The next day, Chu Xiangtian woke up first.
Before opening his eyes, he could already feel the warm heat pressed against him.
Looking down, sure enough, the young master had rolled into his arms, lying on his side with his cheek pressed against Chu Xiangtian’s chest, his small hands clutching at his clothes as he slept soundly.
A small movement.
“Good morning.”
A smile welled up in Chu Xiangtian’s eyes as he planted a gentle kiss on the boy’s cheek, watching as the person in his arms stirred and mumbled, slowly waking up before he finally stopped.
Still not opening his eyes, Fu Tian let out a tiny yawn and rubbed his cheek against Chu Xiangtian’s chest.
Last night was the best night’s sleep he’d had in a long time.
When the blurry remnants of sleep faded away, he fully woke up, pulling back slightly from Chu Xiangtian’s embrace, his cheeks faintly flushed as he greeted, “Good morning.”
“Getting up or sleeping a little longer?” Chu Xiangtian pinched his nose gently, smiling as he asked.
“Not sleeping anymore.”
Fu Tian sat up, stretching lazily, still flushed but with eyes bright as they landed on Chu Xiangtian.
“I’ll go call Dai Fu in.”
Rubbing Fu Tian’s head, Chu Xiangtian stood and walked out.
Dai Fu hadn’t slept well all night, his face pale with two huge dark circles under his eyes.
He was startled when the door opened, and when he saw Chu Xiangtian, he stammered, “M-Master, you’re awake?”
Chu Xiangtian responded with a hum and told him to bring over the washbasin and toiletries.
Inside, Fu Tian hadn’t moved, hugging the blanket as if lost in thought, a smile spreading across his face.
Chu Xiangtian called him back with a kiss pressed to his lips, casually asking, “What are you daydreaming about?”
“N-nothing…”
Fu Tian’s gaze flickered nervously, avoiding Chu Xiangtian’s eyes as even the tips of his ears flushed red.
Chu Xiangtian chuckled softly. “I’ll let it slide this time.”
Fu Tian hummed twice and got up to change. Chu Xiangtian took the outer robe and helped him put it on.
Obediently, Fu Tian lifted his arms without a fuss. Watching him squat down seriously to tie the belt, Chu Xiangtian’s heart overflowed with sweetness, like an aged wine — mellow, fragrant, and intoxicating.
Once dressed, Dai Fu was already waiting with bamboo salt and water for washing his face, though his expression looked more terrified the longer he stared, as if wishing to bury his head into his chest.
“I’ll do it.”
Chu Xiangtian took the items and told Dai Fu to leave first.
With permission, Dai Fu hurried out like an escapee.
Chu Xiangtian clicked his tongue, “See how scared he is?”
Fu Tian poked his face, displeased. “You’re the one who scared him on purpose.”
Grabbing at Fu Tian’s fingers that were poking him, Chu Xiangtian gently bit and said in a teasing tone, “Maybe he’s afraid he’s learned the master’s secret and…”
“Nonsense!”
Fu Tian pulled his hand back abruptly, glaring fiercely before giving a small kick to Chu Xiangtian’s calf.
“Tsk, why so mean…”
His voice tinged with laughter as Chu Xiangtian twisted a towel to wipe his face.
After their sticky, clingy washing routine, they went out together.
The weather outside was beautiful, the morning sun gentle and warm on their skin.
“Are we going to the shop today?”
Fu Tian thought for a moment and shook his head.
He had promised Li Qingnian and the others to help them come up with ideas and needed to organize the memories from his past life, along with details about the drought — he would find time to tell Chu Xiangtian later.
“I’m going to the Great Study.”
“All right, then I’ll head to the county office first.”
Now that his identity was clear, Chu Xiangtian no longer needed to sneak around.
This time, the imperial brother still entrusted him with overseeing the Jin Mine and the canal project in the south.
Though reluctant, there was no suitable replacement yet, so he had to keep an eye on things for now.
After Chu Xiangtian left, Fu Tian returned to his room and carefully took out the booklet he had written earlier.
Since his recent rebirth, he had recorded all the major events he could remember.
Comparing the memories from his last life, Fu Tian found many changes had already taken place.
There had been no Jin Kuang Tan Mo Case before, but now there was, implicating many officials; the canal had not been dug and no dock built in Sifang Town previously, but now they existed.
If the canal connecting east, south, west, and north was really completed, it would play a huge role in both drought prevention and post-disaster relief.
There were also people he hadn’t met last life who had appeared this time.
Fu Tian didn’t know if Chu Xiangtian had investigated the Jin Mine in his previous life, but undoubtedly, they hadn’t encountered each other then.
He marked the changes in the booklet and circled the events that hadn’t happened yet in bold red ink.
Though uncertain if the future would still change, it was better to prepare than to be caught off guard.
After carefully putting away the booklet, Fu Tian took out another stack of papers and began recalling the events that had occurred in Sifang Town.
Li Qingnian was the clearest in his memory.
After the Li Family suffered their downfall and Li Madam passed away from illness, the Li Brothers had no choice but to shoulder the family burdens.
The last time Fu Tian saw Li Qingnian was at Li Mother’s funeral. After that, Li Qingnian sold the family estate and left Sifang Town.
But why the Li Family suddenly declined was something Fu Tian didn’t fully understand.
After pondering, he realized the Li Family’s troubles started during the great disaster.
If they could survive this drought smoothly, perhaps their trajectory could change this time around.
And then there was He Chengliang…
Last life, Fu Tian heard he joined the army during the drought, fighting the emperor’s forces and the Yijun, gaining merit and promotion after.
But this life… Fu Tian was worried.
Zhaowang had been dealt with early, so He Chengliang never had the chance to enlist.
He needed to figure out another plan.
Fu Tian sighed, listing out their previous life paths.
Except for two or three people he remembered, most others were just vague memories.
But in chaotic times, perhaps being unknown was the safest.
He carefully put the papers into a box to hide them.
Fu Tian thought for a moment and decided to test Chu Xiangtian’s reaction first.
Rebirth sounded too mystical; if he hadn’t experienced it himself, he wouldn’t believe it either.
If Chu Xiangtian didn’t believe him, he’d have to find another way to hint at it.
While Chu Xiangtian was away, all official business was handled by Zhou Chuanqing.
Recently, Fu Tian hadn’t attended classes.
Most of his day was spent listening to reports and reviewing documents, and half the time was spent inspecting the canal construction sites.
He had lost some weight.
So when Chu Xiangtian walked in, beaming, his tone was filled with mock grievance, “You finally came back.”
Chu Xiangtian was in high spirits, clicking his tongue as he circled around him twice, shamelessly teasing, “If the ladies in Qingyang City saw you like this, no one would chase after you to marry.”
Zhou Chuanqing had dark circles under his eyes and wrinkled clothes.
The dock at Sihu River was complete, but the canal between Sihu River and Feng River still needed digging.
The workers were moving fast, with blueprints and budgets already submitted, waiting for approval before construction.
Poor Zhou had to handle all this while also managing paperwork from other commanderies and counties.
He had been working nonstop in the county office for two days.
So seeing Chu Xiangtian so happy was especially irritating, his eyes narrowing when he spoke, “You’re back, so get to work.”
Everything he was doing now was Chu Xiangtian’s job.
At least Chu Xiangtian had some conscience and sat down to review documents with him.
But at lunchtime, he tossed the papers aside, saying he was going home.
“Eat first, then come back.”
Zhou Chuanqing was baffled, “They serve lunch here at the county office.” He’d been eating there these past days.
Chu Xiangtian smiled, looking at him with pity, making Zhou even more annoyed.
He said slowly, “I’m not like you.
The young master is still waiting for me at home.”
Zhou Chuanqing blinked in disbelief, “You two…?”
Chu Xiangtian gave him a confirming look, a hint of pride in his smile.
“Want to guess where I slept last night?”
He patted Zhou’s shoulder. “I’m leaving this to you.” After all, you don’t have a wife to accompany.
Back at the East Courtyard, Fu Tian had just come out of the Great Study.
Just looking at him made Chu Xiangtian feel a surge of affection.
He reached out to pinch Fu Tian’s cheek and hold his hand, “Finished your work?”
In broad daylight… Fu Tian glanced around, then gave him a sharp look and pulled his hand back behind his back, “Yes.”
“Then shall we have lunch?”
Chu Xiangtian’s voice was gentle, showing no annoyance.
After spending the whole morning on work, Fu Tian was hungry.
He told Dai Fu to call the kitchen to send the food over.
With Chu Xiangtian around, it was inconvenient to eat with his mother and the others, so they ate in their own courtyard.
During the meal, Chu Xiangtian took care of Fu Tian the entire time — serving rice, picking dishes, removing fish bones… almost feeding him by hand.
He barely ate himself until Fu Tian grabbed a bite of food and muttered for him to eat too.
“But I just like feeding you.”
Chu Xiangtian looked at him sideways, smiling with a meaning Fu Tian couldn’t quite read.
Fu Tian glanced at him once, blushed, and buried his head to shovel a mouthful of rice, “Oh.” Is that so?