The Accusation

When Edward's carriage arrived late at night, Tang Feiliu was still awake. The small estate in Nandeng Township wasn't large, but the house left by its former owner was exceptionally beautiful—a classic European country estate. However, years without an owner or upkeep had taken their toll. Clearly, all income from the estate went directly to the duke's household, leaving no funds for maintenance. Consequently, dust covered every surface, shrubs grew wild, and the garden flowers lay scattered and forlorn, lending the place an air of desolation.

Yet this did nothing to dampen Tang Feiliu's joy at seeing the estate's red brick walls and Roman columns—a delight so intense she nearly screamed. This place represented everything Tang Feiliu, as a modern-day lover of all things fresh and simple, he had often dreamed of leisurely days spent reading and sunbathing in a garden. Reality, however, confined him to a cramped balcony in his seventy-square-meter apartment, where he crammed plants and a small, somewhat cramped table and chairs... Even that setup had made his friends envious and earned him the title of "the most romantic soul" among his online followers.

But now, standing within his own vast garden, his hands resting on the wrought-iron fence of this idyllic European-style plot adorned with Roman columns and pointed arches... Tang Feiliu realized that while his small home certainly had its charm, a grand garden and the entire expanse of perfect pastoral scenery could truly make one overflow with emotion and happiness right down to the marrow of one's bones.

So naturally, after circling the grounds once, Tang Feiliu set to work cleaning alongside the two lower-class maids Grandpa Dave had specially sent him—thankfully, the resourceful Grandpa Dave had provided several horse-drawn carriages. Otherwise, though the furniture and furnishings remained intact, everything else had grown dilapidated and unusable. Had he not brought fresh bedding and daily necessities, Tang Feiliu would likely have slept poorly that night.

The two lower-class maids were also deeply moved. for this was an absolute promotion for them. Though it seemed like a move from Black Swan Castle to a country gentleman's estate—a stark difference in status—this gentleman was no ordinary man. He was currently the Duke's most favored advisor, with influence spanning administrative affairs to matters of the castle's stewardship. Not only did he look like a saintly son, but his heart was gentle and warm, treating his servants with great kindness.

Not to mention that in this new place, they would no longer be lowly maids. Although Tang Feiliu would hire a true steward—someone literate, skilled in bookkeeping, and capable of administrative planning—that was a position no maid dared covet. However, they would undoubtedly become senior maids. From then on, their duties would be limited to serving their mistress and instructing the lower-class maids recruited from the countryside and towns. This marked their ascent to a status where they could be addressed as ladies.

This prospect filled all three with renewed vigor. By evening, Tang Feiliu's master bedroom was spotless and comfortable, completely transformed. The servants' quarters were also tidied up. Tang Feiliu generously let the two maids choose their own bedrooms. Though the estate's servants' quarters weren't as spacious as a castle's, the maids happily selected small single rooms each as their private bedrooms—a fitting match for the responsibilities they would soon undertake.

Having their own private space held immense significance. Though they discovered during their ablutions that it wasn't as convenient as the castle—requiring them to fetch water from the newly cleaned kitchen and carry it to the washroom—it clearly did nothing to dampen the trio's shared good spirits.

As Tang Feiliu, clad in her nightgown and slippers, made her final inspection of the hall under the glow of candlesticks—accompanied by her maid and surveying everything as meticulously as Grandet examining his treasures—the Duke of Edward's carriage suddenly arrived, catching everyone completely off guard.

Duke Edward seldom traveled by carriage, especially since the estate wasn't far from Black Swan Castle. The journey took over two hours by carriage, whereas riding a horse would take just over an hour. However, he had come to fetch young Lance. Considering Tang Feiliu's condition and the inherent dangers of night riding on mountain roads, he had patiently chosen the carriage, illuminated by lanterns.

When the carriage arrived, Tang Feiliu heard it from afar. He asked one of the maids in confusion, "Aili, did you hear that?"

"Yes, sir. It sounds like a carriage," replied Aili, a steady brown-haired girl who always wore her hair neatly pinned up. She listened carefully for a moment before answering earnestly.

"...Who would come to this place so late at night?" asked the slightly younger Vior, her voice tinged with confusion. She lifted her skirt to step outside but was stopped by Tang Feiliu. "It's fine. Grandfather Dave told me Nandeng Township has good security and hospitable locals... It's probably just a passing carriage. I'll go check. You two stay here."

Taking the candlestick from Ailei and Vior, he headed for the door. Though Ailei and Vior seemed uneasy, Tang Feiliu trusted his judgment. While the Lott Empire wasn't particularly prosperous at the time, it wasn't plagued by bandits or mountain robbers either— —a stark contrast to the densely populated Asia of the same era. Due to backward ideologies and sparse populations, survival was difficult even in populated areas, and venturing into the mountains meant certain death at the hands of wild beasts. Moreover, this was the heart of the duke's domain, a place common bandits dared not approach. Secondly, as a man, he could not allow the girls to face unknown dangers. Thus, he stepped outside and saw four lanterns swaying in the distance. hooves clattering steadily as they approached the estate's main gate.

Though Tang Feiliu felt confident, he stood holding the candlestick at a distance, hesitant to approach these unexpected visitors. After all, he was the only man in the estate now, with two young ladies present. He dared not act rashly— —Fortunately, Tang Feiliu soon relaxed. The carriage door opened, revealing the Duke with his dark hair and eyes. He stepped out, leaped down, and looked at Tang Feiliu.

Tang Feiliu froze in shock. Snapping out of it, he scrambled forward in his slippers, stumbling slightly as he stammered, "...Your Grace, good evening... How did you suddenly..."

Edward watched him run dangerously toward him—silk slippers clearly weren't meant for outdoor sprints—his soft golden hair dancing in the flames. Only when he reached him, tilting his head up with those lake-blue eyes to ask in astonishment did Edward's muscles slowly relax. He murmured, " Open the gate and let my carriage in, young Lance."

Only then did Tang Feiliu realize he’d left His Grace locked outside the estate gates. Fortunately, he was currently indulging in Grandet’s whimsy, wearing the entire estate’s keys around his neck. Tang Feiliu hastily fumbled for the cloth strap around his neck, then pulled out a jangling bunch of keys from beneath his collar.

The night breeze was bitingly cold, and even the quilted nightgown offered little warmth. Tang Feiliu shivered as she opened the door, only to feel a sudden warmth envelop her. Looking up, she saw Edward had already taken off his overcoat and wrapped it around her entirely. Meeting her stunned gaze, he said, "The night wind is bitterly cold. You shouldn't have gone out in just your nightgown."

"...I was just about to go to sleep." " Tang Feiliu muttered under his breath. Whose fault was this, anyway? A late-night visit forced him to answer the door in his pajamas. And his favorite quilted slippers—custom-made in York City from Lance’s old pajamas—would definitely need washing tomorrow. Who knew if the soft cotton soles, worn smooth from indoor use, had finally frayed through?

Edward clearly understood Tang Feiliu’s unspoken frustration. He gazed at the long stretch of snow-white neck exposed as Tang muttered to himself, the fine strands of golden hair—some even draping over the collar of his black coat—having grown longer since his last trim amid recent busyness. Evidently, the extra length kept him warm in winter, so he hadn't even considered trimming it. Now, bundled in the ill-fitting coat, he appeared even younger. Against the backdrop of that golden hair and sapphire eyes, he radiated an almost blasphemous aura of sanctity.

"Ah!" Tang Feiliu gasped aloud. He'd been complaining when suddenly he was lifted off his feet. The abrupt sensation of weightlessness made him instinctively struggle, only to find himself falling into a warm yet firm embrace.

Tang Feiliu stared in disbelief. Once Edward shed that long-unwashed, pungent scent that had robbed him of all desire, the faint, clean soapy fragrance mingled with a potent hormonal aura enveloped him. Tang Feiliu found himself utterly immobilized, his legs growing weak.

His face flushed crimson as he was cradled against Edward's chest, carried silently all the way back to the living room. Then Edward asked the two stunned maidservants, "Where is the bedroom?"

Alice pointed demurely toward the second floor. Edward carried Tang Feiliu all the way to the bedroom and laid him on the bed. Only then did he notice that the face that had glowed like milk under the candlelight now had a distinct pink hue. Not only that, but his ears, the exposed skin of his neck... and the parts of his body covered by the nightgown had also turned pink.

The mere thought of it made Edward's Adam's apple involuntarily bob. He stared at Tang Feiliu, whose gaze made him want to shrink away. Tang Feiliu sensed the atmosphere was terribly off. He instinctively drew his feet in, shifting his entire body toward the center of the bed. Edward watched those snow-white, delicate feet curl slightly, each one tinged with a faint pink...

"Your Grace!" Tang Feiliu gasped in surprise as Edward actually took hold of his foot! But the next moment, Tang Feiliu relaxed with relief as Edward pulled back the covers, tucked his foot beneath them, and murmured softly, "It's cold at night. This way is warmer."

"...Thank you." Tang Feiliu didn't know why, but silently pulled the quilt up to cover himself completely, leaving only his head exposed. He looked up at the duke with wide eyes before remembering a crucial question: "Your Grace, did something urgent bring you here so late?"

"I..." Edward gazed at Tang Feiliu in the candlelight. The bed dipped where he sat down. Looking at Tang Feiliu intently, he asked earnestly, "I came to ask if you could consider not choosing this estate."

"Huh?!" Tang Feiliu's thoughts vanished instantly. He flung the quilt aside with a rustle, scrambling forward until his face was inches from the duke's. "Why?"

In truth, Tang Feiliu instantly recalled his boss—the one who always promised raises but never delivered. As his expression shifted from shock to disappointment to accusation, Edward finally blurted out. He shoved Tang Feiliu back under the covers, wrapping him up, and hurriedly explained: Don't misunderstand, Little Lance. It's not that I won't give you an estate. It's that I want you to build one yourself... no, a city... right beneath Black Swan Castle. I want you to become my true administrator."

"What?!" Tang Feiliu's eyes widened. Staring at Edward before him, he exclaimed in astonishment, "A city?!"

Tang Feiliu possessed Lance's memories, so he understood how immense an honor this request from Edward truly was—in fact, he'd been puzzled earlier. In this era, every city was built around a castle. No, to be precise, the entire development of Western cities began with castles and churches. These structures served as landmarks, around which residents gradually settled, shops emerged, and the settlements slowly expanded into vast cities... York followed this pattern too, though its core was a cathedral rather than a castle. The grand estate where the late duke resided in his twilight years also served as a landmark.

What puzzled Tang Feiliu was that Black Swan Castle should logically have been the place destined for urban development. Even if earlier turmoil and warfare had depleted resources, by the time it came into the Old Duke's hands, development should have been feasible. Yet Black Swan Castle stood perpetually isolated atop its cliff, surrounded only by sprawling, haphazard villages and farmlands—utterly devoid of any urban character.

At first, Tang Feiliu was puzzled, but he simply chalked it up to aristocratic whims. He never imagined Edward would have this plan—to bestow upon him such a tremendous responsibility!

To establish a city at Black Swan Castle and serve as the duke's chief administrator—what did that even mean? It was like being suddenly appointed a high minister during the wars of the feudal lords!

Tang Feiliu's eyes widened. After a moment of stunned silence, he gripped Edward's hand with sudden gravity and declared, "Your Grace! I will give it my all!"

Edward exhaled softly, his lips curving into a rare, gentle smile.

Only then did Tang Feiliu notice how striking the stern duke looked when he smiled—a striking contrast to his usual reserved demeanor, like an ascetic suddenly softening. Oh no, Tang Feiliu realized his heart was beating a little too fast. He quickly changed the subject, asking softly, "Um... Your Lordship, did you come here just for this matter?"

"Yes," Edward murmured, gazing out the window. "Because this matter is too important, I came immediately to discuss it with you... but it's too late now, and we can't possibly make it back overnight..."

"Then... then where will you... where will you stay tonight?" Tang Feiliu stammered, his voice filled with despair.

...Throughout the entire estate, there was clearly only one place suitable for accommodating a noble without being overly disrespectful... Tang Feiliu watched Edward glance around, his gaze settling on him, curled up in the middle of the bed.

Tang Feiliu pulled his small blanket tighter around himself, his heart pounding like a drum—Good heavens, what was he to do?! Was he supposed to offer his bed to the Duke of Edward? But he didn't want to sleep on that narrow, unmodified sofa!

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Duke Edward stood up and said, "There's a sofa outside the sitting room. I can make do there..."

Tang Feiliu froze. This was a duke! He could have simply dismissed Tang Feiliu, yet he chose to leave instead.

"...I've lived in caves during battles abroad. I'm not that delicate... Lance?" Edward was speaking, preparing to leave, when suddenly his hem was tugged.

The blond child looked up at him, his blue eyes gentle enough to seem like they were lighting up his skin. Edward heard him whisper softly, "Actually, this bed is quite large... Your Grace."

In that instant, Edward felt his entire body tense. Though the hand clutching his hem was feeble and weak, he couldn't shake it free no matter how hard he tried. His Adam's apple bobbed as he croaked, "Little Lance, you..."

"What I mean is, we're both men, we can make do!" Tang Feiliu said earnestly, "It's fine! Sir!"

Edward exhaled a heavy breath. He closed his eyes briefly and said, "Alright, Little Lance, it's time for you to sleep, okay?"

Tang Feiliu watched him walk out, feeling utterly baffled... He'd finally mustered the kindness to overcome his gay shyness and earnestly invited him to make do! Sleeping in a bed was so much more comfortable! After all, when his straight male friends occasionally stayed over, he'd always been disgusted, hadn't he? As a germaphobe, it took immense resolve!

But maybe that's just how nobles are—preferring to sleep in a separate room rather than share one with others. Rumor had it that some high nobles wouldn't even allow their spouses into their chambers after marriage... Tang Feiliu yawned, utterly exhausted, and before he knew it, he drifted off into a drowsy sleep.

In the dead of night, Tang Feiliu dreamt he was embraced by something warm and firm. His insomnia, which had plagued him since York’s winter set in, vanished. He was cradled by a giant furnace, sleeping soundly through the night. The furnace radiated endless warmth, filling him with a deep, heartfelt sense of peace and security.

Waking the next morning, Tang Feiliu felt refreshed and energetic. He stretched lazily, pulled back the curtains, and saw the entire garden below in decline. Yet in the distance, a small patch of ginkgo trees glowed bright yellow, encircling a tiny pond... The layers and contrasts of color, the interplay of decay and splendor... The beauty took Tang Feiliu's breath away, striking his heart completely.

Good heavens, this place was ten thousand times more beautiful than he'd imagined! He couldn't bear to leave it!

"Young master!" Edward entered to check on the little one who always kicked off his covers at night, only to find him gazing wistfully, his blue cat-like eyes glistening with tears. "It's so beautiful here..." he murmured, reluctant to leave.

Edward paused for a second before replying, "You're right, it is beautiful. Perhaps I could send someone to properly maintain it. We could bring you here for a short stay when we have time."

Then he saw those blue cat-like eyes sparkle, mirroring the distant lake. Suddenly, Edward understood why nobles always loved residing in certain estates—because places like this were indeed far, far more beautiful than the monotonous, cold, and rigid castles.