He raised a hand in a solemn gesture and swore, “Yan Ze, those two servants… I truly only knew about it just now. Moreover, I’ve refused my grandmother. It’s just… not too appropriate to send them back. If you’re worried, how about I hand them over to you to do as you see fit?”
Xu Yan Ze raised an eyebrow and asked, “Can I even bring them back to the mercenaries guild?”
“You can.” Xiang Han answered without hesitation. But after a moment, he faltered, “Actually, those two also have no other choice. Don’t…”
“Relax, I only intend for them to train their legs and feet.”
“Ah?”
“Weren’t you complaining that there were too few people at the guild? Why don’t we train a few women? We can tell others they’re just maids so that it won’t raise suspicions.”
“So that’s the case.” It turns out that they could be female soldiers. Xiang Han came to a realisation.
It didn’t take long for the physician to arrive, along with the old madam and Jin Xue Li. Worry filled their expressions, “What’s going on? I heard that Xiao Bao is sick?”
The corners of Xu Yan Ze’s lips slightly rose. He couldn’t help but say, “He might be…”
“Ahem.” Xiang Han frantically cut him off and said in embarrassment, “I might have caught a cold. Yan Ze was worried and insisted on calling the physician. I didn’t expect it to worry grandmother and father. Your grandson has caused you trouble.”
Xu Yan Ze wasn’t angry. Instead, his eyes were filled with joy as he invited the physician forward.
Jin Xue Li and the old madam were baffled. Their son/grandson’s ear-splitting grin didn’t seem to be very worried for their Xiao Bao.
After taking Xiang Han’s pulse, the physician pinched his goatee and spouted a bunch of stuff that Xu Yan Ze couldn’t understand despite listening with the utmost attention. Not only could he not understand what the physician was saying, there wasn’t even a word of ‘congratulations’. His heart couldn’t help but sink, “Physician, can you make it simpler.”
“Hai, simply put, the young master has suffered a cold in addition to some indigestion which caused him to throw up. It’s not a big problem. He only needs to drink some porridge for a few days and he’d be better. If you’re still worried, I can prescribe some…”
“He’s not pre…?”
Xu Yan Ze hurriedly interrupted him but was harshly pinched and forced to stop.
The old madam promptly said, “Then I’d have to trouble you to give a prescription.”
The three left quickly, leaving Xu Yan Ze behind. He sat on the bed with a forlorn expression.
Xiang Han tugged at his sleeves and said in a small voice, “Sorry… I…”
“It’s fine. Maybe it’s just too early for the physician to tell. Tomorrow, we’ll invite a better physician to take a look.”
“Ah?” Xiang Han was dumbfounded upon seeing him unwilling to give up. He felt as though he’d just picked up a rock and dropped it on his own feet.
The next day, Xu Yan Ze left at the break of dawn. He didn’t head to the guild, but to find Jin Wu’s most proficient physician.
The old physician took half a day before arriving at the Jin manor. After taking Xiang Han’s pulse, he immediately glared at Xu Yan Ze. “This young master’s body is fine. Are you causing such a ruckus to torment this old physician?”
Xu Yan Ze stared blankly at him. When he finally came back to his senses, he hurriedly replied, “I dare not.” However, disappointment filled his heart.
After sending off the physician, he walked around Xiang Han and murmured, “Why is it like this?”
Xiang Han’s face was dark. He asked, “Are you really that desperate for a child?”
“Not really. But if it’s our child, I feel that it would be very… miraculous.” An expression of yearning came across his face.
Xiang Han immediately grew excited. He replied, “Then you should give birth.”
“Ah, I may not be… suitable.” Xu Yan Ze replied evasively.
However, Xiang Han was unresigned. “Does that mean I’m suitable? Do you know how much it hurts? Moreover, it’s life-threatening, especially for males.”
“I don’t mean that. I mean… Ah, forget it. Let’s not have a child. The two of us aren’t suitable.” Recalling that this was an era where medicine was not that advanced, Xu Yan Ze immediately gave up on this idea.
The two of them sat in the courtyard but it didn’t take long for the two servants from last night to rush over. They gracefully bowed before looking up with reddened eyes, “Young Master. Please tell this humble servant just what did we do wrong?”
“No… What’s wrong?”
“Then, why did you…” The green-robed servant girl cautiously glanced at Xu Yan Ze before continuing, “Why did you drive us out?”
Xiang Han felt the hand around his waist tighten but kept a straight face. “What do you mean by driving you out? Yan Ze doesn’t have any servants by his side and needs you two to serve him. If you two are unwilling, you may return to my grandmother’s side.”
The two people were frightened and hurriedly cried, “We dare not.”
Looking at the two people, Xu Yan Ze’s voice was neither overbearing nor weak as he ordered, “Go back and pack your belongings. Report to the guild tomorrow.”
The two servants dared not refuse and quickly wiped away their tears as they left.
Xiang Han was finally relieved and turned to look at Xu Yan Ze. “Are you satisfied now?”
In reply, Xu Yan Ze laughed, “Your performance is not bad. You deserve a reward.”
Without waiting for a reply, he headed straight for the other person’s lips. Unfortunately, an uninvited guest just had to show up at this time.
Wei Zhao had been standing outside of the courtyard for some time. Seeing that they’d finished discussing matters, he’d intended to call out to them but didn’t expect to witness such a scene. When he recalled how Yan Xiao Ze had a crush on him not long ago but was flirting with this fool in the blink of an eye, unhappiness flashed across his face. He deliberately let out a low cough.
Xu Yan Ze and Xiang Han both froze before they smoothly pulled away from each other.
Xu Yan Ze looked towards the entrance unhappily. When he realised it was Wei Zhao, his face grew even darker.
Unexpectedly, Wei Zhao didn’t look at him but at Xiang Han instead. “Brother Jin, I’m sorry to bother you. We didn’t finish our conversation last night and this humble person truly feels regrettable. Therefore, this humble person came to pay you a visit today. I hope brother Jin doesn’t mind this humble person’s impetuous arrival.”
Mind, he minded it extremely!
Both of them only had this thought in their heads. But Xiang Han perfunctorily replied, “Of course not. However, you came at a bad time. This humble person has some matters to attend to…”
“It’s just a few words.” Wei Zhao entered before they could stop him and glanced at Xu Yan Ze in the passing.
However, Xu Yan Ze paid him no mind. He pressed his lips close to Xiang Han’s ears and asked, “Why is he here?”
Xiang Han blinked and asked in a small voice, “He’s a merchant from Qiao Zhou. Do you know him?”
“I don’t.” Xu Yan Ze deliberately spoke in a voice that was loud enough for them to hear, causing Wei Zhao’s face to darken.
Xiang Han pretended to mediate the situation. He said, “To tell you the truth, the Jin family’s business is still not ready. It’s extremely regrettable but I’m afraid that we’re unable to work together.”
After civilities, he once again expressed that he had important matters to attend to and quickly slipped away. Clearly, the person that Wei Zhao wanted to meet was not him. It was better to leave Xu Yan Ze to deal with him.
***
T/n: Orz… some people mentioned XH having a child… because of the mythical fruit. Unfortunately (or fortunately) no mpreg in this book (phew) :3
1he means cousin but ge is used to refer to nonrelated brothers
Xu Yan Ze refused to listen and directly threw Xiang Han onto the bed and straddled him. He gripped the other person’s chin, “I’ve been spoiling you for too long and allowed you to grow unrestrained. Your elder brother1 is right, there’s no point in thinking so much. I should have just fucked you and made you unable to leave.”
Saying so, he disregarded the alarm in Xiang Han’s eyes and forcefully tore apart his clothes. At the same time, he lowered his head to catch the latter’s lips. After an intense bout of biting and sucking, he directly invaded Xiang Han’s mouth and wantonly conquered him with his tongue.
Originally, Xiang Han had already been feeling unwell. After being tossed about, the discomfort in his gut grew and as Xu Yan Ze’s kiss deepened, he suddenly had the urge to throw up. Thus, he began to struggle even more desperately.
Xu Yan Ze wanted to pin his hands down but ended up being clawed a couple of times. He watched as Xiang Han’s resistance grew more desperate and finally discovered the abnormality. After a moment of deadlocked silence between them, he finally released him but asked bleakly, “Are you… that unwilling to be with me?”
There was no way Xiang Han would waste time with his nonsense. After pushing him away, Xiang Han ran towards the side of the bed and began retching.
Xu Yan Ze’s heart sank and the light in his eyes dimmed further. Was he that disgusting? But why did he admit to liking him before?
Xiang Han’s heart had also chilled by now. After puking his guts out, he looked up with tear-filled eyes, “I can’t be expecting, right?”
“What?” Immersed in melancholic sadness, Xu Yan Ze didn’t understand. “Expecting what?”
“I’m talking about the miracle fruit. I ate it that day.” Xiang Han kicked him furiously but because he’d just been puking, he couldn’t muster much energy and Xu Yan Ze easily grabbed him. He had no way of resisting.
It took Xu Yan Ze half a day before coming to his senses. “But we… we only touched a little. I didn’t even go all the way.” Could it be possible? Was the fruit too miraculous or was he too powerful?
W-Wait. Expecting?
His hands shook and cautiously lowered Xiang Han’s legs before helping him put on his clothes. After tucking him into bed, he seemed at a loss. “You… can’t catch a cold now. Do you need me to get you another pillow? Is there anything that you feel like eating?”
Xiang Han: …
It had merely been a slip of his tongue amidst his anger. He wasn’t certain about it himself.
But Xu Yan Ze said they didn’t go all the way? Then what was that strange feeling?
Xu Yan Ze definitely wouldn’t tell him about them using their hands. At this moment, his head was only filled with the thought of him ‘becoming a father’ and the abundant joy in his heart was overflowing. He couldn’t resist asking, “A-Are you sure? You’re not lying to me because you’re afraid I’ll get angry about those servants, right?”
In the first place, it had only been a suspicion. Now, Xiang Han no longer avoided this topic but forced himself to ask the system, [Little Nine, help… help me do a body check and see if I-I’m… cough. You should have heard it.]
System, [Understood. Please wait for a moment.]
Xiang Han immediately grew nervous, his heart thumping in his chest. Xu Yan Ze was staring intensely at him and the silence between them seemed to freeze the atmosphere.
After several moments, the system slowly replied, [Mr Xiang, you’ve only suffered a minor cold in addition to overeating. You’re not pregnant.]
Thank goodness. Xiang Han immediately released a breath and turned to look at Xu Yan Ze in shame, “S-Since we didn’t go all the way… it probably isn’t true. It’s most likely a cold.”
“Not necessarily.” Xu Yan Ze immediately denied. Although the possibility was very small, it wasn’t impossible… right? He seemed to have seen something similar in his past life. What if he was really the blessed son of the heavens?
Xu Yan Ze paced around the bed for a while before he suddenly turned back. His expression was solemn, “Why don’t we call for a physician? What if it’s true?”
“Ah?” Xiang Han’s expression stiffened, “There’s no need. It’s already late and moreover, it must simply be a cold. Right, my head suddenly feels dizzy. It’s definitely a cold…”
Saying so, he pretended to touch his forehead.
Unexpectedly, Xu Yan Ze didn’t agree. “In that case, we must definitely call for a physician.”
He left immediately and soon, the two servants who’d been thrown out previously daintily began to pack up the mess.
Standing by the door behind them, Xu Yan Ze frowned, “Hurry up. Get out once you’re done.”
The servant girls had a face full of grievance, looking at Xiang Han with bitterness in their eyes.
Xiang Han hurriedly looked away, not daring to meet their gaze.
When the servants finally left, Xu Yan Ze sat by his bed once more, tucking Xiang Han back under the covers. He asked, “Do you want some water? Or do you feel like eating anything?”
Xiang Han’s heart was bursting with embarrassment. He merely covered his eyes and replied, “I want to sleep.”
After a moment of silence, Xu Yan Ze said, “Then rest a little.”
Thinking of the possibility that Xiang Han may be expecting, he no longer had the mood to bicker about the matter of their wedding night. After all, Xiang Han’s expression earlier was genuine. No one could know for sure about this matter.
Even though Xu Yan Ze didn’t bring it up, Xiang Han couldn’t forget about it. The moment he’d closed his eyes, he’d opened them once again. He raised a hand in a solemn gesture and swore, “Yan Ze, those two servants… I truly only knew about it just now. Moreover, I’ve refused my grandmother. It’s just… not too appropriate to send them back. If you’re worried, how about I hand them over to you to do as you see fit?”
Xu Yan Ze raised an eyebrow and asked, “Can I even bring them back to the mercenaries guild?”
“You can.” Xiang Han answered without hesitation. But after a moment, he faltered, “Actually, those two also have no other choice. Don’t…”
“Relax, I only intend for them to train their legs and feet.”
“Ah?”
“Weren’t you complaining that there were too few people at the guild? Why don’t we train a few women? We can tell others they’re just maids so that it won’t raise suspicions.”
“So that’s the case.” It turns out that they could be female soldiers. Xiang Han came to a realisation.
It didn’t take long for the physician to arrive, along with the old madam and Jin Xue Li. Worry filled their expressions, “What’s going on? I heard that Xiao Bao is sick?”
The corners of Xu Yan Ze’s lips slightly rose. He couldn’t help but say, “He might be…”
“Ahem.” Xiang Han frantically cut him off and said in embarrassment, “I might have caught a cold. Yan Ze was worried and insisted on calling the physician. I didn’t expect it to worry grandmother and father. Your grandson has caused you trouble.”
Xu Yan Ze wasn’t angry. Instead, his eyes were filled with joy as he invited the physician forward.
Jin Xue Li and the old madam were baffled. Their son/grandson’s ear-splitting grin didn’t seem to be very worried for their Xiao Bao.
After taking Xiang Han’s pulse, the physician pinched his goatee and spouted a bunch of stuff that Xu Yan Ze couldn’t understand despite listening with the utmost attention. Not only could he not understand what the physician was saying, there wasn’t even a word of ‘congratulations’. His heart couldn’t help but sink, “Physician, can you make it simpler.”
“Hai, simply put, the young master has suffered a cold in addition to some indigestion which caused him to throw up. It’s not a big problem. He only needs to drink some porridge for a few days and he’d be better. If you’re still worried, I can prescribe some…”
“He’s not pre…?”
Xu Yan Ze hurriedly interrupted him but was harshly pinched and forced to stop.
The old madam promptly said, “Then I’d have to trouble you to give a prescription.”
The three left quickly, leaving Xu Yan Ze behind. He sat on the bed with a forlorn expression.
Xiang Han tugged at his sleeves and said in a small voice, “Sorry… I…”
“It’s fine. Maybe it’s just too early for the physician to tell. Tomorrow, we’ll invite a better physician to take a look.”
“Ah?” Xiang Han was dumbfounded upon seeing him unwilling to give up. He felt as though he’d just picked up a rock and dropped it on his own feet.
The next day, Xu Yan Ze left at the break of dawn. He didn’t head to the guild, but to find Jin Wu’s most proficient physician.
The old physician took half a day before arriving at the Jin manor. After taking Xiang Han’s pulse, he immediately glared at Xu Yan Ze. “This young master’s body is fine. Are you causing such a ruckus to torment this old physician?”
Xu Yan Ze stared blankly at him. When he finally came back to his senses, he hurriedly replied, “I dare not.” However, disappointment filled his heart.
After sending off the physician, he walked around Xiang Han and murmured, “Why is it like this?”
Xiang Han’s face was dark. He asked, “Are you really that desperate for a child?”
“Not really. But if it’s our child, I feel that it would be very… miraculous.” An expression of yearning came across his face.
Xiang Han immediately grew excited. He replied, “Then you should give birth.”
“Ah, I may not be… suitable.” Xu Yan Ze replied evasively.
However, Xiang Han was unresigned. “Does that mean I’m suitable? Do you know how much it hurts? Moreover, it’s life-threatening, especially for males.”
“I don’t mean that. I mean… Ah, forget it. Let’s not have a child. The two of us aren’t suitable.” Recalling that this was an era where medicine was not that advanced, Xu Yan Ze immediately gave up on this idea.
The two of them sat in the courtyard but it didn’t take long for the two servants from last night to rush over. They gracefully bowed before looking up with reddened eyes, “Young Master. Please tell this humble servant just what did we do wrong?”
“No… What’s wrong?”
“Then, why did you…” The green-robed servant girl cautiously glanced at Xu Yan Ze before continuing, “Why did you drive us out?”
Xiang Han felt the hand around his waist tighten but kept a straight face. “What do you mean by driving you out? Yan Ze doesn’t have any servants by his side and needs you two to serve him. If you two are unwilling, you may return to my grandmother’s side.”
The two people were frightened and hurriedly cried, “We dare not.”
Looking at the two people, Xu Yan Ze’s voice was neither overbearing nor weak as he ordered, “Go back and pack your belongings. Report to the guild tomorrow.”
The two servants dared not refuse and quickly wiped away their tears as they left.
Xiang Han was finally relieved and turned to look at Xu Yan Ze. “Are you satisfied now?”
In reply, Xu Yan Ze laughed, “Your performance is not bad. You deserve a reward.”
Without waiting for a reply, he headed straight for the other person’s lips. Unfortunately, an uninvited guest just had to show up at this time.
Wei Zhao had been standing outside of the courtyard for some time. Seeing that they’d finished discussing matters, he’d intended to call out to them but didn’t expect to witness such a scene. When he recalled how Yan Xiao Ze had a crush on him not long ago but was flirting with this fool in the blink of an eye, unhappiness flashed across his face. He deliberately let out a low cough.
Xu Yan Ze and Xiang Han both froze before they smoothly pulled away from each other.
Xu Yan Ze looked towards the entrance unhappily. When he realised it was Wei Zhao, his face grew even darker.
Unexpectedly, Wei Zhao didn’t look at him but at Xiang Han instead. “Brother Jin, I’m sorry to bother you. We didn’t finish our conversation last night and this humble person truly feels regrettable. Therefore, this humble person came to pay you a visit today. I hope brother Jin doesn’t mind this humble person’s impetuous arrival.”
Mind, he minded it extremely!
Both of them only had this thought in their heads. But Xiang Han perfunctorily replied, “Of course not. However, you came at a bad time. This humble person has some matters to attend to…”
“It’s just a few words.” Wei Zhao entered before they could stop him and glanced at Xu Yan Ze in the passing.
However, Xu Yan Ze paid him no mind. He pressed his lips close to Xiang Han’s ears and asked, “Why is he here?”
Xiang Han blinked and asked in a small voice, “He’s a merchant from Qiao Zhou. Do you know him?”
“I don’t.” Xu Yan Ze deliberately spoke in a voice that was loud enough for them to hear, causing Wei Zhao’s face to darken.
Xiang Han pretended to mediate the situation. He said, “To tell you the truth, the Jin family’s business is still not ready. It’s extremely regrettable but I’m afraid that we’re unable to work together.”
After civilities, he once again expressed that he had important matters to attend to and quickly slipped away. Clearly, the person that Wei Zhao wanted to meet was not him. It was better to leave Xu Yan Ze to deal with him.
***
T/n: Orz… some people mentioned XH having a child… because of the mythical fruit. Unfortunately (or fortunately) no mpreg in this book (phew) :3
1he means cousin but ge is used to refer to nonrelated brothers
