Back then, upon hearing his question, Yi Xuan raised an eyebrow. A complicated mixture of surprise, pity, and sympathy appeared on his face as he spent a long time looking Ning Xuan up and down before finally sighing. “Though Master never lacks people to serve him, that doesn’t mean every one of them is perfect or satisfactory. There can never be too many attendants around him. But tell me this—among all the capable and efficient servants in the residence, why did he ignore every one of them and choose you?”
Ning Xuan opened his mouth but could not answer. That had been his own question from the very beginning. Because of it, he had spent quite a while politely extending his regards to Feng Xuanyi’s ancestors in his heart. The purpose was simple: Just what kind of eyesight does your descendant have?!
“By seniority, you’re still a newcomer. Even if you’re not especially young, there are plenty of household servants who have been here longer and many whom Master trusts more. So how did it end up being you? And besides…” Yi Xuan sighed as he looked at him. “You’re honestly pretty foolish. You can barely take care of yourself—how are you supposed to take care of Master’s daily needs? So to sum it up: you have neither the qualifications nor the years of service, let alone any great achievements to your name.”
Yi Xuan had always spoken directly and efficiently, never wasting words, but every sentence struck right where it hurt. Knowing those things himself was one matter. Having someone else list them out and criticize him for them was another. Even though Yi Xuan was completely right, Ning Xuan still found it irritating. Yet he could not refute a single word, so all he could do was grunt twice and let it pass.
“But when it comes to looks, you’re absolutely exceptional.” Suddenly, Yi Xuan gave him a meaningful smile.
Ning Xuan immediately bristled. Damn it! That topic jumped tracks way too fast! Why are we talking about my face again?! Hell, it’s not like I got to choose what I look like. If you dare say the word ‘seductive’ again, I’ll fight you!
Ning Xuan looked ready to explode. Whether Yi Xuan sensed the danger through instinct or simply understood what he was thinking, he wisely avoided stepping directly into the minefield. “Just look at you. Smooth skin, a good face, a decent figure. If someone claimed they only wanted you around as an ordinary attendant—”
Yi Xuan raised an eyebrow, clearly indicating that the rest of the sentence did not need to be spoken aloud.
Damn it! He’s making it sound like I was born to be somebody’s male favorite!
The more Ning Xuan thought about it, the angrier he became. Remembering all the times he had joked and played around with everyone while serving as an attendant, he suddenly felt a lump rise in his chest. It was as though he had been deceived. He had treated others sincerely. Perhaps he had never completely opened his heart, but he had never harbored harmful intentions toward anyone. Yet other people had apparently been looking at him through an entirely different lens. The feeling left him speechless.
“Don’t overthink it,” Yi Xuan said indifferently. “People like us became Master’s property the moment we entered the residence. Who doesn’t want a better life? Compared to most people, you’ve got it pretty good. Master is willing to spend time and effort on you. There are countless others he wouldn’t even spare a glance for. Plenty of people are so desperate they practically strip themselves naked and climb into his bed. Since I was your teacher for a while, I’ll leave you with one piece of advice: learn to appreciate your blessings, and learn to be content.”
With that, Yi Xuan said no more. He pointed at the work waiting in his hands and disappeared in an instant.
Appreciate your blessings… Be content…
What exactly did those things mean?
He had never approached Feng Xuanyi with ulterior motives. He did not care how the world judged him. Whether people called him someone climbing the social ladder or someone shameless beyond measure, he did not care. He was the sort of person who stubbornly followed a path to the very end. All he wanted was for that person to treat him with the same sincerity.
Status. Position. Those things had never mattered to him. He had always regarded himself as merely a passerby in this dynasty, an extra person who did not truly belong. And yet now, inexplicably, he had gained something that tied him here.
Forgetting the time. Forgetting the place. Forgetting status. Forgetting rank. Forgetting every obstacle and criticism the world might place between them. Leaning quietly against Feng Xuanyi’s chest. At some point, he had become accustomed to this warmth. Accustomed to this scent. Accustomed to having this person by his side.
Perhaps the seed had been planted the day they first met beside the lake. Perhaps it was that strange evening in the library when they had sat facing one another by candlelight. Perhaps it had happened earlier. Perhaps later. Without either of them noticing, the beginnings of this relationship had already taken root. Too many hidden reefs lay beneath the surface, however, and so everything had remained buried and unspoken.
“Yihua—” he called him by the courtesy name that only he was allowed to use.
“Mhm.”
Feng Xuanyi responded while holding Ning Xuan in one arm and several sheets of paper in the other, apparently reviewing something. A rabbit-fur blanket covered them both. The couch beneath them had been padded until it was impossibly soft. They lounged together on the couch in the study, wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Yihua.”
Every time he said the name, it filled him with warmth. Yet at the same time, it frightened him. For some reason, it felt as though each time he spoke it might be one fewer chance to do so, as though one day it would simply become a thing of the past.
“Mhm.”
Feng Xuanyi had long since developed a conditioned response. Every so often he would answer automatically. After all, the person beside him never stayed quiet for longer than the time it took an incense stick to burn. Something was always about to happen.
Ning Xuan burrowed deeper into the hollow of Feng Xuanyi’s neck, rubbing his cool nose against the exposed skin above the collar. Then he mumbled again.
“Yihua.”
Feng Xuanyi lowered the papers and turned his head. His eyes carried a clear warning.
“If you’re the one starting the fire, don’t refuse to put it out afterward.”
Ning Xuan was completely unconcerned. Stretching lazily, he curled back into Feng Xuanyi’s embrace like a sleepy cat. “I don’t feel well today. Besides, it’s your fault for going too far yesterday. You promised you wouldn’t touch me at all today.”
Feng Xuanyi raised an eyebrow. It looked as though he were suppressing something, but he did not respond. Instead, he picked up the papers again and resumed reading the strange symbols that covered them.
Ning Xuan secretly laughed. These peaceful, comfortable days are so easy to sink into.
He burrowed closer again. Whether because he was bored or because the white fur lining Feng Xuanyi’s collar looked too tempting, he persistently blew at it until the strands swayed in every direction.
The papers crumpled slightly in Feng Xuanyi’s hand. The veins at his temple twitched. His eyes grew increasingly dangerous, as though he wanted to burn holes straight through the pages.
Finally, he threw the papers aside. Both arms locked around Ning Xuan as he rolled over on top of him. His dark eyes were unfathomably deep.
“I told you. If you start the fire yourself, then you’re responsible for putting it out.”
Ning Xuan merely blinked innocently, looking entirely unconcerned despite the danger looming over him. “But you also said you absolutely, positively would not touch me today.”
He emphasized each word one by one, clearly delighted with himself.
The atmosphere instantly became tense. Feng Xuanyi looked thoroughly frustrated. His eyes seemed capable of spitting fire as he stared at Ning Xuan.
Meanwhile, Ning Xuan was secretly ecstatic. If I didn’t have to worry about pushing him too far and provoking something reckless, I’d be humming a tune right now.
Dong, dong-dong… clap, clap-clap…
The watchman’s signal sounded. Midnight had arrived. For some, it was a joyous occasion. For others, a catastrophe.
Feng Xuanyi lowered his head. With a low laugh, he brushed a kiss across Ning Xuan’s suddenly pale cheek and then across his inviting lips. One hand leisurely untied the sash around Ning Xuan’s waist.
In a husky voice, he murmured, “It’s already the next day.”
Once again, springtime warmth filled the room. Soft breaths. Intimate whispers. The sounds of bodies moving together. The late-autumn night seemed a little warmer because of it.
Outside the study, Yi Xuan and the others were discussing whether everyone should simply leave and allow only the attendants assigned to the night watch to remain outside the door.
Futile Devices Scans 
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