Court Marriage - Chapter 24

About the title of this chapter, it was our Young Madam, Gong Zhuoliang referring to himself as the ‘Husband’~ (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ 

When Qiao Yingxuan and Gong Zhuoliang had not arrived yet, the person looking for them already found them. The other party looked so nervous as though he had hurriedly rushed out just so he could report the situation to them. It was when Qiao Yingxuan finally realized that something serious was going on, so with a smile, he immediately hugged Gong Zhuoliang close to him and sped his horse until they finally arrived at Zhuangzi before he slowed down his horse.

But just when Qiao Yingxuan was thinking about leaping off his horse first to help Gong Zhuoliang hop down, the other suddenly slapped his hands away and immediately jumped off on his own. Qiao Yingxuan, in worry, tried to grab his arms but that other was so quick to land and he immediately ran straight towards the gate where his Gege was standing and was pulling a long face at them.

“Brother-in-law!”

As soon as they arrived, Gong Zhuoliang immediately looked for Qiao Yingze’s figure, until when he finally found it, he didn’t waste time idling by and immediately hurried over to the figure standing and waiting for him at the gate, and as though he couldn’t hold himself back anymore, he immediately rushed forward and threw himself into Qiao Yingze’s arms. 

By the other’s ears, he began to whisper reassurances and comforting words, calling him ‘Husband’, before he immediately removed himself from the other’s embrace and stood straight but still winked at him.

“Is my Jiejie still worried about Liang-er? Liang-er has really caused trouble to Brother-in-law. He deeply apologizes…”

“……Yes, your Jiejie is really worried for you”

Qiao Yingze is aware that Gong Zhuoliang is thinking for himself and is now just trying to ease the atmosphere between his brother, so he didn’t continue to show a furious expression as it might have already aroused the suspicions of the other servants so only had to go along with Gong Zhuoliang’s words.

For fear that he might not be able to hold back his anger, Qiao Yingze no longer looked in the direction of Qiao Yingxuan. But knowing that Gong Zhuoliang had rushed back in a hurry after seeing him running into his arms, Qiao Yingze immediately realized how he actually had himself in the other’s mind which began to improve his mood, though he would still not be at peace with Qiao Yingxuan…

“I’m so sorry Gege, I didn’t know that Sister-in-law would be this worried. I’ll go right away and apologize to my Sister-in-law”

At this time, Qiao Yingxuan also jumped off his horse and immediately walked over, honestly apologizing to Qiao Yingze, but inside, he was feeling dejected.

Qiao Yingxuan had always wanted to get along with his Gege, yet now he had angered him. Most of the friends he makes were all candid, extroverted, and they would tend to joke around and beat each other which is always a normal occurrence for them; so in this situation, how could he expect something like this to happen with his big brother? 

“Your Sister-in-law just feared that Liang-er would be frightened and receive some injuries. Now that he is back and safe, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just go back now and take a rest, ba”

Qiao Yingze, seeing Qiao Yingxuan’s worried face, was tongue-tied and couldn’t say anything to reprimand him. He could only say a few words to him and not speak to him anymore.

“Gege. I know I’m in the wrong, and I promise you I will never do it again. Please, don’t be angry with me anymore….”

Qiao Yingxuan noticed that things were now going bad for him just as soon as he he heard the tone of Qiao Yingze, so he still didn’t dare jumped into Qiao Yingze’s arms unlike Gong Zhuoliang, and is only treading closer and slowly as he pulled on his sleeves, seeing if Qiao Yingze would get mad at him; looking at him pitifully. 

Qiao Yingxuan does not fear his Gege disciplining him, but he only fears that Gege’s current mood would further affect his health.

“P abiv sbe la’r olcf. Tbe vbc’a tjnf ab vb atlr…. Aera ub yjmx ab sbeg gbbw”

Hljb Tlcuhf rajgar ab offi tfiqifrr jr kfii jr fwyjggjrrwfca rfflcu Hljb Tlcuzejc’r milculcfrr, eckliilcu ab ifa ub bo tlr riffnfr. Gef ab atlr, atf jcufg lc tlr tfjga bcis lcmgfjrfv fnfc wbgf, jcv jii atf wbgf gfjrbc obg kjcalcu ab rmbiv tlw ab rabq tlr mtlivlrt jmar lc ogbca bo atf qeyilm.

But when he started to recall that this person is already this unrestrained and laid-back, Qiao Yingze swallowed back his scoldings. Their mother always spoiled him. He’s already this grown up yet he still acted so childishly in front of their Mother and Grandmother, even if there are people around them. That’s why Qiao Yingze fears that if ever he actually ended up reprimanding him, once their Mother caught of wind of it, he probably wouldn’t be able to tolerate his brother anymore… 

“Alright, Qiao Er-ge. Brother-in-law will definitely take you to see my Jiejie soon”

Pulling Qiao Yingze’s arms, Gong Zhuoliang also casually pulled the sleeves that had been held by Qiao Yingxuan away from him while thinking in his mind― Isn’t this fellow little Qiao way too blind?? Despite noticing his Gege’s anger, how come he still dare press forward? He must be looking for a beating!

“Mnn… We’ll just talk about it later on”

Just as Qiao Yingze turned around, wanting to take Gong Zhuoliang along with him, he noticed Qiao Yingxuan’s appearance as though he also wanted to follow them yet he also couldn’t dare to. Qiao Yingze softly sighed in his heart, and could only raise his hand to pat Qiao Yingxuan’s arms before he walked off together with Gong Zhuoliang. 

“He’s just a mere outsider, yet he still went all the way to involve so many people just for his sake?”

Qiao Yingxuan’s servant, who was also one of those person who brought the horses, bows and arrows yesterday, walked near to Qiao Yingxuan and grumbled silently as he stared at the two figures from afar. For him, this little Brother-in-Law isn’t that really important for their Eldest Young Master to make a huge fuss over. Most likely, this person only wanted to embarrass their Second Young Master.

“Shut Up! How dare you talk nonsense! Today’s event mustn’t be known by my Mother, and you must keep that in mind!”

Just as Qiao Yingxuan was internally grieving how his Gege had ignored him once again, he suddenly heard the servant’s words and his expression immediately turned cold. After he glared at this indiscreet servant, he began to throw a warning glance to all servants around them that were originally sent by his mother, before he made large strides towards the guest room after flicking his sleeves. 

This sort of little servant who’s not only brash but also so haughty, if it wasn’t because this person was sent by his own mother, Qiao Yingxuan would’ve already driven him out a long time ago. But right now, it seems like he really had to start looking for ways. He dared talk like that about his Gege? This person really don’t deserve to stand beside Qiao Yingxuan anymore.

……

Right as soon as they returned back to their room, Gong Zhuoliang immediately came kicking Ruo Lan and the others out, not without reminding them beforehand not to come disturbing them, before he immediately closed their door shut and pushed Qiao Yingze down their bed….

“Zhuo Zhuo?” 

After having been pushed down the bed and taken off his shoes, Qiao Yingze watched disbelievingly as Gong Zhuoliang also began to kick his shoes off, removing his horseriding attire and casually tossing it aside, before he began to climb up their bed. Seeing this, Qiao Yingze suddenly couldn’t talk.

But it’s still morning!!

“It felt so unbearable wearing this, ah! Brother-in-Law had drove way too fast that my bones felt like it was about to break! Husband, massage me, massage me!”

Although Gong Zhuoliang was confused why Qiao Yingze seemed like he was panicking, he still crawled beside him then stretched his body, before he pulled a pillow over him and laid down in a relaxed manner, inviting Qiao Yingze to give himself a massage. 

“Oh… Is that so?..”

Hearing Gong Zhuoliang’s request, Qiao Yingze was so embarassed he began to blush. He only managed to response guiltily, before he immediately went kneading the other’s shoulders.

“Mnn…. With his character, I knew you would be worried about me, so I had not been in the mood to play around. And also, I couldn’t speak frankly to him so I was helpless and could only worry for you. Anyways, I will never hang out with him again”

As he laid down, although Gong Zhuoliang looked like he was grumbling, in actuality, he was secretly squinting his eyes and snickering. Since his family’s little husband tend to worry too much, Gong Zhuoliang knew that if he instead asked for him to like Qiao Yingxuan, the more Qiao Yingze would likely take it the wrong way, so he could only express the opposite of his thoughts…. 

“Zhuo Zhuo… I thought you like my younger brother?”

As Qiao Yingze proceeded to knead the other’s shoulders, when he heard what Gong Zhuoliang said, he began to purse his lips and hesitated but he still ended up asking tentatively.

“It’s not that I can just casually say I like him or I don’t like him, but since he’s your brother, it’s only natural for me to have a good relationship with him. But our situation is quite special, and on the other hand, he’s so erratic, so I think it’s better for me to stay away from him in the future…..”

Gong Zhuoliang expressed indifferently with a hum, thinking how the word 了 seemed to have ‘connotations’… Ah wait, there really is ‘connotations’! 

“Yingxuan only had good intentions so I wouldn’t blame him for his actions. Zhuo Zhuo need not take it to his heart”

Dutifully moving his hands to Gong Zhuoliang’s waist, Qiao Yingze proceeded to massage him. Although Qiao Yingze disliked Qiao Yingxuan, on the contrary, he still felt somewhat pity towards his little brother. Remembering the way how his brother pulled on his sleeves, he admits his heart had softened for a while, which subconsciously made him speak good words, thoroughly forgetting the anger he had towards him.

“I also understand that, but that doesn’t change the fact that it had been very troublesome for me that he is here. I needed to change identity everytime he’s here, and also, isn’t he a nuisance to our honeymoon, ah? How about we go find a way to send him back to the mansion, ba? Didn’t you say he had to go back early in the morning so he could go apologize to father-in-law, ma?”

Seeing that the smelting was almost over, Gong Zhuoliang turned around to confront Qiao Yingze as he sat up from the bed, slightly tilting his head to the side; watching him pretending to be tough. 

“Cough…. Yingxuan will not be here for long, perhaps not more than two days…”

Qiao Yingze began to cough after hearing Gong Zhuoliang’s words. He also couldn’t help but avoid looking him in the eye, but with Gong Zhuoliang’s gaze at him that was filled to be brim with curiousity and attention, Qiao Yingze started to feel flustered. Embarrassedly, Qiao Yingze responded the reason to him with a mutter.

“Those who were sent here by our Mother yesterday should’ve already drove back to the mansion. A moment ago, I lost my temper to Yingxuan in the presence of all so they will definitely talk about it as soon as they arrive there. Our mother never allowed Yingxuan to be wronged so she will definitely call him back tomorrow”

“Husband…. Zhuo Zhuo really adores you” 

Gong Zhuoliang originally wanted to say ‘Husband, you’re such a liar’, but after seeing the sad look on Qiao Yingze’s face, Gong Zhuoliang subconsciously shifted his words and embraced Qiao Yingze, making him lie on his own lap with a pillow, before he started to fondle his head to placate him.

Qiao Yingze started laughing softly at Gong Zhuoliang’s teasing until his eyelids began to feel heavy and he gradually laid comfortably on Gong Zhuoliang’s lap.

“Now that I think of it, if it weren’t for that guard who had followed us today, I wouldn’t have arrived here so quickly. Is he one of your servant? You know, the guy called Shi Kang?”

As Gong Zhuoliang continued to fondle Qiao Yingze’s head with one hand, he leaned lazily on the wall while he began to recall of that young man named Shi Kang, thinking in his heart how he seemed to be a reliable guard, so he casually asked Qiao Yingze about him. 

“Shi Kang? I don’t really know any of the guards in the mansion, much more, remember their names…”

Qiao Yingze began to feel more relaxed and even more sleepy by Gong Zhuoliang’s stroking.

“I’ll see if his useful. If you have time, you could also go check on him and see if he’s okay. If he is, let him follow you. You should also give him a reward him for everything he did today”

Gong Zhuoliang began to consider of arranging few trustworthy people at Qiao Yingze’s side. Right now, there are three lands owned by Qiao Yingze, and Gong Zhuoliang also plans on purchasing estate under his own name. In addition, he also wants to buy, either try establishing his own bookstore for the convenience of his future plan of writing again and publishing his own books. 

Rather than selling other things, he really prefers selling books. In any case, for him, as long as he wouldn’t be seen as an arrogant business, he could produce money out of all things in which everything could only begin through money and relationships with other people.

Even if they’re both the Eldest Young Master and Young Madam of a prefectural family, they still lack money. Right, now they needed to have good relations with other people.

“Alright, you have the final say”

Qiao Yingze is nearly entering the dream world hence he only managed to give a vague response through murmurs when he heard what Gong Zhuoliang said, indicating that he’ll let him do whatever he want regarding these matters. 

“Tired? Then let us go to sleep”

When Gong Zhuoliang saw that Qiao Yingze could no longer open his eyes anymore, he smiled and gently combed the other’s hair for a bit before letting go, but then suddenly, the corners of his eyes twitched. Looking at his other hands held his previous men’s attire. He looked at it silently for a moment before he looked back at Qiao Yingze’s sleeping face again. Gong Zhuoliang the lightly smiled, raised his hand and tossed the attire in his hands to the corner before he leaned to Qiao Yingze and kissed his closed eyes.

This husband will just tease you again in the future!

……. 

In the afternoon, Qiao Yingze, who had just woken up and Gong Zhuoliang, who had now changed into his usual women’s clothes, met with Qiao Yingxuan together.

Qiao Yingxuan was sincerely apologizing to him and Gong Zhuoliang responded with a cordial: “Do not worry, everything’s alright”

On the other hand, Qiao Yingze, seeing his younger brother taking the initiative to directly cone to him and apologize, felt a little moved since the other rarely does this. After this, the three ended their conversation with a harmonious and glorious atmosphere, and the next day after that, Madam Qiao sent someone to deliver a message that she had been unwell these days, which incited the evermore filial Second Young Master Qiao to hurry back to the city….

Qiao Yingze also met with Shi Kang before that, and after observing him, he also began to have a good impression towards this calm and composed young man so he also decided to appoint him as his close guard temporarily and wait for him to return. After that, Qiao Yingze sent someone to report to his grandmother that: After two days, Gong Zhuoliang, the brother-in-law, will leave them and continue his ‘travel’ again, and the Young Madam also added that her younger brother would be ‘gone’ for a long time. Right now, the only ones left at the village are Qiao Yingze and his wife. 

Qiao Yingze’s illness was completely cured after a few days, and soon, it will be Madam Gong’s birthday.

Gong Zhuoliang, under Ruo Lan and Han Shu’s meticulous dress up, sat on the palanquin of the Gong Family as he began to prepare his plan to launch his second ‘battle’ with Madam Gong.