Chapter 28 [VIP]

Lu Xuejin couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He looked at his palm and quietly asked, "Your Highness, are you angry with me?"

They whispered to each other, his eyes reflecting Murong Yue's image. The boy's fan-shaped eyelids were slightly open, his eyelashes like feather fans. He used to fawn over him, his temperament lively and adorable, but now he no longer showed him any affection, his features appearing both wicked and genuine.

Upon hearing this, Murong Yue looked at him, his eyes turning deep and unfathomable. His emotions only surfaced for a moment before quickly dissipating.

“Of course not,” Murong Yue said.

He said no. The boy's tone was calm, but he didn't seem to think so.

The carriage passed through the streets on both sides, where the lantern festival was especially lively today. Colorful lanterns were everywhere, and red ribbons fluttered from the willow branches. Vendors lined both sides of the road, their New Year's picture dolls hanging from bamboo poles, slowly unfurling towards them.

“Lord Lu, you’ve been staying in the palace lately, and we haven’t seen you for a long time. When will you come to Zhizhang Hall to give a lecture?” Xiao Shen asked, looking at him.

Lu Xuejin recalled that he didn't seem to have said when he would go to teach the children.

“His Majesty has not arranged for me to attend classes at Zhizhang Hall, so I probably won’t be going,” Lu Xuejin said. “However… I often pass by and have listened to a few lectures given by Grand Tutor Zhao; he teaches very well.”

As they spoke, they arrived at their destination. The three children had come out to play today, and they got off the carriage one after another.

Xiao Shen: "Will you come again after this? Will we be able to see Lord Lu next time we go to the Ninth Prince's palace?"

Yue Lanxin was also curious and asked, "Has Lord Lu ever been to His Highness the Ninth Prince's palace?"

“I often visit Zhizhang Palace, and I’ve also been to Your Highness’s place,” Lu Xuejin replied simply.

"We went to the Ninth Prince's place last time, and it was really hard to find. The Cold Palace is right next door, and we could hear the concubines' cries when we went there," Xiao Shen said. After visiting, they admired Murong Yue even more. They probably couldn't have stayed in such a place for even a moment.

“Beyond the Cold Palace lies the Plum Garden, where there are mountains, and sometimes the cries of strange beasts can be heard, which may not be human voices,” Lu Xuejin explained.

As he spoke, he glanced at the boy ahead. Murong Yue's attention wasn't on them; he was looking at the vendors on either side. The streets were lined with vendors selling small erhu flutes, all sorts of patterned eggs, and handmade, colorful masks. The erhu flutes, with their elaborate designs, played melodious tunes in the vendors' hands. Boiled and pickled eggs were decorated with different patterns, sold specifically to children who loved novelty. The masks were incredibly diverse: human faces made from imitation human skin, animal masks outlined in animal silhouettes, and even some painted with gold leaf and floral designs.

"Any of them you like?" Lu Xuejin asked, noticing Murong Yue staring at the masks.

"Lord Lu, are you going to buy some for us?" Xiao Shen and Yue Lanxin also came over. Xiao Shen casually picked up a mask with an elephant trunk and held it up to Yue Lanxin's face.

Seeing how lively the boys and girls were, Lu Xuejin couldn't help but smile: "You can all choose together."

Yue Lanxin picked up the most beautifully painted peacock mask, adorned with emerald green gold foil that shimmered with a bright luster. Xiao Shen held the elephant trunk mask, examining it from left to right, and asked Lu Xuejin, "Lord Lu, what do you think of this one?"

Murong Yue glanced at the noise, but showed no interest in the masks in Xiao Shen and Yue Lanxin's hands.

“I can’t figure it out. General Xiao, why don’t you ask Miss Yue?” Lu Xuejin said, leaning closer to the young man in front of her. “Which one does Your Highness prefer?”

He followed Murong Yue's gaze and saw a smiling pig-face mask. The pig-face mask was made entirely of imitation pigskin, with a fat head and large ears, looking kind and easy to bully. The pig face was large, with small, squinting eyes and a row of uneven teeth showing through its mouth.

Yue Lanxin picked up the peacock mask and covered her eyes. "Does Your Highness want to choose the ugliest one to scare people?"

“Look, there’s an even uglier one,” Xiao Shen said, pointing to the toad mask next to the pig-faced mask. The toad’s face was covered in pimples, swollen as if they were about to burst, which was frightening to look at.

Murong Yue calmly picked up the toad mask and held the pig face mask in his other hand. Seemingly attracted by the two masks, he asked the young man, "Brother Changyou, which one do you think looks better?"

Yue Lanxin: "Neither of them looks good. If Your Highness wears them later, the children passing by might be scared to tears."

Xiao Shen: "Why does it have to be good-looking? If you only look at appearance, there are probably not many animals that you would find pleasing to the eye."

Seeing that the boy was willing to talk to him, Lu Xuejin looked at the mask in the boy's hand. The mask was held in the boy's slender fingers, and the imitation leather piece gleamed with an unusual luster.

"The pig-faced man is foolish but kind-hearted, and in fact intelligent and understanding. The toad-faced man is ugly and frightening, and is disliked by people, but in fact he is good for farmers and has a gentle and kind nature."

Neither of these animals is likable; their appearances are completely at odds with their true natures. But seeing the boy choose these two, he felt inexplicably pleased, and his gaze softened slightly.

"Both are fine, Your Highness may choose the one you prefer."

Xiao Shen and Yue Lanxin listened from the side. Xiao Shen said to Yue Lanxin, "Listen to what Lord Lu has to say. A gentleman should not be judged by appearances alone."

Murong Yue's pupils reflected the lamplight, the flames shining brightly in the darkness. He put down the toad mask, but ultimately chose the pig-face mask. He put on the pig-face mask in front of Lu Xuejin, his handsome, cold face concealed, only his bright eyes and the tiger teeth on his lips faintly visible.

A clear and bright young voice came through the air.

"Look at me, do I look a bit stupid now?"

The sound of firecrackers exploding reached my ears. Not far away, children lit long, snake-like firecrackers, sparks flying everywhere. The explosions made my ears ring, and the surroundings became lively.

Lu Xuejin's eyes reflected Murong Yue's figure. The boy smiled at her, his little tiger teeth showing, and his eyes sparkling with a pure evil.

“Your Highness is naturally intelligent. Even with a mask to conceal it, your true nature as a gem cannot be hidden,” he said in a low voice.

His words only reached Murong Yue's ears, drowned out by the sound of firecrackers; the other two boys and girls did not hear them clearly.

Murong Yue's eyes flickered as she stared at him for a moment, her eyelashes fluttering to conceal the emotions in her eyes before her gaze returned to its usual cold indifference.

“Your Highness, what do you think of this?” Xiao Shen put on the elephant trunk mask, then his eyes lit up as he was attracted by the children not far away. “I’m going to buy firecrackers too. You wait here, I’ll be right there.”

Yue Lanxin took a peacock mask and, seeing Xiao Shen leave, quickly chased after him.

"Wait for me, I'm going too... Ninth Prince, see you later."

Only the two of them remained.

Lu Xuejin paid the vendor, and the three children each took a mask. He noticed that the boy beside him was looking at him.

He couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, I am too old for these children's things."

"Now that Your Highness has finally managed to leave the palace, where would you like to go? Would you like to attend the poetry gathering?"

Lu Xuejin asked the question, but the guards continued to follow them. They appeared and disappeared like ghosts, watching them from within the crowd.

Murong Yue put on the pig-face mask and didn't answer his question. The man walked ahead, and he followed behind. Before they knew it, the vendors behind them had disappeared into the distance, and they entered the bustling streets.

“Your Highness…” Lu Xuejin stared intently at the person, worried that they might disappear into the crowd and be lost from sight.

As he finished speaking, he touched the boy's fingertips, pondering the matter, not wanting it to create a rift between them. He explained to the boy, "I didn't tell Your Highness about this before."

“It was my fault. Your Highness, could you please not be angry?” He sighed softly, stroking the boy’s finger bones.

Their fingers intertwined, creating the illusion of a deep connection. He touched the boy's palm, the heat of his touch warming his skin. The boy looked at him.

Remaining silent, we await his next words.

He was at a loss for words. Faced with this situation for the first time, he pondered carefully; he had never tried to appease anyone before. He usually ignored Xue Yi's anger, pretending nothing had happened. But this time, he had a gut feeling that this matter couldn't be left unresolved; he needed to patiently explain to the boy.

"Where did Your Highness go that day, and why did you only return at dawn?" he asked gently.

“I’m very worried about Your Highness… If Your Highness doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.”

As Lu Xuejin was speaking, a child in the crowd noticed the pig-face mask that Murong Yue was wearing, pointed at it with his baby teeth and said, "Pig demon." Murong Yue did not refute it, but just glanced at it slightly.

He held the boy's hand, subconsciously drawing the boy closer to his side.

When he's angry, he doesn't talk to people much. The boy is like a black cat, or a New Year's picture doll on the window; when he's angry, he turns away, tucks his tail in, and doesn't pay much attention to him.

Murong Yue ignored him, but he pretended not to notice. Wherever the boy looked, he followed suit and bought him the same rabbit-shaped cake as last time. He watched the boy holding the pastry, looking left and right.

"Don't you like it?" he asked tentatively.

The boy did not break free from his grasp, and he scrutinized Murong Yue's expression. Murong Yue stopped in his tracks, and the boy's clear eyes turned to him, tilting his head slightly.

Murong Yue asked him, "Brother, do you like men?"

The surrounding noise was deafening, but the boy's voice clearly reached his ears. A surge of emotion welled up within him as he heard his own calm voice.

I wouldn't say I like it.

Murong Yue continued, "Was the marriage not your own choice?"

Lu Xuejin's eyelids twitched. The boy asked seemingly casually, then lowered his head to play with his fingers, only perking up his ears to listen to his answer.

"It's not that I'm unwilling," he said after thinking for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Murong Yue raised his eyes, and a sudden surge of gloom welled up in the young man's eyes, with anger seeping through the gaps in his ugly pig-face mask.

"Your Highness." Lu Xuejin called out, feeling rather helpless, worried that Murong Yue would abandon him again, so he held on tightly to the person.

"Marriage is a matter of choice for me; I'm just making the more advantageous choice based on my current circumstances."

"It was wrong of me to conceal things before," Lu Xuejin said carefully. "Your Highness, please forgive me this time, okay?"

He noticed Murong Yue's jawline tighten beneath his mask, and the atmosphere around him instantly became unfathomable. The young man gritted his teeth, suppressing the anger in his eyes. Meeting his gaze, that fire slowly ignited and vanished, turning into a patch of somber ash.

“Of course I want to forgive Brother Changyou, but I feel uneasy here, as if I have some anger that I can’t calm down. Brother Changyou, what should I do?” Murong Yue guided his finger bones to touch the area on his chest.

The boy's heartbeat then came, and the bright lights behind him danced in his eyes, the ink-like blobs of light melting like jade.

As he lowered his gaze, Murong Yue leaned close to his ear. The boy's canine tooth touched the tip of his ear, gently brushing against it, his hot breath probing deep into his collar.

"Brother, promise me you'll never lie to me again... then I'll let this matter go," Murong Yue whispered in his ear.

The aura emanating from him carried an inexplicable danger. Murong Yue stared at him, recalling the white tiger's corpse skin he had seen before. If he didn't agree, it might bite through his neck in the next second.

“I agree to Your Highness’s request,” Lu Xuejin said, tilting his head slightly to touch Murong Yue’s mask.

"Can Your Highness forgive me?" he asked.

He initially appeared angry, but the moment he touched him, it was as if he had flipped a switch. The boy's anger vanished completely, and the sharp edges of his personality were carefully concealed when facing him.

Murong Yue: "I don't know if what you said is true or false, but if you're lying to me, I won't know it."

“A gentleman’s word is his bond,” he said. “Your Highness, please trust me.”

Murong Yue: "What if you lie to me again next time, brother?"

He couldn't help but sigh and said to Murong Yue, "I would never do anything to upset Your Highness."

After speaking, he looked at the man. Murong Yue's ears turned slightly red, and his eyes flickered uncertainly, sometimes sinister and sometimes calm. It was impossible to know what the young man was thinking. He tried to probe, but the young man immediately turned his face away.

“Brother, won’t His Majesty be angry if you come out with me? I didn’t know who His Majesty was going to marry before, and I thought it was utterly absurd. But now that I know it’s you,” Murong Yue said, looking at him, “it seems quite reasonable now.”

Lu Xuejin thought for a moment and said, "I don't know what he will do."

He does as he pleases; if he wants to come out and see people, he does so naturally.

Murong Yue asked, "Then it seems you don't care, brother. Changyou, do you care about me more than him?"

He understood the boy's unspoken meaning; he seemed unusually aggressive today. Yet, he didn't find this annoying; instead, he felt as if a cat's claw had gently scratched his heart.

He replied, "Of course I care more about His Highness the Ninth Prince."

As he spoke, he touched the boy's mask. The boy's thoughts were hard to fathom, and the pig-face mask always attracted attention. He touched the tip of the boy's ear, trying to sense the boy's emotions through temperature.

Because of his words, Murong Yue feigned composure, a fleeting expression of satisfaction quickly dissipating.

"Brother promised he'd never lie to me again," Murong Yue emphasized once more.

Lu Xuejin immediately said, "I will never lie to Your Highness again."

After finally calming him down, he was able to pet the kitten-like boy again. The boy was still not satisfied, pulling him away and refusing to let him touch his ears or hold his hand.

He rubbed his fingertips, unaware that a layer of dust had settled over his heart. He was somewhat bothered by the boy's estrangement.

Noticing his gaze, Murong Yue looked over. As he passed a child holding a lantern, the boy casually tore the beautiful lantern to pieces. The child immediately cried, and the boy, wearing a pig-face mask, laughed, resembling an innocent demon in the darkness, his tiger teeth resembling fangs.

His hand was then grasped, and Murong Yue led him, leaning close to whisper in his ear.

"Brother, you have to keep your word. If you lie to me again next time... I don't know what I might do."

A sudden pain shot through his ear, followed by a wet, sticky sensation. Two distinct teeth marks were clearly visible on his ear.

A note from the author: