Yuwei stared in confusion. “What does ‘straight’ mean?”
Lou Tingxue: “…”
Only then did it hit him—he had been swept into an entirely different world.
Thinking he was simply talking nonsense from last night’s fright, Yuwei offered kindly, “We are currently in the territory of the Great Liang Kingdom. You are a native Liang citizen, and what’s more, a Kunze.”
“What is a Kunze?” Lou Tingxue frowned. He had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t a good word, and it felt vaguely familiar.
Sure enough, Yuwei looked at him as if he were an absolute idiot. “Under heaven, people are divided into Tianqian, Zhongyong, and Kunze. Tianqian and Kunze are natural pairs, and having children together is a match made in heaven.”
Hearing this, realization dawned on Lou Tingxue with a sudden crash.
He remembered the time he had accidentally snuck a look at his older sister’s smutty romance novels. It was a Boy’s Love novel, and after reading halfway through without figuring out who the male lead or female lead was, he finally realized at the end that both main characters were men!
Yes, exactly! Two guys!
More importantly, the passive partner had been forced into bed again and again—and had even given birth to a child!
A guy who could get pregnant and give birth!
Did his butt not hurt?!
In that split second, Lou Tingxue felt a ghost pain in his rear as a door to a terrifying new world swung wide open.
He had actually transmigrated into an unknown dynasty and into a Kunze straight out of a novel! A man who could give birth!
Lou Tingxue nearly burst into tears.
No wonder that man had described him as “fair as a begonia blossom.” He had found it strange at the time—wasn’t that a phrase used for women? And no wonder this Miss Yuwei was being so attentive; she was trying to fetch a wife for her master!
But I’m straight, and I’m not marrying a man!
Lou Tingxue blurted out, “Miss Yuwei, I don’t like men!”
Yuwei froze in shock. “If Young Master doesn’t like men, could it be you prefer women who are Tianqian?”
Lou Tingxue was completely speechless.
He didn’t like men, nor did he like women who could make him pregnant!
Why on earth should a perfectly normal man give birth to a child? It was a utter humiliation!
Seeing that Yuwei was about to say more, Lou Tingxue felt a bad premonition and quickly changed the subject. “Miss Yuwei, who was the gentleman who saved me last night?”
Yuwei’s eyes instantly lit up, assuming Lou Tingxue had come to his senses.
She raised her chin slightly, her voice brimming with unmistakable pride. “My master’s name is Zhu Dongfeng. He is the greatest merchant under heaven, and this entire Ten-Thousand-Dan Vessel is his property!”
The Ten-Thousand-Dan Vessel?
Lou Tingxue froze.
That name… Could it be the legendary ten-thousand-dan ship he knew of, capable of carrying hundreds of tons?
Yuwei’s face beamed with even greater pride. “My master is an extraordinary man! Being able to follow him is my absolute blessing! If Young Master is willing to marry him, you too will share in such good fortune!”
You can keep that good fortune for yourself.
Lou Tingxue suddenly felt that if he stayed any longer, his rear would be in grave danger.
He stood up, tidied his robe, and said, “Alright, I understand. But I just remembered I left the gas stove on at home, so I’ll take my leave now.”
Yuwei panicked instantly.
She had no idea what “gas” was, but she knew she couldn’t let Lou Tingxue go.
She stepped forward to block his path. “Young Master, wait! Please think it over! Don’t be in such a hurry to leave!”
Seeing that Lou Tingxue hadn’t slowed his pace, Yuwei grew even more anxious. Her tone carried an urgent, almost pleading note. “My master is truly wealthy! If you follow him, you will enjoy endless riches and honor for the rest of your life! Besides, he is exceptionally handsome. Though he is a merchant, he is considered one of the finest-looking men in our land!”
However, before his transmigration, Lou Tingxue had been born into a wealthy third-generation family. What delicacies had he not tasted? What riches had he not enjoyed? What beauties had he not seen? He wanted none of those things right now, all he wanted was to save his own backside!
Paying her no mind, Lou Tingxue stepped around Yuwei and headed for the exit.
Just then, a clear, cool voice drifted in from outside the door. “Young Master Lou need not trouble himself to leave. Right now, we are aboard the Ten-Thousand-Dan Vessel. You have nowhere to go.”
Lou Tingxue’s posture stiffened. He raised his eyes to look.
The newcomer’s features were exquisitely handsome, almost divine, with a pair of light amber eyes. Just at that moment, a soft breeze rustled the window curtain, allowing the bright sunlight to spill across half his face. Those amber eyes seemed to glow in the light, striking and captivating to the extreme.
Lou Tingxue stared blankly for a moment. He had never seen a man this handsome before—not only did he possess a stunning face, but his physique was equally impressive.
The man was tall and upright, with a remarkably narrow waist and long legs that made his frame appear all the taller. His brows and eyes carried the sharp, deep-set look unique to the border regions, paired with a tall, crisp nose bridge and defined, refined features.
He must be exceptionally capable in bed!
For reasons unknown, the thought suddenly popped into Lou Tingxue’s head.
Yuwei smiled softly. “Young Master, didn’t I tell you? Our master is a rare beauty!”
Recovering his senses, Lou Tingxue knitted his brows. “If he’s this handsome and still can’t find a wife, is he impotent?” What else could it be?
“What does ‘impotent’ mean?” Yuwei blinked, confused.
Lou Tingxue felt a sudden pang of guilt.
He had spoken without thinking and accidentally called the man impotent to his face—though thankfully, neither of them understood what it meant.
Zhu Dongfeng walked over to the window and pushed open the wooden shutter.
At that exact moment, a salty ocean breeze swept in. Lou Tingxue followed the view outside and finally took in the full grandeur of the Ten-Thousand-Dan Vessel.
The ship had truly been constructed after the model of the legendary ten-thousand-dan vessels!
Its hull was crafted entirely from hard nanmu wood, with a lifelike dragon head carved at the bow to ward off wind and waves. The ship stretched nearly five hundred feet long and seventy feet wide, featuring a smooth, spacious deck capable of accommodating dozens of people walking side by side.
The twin masts soared into the clouds like two sharp swords piercing the sky, bearing massive canvas sails that looked awe-inspiring when unfurled!
Lou Tingxue could hardly believe his eyes.
Beside him, Yuwei looked immensely proud. “This vessel was personally designed by my master! Even the nanmu wood took him three years of searching deep in the mountains to gather!”
Lou Tingxue looked toward Zhu Dongfeng in disbelief. “Is that true?”
Zhu Dongfeng offered a slight smile. “Believe it if you wish, Young Master Lou; doubt it if you prefer.”
Hearing this, Lou Tingxue felt his blood run cold.
After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Boss Zhu, how did you know my surname is Lou?”
Zhu Dongfeng’s eyes flickered, his smile lingering. “That night, the snowy road was treacherous. When Young Master Lou was inside the sedan, the flag beside it bore the character ‘Lou.’ Thus, I surmised your surname.”
Lou Tingxue remained silent, mulling over whether Zhu Dongfeng was telling the truth.
That night, his throat had been slashed, and he had come within an inch of death. Desperate to survive, how could he have noticed any flags?
If Zhu Dongfeng was telling the truth and had saved his life, he likely wasn’t the killer.
And if he was lying… then Lou Tingxue would simply pretend to know nothing. At least that way, he could stay alive a few days longer.
Lou Tingxue slowly withdrew his gaze, his expression softening slightly.
This vessel was immense, yet amidst the vast ocean, it still seemed tiny. Attempting to leave on his own strength would be nothing short of a pipedream. Now was certainly not the time to fall out with Zhu Dongfeng.
Looking at Zhu Dongfeng, Lou Tingxue mustered a smile. “Boss Zhu, where is this ship heading? And when will it reach the shore?”
Zhu Dongfeng accepted the tea brewed by Yuwei and took an unhurried sip.
He let out a long breath, then looked at Lou Tingxue as if only just noticing he was still there. Smiling, he said, “I almost forgot Young Master Lou was still here. The vessel is heading toward the Great Zhou, neighbor to the Great Liang. For the ship to return and dock in Great Liang, a round trip takes at least two months.”
“Two months?!” Lou Tingxue’s brows furrowed instantly.
“Great Liang and Great Zhou are far apart. Taking two months for a round trip is already rushing it,” Zhu Dongfeng added. “Young Master Lou need not worry. Since I have saved your life, I will see it through to the end. You may stay here for the next two months.”
There was no other choice.
Lou Tingxue was silent for a moment before finally saying, “Alright then. I’ll stay here for two months. Once the ship docks, I will leave immediately.”
He cupped his hands in a polite gesture, his tone turning solemn. “I am truly grateful to Boss Zhu for saving my life that day. Words cannot express my gratitude. If you ever run into trouble in the future, just say the word and I will do my best to help you. Right now, I just want these two months to pass quickly—I have very important business left unfinished.”
A faint glint of amusement flickered in Zhu Dongfeng’s eyes.
Setting down his teacup, he raised a hand in a courteous gesture. “Young Master Lou speaks too heavily; it was merely a small effort. When the ship docks, I will naturally have preparations made for your journey and will not detain you.”
Only then was Lou Tingxue satisfied. “Good.”
Lou Tingxue settled down aboard the vessel.
As Yuwei was leaving, she smiled at him. “Young Master Lou, this is the finest room aboard the ship. Master specifically instructed for it to be given to you to recover. Please make yourself at home.”
Lou Tingxue felt like rubbing his ears.
Yuwei seized every opportunity to recommend Zhu Dongfeng to him, but he really didn’t like men!
Once Yuwei departed, Lou Tingxue threw all decorum to the wind and collapsed onto the bed.
From dying of a sudden heart attack to transmigrating, almost being murdered, then rescued by Zhu Dongfeng, and now having to stay on this vessel for two months—everything had happened in such rapid succession that he still felt somewhat dazed.
Catching the faint scent of medicinal herbs on his clothes, Lou Tingxue suddenly sat up.
That’s right! Aside from the unhealed wound on his neck, this body was completely healthy! It was miles better than his previous one!
Thus, early the next morning, a striking figure appeared on the deck.
Lou Tingxue gazed out at the vast, boundless ocean. The azure sea merged seamlessly with the horizon, making it impossible to tell where the sea ended and the sky began.
In the distance, the water shimmered like scattered gold. The howling sea wind whipped up layers of giant waves that slammed against the hull with loud thuds, yet the massive ship merely swayed gently, as steady as solid ground.
Lou Tingxue simply couldn’t contain himself.
Stepping into an open space along the ship’s railing, he dropped into a stance and broke into a run.
He ran faster and faster until his heart pounded in his chest, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop.
He loved this feeling!
He was healthy!
The vessel was divided into several decks: cargo was stored at the bottom, living quarters were in the middle, and an lookout post sat at the top.
Protective railings lined both sides of the ship, with crew members stationed every few feet. Looking disciplined and attentive to their duties, they made the entire ship resemble a floating pavilion, firm as a rock.
Today, however, an unexpected person was sprinting frantically across the deck, drawing the curious gazes of all the crew members.
Lou Tingxue’s figure moved gracefully in the morning light.
His stride was steady and agile. Even with his injury, he showed no sign of weakness, looking all the more resilient instead. Most striking of all was his breathtaking face!
His features were refined and striking, his figure elegant and poise. Even clad in the simplest garments, framed by the morning light and sea breeze, he looked like a living painting—so captivating that one couldn’t look away.
Before long, the crew members who had been attending to their duties found themselves glancing back repeatedly, whispers breaking out in succession, their eyes filled with marvel.
In no time, news that a beauty as breathtaking as an immortal was staying aboard spread quietly among the crew. Everyone was eager to catch another glimpse of this peerless beauty running about like an unleashed hound!
Lou Tingxue finally came to a stop just as his heart felt ready to burst.
Just then, the sound of an argument drifted over from the cabin door up ahead.
“The riddle’s answer is ‘Returning Late’! The core of the phrase lies in ‘borrowing light’! One only borrows light when the moon sets and stars sink—now that morning light has appeared, why borrow it? It must be ‘Returning Late’!”
“Bullshit! The answer is clearly ‘Early Journey’! The old man said ‘Door unopened at midnight.’ Midnight comes first, cockcrow comes after—if that isn’t an early journey, what is?!”
Lou Tingxue raised an eyebrow. Brushing aside a stray lock of hair ruffled by the sea wind, he walked toward the sound.