ADENCPIFPM Chapter 11

The manager and attendants of the pleasure boat were half-scared to death when they heard that the Sixth Highness had fallen into the water. After all, not long ago, the Sixth Highness had also fallen into Changning Lake, and the next day, both pleasure boats involved had vanished without a trace. With today’s incident, Yang Qin, a notorious dandy, was also implicated. They had no idea how to resolve this mess.

The attendants could only tremble in fear as they reported the incident to the Patrol and Defence Battalion and then went to fetch a set of clean clothes.

Inside the cabin, Chu Chen was wrapped in a blanket, with two newly lit charcoal braziers placed before him. Mutou was using a cloth to dry his hair. Chu Chen’s gaze fell on the clothes brought by the attendant, and he frowned. “Where did you get these?”

“We don’t have any on our boat, so we borrowed a clean set from the one next door. Your Highness, please bear with us for a moment,” the attendant said with a pained expression.

The clothes were not only gaudy but also heavily perfumed, the scent so strong it made one’s nose itch. It was obvious they had borrowed the clothes of a male courtesan. After all, no one else on these pleasure boats would have clean, spare clothes.

“I don’t want to wear this. Take it away,” Chu Chen said, rubbing his nose, which was tingling from the perfume.

The attendant held the clothes, at a loss. Just then, Mutou took them and said, “Give them to me.”

“Your Highness doesn’t want to wear a male courtesan’s clothes, so you can wear mine,” Mutou said as he took off his own inner and outer robes and handed them to Chu Chen. Then, he calmly changed into that gaudy, perfumed outfit. Only then did Chu Chen remember that Mutou was also a male courtesan on the pleasure boat. How could he have forgotten?

Mutou’s clothes still held his body heat. After putting them on, Chu Chen’s ears turned slightly red, as if he had just thought of something.

Seeing him hesitate, Mutou personally helped him tie the sash, his expression calm and gentle. Staring at Mutou’s face so close to his own, Chu Chen suddenly recalled the events from not long ago. “After I went back last time, I had Chongyang bring silver to buy your freedom, but we couldn’t find your boat anymore.”

“That night, Your Highness fell into the water on the boat and even caused a commotion for His Highness the Crown Prince. Everyone was afraid the court would hold them accountable, so they dispersed overnight,” Mutou said.

“Then… how did you end up in my father’s hands again?” Chu Chen asked. “And then get handed over to me?”

A hint of self-mockery flashed in Mutou’s eyes as he said faintly, “Your Highness is so clever, you should have guessed it by now.”

“Do you… have some leverage my father is holding over you, so you can’t leave?” Chu Chen asked.

Mutou said, “All under heaven is the king’s land. I have nowhere to flee.”

Hearing this, Chu Chen reached out and grasped Mutou’s hand, saying, “From now on, you…”

Before he could finish, a soldier from the Patrol and Defence Battalion reported at the door. A moment later, he came in and told Chu Chen that all the men Yang Qin had brought were under control, asking if Chu Chen had any further instructions.

Chu Chen thought for a moment and said, “Release them all. I have already taught them the lesson they deserved.”

No matter what, Yang Qin was the Noble Consort’s nephew, and he hadn’t gained any advantage today. Chu Chen did not wish to prolong the conflict.

The soldier from the Patrol and Defence Battalion withdrew upon hearing this, but before leaving, his gaze lingered on Mutou a few more times.

Chu Chen noticed the gaze and looked at Mutou. He felt that after changing into these gaudy clothes, Mutou’s entire person had become even more pleasing to the eye. Anyone who saw him would be tempted to take a second look.

“Mutou, bend over,” Chu Chen said. Mutou complied, and Chu Chen casually took a black sash and tied it over Mutou’s eyes. With his eyes covered, the sharpness in Mutou’s gaze was completely hidden. Combined with this attire, he suddenly took on an indescribable aura.

Chu Chen took a deep breath, his finger tracing the other man’s lips as a strange thought flickered in his mind. He felt a surge of relief that Mutou had fallen into his hands; if anyone else had gotten hold of him, it would have been a true shame.

“How outrageous! In just half a month, you’ve let my Sixth Brother fall into the water twice! What use are you?” The Crown Prince’s voice boomed from outside the cabin, clearly berating Chongyang and Chu Chen’s retinue.

Chu Chen startled at the sound of the Crown Prince’s arrival and hastily sat up straight, forgetting to untie the blindfold over Mutou’s eyes. The Crown Prince stormed in, his gaze sweeping over the two men before he took a seat opposite Chu Chen.

“I’ve already had the legs of the man who threw the chair at you broken,” the Crown Prince declared. “Attempting to harm an Imperial Prince is a grave offence, but Yang Qin is, after all, the Noble Consort’s nephew. If this matter were brought before our Father, He might not side with you.”

Chu Chen nodded. “I know. Thank you, Third Brother.”

“It was my negligence today,” the Crown Prince said. “When I asked you to meet me a few days ago, I forgot what day it was, and you ended up caught in this chaos. I’ll be keeping you away from the lake from now on. This incident, and the one before it, have been enough to give anyone a heart attack. Thank goodness you weren’t injured.”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s concerned expression, Chu Chen felt a surge of warmth. He thought to himself that although his original body’s third brother, the Crown Prince, held a noble title and had a bit of a temper, he truly cared for him.

“Go to Fifth Younger Brother’s residence tomorrow,” the Crown Prince said. “Tell him you had a falling out with Yang Qin and feel bad about it. Ask him to help you mediate with the Yang Family.”

Chu Chen froze, muttering, “But Yang Qin was the one who provoked me today. He’s the one who started the fight.”

“He started the fight?” the Crown Prince asked. “Then what about that slap you gave him?”

Chu Chen raised an eyebrow, not daring to argue further, but he still felt a lingering sense of injustice. ‘Yang Qin was the one who started it today, even trying to make a move on my man. Never mind just slapping that bastard once—I wished I could have kicked him a couple of times too! And yet the Crown Prince is actually making me go apologise…’

“Endure this grievance for now,” the Crown Prince said gently, smoothing the stray hairs on Chu Chen’s forehead. “I’ll remember this. In three days, Second Brother will be hosting a Horse Meet in the eastern suburbs. The official reason is to let the young officials of the capital ride horses together, boosting morale and showing support for the war effort at the front.”

Chu Chen thought to himself, A poetry gathering, and now a Horse Meet… They really don’t ever stop, do they?

“Second Brother isn’t very close to Fourth Brother, so Fifth Brother probably won’t go,” the Crown Prince said. “When you visit his manor tomorrow, bring up the Horse Meet. He’s been feeling guilty about his previous scheme against you, so he definitely won’t refuse you.”

This was a blatant request for Chu Chen to go and apologise, but the real goal was to have him coax the Fifth Imperial Prince into attending the Horse Meet.

Chu Chen was quick-witted and understood the Crown Prince’s intention immediately.

“The early spring chill is severe in the second month. Since you fell into the water, you shouldn’t stay outdoors. We’ll reschedule tonight’s meal. Go back early, take a hot bath, and drink some ginger soup.” The Crown Prince rose to leave, but before doing so, he shot Mutou a meaningful glance.

Chu Chen: …

‘Why are both of them staring at Mutou with such blatant expressions?’

‘Can’t they be a bit more discreet?’

Chu Chen had originally planned to ask the Crown Prince to help him investigate Mutou’s background. But now that he knew Mutou was the same young man who had rescued him that night, his guard against him had dropped significantly. After being saved by Mutou twice, a seed of trust had begun to grow in his heart, so he was in no rush to ask any more questions.

“He’s using you,” Mutou said suddenly.

Chu Chen was surprised. He hadn’t expected Mutou to be so blunt about the Crown Prince’s intentions.

“I know,” Chu Chen replied. “But it doesn’t matter.”

The Crown Prince had likely held back, not stating his motives or the full story because Mutou was present. But Chu Chen suspected the Prince had other arrangements for this trip. As for whether he was being used—Chu Chen didn’t mind. Between imperial brothers, expecting a relationship based solely on affection, without any other considerations, was an unattainable luxury.

At least he still held some value in the Crown Prince’s eyes, which Chu Chen considered a good thing. He had no desire to seize power, nor did he intend to oppose the Crown Prince. Occasionally assisting him with minor tasks in exchange for his protection seemed like a fair trade.

When they left the pleasure boat, Chu Chen found himself without shoes. The young man’s shoes were too small for either of them to wear.

Seeing this, Mutou bent slightly, presenting his back to Chu Chen. “Get on. I’ll carry you.”

Chu Chen hesitated for a moment before hopping onto Mutou’s back. Mutou was a martial artist, after all—broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted, and built with lean muscle. As Chu Chen lay against his back, he couldn’t help but squeeze the muscles, feeling thoroughly satisfied.

“What was your name before?” Chu Chen asked, his face pressed against the side of Mutou’s neck.

“I had no name,” Mutou replied flatly. “A life like drifting duckweed, trampled by others… what need is there for a name?”

Chu Chen’s heart ached at the words. ‘

Mutou is so handsome and carries himself with the grace of a scholar, yet he’s also trained in martial arts. He must have been destined for a bright future. How did he end up like this?’

He didn’t want to upset the man, so he didn’t press further. As they grew closer, Mutou would surely share his story in time.

“Then do you like the name I gave you?” Chu Chen asked.

“No one else will call me by it anyway,” Mutou said. “As long as Your Highness likes it.”

As Mutou carried him through the crowds along the shores of Changning Lake, Chu Chen felt a strange sense of kinship. He had been transported from another world, leaving him kinless and drifting like duckweed himself. Fortunately, now that he had Mutou, he wasn’t so lonely.

“Your… condition,” Chu Chen asked, “did you acquire it while working as a male courtesan?”

Mutou froze, momentarily at a loss for how to answer.

He knew exactly what “condition” Chu Chen was referring to. But since he didn’t plan on revealing that the Emperor had drugged him, he remained silent.

Seeing his silence, Chu Chen realised his question might have wounded Mutou’s pride. He tightened his arm around Mutou’s waist and said, “Rest assured, I will never despise you for this. From now on, you can follow me without worry. I will cherish you with all my heart.”

Chu Chen’s words were spoken with such openness and sincerity that, although Mutou knew they were likely born of pity rather than true love, his heart still stirred for a fleeting moment. In that brief instant, the biting chill of Changning Lake seemed to vanish, replaced by a gentle spring breeze that carried a refreshing warmth…

Chu Chen: “I’ll cherish you with all my heart.” 😭

BRO YOU JUST MET THIS MAN, CALM DOWN 💀

Five minutes ago you were investigating him. Now you’re riding on his back, squeezing his muscles and basically proposing. 😂

And Mutou is just there like: “🙂 …what the hell is happening?”

Anyway, buy your translator a coffee ☕ I need to process this too.