The ground was cold, but He Zheng gradually recovered from a state of paralysis, as if he had been treated with muscle relaxants. His muscles were slowly regaining their ability to move.
Fang Tianzhuo stayed perfectly still, and He Zheng didn't dare to look at him directly. He knew that in this time, even a small mistake could lead to execution without hesitation.
He Zheng was very uncomfortable staying in one position for too long. His arms felt numb and under pressure, so he tried hard to move his body, which was becoming more sensitive, and turned over carefully.
As he walked, he noticed a man with striking dark eyes like a phoenix, wearing a dragon robe with black and gold colors. A young man stood behind him, wearing a purple-gold crown, looking down with a neutral expression.
Fang Tianzhuo!
He Zheng, who was partially leaning on the ground, felt scared and his heart raced. He remembered TV shows about ancient Chinese palaces. He felt like he should kneel and yell, "Long live Your Majesty" but when he tried to get up, his body was too weak, and he fell to the side.
He started breathing fast, feeling panicked and helpless. Was he disrespecting the emperor? Acting without permission?
Fang Tianzhuo's frown deepened before he finally relaxed. He knelt down in front of He Zheng. "He Xiangguo is well-known for being straightforward," he said, speaking in a composed manner.
He Zheng stayed quiet, his thoughts running fast. Coming from a socialist nation, this new scenario was unfamiliar to him. The strict formality and hierarchy were strange. Unsure how to react, he felt uncomfortable and out of place.
Fang Tianzhuo was a scary person, famous for his sudden mood changes and harsh behavior. He could harm someone without showing any emotion, treating them like animals—chickens, ducks, or disgusting frogs.
He Zheng couldn't shake off the memory of Fang Tianzhuo's voice, dripping with sarcasm. Despite being the son of He Xiangguo from a noble family, he felt fear in Fang Tianzhuo's presence. This was the person who had changed his own son's physical traits and then made him have a child with someone else—an incredibly cruel act.
He Zheng's slender neck drooped, his long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. His bright red lips stood out against his pale skin, and his dark hair framed his memorable face.
According to the book, He Zheng had inherited all of his mother's beauty, surpassing even the most famous courtesans of that era.
A thin hand reached out, grabbing He Zheng's chin tightly. He had to look into Fang Tianzhuo's eyes, feeling his heart beat fast as he waited for the emperor's next action.
Fang Tianzhuo stared intently at him, examining every aspect of his behavior. "Are you scared, He Zheng?" he asked, his voice gentler, almost curious.
He Zheng took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Your Highness, I... I am not used to this. I'm sorry if I did something wrong."
At that moment, He Zheng remembered the first time he met Fang Tianzhuo in the palace. Surprisingly, the emperor had shown a bit of liking towards him, maybe impressed by his remarkable appearance. It wasn't just his attractiveness that caught Fang Tianzhuo's eye; the emperor had also learned about He Zheng's difficult childhood, where he suffered abuse from Mrs. He. This common suffering created an unforeseen bond between them.
The emperor's lips formed a slight, barely noticeable smile. "You will understand eventually. For now, stand up."
He Zheng paused, then nodded, getting up with difficulty. His body hurt, but he stood, though shakily. Fang Tianzhuo observed him carefully, his face unreadable.
Looking up at the man, He Zheng couldn't help but apologize instinctively, "I'm not feeling well."
As the story went on, it appeared that He Zheng might avoid the sad ending that was expected. He started to feel calmer, his body relaxing as a comforting arm wrapped around him, leading him into a warm embrace.
Fang Tianzhuo held He Zheng firmly, lifting him up without any effort. Looking into He Zheng's eyes with worry, he said, "Let's call the imperial doctor."
Despite Fang Tianzhuo's bad reputation, He Zheng couldn't help but feel thankful towards him. Since their first meeting, the emperor had been kind to him—a surprising contrast to his intimidating image. Additionally, Fang Tianzhuo's charm and good looks were undeniable. If he was as caring in private as he was in public, he could easily make someone feel loved and valued.
Pushing aside thoughts of his tragic future, He Zheng, who already liked men, felt moved by Fang Tianzhuo's care. Blushing a bit, he said, "No, it's okay."
"Are you sure?" Fang Tianzhuo asked, looking closely at He Zheng's face for any sign of discomfort.
He Zheng nodded, though he was unsure.
The bed they were on was big, allowing He Zheng to move comfortably. Fang Tianzhuo gently helped him lie down, placing his hand on He Zheng's cheek as he gently asked, "What's your name?"
"Ah, I'm..." He Zheng almost made a mistake,
quickly correcting himself, "I mean, Jedi General He Dazheng," he stopped himself just in time, then added in a gentler voice, "But you can call me He Zheng."
Fang Tianzhuo looked concerned, leading He Zheng to quickly clarify, "My mom's last name is Jue, also called Jueqing."
Seeing Fang Tianzhuo's response, He Zheng understood he slipped up by saying "Mom" and promptly corrected himself, "...called Juezheng... After I entered the Xiangfu, I changed my last name."
His mother was called "the Heartless Lady" because of her stunning beauty and bad attitude.
Fang Tianzhuo smiled as he gently touched He Zheng's face, saying, "Interesting. Can I call you Zheng'er?"
Trying hard not to laugh, He Zheng remembered his gaming friends shouting, "Help Zhenger! Zhenger!" He nodded seriously, holding back his laughter.
Continuing his gentle questioning, Fang Tianzhuo said, "Xiangguo gave Zheng'er to me for an important job. Does Zheng'er get it?"
It was obvious this wasn't just a question—it was a test.
As He Zheng struggled with Fang Tianzhuo's question, he felt uneasy. If he said he didn't know, it would seem unfair to Fang Tianzhuo for being put in a situation without consent. But if he pretended to know, how much should he say? Was He Xiangguo using him as a pawn to spy on Fang Tianzhuo?
In the original story, there was no need for such questions; Fang Tianzhuo had just brought He Zheng along for his own enjoyment.
As He Zheng thought about his reply, a lie came to his lips, spoken smoothly, "It's true. I have admired you from a distance for a while now, and I am ready to... do anything for you, even to have children."
A smile appeared on Fang Tianzhuo's face, but He Zheng couldn't tell if it was one of happiness or something darker.
"He's sharp," He Zheng thought, feeling both scared and excited.
Getting closer, Fang Tianzhuo's eyes grow darker, his voice lowering to a whisper, "If that's really how it is, then I won't hold back."
He Zheng felt a surge of warmth as Fang Tianzhuo's breath touched his skin, his fingers teasingly moving along his body. He tensed instinctively, torn between wanting and fear. He understood he couldn't say no tonight, he was trapped by Fang Tianzhuo. To resist would be to lie to the emperor a danger he couldn't risk.
But what did it matter? It felt like playing a thrilling game of palace secrets with a surprising twist. He Zheng shut his eyes, attempting to let go and feel in charge, even though he felt exposed and vulnerable.
As Fang Tianzhuo's eyes showed a touch of anger, He Zheng realized he had underestimated the extent of the man's cleverness. Tonight, he wasn't just involved; he was a pawn in a much more dangerous game than he had thought.
When He Zheng finally woke up, he first thought the room was covered in fog. The events from the night before felt like a blurry dream until he opened his eyes and saw the old bed curtains around him, along with the remnants of Fang Tianzhuo's presence and the aching in his body. Frowning, He Zheng couldn't help but mutter in frustration at his confusion.
As he lay there, feeling hungry and tired, He Zheng couldn't ignore the fact that, despite everything that had happened, Fang Tianzhuo was indeed good-looking. In a point of view, the experience wasn't completely bad. There was a thrilling excitement to the forbidden attraction of it all.
All of a sudden, He Zheng choked on saliva and coughed twice, the harsh truth of his situation hitting him hard.
Footsteps neared from outside, along with the voice of a girl, probably Huang Ying. "Is His Highness awake?"
He Zheng froze, his heart racing, but he stayed quiet, thinking about what to do next.
"The bath is ready. If His Highness wakes up, the servants will help with his bath," Huang Ying's voice added.
He Zheng looked around from behind the curtain, his thoughts running wild.
A bath. He had to take a bath first.
"You..." He coughed, his voice tired, "leave."
There was a pause before the maid replied with worry, "But His Majesty said..."
"Go," He Zheng stated firmly.
After a short pause, the maid agreed, "Okay."
"And shut the doors and windows," He Zheng added as a reminder.
With no more noises from outside, He Zheng raised the bed curtain and cautiously got out. When he glanced at his legs, he was briefly shocked.
His initial skin was admirable, a perfect snow-white shade. The cannon folder in this tale indeed had exceptional attributes, his leg resembled a finely crafted sculpture in its whiteness.
Looking at the shut decorated doors and windows, He Zheng couldn't help but admire the obedience of the servants. They were really trained well.
Stepping into the water with clumsiness, He Zheng started cleaning himself, exhaling deeply as the warm water surrounded him. Grabbing the water scoop next to the bucket, he was amazed by the softness of his skin. The characters in this tale were portrayed with remarkable beauty—it was no surprise Fang Tianzhuo was drawn in, and He Zheng felt strangely fascinated.
Back at home, he would typically watch a live stream or play a game during showers. However, in this new world, he was lost in thought, thinking deeply about his new situation.
"Whoa," He Zheng said as he got out of the tub, his clothes neatly hung on the screen he had carefully avoided the day before. While drying himself and putting on his clothes, he's not used to wearing long clothes yet.
Looking up, He Zheng saw the bronze mirror in front of him. Intrigued, he walked closer for a better view, only to be shocked by his own reflection.
The legendary unparalleled cannon fodder was truly remarkable. Initially, it was breathtaking then overwhelming, and upon closer inspection... He Zheng couldn't help but see a similarity to himself, just greatly improved.
The skin was smoother, the eyes bigger, the lips a bit redder, and the nose more defined... It was like seeing beauty taken to a whole new level.
Wherever this cannon folder went, he undeniably radiated a captivating charm, enchanting all who saw him. In his thoughts, He Zheng pictured that he must have won the affections of many admirers.
A memory suddenly came to He Zheng—a character from the original story.
During the time the original owner spent in the palace, there were people who watched him from a distance. One of them was Luo Yuanhou, a traveling doctor known in the martial arts world for his exceptional medical skills. It was rumored that he was summoned by He Xiangguo to create a revolutionary probiotic medicine, giving him the chance to see the original owner from afar. He Zheng recalled the stories of Luo Yuanhou's one-sided love and his regret for creating a childbirth medicine meant for his beloved without his knowledge.
And now, destiny had led this person, suggested by He Xiangguo, to work at Taiyuan Hospital.
No longer burdened by worries about birth control, He Zheng felt a surge of excitement coursing through him. In this world of multiple lovers and different choices, anything seemed possible.