Chapter 131

Chapter 131

Han Zhang's explanation made sense, but Jiayou had become extremely sensitive around men ever since being betrayed by his former consort, which had drastically changed his temperament.

So Jiayou still picked up on Han Zhang's intention to distance himself.

He immediately assumed that Han Zhang, like other men, looked down on his reputation. He shoved his fear aside and got angry.

"What scheme? What's so suspicious? I see you're avoiding me like I'm a viper! My reputation is ruined—are you afraid that falling off the cliff with me will invite rumors that tarnish your good name? How dare you look down on me?!"

This guy really was as moody as the rumors said.

Now was hardly the time—their lives were hanging by a thread, and instead of seeking survival, he was hung up on such petty pride.

Even with his formidable skills, climbing this cliff barehanded was difficult. If this dead weight made more trouble, who knew what accident might occur.

Han Zhang could only keep climbing while trying to placate him: "Your Highness overthinks this. I'm just stating the facts. I didn't mean anything by it."

"This whole thing really is suspicious. Those assassins set up so many ambushes—who knows if more of them are lurking down there? And is that deep pool down there even safe?"

"I've got exceptional arm strength. Climbing back up with you is our best bet for survival."

"As for Your Highness's reputation... rumors have always been hard to tell apart from the truth. I only believe what I see with my own eyes, not what I hear from others. You and I have never had any dealings before—I don't know what kind of person you truly are."

"Your Highness is the younger brother of the Crown Prince. Since I serve the Crown Prince's household, I naturally put your safety first and act carefully."

"Besides, in this life, who doesn't get talked about? And who doesn't talk about others? You're of royal blood, blessed with glory and wealth—why care what others think?"

"People who whisper behind your back—no matter what they think—still have to bow their heads to you. You're a swan—why worry about what sparrows think?"

But Jiayou had heard such words too many times and wasn't buying this chicken soup for the soul.

Jiayou sneered: "What a fine-sounding load of crap. You say you don't care about reputation, so why risk climbing up instead of just going down with me to spend the night at the bottom?"

"Don't tell me the deep pool down there is dangerous—is climbing this cliff with your bare hands any less dangerous?"

"As for schemes... in my view, you're just afraid rumors will spread and ruin your reputation as a scholar. Or maybe you're afraid I'll take a liking to that face of yours and drag you into my manor as a kept man?"

His tone was full of mockery, with barely concealed murderous intent.

This man dared to openly look down on him—even if he was the most talented and favored by his imperial brother, he wouldn't let it slide!

Feeling the murderous intent practically radiating off him, Han Zhang finally understood why every man in the capital avoided this guy.

This Chang Gongjun wasn't just bad-tempered—he was clearly a madman.

He was literally saving the guy's life, and the man wanted to kill him!

Han Zhang was speechless, but for the sake of the Crown Prince's little brother, he still patiently explained:

"Your Highness, I truly have no such intention. But men should keep their distance from each other—it's proper conduct. When out and about, you have to act carefully to avoid suspicion. If I got trapped at the bottom of the cliff with you overnight, even if we were completely innocent, it would inevitably invite gossip and give people ammunition to use against us."

"Besides... I'm already a married man. My husband at home is simple-minded, and the fewer complications, the better. I don't want him bothered by rumors, which is why I'm doing this."

"If anything I've done has upset you, I hope you'll forgive me. I'm apologizing here and now."

His tone of apology was sincere.

Jiayou didn't sense any insincerity, and his expression softened. He pulled back his murderous intent and snorted: "You know what's good for you. For my brother's sake, I'll let it slide for now."

Then he fell silent.

That was his way of tacitly approving Han Zhang's risky climb back up.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

Having finally calmed the guy down so he wouldn't cause trouble, Han Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly kept looking for handholds to climb up.

Although his ability-enhanced body was exceptionally strong, climbing was a technical skill.

Han Zhang had never done this kind of extreme sport in his past life, so his technique was lacking. He relied entirely on his stamina and raw strength to keep going.

So he was climbing with some difficulty, and before long, his palms were scraped raw and bleeding.

Blood slid down his wrists, and Jiayou watched with his heart pounding:

"Your hands are hurt—maybe we should find a place to jump down instead? There's still a long way to the top. What if you really can't hold on and we fall and miss the deep pool?"

Falling straight down from this height would definitely kill us.

But rumors would spread, and his husband would be even more heartbroken.

Han Zhang stayed firm: "It's fine, Your Highness, don't worry. Our priority is to get back as fast as we can. Today's assassination is too suspicious—it's probably a trap aimed at the Crown Prince. If we stay here, we'd be playing right into the hands of whoever's behind this."

He'd suffered far worse injuries in the apocalypse; this little wound was nothing.

But to Jiayou, it was a big deal. As the royal Chang Gongjun, he'd seen plenty of blood—but it was always blood he'd ordered others to deal with, never seen firsthand.

To keep climbing despite such injuries, risking his life—was he more afraid of being used as fodder for rumors, or more unwilling to let rumors trouble his husband at home?

Jiayou went quiet.

Ever since his consort betrayed him, he'd stopped believing in genuine affection in this world.

Even when he heard about Han Zhang's deep bond with his husband, he dismissed it as a poor scholar's way of climbing up through his in-laws.

After all, he'd seen countless examples of poor men like Han Zhang faking devotion to latch onto good families.

Especially after he had people investigate and found out the two had been secretly involved before marriage, he was even more sure of his suspicions!

But now... watching that determined figure climbing upward, bleeding yet unwavering, he suddenly felt his certainty waver.

Jiayou said nothing more to stop him, going quiet again, eyes lowered in thought.

Han Zhang, meanwhile, had no energy to spare for him, focusing only on getting up as fast as possible.

Fortunately, his ability-enhanced body was exceptional in every way. Though his climbing technique was limited, his sheer physical strength carried him—half an hour later, he made it back to the cliff top.

"It's... it's His Highness Chang Gongjun! His Highness is alive!"

"Master, Master, thank goodness you're safe."

"Brother Han! Brother Han's safe too..."

Only half an hour—two quarters of an hour—had passed since they jumped. People were still at the cliff top, and seeing Han Zhang appear safely with his charge, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

Jiayou Chang Gongjun had a terrible reputation, but he had solid backing too.

If something really happened to him at Hanshan, not only the Crown Prince and the Empress but even His Majesty would be furious, and the repercussions would be widespread.

Jiayou also understood the gravity of the situation. In the past, he would have immediately flown into a rage, punishing the guards who failed to protect him and the abbot who let the assassins slip in, just to blow off steam.

But now, he didn't want Han Zhang to see his vicious side again, so he simply waved his hand and said:

"Enough, quit crowding me. I'm fine. I was lucky Master Han happened to be here to save me. Let the doctor see to his wounds first. We'll sort out the rest later."

"Yes, Your Highness..."

Seeing that Jiayou didn't blow up right then, everyone let out a sigh of relief and quickly rushed Han Zhang to the temple's infirmary to treat his wounds.

Although his injuries weren't severe, Han Zhang didn't refuse.

Mainly because he was wiped out from climbing the cliff for half an hour with dead weight, too spent to speak.

After getting his hands treated at the infirmary with Shen Huaizhi and the others, and quickly changing into clean clothes, Han Zhang rushed home.

The investigation into the assassination was in good hands, so he didn't need to worry.

His husband must have already heard that he and Chang Gongjun had been pushed off the cliff. He was probably worried out of his mind by now, so Han Zhang needed to get back quickly.

And sure enough.

Before Han Zhang even reached home, he ran into Shen Qinglan, who had come running out in a panic.

"Husband... you're alive, you're actually alive!"

Shen Qinglan's voice trembled with a mix of terror and joy, and he flung himself into Han Zhang's arms, sobbing his heart out.

When he heard his husband had fallen off the cliff, it was like being thrown back to the time his husband had nearly died saving him. His mind went completely blank.

He couldn't bear to lose his husband. If his husband died, he wouldn't want to go on living.

Han Zhang could never stand seeing his husband cry. Seeing him like this, he quickly comforted him: "Don't cry, my love. Aren't I fine? Don't you know what I'm capable of? A mere cliff is nothing to me."

"I don't know! I don't know how capable you are... sob... Husband, you said I'm the most important person in your heart. How could you risk your life to save others? If you were gone, what would I do?"

"Han Qinzhang, I'm telling you, if you really die, I... I won't stay faithful to your memory. Before your seventh-day memorial even passes, I'll find a handsome young man and remarry..."

"Then I'll let someone else sleep with your husband, take over your property, and beat your children!"

Shen Qinglan sobbed uncontrollably, spouting nonsensical threats while clutching Han Zhang's clothes tightly, burying his face in his chest, tears soaking the front of Han Zhang's robe.

He knew that in that situation, with the person in danger being Chang Gongjun, his husband had no choice but to save him.

But he was scared, truly scared... Even the Emperor's life couldn't compare to his husband's.

The young lad was trembling all over, clearly terrified out of his wits.

Han Zhang's heart ached as he pulled him closer: "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. From now on, I'll put myself first in everything and never make you worry like this again... Stop crying."

On the mountain path, the couple embraced.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long, clinging tightly together.