Chapter Five

Her real father was the Prime Minister of the current dynasty—second only to the emperor and above all others. Once that title was revealed, Young Master Anonymous might have wealth and influence, but he would still have to retreat to the corner and draw circles, wouldn't he?

Losing a woman to a man more timid than oneself was still understandable. But losing to a man who was talented, handsome, and outstanding in every way—that was infuriating. For a man, such a defeat in comparison was the most humiliating disgrace of all!

A tense atmosphere, ready to explode, lingered and swirled outside the courtesan Liu Rongrong's door. Inside, Li Chenjing shook his wide sleeves, his deep eyes veiled by a thin layer of ice. Outside, Young Master Anonymous raised his chin and lifted his calm, placid eyes. The two stared at each other without the slightest restraint, as though they were masterminds sizing up the opponent before them.

One was cold, stern, and arrogant; the other was brazen and unrestrained. When the two stared each other down, sparks were bound to fly and explosions erupt like fireworks atop the city tower during the New Year festivities. The two masters were competing with their eyes, which had nothing to do with Zhu Bafu, who was merely caught in the middle. He only needed to crouch down with his head covered and avoid the trouble. But... Young Master Anonymous was a good man. They had met by chance, yet he had generously paid to take him to a brothel. Young Master Ba couldn't be so heartless as to stand by and watch him die.

He had clearly only recently arrived in the capital and still didn't know that the cool and handsome young master he had offended was the son of Prime Minister Li. Not someone to provoke, not someone to provoke! Young Master Ba had a duty to warn him!

With that thought, he hurriedly raised a hand toward Young Master Anonymous outside the door and made a large "X," then pointed at Li Chenjing behind him. He was just about to tell him to quickly smooth things over, apologize, and leave, when he heard a rustling behind him. Turning around, he saw a scene that made his heart tremble——

Li Chenjing raised both sleeves above his head, the broad fabric hanging like a curtain and covering his face. One long leg bent, and he elegantly knelt on the ground, lowering his head.

He, he, he, he knelt? The dignified Prime Minister's son, the leading young master of Dongxu Mansion—Li Chenjing had actually bent his knees and kowtowed to that fellow outside the door?

Before Zhu Bafu could digest the irrational scene before him, Young Master Anonymous showed not the slightest sign that anything was wrong. He even began speaking at his leisure. "Little Jing, you don't need to be so formal outside. Besides..."

He paused briefly, meaningfully glancing toward the inner room. "Besides, I've been entangled in trivial matters and haven't come here in a long time. You've taken good care of Rongrong in my stead, so I should be thanking you. However, has your father heard that you often take care of Rongrong for me?"

So... so scheming was Young Master Anonymous!? He had thought the young master of the Prime Minister would have the upper hand... But now it seemed his worry had been completely unnecessary!

He had completely mastered the art of turning the tables and taking the initiative. How vicious... Little Jing? Pfft! He had never imagined the young master of the Li Household had such an adorable nickname. How hilarious—it sounded just like a little eunuch!

Li Chenjing, still kneeling, did not rise. His drooping sleeves lowered slightly, revealing eyes frozen with frost. "In answer to you, my father has never asked. Yet I wonder, now that you have made your grand arrival here today, does my father know?"

"Prime Minister Li?" Smiling warmly, Young Master Anonymous strode into the fragrant boudoir. He raised a hand to help Zhu Bafu, who was crouching to one side, to his feet, then casually bent down to dust off his clothes. Yet his words remained directed at Li Chenjing. "If he knew that you and I were both here, he would surely fly into a thunderous rage, wouldn't he? Heh heh heh. However, I don't plan on returning yet. You've already enjoyed yourself for quite a while, so it should be my turn now, shouldn't it? Little Jing, you'll cover for me, won't you?"

"Your Majesty..." His frankness and carefree manner made Li Chenjing frown. He cupped his hands and was just about to refuse when his right to speak was forcibly cut off.

"Ah! Don't refuse me. Prime Minister Li should be dining at home right now, shouldn't he? Don't you bookworms value filial conduct—the child greeting his parents in the morning, checking on them in the evening, announcing his departure, and presenting himself upon returning? Little Jing, you should return to the estate." Acting as though he were the host, Young Master Anonymous sat down beside the table and issued an order for his guest to leave. He glanced at the calligraphy copybook on the table, shifted his gaze to the disheveled bedding and bed, then looked toward Liu Rongrong, who was hiding behind the inner curtain, trembling silently. With a slight curl of his lips, he nudged the bewildered Zhu Bafu with his toe.

"Hey, piglet, that's the Chunfen Pavilion courtesan you were so eager to meet. Satisfied?"

"Huh? I..." Young Master Ba wasn't some lust-addled fool. He hadn't come for a woman in the first place, nor did he covet another man's woman. What was there to be satisfied or dissatisfied about? After forcing out two dry laughs, he replied, "She's all right, she's all right! What a beauty! Heh heh..."

"I promised to introduce her to you, but unfortunately, I'm not in the mood today. You should leave for now." After saying this, he waved his hand listlessly, then turned aside with an injured expression and adjusted the lamp wick. He still didn't forget to cause trouble for someone, however. "Little Jing, see this young master back to the estate."

"Huh? See me? See me home?" Was this ice block, whose woman had been taken and whose mood was so gloomy that clouds covered his face, going to see him home? "Heh, heh heh... There's no need for that, is there? I'm perfectly capable of recognizing my own front door."

"Piglet, look at how frail you are. I can't rest easy, so I'm having the person I trust and rely on most see you home. Don't be so polite and refuse."

"..." What person he trusted and relied on most? What a ridiculous and shameless excuse! He clearly just wanted to use an excuse to send the two of them away together so he could flirt with the courtesan! His intentions were far too obvious!

The author has something to say:

Heave-ho, heave-ho, slowly moving things over~~~

Chapter Five

The night wind was slightly cool, and the stars filled the sky. Two unnecessary objects were removed from the entrance of Chunfen Pavilion.

Outside, Young Master Anonymous's sedan was still parked beside the entrance, with his attendants watching over it, as though making it convenient for him to leap inside and escape at a moment's notice.

Yawning, Zhu Bafu jumped down the steps in front of Chunfen Pavilion. Li Chenjing clearly had no intention of obeying the order to see him home. The moment he left Liu Rongrong's room, he walked away briskly, as though staying beside him for even another moment would cause him to catch some kind of virus.

Tsk! Exactly! A man seeing another man home? How strange would that be? Besides, he hadn't even asked whether it was convenient for him to have someone escort him. It was best that he had the sense to leave on his own.

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Historical Romance

Disguised as a Man