Chapter 21 When will he understand?
The carriage returned to the Jinwang Mansion in the quiet night, the sound of its wheels rolling over the bluestone road particularly clear.
Ye Xunyang subconsciously tried to pull his hand away from Lou Jin's grasp.
But as soon as he moved, the icy hand suddenly tightened, with such force that Ye Xunyang even felt a slight pain.
Ye Xunyang was taken aback and looked at Lou Jin in surprise: "Your Highness?"
Lou Jin still had his eyes closed, leaning against the car wall, seemingly exhausted, but his tightly pursed lips and the hand holding his revealed an unusual tension.
Ye Xunyang could feel that Lou Jin's fingertips were even trembling slightly.
"Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? Is your wound hurting? Or were you startled just now?"
Ye Xunyang immediately tensed up, forgetting to pull his hand away, and quickly moved closer to examine Lou Jin's face in the dim light of the carriage. His other hand even subconsciously wanted to touch Lou Jin's forehead.
His approach carried the lingering warmth of the palace banquet's clamor, along with his unique, clean scent.
Lou Jin suddenly opened his eyes.
Ye Xunyang was stunned by the emotion in his eyes, and froze on the spot: "Your Highness?"
Lou Jin didn't answer, but just gave him a deep look, a look so complex that it made Ye Xunyang feel inexplicably uneasy.
Then, Lou Jin closed his eyes again, turned his head slightly to the side of the car window, and held his hand tightly without letting go.
Ye Xunyang hesitated and dared not speak again, thinking to himself: It seems he was really angry or exhausted.
Indeed, after such a night of tossing and turning, how could His Highness's health possibly withstand it?
So he calmed down and let Lou Jin hold his hand, hoping to return to the mansion as soon as possible.
Finally back at the Prince's residence, the atmosphere remained heavy.
Wang Quan was already waiting at the door. When he saw the two of them, especially when he noticed the unusually low pressure around Lou Jin and the obvious red marks on Ye Xunyang's wrist, he was startled but dared not ask any questions. He just followed silently.
After escorting Lou Jin back to his bedroom in the main courtyard, Ye Xunyang, as usual, prepared to help him change and settle in before going to wash up himself.
As he skillfully unbuttoned Lou Jin's elaborate formal attire, he tried to break the silence with a lighthearted tone: "Your Highness, tonight has finally passed without incident. You must be exhausted. Get some rest; I'll have the kitchen prepare some calming soup tomorrow..."
Before he could finish speaking, his wrist was suddenly grabbed again.
This time, the force was greater, carrying an irresistible power.
Before Ye Xunyang could react, he felt a force pull him backward, and in a dizzying moment, his back slammed into a thin but exceptionally firm chest.
Immediately afterwards, a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind, tightly holding him in a burning embrace.
Ye Xunyang was completely stunned, his mind went blank.
He could clearly feel Lou Jin's chest rising and falling, and even hear his heartbeat so close to his.
Lou Jin's chin rested gently on his neck, his hot breath spraying onto his skin, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Your Highness... Your Highness?" Ye Xunyang's voice changed, and his body stiffened like a piece of wood.
Two grown men embracing like this, what kind of behavior is this? He wanted to struggle, but he was afraid of hurting Lou Jin if he used too much force.
"Xunyang..."
Lou Jin's voice rang in his ears, deep and hoarse beyond belief, carrying an extreme sense of suppressed pain and a certain longing.
"Don't move."
Ye Xunyang immediately froze.
He thought Lou Jin was still shaken and the poison in his body had flared up again, so he needed his yang energy to soothe him.
Yes, that must be it! The Imperial Advisor said that his presence could alleviate the prince's pain.
Thinking of this, Ye Xunyang's heart, which had been in his throat, calmed down a little, and he even felt a sense of responsibility.
He relaxed, awkwardly patted Lou Jin's hand around his waist, and said in what he thought was a comforting tone, "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell again? Don't be afraid, I'm here. It's alright, it's alright..."
His somewhat coaxing demeanor was like pouring hot oil on Lou Jin's already burning jealousy and repressed desires.
Lou Jin tightened his grip on Ye Xunyang's arms, almost as if he wanted to knead Ye Xunyang into his very bones.
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply the comforting yet intoxicating aura emanating from Ye Xunyang. His voice was hoarse, each word striking Ye Xunyang's heart with clarity.
"Xunyang, I never wanted to be brothers with you."
Ye Xunyang's patting hand stopped, his mind not quite processing it: "...Huh? Not brothers anymore? Then...what are we going to do?"
He subconsciously asked a question in return, completely unaware of the deeper meaning behind those words.
Lou Jin raised his head and turned Ye Xunyang's body slightly, forcing him to face him.
Under the candlelight, Lou Jin's face was still pale, but his eyes shone with a frightening light.
What do you think?
Lou Jin's voice was deep and dangerous as his gaze slowly swept over Ye Xunyang's slightly parted lips in astonishment.
"We have bowed to heaven and earth, drunk the nuptial wine, and are now husband and wife in a proper and legitimate relationship."
"Husband, wife?"
Ye Xunyang's eyes widened as if he had heard something unbelievable.
"Your Highness, are you...are you delirious from the fever? That was just a temporary measure!"
"Once you recover, we'll get a divorce! Then we can still be brothers and fight side-by-side, wouldn't that be better?"
He tried to explain it using his own understanding of logic, but he saw the light in Lou Jin's eyes gradually cool down.
“A temporary measure… divorce… brothers…” Lou Jin repeated these words, each one seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth.
He abruptly released Ye Xunyang, as if he had been burned. He leaned against the bedpost, coughing violently, his thin body trembling, and his face flushed an unnatural red.
When Ye Xunyang saw that he was coughing badly, he panicked and the strange feeling that had just arisen was immediately replaced by worry.
He rushed forward to support Lou Jin, patting his back to help him catch his breath, and said anxiously, "Your Highness! Your Highness, how are you? Don't get agitated, I misspoke! If we're not brothers anymore, then we're not brothers anymore, whatever you say we'll do! Please catch your breath first!"
He hurriedly poured water and held it to Lou Jin's lips. Looking at the other man's fragile appearance, with red eyes from coughing, he felt a pang of guilt.
It seems the prince was really provoked tonight; he's even started talking nonsense.
He's a patient now, how can I argue with him?
Of course, he can do whatever he wants; stabilizing his condition is the most important thing.
Lou Jin drank a few sips of water from his hand, and his cough gradually subsided.
He looked up and saw the genuine worry on Ye Xunyang's face, and felt a bitter and cold feeling in his heart.
He understood that all the closeness Ye Xunyang showed him stemmed from his sense of duty and loyalty, and perhaps a little sympathy, but not the kind of affection he longed for.
A deep sense of powerlessness gripped him.
He brushed Ye Xunyang's hand away, his tone returning to its usual indifference, yet tinged with an undeniable weariness: "I'm fine. You may go and rest."
Ye Xunyang was somewhat at a loss when he saw his sudden aloofness, but he was still worried: "Your Highness, are you really alright? Or... should I stay here and keep watch?"
Lou Jin turned around, his back to him, his voice cold and hard.
"No need."
"go out."
Ye Xunyang opened his mouth, but seeing Lou Jin's refusal, he could only swallow his words and leave the room, turning back every few steps.
The prince's temper is becoming increasingly unpredictable; it seems that when a patient is ill, their mood is indeed unpredictable.
Never mind, I'll try to coax him properly tomorrow.
Inside the house, Lou Jin heard the door close and tried to stand up from his wheelchair, but his legs couldn't support his strength, and he could only slide down to the cold floor.
He buried his face in his palms, his shoulders trembling slightly.
A multitude of emotions were intertwined, almost tearing him apart.
What he wanted was never gratitude, duty, or brotherhood.
When will he understand?
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