Demon Consort Runs into the Beijing Crown Prince - Chapter 53

On the day of the Awakening of Insects, Chu Muyun, his hair neatly bound with a jade crown, wore the flowing white robes that appeared most frequently in the drama. With elegant grace, he lifted his sleeve with one hand and held a brush in the other, writing on a sheet of Xuan paper: “A gentle rain refreshes all plants; the first thunder heralds the Awakening of Insects.” The production crew filmed a short video of him.

His movements flowed like clouds and water, and his calligraphy was refined and elegant.

The entire scene was captured in a single take, with no signs of editing or photoshopping.

The video also included a behind-the-scenes clip. As he picked up the brush, Chu Muyun ran his fingertip along the tip, muttering, “A bit worn,” with a slightly disdainful expression.

When he lowered his head to grind the ink, his movements were equally practiced.

In ancient times, noble sons were always attended by pageboys who handled tasks like grinding ink. Yet Chu Muyun looked as if he had often personally ground ink for someone.

After the official Weibo account posted the video, the comments section exploded.

[What beautiful calligraphy!]

[Treasure boy Chu Muyun, is there anything you can’t do?!]

[Having studied calligraphy for years, I can vouch for his genuine skill. This isn’t just a performance, he writes far better than I do!]

[Good heavens, how can one person be so beautiful, dance so well, and master calligraphy too?!]

[The behind-the-scenes clip is so adorable!]

[The way he grinds ink… it feels like he’s preparing ink for someone special.]

Lu Hanzhang, catching a break from his busy schedule, scrolled through Weibo and paused thoughtfully at that last comment.

Had Chu Muyun ever accompanied him in the Imperial Study before? Could he focus on his work with Chu Muyun by his side? Or… had they indulged in debauchery even in the Imperial Study?

His body betrayed him that night, conjuring a dream of a passionate encounter in the Imperial Study. The Little Demon Consort, his robes disheveled and face flushed, was grinding ink for him. The ink overflowed from the inkstone, and beneath his open robes, his snow-white legs trembled slightly.

[@Snow Moon Intertwined Official, can we raffle off this calligraphy piece?! I want it so badly!]

[Raffle! Raffle! Raffle!]

[To be honest, the brush quality isn’t great. It’s holding back his calligraphy.]

The Prop Master’s smile vanished. After all, it was just a cheap prop brush costing a few yuan. For scenes requiring writing or painting in dramas, they usually used hand doubles or simply cut to the finished artwork. Who could have predicted he would actually write?

Chu Muyun logged into his account and retweeted the official Weibo post. He hadn’t checked Weibo in a while and was surprised to see his follower count had surged to ten million. Some fans had flocked to him after his outstanding performance and victory in Dance Storm, while others had been drawn in by the overwhelming promotion for Misaligned.

Star Joy – Chu Muyun V: [The Awakening of Insects has arrived! Let the spring thunder roar as we welcome the warmth of spring and the blooming of flowers together!]

Fans flooded the comments section with synchronized messages:

[Wishing Chu Chu a fresh start this year, breaking free from his cocoon to become a butterfly!]

[Chu Chu, fly bravely! Chu fans will always be by your side!]

Someone cautiously peeked in: [Um, about that huntsman spider…]

A chorus of voices immediately shut them down: [Screaming? Absolutely not! Catch that spider and throw it back into your own home!]

That evening, Huating officially launched its annual flagship smartphone. After weeks of teasers, the official announcement included a pre-order link.

The promotional video Chu Muyun had filmed for Huating also went live simultaneously.

The opening scene showed him dressed in imperial robes, a golden crown adorned with red jade atop his head, performing a solitary dance in a grand hall. As the palace gates swung open and the gauze curtains parted, the atmosphere shifted dramatically to cyberpunk. The post-production effects were maximized: behind the gates, neon signs in dazzling colors hung from the eaves of towering pavilions, while a colossal holographic projection of Chu Muyun in modern attire, holding a smartphone, floated above the glazed tiles. Fireworks lit up the night sky like day, and flying boats shaped like traditional painted barges crisscrossed the air, their music transitioning from classical silk and bamboo instruments to electronic beats.

The red-robed concubine reached out across the palace hall. From the pitch-black night emerged the towering figure of the king, his face obscured by shadows. A crown of flowing data streams adorned his head, while golden dragons writhed dynamically across his night-black robes. He clasped the concubine’s hand, their fingers intertwining in a reunion that transcended time and space.

The background faded, and a line of text materialized: Encountering the future from the past. — Huating.

The commercial sparked a frenzy. Some adored this year’s ancient-style cyberpunk aesthetic, while others found it too “trendy,” scoffing, “Can those bosses who buy Huating’s high-end models to flaunt their status even stomach this?” Counterarguments erupted, “This year’s black model features a regal dragon-scale pattern on the back—subtle yet commanding. Which boss could resist that?” Tech enthusiasts dissected the new phone’s specs, engaging in fierce comparisons with rival brands’ recent releases, the online battleground as bloody as celebrity fan wars. Meanwhile, many exclaimed, “Chu Chu looks stunning!” “I ship the emperor and his consort!” “Another day dreaming of being the Cyber Martial King!”

That night, Chu Muyun simultaneously topped two trending searches:

[#ChuMuyun’s Calligraphy Is Stunning]

[#ChuMuyun Officially Announced as Huating’s Spokesperson]

His Weibo fan count continued to skyrocket, finally burying the “washed-up has-been” label for good. The haters, lurking in the shadows, could no longer mock him in the same way and had to find new angles to attack.

The forums were in an uproar.

Weiyang Tent Warm Forum→ [ Watercooler Zone ] → Homepage

Thread Title: Seriously, Are You Guys Actually Buying the Phones or Just Pretending to?

OP: Why is everyone talking about Huating’s new model? Am I the only one who can’t afford it? 😭

1st Reply:

[Buying it! I needed a new phone anyway.]

2nd Reply:

[Look on the bright side, at least it’s a practical piece of merch. Huating’s quality is pretty good, so I gritted my teeth and bought it.]

3rd Reply:

[I was bewitched by the Cyber Martial King in the ad and the classical beauty Consort Chu. I impulsively pre-ordered it.]

4th Reply:

[If you have the money and like it, buy it. If not, live within your means.]

5th Reply:

[I’m a poor bastard too. I just got a phone case that looks like the new model to pretend I bought it, lol.]

6th Reply:

[Whispering secretly, I think this spokesperson is absolutely perfect for the Tyrant and Enchantress theme. Huating has such a keen eye! He dances in red robes, his allure piercing to the bone, yet writes in white robes with such effortless grace. Who even remembers Consort Chu as that young, worldly prince anymore? If he ever played Consort Chu in a film or drama, it would be the first time I wouldn’t immediately shout “Ugly! Change the channel!”]

7th Reply:

Replying to 6th Reply:

[Agreed. His face makes me believe that Consort Chu, described as “radiantly beautiful, slender, and pure,” must have looked exactly like him.

Speaking of which, the actor himself is a Martial King fan! He admitted it himself. He even faced years of online backlash for criticizing Luo Yi’s portrayal of the Martial King. It’s like Consort Chu has been reincarnated!]

8th Reply:

[It’s a pity Domestic Entertainment doesn’t have a Martial King who satisfies me. First, Luo Yi’s disastrous performance needs to be permanently enshrined on the pillar of shame! Veteran actors could capture the Martial King’s imposing aura, but their looks fall short. Our Martial King was explicitly described in historical records as handsome and heroic! As for those idol stars, their faces are passable, but their bearing and temperament are utterly lacking. They don’t have a shred of imperial presence—they’d struggle to even play an imperial guard!

For the new year, I wish for the Purple Star to descend and bring us a Martial King actor who excels in every aspect, along with meticulously recreated props and sets brimming with authenticity, limitless investment, a globally renowned director, and a script that respects historical accuracy and avoids nonsensical embellishments. If we could gather all these elements and create a film for my CP that would etch itself into film history, I’d watch it endlessly and drag all my friends and family to see it with me!]

9th Reply:

[Wake up, OP! It’s not even 9 AM yet—why are you already daydreaming?]

10th Reply:

[The movie OP is wishing for seems utterly impossible. It’s a complete fantasy in every sense of the word. If you really want something realistic, wish for a decent 3D animated film instead. That’s at least somewhat achievable.]

11th Reply:

[The Huating commercial has me itching for this trope. Has any author written something like this?]

12th Reply:

Replying to 11th:

[Mrs. Bingzi wrote a similar story before, you should check it out. It’s called Pixel Roses Bloom in Cybernetic Night in the Literature section. Set in a cyberpunk metropolis, the impoverished young man Consort Chu felt utterly alone. He spent all his hard-earned savings on a cheap, outdated humanoid robot about to be discarded by the store. Within the steel shell, a soul dormant for centuries awakened with a spark of electronic life. After some heartwarming and adorable slice-of-life moments, Consort Chu worked tirelessly to gradually replace the robot’s body with a lifelike android frame, even crafting a facial model he somehow managed to create. On the night of their first intimate encounter, they both dreamed of ancient events from a thousand years ago—the world had changed, oceans had turned to fields, yet in the cold, materialistic city, they had reunited with the same soul. It’s a sweet, pure, and deliciously steamy treat!

13th Reply:

Replying to 12th:

[Thanks for the recommendation! I’m diving in right now!]

Before bed, Chu Muyun scrolled through the Forum and happily devoured the recommended short story.

After falling asleep, he had a dream. In it, the handsome android’s skin was warm to the touch, his pupils swirling with torrents of raw data that threatened to drown anyone who dared to look. The surging millions of lines of code wove into a perfect reflection of himself. During passionate lovemaking, a faint crimson tattoo would appear on the android’s collarbone—actually an ancient electronic screen the android had insisted on keeping even after changing bodies. Within the screen, a pixelated rose bloomed. Since androids lacked hearts, each contraction and expansion of the rose’s petals felt like a heartbeat born for the sake of human love.

Meanwhile, far away in the Capital, Lu Hanzhang had a different dream. Less fantastical and more grounded in reality, he dreamed of being in the Imperial Study, reviewing memorials halfway through when he couldn’t resist tossing aside his brush to make love to his Beloved Consort.

The next morning, Chu Muyun woke up and was about to send a “Good morning” message when he saw a transfer of 10,000 yuan on WeChat.

Heh, visiting the set today? Shouldn’t you hold back a little? What if you don’t get your way later? He immediately dismissed the thought. That won’t happen. I often cry and beg for mercy, and the King never denies me.

Chu Muyun woke up and went to the film set. The morning proceeded as usual, though the sky was a bit overcast. In the afternoon, rain began to fall, soaking the stone-paved paths and reflecting the light in the camera’s lens. Since they were filming on location in a film city rather than a fully enclosed studio, they were inevitably affected by the weather.

The rain wasn’t heavy, and the weather had warmed up, unlike the recent cold spells. The Director decided to rewrite the scene to take place on a rainy day and continued filming.

Halfway through the scene, the rain stopped abruptly, creating an awkward situation. The crew had to resort to using handheld sprayers to drench the actors and finish the shot.

By the time Lu Hanzhang arrived, Chu Muyun was already soaked to the bone.

He spotted Lu Hanzhang immediately but maintained his professional composure, continuing to act until the Director yelled “Cut!” Only then did he sprint over.

“You’re here!” Chu Muyun nearly threw himself into his arms but abruptly stopped. He was dripping wet and didn’t want to get Lu Hanzhang wet too.

He stopped, but Lu Hanzhang stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace, soaking his shoulder with water dripping from Chu Muyun’s hair.

“Mm, I came to see you,” Lu Hanzhang said. “What happened? Are you still filming?”

“No more filming! That was the last scene! I’ll change and go home with you right away!”

Chu Muyun looked up, his eyes curving into crescents like a little fox, its smile bright even when drenched in the rain.

Lu Hanzhang noticed Chu Muyun’s slightly low body temperature and the chill radiating from him. Considering his less-than-robust constitution, he said, “You should take a shower before we leave. Use the shower in the RV.”

“Okay.”

Chu Muyun went to the makeup room to tidy up. He removed his makeup, took off his wig and soaked costume, dried himself, and changed into his casual clothes. Emerging from the makeup room, they walked together toward the RV parked on set.

Lu Hanzhang turned to Xiao Xing, who was standing nearby, “Give me the keys. You can take a taxi home.”

Xiao Xing handed over the keys, then mustered her courage to whisper, “You need an A1 driver’s license to drive this.”

“I have one,” Lu Hanzhang replied coldly.

Xiao Xing fell silent. After saying, “Teacher Chu, I’ll be leaving now,” she departed.

“Mm, you should get off work early too!” Chu Muyun turned to Lu Hanzhang, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

He had never seen Lu Hanzhang drive before, he always had a chauffeur. So he not only knows how to drive, but he can even handle an RV? he mused. Then again, he was an exceptional horseman in his past life, charging through enemy lines alone in his youth. By that logic, it makes sense.

They boarded the RV and closed the door.

Lu Hanzhang had dismissed his assistant precisely to ensure they were alone inside. Even though Chu Muyun always wore clothes when entering and exiting the shower, he didn’t want a third person present.

“I’m going to shower now,” Chu Muyun said, stripping off his clothes right in front of Lu Hanzhang before slipping into the bathroom. He turned on the hot water, and the sound of rushing water filled the air. A moment later, his head popped out from behind the door. “You’re wet, too. Want to shower together?”

Only when Lu Hanzhang entered did Chu Muyun begin to feel flustered. Perhaps it was the scalding water cascading over his skin that made his heart race uncontrollably.

He felt Lu Hanzhang’s hand, hotter than scalding water and full of possessive strength, press against his waist, and his legs began to tremble.

Lu Hanzhang lowered his head and kissed him first, as he always did before. He gave Chu Muyun a dizzying, deep kiss, like fireworks exploding in his ears.

“Mmm…” Chu Muyun murmured sweetly, his voice thick with desire. The air was completely saturated with steam and Lu Hanzhang’s aggressive scent, leaving no room to breathe. Chu Muyun regretted calling him in, feeling this space was too cramped. The RV was spacious and comfortable, but it was still just a vehicle. The shower was far smaller than those in hotels. It was fine when he was alone, but with Lu Hanzhang, it felt claustrophobic. Pinned against the wall, he could barely turn around, and if he couldn’t take it, there was nowhere to escape. Trapped in this tiny space, he could only submit to whatever came next.

“Does this count as… car sex…? Ugh, what if someone outside notices?”

“No, this car is very stable. You can’t feel any vibrations from the outside.”

Chu Muyun quickly dismissed his doubts, completely surrendering to the moment, his entire being under his king’s control.

As Lu Hanzhang helped him clean up, Chu Muyun gripped his arm, his voice hoarse, “No more, okay? We haven’t even eaten yet… I-I prepared ingredients at the hotel to cook for you.”

“Alright,” Lu Hanzhang said, pressing a light, restrained kiss to his lips. Greedy and teasing, but can’t handle too much, he thought.

By the time they were getting dressed, Chu Muyun had recovered somewhat. Feeling thirsty, he walked to the mini-fridge for water.

“Do you want some?” he asked Lu Hanzhang.

“Yes.”

He grabbed two bottles of sparkling water. After blow-drying his own hair, he turned to Lu Hanzhang.

“Sit still,” Chu Muyun said with a grin. “I’m a professional. Let me do it for you.”

Humming a tune, he ran his fingers through Lu Hanzhang’s damp, short hair, relishing the sensation of the strands gradually drying and warming under the hot air. Even this domineering, stoic man’s hair can be fluffy like a puppy’s! Hehe~

Chu Muyun recalled his old, run-down apartment where a pet shop stood right at the entrance. Through the glass door, he could see dogs being washed inside, their golden retriever fur blown fluffy and voluminous by the staff—just like what he was doing now.

“Do you want me to get some hairspray for you?” Lu Hanzhang glanced at the mirror. His Little Canary had secretly pinched a strand of his hair into a playful cowlick and blown on it extra hard, trying to make it stay.

“Hehe,” Chu Muyun chuckled, completely unfazed by being caught in the act. “Nah, I’ll be asleep in a few hours anyway. No need for hairspray.”

After lingering in the shower for a while, the night outside the car window had deepened considerably.

Lu Hanzhang settled into the driver’s seat, while Chu Muyun sat in the passenger seat, watching him drive.

Seeing Lu Hanzhang’s smooth, practiced movements and confident handling of the car, Chu Muyun relaxed.

“Hungry?” Lu Hanzhang asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

“A little, but I can wait. Let’s eat at the hotel. There are two dishes I really want to make for you myself!”

This was the second time he’d emphasized it, making Lu Hanzhang think he must be genuinely looking forward to this meal.

“Alright.”

Chu Muyun never could resist mischief. With a teasing lilt in his voice, he asked, “Want me to wear just an apron—and nothing else—when I cook for you?”

Lu Hanzhang’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he declined, “Let’s skip it. Otherwise, we won’t eat until midnight.”

He didn’t mind, but Chu Muyun was so thin, he really should eat properly.

“Alright~” Chu Muyun’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Half an hour later, the RV drove from the film studio to the hotel and parked in the lot.

The two entered the hotel hand in hand. As soon as they returned to their room, Chu Muyun darted into the kitchen.

He had truly prepared everything in advance.

He had soaked the glutinous rice that morning to ensure it would be soft and chewy when steamed. The red bean paste wasn’t the pre-packaged kind he’d used during his trial run; instead, he had simmered it himself, reducing the sweetness and achieving a smooth, delicate texture. The three Little White Rabbit Cakes, meant to accompany the Coiling Dragon Dish, were also ready, filled with sweet jujube paste and waiting to be steamed.

To save time preparing dinner, he had even carved the dragon’s head, tail, and two pairs of claws from carrots earlier in the day and stored them in the refrigerator. Since this was for Lu Hanzhang, he had carved them with even greater care than during his trial run, wasting several carrots in the process. The final product was so detailed that even the dragon’s whiskers were meticulously carved, giving the sculpture a lifelike appearance.

“Do you need any help?” Lu Hanzhang asked.

“No need,” Chu Muyun said. “If you want to help, just wash these two pieces of meat thoroughly and then put them through the meat grinder to make ground meat.”

A man who only knows how to make one dish in two lifetimes is better off just helping me with the prep work.

“Alright.”

Soon, two steamers were set up on the stove. In addition to the Coiled Dragon Dish and Sweet Steamed Pork Belly, Chu Muyun quickly prepared Oyster Sauce Greens, baked a Spinach and Mushroom Baked Egg in the oven, and simmered a pot of sweet and sour Borscht in an electric cooker. This created a balanced meal with meat, vegetables, and soup—not extravagant, but enough for the two of them.

After serving the food, they sat down at the table. Chu Muyun introduced the dishes to his King, “This is the Coiled Dragon Dish! Doesn’t it look like a dragon? But now that I’ve added three rabbit dumplings, I should probably rename it ‘Full of Fortune’!”

“Mm, it does look like one.”

“And this is Sweet Steamed Pork Belly—uh, it’s a traditional specialty from the Sichuan region.” Chu Muyun paused. Should I explain why I made this dish?

“To express your feelings?” Lu Hanzhang asked, his gaze fixed on Chu Muyun. He seemed to grasp the meaning almost instantly, uttering those three words.

Chu Muyun, “……”

Why is this blockhead so quick on the uptake today?!