I Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder, Only to be Desired by the Dragon King - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: So It’s a Love Rival! — After repeating this for a few days, Shen Youqing…

After repeating this for a few days, Shen Youqing could finally walk around briskly on his own.

One morning, having nothing to do, he was wandering aimlessly in the courtyard. Little Black and Little Fu had pestered Madam Shen early on to go to the market. Those two little ingrates were becoming increasingly attached to their grandparents; their “Daddy” had likely been tossed to the back of their minds.

“I’ve truly spoiled you for nothing,” he clicked his tongue, squatting boredly by a flower bed. His gaze landed on two dragonflies overlapping on a petal, completing their “life’s great mission” without a care for the world, making him feel even more like a lonely bystander.

He stood up, chin in hand, debating whether to go back and read some storybooks to kill time when he caught a figure at the gate. Feng Xiuyan stood there holding a food box, the morning light gilding his profile in a warm glow, making him look devastatingly handsome.

Shen Youqing’s eyes lit up instantly. “You’re awake?” Feng Xiuyan walked over and opened the box to reveal warm mung bean soup. “The kitchen just finished it. Want some?”

“Yes!” Shen Youqing took the bowl. The sweet, cooling taste was refreshing. Noting the bloodshot streaks in Feng Xiuyan’s eyes, he knew the man hadn’t rested well while balancing clan affairs and looking after him.

“Did you stay up again?” Shen Youqing frowned, poking Feng Xiuyan’s dark circles. “If this keeps up, the Dragon King will turn into the Panda King.”

Feng Xiuyan caught his mischievous hand and laughed helplessly. “I found some leads and couldn’t help but look further.” His tone deepened. “Gu Li has had contact with Chu Heng recently.”

Shen Youqing paused, mid-sip. “So, Gu Li is actually in league with your brother?”

“Most likely.” Feng Xiuyan nodded, tapping the stone table. “But I cannot fathom why he would do this.”

Before they could discuss further, a sharp wind swept through the courtyard. A dark silhouette landed—it was Mo Ying, the personal guard. He knelt low. “Your Majesty, a secret report from the Jiao-Hidden Guards. Prime Minister Gu is currently at the Drifting Wind Tower in the mortal West Street, meeting a cloaked figure in black. They have been in the innermost private room on the third floor for nearly an hour.”

Feng Xiuyan’s expression turned icy. “I’m going to the Drifting Wind Tower. You stay here.”

“I’m coming with you,” Shen Youqing jumped up. Looking at those sparkling eyes, Feng Xiuyan swallowed his refusal and straightened the boy’s collar. “Stay close. Do not act on your own.”

…

The Secret Conversation

Half an hour later, in the room adjacent to the private box at Drifting Wind Tower.

Feng Xiuyan used a faint blue spiritual light to cast a stealth spell over Shen Youqing. They stood against the wooden wall. Because the occupants in the next room assumed no mortal could hear through the thick wood, they hadn’t set any silencing wards.

Feng Xiuyan tapped Shen Youqing’s forehead with a wisp of spirit energy, and suddenly, the voices next door became crystal clear.

Inside the room, Gu Li sat at the table, his knuckles white as he gripped a porcelain teacup. Opposite him, the black-clad man whispered, “This is the last chance. Prince Chu Heng said that if you help him obtain the Sea-Quelling Pearl, he will not only give you power but also help you remove that human from the Dragon King’s side once and for all.”

Gu Li let out a cold sneer. “I never cared for power. If it weren’t for getting rid of that eyesore of a human, I wouldn’t have touched this muddy water.”

The black-clad man hissed, “What do you mean? You want to betray the Prince?”

“What betrayal?” Gu Li tapped the table sharply. “I never agreed to help him take the throne. I’ve already told him where the Pearl is. But what of his promise? Not only did he fail to deal with Shen Youqing, but that human is now even closer to His Majesty’s heart!” He practically spat the last words.

The man in black sensed the opening and prodded, “Prime Minister Gu is of noble status and has served the King for a thousand years. Why get so worked up over a mere mortal?”

This struck a nerve. The teacup in Gu Li’s hand shattered with a crack. “I have waited a thousand years for that position! Why should a mortal who appeared out of nowhere take it? The place beside His Majesty… should have been mine!”

Behind the wall, Shen Youqing whipped his head around to look at Feng Xiuyan, raising his eyebrows mockingly. Tsk tsk, so this is your loyal subordinate? Turns out he’s been hiding such deep “passionate” feelings for you. Heheh!

Feng Xiuyan’s ears turned hot. He felt a complex sense of melancholy; he had viewed Gu Li as his right hand for a millennium and never sensed this obsession.

Next door, the conversation halted abruptly. “Who’s there?” Gu Li snapped, sensing a disturbance.

…

The Escape

Feng Xiuyan didn’t wait. He whispered, “Don’t speak, follow me.” In a blur of blue light, they vanished, reappearing in a tea house across the street.

“Continue monitoring their movements,” Feng Xiuyan commanded Mo Ying, who appeared briefly before vanishing again.

Shen Youqing grabbed some peanuts and looked at Feng Xiuyan with a mischievous grin. “The Dragon King’s charm is really something else. Who knew even the brilliant Prime Minister was your secret admirer? That thousand-year devotion… it’s almost touching.”

Feng Xiuyan froze mid-sip, his ears turning red at a visible rate. “I truly did not know Gu Li felt this way! He has always been steady and flawless in his duties. I only saw him as a capable subordinate, I never…”

“Never thought of it that way?” Shen Youqing interrupted, feeding him an almond crisp. “So if more admirers show up in the future, are you going to wait until they break the window to notice?”

Feng Xiuyan instinctively ate the pastry, his expression earnest and slightly flustered. “There will be no others.” He caught Shen Youqing’s wrist, his thumb grazing the skin. “I only have eyes for you. I simply do not notice the hearts of others.”

Shen Youqing’s face heated up. He turned away to look at the bustling street. “Who asked for a confession…”

The street outside was lively, with vendors and the smell of steamed buns. “Let’s go for a walk,” Shen Youqing said, his eyes bright. “Staying here staring is a waste of good weather. I’ve been cooped up long enough!”

“Alright,” Feng Xiuyan agreed softly.