The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 419: Master Jian to Hostage Yang

Chapter 419: Master Jian to Hostage Yang

As Xuan Jian’s preparations had finally drawn to a close, a bittersweet atmosphere settled over time. It was more than just the mask.

After seven days of waiting and preparing, it was time for him to set off for Jinghua.

With each passing moment, the weight of uncertainty regarding Xuan Yang’s well being grew heavier on Xuan Jian’s heart. Logically he knew his lover was okay, but the heart wasn’t a logical thing.

In the midst of the apprehension, there was a glimmer of assurance in the presence of Jia and Jun by Xuan Yang’s side. Their loyalty provided a small amount of comfort and a silent assurance that all would be well.

If there really was some danger, one of the men would have sent word his way. It was likely some matchmaking ploy or some other scheme of that nature they were dealing with.

Lady Xuan had second thoughts about the match between Xuan Yang and Xu Feng almost immediately after their wedding was concluded and their union solidified.

Those regrets had only mounted throughout the year she spent apart from her son.

Xuan Jian’s thoughts drifted to Lady Xuan’s endless plots, her relentless pursuit of status and influence. The news of Xu Feng’s "impending child" had only served to push her over the edge.

With a now "pregnant ger" at home, Xuan Yang was being kept in the capital away from the dad and child. When Xuan Yang’s child was officially announced to those in Jinghua, how would this sound?

It would look bad for Xu Feng... an abandoned first wife, or something like that. An abandoned first wife, who had more than one man in his bed...

Xuan Jian’s smile became sour. It wouldn’t matter too much, but he still didn’t want anyone speaking badly of Xu Feng all for his sake. He was the third wheel in everyone’s eyes, a servant or book boy who made his way to his master’s bride’s bed.

Xiao Long and Da Long didn’t need to take the Xuan surname, nor did they need to meet their ancestors of the Xuan or Dong bloodlines. Nor did they have any connections to Xu Feng and Xu Zeng’s blood that might reside outside of Dongzhou.

The two eggs were isolated on both sides with only Xu Zeng knowing of their existence. The risk to their safety would be too great if anyone in Xuan Yang’s family knew of them.

Xuan Yang with all his hidden potential and efforts, was still a half breed, a garden snake to some—Xuan Jian couldn’t help but smile a bit. Even so, he was lorded around by Lady Xuan.

If the existence of Xiao Long and Da Long were revealed, and their true heritage was uncovered, they would be offered up to the old ancestors of the Xuan bloodline.

It was even possible they might become a contention between the different immortal beast descended clans of Donghua... no, all of Dongzhou.

With the restrictions on him, Xuan Jian wasn’t confident he could protect his cubs from all the hungry eyes.

Anonymity was the way here. A battle was just fool’s play with the stakes so high.

"Jie, Bo, and I will leave as soon as possible." Xuan Jian said with no real order. What was Min supposed to do with this information? Nothing. Or maybe warn the others it was time to complete any pending finishing touches on their preparations.

There was no directive for Min to follow; the course of action was clear.

Nevertheless, a sense of duty compelled Min to offer a cautionary word to a certain ger. He couldn’t bear the thought of the cute children coming to harm in the absence of Master Jian.

Yes, that was a given.

"Call Xu Zeng." It was a small request that Min abided by immediately giving his master a small bow before retreating. He was heading in that direction anyway.

Nanshan Estate would likely be empty in a day or two, all of its masters gone for the first time in almost a year.

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*Somewhere in Jinghua, Xuan Mansion #x, Xuan Yang’s Perspective*

Xuan Yang sat across from his grandfather, Xuan Muchen, their demeanor exuding an air of refinement and civility.

Unlike the turbulent presence of Xuan Muyang, their mutual relative, who thankfully was absent from the current proceedings, their interaction unfolded in a peaceful manner.

The game board between them served as the focal point of their silent exchange, each move calculated and deliberate. It was a game made for this grandfather and grandson pairing.

With a gentle motion, Xuan Muchen raised his hand, a show of his age defying appearance. Despite his advanced years, his face bore little evidence of the passage of time, he looked as though he was of similar age to his son.

As he executed his move, a faint glimmer of satisfaction graced his features, confident in the superiority of his strategy. Surely, victory was within his grasp; he had staked his wager on it. There was gold on the line with this game after so many practice rounds.

Yet, in a display of composure that showcased his youth, Xuan Yang responded in kind, maneuvering his pieces across the board with unwavering precision.

"The win is mine, grandfather," his voice, though practiced, carried a subtle undercurrent of warmth—a rare display of affection reserved solely for their private encounters.

For Xuan Muchen, the admission of defeat to his grandson was a bitter pill to swallow, a concession made reluctantly yet inevitably. Despite his initial skepticism, he couldn’t deny the sheer brilliance displayed by the younger man.

"Hah!" he exclaimed, a mixture of disbelief and begrudging admiration coloring his tone. In that moment, he couldn’t help but lament the contrast between Xuan Yang and his own father, Muyang, a sentiment tinged with regret and disappointment.

"If only you were more like your father," Xuan Muchen mused, his voice tinged with a hint of ruefulness. "Not that we need any more degenerates in the family."

The words hung in the air, with neither man showing any drastic change in expression.