Who Stole My Eggs?

Huo Yao was jealous and angry, the kind that could not be coaxed for a while!

In front of others, he was respectful to Xie Zuo as usual, but behind closed doors, he treated Xie Zuo with a sour expression, as if he had committed a grave mistake.

Xie Zuo felt troubled yet proud simultaneously. The frustrating aspect was that, bound by an oath, he couldn’t divulge Princess Lin’s secret to anyone before the wedding, thus unable to properly explain things to Huo Yao. The prideful aspect was that he had finally ensnared Huo Yao completely. Seeing how much Huo Yao cared for him, it felt as though even the deities favored him greatly!

After enduring several days of Huo Yao’s cold treatment, Xie Zuo realized he couldn’t continue like this and needed to take practical steps to pacify Huo Yao.

That night, as Huo Yao emerged from the bath in his chamber, he noticed that the curtains of his bed were drawn, concealing the interior completely.

Approaching the bed, he inquired, “Xie Zuo?”

No response came from within.

After a moment, Huo Yao relented to his own stubbornness, “Your Highness.”

Xie Zuo then parted the bed curtain, revealing only his head. “General, you’ve kept me waiting for quite some time.”

Having just taken a cold shower, Huo Yao’s suppressed desires surged upon seeing Xie Zuo on his bed.

Xie Zuo slowly unveiled himself, clad only in scanty attire, and proudly declared, “Tonight, you can do whatever you want to me. I am yours!”

Huo Yao’s breath quickened, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, like a brewing storm.

Xie Zuo anticipated Huo Yao’s immediate advances, but as time passed, Huo Yao remained silent. Disheartened, Xie Zuo queried, “You’re not still angry with me, are you? I’ve explained that I made an oath to marry Xiao Lin first, but there’s nothing between us. I won’t touch her, and she’s not interested in me. It’s merely a formality, a mutual arrangement.”

“Do you comprehend how much I care for you? Among demons, there’s no concept of loyalty to partners. Which demon king doesn’t change favoritism from one to another? I only desire to hold you and have no interest in others. I’m truly an oddity.”

“This is my utmost sincerity. If you’re still upset, why don’t we part ways for now? I’ll come for you after marrying Xiao Lin…”

Xie Zuo rambled on, oblivious to the fact that he had already revealed everything.

Suddenly, Huo Yao enveloped him tightly, as if trying to merge their beings. After a while, he loosened his grip slightly and caressed Xie Zuo’s hair repeatedly with his large hands.

Huo Yao always had a habit of stroking his hair back and forth, which felt like smoothing a pet’s fur, albeit rough. However, at that moment, Xie Zuo had no qualms and let him hold and pat his head, “Are you no longer angry?”

“It’s my fault.” Huo Yao kissed the top of Xie Zuo’s head, feeling deeply wounded by Xie Zuo’s engagement. It also filled him with guilt. If he had seized power a few years earlier and returned to Xie Zuo, he wouldn’t have faced so much pressure or been compelled to swear an oath.

Xie Zuo breathed a sigh of relief, and Huo Yao began to introspect. This incident was over, and tonight hadn’t been in vain!

Xie Zuo licked the side of Huo Yao’s neck, “Spring nights are long; you don’t just want to hug me all night, do you?”

Huo Yao chuckled, “You have to remind yourself not to cry later on.”

.

The next morning came early. Mu Rong received a letter from his family. Upon opening it, he was so startled that his skin prickled, and he hurried to find Xie Zuo without even thinking about eating.

Mu Rong rushed to find nothing. Xie Zuo wasn’t in his room and there was no attendant on duty.

An ominous premonition gripped Mu Rong’s heart. He paced around the yard with his hands behind his back, eventually resolving to visit Huo Yao. When he looked up, he saw Xie Zuo and Huo Yao returning one after the other.

Observing that the two of them were neatly dressed and that there was nothing amiss with Xie Zuo’s gait, Mu Rong’s tense heart eased once more. Fortunately, it seemed they had just gone for a walk together.

Mu Rong saluted Xie Zuo and Huo Yao respectively, then waved the letter in his hand at Xie Zuo: “I’ve just received news from my father that Imperial Teacher Wen is coming to pick you up!”

“What? Why is that old man coming?” Xie Zuo exclaimed.

As he spoke, Mu Rong was taken aback, “Brother, have you caught a cold? Why is your voice so hoarse?”

“Ah… um, yes,” Xie Zuo muttered, “it was too hot last night, and I caught a slight cold.”

Mu Rong: ‘…something’s not right. The prince’s eyes also a little red at the corners, as if he had been crying. The prince is lying!’

Xie Zuo read the letter several times, “The old man set out half a month ago. Normally, he could pick us up in the next two days. Why are we only hearing about it now?”

Mu Rong covertly observed him and suggested, “I guess the king and queen want to surprise you. They fear you might run away if you know in advance that the teacher is coming.”

Xie Zuo’s expression darkened, “There will be no good thing when that old man arrives.”

As a dignified demon king, Xie Zuo had never been afraid of anyone, not even the Great Thunder Deity who frightened the six realms. But at the thought of Imperial Teacher Wen’s stern old visage, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of fear.

No, even before Imperial Teacher Wen’s arrival, Xie Zuo was already replaying his recent words and actions in his mind, pondering if he had made any mistakes. And speaking of mistakes, the biggest one recently was…

Xie Zuo’s gaze landed on Huo Yao. If Imperial Teacher Wen knew about him and Huo Yao, he would surely make a scene and drop dead on the spot!

.

Mu Rong could sense why Imperial Teacher Wen went to pick them up, but he didn’t dare to voice it in front of Huo Yao.

These two individuals were peculiar. Despite standing at a distance from each other, there was always an invisible bond between them. Mu Rong didn’t believe for a moment that nothing had happened between them. It was too hot… Last night was too hot, but he covered himself with a quilt for the rest of the night! How could it feel hot for others?

Huo Yao noticed Mu Rong’s hesitation to speak, so he took the initiative to leave, casting a meaningful glance at Xie Zuo before departing.

Mu Rong observed this and a sudden realization dawned on him: Could it be that these two had already…

Xie Zuo paid no mind to this. He was preoccupied with the news of Imperial Teacher Wen’s arrival and unconsciously began to introspect, “Oh, why is he coming? The old man has been absent from the court for so many years. It’s definitely not good for him to travel a long distance to pick me up now.”

“Brother, I suspect that Imperial Teacher is here to teach you the wedding ceremony in advance. Your wedding with Princess Lin must have been scheduled, and the ceremony is likely to take place soon. The 16th of next month would be an auspicious day.”

Xie Zuo, relieved that Huo Yao was absent, responded with a guilty conscience, “Next month is too soon, how is that possible?”

Mu Rong also found it unlikely and joked, “Perhaps the teacher hasn’t seen you in so long and misses you terribly, hahaha!”

Xie Zuo wore a bitter expression, “That’s impossible. Go, summon someone. Hurry and ride out to greet them. Where are they now?”

The men dispatched by Mu Rong went out for half a day, returning with unfortunate news: “Imperial Teacher Wen’s carriage and retinue are only fifty miles away from the inn, and Imperial Teacher remind the prince to stay at the inn and await his arrival.”

“So soon!” Xie Zuo fumed, “The old man shows no respect for martial etiquette, launching a surprise visit!”

With anger and apprehension, there was little they could do. Since Imperial Teacher Wen had arrived, they couldn’t send him away. Upon arrival, he must be received respectfully. The old man held a lofty position and was Xie Zuo’s Eight Classics teacher.

Once he arrived, Xie Zuo had to first show student courtesy, and then Imperial Teacher Wen would undoubtedly scrutinize and criticize everything Xie Zuo did.

Xie Zuo sighed, “Prepare the horse. I’ll personally welcome the Imperial Teacher.”

Mu Rong naturally wished to accompany him, but… Before Xie Zuo mounted his horse, he noticed the absence of Huo Yao among the soldiers. “Where is the general?”

A subordinate reported, “Your Highness, the general mentioned he left something behind at the previous station and went back to retrieve it himself.”

“What could be so important?” Xie Zuo muttered, “Never mind him, let’s go!”

Mu Rong rode beside Xie Zuo, noticing his slight frown and apparent discomfort. Drawing closer, he asked quietly, “Brother, are you alright?”

Xie Zuo’s cheeks reddened slightly, “It’s nothing, just a bit of thigh pain, but I can endure it.”

Mu Rong: ‘Thigh pain! What kind of thigh pain, why are you blushing?!’