Chapter 072 – This Miserable Young Master – “Learning should have rewards and punishments” (03/08)
Ai Xiu took the medicine and instantly felt better, striding out with a spring in his step.
Xie Chenyang stepped forward. He leaned against the doorframe as he watched Ai Xu’s retreating figure. [He’s adorable like this, but I’m more used to his old self.]
No sooner had the words left his mouth when a hand yanked him back by the collar.
The door slammed shut, and he staggered two steps before regaining his balance.
[Dad, what are you doing?]
Xie Chenyang clutched his chest, feigning chest pain.
[I have a heart condition, you know! You almost scared the life out of me. Do you want to lose your only son?]
You Huang appeared before him, seated in a chair with one hand resting on the table. His weathered, passionate eyes fixed on Xie Chenyang. Xie Chenyang’s heart skipped a beat under that gaze, and he obediently walked over to sit beside him.
“Stand.”
Xie Chenyang straightened his body, which had just slumped.
“I’ve never made any harsh demands of you, nor have I ever lectured you. Let me finish. You said you’re more used to his previous self. What was he like before?” You Huang didn’t expect an answer; instead, he continued, “His personality shifts slightly in each world, though it’s not always that obvious. Do you feel wronged because he never remembers you in any lifetime while you alone hold onto those memories?”
Xie Chenyang explained, “I don’t, I was just joking…”
He had called his lover a scumbag before, but he hadn’t meant it.
You Huang poured himself a glass of water. “Yangyang, someone who would seal their memories just to follow you, relying solely on instinct—whatever feelings they hold for you, they run deep.”
“I know…”
“You don’t. Every time you arrive in a new world, he quickly follows. However, unlike you, he has none of his original memories—only those of his body’s former owner. So, is it his fault that his personality is influenced by possessing only those memories?”
Xie Chenyang grew increasingly agitated. “I never thought he was at fault.”
“The longer he stays by your side, the more his personality changes to align with who he truly is.”
“Dad, I–”
You Huang stood up, placing a hand on his shoulder, his eyes softening slightly. “I don’t mean to reproach you. I only want you to understand how deeply he cares for you.”
Xie Chenyang’s inner agitation vanished instantly.
“Consider this: he isn’t like you. You have memories; he doesn’t. He bears greater risks than you do. If you ever change your heart or grow weary of him, all you need to do is distance yourself. He’d be powerless to stop you. Because he doesn’t know your relationship nor does he have his memories of you. He can only live as the original owner of his current body, waiting until the day you leave this world to depart with you.”
And then follow again.
Xie Chenyang lowered his head.
You Huang patted his shoulder. “Though he has no memories, he’s never made things difficult for you. In every lifetime, he quickly reunites with you. That shows how deeply he loves you and how well he understands you.”
“Understand? If he truly made things hard for you, forcing you to experience the long, arduous path of winning back a wife, I doubt you’d last two lifetimes before growing impatient.”
“I…”
You Huang withdrew his hand, his voice laden with meaning. “Do not let him down.” With that, he vanished.
Xie Chenyang sat down, slamming his palm on the table: [Do you even know what this behavior is called?]
“Tell me.”
[□□! Self-righteous! Arrogant! Talking to yourself! Mind your own business!]
You Huang chuckled softly. “Once everything’s settled, your father will find you an enlightenment master.”
[Don’t interrupt!] Xie Chenyang’s tone was grave. [I never intended to betray him. When I said I was more used to his old self, I meant nothing else.]
You Huang: “I know.”
[You know? I just said something offhand, and you lectured me for so long?!]
You Huang: “Let me exercise my fatherly authority once in a while. I haven’t lectured anyone before.”
[…But you can’t say it like that! You make me sound like a scumbag!]
You Huang sighed softly. “Dad was wrong to misunderstand you. Can Yangyang forgive Dad?”
Xie Chenyang stiffened. Why did this feel so… off?
“Is that okay? Yangyang?”
[I don’t blame you!]
After enduring You Huang’s earnest lecture and then his sudden transformation into a dejected, fatherly figure, Xie Chenyang stormed out of the room, his face twisted in frustration.
Ai Xiu sat on the deck, fishing with a rod in hand.
His attendant beside him asked, “Your Highness, can you really catch fish with the boat moving this fast?”
Ai Xiu flashed a bright, triumphant smile, revealing two sharp canine teeth. “Fish caught this way are the strongest.”
Attendant: “Why is that?”
Ai Xiu: “Think about it. With the ship moving this fast, any fish wanting to eat my bait has to chase us down. So, fish caught this way must be the strongest fish!”
The attendant wore a complicated expression.
How could he tell his prince that the bait had likely fallen off long ago? And besides, some fish were incredibly fast—faster than their ship.
Xie Chenyang walked over to Ai Xiu.
Ai Xiu’s expression cooled, clearly still holding a grudge over being tricked into a kiss for medicine. He stared mutely at the sea.
Xie Chenyang bent slightly to reel in the line, pulling it up inch by inch until he finally grasped the hook.
Ai Xiu’s expression cracked. “Midlander, what are you doing?!”
Xie Chenyang tightened his grip on the hook and gave it a slight shake. “The prince has hooked me.”
Ai Xiu: “…”
Attendant: “…”
After a moment of speechlessness, the attendant realized the man was speaking in Leisen. “Could you be a merchant who’s visited the Kingdom of Leisen?”
The Kingdom of Leisen was small but wealthy. Many merchants from the Midlands traveled thousands of miles to trade there.
Xie Chenyang ignored him, turning to Ai Xiu. “You caught me, so I’m yours now.”
Ai Xiu tossed aside the fishing rod, arms crossed. “Not mine anymore.”
Xie Chenyang smiled.
Ai Xiu: “…” My god, this guy’s kinda good-looking when he smiles.
The attendant frowned. This Midlander man was being rather rude.
He reminded him, “Since you know this is our prince, you ought to show some respect.”
Xie Chenyang gave a perfunctory nod and released the fishhook. “Your Highness, if you wish to visit the Midlands, I could teach you the language.”
Ai Xiu: “I have an interpreter.”
Xie Chenyang: “Even if they follow you day and night, there will always be moments they can’t be present. Wouldn’t it be better if you could understand and speak it yourself?”
Ai Xiu frowned.
“If you don’t understand, you’ll never know when someone admires or praises you. Nor will you know when someone despises or curses you…”
“…Heh.” That had a point.
If someone insulted him, the interpreter would surely never dare tell him honestly.
Ai Xiu touched the pendant at his ear and slowly nodded. “I’ll learn from you.”
Xie Chenyang addressed the attendant, “Could you fetch a chair for me? I’m still injured. I will get tired if I stand teaching you the whole time, Your Highness.”
The attendant looked at Ai Xiu. Ai Xiu nodded. Only then did the attendant turn and head toward the cabin.
Xie Chenyang crouched and adjusted Ai Xiu’s collar. “The sea breeze is cold. Aren’t you afraid of catching a chill with your chest exposed?”
“I’m perfectly fine.” Ai Xiu leaned back, observing Xie Chenyang’s coat, similar to his own. “You, on the other hand, look so frail and injured. You should dress more warmly. I’ll have the attendant fetch you an undershirt.”
Xie Chenyang nodded. “You’re right. With my injuries, I shouldn’t be exposed to the wind for too long. Why don’t we move to your cabin to study? You can bring me the clothes then.”
Ai Xiu: “?” He meant the attendant’s clothes!
A chill breeze swept by. Xie Chenyang pressed his fist to his lips and coughed softly twice.
Ai Xiu rose, feigning impatience. “Didn’t you say we were going to my quarters? Hurry up.”
“As you wish, my prince.”
By the time the attendant brought chairs to the deck, they were already gone.
Inside Ai Xiu’s quarters.
Ai Xiu slumped lazily in his custom-made soft chair. Xie Chenyang pulled a chair from the desk and sat beside him.
Ai Xiu: “Let’s begin.”
“Do you remember what to call me?”
Ai Xiu’s memory wasn’t bad. “Huzz Bin.”
“Wrong. It’s ‘husband’.”
“…huzbind?”
Xie Chenyang said solemnly, “We’ll reach the Midlands in a few days. Your Highness isn’t sufficiently attuned to the Midland dialect. Teaching this way won’t be very effective. Would Your Highness permit me to use a special method?”
“A special method?”
“Yes. Using this special method, Your Highness will surely grasp basic Midland conversation before we arrive.”
Ai Xiu hesitated. “Alright.”
Xie Chenyang smiled. “From now on, every time Your Highness makes a mistake, there will be a punishment. Agreed?”
Ai Xiu frowned. “What kind of punishment?”
“You’ll find out soon enough. Now, repeat after me: ‘Husband.’”
“Incorrect. Your Highness, it’s time for your punishment.”
Xie Chenyang rose swiftly and scooped Ai Xiu up in his arms. He spun them around, sat down, and leaned back.
Ai Xiu sat atop him, utterly bewildered.
Xie Chenyang hooked his neck and pulled him down, kissing his lips and lightly teasing the prominent pearl of his lower lip.
Ai Xiu’s hands slid over Xie Chenyang’s shoulders and braced against the chair back, his heart beating violently.
At first, he was furious at Xie Chenyang’s audacity. On the other hand, Ai Xiu was a hedonist. He found pleasure in Xie Chenyang’s kiss, and so he forgave his audacity.
When Xie Chenyang released him, Ai Xiu wasn’t angry. Instead, he felt unsatisfied. “So this is what it feels like. I’ve really missed out on so much before.”
Back in the Kingdom of Leisen, so many warriors had passionately confessed their feelings to him, wanting to spend the night together, but he hadn’t been interested in any of them.
He was the Prince of Leisen Kingdom, and he’d never even experienced a kiss!
This thought made Ai Xiu lower his head again. “Again…”
Xie Chenyang raised his hand to block him. Ai Xiu’s kiss landed on his palm instead. He looked at him in confusion.
Xie Chenyang changed tactics. “Let’s continue our studies. Only if you get it right can we continue this. Trust me, there are even more delightful, more pleasurable rewards waiting for you.”
Ai Xiu: “…Alright!”
He was a prince, after all—fearless!
Half an hour passed. Ai Xiu’s lips and tongue were numb, and he’d only mastered a few phrases.
He tried to stand. “I’m done. My mouth’s numb.”
Xie Chenyang gripped his waist, his voice hoarse. “Not so fast, Your Highness. Now it’s time for punishment. Learning must be seen through to the end. If Your Highness still can’t converse with me alone before nightfall, then you won’t sleep tonight—we’ll study all night long.“
Ai Xiu gaped at him in terror.
You Huang sighed. ”Aren’t you worried he’ll develop psychological trauma?“
[Oh, right!]
He was about to tell Ai Xiu he was joking, hoping to ease the tension.
But Ai Xiu clenched his teeth and gripped his collar. ”Bring it on! I’ll definitely get it right this time!“
Xie Chenyang: ”…Alright.”
Ai Xiu completed a simple basic conversation with him.
[Dad, is this what they mean by not knowing your true genius until pushed to the limit?]
You Huang: “No, he was deliberately doing it wrong.”
[Deliberately… You mean he intentionally got it wrong to get a kiss from me?]
You Huang: “Yes. He seemed to find it pleasurable.”
He’d seen through it long ago.
Besides, he had the background info. Prince Ai Xiu of the Kingdom of Leisen was, at his core, a hedonist—following his own desires, never caring about rules.
Xie Chenyang found this rather amusing. He said with deep feeling, “Your Highness, there are even better rewards. Shall we begin learning new phrases and vocabulary now?”
Before Ai Xiu could reply, a knock sounded at the door.
The attendant’s voice came from outside. “Your Highness, dinner is ready from the kitchen.”
Ai Xiu stood up, feeling a bit hungry himself. “Bring it in.”
The attendant saw Xie Chenyang present and showed no surprise. They all knew now that Ai Xiu was learning the Midland language from him. The interpreter even sulked about it for a while. If he wanted to learn Midland, he could have taught him too!
Xie Chenyang stayed in Ai Xiu’s room to dine with him. Watching Ai Xiu eat quickly yet gracefully, Xie Chenyang felt a warmth in his heart.
[Dad.]
You Huang: “Yes?”
[You were right. No matter which lifetime, he’s never troubled me. He never disliked my intimacy, even when in his mind we’d only just met.]
[So I’ve decided—tonight, I’ll delve deep into our past memories with him.]
[No need to delay. We’ll become husband and husband right away.]
You Huang: “…” Understood. He said diplomatically, “Sanitary conditions aren’t ideal on the ship.”
[…Fine, we’ll be at Dongchen soon anyway.]
Xie Chenyang felt a pang of regret. He decided to just drink the soup and skip the meat.
From then on, Xie Chenyang personally taught Ai Xiu the Midlands dialect every day.
Soon, they approached their destination.
Ai Xiu stood at the bow, watching the Dongchen dock grow closer. “This is the Midlands. But it doesn’t seem as nice as where we come from…”
From afar, the houses appeared small, and the people dressed plainly.
Xie Chenyang clasped his hand. “Later, I’ll take you to Yizhou. It’s a better place.”
Yizhou City was far more prosperous than the border town. He planned to show this little prince a good time there.
Thinking of Yizhou, the warmth in Xie Chenyang’s eyes dimmed slightly.
That Li Chengwang… needed to be dealt with properly.
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
