Henry Clark let out a laugh. “You really hold a grudge, Doctor Carter.”

　　William Carter shot him a sharp look. “Is that so funny?”

　　Henry Clark tried to hold back his laughter. “Then I won’t laugh. But, how did you know the rules of the marquis’ residence?”

　　William Carter replied calmly, “Nanny Liu insisted on telling me. I already tried my best not to listen. But my memory is too good, I can’t help it.”

　　Henry Clark chuckled softly. “Damn, you got me.”

Chapter 4

　　There had been too much going on that day. It wasn’t until bedtime that William Carter realized he’d made a miscalculation—he’d forgotten to have someone prepare a bed in the study. He’d originally planned to sleep at his desk for the night, but unexpectedly, Henry Clark had Hua Lu invite him back to the bedroom.

　　William Carter entered the bedroom with a stern face. Henry Clark, having finished his medicine, was just about to go to bed. When he saw him, he immediately smiled. “You’re here.”

　　William Carter asked bluntly, “What do you mean by this?”

　　Henry Clark looked puzzled. “What do I mean by what?”

　　“Didn’t you say we don’t have to take this marriage seriously?”

　　“That’s right.”

　　“Then why did you ask me to come back to sleep?”

　　Henry Clark smiled knowingly. “You misunderstood. I asked you to come back to sleep, not to sleep with you…”

　　Those two simple, direct words made William Carter’s face flush. “You’re at least the young master of a marquis’ household. Can’t you speak a little more properly?”

　　Henry Clark replied solemnly, “I asked you to come back to sleep, not to sleep with you. After all, no matter how good-looking you are, you’re still a man. I’m not into men.”

　　William Carter took a deep breath, deciding not to argue with Henry Clark. “Just say what you want to say.”

　　“I just want to borrow some of your good fortune.” Henry Clark mused, “I always feel that when I’m with you, my body feels a bit lighter.”

　　William Carter paused. “Are you serious?”

　　Henry Clark nodded. “I’m serious.”

　　William Carter’s lips twitched, and he let out a mocking “Fool.” “I didn’t expect you to believe in that stuff too.”

　　He’d thought Henry Clark was different from the rest of the Marquis of Nan’an’s household. He’d overestimated him.

　　“I used to believe it even less than you do, but now I kind of believe it.” Henry Clark said softly, “Doctor Carter, do you believe people have three souls and six spirits, and in reincarnation?”

　　William Carter answered decisively, “No.”

　　“Why not?”

　　“Because I’ve never seen it.”

　　“But I have.”

　　“Then you must have been mistaken.”

　　Henry Clark sighed gloomily. “I knew no one would believe me.”

　　William Carter frowned. “So, you believe the Grand Preceptor’s nonsense too?”

　　If it weren’t for the Grand Preceptor producing those birth dates, there wouldn’t have been this marriage to ward off misfortune. The Grand Preceptor’s name was, of course, on his grudge list.

　　“The Grand Preceptor…” Henry Clark mused, “You’ve reminded me. When I have the chance, I should go meet this ‘master of heaven and earth, knower of ghosts and spirits’ of Dayu.”

　　William Carter said bluntly, “You should focus on being able to get out of bed first.”

　　Although the Grand Preceptor never meddled in politics, his status was still noble, comparable to royalty, and he was often summoned to the palace by the emperor. If Henry Clark wanted to see him, he’d have to request an audience.

　　Henry Clark came back to himself and said, “Let’s not talk about that. Doctor Carter, take a look at the soft couch Hua Lu prepared for you.”

　　“…What couch?”

　　Only then did William Carter notice that the soft couch he’d slept on last night was now covered with a thick mattress and quilt, and there was even a soft pillow—practically a small bed.

　　For a moment, William Carter was expressionless, unsure whether to praise or scold.

　　Henry Clark said generously, “I don’t mind sharing a bed with another man, but I’m afraid you’d mind.”

　　When William Carter left home to study, he’d traveled far and wide with his mentor, sometimes sharing a bed with his senior and junior brothers. Two men who weren’t interested in each other sleeping together wasn’t a big deal, but Henry Clark… after all, he bore the title of husband, and William Carter couldn’t treat him like just any other man.

　　In any case, sleeping on the soft couch was more comfortable than the desk, and it would also save him the trouble of Mrs. Liang making a fuss if she found out he and Henry Clark were sleeping in separate rooms.

　　William Carter made up his mind. “I’ll go wash up first.”

　　Night deepened, and one by one, the lights in the marquis’ residence went out. The two newlyweds, both men, one slept on the bed, the other on the soft couch, separated by a screen embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water.

　　Henry Clark had slept too much during the day, so he wasn’t very sleepy now. He lay on his back with his hands behind his head and chatted idly with William Carter. “Doctor Carter, how old are you this year?”

　　William Carter closed his eyes, sounding uninterested. “Eighteen.”

　　“By normal standards, you’re probably a few months older than me. How about I call you ‘Brother Yu’ from now on?”

　　William Carter asked, “Does your head hurt?”

　　Henry Clark thought for a moment. “No.”

　　“I thought your illness had made you forget your own age.”

　　“Hey, how old am I?”

　　Was this guy really stupid or just pretending?

　　Getting annoyed before bed isn’t good for your health, so William Carter tried to stay calm. “Nineteen.”

　　“Is there such a good deal?” Henry Clark laughed. “Then you should call me ‘Brother Wancheng’.” William Carter turned over, leaving Henry Clark with only the back of his head. “Go to sleep, young marquis. You can have anything you want in your dreams.”

　　Henry Clark let out a low laugh, muttering to himself, “A super bad-tempered beauty, and such a compelling character isn’t even the protagonist…”