After The Soft And Cute Beauty Marries The Wolf King - Chapter 75

The Third Prince of the An Yu Kingdom, Xie Zhiqing, who was the most favored, recently got married.

 

This marriage was both good and not so good. 

 

His marriage partner was none other than the most valiant and battle-hardened general of the current dynasty, Lang Sa. 

 

The Lang family had been influential ministers for generations, and Lang Sa himself was invincible in battle, having won a major victory for An Yu just half a year ago. 

 

After his triumphant return, the Emperor asked him what reward he wanted, promising that whatever Lang Sa desired, the Emperor would make it happen. 

 

But Lang Sa said that he wanted Xie Zhiqing. 

 

The Emperor hesitated. 

 

With the Lang family’s background and Lang Sa’s extraordinary abilities, marrying Xie Zhiqing to him would indeed be a good match. However, the Emperor deeply cherished this youngest son, and everyone in the court knew that he was reluctant to part with him.

 

Lang Sa said nothing more, simply standing there and looking at the Emperor. He remained silent, but the pressure in his gaze was felt by the Emperor. The Emperor’s heart grew increasingly conflicted.

 

Lately, there had been whispers in the court, suggesting that… perhaps Lang Sa was becoming a bit too proud of his achievements. The Emperor didn’t want to think of him this way, but he couldn’t help being cautious, making the marriage even harder to arrange.

 

On one hand, he didn’t want to part with Xie Zhiqing, and on the other, he couldn’t outright refuse Lang Sa, so he stalled, saying that marriage was an important matter that needed careful consideration.

 

Later, Xie Zhiqing somehow heard about this and came to the Emperor, offering to marry Lang Sa. The Little Prince said nothing else, only that he had heard General Lang was exceptionally handsome, and he thought it would be a good match.

 

And so, the matter was settled.

 

The Emperor built a new residence for Xie Zhiqing, and the wedding ceremony was grand and lively, giving the newlyweds a ceremonious and glorious marriage.

 

Now, ten days had passed since Xie Zhiqing’s wedding. The marriage of a prince was a significant event, and Xie Zhiqing had been busy to the point of confusion. Finally, he had time to return to the palace and visit his twin brother.

 

…These twins, in a way, shared the same fate.

 

“Originally, I planned to stay in the palace with you and the Crown Prince forever,” Xie Zhiqing said, sitting down and looking up at the sun.

 

Xie Zhifeng poked his nose and said, “Don’t be silly. You’re not like me… you’re different.”

 

Xie Zhiqing turned to look at him but didn’t continue the topic, instead saying, “Even though the palace and the prince’s residence are close, it still feels like something is missing.”

 

Xie Zhifeng replied, “You’ve only just moved out of the palace; it’s natural to feel a bit out of place. Don’t you remember? The Crown Prince was the same when he moved out.”

 

Xie Zhiqing wrinkled his nose. “Yes… but I still don’t want to leave you. I want to stay by my brother’s side.”

 

Xie Zhifeng shook his head with a smile.

 

After a moment, he sensed something was wrong and quickly asked, “Xiao Qing’er, could it be that General Lang isn’t treating you well?”

 

Xie Zhiqing didn’t answer directly, only saying, “I wouldn’t say that… I just haven’t seen him for several days.”

 

“You haven’t seen him for several days?” Xie Zhifeng was shocked. “How could that be?!”

 

Xie Zhiqing sighed. “He’s very busy… He leaves for court before I wake up and hasn’t returned by the time I go to bed.”

 

Every night when the Little Prince went to sleep, the bedding and pillow beside him were always perfectly neat; and when he woke up, there would always be signs of rumpling, with a trace of lingering warmth.

 

“Is he really that busy?” Xie Zhifeng asked, worried. “Could it be that he’s avoiding you?”

 

The two twins, completely oblivious to matters of affection, huddled in the garden, whispering their secret concerns.

 

Xie Zhiqing scratched his face, seriously pondering for a moment, then said, “But why would he avoid me…?”

 

The Little Prince was too embarrassed to say what he was thinking.

 

After all, wasn’t this marriage Lang Sa’s request in the first place?

 

“Yeah… what reason would he have to avoid you?” Xie Zhifeng couldn’t figure it out either. “He should like you, right?”

 

“…” The Little Prince’s face turned bright red, and he said bashfully, “Brother! What nonsense are you talking about?!”

 

Xie Zhifeng feigned confusion and said, “Isn’t it true? I heard that the prize General Lang requested was to marry you—”

 

Xie Zhiqing angrily interrupted him, “Stop talking, brother!”

 

Xie Zhifeng blinked innocently.

 

After some playful banter, Xie Zhifeng became serious again, still worried about his little brother. After thinking for a while, he said, “General Lang… must be really busy. Besides, you two just got married, and he probably has other matters to deal with. Maybe he’s just genuinely busy.”

 

Xie Zhiqing said, “I know… He probably is really busy.”

 

A few days ago, Xie Zhiqing had vaguely heard the sound of Lang Sa closing the door while he was half-asleep. He was too tired to open his eyes, murmured something indistinctly, but it seemed like it was just a dream, as Lang Sa didn’t notice and continued washing up and getting ready for bed.

 

But… Xie Zhiqing vaguely felt that Lang Sa might have touched his face before lying down.

 

The Little Prince was too embarrassed to bring up this matter, even with his brother.

 

That night, Lang Sa’s actions were gentle and careful, as if he were touching some rare treasure.

 

However, when Xie Zhiqing opened his eyes the next morning, all that remained beside him was a faint trace of warmth.

 

As he thought about it, Xie Zhiqing started to feel upset.

 

Of course, he knew that Lang Sa was busy, but… the marriage between a prince and a general would naturally attract attention, wouldn’t it? It wasn’t like an ordinary civilian marriage.

 

He’s the one who suggested the marriage, and now he’s… Lang Sa, really! Xie Zhiqing thought angrily.

 

The Little Prince’s expression changed rapidly, and Xie Zhifeng couldn’t help but worry.

 

This Second Prince had only seen General Lang from a distance at his little brother’s wedding.

 

He carefully recalled the scene…

 

Well, that General Lang was indeed handsome, but… he seemed a bit fierce.

 

The way he kicked open the bridal sedan and scooped up his little brother in one go was quite terrifying.

 

Xie Zhifeng tugged at his little brother’s sleeve and asked, “So, is General Lang… very fierce? Has he ever been fierce to you?”

 

“No, he hasn’t.” Xie Zhiqing pouted, becoming more and more upset. “I don’t know if he’s fierce or not, but… but…”

 

The more the Little Prince thought about it, the more disheartened he became. His eyes lowered, and he said dejectedly, “But… but Lang Sa is really annoying!”

 

Just as the words left his mouth, they were interrupted by a young maid’s alarmed voice from a distance: “General Lang, General Lang! You can’t just come in like that!!”

 

Xie Zhiqing: “…”

 

He turned his head and saw Lang Sa just a few meters away, across the small stream, walking toward them.

 

This back garden had been specially built by the Emperor for these twin brothers to relax in—Xie Zhifeng’s health wasn’t good, so he couldn’t go out, and usually, he would just bask in the sun here.

 

Generally, no one would disturb them here.

 

Xie Zhiqing never expected Lang Sa to appear here. He blinked in panic, stood up, and stammered, “Lang Sa, w-why are you here?”

 

Lang Sa looked at him, his expression strange, and said, “When I returned home and didn’t see you, I asked the nanny and found out you had gone to the palace, so I came to check on you.”

 

What’s there to check… Xie Zhiqing grumbled inwardly.

 

The Little Prince had never spoken ill of anyone behind their back before, and he certainly didn’t expect to be caught red-handed by the very person he was talking about. Nervously, he rubbed his fingers, and before Lang Sa could question him, he started feeling guilty.

 

He looked at Xie Zhifeng and said quietly, “Brother, it’s getting late. I-I should leave the palace now…”

 

With that, he left in a hurry, not waiting for Xie Zhifeng to respond.

 

He left so quickly, completely absorbed in the shame of “being caught badmouthing Lang Sa.” He walked with his head down, not even noticing the tall tree ahead.

 

“…” Lang Sa sighed softly. “Sigh.”

 

Xie Zhiqing turned around blankly, “Huh?”

 

His waist was suddenly grabbed by Lang Sa’s large hand, causing him to stumble, only to be securely held in place.

 

“Watch where you’re going,” Lang Sa said helplessly. “How did you manage to almost walk into a tree?”

 

Xie Zhiqing looked up in confusion and realized he was just a step away from walking into the tree!

 

“…” Xie Zhiqing closed his eyes and felt his ears turning red.

 

He weakly defended himself, “… I-I knew there was a tree ahead!”

 

Lang Sa replied, “… Alright then.”

 

After this incident, Xie Zhiqing’s frustration grew, and he remained silent all the way back, his mouth set in a sulk.

 

Lang Sa continued to talk, seemingly trying to explain himself.

 

“Today, there was nothing much going on, so I came back early.”

 

“Yesterday, I was stopped by Inspector Jiang after court.”

 

“The day before, your Crown Prince discussed this year’s military budget with me.”

 

“Old Li from the Rites Department wanted to have dinner with me tomorrow, but I declined.”

 

His incessant talking was annoying.

 

Xie Zhiqing turned his head and muttered, “Such a busy person.”

 

Lang Sa shrugged, “It’s not too bad.”

 

Xie Zhiqing, feeling awkward, ignored Lang Sa and let him continue to chatter behind him.

 

It wasn’t until they entered the residence that Xie Zhiqing suddenly realized.

 

… Lang Sa seemed to be explaining himself.

 

Xie Zhiqing mentally reviewed Lang Sa’s earlier statements. According to what Lang Sa had said, he had indeed been entangled in various matters since their marriage and had been genuinely busy.

 

The Little Prince glanced sideways at Lang Sa and grumbled inwardly.

 

Even if he was busy, what does it have to do with me…

 

He unhappily pushed open the door to his room and walked in slowly.

 

Lang Sa followed closely behind, and once they were inside, he quickly closed the door behind them.

 

He placed his hands on Xie Zhiqing’s shoulders, leaned in slightly, and whispered in his ear, “I’m truly busy; I’m not avoiding you— I would never avoid you.”

 

“But—” Xie Zhiqing turned his head, wanting to say that even if there were many things to handle, it shouldn’t be the case that he doesn’t see him all day. However, as he turned back, Lang Sa held his chin.

 

Lang Sa gently stroked the skin of his jaw with his fingertips and said softly, “I leave for court very early, and I return too late. I didn’t want to disturb your rest, so I deliberately avoided coming back while you were still awake. I didn’t expect it would lead to such a misunderstanding.”

 

Xie Zhiqing was not truly angry, and hearing this explanation, his feelings shifted to anxiety.

 

And… a bit of shyness.

 

He averted his gaze and took a small step back—Lang Sa was just too close…

 

Lang Sa let go of his chin, gently touching his face with his fingertips. His expression was somewhat resigned. “From now on, I’ll be less busy. I’ll come home at this time every day, alright?”

 

Xie Zhiqing, avoiding his gaze, replied, “… You have your own things to do; it has nothing to do with me…”

 

“How can it not be related?” Lang Sa chuckled softly, “I’m your husband, so what relation would you have with me?”

 

When Xie Zhiqing heard the word “husband,” he felt heat surge from his feet to his head, making him almost explode from embarrassment.

 

Lang Sa seemed to feel it wasn’t enough and added, “You don’t really dislike me, do you? You can’t dislike your husband.”