Chapter 23 - The Cannon Fodder Little Fulang [Quick Transmigration]

Translator's Note:

Hello, I hope you've all been doing well.

Here you go, and I wish you a good read.

And, as I said before, if you wish to read ahead, you can head over to my Patreon to get early access to all the translated chapters.

After Wu Erfulang's persuasion, Wu Kang'an became less opposed to his younger brother's association with Xiao Zimo. He kept Xiao Zimo in a mental "probationary zone," silently promising himself that, should he find any hint of deceit or unworthiness in Xiao Zimo, he would separate the two without hesitation, even at the cost of incurring Bai-ger's resentment.

 

The next day, when Xiao Zimo arrived at the inn to wait for Wu Bai, Wu Kang'an had already noticed him but pretended not to, allowing the two to leave together.

 

Reunited at last, the long-separated lovers finally had the chance to wander the city's lively streets side by side, their hearts brimming with joy.

 

As they strolled, Xiao Zimo enthusiastically introduced the customs of the capital to Bai ger and asked, "I've written you so many letters over the past year, yet I never received a reply. Why was that?"

 

"Letters?" Wu Bai looked at him in confusion. "I haven't received any letters from you."

 

Hearing this, Xiao Zimo's heart sank. He had believed he'd removed all the spies his parents had planted around him, only to realize now that some must have eluded him.

 

However, he maintained his smile. "I sent you several letters after I arrived in the capital, but they must have been lost on the long journey. I was so anxious, wondering why you hadn't replied. I even feared that perhaps… perhaps you'd married someone else and couldn't write back."

 

As he shared this confession, a look of grievance filled Xiao Zimo's face, his eyes imploring Wu Bai for comfort.

 

Wu Bai couldn't help but burst into laughter at Xiao Zimo's display of mock sadness.

 

"You're laughing?" Xiao Zimo pouted. "Aren't you going to comfort me?"

 

Wu Bai affectionately ruffled his hair, sighing, "Alright, don't be upset. Tell me, how have you been this past year? Weren't you planning to return and resolve the marriage arrangement your parents imposed? How did that turn out?"

 

Xiao Zimo then recounted the events of the past year, carefully omitting the hardships he'd faced and instead highlighting only the more interesting moments.

 

"...Ha! You should have seen the look on my father's and mother's faces when they received the emperor's decree. They thought they'd be commended, only to be scolded instead! They were so humiliated that they've since kept a low profile, no longer flaunting themselves as they used to..."

 

Though Xiao Zimo glossed over his struggles, Wu Bai could sense the difficulties he must have faced. His heart ached as he looked at him.

 

Seeing Wu Bai's concerned gaze, Xiao Zimo's heart tightened slightly as well. He cleared his throat and said, "Enough about them. Let's go somewhere fun. I heard there's a new roast duck shop in town—my cousin says it's incredible. Shall we try it?"

 

Wu Bai nodded, and the two set off toward the roast duck shop.

 

"Seven Treasures Duck?" Wu Bai raised a brow at the unusual name. "Most places call it Eight Treasures Duck*. Where did the other treasure go?"

 

[T/N: Traditionally, Eight Treasures Duck (八宝鸭) is a popular Chinese dish, with "Eight Treasures" symbolizing the variety of fillings or ingredients, often linked to abundance and prosperity in Chinese culture.]

 

"My cousin told me the owner's surname is Qi, which means 'seven,' so he named it Seven Treasures Duck," Xiao Zimo explained with a laugh.

 

The shop had become immensely popular, with patrons filling its halls daily. Xiao Zimo had been curious about the owner's identity and had discreetly investigated. Given his family's resources, it didn't take long for him to discover that the establishment belonged to the Seventh Prince.

 

The Seventh Prince and his cousin were known as the twin terrors of the capital. His cousin had earned the title "Mischief Demon" for his constant antics, while the Seventh Prince, with his legendary love of food, was dubbed the "Gluttonous Demon."

 

Not only was the Seventh Prince a notorious glutton, but he also had a remarkable talent for discovering hidden delicacies. He'd gathered skilled chefs from across the realm solely to satisfy his culinary cravings.

 

However, this was a matter involving the imperial family, so Xiao Zimo refrained from discussing it with Wu Bai, omitting the prince's involvement altogether.

 

They entered the bustling Seven Treasures Duck restaurant and were shown upstairs to a private room that Xiao Zimo had reserved.

 

After ordering the Seven Treasures Duck along with a selection of dishes, the server left them alone.

 

With no one else around, Xiao Zimo grew bolder, taking Wu Bai's hand and gazing at him with unrestrained affection. This past year, he had missed Wu Bai dearly; thoughts of him had been his only source of strength amidst the many trials he faced.

 

At the time, his father had pretended to be gravely ill, hoping to force him into marrying a ger from the Minister of Rites' household. Xiao Zimo had found himself torn between his devotion to Wu Bai and the filial duty he owed to his parents. Yet he had mustered the resolve to push back, even at the risk of defying his family's wishes.

 

Only later did he discover that his father had feigned his illness with his mother's complicity. Though angered by their deception, he was ultimately relieved—at least he no longer had to choose between loyalty to his family and his love for Wu Bai.

 

However, this ordeal had strained his relationship with his parents.

 

His father's failures had long disappointed his grandfather, who feared the Xiao family might decline. But Xiao Zimo had proven himself from a young age, clever and resourceful, rekindling his grandfather's hope and even inspiring thoughts of passing the family legacy directly to him. Xiao Zimo had worked hard to live up to that trust, eventually taking on the role of head of the Xiao family.

 

He'd led a smooth life, becoming master of the Xiao household at a young age. Suitors approached him as frequently as they did officials or even princes, yet he always felt his destined match was still out there, waiting.

 

He had waited for years, and now, at twenty, while others his age already had children, he was still unmarried. His parents had grown anxious and had begun to press him about marriage.

 

With a soft sigh, Xiao Zimo felt his patience had indeed been worthwhile. He had waited, and now he had found Bai ger.

 

Though they had been an old married couple in their previous lives, Wu Bai now found himself blushing under Xiao Zimo's intense gaze.

 

Just as Xiao Zimo was about to say some more, the door to their private room suddenly opened.

 

"Haha! Cousin, I heard you were out with a ger, so I came to see who it was…" Zhao Chengnan's voice trailed off as he turned to Wu Bai, his expression one of utter shock. "It's you!!"

 

Xiao Zimo glanced between the two. "You know each other?"

 

"No," Wu Bai replied, raising an eyebrow. "I don't know his name, and he doesn't know mine."

 

Zhao Chengnan's face twitched; indeed, they didn't know each other's identities.

 

"Go on then, explain yourself." Xiao Zimo shot Zhao Chengnan a look, signaling him to tell him the truth.

 

Zhao Chengnan glanced back, shut the door, and sidled over to Xiao Zimo like a conspirator.

 

In a low voice, he said, "Cousin, remember you once asked who saved my life? Well, it was him and his family."

 

Xiao Zimo looked at Zhao Chengnan's exaggerated sneaking about with mild disdain before turning his gaze to Wu Bai.

 

Wu Bai shrugged. "When my second brother and I were traveling to the capital, we passed by a river and saw him lying there, still alive. My brother said saving a life was a great virtue, so we pulled him out. Since we were on our way to the capital, we brought him along. A few days after arriving, he woke, spoke a few words, then left. I didn't realize he was your cousin, so I never mentioned it."

 

Seeing that Wu Bai had refrained from mentioning his earlier disguise as a ger, Zhao Chengnan gave him a grateful look.

 

"What are you staring at?" Xiao Zimo swiftly moved to block Zhao Chengnan's gaze at Wu Bai, his tone unamused.

 

Caught under his cousin's sharp glare, Zhao Chengnan said in an aggrieved tone, "I only wanted to thank my cousin's person properly for saving my life, that's all."

 

"Enough," Xiao Zimo said, irritated. "Now that you know he's your cousin's person, stop lingering here. Understood?"

 

Hearing this, Zhao Chengnan looked even more wronged, giving Xiao Zimo an indignant stare. "I never thought you'd be this kind of cousin~"

 

Watching the two cousins' antics, Wu Bai could no longer hold back his laughter and chuckled aloud.

 

"Guests, the Seven Treasures Duck you ordered is ready," announced the server, entering with the main duck dish. Other servers followed, placing the rest of their food and drinks on the table before quietly leaving.

 

"Cousin, how come you two ordered so little food? Now that there are three of us, it won't be nearly enough!" Zhao Chengnan remarked, reaching out with his chopsticks toward the Seven Treasures Duck.

 

Xiao Zimo quickly intercepted him with his own chopsticks. "Shoo! We didn't order food for you. Besides, I don't believe you didn't eat lunch before coming out."

 

"Sister-in-law, look how stingy my cousin is! Please, tell him to be kinder," Zhao Chengnan complained to Wu Bai.

 

Wu Bai, laughing again at his antics, turned to Xiao Zimo. "It's all right, let him have some. We can order more if it's not enough."

 

Relenting, Xiao Zimo finally moved his chopsticks away. Seizing his chance, Zhao Chengnan excitedly reached for the most succulent piece of duck—only to watch helplessly as Xiao Zimo swiftly grabbed it first and placed it in Wu Bai's bowl.

 

Zhao Chengnan was momentarily speechless, his gaze fixed on the piece he had mentally marked out as his. In that instant, he felt an inexplicable pang in his heart!

 

The three of them continued their meal, their chatter lively and cheerful. When the food proved insufficient, they ordered more, then settled back to enjoy the view outside the window, sipping wine as they went.

 

For Zhao Chengnan, it had been a long time since he'd felt so at ease.

 

Down below, a rider sped by on horseback, kicking up dust in his wake.

 

Wu Bai looked out and asked, "Who was that just now? Riding so fast in such a crowded area!"

 

"No idea." Xiao Zimo shook his head. He had been too focused on Bai ger to pay attention to anyone else.

 

"Oh, Sister-in-law, let me tell you! That was Yu Hongyi, a son of a noble family. He trained with a martial master from a young age and now serves in the garrison outside the capital. Recently, he led a campaign to clear out bandits and was awarded the title of Brave General by my father. Now he's got quite an air about him, daring to gallop through the streets!"

 

"Yu Hongyi?" The name stirred something in Wu Bai. It was the same as the hero in the book he had read in that dark, mysterious space.

 

Could it truly be such a coincidence?

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