Chapter 199

For several days in a row, the candlelight in the Prince's study burned until late at night.

Xiao Qiyun buried himself in the mountain of documents and files, meticulously checking the procedures of each abdication ceremony with officials from the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs and the Ministry of Rites, and also conducting secret but necessary handovers with his subordinates in the Eastern Palace and even some important officials in the court.

His face had thinned a bit, and there were faint dark circles under his eyes, but there was no weariness in his deep eyes. Instead, they shone with an almost scorching light, as if he was eager to break free from his cocoon.

With each trivial matter he resolved and each detail he finalized, he took another step closer to the person he longed for.

This thought sustained him, making all the tedious tasks bearable. When the last document that required his review was closed and the last subordinate who came to consult bowed and left, Xiao Qiyun almost immediately stood up from behind his desk.

Outside the window, the setting sun was slowly sinking into the distant mountains, and the sky was covered with a magnificent sunset.

He didn't want to waste a moment, not even changing out of his slightly formal royal robes. He simply gave his personal attendant a brief order, "Prepare the horses, we're going to the Su residence," and strode out. His steps were swift and firm, carrying a long-suppressed, unstoppable urgency.

Under the same twilight, the Bamboo Breeze Pavilion was unusually quiet. Su Zhelan sat alone by the window, gazing at the bamboo shadows swaying in the evening breeze in the courtyard, her thoughts drifting. Although Sheng Xuan's company had dispelled some of her loneliness over the past few days, the worry and longing for Xiao Qiyun in her heart remained like an undercurrent, never ceasing.

He subconsciously rubbed the red string on his wrist, estimating the time, thinking, "Shengxuan...should be here soon, right?" This had almost become a habitual expectation for him at dusk these days, hoping that the noise could temporarily fill the emptiness in his heart.

Just then, a familiar knock came from outside the courtyard gate. It was neither too loud nor too soft, and the rhythm was steady.

Su Zhelan stood up almost instinctively, a habitual, slightly nonchalant expression on her face. As she walked towards the door, she casually replied, "You're here?"

He reached out and opened the door, casually glancing outside—

However, standing outside the door was not Sheng Xuan, who always had a cheerful smile and wore light armor.

The twilight silhouetted a tall, slender figure. The man was dressed in a black prince's robe, his hair bound with a jade crown. He looked travel-worn, his handsome face showing undisguised weariness. Yet, his eyes, which were fixed intently on him, shone with an astonishing brightness, like stars burning in the dark night, surging with deep, ocean-like emotions, the ecstatic joy of something lost and found, and an intense longing that almost consumed him.

It is Xiao Qiyun.

Su Zhelan froze, his pupils dilated suddenly, and his breath caught in his throat. He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound, staring incredulously at the face that had haunted his mind day and night outside the door.

Xiao Qiyun's lips slowly curved into a deep, gentle smile, a smile that carried endless weariness, but also the relief and excitement of having achieved his goal.

He didn't give Su Zhelan any time to react, or even say a word. He stepped into the doorway, stretched out his arm, and with an irresistible yet deeply cherished force, pulled the still-shocked Su Zhelan into his arms tightly, tightly!

The embrace was firm and warm, carrying the dust of a long journey. Su Zhelan was jolted back half a step by the sudden hug, his nose instantly filled with Xiao Qiyun's familiar, comforting yet unsettling cool fragrance.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Qiyun lowered his head, his warm lips, filled with undeniable urgency and deep longing, precisely covering Su Zhelan's slightly parted lips, which were trembling with astonishment.

With longing suppressed for far too long and the ecstasy of being relieved of a heavy burden, Xiao Qiyun's tongue forcefully pried open his teeth, delving deep, entwining, and sucking, as if to make up for all the worries, all the waiting, and all the emotions of the days of separation through this kiss.

Su Zhelan was initially stiff, passively enduring the overwhelming onslaught, but soon the familiar touch and scent shattered all his defenses. After the initial shock came an immense, almost overwhelming, ecstasy and sense of relief.

He closed his eyes, his arms involuntarily encircling Xiao Qiyun's neck, and began to awkwardly and eagerly respond to the kiss. A soreness rose in his nose, and warm tears quietly slid down his cheeks.

In the silent room, only the rapid breathing of the two and the intimate sounds of their lips entwined could be heard. The twilight filtered through the window, casting a warm and hazy glow on the two figures, who were tightly embracing and reluctant to part.

After an unknown amount of time, until both were breathless, Xiao Qiyun reluctantly and slowly released Su Zhelan's lips, but his arms remained tightly wrapped around Su Zhelan's waist, holding him captive in his embrace. He breathed softly, his forehead pressed against Su Zhelan's, his deep gaze like the gentlest net, carefully tracing Su Zhelan's flushed cheeks, moist eyes, and slightly swollen lips.

He extended his thumb and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Su Zhelan's eyes. His voice was terribly hoarse from the passion he had just been in, yet it was filled with an almost overflowing tenderness and affection.

"Hmm," he responded softly to Su Zhelan's casual question as she opened the door, a genuinely weary smile curving his lips. "I'm here."

Su Zhelan raised her hand, her fingertips hesitantly and gently touching Xiao Qiyun's cheek, tracing his slightly thinner features and the faint weariness under his eyes. Her voice was filled with lingering sobs and fear: "Are you... are you really alright? They... didn't make things difficult for you?" Before she could finish her sentence, her worry was already evident.

Xiao Qiyun grasped Su Zhelan's slightly cool fingers, pressing them even closer to his warm cheek, even tilting his head slightly to let his face sink deeper into Su Zhelan's palm, as if drawing upon that familiar, comforting warmth. His deep eyes were fixed on Su Zhelan, the candlelight flickering in them, reflecting an incomparably gentle yet firm light.

“Nonsense.” He spoke softly, his voice hoarse from the kiss, yet carrying an undeniable calmness and reassurance. “Look, I’m perfectly fine, standing right in front of you, all safe and sound.”

He leaned down slightly, closing the distance between them, his gaze intense, as if trying to imprint his determination into Su Zhelan's eyes. Then, he took Su Zhelan's hand and gently ran it across his brow bone and the bridge of his nose, finally resting on his steadily beating pulse.

Under Xiao Qiyun's warm embrace and reassuring words, Su Zhelan's tense nerves finally relaxed, and a huge sense of relief washed over her. However, as the initial excitement and elation subsided, another emotion quietly emerged and quickly spread—a deep, piercing self-reproach.

He remained nestled tightly in Xiao Qiyun's arms, his cheek pressed against the other's firm chest, able to clearly hear the strong and steady heartbeat. This sound reminded him of the magnificent life this man had given up for him. This realization caused a pang of bittersweet tightness in his chest.

"I'm sorry..." Su Zhelan's muffled voice came from Xiao Qiyun's chest, with a heavy nasal tone and a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, "I'm really... sorry..."

Xiao Qiyun keenly sensed the change in his emotions, tightened her arms around him, gently nuzzled his head with her chin, and whispered, "Why are you apologizing?"

Su Zhelan raised his head, his eyes red and brimming with tears that trembled on his eyelashes. He looked at Xiao Qiyun, his eyes filled with helpless guilt: "It's all my fault... I'm so useless... I can't help you at all, I can't do anything... I can only watch you... and even... and even make you give up so much..."

His voice trailed off, choked with sobs: "If...if I could be more useful, if...maybe...maybe you wouldn't have to..."

"Alright." Xiao Qiyun interrupted him, his voice not harsh, but carrying an undeniable firmness. He cupped Su Zhelan's cheeks in his hands, forcing him to look directly into his eyes, his gaze deep and focused, as if trying to see through and dispel all his self-deprecation.

“Look at me, Su Zhelan.” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was deep and powerful.

He gently wiped away the tears from Su Zhelan's eyes with his thumb, and said clearly, word by word, "All of this is my own choice. It is the decision I most wanted to make after weighing the pros and cons and following my heart."

He leaned down slightly, his forehead touching Su Zhelan's, their breaths mingling: "Your very existence is the greatest 'use' to me, something that no power or status can replace."

He gently kissed Su Zhelan's nose, his voice filled with boundless tenderness: "Don't say sorry anymore, and don't deny yourself. For me, your peaceful and joyful presence by my side is the most perfect ending in this world. What I've always asked for is not your guilt, but your peace of mind and my companionship for the rest of your life, understand?"

Looking into those sincere and affectionate eyes so close to her, and listening to those words that struck her heart, all of Su Zhelan's self-blame and unease seemed to melt away slowly with a warm current.

He nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his face again, but this time, they were tears of relief and emotion. He buried his face in Xiao Qiyun's embrace once more, holding him back with all his might, as if trying to merge himself into the other's very being.

Just as the two were quietly embracing, enjoying the tranquility and warmth of surviving a disaster, a light and familiar tapping sound, with a slightly playful rhythm, struck the door frame.

Su Zhelan lifted her head from Xiao Qiyun's embrace, her face still flushed, but her eyes were already filled with laughter. Xiao Qiyun's arm was still naturally wrapped around her waist, and he also looked in the direction of the sound, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Sheng Xuan was now leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, still clad in his light armor, looking travel-worn, with his usual lazy, slightly mischievous smile on his face. His gaze swept over the two tightly embracing figures, finally settling on Su Zhelan's face. His eyebrows shot up, and he drawled:

"Oh my! I was wondering why the magpies were chirping in the courtyard today. It turns out that our busy Prince Chen has finally decided to make an exception?"

He strolled in as he spoke, his eyes sparkling with undisguised joy and amusement. "I've been waiting so long! I rushed back as fast as I could, afraid that someone would be waiting anxiously for me. But look what happened, the two of you were so engrossed in your sweet talk that you completely forgot about me?"

Su Zhelan's ears burned from his teasing, but she couldn't help but laugh and held out her hand to him: "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Xiao Qiyun chuckled softly, not only not letting go of Su Zhelan's arm, but instead pulling her closer to his chest, and said to Sheng Xuan:

"Thank you for your hard work these past few days." His tone was filled with sincere gratitude and unspoken understanding.

Sheng Xuan looked down at Su Zhelan's flushed cheeks and bright eyes, his tone softening, with a hint of self-satisfaction: "How about it? Are you relieved now? I told you he'd be fine, but you were overthinking things, and I had to come and warm your bed every day..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiyun raised an eyebrow at Sheng Xuan, his arm tightening slightly, his voice carrying a hint of danger: "Tian Tian?"

Sheng Xuan seemed not to hear at all, or rather, did not care at all. With a cunning glint in his eyes, he went straight for it.

"Oh, so sticky! Let me share in the joy!" he exclaimed, leaning closer and reaching his hands unceremoniously towards Su Zhelan, who was encircled in Xiao Qiyun's arms. One hand precisely grabbed Su Zhelan's wrist, while the other tried to slip under Xiao Qiyun's arm to wrap around Su Zhelan's waist, attempting to pull her out.

Startled by his sudden action, Su Zhelan gasped, her body involuntarily leaning forward with Sheng Xuan's force, her face a mixture of embarrassment and anxiety: "Sheng Xuan! What are you doing!"

However, Xiao Qiyun reacted faster and more decisively than Su Zhelan. Instead of relaxing his grip because of Sheng Xuan's intervention, he frowned and tightened his arms like iron hoops, locking Su Zhelan more firmly in his arms. He even used an undeniable force to shield her behind him, blocking most of Sheng Xuan's movements.

"What's the rush?" Xiao Qiyun's voice deepened, carrying an unyielding authority. His sharp gaze swept over Sheng Xuan's restless hands. "You just got here, you haven't even caught your breath yet, can't you just calm down for a bit?"

His tone lacked genuine anger, but was filled with a clear sense of possession and declaration, as if saying: This is mine, and now it belongs to me.

Sheng Xuan's hand was blocked by Xiao Qiyun's arm and failed to succeed, but he was not angry. On the contrary, it seemed that he had expected this to happen. His smile became even brighter and even carried a bit of provocation.

"What?" Sheng Xuan deliberately raised her voice. "Are you being unreasonable? You've been hugging me for so long, isn't it my turn now?"

Sandwiched between the two, Su Zhelan listened to their childish argument and felt the increasing pressure on her waist and shoulders. Finally, she regained some composure from her initial embarrassment.

He took a deep breath, with a hint of helpless indulgence, and gently pulled away Sheng Xuan's hand that was still on his shoulder, then patted Xiao Qiyun's arm that was still wrapped around his waist.

"Alright...stop making a scene at the door." His voice still had a slight nasal tone. "Let's go inside and sit down, okay?"

The three of them squeezed onto the not-so-spacious low couch. Xiao Qiyun's arm was still loosely wrapped around Su Zhelan's waist, while Sheng Xuan was close to Su Zhelan's other side, with his arm across his back and resting on the edge of the couch, forming a semi-encircling posture.

Su Zhelan was caught in the middle and was initially a little uncomfortable, but she quickly relaxed in the familiar scent and warmth of the two men, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.

The candlelight flickered in the room, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere. After lingering for a moment, Su Zhelan suddenly remembered something, looked up at Xiao Qiyun beside her, and asked softly, "So... what are your plans next?" There was still a trace of worry in his eyes.

Xiao Qiyun looked down at him, her fingertips idly twirling the strands of hair that fell over his shoulders, her expression languid and relaxed.

"Intend?"

He chuckled softly, his tone carrying an unprecedented ease, "What other plans could I possibly have? Just be a wealthy idler, that's perfect."

He paused, then leaned close to Su Zhelan's ear, his warm breath brushing against her skin. "Shall we... go for a walk? The misty rain of Jiangnan, the scenery of the northern frontier—we can go wherever we want. Hmm?"

Su Zhelan's eyes lit up slightly, and she was about to nod when Sheng Xuan on the other side suddenly sat up straight.

"No!" Sheng Xuan's voice was firm and resolute, clearly showing his displeasure and anxiety.

He tightened his grip on Su Zhelan's waist, as if afraid she would be abducted immediately, and turned to glare at Xiao Qiyun, "You make it sound so easy! Sightseeing and leisure? What about me?! Do you think I can just throw away this job like that? Resign? It's not that easy!"

He grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, then turned to Su Zhelan, his tone a mixture of grievance and domineering: "Su Zhelan, you can't go with him now! At least... at least wait for me a while! Let me find an excuse to settle things here, then we'll go together! Do you hear me? You can't leave me behind!"

Those eyes, which always held a smile, were wide open now, giving off a "you dare agree to him and I'll make a scene for you" vibe.

Su Zhelan was taken aback by Sheng Xuan's sudden and intense reaction. Looking at the undisguised anxiety and dependence on Sheng Xuan's face, and feeling the tightening force around her waist, her heart softened instantly.

He looked up at Xiao Qiyun, only to see Xiao Qiyun watching Sheng Xuan jump up and down with a half-smile, looking as if he had just expected it, but there was no surprise in his eyes, but rather a hint of indulgence.

Su Zhelan couldn't help but chuckle, raising his hand to gently pat Sheng Xuan's tense arm, soothingly saying, "Who said they were going to leave you behind?" His voice was gentle, carrying a reassuring tone, "He only made a suggestion, he didn't say he was leaving immediately. What's the rush?"

He paused, his gaze shifting between the two of them, before finally saying softly, "Even if I have to leave, I'll naturally wait for you to come with me."

After a while, Xiao Qiyun seemed to feel that simply holding her wasn't enough. His gaze fell on Su Zhelan's slightly reddened earlobe, which was so close to his own, and his eyes darkened.

The hand encircling Su Zhelan's waist began to unconsciously and slowly caress her, the fingertips, through the thin fabric, carrying a burning heat, intentionally or unintentionally tracing her sensitive side.

He lowered his head, his warm lips brushing lightly against Su Zhelan's neck, his breath becoming somewhat hot.

Su Zhelan's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, then she let out a very soft sigh filled with deep weariness.

He didn't flinch, but gently placed his hand on Xiao Qiyun's restless hand, his voice soft and gentle, yet filled with deep weariness: "No... I'm so tired..." As he spoke, he leaned his head more heavily against Xiao Qiyun's shoulder, his eyelashes drooping, as if he didn't even have the strength to lift his eyelids, "These past few days... I haven't slept well at all..."

Xiao Qiyun's movements stopped abruptly. He looked down at the faint dark circles under Su Zhelan's eyes and the lingering weariness between her brows, and his heart tightened. The tender feelings he had just had were immediately replaced by pity.

He immediately withdrew all his suggestive gestures, and instead gently patted Su Zhelan's back with his palm in a reassuring manner, his voice low and full of apology:

"It's my fault, I forgot how worried you've been these past few days." He held him tighter, making him more comfortable. "Sleep now, I'll stay here with you."

Sheng Xuan, standing nearby, also took in Su Zhelan's exhaustion. He reached out and gently straightened Su Zhelan's slightly disheveled clothes, his movements unusually meticulous and tender.

“Exactly, you’re exhausted, what are you complaining about?” Sheng Xuan’s voice was also much lower, carrying a hint of reproach. She glared at Xiao Qiyun, but her concern for Su Zhelan was even stronger. “Rest well, we can talk about it tomorrow.”