Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Luo Qianyu was lashed to the flank of a horse with coarse rope, his body jolting relentlessly with the rise and fall of the hooves. At first, he gritted his teeth and endured without a sound. After all, escaping the chaotic army with his life was already a stroke of luck; this pain was nothing.

But as the journey stretched on, the relentless jolting churned his insides as if they were being crushed, and the rope bit painfully into his chest. Each bump tugged at his wounds, sending cold sweat trickling down his temples.

He had inwardly cursed this crown prince who came out of nowhere a thousand times over. Under normal circumstances, when had he ever suffered such humiliation? But circumstances were against him—outnumbered, with the leader being Crown Prince Xiao Che of Zhao. If he truly crossed him, he might well end up with a sword through his heart.

Having held out for so long, Luo Qianyu finally spoke up, his voice trembling slightly from the jostling. "Your Highness, I'm injured. With so many of your cavalry watching, even if I had the power to reach the heavens, I couldn't escape. What do you say we make a deal? Give me a horse, and I'll follow on my own. It'll save me from slowing you down."

At this, Xiao Che tugged on the reins, slowing his horse's pace.

He glanced sideways at Luo Qianyu and chuckled lightly. "You know how to ride?"

In his heart, Luo Qianyu thought, *No.*

He was a modern person who had never even touched a horse's mane—how could he know how to ride? But anything was better than being strung up like this.

He pressed his lips together and forced himself to say, "...A little. I rode a couple of times with my family before. I'm not a complete novice."

Xiao Che didn't ask further. He gave an order, then leaned down and lifted Luo Qianyu from the side of the horse, placing him gently onto the back of another, riderless horse.

Luo Qianyu instinctively straddled the horse. The moment his hands gripped the reins, his body seemed to move on its own.

He naturally tightened his legs against the horse's belly. Sensing the horse about to move forward, he softly uttered "Whoa," applying slight pressure with his hands, and actually managed to halt the horse.

This didn't seem like the actions of a first-time rider.

*It seems the original owner knew how to ride,* he thought to himself.

...

*If only I knew martial arts too.*

Luo Qianyu sighed inwardly.

If that were the case, why would he have to put up with this? He would have long since knocked down this crown prince who came out of nowhere, stolen a horse, and made his escape.

But right now, he didn't even know where he was supposed to go. The destination hinted at in the book happened to be Zhao as well. Since that was the case, it might be better to follow this group for now, figure out the situation, and then make plans when the opportunity arose.

Luo Qianyu tightened his grip on the reins, suppressing the thoughts in his mind, and urged his horse to follow Xiao Che's troop.

The mountain path was rugged. Before they could even leave this snow-covered forest, the sky had completely darkened.

Xiao Che ordered his men to find a deep, secluded cave. His personal guards quickly lit a campfire, its flickering flames casting a warm glow throughout the cave.

Luo Qianyu had been through a lot that day, and his injuries were severe. Having had almost no chance to rest, the moment he touched the dry grass spread on the ground, he could no longer hold on and fell asleep.

But his sleep was far from peaceful. His consciousness seemed trapped in a quagmire, unable to wake up no matter how hard he tried, and his entire body burned with fever.

In his haze, he felt someone lift him up, followed by Xiao Che's deep voice saying, "Summon the military physician."

The military physician hurried over, lifted the youth's clothing to examine him, and gasped sharply. Aside from fresh red marks, old wounds mixed with bruises covered his entire body, and there was also an injury on the back of his head. Clearly, his condition was extremely grave.

Watching the physician's examination, Xiao Che unconsciously furrowed his brow.

Seeing that Luo Qianyu remained unresponsive, he leaned down and pinched the groove above the other's lip. The scorching heat transmitted through his fingertips made his expression darken further.

The youth whimpered, his brows tightly knitted. Xiao Che immediately had someone bring hot broth and, using a funnel, slowly poured it into the corner of his mouth. As the warm liquid flowed down his throat, Luo Qianyu broke into a sweat, and his consciousness gradually returned.

Half-asleep and half-awake, he faintly heard Xiao Che's muttered words, spoken softly yet clearly reaching his ears: "So delicate. Once we're married, it'll take some effort to nurse you back to health."

"Delicate your ass," Luo Qianyu said.

The moment the words left his mouth, he met Xiao Che's gaze. The look in those eyes held a hint of surprise. Panicking inwardly, his consciousness sank again, and he drifted back into a hazy sleep.

When he woke again, it was still dark.

The campfire was still burning, but a warm cloak had been draped over him. He turned his head and saw Xiao Che sitting by the fire, holding a scroll of a book—still awake.

"Awake?" Xiao Che glanced up at him, his tone indifferent yet probing. "I heard you accompanied the army on the campaign to the Western Desert and were even appointed as a military advisor. How did you end up in the Northern Frontier?"

Luo Qianyu was inwardly startled.

This question wasn't directed at him, but at the protagonist Wen Yu, whose identity he had fabricated.

Wait, he distinctly remembered that Wen Yu, due to the palace coup four years ago, was the son of a disgraced official. How could he have been appointed as an advisor?

How did this differ from the plot in the book?

Luo Qianyu forced himself to remain calm and said, "The war in the Western Desert was at a stalemate. I was originally dispatched to support the Northern Frontier, but unexpectedly encountered an avalanche along the way. When I woke up, I ran into Your Highness."

Xiao Che listened, his expression unchanged, as if he believed it. He merely said lightly, "From now on, you won't need to go to the battlefield anymore."

Luo Qianyu: "What does Your Highness mean by that?"

Xiao Che curled the corner of his lips and chuckled softly. "Are you playing dumb? I said I was taking you back to be my crown princess. My father has arranged several marriage proposals for me, but I always found the candidates ugly. My father got angry and told me to find one myself. And wouldn't you know it, right after I crossed the border, I found you?"

He paused, his tone matter-of-fact. "This time, taking you back to Zhao is to meet my father. Otherwise, why do you think I'd give you food? Or summon a military physician to treat you? Do I look like a kind-hearted soul who hands out alms to refugees beyond the border?"

Luo Qianyu was dumbfounded.

*He's serious?*

*He wants to marry a man as his consort?*

*Have Zhao's customs become this liberal? No, setting aside the distinction between men and women, they've only met once! Just because he heard the title 'The World's Most Beautiful Person,' he's going to forcibly take someone back to marry?!*

*And I don't even live up to that title.*

*As the protagonist shou, Wen Yu's charm is just too outrageous!*

Luo Qianyu's Adam's apple bobbed. Somehow, he blurted out, "Impossible, you little bastard. Wishful thinking."

Once the words were out, it was too late to take them back.

Sure enough, the surroundings fell silent.

Even the crackling of the campfire became distinct. Xiao Che's expression indeed turned cold, his voice carrying a pressuring edge. "What did you say?"

He set down the book and leaned forward slightly, saying coldly, "Could it be that I, the legitimate heir of Zhao, the Crown Prince residing in the Eastern Palace, am not worthy of you, the Capital's First Beauty?"

"I am the Crown Prince."

Somehow, a faint surge of displeasure welled up in Luo Qianyu's heart. Perhaps he was irritated by Xiao Che's arrogance, or perhaps he resented being manipulated. He raised his eyes to meet the other's gaze and said solemnly, "A true heir apparent never flaunts the title 'Crown Prince.'"

Drawing on fragmented memories from the original book, he continued, "In Da Xi, there was a Late Crown Prince, a truly renowned God of War. The Jade-Faced Asura, who pacified the frontiers with golden spears and armored horses, his silver armor trampling across the northern deserts. Back then, he charged alone into the enemy camp, taking the barbarian commander's head as easily as reaching into a bag, striking such fear into the enemy that they trembled at the mere mention of his name. *That's* the kind of crown prince who can go around boasting. You, little brat, are merely relying on your power to suppress me. How can you compare to him?"

Xiao Che was stunned.

His face instantly drained of color, and he gritted his teeth in anger. "Oh? If he was so perfect, why did he become the 'former Crown Prince'?"

...

Luo Qianyu was at a loss for words.

As recorded in the original book, the former Crown Prince had long since died before the story even began. This statement was indeed correct.

Xiao Che said coldly, "No wonder you were so dead set against it. So there's already someone in your heart."

"But it doesn't matter," the man gave a sinister smile. "What I love most is stealing the one someone else loves. You can go on pining for your Da Xi Crown Prince, and then marry me, this Crown Prince."

Luo Qianyu: "..."

He'd only meant to bring up a counterexample to take Xiao Che down a peg. Who knew it would be misunderstood like this?

Their half-month journey finally reached its end.

As the city gates slowly opened, the landscape of Zhao unfolded before Luo Qianyu in all its glory.

The streets were broad and flat, the bluestone pavement swept spotlessly clean. Shops stood in neat rows on both sides; silk shop banners swayed gently in the wind, grain shops were stacked full with sacks of grain, and even the snack stalls at street corners gave off tempting smells.

The people coming and going were neatly dressed, their faces holding peaceful, contented smiles. Children ran along the roadside holding paper kites, women carrying bamboo baskets haggled cheerfully with stall owners. Occasionally, patrolling soldiers passed by, their posture upright but unassuming, only gently reminding children to be careful.

In the distance, buildings with upturned eaves and corners, their vermilion pillars exquisitely carved. The water in the city's canals was crystal clear, reflecting the weeping willows on the banks and the painted boats coming and going.

At first glance, there was no post-war desolation, no misery under tyrannical rule, only the prosperous peace of a thriving nation. Clearly, this Emperor of Zhao was different from ordinary rulers, having ruled the country exceptionally well.

Xiao Che reined in his horse, turning his head to look at Luo Qianyu, a smug smirk playing on his lips. "Well? My Zhao puts your Da Xi to shame, doesn't it?"

Luo Qianyu didn't respond.

He had only transmigrated recently and had never been to the capital. How would he know what Da Xi looked like?

He could only avert his eyes in silence, pretending to study the street scene.

The procession headed straight for the palace.

The closer they got to the imperial city, the more orderly the streets became, and security grew increasingly tight. Passing by a trinket stall, Luo Qianyu suddenly reined in his horse, dismounted, handed over some silver, and casually picked up a veiled hat.

The stall owner quickly accepted it, praising his good taste with a smile.

Luo Qianyu put on the veiled hat. The gauze curtain fell gently, just covering most of his face.

Seeing this, Xiao Che slightly furrowed his brows, dismounted, and walked to his side. He lifted a corner of the gauze curtain, his gaze fixed on him. "Why buy this? It's a nuisance."

Luo Qianyu silently pressed the gauze curtain back into place, his voice coming through the thin veil. "My being a man is already unconventional. If I go in directly like this, what if His Majesty gets angry, thinks you're joking around, and has me dragged out and beheaded?"

Xiao Che raised an eyebrow. "So what if you're a man? Father only told me to find a beauty I fancied; he never specified male or female. Besides, with me here, who would dare lay a hand on my Crown Princess?"

He paused, glanced at Luo Qianyu's face hidden by the veil, and curled his lips again. "Forget it, this is fine too. Leaving some mystery for now, it'll be more fun to reveal it once we see Father."

With that, he led Luo Qianyu onward into the palace.

Passing through layer upon layer of palace gates, they finally stopped outside the Chengqian Hall.

Xiao Che turned to Luo Qianyu. "Wait here. I'll go in first to speak with Father."

After saying this, he stepped into the great hall.

Standing outside the hall, Luo Qianyu was privately speculating about what kind of person the Emperor of Zhao might be when suddenly, the shrill voice of a eunuch announcing an imperial summons came from inside: "By His Majesty's decree, summon Wen Yu to enter the hall—"

Following the eunuch, Luo Qianyu stepped into the Chengqian Hall. Sandalwood incense wafted inside, the floor was paved with blue bricks, and the beams and pillars were carved with coiling dragons. The atmosphere was solemn, making his heart clench.

Luo Qianyu didn't look around much, keeping his head lowered and following the eunuch with light steps to the center of the hall. Although it was his first time transmigrating into a book, he remembered the rules for meeting an emperor in ancient times: never look up directly, as that would be a grave offense.

The book was the book; reality was reality. Before figuring out the temper of the Emperor of Zhao, every step had to be taken carefully.

The ideal outcome would be to both reject this absurd marriage and walk out of the hall safely, truly settling within Zhao's main city. As for future plans, they could be discussed after gaining a firm foothold.

At the very least, he had already followed the book's survival hint and come to Zhao, completing the first step.

Luo Qianyu knelt, placing his hands folded on his knees, his voice respectful. "This commoner Wen Yu pays his respects to Your Majesty."

As soon as the words fell, he heard a cold laugh from the main seat in the hall. "So this is the Crown Princess you went to such lengths to marry?"

Clearly, this wasn't directed at him.

Luo Qianyu kept his head bowed, unmoving, listening to the conversation between father and son.

Then came Xiao Che's voice. "Father, you only said I should find someone to my liking. I've searched for so long, and only he satisfies me. Besides, what does it matter if it's a man or a woman? When has our great Zhao ever been bound by such empty formalities?"

The Emperor's voice sank. "Preposterous!"

The emperor's voice carried inherent authority. With just those two words, Luo Qianyu's heart involuntarily rose to his throat. He maintained his kneeling posture, even his breathing lightened.

At that moment, the Emperor's gaze seemed to fall upon him as he asked, "Why do you cover your face with a veil?"

Luo Qianyu kept his head bowed, his mind racing as he carefully considered his reply. "In reply to Your Majesty, this commoner's appearance is unsightly. I feared startling the imperial presence, hence I used the veil to cover it. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

"Father, don't listen to his nonsense!" Xiao Che, standing nearby, said exasperatedly. "He's the famous number one beauty of Da Xi's capital! In my opinion, he might as well be called the number one beauty under heaven..."

"Silence!" the middle-aged emperor said.

Then, Luo Qianyu heard the Emperor's voice. "It's fine. Remove the veil."

Luo Qianyu softly acknowledged with a "Yes."

His fingers gently pinched the edge of the veiled hat, slowly lifting the gauze curtain and the hat itself.

As the veiled hat fell to the ground, his true appearance was completely exposed to everyone in the hall.

The hall instantly fell silent. The guards and eunuchs subconsciously held their breath, quietly inhaling sharply.

At first, Xiao Che wasn't looking at Luo Qianyu; he was observing the reactions in the hall, feeling increasingly smug. His eyes seemed to say, "See? The person I chose has peerless looks, right?" But as he watched, he sensed something was off. Rather than awe, it seemed more like... speechlessness?

Xiao Che turned his head to look at his Crown Princess. His pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed in shock, "You... how can you look like this!"

—It was actually the face of a weathered, middle-aged man. The skin was rough and dull, with several deep lines at the corners of the eyes. It couldn't be called ugly, but it had absolutely no connection to the word "beauty."

Xiao Che took a step forward, both furious and bewildered. "What is the meaning of this!"

Luo Qianyu chuckled inwardly. What was the meaning? Ever since putting on the veiled hat, he had quietly taken out the disguise mask hidden in his robe. This mask was simple to use; one only needed to apply some special soft paste to the edges, stick it on the face, and it would automatically blend with the skin, looking exactly like the real thing.

He had thought this Disguise Art wouldn't be needed. Who knew it would come in handy at a critical moment, and work so well, so convincingly.

The emperor on the dragon throne remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his voice carrying suppressed anger. "Xiao Che, I want to ask you, what is the meaning of this!"

Xiao Che was left speechless by the question. He opened his mouth but couldn't explain clearly. "He... you, how could you! You clearly didn't look like this before..."

"You, speak." The emperor's gaze shifted to Luo Qianyu, his tone icy and grave.

Luo Qianyu, still wearing the face of a middle-aged man, kept his head bowed, looking deeply reluctant to speak. He first kowtowed to the emperor, then lowered his voice, deliberately adopting a simple, honest, and somewhat aggrieved tone: "Your Majesty, this humble one is just a farming peasant. A few days ago, while I was working my field, His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly barged in with his men, said I was a looker, and without any explanation, dragged me off here... He also said..."

He deliberately paused here, feigning embarrassment.

The Emperor of Zhao frowned even more deeply, his voice grave: "Said what? Speak truthfully."

Luo Qianyu swallowed, his voice dropping lower: "...He said he wanted me to be his... male bride."

Xiao Che: "..."

"Father! He's framing me!" Xiao Che turned to face the emperor. "He really is a beauty, the greatest beauty under heaven! He's the Crown Princess I personally chose! Why else would I bring him before you?"

The emperor, watching Xiao Che's frantic, hopping agitation, could no longer contain his anger. He slammed his hand heavily on the armrest of the dragon throne and roared: "Preposterous! Get out!"

Xiao Che, utterly shocked, was "escorted" out of the hall by the eunuchs. The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind him.

The Qianqian Hall instantly fell silent, leaving only the faint sound of sandalwood incense burning.

Luo Qianyu remained in his kneeling posture, his forehead pressed against the cold stone tiles. He didn't dare breathe heavily or look up.

At that moment, a calm yet penetrating voice came from the main seat: "He's gone. You can remove the disguise now."

Luo Qianyu's heart skipped a beat.

Exposed?

This Emperor of Zhao was too sharp.

He clenched his fists, not daring to disobey the imperial order. He could only slowly straighten up, push the nearby veil hat aside, then reach out with his fingers, gently pinching the edge of the mask on his cheek, and slowly peel off the "middle-aged man" disguise layer by layer.

As the rough mask fell to the ground, he revealed his true appearance.

Eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like peach blossoms, a straight nose bridge, and lips of a pale hue. Though not possessing a stunningly beautiful countenance, he naturally exuded the proud, spirited air of a noble youth.

A heavy silence fell over the hall once more.

Luo Qianyu waited a moment but heard no further decree. After a pause, he could only tentatively whisper, "Your Majesty?"

"Look up." The emperor's voice sounded again, its tone unreadable.

Luo Qianyu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he slowly raised his head.

His eyes traveled across the empty hall and locked with those of the Emperor of Zhao upon the dragon throne.

Unexpectedly, before the emperor could show surprise or scrutiny, in the very next second, Luo Qianyu's eyes widened in shock, his heart nearly stopping. He stared fixedly at that familiar, imposing face on the throne, his mind blank. After a long moment, he uttered a single word:

"Dad?"

.

.

Was he dreaming?

Otherwise, how could the person sitting on the dragon throne be his own father?

In that moment, Luo Qianyu forgot the rules of kneeling, forgot that staring directly at the emperor's face was a grave offense. All caution was thrown to the winds, utterly disregarded. He pushed himself up from the ground, wanting to stand and approach: "Dad, is that you?"

He had only taken two steps forward when the imperial guards on either side stopped him.

The guards pressed down on his shoulders, shouting sternly: "How dare you be so insolent before His Majesty!"

Had his dad also transmigrated here?

No wonder the book's hint told him to come to Zhao. Everything made sense now.

"Dad, did you also transmigrate here?" Luo Qianyu shook off the guards' hands, momentarily overcome with emotion, his eyes reddening. "That night with the heavy rain, we had an accident... Did you also die in that car crash? How come you, like me... didn't make it?"

As soon as these words fell, the faces of the palace attendants and eunuchs in the hall turned deathly pale. Someone couldn't help but gasp in a low voice: "Outrageous! How dare you rashly mention the word 'death' before His Majesty! You truly have no regard for your life!"

The emperor on the dragon throne remained silent.

"Luo Wansheng, it's me, your son!" Luo Qianyu took a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising, each word clear and distinct. "Have you forgotten your son's name? Luo Qianyu!"

The chief eunuch beside him, his pupils constricting sharply, exclaimed: "Audacious rebel! How dare you directly address His Majesty's name! That's a death-penalty offense!"

Only then did the emperor slowly speak: "Take him away."

The imperial guards immediately stepped forward, seizing Luo Qianyu's arms to escort him out. One of them bowed and inquired: "Your Majesty, should he be thrown into the imperial prison?"

The emperor raised his hand slightly: "No. Confine him in the western side hall for now. Post guards, and do not allow anyone near."

"Later, I will personally interrogate him."

*

*

The palace doors creaked shut behind him, cutting off the light from outside.

The western side hall was simply furnished. Food was placed on the table, and a clean chamber pot stood in the corner. But Luo Qianyu couldn't eat. He paced back and forth in the hall, too agitated to sit still.

It seemed Luo Wansheng had forgotten him.

Xiao Che's surname was Xiao, so the Zhao imperial family naturally bore the surname Xiao. Then what was his dad's name in ancient times? Xiao Wansheng?

Otherwise, the eunuch wouldn't have been so shocked when he directly called out "Luo Wansheng."

But if they both transmigrated into the book, why did only he retain his memories from before? This was a serious predicament.

What to do next? Should he directly confess and tell Xiao Wansheng, "I'm actually your son from another dimension"?

No, that statement was so absurd he didn't even believe it himself.

He might just be treated as a madman and punished again.

To think his own father was right before his eyes, yet he couldn't acknowledge him. This was utterly maddening.

As Luo Qianyu pondered, still recovering from his injuries and exhausted from the long journey, he simply couldn't hold on any longer.

Looking at the only bed in the hall, he thought for a moment, then remembered the ancient rules of hierarchy and status. Afraid that casually sleeping on it might cause more trouble, he walked over, pulled the bedding off the bed, hugged it to his chest, and curled up in the shadows of a corner.

The young man leaned against the wall and slowly fell asleep.

.

Late at night.

The door to the side hall was gently pushed open.

A figure entered. The emperor held a palace lantern, his gaze sweeping the hall until it landed on the figure in the corner, where it abruptly halted.

The corner was poorly lit. The young man's face was shrouded in a small patch of darkness. Exhausted, he had already lain down and was sleeping soundly.

The emperor tiptoed over, placed the palace lantern on the floor, then sat down right there. By the faint lamplight, he carefully examined Luo Qianyu's face.

After looking for a long time, his hand couldn't help but cover the young man's forehead, feeling the warmth beneath his palm. His voice, trembling slightly, broke the silence of the night: "Oh my..."

"My precious son..."

Author's Note:

Little Mermaid: Bros, case solved. I transmigrated into a wish-fulfillment novel.

Abstinence Brother: Really.