My Husband Can't Possibly Be a Tyrant Emperor! - Chapter 2

It was already the third day of Kuang Xuexian’s embroidered ball marriage contest.

 

Many suitors had gathered below Ruyi Tower, but not a single one had caught his eye. Instead, a few troublemakers and ruffians had shown up, laughing and shouting boisterously day after day.

 

The owner of Ruyi Tower eagerly slid open the partition door for him. Unlike others who urged him not to be too picky, the owner beamed and said, “Young master, don’t rush. More and more people are coming to see you. Take your time choosing—with your looks, how could you not find someone satisfactory?”

 

Kuang Xuexian smiled, picked up the embroidered ball, and walked to the railing. As soon as he appeared, the noise outside quieted considerably. It seemed that beauty, whether in ancient or modern times, and regardless of gender, was always a powerful weapon.

 

He had traveled here in his own body. Even though his clothing and appearance were identical to those of the ancients, his spirit and demeanor still differed subtly from a true native. Combined with his unconventional ways, he stood out as unique.

 

This uniqueness wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but a beautiful face was a universal currency in any era.

 

No wonder the owner of Ruyi Tower didn’t want him to throw the embroidered ball just yet. Outside, the streets were packed shoulder to shoulder, bustling with activity—even the grand opening of Ruyi Tower hadn’t been this lively.

 

On the first day, the crowd hadn’t been this large, mostly consisting of nearby locals who came to watch the spectacle.

 

By the second day, it had grown noticeably more crowded. After all, someone as strikingly beautiful as him was a rare sight.

 

Today, the place was packed to the brim, with even small vendors joining in for the excitement. His reputation had spread far and wide.

 

Unfortunately, a quick glance revealed the same familiar faces from the day before.

 

In ancient times, openly pursuing same-sex relationships was largely monopolized by the aristocracy or confined to the frivolous and reckless in pleasure quarters. He felt a twinge of disappointment.

 

But throwing the embroidered ball wasn’t an absolute necessity for him. His main goal was to advertise for a match. If like-minded individuals sought him out later, that would work too.

 

He smiled as he scanned the crowd, about to turn back inside, when suddenly, among the rowdy young nobles below, he spotted a handsome young man.

 

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, standing at the edge of the crowd. He wore a plain, dark-colored narrow-sleeved round-collar robe without a single pattern or ornament, yet he stood out like a crane among chickens, strikingly handsome.

 

From head to toe, he was astonishingly to Kuang Xuexian’s liking, so much so that his heart skipped a beat.

 

Kuang Xuexian smiled at him. The man didn’t shy away but met his gaze directly.

 

Seeing the man’s interested look, it seemed he felt the same way. On impulse, Kuang Xuexian raised the embroidered ball in his hand.

 

The crowd stirred, but the man’s gaze remained steady—a sign that he was likely interested.

 

With a flick of his wrist, Kuang Xuexian tossed the embroidered ball toward him.

 

The sudden throw caused a commotion in the crowd. The man seemed momentarily surprised but still reached out and effortlessly caught the ball, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

 

Instantly, the crowd below erupted. Some were furious, others stomped their feet in disappointment, but most of the onlookers cheered with excitement.

 

“The embroidered ball has finally been thrown!”

 

“What a handsome young man! Master Kuang has excellent taste!”

 

The owner of Ruyi Tower leaned over the railing, shouting hoarsely at the attendants, “Quick, invite this young master up!”

 

Kuang Xuexian suddenly felt a wave of nervousness.

 

Below, the crowd was in chaos as the handsome young man, surrounded by Ruyi Tower attendants, made his way through the throng.

 

The boss closed the window and eagerly stepped out of the private room to look toward the staircase. Soon enough, he saw the attendants leading two people upstairs.

At the front was the young gentleman who had caught the embroidered ball. Behind him followed a plump man with a fair, beardless face, who smiled even before speaking—clearly a kind and honest soul, likely the handsome gentleman’s servant.

 

Kuang Xuexian took a closer look at the other man.

 

Even in the crowd earlier, he had stood out as tall, but up close, he was nearly a head taller than Kuang Xuexian. His face was youthful, fair, and elegantly sculpted, yet it was adorned with slightly upturned phoenix eyes—eyes that should have carried a certain captivating authority but were tempered by the deep, dark pupils.

 

Those pupils were particularly striking, seemingly darker and larger than most people’s.There was also a small mole on the tip of his nose.

 

In one word: handsome. In two words: very handsome.

 

And it was a distinctive kind of handsome, the sort that, with a bit of grooming in modern times, could debut as an idol.

 

Though his overall demeanor seemed gentle, simplicity was the truest form of beauty. Kuang Xuexian didn’t need anything too intense—his body couldn’t handle it, and neither could his mind.

 

In short, the more he looked, the more satisfied he felt.

 

“Please come in, sir!” the boss said with a beaming smile. “Take your time chatting, and call for me if you need anything!”

 

With that, he reached out to close the door, then discreetly pressed his sleeve against it and leaned in to eavesdrop.

 

Seeing this, the attendants all crowded around as well.

 

“Please have a seat, sir,” Kuang Xuexian said, trying to act naturally. “May I ask your name?”

 

The other man paused for a moment. “Zhang Ji.”

 

“Judging by your accent, you’re not from around here?”

 

“I’m from the capital.”

 

“You know what this embroidered ball is for, right?”

 

Of course he knew—otherwise, why would he have come to watch the spectacle?

 

Still, Kuang Xuexian wanted to confirm.

 

The other man’s gaze remained fixed on him. “I do.”

 

His eyes were very dark, with pupils that seemed to dominate the whites, making even his smile appear not quite reaching their depths. Yet his voice was exceptionally gentle as he asked, “Did you throw it specifically for me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, revealing shallow dimples.

His teeth were truly lovely—white and perfectly aligned. It was rare for people in ancient times to have such good teeth; it must have been a matter of excellent genetics.

 

How long had it been since Kuang Xuexian had felt such excitement? He had thought himself long frozen in a deep, icy pond, no longer capable of feeling anything like this. Yet now, a damp warmth seemed to spread within him, as if the ice were beginning to melt.

 

Since this was a flash marriage via embroidered ball, he decided to lay out his conditions directly: his name, where he lived, and how he made a living. He figured their situation was akin to a blind date, and aside from looks, material conditions were the most important factor in such arrangements. So, he made sure to mention that he owned a house and a shop.

 

“I usually run a small bookshop to make ends meet. What do you do, sir?”

 

“I’ve mostly stayed at home and haven’t done much.”

 

The plump servant beside him seemed uneasy. “Master”

 

Kuang Xuexian was taken aback.

 

Master?

 

The other man seemed to notice his surprise and explained, “Both my parents have passed away. I am the head of the household.”

 

The head of the household.

 

That was even better. Kuang Xuexian had initially worried that marriage wasn’t just a matter between two people—that elders in ancient times would likely disapprove of their sons marrying men. A marriage without the blessing of elders, even if both parties were willing, could be troublesome.

 

They further exchanged personal details, and the other party answered every question without hesitation. He said he was twenty years old and that he and his servant had come from the capital to Shuangluan City for leisure. Although his family was a prominent clan, they were not from an old aristocratic lineage like the Hedong Zhang family. They were merely locals of Jiantai, and their financial situation was “decent.” Both his parents had passed away, he had no wives or concubines, no marriage arrangements, and was completely alone.

 

Just like him—solitary, neither poor nor wealthy.

 

This was truly a match made in heaven.

 

It almost felt as if the system had tailored it specifically for him!

 

He didn’t hesitate either: “I’m very satisfied with you. If you’re equally satisfied with me, perhaps we could get to know each other better in the future?”

 

He thought that in ancient times, most people would directly discuss marriage once they were interested, with little emphasis on cultivating feelings. He could have proposed marriage right away, but considering how young and exceptionally handsome this gentleman was, he worried that moving too fast might scare him off. After all, not everyone was as bold and unconventional as he was.

 

In the end, he only added, “If both of us are satisfied, we could get married?”

 

The other party seemed to hesitate for a moment, his gaze lingering on his face, before he smiled gently and said, “Alright.”

 

It seemed the other party was quite satisfied with him. He had been staring at him the whole time. However, he still had one lingering concern.

 

Looking at this fair and handsome young man, who was much taller than him, he wondered if they might end up competing for the same role?

 

So he cleared his throat and said, “Also, I’m looking for a husband, not a wife.”

 

The other party seemed taken aback: “Hmm?”

 

It seemed he didn’t understand.

 

Kuang Xuexian, on the other hand, became more straightforward: “I’m the bottom.”

 

The other party asked, “Have you done it before?”

 

“With these things, you just know, don’t you? You don’t need experience.”

 

The other party nodded thoughtfully.

 

Kuang Xuexian then asked, “What about you?”

 

The other party smiled. “I haven’t either.”

That was perfect.

 

He had quite a strong preference for purity and wanted to find someone as inexperienced as himself. He had been cursing the system for treating him poorly, throwing him into this chaotic world to be reborn. But now, it seemed fate had been kind to him!

 

The plump male servant beside them looked as if he wanted to say something but hesitated: “Master, isn’t this too hasty? At home we’re still staying at someone else’s place. Shouldn’t we prepare a courtyard first?”

 

It was indeed a bit odd to hear such a young gentleman being addressed as “Master” repeatedly.

 

The other party glanced at his servant, then looked back at him and said, “Is it acceptable if I marry into your family?”

 

“Ah?!” The servant seemed dumbfounded.

 

Kuang Xuexian smiled. “Of course. I have a small courtyard, quite spacious. If you’re willing, you can move in anytime. It’ll be convenient for us to get to know each other better—consider it a trial stay.”

 

This would be more secure for both parties.

 

The other party nodded. “I’ll go back and pack. Tell me your address, and I’ll visit another day. Also, could you give me that embroidered ball from earlier?”

 

Kuang Xuexian was momentarily stunned. Seeing the other party’s gentle smile, he felt utterly charmed.

 

He handed over the embroidered ball and gave him his address. After seeing him off, he still felt as if he were dreaming, as though something about it all seemed unreal.

 

Perhaps it was because the other party perfectly matched every fantasy he had ever had about a partner.

 

His appearance, his personality, and even his family background.

 

Coming from a wealthy family, he naturally knew how to read and write—a certain level of education was important. Later, when his family fell into decline, it still aligned with his expectations for an ordinary person. His appearance, in particular, was exactly his type: a handsome face that was attractive without being overly beautiful, a gentle temperament without being effeminate. The more he looked, the more satisfied he became.

 

He was so satisfied that he could marry in a flash, consummating the union that very day.

 

Was that acceptable? People in ancient times probably didn’t have much concept of dating, let alone two grown men.

 

The outcome was unexpectedly satisfying. Kuang Xuexian accepted the congratulations from the owner of Ruyi Tower and left the building feeling somewhat dazed and light-headed.

 

Ruyi Tower was quite a distance from his bookstore. In his good mood today, he bought a jug of Songlao Spring wine on his way back.

 

After leaving the wine shop, he chose to walk along the river. Shuangluan City was named after the dance of phoenixes. Legend had it that the founding emperor of the previous Great Yong dynasty once saw two seven-colored luan birds dancing in the sky here, taking it as an auspicious sign. Thus, he established the capital here and named it Shuangluan City. The city was almost entirely themed around phoenixes, with Phoenix Mountain to the east and paulownia trees planted throughout the city. At this time of year, the paulownia trees were still desolate and quiet, making the streets even more tranquil.

 

But just as he hadn’t walked far, he was blocked by a group of people.

 

He recognized the ruffians at a glance.

 

For the past few days, they had been shouting and hurling obscenities beneath Ruyi Tower.

 

Now, the group grinned at him and said, “Young master, the one you picked is clearly a pretty face with no substance. How about considering us brothers instead?”

 

Kuang Xuexian smiled faintly, ignored them, and turned to continue walking.

 

But the men reached out to block his path, tilting their heads. “You bought wine too? We brothers also enjoy a drink. Why don’t we have some fun together?”

 

Kuang Xuexian stood beneath the tree, a tall and slender young man with a face as small as a palm, his skin taut and flawless, his green robe accentuating his fair complexion.

 

Truly, he was like bamboo in stature and flowers in appearance—the more one looked, the more captivating he became.

 

At that moment, he glanced back, as if frightened, seeking help from passersby. This gesture made him appear even more delicate and beautiful, stirring an unbearable itch in the hearts of the ruffians. They stepped forward, grabbing at him, and said, “Don’t bother looking. No one’s here. Even if someone were, they wouldn’t dare save you.”

 

“Be sensible and come with us quietly. Otherwise, we’ll have our way with you right here. You wouldn’t want to be seen on the street like this, would you?”

 

Kuang Xuexian’s smile faded as he rolled up his sleeves. “I don’t want to be seen. Will you come one by one, or all at once?”

 

“All at once? Young master, your tastes are quite—”

 

Before they could finish, they caught a glimpse of green robes fluttering, and one of them was kicked flying.

 

“Fuck! Brothers, get him!”

 

The remaining three immediately surrounded him. Kuang Xuexian tilted his head slightly, dodging the leader’s punch, and his wrist naturally hooked onto the man’s arm. With a swift pull and push, he flung the man against the wall. Using the momentum, he spun around, his green robes swirling as his foot struck the leader’s throat. Then, leveraging the spin, he drove his left knee into the chest of the second man, moving as effortlessly as flowing clouds and water.

 

In the rise and fall of the green shadow, the three men had already fallen to the ground, groaning in pain.

 

He landed gracefully, his breathing unchanged, and lowered his eyes to straighten his sleeves.

 

This place was close to the market, with the Beidou River—which ran through the entire city—flowing right behind it. The sound of rushing water, swift and gurgling, could not drown out the groans of a man in pain.

 

The owner of a steamed bun stall at the entrance of the alley, hearing the commotion, curiously peered inside. He saw a young man in a blue robe emerging from the alley.

 

What a neat and tidy gentleman he was—his hair was meticulously combed, appearing soft and smooth. He gave the stall owner a gentle smile and walked away calmly.

 

The owner could still hear the groans. Looking further into the alley, he saw several men lying haphazardly on the ground. Upon closer inspection, they were the troublemakers who often harassed small business owners like him.

 

That young man in the blue robe just now… must have simply been passing by, right?

 

Author’s Note:

 

According to the Zhou Dynasty historical records: “In the early spring of the fourth year of Tianfu, the Emperor met the Empress at Ruyi Tower on Jinwu Street in the Western Capital.”

 

Kuang Xuexian, Fu Yi.

 

Kuang Xuexian is like the light on a snowy day—a gentle, soft glow with a touch of coolness, perfectly complementing Fu Yi’s blazing fire. Together, they create the most spring-like warmth.