Chapter 36: First Kiss The lights in the room were dim, and the light outside the window was faint...

The lights in the house were dim, and the faint voices of several people talking could be heard outside the window, but they were not very clear.

The sharp pain in his back suddenly woke Xie Xuanhui up.

When he regained consciousness, he realized that he had come to the counties without telling the old emperor. No matter how suspicious the old emperor was, he would never have thought that the old general guarding the border had secretly joined his army. He just didn't expect that he would be injured so badly and might not be able to return to Beijing for a while.

He suddenly thought of what happened yesterday when Ah Shu fell from the building and was kidnapped, and his heart suddenly tightened!

He immediately struggled to get up, but suddenly found a figure sitting quietly on the couch not far away. His heart skipped a beat and he was really scared. But when he looked closely, it was Ah Shu, the one he had been thinking about.

At this time, the figure had noticed his movements and walked over.

"Ashu."

Because of the serious injury and the fact that he had just woken up, his voice was hoarse and a bit soft and coquettish. He still remembered that before he fainted yesterday, Ah Shu was really angry.

"Um."

Xie Xuanhui, who had originally prepared himself for a cold reception or even a few scoldings, was stunned by the "hmm" and stood there for a moment, almost thinking it was an hallucination caused by excessive blood loss.

Before he could think about it, Xiao Wangshu had already approached him. In the dim candlelight, he greedily traced Xiao Wangshu's eyebrows and eyes, as if to make up for the time they had been apart.

In the past, Ah Shu would have avoided looking away or diverted his attention.

But this time, Xiao Wangshu sat beside him, letting him look at him, his brows filled with gentleness. The last time he saw him so good-tempered... seemed to be on his sixteenth birthday in a previous life.

Greed is like a wildfire, how far can it be stopped? He thought to himself, and the next second, he raised his hand and grabbed the corner of Xiao Wangshu's sleeve.

This time, Xiao Wangshu moved, as if to avoid him. He couldn't help but feel disappointed, but it seemed natural. Until a pair of slightly cool hands covered him, interlocking their fingers.

"boom--!"

It was like a giant firework exploded in his head. He stared at the folded hands, his mind blank, all his thoughts and senses occupied by the close touch. Then, there was an overwhelming ecstasy!

He suddenly looked up into Xiao Wangshu's eyes, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but his rationality returned in the next second. The ecstasy receded like a tide, leaving only cautious uneasiness and uncertainty.

"Doesn't the two-year period count?"

Xiao Wangshu just sat beside him and glanced at him indifferently. The look was a little complicated, and Xie Xuanhui didn't understand.

"Um."

It was just a simple syllable, without any emotion.

The desperate feeling of suffocation overwhelmed him, and the tyranny rising from his heart almost broke out of the cage!

He wanted to lock him up, hide him, make sure he couldn't leave, and make sure he belonged to him forever!

But he held it back, and the strength of his grip on the hand increased uncontrollably, until his knuckles turned white.

"Your Highness is so stupid."

This is referring to His Highness yesterday, His Highness in the previous life, and His Highness now.

But at a certain moment, Xiao Wangshu suddenly realized that love might not be that deep. It was just that he, who was loved so purely and passionately, might have already fallen for it.

He always has a soft heart towards His Highness.

"Well, I am stupid." Xie Xuanhui suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and revealed a hint of request in his tone, "Can you stay with me for a while longer?"

Just a moment, a little longer, just a moment, otherwise he would not be able to help but drag Ashu into the abyss where only he was.

"Your Highness, the two-year period is no longer valid."

I couldn't help but remind him again that there was a gentleness in Xiao Wangshu's tone that he himself didn't even notice.

"Okay!" Xie Xuanhui responded angrily, as if his heart was being gripped by someone.

Seeing His Highness looking so anxious and slow, Xiao Wangshu couldn't help but poke His Highness's forehead. How could His Highness, who was usually so calculating, be so slow to react?

But perhaps His Royal Highness the Crown Prince never dared to ask for it.

"You don't have to keep repeating yourself!"

Turning his head away, Xie Xuanhui spoke in a hard tone, with a hint of anger, as if this could make the word "it doesn't count" disappear.

Helplessly looking at His Highness's tightly pursed lips and slightly red ears, Xiao Wangshu's mind moved slightly. He leaned over and placed a very light and quick kiss on the corner of the tightly pursed lips.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, even a little soft.

I don’t feel disgusted.

Like a computer that was forced to shut down, Xie Xuanhui was completely frozen there. He even felt that he was dreaming, but the pain in his back was irritating his nerves every moment.

It was not until the touch between the lips disappeared that Xie Xuanhui realized that it was a kiss, a real kiss.

The moment he came to his senses, heat spread from his lips, rising to his head. The blood in his ears, fingertips, toes, and even his entire body was boiling.

"Ashu."

He subconsciously called out softly, but his thoughts drifted away to who knows where.

"Yeah." Xiao Wangshu just responded with a smile.

"Ashu."

He enjoyed it so much, as if he had discovered a new world.

And Xiao Wangshu just responded patiently over and over again.

Until the faint sounds of conversation outside the house disappeared no longer, until the cold moonlight poured into the room through the window, covering them on the bed with a layer of soft gauze.

As Xie Xuanhui leaned closer and closer to Xiao Wangshu, he always had a feeling that it was not real.

"Your Highness, I am about to fall."

It seemed that everything had changed, yet nothing had changed. At least Xie Xuanhui heard a completely different indulgence and intimacy from the word "Your Highness" than before.

"Ashu, hold me."

He became more and more demanding, and like a newborn cub, he curled up in the other's arms affectionately, seeking the courage to fight against the strange world.

In the darkness, Xiao Wangshu raised his eyebrows, but still carefully avoided the wound and held the person in his arms.

Their breathing intertwined, and Xie Xuanhui heard Xiao Wangshu say in his ear in a very low but infinitely tender voice:

"I obey your command, my Lord."

Like the transformation of heaven and earth, stars fall into my arms.

Sleepiness gradually crept onto his eyelids, and Xie Xuanhui had the most beautiful dream in his two lifetimes.

The morning light is dim and all things come to life.

The old general led his troops in pursuit of the victory and annihilated the main force of the Southern Shu army. The remnants fled to the dense forest at the border between the two countries. Relying on the steep terrain and the pervasive miasma, they put up a stubborn resistance. The Zhongshan army did not pursue them in depth for the time being.

Post-war rehabilitation work in various counties is also being carried out in an orderly manner.

After Xiao Wangshu and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince talked it out that day, their relationship progressed by leaps and bounds, and they were as sweet as honey - completely disregarding the lives of Nian Yue and others who were still living in the county government office.

Because the Crown Prince's back injury had not yet healed completely, Xiao Wangshu did not let him get out of bed most of the time. However, Xiao Wangshu could not always be by his side because he had to handle official duties, which made the Crown Prince a little dissatisfied, especially since he felt that he was almost recovered.

So that day, while the servants were not paying attention, Xie Xuanhui slipped out of the room.

In the study, Xiao Wangshu's conversation with Mr. Chihua and Nian Yue was nearing its end, and the atmosphere was solemn.

"Sir, His Highness's poison... is there really no other way?" Xiao Wangshu frowned, his fingertips tapping the table unconsciously.

Mr. Chihua sighed and shook his head. "That pill's effectiveness will only last two months at most. This poison is treacherous, deeply ingrained, and unusual. To completely eliminate it, I'm afraid... I'll need to travel to Southern Shu and seek the help of my old, reclusive friend. She's the only one who might know the solution."

Xiao Wangshu made up his mind that he would definitely go to Nanshu, but he had not yet figured out how to hide it from His Highness or convince him.

"So, sir..."

Nian Yue, who had been silent at this time, interrupted him.

"Master Xiao, the various counties are so complex and need you to handle all the affairs. Besides, leaving your post without permission is a capital offense."

As soon as Xiao Wangshu heard this, he knew what Nian Yue meant. He was about to speak but was interrupted by Nian Yue.

"What's more, His Highness will never let you go to Southern Shu alone. If you two go together, the risk will only be greater. Nianyue is willing to go to Southern Shu to find medicine for His Highness and the Young Master. However, I hope that the Young Master will agree to one condition after Nianyue returns from her search."

Having said that, how could Xiao Wangshu be willing to let Nian Yue take risks? He frowned and was about to refuse when he heard Mr. Chihua speak.

"It would be fine if Miss Nianyue went. My old friend really hates men."

"Sir, let Nian Yue go!"

Nian Yue also asked again at this time.

Gazing at Nian Yue's expression, the determination and hidden emotions in her eyes stirred his heart. He pondered for a moment. This was indeed the safest option at the moment, but it did require some explanation.

"Okay. I promise you. But you need to be careful on this trip. You can arrange your own money and manpower. If there is any danger, you should prioritize your own safety. As for medicine... you can find another way."

"Nian Yue understands."

After Xiao Wangshu left the study, only Mr. Chihua and Nianyue were left in the room. The moonlight was cold, shining through the window lattice onto the two of them.

After a long moment, Mr. Chihua sighed heavily, his tone complicated: "Girl, why are you doing this? Southern Shu is now a dangerous place. If you go there..."

Looking at the cold moon in the sky, Nian Yue's profile lines appeared particularly tough, even revealing a hint of cold hatred.

"Sir, why bother trying to persuade me again? This feud is irreconcilable. Nian Yue swears to enter the palace and kill the enemy with her own hands."

She turned her head and stared at Chi Hua with burning eyes, "I hope you will keep your promise, tell me the whereabouts of that old friend, and help me hide it from the young master and His Highness."

Chi Hua looked at the flames of revenge burning in her eyes and finally shook his head helplessly, but then nodded: "Forget it... This is God's will and cannot be violated. Here are the tokens and the map, take care of yourself."

At the same time, in Xiao Wangshu's bedroom.

When I opened the door, I saw His Highness leaning against the head of the bed with a dull expression, wondering what he was thinking about.

"Your Highness," he called.

As if he had just come to his senses, Xie Xuanhui smiled and called him over, but Xiao Wangshu keenly noticed that the smile did not reach his eyes. His Highness seemed... in a bad mood.

As he approached the bedside, Xiao Wangshu's wrist was suddenly grabbed by a powerful force! He fell forward uncontrollably! He was terrified, afraid that he would press on the wound of His Highness. He reacted very quickly and supported himself on the edge of the bed with one hand, barely stabilizing himself and hanging above Xie Xuanhui.

"Your Highness! Your injury!" Xiao Wangshu was anxious and angry. It was the first time in the past few days that he was really angry with Xie Xuanhui.

But Xie Xuanhui just curled his lips, not only did he not let go, his eyes became even darker, and he was obviously even more displeased.

Sighing inwardly, Xiao Wangshu tried to straighten himself up, thinking of ways to cheer His Highness up. However, the next second, his collar was suddenly pulled down!

There was a warm and soft touch on my lips, followed by a punishing bite.

Xiao Wangshu was stunned, and then he felt at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

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Minor revision, modified rhythm and language, the plot remains unchanged