It's pressing down on me.
The wheels came to a stop in front of the King Jin's mansion, making a slight creaking sound.
Inside the carriage, Gu Jinghong was still fast asleep on Xiao Chengyan's shoulder, her breathing even and deep.
Xiao Chengyan lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on her peaceful sleeping face. That strange feeling that arose from her being completely unprepared swept through his heart again, too quick to catch. He moved his shoulder slightly, trying to wake her.
However, Gu Jinghong only mumbled something indistinctly and did not wake up. Instead, she unconsciously rubbed against him and buried half of her cheek deeper into his neck.
Xiao Chengyan tried to gently twitch his arm.
"Hmm..." Gu Jinghong murmured in dissatisfaction, her brows furrowing slightly, and the fingers gripping the corner of her sleeve tightened even more.
Xiao Chengyan paused. He looked at the face that had shed all its coldness and defenses in its sleep, and even showed a hint of childlike dependence. A very complex emotion flashed deep in his eyes.
Outside, Changfeng had respectfully lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, and the cold air rushed in instantly.
Xiao Chengyan looked up and met Changfeng's questioning gaze. He was silent for a moment, then used his other arm to steadily slip under her knees and back, and simply picked Gu Jinghong up horizontally.
Her body was very light, and she exuded a faint, cool fragrance. When Xiao Chengyan held her, it was like holding a handful of snow mixed with plum blossoms in winter, or like holding a well-behaved kitten.
Changfeng was so surprised that his eyes widened, but he was well-trained and immediately lowered his eyes, silently lifting the carriage curtain completely to make it easier for the prince to pass.
Xiao Chengyan carried Gu Jinghong, his steps steady as he walked through the quiet corridors of the Prince's mansion. The winter chill was kept at bay by his body heat and the warmth of the person in his arms.
The guards and servants of the Prince's mansion, witnessing this scene from afar, all held their breath and lowered their heads, their hearts filled with astonishment—the Prince himself was carrying Gu Jinghong back to his bedchamber? This was truly unprecedented! That maid was indeed quite something; she had even managed to win over the Prince!
Xiao Chengyan carried Gu Jinghong toward Chen Anju, then gently kicked open the door and carried her to the bedside in the side room, trying to put her down again.
However, just as he carefully placed her on the soft quilt, Gu Jinghong's body instinctively curled up. The hand that had been gripping his sleeve did not loosen its grip; instead, due to the change in its position, it pressed a larger part of the sleeve under her body!
She seemed to have found a more comfortable position, letting out a satisfied groan, and fell into a deeper sleep.
Xiao Chengyan: "..."
He looked down at his sleeve, firmly "nailed" to the bed, then at Gu Jinghong, who was fast asleep. Should he forcibly pull it out? That would surely wake her. Should he cut it off? That would be making a mountain out of a molehill…
Finally, he sighed silently. The exhaustion from days of travel and the internal strife caused by the "warmth-giving powder" surged up like a tide at this moment.
He is not made of iron.
Xiao Chengyan simply sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning back slightly against the sturdy bedpost, and closed his eyes, as if merely resting. His tall figure appeared somewhat lonely in the dim candlelight, yet strangely, it created a tranquil scene with the sleeping woman on the bed. Only a piece of his robe covered them, their breaths mingling in the silent room.
The two of them, drawn together by a deep weariness and a strange softness, slept from the afternoon until the next morning.
...
The next day, as dawn broke, soft light and shadows were cast into the room through the delicate window frames.
Xiao Chengyan opened his eyes almost instantly. He moved his body slightly, which was stiff from sitting, and his mind was clear again.
He turned his head, his gaze naturally falling on Gu Jinghong's face, which was inches away from his own. The morning light reflected in her deep eyes, making her emotions unreadable. Time flowed slowly in the stillness, only the sound of her steady breathing clearly audible. He should have gotten up immediately to deal with the mountain of official business, but at this moment, a strange sense of peace seized him, making him somewhat reluctant to linger in this moment… of gazing.
Just as this delicate tranquility was about to be shattered—
"Knock, knock, knock!" A rapid but restrained knocking sounded, followed by Changfeng's deliberately lowered but undisguisedly anxious voice: "Your Highness, an urgent report has just arrived!"
Xiao Chengyan's eyes sharpened instantly, all his gentleness and gaze vanishing in an instant, replaced by the cold and dignified King Jin. He subconsciously tried to get up, but his movements were once again restrained—Gu Jinghong was still pressing down on his sleeve, fast asleep.
The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed in the slightest.
Xiao Chengyan didn't hesitate for a moment. His right hand reached to his waist, a flash of cold light, and a sharp dagger he always carried was in his hand. Without even looking, he swiftly brought the blade down!
"Sizzle—"
A very faint tearing sound rang out. The sleeve corner that Gu Jinghong had been holding down all night snapped in two.
Xiao Chengyan quickly stood up, straightened his robes, turned around and strode towards the door. When he opened the door, he was already the majestic and meticulous King Jin.
Outside the door, Changfeng anxiously bowed and handed over the sealed scroll.
"Your Highness." Changfeng presented the urgent report, but his gaze was drawn to the conspicuous, unevenly torn cuff—the prince's sleeve… was torn?! And torn in such an irregular way?! What happened in the room during this long night?!
Xiao Chengyan, seemingly oblivious to Changfeng's astonishment, took the scroll expressionlessly, skillfully retrieved the secret report from it, and as he read it, his brows furrowed slightly, his voice icy: "Discussion in the study."
Immediately, he lifted his leg and walked towards the study.
Seeing this, Changfeng disregarded the prince's sleeves and followed him in a few steps.
The atmosphere in the study was somber.
Xiao Chengyan quickly scanned the Southwest military report, his brows furrowed, and swiftly issued several orders. Changfeng listened to the prince's analysis and judgment, composed himself, and nodded occasionally, daring not to be distracted any longer.
After dealing with urgent military affairs, Xiao Chengyan rubbed his temples and his gaze fell on another briefing on the movement of officials in the capital.
He casually flipped through the book, and a line of text immediately caught his eye:
"The Censorate reports: The Second Prince, Xiao Chengjue, frequented brothels and stayed out late into the night, behaving indecently and damaging the dignity of the imperial family. We request Your Majesty to punish him severely."
Xiao Chengyan's eyes narrowed sharply. Almost instantly, the scene from yesterday in the Qiongju Pavilion of Zhuoyue Tower vividly flashed into his mind—Gu Jinghong's clear voice, seemingly fearful and helpless, yet piercingly sharp:
"That Miss Liu, the top courtesan of Zuihong Pavilion who is said to have a close relationship with Your Highness, didn't she also praise my Prince's 'dragon-like appearance and phoenix-like demeanor, captivating all the ladies' in front of them at the flower-viewing banquet a few days ago? If someone as remarkable as Miss Liu said such a thing, it shows how charming Your Highness is!"
“Miss Liu”...the top courtesan of Zuihongxuan...Liu Yiyi? —A cold, sharp glint flashed in the depths of Xiao Chengyan’s eyes.
Yesterday, he assumed that Gu Jinghong had fabricated or spread rumors about brothels to retaliate against Xiao Chengjue and humiliate him. However, today's impeachment by the Censorate confirmed that the Second Prince had indeed been patronizing prostitutes at Zuihongxuan, and it was very likely related to Liu Yiyi!
So, was Gu Jinghong's comment about "Miss Liu's praise" purely a coincidence? Or... did she really know something? Who exactly is she? Or rather, if a "runaway maid" from Zhuoyue Tower possessed information earlier than the Censorate, then what role did Zhuoyue Tower play?
He picked up the vermilion brush and paused unconsciously over the name "Zuihongxuan Liu Yiyi" on the briefing.
The thick cinnabar ink instantly spread across the rice paper, creating a dazzling red stain, like a drop of blood.
Xiao Chengyan stared at the glaring red blush, his eyes unfathomable. He put down his vermilion brush, his voice low but carrying a chilling, penetrating force:
"Long Wind".
"Your subordinate is here!" Changfeng immediately responded.
Xiao Chengyan's gaze was sharp as a knife. "Investigate. Find out exactly who, when, and where, revealed anything about Liu Yiyi of Zuihongxuan to Gu Jinghong before yesterday. Especially that phrase 'praise at the flower-viewing banquet.' Dig out every single detail."
"Yes!" Changfeng's heart tightened, and he immediately accepted the order and left.
Xiao Chengyan glanced at Changfeng: "Do you know how to investigate?"
Changfeng understood Xiao Chengyan's implication—that he should temporarily relax the previously impenetrable defenses of the Prince's residence—and hesitated, saying, "But Your Highness, your health..."
Xiao Chengyan replied calmly, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I know my own body."
Just as Changfeng was about to leave the study, Xiao Chengyan's voice reached Changfeng's ears again: "Don't let anyone else know about Gu Jinghong... including her herself."
Changfeng frowned, then raised an eyebrow, and turned around to say, "Yes."
Inside the study, only Xiao Chengyan remained. His slender fingers unconsciously caressed the half-torn black sleeve of his robe, his gaze shifting between the glaring vermilion ink blot on the desk and the rising sun outside the window, deep and unfathomable.
...
Inside the side room, the sunlight had become bright and warm.
Gu Jinghong was awakened by an unprecedented, deep-seated sense of satisfaction. She felt as if she were sinking into the warm seabed, and had not had such a deep, dreamless sleep in a long time.
As consciousness slowly returned, Gu Jinghong's pupils suddenly focused.
No! My last consciousness yesterday was in Xiao Chengyan's carriage, so why am I awake in the side room today?
Before he could think further, Gu Jinghong felt the texture of fine fabric in his hand. He picked it up and examined it—
What comes into view is a small fragment of dark green brocade, embroidered with intricate and delicate kui dragon patterns in gold thread, shimmering with a subtle luster in the sunlight.
This fabric...this pattern...is this the prince's sleeve?!
So... she was holding down his sleeve, and instead of waking her up, he left by cutting off his sleeve?
Gu Jinghong thought for a moment and suddenly realized that she had figured out the key to it all—a cold and aloof prince like Xiao Chengyan must have felt that the sleeve was tainted with her, Gu Jinghong's, aura, which is why he "relinquished" it!
Just then, Xiao Chengyan, who had finished his work, pushed open the door and entered, still wearing a brocade robe with torn sleeves.
Gu Jinghong stood up, concealing the piece of cloth behind her back, and respectfully curtsied, saying, "Your Highness."
Xiao Chengyan's gaze fell on her restless hands. He walked step by step toward Gu Jinghong, his slender fingers reaching for the jade belt buckle at his waist. With a "click," the jade belt was untied and tossed aside.
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