Chapter 74: Dance Just for You
The autumn hunting ended early due to an accident, and the emperor returned to the palace.
But the shadow cast by the assassination at the hunting grounds has not dissipated, but has only grown heavier as the investigation deepens. Security is tight inside and outside the palace, and the atmosphere is oppressive.
Crown Prince Liu Xiao was ordered by Liu Chen to have his guards increased several times, and his range of movement was also restricted to a certain extent.
He understood his father's concerns, but he couldn't help feeling a little depressed.
More importantly, the window paper between him and Liu Zong, which was torn by blood, made him uneasy and at a loss.
He is no longer the boy who is completely ignorant about love.
Liu Zong's fiery eyes filled with love and pain, and the desperate "Xiao'er" he called out when he pounced on her, echoed in his mind day and night.
He felt confused, flustered, and even a little secretly embarrassed, but not disgusted.
Whenever he thought about the hideous wound on Liu Zong's back, which was caused by him, his heart softened and was filled with sharp heartache.
He began to subconsciously avoid Liu Zong.
It’s not because I hate it, but because I don’t know how to face it.
Every time he went to visit the patient, he would see Liu Zong's eyes light up instantly because of his arrival, and feel the focused gaze that almost burned him. His heart would beat irregularly, and he wouldn't know where to put his hands and feet. He could only hurriedly say a few words of concern and then escape using the excuse of being busy with government affairs.
Liu Zong was so perceptive, how could he not notice Liu Xiao's avoidance?
If it were in the past, he might have painfully chosen to restrain himself and continue to bury his deep affection.
But after experiencing the line between life and death, and hearing Liu Xiao's crying voice "Brother Brown"
Feeling his gentle wiping of tears and his acquiescence without rejection, the trapped beast called love in his heart seemed to be completely released.
He was no longer willing to be just a shadow who silently guarded. He wanted to fight for it, even if the hope was slim.
Therefore, His Royal Highness the Adopted Son began to use his status as an "injured patient" to make various "small" requests to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in an extremely "reasonable" manner.
"Your Highness, the wound on my back seems to be a little itchy. Could you please help me check whether the medicine prescribed by the imperial physician is appropriate?"
When Liu Xiao gritted his teeth and gently peeled off a little gauze with trembling fingers, and saw the still horrific wound, all the awkwardness was instantly replaced by heartache, and his movements became extremely gentle.
Liu Zong felt the touch of his slightly cool fingertips, and his heart was beating fast.
"Your Highness, I have difficulty holding this military manual. Could you please read it to me?"
Liu Xiao had no choice but to sit beside his couch and read to him. Liu Zong lay on his side, his eyes lingering on Liu Xiao's serious face and the movement of his lips, until Liu Xiao blushed and read haltingly.
What Liu Xiao couldn't handle the most was that Liu Zong began to say some almost explicit words to him from time to time in an extremely natural way.
For example, when Liu Xiao was feeding him medicine, he would suddenly whisper:
"If this is your Highness's medicine, I will accept it no matter how bitter it is."
Or, when Liu Xiao tucked in the quilt for him and was about to leave, he would look at him with deep eyes and say:
"Your Highness, if I could see you the first thing I see when I wake up every day, my injury would heal faster."
Every time, Liu Xiao's face turned red, his heart beat like a drum, and he fled more and more often.
But he found that the time he could escape was getting shorter and shorter, while the speed of his return was getting faster and faster. The inexplicable worry in his heart made it impossible for him to truly leave.
Liu Jin saw the undercurrents between his two sons and felt increasingly complicated.
He summoned his trusted imperial physician and carefully inquired about Liu Zong's recovery from his injuries. He also learned in detail about Liu Zong's selfless behavior at the hunting ground that day.
Every time he heard it, he felt more grateful for Liu Zong's selfless protection, and he also felt more concerned about that unacceptable feeling.
Late one night, he was playing chess with Xiao Ziran, with an indelible sorrow between his brows.
Xiao Ziran dropped a piece and said casually:
"Prince Liu Zong is truly a pillar of talent, and he is incredibly loyal to the Crown Prince... Heaven and earth bear witness to this. After this incident, the rumors within the court that he is too accomplished to be a threat to the emperor, or that he harbors ulterior motives, have been refuted."
He paused, and his tone became somewhat meaningful:
"However, this 'loyalty' is too fervent, and I'm afraid it will burn the Crown Prince's tender heart."
Liu Jin paused holding the chess piece, then looked up at Xiao Ziran: "You saw it a long time ago?"
Xiao Ziran smiled slightly, with a smile that showed a carefree attitude of someone who had seen through the world:
"How can such deep love be concealed? Your Majesty, there are many kinds of love in this world, and sometimes there is no logic to it. What matters is whether the heart is true or false, and whether the actions are good or evil.
The Second Prince is willing to protect me with his life. This kindness is infinitely more precious than those who pretend to be righteous but harbor evil intentions."
He tapped the chessboard gently. "Besides, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is kindhearted, but he's not without his own opinions. Your Majesty, why don't you...give him some time and space to figure out what he wants and what he chooses? Overbearing pressure isn't always a blessing."
Liu Jin was silent for a long time, and finally heaved a long sigh. Xiao Ziran's words hit the nail on the head, revealing the conflict in his heart.
He was afraid of the criticism and trouble that this relationship might bring, but he could not deny Liu Zong's sincerity and dedication, and he was unwilling to hurt either of his two sons.
Liu Xiao "escaped" from Liu Zong's bedroom again. With the heat on his face still lingering, he came to the lakeside of the imperial garden alone to enjoy the breeze.
He was in a state of confusion, his mind full of Liu Zong's smile and fragile expression when he looked at him just now, saying:
"I am just... afraid that Your Highness will no longer come to see me."
Such a strong and proud person showed such uneasiness in front of him.
Suddenly, a cloak still warm from body temperature fell gently on his shoulders.
Liu Xiao was startled and turned around to see that it was his father, Emperor Liu Chen.
"It's late at night and the dew is heavy. Be careful not to catch a cold." Liu Jin's voice was calm, without the majesty of the past, and sounded more like an ordinary father.
"Father..." Liu Xiao felt a little embarrassed.
Liu Jin looked at him with deep eyes, as if he could see through all his thoughts.
He did not ask any further questions, but just looked at the shimmering lake and said lightly:
"Xiao'er, do you know what is the most difficult thing about being a king?"
Liu Xiao was startled and answered cautiously, "Is it to balance the political situation and decide the affairs of the world?"
Liu Jin shook his head. "It's about knowing people, employing people, and trusting people. It's about seeing a person's true heart amidst the chaos and the weighing of pros and cons. It's about finding those truly trustworthy, sincere souls amidst the myriad calculations."
He turned his head and looked at Liu Xiao, "Zong'er used his life this time to prove his true intentions to me and you."
Liu Xiao's heart skipped a beat and he looked at his father in shock.
Liu Jin didn't say anything more, but just patted his shoulder:
"Now that you've grown up, you need to see, think, and decide for yourself about many things. But no matter what choice you make, remember that you must first be true to your own heart, and secondly, be able to bear all the consequences that follow."
After saying that, Liu Jin turned and left, leaving Liu Xiao alone standing there, with a storm in his heart.
His father's words were like a wake-up call, clearing away many of the fogs in his heart.
He has been running away, running away from Liu Zong's feelings, and also running away from his true feelings. He is afraid of this rebellious emotion and the unknown consequences.
But his father told him that he should look at his heart and take responsibility.
Doesn’t he see Liu Zong’s true intentions clearly enough?
That was a love tempered by blood and fire, without any adulteration. But what about my own heart?
If I really reject him completely, why would I feel sorry for him, blush for him, and worry about him?
At that moment, Liu Xiao suddenly understood something. He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and turned around and strode towards Liu Zong's bedroom.
When Liu Xiao returned and appeared at the door of Liu Zong's bedroom in the gradually falling autumn rain, Liu Zong propped himself up in surprise:
"Your Highness? Why are you back again? It's raining, are you not wet?" He was as concerned as ever.
Liu Xiao didn't answer. He just walked to the edge of the couch. His hair and shoulders were still wet, but his eyes were surprisingly bright.
He looked at Liu Zong and suddenly spoke, his voice trembling slightly but very clear:
"Brother Zong, if...if I am willing to try...to accept your feelings, will you always be like this, protecting me, loving me, and never letting me be sad?"
These words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding in Liu Zong's ears! He could hardly believe what he heard!
The huge ecstasy swept over him like a tsunami, causing him to lose all reaction for a moment and just stare at Liu Xiao blankly.
"You...what did you say? Xiao'er, say it again?" His voice was hoarse due to extreme excitement.
Liu Xiao's face was red as blood, but he mustered up the courage and repeated:
"I said, I... I am willing to give it a try. But you are not allowed to betray me, you are not allowed to lie to me, and you must always be good to me!" His words were filled with the prince's unique and somewhat clumsy arrogance, but Liu Zong's heart was filled with joy when he heard it!
"No! Never!"
Liu Zong was so excited that he wanted to get up, but it pulled his wound, causing him to gasp in pain. However, a huge and brilliant smile bloomed on his face, and tears of ecstasy even welled up in his eyes.
"Xiao'er! I, Liu Zong, swear to heaven that I will never let you down in this life! If you break this oath, heaven will strike you with lightning and you will suffer misfortune..."
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Liu Xiao hurriedly interrupted him and subconsciously covered his mouth with his hand.
When their palms touched each other's warm lips, both of them trembled.
Their eyes met, and the air was filled with the freshness of rain and a new, sweet scent.
All hesitation, avoidance and uneasiness disappeared at this moment.
Liu Zong carefully and extremely slowly held Liu Xiao's hand that was covering his mouth, gently pulled it down, and placed it on his chest, allowing him to feel his heartbeat as violent as a drum.
His eyes were burning and pious, and he whispered, "Do you feel it? Xiao'er, this place will only beat for you from now on."
Liu Xiao felt the strong and rapid heartbeat under his palm, as if he also felt the hot and sincere emotion.
He no longer dodged, but slowly and tentatively shook Liu Zong's hand back.
The sound of rain outside the window seems to be playing a gentle melody for the lovers who have just confirmed their feelings.
The candlelight in the hall was warm, illuminating the two people's tightly clasped hands and the deep affection in each other's eyes that could no longer be concealed.
Although the road ahead is bound to be bumpy, at least at this moment, they bravely hold each other's hands.
Emperor Liu Jin, who had been guarding in the shadows outside the palace, listened to the faint whispers coming from inside, which eventually turned into a complex sigh. He turned around and left quietly, leaving this world to them.
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