After Transmigrating As The Second Male Lead In Qn Old-School Angsty Romance - Chapter 18

“Heir, Young Master Qin went to see Xiao Yiyan. At the Mountain God Temple south of the city. Young Master Qin was the one who took the initiative to have his young servant deliver a letter. Should this subordinate stop him?”

Late at night, Hu An’s tall body was slightly bowed as he stood before Sun Zibai. His eyes were lowered, looking respectful, but in truth, there was some probing in his manner.

He had followed the old marquis onto the battlefield before. He was willing to be arranged to return and protect the marquis’s family, but everything he did was only because of the old marquis. Therefore, in the past, no matter how many foolish things Sun Zibai did, Hu An only concerned himself with protecting his safety. But ever since the night the heir married Young Master Qin into the residence, the heir before him had suddenly begun doing things differently from before.

Others might not know, but Hu An had followed Sun Zibai year-round. Although the heir still acted arrogantly and domineeringly, without any clear method, if one thought carefully about it, things did not seem to be that simple.

Take Young Master Qin, for example. Everyone only thought the heir had been bewitched by that person’s beauty and had fallen deeply into love. Hu An had believed the same. Yet the heir had been able to tolerate Young Master Qin’s lover and not kill him. He had even taken him under his command. Was this something a normal person could do?

Then there was Young Master Qin himself. On the surface, the heir let him return, but in private, he had people follow him. Could it be to monitor whether he would secretly meet his lover? Then catch them in the act? This did seem like something the heir would do.

Sun Zibai knew very well that the man before him only appeared respectful toward him. In danger, Hu An could also die for him without the slightest hesitation. But he did not truly believe in Sun Zibai. The one he believed in was the old marquis far away at the border.

However, Sun Zibai did not mind either. He merely chuckled. “Why stop him?”

Hu An was slightly stunned, but in his heart, he let out a breath of relief. Good thing it was not to catch an adulterous affair.

Sun Zibai suddenly changed the subject. “Commander Hu, do you think Grandfather has received my letter?”

“Counting the days, the letter should already have arrived at the border.”

Sun Zibai’s expression was unreadable, but his gaze was somewhat distant. “Grandfather is sixty-five this year, is he not?”

In truth, this age was not considered very old in modern times. But in ancient times, it could be considered elderly. Especially for an elderly man in a high position of power who commanded four hundred thousand troops. That inevitably attracted the coveting of vicious dogs—many, many vicious dogs.

Hu An was startled, somewhat unsure why the heir had suddenly mentioned this.

“Yes. But the old marquis has always been healthy. He has protected the southwest for so many years and has shielded countless common people. Presumably, even Heaven will protect him and let him live to a hundred.”

Hu An had a somewhat blind worship of the old marquis. Not only him, many of the older generation in the Sun family army worshipped the old marquis like a god.

Sun Zibai’s expression, however, became even more distant. It was precisely because the old marquis was healthy that it was even more dangerous.

The old emperor’s age was not much different from the old marquis’s. He had many princes and imperial grandsons, yet the position of crown prince had still not been decided. On the surface, it looked as if the emperor was giving every prince a fair chance to compete. But who could say the old emperor was not heartless? He watched with open eyes as a group of his sons fought each other to the death, while he stood by and observed. No wonder people said that anyone who sat in that position for too long became somewhat twisted.

However, at present, the struggle for the throne at least appeared peaceful on the surface. But in reality, that was only a facade. Who knew how surging the undercurrents were in secret? Counting the time, the capital should also be falling into chaos soon.

Sucheng’s movements had never been able to escape the eyes and ears of the capital. Sun Zibai was simply very curious how they would make their moves against a useless heir.

After all, the old marquis was still alive. It was not yet time to tear off all pretenses.

Looking at it this way, Sucheng would soon become lively too.

“Arrange another person to keep watch on Qin Baofu.”

Sun Zibai suddenly said seriously. Hu An was confused, but still replied respectfully, “Yes. This subordinate will handle it at once.”

In truth, there were quite a few highly skilled people by the original owner’s side. But the original owner had thought too highly of himself and did not believe anyone truly dared make a move against him, so he never allowed people to follow him.

Sun Zibai had not known this before. It was only after the accidental danger that night, when he spoke with Commander Hu, that he learned of it. The old marquis was rough on the outside but meticulous within. He was not as simple-minded and all-brawn as the world believed. It was just that the original owner was truly disappointing, and as a supporting character in someone else’s angsty romance world, he was destined for a tragic ending.

Now, the old marquis’s legitimate eldest son had been a hostage in the capital for thirty years. It was said that aside from one daughter, he had no other children. His youngest son had also died unexpectedly more than ten years ago. Did that not make Sun Zibai a living target?

Therefore, over the years, the marquis residence had actually lost quite a few guards. But Hu An had never told the original owner these things. He had always silently guarded the marquis residence.

However, Sun Zibai still felt that to forge iron, one had to be strong oneself.

As for the Qin family, the one who truly had brains was Qin Baofu. The Qin family had become the richest family in Sucheng not merely because they occupied one-third of Sucheng’s restaurants. From the plot, Sun Zibai knew that Qin Baofu was also in the rice and flour business.

Grain and fodder—these were the key to an army’s survival, especially an army of four hundred thousand.

If four hundred thousand soldiers relied only on the military pay and grain the imperial court provided each year, then they would probably have problems even eating their fill and staying warm, let alone defending the country.

…

On the other side, outside the Mountain God Temple south of the city, the lovers who had reunited after a sudden change of circumstances now looked at each other in silence. A thousand words reached their lips, yet they did not know how to speak.

Xiao Yiyan remained silent. He had not expected the heir to actually allow Qin Mo to leave the marquis residence. Was the heir not afraid that Xiao Yiyan would abandon everything and elope with Qin Mo?

However, the moment he thought this, Xiao Yiyan himself immediately rejected this impulsive and foolish idea. Moreover, having tasted success for the first time, he was already unable to set everything aside for Qin Mo. That would be very irrational and childish, would it not?

Qin Mo was somewhat dazed. The person he had originally planned to spend his life with had changed beyond recognition in the blink of an eye.

“Ah Yan, in the end, I was the one who dragged you down.”

The moment Qin Mo opened his mouth, his eyes reddened. Xiao Yiyan could least bear seeing such a pitiful Qin Mo, so he hurriedly stepped forward and pulled him into his arms. Yet in that instant, Sun Zibai’s half-smiling face suddenly appeared in his mind. Xiao Yiyan abruptly realized that the person in his arms had already married someone else, and that person was precisely his current master.

By conditioned reflex, Xiao Yiyan hurriedly pushed Qin Mo away.

In that instant, both of them fell into awkwardness.

Qin Mo staggered from his push, then looked at the flustered, at-a-loss Xiao Yiyan in astonishment. His eyes immediately reddened even more.

Right. That was right. He had already married someone. How could he still expect Ah Yan to treat him the same way as before?

Xiao Yiyan did not dare meet Qin Mo’s disappointed gaze. He helplessly placed both hands behind his back. Only after a long while did he force out one sentence.

“It is not your fault.”

“Did the heir make things difficult for you?”

“Did the heir make things difficult for you?”

After another stretch of silence, the two spoke at the same time. Then they froze awkwardly again.

“No.”

Xiao Yiyan pursed his lips. In truth, the heir treated him very well. After they reached an agreement, the heir not only found a doctor for him, but also gave him sufficient silver and usable people, allowing him to act freely.

Putting aside the fact that the heir had stolen his beloved, the heir could almost be called his benefactor.

Qin Mo also shook his head, his expression complicated.

However, when Xiao Yiyan, as his lover, heard that the heir had not made things difficult for Qin Mo, it sounded somewhat piercing to his ears. His heart felt inexplicably blocked and uncomfortable. Then he remembered the heir’s promise to him.

“The heir… did not touch you, did he?”

Unexpectedly, when Qin Mo heard this, his face immediately turned white. A strange shame and anger made him feel unbearably humiliated. This was not concern. This was suspicion from the person he loved, a betrayal from behind. Moreover, this kind of suspicion made him ashamed and embarrassed.

Qin Mo said in shame and anger, “No!”

In the end, they could not go back. Qin Mo felt terribly wronged in his heart, while Xiao Yiyan once again had no words. In truth, he believed the heir. Besides, he loved Qin Mo so deeply that even if the heir had touched him, he would still love him, still disregard everything to save him from suffering. He simply did not know why he could not say these words aloud anymore.

In the end, the two parted unhappily. Xiao Yiyan learned that the heir had not made things difficult for Qin Mo, and had merely left him neglected in the courtyard. The heir had not even made things difficult for the Qin family. Qin Mo, meanwhile, learned that the heir had not tortured Xiao Yiyan either, and had only made Xiao Yiyan handle matters for him. Once the matter was done, the heir would let them reunite.

It should not be like this. Both of them felt an indescribably strange feeling in their hearts.

Qin Mo returned to the Qin residence in a lost and dispirited state. As usual, he secretly entered through a small door in the rear courtyard. He had originally thought that after seeing Ah Yan, his heart would become clear. Unexpectedly, he became even more confused instead.

“Tsk, tsk. Look who we ran into.”

A sudden mocking voice pulled Qin Mo back to reality. In the next second, he met a familiar and detestable gaze. It was Qin Can. He was also a concubine-born son, but his fate was different from Qin Mo’s. Since childhood, he had been liked by Qin Wancai, and Qin Hanlin treated him quite well too. Thus, he became the most arrogant and domineering person in the rear courtyard. And what he liked doing most was bullying Qin Mo.

“What are you sneaking out to do in the middle of the night? Meeting a man in secret?” Qin Can’s face was full of mockery, and the more he spoke, the more excited he became. “It can’t be true, right? You’re too shameless. Does the heir know?”

When Qin Mo heard this, his face turned white, and his whole body swayed unsteadily. He did not dare imagine how angry the heir would be if he knew that Qin Mo had secretly gone to see Ah Yan.

“I… I did not. Don’t talk nonsense!”

“Hmph, how am I talking nonsense? Look at your guilty appearance. I must have guessed correctly. Tsk, tsk, Qin Mo, you really are something. Since childhood, you’ve always looked so soft and weak, making people feel sorry for you. How disgusting. I knew you were terribly hypocritical. Why pretend to be weak? Why pretend to be noble and pure? There aren’t any men here, so who are you acting for?”

The more Qin Can spoke, the more unpleasant his words became. Since childhood, he had been jealous of Qin Mo’s good looks. In any case, he simply found Qin Mo displeasing and could not stand seeing him doing well. Unexpectedly, this person had silently hooked up with the heir, making him terribly jealous. He had never expected that Qin Mo would turn out to be so greedy.

“Fine, fine. I’m going to tell the heir and let him know what kind of face you really have.”

As Qin Can spoke, he was about to run toward the front courtyard. He wanted to tell Eldest Brother and Second Brother so they could break Qin Mo’s legs, then go find the heir and beg for forgiveness. He refused to believe the heir would want a cheap thing who betrayed him.

Qin Can had no brains, and he had liked bullying Qin Mo since childhood, completely disregarding the consequences. Seeing that he really intended to leave as he spoke, Qin Mo had no doubt that he would truly do it. Thus, he hurriedly chased after him and grabbed him.

Unexpectedly, Qin Can flung him away. Qin Mo’s mind was full of one thought: What should he do? What should he do? He could not let Eldest Brother and Second Brother know, and even more so, he could not let the heir know. He panicked so much that he lost all bearings. But because he was too anxious, Qin Can was pulled by him with great force and staggered.

Qin Can burned with anger. Without even thinking, he threw a slap at him just like usual.

With a crisp smack, Qin Mo was stunned. But it was also this slap that calmed the panicked Qin Mo down. Sun Zibai’s condescending gaze suddenly flashed through his mind. There had been contempt in those eyes, and mockery at the corners of his mouth. He had said that looking at Qin Mo annoyed him. When something happened, all he thought about was begging a man and relying on a man. Qin Mo himself was also a man—why could he not fight for things himself instead of begging others?

That humiliation spread from the soles of his feet to his scalp, making Qin Mo’s blood surge in an instant.

Was he going to be bullied and humiliated like this for the rest of his life? Was he going to be controlled by others for the rest of his life?

No!

Qin Mo did not know where his courage came from. He suddenly raised his hand and slapped Qin Can hard.

With a crisp slap, clean and decisive, both unprepared people froze where they stood. The clear sound of the slap was especially sharp in the silent night.

“You… You actually dared hit me?”

Qin Can could not believe it. Although he was a concubine-born son, he had still been favored since childhood. He was even somewhat arrogant and domineering, with a mischievous and unruly nature. Tonight, he had simply been unable to sleep in the middle of the night, so he had secretly slipped out to find something to eat. He had not even brought a young servant with him. He had simply not expected to happen to run into Qin Mo returning after secretly stealing a man outside.

He had originally thought that this time, he could completely destroy Qin Mo. Unexpectedly, the person who had been weak and easy to bully since childhood suddenly began to resist, and even slapped him. This was turning the heavens upside down.

“You…”

“Shut up!”

Qin Mo’s body trembled slightly. He felt as if something had broken through the soil in his heart. The feeling of hitting someone was unexpectedly both satisfying and refreshing, making his body tremble slightly from excitement. But weakness was carved into his bones. Having been bullied since childhood, he had long been used to submitting to adversity. Suddenly becoming so forceful still made his heart panic terribly. Because of this, even his voice trembled when he spoke.

But seeing the person who had bullied him for more than ten years standing there, covering his face and looking at him in astonishment, Qin Mo felt an unprecedented sense of release.

“You also know that I am now married to the heir. I am a person of the Pingnan Marquis Residence. What thing are you, daring to lay hands on me?”

“Besides, which eye of yours saw me meeting someone in secret? Do you know what happens to those who slander the heir?”

Qin Mo had never acted this way before, and he truly managed to bluff Qin Can.

Qin Mo continued, “Truly brainless. What kind of person is the heir? If you bring this kind of accusation before the heir, have you thought about the consequences? Are you trying to make the heir implicate the entire Qin family? At that time, not only me, the entire Qin family will become a laughingstock in Sucheng. You are trying to get the Qin family killed!”

“I… I didn’t.”

Qin Can did not have much of a brain to begin with. He was like a spoiled child. Moreover, he was concubine-born, and the two Qin brothers had never deliberately taught him. This was also one of the important reasons why his mind was simple. Now, after being frightened and analyzed by Qin Mo like this, he immediately lost all sense of direction. He even forgot his original purpose.

Taking advantage of his stunned state, Qin Mo left directly with a cold expression. His body, however, trembled slightly with excitement.

So this feeling was actually this good.

So becoming forceful and resisting was not that difficult after all.