Chapter 087 – The Tragic Prefect’s Son – “It is impossible for me to leave my wife.” (02/10)
Without You Huang saying a word, Xie Chenyang knew this was going to be tricky.
Just moments ago, he’d picked up a rock intending to kill the assassin—never in his wildest dreams did he expect the other man to be his wife.
Xie Chenyang crouched down and picked the person up: [Dad, help me find a cave.]
The village the original body had gone to was definitely out of the question; many people still despised the people of Hu.
Under the scorching sun, Xie Chenyang hadn’t even reached the cave before his clothes dried completely.
He stripped off his outer robe, spread it on the ground, laid the person down on it, and frowned as he studied his face. “Dad, how do you think he’ll react when he wakes up and sees me?”
You Huang: “Kill you.”
[No choice. Give it a moment—I’ll reawaken his love for me!]
When Mu Xin opened his eyes and saw Xie Chenyang, his first instinct was to reach for his blade.
He came up empty.
Xie Chenyang took a step back. “I saved you.”
Mu Xin sat up.
Xie Chenyang: “Don’t be so hostile. Is this how you treat your savior?”
Mu Xin lunged forward, seizing his throat and pinning him to the ground. With one knee on his chest, his gaze was icy.
[This jerk!]
Xie Chenyang grasped his hand, his eyes brimming with inexpressible tenderness. “Mmm…”
Mu Xin’s grip loosened slightly. Was this… a beauty trap from the Central Plains?
Mu Xin released him, silently rising as he examined the marks on Xie Chenyang’s neck. His voice was hoarse. “You saved me. This time, I won’t kill you.”
Seeing him about to leave, Xie Chenyang scrambled up and grabbed his hand. “Do you know me?”
Mu Xin: “Let go or I’ll kill you.”
“Don’t be like that.” Xie Chenyang tilted his head, his gaze filled with confusion. “When I woke up, I remembered nothing. Only you were beside me. So… who are you? Who am I?”
You Huang remarked, “This tactic is so cliché.”
Faking amnesia, seriously?
Mu Xin’s cold gaze finally settled on him. “You don’t remember anything?”
Xie Chenyang: “Hmm… Why are we–”
Mu Xin replied icily, “I was the assassin sent to kill you. You fought back in your last moments and dragged us both to our deaths.”
[Dad, he’s back to normal! And he’s using idioms! Back in the other world, Ai Xiu couldn’t speak Chinese. Now he’s so capable, it takes away some of the fun.]
You Huang: “…” Not feeling it.
Xie Chenyang’s expression grew pained. “Impossible. If you were the assassin sent to kill me, why do I feel no resistance toward you? Why do I even want to get closer?”
Mu Xin: “…”
You Huang: “I swear he’s looking at you like you’re an idiot.”
[No way! He wouldn’t think I’m stupid!]
Mu Xin shook off his hand and strode away. “Stupid.”
Xie Chenyang followed silently. Mu Xin paused but ignored him.
After a long walk, Xie Chenyang hurried over and grabbed his hand. “My foot’s cut. It hurts so much. You wouldn’t just leave me behind, would you?”
Mu Xin: “You really aren’t afraid of dying.”
“I don’t think you’d kill me.”
“I won’t, but I’ll deliver you to your death.”
With that, Mu Xin bent down and hoisted Xie Chenyang onto his back.
Xie Chenyang laughed, wrapping his arms around Mu Xin’s neck and resting his head on his shoulder. “You’re so gentle.”
Mu Xin’s gaze turned icy.
You Huang: “A grown man still wanting his wife to carry him.”
[If he’s willing, I’m happy.]
You Huang: “…” Spoiled rotten.
Whether it was this body’s exhaustion or the comfort of his lover’s back, Xie Chenyang soon drifted off. Mu Xin paused at the sound of his steady breathing.
It seemed he truly had lost his memory. How else could he fall asleep on his back?
Had he genuinely forgotten that he’d killed his guards and tried to kill him?
“Wake up. Your wife is about to drop you.” You Xiang’s voice jolted Xie Chenyang awake. He reached out reflexively, snatching Mu Xin’s hand with surprising precision.
Mu Xin: “Let go.”
Xie Chenyang clung tighter. “You’re the only one I recognize. If you leave, what will I do?”
Mu Xin: “That’s none of my concern.”
Xie Chenyang pulled him up and wrapped his arms around him. “No way. I’m staying with you until I remember who I am.”
Mu Xin glanced at him. “Fine.” He shook off his grip.
Xie Chenyang: “Where…”
“An inn. Fresh clothes by the bed. Change.”
Not just clothes—new shoes too, both surprisingly well-fitting.
Xie Chenyang casually pulled a ribbon to tie his hair back. Two curved blades now hung at Mu Xin’s waist. Leaning against the doorframe, he lifted an eyebrow. “Ready? Let’s go.”
Xie Chenyang followed him out. “Where are we?”
“Ling County, beside Bozhou City. About an hour’s journey away.”
“Oh…”
[I think I understand what he means.]
You Huang: “Hm?”
Xie Chenyang’s expression was gentle, but his heart felt bitterly desolate: [He’s taking me back to hand me over to that scumbag.]
[Just wait and see—he’s definitely taking me to Bozhou City! The place is already in chaos, and Prince Zhen’an’s men are there.]
You Huang: “…” Whatever you say.
Mu Xin took the reins from the stablehand and swung himself onto a horse. “Get on.”
Xie Chenyang: “Lift me up.”
Mu Xin took a deep breath, grabbed his hand, and pulled him up. Xie Chenyang swung himself onto the saddle behind him and wrapped his arms around Mu Xin’s waist.
“Let go…”
“No.”
Ignoring the arms around his waist, Mu Xin’s face hardened. “Hah!”
An hour later, they entered Bozhou City through its wide-open gates. Corpses littered the streets. Suppressed sobs echoed from the residential quarters.
Xie Chenyang’s expression turned grim: [Dad, were the attackers really those Hu tribesmen hiding deep in the mountains?]
You Huang: “Most were the Prince of Zhen’an’s men, the ones Yu Shuo brought. Only a dozen or so were actual Hu tribesmen, led by your wife, Mu Xin.”
[So the leader personally joined the hunt?]
You Xiang: “He was the representative sent by the Hu tribe to liaise with Prince Zhen’an. He didn’t harm the common folk or your household’s people—he remained hidden in case of emergencies.”
Then, he witnessed Lu Su’s escape. He gave chase to deliver the final blow.
[Is Yu Shuo still at the Yang residence?]
You Huang: “He didn’t wait for you. He’s already left Bozhou City with his men.”
“Whoa.” Mu Xin reined in his horse at the Yang residence gate. With one arm around Xie Chenyang, he helped him dismount before releasing him. “This is your home. Go inside.”
Facing the tragedy here should restore his memories, right?
Xie Chenyang grabbed his sleeve. “Is this really my home? I… Can you come with me?“
He reached out to push the door open. The moment they stepped inside, the overwhelming stench of blood and decay hit them.
Xie Chenyang: [Dad, how should I act now? Should I cry? No, I have no memories. Then indifference?]
You Xiang: ”Wouldn’t any normal person be terrified seeing this? Don’t be ridiculous.”
[Don’t be mean, Dad. I get it.]
Xie Chenyang’s grip shifted from his sleeve to Mu Xin’s hand. “So many dead people… How could this be my home…? Ugh, I’m so scared.”
Mu Xin led him toward the back courtyard. “See? That’s your father, your mother, your brother and sister-in-law, and your nephews.” His voice was icy. “I killed them all.”
“Impossible!” Xie Chenyang looked accusatory. “Are you sick of me? Did you bring me here to this slaughtered estate just to make up stories and abandon me?”
Mu Xin’s brow furrowed. Couldn’t even his family trigger his memories?
Xie Chenyang: “Do you hate me that much?”
You Huang: “Son, this is a bit…”
[No choice. I can’t let him abandon me.]
Mu Xin: “If I say yes…”
“Then even so, I’ll keep following you!”
Mu Xin led him away from the Yang residence with a grim expression, then pounded on the door of a nearby medical clinic. He sensed people inside, yet no one answered. He drew his curved blade, severed the lock, and kicked the door open.
The room was empty. Clearly everyone was in the rear courtyard.
Mu Xin’s voice was deep and commanding. “Doctor, show yourself. Otherwise, I’ll leave none of you alive!”
Xie Chenyang whistled inwardly. Handsome, isn’t he?
“Father, don’t go! Father!”
“It’s fine. They’re probably here for medical help. We’ve already dealt with most of them last night. Nothing happened during the day. Don’t be afraid.”
“Father—”
A middle-aged man emerged, lifting the curtain while carrying his medicine chest.
His pupils contracted at the sight of Mu Xin’s deep, sharp features and cold blue eyes, then he smiled and asked, “Are you here for a consultation?”
A Barbarian of all people.
Mu Xin: “Examine him.”
He pushed Xie Chenyang forward.
Physician: “This is… Young Master Yang!”
[Is Yang Su that famous? Even a random doctor recognizes him?]
You Huang: “Yang Yuchuan is deeply beloved. His sons are often seen in public. Most people in Bozhou City would recognize them.”
Xie Chenyang: “…What young master?”
Mu Xin: “His brain was damaged by water. He remembers nothing. Treat him.”
With Xie Chenyang present, the physician’s wariness toward Mu Xin instantly eased. He helped Xie Chenyang sit down, treating the abrasions on his face while inquiring about the memory loss.
Mu Xin: “Fell off a cliff, plunged into the water, washed ashore outside the city. Woke up with no recollection.”
[He remembers it all so clearly.]
You Huang: “Don’t speak.” Makes you look foolish.
The doctor examined him for a long time but found nothing wrong. “No external injuries on the head. Could it be internal damage? Taking his pulse reveals no issues either. The young master is in good health… This old man’s skills are limited; I’m not well-versed in matters of the mind…”
Mu Xin: “Can’t be treated?”
The doctor shook his head. “Perhaps he suffered some shock or fright that caused amnesia? I’ve heard of such cases before. Maybe his memory will return on its own later.”
Mu Xin looked at Xie Chenyang. “You are Yang Su, the Prefect’s son. Many citizens in Bozhou City recognize you. I’m not deceiving you.”
Doctor: “Right, right. The young master is indeed the Prefect’s son.”
Mu Xin: “The place I took you to earlier is your home. Stay here to collect your family’s remains. I’m leaving.”
“No!” Xie Chenyang rushed over and grabbed his arm. “You must have colluded with the doctor to deceive me! I don’t care—I don’t remember anyone else, only you. I must follow you.”
[No way am I leaving my wife!]
Mu Xin flicked his curved blade, pressing it against Xie Chenyang’s throat. “You think I wouldn’t kill you?”
[Oh my god, murdering his own husband!]
You Huang: “…” I’ll take my leave.
Xie Chenyang closed his eyes. “Kill me if you must. If I can’t follow you, death is better.”
“No, no, absolutely not!” The doctor recoiled in fright. “Young Master, we didn’t deceive you! You truly are the Prefect’s son!”
Xie Chenyang ignored him, peeking through narrowed eyes to see Mu Xin’s grim expression. His heart skipped a beat before he roared, “You can’t abandon me after leading me on! You–”
Mu Xin struck him unconscious with a single backhand chop.
Ignorant fool. A man from the Central Plains, yet he couldn’t even use words properly.
Mu Xin sheathed his blade, preparing to hand the boy over to the doctor.
Xie Chenyang latched onto him fiercely: [Even when I’m like this, he can’t bring himself to kill me. Looks like his love for me is almost awakened.]
You Huang sighed: “Ah.” What a useless daughter-in-law. Why not just kill him outright? Look how cocky he’s gotten.
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
