Chapter 44, however, was soaked with a viscous, grayish-white liquid...

Cui Yao suddenly pulled away.

He was clearly the one in control, but he was so shocked that he was even trying to suppress his breathing, his chest rising and falling weakly and rapidly.

He stared intently at Ji Chengnin.

The latter seemed to be struggling in a nightmare, its long eyelashes trembling, almost trying to open its eyes, but powerless, it could only furrow its brows and groan in pain.

Cui Yao stared at Ji Chengning for a moment.

Only after confirming that Ji Chengnin was still asleep did she slowly reach out and cover his eyes.

Cui Yao's palms were icy cold, but his movements were too gentle and too careful. He covered his eyes with his hands, blocking out the outside world and bringing a reassuring darkness.

“It’s alright, go to sleep,” Cui Yao leaned down, hesitated for a moment, and called out somewhat awkwardly, “A-Tu.”

If Ji Chengning were awake, he would be greatly surprised.

Since no one except Ji Lin used that nickname anymore, how did Cui Yao know it?

The gentle, tender words entered his ears, and the young marquis, half-asleep and half-awake, truly believed that the person beside him was the closest elder in the world, and his tense body slowly relaxed.

Her warm cheeks nuzzled against Cui Yao's hand in a coquettish manner, her long eyelashes brushing against the lines of her palm. It wasn't particularly sensitive there, and she didn't feel anything at all. However, the moment their hands touched, Cui Yao felt an itch that made half of her body stiffen.

His dark gaze was fixed on Ji Chengnin.

His expression was one of surprise and scrutiny, as if he had seen a fish that had been gutted and deboned on a chopping board suddenly speaking human language.

A fool who dug his own grave.

He stared at Ji Chengnin, his thoughts sharp and cold.

But no one knows who they are actually cursing.

...

Ji Chengning had a dream.

In his dream, he was tightly bound by vines or snakes, unable to move.

He couldn't open his eyes.

His pleas and attempts to please were all in vain; he could only be entangled within, the tighter and tighter they became, their bones colliding, so closely pressed together that Ji Chengnin even felt pain.

When Ji Chengning woke up, the first thing he saw was his second uncle's face.

Minister Ji's face was grim, but even his extremely somber expression couldn't hide the worry on his face. However, the moment his eyes met Ji Chengnin's, it immediately turned into a chilling coldness.

"Awake?" Ji Lin asked, her tone devoid of emotion.

Although he showed no emotion, the young marquis could already sense the impending storm. He shrank back, glanced around discreetly, but couldn't see Cui Yao. Not daring to ask, he swallowed his words.

Ji Chengnin smiled ingratiatingly, "Yes."

Ji Lin glanced sideways at Ji Chengnin, making the latter even more frightened. Her smile became even more ingratiating as she drawled, "Second Uncle."

Ji Lin had been fooled by his tricks for years and had long since developed a heart of stone. He remained unmoved and coldly laughed, "Young Marquis, you have become a thousand times more capable than before after only half a year in office." He cupped his hands and said, "I am truly sorry for my disrespect."

Ji Chengnin felt a chill run down his spine and said awkwardly, "How dare I, Second Uncle..."

"So you know you wouldn't dare!" Seeing that he was still slippery and unfazed, Ji Lin could no longer maintain her smile and angrily said, "Young Marquis, you're really something, so temperamental! You dare to contradict His Majesty to his face and even resign in a huff. If you don't want to be an official..."

Couldn't you have told me beforehand so I could think of a solution? How can I feel at ease knowing you're acting so rashly!

Before she could finish speaking, Ji Lin felt a weight in her arms.

"Swish."

His troublesome nephew rushed into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest, his hands tightly wrapped around his neck.

"Second Uncle," Ji Chengnin called to him softly.

Ji Lin's lips moved, but all the admonitions and teachings, filled with anger and tenderness, were stuck in her throat with this movement.

Ji Lin lowered her eyes.

Ji Chengning has indeed been very busy with official duties lately and has little free time. Although his frame has gradually grown, his shoulders are still thin and slender. With a long arm, he can hug Ji Chengning in his arms just like when Ji Chengning was a child.

Ji Chengnin did indeed look like a child who had suffered a great injustice, burying his head deeply in Ji Lin's arms.

Her breath rose and fell in waves, spreading from her heart to her whole body. Ji Lin couldn't describe the feelings surging in her heart at this moment. Was she angry at her little nephew for being so reckless, or was she overwhelmed by pity and heartache?

He could only feel a little heat coming from where Ji Chengning was touching him, and his fingertips were numb.

So he lowered his hand and stroked Ji Chengnin's trembling shoulder.

The Minister of Justice usually had a cold face, and he had never been asked to coax people in a kind and gentle manner.

But Ji Chengning nestled in his arms, his disheveled hair swaying with the boy's sobs.

Ji Lin was so anxious that she almost lost her temper and softened her voice, "Cheng Ning, if you don't want to be an official, I will write a letter of resignation for you tomorrow. Don't cry, be good."

Before she could finish speaking, Ji Lin felt something dampen her clothes, and her body stiffened even more.

He immediately recalled the last time Ji Chengning saved someone, only to be scolded by him, and the two of them hadn't spoken to each other for several days.

The man's slender fingers carefully touched Ji Chengnin's back, patting it gently twice to soothe him. "Atu?"

"Crunch."

The door was pushed open.

Not many people could enter Ji Chengning's bedroom without prior notice, but Cui Yao was one of them.

Ji Chengning suddenly sprang up from Ji Lin's arms.

If his cousin saw him, a grown man, still clinging to an elder and acting like a spoiled child, wouldn't he have no shame?

Unfortunately, he was too late. The moment he stood up, Cui Yao had already seen his movements and stood at the door, as if waiting for Ji Chengning to allow him to come in.

He stood against the light, so Ji Chengning couldn't see his expression, but it must have been very gentle.

Ji Lin was taken aback by Ji Chengning's sudden action, and then her gaze quickly swept over Ji Chengning's face.

The latter's face was flushed red from rubbing against his chest, her eyes and cheeks were bright red, so it was hard to tell if she had been crying. Her lips were still a little moist, and what he thought was tears was clearly saliva!

My heart was instantly relieved, but what followed was a belated surge of anger.

Just as Ji Chengning waved to Cui Yao, Ji Lin grabbed the latter's hand.

Minister Ji's face was sullen, his expression so dark it could stop a child from crying.

As Ji Chengnin's finger touched the round, damp patch on his shirt, he said in a deep voice, "Chengnin."

Ji Chengnin wiped his lips, his expression unusually awkward.

He couldn't very well say that his tears had already flowed. He suddenly realized that he was a grown man, but the tears on his clothes couldn't be wiped away, so he could only cover them up with drool.

“Because, Second Uncle, you smell like apricot blossoms,” Ji Chengning said pitifully, clutching his stomach which was practically sticking to his back from hunger, “it reminds your nephew of apricot blossom cakes.”

Ji Lin: "..."

My head hurts so much.

The main reason he didn't get married, besides having limited interest in both men and women, was that having a nephew like Ji Chengnin was already taking a toll on him, and having another child would be enough to kill him young.

He rubbed his temples in exasperation and then called for someone to bring over the sweet soup that had been simmering.

Cui Yao lifted his robe and sat down beside Ji Chengning's bed, his movements as natural as if this were not Ji Chengning's bedroom, but his own secluded boudoir.

Ji Lin's temples throbbed with anger. He thought that Miss Cui's actions were somewhat improper, but after all, Cui Yao meant well. Moreover, it was Cui Yao who brought her nephew back this morning.

Minister Ji pursed his lips and fell silent.

Ji Chengnin still looked a little embarrassed. He rubbed his face, smiled at Cui Yao, and reached out to grab Cui Yao's sleeve. "I have to thank my cousin for being able to come back."

Cui Yao looked at Ji Chengning and replied softly, "Your Highness is too kind."

His voice was soft and gentle, very moving, and Ji Chengning couldn't help but glance at Cui Yao a few more times.

At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, but upon closer inspection, Cui Yao's features appeared softer, as if she had deliberately used makeup powder to enhance her appearance, making her radiant and beautiful, like a piece of jade. Although dressed in men's clothing, she was even more difficult to distinguish from men, and her cheeks were exceptionally clear, showing no trace of lead powder.

Ji Chengnin was stunned for a few seconds.

The amazement in his eyes was clearly visible in Cui Yao's eyes. If Ji Lin hadn't been there, she would have already fawned over him like a puppy, praising his good looks.

Cui Yao lowered her eyes, her demeanor gentle and graceful.

It concealed the dark turmoil surging in his eyes.

Ji Lin's head ached even more after seeing this.

If Cui Yao knew about the palace news before him, someone in the inner palace must have been sending him a message. The question is, who was it?

This young lady...

A hint of apprehension flashed in Ji Lin's eyes. Her expression shifted, and when facing Ji Chengning, it became a look of both sigh and annoyance, a helpless expression.

Young Marquis Ji Chengnin huddled in his arms while tugging at Cui Yao's sleeve. He frowned; this was simply too inappropriate.

Ji Lin coughed lightly.

Suddenly, Ji Chengning thought of something, and the tips of her ears, hidden under her black hair, turned red. She crawled out of Ji Lin's arms and focused intently on tugging at Cui Yao's sleeve.

His cousin had a very elegant fragrance that calmed the mind and spirit; he wanted to ask her for the recipe.

Ji Lin: "???"

Cui Yao raised her head, her gaze passing over Ji Chengnin's shoulder, and briefly met Ji Lin's eyes, her smile becoming more genuine.

Ji Lin's face darkened slightly. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly heard someone outside say, "My lord, the Ministry of Justice has an important document that requires your attention."

Ji Lin said, "I understand."

Still worried, she tapped Ji Chengnin's forehead with her finger, "Take good care of your injury, and don't cause any trouble, do you hear me?"

Ji Chengnin chuckled, neither saying he heard nor that he couldn't hear.

Ji Lin was so angry she laughed, and then hit him three more times, making a perfect six.

Cui Yao said virtuously, "I will take care of the young marquis, please rest assured, Minister."

Ji Lin smiled and said, "Thank you."

Ji Chengning was puzzled, but he inexplicably felt that the atmosphere between the two was not right. He turned his gaze and leaned against the pillow listlessly, whispering to Cui Yao, "A Yao, you sound so distant."

What else do you want him to call me? Ji Lin was furious.

Seeing Ji Chengnin curled up on the bed, his face pale and his cheeks sunken, she couldn't bring herself to be cruel and said, "Get some rest. Third Miss, keep an eye on him."

Cui Yao replied dryly, "Yes, Minister." Under Ji Chengning's gaze, Cui Yao took a deep breath and forced a smile, "Second Uncle."

Ji Lin nodded with a strange expression. He checked Ji Chengnin's face again before turning away.

Ji Chengnin was completely satisfied.

Before Cui Yao's feelings of recognizing a thief as her father... no, in short, the extremely indescribable feeling had subsided, Ji Chengning leaned in affectionately, "A Yao," his bright eyes peeking out from his messy bangs, "you're so nice."

*Smack*

Something fell to the ground.

It seemed to be the last bit of lucidity he had left.

Cui Yao stared at Ji Chengnin's radiant smile for a long time before suddenly laughing.

Ji Chengning thought his smile was a little creepy but really good-looking, so he obediently lay down and looked at Cui Yao.

They have already displayed the foolish and delusional demeanor of being blinded by lust, and taking pride in it instead of feeling ashamed.

"Am I okay?"

Ji Chengnin nodded.

Cui Yao's smile grew even gentler. "Since the young master thinks I'm a decent person, could you grant me a request?"

Ji Chengnin nodded without hesitation, "Okay."

He was unusually obedient, looking up at him submissively, which made Cui Yao feel both sour and irritated.

What pleased him was Ji Chengnin's trust in him, but what displeased him was Ji Chengnin's completely unguarded demeanor.

What if he maliciously thinks, "I want you to kill the king?"

To murder your loyal king, the one you should have served for life.

I knew Ji Chengnin's answer without even asking, and my mood worsened. If I had ulterior motives, and my gaze followed Ji Chengnin's slender neck, where I could vaguely see a semi-circular protrusion, what expression would you make?

Ji Chengning felt uneasy under his gaze.

I subconsciously looked up at my chest.

There are no marks or anything unusual about it. What happened?

Cui Yao lowered her eyes, trying to keep her breathing light so as not to frighten the overly perceptive little dog in front of her, who was completely wary of those she trusted.

He took out a small medicine box, about the size of a palm, from his sleeve.

"May I apply medicine to the Crown Prince?"

After Ji Chengning returned to the mansion, he had already applied the medicine once. Ji Lin personally did all the work of changing clothes, cleaning, and applying the medicine, and she absolutely refused to let anyone else do it.

The medicine needs to be changed every two hours, and judging by the timing, it's just the right time.

Ji Chengnin was shocked and said decisively, "No!"

His leg was injured, not his face. If it were his face, his cousin could have applied medicine whenever she wanted, but for a leg injury, he had to half-pull down his underwear to apply medicine. Ji Chengning wasn't that reckless.

Then she immediately realized that her tone was too harsh, "I know A-Yao is worried about me, but, but I can manage on my own, and besides, the wound is bloody and mangled, so don't let it get into A-Yao's eyes."

Why can Ji Lin do it, but I can't?

My meticulous cousin thought to herself.

He quietly moved a few inches closer, without Ji Chengnin noticing.

He lowered his eyes, his expression tearful, his voice extremely dejected, "Does the young master think I'm clumsy and rough?"

Ji Chengnin was momentarily stunned. "I had absolutely no such intention."

A hand silently pressed down on Ji Chengnin's ankle through the cup. "Your Highness, you already agreed," the hand tightened slowly. "The dignified heir of the Marquis of Yongning wouldn't go back on his word, would he?"

Ji Chengning thought to himself, "What a coincidence. The young marquis is very good at breaking his promises."

But Cui Yao just looked at him like that, gentle and pitiful.

Ji Chengnin paused for a moment, then said, "Okay."

Cui Yaofang's face lit up, her expression instantly brightening, as if someone had presented Ji Chengning with a handful of pear blossoms as white as fine snow, so beautiful that he could hardly look away.

"Click".

Cui Yao unscrewed the medicine box and placed the medicine on the table.

Ji Chengnin's heartbeat also paused for a moment.

Cui Yao carefully lifted the thin blanket and knelt down beside Ji Chengning.

The young marquis could clearly feel a dent in his side, and his Adam's apple bobbed nervously.

The next moment, Cui Yao's hand landed on his calf, her fingers probing along the edge where his underwear met his skin, curling upwards.

His cold fingers touched his exposed skin almost unintentionally.

Ji Chengning hissed softly as he felt the cold.

She flinched slightly, but since she had already promised Cui Yao, she forced herself to relax, obediently lying down and letting him do as he pleased.

The feeling of having this need for control so intensely satisfied is wonderful.

Cui Yao's nose was a little moist.

He slowly and carefully unwrapped the gauze from his knees. Compared to before when he seemed overly nervous and accidentally bumped into Ji Chengning repeatedly, his hands were unusually steady now, and he didn't touch the injury even once.

The gruesome injuries were on full display.

Because the medicine had been applied, the wound had stopped bleeding, and the skin and flesh had turned outwards, revealing pink flesh still covered with a layer of blood streaks.

Even though she had already examined Ji Chengning's injuries, Cui Yao still gripped the soft flesh inside his cheek tightly upon looking at it again.

The emperor is truly... despicable!

Cui Yao's expression remained unchanged as she took out a cotton swab, dipped it in the ointment, and carefully applied it to the wound.

It didn't hurt too much, but it felt cool, like being covered with a layer of mint leaves.

Ji Chengning's calf twitched uncontrollably, but Cui Yao held his ankle with one hand to prevent him from moving and hitting the cotton swab.

The five fingers were icy cold and had a strong presence. Ji Chengnin looked down and saw five pale fingers lined up, tightly encircling his ankle bone and slightly embedded in his flesh.

Like the Tao, an exquisite and beautiful chain.

“Ah Yao”.

Cui Yao's voice was somewhat deep, "It will be ready soon, Your Highness."

He seemed to have a lot of experience dealing with wounds; aside from his initial hesitation, he proceeded methodically and carefully.

The only drawback was that Cui Yao was so cold that Ji Chengning couldn't help but feel like he was at her mercy.

It does indeed look like a fish.

Cui Yao also had this thought for no apparent reason.

No, that's not right, it's the legendary shark.

The tail has smooth and powerful lines, and it is extremely sensitive. Just a gentle kneading of a certain spot can make the other person tremble as if they can't take it.

Cui Yao looked up.

Ji Chengning was afraid to apply the medicine to him, but she still had to watch him intently.

Whether it was due to nervousness or something else, a layer of moisture, like mist, shrouded Young Master Ji's peach blossom eyes.

The fog is so thick it makes you dizzy and disoriented.

Her long eyelashes pressed down sharply.

Thus, the dark, sticky, and even disgusting emotions that Cui Yao himself found repulsive were carefully concealed through his movements.

He silently exhaled a breath of stale air.

The application of the medicine went very smoothly. Cui Yao carefully applied the medicine and then meticulously wrapped him in brand-new gauze. Just as she was about to put down his underpants...

The jade cotton stick that was placed to the side accidentally rolled off and hit Ji Chengnin's ankle.

A rounded and distinct piece of bone covered the pure white and soft skin, so white and flawless that it almost shone with a pearly luster.

Ji Chengning is fond of cleanliness, so this place is naturally extremely clean as well.

Now, however, it is wet and dirty with a thick, grayish-white liquid.

[This is just applying medicine, specifically medicine for the leg. Please approve.]

Cui Yao's breathing suddenly became heavy.

Ji Chengnin was covered in sweat from wiping, and finally found a chance to speak, "Ayao, I have..."

Before he could finish speaking, Cui Yao wiped away the medicine with her sleeve.

The delicate silk garment was easily crumpled and wrinkled, with a semi-sticky liquid faintly visible within, as if it were some kind of uncontrollable evidence of a crime that its owner had frantically concealed.

"A handkerchief," Ji Chengnin said curtly.

Cui Yao looked up at him upon hearing the sound.

It was clearly the makeup style that was currently popular in the capital, but he deliberately wore a man's hair ornament, which made Ji Chengning even feel a little dazed and wonder if he was still dreaming.

Chaotic, and taboo.

Cui Yao covered him with the thin blanket again, saying, "That's enough."

He tried to make as little noise as possible.

Even he himself could hear the strange hoarseness in his voice.

He should leave.

The bed curtains were drawn, and the hot breath that Ji Chengning inhaled and exhaled made him restless.

Even if you don't leave, you should stay away from Ji Chengning.

Moreover, he had been in too much contact with Ji Chengnin during this period. People tend to take things for granted when they have them readily available, especially someone like Ji Chengnin who is prone to getting bored easily.

From any perspective, he must keep his distance from Ji Chengnin now.

A push-and-pull approach is best, to entice the fish to take the bait.

That's what he thought.

So she distanced herself from Ji Chengning, turned her face away, and tried to focus her attention on the furnishings of Ji Chengning's bedroom.

“Ah Yao”.

Cui Yao turned her head abruptly, "What?"

-----------------------

Author's note: Goodnight, my wife.