The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 592: Gossip Ger

Chapter 592: Gossip Ger

Xu Zeng and Xu Hu Zhe moved one after the other, their fingers adjusting the smooth material of their masks as the door creaked open. The striking features that had been visible during their private conversation—sharp eyes, and faintly glimmering scales—were once again concealed beneath familiar coverings.

There wasn’t much to be done about the silver hair, but Xu Feng wasn’t hiding his hair either.

The attendants entering this time were different from the last, and Xu Feng immediately noticed how the atmosphere in the room shifted.

Xu Zeng and Xu Hu Zhe, who had tensed slightly earlier, now sat a touch more at ease. Xu Feng hadn’t thought the previous servers were particularly troublesome—one had even been helpful, recommending fresh milk for the babies. But he wouldn’t argue over the change.

If this small adjustment made things more comfortable for everyone involved—and Xu Zeng and Xu Hu Zhe seemed to be more comfortable with the new servers—it was fine.

Plus, the switch had happened without any prompting from them, so maybe the tea house had simply gotten busier and the other attendants were no longer available.

Either way, it wasn’t worth dwelling on.

His attention flickered back to the table as their tea and pastries were set before them.

One of the attendants moved efficiently, placing a low table beside Xu Hu Zhe and Xu Zeng for easier access to the food.

Another hesitated slightly before setting a matching table in front of Lee An. Though young, she was part of their entourage, and from the way the staff carried themselves, it was clear they understood—anyone in this group, even a child, was not to be treated lightly.

They were in a private room after all. That alone cost good silver.

The momentary hesitation was subtle, but when they moved to serve tea, it became more noticeable.

Xu Feng watched as the attendant reached for the teapot, pouring first for Xuan Yang without hesitation. There was a brief pause—barely perceptible—before the man turned his attention toward Xu Feng and Xuan Jian. He hesitated just long enough for Xu Feng to catch it before ultimately serving him first.

Then, with more fluidity, he moved on to Xu Zeng, followed by Xu Hu Zhe. The last to be served were Lee An and Lee Momo, who were given small, delicate teacups—scaled-down versions of the ones placed before the adults, complete with subtle light-pink designs.

A separate pitcher of warm milk was placed on Xu Zeng and Xu Hu Zhe’s table before the attendants quickly and respectfully took their leave.

Xu Feng should have been focused on the beautifully arranged pastries or the warm, fragrant tea in front of him. Instead, his gaze lingered on the door, his mind turning over what he had just witnessed.

"Why did the attendants hesitate so much?" he questioned aloud, the thought escaping before he could reign it in.

The room stilled briefly before Xuan Jian, quick to indulge him, set his tea cup down with a quiet clink and answered smoothly. "The young master of the Xuan household must be served first, and the master’s wife should be respected as well. You’ve claimed me as a husband, and now Yang has made certain it’s legally binding. My name is also on the Xuan family register in the capital."

"Ah..." Xu Feng blinked, processing that information. "But how do they know?"

Four pairs of eyes landed on him. Even Lee An and Lee Momo, who had no idea what was going on, glanced up in curiosity, not wanting to be left out.

Xu Feng wasn’t ashamed of his question—just perplexed. "I get that Xuan Yang is recognizable. The Xuan family is well known. But just like that woman at the inn yesterday, not everyone should immediately know us on sight."

Xuan Jian’s lips twitched, and Xuan Yang quirked an eyebrow before responding, his tone dry. "My face wasn’t well known before our marriage. At least not outside the capital. We rarely came to this estate despite its proximity to the main house."

"Mmm," Xuan Jian added, his grin widening. "But a certain silver-haired ger is very eye-catching and has a habit of stirring trouble wherever he goes."

Xu Feng narrowed his eyes, unimpressed.

But as the conversation unfolded, things started making more sense—or, rather, he realized how little attention he had been paying to the rumors circulating in Yilin Town.

To be fair... okay, he had no excuse! He tried, but there was no excuse to be found even after wracking his brain for a few breaths... nothing he came up with made sense.

He’d been moving without taking into account the results of all his actions. Somehow it never felt real, this life never really felt like something he had to be accountable for, at least not fully. It was like a strange fever dream...

Lady Xuan might have been controlling the gossip in the capital, but in Yilin Town, news traveled in different ways. His appearance alone made it impossible to stay anonymous. Even when he had taken the exam in the spring, he had been disguised—but his street-side showdown with Sun Ming Hua had made him infamous.

Claiming two husbands publicly? In front of the whole town? That had been a spectacle no one would forget easily.

And now, even though months had passed, his name hadn’t faded from people’s lips.

If anything, new rumors had taken root.

Xu Feng’s expression darkened slightly as he sipped his tea. "What rumors?"

He already knew about the rumors Lu Lizheng had mentioned, and there was a connection between their former servant and Sun Minghua. But were there more?

Xuan Yang traced the rim of his teacup. "There were whispers that you’d died."

Xu Feng nodded slowly. That made sense. He had died.

For weeks, no one at the estate had seen him, and Xu Zeng had appeared just in time to step into his place. From an outsider’s perspective, it wouldn’t be strange to assume he had been recovering in secrecy, perhaps in the care of a relative. But confinement for three whole months? That was excessive. Too long.

Xuan Jian’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. "And when that rumor didn’t stick, another spread—claiming you’d suffered a miscarriage... our child."

Xu Feng tilted his head, his expression unreadable.

He already knew about this one, too. But why would someone from his own household spread it?

While Xu Zeng, Xuan Yang, and Xuan Jian had been fiercely protective of Da Long and Xiao Long, Lee Hua and Lee An had spent time with the eggs in his absence. They played with them, talked to them—there was no way the people of Nanshan Estate didn’t know the Lee children’s playmates were his children.

It had taken time for them to hatch, but they were born intact, healthy, and very present.

His fingers tightened around his teacup.

The decision to let the traitors leave—the two women and the ger who had turned their backs on the estate—still nagged at him from time to time. He wasn’t exactly cold-blooded, but something about them... something about the betrayal...

It had crossed a line.

Xu Feng had killed zombies in the other plane without too much hesitation. He knew he wasn’t the same pacifist he had been before. But maybe his men and his brother were rubbing off on him more than he realized.

They hadn’t agreed with his decision to let the traitors live, either.

Xu Feng exhaled slowly, pushing the thought aside as he set his teacup down a little harder than necessary. "I think I’m up to date on all the rumors. I just hadn’t realized people would... well, the silver hair." He sighed.

"And the mole," Xu Zeng added, unhelpfully. "It’s very noticeable."

Xu Feng shot him a look, but Xu Zeng only adjusted his mask slightly. He liked this body better. Not just because of the control he had over it, but... well, he had some self-restraint. His gaze flickered toward Xu Hu Zhe, who had been quiet throughout the discussion.

Heat curled behind his eyes.

But before his mind could wander further, a small burp interrupted the moment.

Xu Zeng’s attention snapped to his nephew just in time to see Da Long blinking up at him, lips slightly parted, a tiny smudge of soft pastry still clinging to his cheek.

Xu Zeng’s expression melted.

’So cute!’

Xuan Jian brought the conversation back into focus. "The source of the rumors has been difficult to trace. Even when we dealt with the spy at Nanshan Estate, there was no direct connection back to Sun Minghua or the Sun family."

Xu Feng hummed.

Xuan Jian continued his tone even. "Instead of spreading the rumors himself, it was done through servants of smaller households. Even the ger spy from Nanshan was receiving benefits from a different household entirely—one that just so happens to be friendly with Sun Minghua. But there’s nothing directly tying him to it."

Xu Feng’s fingers stilled.

That young mistress, Sun Minghua, was really good at this. He wasn’t careless. He had covered his tracks well.

So that’s why people in Yilin Town knew him so well. It wasn’t just his past antics—it was intentional. Someone had made sure his name never faded, that he was always on the tip of tongues, whether through gossip or scandal.

Xu Feng sighed, tilting his head against the chair.

What was more frustrating? The fact that people were still talking about him? Or the fact that he had been oblivious to it for so long?

No.

Actually, it was probably the fact that this tea wasn’t half as good as their bad tea back home.

"...Is the tea here always like this?" he muttered under his breath.