Chapter 77, Chapter 8: Soul and Dream Reversal

A lawless usurper, a heartless and treacherous traitor.

Constant coercion, endless torment.

Endless darkness, the silent death of the eagle.

Blood-red hues spread across the swaying sky, while white bones blanket the desolate land.

A mat that can be used for sitting and also for wrapping a corpse; a couch that can both roar the wind and clouds and overturn the clouds and rain.

A sword that can cut through iron like mud yet can be used for self-defense; hair that is as smooth as silk yet can be used for strangulation.

He stood in the cold, desolate palace, watching the darkening wind and rain, waiting for the next day to use the emperor's blood to bury the nation.

Confined within the warm brocade quilt, gazing upon her shimmering eyes, he almost drowned in those malevolent, limpid gazes.

His whole body was burning hot, and he was about to be burned to ashes in the flames of karma. He was also feeling cold all over, as if he had been hastily buried in a remote, desolate hill.

His flesh was spasming, and he was in so much pain that he felt like he was about to die.

Perhaps dying is a relief than living a life of constant worry and uncertainty.

But someone seemed unwilling to let him leave this world so easily, leaving behind incessant nagging in his ear, sprinkling burning powder on his wounds, providing him with a warm quilt when he was cold, and a cool body when he was hot, while his chapped lips were occasionally filled with sweet spring water.

Liu Jun slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a place that was eerily familiar. The small palace was dark and quiet, with only the faint candlelight and barely audible footsteps.

A warm, wet sensation touched his lips, and Liu Jun couldn't help but sigh—someone was wiping his lips with a damp handkerchief, and something soft and smooth was gently licking them.

"Now that I have regained consciousness, I dare not trouble Your Majesty with this."

Sima Ye was only wearing his undergarments, and he looked much thinner, with dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he had been suffering for many days.

Upon seeing him awake, Sima Ye's eyes reddened, but he didn't rush to speak. Instead, he exclaimed, "Imperial Physician!"

Suddenly, the entire inner palace was in an uproar. Liu Jun had no idea that it was so improper for an official from outside the palace to recuperate in the inner palace. Not only was it not concealed, but it seemed that everyone knew about it. He wondered what Emperor Sima Ye was thinking.

The imperial physician took his pulse, and Sima Ye sat by the bedside, her beautiful eyes fixed on him. The worry in her eyes could not be concealed even by the misty air, enough to move even the most heartless and fickle person in the world.

Liu Jun was not so cold-hearted. He forced a smile at Sima Ye to appease him, and then asked the imperial physician, "Is the injury to the muscles and bones? It shouldn't affect riding and archery if it's above the back, right?"

"Of course not. With frequent dressing changes and your robust health, you will recover in two months to twenty days. However, you have lost a lot of blood this time. If you do not take good care of yourself, you may suffer from qi and blood deficiency in the future, which may damage your vital energy."

Upon hearing this, Sima Ye hurriedly said, "Should we prescribe some medicine to help him recover? There are some good medicinal herbs left in the inner garden. Don't be stingy. Take whatever is beneficial to Yanshi's health."

"I will go back and discuss it with my colleagues, and try my best to come up with a mild and nourishing prescription." After saying this, the Imperial Physician took his leave.

After the palace servants had all left, Sima Ye grabbed his hand and whispered, "You scared me to death."

Liu Jun hadn't figured out how to get along with this emperor, his childhood enemy with whom he had shared intimate relations, when he suddenly encountered this situation. Even if he was heartless, he couldn't say anything harsh, so he changed the subject and said, "The matter of the Di and Qiang tribes still needs to be discussed in detail."

Although he was known for his gentle and polite manners, he also possessed a rugged and proud spirit. Sima Ye worried that he would have difficulty accepting this defeat, so he glanced at him cautiously.

"Am I such a petty person in your eyes?" Liu Jun sneered. "But this Di person is quite a character. I was indeed careless and underestimated him before, and the blame lies entirely with me. Once I recover from my injuries, I will go and fight him again, which can be considered as redeeming myself."

"What crime is there in helping friendly forces?" Sima Ye said, tears welling up in his eyes again. "When have you ever been so badly wounded?"

Liu Junqi asked, "How does Your Majesty know whether I have been injured or not?"

Sima Ye was already holding his hand, but upon hearing this, his hand trembled. He turned to look at him without saying a word, with a half-smile.

He wasn't wearing a crown, only a headscarf. It was unclear how long he had been taking care of him, but his black hair was now somewhat disheveled. His cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes were filled with affection. Even if Liu Jun was completely oblivious to romance, he understood immediately and simply exclaimed, "Ah!"

The eunuch Bi Gong said at the opportune moment, "After the arrow was removed, the Attendant was unconscious for two whole days. His Majesty took care of him without changing his clothes for two days, feeding him medicine and washing him without asking anyone else to do it. Such favor is the first time I have ever seen it."

Recalling that bizarre dream, Liu Jun instantly assumed the old Liu family's headaches, mimicking the old Cao family's condition. "In my illness, I was delirious and unaware that Your Majesty was so courteous to scholars. As a defeated general, what merit do I possess to remain in the palace? If Your Majesty were to be afflicted with this illness, I would be eternally sorry..."

His words were polite, but they showed no mercy. Sima Ye's skin grew paler, and he let go of her hand as if all his strength had left him, sitting on the edge of the couch in a daze.

Seeing this, Bi Gong immediately and tactfully led his men away, leaving only the two men, each with their own thoughts, speechless in the hall.

Perhaps due to his prolonged illness and clouded mind, Liu Jun was no longer as resolute as before. Seeing that although His Majesty remained silent, his face showed utter weariness and dejection, he couldn't help but say softly, "Your Majesty has been too tired these days. I should return to my residence to rest. After all, the inner palace is a place of much criticism..."

"This is my palace, far from the harem. Now that the country is shattered and morality has collapsed, who cares about such empty formalities?" Sima Ye's eyes lit up again. "Besides, you bled and were wounded for the sake of the Jin dynasty, and you are my..."

His pale face burned, like crimson clouds rising from a clear blue sky, or like drops of bright red blood falling onto pure white snow.

"What?" Perhaps he was truly out of his mind, Liu Jun actually asked the question in a daze.

Sima Ye looked at him, his hazy eyes flashing with desire, it was unclear whether it was for the world or for the person before him. Then he suddenly grabbed Liu Jun's hands and leaned down.

Last time he was completely drunk, and this time he's in a daze due to illness. Lately, every time I run into him, I end up getting the short end of the stick.

But ask yourself honestly, if you are eight feet tall and can draw a six-pound bow, is this injury really so severe that you are powerless to fight back and at the mercy of others?

Unwilling to think too deeply, Liu Jun closed his eyes, savoring those lips that were both strong and soft, sweet yet carrying a bitter medicinal taste. His breaths were so disordered that he could hardly control himself. He had never been so moved in his life.

Perhaps it was because that person was a man, perhaps it was because that person was an emperor, perhaps it was because that person was Sima Ye.

“Stay here and recover from your injuries. The imperial physicians are better than your own physicians,” Sima Ye said softly, stepping back slightly. “You don’t need to overthink it. In this day and age, it’s common for rulers and their subjects to eat at the same table and sleep in the same bed. Once you’ve recovered from your injuries, you can continue to serve the country, right?”

"Your subject is determined to sacrifice himself for the country in times of crisis, regarding death as returning home, so as not to fail the Emperor's grace." He was so close that Liu Jun almost didn't know what he was saying.

"May I ask whose son he is? A chivalrous youth from You and Bing? Though that's an apt description, it's still nonsense," Sima Ye said softly, his eyes flickering slightly. "Shut up, I don't want to hear that."

Liu Jun did not argue further, because his mouth was sealed shut.