Chapter 99 is still valid.

Lou Yan's hand was still resting on the door frame, his knuckles slightly white from the force he was exerting.

Yu Beichen's words were like a thunderclap, making his ears ring and almost making him think he was hallucinating from a hangover.

He turned around abruptly, his movements so fast they created a gust of wind, his gaze fixed on the person on the bed.

Yu Beichen was still wrapped in a thin blanket, the marks on his exposed shoulders and neck were still visible, and he stared straight back at him.

"What...what did you say?" Lou Yan's voice was extremely dry, and his heart was pounding wildly in his chest, almost as if it would burst out.

Looking at him like this, Yu Beichen's nervousness strangely dissipated a little.

He repeated himself, his voice clearer and softer than before: "Your Highness said last night... that you were fond of me. Does that statement still hold true?"

The air seemed to freeze again.

Lou Yan strode back and returned to the bedside almost instantly.

He leaned down, placing his hands on the edge of the couch beside Yu Beichen, enveloping him in his shadow, his gaze burning like a blazing flame.

"It counts! It naturally counts!" His voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Every word comes from the bottom of my heart!"

He stared into Yu Beichen's eyes, afraid of missing any emotion within them: "And you? You didn't push me away just now, and now you're asking me this... Beichen, what's your answer?"

He asked urgently, with the urgency of conquering territory on the battlefield, yet also with a cautious probing.

Yu Beichen was somewhat overwhelmed by his burning gaze, and turned his head slightly, but his ears involuntarily flushed red.

He remained silent for a moment, and just when Lou Yan thought he was about to back down again, he spoke softly, his voice as light as a feather brushing against the tip of the heart:

"If it doesn't count... I should be preparing a decoction to make people impotent right now."

Lou Yan was stunned for a moment, and then a huge wave of joy swept over him like a tsunami!

He suddenly pulled the person, blanket and all, into his arms tightly, with such force that he almost wanted to knead the other person into his very bones.

He called his name over and over again, his voice choked with emotion, filled with the relief of finding a lost treasure again, "I knew it... I knew you weren't completely unaffected!"

Yu Beichen was struggling to breathe from his tightness, but he didn't struggle. He simply buried his face in the firm crook of his shoulder, feeling the intense heat and the rapid heartbeat.

He reached out and gently hugged Lou Yan's waist.

This response made Lou Yan even ecstatic.

He loosened his grip slightly and lowered his head to find Yu Beichen's lips. This time, it was no longer the kiss from last night, which was tinged with alcohol and a sense of plunder, but a tender touch, carefully tracing the lips, as if confirming the mutual understanding that had finally been established.

When the kiss ended, both of them were breathing heavily.

Lou Yan pressed his forehead against Yu Beichen's and whispered, "I'm sorry, last night... I was a bastard, I treated you like that..." He looked at the marks on Yu Beichen's neck, his eyes filled with remorse and heartache.

Yu Beichen shook his head, his face still flushed: "...It's alright." He paused, his voice even softer.

"If it weren't for this... I don't know when this barrier between us would ever be broken."

He is aloof and reserved by nature. If it weren't for the accident last night, he might never have taken this step.

Upon hearing this, Lou Yan's last trace of gloom dissipated, leaving only a heart full of tenderness.

He recalled the difficulty Yu Beichen had shown when he got up and asked anxiously, "Are you... still feeling unwell? I'll have someone prepare hot water and ointment..."

Mentioning this, the blush that had just faded from Yu Beichen's face returned.

He pushed Lou Yan away: "No need... I can do it myself. You... you go out first."

Lou Yan smiled inwardly at his embarrassed appearance, knowing she couldn't press him any further, so she readily got up and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you outside."

He walked to the door, then turned back, his eyes gentle yet firm. "Beichen, from now on, I will never leave you alone again."

Yu Beichen watched him close the door before letting out a soft sigh of relief.

The discomfort and soreness in his body clearly reminded him of what had happened last night, but strangely, he felt no regret whatsoever. Instead, he felt a sense of peace that had settled down and... a secret joy.

He struggled to get up and clean himself up. Seeing the mottled marks on his body, his face flushed again.

Just as they were looking for clothes, they discovered that the robes that had been torn off last night were already tattered and unwearable.

Just then, Lou Yan's voice came from outside the door, tinged with a hint of awkwardness: "Bei Chen, clean clothes... I've left them at the door."

Yu Beichen walked over, opened the door a crack, and brought in the clothes that were placed on the low stool.

It was a brand new moon-white casual outfit, made of soft fabric and the perfect size.

After composing himself, he pushed open the study door. Lou Yan was waiting outside. When he saw him come out, he immediately stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over him. Only after confirming that he was unharmed did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"I've already given the order that no guests will be seen today," Lou Yan said in a low voice. "Would you like some breakfast? Or perhaps you could rest a little longer?"

Yu Beichen looked at the dark circles under his eyes and the undisguised exhaustion, and shook his head: "Your Highness has also not had a good rest all night, please have your meal first."

The two shared some simple porridge and side dishes. The atmosphere was subtly silent, but it was no longer the initial awkwardness. Instead, it was a kind of awkwardness that arose after they had reached a mutual understanding, unsure of how to interact naturally.

After the meal, Yu Beichen took out silver needles and used them to relieve Lou Yan's hangover headache. As his fingertips touched Lou Yan's temples, he could feel Lou Yan's focused gaze fixed on his face.

"What are you looking at?" Yu Beichen asked in a low voice, his eyes lowered.

"Look at you," Lou Yan replied matter-of-factly, his tone tinged with satisfaction, "It feels like a dream."

Yu Beichen paused slightly, not responding, but his ears quietly turned red.

After the acupuncture was finished, Lou Yan took his hand: "Bei Chen, about us..."

“There’s no need to make a fuss for now.” Yu Beichen interrupted him, his expression returning to its usual calm. “The situation in the capital has just stabilized, so we… don’t need to rush.”

Lou Yan understood his concerns. In the imperial court and the inner palace, countless eyes were watching, and their relationship was more special and sensitive than that of Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang.

He gripped Yu Beichen's hand tightly: "I understand. One day, I will let the whole world know that you, Yu Beichen, are the one I, Lou Yan, have chosen."

Yu Beichen looked at the solemnity in his eyes and was touched. He gently squeezed the other man's hand in return.

Afterwards, taking advantage of the perfect sunshine, the two sat facing each other under the eaves, drinking tea, and a tranquil and intimate atmosphere filled the air.

Yu Beichen remembered the pot of wine from last night and, for his safety, reminded Lou Yan to send someone to investigate where it came from.

The trusted aide quickly reported: "Your Highness, it has been investigated. The wine last night was not a regular supply in the manor; it was brought back from Prince Jin's manor yesterday. Steward Liu from Prince Jin's manor said that His Highness Prince Jin specifically instructed that a fine wine be brought to you for your tasting. Yesterday, the steward did not know what kind of wine you wanted, so he sent this pot over instead."

Lou Yan: "..."

Yu Beichen: "..."

The two exchanged a glance and instantly understood.

It turns out it was that brat Lou Jin who was behind this!

Lou Yan's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He finally understood why he had lost control so much last night. It turned out that he had been tricked by Lou Jin from beginning to end!

Yu Beichen's ears also turned red, and a hint of embarrassment and annoyance appeared on his usually cool face.

"You little rascal..." Lou Yan laughed in anger, "You actually dared to scheme against your elder brother! You've really grown some guts!"

“Beichen,” Lou Yan said in a deep voice, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, “Third Brother seems to have been too idle lately, even having the mind to ponder these unorthodox methods. It seems we need to find him something proper to do.”

Yu Beichen looked up at him, already understanding his intention: "Your Highness wants to..."

Lou Yan snorted coldly: "Hasn't he been waiting for news from the Southwest? We'll send more people to keep him busy as soon as possible, so he won't have nothing to do all day long. That kid from the Ye family is almost drained dry by him."

Looking at Lou Yan's calculating expression, Yu Beichen found it somewhat amusing. These two brothers...

He nodded slightly: "Your Highness is truly wise and righteous."