From Chapter 16: Mu Zhan then smiled with delight, “I also believe that gold fits you well.”
Wen Mingyu: “…”
Haha, you are far worse than a dog.
Couple days later, Wen Mingyu couldn’t help but question his existence.
His hands, legs, and waist and everything else is aching and his endurance of the pain had already passed the limits. He was incapable of even smiling. If he tried to laugh, it would cause the muscles on his waist to tighten, causing him to twitch in agony. He doesn’t have the guts to move, so he lay there and directly transformed into an abandoned salted-fish.
He was relieved that after horse riding, he had submerged his feet in hot water and soothed them, or else, Wen Mingyu was convinced he would pass onto the next life.
Throughout the past few days of his calligraphy class, his hands trembled slightly whenever he gripped his writing brush.
Gong Xue had some qualms until he heard that he was learning to ride a horse. It finally dawned on him about his situation and said, “This reminds me of my early days of having horse riding lessons. Those days, I felt the master was tormenting me intentionally.”
Wen Mingyu muttered in his heart: I’m also suspicious that the tyrant purposefully tormented me in a different fashion.
Gong Xue’s teachings became centered on speaking because Wen Mingyu still couldn’t write well in his previous style, and so the homework given to him became his reading books.
During class, Wen Mingyu was attentive and had already completed his homework, and the rest of the time was spent lying down flat.
San Xi was caught off guard when he spotted an immobile Wen Mingyu, lying limply after he entered the house. Wen Mingyu’s eyes had lost direction and were dull, as though lifeless.
“… Young Master, is everything alright?”
Wen Mingyu remained motionless, only tilting his head to give San Xi a lazy glance. “Oh, I’m alright, just a little fatigued and sore.”
San Xi expressed his worries, “Would Young Master like to have the imperial physician come and take a look?”
Wen Mingyu gestured with his hands, “There’s no need. It’s only muscle soreness that will fade away after a couple of days.”
This is, in fact, not something serious. He used to be considerably more exhausted at work, but since crossing over here, he has never done any labor, and it took him a while to adjust. In a different perspective, besides coping with the tyrant’s heavy pressure, isn’t he having a pretty comfortable lifestyle here?
Wen Mingyu’s mood was quite vague when he considered this. He was quite content with his current situation.
Mu Zhan came to visit him the day after the horse riding, and when he saw Wen Mingyu silly moving about like a baby penguin, he couldn’t refrain from laughing again.
Wen Mingyu at first planned to beat him to death, but he eventually went numb. If it’s possible, can he reduce his meat consumption?
In any case, if Mu Zhan from the enemy’s side comes for a meal, the dish will be more plentiful and delectable, so he does gain some benefits too.
After three days of rest, Wen Mingyu’s body improved tremendously.
Mu Zhan seemed a bit dejected when the baby penguin vanished.
“Do you still want to learn how to ride a horse?”
Wen Mingyu gave a firm nod. Even though his legs were aching from the ride, yet when the horse started to gallop, it was a very incredible experience.
Regardless, he said, “Could the training period be cut in half? I don’t want to hobble and be unable to walk again.”
Mu Zhan explained, “That’s how it is at first, your body will get used to it later.”
Wen Mingyu: “Really?”
Mu Zhan cocked his eyebrows. “That’s typically correct, but you wouldn’t know.”
Are you implying that I’m too frail?
Wen Mingyu overlooked it and returned to the martial arts arena like he had done the previous time.
As time went on, Wen Mingyu continued to practice and improve his skills, becoming more proficient with each passing day.
To be more specific, his training included archery.
Wen Mingyu had to learn how to ride a horse and fire an arrow at the same time.
Following Mu Zhan’s demonstration, he accurately imitated Mu Zhan’s stance. He drew the bow and straightened his back. His eyes were fixed and stern, and his petite forearm muscles clenched into beautiful arcs. He ended up with an image of a cold yet proud, aloof Archer, just like Mu Zhan.
Once the arrow departed from his fingers and leaves the string, the arrow strayed off the line and missed the target.
Mu Zhan in the distance, stood frozen, and then he burst out laughing.
“The shooting skills are very poor, and feeble, yet the momentum was like a tide-turning over. As if it was a master piercing a willow leaf with an arrow from a distance of a hundred steps.”
Wen Mingyu muttered: “… It will be in the future.”
Mu Zhan surprisingly did not refute, and said, “If you haven’t been trained by this one, then it’s truly impossible.”
The corner of Wen Mingyu’s mouth twitched. He nodded and said: “Yes, that’s right. After all, Your Majesty is the one who personally taught me, who’s also the most powerful ruler in the whole world.”
Mu Zhan was unperturbed and didn’t deny it, and instead graciously accepted the compliment and resumed his training.
Since he taught archery by hand, there will definitely be some direct contact. Mu Zhan approached him from behind, he leaned his entire body on him and covered him around his arms, and he then pointed out the needed movements and techniques. He even inserted his leg between his thighs, and then pushed with the top of his knee to spread his legs wider.
Whenever this happens, Wen Mingyu would stiffen reflexively and be shrouded in the rich fragrance of strong liquor.
The truth is, he avoids getting too near to others. Once someone is near, he’ll be tense and instinctively strengthen his walls, putting up a lot of resistance. However, he doesn’t appear to mind Mu Zhan’s touch. The fragrance of liquor makes him a little tipsy, and gives him an uncanny feeling of familiarity to it.
Wen Mingyu inclined his head to gaze at Mu Zhan’s attractive side profile. For a moment, he couldn’t help but be swayed. Although the Dog Emperor has a poor reputation and his disposition is erratic, his face is absolutely without faults. If he were to appear in his future in a TV series, he would undoubtedly be a stunning villain. If you’re not cautious enough, you’ll end up following your five senses and lose your three views.
Mu Zhan abruptly turned his head, gazed at him with his dark, penetrating eyes that narrowed slightly. He softly murmured, “Would you like to be punished?”
Wen Mingyu swiftly twisted his head and locked his gaze on the shooting target, his expression that could not have been more serious than now.
After numerous days of practice, Wen Mingyu finally struck a bull’s eye for the first time. He was so ecstatic that he leaped up in delight, his happiness bursting on the spot.
He hurried to Mu Zhan’s side without realizing it. His two crystal eyes were gleaming, and the corners of his lips bent inward, screaming a ‘Look, I did great just now! Quick, praise my good skills as soon as possible’ expression.
Mu Zhan remained still for a moment, before raising his hand and placing it on the top of his head, like a snoring fluffy fellow, shaky but raw of small praises. He stroked his head that seemed to be a small milky kitten; clinging stickily on people and spinning around their legs. Although, maybe he was not used to doing this often. He didn’t manage to control the strength of his hand, the other person’s head was pushed backwards, the body staggered, and nearly fell down.
Wen Mingyu’s face was blank as he looked dazedly.
Mu Zhan grasped his arm at the right moment and yanked it back. He then quickly let go after ensuring that he was standing steadily. He had a deadpan expression, as if nothing had occurred.
Wen Mingyu was temporarily at a loss. He glanced at Mu Zhan mutely, then patted the crown of his head lightly, without any thoughts.
Within the heart was a funny sensation.
Wen Mingyu was assigned to be taught by a Doctor of Calligraphy from the start, and it was Mu Zhan who had requested that he read the memorials.
After learning all the common characters, Wen Mingyu began doing the appointed part-time job on an occasional basis. However, certain officials like to reference ancient scriptures in particular, using peculiar terms to appear serious, detailed, and profound. What Wen Mingyu reads out at this point becomes—-
“This minister thought *beep*, and Zhou Shangshu speak *beep* for Sun Shilang that he was not a *beep* . It’s fortunate that I also *beep*…”
Much like the online novels he used to read on the Star Network, the plot was pretty standard. But after screening some *beep* words, it became passionately creative, with his thoughts thronging his mind, he couldn’t help but blush in shame while his heart palpitates.
Wen Mingyu had the impression that he was not reading a memorial, but rather a little yellow text that had been mosaicked.
Simply put, it was awfully shameful.
Furthermore, Mu Zhan laughed as he listened. In the beginning, his head was lowered and his hand propped up on the side of his face, and he had a faint smile plastered on. Then, as he continued to listen, he began to laugh louder and harder without a conscience at all.
Basically, I’m merely humoring him!
Wen Mingyu was so furious that he wanted to toss the memorial, and let the emperor take a break from laughing too much!
Mu Zhan, on the other hand, seemed to have heard enough after a while, or more accurately, he sensed Wen Mingyu’s rage and realized he was on the verge of frying his hair. He quit teasing him, which made people suspended in midair, not knowing what to do with their mood.
“Come here.”
Mu Zhan appeared to have suddenly remembered something. He beckoned at Wen Mingyu with a cheeky curve in his lips, and a pleased expression on his face.
Wen Mingyu strode over, grumbling in his heart. He was a stranger to his thoughts, and he pondered what insane thing he’s going to do next.
Wen Mingyu had barely stood before Mu Zhan when his wrist was caught as he pulled him. Wen Mingyu had no choice but to collapse and sit on Mu Zhan’s thighs. Mu Zhan’s lap was not as sturdy as a chair, and he couldn’t avoid being concerned about falling down.
Wen Mingyu was a little tense, and he felt even more worse when Mu Zhan raised his hand and opened it, revealing a golden anklet in the center of his palm.
Mu Zhan appeared to be oblivious. He stooped down a bit, rested his hand on the calf, and slid down until he reached the bottom. His hand encircled the ankle, and one-handedly unfastened the lock. Click. The chain was clasped securely.
The chain was quite thin, but it was also distinctive and elegant. It created an unfathomable sensation of longing against Wen Mingyu’s cold, snow-white skin.
Mu Zhan’s fingers were curled around the anklet. He stared at it, looking very impressed.
Wen Mingyu couldn’t resist but to shrank his legs somewhat for being the center of attention. He uttered dryly, “… Your Majesty, how come it was completed so quickly?”
A few days just passed when he mentioned this matter and it was already accomplished. The tyrant didn’t have this in mind long ago, right.
“Too fast?” Mu Zhan raised the curtains of his eyes and looked at him.
Wen Mingyu shook his head and grinned good-naturedly. “No, I’m just a bit shocked. The chain is exquisitely crafted, far beautiful than I expected.”
“If you like it, you are forbidden from taking it off.”
“Bathing too?”
“Yes.”
“Okay~”
As Wen Mingyu nodded, Mu Zhan casted him a gloomy gaze. His fingertips caressed the spot adjacent to the ankle chain. The force was a bit heavy, causing a faint, reddish blush to appear. He laughed and spoke profoundly, “Chained up. Let’s see how far you can run.”
His expression was calm, and the tone of speech was serene with a light smile in it, as if he was making a light hearted joke.
Wen Mingyu listened. His heart skipped a beat and his scalp went cold.
It was more or less the same as a small pet within the palm of Mu Zhan’s hand. Mu Zhan will allow him to kick a fuss, and he will pay him no heed. However, he will never be able to turn around and escape. It was never possible.
ChiFu: Hmm, fated pair?? In my experience, I only see this term in Japanese novels. Also, I think silver fits him more XD
If there’s something wrong with the way I described how the shooting goes, please let me know in the comment section! Happy reading!
I had a busy week so I didn’t get to translate much, and it’s the same next week too. So, I would like to take a break and focus more on my finals, so no update next week. I will also announce it in discord. Thank you for understanding~