BLHO Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Was it I who actively provoked you?

He Yuncheng, that stubborn little mule, had already been kneeling in the snow for two hours. The old steward of the General’s Manor felt genuinely sorry for him and returned to the main hall to plead for mercy, “Young Master, whatever you need to say, please call the General back to say it. The snow is so heavy, what if he freezes and gets sick?”

Lin Shuangxu slowly sipped his hot tea, his anger not showing on his face, a layer of frost pressing down in his eyes. “Has he yielded yet?”

He was asking about the matter of the General’s Manor and the princess’s marriage.

The steward lowered his head, not knowing how to answer.

What was the General’s temperament like? Even if the King of Heaven told him to go east, he would dare to go west. The old General couldn’t control him when he was alive, let alone now that only Young Master Shuangxu was in charge of the manor.

Although, nominally, Lin Shuangxu was the He family’s *shaozhu* personally appointed by the old General, in the end, he was not a member of the He family. He was merely a student raised and educated by the old General. He Yuncheng respected him on the surface, considering him a few years older, but in his heart, how could he truly obey his discipline?

He had already made it clear that he was unwilling to marry the princess, so no matter how much they forced or punished him, it would be useless.

“Young Master…” the steward said tremulously, “If the General truly has no feelings for the princess, even if they get married, the days to come will be forced and unhappy…”

Lin Shuangxu placed his teacup down with a thud, his expression darkening. The steward immediately shut his mouth, not daring to continue speaking.

“This marriage was arranged by the teacher with the Empress Dowager before his death. It’s an imperial decree, not something he can decide based on his feelings.”

Lin Shuangxu’s voice was not loud, but every word was firm and resolute. Although he was not of the He family bloodline, he fully displayed the dignity of the head of the household.

The reasoning was sound, but with the General’s unmanageable nature, if he was unwilling, they couldn’t possibly tie him up and force him to kowtow with the princess, could they?

Lin Shuangxu hid his emotions deeply, put down his teacup, and said coldly, “Tell him to come in. I’ll see if two hours have cleared his head.”

“Yes.”

–

It wasn’t clear whether his head had been cleared, but his bones had certainly frozen even harder.

His dark grey robe was covered in snow, the young General kneeling in the room, the tip of his nose and ears frozen red. Yet his dark eyes still shone with spirit, showing not the slightest sign of remorse or repentance.

Seeing Lin Shuangxu, He Yuncheng raised the corners of his mouth, even managing a smile.

But that smile was unpleasant to look at, frivolous and disrespectful, lacking even the slightest hint of proper etiquette.

Lin Shuangxu steadied his breathing, coldly watching him. “I’ll ask you, will you marry this woman or not?”

“Not marrying.”

He Yuncheng’s tone was light and airy, clearly deliberately trying to anger him.

Lin Shuangxu rose and walked towards him.

He Yuncheng raised his eyes, his gaze following him, until he stood before him.

Lin Shuangxu frowned and said, “This marriage is not your personal matter, it concerns the stability of the court. You should understand the stakes involved without me having to explain them. The teacher had good intentions, yet you treat it so lightly. As the head of the family, do you have even a shred of responsibility?”

These words were quite harsh.

He Yuncheng lightly curled his lips, looking up at Lin Shuangxu. “When did it become my turn to make decisions for the He family? My father clearly stated before his death that you were to make all the decisions, large and small.”

He always had an answer.

Lin Shuangxu couldn’t help but be annoyed. “Since you understand, you should listen to me!”

He Yuncheng licked his numb lips, staring intently at Lin Shuangxu, his eyes adding an inexplicable meaning.

What did that mean? Others might not understand, but Lin Shuangxu knew it best.

He feigned composure and avoided He Yuncheng’s gaze.

And He Yuncheng, sensing his unease, was very pleased.

“How have I not listened?” He said to Lin Shuangxu, unhurriedly, “It’s precisely because I’m obeying the Young Master’s orders that I cannot agree to this marriage.”

“When did I give such an order?”

“Forgot?” He Yuncheng raised an eyebrow, leaning forward, deliberately slowing his pace. “Five years ago, on the night of my seventeenth birthday…”

“He Yuncheng!”

Lin Shuangxu sincerely wished he could forget.

But how could he possibly forget?

He angrily forbade He Yuncheng from mentioning it, cutting him off with an angry roar.

The steward was startled.

The Young Master’s nature was usually steady, and even when he was angry, he would speak in a low, measured tone. It was rare to see him so furious. It seemed the General had truly angered him this time.

The steward was afraid, but He Yuncheng was not.

Seeing Lin Shuangxu’s face grow increasingly unsightly, he became even more pleased. “About the drunken affair five years ago, I have kept silent until now because I know you don’t want to mention it, not because I don’t remember…”

“Don’t say any more.” Lin Shuangxu controlled his breathing.

“At that time, it was you who said, let me…”

“I told you to shut up!”

With a snap, a palm landed on He Yuncheng’s face without warning.

The words he hadn’t finished speaking were forcefully slapped back.

He Yuncheng turned his head with the merciless force, stunned.

Lin Shuangxu was also stunned, his hand still raised in mid-air, not expecting himself to be so impulsive.

The steward was dumbfounded. Even if he was angry, was it necessary to strike so hard? He hurriedly stepped forward and knelt on the ground, pleading with Lin Shuangxu.

“Young Master, calm your anger. We can discuss the marriage slowly, but you can’t hit the General!”

Lin Shuangxu didn’t speak, but He Yuncheng stood up with a gloomy face.

Having been exposed to the snow for two hours, his face was already unsightly from the cold, and with Lin Shuangxu’s slap, he looked even more ferocious.

The steward panicked. Whether in the manor or outside, his own General was someone no one could afford to provoke. Across the land, only in front of the Young Master could he be somewhat obedient.

Now, could it be that this slap had severed their brotherly bond…?

The General was approaching the Young Master, what was he going to do? Could he possibly want to retaliate?

That wouldn’t do! The General had been practicing martial arts since childhood, but the Young Master was just a scholar. A slap was just a slap, how painful could it be, why would it lead to animosity?

The steward worried about this and that, turning back to stop He Yuncheng.

“General, the Young Master is doing it for your own good, you can’t…”

Before the words of persuasion were finished, he saw He Yuncheng walk up to Lin Shuangxu, not retaliating, but reaching out and grabbing his wrist.

He looked down at his open palm, then lifted his eyes and said softly, “Using so much force, doesn’t your hand hurt?”

“?”

The steward was dumbfounded.

He Yuncheng kept his eyes on Lin Shuangxu, then spoke to the steward, “Go, find a rattan cane.”

The steward was bewildered. “D-do what with it?”

He Yuncheng said matter-of-factly, “The Young Master is weak, how can we let him discipline me with his bare hands? What if something goes wrong?”

This…?

The steward’s mind was in a mess. So, one was willing to hit, and the other was willing to be hit?

He was speechless for a long time, then said “Yes” and turned to leave.

Naturally, he wouldn’t really go looking for a rattan cane.

In the room, He Yuncheng was still holding Lin Shuangxu’s wrist. After the old servant had left for a long time, Lin Shuangxu finally came back to his senses and flung him away.

The force was heavy, full of disgust and aversion.

He Yuncheng’s fingers, still recovering from the cold, curled slightly, and he chuckled.

Looking at Lin Shuangxu’s retreating back, he imagined what a guilty expression he must have on his face at this moment.

His complexion was probably red, but he was used to maintaining appearances, not letting anyone see his embarrassment, determined to preserve the dignity of the Young Master of the General’s Manor.

“Cough.” He Yuncheng covered his lips with his fist, deliberately making a noise.

Lin Shuangxu, with his back to him, said in a cold and heartless tone, “If you don’t want to be slapped again, get out of my room right now.”

He Yuncheng didn’t move upon hearing this, nor did he make any offensive move. He simply stood there honestly and spoke to him, “Young Master Shuangxu, can you please be reasonable?”

Clearly, he was several years younger than Lin Shuangxu, but at this moment, his attitude was as if he was being tolerant, as if he was indulging him.

He helplessly asked Lin Shuangxu, “Was it I who actively provoked you?”