Bad experiences amplified certain traits. A harsh person grew harsher with suffering; a gentle one grew gentler. The former, narrow-minded, saw everyone as an eyesore and wished misery a thousand times worse on all others. The latter, having endured hardship, felt more pity for the world and hoped others might suffer less.
Gu Lianzhao might not be a bad man, but he certainly wasn’t a good one—and he was someone who’d endured great hardship. Expecting such a person to be considerate, sensible, gentle, and tolerant was indeed asking too much.
Yet who could have foreseen that Imperial Brother’s single decree would leave him indebted to Gu Lianzhao for no reason?
Promotions in the Embroidered Uniform Guard came fastest, but so did the heaviest casualties. For Gu Lianzhao to reach Fourth-Rank, it was no exaggeration to say he’d waded through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
He had finally secured a promising future for himself, and just when his life was falling into place, a single imperial decree had stripped everything away. Forced to strip naked, bathe clean, and be sent to another man’s bed as a plaything—no one could endure that.
Liu Yuanxun could let it go with Gu Lianzhao, after all. The man had married him and cost him his position. He could accept Gu Lianzhao’s sullen moods too. Stepping back ten thousand steps, if Gu Lianzhao truly went all out, he had the ability to kill him.
But what was with this Broom Tail? Tied up here and acting so arrogant?
Liu Yuanxun lectured the creature earnestly. “Even dogs from other households know to bow politely or at least wag their tails to please people. Look at you—either snarling at people or ignoring them entirely, just like your master. And here I was, thinking of feeding you, only for you to give me this attitude?”
Perhaps his words truly had an effect, for Broom Tail’s ears twitched. It suddenly stood up, turning to bound toward him. The rope held it back, leaving it to hop in place while furiously wagging its tail, looking utterly thrilled.
“So obedient?” Liu Yuanxun was greatly surprised. “In that regard, at least, you’re far better than your master.”
“Is that so?” A voice rang out abruptly from behind him, startling Liu Yuanxun so much that he shuddered. He whipped around to find Gu Lianzhao standing there, though he had no idea when the man had returned.
“Y-You… when did you g-get back?” Liu Yuanxun stammered.
Gu Lianzhao approached slowly, brushing past him before half-crouching beside Broom Tail. He reached out to gently stroke the excited creature, his tone flat as he said, “Guess.”
Liu Yuanxun froze in place, offering a feeble explanation. “I was just… joking…”
“A joke?” Gu Lianzhao glanced sideways at him, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “From which part onward?”
Liu Yuanxun had never imagined Gu Lianzhao would catch him red-handed. He could barely recall what he’d just said, only vaguely remembering that he’d compared Gu Lianzhao to Broom Tail.
Comparing a person to a dog was hardly flattering. Liu Yuanxun rarely felt this awkward and had no idea how to explain himself. He could only hope Ling Ting would return soon to rescue him.
His embarrassment was as obvious as ink on white paper. In an instant, his earlobes flushed red, and his body went rigid, taut as a plucked qin string. Gu Lianzhao wanted to tease him further, to see what sound he might make, yet he also worried the string was too fragile—it might snap at the slightest touch.
Gu Lianzhao pressed his lips together and turned to stroke Broom Tail instead. “Don’t worry. I didn’t hear a thing.”
“Really?” Liu Yuanxun didn’t believe him.
Gu Lianzhao replied, “The moment Broom Tail sees me, it starts wagging its tail. So naturally, it wags whenever I arrive.”
In that case, he probably truly hadn’t heard anything.
Liu Yuanxun breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, Ling Ting returned with the meat. The moment he arrived, he saw Gu Lianzhao crouched ahead, playing with the dog.
With Gu Lianzhao there, Broom Tail finally began to eat. The meat had barely hit the basin before it tore into it ferociously. The sight sent a chill through Liu Yuanxun, who instinctively took a step back.
Ling Ting said considerately, “Is Your Highness afraid? If so, we can head back first. It’s too cold out here.”
He was afraid, yes—but beyond the fear, Liu Yuanxun felt a touch of envy, so he didn’t really want to leave. “It’s fine. I want to watch a bit longer.”
Though Broom Tail was fierce, once it had acknowledged its master, Gu Lianzhao seemed to be the only thing in its world. Despite its primal savagery, it could hold back from snatching the steamed bun right in front of it, waiting patiently for Gu Lianzhao’s return.
The piece of meat vanished quickly. Feeling the cold now, Liu Yuanxun saw Gu Lianzhao rise and turned to head back toward the study.
He had taken only a single step when Gu Lianzhao’s low voice sounded. “Come on, give a bow.”
Liu Yuanxun glanced back instinctively. Broom Tail reared up on its hind legs, pressing its front paws together in a perfectly standard bow.
His gaze slowly shifted to Gu Lianzhao, who stared back at him steadily, a faint smile in his eyes. “It doesn’t just bow—it kowtows too. Would Your Highness like to see?”
How could Liu Yuanxun not know what he was implying?
The body he had just relaxed tensed up again in an instant. He forced a stiff smile. “No, next time.”
“I see,” Gu Lianzhao said. He patted Broom Tail’s head and spoke to the dog. “You’re eating their food and living in their home, so you should be nicer to them. Otherwise, you’ll end up just like me…”
With that, he looked at Liu Yuanxun. “Right, Your Highness?”
Like hell it is.
He had clearly heard everything, yet pretended otherwise!
Thoroughly embarrassed and annoyed, Liu Yuanxun turned and strode toward the exit.
Gu Lianzhao either couldn’t hold back or did it on purpose—he laughed outright, without any attempt to hide it.
The moment Liu Yuanxun heard that laughter, he quickened his pace.
Ling Ting shot Gu Lianzhao a complicated look before turning to follow Liu Yuanxun. But Gu Lianzhao caught up and grabbed Liu Yuanxun’s hand.
“If you can talk about me, can’t I tease you a little?”
Feeling both guilty and mortified, Liu Yuanxun didn’t dare face him. He struggled to pull his hand free while denying it in a low voice. “I didn’t say anything about you.”
He didn’t look up, but he could hear the amusement in Gu Lianzhao’s voice. “Fine, you didn’t say anything about me. Broom Tail must have said it all.”
Broom Tail, hearing its own name, let out two loud barks—full-throated and vigorous, as if vehemently denying the claim. A dog that never normally barked.
Bullied by the dog and laughed at by its owner—Liu Yuanxun stopped walking and yanked at his hand. “Let go!”
“Alright,” Gu Lianzhao said. Seeing his little tantrum flare up softened his heart completely. Unable to resist, he gripped Liu Yuanxun’s hand tighter. “Your hand’s frozen cold. Let me warm it up. We won’t talk about that anymore.”
Liu Yuanxun had always been soft where firmness failed, especially since Gu Lianzhao was five years younger than him and a ger besides. With such half-coaxing, half-persuading words, Liu Yuanxun couldn’t keep up the resistance.
He coughed lightly twice, easing the tension in his hand and slowing his steps as they headed to the study.
Gu Lianzhao held his hand, walking side by side, and took the initiative to move past the earlier exchange. “When you came out, why didn’t you bring a hand warmer?”
Liu Yuanxun kept his eyes on the path ahead. “I planned to go straight to the study and wasn’t going to stay outside long. I only lingered because I heard Broom Tail hadn’t eaten…”
There it was again—back to Broom Tail.
Gu Lianzhao watched the obvious flush on Liu Yuanxun’s face and couldn’t help chuckling. Fortunately, he caught himself this time, schooling his expression when Liu Yuanxun shot him a glare.
His heart had been full of mirth, but that glance—half-angry, half-petulant—made Gu Lianzhao’s throat tighten with a sudden impulse: he wanted to pull Liu Yuanxun close by the waist and kiss his eyes, right here.
Once the thought arose, he couldn’t shake it.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he fixed his gaze on Liu Yuanxun’s. The faint shimmer there resembled intoxicating wine, vivid emotions bringing life to his frail features—living color and fragrance, that was this very scene.
Liu Yuanxun had been inwardly grumbling at Gu Lianzhao, but under that intense stare, he grew uneasy. Turning his head, he remembered it was he who had started it, comparing Gu Lianzhao to a dog. He could joke, but get annoyed when the joke was turned on him? That was poor sportsmanship.
His confidence wavered, his resolve crumbling. He tugged at his hand. “Come on, let’s go to the study.”
Gu Lianzhao had been holding tight, but this tug let Liu Yuanxun slip free easily. As he looked down, a shadow fell over him.
Warm, rough fingers then brushed gently at the corner of his eye.
“Don’t move.” Gu Lianzhao leaned in slowly, maintaining just enough distance to pause before getting too close. He only rubbed lightly at the spot beneath Liu Yuanxun’s eye.
Afraid of being poked, Liu Yuanxun instinctively closed his eyes. With his vision gone, his tension mounted. “Wh-What’s wrong?”
Gu Lianzhao cupped his chin with one hand while the other stroked his thin eyelids back and forth. In the darkness Liu Yuanxun couldn’t see, those pitch-black eyes churned with heavy emotion.
After a long wait with no answer, Liu Yuanxun prompted him. “Say something.”
“Mm.” Gu Lianzhao’s voice came out husky. He didn’t explain, merely rubbing a couple more times before slowly releasing him and stepping back, resuming his polite, aloof demeanor.
Liu Yuanxun blinked, puzzled. “What was that?”
Gu Lianzhao glanced at Ling Ting, not far off, then leaned in close, lowering his voice in mock seriousness. “Did you wash your face?”
Even Liu Yuanxun’s good temper had limits. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth for the first time. “Gu. Lian. Zhao. Are you done yet?”
Gu Lianzhao kept the conspiratorial pose, resting his forehead on Liu Yuanxun’s shoulder with both hands on his shoulders, trembling with laughter—even his voice shook. “I was wrong, Your Highness.”
Liu Yuanxun had reached his limit. “I never see you admit fault this quickly!”
Gu Lianzhao said nothing, just stifled his laughter as the hand on Liu Yuanxun’s shoulder slid down to his waist. Seeing no reaction, he quietly wrapped it around him.
From an outsider’s view, the two were fully embraced.
After laughing for a good while, Gu Lianzhao murmured, “If I’d known Your Highness was this fun to tease, I definitely wouldn’t have scared you on our wedding night.”
Liu Yuanxun found the words familiar at first. After a moment’s recollection, he realized he had used the exact same line to tease Gu Lianzhao just the day before yesterday.
“You… you’re…” Liu Yuanxun was at a loss for words, holding his breath for several beats before blurting, “You’re the most petty person under heaven.”
Gu Lianzhao knew when to stop. He fully released him and stepped back, cupping his hands casually. “‘The foremost in all the world’—that’s quite a title. Thank you for the praise, Your Highness.”
Liu Yuanxun felt both exasperated and amused. Reflecting on the whole exchange from the start, he realized how childish he’d been, bickering with Gu Lianzhao like that.
At nearly twenty-four, it was the first time he’d found a playmate he could tease back and forth.
