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nAnonymous swede ❤, thank you for the Ko-fi!

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nEditor: Casey

nShi Qing paid no mind to the accusatory gaze of his cousin.

nHis eyes were on the man valiantly arriving on a white horse.

nJiang Bieyu was actually wearing the clothes Shi Qing had designed back then.

nThey were close-fitting enough to not affect his movements while also elevating his attractiveness to the next level. Even his fierce features were softened quite a bit by his nice outfit.

nOf course, the gentle way he was looking at Shi Qing could be the main reason as well.

nThe devil incarnate Jiang Bieyu was actually not as scary as the rumours made him out to be. Some girls snuck out knowing that the person Crane City had surrendered to, the future master of this city, would be arriving today. Their first impression of the man was favourable.

nIt wasn’t that they fell in love at first sight with Jiang Bieyu’s face.

n…Fine so maybe they did have a bit of a crush. Anyways, his appearance caused their fear of him to diminish considerably.

nAfter all, the majority of people were natural facecons.

nOne of the girls seemed to think that Jiang Bieyu wasn’t too unapproachable. She was even bold enough to throw a silk flower she had sewn down to him.

nThe silk flower was spun lightly through the air, falling in front of the handsome man on the white horse.

nAlthough it only blocked his view of Shi Qing for less than a second, it was enough to make Jiang Bieyu frown in displeasure. He gave the girl who had thrown it a look of warning.

nThe vicious glance frightened the girl so much that she stiffened and almost burst into tears.

nThose girls were not the only ones who had come to watch. Many were seated by the windows of various restaurants overlooking this road. They had all relaxed upon seeing Jiang Bieyu’s passable features and temperament. The atmosphere had eased slightly, with some even making light of things.

nBut when Jiang Bieyu’s expression suddenly turned cold, the crowd was so frightened that they didn’t even dare to squeak.

nThis was the devil incarnate, the current master of Crane City.

nWho knew what he would do to someone who annoyed him.

nAs Jiang Bieyu led his troops through the long street, only the sound of hooves clopping and soldiers marching could be heard.

nIn this eerie silence, Shi Qing leaned out the window and took off the jade pendant he was wearing around his waist.

n“Hey!”

nThe little master suddenly raising his voice caused many eyes to fall on him.

nOnly one thought passed through their heads after seeing the Shi family little master leaning out the window with a smile and shouting down towards Jiang Bieyu.

nDoes he have a death wish?!!

nHowever, Shi Qing wasn’t afraid at all. He had an unrestrained smile on his face as he waved the jade pendant at Jiang Bieyu who was looking up at him.

n“Catch!”

nHe tossed the jade pendant towards Jiang Bieyu.

nThe general sitting on his horse actually extended his long arm to skillfully intercept the jade pendant.

nThen, before the flabbergasted crowd, Jiang Bieyu, who had been nicknamed ‘the devil incarnate’ early on, who supposedly took lives without blinking and always remained aloof…

nHe actually slowly smiled at the person who gave him the jade pendant, Shi Qing.

nLike a melting iceberg, the sight captivated everyone.

nWithout any pretence, Jiang Bieyu pinned the jade pendant to his waist with a smile on his lips. He looked quite content.

nShi Qing returned to his seat and ate a few more bites.

nWang Zhancheng’s heart was in his throat out of worry for his cousin. Yes, he had met Jiang Bieyu at the Shi family manor before&#k2026;

nBut this was the devil incarnate they were talking about!

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nWhat if he flipped out after his cousin behaved like this in public?

nWang Zhancheng only relaxed when he saw that Jiang Bieyu was not only not angry, but in a good mood.

n“Cousin, what exactly is your relationship with the devil…ah, I mean with General Jiang? Why did I see him at the Shi family manor last time? Have you two been in contact before?”

nBecause Jiang Bieyu’s faint smile affected him so much, Wang Zhancheng temporarily let himself forget about the tragedy of ‘his cousin lying to him again’. He curiously sat next to Shi Qing, who ate a peanut and replied casually:

n“He’s my lover.”

nWang Zhancheng: “……”

nAt this moment, he completely agreed with his aunt’s assessment of Shi Qing.

nAlthough his cousin was good-looking and seemed to be as pure as jade…

nHe was really bad-natured, ah.

nLook, he’s lying to my face. Again.

nShi Qing patted him on the back after noticing his cousin’s look of disbelief. “Cousin, I’m not lying to you. Jiang Bieyu really is my lover.”

n“Qing-er, you can’t go on like this. How can you always lie to me? If you weren’t my cousin, I would have gotten angry already.”

nWang Zhancheng had a serious look on his face. “Come on, who is he to you really? I promise I won’t tell.”

n“But I’ve told you already, ah.”

nShi Qing looked completely innocent. “Jiang Bieyu really is my lover. We’re a couple.”

nWang Zhancheng: …Only a fool would believe you.

nA few days later, on a dark and windy night, Wang Zhancheng, who was currently staying with the Shi family, couldn’t sleep. He came out for a stroll and happened to witness a dark figure flip over the wall. That person then took Shi Qing, who was waiting on the other side, into his arms.

nThe two touched the tips of their noses together in an intimate fashion. They were even more clingy than the cat Wang Zhancheng had seen before.

nThen, under the bright moonlight…

nThe man who was holding his cousin looked up sharply. His harsh gaze peered in Wang Zhancheng’s direction.

nWang Zhancheng, who got a clear look at Jiang Bieyu’s face: “!!!”

nT-t-the devil incarnate?!

nThe devil incarnate’s eyes were so frightening that Wang Zhancheng was paralyzed in place like someone had hit his pressure points.

nHe could clearly hear Jiang Bieyu say to Shi Qing, “There’s someone out there.”

n“Wu?”

nThe Shi family little master glanced over from within the tall man’s arms before withdrawing his gaze in disinterest. He reached for Jiang Bieyu’s neck as he replied stickily:

n“It’s okay, it’s just my cousin.”

nContained within his voice was a sweetness that Wang Zhancheng had never heard before. It was more petulant than a cat’s mewls, elongated, glutinous, and spoiled all at once.

n“Let’s talk inside. It’s cold out here.”

nAs a result, after Jiang Bieyu conquered Crane City, he didn’t show favour to any of the major clans here. He even apprehended some people who tried to take advantage of the chaos and cause trouble while pretending to be the Jiang family army. The culprits were all beheaded straightaway. Then, the devil incarnate Jiang Bieyu wasted no time picking up his cousin and whisking him away.

nA sturdy cloak firmly shielded Shi Qing from the cold wind.

nWang Zhancheng could only stand there, dumbfounded, as Jiang Bieyu strode towards him with his cousin.

nThen the man passed him by……

nPassed him by……

nBy……

nJiang Bieyu basically ignored him after noting his presence in the beginning.

nAnd his not-so-reliable cousin was busy leaning comfortably in the man’s arms. He seemed completely smitten with the man and didn’t even spare Wang Zhancheng one look this whole time.

nWang Zhancheng: “……”

nWang Zhancheng stood there for a long time after the other two had left before he processed what happened. He shifted slightly.

n…Was I dreaming just now?

nThe devil incarnate and his little cousin…

nThey were a couple?

nSurely he was dreaming.

nSo was he awake or still asleep right now??

nIf I’m dreaming, then this won’t hurt.

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nWang Zhancheng looked down at his hand. Then he ruthlessly grit his teeth and fiercely pinched his face.

n“Ow!!!”

nThe little master who was disrobing on the bed with Jiang Bieyu froze for a second when he heard the commotion.

nThe always cautious Jiang Bieyu subconsciously rose to find out what happened, but Shi Qing pulled him back.

n“Don’t mind him.”

nThe little master’s soft voice was a few hints sweeter than usual.

n“My silly cousin has always been like this. Let’s continue.”

nHow could the man refuse his beloved’s invitation?

nJiang Bieyu smiled as he turned back and untied the bed curtains.

nAs for what was happening inside…

nOnly the two of them were privy to that.

nThe next morning, Shi Qing was comfortably nestled in the bedding, asleep.

nHe was quite satisfied.

nPreviously, Jiang Bieyu was busy fighting elsewhere and could only spare a few moments to visit him. He was in such a rush that the two of them couldn’t properly engage in harmonious activities.

nEven if his animosity value had reached zero long ago, Shi Qing still felt unhappy.

nBut things would be better now that this guy had finally taken down Crane City.

nHe used a fingertip to nudge the still-sleeping man. “When are you planning to declare yourself emperor?”

nJiang Bieyu was always a light sleeper. He woke up as soon as the little master did, but he craved this moment of warmth too much to open his eyes.

nHe turned over when he heard Shi Qing’s question, wrapping him in an embrace and chuckling quietly.

n“I’m not going to be emperor, you are.”

nShi Qing didn’t seem the least bit surprised or overjoyed. He just patted the man’s cold, hard cheek. “So this was your plan all along?”

nJiang Bieyu smiled and touched the little master’s long, thin fingers. Although his face was still cold and hard, his eyes were filled with fondness.

n“Everyone now knows of your name. With me by your side standing guard, no one would dare to object to you declaring yourself emperor.”

nHe had thought of this long ago. Otherwise, why would he have insisted on being referred to as a general instead of a king?

nHis Qing-er was raised like a treasured pearl. When had he ever been mistreated growing up? If Jiang Bieyu were to become emperor, it would be impossible for him to spend a single moment apart from his beloved. He could already imagine what the history books would say about Shi Qing in that case.

nThe fact that Shi Qing was a merchant was enough for some to look down on him. If Jiang Bieyu became emperor and his relationship with Qing-er was exposed, Shi Qing would be the one who everyone badmouthed.

nJiang Bieyu wouldn’t care if it happened to anyone else, even himself…

nBut he did care about Shi Qing.

nMoreover, if he were to become emperor, he would no longer be able to act as freely as he could now. It would also mean that the Jiang family would become royal relatives.

nThe only reason Jiang Bieyu hadn’t wiped them out was because a bit of his Qing-er’s kindness had rubbed off on him.

nAnd most importantly, there was no place in the world more luxurious than the imperial palace, making it the perfect place to keep his Qing-er.

nHe gently coaxed Shi Qing, “Don’t they always say that I’m too hostile? Then why not have someone like Qing-er, who is known far and wide for his virtue, sit on the throne to shut them up.”

nShi Qing smirked. “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll gather a harem of three thousand beauties after becoming emperor?”

n“I’m not.”

nJiang Bieyu sniffed the milky scent of the little master’s body before smiling trustingly.

n“Because I know you wouldn’t do that.”

nThe System was almost moved to tears.

nOh my god, what kind of fairy tale companion is this? A man who came from nothing like him is actually willing to give his throne to another… Wuwuwuwu, I’m going to cry.

nShi Qing: You foolish little thing.

nHe looked at Jiang Bieyu and smiled widely. “It’s good that you’re not afraid.”

nThe man chuckled quietly.

nHe kept the rest of his words to himself.

nHe knew his Qing-er wouldn’t do this.

nBut if that day did come, he would use the position of emperor to imprison Qing-er. He would trap him within the golden cage that was the palace forever so that the only person he could see, touch, and speak to day and night would be Jiang Bieyu.

nJiang Bieyu had confidence in his plan.

nThe throne was just a gilded prison to ensure the canary he has always dreamed of catching stayed in his arms.

nAfter all, the only thing he’s wanted since the beginning was Qing-er.

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nRain

nI uhh…may have forgotten it was Friday. Quarantine is doing weird things to my brain. Sorry about that 人(_ _;)

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