ADENCPIFPM Chapter 8

The bathing chamber in the Prince’s Mansion was exceptionally spacious. The inner chamber featured a square pool, and the passageway connecting it to the outer hall was shielded by a folding screen and sheer curtains. A brazier stood on the opposite side, keeping the area around the pool very warm. Outside the curtains, there was also a heated couch, perfect for resting after a bath—or for other activities.

As Mutou stepped into the bathing chamber, a wave of steam washed over his face.

Chongyang closed the outer hall’s doors behind him. The room fell silent, but Mutou’s hearing was keen. He could hear his own breathing and Chu Chen’s, and beyond that, the breath of a third person, though they were clearly trying their best to conceal it.

Mutou frowned slightly, then walked toward the inner chamber without a word, stopping beside the folding screen. A small tea table stood there, with a picture book resting upon it. His gaze lingered on the book, and he couldn’t help but freeze in surprise.

“Did you see that picture book?” Chu Chen’s voice drifted from the inner chamber. Mutou turned to look, catching a glimpse of Chu Chen’s back through the sheer curtains as he sat in the pool. “I wasn’t sure if you’d learned anything before coming here, so I had Chongyang find a book for some last-minute study. It’s better than nothing, I suppose.”

Mutou flipped through several pages of the picture book, seeing that it depicted the intimate embraces of two men.

His gaze shifted from the book to Chu Chen’s back behind the gauze curtains, his expression unreadable.

“Come in once you’ve finished,” Chu Chen’s voice said. “If you can’t understand it, this Prince will teach you personally later.”

Mutou closed the book and stepped into the inner chamber. Soon after, the sound of splashing water echoed from within, indicating that Mutou had also entered the pool.

From a corner where the gauze curtains and folding screen overlapped, a figure emerged. He walked silently to the tea table and reached out to open the picture book. After seeing the images inside, his eyes reddened, and he clenched his fists in silent rage.

But at the same time, he noticed a slender needle placed beside the book. Needless to say, Mutou must have left it there.

Mutou had already discovered him and was warning him not to act rashly.

Yet, as he looked inside the gauze curtains, he couldn’t convince himself to ignore the situation.

That was the most noble Imperial Prince of their Yao State! He should not be trampled in the mud and treated with such contempt!

In the inner chamber, Mutou appeared completely at ease. He walked over and sat down beside Chu Chen, his every detail fully exposed. Chu Chen’s gaze swept quickly over him, and in an instant, the tips of his ears flushed crimson, the redness spreading down his neck.

A wine jug sat by the pool. Chu Chen tilted his head back, took a large gulp of wine, and said, “Later… you know how to serve me, don’t you?”

Mutou’s gaze fixed on Chu Chen, his scrutiny undisguised. Feeling awkward under his stare, Chu Chen snapped, “How dare you! Stop staring at this Prince like that.”

At his words, Mutou lowered his gaze slightly, avoiding Chu Chen’s face, but his eyes landed on a place that could not be named.

Chu Chen felt utterly uncomfortable under his gaze. He took another gulp of wine, then summoned his courage and leaned in close to Mutou. “Since you enjoy looking at this Prince so much, I’ll let you have your fill today. Help me to the heated couch…”

As soon as Chu Chen finished speaking, Mutou reached out and pulled him close.

He grabbed a clean cloth from the poolside, wrapped it around both himself and Chu Chen, and then lifted Chu Chen in a bridal carry. Chu Chen hooked his arms around Mutou’s neck and whispered in his ear, “If you hurt this Prince later, I’ll have you castrated!”

Mutou’s usually impassive face finally betrayed a hint of surprise upon hearing those words.

Seeing this expression, Chu Chen knew he had understood. ‘This mute is just pretending to be innocent; he understands everything!’

But if Mutou understood everything, then Chu Chen wouldn’t have to worry at all…

The items Chongyang had prepared in advance were laid out on the warm couch. They hadn’t been used that day, and today he had someone bring them back exactly as they were. Mutou placed Chu Chen on the couch, and Chu Chen seized the opportunity to pull him close. Looking at the other man’s handsome face, he said, “If you serve me well today, I promise to treat you well in the future and not disappoint you.”

Although their relationship was devoid of any affection, Chu Chen had to admit he took a strong liking to Mutou. Besides, he considered himself quite loyal. Feelings could be cultivated slowly; if their bodies were compatible, affection would naturally follow. He made this promise because he felt some formal commitment was necessary; otherwise, entering such an intimate relationship so abruptly would be too strange.

Mutou’s face was blasted by the breath he exhaled, and his own breathing grew ragged. Yet, his peripheral vision remained fixed on the gauzy curtains behind them. Sure enough, a cold glint shot out from that direction. A flicker of displeasure crossed Mutou’s face as he threw himself forward, wrapping his arms around Chu Chen and rolling him over, narrowly avoiding the projectile.

Chu Chen, bewildered, felt only the unshielded press of their bodies. He reacted almost instantly, but… Mutou did not.

“You… how come…” The alcohol had already taken hold of Chu Chen, making him reckless and utterly devoid of shame. He reached down to test Mutou, asking, “You’re not… impotent, are you?”

Mutou: …

“What’s wrong?” Chu Chen tried to push Mutou away, but his hands were pinned.

Mutou deliberately used his body to shield Chu Chen, but Chu Chen didn’t understand his intentions. Besides, Mutou’s grip was so tight it felt as if his wrists might shatter. In a panic, Chu Chen opened his mouth and bit Mutou’s neck.

Before Chu Chen could even let go of his bite, a figure suddenly burst from behind the gauze curtains, charging toward the heated couch.

Mutou frowned, pulled the thin blanket over Chu Chen to shield him, and then, from an angle Chu Chen couldn’t see, flicked a slender needle. It struck the assailant’s acupoint, instantly freezing him in place.

Only then did Chu Chen notice the man’s presence.

The assailant:!

Chu Chen:!

The three of them stared at each other in stunned silence. Finally, Chu Chen snapped into action. ‘An assassin!’

Without a moment to wonder why the assassin was standing motionless, he leapt from the couch, still wrapped in the blanket. He snatched the longsword hanging on the wall and lunged at the intruder. The sword had been purely decorative, yet in this crisis, Chu Chen had managed to wield it as a weapon.

As the blade was about to strike, the assassin looked at Mutou in terror. Mutou, however, remained unmoved. Sure enough, Chu Chen’s sword merely glanced off the man’s clothes, failing to even puncture the fabric. The longsword was too soft—it was completely unwieldy!

Just as Chu Chen was about to strike again, Mutou finally spoke. “Your Highness, please show mercy.”

Mutou’s voice was low and steady, and to Chu Chen’s ears, it even carried a hint of gentleness.

Chu Chen froze for a moment, then turned to Mutou and asked, “You’re not a mute?”

Mutou replied in a low voice, “I’m not.”

Chu Chen looked at Mutou, then at the other man, and a realisation gradually dawned on him.

“Who is this?” Chu Chen asked.

“He is…” Mutou looked at the man, his gaze tinged with a hint of displeasure.

Chu Chen took in the man’s red-rimmed eyes, the timing of his appearance, and Mutou’s plea for mercy—even dropping his act as a mute to do so. He immediately understood. “Is he your lover?”

Mutou: …

He didn’t deny it. In truth, he simply couldn’t think of a more plausible identity to claim.

“Excellent!” Chu Chen threw down his longsword, his fury instantly ignited. He turned to Mutou and said, “This Prince thought you were a willing servant, but it seems I’ve wronged you. Of course… ever since you entered the Prince’s Mansion, you’ve never spoken a single word to me. If you hadn’t stepped in to plead for him today, were you planning to keep up this act forever?”

Mutou: …

“Actually, I…”

“Young Master!” the man suddenly spoke, startling Chu Chen. “Why do you need to explain anything to him? Today’s events were forced upon you by that dog emperor in the first place, and he only sought to humiliate you afterwards. You…”

“Bullshit!” Chu Chen roared. “When has this Prince ever humiliated this blockhead?”

‘Clearly, he was the one who had lowered himself, almost deciding to let this blockhead…’

The more Chu Chen thought about it, the angrier he became. He felt like a complete joke.

Fortunately, he still retained a shred of reason. The man’s sudden, undetected appearance meant he was no ordinary person. But why was he standing still now? He must be doing so out of respect for Shitou. In any case, Chu Chen had no advantage at the moment. If the man chose to join forces with Shitou to take his life, he’d be dead before he could even scream.

With this thought, Chu Chen suppressed his rage and said, “Get out, both of you!”

As he turned to leave, Mutou reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“What else do you want?” Chu Chen struggled to free himself but failed. He was both furious and anxious, thinking, ‘Are you trying to kill me to silence me?’

Mutou spoke up, “This man is my distant cousin. He learned I had entered the Prince’s Mansion as a male favourite and was incensed, which is why he rushed in so recklessly. Your Highness is known for your benevolence; please forgive his impetuous behaviour.”

“Young Master, why are you pleading for him? I would rather die—”

Slap!

Before the man could finish, Mutou struck him across the face, leaving half his cheek flushed crimson.

Chu Chen flinched, frozen in shock for a long moment. He was terrified that Mutou might turn and strike him next.

“Your Highness… please do not be angry,” Mutou said, his tone patient and sincere.

Chu Chen was stunned. ‘It seems Mutou isn’t planning to turn on me…’ he thought. ‘That’s good. At least my life is safe for now.’

He gradually calmed down, even feeling surprised by his own earlier anger. He and Mutou had only been forced together by the Emperor’s decree. They shared no affection, no friendship—only the shared goal of fulfilling the Emperor’s orders.

As for Mutou’s true motives, he had yet to discover them.

But now was not the time to dwell on that…

With this in mind, Chu Chen forced a faint smile and said to Mutou, “Whether he is your cousin or your lover, this Prince will no longer hold it against you. I’ll consider today’s events as if they never happened. Once you leave this bathhouse, you… will still be This Prince’s male favourite. If anyone asks, just say you served me well, and this Prince was very satisfied.”

Mutou was momentarily stunned by the sudden change in Chu Chen’s attitude.

But Chu Chen only wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible, so he added,

“You two may say whatever you wish; This Prince will not disturb you.”

After saying this, Chu Chen hurried behind the screen to change his clothes, then bolted out of the bathhouse. He had actually hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should have Chongyang go in and seize the man. But on second thought, if Chongyang couldn’t defeat them and they escaped, wouldn’t he be in even more danger later? It was better to show mercy when possible and leave a way out, so they could meet again in the future without animosity.

When Chongyang saw him emerge, he hurried forward to meet him.

Chu Chen instructed, “Let Mutou rest for a while. Do not go in and disturb him.”

Chongyang snapped back to his senses, his mind flashing with many scenes that would not pass censorship. He hastily complied and asked, “Should we call a physician for Mutou?”

“No need. This Prince is not that crude,” Chu Chen said, glancing at the door behind him before striding away.

“One bath, one assassin, one fake mute, one fake lover—and somehow nobody got what they came for.” 😂

If this chapter made you laugh, confused you, or made you question everyone’s life choices…
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