Chapter 24 [VIP]

Early in the morning, Xue Yi arrived at Fangze Palace. Lu Xuejin was talking to Ziyan, her eyes carrying a gentle smile. Upon seeing him, that smile vanished.

Lu Xuejin: "Brother?"

Xue Yi stopped in his tracks, staring at him for an unknown amount of time before entering the room upon hearing his voice. He said to him, "After finishing court, I remembered that you seemed preoccupied the other day, so I came to check on you."

"What makes Changyou so happy?" Xue Yi asked quietly, scrutinizing him with his eyes and brows.

Lu Xuejin was discussing flower cultivation with Ziyan when she asked about Murong Yue. She remembered that the boy had fainted after kissing her the day before and wondered how he was doing. He was probably too shy to come over for two days.

His thoughts quickly shifted, and his attention returned to Xue Yi.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about a cat," he replied, then asked, "How have you been these past few days, brother? Are you feeling any better? Have you been taking your medicine on time?"

"It's all better now. The medicine was so bitter that I put a lot of candied fruit in it." Xue Yi recalled, and then said, "When Changyou was by my side, I never found the medicine so bitter."

"Good medicine tastes bitter, but it's good for the illness," Lu Xuejin continued.

“I can’t be by my brother’s side every day to watch over him. When I’m not around, he should also learn to take care of himself.”

“I understand these principles, but I am often grateful that Changyou is here,” Xue Yi sat down beside him. “Apart from Changyou, no one cares whether I have taken my medicine or not. They only care about when I am willing to attend court and when I can approve their memorials.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Xuejin looked at the person. Xue Yi's pale face had faded, leaving only a cold white. His eyes were dark and piercing, like will-o'-the-wisps. After recovering from his illness, he had returned to his original calm demeanor, making it impossible to discern any emotion from him.

He said to Xue Yi, "The ministers naturally care about His Majesty, but they do so in different ways."

"To be honest... I didn't know my brother had developed a weakness; it was Song Zhao who told me. If he hadn't told me, I wouldn't have gone to Xiyuan Palace." Lu Xuejin looked at the person and continued, "From the past until now, there have always been people who care about my brother. He has me, Song Zhao, Wei Ning, and Xiao Qi by his side. Which of us would abandon him?"

He recalled that even as a child, Xue Yi always managed to win the favor of some people, especially the children of powerful and wealthy families, including himself. It seemed that this person was born to be chosen by heaven; despite any setbacks, he would eventually easily gain the help of benefactors.

“Changyou failed to understand my meaning,” Xue Yi said, looking at him. “They are ultimately different from Changyou.”

Lu Xuejin pretended not to understand and said quietly, "What's the difference? Brother, have you ever heard the story of Lord Ye who loved dragons but was terrified of them? People always want to see something, so they naturally idealize it. People always imagine things they like that they have never encountered to be too beautiful, creating a dreamlike illusion. In reality, whether it's me and brother or others... there's no difference."

As he spoke, Xue Yi listened silently across from him. Only after he finished did Xue Yi speak up: "I think that Changyou's metaphysical philosophy is even more illusory and ethereal. In my opinion, everyone is different from everyone else. Some people are like drifting boats, while others are like palaces in the clouds."

Lu Xuejin: "Well... Brother, just listen casually. I forgot that we are no longer in the school, so there's no need to make a big deal out of philosophical thoughts."

He noticed the faint dark circles under Xue Yi's eyes and asked, "Have you been troubled by matters of the court lately?"

"The deaths of the three court officials have nothing to do with His Highness the Ninth Prince. Brother, have you investigated this matter thoroughly?"

Mentioning the Ninth Prince, Xue Yi's eyebrows furrowed, like scattered peony ink blots turning into solid lacquer, staring intently at him. For a moment, that deathly aura seemed about to spread again, but it was quickly concealed, and Xue Yi's expression remained unchanged.

"I am troubled by this matter. Changyou. This matter may not be related to him, but it is inevitable that some people with ulterior motives will use him to cause trouble. Recently, rumors have been spreading outside the palace, Cui Ruhao... Changyou, have you heard of this person?"

When Cui Ruhao was mentioned, Xue Yi's eyes reflected his image, and he turned to the side and said, "This man was originally hiding in the palace. I sent people to search, but they couldn't find him. It seems that someone in the palace was helping him, otherwise, there are eyes and ears everywhere in the palace, and even if he had wings, he wouldn't be able to escape my grasp. I haven't yet found out who hid him. Now he has been safely sent out of the palace and has written many articles to slander me. I have been busy dealing with this matter these past few days."

"He mentioned the Ninth Prince in his article, saying that I had been unfair to him. I am troubled by this... If the rumors are allowed to fester, I may soon be known as a cruel and heartless person."

Xue Yi looked troubled and asked him gently, "Changyou... what do you think I should do?"

He stared into Xue Yi's dark eyes, eyes that seemed to hold both life and death, reflecting him like the eyes of a demon, waiting to seize his weakness. The ink-black light emanated a sinister aura, making it hard for him to breathe under Xue Yi's gaze.

It was obvious who had done it, but he pretended not to notice the probing intent in Xue Yi's words. His expression remained unchanged, without the slightest ripple of emotion.

"...As His Majesty wishes. I haven't attended court for a long time and am not very clear about these matters. Brother, you should make the decision yourself," Lu Xuejin replied.

Ziyan entered at this moment and bowed to Xue Yi. They had grown up in the same courtyard, and she had never overstepped her bounds. She carried a tray with a patch of seeds and soft soil on it.

"Young master, we have found suitable soil."

The tense atmosphere in the air quietly disappeared. After Ziyan entered, the two of them returned to normal, as if the previous probing and weighing of things had never happened.

Xue Yi noticed the contents of the tray and asked with interest, "Changyou wants to plant flowers in the yard?"

“It’s so boring in the palace, so I’m just killing time,” Lu Xuejin said. “I asked Ziyan to find some trumpet vine seeds. I saw them on the way here last time… and I was surprised to like them. I plan to plant a pot in the courtyard to try it out.”

Xue Yi repeated thoughtfully, "Trumpet Creeper?"

Lu Xuejin had seen wild trumpet creeper flowers at the palace gate last time. The orange-red branches climbed the palace wall, the branches weak yet fierce, blooming peacefully towards the sun, reminding him of someone. He remembered Murong Yue's words, the young man's righteous indignation: this palace was originally where he grew up, why should he move away?

Its appearance is exactly the same as that of the trumpet creeper.

“I saw it last time, so I asked Ziyan to buy some seeds.”

"...Do you need my help?" Xue Yi asked him.

“Brother, if it’s not too much trouble, please help me put this soil into the flowerpots. There are several pots… If there are any bugs, you’ll need to pick them out,” Lu Xuejin said.

He ordered people around, and Xue Yi never refused. Zi Yan brought over several clay pots, and Xue Yi carefully turned over the soil as he instructed. But while doing as he said, she quietly asked him, "Why specifically the trumpet creeper?"

"Changyou has recently developed a liking for such flamboyant things."

"Well, maybe it's because I'm getting older," Lu Xuejin said calmly, "I like some vibrant colors."

As he finished speaking, he noticed Xue Yi's gaze fixed on him, casting a shadow over him. Xue Yi scrutinized his face inch by inch, noticing the small mole under his eye floating erratically with the shadow of his eyelashes, his deep voice accompanying the gaze.

"In my eyes, Changyou will always be a boy."

Lu Xuejin's palm touched the flowerpot, and the fragrance of soil wafted over. He felt a coolness on his fingertips, but without changing his expression, he buried the seeds in the soil.

"Brother, I am already twenty-five years old this year."

He went to get the seeds, and Xue Yi also got the seeds. Their fingertips touched, and their thumbs were firmly grasped. He looked up and met Xue Yi's eyes, and his movements stopped.

"We haven't finished talking about what happened earlier," Xue Yi said naturally, gently stroking his finger bones inch by inch. His fingers felt as if they were wrapped with a snake's tongue, with a cool and sticky sensation.

“Some people are making a big fuss about the Ninth Prince. After much thought, I’ve decided that we need to show the people that the Ninth Prince is safe and sound. When we get married, how about having him accompany us? Changyou saved him, so I’m sure he’d be willing to stay by Changyou’s side.”

A silence fell over the air, and Lu Xuejin almost thought he had misheard. He met Xue Yi's eyes, but Xue Yi revealed no emotion whatsoever, making him inscrutable. It seemed that, as planned, Xue Yi had temporarily kept the Ninth Prince in order to appease public opinion. However, this matter had gone too smoothly, which was unlike Xue Yi's usual style.

The matter was already settled; this was merely a notification. He recalled his chess game with Xue Yi. Even if he was unwilling to concede defeat, Xue Yi would always find a way in the end.

He casually put the flowerpot down, letting it slip out of Xue Yi's grasp, "...whatever you wish, brother."

Xue Yi stared at the side of his palm, but did not touch him again. He said to him, "In this way, my relationship with him is distant. Changyou will have to talk to him about this matter in person."

The flowerpots were neatly arranged in the courtyard, and the seeds were buried in the soil. After Xue Yi left, he withdrew his hand. Zi Yan stood not far behind him, and the master and servant fell into silence.

“Ziyan, what do you think he’s thinking? I always feel that when he’s acting weak, he’s more like the old Yanli.” Lu Xuejin muttered to herself.

"His Majesty may have his own difficulties," Ziyan replied after thinking for a moment, "This servant is not entirely sure either."

Ziyan said from the window, "This servant does not know what His Majesty is thinking, but only cares about the young master's choice. No matter what the young master does, this servant will follow him."

As the two were talking, a figure appeared outside the door. Lu Xuejin spotted the person; Murong Yue seemed to be passing by, peering inside from outside the hall.

When he saw Murong Yue, all his previous chaotic thoughts dissipated, and a gentle look unconsciously appeared in his eyes.

"Your Highness?" He called softly, and Murong Yue finally noticed him. Two days had passed, and the scene from the day before seemed as vivid as if it were right before his eyes. The boy blushed immediately upon seeing him, his fur standing on end as he watched him warily from afar.

They were absolutely adorable. With the trumpet creeper right in front of him, he ignored the flowerpots. Ziyan tactfully excused herself behind him.

"Come here." Lu Xuejin looked at the person and beckoned. As soon as he spoke, Murong Yue's slight wariness immediately disappeared, and he obediently walked up to him.

"I heard from Tengluo that His Highness hasn't been sleeping well these past two days. His Highness fainted last time, which startled me. Is he feeling better now?" He leaned down and touched Murong Yue's head. The boy's forehead was cool and not feverish.

Murong Yue stopped in front of him, somewhat resistant to his touch, and turned away uncomfortably. "Why does Tengluo tell you everything, brother? I'm fine, you don't need to worry."

"The day before was an accident, brother, don't remember it, just forget about it." There was a hint of displeasure in his voice.

“I understand,” Lu Xuejin looked at the boy’s expression and felt as if a cat’s claw had gently scratched his heart. He wanted to laugh a little, but his face remained calm as he said, “Your Highness hasn’t come for two days, and I’ve missed you a bit. Look, the bite Your Highness took last time still hasn’t healed.”

He glanced sideways, his brown eyes reflecting the boy's face, and a glimpse of his clean, white earlobe, marked with teeth marks.

Seeing Murong Yue staring at his ears, the blush on the tips of his ears spreading to his cheeks, turning into a ripe tomato, a smile flashed across his eyes.

"Brother, please stop making fun of me." The boy said, his eyes flickering with uncertainty before quickly regaining their serious expression, though his ears were still red.

“How could I make fun of Your Highness?” Lu Xuejin said, his words contradicting his true feelings. He noticed the heavy wooden bucket the boy was carrying and asked, “Where is Your Highness going?”

This reminded Murong Yue of his purpose. Murong Yue turned his head, put down the heavy wooden bucket, and said to him, "This is for you, brother. I'm going to see Lord Song later, so I'm giving you some fried wisteria snacks before I leave."

As he spoke, Murong Yue seemed a little uncomfortable, his eyes flickering uncertainly, "I thought the wisteria frying was quite delicious, so I wanted to bring it to you, brother."

Lu Xuejin looked at the boy's serious face. A few small tiger teeth peeked out from the boy's lips as he bent down and took something out of the wooden bucket. The small fish was dead, now held in the boy's hand. The boy conjured up freshly fried dried fish as if by magic.

He recalled that long afternoon when he waited under the eaves for ages, but the kitten never came. Now it felt like he was back on that afternoon, and the kitten came running over with the dried fish.

"It's kind of Your Highness to send this over so specially. How did Ninth Prince know I like dried fish?" Lu Xuejin's lips curled up slightly.

Upon hearing this, Murong Yue paused, scrutinized him, and asked, "Brother Changyou, do you really like it? Or are you just trying to make me happy?"

“I have both,” Lu Xuejin said as she took the boy’s wooden bucket. She noticed a neat “nine” on the edge of the bucket, which the Ninth Prince had probably carved himself. The boy had marked his own belongings.

"If I coax Your Highness, will Your Highness really be happier?" Lu Xuejin asked.

"..." Murong Yue's cheeks flushed red at his question. He stood there speechless for a long time before finally saying, "Brother, Lord Song is still waiting for me. I have to go."

Before leaving, Murong Yue said to him again, "I will come back another day to get the wooden bucket."

He watched the boy disappear in a flash. After the boy left, he went to look at the dried fish in the bucket. He wondered if the fish had inherited their master's temperament; even though they had turned into mummies, they all looked lively.

Outside Fangze Palace.

Murong Yue had only taken a few steps when Song Zhao was waiting for him not far ahead.

"Lord Song." He completely concealed his emotions and bowed as if he were not very knowledgeable.

"It's so late, where is Lord Song taking me?" he asked.

“Go to the criminal trial committee,” Song Zhao said, looking at him. “The Ninth Prince personally agreed to this matter two days ago. Take the Ninth Prince there as soon as possible so that His Highness can be cleared of any wrongdoing.”

Murong Yue: "In that case, I'll trouble you, Lord Song. Has Lord Song found out who poisoned the court officials?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhao looked at him, scrutinizing his expression, and said to him, "Once His Highness sees the person, he will naturally understand."

A note from the author: