Chapter 38 Mutual Affection
Lou Jin was slightly taken aback by Ye Xunyang's sudden hug and tears, and then felt an indescribable pity and guilt welling up in his heart.
He hugged the trembling body in his arms and patted his back soothingly.
"Why are you crying?" Lou Jin's voice was deep and gentle, with a hint of barely perceptible doting.
"Haven't I returned?"
"I...I am..."
Ye Xunyang choked up, wanting to say how worried she was and how much she missed him, but the words felt too direct and embarrassing.
He could only bury his face even deeper into Lou Jin's neck and mutter, "It's good that Your Highness is back."
Lou Jin felt the warm dampness on his neck and the wholehearted dependence of the person in his arms, so he stopped asking questions and simply hugged him tighter, as if he wanted to make up for the separation of these past few days.
After a long while, Ye Xunyang finally raised his head sheepishly and wiped his face haphazardly with his sleeve.
Lou Jin's heart softened when he saw him like this, and he reached out and gently wiped away the tear stains left at the corners of his eyes with his fingertips.
"Alright, let's go inside. It's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold."
Ye Xunyang then realized that the two of them were still in the courtyard. He nodded quickly and returned to the warm main bedroom with Lou Jin.
As soon as he entered the room, Ye Xunyang asked impatiently, "Your Highness, how was the trip to the Southern Frontier? Did you find any clues? What about your health...?"
"smoothly."
Lou Jin spoke succinctly, taking his hand and leading him to sit down on the couch.
"We found some key information and clues about the poison, but we still don't know who it was. As for my health, I feel better than when I left Beijing."
In fact, it's more than just a little better.
Having been traveling for days and preoccupied with the capital, he had hardly had a proper rest. Strangely, the cold pain that had plagued his body for years did not worsen. Instead, it dissipated more quickly when he was near Ye Xunyang, like ice and snow meeting the sun.
This made him even more convinced that Ye Xunyang was the one destined for him.
"That's good!" Ye Xunyang breathed a sigh of relief, but then frowned as he remembered what Lin An had just done.
"Your Highness, what about the Fourth Prince..."
"No need to worry." Lou Jin interrupted him, his eyes slightly cold. "Since they've set their sights on the Jinwang Mansion and on you, I naturally won't let them have their way."
He briefly told Ye Xunyang some clues he had found in southern Xinjiang about the collusion between the Black Miao tribe and the powerful and influential people in the Central Plains, as well as the possible connection with the imperial concubine's maternal clan.
Although the specific plan was not stated, Ye Xunyang could sense that Lou Jin had already acquired enough leverage to launch a counterattack.
"So what should we do now?" Ye Xunyang asked.
"Use stillness to control movement."
"My health is not yet fully recovered, and I need to continue to rest. The more they test me, the more flaws they will reveal."
He looked at Ye Xunyang, his gaze softening.
"You've done very well. From now on, just do as before: guard the palace and stay by my side."
His gaze was so focused, carrying an indescribable depth, that Ye Xunyang's heart, which had just calmed down, skipped a beat again.
He lowered his head, his ears turning slightly red, and whispered, "Okay, I understand."
That evening, Lou Jin invited Ye Xunyang to have dinner together in the main courtyard, citing the reason that they had been separated for a long time.
After the meal, he kept the person behind under the pretext of discussing important matters.
Under the candlelight, the two sat facing each other, drinking tea in a quiet and warm atmosphere.
Looking at Lou Jin's handsome profile, which appeared even more refined under the lamplight, Ye Xunyang recalled his previously confirmed feelings and mustered his courage to speak: "Your Highness..."
"Hmm?" Lou Jin looked up at him.
"I...I think..."
Ye Xunyang opened his mouth, but couldn't bring himself to say "I like you," his face turning bright red.
Lou Jin looked at him and understood what was going on.
He put down his teacup, stood up and walked to Ye Xunyang. He leaned down slightly, reached out and lifted Ye Xunyang's chin, forcing him to look into his eyes.
“Xunyang,” Lou Jin’s voice was deep and seductive, as if it were hooked.
What are you trying to say?
Looking at the handsome face so close to his, Ye Xunyang saw his own reflection clearly in those deep eyes. He steeled himself, closed his eyes, and quickly pecked Lou Jin's lips.
Like a dragonfly skimming the water, they parted as soon as they touched it.
After doing all this, Ye Xunyang immediately jumped away like a startled rabbit, his face so red it was almost bleeding, and he stammered.
"I...that's what I meant!"
Lou Jin was stunned. The soft and fleeting touch on his lips was like a feather brushing against him, yet it stirred up a tidal wave in his heart.
Looking at Ye Xunyang, who was so embarrassed he almost wanted to disappear into the ground, an indescribable joy and satisfaction instantly filled his chest.
He chuckled softly, his laughter pleasant and magnetic.
Ye Xunyang felt even more embarrassed by his laughter and turned to run away, but Lou Jin stretched out his long arm and pulled him firmly back into his arms.
"Flirted and then ran away?"
Lou Jin held him in his arms, resting his chin on the top of his head, his voice filled with lingering laughter and deep affection.
"Ye Xunyang, who taught you that?"
"No one taught me..." Ye Xunyang buried his face in his chest, his voice muffled and filled with embarrassment.
"I came up with it myself..."
"That's a good idea." Lou Jin tightened his arms and whispered in his ear, his warm breath brushing against the sensitive earlobe.
"Next time, you can be a little bolder."
Ye Xunyang felt his whole body burning up, his heart pounding so fast it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest, yet he also felt an indescribable sweetness and peace of mind.
So this is what it feels like to be in love with someone.
Lou Jin felt the warmth of the person in his arms and the dependence that he no longer resisted, and the emptiness in his heart seemed to be completely filled.
He lowered his head and gently kissed the crown of Ye Xunyang's hair.
It seems that the pills locked in the hidden compartment may soon come in handy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
