Chapter 120: Caught Between Two Men
At the mention of the Mid-Autumn lantern festival, Yu Jing’s heart skipped a beat.
The sight he had witnessed at the festival in early August was still vivid in his mind.
Yu Jing replied, “Master, it is only the seventeenth of August. It should still be ongoing.”
“Was the day before yesterday really the fifteenth?”
Yu Jing confirmed it was.
It turned out that for this once-a-year Mid-Autumn Festival, the Imperial Palace had held no celebrations whatsoever. The commoners likely hadn’t either.
Those days had been precisely when Ying Xi was busy mobilizing troops to stabilize the situation in Chang’an.
Ying Xi shook his head. “We didn’t hold it on the fifteenth, and today has been another stifling day. Since the festival is still going, and I enjoy going out, I’ll take another stroll outside.”
“This servant will prepare the carriage for you.” Yu Jing started to jog away.
Ying Xi paused slightly. “You…”
Yu Jing sucked in a breath, then turned back. “Right, right, right. It’s unsafe outside the palace, and the festival is chaotic. I beg Your Majesty to think twice before acting.”
The order of those two sentences seemed a bit off.
Ying Xi pushed aside his doubts and waved him off. “Go.”
The carriage slowly made its way toward the lantern festival.
Upon reaching the entrance to the market, the driver came to a halt.
Ying Xi prepared to disembark, with Yu Jing following close behind.
Ying Xi turned to look at Yu Jing.
Yu Jing bowed and hurriedly instructed, “This servant will wait for you near the Great Archway. Your Majesty has silver in your pouch and a handkerchief in your sleeve.”
“Please enjoy yourself while you wander. It’s not good to keep yourself so restrained all the time.”
“But Master, please do not return too late. If you miss the curfew, I fear you might frighten the night watchmen.”
The sense of oddity in Ying Xi’s heart climbed several more levels.
He felt an emotion he had never experienced before. Because of Yu Jing’s relentless mothering, the tips of Ying Xi’s ears grew slightly warm.
Ying Xi feigned a calm laugh. “Am I five years old?”
Yu Jing lowered his head with a smile. “This servant has overstepped.”
Leaving Yu Jing and the carriage behind, the flush on Ying Xi’s ears finally faded. His heart felt as though it were suspended in his chest.
Not long ago, Lian Qing’s “General Xie misses you” had completely unsettled Ying Xi’s mind. However, it had also acted as a “fighting poison with poison” cure, providing an outlet for the frustration that had filled his heart.
Ju’er missed him.
Could it be that he also missed Ju’er?
Ignoring the grudge from his past life, he and Ju’er had faced life and death together many times in this one.
Missing a childhood playmate, missing a capable minister, missing Ju’er… it all seemed perfectly logical.
Ying Xi easily categorized his emotions, which allowed his unease to subside and replaced it with a bit of steady composure.
He walked aimlessly through the lantern festival.
Ju’er was supposed to come to the lantern festival every night.
Last time, he had caught Ju’er red-handed at the wonton stall; the greedy Ju’er could eat five bowls of wontons.
Ying Xi couldn’t help but curve his lips. Almost unconsciously, he felt his coin pouch and went to search for the wonton stall.
However, after a few steps, he was surprised to find that the wonton stall was no longer in its original spot.
Ying Xi froze. The wonton stall had been replaced by a book stall.
He recognized the man selling books; it was Zhang the Fifth, the very man who had sold him that spicy novel, More Than Three Thousand.
“Pardon me, where is the family of three who used to sell wontons here?”
Zhang the Fifth naturally recognized Ying Xi as well. If one had seen Ying Xi’s face even once, it was impossible not to be deeply impressed.
Zhang the Fifth replied casually, “That old fellow has struck it rich!”
“His older sister passed away. She had no children but had saved up dozens of taels of family wealth. He’s been busy handling her funeral for the past few days. He didn’t want the stall to go to waste, so he’s renting it to me for fifteen copper coins a night to sell books.”
Since the wonton stall was gone, Ju’er was likely gone too.
Ying Xi felt a hollow sensation in his chest.
The book stall owner continued his chatter, “I wish I had an older sister who could leave me dozens of taels. With dozens of taels, I could buy a small house in the outskirts of Chang’an. Think of how many novels I’d have to sell to earn dozens of taels…”
Zhang the Fifth looked for common ground, “Don’t you agree, Young Master?”
Ying Xi, feeling unwell, frowned slightly. “The dead should be respected. Do not speak nonsense.”
Something about Ying Xi’s presence commanded respect.
Zhang the Fifth obediently shut his mouth. Seeing Ying Xi preparing to leave, he hurriedly tried to keep him. “Wait, Young Master, would you like to buy another novel?”
“That More Than Three Thousand has a deluxe edition out! A brand new revision by ‘The Miau-Miau Child of the Qin Palace.’ The spicy scenes are longer and more intense! The Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty is driven wild by the General for a full nine hours! It’s a masterpiece you can’t miss!”
“Young Master!”
Ying Xi only walked faster.
By the time he left the book stall area, the flush on Ying Xi’s face still hadn’t faded.
His chest rose and fell, and sweat beaded on his nose and forehead. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to drive away the words that were making his heart race. The commoners’ novels were truly as bold as they could possibly be for the sake of sales.
With his eyes closed, the brilliant lantern festival was reduced to patches of flickering red.
His thoughts pierced through the hazy red shadows. His steps paused, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, before he stopped completely to listen intently.
But the words of the book stall owner in the distance could no longer be heard clearly.
The air Ying Xi exhaled grew even hotter.
“Your Majesty.”
Ying Xi spun around!
His first thought was that his identity had been exposed.
Fortunately, the noise of the crowded market was too much; aside from himself, no one could have heard that “Your Majesty.”
When he realized the voice was very close, Ying Xi turned and stumbled, falling directly into Su Xueyi’s embrace.
The Dating System interface flashed brilliantly—
[System Notification: Bond Skill ‘Symbiosis’ has been awakened.]
[System Notification: The current character is now in a one-way life-and-death bond with you. Thank you for trialing the Bond Skill. Please continue to remain active to unlock more advanced features.]
A scent of white sandalwood—cold and slightly sweet—lingered in the air. The base note was exceptionally elegant.
Ying Xi felt as though he had fallen into a forest of fragrance.
His nose was pressed, not too hard but not too light, against Su Xueyi’s chest.
Two arms, draped in wide sleeves, held him in a tight, seamless embrace.
Su Xueyi released Ying Xi slightly to look him in the eye. He looked as radiant as a blooming flower as he suddenly gave a charm-filled smile.
Ying Xi’s face immediately darkened. He threw a punch, but Su Xueyi parried the force, leaving Ying Xi’s hand to land softly against Su Xueyi’s firm chest.
[Sweet Tub: I’m so tired. I just finished the system upgrade.]
[Sweet Tub: ⊙▽⊙]
[Sweet Tub: Ahhhhhhhh—So you sent me offline just so you could go on a date with the Big Peacock! Your Majesty, you really know how to play! This visual feast… wuu wuu wuu, it’s so ship-able! I’ll eat this up first…]
Sweet Tub had gone mad.
Ying Xi was frustrated.
Another ghost!
More obsessive shipping!
Su Xueyi still held his hand within his palm.
Su Xueyi’s hand was warm, his grip perfectly judged—not enough to cause pain, but enough to maintain an atmosphere of lingering ambiguity.
Ying Xi took a deep breath.
The drop in his expectations mixed with irritation.
But he knew clearly that even if he struck the man again, or threw another punch, it would only lead to a more flirtatious result from Su Xueyi.
He didn’t want to see that.
“Release Me.” He issued the command. His voice was low, audible only to the two of them.
Su Xueyi had no intention of making things difficult in the crowded market.
Today, Su Xueyi wore snow-white robes. He was tall, with broad shoulders and long legs; white made him look exceptionally striking.
Peonies were embroidered in gold thread along the snowy-white lapels, with the collar and cuffs similarly decorated. This made him stand out even more, and with a long sword hanging at his waist, the scholarly air of his outfit was completely dispelled.
Sweet Tub wailed,
[Sweet Tub: Wuu wuu wuu, how can there be someone so handsome in this world~~~]
[Sweet Tub: Look at him again! Look a few more times! Stick to him!]
But Ying Xi turned and walked away.
[Sweet Tub: Playing hard to get?]
Sure enough, Su Xueyi caught up and grabbed Ying Xi’s wrist.
[Sweet Tub: Wah oh.]
Su Xueyi volunteered, “The lantern festival is crowded and dangerous. You should know how important you are. I’ll accompany you.”
Ying Xi froze.
Through Su Xueyi, he suddenly thought of that small wonton stall—of the long-limbed Ju’er setting down his bowl to make a sincere request to protect him while they toured the festival together.
Ju’er wouldn’t have shouted “Your Majesty” on purpose to get his attention.
He certainly wouldn’t have been bold enough to pull him into a full embrace.
Ju’er would have worried that the word “Your Majesty” might cause unnecessary trouble; he wouldn’t have held him.
As he considered the meaning behind that embrace, Ying Xi slowly fell into silence.
Su Xueyi loved him.
While Ju’er…
The cold reality doused the flame of an interest that shouldn’t have existed.
Ying Xi’s excitement turned to calm. Bit by bit, his tone became ice-cold. “It is not needed.”
Su Xueyi naturally grew more enthusiastic, his eyes filled with excitement. However, he reined in the flirtatious behavior that would have displeased Ying Xi and smiled. “Then I’ll wander as well. I’ll go wherever you go. You can just pretend I’m not there.”
Sweet Tub marveled,
[Sweet Tub: Your Majesty has such great tactics! And the Peacock is good too! A battle between masters! How wonderful!]
But in Ying Xi’s head, only three words were flashing— This. Damn. Ghost.
Ghost ghost ghost ghost.
He couldn’t reveal his identity in the lantern festival, so the Emperor’s orders weren’t very effective.
He had rejected Su Xueyi, but he couldn’t move the entire festival away.
He maintained a distance, with Su Xueyi following behind.
But because the man behind him had a larger stride, the two were constantly, seemingly by accident, brushing against each other, looking very much like a couple touring together. This left Ying Xi with nothing to say.
He picked up a book.
He didn’t read the words; he just didn’t want to talk to the man.
Su Xueyi glanced at the cover and said easily, “That’s the lower volume of Records of River and Riverbank Discoveries, annotated by the late-dynasty scholar Gu Qiusheng. That book has been reprinted twice; I find it rather boring.”
“But if you like it, I have the first-edition copy at my residence. I’ll send it to the palace when we discuss business.”
“If you’re just looking, I recommend this volume for a travelogue instead.” Su Xueyi handed him another book.
Ying Xi glared at him. “Get lost.”
Su Xueyi didn’t find it boring at all. On the contrary, being brushed off by Ying Xi only made him more determined.
Why was it that one look of annoyance from the other could make his heart feel so light?
Returning the book to its place, Su Xueyi’s mind remained fixed on the way Ying Xi had looked at him. He saw Ying Xi walk to a toy stall and intentionally play with a rattle.
The little drum hammers went bloo-bloo against the drum surface.
Ying Xi didn’t believe Su Xueyi would still have more nonsense to say.
However, the “ghost” was even more full of tricks. “If the little one likes it, let’s buy two for the baby. That way he won’t keep keep you awake all night.”
The old woman selling the rattles immediately understood—this must be a couple dressed as men to make traveling through the festival easier.
The woman said quickly, “Madam has a good eye! My rattles are durable. Shall I pack two for you?”
The woman’s flattery seemed free of charge, “The Master is so considerate, and the Madam is so beautiful. You two are a match made in heaven. The baby you have is bound to be a dragon among men—he’ll surely place first in the Imperial examinations!”
Sweet Tub was shocked,
[Sweet Tub: Holy crap, he’s really doing it!]
The top talent of Chang’an is a genius at romance too???
Su Xueyi smiled, soaking up the stall owner’s flattery. He reached into his sleeve to pull out money.
Fragrant shadows swirled as the white sandalwood scent drifted.
Su Xueyi had the old woman completely mesmerized.
But Ying Xi was faster than Su Xueyi, handing over a piece of broken silver with a straight face. “Wrap them up. This ‘elder sister’ of mine loves to joke. I’m buying them to use when he’s nursing the child.”
The old woman: “…”
Su Xueyi: “…”
Sweet Tub: “…”
The old woman’s romantic fantasies shattered on the spot.
The corners of Su Xueyi’s mouth almost twitched all the way to the sky.
Sweet Tub clutched her non-existent stomach, laughing like a screeching chicken.
After wandering the night market, he still hadn’t seen Ju’er. He had no chance to look for him properly; instead, he was haunted by a “ghost” and was doing everything possible to avoid him. Ying Xi was annoyed beyond belief.
And he wasn’t stupid. He realized Su Xueyi wasn’t saying things like “commands” or “servant” to him anymore—things that had previously disgusted him.
Anger aside, the ghost had changed his tactics.
Same medicine, different pot; the ghost still wanted to be with him.
Compared to the peacock ghost’s current persistence, Ying Xi couldn’t help but sigh at the ghost’s past life.
Did Su Xueyi know he had turned into this in just a few short months?
In the market’s section for daily goods.
Linen and silk of various colors were hung from bamboo poles, swaying gently in the night breeze.
The light from the lanterns reflected off the cloth, making the fabrics shimmer with different lusters. The brilliance everywhere seemed to double.
Ying Xi walked quickly toward the stall, preparing to duck inside the hanging fabrics.
He had used visual barriers several times to shake off Su Xueyi, planning to weave through the cloth to reach somewhere else.
Ying Xi slipped inside like a slick fish.
But that peacock ghost was a martial artist.
As soon as Ying Xi entered the fabric stall, Su Xueyi followed.
Su Xueyi’s movement was agile, using his Qinggong as he trailed Ying Xi one-for-one.
Sensing Su Xueyi behind him, Ying Xi sped up. He practically ran a few steps, but while observing the “enemy’s” position, he lost his footing. He stumbled and fell forward!
He fell right into a hard embrace, the impact leaving him aching all over.
His nose was filled with the scent of grass and earth—clean and refreshing.
The familiar scent instantly filled Ying Xi’s chest. His heart skipped a beat as he lifted his eyes. Xie Qianli’s jawline was cold and hard.
Xie Qianli suddenly raised a palm with immense pressure, striking straight toward Su Xueyi’s chest.
Seeing who it was, Su Xueyi didn’t want to take the hit directly and drifted backward!
Xie Qianli had already shielded Ying Xi.
Cold, stern eyes glared at Su Xueyi from a place Ying Xi couldn’t see, as if warning him not to offend the Sovereign.
But Su Xueyi was transparent. He read the male animal’s possessiveness in that gaze, sparking an equally fierce sense of competition and jealousy.
Su Xueyi took another half-step back.
Xie Qianli lowered his hand and steadied Ying Xi.
Ying Xi’s ears grew hot again as he prepared to speak. It was Ju’er.
Su Xueyi finally moved closer, pretending to slip as he pressed himself against Ying Xi’s back.
Ying Xi’s goosebumps rose in an instant. It was the ghost.
Pincered between them, three people held together.
Sweet Tub was dazed by the sight,
[Sweet Tub: Mama, oh my god…]
Recommended Reads
![[ABO] President Shou Is Not a Total Shou](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/the-shou-is-not-a-total-shou-214x300.jpg)
![[ABO] After Accidental Marking, I Became Everyone’s Darling](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ABO-225x300.jpeg)