I Rely On The Collapse Of The Character Setting To Survive In The Hands Of The Male Lead Chapter 272

Chapter 272

Waking up from a deep slumber, it was already five years later, and the world had changed drastically.

Yuan Ran flipped through the pages of the unjust edicts, feeling like he was reading someone else’s story. If it weren’t for the trusted faces around him, he might have suspected that these edicts were fabricated to deceive him.

Yue Chen and Huo Luo, the mischievous duo from the past, had grown into mature adults, while the junior brother, Mu Huichun, had also matured significantly, becoming quite the skilled healer. Lu Yi hadn’t changed much, but Lu Shi had outgrown his childish ways, though his temper remained as impulsive as ever.

Together, they helped him piece together his memories and navigate the turbulent world, guiding him to accept his unbelievably tragic past… yet almost everyone mentioned one name.

Lin Qingyang.

In their accounts, his bond with Lin Qingyang seemed like a life-and-death connection.

But was it really him? Yuan Ran was usually composed and rational, never swayed by matters of romance. Even if there were admirers, it was hard to imagine someone having such a profound influence over all his emotions. So, he remained skeptical amidst their assertions.

Especially with the sudden influx of so much information, the news about Lin Qingyang instinctively took the least important place in his mind, temporarily set aside for later consideration.

“Your Highness, I know it’s hard for you to grasp all this at once, but Great Zhou is currently without a ruler, and we need you…” Yue Chen expressed concern.

“Since the Six Ministries are essentially made up of my chosen people, they should be competent. Yue Chen, the situation is urgent. I need you to temporarily take on the role of Prime Minister and handle court affairs. Can you manage?” Yuan Ran sat upright on the bed, his gaze piercing, his tone steady.

Yue Chen’s heart trembled, immediately bowing deeply. “Your servant can.”

Yuan Ran then turned to Huo Luo and commanded, “There shouldn’t be so many troops in the palace. Leave trusted individuals behind to temporarily oversee the Imperial Guards and the Imperial City Guards, restoring order to the capital. You’re in charge of deploying all troops. If there are any disturbances in the provinces, arrange for immediate action to reassure the people.”

Huo Luo’s eyes practically gleamed as he looked at Yuan Ran, immediately accepting the order.

“If there are any extremely important matters, report to me again. Summon the courtiers for an audience tomorrow,” Yuan Ran said solemnly, giving himself only a day to assess the situation.

Yue Chen and Huo Luo understood that, no matter how chaotic things got, even if it involved Yuan Ran himself, he would handle it with competence and composure.

That’s their Crown Prince they look up to, but…

“And what about Lin Qingyang?” Mu Huichun couldn’t help but ask again.

Yuan Ran visibly paused, his breath catching. “I don’t know about his situation… I’m not sure how to arrange things for him at the moment. Let him act as he wishes.”

The junior brother’s eyes held an obvious hint of reproach, as if he had turned into a heartless man, making Yuan Ran uncomfortable. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed them to attend to their own tasks.

Once everyone had left, Yuan Ran inquired about the matter of the Shadow Wolves.

Lu Yi and Lu Shi were both veterans of the battle at Tongjia Pass. They could provide Yuan Ran with more detailed accounts of the past, the beginning of all misfortunes.

Yuan Ran slowly closed his eyes, tasting bitterness and sorrow. Perhaps because it was something he had already experienced, he miraculously didn’t feel as much shock. Though sadness lingered, it didn’t drive him to madness as it might have done.

Yuan Ran rose to his feet.

Lu Yi hurriedly asked, “Master, wouldn’t it be better to rest? Where are you going?”

“I… I’ll go back to the Crown Prince’s Palace.” That was where he originally resided, perhaps there he could accept everything more quickly.

But as Yuan Ran was about to leave, he overheard a conversation between Lin Qingyang and Mu Huichun outside.

“To be honest, I… kind of hope he doesn’t regain his memories.”

Yuan Ran paused, his expression subtly changing as doubts flooded his mind. But the next moment, Lin Qingyang’s reasoning made Yuan Ran’s heart ache inexplicably. Lin Qingyang was looking out for him, he understood, but his heart felt uneasy nonetheless.

With Lin Qingyang standing guard at the door, Yuan Ran changed his mind. After all, he didn’t feel quite ready to face this person right now.

Forcing himself to calm down, Yuan Ran quickly sought to understand the current situation of the court and gradually digest everything.

As the night grew late, after hearing Yue Chen and Huo Luo’s reports, he instructed them to rest.

But Lin Qingyang never came in, remaining quietly outside the whole time.

Yuan Ran could only send Lu Yi and the others to inform Lin Qingyang to go rest and not to wait. However, Lin Qingyang still didn’t leave, and Yuan Ran couldn’t retract his earlier statement about letting him act freely.

As if resisting something, Yuan Ran couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t he just mention to the junior brother that he once deceived me in the past? How did he deceive me?”

Lu Yi and Lu Shi exchanged a glance, then honestly replied.

Yuan Ran’s expression darkened slightly. He couldn’t believe there was a time when someone had deceived his feelings. “And am I supposed to forgive him for that?”

Yuan Ran had his own boundaries. Anyone who deceived him, even if he could maintain a facade of friendliness, he would never allow that person to easily approach him again. So why was Lin Qingyang still lingering around him? Was it because of persistent pleading that softened his heart?

Lu Shi quickly added, “Yeah, it hasn’t been three day when you came back.”

With a crack, as if something had shattered, Yuan Ran couldn’t help but widen his eyes in disbelief. He hadn’t even been gone for three days? And he went back on his own? Was he really that spineless?! Was that really him they were talking about?

Yuan Ran felt dizzy.

Seeing Yuan Ran’s darkening expression, Lu Yi quickly nudged Lu Shi, silently warning him to be cautious in his speech. This person before them was still the Crown Prince, despite his friendly demeanor. He still held himself above others, with no emotional attachment to Lin Qingyang. If they offended the dignity of the royal family and angered the Crown Prince, who knew what the consequences would be.

Given the warning, Lu Shi swallowed down any more explosive information.

But even without Lu Shi, there was still Mu Huichun. When Mu Huichun came to check Yuan Ran’s pulse late that night, he noticed the silver cord lying nearby and asked, “You’re not using it anymore?”

“Oh, right, I was just about to ask you, isn’t this Master’s? Did Master give it to me?”

Mu Huichun explained, “At first, when you fell ill, no one could restrain you, so Master used the Silver Rainbow to tie you down. Later, when you stabilized, you asked Master for it to tie down Big Brother Lin?”

Yuan Ran was taken aback. “Was he doing something wrong?”

Mu Huichun rolled his eyes. “Of course not. It was you… because he was forced to stay in the capital and couldn’t escape with you at the time. You got angry and went crazy. When you saw him, you kept tying him with the Silver Rainbow, not allowing him to leave more than thirty meters away from you. It’s been like that from Tianheng Kingdom until you became like this.”

With another crack, something else seemed to fracture further.

“How… could that be possible?!” Yuan Ran exclaimed in disbelief. How could he possibly do something so clingy and unreasonable? It was absolutely impossible. But when he thought about his instinctive reaction when Lin Qingyang left the room earlier, he suddenly felt unsure about arguing against it.

“How could it not be possible… Why don’t you go look at his wrist? The red marks on his wrist still haven’t completely faded.” Mu Huichun immediately retorted, refusing to back down, even with reminders from Lu Yi and Lu Shi on the side.

“Then… maybe I was sick at the time, my behavior was abnormal,” Yuan Ran stammered, trying to justify his actions to himself.

Mu Huichun, sharp as ever, sensed Yuan Ran’s instinctive resistance to the fact that he was actually very close to Lin Qingyang. Unable to resist a jab, he remarked, “I wonder who didn’t have a ‘sickness’ at the time and made me help with the deception…”

Before Mu Huichun could finish his sentence, Lu Yi interrupted him, quickly ushering him out the door.

“What’s the rush?” Mu Huichun grumbled.

“You said too much at once. The master is already finding it difficult to accept. The more you say, the more he resists. It’s better to give him time to digest everything slowly. The master has noble character. Since he knows he has a close relationship with Lin Qingyang, he won’t let him down. Let things unfold gradually,” Lu Yi advised solemnly.

With a disdainful click of his tongue, Mu Huichun could only go back to rest.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Yuan Ran was still staring at the Silver Rainbow, lost in thought. He couldn’t believe he had become someone with such strong possessiveness. To him, this behavior seemed almost pathological. It must have been the result of his illness.

Before long, Yuan Ran drifted off to sleep without actively summoning Lin Qingyang. Yet, as he closed his eyes to slumber, someone boldly barged in, and his trusted aide seemed to have become a traitor. This once again made Yuan Ran realize that his level of trust in Lin Qingyang’s past actions must have exceeded the limit. That’s why Lu Yi and Lu Shi were so confident in letting Lin Qingyang get close to him.

Not only did Lin Qingyang get close, he even sat by the bed, and… and kissed him.

Yuan Ran stiffened all over, only daring to breathe again after the person had left. As the Crown Prince, he had never been so cautious, or even humiliated. He regretted it deeply and couldn’t understand what had happened just now. When the person approached, he didn’t even think of avoiding or pushing him away, even though he could have stopped him when he sensed the tendency. Why…

Feeling the person leave, he felt uncomfortable again. Instinctively, he asked, “Where did he go?”

As if not knowing the person’s whereabouts made him instinctively anxious.

Lu Yi’s response to his inquiry shocked him. Did he really need to hold onto someone to sleep? Lu Yi was always serious and never joked around. So, did that mean it was his past habit? How could he have such an embarrassing habit? Did he really need to embrace another man to sleep?

There was a sound of accelerating fragmentation.

Well, Yuan Ran indeed couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned all night, convinced it was due to the shock of the reality changes, definitely not because he wasn’t used to the emptiness beside him.

…

Last night, Yuan Ran carefully considered everyone’s words. According to them, he must have spoiled Lin Qingyang excessively, which likely led Lin Qingyang to become too proud and indulgent, inviting trouble. Although Yuan Ran wouldn’t let him down, he couldn’t allow Lin Qingyang to lose his sense of propriety. If indulging in their memories of love made him lose his principles, Yuan Ran decided to seize this opportunity to set boundaries, preventing future difficulties. He wondered what he had been thinking before; moderate relationships were the ones that lasted. Being too excessive would only lead to trouble in the future. If he got tired of it later and withdrew his affection, wouldn’t he be harming Lin Qingyang?

With the thought of doing what’s best for Lin Qingyang in mind, Yuan Ran made up his mind and was about to leave.

As soon as Yuan Ran stepped out, he heard hurried and flustered footsteps.

“Yuan Ran!”

Lin Qingyang appeared as if he had just woken up, rushing over to Yuan Ran and reaching out to him.

“Are you okay… Oh… right, never mind. I just had a nightmare and found you weren’t there. It scared me. How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?”

Lin Qingyang was out of breath, his clothes disheveled, clearly having rushed over just after waking up. However, Yuan Ran instinctively stepped back, avoiding Lin Qingyang’s outstretched hand.

Lin Qingyang froze, meeting Yuan Ran’s gaze.

Suppressing his discomfort, Yuan Ran was about to remind him about the issue of ‘boundaries’.

But then he saw Lin Qingyang’s face pale, his eyes flickering slightly. They seemed clouded, devoid of their usual sparkle, but quickly, he put on a smiling expression, as if his momentary distress was just a passing accident, something he could easily recover from.

In that instant, Yuan Ran’s heart seemed to be seized by something.

“I… I was still half-asleep, I haven’t fully adjusted yet, Yuan… Your Highness, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.” Lin Qingyang struggled to treat Yuan Ran as a member of the royal family, but he couldn’t adapt in that moment. Should he bow? Should he address himself as a humble servant?

Yuan Ran’s breath caught, feeling a twinge in his heart. His words came out without thinking, “Don’t call me ‘Your Highness.’ Just do what you used to do, no need to change.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yuan Ran felt foolish. Lin Qingyang was also stunned.

Although Yuan Ran’s attitude had hurt him for a moment, Lin Qingyang understood that it couldn’t be helped. He didn’t want to make things difficult for Yuan Ran now, so he just felt a bit sad momentarily. But the next moment, Yuan Ran’s consideration warmed Lin Qingyang’s heart.

Smiling as he straightened his clothes, Lin Qingyang said, “Okay, sure. Are you going to court? I’ll accompany you. I used to hold an official position, so I can attend court.”

Yuan Ran felt waves of disappointment wash over him internally, disappointed in himself for not sticking to his principles. How had he become like this? Just because of Lin Qingyang’s sad expression, he had abandoned his principles? If he let this rule slide now, how could he ever establish it again? Even though he heard their relationship was already semi-public, it still felt inappropriate for Lin Qingyang to address him by name in front of the entire court, disregarding their usual protocol.

However, once spoken, words couldn’t be taken back. Yuan Ran could only steel himself to accept the future gossip and rumors.

But gradually, Yuan Ran found that everything was different from what he had expected.

There was no arrogance from being spoiled, no indulgence or wilfulness. Even though Yuan Ran had already spoken, Lin Qingyang paid full attention to the protocol between them as ruler and subject.

They ate separately for breakfast, kept a distance between them on the way to court, and in the presence of others, Lin Qingyang directly addressed him as “Your Highness” and never called him Yuan Ran again.

Hmm, not bad. Obedient, sensible, and understanding of boundaries. Lin Qingyang truly was someone Yuan Ran could appreciate having by his side.

But…

Yuan Ran couldn’t help but slow down his pace, waiting for Lin Qingyang to approach him. Yet Lin Qingyang also slowed his pace, and every time Yuan Ran glanced back, Lin Qingyang just smiled.

Yuan Ran’s heart felt as if it were choked with cotton soaked in cold water.

What difference did it make if they were not lovers instead of ruler and subject? They were supposed to be a couple, weren’t they?!!!

“Your Highness, what do you think of this…..?” Lin Qingyang held up a memorial and was about to ask Yuan Ran for his opinion when he looked up and saw Yuan Ran glancing over, his beautiful eyes slightly narrowed, with a deep, dark gaze, as if he had some objections.

Lin Qingyang asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

Yuan Ran withdrew his gaze without correcting Lin Qingyang’s address. He had said he wasn’t used to it before, but now Lin Qingyang’s calling him “Your Highness” flowed smoothly. Perhaps Yuan Ran also felt strange about his amnesiac lover, so he kept his distance. Saying that it didn’t matter even if he lost his memory and was willing to risk his life to bring him back might just be empty words.

Maybe Lin Qingyang only liked the Yuan Ran who had experienced those five years. Perhaps his heart was moved by Yuan Ran’s fake identity, Chu Lishu. After all, even their appearances were different now, so the current Yuan Ran, without any memories, was just a stranger to Lin Qingyang, naturally making him distant.

Yuan Ran felt uneasy in his heart. It seemed that the emotional connection that others had praised so much didn’t have a clear manifestation on Lin Qingyang’s side.

Yuan Ran suppressed his chaotic thoughts and discussed state affairs with Lin Qingyang. Then, he was somewhat surprised and said, “You’re handling these issues very insightfully at such a young age. Did you learn from Xie Yiqing when you were forced to stay with Empress Dowager Xu?”

He was well aware of Xie Yiqing’s capabilities.

Lin Qingyang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, “Is Your Highness praising me? That’s like self-praise because all of my capabilities were taught by you personally. You really have no recollection at all?”

Yuan Ran looked at Lin Qingyang in astonishment. They were originally discussing memorials, and now they were almost standing shoulder to shoulder, very close to each other. Yuan Ran was taller than Lin Qingyang, who looked up at him. Yuan Ran, on the other hand, lowered his head, his gaze meeting Lin Qingyang’s. In an instant, their faces were inches apart, as if their breaths were mingling.

The scent emanating from Lin Qingyang was like the sandalwood Yuan Ran had loved most in the past, making Yuan Ran unable to resist taking a deep breath.

As Yuan Ran saw his reflection in Lin Qingyang’s clear, smiling eyes, his breath caught, and his body seemed to have a will of its own, leaning towards Lin Qingyang involuntarily.

But when Lin Qingyang looked at him with a hint of confusion in his eyes, Yuan Ran snapped out of it, his heart in turmoil. However, he maintained a composed expression and said naturally, “Lu Yi…”

Lin Qingyang tilted his head, looking at Yuan Ran with puzzlement, and reminded him, “Didn’t you just ask Lu Yi to handle something?”

Yuan Ran’s ears turned hot instantly. “I meant to call for Lu Shi…”

Lu Shi appeared promptly, “Master, you called for me…”

Yuan Ran wasn’t actually looking for them; it was just a momentary distraction to shift his attention.

Since they were already here, Yuan Ran remembered something. “Oh right, go to the Crown Prince Palace and retrieve the private seal I used in the past from the secret compartment in the inner chamber.”

Lu Shi was about to agree when he suddenly noticed Lin Qingyang’s expression change drastically, and he turned beet red in an instant.

Unfortunately, in the past, when Lu Shi was called by Yuan Ran to do something in the room, he inadvertently saw Lin Qingyang’s neck covered with the Crown Prince’s seal. This scared him so much that he never dared to enter the room to serve the master again at such times. Sometimes, even when Lin Qingyang was wearing clothes, certain movements could inadvertently reveal a glimpse of the red seal on his collarbone.

So, the Crown Prince’s seal should be with…

“Ahem… Well, the Crown Prince’s seal is with me,” Lin Qingyang said somewhat embarrassedly.

Yuan Ran looked at Lin Qingyang with a puzzled expression. The Crown Prince’s seal, his private seal, although it was not used when he held the power of the crown prince, its symbolic significance remained. Now that he didn’t have the crown prince’s seal, he could temporarily use the Crown Prince’s private seal. Moreover, the seal…. itself represented the authority of the Crown Prince. The owner could issue orders in his name and even mobilize a force of three thousand imperial guards.

Did he already take it out… and entrusted it to Lin Qingyang?

Probingly, Yuan Ran looked at Lin Qingyang, who opened the brocade bag hanging from his waist. Lin Qingyang had carried this brocade bag with him since the first day.

When the brocade bag was opened, the familiar jade seal fell into Lin Qingyang’s palm. The milky-white cylindrical shape still gleamed, with the lifelike dragon relief on top. It was his Crown Prince’s private seal, no mistake.

Upon seeing the private seal, Lu Shi’s reflex, trained by Lu Yi, kicked in instantly. Seeing the private seal and Silver Rainbow, he was ready to dodge. Being a subordinate required perceptiveness, so Lu Shi disappeared from the room in an instant.

Neither of them noticed Lu Shi’s disappearance. Yuan Ran reached out to take his own private seal. “I need to use it…”

Lin Qingyang instinctively tightened his grip, panicked and confused. “What do you need it for?”

Yuan Ran paused, then replied, “To… stamp something.”

Although Yuan Ran knew that Lin Qingyang didn’t mean it that way, Lin Qingyang’s face still inexplicably reddened. “Um… It’s not… appropriate.”

“Why?” Yuan Ran looked at Lin Qingyang, puzzled by his obvious change in demeanor.

“Well… this private seal, you gave it to me as a gift, so…” Lin Qingyang was so nervous that he stuttered, feeling embarrassed. “Maybe you should try to remember… it’s not suitable to use it for official business… really.”

Yuan Ran was stunned to hear this. He had actually given his private seal to Lin Qingyang? He had… done such a thing? How was this any different from the actions of an incompetent ruler blinded by desire? Even the power of the queen had to be distinguished from that of the king. How could he have made such a mistake? It was completely against protocol.

Yuan Ran was once again shocked by his own departure from the proper path.

But at the same time, he was surprised by Lin Qingyang’s reaction. Even if it was given away, it was reasonable for them to use it between themselves. It was rare to see Lin Qingyang being so willful. Did he perhaps become too spoiled?

A barely noticeable smirk appeared at the corner of Yuan Ran’s mouth, even he hadn’t realized that his gaze towards Lin Qingyang had a hint of teasing in it.

“Do you know what this Crown Prince seal means?” Yuan Ran asked tentatively.

Lin Qingyang became even more uneasy. “Yes, I know. You… carved it yourself, so it holds special meaning to you. This jade is truly one of a kind in the world.”

Yuan Ran had intended to inquire about its significance in terms of power, but Lin Qingyang mentioned something else, so he went along with it. “I’ve told you before, indeed. I carved it myself. It’s one of my favorite possessions, especially the relief on it. When I was young, I used to think of this little dragon as my embodiment. I spent a lot of effort on its scales, especially its shape…”

As Yuan Ran reminisced, he suddenly noticed that Lin Qingyang’s face had turned as red as if it were about to bleed. What was going on?

Lin Qingyang’s face was not only red now but also exuding hot breath with every word he spoke. His hands involuntarily turned the Crown Prince seal, leaving an incomplete imprint on his palm.

Yuan Ran happened to see this red imprint, and in an instant, several scenes flashed through his mind, accompanied by a familiar voice that made his brain roar.

“This is making me quite jealous. The little dragon beat me to it…”

“These dragon scales have a very unique shape, can you feel it? Later, you can touch other dragon reliefs to compare. They’re definitely not the same…”

“Come… let me stamp another seal…”

A purely masculine body, broad shoulders, narrow waist, smooth muscles. The originally fair skin was now covered with various red marks, but amidst those marks, there was a vivid Crown Prince seal undulating with each breath on the skin.

It was a scene… Yuan Ran had been tempted many times in his life, but he had never seen such a seductive sight, as if his soul had been sucked away by a fairy.

Yuan Ran suddenly woke up, his back drenched in sweat. Unconsciously, he had taken the Crown Prince seal and completed the imprint on Lin Qingyang’s palm. His own hand lingered on the mark as if reluctant to leave, causing Lin Qingyang’s hand to tremble slightly. The crimson imprint seemed to ignite like flames, burning its way to the heart through his fingertips.

Yuan Ran’s breath caught, and he immediately took a step back, only to stumble over a chair behind him. Despite being a skilled individual, he was thrown into disarray and stumbled over the chair in a panic.

Thrown off guard by Yuan Ran’s sudden stamping movement, Lin Qingyang was startled to see Yuan Ran on the verge of falling. In a panic, he reached out to grab him, but due to the difference in their sizes and Lin Qingyang’s delayed reaction to adjust his strength, they ended up falling together onto the chair.

Fortunately, they managed to barely hold themselves up, preventing a real fall.

Yuan Ran’s waist hit the armrest, causing him to lie back facing Lin Qingyang. Meanwhile, Lin Qingyang leaned against the chair back, pressing down on Yuan Ran. It had been a long time since they had been this close, and the familiar scent that washed over Lin Qingyang momentarily dazed him. Suddenly overwhelmed by longing, Lin Qingyang couldn’t help but want to kiss him, but feeling awkward, he looked down at Yuan Ran and asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Yuan Ran, staring at Lin Qingyang who was so close, couldn’t shake the images of flushed cheeks and labored breathing from his mind. For the first time, Yuan Ran realized that he was actually capable of having such a relationship with another man.

The mental shock tightened Yuan Ran’s voice as he replied, “No…”

Quickly helping Yuan Ran up, Lin Qingyang and Yuan Ran fell into an awkward silence between them.

Yuan Ran took several deep breaths to calm himself down. Those images were just fleeting moments, and his memories hadn’t returned. But they were enough to unsettle him.

He couldn’t believe he had done such a thing, and even said those words… Was that really him?

Forget it, don’t dwell on it. His memories would come back eventually, and then he would know.

Lin Qingyang watched as Yuan Ran handed back the Crown Prince’s seal. He was genuinely afraid that Yuan Ran might use it somewhere else, so he had to muster the courage to ask for it back. Surprisingly, he managed to get it back smoothly.

Yuan Ran, now feeling more composed, handed back the Crown Prince’s seal, observing as Lin Qingyang carefully put it away in his pouch. There was an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

Yuan Ran cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Be…. Be sure to keep it safe. If someone else finds it…”

“I won’t lose it, I promise,” Lin Qingyang quickly reassured, or rather swore. If he ever lost it and someone else found it, he’d be so embarrassed he’d want to dig a hole and bury himself alive.

Just as they were feeling awkward about the situation, they heard the voice of Chief Steward Hai outside, informing them that Yue Chen and Huo Luo had arrived.

Lin Qingyang took the opportunity to cool off outside, while Yuan Ran regained his composure to handle official matters.

They had come to discuss the matter of Yuan Ran’s accession to the throne. Once that was settled, it was time to arrange for rewards and honors. This required the assistance of Yue Chen and Huo Luo, as Yuan Ran didn’t remember the specific contributions of others.

Soon, the rewards for everyone else were determined, except for Lin Qingyang’s.

For a moment, Yue Chen and Huo Luo were unusually quiet.

Yuan Ran had intended to casually inquire about their opinions, but in truth, he hadn’t anticipated this situation between them at all. After all, he never imagined he would choose a man as his companion. Wealth, honor, and status were inevitable, but giving Lin Qingyang the Crown Prince’s seal and even allowing Mu Huichun to address him as “sister-in-law”… This might require more than just a grand wedding and the title of empress to resolve.

Upon careful consideration, Yuan Ran suddenly felt apprehensive about asking. He was genuinely afraid of hearing about yet another bizarre and inappropriate action attributed to him. It was something his current mindset couldn’t handle.

Huo Luo and Yue Chen clearly noticed Yuan Ran’s concerns and exchanged a glance. Huo Luo cleared his throat, unsure of how to broach the topic, while Yue Chen was more direct and forthright.

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t worry about Lin Qingyang’s arrangement. Don’t tell me you have no recollection at all? You’ve already promised to give Lin Qingyang something, after all. You even officially married him.”

Yuan Ran’s mind trembled in disbelief. “What?”

Huo Luo awkwardly continued, “During the incident at Wuxin Mountain, you ended up marrying Lin Qingyang while trying to incite discord among the people in the fort.”

With these words, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck Yuan Ran’s mind, leaving him utterly bewildered.

“Although it was to survive a dangerous situation, the heavens and earth bore witness, and you even drank the nuptial cup… Anyway, we shouldn’t dwell on this matter too much. Your Highness will understand once your memory returns,” Yue Chen added sagely. He was astute enough to worry that someone might have manipulated Yuan Ran during this time, persuading him to inexplicably include Lin Qingyang in the harem to stabilize the court. While this might have been a strategy for the original Yuan Ran to balance power, it could lead to complications once his memories returned. Thus, Yue Chen wanted to prevent any unnecessary harm by offering this reminder.

Yuan Ran’s expression was indescribable. Based on his analysis of his past behavior patterns, he probably did promise a grand wedding and the position of queen. After all, he willingly went through with the marriage ceremony. Normally, even if he had some plans, he wouldn’t actually go through with the ceremony unless he had ulterior motives.

“Well, let’s wait until my memory returns before making any decisions…”

After discussing for a while, Yue Chen and Huo Luo were about to take their leave, but before they did, Yue Chen turned back and asked.

“By the way, Your Highness, are you aware that there are people at court causing trouble for Lin Qingyang?”

Yuan Ran, already overwhelmed by various emotions, furrowed his brow upon hearing this, as if instinctively displeased. He raised his gaze to meet Yue Chen’s.

Yue Chen steadied himself internally. “After all, Your Highness has been seen closely accompanying Lin Qingyang since you conquered. Many stubborn old officials might seize the opportunity to mock him when they see him alone. Didn’t he mention anything to you?”

Yuan Ran shook his head, puzzled. Despite spending every day together, Lin Qingyang hadn’t mentioned a word about it. Even if he didn’t want to take advantage of his favor or abuse his power, shouldn’t he have reported such incidents? Shouldn’t Lin Qingyang rely on him? Or perhaps he didn’t want to depend on him now because he saw Yuan Ran as a stranger?

“Since he didn’t mention it, it probably isn’t a big deal…” Yue Chen steered the conversation back and took his leave along with Huo Luo.

Yuan Ran remained silent for a while before speaking directly, “Lu Shi.”

“At your service,” Lu Shi responded promptly.

“Is someone causing trouble for Lin Qingyang?” Yuan Ran asked directly.

Lu Shi immediately began reporting the misdeeds of those courtiers.

Yuan Ran’s expression darkened slightly. “Give them a lesson, warn them. Not everyone has the right to criticize him.”

Lu Shi’s face lit up with satisfaction. “I’ll take care of it right away.”

As soon as Lu Shi left, Lin Qingyang returned. Yuan Ran looked at him with some displeasure, about to say something, when he saw Lin Qingyang’s uneasy expression. “Uh… Mr. Cao is here.”

“Teacher Cao?”

Lin Qingyang nodded awkwardly. “Yes, with Cao Wanying.”

“Cao Wanying? The teacher’s granddaughter.”

“Yes,” Lin Qingyang confirmed.

Yuan Ran nodded, about to go and greet them. After all, it was his imperial teacher, and he had also assisted him on his path of revenge.

However, Lin Qingyang suddenly interjected, “Um… I see Big Brother Yue seems quite busy. I’ll go help there instead. It won’t delay your meeting with Mr. Cao.”

Yuan Ran hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

As for the purpose of Mr. Cao bringing Cao Wanying along, Yuan Ran didn’t dwell on it. After all, his teacher had always been fond of showing off his granddaughter wherever he went.

However, when he saw Master Cao, he suddenly understood. The young girl had grown up, and Mr. Cao’s intentions were clear. No wonder Lin Qingyang had chosen to avoid the encounter. It seemed Mr. Cao was unaware of their relationship and was merely testing the waters, or perhaps he believed that even with Lin Qingyang around, there should still be a legitimate empress.

Mr. Cao’s thoughts were quite understandable. If Lin Qingyang hadn’t been in the picture, Yuan Ran would definitely have considered Cao Wanying. But now… he felt restless, his mind involuntarily drifting to thoughts of whether Lin Qingyang was complaining to Yue Chen and the others about this situation.

This is uncomfortable for him.

Yuan Ran felt a pang of guilt, but then again, he felt it wasn’t a big deal. After all, his status was clear here. Even if he had promised Lin Qingyang the position of empress, he should understand that Lin Qingyang couldn’t monopolize the harem. They…

As Yuan Ran pondered, he suddenly noticed that Cao Wanying across from him seemed even more embarrassed.

When Mr. Cao found an excuse to step away for a moment, Yuan Ran decided to find someone else to attend to Cao Wanying, which would indirectly provide Master Cao with an answer.

Thinking of the harem again didn’t sit right with him.

But before he could say anything, Cao Wanying took the initiative to apologize.

“Your Highness, I’ve heard about your situation, and I know you’re Young Master Chu. Please rest assured, I no longer have any intentions. I didn’t know my grandfather’s intentions before coming here. I will definitely clear things up with him later. Please forgive his confusion.”

Yuan Ran: ???

“You… knew…”

Mr. Cao didn’t know, but Cao Wanying did?

Thinking Yuan Ran was issuing a warning, Cao Wanying explained, “Since that day you hinted at me as Young Master Chu, I’ve understood clearly. Although Your Highness didn’t explicitly state it, I knew you only wanted Young Master Lin and no one else. I understand even without your words.”

With a smile, Cao Wanying continued, “Your Highness is devoted, and I admire that.”

After Cao Wanying left, Yuan Ran felt like his face was burning. He… had hinted at Cao Wanying about his feelings for Lin Qingyang back then? He had done such a foolish thing? How could he be so childish? Was that really him? It was… so embarrassing.

During the lunch banquet for the teacher, Lin Qingyang didn’t attend. It was said he was busy with Yue Chen. After bidding farewell to the regretful Mr. Cao, Yuan Ran’s steps still led him to the military and political office where Yue Chen was.

On his way there, he encountered the Dai siblings coming out. According to his previous promise, he had already vindicated the Dai family, and he would reward them later as well.

The two immediately bowed upon seeing Yuan Ran, with Dai Heng especially admiring him, while Dai Xueyang seemed somewhat embarrassed.

Yuan Ran gestured for them to rise and said, “In a month, you will lead the troops to guard the eastern sea area for the Great Zhou. Be well prepared, and if you encounter any difficulties, consult with Huo Luo.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Dai Heng replied with a brilliant smile.

Dai Xueyang couldn’t help but speak up, “Your Highness… Are you really appointing me as a military officer? This is…”

“Am I putting pressure on you? But I’ve always believed that women can hold official positions. Even if the court cannot implement it temporarily, with the military power in the east under your command, implementation should be easy. With both of you siblings working together, the eastern sea area of the Great Zhou can be safe and secure.” Yuan Ran spoke earnestly, regarding Dai Xueyang’s appointment as just the beginning of the policies he hadn’t implemented yet. He believed Dai Xueyang could lead a successful reform campaign for him.

Upon hearing this, Dai Xueyang’s eyes reddened. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your appreciation. I will surely not disappoint your grace.”

Yuan Ran nodded, completely appreciating the loyalty of the Dai siblings. Just as they were about to take their leave, Dai Xueyang suddenly asked, “Your Highness, are you going to find Lin Qingyang? He’s not with Lord Yue at the moment…”

Yuan Ran paused for a moment, feeling somewhat uneasy. Why did everyone think he was going to find Lin Qingyang?

“I’m not exactly finding him… Where did he go?”

“He went to see Physician Mu. Perhaps he’s not feeling well,” Dai Xueyang replied with concern evident on her face.

Yuan Ran nodded and dismissed them.

However, he suddenly called back Lu Yi, who had already returned.

“Master?”

“Dai Xueyang seems quite familiar with Lin Qingyang. Why is she so concerned about him? What is their relationship?” Yuan Ran asked suddenly, recalling Dai Xueyang’s expression earlier and noticing the familiarity between the two in recent days. Dai Xueyang was also a very charismatic woman, and Lin Qingyang was rumored not to be truly homosexual…

Lu Yi was dumbfounded for quite a while before he reacted, “Master, Miss Dai once had feelings for you. Later, you made your stance clear face-to-face. After that, you worried that Lin Qingyang would be unhappy, so you let Lin Qingyang handle the communication between the Dai family and you, which is why they are quite familiar with each other.”

Yuan Ran’s mouth twitched, never expecting such an answer. “Did I… back then, directly tell others about my… relationship with Lin Qingyang?” Was he really that indiscreet? He wasn’t one to boast everywhere. How did he end up with not just Cao Wanying but also Dai Xueyang?

Lu Yi: “… When Miss Dai expressed her loyalty to you and offered to serve you, you kissed Lin Qingyang in front of her multiple times, emphasizing your relationship with Lin Qingyang, all to make Miss Dai give up on you completely.”

Yuan Ran: …

Yuan Ran slowly raised his trembling hand to support his forehead with a feeling of extreme exhaustion, thinking, Can he do anything more embarrassing than this?

Looking at Dai Xueyang’s current demeanor, it seemed his heart was completely dead.

“Did I… do the same thing to others?” Yuan Ran regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth. Because he realized from Lu Yi’s expression, which was usually steady, that he had done plenty of such foolish things. Even his own bodyguards probably couldn’t bear to witness it.

How did I become like this?

“Alright, you don’t need to say anymore,” Yuan Ran felt utterly powerless, yet he still made his way to where the imperial physician Mu Huichun was located.

“Oh my, I just heard someone mention that Cao Wanying came here? I see, Mr. Cao wants her to be the empress. Big Brother Lin, why did you still have the energy to come here today?” Mu Huichun exclaimed anxiously.

“Is….. everyone in the palace this gossipy?” Lin Qingyang said embarrassedly.

Mu Huichun grabbed Lin Qingyang’s arm, ready to leave.

Lin Qingyang hurriedly asked, “Wait, where are you going?”

“Of course, to stop it. Now that senior brother’s mind is not right, if he really agrees, what will you do?” Mu Huichun said anxiously.

However, Lin Qingyang chuckled and said, “You really don’t understand your senior brother. Since he knows he has amnesia and has forgotten anything related to me, but he knows about our relationship, he won’t make any decisions related to such matters before his memory has recovered. He has his own judgment and won’t act recklessly like that.”

Mu Huichun blinked, calming down a bit, “Really…? Is that true?”

“I trust him. He’ll definitely avoid discussing this,” Lin Qingyang chuckled.

Hearing this from outside, Yuan Ran couldn’t help but feel surprised. Lin Qingyang really understood him well.

“Why did you avoid then?” Mu Huichun asked in confusion.

Lin Qingyang rubbed his nose. “It’s a bit awkward, you know. Anyway, let’s not talk about useless things. Let’s think of a solution quickly.”

Mu Huichun sighed helplessly. “He’s not sleeping well, and there’s not much I can do. I’ve given him the best sleep-inducing incense, but he probably has something on his mind. If he really needs rest, he’ll ask me for medicine. You don’t need to worry about him.”

Hearing this from outside, Yuan Ran finally understood. Lin Qingyang wasn’t feeling unwell himself; he was concerned about Yuan Ran’s condition. Even though he had been acting normal, Lin Qingyang could still see through him.

Indeed, he had been having trouble sleeping these past few nights, with many thoughts crowding his mind. How could he possibly fall asleep?

Yuan Ran didn’t go inside but instead pondered outside. Suddenly, someone came to find Lin Qingyang. Yuan Ran chose to avoid them, only to realize that the person looking for Lin Qingyang was the horse trainer from the royal stable.

He came here to seek Lin Qingyang’s help in managing Chiteng.

Yuan Ran was surprised at the mention of Chiteng’s name. Chiteng was known for being uncontrollable; in the past, whenever there was a problem, everyone would come to Yuan Ran. So, how…. could seeking Lin Qingyang’s help be of any use?

Feeling uneasy, Yuan Ran followed along.

He saw Lin Qingyang confidently enter the stable. Inside, Chiteng, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, was riding restlessly. At the sound of Lin Qingyang’s voice, Chiteng charged towards him.

Yuan Ran’s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately prepared to rush over and protect Lin Qingyang.

However, to his surprise, Chiteng suddenly slowed down and stopped right in front of Lin Qingyang. It was as if he had thrown a tantrum at Yuan Ran before, shaking his huge head and snorting.

Lin Qingyang naturally reached out and patted Chiteng’s head, then took the brush and began grooming him. Only then did Chiteng calm down. Afterwards, Lin Qingyang effortlessly mounted the horse and rode off with Chiteng.

But Lin Qingyang’s riding skills were average, so they didn’t move very fast.

“He…. can control Chiteng?” Yuan Ran asked, almost incredulously.

Lu Yi sounded envious. “Master often rides with Lin Qingyang on it. Sometimes he even leads Chiteng alone, and Chiteng doesn’t seem to mind at all. I guess Chiteng has accepted Lin Qingyang as its second master.”

Yuan Ran’s eyes flickered. Previously, neither the late emperor nor the late empress could get close to Chiteng.

“But later…”

Lu Yi hesitated.

“What happened?”

“Later, for a period of time, whenever you and Lin Qingyang rode together, Chiteng would go crazy and resist fiercely when you both rode alone ahead. It would only calm down if everyone rode together. I couldn’t understand why,” said Lu Yi, looking puzzled.

As they were speaking, suddenly, the sound of Chiteng’s neighing and Lin Qingyang’s shouting came from the stable.

They turned to look and saw Chiteng suddenly raising its front hooves, while Lin Qingyang seemed to struggle to control it, and they were about to soar into the air.

Lu Yi swiftly reacted with his instinct as a bodyguard and was about to fly over, but someone beside him moved even faster.

Yuan Ran leaped into the air, stepping on nothingness like an arrow released from a bow, flying towards the stable.

On Lin Qingyang’s side, his hand was aching from the tight grip on the reins, and he desperately called out, “Chiteng, stop jumping, I…”

Suddenly, a figure landed behind him, embracing him firmly, taking the reins from his hand and pulling hard, helping Chiteng turn to the side and stabilizing it.

Looking down, they saw a snake just under Chiteng’s hooves, already crushed to death by Chiteng’s stomping.

With Chiteng now stable, Yuan Ran quickly took Lin Qingyang’s hand, making sure he wasn’t injured before relaxing.

Lin Qingyang turned around in surprise and looked at Yuan Ran. “How did you…”

Lin Qingyang’s breath blew directly onto Yuan Ran’s face, and at such close proximity, Yuan Ran suddenly realized that he was holding Lin Qingyang in his arms, and the feeling of warmth and fulfillment in his embrace was irresistible…

Yuan Ran’s embrace almost involuntarily tightened, like embracing a warm blanket on a winter’s day, providing an indulgent comfort.

“In the future, don’t ride it alone when I’m not around. Although Chiteng is intelligent and can sense danger, it’s still too difficult to control, and it’s easy to get hurt,” Yuan Ran’s heartbeat accelerated due to nervousness, and his tone was somewhat harsh.

Lin Qingyang thought the Crown Prince was reminding him, so he obediently nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Chiteng beneath them began to become restless, uncontrollably running and jumping, accompanied by different neighs, as if extremely agitated and trying to throw the two off its back.

Yuan Ran was somewhat surprised; it turned out what Lu Yi said was true. “Chiteng, calm down!”

Yuan Ran used a commanding tone, but to his surprise, Chiteng, who used to be obedient, didn’t listen this time.

Yuan Ran looked puzzled. “What’s going on?”

“We… should get off quickly… Chiteng is about to lose control,” Lin Qingyang’s tone also abruptly changed.

Yuan Ran looked at Lin Qingyang, only to find that his face had turned red again.

Was it because he was holding him?

Yuan Ran felt a strange sensation in his heart, a fluttering feeling, as if a green, slightly sour fruit was being chewed in his mouth, bringing a shy and faint sweetness.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable himself, Yuan Ran unconsciously held Lin Qingyang tighter due to Chiteng’s antics, but he sensed Lin Qingyang seemed to unconsciously want to break free from his embrace.

As Yuan Ran glanced over, the jolting caused by Chiteng’s movements made the scene before him also tremble. He blinked, and it seemed like he saw overlapping images.

Lin Qingyang in his arms turned back, looking fragile and vulnerable, with a hint of redness at the corners of his eyes, tears glistening. His gaze seemed to convey a sense of reproach, yet it had a captivating effect on one’s soul.

“Yuan Ran… Stop… you jerk… We’re on the road! There are… troops… behind us… you…”

“Shh, it’ll be fine in a moment. No one can catch up to us, don’t worry. We’ve been rushing for a while, don’t you miss me?”

“Yuan Ran, you… better not… ride horses with me anymore!”

“That won’t do…”

The green fruit in his mind was suddenly replaced by the mature, fragrant sweetness of ripe fruit, triggered by the sudden flash of images.

Yuan Ran almost fled with Lin Qingyang, jumping off the horse in a panic.

Chiteng calmed down, Lin Qingyang regained composure, but Yuan Ran couldn’t calm down.

It must be an illusion. How could he… He wasn’t that kind of person at all… Yes, he was sick at that time, so… there were many abnormalities.

Yuan Ran’s worldview shattered.

Author’s Note: To be continued tomorrow…

The Crown Prince’s seal represented power second only to the imperial jade seal, supremely prestigious, and itself a unique treasure in the world, unparalleled in its value…

But now the Crown Prince’s seal: I’m not clean anymore…

Chiteng, once a divine horse of mixed blood, possessed extraordinary spirituality and formidable combat prowess. Apart from Yuan Ran, the prodigy among prodigies, no one could tame it. Riding on its back was its proud dignity…

But now Chiteng: I’m not clean anymore…

The former Silver Rainbow was forged by a hermit master, made of rare materials in the world, considered superior to worldly weapons, with a marvelous design, and was a divine weapon…

But now the Silver Rainbow: … Don’t ask me, they ring the bells every day until the throat gone hoarse.

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