Chapter 28: Into a Political Intrigue Novel, Day 6

Chapter 28: Day Six of Transmigrating into a Political Intrigue Novel

Three days later, in the early morning.

The majestic shadows of the palace walls hadn't yet fully receded, carrying a biting chill.

An Yi's rosewood carriage once again stopped by the familiar palace road. The driver, An Ping, opened the door with swift and respectful movements.

An Yi slightly bent his tall frame and alighted from the carriage with composure.

The slightly cold early spring air brushed his cheeks. Holding the ivory court tablet (hu) symbolizing his rank, he casually adjusted the wide cuffs of his crimson official robe and walked forward.

However, a figure as straight and imposing as a pine, as if he had been waiting, suddenly blocked his path.

Sure enough, Ge Lian had come to block his way again.

Today, he was also wearing a crimson military court robe, which made his figure appear even more upright and heroic.

With his arms crossed over his chest, a knowing smirk curling at the corner of his mouth, he bored his gaze into An Yi's face: "Lord An. Haven't seen you in three days... I trust you've rested well?"

An Yi stopped walking, instantly putting on that flawless gentle mask, as if the other were merely exchanging pleasantries, and said in a clear voice: "Thanks to your concern, Junior Marquis, of course I'm well."

Ge Lian gave a snort, noncommittal.

He leaned forward slightly, taking half a step closer, his lowered voice carrying an almost malicious tone of foreboding: "Is that so? Then... I hope Lord An can keep that "good" mood in the court later."

Meeting his gaze, An Yi's smile remained unchanged; he even nodded slightly, his posture elegant and composed: "I am grateful for the Junior Marquis's concern. I... I'll take your kind words to heart."

Seeing that An Yi remained unmoved in the face of such blatant provocation, his lukewarm reaction inexplicably struck a nerve of irritation in Ge Lian's heart.

A surge of inexplicable anger rose, and he couldn't help but step forward again, instantly reducing the distance between them until they could feel each other's breath.

Ge Lian's hand, with distinct knuckles and callused, suddenly clenched into a fist, veins bulging on the back: "Lord An really is in a good mood, isn't he?"

An Yi: ...

Judging by his stance, An Yi thought he looked as if he wanted to punch that annoying "gentle" mask off his face.

But in this forbidden area of the palace, no matter how unruly Ge Lian was, he probably wouldn't actually start a fight. It was just an attempt to intimidate him with this domineering posture, to force even the slightest loss of composure, to enjoy watching him change expression.

But wasn't this a bit childish?

This thought flashed through An Yi's mind, and he found it somewhat amusing. Subconsciously, he raised his hand to rub his forehead, which felt tight from the other's aggressive aura.

However, just as he raised his hand, his fingertips inadvertently, ever so lightly, brushed against the back of Ge Lian's clenched, vein-bulging hand.

Ge Lian jumped back as if scalded by a branding iron! His movement was so swift it almost stirred the air.

His handsome face instantly filled with astonishment and disbelief, his voice rising a notch: "What... what are you doing?!"

What was this blackhearted An Yi doing, suddenly touching him?

And... the sensation of those fingertips sliding over... seemed... a bit too... smooth and delicate? Completely different from his own rough palm, calloused from years of holding a blade and reins.

No! What the hell was he thinking?! Alarms blared in Ge Lian's mind, as if startled by his own thoughts, his expression instantly cracking.

But... when An Yi had leaned in earlier, the corner of his eye seemed to catch a glimpse of the other's neck revealed by the collar of his official robe... it seemed quite fair, smooth and pale.

Wait, what exactly was he thinking?

Ge Lian's expression cracked for a moment, looking as if he wanted to punch himself.

Watching Ge Lian's face alternate between pale and livid, An Yi couldn't help laughing out loud.

The laughter was clear and melodious, holding a note of genuine delight.

Ge Lian turned his head and happened to see An Yi's smile—no longer that meticulously crafted gentle fake smile, but with relaxed brows and naturally curved lips, and eyes shimmering with clear light. It was as if he had shed an invisible burden, revealing in the morning light a rare, almost translucent sincerity.

The impact of that moment actually made his heart stutter for a beat.

Ge Lian pressed his lips together, a wave of inexplicable discomfort washing over him. Almost awkwardly and hastily, he spun around sharply, leaving An Yi with only a tense silhouette.

He felt An Yi had changed—he looked the same, but his whole demeanor was different.

Previously, although he also pretended to be gentle, his bones were steeped in a deep, scheming viciousness; his gaze was like a viper's.

But now... that gloomy aura was gone, and his eyes were as clear as... as what? Damn! Why couldn't he describe it! He actually now bore some resemblance to the legendary 'Six-Exam Champion' scholar, bright and noble as the wind and moon.

An absurd thought uncontrollably emerged: If An Yi had been like this back then, when he showed intent to marry Shao Li, perhaps he might not have opposed so strongly?

Just then, the voices from the comment section echoed in An Yi's ears:

"??????"

"............"

"Huh?????"

"Bro, what are you thinking?! Get a grip!"

"For real? Is there seriously a straight guy who thinks his political enemy's hand feels nice and his neck looks pale? Is this reasonable?!"

"Hiss~"

"The atmosphere suddenly got intense~"

"The gay energy in the palace is reaching critical levels. What does Ge Lian think about this?"

"This An Yi... could he be not the villain, but the male lead's partner?"

"? Brother, wake up, this is a male-oriented novel!!"

"Ah, it's fine, it's always like this. When straight guys write books, there are always unexpectedly shippable moments in the weirdest places."

"So the truth is... An Yi isn't actually a villain, but a lost soul who later gets reformed by the male lead's charm (?) and defects to join the protagonist's camp? Are they setting up a redemption arc?"

"..."

An Yi: ...

An Yi stopped laughing.

Ge Lian seemed to sense the sudden cutoff of the laughter and the abrupt shift in atmosphere behind him. He slowly turned back around.

Thus, in the solemn morning before the palace gate, under the gaze of countless covert observers, the all-powerful Minister An Yi and the renowned Junior Marquis Ge Lian began a silent staring contest—utterly inexplicable, dead serious, less than a step apart.

What the hell?!

This is totally bizarre!