C72. The Reason.

C72. The Reason.

Before entering the room, Lin Tian quickly removed the raincoat on his shoulders and was about to help Yuan Li with his raincoat, but Yuan Li said, "You go first."

Lin Tian asked, "My Lord?"

Yuan Li's face was hidden behind a hat, making it impossible to discern his expression. He said, "Please, go ahead."

Lin Tian bowed and said, "I have prepared hot water for you."

Yuan Li took off his raincoat, shaking off the raindrops, hanging it on the wooden edge above, and entered the room.

It was a corridor, with Chu Hechao and Yang Zhongfa living opposite each other. Yuan Li caught a glimpse through the crack of a man in a raincoat turning around, as if looking at him, as if watching the tea plum courtyard shattered by the torrential rain.

Yuan Li's breathe caught as he went in.

The storm blocked outside, Yuan Li stood in place for a while, lighting the candle first, then changing out of his wet clothes. Soon, the thunder ceased. The thunderstorm turned into drizzle, still damp and wet.

Yuan Li changed into dry clothes and sat by the table, lost in thought.

He was still pondering over what had just happened.

Perhaps the darkness in the fake mountain cave was too damp and confusing, or perhaps Chu Hechao's emotions were too intense and heavy at the time, infecting Yuan Li and pulling him down with him into a state of confusion. Yuan Li now had recovered from his stupor, recalling what had occurred between him and Chu Hechao.

He touched his lips, feeling complex emotions.

There still seemed to be traces of Chu Hechao's presence on his lips. The desire to devour him crazily lingered, but the restraint and guilt were equally real and intense, conveying a mix of conflicting emotions to Yuan Li. Even now, it felt like he was holding his breath, uncomfortable and uneasy.

Chu Hechao's intentions were clear, indulging in the moment before coming out of the cave, where everything they shared was left behind as a memory, an act put on as if nothing had happened.

They were still close partners, good relatives. They had kissed, touched, adhered to traditions, returned to the norm of righteousness and loyalty.

Yuan Li was perplexed.

He was contemplating his feelings towards Chu Hechao.

Did he like him?

Yuan Li didn't know. He was straight and had never considered liking a man. Even now, he couldn't definitively say that he had feelings for another man, yet he was tormented by Chu Hechao's kiss.

But if he didn't like him, why did he succumb to Chu Hechao?

Yuan Li didn't even know himself.

The scene in the cave didn't make him feel ashamed, regretful, or disgusted; it felt heavy, burdened, like something was trying to break free but was held back by huge rocks.

Yuan Li decided to keep his composure.

Whether he liked Chu Hechao or not, it was best to leave it at that and not delve any further into it.

He even regretted why he had to unravel Chu Hechao's feelings towards him, only causing him additional pain.

But...

Yuan Li wasn't quite done exploring.

He let out a sigh and walked to the window, opening it.

The cold wind rushed in, clearing Yuan Li's clouded mind.

Memories of Chu Hechao's kiss flashed through Yuan Li's mind once again.

Wet, hot.

Nose-to-nose, sticky saliva.

Yuan Li's heart raced slowly, the process was gradual but undeniable.

He touched his chest, feeling sour and unhappy.

Just based on the indulgent feeling in the cave, Yuan Li admitted to himself that he had feelings for Chu Hechao.

But how did those feelings arise?

He admired heroes, and Chu Hechao was a hero. Chu Hechao had a great physique, occasionally looking truly sexy.

Yuan Li counted on his fingers the reasons why he was attracted to Chu Hechao, and as he counted, he smiled, then sighed.

After developing feelings, what could he do next?

In ancient times, it wasn't just a matter of same-sex or opposite-sex love, but rather limitations based on status—uncles, nieces, family, relatives, factions, heaven.

Each was a deep chasm.

From ancient times to the present, incest between brothers-in-law has never been a pretty matter.

Even though Yuan Li knew they had something between them and Chu Hechao, he knew he could marry anyone but Chu Hechao.

Chu Hechao followed traditional customs, Chu Mingfeng was his older brother, and he also valued Prince Chu and his wife. The pain he would endure would be no less than what Yuan Li would suffer.

Even if Yuanli could endure the guilt of incest, could Chu Hechao?

Indulging and then choosing to return to normalcy is the most correct choice.

Forget what just happened, it's best for everyone.

And clearly, that's what Chu Hechao planned.

Then just pretend it never happened.

Yuan Li closed his eyes, trying not to think about it.

While his feelings for Chu Hechao were still so intense, let the incident in the cave be just a short episode, and break free from the destined difficult whirlpool early on.

The raindrops pattered.

The frightened Wumang left that night, not daring to spend another night in the manor.

Upon learning of their departure, the guests were all joyful. The next night, a banquet was held in the dining hall to celebrate.

It was a celebration of the heavy rain, a celebration of deterring Wumang, and the mood of the attendees was very high-spirited.

Yuan Li composed himself, leading several factions towards the dining hall.

On the way, he asked Liu Jixin, "How is Zheng Rong today?"

Zheng Rong's health wasn't good; he caught some rain yesterday, making him uncomfortable and resting in his room. Naturally, he couldn't participate in the banquet tonight.

"His health has always been weak," Liu Jixin sighed, quite optimistic. "My Lord, don't worry; we're used to him falling ill occasionally. The doctor said to keep him away from drafts and let him rest, and he'll be fine."

Yuanli didn't quite agree. "No. Once he's better, have Wang Er train his body."

Health is the key to success, and Zheng Rong is a talent with great potential. Naturally, he needs to exercise to maintain good health to achieve greater things and do more.

Wang Er is meticulous and worldly-wise; with him training Zheng Rong, he will surely develop a strong and healthy physique, protecting him from injury.

Wang Er gladly accepted the task, confidently saying, "Yes. I will definitely train young master Zheng to be strong and robust."

Liu Jixin couldn't imagine his brother-in-law developing into a robust figure. Inwardly apologizing to Zheng Rong, he hesitantly nodded in agreement. "Then we'll follow my Lord's instructions and send him to Brother Wang's camp once he's recovered."

Yuan Li nodded in satisfaction. "That's right."

Once they finished discussing matters, Yuan Dan eagerly approached Yuan Li to talk about the waterwheel he was developing.

"It's nearly complete; we had some rain a while ago, and I tested the waterwheel. The river is full now, so we can employ the waterwheel."

Yuan Li named their department the "Utensil Division," and Yuan Dan was very confident in the waterwheel they had created. "My Lord, rest assured, the waterwheel will definitely be very useful."

Yuan Li smiled and nodded, "If it works well, then we'll push it into various counties in Youzhou for irrigation and land reclamation."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Dan was excited and couldn't wait to see the entire Youzhou using the waterwheel they had made. His face looked serious as he tapped his chest firmly, "I, Yuan Hanwen, guarantee you, My Lord, that I will not disappoint you!"

With a sigh, Yuan Lou called out, "Yuan Dan."

Yuan Dan chuckled and looked up to Yuanli with admiration, "My Lord, you're really amazing."

Yuan Li chuckled, "You've already told me several times. Just because I predicted the rain?"

Yuan Dan was about to respond when someone behind them shouted, "Governor!"

Yuan Li and his faction stopped in their tracks and turned to look.

It was He Lang. He Lang, accompanied by Yang Zhongfa on one side and Chu Hechao on the other, walked towards them with a smile on his face.

Yuan Li's gaze swept over them, eventually landing on Chu Hechao.

Chu Hechao, dressed in dark robes, walked over while also looking at Yuan Li.

Their gazes met in the air for a moment, and then they moved on.

Soon, they reached Yuan Li.

Liu Jixin and Yang Zhongfa greeted each other, and then they looked at Chu Hechao and Yuan Li, who had not spoken.

The corridor fell silent.

Chu Hechao looked down at Yuan Li and said, "Sister-in-law."

Yuan Li took a breath and replied, "Brother-in-law."

Dust floated in the air, and water dripped onto the muddy ground, mingling with the overcast and rainy weather.

Chu Hechao looked away and gazed into the distance at the white wall of the corridor. After what seemed like a long time, he extended his hand and said, "Please, sister-in-law."

He smiled and gestured for them to walk ahead, allowing Yuan Li and Chu Hechao to lead the way.

They chatted in small groups.

"I wonder what we're having for dinner tonight. Will we have the 'beggar's chicken' that Governor made before?"

"Beggar's chicken?"

"Oh, you probably don't know about it. It was when Governor and Eldest Chu got marriage three years ago, on the way back…."

Yuan Li and Chu Hechao listened silently.

Just yesterday, they were kissing each other, but now they were keeping a distance, even the sleeves of their clothes separated.

A cold breeze enveloped them, almost as if freezing them in place.

Yang Zhongfa suddenly said, "Governor and General should remember something, right? General jumped into the water to save Governor and ended up not knowing how to swim. The Governor telling us we must train a navy, haha."

After a while, Chu Hechao finally responded when Yang Zhongfa and others chatted about unrelated matters and laughed, "I remember."

They arrived at the dining hall.

Yuan Li lowered his gaze and dared not look back at Chu Hechao. He smiled and interrupted them, saying, "Let's stop chatting and all go inside."