Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Han Zhang's proposal received unanimous approval, and the household servants immediately sprang into action.

Soon, a bonfire for roasting venison was set up in a corner of the courtyard, with tables and chairs arranged nearby, along with various vegetables and fruits, and several jugs of warmed rice wine.

Han Qinnian enthusiastically took on the role of chef, skillfully processing the venison—cutting, marinating, and skewering it on iron sticks—while asking with apparent concern for his elder brother's husband, but actually directed at Shao Langzhou:

"Brother-in-law, do you prefer spicy, sour, or sweet? These lemons from Yunyang Prefecture smell really fragrant—do you like them? I'll marinate a separate batch for you... By the way, what flavor does Shao-gongzi prefer?"

He asked naturally, his tone casual, as if it were merely proper hospitality.

If Shen Qinglan and Han Zhang hadn't already seen through his scheme, they would have thought it was just a casual question.

This kid's a real actor!

Han Zhang teased: "Second Brother has really grown up, even knowing to look after your brother-in-law?"

"Of course! Brother-in-law is now in a delicate condition—precious indeed—so of course I must care for him first. When brother-in-law eats well and is in good spirits, the little nephew he'll bring into the world will be even healthier and smarter, don't you think..."

Han Qinnian said with mock seriousness, but his red ears betrayed his embarrassment.

Shen Qinglan pursed his lips to hold back a smile and kindly bailed him out: "I've been craving sour flavors lately. What about you, Zhou-ge'er? What flavor do you like? Don't be shy."

Shao Langzhou, called out by name, met Han Qinnian's nervous gaze and felt his cheeks grow even hotter. He murmured softly: "I... I like my food on the spicier side."

"Got it, brother-in-law—one heavy sour, one heavy spicy, right? Coming right up!"

Having received his answer, Han Qinnian immediately threw himself into prepping the venison with the gravity of someone handling affairs of state.

Before long, the smoky aroma of roasted venison mixed with the pungent fragrance of special spices began to permeate the courtyard, making everyone's mouth water.

Han Qinnian placed the venison with standard seasoning on a tray and told a maid to serve it to the elders like Grandfather Han, as well as to Han Dong and the younger siblings.

He then carried the skewers seasoned to Shen Qinglan's and Shao Langzhou's preferences and personally delivered them.

He said to Shen Qinglan first: "Here, brother-in-law, give my cooking a try!"

Then, turning to Shao Langzhou, he put on a casual, hearty front while actually being nervous and concerned:

"Shao-gongzi, don't be polite either. If anything doesn't suit your taste, just tell me and I'll re-roast it. Eldest Brother said we owe you thanks for protecting my brother-in-law—please make yourself at home in our household."

"Mm, thank you, Second Brother Han..."

Shao Langzhou also tried to play it cool, but his cheeks were actually flushed as he took the skewer. He took a quick bite and nodded shyly: "It's... really good."

Just those three simple words made Han Qinnian unable to hold back a big grin.

He couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from curling up as he grinned like an idiot: "Glad you like it! I'll go roast some more for you guys—there are a few plump pigeons raised in the back courtyard, and they'll be fragrant roasted too. Hold on, brothers-in-law!"

With that, he turned and dashed off toward the kitchen in a whirl.

He kept saying "you all" and "brothers-in-law," but who the main object of his concern really was—how could Shao Langzhou, the man in question, not pick up on it?

But precisely because of this, Shao Langzhou's face grew even redder.

He felt that although Han Qinnian was a bit reckless and a bit goofy, he was different from Qianhu Hong's kind of "foolishness" that didn't give a damn about his reputation or feelings, only caring about sucking up to him.

Han Qinnian seemed rough around the edges, but was actually meticulous and thoughtful, mindful of his feelings at every step without ever making him feel awkward.

Sipping wine, savoring venison, and chatting about everyday matters.

The bonfire feast was a roaring good time for everyone.

By the time it ended, some were drunk, others were tipsy and half-asleep.

Only Han Zhang, who could cheat thanks to his Power, and Shen Qinglan, who hadn't drunk due to his pregnancy, stayed sober to handle the cleanup, instructing the servants to tidy the courtyard and see the Han family members to their rooms to wash up and rest.

...

In their room.

The couple, now in their nightclothes, sat down together. Shen Qinglan went over the congratulatory gifts sent by relatives and friends from the capital while taking out his father's letter to read.

The letter was long, with more than just a few words of concern for the couple—it also contained information about the current situation in the capital, including the news that Chang Gongjun Jiayou had died.

"What—Chang Gongjun is dead?"

Shen Qinglan was stunned.

Although he was furious at Chang Gongjun Jiayou for trying to steal his husband and even attempting to kill him, and although he had wished the man dead, now that it had actually happened, he couldn't help feeling lost and scared.

According to what his father's letter said, Chang Gongjun Jiayou had dropped dead of natural causes, with no connection to them at all. But would the Crown Prince and Empress, who doted on their son/brother, be reasonable?

The grieving mother and son would surely pin all the blame on them, believing that it was his husband's refusal of the marriage that had caused Chang Gongjun to die of depression.

This guess was backed up by Shen's father's advice for them to be cautious in the future.

Thinking that Han Zhang had already been demoted to Yunyang Prefecture, with no hope of ever getting back into officialdom, and would continue to face retaliation from the Crown Prince and Empress, Shen Qinglan couldn't help crying with regret.

"Husband, I'm sorry... it's all my fault... If I had known this would happen, I would have endured some grievances back then and shared a husband with Chang Gongjun. That would have been better than this—not only ruining your career but potentially endangering your life..."

It was all his fault. If not for him, his husband would surely have had a brilliant future.

Shen Qinglan was heartbroken, tears falling in big drops, each one like a brand on Han Zhang's heart, filling him with deep tenderness.

Han Zhang quickly wiped away his tears and comforted him: "Don't cry, my husband. How could this be your fault? Since when is it right to blame the victim for not giving in to the aggressor?"

"If anyone is to blame, it's Chang Gongjun Jiayou for his lack of virtue, attempting to seize a subject's husband and destroy a marriage; or blame your husband for being too handsome and too outstanding, inviting such undeserved calamity..."

Shen Qinglan, who had been weeping sorrowfully, couldn't help but laugh through his tears at these words. With red-rimmed eyes, he muttered softly: "Husband, are you comforting me or praising yourself?"

Seeing that he had stopped crying and was smiling, Han Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. He kissed the top of his head and said:

"It's both comfort and truth. My heart holds only you. Even if you had been pressured into agreeing to the Co-Husband arrangement back then, I would never have married Chang Gongjun Jiayou."

"So what if the Crown Prince and Empress want to take their anger out on me now? Chang Gongjun died a full month after we left, and so many imperial physicians determined it was a natural death. I rendered great service to the Crown Prince before—by all reason and logic, they cannot move against me openly, or wouldn't that chill the hearts of those who follow them?"

"As for behind closed doors... I'll deal with whatever comes. If worst comes to worst, I'll take them down with me!"

"Actually, it's better that Chang Gongjun Jiayou is dead now. Otherwise, with his temperament, our days ahead would have been even harder."

Shen Qinglan understood these principles, but worry clouded his judgment, and fear had overwhelmed his reason.

He buried his face deep into Han Zhang's chest and said in a muffled voice: "But husband, I'm just afraid..."

Afraid that if something happened, what would he do if his husband really came to harm?

If his husband truly met with misfortune, he wouldn't want to live either.

"Don't be afraid. Even if the sky falls, your husband's got you covered. Yunyang Prefecture is far from the capital—the long arm of the law doesn't reach here. Don't dwell on the worst. Besides, I'm a soul from another world, endowed with the Power. How could I easily come to harm?"

Han Zhang patted the back of the man in his arms, speaking with an easy smile.

Shen Qinglan, recalling his remarkable ability, felt his anxious heart calm a bit:

"Still, you must be careful, darling. We have a child now; you can't come to harm. Otherwise... otherwise, I'd rather die too."

"Alright, I promise you."

Han Zhang nodded in agreement and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

Not wanting his husband to dwell on these troubling matters, he deftly steered the conversation away:

"By the way, Mother-in-law and An Ge'er sent all these gifts all the way from the capital to congratulate us on the pregnancy—what a heartfelt gesture. Though we're far away, we can't just receive without giving in return. Relationships last when there's give and take. Have you thought about what to send back?"

At this mention, Shen Qinglan was indeed distracted and said cheerfully:

"I've already thought it through. Yunyang's most famous product is its fine lychees. Fresh ones don't keep well, but the other day when I was out and about, I discovered that the locals make lychee wine, dried lychees, honey-preserved lychees, and other delicacies—all quite delicious."

"Also, the coconuts, longans, dried seafood, spices, and pearls here are top-notch. We should send them back to Mother and An Ge'er—they'd love them."

In truth, though Yunyang Prefecture was called a poor and remote place, its terrain resembled the Lingnan region of Han Zhang's previous life's country, rich in resources—an absolute treasure trove.

However, due to backward technology, rampant bandits, miasma and epidemics, and lazy, good-for-nothing officials—problems that were hard to resolve—it had yet to develop, appearing impoverished.

Indeed, once Shen Qinglan mentioned sending things to the capital, he could list various local specialties with ease.

Han Zhang, seeing his husband finally smiling, wisely backed him up:

"You've thought it through well, my dear. Lychee wine and honey-preserved lychees are indeed novel. The nobles in the capital would love them, and Mother-in-law will surely gain face upon receiving them."

"Right? You think so too, darling..."

Shen Qinglan beamed brightly at the affirmation.

Then the couple discussed what else to send back to the capital, chatted about the silent eye-flirting between Han Qinnian and Shao Langzhou during their evening meal of roasted venison, and talked late into the night before falling asleep in each other's arms.