Ch 103: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

It was midsummer, and the night breeze carried an intoxicating warmth.

The Regent’s Residence was brilliantly lit, filled with lively noise as guests raised cups and exchanged drinks.

In the rear courtyard, at the residence where Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou lived, the guards had all retreated far away.

The sounds of drinking and laughter drifted over from the front courtyard. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Xiao Liu stood watch at the entrance of the courtyard. After finishing dinner, he sat there with a bag of melon seeds and a pot of tea, enjoying the moonlight while cracking seeds and guarding the gate.

Red lanterns hung beneath the eaves inside the courtyard, swaying gently in the night breeze. The large red “double happiness” characters pasted on the windows glowed with flickering candlelight from inside the room, while faint sounds occasionally drifted out.

Inside the room, the red wedding robes had fallen to the floor, scattered beside countless red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds.

Jiang Ji held Lu Huaizhou in his arms. Beneath his fingertips, he brushed against the old scar over Lu Huaizhou’s chest. He paused briefly, then bent down and kissed the scar gently.

Lu Huaizhou’s heart skipped slightly, his gaze darkening further as his arms unconsciously tightened.

“Don’t be nervous. I’m very gentle.” Sensing the brief tension in Lu Huaizhou’s body, Jiang Ji kissed him lightly on the lips in reassurance.

Lu Huaizhou: “……”

He curved his lips into a smile, rolled them over in one motion, and gave Jiang Ji a deep kiss that left him dizzy and breathless before quietly taking advantage of the moment to move his hand.

Jiang Ji immediately startled, opening his eyes wide in surprise tinged with delighted shock, his gaze hazy with moisture. “Lu Huaizhou, you’re really good at this. Did you secretly study behind my back?”

“Mhm. I read a little. Just leave it to me,” Lu Huaizhou answered in a low voice, continuing to kiss him without giving him much room to think.

Jiang Ji was still reeling from the revelation that someone as serious-looking as Lu Huaizhou had secretly read little booklets like that when, in the very next moment, his scalp went numb.

This was deadly.

Jiang Ji suddenly felt like he, a modern person, might actually lose to someone from ancient times. Refusing to admit defeat, he quickly gathered himself and stubbornly placed his own hand over Lu Huaizhou’s.

“I’ll do it.”

Lu Huaizhou paused, withdrew his hand, and let Jiang Ji take over. Then, while Jiang Ji focused intently, Lu Huaizhou smoothly reversed the situation and reached elsewhere instead.

Jiang Ji: “!”

“What are you doing?” he asked in shock, staring at Lu Huaizhou.

Under the warm red candlelight, the corners of Jiang Ji’s eyes were faintly flushed red. The words sounded more coquettish than accusing, completely lacking any real force.

Lu Huaizhou’s throat bobbed. He kissed the corner of Jiang Ji’s eye softly. “Heavy work. Let me handle it.”

“You…”

Before he could finish speaking, his home territory had already been stolen.

Jiang Ji: “……”

He looked at Lu Huaizhou with complicated emotions.

So Lu Huaizhou had been harboring the exact same thoughts as him all along.

But very quickly, Lu Huaizhou’s kisses chased after him again, leaving him no energy to think about it anymore.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time.” Lu Huaizhou kissed his lips as he spoke hoarsely into his ear, making no effort whatsoever to hide his feelings.

Jiang Ji: “……” He had been waiting a long time too.

Tilting his head up, he bit lightly at Lu Huaizhou’s lips and muttered softly, “I’ll let you win this time.”

Forget it. Whoever did it was still doing it. At a critical moment like this, he was not actually that stubborn about the matter. They could always switch things up later anyway.

Lu Huaizhou laughed softly. “Mhm. Thank you.”

The red bed curtains swayed gently while the red candles burned little by little, crackling softly through the night until they finally extinguished sometime past midnight, leaving behind only melted wax hardened atop the candle stands.

…

The next day, the sun already hung high outside the window while birds chirped noisily from the tree branches as they sheltered from the heat.

Inside the room, Lu Huaizhou had woken long ago but still had not gotten up. He simply stared at the person in his arms without blinking, the corners of his lips raised, his gaze so gentle it practically overflowed with tenderness.

Jiang Ji had been exhausted the night before and was sleeping deeply. His lips were slightly swollen, parted faintly as he breathed.

After an unknown amount of time, he smacked his lips lightly in his sleep and rolled over, instinctively reaching for Lu Huaizhou’s arm. Missing it, he instead wrapped his arms around Lu Huaizhou’s waist and burrowed his head into his chest.

Lu Huaizhou found him unbearably adorable. Opening his arms, he pulled Jiang Ji fully into his embrace and kissed his forehead.

Jiang Ji slept a while longer before slowly waking up. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Lu Huaizhou watching him.

“Morning. You didn’t go to court?” Jiang Ji asked groggily, confused to see Lu Huaizhou still there. “Is it a rest day today?”

Normally, whenever Jiang Ji woke in the morning, Lu Huaizhou had already gone to court unless it was a day off.

Knowing he was still half asleep, Lu Huaizhou laughed softly and reminded him, “I have seven days of wedding leave.”

Jiang Ji blinked. The red bed curtains and red quilt entered his sight, and suddenly he remembered that they had gotten married yesterday.

“Oh right, we got married. We have marriage leave.” Jiang Ji grinned foolishly, but the moment he moved, he suddenly froze.

Jiang Ji: “……”

The soreness throughout his body instantly brought all the memories rushing back.

The two of them had restrained themselves for far too long. Last night, they had been like people parched for ages or tigers finally released from cages, tireless and relentless. By the time Lu Huaizhou finished helping him bathe and they finally went to sleep, Jiang Ji remembered glancing at the system clock and seeing that it was already past three in the morning.

And if he remembered correctly, it had not even been eight yet when they first entered the room.

He gave Lu Huaizhou a subtle look.

Lu Huaizhou frowned slightly. “Does something hurt?”

His large hand immediately settled against Jiang Ji’s waist, gently massaging it.

“No, I’m alright.” Jiang Ji had spent years doing physical labor, so his body now was completely different from his previous life. “Just a little sore.”

Besides, Lu Huaizhou had even applied medicine for him afterward. Jiang Ji had no idea Lu Huaizhou had already prepared nourishing medicine ahead of time. Thinking about it now, this man had clearly been plotting for a long time.

But what could he do? He picked this wife himself, so he could only endure it himself.

Lu Huaizhou looked genuinely distressed. “My fault. I lost control.”

Jiang Ji glanced at him before coughing awkwardly. “I also…”

…kind of enjoyed it once it started.

The two looked at each other, instantly understanding the other’s meaning. They smiled together before Lu Huaizhou leaned closer to kiss him, and the two exchanged another gentle kiss.

Poking lightly at the stubble on Lu Huaizhou’s chin, Jiang Ji said, “This is the result of you insisting on holding back until after the wedding.”

Lu Huaizhou caught his hand and kissed it. “Even if I had another chance, I’d still do the same.”

Jiang Ji: “……” Fine then. Ancient people. One had to be understanding.

“Should we get up?” Jiang Ji lay flat on the bed, stretching carefully despite the discomfort.

“Mhm. We need to go serve tea to Auntie. Lie down a bit longer. I’ll have someone bring water.”

Lu Huaizhou got out of bed and began dressing while Jiang Ji opened the livestream chat to take a look.

【Hehehehe】

【I got up early just to see the streamer’s tragic fate. Streamer, is your butt okay?】

【Aiya, this is way too sweet】

【“Lost control”! Just how late did this go on for?】

【We know the stream ended before eight last night, and now it’s already ten before it started again. Normally Jiang Ji sleeps just over seven hours】

【Mmm. This old master has calculated it with his fingers. At least six or seven hours】

【Wedding night after holding back that long? Of course they had to enjoy themselves properly】

【Two complete rookies. One hot-blooded young man and one old tree finally blooming. Of course they were going to go wild】

【LMAO the Regent is only twenty-seven. How is that “an old tree blooming”】

【Today’s driving speed is way too fast】

【I just want to know, Streamer, do you finally know who the wife is now?】

【Right, the streamer always wanted to pin the Regent down】

【Streamer, do you know who the wife is now?】

Jiang Ji: “……！”

Ahhh, he was doomed!

He had not reacted just now, but he had always treated Lu Huaizhou like his wife before. The viewers had definitely heard everything earlier! There was no hiding it anymore.

It was unbearably embarrassing, and he was also a little indignant.

If only he himself knew about it, that would have been one thing. But now all the viewers knew.

His dignity was completely gone.

His face turned bright red. He shut off the livestream and stared blankly at the ceiling for quite a while before finally getting up to put on his clothes and shoes.

Walking felt a little awkward. His legs were weak and shaky as he slowly supported himself against the wall and shuffled outside, only to see Lu Huaizhou carrying in a bucket of water.

Seeing Jiang Ji puffing his cheeks angrily, Lu Huaizhou asked, “What’s wrong? Why is your face so red?”

The moment Jiang Ji thought about the viewers’ comments, all his grievance and frustration surged up. He glared at Lu Huaizhou and muttered resentfully, “Isn’t it all your fault?”

Lu Huaizhou set the bucket down and came over to support his waist. “Does it hurt badly? Didn’t you just say you were alright?”

“……” Jiang Ji glared at him, now both embarrassed and angry. In a teasing tone, he said, “You promised before that you’d be my wife. Then you changed your mind the moment we got married and broke your word on the very first day. I’ve already lost all my dignity in front of the immortals. How am I supposed to live like this?”

So he had fully sobered up and come to settle accounts.

Lu Huaizhou coughed lightly. “……Wasn’t I just worried about tiring you out?”

Jiang Ji huffed. “Next time, let me return the favor.”

Lu Huaizhou glanced at his legs and raised a brow. “Do you still have the strength for that?”

Seeing the aggressive look in Lu Huaizhou’s eyes, Jiang Ji’s legs weakened slightly again.

“!”

“N-next time I’ll definitely have strength!”

Lu Huaizhou slowly rubbed at his waist before leaning close to whisper ambiguously into his ear, “Looks like I still wasn’t working hard enough?”

Jiang Ji: “……” No, you worked way too hard!

“You were clearly very happy last night. Did you already forget?” Lu Huaizhou pinched lightly at his waist. “How about we go back and revisit the memory?”

Jiang Ji’s legs trembled.

“!”

Looking at Lu Huaizhou’s approaching face, Jiang Ji slapped a hand against it and pushed him away. “……Forget it. I’ll spare you today.”

Seeing Jiang Ji’s frustrated expression, Lu Huaizhou coaxed him gently, “Alright, don’t be upset anymore.”

“You don’t even know what I’m upset about, and you’re telling me not to be upset?”

Lu Huaizhou thought for a moment and roughly guessed what was bothering him. In a low voice, he asked, “Did the immortals hear what we said this morning?”

“Yes!” Jiang Ji answered helplessly. “Otherwise why would I be this angry?”

Lu Huaizhou fell silent for a moment, then pulled him into his arms and softly called out, “Husband.”

Jiang Ji: “!”

His heart thumped violently.

Jiang Ji widened his eyes and stared at Lu Huaizhou in disbelief. “Y-you… what did you just call me?”

“Husband,” Lu Huaizhou repeated.

Jiang Ji: “……”

Blinking, his face instantly turned red all over again. “Y-you… say it one more time?”

Lu Huaizhou obediently repeated, “Husband?”

“Ah.” Jiang Ji excitedly rose onto his toes and kissed him. “Wife.”

“Mhm.” The corners of Lu Huaizhou’s lips curved upward. “I’m your wife, and you’re also my wife. I’m your husband, and you’re my husband. As long as the two of us live well together, that’s enough. Don’t mind what others say, alright?”

Jiang Ji glared at him and muttered, “You only say this after I’ve already lost all my face.”

Lu Huaizhou cleared his throat, then said in a serious tone, “Greetings, immortals. I am Jiang Ji’s wife, Lu Huaizhou. Please grant us husbands a little privacy.”

Jiang Ji: “……”

With complicated emotions, he said, “……That sounds exactly like trying to hide silver after already burying it.”

But honestly, Lu Huaizhou coaxing him like this and even calling him “husband” had already greatly satisfied Jiang Ji psychologically.

Forget it.

At worst, he simply would not look at the livestream comments for the next few days.

Lu Huaizhou laughed softly. “Alright, stop worrying about them. Finish washing up and let’s go eat breakfast. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I am.”

Jiang Ji slowly walked over to the washstand while Lu Huaizhou ladled water into the basin for him. After the two brushed their teeth and washed their faces, Xiao Liu brought breakfast in.

【Ahhh, “husband,” the Regent spoils Jiang Ji way too much】

【Husband~】

【The streamer actually forgot about it at first, until all of you reminded him】

【They were so sweet right after waking up】

【They’re still sweet】

【Streamer, don’t mind it. Us dumb viewers are just joking around. It doesn’t matter who tops or bottoms】

【The streamer just can’t get over losing face. But he never cared much about embarrassment before anyway. His skin is thick. He’ll recover in a few days】

【Their relationship is so good. The Regent spoils him so much】

After breakfast, Jiang Ji regained some energy and felt much better physically.

The two were supposed to go serve tea to Zhao Ru together, but Zhao Ru had already gone shopping with the village chief and the others.

So the two instead went to the Lu Residence and served tea to Minister Lu and Madam Lu before returning for lunch.

They only ate a little at noon. Since Lu Huaizhou was on leave, he held Jiang Ji while the two took an afternoon nap together.

By the time Jiang Ji woke up again, his body felt mostly recovered.

The two went to the study, where Lu Huaizhou planned to handle some official matters, but Jiang Ji stopped him.

“What is it?” Lu Huaizhou asked while rubbing his waist.

Jiang Ji closed the study doors and whispered, “That thing you read… let me see it too.”

“What…” Lu Huaizhou paused before understanding. The tips of his ears immediately heated slightly. “You want to see it?”

Jiang Ji nodded impatiently. “Quick.”

Lu Huaizhou glanced at him before bending down to retrieve a book hidden at the very bottom of the lowest drawer of the desk and handing it over.

“You actually kept it in the study?!” Jiang Ji widened his eyes. “You read this stuff in the study?”

Lu Huaizhou’s ears turned red. “If I kept it in the bedroom, you would’ve discovered it.”

Jiang Ji: “……”

Holding the book, he noticed the cover was extremely plain, without even a title written on it. But the moment he opened it, his eyes widened.

“Whoa——”

The pages were filled entirely with illustrations, all in color too. They were not nearly as explicit as modern adult films, but for this ancient era, they were extremely bold.

He hurriedly paused the livestream.

【Ahhh, why pause it? I want to see!】

【Streamer, what are you doing? Let me look too!】

【What is there that us VIP viewers aren’t allowed to see?!】

【Streamer, don’t hoard it. Share a little】

Ignoring the audience entirely, Jiang Ji began reading with great interest.

Lu Huaizhou pulled him into his arms and looked through it together with him.

“I thought this was just an ordinary spring palace album, but it’s actually a Longyang booklet.” Jiang Ji flipped through the pages, visibly shocked.

Lu Huaizhou: “……”

Jiang Ji turned to look at him. “Where did you get this?”

“In the palace,” Lu Huaizhou answered quietly.

Jiang Ji: “……”

Blinking, he asked, “The palace has this kind of thing too?”

Lu Huaizhou kissed his ear and whispered, “The palace has everything.”

Jiang Ji: “……”

Understood.

Throughout history, there had never been a shortage of emperors who kept male favorites.

Quietly, he continued flipping through the book before pointing at one particular page. “Next time, let’s try this one.”

Lu Huaizhou looked at the illustration in the book, then at Jiang Ji, tightening his arms around him slightly before nodding.

“Alright.”

He himself had never imagined that, in broad daylight, he would one day sit in the study together with Jiang Ji looking through this kind of book and seriously discussing future positions.

Lowering his head, he kissed the person in his arms.

This really was a treasure.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

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