On the other side, after seeing Jiang Xuan obediently comply, Murong Ying leaned her face against his shoulder.
“Xuan, your scent gives me a peace I haven’t felt in a long time. In this lifetime, don’t even think about leaving me.”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
As expected, this female war goddess had ulterior motives. Luckily, Jiang Xuan had been using a fake identity all along while outside. There was no way he’d use his real name—if those sponsors came looking for the Jiang family, he wouldn’t be able to explain anything to his mother.
So, before coming to Murong Mansion, Jiang Xuan had used the alias Lin Xuan.
To secure the job and earn spirit stones, he had fabricated a sob story, as tragic as possible.
Lin Xuan—an orphan with a missing father and a mother who died in battle. Despite a lonely and harsh life, he had grown up strong and independent, with rich experience as a male servant. He came to serve at Murong Mansion not for the reward but because he admired the war goddess who defended the empire and wished to serve and repay Lady Murong.
This backstory, paired with his innocent, cute looks thanks to the cosmetic lotion, immediately won over the women recruiting servants.
How could they doubt such a sweet boy? After all that suffering, he still remained positive and just wanted to repay Murong Ying. Who would even bother checking his background?
What Jiang Xuan didn’t know was that his made-up story had already reached Murong Ying’s ears. The recruiter had spoken of Lin Xuan with great admiration, so from the very beginning, Murong Ying had kept a close eye on him.
Inside an ancient, elegant bedchamber, night had fallen.
Jiang Xuan, looking tense and nervous, walked up to Murong Ying.
“Lady Murong, I… I’ve come… to serve in bed…”
“Oh? Do I look that frightening? Or is it that you’re resisting me in your heart?”
As soon as she spoke, she pulled Jiang Xuan toward her, wrapping him in a soft embrace.
“Isn’t this what you wanted? Then I shall grant your wish.”
Jiang Xuan: “???”
Feeling her warm breath brushing across his face, Jiang Xuan quickly said, “Uh… Lady Murong, serving in bed is part of my duty as a servant. But rather than this… I was hoping for a different reward. I don’t care about the value—if it’s from you, I’ll treasure it for a lifetime.”
He appeared shy and expectant on the surface, but deep inside, he was scornful.
You want me to sleep with you? That requires extra payment. Even if I can’t escape, I’m not giving it away for free!
I phrased it like that on purpose—she should now gift me something valuable. I’m fine as long as I can cash it in later.
But then, Murong Ying thought for a moment and unexpectedly took out a very plain-looking outfit from her storage ring and handed it to Jiang Xuan.
Jiang Xuan was stunned. Was this outfit made from some kind of special material?
Murong Ying leaned in and whispered by his ear, “This outfit was passed down from my mother. She hoped I’d wear it on my wedding day when I found the one. It’s a family heirloom. Now I’m giving it to you. When we get married, I’ll wear it as I walk down the aisle to you.”
Jiang Xuan: “…….”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan finally realized how serious the situation was.
He was doomed. This sponsor not only wanted him for free but even wanted to lock him down forever.
If he didn’t run now, he’d lose both his freedom and his money!
So, while pretending to be moved and accepting the clothing, Jiang Xuan quietly begged the system for help.
After much pleading, he finally managed to get his hands on a bottle of knockout spray.
While Murong Ying had her guard down, he used it on her.
Thankfully, for once, the usually useless system delivered.
As she fell unconscious, Jiang Xuan began planning how to perfectly end this contract.
Obviously, “perfect” meant they could never see each other again.
After some thought, he decided to leave behind a bad ending (BE) to the story.
This way, Murong Ying wouldn’t go looking for him in the Dajiang Empire.
He took the outfit with him, healed the old injuries she’d suffered on the battlefield as a gesture of repayment, and finally left her a letter:
…
Dear Lady Murong,
This will be the last time I call you that.
By the time you wake, I will be gone.
Please don’t worry—I’ve simply returned to where I truly belong.
In truth, I’ve been lying to you from the very beginning.
My real identity is the fiancé of an Empress from an Imperial Dynasty.
But I don’t have feelings for her.
To escape that engagement, I chose to flee and ended up at your mansion by chance.
These past few days with you have been wonderful.
Though you can be domineering, I know deep down, you are kind.
Otherwise, you wouldn’t have become a war goddess, risking everything to protect your empire.
When you gave me that treasured heirloom, my heart was moved.
If we stay together, it could lead to the destruction of your empire.
The Empress I’m engaged to is terrifying.
In her eyes, an empire can be wiped out with a mere wave of her hand.
I won’t let my selfishness bring you into that kind of danger.
Please forgive my silent departure.
And yes, I did take the outfit you gave me.
Whenever I miss you, I’ll take it out and remember you.
Though we may never meet again, I will always treasure the time we spent together.
It hurts to say, but we are not from the same world.
Let this beautiful encounter end here.
Please don’t look for me—just treat this as a cherished memory.
Lastly, I’ve healed all the lingering injuries on your body.
Even when I’m gone, I hope you’ll take care of yourself.
—Lin Xuan
….
Jiang Xuan left this letter behind to completely cut ties.
Of course, if some day, there actually was a Lin Xuan in an Imperial Dynasty—that had nothing to do with him.
What did Lin Xuan’s letter have to do with Jiang Xuan?
Time passed. Over a year went by, and Jiang Xuan had nearly forgotten the entire ordeal.
He never expected that today, he’d get caught just because he happened to be wearing that outfit.
This was the end. Completely screwed. A proper ex-sponsor should’ve acted like they were dead!
Returning to the present—
Murong Ying was holding Jiang Xuan tightly, smiling sweetly.
“As I thought, Xuan, you couldn’t bear to stay away from me. You came back just to see me again, didn’t you?”
Jiang Xuan: “???”