Chapter 30#

He, Yan Mingxuan, being an imperial prince, had the audacity to kidnap common citizens as laborers! Chapter ID: 725395y#

Rong Yu was found the next morning. Mo Shu had cried the entire way back in the carriage. Rong Yu had been in high spirits, but Mo Shu’s sobbing annoyed him to no end, so he simply lay down and pretended to sleep, which finally quieted the boy down for a while.

Upon returning to the residence, the physician Qin momo had summoned was already waiting.

As luck would have it, this physician was Cai Shu, accompanied by his “apprentice” Jiang Qi.

Cai Shu examined Rong Yu first. To his great surprise, Rong Yu—who had fallen off a cliff and been missing for a full day and night—had no external injuries at all, and his mental state was exceptionally good. One could even describe him as radiant and spirited.

But when he saw Chu Tan, everything made sense. Looking at Chu Tan’s mangled right arm and his dusty, bedraggled appearance, it was clear that all the harm they might have suffered had been borne entirely by Chu Tan alone.

When Cai Shu peeled back the bandages Chu Tan had wrapped himself in, revealing the bloody, mangled wound beneath, even Jiang Qi was startled.

“Whoa, Young Crown Prince , what the hell bit you?”

Chu Tan pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, a hint of ferocity seeping through his brows and eyes. “A wolf.”

Thinking back to the scene yesterday, Chu Tan still felt lingering fear. If that wolf had actually bitten Rong Yu… he didn’t dare imagine it.

“Impressive. Killed a tiger, now a wolf. The Young Crown Prince is truly fierce.” Jiang Qi appeared to be grinning cheerfully, but in truth, a heavy weight had just been lifted from his heart.

Yesterday, when they heard that Rong Yu and Chu Tan had fallen off the cliff at the hunting grounds and disappeared without a trace, they had all been frantic with worry. Though they trusted the Young Crown Prince ’s abilities, that cliff was dozens of zhang high—if he’d fallen straight down, he’d have been smashed to pulp.

Their people had been faster than those searching for Rong Yu. They’d found the two of them in the dead of night, but Chu Tan had told them he was fine and to go back ahead of him.

It had been dark then, and they couldn’t see clearly whether Chu Tan was injured. His tone had sounded normal enough that they’d assumed nothing was wrong. Now it was clear—the Young Crown Prince really could endure pain.

Cai Shu cleaned the inflamed wound for Chu Tan. Even as the knife carved away dead flesh, Chu Tan didn’t make a sound—only his face gradually lost its color, making it clear he was in excruciating pain.

Afterward, medicinal powder was applied, the wound was re-bandaged, and the broken bone in his right arm was set properly. By the time everything was done, Chu Tan was drenched in sweat.

His pale, bloodless lips trembled slightly. He let out a long breath and collapsed heavily back onto the bed.

“This injury is more severe than any the Young Crown Prince has sustained before. Until it’s fully healed, you must not be injured a second time, and the wound cannot touch water…” Cai Shu recited his instructions, wrote out a prescription, and left behind some of his own prepared wound medicine.

Chu Tan looked at him. “And Rong Yu?”

“Didn’t the Young Crown Prince just ask that?” Jiang Qi said exasperatedly. “That young master is full of energy—not a scratch on him. It’s you, Young Crown Prince , who—anyone seeing you would think he’d sucked all your vitality dry. Worry about yourself and rest up first.”

Cai Shu shook his head helplessly. “Third Master Rong is indeed unharmed. However, his constitution has always been weak. He caught a slight chill from the wind, and his qi and blood are a bit insufficient. A few doses of medicine will set him right.”

Chu Tan nodded.

Cai Shu recalled the marks he’d noticed hidden beneath Rong Yu’s collar during the examination, and connecting that with the Young Crown Prince ’s tense attitude, couldn’t help but grow somewhat thoughtful.

Just then, someone knocked on the door outside. A young servant entered, carrying two buckets of hot water. He said to Chu Tan, “Third Master knows you’re injured and can’t bathe, so he specially had me bring hot water for you to wipe yourself down with.”

Chu Tan raised his eyes to look at him. “Has the young master bathed yet?”

“Not yet,” the servant replied. “Third Master said he’d eat first, then go. Oh, and your meal will be sent over shortly. Why don’t you wipe yourself down first? Need me to help?”

These days, Chu Tan counted as Rong Yu’s personal attendant, ranking a notch above the lowly servants who did rough chores in the courtyard. Having heard that Chu Tan had saved the young master at the hunting grounds yesterday, and that he might soon rise to prominence, the servant was happy to do him a favor.

“No need. You can go. And don’t bother sending the meal—I’ll go find the young master myself shortly.” Chu Tan’s tone was indifferent.

The servant instinctively replied, “Yes.”

It was only after stepping out the door that he came to his senses. He scratched his head and muttered, “How strange—we’re both servants, why did I do what he said?”

The door closed again. Cai Shu wrung out a cloth in the hot water. “Does the Young Crown Prince need my assistance?”

“No need.” Chu Tan took the cloth and wiped his face and neck, then asked, “How goes the matter in Yangzhou?”

Jiang Qi’s face lit up with joy. “We were going to tell the Young Crown Prince yesterday. Xiao Wu wrote—he found the salt field that Third Prince has been mining in secret. Several dozen salt wells. Those merchants keep their mouths shut tight. Xiao Wu spent months in Jiangnan and still couldn’t infiltrate their inner circle. Care to guess how he discovered the salt field?”

Chu Tan lowered his gaze in silence.

Jiang Qi continued on his own. “Third Prince occupies such a vast salt field and keeps it hidden from the throne. He didn’t even dare hire workers openly, so he turned his attention to the beggars and street children of Yangzhou, snatching them away to do hard labor. These nameless, faceless people at the bottom of society—even if they disappeared without a trace, no one would report them to the authorities. Xiao Wu sent people to the ruined temples in the city and other places where the dregs of society gather. It took over a month of asking around to find even a thread of a lead.”

“But the deeper he dug, the more wrong things felt. Xiao Wu discovered that quite a few common citizens in Yangzhou have gone missing in recent years as well. Yet every time the authorities investigate, they wrap things up hastily without truly solving anything. Even now, people are still vanishing without explanation.”

“Care to guess where those citizens went, Young Crown Prince ?” By this point, not a trace of amusement remained on Jiang Qi’s face—only cold fury. “He, Yan Mingxuan, being an imperial prince, had the audacity to kidnap common citizens as laborers!”

The room fell silent, broken only by Jiang Qi’s angry breathing.

After a moment, Chu Tan said, “Yangzhou’s officialdom ought to be investigated as well.”

Cai Shu nodded. “Indeed. If beggars disappear and no one asks why, that’s one thing—but so many common citizens with registered households vanishing, reported to the authorities, and still being brushed off so perfunctorily? That truly is inexcusable.”

He pondered for a moment, then looked at Chu Tan. “Does the Young Crown Prince remember who is in Yangzhou?”

A dark gleam flickered in Chu Tan’s eyes. “Princess Linyu.”

Princess Linyu was the Fifth Princess, twenty years old this year. Three years ago, she had married Song Ziqian, the prefect of Yangzhou. She was born of the same mother as Third Prince.

Though it was somewhat beneath a princess to marry a fifth-rank prefect, Song Ziqian had been the top scholar in the imperial examinations before being sent to Yangzhou. His post there was merely for gilding his résumé—to accumulate achievements before being recalled to the capital for a higher position.

“With that in mind, everything becomes clear.” Cai Shu’s eyes gleamed with sharp insight.

Jiang Qi listened nearby. Though he lacked the ability of the other two to unravel clues thread by thread, he was quick on the uptake. Now he was so furious his eyes blazed, fists clenched tight.

“A prince and a princess, sustained by the offerings of all the people under heaven, yet for their own selfish desires they cast the common folk into fire and water. They truly are—truly worse than pigs and dogs!”

Cai Shu patted Jiang Qi’s shoulder. “Alright, don’t get so worked up. Jiangnan is the most prosperous and wealthy region under heaven. Riches dazzle the eyes—the more glittering the surface, the more filth hidden beneath. In recent years, with the emperor being fatuous and tyrannical, the court in turmoil, and various factions stirring restlessly, the officialdom of Jiangnan has likely rotted through long ago.”

Chu Tan, however, didn’t get swept up in this righteous indignation. He remained calm throughout, his gaze deep and steady as still water.

He said coolly, “The more chaotic the situation, the better for us.”

Cai Shu greatly admired Chu Tan’s ability to stay clear-headed and composed no matter the circumstances. Chu Tan had a clear goal, always knew what he wanted, and couldn’t be swayed by outside forces. Yet Cai Shu still felt a pang of sorrow. “It’s the common people who suffer, though.”

That was indeed true. Whether dynasties changed or power exchanged hands, whoever managed to climb onto the most precious throne, it had nothing to do with the ordinary folk at the bottom.

But for all the scheming and infighting of those in power, and the wars and chaos that resulted from it, in the end it was only the common people who bore the cost.

In prosperity or ruin alike, it was the people who suffered.

“But there is no other way.” Cai Shu sighed.

He looked at Chu Tan, hope hidden in his eyes. He only prayed that these hardships were not suffered in vain. He and all the people of the world alike waited for a wise ruler to ascend the throne and restore a peaceful, prosperous era to the realm.

Chu Tan closed his eyes in contemplation. After a moment, he said, “Investigate where Third Prince’s money is going. He should be working on something very big.”

Indeed—Third Prince wasn’t short on money. Why would he take such enormous risks selling illegal salt and trafficking people? What was it all for?

“Young Crown Prince , you mean…” Cai Shu exchanged a glance with Jiang Qi, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes. “Amassing troops?”

Then Third Prince was truly a man who kept his cards close to his chest.

Chu Tan curved his lips. “Then this becomes very interesting.”

He carefully wiped his right hand. His fingers were long, his tendons and bones clearly defined. The small wound on his knuckle didn’t detract from its beauty—if anything, it added a certain charm to the hand.

Tossing the cloth back into the bucket, Chu Tan looked at the two of them. “Anything else?”

If not, he was going to find Rong Yu. Otherwise, once the young master finished eating and went to bathe, he’d definitely have Mo Shu help him undress. Just thinking about it made his teeth ache.

No sooner had Cai Shu and Jiang Qi left than Chu Tan headed straight for the main residence.

Rong Yu was currently eating at the table, with Qin momo and Mo Shu attending to him, both gazing at him with looks of tender affection.

“Seems the young master has a good appetite.” Chu Tan remarked.

Rong Yu looked up, swallowed a shrimp, and waved him over. “You’re here. Sit down and eat with me.”

Chu Tan’s dark eyes swept over Rong Yu, and he was somewhat surprised to find the young master showed no sign of turning on him. In the old days, he’d have been waiting with a whip by now—let alone being invited to share a meal.

Mo Shu, grateful that Chu Tan had saved Rong Yu multiple times at the hunting grounds, fetched a set of chopsticks and bowl and placed them before Chu Tan.

Rong Yu seemed very pleased, saying with a smile, “I was just telling Qin momo and Mo Shu about how we fought the wolf pack last night. They were terrified! Tell them—wasn’t I amazing?”

Chu Tan raised an eyebrow. “Naturally. The young master personally slew the alpha wolf. Truly brave beyond compare.”

Hearing Chu Tan’s praise made Rong Yu even more excited, joy and pride threaded through every corner of his brows and eyes.

He hadn’t forgotten that it was Chu Tan who had slain the alpha wolf, but he accepted Chu Tan’s flattery without reservation and didn’t bother to clarify. After all, he reasoned, it just happened that the wolf attacking him hadn’t been the alpha—if it had been, he could easily have killed it too.

Chu Tan narrowed his eyes, quietly observing Rong Yu’s mental state. The young master’s eyes were extraordinarily bright, his whole person radiating an abnormal sort of mania and overconfidence, chattering ceaselessly—much like his state last night. At least he wasn’t waving his arms around; he’d reined it in somewhat.

Qin momo and Mo Shu, meanwhile, were badly shaken. Qin momo clutched her chest, endlessly chanting “Amitabha, Buddha protect us,” while Mo Shu was full of heartache and self-recrimination, blaming himself for not having gone along yesterday and failed to protect the young master.

After eating their fill, Mo Shu wheeled Rong Yu toward the bathhouse. Chu Tan followed, saying he was going too.

Rong Yu glanced at him. Chu Tan’s right arm was in a splint, wrapped in a thick layer of gauze, hanging across his chest.

“Can you get in the water?”

“The pool isn’t deep. I can stand and attend to the young master.”

Rong Yu nodded. “Then come along.”

At the bathhouse, Chu Tan blocked Mo Shu, who was about to help Rong Yu undress. “I’ve got this. You may leave.”

Though Mo Shu was grateful that Chu Tan had saved Rong Yu and had stopped being so confrontational, he remained wary, feeling that Chu Tan harbored ill intentions. But since Rong Yu had nodded, he reluctantly withdrew.

In truth, Rong Yu was a bit afraid that Mo Shu would cry again if he saw the marks on his body—his wailing gave Rong Yu a headache.

As Rong Yu’s garments were removed one by one, his snow-white skin revealed scattered dots of deep red kiss marks, extending from his chest all the way down to his calves. The worst was the inside of his thighs, covered in kiss marks, finger marks, and bite marks—truly a sight too awful to behold.

Last night’s lighting had been dim, so this was the first time Rong Yu saw the mess on his own body. He frowned. “Are you a dog?”

It looked no different from being gnawed by one.

Chu Tan, however, was in excellent spirits, his eyes gleaming with possessive desire. He couldn’t help but pull Rong Yu into his arms and press another kiss mark onto his collarbone.

Rong Yu pushed at Chu Tan’s head in disgust. “Carry me in. I’m filthy.”

Both of them went into the hot spring pool stark naked. Rong Yu sat down against the pool wall while Chu Tan wiped him down beside him.

“Wiping him down” was really just an excuse to cop a feel. Even with only one usable hand, Chu Tan couldn’t keep it still—groping here and there until Rong Yu’s whole body burned with heat.

Still in his manic state, Rong Yu was easily aroused by such teasing. When Chu Tan’s hand ghosted between his legs once more, Rong Yu grabbed hold of him and shot him a sidelong glance.

That glance was alluring and seductive.

Chu Tan curved his lips, understanding perfectly. He slid his hand down, his fingertips parting the soft folds, rubbing up and down along the slit. Once the folds slickened with nectar, he slowly pushed his fingers into the scorching tunnel.

Rong Yu let out a contented sigh, closing his eyes as he leaned back against the pool wall, his whole body languid and relaxed as he enjoyed Chu Tan’s ministrations.

“Madam Bai sent someone to pay her respects earlier. Her—her own father couldn’t be bothered whether I lived or died, but she, a stepmother, is positively assiduous.” A mocking smile curled on Rong Yu’s face. “The funniest part? Her servant said she couldn’t come in person because Rong Yue also fell down a hillside yesterday. Hahaha!”

Of course—if he hadn’t fallen down the hillside, how else would he have conveniently been poisoned by the flower toxin? And without the flower toxin, how could he have coupled with Third Prince in the wild? And without that, what excuse would he have to have the toxin flare up later, conveniently sleeping with Gu Yuezhe?

Rong Yu laughed so hard he nearly choked, coughing a few times.

Chu Tan kissed his lips, mouthing at the rosy petals, and said with some displeasure, “At a time like this, the young master is still thinking of others?”

With that, he applied more force with his hand, jabbing hard at the most sensitive spot inside.

Rong Yu gasped. “Mm, ah… even Rong Yue’s—Rong Yue’s jealousy you’d eat? Ha…”

“No one is allowed.” Chu Tan bit Rong Yu’s lower lip, his fingers pumping rapidly inside, stirring the sensitive flesh.

“Ah… Rong Yue is so… hah… fond of you… if he knew… he’d be heartbroken… hahaha…” Rong Yu laughed with delight, a flush creeping up his face—whether from joy or pleasure, it was hard to say.

Chu Tan narrowed his long, narrow eyes, his tone displeased. “He’s merely some inconsequential person. If the young master mentions his name again, it’ll be me who’s heartbroken.”

Rong Yu was pleased by this remark. Thinking of Wei Jingtan—the man who, in the novel, had captivated Rong Yue completely—now serving him instead, regarding Rong Yue as merely “some inconsequential person,” gave him a delicious sense of vengeance.

That sense of vengeance in turn fed back into his desire, making his entire body tingle with excitement, urgently craving more.

No longer satisfied with mere fingers, he licked his lips and said bluntly, “I want to have sex with you.”

Chu Tan was always amused by Rong Yu’s direct requests. He found the young master delightfully honest and adorable in such moments, wanting nothing more than to hold the boy dear in the palm of his hand.

Chu Tan sucked on Rong Yu’s earlobe and murmured, “I couldn’t ask for more.”

He lifted one of Rong Yu’s legs and pressed the already-hard erection against him, intending to push in—but Rong Yu braced a hand against his chest and lifted his chin with a haughty air. “I want to be on top.”

Chu Tan raised an eyebrow, then carried Rong Yu up onto the platform.

Rong Yu straddled Chu Tan’s waist, pushing him down against the platform by his chest. He struggled to raise his hips, but he didn’t have enough strength, and his legs couldn’t support him either. Chu Tan had to help—one hand gripping his plump flesh, lifting him up.

Rong Yu, meanwhile, grasped Chu Tan’s cock and guided it to his entrance, slowly sinking down.

His flower was already drenched, so the thick, long, scalding-hard member slid in without any resistance, inch by inch stretching the tight passage until the little cunt was stuffed completely full.

Rong Yu’s expression grew increasingly dazed. Bracing himself on Chu Tan’s chest, he caressed the man’s firm muscles while swaying his hips, swallowing the cock inside him. His whole body trembled with pleasure, obscene moans spilling ceaselessly from his cherry-red lips.

His pale, slender cock flopped about, pearly fluid beading at the tip and drawing thin silvery threads that dripped onto Chu Tan’s abdomen.

Chu Tan lay on the platform, one hand steadying Rong Yu’s waist, watching the young master amuse himself with delight. The tenderness in his eyes threatened to overflow.

But Rong Yu was completely lost in his own world, seeing none of it.

[Author’s note:]

Cai Shu: Young Crown Prince , remember—the wound must not touch water.

Chu Tan: What? Wife needs to bathe. I must go immediately.

PS: Yu Yu thinks he can kill the alpha wolf not because he’s overestimating himself, but because his mental state isn’t right.