FIMA Ch60.2: Awooo

“Husband, does it feel good?” Xie Changyue asked attentively.

Gu Siyuan continued eating, ignoring him.

Xie Changyue pouted and made a face at him.

Then he caught a glimpse of his husband’s slightly open robe, revealing his strong, beautiful chest muscles.

Xie Changyue’s wiping slowed down as he thought about the reassuring feeling of lying on it every day, and he couldn’t resist touching it with his delicate fingers.

Gu Siyuan was about to drink tea when he was surprised by this sudden chest grab.

He grabbed the mischievous fingers and looked up at him, his voice low: “The County Lord is in such a hurry for me to serve him.”

Xie Changyue pouted, thinking his husband was so stingy for minding a touch when he himself touched every day.

Gu Siyuan pinched his pouting lips and pulled him into his lap: “If you stir up the fire, don’t beg for mercy later.”

“…” Xie Changyue shrank in his embrace, hoping to pretend he didn’t exist.

Gu Siyuan sneered: “So bold yet so timid.”

“What does bold mean?” Xie Changyue asked curiously.

Gu Siyuan looked at him and explained seriously: “Just like you.”

Then, he gently bit the red lips of the person in his arms.

Xie Changyue, feeling good from the kiss, tentatively licked him.

They held each other warmly for a while.

Xie Changyue asked about today: “Gu Zhen should have gone to the Ministry of Justice today, right? The Emperor didn’t blame you because of him, did he?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head: “Gu Zhen had no involvement; he just knew about it by coincidence. But as a mere scholar at the time, how could he dare to report a prince? The Emperor is reasonable. He just stripped Gu Zhen of his position as a Hanlin bachelor and sent him home.”

“He’s quite lucky.” Xie Changyue thought for a moment and asked: “What about Shen Changhuan?”

Gu Siyuan briefly recounted the events in the Hall of Diligence and concluded: “The case is still under investigation. The final judgment is not out yet. The Fourth Prince’s faction has been scheming for years. Besides selling military equipment and forming a private army, there must be other matters. Everything needs to be thoroughly investigated.”

Xie Changyue wasn’t interested in the power struggles between princes but was deeply disgusted by Kou Yuanwu: “What he did was too strange. Do all men think like this?”

Gu Siyuan pinched his face: “Most men do, but I don’t. I’ve said it before, I love eating soft rice, and other people’s gossip is just amusing.”

Xie Changyue’s face turned red.

He didn’t know why, but he remembered the previous topic his husband mentioned about eating hard or soft and couldn’t help curling up into a small ball in his arms.

Although Gu Siyuan said the case was still under investigation and the final judgment would have to wait.

This time, however, Emperor Yongjia was furious, and the Three Judicial Offices and various departments cooperated efficiently, handling the trial swiftly and decisively.

Five days later, all the punishments were settled.

Emperor Yongjia, still mindful of family ties, did not directly execute his son but banished the Fourth Prince to guard the imperial mausoleum. However, he specifically decreed that even after his own death, the Fourth Prince was not allowed to return to the capital to pay respects, showing his extreme dislike.

Xiao Jingchuan and Shen Changhuan, however, were not as fortunate as the Fourth Prince. They were sentenced to beheading by Emperor Yongjia, and the rest of the Xiao family was implicated and exiled to the border regions.

The Shens of the Marquis of Suining’s mansion, due to failing to properly educate their son, were stripped of their title, had their property confiscated, and were demoted to commoners.

In this regard, the Shen family felt only gratitude. Fortunately, Shen Changhuan had already been married off; otherwise, they would have been exiled like the Xiao family. Having been accustomed to luxury from a young age, how could they endure such hardship?

As for Shen Changye, although he had been arrested and imprisoned by Gu Siyuan, his simple mind could not have been involved in such a major matter as raising private soldiers. He had simply been used because of his stupidity.

After being removed from office and receiving thirty lashes, he was thrown back in front of the Shen family’s gate like a pile of mud.

At that moment, the Shen family was engaged in a fierce battle over the division of family property.

The first branch of the family wanted to take all the assets, which Shen Erye and the second wife firmly opposed.

But the first branch argued forcefully that the Shen family’s downfall was entirely due to the second branch’s son, and they shamelessly wanted to inherit the property. If they continued to cause trouble, they would go to the clan to have the second branch removed to avoid further disgrace.

At this moment, the remaining few servants came to deliver a message that Shen Changye had been released.

Shen Erye and the second wife hurriedly went out to see their son and then took him to the medical clinic for treatment. When they returned to the Marquis’ mansion, the house had already been confiscated by the Ministry of Revenue, the gates sealed, and the first branch had taken all the family property.

Shen Erye’s concubines had also grabbed some silver and jewelry before fleeing.

The second branch was left penniless, and Shen Changye was still at the clinic waiting for them to pay for his treatment.

Half a month had passed since the military equipment case was concluded, and the capital had gradually calmed down.

Wang Xu solemnly sent a floral invitation, inviting Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue to dine at the best old restaurant in the capital.

The old restaurant was on the edge of East City, several streets away from Yushu Alley. It took them about half an hour by carriage to get there.

When Xie Changyue stood in front of the restaurant, he was stunned for a long time before realizing: “I thought I had been in the capital for over a decade, and I should have heard of any famous old restaurant. Turns out it’s just a roadside eatery. Wang Xu is getting stingier by the day.”

“You are so vulgar. Is good food simply measured by money? An old restaurant is an old restaurant. Good food doesn’t need a grand facade or high prices.”

Wang Xu’s loud voice came from the doorway.

Xie Changyue sneered, crossing his arms: “Isn’t it because the elegant Sixteenth Young Master recently rushed into the Ministry of Justice’s prison to beat someone, got fined by the Emperor, and had his monthly allowance stopped by Lord Wang?”

Wang Xu pouted and complained: “Oh, don’t expose the truth.”

Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue laughed and followed him into the small eatery.

Wang Xu enthusiastically led them to a table by the window.

“I’ve already ordered for you, it will be here soon. While it’s true I’m a bit short on cash right now, the food here is genuinely good.”

As he spoke, a waiter came over with a large tray, holding three big bowls steaming with hot air and a small basket.

With a thud, the waiter put the tray down and left without a word.

Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue were taken aback.

Wang Xu pulled out two pairs of chopsticks and handed them over, smiling: “See? Even the waiters are so confident, it shows how good the food must be.”

Gu Siyuan looked at the three bowls of braised dishes and the basket of golden-brown baked buns. It had been a while since he’d had such flavorful food, so he picked up his chopsticks and started eating heartily. This kind of food was best enjoyed in large bites.

Xie Changyue also picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of large intestine, and chewed it a few times before closing his eyes in satisfaction: “It is indeed good…”

Wang Xu laughed: “Of course, the Sixteenth Lord’s recommendation is never wrong.”

In the heat of summer, the three of them quickly broke into a sweat from eating such spicy food.

But chatting and eating, they didn’t mind.

Wang Xu chewed on pig intestines and said seriously to Gu Siyuan: “Brother, I really have to thank you this time. Otherwise, my family would be in danger.”

Gu Siyuan looked up, his usual indifferent tone: “Glad you know.”

“…” Wang Xu.

Are you a scholar? Don’t you understand the concept of repaying kindness or modesty?

But this was just like Gu Siyuan.

Wang Xu smiled: “The Wang family and the Fifth Prince will remember this. However, you are now highly favored by the Emperor, and it’s not convenient for them to see you directly. Otherwise, it would harm you. So, I’m the one inviting you for braised dishes.”

Gu Siyuan nodded.

He understood this better than anyone.

After expressing their thanks, the three continued their casual conversation.

Xie Changyue, with his small appetite, felt full halfway through the braised dish. He took the pig lung from his bowl and placed it in Gu Siyuan’s bowl.

Wang Xu, a single man, found this display annoying and pointed to a wooden barrel at the door: “If you can’t eat it, leave it. The owner is kind-hearted and collects leftovers to give to the local beggar children.”

Xie Changyue made a face at him: “I love sharing food with my husband. Jealous?”

Wang Xu sighed: “Maybe there are benefits to getting married, like my mother keeps saying.”

After they finished the braised dishes, they drank a few sips of tea and then got up to pay the bill.

They mostly needed to leave because the braised food restaurant was indeed doing well, and sitting around would hinder the owner’s business.

Stepping out to the entrance, Xie Changyue specifically glanced at the large wooden barrel used for leftover food. A few ragged beggars were eagerly waiting for the owner to distribute meals.

However, among them, Xie Changyue couldn’t help but squint his eyes.

That person seemed to sense someone was watching him and quickly lifted his head. Seeing Xie Changyue, he hurriedly lowered his head and ran off with his bowl.

After parting ways with Wang Xu and getting into the carriage, Xie Changyue asked Gu Siyuan, “Has the second branch of the Shen family not returned to their ancestral home?”

Gu Siyuan replied, “Shen Changye is unwilling to go back.”

Xie Changyue nodded, understanding.

Back when he was in the Count’s Mansion, he had returned to the ancestral home with the Shen family once. The Shen clan members were very eager to curry favor with the Count’s Mansion.

Shen Changye, in particular, was arrogant, looking down on those collateral relatives and even getting into fights with peers.

Now, being so down and out, he naturally didn’t want to return to be ridiculed.

Previously, when Second Madam Shen  had nowhere else to go, she came to the County Princess’s residence to cause trouble. However, Gu Siyuan scared her off by saying if she dared to come, he would break Shen Changye’s legs.

In the end, he gave her five taels of silver to send her away.

Five taels of silver might not have been much for the Count’s Mansion, but for ordinary people, it could last a long time. Yet now, after only a few days, she had to beg for a living, showing she had no intention of living a good life.

However, this was no longer his concern.

The following days were as peaceful and beautiful as before.

Gu Siyuan went out to work daily, while Xie Changyue stayed home planting flowers and doing some chores with Gu Er and Mu Xia.

After Gu Siyuan returned from court, they would spend time together, being affectionate.

Until a few days before Shen Changhuan’s execution, the Xie family from Huangyang Village came to visit.

Xie Changyue looked at the few people before him in disbelief, “You want me and my husband to plead with the emperor to spare Shen Changhuan’s life?”

Xie Er and Liu Zhi nodded.

Xie Changyue frowned, “Do you know what crime he committed? Treason and rebellion.”

Xie Er, a bit uneasy, pleaded, “But… Xiaohuan grew up under my wife’s care. We are family. Are we to watch him die with open eyes?”

Xie Changyue, expressionless, said coldly, “You can close your eyes.”

Liu Zhi grabbed his hand, “Changyue, I know you’re still angry about what happened before, but now you’re doing so well. Don’t hold it against him anymore. Please, have mercy on him.”

Xie Changyue sneered, looking at her, “Angry about what? Why should I hold it against him? Do you have the nerve to ask me?”

Liu Zhi was momentarily speechless.

“Pleading is impossible, but since you claim to be family with Shen Changhuan, I can arrange this: I will have his household registration moved to yours. This way, your son Xie Dong won’t need to take the imperial exam, and all Xie family descendants will be considered the offspring of a criminal.” Gu Siyuan strode into the courtyard, his tone icy.

Upon hearing this, the Xie family’s faces turned pale.

Xie Er quickly said, “Son-in-law, please don’t be rash…”

Xie Dong even more directly pulled his parents to leave; he couldn’t risk his future.

After the Xie family left, Xie Changyue still had a sour expression.

Gu Siyuan pulled him into his lap, pinching his face, “Are you imitating me?”

Hearing this, Xie Changyue chuckled and leaned into Gu Siyuan’s arms, “So you do know you always have a stern face?”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

No good deed goes unpunished.

He pinched the soft cheek of the person in front of him, suddenly smiling faintly, “What, do you prefer to see me smile?”

Xie Changyue froze for a moment, then, with a serious expression, pulled down the corners of Gu Siyuan’s mouth with his fingers, “You should smile less. Even if you do, only smile at me at home. Otherwise, I’ll bite you, grrr…”

Saying this, he mimicked a lion cub, curling his hands into claws and making a growling motion.

Gu Siyuan blinked in confusion.

So cute.

But… he felt like he had seen such a little lion cub before.

A furry little lion cub.

Thinking about it, he scooped the person up, carried them into the room, and threw them onto the bed. Although he didn’t know when the little lion might bite him, right now, he just wanted to devour the little lion.