Forced to Marry the Enemy Prince - Chapter 61

Perhaps because he was as shameless as Zhan Lue, Qi Siyue did not feel embarrassed at what he did earlier. Instead, he explained to Zhan Lue seriously, “You misunderstood me. I…” 

“Shut up.” Zhan Lue strode over, while Qi Siyue took a step sideways. Zhan Lue walked towards Xian Sheng, carried him and left, as if he was a dog hiding its meat. 

Although they did not feel embarrassed, Xian Sheng did. 

After Zhan Lue brought him to a room, he pinched Xian Sheng’s cheek and ordered, “Sit here first. Ignore anyone who comes.” Xian Sheng nodded obediently.

The Empress sent someone to summon Zhan Lue. After pecking Xian Sheng on his lips, Zhan Lue turned around and left. 

When he reached the entrance, he dragged Qi Siyue to the courtyard forcefully. As he was still bothered by what Qi Siyue said the other day about being tempted by Xian Sheng, his expression was very tense. Qi Siyue had no choice but to coax him, “I’m not trying to say anything. I’m just curious about him. Zhan Lue… I’ve been gay for more than twenty years. How is it possible for me to like women? Would you believe it? I wouldn’t.” 

“Shut up.” Zhan Lue did not want to listen to him at all. When Qi Siyue saw how determined he was, he had no choice but to stay quiet. However, as he had nothing to do, he could only sit in the middle of the corridor and sigh while he watched other people rushing around. 

In the backroom, Xian Sheng rested on the bed. Suddenly, he heard a voice from outside. It was Zhan Jin. “Sister-in-law, can I enter?” 

He sat up subconsciously. After telling Ru Yi to open the door, he said gently, “Come in.” 

When Zhan Jin walked in, Xian Sheng smiled at him. “Sit.” 

Zhan Jin received the tea Ru Yi passed him. He stayed silent throughout until Xian Sheng told Ru Yi to leave the room. Then, he said, “Thank you, sister-in-law. Royal Brother agreed to let me go to the military camp.” 

Xian Sheng nodded and asked, “Did he say anything else?” 

“He also said that… If I don’t wish to marry, I don’t have to for now.” Zhan Jin’s eyelashes fluttered down and he became quiet. Although they were alone in the room like the other day, he was completely different from how pushy he had been. 

Staring at him for a while, Xian Sheng asked, “And?” 

“Nothing else.” 

“If you have any grievances, you can tell him directly. There’s no need to beat around the bush.” 

“As long as I can leave the palace, I won’t have to bother about anything else.” He paused before continuing, “If I made you angry that day, I’m really sorry.” 

Xian Sheng lowered his head and fidgeted with his sachet. His sachet was light green and he changed it regularly. He carried it with him ever since he was born and inside it was his Master’s protective talisman. 

As he toyed with the sachet, he fell into a deep thought. Lifting his head, he asked, “If I did not guess wrongly, someone discovered your secret by accident, and threatened you to harm me, right?” 

Zhan Jin’s fingers shrank back into his sleeves. He said hesitatingly, “Absolutely not.” 

“Remember that day when you came for hotpot with Zhan Yin? She was unwilling to help out and you mentioned something about someone poisoning me.” Xian Sheng recalled and continued, “That reason was so abrupt and weird. How could you think of it so suddenly? Perhaps I’m just overthinking, but I’m guessing that you said it subconsciously because you think that someone is going to sabotage me, right?” 

Zhan Jin’s pupils constricted as he stared at Xian Sheng fixedly. “Are you treated well in Liang?” 

“Of course,” replied Xian Sheng. “I’m the princess of Liang. My father doted on me and even gave me the title of the Crown Princess. Although I’m sick, I’m not blind or deaf. When I saw you for the first time, I knew that you were not in a good position. You wished for nothing more than to evade the spotlight. If you are already struggling to protect yourself, why would you seek more trouble? Plus, you know how special I am to Zhan Lue. When you were asking me for a favour, you shouldn’t have said anything that made me unhappy.” 

However, Zhan Jin’s words that day pierced his heart. At first, Xian Sheng wondered if he had offended Zhan Jin before. Yet, with a personality like his, he would not target Xian Sheng so obviously even if he was offended. Hence, his behaviour was really weird. 

Zhan Jin apologised again. “I was in a bad mood.” 

“Why would you be in a bad mood for no reason? Why would you fail to control your emotions even though you’re asking me for a favour? Ah Jin, I know that you have no ill-intentions. Someone forced you to harm me, but you dare not obey or reject the person. Hence, you said those words to make me hate you and interact less with you. Then, you can excuse yourself and be freed from the person.” 

Xian Sheng lifted the teacup, took a sip and smiled. “I’ve received your warning and forgiven your disrespect. Drink up.” 

Zhan Jin did not expect Xian Sheng to see through his act. Picking his teacup up dazedly, he did not drink it. “Since you were so pampered in Liang, why must you do this?” 

Xian Sheng asked, “Do what?” 

Why must you pretend to be a woman? 

Zhan Jin was a bit lost. He lowered his head and felt confused, mumbling to himself, “Seems like I’m wrong.”  

Xian Sheng did not rebuke him. Suddenly, Zhan Jin remembered something. “Have you told this to Royal Brother?” 

“Do you think that he won’t notice if I don’t tell him? I only mentioned that you said things that upset me, and he looked for you immediately. He understood clearly.” 

Zhan Jin’s expression became unpleasant. Zhan Lue did not like to drag things on. Even if he did not say it explicitly, he might send someone secretly to investigate Zhan Jin. By then, his secret would be exposed. 

He shuddered slightly and his eyes reddened. Xian Sheng consoled him, “He’s a sensitive person. Although he’s quite childish sometimes, he’s quite thoughtful and would not seek trouble. Don’t worry.” 

“It’s too cold… Wow, it’s freezing!” A person dashed in from outside—it was Zhan Yin. Stomping the snow away from her shoes and noticing Zhan Jin, she immediately grabbed his neck with her cold hands. Zhan Jin shivered and tried to dodge her hands. Standing up hurriedly, he grabbed her arms and frowned. “What are you doing?” 

“I went to dig out the wine that we buried last year.” Zhan Yin’s eyes sparkled. Suddenly, she paused. “Ah Jin, what happened? Are you crying? Who bullied you? I’ll skin the person alive!”  

She turned her head around to find the culprit, but discovered that only Xian Sheng was in the room. Hence, she looked back at Zhan Jin. “I know! Both of you must have been talking about some sad memories, right?” 

Zhan Jin mumbled something. 

Zhan Yin looked at Xian Sheng, who was smiling gently. “Yes.” 

Zhan Jin said, “I’ll go out and see if there’s anything I can help with.” 

“You…” Zhan Yin ran out after him, but returned soon later. She stared at Xian Sheng for a while, as if she was checking if he was the culprit. Remaining silent, Xian Sheng locked his gaze with hers.

Almost falling into his eyes, Zhan Yin ran behind him and massaged his shoulders, saying softly, “My dear sister-in-law, don’t bully Ah Jin, okay? She’s so pitiful and obedient. If she made you angry, she didn’t do it on purpose.” 

“You think that I bullied her?” 

“Well, I didn’t know anything…” 

Xian Sheng laughed and reminded, “It’s not me. Someone else is bullying her.” 

 Zhan Yin frowned and asked, “Who?” 

“Pay more attention when you return to the palace. You’ll find out.” 

Zhan Yin nodded and stared at him. Xian Sheng felt uneasy immediately. It seemed like she was like a little tigress wanting to eat him alive. 

He averted his gaze subconsciously, but Zhan Yin pounced towards him and gave him a peck on his cheek. “Sister-in-law, you smell so good. I’m literally going to die. I want to snatch you away from brother… “

Xian Sheng pushed her cheek away immediately and wiped her saliva off his face. He said forcefully, “Go out. Don’t look for me anymore.” 

“What are you scared of? We are both females. Mother loves it when I kiss her… Oh, right! Do you want to go to the onsen tonight? It’s very comforta—Mm!” 

Xian Sheng shoved a pastry into her mouth and ordered, “Get out.” 

How can there be a lady like her? Xian Sheng thought while his eye twitched uncontrollably. Does she know what she’s doing?! 

After chasing Zhan Yin away with much difficulty, he leaned against the chair for a while. Then, he took the blanket and covered his legs. 

Zhan Lue picked Xian Sheng up after he finished his tasks. However, he discovered that Xian Sheng had fallen asleep on the chair so he waited patiently. When the Empress arrived to call them, Zhan Lue said, “You can leave first.” 

“Don’t forget to come for the reunion dinner tonight.” The Empress glanced at Xian Sheng and became dissatisfied. “Her body is too weak. How can she raise children in the future?” 

“That’s a matter for the future. I’m not anxious for anything now.” 

Although he was not anxious, the Empress was. She spun around and was about to leave when Zhan Yin collided with her. She moved away quickly and asked, “Mother, where’s sister-in-law?” 

“She’s sleeping. Let’s go home first.”

“Then…” 

“What?” The Empress suddenly looked at her disdainfully. “Why are you so ugly?” 

Zhan Yin was stunned before rebuking timidly, “I… I’m not ugly!” 

“If only you are half as pretty as your sister-in-law…” 

“Sister-in-law is not the one who gave birth to me!” She pouted. When she saw that the Empress raised her hand, she clutched her head and ran away. 

The Empress scoffed coldly and walked out to meet the officials. She walked slower and adjusted her expression before saying formally, “The Crown Princess has been included in the Royal Family Records. It’s time to let the ladies meet her. What do you think, Your Majesty?” 

“Huh?” Emperor Jin suddenly remembered about this and said, “That’s the protocol. Go back and inform your wives. The Crown Princess will organise a dinner soon.” 

The officials accepted his command. 

According to Northern Jin’s traditions, when a woman married into a foreign place, she would have to acquaint herself with her neighbours. When it came to the nobles, the wife would have to organise a dinner for the other ladies to build a good relationship. If anything happened to their husbands at court, they could help each other out. 

The Crown Princess would become the mother of the nation in the future. Naturally, it was necessary to be familiar with the ladies of the nobility. 

The dinner was planned to be held after the New Year. 

Emperor Jin and the Empress walked out of the temple together and boarded their respective carriages. The officials bowed and waited for the royal carriages to leave. After exchanging glances, the officials started discussing amongst themselves. 

Xian Sheng, who was in a deep sleep, suddenly sneezed and woke up in shock. After staying in a trance for a while, he realised that Zhan Lue’s expression looked quite dark. Hence, he sat up quickly and wiped the saliva off Zhan Lue’s face. “You… Why are you here?” 

“I’m waiting for you.” 

After his nap, his body felt very weak. After making sure that Zhan Lue was not furious, he lay back down. “Are you done with everything?” 

“Yeah,” said Zhan Lue. “We have to go to the palace for the reunion dinner.” 

“Aren’t we going to eat barbequed meat?” 

“You want to see Qi Siyue?” Zhan Lue’s expression became frosty again. There was an awkward silence before Xian Sheng said, “He’s gay. Why do you keep being jealous of him?” 

Zhan Lue remained silent. 

Not receiving an answer from Xian Sheng, Zhan Lue simply wrapped his coat around him and carried him out. Nestled in his arms, Xian Sheng remembered the eight ‘The ancestors are satisfied’ from today and burst out laughing. “You have to carry me all the time. Are the ancestors really satisfied?” 

“You don’t have the red dot between your eyebrows now. They can’t see you.” 

“Oh.” 

Zhan Lue placed Xian Sheng into the carriage. After sitting down, Xian Sheng realised that there was a book tossed in a corner. Picking it up confusedly, he asked, “You even brought a book today?” 

“Father is taking the royal carriage. This is another carriage arranged for us. It’s not mine.” 

“I see.” 

Zhan Lue boarded the carriage with him. Hugging Xian Sheng and placing him onto his lap, he said, “Look at its contents.” 

Xian Sheng was already used to Zhan Lue’s habit of hugging him randomly. Making himself comfortable on Zhan Lue’s lap, he flipped the book open. 

The first page was blank. 

Zhan Lue raised an eyebrow and Xian Sheng continued flipping through the book. This time, their expressions changed. 

Xian Sheng closed the book immediately. Blushing, he said, “I… Who…” 

“Is it two men?” 

“…” 

Zhan Lue took the book grimly. Pressing Xian Sheng’s head against his chest so he would not see, Zhan Lue flipped through the book himself. When his gaze fell onto the two bodies intertwined with each other, the veins on his forehead throbbed. Hugging Xian Sheng tightly, he said, “This must belong to Qi Siyue.” 

Xian Sheng stuttered, “He… Why did he place…” 

“He’s trying to disgust me.” Zhan Lue frowned and looked at Xian Sheng suddenly. The latter lowered his head immediately, but Zhan Lue pinched his chin and lifted his head. 

Then, he sealed Xian Sheng’s lips and kissed him until he panted. Still unsatisfied, he prolonged the kiss, enjoying Xian Sheng’s lips slowly. He mumbled, “Yours are the sweetest.” 

Xian Sheng did not know what to say and forced himself to smile. 

T/N: We will be dropping this novel after this chapter due to various reasons.

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