He Xiu

Time passed by quickly, in the blink of an eye, it was been a month since the imperial examination.

This morning, the messenger that Chen Jiang sent from the imperial capital city arrived.

"I knew it! Hahaha! Thank god". Wei Hen grinned. As expected, his husband secured first place in the imperial examination.

"Where is my husband?". He said to the young messenger.

"He will arrive this afternoon". Said the messenger.

"Hmmm, you can go now". After he dismissed the messenger he went straight to his in-law's courtyard.

On his way there he was stopped by Chen Li.

He gripped Wei Hen's hand tightly. Wei Hen of course resisted it by pulling his hand but his resistance was futile. His hand was gripped so tightly that it hurt him.

"Second brother, what business do you have with me". Wei Hen smiled and said politely to Chen Li.

Chen Li grinned when he heard Wei Hen's polite words. Then he touched Wei Hen's hair and sniff it. "Emm...smell nice"

"Chen Li! Just said what thing can I help you!". Wei Hen's expression and tone turned cold when he saw the other person's utter ignorance.

"Ssss~What a sexy face". Chen Li inhaled wildly. His handsome face became tense when he saw Wei Hen's cold expression.

Chen Li's height is around Cheng Jiang's height. So he slightly leans forward when he sniffs Wei Hen's hair.

"Chen Li, let go of my hand!". Wei Hen glared at him fiercely.

Chen Li is Chen Jiang's Second Brother. He is the illegitimate son. His mother is the second concubine, Madam Xi Xinyi. Her mother is a woman from a humble background. Chen Li's character is a bit bold and mischievous.

"Wei Hen, you are so naive. It's pity you do not belong to me if you do, I would clear out my harem and I would only love you day and night. Haha~". He said while pulling Wei Hen closer to him.

"What do you mean?". Wei Hen was puzzled by what was said to him.

"What do you think of father and mother went to visit Fifth Brother a few weeks ago?".

He said while smiling sinisterly.

Of course, Wei Hen was curious about it but the two of his parents-in-law said that they were visiting Chen Jiang because they want to ease his stress. Wei Hen wanted to follow but he was occupied with his and his in-law's business. "Of course, it was to visit Chen Jiang. And what is it have anything to do with you?".

"Nothing, you'll know what I'm saying sooner or later". He said with a reassuring voice and sighed at the end of his words.

"Second brother released him!". Suddenly, a deep male voice can be heard not far from the two of them.

Chen Li let go of Wei Hen's hand and looked at the owner of the voice. The owner of the voice is a handsome youth. His body was slightly burly and tanned. Maybe the cause of it was by doing hard labor from a young age.

"Tch! BusyBody!". Chen Li scowled at him defiantly.

"Second Brother, he is our brother-in-law". The youth firmly stated. Warned him of his action.

"HAH! Don't joke with me, a male concubine is not even a main wife. How can he be our sister-in-law? He's not even compared to a female concubine. Right sweet hole~". He said mockingly, then tapped Wei Hen's chin teasingly.

"Even if he is, he's not yours". The youth rebuked.

"Chen Huai, you are always middling in my business!". Chen Li said to Chen Huai.

His face grimaced, felt irritated. This sixth brother of his always interrupted his wonderful time with Wei Hen!

"It is also my duty to remind my brother of his manner". Chen Huai retorted.

"Hmph!". Then he shifted his gaze at Wei Hen. "Farewell 'spare part'. Oh~remember to find me when you're 'unoccupied'~". He also didn't forget to pat Wei Hen's cheek twice before leaving while whistling.

Sighed, Wei Hen thanked Chen Huai for helping him get rid of Chen Li.

"No problem. Did you hurt anywhere?". Saying so, Chen Huai approached him.

"No, it's just my hand a little bit red. It's okay. It's hurt a little". Wei Hen showed him his hand that had been gripped so tightly by Chen Li. There is still a red handprint on it.

"Emm... You should put ointment on it. Anyway, where are you going?". He knew Wei Hen was the type of person who didn't want to look down upon, so he changed the subject.

"I want to visit Father and Mother". He smiles and tidied his crumpled robe.

"Hen Gege..". Actually, he wants to say something. But he reminded himself not to meddle in someone else's business.

"What is it?". Wei Hen inquired. He was curious why he did not complete his sentence.

"Umm...nothing. I also have a thing to do. I'll go now". He then left.

"Okay". Wei Hen didn't bother to ask further. It just...Why does he have a bad feeling?

Wei Hen arrived at his parents-in-law's courtyard.

"Father, mother! Chen Jiang got first place in the palace examination. He's a Zhuangyuan now!". Wei Hen said cheerfully. He also forgot his manner.

"As expected of my son". Madam Chen said proudly.

"Hmm. Wei Hen prepared a party to welcome Chen Jiang! He may arrive around the afternoon. We will have a welcome party tonight". Master Chen said gaily.

"Yes, father! I will go now". Wei Hen said hastily and left the courtyard.

Wei Hen then orders the servants to buy decorations material, buys some dessert and pastries from the shop outside, and brings many kinds of dried fruit from his store. He also hired the kitchen to prepare a lot of food because there are many guests to be invited.

Wei Hen was so busy until it was nearing evening. It was a quick preparation but all was done beautifully decorated. Thanks to Wei Hen's modern knowledge.

Not long after. An extravagance horse-drawn carriage arrived at Chen's residence. The horse-drawn carriage had an imperial family insignia on it.

At that time Wei Hen was still in the kitchen inspecting all the food the chef had prepared.

His face was sweating and a bit red because of the heat in the kitchen and he was a bit tired.

All of the chefs in the kitchen are also the same.

"Okay, it's all good". Wei Hen wipes the sweat on his forehead.

All the chefs in the kitchen sighed in relief. They were exhausted but it was worth it because their fifth young master is the owner of the Zhuangyuan title. It means their lives from now on will be much better.

Suddenly, there are footsteps of someone running towards the kitchen.

"Madam Hen! Fifth Young Master is back!".

The servant was gasping while announcing.

The mood in the kitchen was happy, to begin with, become happier than before.

Wei Hen dashed out of the kitchen towards the entrance of Chen's Residence.

The bad feeling he felt before was mixed with excitement when he thought of his husband he managed to believe that it was just some random feeling.

When he arrived at the destination. He saw Chen Jiang in the middle of a conversation with Master Chen and the others.

He was so happy when he saw his husband. A sense of longing was satiated.

But...He saw Chen Jiang hold a beautiful woman who was holding a newborn baby...he heard him say...

"Everyone this is the daughter of Marquis He Liang, Minister of Revenue, her name is He Xiu, my 'Main Wife'".

Wei Hen gasped. W-what!?

"And the child is...?". The one who asked was none other than Chen Li. He looked at Wei Hen and smile mockingly. Their eyes met.

"This is Chen Wang. My first son with He Xiu!". He said proudly while gazing at the newborn baby in He Xiu's arms.

Everyone at the scene was shocked, except Master Chen and Madam Chen. The one who was the most shocked was Wei Hen. He had no time to argue with Chen Li.

W-what and when are they...?

Disappointment...sadness...anger...hurt...by being deceived, cheated, and betrayed...Why...?

He walks through the crowd and stands in front of Chen Jiang and his 'Main Wife'.

"Chen Jiang, what is the meaning of this?". He asked him. His eyes were red holding his urge to cry.

Pak! Suddenly, his face was slapped by someone. The sound echoed throughout the scene.

"Impudent bitch! You are just a mere male concubine! You are not qualified to question your husband!". Madam Chen who was near Wei Hen slapped him on his cheek furiously. While humiliating him.

"Chen Jiang...". After being slapped so hard, Wei Hen didn't bother to touch the stinging cheek that had been slapped by Madam Chen. He stubbornly stood there, waiting for the answer from his so-called husband's mouth.

"Uwaaa!". The 'Oldest Son' in He Xiu's arms cried loudly.

"Shhh... It'll be okay sweetheart. It's just a bug~". He Xiu comforts the baby while her words blatantly satirize Wei Hen.

Hearing this, Wei Hen choked and coughed a few times because his saliva mistakenly entered his respiration tube.

"Sorry wife, it's my fault. You and our son should rest well. You two must be tired". Chen Jiang then asked the servant to lead his wife and son to his room which he had asked his mother to prepare beforehand. It was when they met at the imperial capital city.

Wei Hen like a worn cloth pitifully stood there head down.

Wife...our son...these words keep echoing in his head.

"Wei Hen. Come with me to your courtyard". Chen Jiang said sternly to Wei Hen.

Wei Hen woke up from his stupor and followed him. He also noted the new words 'your courtyard' in his head.

All of the onlookers dispersed when they saw the drama end.

In the hall of Wei Hen's courtyard, Chen Jiang and Wei Hen sit on wooden chairs next to each other. There was a wooden table between them.

"Can you explain to me what happened?". Wei Hen said this while his eyes were on his stern-looking husband.

"There's nothing to explain". He said sternly while sipping his tea that had been prepared by the maidservant.

"No! I want to hear the word from your mouth!". He said angrily as he stare at his husband.

"Don't be selfish Wei Hen! You must think of me! I must have an heir! You cannot give me a child! So stop making something difficult for me!". He said while yelling at Wei Hen.

Wei Hen was stunned when he heard and saw his husband yelling at him. He saw his husband like this.

Wei Hen trembling all over his body.

Is this his reason?

"When did this all happen?". He said and his voice shaking.

"When I won first place in the Provincial Examination". Chen Jiang replied.

Why didn't I notice everything?

Wei Hen begins to panic. Maybe his husband was pressured by Master Chen and the other elders.

If he can persuade Chen Jiang and run away from here. Live in seclusion, just the two of them...live a happy life. It's not too late, right?

"If there was nothing, I'm going back". Chen Jiang said as he stood up ready to leave.

"W-where are you going?". Wei Hen was puzzled. Where did he want to go? This is their home.

"To my new courtyard". He replied nonchalantly.

"With that woman?". He inquired anxiously.

Nevertheless, Wei Hen didn't receive the answer he expected. Instead, he received a silent agreement from the man he called 'Husband'.

He begins to lose his composure. He stood up from his seat and run toward Chen Jiang then he hug him tightly from behind.

"C-Chen Jiang! I'm sorry, okay if I had a mistake toward you. P-please...". Wei Hen cried out pitifully.

"Behave!". He commands Wei Hen sternly.

"No! L-let run away far from here okay? I know you were pressured by Father and Mother. We can live without worrying about this stuff". Wei Hen convinced him with teary eyes. His mind is messy at the moment...

Will Chen Jiang listen to his notion...?