Chapter 38: They Have Always Been Moving Toward Each Other

Chapter 38: They Have Always Been a Two-Way Street

As soon as the words left his mouth, the crowd erupted in sighs.

Qin Zhonglian cheered and leaped with joy, pumping both fists in the air as if he had just won a million in cash.

I knew it—His Highness the Sixth Prince and Shuo'an have always been a two-way street!

We've hit the jackpot, folks!

The three Su sisters held hands, giggling like they'd just heard the best news ever.

Even Zheng Yuanzhi got caught up in the excitement—until he stopped mid-laugh and his face dropped.

Wait, why exactly?

Only Zhang Chenggong and Li Wei huddled together for moral support, sighing, "We've ultimately lost to His Highness the Sixth Prince. Shuo'an's heart doesn't have room for us anymore."

Chen Shuoan, so annoyed the veins on his temples were popping, shot back without missing a beat: "Isn't it perfectly normal for you two to lose to His Highness the Sixth Prince?"

And so the afternoon passed in a noisy, chaotic blur. The three Su sisters chatted away, trampling the already-dead weeds at their feet until they were completely bare.

Zheng Yuanzhi and the others stood by their side, not daring to budge an inch, listening as they spent the whole afternoon running through the dirt on most of the young noblemen in the capital—scared shitless that their name might be next.

Over by Chen Shuoan, he finally wrapped up his work. He straightened out his legs, which had gone numb, and gave the young monk a grateful bow. "Thank you, Little Master. How much silver is all this altogether?"

The young monk's eyes, black as grapes, crinkled into a smile. He pressed his palms together and bowed politely to Chen Shuoan. "Brother has a karmic tie to this temple, so there's no charge, naturally. Just take them and keep them safe."

Zhang Chenggong overheard this and whispered to Qin Zhonglian, "Something this pricey—why didn't the Little Master give it to you?"

Qin Zhonglian was practically drooling with envy as he said mournfully, "I don't deserve it."

Zhang Chenggong rubbed his chin, giving Qin Zhonglian a once-over.

"True. You're not pretty enough. Kids aren't into your type."

Qin Zhonglian: "..."

Sometimes he really wanted to punch this guy's lights out.

It was late autumn now, and night fell earlier and earlier. The sun was setting in the west, painting the whole mountain gold and red.

The group bid farewell to the young monk and led Chen Gangpao back the way they came.

Before leaving, Chen Shuoan set the pouch he carried and the jade pendant from his waist down on the wooden table stacked high with peach-wood talismans.

As he tugged Chen Gangpao along, he held the bracelet up to the light, admiring his own work.

Three strands of gold silk and mulberry thread were braided into an elegant pattern, with a dainty, precious jade Pixiu dangling at the center.

The golden-red sunlight fell upon the jade, making the inside look flawlessly white while the edges gleamed gold.

Chen Shuoan carefully tucked the bracelet into his robe, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Truly beautiful.

————

They took the mountain path back to the main temple.

The ceremony was already done, and the ministers were packing up to head back to the capital by carriage.

"Miss Su, please wait a moment."

Su Qingwan blinked her beautiful eyes, clutched the handkerchief in her hands, and stopped in her tracks as the man jogged up to her.

It was Yuan Qi.

Chen Shuoan barely held back a scream, one hand viciously pinching Qin Zhonglian next to him.

The man was dashing and elegant, his face flushed; the young woman was bright-eyed and composed—they looked like a perfect match.

"You've got no shot, third male lead."

What?

Qin Zhonglian, confused, raised his hand and smacked the one pinching his flesh, making Chen Shuoan snatch his hand back instantly.

"It's been three months since we last met. Has Miss Third's health had any lasting effects from that?"

Yuan Qi's ears were bright red. He'd spotted her at a glance and couldn't help calling out to her.

"Not at all," Su Qingwan replied with a light smile, finding his blush endearing. "I thank the Crown Prince for his concern."

Yuan Qi snuck a glance at her, then quickly dropped his head when he met her teasing gaze. One black boot scuffed back and forth on the ground—he was beyond shy.

Chen Shuoan: "..."

What?

How are their reactions the complete opposite of what's in the book?

Did he misread the title? Was it actually called *The Pure-Hearted Crown Prince Dotes on Me*?

"The red camellia Your Highness gave me in Jiangnan—I treasure it. But red camellias prefer shade and moisture, so they're hard to keep in the capital," Su Qingwan said, pulling a sachet from her sleeve and holding out her slender, fair hand to Yuan Qi.

"So I had the camellia petals made into this sachet to carry around. Today, I wanted to give it to Your Highness."

Yuan Qi turned as red as a boiled lobster. He took the sachet and clutched it tight in his palm.

"Thank you, Miss Third."

Su Qingwan covered her mouth with a laugh and bowed to take her leave.

Chen Shuoan watched the whole thing, thoroughly amused.

"Shuo'an!"

Chen Shuoan snapped out of it and followed the voice. It was his old man, who he hadn't seen in ages, standing beside a young man in white robes. The pristine hem of his robes was dusted with incense ash, looking gray and grimy—which made Chen Shuoan laugh to himself.

Where'd His Highness the Sixth Prince go to get himself covered in so much ash?

Chen Jingxian turned, said something to Yuan Rang with a smile, and waved him over.

Chen Shuoan led Chen Gangpao over to Chen Jingxian, beaming at the two of them.

"And who's this?"

Chen Shuoan grinned wide and made a big show of introducing: "This is your granddaughter. Go on, Chen Gangpao, say hi to Grandpa."

Chen Gangpao was such a good boy, wagging his tail and popping up on his hind legs in excitement, letting out two "woofs."

Chen Jingxian stood frozen in place, exchanging wide-eyed stares with his granddaughter, completely at a loss in the wind.

Yuan Rang couldn't help but chuckle softly nearby, his eyes soft with feeling, his expression unable to hide his tenderness, silently fixed on Chen Shuoan.

As dusk fell, Chen Shuoan chatted with his dad for a bit before getting ready to head out.

Suddenly remembering all of Gangpao's crimes since he came to the palace, he silently made up his mind.

He handed the leash to Chen Jingxian and said with a meaningful look, "Father, take Gangpao back to the mansion. Your granddaughter is usually such a good girl—point her east and she won't go west, tell her to chase dogs and she won't go after chickens. There's also Facai at home; let the aunt and nephew hang out together."

He crouched down and vigorously ruffled Chen Gangpao's doggy head: "Gangpao, when Daddy gets a day off, I'll come back to see you. Be good and listen to Grandpa, you hear me?"

Then he turned away resolutely, leaving just a man and a dog standing there in the dark, looking utterly forlorn.

The scene was like an empty-nester old man walking a left-behind kid.

Chen Shuoan's heart ached, but Gangpao really was a handful. Yuan Rang didn't care much, but Chen Shuoan couldn't shake the guilt, so he might as well send him to the Chen estate.

Chen Shuoan smiled, relieved, his earlier frown completely gone.

Out of sight, out of mind—let his old man enjoy this blessing.

Inside the carriage, bright candles were lit. Chen Shuoan, worn out from the afternoon and feeling sleepy, leaned his head against the stiff, hard mahogany panel.

Yuan Rang leaned over, cupped his head with a big hand, and guided it onto his shoulder, then gathered him into his arms, leaning down to murmur, "Sleep like this."

Leaning against his human cushion, the bumpiness from the carriage's start became almost imperceptible, and Chen Shuoan drowsily buried his head into the crook of Yuan Rang's neck, slowly drifting into sleep.

A warm touch met his hand, carrying that distinct human warmth.

He pried open his heavy eyelids and looked at his wrist.

It was a pair of crystal-clear jade bracelets.

"Too cold? Let me warm them up."

Yuan Rang whispered. Seeing him open his eyes, he thought the jade bracelets were too cold for him, so he covered Chen Shuoan's slender wrist with his large hand, his palm warm, and Chen Shuoan felt incredibly comfortable from the warmth.

He half-closed his eyes and mumbled, "Where did these come from?"

"I asked Elder Zhiqing for them; they've already been blessed," Yuan Rang said, adjusting the person in his arms higher, his eyes brimming with deep affection. "I want you to live a life free from worry, safe and happy."

He had never believed in gods or Buddhas, nor feared ghosts, but now he foolishly hoped to use worldly objects and devout sincerity to exchange for one person's health and smooth fortune.

Chen Shuoan chuckled softly in his arms, pulled out the pixiu bracelet from his collar, and playfully dangled it in front of Yuan Rang's eyes like a treasure.

"My prince..."

Yuan Rang froze, his breathing suddenly heavy, his eyes blurred by the meaningful object as if seeing double, everything becoming hazy.

He blinked slowly, his throat tight with emotion, and replied hoarsely, "Mm."

"Today, a little master said I carry great fortune, and those close to me will surely receive abundant luck," Chen Shuoan said, his deer-like eyes curving into crescents, a gentle watery light shimmering in them. "Shuo'an will share fortune and misfortune with you, and share in luck. Our Sixth Prince will surely be an extremely fortunate person from now on..."

"Alright."

Yuan Rang tightened his arms, locking the person firmly in his embrace, unwilling to loosen his hold even a little.

He truly was incredibly fortunate.

Chen Shuoan fell into a deep sleep, revealing an innocent and pure sleeping face in his arms.

Yuan Rang choked up, pressed his lips tightly to Chen Shuoan's forehead, and reverently planted a kiss.