After the Crybaby Married the Disabled Villain - Chapter 21

This was the first time An Yu had tasted true ancient-style milk cakes. No matter how one looked at it, they were tastier than the ones Mo Han made, though they were slightly less sweet than the ones he used to make himself.

“How is it, An Yu?”

Xi Chen asked gleefully, picking up a piece of the milk cake he had just produced.

An Yu nodded without reservation. “It’s very fragrant, with a rich milky taste. Much better than what Mo Han makes.”

Xi Chen spoke with a touch of exasperation: “Mo Han ate plenty of these during the two years he was with my army, yet he still produced something like that.” His look of “beyond redemption” made even Xi Qing feel a bit helpless.

Just as they were speaking, Mo Han entered carrying a tray of milk cakes, accompanied by a sweet aroma. “Your Highness, Young Master.”

An Yu brushed the powdered sugar from his hands and quickly beckoned Mo Han over. “Then you try this one.”

Xi Chen looked puzzled but still took one of the cakes Mo Han had just brought and popped it into his mouth. The burst of milky fragrance on his tongue caused his eyes to widen instantly.

“This is?”

An Yu smiled, looking quite calm. “This is from my teaching. What do you think?”

Xi Chen’s expression shifted from surprise to disbelief, and finally back to surprise.

In the end, he could only tease: “Where did the Crown Prince find such a fairy who is as talented in the parlor as he is in the kitchen? If you have any brothers or sisters, why not introduce them?”

Lu Shiyan looked on helplessly. At his side, Xi Qing spoke in a faint, gentle voice that contrasted with her military attire:

“An Yu, these milk cakes are truly well-made. They are more fragrant than the ones made by the Xiliang imperial chefs. I wonder if you could teach me so that I may make them for my mother when I return.”

An Yu didn’t mind at all. However, given that Xi Qing’s request followed right after Xi Chen’s teasing, he couldn’t help but overthink it. He replied:

“Of course. There are some other desserts chilling in the ice room; if you like them, I’ll teach you all of them later.”

This was the second time the group had gathered since their encounter at the wonton stall during the night market. The book’s description of these siblings was limited to just a few lines, which was far less vibrant and comfortable than meeting the real people.

Lu Shiyan gave a look to Mo Ying and Mo Han. The two hidden guards immediately vanished to keep watch outside the hall.

He took the white jade token from his robes; the character “Chen” on it was exceptionally striking.

However, Xi Chen spotted the flaw at a single glance. He pulled another token from his own robes and placed it before Lu Shiyan.

Lu Shiyan said softly: “Your guards should be thoroughly interrogated.”

Xi Chen had eaten enough to feel a bit cloyed, so he took a sip of iced lemonade and found it delicious. Hearing this, he looked up but didn’t reach for the token. He said helplessly:

“This is the third time it has appeared before you. Are you still not going to accept it?”

Lu Shiyan frowned and said nothing, his expression complex as he looked at Xi Chen. “It is still inappropriate. The intelligence organization led by the White Jade Command is comprised of your trusted confidants. Given our current positions, it is still not suitable.”

Xi Chen raised an eyebrow indifferently, reached out, and tucked the token into his robes. “Fair enough. But if there is a next time, could Your Highness finally accept it?”

The man couldn’t help but chuckle. “Certainly.”

“Luo Sang was captured at the guest house. Lu Youqi threatened him with his parents, leaving him with no choice but to work for him. I indeed instructed him to seek you out if something happened, so I imagine your Second Brother already knows that you and I are acquainted.”

An Yu nodded, realizing: “No wonder Yang Yuan said the Second Prince knew the arrow was a forgery but still refused to release him. He was indeed coming for Your Highness.”

Xi Chen nodded. “So, does the Crown Prince intend to continue lying low?”

Lu Shiyan did not speak, but An Yu asked in confusion: “Lying low?”

Lu Shiyan turned his head and gave An Yu a tender smile. “Xiao Yu, if I had my own way out, would you be happy?”

An Yu’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

How could he not be happy? If the Crown Prince “awakened,” it would naturally be a good thing. Even if he didn’t inherit the throne or slay his enemies with his own hand, at the very least, he wouldn’t suffer the tragic death described in the book.

Could it be that my arrival and these events have changed the Prince’s mind?

“It’s a good thing for Your Highness to have a way out. Of course I am happy for you.”

Lu Shiyan smiled, his gaze full of softness as he looked at An Yu. “Does Xiao Yu think it would be a good idea to use Pinyin as a medium to create an intelligence organization?”

An Yu thought about it; it was indeed feasible. If Pinyin was used in writing, even if a message was intercepted, the interceptor would have no idea of its meaning. Even if there were a traitor in the organization, they wouldn’t have to worry.

“Then Your Highness might as well find some youths who were born mute and train them from a young age. They will learn quickly, there is no fear of secrets being leaked, and it provides a place of shelter for these people.”

“Xiao Yu’s idea is good. I shall have Mo Ying handle it.”

Xi Chen and his sister listened while they ate. Seeing the two talk as if no one else were there, he finally couldn’t resist speaking up:

“Lu Shiyan, am I supposed to be touched by the trust you show us siblings? Why isn’t this something you two husbands discuss while lying in bed at night?”

As soon as these words were uttered, An Yu, who had just taken a sip of water, nearly sprayed it out. “Cough, cough”

Lu Shiyan gave Xi Chen a warning look and slowly patted An Yu’s back with his hand. “Be careful.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t say it. But what is ‘Pinyin’?”

An Yu recovered slightly. Seeing that Lu Shiyan was not being secretive, he immediately used a brush and paper to write out the letters. It took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to explain it to them.

“This method is not bad. If I had known this earlier, learning Chinese wouldn’t have been so difficult.”

Xi Qing agreed: “Indeed. Learning the language of Great Shang is truly a headache.”

Seeing that they had both learned well, Lu Shiyan spoke appropriately: “It is good that you both have learned it. It avoids you being unable to read the secret letters you receive in the future.”

An Yu lowered his head and smiled; he hadn’t expected the Prince to have such a plan.

“Then why won’t you accept my White Jade Command? Is it not the same?”

An Yu shook his head. “Prince Xi Chen, the White Jade Command uses your confidants to transmit messages, but you learning our Pinyin is merely learning to understand a secret code.”

“When the time is right, I will certainly accept it.”

Having been rejected for a third time, Xi Chen understood what Lu Shiyan was thinking and didn’t dwell on it.

“Fine. I came to your manor today, my medicine has been changed, and I’ve had lunch. I shall head back now.”

“Farewell.”

After the two took their leave, An Yu felt somewhat drowsy. He was too lazy to go back to his own quarters, so he fell asleep directly on the soft couch in Lu Shiyan’s room. Just before falling asleep, Xi Chen’s words you two husbands discuss while lying in bed were still echoing in his mind.

Summer weather is notoriously fickle. When An Yu woke up, Lu Shiyan was in the middle of tucking a blanket around him.

“You’re awake?”

An Yu nodded and looked out the window. At some point, it had started raining heavily, and the sky was dark and gloomy.

Mo Ying’s voice came from behind Lu Shiyan: “General, should I train these youths in martial arts before training them in Pinyin?”

“Mhm. Leave the martial arts training to Qin Feng and Qin Su.”

“Yes.”

An Yu hadn’t expected Lu Shiyan to act so quickly; in just two hours, Mo Ying had already found the people.

Mo Ying took his orders and left, leaving the two of them alone in the room. With the rain pouring outside, An Yu intended to wait until it stopped before leaving. Thinking of the “way out” Lu Shiyan mentioned this afternoon, An Yu called out to him:

“Your Highness.”

“Mhm?”

“Whatever Your Highness wants to do, just go ahead and do it. It is a good thing for you to have a backup plan. I will be happy for you.”

Lu Shiyan looked at the youth sitting on the soft couch. His face still bore the faint marks from where he had pressed against the cushion while sleeping, and his dark hair was draped over his shoulders, making his complexion look even cleaner and fairer. His clear eyes were full of the man’s reflection.

His tone sounded like a joke: “Is it not because Xiao Yu saw my misery that he came to my side?”

With just that one sentence, An Yu’s heart began to beat faster and faster. His clear eyes were filled with shock. Under this expression, An Yu didn’t even need to say anything; Lu Shiyan already understood.

The man’s expression didn’t change; he merely smiled. “Xiao Yu is now my Crown Princess; you and I were meant to be one.”

An Yu still didn’t speak. Usually a chatterbox, he couldn’t think of a single word now. This was the first time Lu Shiyan had used the formal “Gu” (the royal “I”) to refer to himself in An Yu’s presence.

The man remained his usual gentle and considerate self. A window in the distance had not been closed, and the rain was still falling.

Lu Shiyan handed An Yu a cup of freshly brewed hot tea. An Yu took it calmly. “What does Your Highness know?”

Lu Shiyan let out a light laugh and a sigh, which significantly eased the somewhat frozen atmosphere. He returned to his usual manner.

“I know that Xiao Yu knows everything. Like a celestial being from the heavens, you know everyone’s fate. I also know that Xiao Yu came to save me.”

An Yu nodded. “Then what does Your Highness plan to do?”

“Naturally, I plan to do nothing. It was a suspicion, and now Xiao Yu’s nod is a confirmation. Does Xiao Yu know my ultimate ending?”

An Yu raised his eyes to look at Lu Shiyan but didn’t speak. He lowered his head and took a sip of tea. “I know.”

“I imagine the ending is not great, otherwise Xiao Yu wouldn’t have gone to such great lengths. I do not know what kind of minor deity Xiao Yu is. Do not force yourself; just do your best.”

An Yu had thought Lu Shiyan would interrogate him and had prepared an explanation. He hadn’t expected the man to say such a thing.

Do not force yourself; just do your best.

An Yu’s eyes reddened. He stared at his reflection in the tea, his voice so small it was as if he were talking to himself: “Why doesn’t Your Highness believe me? Isn’t everything going very smoothly now?”

Ultimately, he couldn’t hold it back. Tears fell one by one into the tea, creating ripples.

“Why is Xiao Yu so prone to crying? What kind of deity is such a crybaby?”

Lu Shiyan was helpless. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the youth’s wet eyes.

“Naturally, I believe Xiao Yu. Since you arrived at the manor, only good things have happened.”

An Yu calmed his emotions, took the handkerchief from the man, and wiped his own eyes.

“Then if I say Your Highness will eventually be as spirited as you were before, that you will clear the late Empress’s name, and that you will be a wise ruler whose name is remembered in history… will Your Highness believe me?”

Lu Shiyan stared at the youth blankly for a long while, his throat moving slightly. “Mhm.”

An Yu gave Lu Shiyan a smile, his eyes still shimmering with bright tears.

“Knock, knock, knock. Your Highness.”

The old butler’s voice came from outside the door, somewhat muffled by the sound of the rain.

“Enter.”

The old butler pushed the door open and entered. Seeing An Yu sitting on the soft couch covered with a blanket, his eyes slightly red, the butler’s expression became visibly awkward.

If I had known, I would have come later.

“Your Highness, the Empress has sent two dancing girls. She claims” The butler paused, his gaze occasionally drifting toward An Yu.

Lu Shiyan said: “Claims what?”

“She claims that she naturally understands the affection between Your Highness and the Crown Princess, but she must consider the imperial offspring. As the imperial grandchildren have not yet been born, the Crown Prince must set an example.”

An Yu’s eyes widened. The Empress was truly writing the word “Surveillance” on the faces of those two dancing girls.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, the butler continued: “The messenger also said that if the Crown Prince is unwilling, he should still accept them as performers to dance and play music, so as not to fail the Empress’s kind intentions.”

Lu Shiyan showed no emotion. Over the years, the number of people sent to him was not small, though this time the excuse was truly novel.

“Crown Princess?”

The more An Yu thought about it, the angrier he became. This Empress was truly pushing things too far, bringing her schemes right to their faces. His expression grew increasingly dark, and he didn’t even notice that both men were looking at him.

The butler hurriedly said: “Crown Princess, do not be angry. Even if two dancing girls come, His Highness’s heart is still with you; this old servant sees it clearly.”

An Yu finally reacted and shook his head vigorously. “No, I didn’t—”

Lu Shiyan gave a light laugh and nodded to An Yu. He said: “Take them down and settle them in a remote courtyard. In a while, send them out of the city privately.”

The butler answered in a low voice. As he turned to leave, he gave An Yu a smile.

An Yu opened his mouth quickly: “I didn’t, Butler!”

Seeing that the incident had passed and An Yu was no longer as depressed as when he was crying, Lu Shiyan said softly: “It is fine. I understand.”

“I was just too angry just now. This Empress is far too much. Isn’t this just sending people to spy on Your Highness?”

Lu Shiyan agreed: “Xiao Yu is right. Since that is the case”

“What is it?”

“I might need Xiao Yu to move in here and live with me.”