Chapter 56 Damp Male Ghost

Chapter 56: The Creepy, Damp Male Ghost

After a long pause, he finally forced out the words: "It's just that His Majesty appreciates my talent and admires my character, suddenly seeing me as a genius of unmatched talent..."

"Where did you sleep last night when you didn't return to the mansion?" Cui Ji didn't want to hear his rambling.

Cheng Ge's brain was about to short-circuit, but he kept up the massage, giving Cui Ji's ankle a gentle squeeze.

"Just at the palace..." Cheng Ge started to be vague, mumbling a reply.

"Which part of the palace? Don't tell me you slept with the imperial consorts?" Cui Ji snorted coldly.

Cheng Ge jumped, quickly slapping a hand over Cui Ji's mouth. "Your Highness, watch your words!"

If you don't want your head, I do! Sleeping with the emperor's women—if that got out, he'd be dead!

Seeing him dodge the question like that, Cui Ji knew Cheng Ge was hiding something.

"Ha... there are only so many bedchambers in the palace. You didn't actually sleep on the dragon bed, did you?"

Cheng Ge: "!!!"

"How is that possible? Don't spout nonsense... mmph..." Cheng Ge shot up, but his head smacked into the carriage roof.

"Hiss..." Cheng Ge buried his head in his knees, holding it, tears instantly pouring out from the pain. His mind went blank—that kind of pain was something most people couldn't imagine.

Cui Ji hadn't expected him to react so strongly. He quickly pulled the guy close and asked nervously, "Where did you hit yourself?"

Cheng Ge didn't answer, just curled in on himself.

His naturally slender back hunched, trembling now and then, looking pitiful.

Cui Ji reached out to pull Cheng Ge's hand away from his head. "Let me see if you're injured."

Hearing this, Cheng Ge loosened his grip a little.

Cui Ji rested Cheng Ge's head on his knee and carefully examined the top of his scalp. There was indeed a big bump, but thankfully no broken skin.

Still, his heart hurt. "Let the doctor check it when we get back. If it's not better, I'll send someone to the palace tomorrow to get the imperial doctor."

Cheng Ge hummed in response, subtly wiping his tears and snot on the other guy's robe.

His eyes darted around, thinking that now Cui Ji probably wouldn't bug him about sneaking onto the dragon bed anymore, right?

"Mm." Cheng Ge sniffled, answering softly.

...

Back at the prince's manor, the doctor examined him and said it was nothing serious, just prescribing some ointment for the swelling.

Cui Ji had to go handle official business, so he put the ointment on Cheng Ge and left in a hurry.

But Cheng Ge still felt a little dizzy, so he went back to his room for a nap.

Time seemed to fly by as he slept. When Cheng Ge opened his eyes again, it was already late afternoon, almost sunset.

Through the window, he saw the sunset blazing like fire, turning the whole sky a burnt orange.

Birds returned to their nests, their chirping echoing through the air, and even the wind seemed less stifling.

Cheng Ge stretched big, rolling his neck and shaking out his legs to loosen up, feeling a lot of his tiredness fade away.

Cui Ji still wasn't back, so he decided to take a walk to warm up before practicing his sword techniques later.

Some things needed persistence; if he slacked off even for a day, it was easy to lose the habit.

He tucked his long sword into his belt and started wandering aimlessly around the manor.

"We once roamed freely, on the green hills of our hometown...

We also endured hardships, wandering far and wide..."

He had to admit, the Cui Prince's Manor was indeed grandly built—tall pavilions, waterside pavilions, and elegant gardens, every corner was beautiful.

Cheng Ge hummed a tune as he strolled, unknowingly wandering into more remote areas.

Suddenly, he faintly heard laughter and chatter, off and on, getting closer.

Curious, Cheng Ge followed the sound, passing through several arched gates and skirting a rockery.

Tree shadows flickered on the walls, branches swayed, and the water in the courtyard pond rippled gently.

Cheng Ge gripped the edge of the arched gate, poking half his head in.

When he saw the scene clearly, his eyes went wide, sparkling with excitement.

After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, ready to leave.

But then someone lightly tapped his shoulder, startling him into spinning around.

"Oh, what handsome young master is this?" A sweet, soft voice suddenly rang out.

"Where? Where's the handsome young master? Let me see too..." The people in the courtyard heard the commotion and poured out.

Cheng Ge: "???"

...

Cui Ji removed his leather armor, and the steward took it aside.

His gaze swept the surroundings, but he didn't spot Cheng Ge. "Hasn't he woken up yet?"

The steward paused, then quickly replied, "Your Highness, Master Cheng said he wanted to take a stroll. It seems he headed toward the side courtyard, but he hasn't returned yet. This old servant will send someone to find him now."

Cui Ji nodded. "No need, I'll go."

He changed into lighter clothes and headed toward the side courtyard.

Meanwhile, Cheng Ge's life had apparently reached its peak.

"Master Cheng is so amazing! That blade strike really struck a chord in my heart!"

"Chasing the Moon in the Clouds!" Cheng Ge spun on one foot, thrusting backward with a sharp gaze—the pose was stunningly cool.

"Wow!!!" As expected, a chorus of wows erupted instantly.

Amid the waves of cheers, Cheng Ge gradually lost himself, unable to suppress his grin, nearly being coaxed into a state of bliss.

His hands gripped the long saber tightly, tracing streaks of cold light through the air.

With a flick of his wrist, the blade spun in the air, the wind whistling past his ears, before he executed a final closing move, sheathing the sword perfectly.

"Could Master Cheng be the reincarnation of the Saint of War, Guan Yunchang, so valiant and skilled!?"

Cheng Ge pressed his lips tightly, his expression calm. "Oh, it's not that big a deal, just messing around."

As he spoke, he tilted his head slightly to let the young lady in the red dress wipe his sweat, feeling all smug and pleased with himself.

"Master Cheng, this is tea this humble one just brewed. Please try it and see if it's good."

"These are my newly made hibiscus cakes. Master Cheng, give them a try..."

Cheng Ge was surrounded by a group of beautiful young ladies, feeling as if even the air was fragrant.

He declined with a hint of restraint, "I can't stay—I gotta head back for a meal. Your prince won't eat right without me there."

"Ah..." The group looked disappointed and reached out to gently pinch his cheeks.

Smooth and soft, like a sticky rice ball—truly endearing.

Cheng Ge felt giddy. "I'll come visit you ladies another day..."

Before he could finish, Cui Ji's voice cut in, all sinister, "Why wait? You can stay right here today."

Cheng Ge's body stiffened, and he slowly turned to see Cui Ji standing with his hands behind his back by the arched gate, not knowing how long he had been there.

The women surrounding Cheng Ge immediately dropped their smiles and bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Cheng Ge looked at Cui Ji, feeling that the man resembled some kind of creepy, damp male ghost from a female-oriented novel, popping up out of nowhere.