Chapter 431 Yue Zhengqi x Nie Zhiyao 3

Chapter 431: Lezheng Qi x Nie Zhiyao 3

The Nie family's young masters were having a rough time in the marriage department. Not to mention Nie Zhiyao's shocking move of marrying out to establish his own household, his younger brother Nie Zhihuan had recently been raising hell.

It turned out that Nie Zhihuan had somehow caught wind that the Second Young Master of the Li family was impotent. Naturally, no family of equal standing would let their kid marry into that mess, which was why they'd lowered their standards and started looking at merchant families.

The Li family had originally wanted to find some ordinary merchant family's son they could push around. If the couple had no children, they could just say the kid had trouble getting pregnant and call it a day. Unexpectedly, Old Master Nie, knowing full well about the Second Young Master Li's condition, was still willing to marry off his concubine-born son to them—the Lis were over the moon.

But Nie Zhihuan refused. He was at that age of first crushes and innocent feelings. Even if his fiancé wasn't as hot as Lezheng Qi, at least he should be a normal man, right? What the hell was impotence, anyway? His mom said an impotent guy was basically the same as a palace eunuch.

So that meant he'd be some squeaky-voiced, pinky-out eunuch!

Nie Zhihuan caused an uproar at home, carrying on like the world was ending. And that wasn't all—even Concubine Lu, who was usually so reasonable, joined in on the drama. Her approach was way more polished than her son's; she talked all about the Nie family's reputation, but what she was really doing was pushing Old Master Nie to call off the wedding.

Sure, she wanted her son to marry up, but she was also his mom—how could she watch him throw his whole life away?

Old Master Nie had been all set to marry Nie Zhihuan off no matter what. He was the head of the household; no one could challenge his authority. He spoiled his son, sure, but when push came to shove, he could be ice cold. Then, out of nowhere, the family that had wanted Nie Zhiyao before sent word that they were willing to accept Nie Zhihuan as a secondary consort.

Talk about a silver lining. Compared to the Lis with their fifth-rank official, this guy was a real fourth-rank Director of the Criminal Board with serious pull. Sure, he was older—in his forties—but there was no weird generational gap. Nie Zhihuan would become his secondary consort upon marriage—couldn't he just whisper sweet nothings in his ear whenever he felt like it?

Compared to the impotent Li kid, this was already the best deal he was gonna get. Otherwise, he'd have to do what his friends were doing—pick from the provincial scholars and jinshi coming to the capital, and live some boring, penny-pinching life with no end in sight. And honestly, Nie Zhihuan didn't want that either.

Being someone's concubine wasn't exactly something to brag about, but Old Master Nie didn't care. He wanted the whole world to know, even throwing a banquet over it.

Nie Zhiyao obviously wasn't going—he was too embarrassed.

Ever since he saw Meng Wan off out of the capital, he'd been home recovering. The cook kept trying all sorts of recipes to spoil him with good food. He'd never been much of a foodie, but with all that nonstop feeding, his face had gotten noticeably rounder.

"There's a fruit seller outside the alley with plums that are all perfectly ripe. You want some?" Lezheng Qi came home from work and automatically slipped into Nie Zhiyao's room. At some point, this guy had started spending every waking hour in Nie Zhiyao's room, only dipping out at night to sleep.

"You already bought 'em, so why you asking?" Nie Zhiyao shot Lezheng Qi a death glare. "Eat!"

Lezheng Qi smiled. These days he was always smiling, especially at Nie Zhiyao—grinning brighter than any flower, with none of that old moodiness. His temper had gotten so good he didn't even seem real.

"Alright, I'll go wash some up for you."

After Lezheng Qi left, Nie Zhiyao secretly watched his back as he left, spacing out. That guy had been taking great care of him, but hadn't put on a single pound himself. If it weren't for his broad shoulders and height, he'd look even skinnier than Meng Wan. But he was crazy strong—could pick Nie Zhiyao up like he weighed nothing...

"Why's your face so red? You got a fever?" Lezheng Qi returned with the washed plums and reached out to touch Nie Zhiyao's forehead.

Nie Zhiyao smacked his hand away, but it was about as hard as a tickle. "Why haven't you been hitting the tavern for drinks lately?"

Looking closer at that face... it was actually kinda handsome. Nie Zhiyao looked away, his voice cold and distant.

But from Lezheng Qi's angle, Nie Zhiyao's face had gone another shade redder.

He sat down right next to Nie Zhiyao, squeezing into the tiny bit of space left on the couch. And surprisingly, Nie Zhiyao didn't cuss him out.

Lezheng Qi caught on. His heart clenched, heat flooding his whole body, making him tingle all over until he almost lost control of his face. He suddenly stood up, didn't say a word, and marched out the door.

Nie Zhiyao was startled, but he was used to Lezheng Qi's random episodes by now. With the guy gone, he actually felt more relaxed. He picked the most unripe-looking plum from the plate of perfectly ripe ones and bit into it—still too sweet for his taste.

Eating too many plums upset his stomach. When Cheng Yi's steamed fish was served, Nie Zhiyao took one bite and vomited it out. Lezheng Qi carried him back to bed to rest, while the lurking shadow guard hurriedly took the fish to the kitchen to demand an explanation.

"Cheng Yi! I told you it was too bland! Did you not scrape the scales properly? Or was there no salt? You made the master throw up!"

Cheng Yi took the plate of fish, gave him a look like he was an idiot, then muttered to herself: "Can't eat fish, then. Tomorrow I'll go to the restaurant and learn how to make sweet-and-sour dishes."

Nie Zhiyao had a poor appetite for two straight months, vomiting up whatever he ate. He survived on thin gruel, steamed eggs, and sour fruits. The northern weather grew colder, and even fruit became scarce. Lezheng Qi spent a fortune to have tangerines shipped from Sichuan for Nie Zhiyao to eat.

Through Lezheng Qi's deliberate hints, Nie Zhiyao had already guessed that the man had some hidden background. He didn't ask where the money came from, nor who these so-called friends were.

That evening, after eating tangerines with his meal, Nie Zhiyao felt considerably better. Even lying in bed at night, he didn't have acid reflux. After washing up and climbing into bed, he was almost reluctant to fall asleep. He instructed A Mi to light the oil lamp by the bed and propped himself up to read a storybook from Qingxiao Pavilion.

Meng Wan's "The Love Between Human and Demon" wasn't just popular in Changping—it had even become a hit in the capital Shengjing. In recent years, more and more supernatural tales had emerged. Wan Sui, being a stipend scholar with excellent literary skill, had been mentored by Meng Wan a few times and now wrote increasingly vivid and engaging stories. Nie Zhiyao was completely absorbed when two knocks at the door roused him from the fantastical world.

"Come in."

Outside stood Lezheng Qi clutching his quilt, dressed in white undergarments. After washing up, the top half of his hair was tied in a loose bun, with the majority of his long hair cascading half-dry down his back. His eyes were deep and dark, his nose bridge high and straight, his entire face carved into sharp relief by candlelight and shadow.

"It's raining outside." Lezheng Qi said something ambiguous.

Nie Zhiyao instinctively pulled his quilt up higher. "So it's raining—you're not sleeping outside."

"Ha." Lezheng Qi laughed, looking like a beautiful ghost in the flickering lamplight. "There's a leak in my bedroom roof."

"Impossible!" Nie Zhiyao instinctively didn't believe it. They'd just replaced the tiles when they moved in less than two years ago—how could it possibly leak?

Lezheng Qi's smile vanished instantly. He said with some displeasure: "If my husband doesn't believe me, you can go see for yourself."

Nie Zhiyao actually got out of bed, threw on a thick cloak, and walked to the adjacent bedroom. The two bedrooms were under the same roof, just a few steps apart along the corridor. Nie Zhiyao pushed open the door—the sound of rushing water inside was louder than the rain outside. He looked up—sure enough, there was a massive hole in the ceiling directly above the bed.

Wouldn't someone have to be forging iron up there to punch a hole that big in the roof?

Nie Zhiyao wasn't stupid. He cleared his throat, wanting to say something, but after a moment of deliberation, he only managed: "Do whatever you want." Then he ran back to his own room.

By the time he took off his shoes and climbed into bed, there was already an extra quilt on it.

Lezheng Qi strolled in unhurriedly, closing the bedroom door behind him. He picked up the cup of water on the table and drained it in one go—with the air of someone drinking wine rather than water.

Nie Zhiyao burrowed into the bed, facing the wall, listening to Lezheng Qi's deliberately heavy footsteps with his heart pounding like thunder. After a moment, the quilt was opened, bringing a gentle gust of air, and the bed was claimed by a familiar yet unfamiliar presence.

Nie Zhiyao endured for a while before opening his eyes. All was darkness—the oil lamp had been blown out by Lezheng Qi at some point.

The person beside him breathed evenly; Nie Zhiyao couldn't tell if he was asleep. He didn't turn to look, maintaining his position with his back to Lezheng Qi until he drifted off.

Once he fell into sweet dreams, Lezheng Qi's eyes snapped open. He fixed his gaze on Nie Zhiyao's slender, flowing waistline, decisively threw off his own quilt, and pulled Nie Zhiyao into his arms, leaving not a sliver of space between them—the two inseparable.

When Nie Zhiyao woke in his arms the next morning, he was dazed. Instinctively, he pinched hard. The roused man looked at him languidly, and Nie Zhiyao couldn't read the emotion in his eyes but instinctively dared not meet his gaze. He changed the subject: "Why aren't you at the yamen?"

Lezheng Qi closed his eyes and said lazily: "Took leave."

"Didn't you just take leave the day before yesterday?" Nie Zhiyao was speechless.

Lezheng Qi was utterly carefree: "The work will never be done. If I don't go, someone else will do it."

Nie Zhiyao truly had nothing to say. Everyone around him was either consumed by greed or workaholic friends—he'd never met anyone like Lezheng Qi.

Lezheng Qi had gotten into the room through sheer persistence, and after that, he never left. Eventually, even the extra quilt became mere decoration and was put away by A Mi.

Fei Ge'er was born during the period when his father kept having his intermittent episodes. After his hundredth day, he was given to Cheng Yi to raise. Lezheng Qi felt little emotion upon learning he had a son—only relief that he was a young master.

Nie Zhiyao, however, misunderstood his reaction, thinking their family's circumstances were poor. From an early age, he taught Fei Ge'er to be cautious and careful in all things. Later, when father and son were sent by Lezheng Qi to Lingnan, it seemed to confirm his suspicions. Nie Zhiyao waited anxiously for Lezheng Qi to come for him, separated by a thousand li, receiving little news of the rapidly changing situation in the capital. Only upon returning did he learn how dangerous it had been.

"The emperor has bestowed a mansion upon us—our family is moving." Lezheng Qi smiled gently. He had already cleared away all obstacles; all that remained was for Nie Zhiyao to sail smoothly through life as his countess.

On the journey back from Lingnan, Nie Zhiyao had naturally noticed the subtle changes in Lezheng Qi. Though he could still be moody at times, the murderous aura between his brows had dissipated. The heavy burden on his shoulders had been lifted, and he no longer wore that mysterious tension of before.

But his hit-or-miss attitude toward work remained unchanged—even more lackadaisical than before. After all, no important government affairs would ever be assigned to this Viscount Hui'en. When he didn't show up, the minor clerks at the yamen were actually more at ease.

The Nie family had sent over invitations time and again, but Nie Zhiyao ignored them all. He was busy getting the new mansion ready for the move.

Moving next to Meng Wan had many advantages—not only could he drop by his buddy's place anytime, but he could also mooch off some good food.

Wan Geer was a real foodie; besides making money, he devoted himself to culinary pursuits. Nie Zhiyao often brought his whole family over to crash for a meal. One day, as the family was returning from the Song residence to Earl Hui'en Manor, they were stopped by Madam Nie waiting at the gate.

Master Nie had actually sent her to fetch them like a lackey, urging Nie Zhiyao to bring his husband home for a visit.

Madam Nie was naturally pleased that Lezheng Qi had been ennobled. She didn't want to come, but she didn't dare defy her husband's orders.

Nie Zhiyao's expression darkened, but it was Lezheng Qi who spoke first: "We were planning to return after the New Year celebrations anyway. We really haven't been back much these past two years."

The family of three traveled lightly, with gifts that were neither too heavy nor too light. No one cared about the presents—the title of Earl Hui'en carried more weight than a hundred cartloads of gifts. Master Nie led the entire family to greet them at the gate, wearing an unashamedly fawning smile, a far cry from the man who had once made Lezheng Qi's life so difficult.

Nie Zhihuan was originally just a concubine of the Director of the Ministry of Justice—yet this time he had even managed to bring the head of his household along. Of course, it was possible that Director Dong himself wanted to curry favor. Shengjing was full of people eager to scramble up the social ladder; such behavior wasn't shameful, though it was looked down upon by the high-minded. Clearly, Director Dong didn't care about that.

He was a refined, scholarly man with few wrinkles on his face; he still cut an impressive figure. When Nie Zhihuan had first been taken into the Dong household, he'd come to gloat at Nie Zhiyao. Now, all meek and submissive like a concubine, he only wished he could crawl into a hole in the ground, just to avoid Nie Zhiyao's gaze.

The group respectfully bowed to Lezheng Qi and Nie Zhiyao before they all moved to the main hall to converse.

"Speaking of which, I and the Earl are practically brothers by marriage..."

Director Dong spoke before Master Nie, but barely got a sentence out before Lezheng Qi cut him off: "He's merely my husband's younger half-brother, and just a consort in the Dong household. That's quite a stretch."

Director Dong's face stiffened. Nie Zhihuan was both humiliated and furious, his eyes reddening. The status he had once proudly flaunted now seemed to sink into the dust compared to Fourth Brother's current position. If only he'd known Lezheng Qi would rise to such heights, he would have been willing to be a concubine—after all... after all, he was someone he had admired.

He cast a furtive glance at Lezheng Qi from the corner of his eye, but instead of meeting those deep eyes, he was caught by Nie Zhiyao.

Nie Zhiyao smiled without any warmth reaching his eyes and said, "It's such a happy occasion during the New Year—why is Fifth Brother crying? Could it be that you're missing Concubine Lu?"

Master Nie was a purely pragmatic merchant—whoever was useful, he'd side with. Now that Nie Zhiyao held a high position, he had reinstated his legitimate wife and pushed the concubines back to the rear courtyard.

As soon as Nie Zhiyao spoke, Master Nie immediately ordered someone to take Nie Zhihuan to the rear courtyard to "reunite" with his mother.

"Yao Geer, your father did make mistakes back then, but it was for your own future. That your worthy son-in-law has achieved such success now is a testament to your keen judgment. I tried to stop it back then, but looking at it now, I was shortsighted." Master Nie rubbed his hands together, his tone dripping with flattery. "The Nie family will need to rely on your husband's favor in the future. We'll have your name written back into the family genealogy."

Even though Nie Zhiyao knew that Master Nie's eagerness boded no good, he was still taken aback by his shamelessness.

"Father, since Lezheng Qi and I established our own household, we've settled everything cleanly with the Nie family. And we have our own life to live. The Nie family's affairs are not for me—a married-out son—to decide."

Now that they'd become successful, they wanted to put him back on the family register? What a joke.

Lezheng Qi laughed out loud, and when Master Nie's gaze turned to him, he said exactly what he'd said on their wedding day: "Father-in-law need not look to me. Everything in our household is decided by Yao Geer."

His early life had been burdened with a blood feud, every step a gamble with death. In his later years, he only wanted to live a peaceful life by Nie Zhiyao's side. From now on, the storms of the world had nothing to do with him—a lamp by his pillow, a figure in the courtyard, that was all the completeness his remaining years would ever need.

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