Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 44

Chu Muyun’s massive Taobao order of toys and accessories had arrived.

He was incredibly proactive! He’d placed the order immediately after reading that Xiao Huang novel.

That evening, while Lu Hanzhang was working late in the study, Chu Muyun snuck into the bedroom to secretly unpack his package.

This pure white lace thong with its intricate cutouts is a bit too vulgar, isn’t it?

He tried it on.

I’ll wear the black one tomorrow.

I’ll make Lu Hanzhang try this studded cond*m tonight. I even bought the largest size. And I have glow-in-the-dark and spiral-textured ones waiting in the wings.

These others are a bit too intense. I don’t want to scare him. Let’s take it slow. I’ll start with the gentlest one tonight.

Chu Muyun fastened golden bells around his wrists and ankles. The red cords against his milky-white skin created a striking visual contrast. Even the slightest movement of his hands or feet produced delicate, crisp chimes. When he moved more vigorously, the bells rang in a dense, rapid cascade like raindrops.

After unpacking, he hid the boxes, slipped into a soft robe, and went to find Lu Hanzhang in the study.

The tinkling bells accompanied his footsteps like a domesticated kitten.

He pushed open the study door and peeked inside.

Lu Hanzhang, engrossed in a document, heard the bells and glanced up, “Twenty more minutes.”

“Okay.”

The bell-tinkling kitten retreated to the bedroom, like a concubine awaiting the emperor’s favor.

Soon, the bells in the bedroom began to ring. Starting with scattered, delicate chimes, they gradually escalated into a chaotic storm of clanging that echoed through the night.

Recently, Chu Muyun’s drama Misaligned, in which he stars, was about to premiere and had entered its promotional period.

Lu Hanzhang went to work at the company, and at the production team’s request, Chu Muyun participated in a live-streamed promotional event for the drama.

He set up the live stream in his living room, wearing a pair of fluffy white cat ears on his black hair as he answered questions from viewers.

“What would Gu Minglun want to say? I wish Xu Yi and Xiao Yang a long and happy life together. Since I’ve already been hit by a truck, I’ll just watch over them from the afterlife. Maybe I’ll even protect them from hell.”

“Do you think the cat ears are cute? Thanks! After all, I’m the scheming second male lead—just a little trick to steal the spotlight. Hahaha, actually, the production team made me wear them. Director Zhu said whoever wore cat ears during the live stream to boost viewership would get a big red envelope.”

“Besides myself, who do I think has the best acting in the drama? Is that a question I can even answer? Fine, the Persian cats raised by the Gu family have the best acting. I petted them—they’re so soft and well-behaved.”

“Welcome to binge-watch the show! I think I did a pretty good job, if I may say so myself.”

Lu Hanzhang returned from work and deliberately avoided the phone camera as he walked toward the sofa. Chu Muyun had mentioned the livestream earlier.

A deep, pleasant voice came from off-screen, “Still live?”

“Yeah, go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me.”

The livestream chat exploded:

[Who’s that talking?]

[Is that Roommate Bro?]

[Your boyfriend’s back?]

“Just a friend, my roommate. Want to see his face? No way. This has nothing to do with the show. He’s not in the industry and doesn’t want to be recognized. He doesn’t want to be bothered.”

“Exactly, just my roommate. Stop asking about him. Ask more questions about the show.”

“…” Lu Hanzhang stood nearby, listening to Chu Muyun’s repeated use of “roommate,” his brow furrowing with inexplicable irritation. Moments later, he donned a black mask that covered the lower half of his face, cradled a large coffee-colored rabbit, and approached the edge of the camera frame. He set the rabbit down and said coldly, “The son is chewing on the sofa.”

“Oh, I’ll scold it later,” Chu Muyun said.

A moment later, Lu Hanzhang returned with another small white rabbit.

“Our daughter is also gnawing on the sofa.”

“Uh, we’ll scold them together later.”

The live stream chat exploded with question marks:

[ ?? ]

[ ??? ]

Are these your kids?

A son and a daughter?

Roommate Bro is desperately trying to assert his presence!

Even with the mask, he looks tall and handsome!

His eyes have such a commanding presence!

Is Roommate Bro jealous?

“They’re not a son and a daughter—they’re two male rabbits. Alright, we’re here to promote the drama, so let’s not talk about my roommate.” Chu Muyun struggled to regain control of the increasingly chaotic situation.

“Gu Minglun and his Persian cat are equally adorable. Want to hear me meow? Miau~ Director Zhu, make sure my red envelope is extra generous!”

Zhou Wei, who had clicked into the live stream for the gossip, exclaimed, “Wow, this was worth it! Don’t make me die laughing, bro!”

He immediately recorded the clip and sent it to a WeChat group without Lu Hanzhang, adding the caption: [Shocking! The Crown Prince’s love life is… this chaotic?!]

The group chat instantly flooded with 99+ messages.

[Hilarious!]

[Lu Hanzhang looks like he’s worth nothing.]

[His son is gnawing on the sofa.]

[His daughter is also gnawing on the sofa.]

The live stream finally ended, and Chu Muyun breathed a sigh of relief as he closed Douyin.

He was puzzled. Was Lu Hanzhang trying to publicly announce their relationship? He hadn’t fully recovered his memories from his previous life, and right now they were in a kept man agreement. How could they possibly announce it?

“Hello everyone, this is my Sugar Daddy. I’m his lifelong kept man. Please continue to support me!”

Saying something like that and still trying to maintain a career in the entertainment industry would be utterly shameless.

It also felt strangely feudal.

It was as absurd as suddenly raising a rebellion in modern society to restore the Yu Dynasty.

As soon as the camera was off, Lu Hanzhang strode over, scooped Chu Muyun off the sofa, and pinned him with a dangerous glare.

“Cat meows for attention? Let me hear it again.”

“Meow~”

“Again.”

“Meow…” Chu Muyun whimpered, instinctively sensing trouble.

In the end, he spent the entire night being f*cked while meowing.

Amidst his nightly revelries and debauchery, Chu Muyun found time for a legitimate endeavor—and thoroughly enjoyed it.

He shot a commercial for Huating’s new flagship phone and officially signed on as their brand ambassador.

This season’s Huating flagship model featured an ancient Chinese aesthetic, with its signature black-and-red color scheme explicitly evoking an imperial consort. Naturally, Chu Muyun’s commercial wardrobe consisted of an exquisitely opulent scarlet palace robe.

After filming the scripted scenes, he even hired the photographer at his own expense to capture several short, aesthetically pleasing videos: him plucking flowers while wearing the robe, playing the qin, dancing, or simply turning to gaze at the camera with a radiant smile.

When he sent the videos to Lu Hanzhang, Lu replied: [My Beloved Consort is truly beautiful.]

Though Chu Muyun knew Lu Hanzhang only remembered fragments of their past, he still stared at those four WeChat characters and grinned foolishly for a long time.

After completing the formalities, Chu Muyun received his endorsement fee from Huating, along with his appearance fee from Dance Storm and the money he had saved from previous acting and modeling gigs. His JiPay account finally held six million yuan, and he immediately went to a luxury watch boutique to buy Lu Hanzhang a high-end timepiece.

He chose a watch that matched Lu Hanzhang’s taste, with a deep black dial depicting a starry night sky scattered with shimmering specks of light.

As Chu Muyun personally fastened the watch on his Great King’s wrist, his eyes sparkled with joy, “Hehe, I can finally afford to take care of my Great King now!”

Although the bulk of the six million yuan came from the Huating endorsement fee—a top-tier smartphone brand, which meant the money ultimately came from Lu Hanzhang’s own pocket—Chu Muyun didn’t care! He had put in effort filming the commercial, and this was his hard-earned money!

Lu Hanzhang gazed at him tenderly, revealing he had already prepared a return gift: a ruby-encrusted diamond Spirit Snake Necklace purchased at auction. When Chu Muyun later checked the auction price, he discovered it was significantly more expensive than the watch he had given.

Chu Muyun, with his Giant Dragon’s Aesthetic, loved dazzling, obviously expensive jewelry. He was particularly fond of the Spirit Snake Necklace and immediately put it on. He admired himself in the mirror, pleased with how it looked, though it was a bit too extravagant for everyday wear—more suited for formal occasions like banquets, galas, or red-carpet events.

The opportunity to wear it came sooner than expected.

Lu Hanzhang took him to a business dinner. Before they left, Chu Muyun pulled out a box of vibrating eggs he’d recently ordered online.

“Boss,” he asked, “want to try something a little more exciting?”

Having experimented with various bedroom games lately, Chu Muyun felt ready to level up.

Lu Hanzhang recognized the item. His Adam’s apple bobbed, “…Not quite that depraved.”

“Mhm, mhm,” Chu Muyun nodded obediently, his mind flashing back to the 760,000 yuan transfer he’d received.

To complement the necklace, Chu Muyun had deliberately chosen a deep-V jacket. The Spirit Snake Necklace, encrusted with dazzling diamonds and a massive ruby, stood out against his black turtleneck, exuding both extravagance and eye-catching allure.

They entered the banquet hall hand in hand and sat together.

Before long, a man who looked to be in his early forties approached. Dressed casually for the occasion in a black jacket over a leopard-print shirt, he slapped Lu Hanzhang on the shoulder from behind with a roguish grin, “Little Zhang, what’s the relationship between you and this handsome young man you brought?”

Chu Muyun glanced at Lu Hanzhang, his heart skipping a beat.

Lu Hanzhang brushed the man’s hand off his shoulder, “…We’re roommates.”

“Nothing more?”

Lu Hanzhang frowned slightly, avoiding the question, “Aren’t you busy enough to be gossiping?”

“Ah, Little Zhang, still so cold. I’m your own uncle! Isn’t it a bit… rude not to share your love life with me?” The man spread his hands, then retreated under Lu Hanzhang’s increasingly icy glare. “Fine, I’ll scram.”

And he did, drifting off to flirt with a glamorous socialite across the room.

So this was someone from the Zhou Family. Remembering Zhou Wei, who had sold off the company, Chu Muyun thought, It seems the Zhou Clan’s golden age is coming to an end with this generation.

Chu Muyun didn’t want to dwell on Lu Hanzhang’s earlier response.

After all, they were just roommates. That’s what he told his fans, too…

He couldn’t exactly tell people they had a kept woman agreement. It wouldn’t affect Lu Hanzhang much, but it would be devastating to his own reputation.

Truthfully, Chu Muyun was still a little bothered, just a little. But he was willing to stay by Lu Hanzhang’s side and wait for him to figure things out.

After all… he himself had once been the one who hadn’t thought things through, who had said the wrong things and made mistakes.

The two sat side by side. Chu Muyun ate a little, though he had no appetite, and gently touched Lu Hanzhang’s hand with the back of his own.

Lu Hanzhang glanced at him but said nothing.

“Ugh…”

After a while, Chu Muyun secretly stepped on his sugar daddy’s foot under the table.

Lu Hanzhang was busy dealing with the CEO of a partner company who had come to greet him, exchanging polite pleasantries.

Chu Muyun took a sip of wine, his eyes growing misty and his cheeks flushed. He deliberately stepped harder on Lu Hanzhang’s foot.

Haaah… No, no more strength left.

Lu Hanzhang finally managed to dismiss the CEO. Turning to Chu Muyun, he asked, “Feeling unwell? Let’s go to the restroom.”

“Hmm…”

The two men rose and left.

During the banquet, many eyes secretly watched them, while others live-streamed the entire event in a private group chat without Lu Hanzhang. Given that Lu Hanzhang had never had a lover before, these people had even placed bets on how long he could keep Chu Muyun, his “little canary,” by his side.

[The Crown Princess and Crown Prince are exchanging lingering glances!]

[It’s the Crown Prince’s first time, after all. He’s really smitten with his little canary.]

[Makes me almost believe in true love! #doghead]

[Tsk tsk tsk, even sneaking hand touches during dinner.]

This private group chat was filled with wealthy, spoiled young masters like Zhou Wei.

After adulthood, Lu Hanzhang had once belonged to their circle, but now, as the Lu Clan’s powerful leader—having even confined his own father to a sanatorium—his word was law within the corporation. His position was unshakable, and under his leadership, the Lu Clan’s fortunes had soared to new heights. The two groups were no longer on the same level. Moreover, Lu Hanzhang was a workaholic with an immaculate private life, making it impossible for him to socialize with them.

All they could do was hide in their group chat, seething with envy and jealousy as they relentlessly teased him.

[Oh, they went to the restroom together.]

[Is the Crown Prince secretly playing games with his little canary?]

[The Crown Princess’s flushed face is truly alluring. Lu Hanzhang has excellent taste.

[I’ve started the timer. Let’s see when the Crown Prince returns.]

[I’m timing too. Lu Hanzhang looks physically fit. He can’t possibly be faster than my brother, right?]

[? How do you know your brother’s stats?]

[Eavesdropping.]

These busybodies would have loved to sneak into the restroom for live updates, but unfortunately, the soundproofing in this club’s restrooms was excellent. Even if they tried, they wouldn’t hear anything clearly, and it would make them look desperate.

The two men finally emerged from the restroom over an hour later.

Chu Muyun’s face seemed even redder, his legs still shaky. He clung to Lu Hanzhang’s arm, as if needing support to walk.

[Wow, 1 hour and 26 minutes. The Crown Prince is a beast.]

[How many rounds?]

[Someone go count the condoms in the restroom.]

[What if they didn’t use any?]

[666]

Zhou Wei chimed in with his own “666.”

He used to think that the trope of a cold, abstinent CEO secretly indulging in wild antics was just fiction. His cousin Lu Hanzhang, at least, wasn’t like that; he only secretly worked himself to the bone, making Zhou Wei feel even more useless by comparison. But now he wasn’t so sure. The way Lu Hanzhang looked at Chu Muyun… the moment the restroom door closed, Zhou Wei suspected things got very wild.

That evening, after returning from the banquet, Chu Muyun took a bath and then entangled himself with Lu Hanzhang in bed.

Still harboring a bit of a temper, Chu Muyun opened his long, slender legs to welcome Lu Hanzhang’s ministrations, his eyes curving sweetly as he purred, “Roommate Bro~”

“Mmm…”

Lu Hanzhang crushed Chu Muyun’s lips beneath his own. He hated that nickname and bit down hard, his hands gripping Chu Muyun’s waist with bruising force.

“Don’t call me that,” Lu Hanzhang growled.

“Ugh… it hurts… be gentler…”

Lu Hanzhang showed no mercy, his ferocity tonight surpassing even his usual intensity.

Exhausted, Chu Muyun fell asleep and had a dream.

He dreamed of a thousand years past. The newly enthroned Great King raged daily in court, determined to make Chu Muyun his Empress.

Such a precedent had never existed in their dynasty. While men could enter the palace as consorts, they could not produce imperial heirs and held lower status than female consorts. Even bestowing the title of Imperial Consort on a man was unprecedented, let alone elevating him to the position of Empress, the mother of the realm!

The ministers pleaded with the New Emperor, none supporting his heretical and unthinkable act. This included Chu Muyun’s own father, who had sent him to the palace.

After the morning court session, the New Emperor returned to Weiyang Palace and said, “I’m preparing for the Empress’s investiture ceremony. I will definitely grant you this title. Before coming back, I inspected the ceremonial grounds being set up and saw the phoenix crown the artisans are crafting for you. It’s exquisite, studded with vibrant rubies from the Western Regions. You’ll love it.”

Chu Muyun, his spirits low, forced a smile at the New Emperor’s enthusiastic words. He had just been bitterly scolded by a messenger from his family, who accused him of disgracing the Chu Family by competing with other men for the Emperor’s favor and daring to dream of becoming Empress. The messenger claimed his actions had made the family unable to hold their heads high among the court officials.

“Let it go, Great King,” Chu Muyun said. “Whether Imperial Consort or Empress, these are merely empty titles. As long as I hold a place in your heart, that’s enough. You’ve only recently ascended the throne, and your position isn’t yet secure. Don’t let me become another source of conflict between you and your ministers.”

He believed he had spoken with reason and understanding, but the moment the words left his lips, he saw the New Emperor silently watching him, the light of anticipation in his dark eyes extinguished.

Chu Muyun’s heart ached. He moved his lips as if to speak, but no words came.

Years later, when he recalled that moment, tears streamed down his face.

Perhaps, at that time, the Great King was thinking…

I’m still fighting. Why did you give up first? Why did even you abandon me?

“Very well, let it be as you say,” the New Emperor finally spoke after a long silence.

For over a decade afterward, the Great King never mentioned appointing an Empress again, yet Chu Muyun remained his sole consort in the imperial harem.

Initially, Chu Muyun hadn’t cared. He was the Great King’s only companion, so what difference did it make whether he was called Empress or Imperial Consort?

But after the Great King’s death, regret gnawed at him.

The new Emperor, a kind-hearted man, visited him at Spring Blossom Palace.

The palace was filled with thick incense smoke, and a heavy bamboo curtain separated the two men. The New Emperor told him, “Many ministers petitioned me to grant you a title, but I suppressed their requests. I swore to the Late Emperor to protect you, or he would rise from his grave to haunt me.” As he spoke, the New Emperor’s voice carried a hint of awe. Even in death, the Late Emperor’s tyrannical presence lingered.

Chu Muyun sat quietly behind the curtain, thinking, The Great King is now the Late Emperor.

He also thought, the new emperor is weak, and it is already difficult for him to save his own life, and he can’t posthumously confer the title of the Late Empress after his death.

Therefore, in the history books, he will always be a demon consort, and he will not even be the king’s principal wife.

Now he finally began to mind, he has always been a demon consort who is reviled by thousands of people, and he doesn’t have the king as a backer, what can he do at this moment?

“Cough, cough,” he suddenly coughed uncontrollably.

Outside the curtain, where Chu Muyun couldn’t see, the New Emperor’s expression shifted slightly, and he abruptly stood up.

“You… you mean…”

“Oh, it seems I’ve contracted the same illness as the Late Emperor,” Chu Muyun said, his voice as calm as still water. He tightly clutched the cloth doll he had personally sewn from the Great King’s personal clothing.

The New Emperor never visited Spring Blossom Palace again.

Chu Muyun woke up.

It was still very early, before dawn. Lu Hanzhang beside him remained sound asleep.

He quietly gazed at the most familiar face in the world.

To meet again in this modern era was already a blessing.

Chu Muyun thought, The Great King’s passionate desire to give me a proper title back then was met with rejection, leaving him heartbroken. That’s why he now hesitates to believe in my love, and wants to sign this lifelong kept woman agreement.

It’s alright. I’ll prove my love to you.

The kept man agreement wasn’t the end. He signed it to stay by Lu Hanzhang’s side, but he refused to be content with merely being Lu Hanzhang’s kept man forever.

The regrets of over a thousand years needed to be fully resolved. They still needed a grand wedding, one that would be witnessed by the world.

Chu Muyun quietly wiped away his tears and forced a smile back onto his face.

The Great King loved his smile the most. He wanted the Great King to see it the moment he opened his eyes.

Soon after, Lu Hanzhang’s eyelashes fluttered, and he woke up.

“You’re watching me?” He instinctively pulled Chu Muyun into his arms.

“Mmm, I love you so much! I want a good morning kiss! Every morning from now on!” Chu Muyun purred sweetly.

Lu Hanzhang’s lips pressed against his, first tasting lightly, then sucking on his lips as if trying to devour him whole, his kiss overflowing with fervent affection.

Chu Muyun responded with equal passion.