Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Xie Licheng nodded, signaling he'd be good from now on.

Since he seemed sincere enough, Gu Zhangyuan gave his ear a little tug as a light scolding.

For a rough man like Xie Licheng, having his ear tugged felt like playful teasing—he really didn't see it as Gu Zhangyuan punishing him.

Afterwards, the two began eating together. In the middle of the meal, Xie Licheng pulled open his collar and peeked inside his clothes.

Gu Zhangyuan complained, "What are you doing now?"

Xie Licheng shook his head. "I clearly bathed you last night—I scrubbed you clean all over—but why do you still smell so fragrant?"

Hearing this, Gu Zhangyuan instinctively sniffed himself. "No, I don't smell anything. Why can't I smell it?"

This wasn't the first time Xie Licheng had mentioned his scent. Gu Zhangyuan had always assumed he meant the incense he used. It was only when Xie Licheng brought it up again that he realized he wasn't talking about that kind of scent.

Xie Licheng took a serious sniff. "Could this be the legendary 'omega fragrance'?"

Gu Zhangyuan couldn't help but laugh. "What are you talking about? What 'omega fragrance'?"

Xie Licheng: "They say some women have a natural body scent, and it's called 'feminine fragrance.' You're an omega—born with a natural scent—so it's only fitting it's called 'omega fragrance.'"

Gu Zhangyuan raised an eyebrow and turned to look at him. "Have you ever smelled a woman's scent before?"

Xie Licheng: "I told you, that's just what they say."

Having lived two lives, he'd only ever had eyes for Gu Zhangyuan.

Gu Zhangyuan smiled at that. Right, a man like Xie Licheng wasn't the type to mess around with others.

Xie Licheng had saved so many people now—he was a true hero.

There were bound to be plenty of people among those he saved who had a crush on him.

If Xie Licheng truly had the inclination, he could have women, omegas, or even men—none of it would be a problem.

That was just how this world worked—everyone loved a hero, everyone fell for that whole "knight in shining armor" routine. And Gu Zhangyuan was no different.

He could never forget the feeling when Xie Licheng suddenly appeared to save him when he was in danger.

No matter where he was, Xie Licheng could always find him in no time.

As long as he called his name, he would show up to protect him from everything.

No matter how many villains existed in this world, he would take them all out for him.

A man like Xie Licheng was a real catch in such chaotic times.

If someone as picky as Gu Zhangyuan had fallen for him, then of course plenty of others would too.

Given all that, the fact that Xie Licheng hadn't gotten involved with anyone else—no random women or omegas showing up at their door—proved he really had no such intentions.

And indeed, Gu Zhangyuan felt that with how much Xie Licheng doted on him, he wouldn't have the energy to pursue anyone else anyway.

Gu Zhangyuan asked, "When are you planning to head out again?"

Xie Licheng: "Once the road to the county is finished, I'll head out again."

Gu Zhangyuan's eyes lit up. He put a hand on Xie Licheng's shoulder and said, a smile in his voice, "That's gonna take a few days, right?"

Seeing him so happy, Xie Licheng smiled and pulled him close. "More than that—we can use this time to have a kid. Have a child while you're young, and the Gu family will have an heir. You won't have to bear so much pressure."

The Gu family had a ton of people and servants.

If Gu Zhangyuan had a kid, it wouldn't change much for them.

He should probably bring in a few more doctors to make sure Gu Zhangyuan stays safe.

Herbs weren't really a problem—they had a mountain right behind them, and the Gu family had grown medicinal plants before, so they wouldn't run out.

The real issue was doctors—only two for five hundred people, and one of them was old. They definitely needed to find more.

That afternoon, they decided not to go out. Since Gu Zhangyuan's legs were bothering him, Xie Licheng planned to stay home with him.

What he didn't know was that a lean scholar was currently looking for him.

The man was a xiucai—Xie Licheng had previously mentioned wanting to set up a school in the village.

Upon learning of this, he went looking for Xie Licheng to talk it over.

He wanted to be the village teacher—partly to support himself, and partly to teach the village kids to read and write.

Even if there were no imperial exams here now, being able to read and write was still important.

Reading could broaden one's horizons, teach great principles, and give people a sense of propriety and honor... At least, that's what the scholar thought.

Unable to enter the estate, the scholar could only go find Chen Yaosan.

Chen Yaosan had been run ragged the past few days without any real rest. Last night, to beg Cui Niang to be with him, he'd wheedled and pleaded with her until very late.

Once Cui Niang finally said yes, he couldn't help but drag her straight to bed. He didn't wake up until the afternoon.

After hearing the scholar's purpose, Chen Yaosan smiled and said, "Alright, the boss was just looking for a teacher—didn't expect you to show up on your own."

He paused, then added, "But you need to actually know your stuff. Otherwise, if the boss finds out, he'll definitely be angry."

Xie Licheng hated being deceived. To keep the guy from faking being smart, Chen Yaosan had to set things straight from the start.

The scholar quickly said, "I'm just a xiucai, but I'm more than qualified to teach kids to read."

Most scholars were modest, and when they praised themselves, they did it in a roundabout way.

He said he was merely a xiucai, but in reality he was a linsheng—a scholar who actually knew his stuff.

But clearly, Chen Yaosan was a rough man who didn't pick up on the hint.

"Alright, go on back for now. When I see the boss, I'll bring it up. He's not going out for the next few days, so you should hear back soon."

The scholar thanked him and left, his steps light.

After watching him leave, Cui Niang got dressed and came out of the inner room.

Cui Niang asked, "What did he come to you for?"

Chen Yaosan didn't keep it from her and told her what the guy wanted.

As soon as Cui Niang heard the village children could attend school, she couldn't help but think of her poor son again.

She said, "I wonder where my child is right now."

When Chen Yaosan heard this, he pulled her into his arms and comforted her softly.

"Don't be sad. I'll bring him up more with the boss. The boss is a good, honorable man. If he actually comes across the child, he'll definitely save him. Don't keep worrying and being upset. You need to take good care of yourself so you can have a chance to see him again."

Cui Niang nodded gently, tried to hold back her tears, but couldn't help crying.

His heart ached hearing her cry, so that evening he headed straight to the farm.

He squatted at the entrance to the farm, staring at the sun setting in the west with a worried look.

Yuan Qiao found him—she'd chased a rabbit out of the farm. A wild rabbit had run into their farm, and Yuan Qiao chased after it to catch it.

When she suddenly saw a big man squatting outside, Yuan Qiao was startled.

Once she recognized him, Yuan Qiao said in an annoyed tone, "Village Chief Chen, are you squatting here to scare people?"

Chen Yaosan quickly stood up when he heard this and said, "Um, could you ask the boss to come out for a moment?"

Yuan Qiao shook her head and said, "No, our master is resting with the young master. If you've got something to say, just tell me."

Chen Yaosan knew that Xie Licheng and Gu Zhangyuan were very close.

Lately, Xie Licheng had been out and about every day. Now that he was finally back, it was only natural he'd want to be close to his husband.

He said, "There's a scholar in the village who wants to set up a school and wants to discuss it with the boss."

Yuan Qiao nodded and said, "Got it. I'll tell the master when I go in to deliver water later."

With that, Yuan Qiao turned to leave, but Chen Yaosan quickly added, "Um, could you also ask the boss to help look harder for Cui Niang's kid?"

Yuan Qiao frowned, "There's nothing the master can do about that. If you really want to find the child, you'd better go ask that Master Cao Ba. He might have sold the kid; otherwise, the master would've found him."

Every time Xie Licheng went out to rescue people, he saved whoever he could, especially the poor kids. He never left anyone behind.

Yuan Qiao figured that if Xie Licheng hadn't found Cui Niang's kid, it must be because the kid wasn't there anymore.

To find out where the kid went, it'd be better to ask Master Cao Ba than Xie Licheng. After all, he'd taken the kid and sold him.

Chen Yaosan's eyes lit up. Right—if Master Cao Ba couldn't find the kid, it wasn't because the boss had missed something, but because... maybe he'd sold the kid.

Master Cao Ba's business was buying and selling kids. If he could find out where the kid had been sold, the boss might be able to help find him.

Chen Yaosan quickly said, "Thanks, thanks. You're really smart, Yuan Qiao."

Watching Chen Yaosan turn and run off, Yuan Qiao smirked slightly. Not knowing something so simple—that guy really was a big oaf.

Later, Yuan Qiao went to bring Gu Zhangyuan water to wash his face. When she went in, she told Xie Licheng that Chen Yaosan had stopped by. She didn't hide anything—not about the scholar, nor about Cui Niang's kid.

Xie Licheng nodded after hearing this and praised Yuan Qiao.

"You're quite smart. Why didn't I think of asking that guy?"

Gu Zhangyuan smiled. He thought Yuan Qiao was clever too, but he didn't think his husband was dumb, so he quickly said, "You were busy and worn out those days. How could you have thought of that?"

As he spoke, Gu Zhangyuan used a wet towel to wipe Xie Licheng's face.

Towels like this were something Xie Licheng had found in his Fengyuan.

Xie Licheng had collected a lot of them. Some were excellent quality—soft to the touch and bright in color.

Before Gu Zhangyuan could finish wiping his face, Xie Licheng grabbed the hand holding the towel.

Seeing this, Yuan Qiao quickly bowed and backed out. She couldn't stay and interrupt the two masters' moment.

Yuan Qiao and Xuan Cui had grown up with Gu Zhangyuan, so their relationship was different from the usual master-servant dynamic.

Some servants, relying on a bit of charm, would try to seduce their master's man. That was truly heartless and ungrateful.

Yuan Qiao wouldn't dare, and she didn't want to seduce the master either.

If she ever wanted to marry, she'd naturally tell Gu Zhangyuan. Given how close they were, he'd help her find a good match.

There were plenty of men in the world; she wouldn't make an enemy of her master over one. So most of the time, Yuan Qiao knew what was what.

Watching Yuan Qiao leave, Xie Licheng pulled Gu Zhangyuan into his arms and said he wanted to look at his palm lines.

Gu Zhangyuan asked, "Husband, can you read palms?"

Xie Licheng said matter-of-factly, "Nope, can't."

"Then what are you looking at?"

Xie Licheng didn't answer. Instead, he rolled up his sleeve, from wrist to elbow. Then he put their arms side by side and compared their open palms.

Xie Licheng said, "I can't read palms, but with your faint palm lines and slender, fair fingers, it's clear you're not meant for hardship. You're destined for great fortune and an easy life."

Gu Zhangyuan smiled, lips pressed together, then asked softly, "And you? What's your fate?"

Xie Licheng clasped his hand and said, "I'm destined for hard work and constant travel. But with you, I'm now enjoying the good life."

Gu Zhangyuan didn't like him saying that. He reached out, spread Xie Licheng's palm, looked at it, then pressed Xie Licheng's hand to his cheek.

He said, "I don't like that you're destined for hard work or constant travel. You're my husband and my hero. I hope you're always safe and everything goes well for you."

Xie Licheng was stunned for a moment, then his cold eyes softened a lot.

"You hope I'll be safe—that shouldn't be too hard."

Because his defense was now very high, it was hard for ordinary people to hurt him. As for everything going smoothly, that might be a bit harder.

But thinking of his luck attribute, to make his husband's wish come true, he could add more points to his luck in the future. Maybe one day it really would come true.