Little Brother-in-Law

After returning to Prince Fu's Manor from the An Family Compound, An Ziran happened to bring back a little bun. Fu Wutian began preparing for his consort's return visit. Worried they would not make it back to the An Family the day after tomorrow, they could reach Anyuan County tomorrow if they left today, but they would have to spend a night outside.

An Ziran decided to leave early the next morning instead.

They did not have much to prepare, but it was already late, and they would still have to spend a night outside.

Fu Wutian naturally listened to him. They had only just married, and he did not like the idea of spending the night outside either. If his consort asked for two rooms, he would have to shamelessly squeeze into one with him. No matter how he looked at it, there was nothing in it for him.

Knowing that they would be leaving early, Old Prince Fu immediately promised his grandson and grandson-in-law that when they returned, Prince Fu's Manor would be as peaceful as ever, with nothing having happened.

Fu Wutian did not believe him at all. Since falling ill, Old Prince Fu had not only become completely unfiltered, but seemed to have developed hyperactivity as well. Every day, he ran around causing trouble, so energetic that he did not resemble an old man past sixty at all. Thus, before leaving the next day, Fu Wutian instructed the head steward, Fu Yi, to keep an eye on Old Prince Fu.

Prince Fu's Manor had two stewards in total. Steward Li was merely the deputy and did not handle the main affairs.

The head steward was a bearded middle-aged man, somewhat younger than Steward Su. His smile was exceptionally gentle, and he was more approachable than Steward Li. However, this was not An Ziran's first time seeing him.

When he and Fu Wutian had bowed in marriage yesterday, he had seen Steward Fu standing not far from Old Prince Fu. At the time, he had only glanced at him in passing and had not gotten a clear look. He had heard that the man had gone out that morning, so only now did he truly meet him.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will certainly keep a close eye on Old Prince Fu." Fu Yi nodded with a smile. His manner was neither servile nor overbearing. Rather than a servant of Prince Fu's Manor, he seemed more like an elder to Fu Wutian. In truth, his surname alone made it clear that this head steward's status within the manor was far more than that of a mere servant.

An Ziran had heard that this head steward had personally overseen every detail of his and Fu Wutian's wedding banquet.

At that moment, Fu Wutian added, "I must also trouble Head Steward to take good care of my consort's younger brother—my little brother-in-law. He is not yet four months old, so please give him some extra attention."

Little brother-in-law?

An Ziran was surprised by his thoughtfulness. He had intended to bring it up himself, but hearing "little brother-in-law" suddenly made him feel awkward. Fu Wutian's thick skin was indeed beyond anything he could match.

"Please rest assured of that as well, Your Highness." Fu Yi had heard about the matter when he returned yesterday. Knowing that the prince would accompany his consort on a return visit today, he had long since made arrangements.

Of course, Fu Wutian trusted his meticulous head steward to care properly for An Ziming. He had only said it aloud so that his consort could leave for the return visit without worry.

Afterward, they boarded their carriage and left Gentlemen City, heading for Anyuan County.

The carriage bore the emblem of Prince Fu's Manor, and nearly everyone in Gentlemen City recognized it. Once they left the city, however, people who saw it were essentially blind to its significance and did not recognize it at all.

Still, the carriage was luxurious. One could tell from its exterior that its owner was no ordinary person, and the interior was spacious enough for four or five adults. It was also very fast, one or two times faster than the carriage An Ziran had ridden in before. At this pace, they could reach Anyuan County before nightfall.

An Ziran lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the horses racing ahead. Their brown coats gleamed, and they carried themselves with heroic vigor. One look told him they were no ordinary breed. To use such fine horses to pull a carriage? What a waste.

Fu Wutian glanced at An Ziran, who sat two seats away from him. Seeing that he had been looking outside, he casually asked, "What is my consort looking at?"

An Ziran withdrew his gaze. "Such fine horses, and you are willing to use them to pull a carriage."

Fu Wutian replied readily, "No matter how fine the horses are, they cannot compare to the importance of my consort's return visit. Ordinary horses are not fast enough. If we have to keep stopping along the way, it will take even longer."

Hearing that it was actually for his sake, An Ziran could not help glancing sideways at him.

Fu Wutian calmly let him look.

An Ziran looked away again. Fu Wutian was so considerate that it moved him. He noticed every detail An Ziran had overlooked. Yet the more he acted like this, the more determined An Ziran became to leave. Otherwise, he feared that one day he might fall for him. A considerate and gentle man was far too tempting, even if the other man had the same equipment as him.

It was noon.

The carriage passed a roadside tea stall, and Fu Wutian ordered a rest.

There were not many people in their party. On the An Family's side, there were only An Ziran, Steward Su, and two servants. Fu Wutian had brought only two subordinates, Ge Qian'an and Shao Fei. However, Fu Wutian seemed to have had the head steward prepare quite a number of gifts, nearly filling an entire carriage. When their convoy stopped, it drew the attention of many people at the tea stall.

"What would you gentlemen like to eat? This little shop is humble and has nothing especially good to offer. I hope you will forgive us." The waiter approached with a broad smile. One look at their luxurious clothing told him they were people of status. Afraid that they would disdain the food here, he gave them advance warning. He was an observant fellow.

Fu Wutian looked at An Ziran. "What would my wife like to eat?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the waiter's astonished gaze immediately landed on An Ziran.

An Ziran's expression darkened.

When he did not answer, Fu Wutian told the waiter to bring a pot of tea, along with some steamed buns and small pastries. The waiter hurriedly agreed, then turned and fled as if for his life.

Expressionless, An Ziran said, "Do not call me wife." He could force himself to endure "consort," but they were no longer in Gentlemen City. Others did not know they were married, and he did not want them to know.

"What would my wife prefer that I call him?" Fu Wutian asked in return.

An Ziran paused. He would have preferred Fu Wutian to call him Young Master An, but that was clearly impossible.

Fu Wutian teased, "How about Young Master An?"

An Ziran calmly shot him a glance. "If you like calling me that, I would not mind."

Fu Wutian immediately changed his tune. "I was joking. From now on, whenever we go out, I will call you Ziran."

An Ziran remained expressionless.