Outside, the snowstorm picked up, the north wind howled like a ghost, banging against the closed door. The cold seeped in through the cracks in the door and windows, causing the candles on the candlesticks to sway and dance, and the flickering light and shadows made the hall feel spooky.
Concubine Wen, who was sitting in the main seat, looked down at the mother and son, with flickering light and shadows splitting across her face, making her look like a fierce ghost.
Concubine Rong was of a weak character. Her face was pale as hell and her eyes were filled with panic.
Queen Yu was kind and took good care of her. She did not want to harm anyone, but she was also afraid that Concubine Wen would really expose Yin Ciguang's secret.
She was not afraid of death, but she was reluctant to let Yin Ci Guang die with her.
This child has suffered a lot since childhood. He lives in fear of lies every day and has never had a single day of ease.
Sometimes she would wonder if she had done something wrong.
Her eyes were filled with despair, her lips trembled, and she even wanted to kneel down and beg Concubine Wen to spare Yin Ciguang's life. If Concubine Wen was not satisfied, she could just take her life.
However, Yin Ciguang spoke before her, his expression was very calm: "I agree."
Rong Fei was startled and subconsciously wanted to speak out to stop him, but he held her hand. Feeling the strength coming from his hand, Rong Fei stopped talking.
She felt uneasy, but she finally followed her son's suggestion and did not speak again.
"The Empress is kind and has long since exempted the concubines from paying respects. My mother only pays respects every four or five days. She just went to Kunning Palace yesterday. If she goes again right away, it would be too obvious and would arouse suspicion."
"I thought you were such a loyal dog, but you're nothing more than this." Concubine Wen looked at him and said, as if giving alms, "Then I'll give you three days. Don't even think of playing any tricks. If you don't see the sachet on Queen Yu after three days, you know the consequences."
Yin Ci Guang coughed twice and accepted the sachet. "If the noble concubine has no other instructions, my mother and I will leave first."
Seeing his sick appearance, Concubine Wen felt better and waved her hand, "Go away. I am waiting for your good news."
Only then did Yin Ciguang take Concubine Rong away.
The wind and snow grew stronger and the sky became dim. It was still noon, but the sky was as dark as night.
Yin Ciguang was not in good health. He had just been in a confrontation in the palace. He was caught in a cold wind when he suddenly came out, and he had a burst of urgent coughing. Rong Fei patted his back with red eyes, but she held back her tears.
He just said in a trembling voice: "You can't agree to her."
She was not a very smart person, but she knew that if she started to plot, Concubine Wen would have more evidence against her and they would never be able to escape.
Yin Ciguang couldn't stop coughing, and his pale face even turned abnormally red. It took a long time for him to breathe smoothly. He gently put the hood on Concubine Rong, used his body to block the cold wind and snow for her, and protected her as she walked to Yongxi Palace. His voice was gentle and calm: "Don't worry, mother, I know my limits."
After leaving Quyang Pavilion, Yin Chengyu walked towards Ciqing Palace.
Xue Shu walked beside him holding an umbrella, just in time to shield him from the cold wind.
The wind blew his robe sleeves into the air. In the dark sky and the snow, his scarlet python robe was extremely dazzling and caught Yin Chengyu's eyes directly.
It looks like the person from the previous life, but not quite.
After starting over again, both he and Xue Shu had changed a lot.
Yin Chengyu was satisfied with this change, so he became more patient and tolerant, and his tone of voice softened unconsciously: "What else do you want to report?"
At this time, when they reached the corner of the corridor, Xue Shu glanced at them gently. Cui Ci, who came with him, understood what he meant and stopped the guards of the East Palace. "Our leader has something to report to His Highness alone. Everyone please stay."
Xue Shu had worked in Ciqing Palace before, and although the guards were familiar with him, they did not dare to leave the prince alone. The leading guard looked at Yin Chengyu inquiringly.
Cui Ci's voice was not small, so Yin Chengyu naturally heard it and nodded slightly.
The guards stayed where they were, and only Xue Shu and Yin Chengyu turned the corner.
The corridor was winding, and from the guards' position, they could only vaguely see the corners of the dark red robes.
Yin Chengyu was sandwiched between Xue Shu and the corridor wall. He looked up at him and said with a hint of amusement, "Is this what Governor Xue wanted to report?"
Xue Shu approached him and looked him straight in the eye, his emotions clearly visible: "Your Highness has not summoned me for several days."
"You are no longer an official of the Eastern Palace." Yin Chengyu narrowed his eyes slightly, and his fingertips traced across his protruding Adam's apple: "Lord Xue, you should recognize your own identity as soon as possible, so as not to cause gossip."
"Have you not thought of me at all these days, Your Highness?" He stared at Yin Chengyu fiercely, feeling that this person was like the snow flying outside, visible but unattainable, making him hate her to the point of itching teeth, yet willing to chase after her: "I miss Your Highness like crazy every day I haven't seen him."
It was clearly a love talk, but when it came out of his mouth, each word was pronounced with a pause, like a curse.
And there seems to be some resentment.
Yin Chengyu did not answer, but raised his beautiful eyes, with a calm smile in his eyes: "Master Xue's appearance today reminds me of an old friend."
He looked into Xue Shu's eyes without dodging: "This old friend, Governor Xue, should also know this."
Xue Shu's eyes flickered, and he paused before asking in confusion: "Oh? Who are you talking about, Your Highness?"
Playing dumb again.
Yin Chengyu sneered, put his hand on his shoulder, firmly pushed him away, and smiled at him: "Guess."
Having said this, he turned around and left.
Looks a little unhappy.
Xue Shu looked at his back, licked his teeth with the tip of his tongue, and felt a little annoyed.
He knew what Yin Chengyu was talking about, and Yin Chengyu knew that he understood. They both knew it, but neither of them was the first to break through the thin window paper.
Xue Shu walked into the wind and snow, using it to calm the restlessness in his heart.
The snowflakes brushed his face, reminding him of the bone-chilling cold in the underground palace. It was not a pleasant memory.
The past is too hard to remember, not only for him, but also for Yin Chengyu.
He didn't understand why Yin Chengyu kept testing him.
He dared not admit it, nor did he want to admit it. Everything now was like a flower in the mirror and a moon in the water. He was afraid that once he revealed it, he would wake up from the dream.
In his previous life, he waited for five years and could not sleep at night, let alone dream about him.
He was willing to retract all his claws and leave only the appearance he liked, just because he wanted to indulge in this beautiful dream for a longer time, and it would be best if he never woke up.
Xue Shuding stood still in the wind and snow for a long time. Finally, he carefully pulled out the jade ring hanging around his neck and hidden in his clothes, and touched it lightly with his lips.
The weather was too cold, and the body temperature that had stained the jade ring dissipated, making it even colder than ice and snow.
In his previous life, he was just as cold when he kissed the ice coffin over and over again.
The desire in his body grew like wild weeds, and Xue Shu suddenly wanted to hug Yin Chengyu and check his body temperature.
However, Yin Chengyu had already returned to Ciqing Palace, and now he was the chief eunuch of the Imperial Household Department and the supervisor of the East Factory. He could no longer enter and leave Ciqing Palace as recklessly as before.
Xue Shu put the jade ring back, looked towards the direction of Ciqing Palace, and thought to himself, wait a little longer.
The waiting time is always long and painful.
After waiting until late at night, the wind and snow stopped, and the guards patrolling the palace found a warm corner to shelter from the wind. Xue Shu changed into a black uniform and went to Ciqing Palace in the night.
He bypassed the guards with ease and sneaked into the prince's bedroom.
In order to set an example for all officials, the Ciqing Palace did not light floor dragons this winter. Instead, bronze heaters with animal patterns were placed in the four corners of the room. The charcoal fire was burning brightly, occasionally emitting one or two scarlet sparks.
Xue Shu drove away the cold air by the stove before walking around the screen and going to Babu's bed.
At this hour, Yin Chengyu had already gone to bed.
He was afraid of the cold and hid half of his face in the quilt. The warmth from the quilt made his cheeks slightly red, which neutralized the cold feeling between his eyebrows.
Xue Shu squatted down beside the bed, looked at him greedily, and finally tucked the quilt down carefully and buried his face in the crook of his neck.
Yin Chengyu disliked extravagant enjoyment, but he particularly liked incense. Whether it was clothes or bedding, he would fumigate them with snow ridge plum.
The scent of snow ridge plum is light, and when used on this cold and lonely person, it makes him feel even colder. But now, this cold fragrance is tinged with warmth, and it exudes a subtle sweetness.
Xue Shu closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The scent of Xuelingmi combined with another indescribable smell that belonged only to Yin Chengyu rushed into his nose, filling his dry and empty chest.
The wild roar of dissatisfaction subsided, the wind and snow faded, and another kind of warmth surged up.
He raised his head and stared at the sleeping person for a long time. Greed and desire flashed in his eyes, but they were eventually suppressed, leaving only unsatisfied thirst.
Reaching his hand into the quilt, Xue Shu groped for Yin Chengyu's hand and held it carefully.
The movements are gentle and restrained.
In the past, he did not understand love and affection, he only knew how to force and plunder.
He only thought that pulling the gods down from the altar and taking them for himself would be perfect. But later he found that this was never what he really wanted. What he wanted was not to drag the gods down to the mortal world and perish with him. Instead, he wanted the gods to bow their heads and only look at him.
It was just that he realized it too late, and had gone too far down the wrong path. When he looked back, he realized that he had been separated from the person he loved and was out of reach.
Spilled water cannot be collected, and a broken mirror cannot be mended.
It was God's gift that gave him a chance to start over.
Xue Shu just sat on the footstool, holding Yin Chengyu's hand, and watching over him quietly.
The endless warmth coming from their clasped hands made him feel at ease.
Yin Chengyu vaguely felt someone grabbing his hand. The feeling was too familiar to raise any vigilance. He just frowned and opened his eyes to take a look. When he saw the familiar figure, he felt as if it was expected.
"Why are you sitting here so late at night instead of going to bed?"
Xue Shu didn't expect to wake him up. He froze for a moment, but didn't let go of his hand. His voice was a little hoarse: "I miss your highness."
Yin Chengyu frowned and looked at him, then sobered up a little: "Are you having a nightmare again? There are beddings in the closet, go and sleep on Luohan's bed."
Xue Shu just shook his head: "I want to look at His Highness."
Yin Chengyu didn't know what had happened to him. He stared at him for a long while, but he didn't break away from his hand. He hid under the quilt again and muttered vaguely, "Whatever you want."
The author has something to say:
Big Dog Gou:? Your Highness didn't even invite me to sleep in bed, this is not a river beetle.
Your Highness: