Unbridled - Chapter 005: The Wife of Humble Means

In the latter half of the night.

 

Qi Zhen sat by the bedside, silently loathing himself.

 

The mountain’s chill couldn’t quench the restlessness in his heart. He was surrounded by danger, with hidden traps everywhere.

 

Yet today, knowing he shouldn’t, he still couldn’t control himself.

 

The recent intimacy did nothing to make Qi Zhen feel tenderness toward this fool; on the contrary, he felt a surge of killing intent. His gaze toward Lin Shouyan grew colder.

 

The person on the bed slept soundly, still with tears on his face, and his exposed arm was mottled, hard to look at. There was a deep red ring around his wrist.

 

That was Qi Zhen’s doing.

 

He was angry, venting all his fury on the little fool, making him cry, shout, and beg for mercy, only to pitifully ask what he had done wrong.

 

He was just such a fool, simple and pure-hearted.

 

If not for saving him, he would have lived freely, without being drawn into the capital’s turmoil.

 

Qi Zhen got up in a fit of frustration, dressed, and opened the side room’s door.

 

Xu Fuquan, who was on guard in the corridor, woke up. “Your Highness?”

 

Qi Zhen said nothing, not disturbing anyone, and went to rest elsewhere.

 

–

 

The next morning, at dawn.

 

Lin Shouyan lay in bed, questioning his life.

 

He felt like he’d turned into an “O.”

 

Lin Shouyan had always known his orientation, but now he thought it would be better to just turn back straight.

 

At least, his lower body could still function.

 

At least, his backside wouldn’t be sore and numb.

 

Qi Zhen wasn’t in the room, and it was unknown where he had gone.

 

Only Xu Fuquan was left to care for him.

 

Better that he wasn’t there. If he were, Lin Shouyan would have to act foolish again. Qi Zhen probably hated him for taking his virginity now.

 

Besides, Qi Zhen’s presence wasn’t important. The first stage was already complete; the next stage awaited.

 

Lin Shouyan now had to find someone to have an affair with. Once he’d done that, he could go home.

 

The best candidate was the Fifth Prince.

 

Though that dog was no good, playing out a scene wouldn’t be an issue.

 

The wife despises his poor skills and turns to his political rival.

 

Just thinking about it made him imagine Qi Zhen going mad.

 

But due to physical limitations, Lin Shouyan rested for a day.

 

He stayed in the side room, dozing off for most of the day. He didn’t see Qi Zhen, but in his groggy state, someone entered, bringing in a cold draft.

 

He wasn’t sure who it was.

 

On the last day of the year-end festival, Lin Shouyan went out to find his affair partner.

 

By sheer coincidence.

 

His affair partner was bathing.

 

Lin Shouyan peeked through the crack in the door.

 

“System, I’m having second thoughts.”

 

System: 【?】

 

Lin Shouyan grimaced, “He’s not even as big as me.”

 

Let alone compared to Qi Zhen.

 

System: 【…】

 

Lin Shouyan, troubled, thought quickly and came up with another idea, “What if I go in and push him?”

 

The system was speechless for several seconds.

 

It reminded him, 【Then the one who’ll become corrupted won’t be Qi Zhen】

 

It would definitely be the Fifth Prince.

 

As for Qi Zhen, he might even put Lin Shouyan on a pedestal, set off two strings of firecrackers, play a couple of songs and dances, and celebrate. Praising him for a job well done.

 

Lin Shouyan made up his mind.

 

“Then we can take the second route.”

 

Gain Qi Zhen’s trust, then betray him!

 

System: 【…】

 

Before Lin Shouyan could act, he heard a man’s voice inside.

 

“Your Highness, I hope I haven’t kept you waiting…”

 

Lin Shouyan’s eyes widened.

 

Wow!

 

The Fifth Prince plays with men!

 

Fragmented conversation continued to emerge from inside, clearly showing the two were getting involved.

 

The Fifth Prince said, “Am I bigger, or is Father Emperor?”

 

!

 

The biggest revelation!

 

How exciting!

 

Shouldn’t he share this with the protagonist? Build some trust and goodwill?

 

Lin Shouyan tiptoed away, and once he was sure the Fifth Prince couldn’t hear, he happily ran to find Qi Zhen.

 

Qi Zhen stood under the corridor, his jet-black hair half-tied up, his features refined and elegant, his figure upright and proud, like a vigorous pine. Someone nearby was bent over, speaking to him, and his face was icy.

 

Lin Shouyan calmed his breath, slowly approached.

 

They noticed him.

 

The person beside Qi Zhen said, “Please, Your Highness, consider it carefully.”

 

Then, that person left.

 

Only then did Lin Shouyan step forward, “Taizi Gege…”

 

Qi Zhen’s gaze toward him was colder than before, nearly indifferent.

 

“What is it?”

 

“I have a secret to tell you. I just saw a man spitting into the Fifth Prince’s mouth.”

 

Qi Zhen doubted his hearing, showing a trace of confusion.

 

The little fool looked around, then leaned closer and repeated, “The Fifth Prince, letting someone spit in his mouth.”

 

“Where did you see this?”

 

“Over there. They were bathing.”

 

“Did they notice you?”

 

The little fool shook his head.

 

“Gege, why would someone spit in the Fifth Prince’s mouth? Do they hate him? I also hate the Fifth Prince; can I spit twice?”

 

“No. Did you see it clearly?”

 

“I saw it clearly! The Fifth Prince even asked if he or His Majesty was bigger.” Lin Shouyan’s eyes were wide, bright. “Is the Fifth Prince as foolish as I am? Can’t he tell how old His Majesty is?”

 

Qi Zhen’s usually taut lip line twitched slightly, as if he wanted to laugh.

 

“Fool.”

 

He asked, “Did you see who it was?”

 

Lin Shouyan shook his head.

 

“Why did you come to tell me?”

 

Lin Shouyan looked at him eagerly, reached out a hand, and tugged on Qi Zhen’s robe. “Yan Yan thinks this must be a big secret. Yan Yan can share all secrets with Taizi Gege, so could Taizi Gege, maybe…not bully Yan Yan like that night again?”

 

Qi Zhen’s memory flashed back, his gaze darkening.

 

“If Gege wants to discipline Yan Yan, he can spank Yan Yan’s butt, but please don’t use the stick. It’s too big, it hurts~ It still hurts now. Gege, can you go back and take a look for me?”

 

Qi Zhen’s breath hitched, the tips of his ears reddening.

 

That night, after the fool had taken the medicine, the shameless words that had spilled out from his mouth echoed in Qi Zhen’s mind again.

 

Each word, burning.

 

Had it been anyone else, uttering such things in broad daylight, Qi Zhen would have scolded them by now. At least he’d say, “Shameless” or “Have you no decency?”

 

But the person in front of him was Lin Shouyan.

 

And Lin Shouyan was a fool!

 

A fool who didn’t know what he was saying, simply blurting out everything he saw, heard, and thought.

 

“Presumptuous! Go back and properly learn some manners.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Lin Shouyan was shocked.

 

I share a secret with you, and you tell me to learn manners?

 

Do you even hear yourself?!

 

Lin Shouyan huffed, “Taizi Gege, you didn’t say anything about learning manners that day! How come you bullied me the other day, and today you still want to bully me? My butt still hurts!”

 

Qi Zhen’s face reddened.

 

He truly understood what it meant to have a “wife of humble means.”

 

His brows furrowed in a look of disgust and disdain.

 

After a long silence, he finally said, “One more word from you, and you’ll stay here until you’ve learned your manners properly before returning!”

 

Lin Shouyan chickened out and shut up.

 

It was freezing here, and there were only monks around—there was no way he could have an affair with a monk.

 

That would be really crossing the line.

 

 

—

 

Affair Target: Fifth Prince (too small)