Chapter 32

Because of his injury, Lian Ai had been stuck in the inn for several days without going anywhere. He was getting restless, and so was Zuo Lingyu, who came to see him on the third day.

As soon as he stepped inside, he grumbled, “Why didn’t you come visit me? I’ve been stuck in the prince’s estate so long I’m about to grow mold. I finally managed to sneak out today. If they catch me and drag me back again, who knows how long they’ll lock me up.”

Lian Ai was a little envious of him. Even now, he could still smile so easily. He should’ve been caught in the center of the storm, but somehow managed to drift outside of it. Maybe that was what they meant by a fool’s luck.

“I went out of the city for a few days. Just got back.”

Zuo Lingyu didn’t look happy. “Unbelievable. You actually went out to have fun and didn’t take me with you.”

Lian Ai gave a bitter smile. Fun? He was gambling with his life. Zuo Lingyu’s innocence could be a blessing or a curse. If Bu Nian ever did win it all, where would that leave the Zuo family?

“Well, it’s not like you’re allowed to leave the estate either. I was bored out of my mind, so I went out of the city for a couple days.” He gave up trying to explain. What right did he have to think about any of that? He was just a common man. There were too many lives in this world. Just being able to protect the few who mattered most to him was already more than enough.

Zuo Lingyu threw a bit of a tantrum, and it took a while to coax him out of it. But that was just the way he was. Quick to anger, quicker to forget, never one to hold a grudge. Once the page turned, he never looked back. Before long, he and Lian Ai were laughing together again.

“I’m telling you, I probably can’t go back to Zhongzhou with you. My sister won’t even let me return to Jiangnan. She wants me to stay in the capital and take the military examination.” Zuo Lingyu let out a sigh, looking troubled. “Only she could come up with something like that. I’m not fit to be an official. Having me take the military exam is just asking for the Zuo family to lose face.”

Lian Ai looked confused. “I thought only those with a military background could take the exam?”

In Great Qi, most military posts were inherited within families, like in Bu Nian’s case. Even if there were a few open positions filled through selection, the rules stated only those with a military background could participate. That way, ties between military officers stayed tight, and it became harder for outsiders to interfere with military power.

“It’s different now. My brother-in-law changed the rules. Even if you’re from a commoner background, you can now take the exam. It really opened the door for martial artists who want to make something of themselves.” Zuo Lingyu grinned. “My brother-in-law’s actually a decent guy. I thought he was just some idle prince, but turns out he does care about the people. A lot of folks in the martial world are praising him for it.”

Gan Yan was trying to bring martial artists into court and promote them to official posts, dividing the power Bu Nian held and breaking his monopoly over the military. The sects and noble clans siding with him naturally welcomed it with open arms.

It was just like how the Helian family supported Bu Nian, and these people followed Gan Yan. Did they really believe Gan Yan was a wise ruler who would bring a better life to the people of Great Qi? Of course not. They were just trying to hitch a ride on the dragon’s coattails.

Lian Ai said, “If I remember right, the military exam starts with a written test, then moves on to martial trials. Isn’t it a bit risky to take the test without preparing?”

He was already being tactful. As Zuo Lingyu had said himself, he wasn’t cut out to be an official. And besides, the exam prioritized strategy before martial skills. If his writing was poor, no matter how good his martial arts were, it wouldn’t mean anything.

Zuo Lingyu was clearly troubled too. “At least I’ve read a few books. Better than my senior brother. He’s a brute. Still doesn’t know what the Seven Military Classics even are.” Then he suddenly changed tone. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll pass somehow.”

Lian Ai frowned slightly. There was something in his words that didn’t sit right.

“You sound pretty confident.”

Zuo Lingyu replied, “That’s because everyone already…” Halfway through, he caught himself and clamped a hand over his mouth. He glanced at Lian Ai’s face, and when he saw no reaction, he let out a silent breath of relief and went on, “Don’t worry about it. Even if I pass the written test, I’m not getting first place. There are plenty of people with better martial skills than me.”

Lian Ai had already run through the possibilities in his mind a few times, but he kept his face calm and smiled. “You’ve got a point.”

Zuo Lingyu didn’t stay long. He was worried someone from the estate would come looking for him, so he left shortly after. Lian Ai walked him to the door, and when he returned to the room, his expression had grown heavy.

From the way Zuo Lingyu spoke, it almost sounded like he already knew the contents of the exam. That confidence wasn’t normal. Could it be that Gan Yan had grown so bold he didn’t even care to keep up appearances? Was he openly rigging the test to shove his own people into court?

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He couldn’t sit still anymore. He got up and headed for the general’s estate.

The steward there still remembered him. He looked surprised to see him but didn’t say anything. As someone from the general’s estate, he knew better than to ask questions. He simply told Lian Ai to wait at the entrance while he went inside to report.

Before the time it took to burn a stick of incense had passed, the steward returned, followed by a woman in plain robes. Her face was lit with excitement. It was none other than Fen Zi, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Seeing her again stirred something in him. “Fen Zi. It’s been a while.”

Fen Zi greeted him with a bright smile and bowed slightly. “Now that I see you’re well, Young Master, I can be at ease.”

She didn’t linger on small talk. With a graceful motion, she gestured for him to follow and led Lian Ai into the estate.

“The general is waiting for you in the study.”

Lian Ai followed her along the familiar path toward Bu Nian’s study. The scenery hadn’t changed much since a year ago, only the plants showed signs of fading or thriving with the seasons. He had once believed he’d forgotten everything about this place, but the moment he stepped into the general’s estate, he realized just how deeply every brick and tile had been etched into his heart.

When they reached the study door, Fen Zi raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open before she could.

Bai Shu stepped out and nearly ran into them.

“Scared me,” he exclaimed. He first saw Fen Zi, then spotted Lian Ai behind her. His face stiffened awkwardly.

The peace-lock at his chest had already been a burning nuisance, and now it felt like a branding iron.

He had thought being a “male bedslave” would be a simple role, with nothing hard about it. But once he actually had to play the part, he realized just how difficult it was to be a proper one.

Every time his master acted affectionate with him in public, pouring on the displays of love and favor, his whole body would tense up. It felt like he could barely breathe. He’d rather be back on a mission, assassinating someone or gathering intel, anything to be free of this “skin” he was wearing.

As he brushed past Lian Ai to leave, a soft voice called out behind him.

“Mister Bai…”

He turned around and pointed at himself, unsure. “You mean me?”

Lian Ai stepped up, his eyes lowering to the pendant on Bai Shu’s chest. He reached out, hooked a finger around it, and gave it a light tug.

“Can I… borrow it for a couple of days?” He looked up, eyes filled with hesitant hope. “I’ll ask the general to give you something else in return.”

Bai Shu wasn’t sure what came over him. Something about that gaze made his heart soften and itch, like there was a timid fawn standing in front of him.

Before he knew it, he had taken the pendant off and handed it to Lian Ai.

“Take it back. I probably won’t need it anymore,” Bai Shu said, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Bu Nian no longer needed a male bedslave as a shield. That role was coming to an end. It was time to move on to his next assignment.

Lian Ai accepted the pendant, held it tightly in his palm, then pressed it to his chest.

“Thank you,” he said, offering Bai Shu a shy smile.

For no reason at all, Bai Shu’s face flushed red. He suddenly felt embarrassed.

“No, no need to thank me.” He turned and hurried away, as if a tiger were chasing him.

Fen Zi covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. When she saw Lian Ai putting the pendant back on, a flash of warmth appeared in her eyes.

“It suits you.” She meant it sincerely.

Lian Ai touched the cold charm resting against his chest and gave a small smile. Fen Zi led him into the study and quietly closed the door behind him before leaving.

From behind the desk, Bu Nian looked up and immediately spotted the pendant on Lian Ai’s chest.

He frowned. “You’re getting bolder by the day.”

Lian Ai held the pendant in his hand and spoke softly. “If we’re putting on a show, we may as well do it properly. How else would anyone believe your heart already belongs to me?”

Bu Nian’s breath caught. His heartbeat stumbled for a moment before he forced himself to speak. “Why did you come see me?”

Lian Ai get to the real reason he was there.

“Leaked exam questions?” Bu Nian’s brows drew together. His fingers tapped the table in silence, clearly impatient. “Are you sure?”

Lian Ai shook his head. “I’m not. It’s just a guess. Zuo Lingyu wouldn’t tell me anything. The more I thought about it, the more uneasy I felt. So I came to you.”

Bu Nian’s expression grew darker. A faint anger began to stir in his eyes.

“You do realize the military examination has always been handled by the Ministry of War. And the Ministry…” he lowered his voice, “is under my control.”

Lian Ai froze. Only now did he realize how serious the situation was. He had thought stopping the Prince Regent’s people from entering the exam was the most urgent thing. But now it seemed finding the source of the leak mattered even more.

Someone had slipped through Bu Nian’s ranks. And not just anywhere, but in the Ministry of War. If they didn’t find the root of it soon, no one would be able to sleep at night.

“If someone in the Ministry really did leak the questions, what will you do?” Lian Ai asked, worried. If there was one mole, could there be more? If the foundation Bu Nian had built began to crumble, would it affect the balance of power?

Bu Nian let out a cold laugh. “What will I do? Setting aside the fact that he betrayed me, leaking the exam alone is a crime worthy of death a thousand times over.”

The one thing he hated most was traitors and deserters. Once they landed in his hands, there was no way they’d live.

Lian Ai had said what he came to say. He stood still, waiting.

Bu Nian remained deep in thought. He and Gan Yan had split authority between the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites. One oversaw the military exams, the other handled the civil exams. They had agreed to stay out of each other’s affairs, but now it seemed Gan Yan was ready to overstep.

With the military exam now open to those with regular citizen status instead of strictly military households, Bu Nian naturally understood exactly what kind of game Gan Yan was playing. He wanted to place his own men in military posts and chip away at Bu Nian’s control of the army. But if Gan Yan had the power to change the rules, how could Bu Nian not have his own countermeasures in place?

This move wasn’t entirely a benefit to anyone, but it wasn’t pure harm either. If Gan Yan wanted to win the military exam, he’d have to see whether his people were up to the task.

Bu Nian looked up and saw Lian Ai still standing there. The man had been silent the whole time. Lost in his thoughts, Bu Nian had ignored him for a while.

He cleared his throat lightly. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. You did well, and you caught it in time.” He gestured for Lian Ai to come closer. “Come here.”

Lian Ai walked around the desk and stood in front of him.

“Is the General going to reward me?”

Bu Nian curled his lip. “Isn’t that your reward right there?” He pointed at the peace-lock on Lian Ai’s chest.

Lian Ai touched it and said, “I asked for it myself.”

Bu Nian gave him a look and held out his hand. “Then give it back.”

Lian Ai stared at him. Neither of them spoke.

Bu Nian saw the shimmer in his eyes, like tears were about to fall at any moment. He couldn’t tell if it was from staring too long or something else.

He looked away, annoyed, and withdrew his hand. “I was just joking.”

Lian Ai blinked, his dry eyes stinging. “When the General wins, I’ll return it to Mister Bai.”

Bu Nian found him unbearably bothersome. His tone turned impatient. “Roll up your sleeve. Let me see your wound.”

Lian Ai obediently rolled up his sleeve. Bu Nian saw that the wound had almost fully healed, with a layer of pale red scab forming over it. He gave a satisfied nod. “A few more days and it’ll be completely healed.”

It had been a deep cut. It would definitely scar. Counting it up, this was already the fourth scar on Lian Ai’s body that came from him.

“Ever since you met me, you’ve been getting hurt again and again.” Bu Nian adjusted his sleeve for him. “The back of your neck, from the Gu poison. Your shoulder, from the valley. Your forehead… and now your arm. I must be your misfortune star.” He let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.

Lian Ai spoke softly. “You’re not.”

Bu Nian tilted his head slightly to look at him, waiting for what came next.

“In the past, when The General saw no scars on me, it wasn’t because I lived a peaceful life without illness or injury. It was because the madam wouldn’t allow any marks on my body. Scars would ruin the customer’s mood.” His voice slowed, heavy with the weight of old memories. “There were plenty of ways to break someone in the brothel. None of them were any less painful than a real blade.”

The most common was water torture. It hurt enough to teach you a lesson without leaving a trace.

They were nothing more than smiling, obedient husks. From the moment they were sold into the brothel, their role was to serve men, to submit.

They had no sense of self, no dignity, and no right to dream.

“If I hadn’t met you…” Lian Ai finally said what he had kept buried, “I would’ve remained nothing but a man’s plaything. I would’ve spent my days thinking about how to please someone, forgetting I was a man too. Forgetting I was even a person.”

“You never owed me anything.” Maybe he had feared Bu Nian before, but he had never hated him. Hatred was too heavy. So was resentment. Those emotions were a burden he didn’t want to carry. He wouldn’t waste his life on something that served no purpose.

Bu Nian hadn’t expected to hear something so honest from him. He let out a low laugh. “You really do know how to talk. “Sweet words are the grave of heroes.”

Lian Ai didn’t quite understand that last part, but his gut told him it wasn’t a compliment.

“I meant every word I said,” he replied seriously.

Bu Nian didn’t answer. He only laughed. Laughed at how foolish Lian Ai could be, and laughed at himself for letting those ambiguous words stir up such a mess inside.

That night, Lian Ai stayed at The General’s estate, though not in the same room as Bu Nian.