I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Duckling Transforms — Feng Xiuyan stands outside the barrier, his fingertips glowing…

What imperial edict? And a marriage grant?! Why hadn’t he heard a word about this!

Old Master Shen sighed heavily, reaching out to gently pat Shen Youqing’s arm. “I accepted the decree on your behalf, Qingqing. I know it’s unfair to you, but if we were to defy an imperial order…”

Shen Youqing’s heart sank. Although he had never seen it in person, he had seen enough TV dramas to know the consequences of “defying the emperor.” He cursed this wretched ancient feudal society a thousand times in his head!

“You need not worry about the Emperor’s edict,” Feng Xiuyan’s voice suddenly rang out, instantly shattering the heavy silence of the hall.

He paused. When his gaze fell upon Shen Youqing, his tone softened considerably, losing every bit of his Dragon King majesty: “If you are unwilling, I will not force you.”

These words were like a thunderclap in the hall, leaving everyone stunned.

The Minister of Rites’ fingertips trembled with shock; Shen Youqing’s parents looked at each other in disbelief; even the wrinkled face of Old Master Shen was filled with alarm. No one had expected this noble Dragon King, ruler of the four seas, to say such words for a mere mortal.

Shen Youqing looked at Feng Xiuyan in surprise. The man’s face was expressionless, but for some reason, Shen Youqing felt he looked… Sad? Was it just his imagination?

Before he could overthink it, the Minister of Rites scrambled forward, his voice shaking: “Lord Dragon King, this… this is surely improper! The union of our two races concerns a century-old pact. If it were to—”

He wanted to say more, but Feng Xiuyan’s icy gaze cut him off: “There is no further need for discussion.”

The Minister fell silent instantly, sweat dripping down his cheeks, his legs nearly giving out. If this marriage fell through, he wouldn’t just lose his official hat—he’d likely lose his head! He stared at the floor, pale and trembling, thinking: It’s over, it’s all over…

Shen Youqing watched the Minister’s soul-crushing despair and guessed the reason. The Emperor clearly placed immense importance on this match. If he truly refused, the Emperor might not be able to touch the Shen family openly, but their future in the capital would be miserable.

He looked back at Feng Xiuyan. Is this guy really 1,800 years old? He didn’t look old at all. In fact, he was arguably a little bit—just a tiny bit—handsomer than himself.

Shen Youqing weighed his options: Refusing would implicate his family. Forcing it would be awkward. After some thought, he realized it was better to agree for now; after all, things might change later.

Actually, there was one thing Shen Youqing had never mentioned to his family—something he’d only ever told his best friend back in the modern world: He had known since he was young that he liked men. Yes, he was born “bent.”

Before transmigrating, he had been a total workaholic, staying late at the office every day with no time for dating. His mother had been so anxious she arranged blind dates every other week, all of which ended in nothing. She used to poke his forehead and complain, “Child, just how picky are you going to be?!”

But in this world, male-male relationships didn’t seem to be taboo, and he suddenly had plenty of free time. Why not just go with the flow and try dating Feng Xiuyan?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

He looked up, his voice light but clear enough for everyone in the hall to hear: “I agree.”

…

Feng Xiuyan had been watching Shen Youqing’s troubled expression and assumed he was unwilling, his heart feeling stifled with gloom. When Shen Youqing’s words drifted into his ears, he froze. It took two full seconds for his brain to register what he’d heard.

His composed facade shattered instantly. He sat bolt upright, even leaning forward slightly. A flicker of helplessness passed through his misty blue eyes, his voice tinged with a hint of suppressed panic as he asked for confirmation: “What did you say?”

“Qingqing?” The Shen family was equally stunned, their eyes full of worry, fearing he was only agreeing out of fear of the Emperor.

Shen Youqing smiled at them to reassure them silently. Then, looking back at Feng Xiuyan, he repeated word for word: “I said, I agree to the marriage.”

The corners of Feng Xiuyan’s mouth curled up unconsciously. Shen Youqing caught the look and couldn’t help but smile back. This guy is kind of a dork.

“However,” Shen Youqing’s tone shifted as the smile left his eyes, “as for when the wedding will be held, that is yet to be decided.”

The smile on Feng Xiuyan’s lips froze. The stone that had just dropped from his heart was suddenly yanked back up. “Why?” he asked urgently.

“Because we don’t know each other well yet,” Shen Youqing said honestly, spreading his hands. “Marriage is a lifelong commitment. I don’t want to settle it so casually.”

Feng Xiuyan’s heart settled slightly. So, he wasn’t backing out. He leaned in, his voice softening: “Then what would you like?”

“Well… at least we should spend some time together first to understand one another,” Shen Youqing scratched his head, feeling a bit shy. “If one day you get tired of me or regret it, there’s still a way out.”

“I won’t.” Feng Xiuyan spoke almost instantly, his tone certain. “I will never get tired of you.”

Shen Youqing felt his ears turn hot at the bluntness. He whispered, “But I don’t know if I will… So, let’s try ‘dating’ for a while. Then I’ll decide whether to marry you. Okay?”

Feng Xiuyan stared into his sincere eyes. Before Shen Youqing could even finish, he replied softly: “Okay.”

…

Three Days Later

The alliance between humans and dragons was settled. It had been three days since Shen Youqing agreed to the marriage.

During these three days, Shen Youqing had taken the concept of “staying at home” to its limit, with five or six finished storybooks piled by his bed. He closed the book he was halfway through and sighed.

Before transmigrating, he had been single for twenty-seven years. The original owner of this body had a love life that was a blank slate. The concept of “dating” was more intimidating than finishing an entire professional textbook.

They had agreed to spend time together, so why hadn’t he seen a single sign of Feng Xiuyan for three days?

Shen Youqing poked his palm, muttering to himself: “Surely he’s not waiting for me to make the first move because he can’t put down his ‘Dragon King’ pride?” He stared out the window. “Whatever. Someone has to take the first step.” He decided not to make it hard for the ancient guy; he’d take the lead as a modern person.

He took a palm-sized conch shell from a box—the one Feng Xiuyan had given him. “Let’s go find a certain dragon.” He pocketed the shell and walked out with a light step.

It wasn’t that Feng Xiuyan didn’t want to find Shen Youqing. Since the day Shen Youqing agreed, he had been looking for a chance to explain why he had hidden his identity.

However, at that very moment, he received a telepathic message from Gu Li: The little duckling was about to transform.

Currently, Feng Xiuyan was guarding the transformation realm deep within the Dragon Palace. The area glowed with pale blue light, and within a barrier of thousand-year-old coral, a spiritual spring shimmered. The fluffy white duckling was curled in the spring, its wings drooping, undergoing the most critical and dangerous moment of its transformation.

On the first morning, a faint light began to glow beneath the duckling’s down. The light flickered unsteadily, and the spring water rippled as weak, anxious chirps escaped its beak.

Feng Xiuyan stood outside the barrier, his fingertips condensing a wisp of gentle dragon breath, which he slowly guided toward the spring. This breath had to be extremely delicate; too heavy, and it would disrupt the duckling’s spiritual power; too light, and it wouldn’t protect it.

For half a day, he guided the energy, sweat beading on his forehead, his sleeves damp from the spring’s mist. He didn’t dare blink. He stayed by the barrier all night, adjusting the intensity of his dragon breath and monitoring the water temperature.

He guarded the realm for three days and three nights.

At dawn on the fourth day, the transformation reached its final stage. The duckling’s body stretched, the white down fell away, and its limbs began to take the shape of a human child. An hour later, the light subsided.

In the spring, a child about three years old curled up. His skin was as white as the spring water, soft black hair clung to his forehead, and his round eyes were misty. The duckling had successfully transformed.

The child moved his fingers slightly and whispered, “Father…”

Feng Xiuyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. As he lowered the barrier, his fingers were trembling. He hadn’t slept for three days, and his dragon breath was mostly depleted. But seeing that the duckling was safe, he stepped forward and patted the child’s head, his voice weary but warm: “It’s over now.”

He wrapped the child in a soft blanket and placed him on a jade bed in the quiet room. He turned to “Little Black,” who was standing nearby. “I am going out for a moment. Look after your younger brother.”

Little Black nodded with serious reliability. Feng Xiuyan felt relieved.

He looked out at the ocean beyond the realm, a pang of guilt hitting him. He realized he had left “that person” waiting for three days.

Will he think I’ve broken my word? Is he already angry?

The thoughts nagged at him. With a flick of his robes, he vanished from the room. His teleportation spell was slightly shaky due to his unstable dragon breath, leaving a trail of blue light, but it didn’t slow him down.

At the same time, Shen Youqing was hurrying toward the beach with the little conch shell in his pocket.

And so, in a moment unnoticed by anyone, they narrowly missed each other.