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墨書 Inktalez
Ming Xiting sat at the table, happily eating the pastries made by Ye Chen. With a playful grin, he said, “Ye Chen, is there really no way out? If I can’t go home, does that mean I’ll end up like you, marrying and having children? Ugh, why does that sound so awkward? I’m a guy having kids. Oh right, Ye Chen, does it hurt when you give birth?”
Ye Chen paused slightly, holding the pastry, then casually replied, “It hurts, a pain that’s unforgettable. But what can you do? As long as Kun Ze is marked by Tian Qian, especially with a high compatibility rate, they usually get caught on the first try. If someone wants an abortion, they’d probably risk losing half their life. So here, Kun Ze typically marries off quickly once they reach a certain age, fearing malicious marking from Tian Qian.”
Ming Xiting frowned and reluctantly said, “Can’t I just not get married? The Ming family is large and prosperous; they don’t need to support just one son like me.”
Ye Chen smiled helplessly. “That’s a nice thought, but don’t forget you’re a Kun Ze. Even if your father wants to support you now, a Kun Ze who doesn’t accept Tian Qian’s Xin Xiang for a long time will wither away. Especially after being marked, over time their bodies might develop unexpected ailments.”
As Ye Chen spoke, his gaze fell on Ming Xiting. He suggested, “I see your family is quite wealthy now; why not find a son-in-law to stay with you? Like me—keeping him close means you won’t be wronged.”
“That’s a good idea! But are there any female Tian Qian around? I think I have some charm,” Ming Xiting said with a glimmer in his eyes, half-joking.
Upon hearing this, Ye Chen revealed a knowing smile and teased, “You should drop that idea. Female Tian Qian are as rare as male Kun Ze. Besides, how would you feel seeing a woman larger than… well, you know? In the end, it would be you under her giving birth—not her. Don’t indulge in such unrealistic dreams.”
Ming Xiting’s fantasy shattered instantly. This world was truly bizarre.
Just as Ming Xiting and Ye Chen were engrossed in their conversation, Ming Zhao rushed in hurriedly, shouting, “Son! Son!”
Ming Xiting glanced at Ye Chen with an exasperated shrug before quickly helping the unstable Ming Zhao to sit down. “Father, what’s wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? If something’s up, just have someone send word; there’s no need for you to rush here personally.”
Ming Zhao looked at his clever and stunning Kun Ze son with tears streaming down his face. Both Ming Xiting and Ye Chen were stunned; what could possibly make the richest man in Jiangnan cry?
“Father, is something wrong?” Ming Xiting asked cautiously.
Ming Zhao sighed deeply three times before he could speak through his tears. “I’m sorry for what I’ve done to you. I thought sending some gifts would please the Changyu Princess; who knew she would ask me to send you into the palace instead and claimed it was an opportunity for you? Father… why would you need such an opportunity! But if I don’t send you, our Ming family would be defying the princess's orders—and that could cost us our heads!”
Ming Zhao spoke while tears and snot streamed down his face. Ming Xiting felt a sense of disdain in his heart but couldn’t show it openly. He handed his father a handkerchief and comforted him, “Father, I thought it was something serious. Don’t worry, it’s just a trip to the capital. I’ve heard that His Majesty had a past with the late Little Prince from Chongzhou, and he hasn’t married all these years because of that.
Now that he has been emperor for over a year, his harem is still empty. With so many Kun Ze in the capital who haven’t been chosen, how could I possibly be selected? I’m just going to fill a quota; there’s no need to be afraid. If I’m not chosen, I’ll be sent back. And stop crying; you’re going to ruin my clothes…” Of course, he didn’t dare to say the last part out loud.
Ye Chen, who was nearby, couldn’t help but glance at Ming Xiting as he spoke so much in one breath.
Ming Zhao continued to cry, lamenting how the Changyu Princess was ungrateful and mentioning that it was already rumored in the capital that the new emperor was an incapable fool. Otherwise, why would he leave the Kun Ze unmarried and keep his harem vacant? No one knew what he was pretending for under the guise of an old acquaintance who had died many years ago.
When Ming Xiting left Jiangnan, Ye Chen went to see him off. They exchanged only a few simple words; after all, it was just a formality, and Ming Xiting believed he would return soon. But at the moment of parting, Ye Chen suddenly grabbed his wrist with such force that Ming Xiting cried out in pain before Ye Chen finally let go.
The one crying the hardest was Ming Zhao. Since the death of his wife, he had only this one child. Although Ming Xiting was a Kun Ze, he had grown up pampered and had lived in Jiangnan all his life; he had never encountered any powerful families before. If he offended someone in the capital, Ming Zhao truly didn’t know how to protect him.
So before Ming Xiting left, Ming Zhao repeatedly cautioned him about many things he must not do.
He especially emphasized that when bowing before the emperor, he must never raise his head.
Thus, when Lou Yu returned to the palace and Lou Yan casually summoned a line of beautiful Kun Ze carrying dishes under the pretext of dining, Lou Yu felt a chill run down his spine.
Lou Yu’s gaze swept over the dishes being served.
The Kun Ze serving him didn’t dare to raise their heads to look at him until they placed the plates on the table in front of him.
At that moment, a familiar scent of Xing Hua Xiang wafted toward Lou Yu’s nose. He suddenly looked up and saw a Kun Ze slightly bowing their head, revealing a fair wrist as they placed a dish of delicacies before him. Without looking back, they turned to leave for the next person to serve.
Until Ming Xiting left, he remembered Ming Zhao’s words clearly and never raised his head to look at Lou Yu; thus, he naturally did not see that familiar face.
All the Kun Ze lined up behind the palace attendants, kneeling neatly on the ground, quietly waiting for Lou Yan and Lou Yu's next instructions.
The moment Lou Yu caught sight of Ming Xiting, he lingered for just a second longer, but this was keenly noticed by Lou Yan.
It took Lou Yan several seconds to remember that this was the son of the richest man in Jiangnan who had bribed her. Although being a consort to Lou Yu might not quite match his background, if it could help Lou Yu forget about Liu Chen, that would be a good thing.
So, just as Ming Xiting knelt there, waiting for the masters to finish their meal so they could leave, Lou Yan suddenly spoke up, "The fourth one from the right, come here."
The surroundings fell silent in an instant, not a sound to be heard.
Only then did Ming Xiting dare to raise his head. Looking left and right, he realized he was indeed the fourth. He quickly stood up and performed a courtesy taught by the teaching matron to both Lou Yu and Lou Yan, respectfully saying, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Changyu Princess."
"Rise." Lou Yan glanced at Lou Yu, who was still eating, then instructed, "You go and pour a cup of wine for His Majesty."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone held their breath.
Who in the harem didn't know that His Majesty despised Kun Ze approaching him? The last time some noble children accidentally released Xin Xiang in front of His Majesty, they had been executed. Not to mention these ordinary Kun Ze gathered from various places by Changyu Princess.
Ming Xiting did not think as much as the others; he immediately accepted the order: "Yes, Chang Gongzhu."
Only then did Ming Xiting lift his head and meet the gaze of Tian Qian on the high seat.
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