Chapter 72 The Prince Didn’t Reject
Crown Prince Liu Xiao, unlike his father who was cold and majestic, was gentle and kind by nature, intelligent but not aggressive, and he was rarely harsh even to the palace maids.
He is more like a piece of warm jade, exuding a reassuring and approachable atmosphere.
The court officials loved him and the people praised his benevolence, but some old officials privately worried that in this world surrounded by tigers and wolves, the crown prince might be too kind.
Liu Zong, as the adopted son raised by Emperor Liu Chen himself, enjoyed the same honor and educational resources as the prince.
Perhaps it was due to his experience, or perhaps it was his nature, but he grew up completely different from Liu Xiao.
He is decisive, sharp, and highly proactive. He shows great talent and a strong sense of oppression in both military and government affairs, and occasionally even reveals a strength that is no less than that of an emperor.
Liu Jin admired and trusted him very much, and often assigned him matters that required swift and decisive action.
However, this prince, who was gradually showing his brilliance in front of outsiders, always adhered to the boundaries between "minister" and "brother" in front of Crown Prince Liu Xiao, and even seemed too respectful.
Only he himself knew what kind of passionate and unacceptable emotions were surging beneath this respect.
His desire to protect him and possess him alone had long since surpassed brotherhood and evolved into a love that ran deep in his bones.
To a certain extent, his powerful ability and growing power also became the capital for him to take Liu Xiao under his wing and protect him throughout his life.
Liu Xiao could clearly sense the difference Liu Zong treated him in. His concern was meticulous, even often overstepping his bounds.
For example, Liu Xiao is weak and occasionally catches a cold when the seasons change.
Liu Zong would directly stay in the side hall of the Eastern Palace on the pretext of "visiting the sick", personally supervise the imperial physician in the use of medicine, and even scold those palace servants who were careless in their care with a cold face. His aura was so strong that the officials of the Eastern Palace were all silent.
He would personally test the temperature of the medicine before handing it to Liu Xiao, but his tone was extremely low and gentle:
"Your Highness, it's time to take the medicine." The concentration and heartache in his eyes almost overflowed.
For example, when hunting, Liu Xiao's archery skills were only decent, but Liu Zong always managed to "just" drive the prey to the position where Liu Xiao could easily hit it, or "accidentally" shoot an arrow that missed the target.
He finished off the prey that Liu Xiao had shot but not fatally, and then, amidst a chorus of praise, he bowed his head and said to Liu Xiao:
"Your Highness's archery skills have improved again."
It seems as if all the credit belongs to the prince.
His eyes always followed Liu Xiao. When Liu Xiao might encounter any slight danger, he would always ride his horse closer to him immediately, emitting a vigilant and sharp aura around him, isolating himself from all potential threats.
Liu Xiao is not a stupid person.
He could feel Liu Zong's excessive desire to protect him, almost wrapping him up.
At first, he just thought it was his brother's love for him.
But gradually, he found that Liu Zong's eyes were too passionate, and the intensity of emotion contained in them far exceeded brotherhood.
It was a look that was a mixture of extreme loyalty, crazy possessiveness and deep admiration, which made Liu Xiao feel uneasy and his face inexplicably hot.
He felt confused and even a little uneasy.
He tried to treat Liu Zong with his usual gentle attitude, but found that he was beginning to be unable to face those overly scorching eyes calmly.
Once, when discussing how to deal with a group of surrendered people from the Northern Di tribe, the two had a disagreement.
Liu Xiao advocated appeasement and conciliation, turning enemies into civilians to demonstrate the benevolence of the Celestial Empire.
Liu Zong, however, took a tough stance, believing that those who were not of the same race must have different hearts. He advocated dispersing them and moving them to the interior for strict surveillance, and even hinted that their leader should be dealt with to prevent future troubles.
The two of them were arguing in the study. Liu Zong was so emotional that his tone unconsciously took on the strong tone he usually used when handling government affairs:
"Your Highness! Kindness befits a gentleman, not a jackal! Being soft-hearted at this moment will only lead to endless trouble!"
His voice was not loud, but it was extremely oppressive. He even subconsciously took a step forward and approached Liu Xiao.
Liu Xiao was shocked by his sudden outburst of momentum and took a step back, looking at him in surprise.
The Liu Zong in front of him was no longer the brother who was cautious and obedient to him, but more like a decisive general, a... aggressive man.
Liu Zong immediately realized his gaffe, especially when he saw the flash of astonishment and... perhaps a hint of hurt in Liu Xiao's eyes?
He instantly suppressed all his momentum, knelt on one knee in a hurry, and his voice became panicked and low:
"I have lost my composure! I have overstepped my bounds! Please punish me, Your Highness!" He lowered his head, clenched his fists, his heart filled with regret and panic - he had scared him.
Liu Xiao looked at Liu Zong, who was kneeling in front of him with tense shoulders, and the strange feeling in his heart became clearer and clearer.
At that moment just now, there was not only the anxiety of the argument in Liu Zong's eyes, but also a kind of... impatience and... hurt as if his opinion had been refuted?
That kind of emotion is definitely not what a subject or brother should have.
He didn't ask Liu Zong to stand up immediately, but looked at him silently. The study was eerily quiet.
Liu Xiao could hear his own heartbeat, which was a bit too rapid. He spoke slowly, his voice still gentle, but with a hint of inquiry: "Brother Zong, why are you... so excited?"
The call of "Brother Zong" and the gentle inquiry made Liu Zong's body tremble violently.
He raised his head and looked at Liu Xiao.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's eyes were clear and confused, and he was looking at him seriously, waiting for an answer.
When their eyes met, the emotions that Liu Zong had been suppressing in his heart were like boiling magma, almost breaking through all barriers.
His lips trembled slightly, and his eyes were filled with pain, love, and struggle. He almost blurted out the words that had been buried in his heart for many years.
But in the end, he used all his strength to suppress it. He lowered his head again, his voice hoarse and restrained:
"I... am simply concerned for Your Highness's safety and the stability of the nation. I was inconsiderate and my words and actions were inappropriate. Your Highness, please punish me."
It's like this every time.
Using loyalty and concern as a cover.
Liu Xiao watched him shrink back into his respectful shell, and inexplicably felt a sense of irritation and... loss in his heart.
He suddenly became unsure about what kind of answer he wanted to hear.
A huge mad bear unexpectedly broke through the guard circle and rushed towards Liu Xiao who was shooting arrows!
The speed was so fast and the distance was so close that all the guards were caught off guard!
“Xiao’er!!!”
A heart-wrenching roar rang out!
It is no longer a respectful "Your Highness", but the most instinctive call in an emergency!
Liu Zong was like a madman, his speed even surpassed the nearest guard. He did not use a bow and arrow, nor a long sword.
Instead, with a completely nonchalant attitude, he suddenly threw Liu Xiao to the ground from the side, and used his entire back to withstand the black bear's huge palm that was enough to crush his head!
"Ugh!" A heavy muffled sound and the slight sound of bones breaking sounded at the same time!
Liu Zong spat out a mouthful of blood, but he held Liu Xiao tightly under his body, wrapping his arms around him like an iron hoop, using his flesh and blood to form the last barrier!
The subsequent guards quickly killed the black bear with arrows, swords and guns.
Everything happened in a flash.
Liu Xiao was thrown to the ground, and he could hear Liu Zong's painful groans and the feeling of warm blood dripping on his neck.
He could clearly feel the instant stiffness of the body pressing on him and the trembling caused by the severe pain.
I can feel even more the unprecedented strength in that embrace, and the panic and love contained in that broken voice of "Xiao'er" that is enough to overturn everything!
"Zong...Brother Zong?!" Liu Xiao's voice trembled with disbelief.
The crisis was resolved, and the guards hurried forward to help the two men up.
"Don't touch him!" Liu Zong suddenly raised his head and shouted at the guards who wanted to help Liu Xiao.
His face was as pale as paper, with blood streaks hanging from the corners of his mouth, but his eyes were sharp as a knife. He scanned the surroundings and made sure it was absolutely safe before he suddenly released his strength.
But he still carefully moved his body away to avoid pressing Liu Xiao, and he collapsed powerlessly to the side, gasping violently, and every breath affected the terrible wound on his back.
Liu Xiao sat up hurriedly and saw the bloody wound on Liu Zong's back, where even the bones were faintly visible. His eyes instantly turned red and his heart felt like it was being torn apart!
He was at a loss, wanting to touch her but not daring to, his voice filled with tears: "Brother Zong! How are you?! Imperial Physician! Quickly call the Imperial Physician!!"
Liu Zong turned his head with difficulty and looked at Liu Xiao, who was panicking and had tears in his eyes. He actually tried his best to pull out a soothing smile, his voice intermittent.
But she was unusually gentle: "Don't... don't be afraid... Xiao'er... it's... it's okay... as long as you're okay... "
Until this moment, he still instinctively comforted Liu Xiao first.
Liu Zong's injuries were severe, but fortunately, they weren't serious enough to cause serious damage. With careful nursing, he could recover. He would just need to lie down and rest for a long time.
Liu Xiao ignored everyone's advice and stayed in Liu Zong's tent almost day and night. He personally changed Liu Zong's dressings and fed him water and food.
When there is no one in the tent, the atmosphere is always exceptionally quiet and subtle.
Liu Xiao looked at Liu Zong, who was lying on the couch with his brows furrowed in pain, and remembered the voice of "Xiao'er" and the pair of eyes full of desperate love when he rushed over.
His emotions were extremely complicated. The emotion was too strong and too naked, and he could no longer deceive himself with "brotherhood".
"Why..." Liu Xiao's voice was very soft, with a hint of sob.
"Why would you do that? You could die..."
Liu Zong was silent for a moment. He knew that some words could no longer be hidden.
He turned his head and looked at Liu Xiao. His eyes were no longer concealed, full of fatigue and pain, but also with a desperate honesty.
"Because...I can't lose you."
His voice was hoarse and low.
"Xiao'er, I... protecting you has become my instinct. It's not just my duty as a subject, nor just my responsibility as a brother... I..."
He took a deep breath, as if he had used up his last bit of courage, looked directly into Liu Xiao's shocked and confused eyes, and said word by word:
"I like you. Not as a brother, but as a man's feelings for another man. I know this is an act of usurpation and treason... You can punish me.
You distanced yourself from me, or even killed me... but I... couldn't bear to see you get hurt. If I could do it again, I would still do the same thing."
He finally said it.
He laid that heavy and forbidden love nakedly before the prince whom he had admired for a long time.
Then, like a prisoner awaiting trial, he closed his eyes and waited for the final outcome.
Perhaps it was thunderous wrath, perhaps it was eternal disgust.
Liu Xiao was completely stunned.
Although he had guessed it, hearing this shocking confession with his own ears still shocked him.
He looked at Liu Zong's pale face, the tears that flowed from his tightly closed eyes, and his eyelashes that trembled slightly due to nervousness...
The expected rebuke did not come.
After a long time, Liu Xiao stretched out his hand tremblingly and wiped away the tears from the corners of Liu Zong's eyes very gently.
His movements were cautious, filled with a kind of heartache and...throbbing that he himself didn't even understand.
Liu Zong suddenly opened his eyes and looked at him in disbelief.
Liu Xiao's cheeks flushed, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions: shock, confusion, and helplessness, but there was no disgust or fear.
He opened his mouth, and his voice was as soft as a mosquito, but it was clearly heard by Liu Zong:
"But...we are brothers...and...you are a man..."
His rebuttal was so weak that it sounded more like a confused muttering.
He didn't push him away, didn't scold him, and even... wiped away his tears.
This realization, like a ray of light, instantly illuminated Liu Zong's desperate heart.
Great ecstasy and hope swept over him, even temporarily overcoming the severe pain in his body.
He looked greedily at Liu Xiao's flushed cheeks and evasive eyes, and responded in a low voice with a tone that was unprecedented, with a hint of strength and temptation:
"We're just brothers in name only. And I... just fell in love with you, who happens to be a man. Xiao'er, do you hate me?"
Liu Xiao's heartbeat was so fast that it almost jumped out of his chest. Was he annoying? No, he was not annoying at all.
He just… had absolutely no idea how to react.
He looked into Liu Zong's eyes that were full of expectation and affection. In them were the familiar pampering and protection, as well as a brand new emotion that made him flustered.
In the end, he didn't even answer with the word "hate". He just stood up in a panic and said incoherently:
"You...you take good care of your injuries...don't...don't think too much...I...I'll come see you later..." After saying that, he almost ran away.
But this time, Liu Zong looked at his back as he fled in panic, and a pale but real smile slowly appeared on the corner of his mouth.
The prince did not refuse or deny it.
That's enough.
For this relationship that has been buried deep in my heart for many years, this is an unprecedented progress.
The road ahead might still be difficult, but at least he knew his feelings and... there was no disgust.
As for the rest, he can wait slowly, using all his patience and strength to get closer, little by little, and make his Royal Highness the Crown Prince get used to and accept this deep affection that is not tolerated by the world.
The blood in the hunting grounds seemed to have unexpectedly opened up a whole new path between them, leading to unknown possibilities.
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