Chapter 62 [VIP]
In the palace.
As the messenger's letter arrived, Xue Yi unfurled the scroll that accompanied it. The painting depicted two people leaning on each other, their smiling expressions seemingly defying him. Gazing at the painting, his heart felt crushed, a dark rage rising within him, causing him to cough up a large amount of blood.
When Song Zhao arrived at the palace, he learned that Xue Yi had fainted, and he remained unconscious for three days and three nights. Xue Yi was seriously ill, and even the doctors of the Imperial Hospital barely slept, staying by his side day and night.
"Your Majesty is likely in grave danger this time. The bleeding just won't stop! If this continues, he might vomit his entire stomach out," said Physician Gu.
Song Zhao stood guard to one side, glancing at the letter on the table, guessing it was from that person. Even though he was no longer in the capital, it still troubled Xue Yi's mind.
“From now on, there is no need to receive any more letters from Lord Lu. If any letters come, just send them to me,” Song Zhao said to the guards. “I will give the order for this. If His Majesty asks, you should all tell the truth.”
"Imperial Physician Jia, His Majesty's life depends entirely on you. If there are any medicinal herbs or doctors who can cure His Majesty's illness, just tell me, and I will gladly die for it," Song Zhao said.
"This..." Imperial Physician Jia wiped his sweat, "I will do my best."
"I have always seen Lord Song's care for His Majesty," Physician Jia said hesitantly. "Our medical skills are indeed limited. There is a renowned physician in the south named Qiu Ji. I have heard that he has recently been traveling in the north practicing medicine. If Lord Song can find him, perhaps he can cure His Majesty."
The imperial physician Jia couldn't say anything more. Even if a divine physician were brought in, the emperor's days were numbered; it would be like using a magic lamp to prolong his life.
Song Zhao respectfully replied, "I understand. Physician Jia will wait for my news. I will certainly invite the divine physician for His Majesty."
"This man is eccentric and only treats commoners. Many officials have sought him out, offering large sums of money, but none have ever seen him. I heard he came to the northern border to see Lord Lu. He heard in the south that Lord Lu was looking for a divine physician, so he came here on his own. If Lord Song were to go, perhaps he could write a letter to Lord Lu; maybe Qiu Ji would be willing to enter the palace."
Physician Jia stopped abruptly after speaking, and seeing Song Zhao's expression, he said nothing more. The young man before him had a face as clear as the moon, and when he mentioned Lu Xuejin's name, time seemed to stand still.
Song Zhao said, "There's no need to trouble Lord Lu; I'll go myself."
After Song Zhao left, the imperial physicians were completely silent. At this moment, Physician Gu exclaimed "Ouch!" and then approached Physician Jia.
"Why don't you mention Lord Lu at all? Just send Lord Song; surely he can get someone to come," said Physician Gu.
Physician Jia wiped his sweat and said, "I forgot just now; I misspoke in my haste."
"Ever since Lord Lu left, Lord Song has been staying in the library. He has borrowed all the books that Lord Lu had read. Despite his seemingly indifferent nature, he is actually quite stubborn."
Outside Luzhou city.
Lu Xuejin and Murong Yue ventured deeper into the passageway. They followed behind Jiming, a lamp illuminating the inner hall. Deep within this enclosed space, water droplets cascaded down from the molten rock above, startling the birds of the night. This place connected to a continuous mountain range, and a sudden chill rose from it. The surrounding soil contained buried treasures, which shimmered with light.
The cave is a natural wonder, a masterpiece of human craftsmanship. At its center stands a colossal, unfinished Buddha statue, sculpted from pure gold, seated on a lotus, its serene expression reflecting compassionate eyes. Beneath the giant Buddha are scattered gold leaf and the eyes of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin. All that gold was poured into a furnace, smelted to form the Buddha's physical body.
Ji Ming walked to the Buddha statue, lit the furnace, and as the pusher moved forward, bright flames and gold mingled in the metal boiler, emitting a bright glow in the night.
Those gold and silver treasures were probably not kept for private use, but were used to make Buddha statues. Lu Xuejin looked at them from afar. The Buddha statue's face was lowered, and she wondered if it was just her imagination, but she felt that its willow-leaf eyebrows and phoenix eyes, its dignified demeanor and gentle posture, seemed to be made in the image of the eldest princess.
If a statue were truly made in the name of Murong Qing, worshipping a princess of the previous dynasty would be a capital offense. Murong Yue clearly saw this too. The two exchanged a glance and watched as Ji Ming poured molten gold onto the Buddha statue, which was then gilded. Under the moonlight, the two returned the way they came and left the gold cave.
"Brother Changyou, why are these monks making a statue of my elder sister?" Murong Yue asked.
Lu Xuejin stepped into the room, where candles were burning. A letter was spread out on his table. He said, "The Princess was renowned during her lifetime. I have heard that many men in the mortal world admired her and made statues of her. These are just rumors... I will inform the Prefect of Luzhou of what I have seen and heard here."
"This place is closer to Dingzhou, so why not write Dingzhou?" Murong Yue asked, leaning closer.
Lu Xuejin: "Our next stop is Dingzhou. The prefect of Dingzhou can personally inform me that the new prefect of Luzhou is a former official from the capital. I feel more at ease with that."
He was slightly lost in thought, realizing that what His Highness had said was not unfounded. About six or seven years ago, the Eldest Princess traveled incognito with the late Emperor through Shengjing. Murong Qing was a man of both talent and virtue, and it was rumored that a scholar who had met the princess had been captivated by her, writing several letters to the late Emperor, recommending himself to become the princess's consort. The late Emperor ignored him. Later, several children from noble families died in the capital, and what they all had in common was that they had all been favored by the late Emperor and were considered potential consorts.
His father forbade him and Xue Yi from going out for several days because of this rumor. Later, the case was dropped, and the matter quickly became a thing of the past.
“Brother, you’re really clever. Those monks don’t seem to have any ill intentions towards us. They chant scriptures and work during the day, and at night they have to work in the shadows for some unknown lord. They’re really working hard. A meal of meat can hire a bunch of monks to do hard labor. It’s a great deal,” Murong Yue said.
Of course, it's not just this favor that has allowed this temple to survive. With those jewels and valuables, plus the protection of those behind the scenes, it is possible for it to endure. He doesn't need to say it; Your Highness surely understands these principles. Your Highness speaks harshly, but your mind is incredibly insightful.
Lu Xuejin waved from the window, and a carrier pigeon on the eaves flew toward him. He tied the letter to the pigeon's leg, and the pigeon flew away into the night.
“Brother, look, we’re covered in gold dust too.” Murong Yue spread his arms to him.
The boy wore a dark blue robe with a round collar and wide sleeves, embroidered with peony patterns. The peonies on the cuffs were dusted with gold powder, shimmering in the night. His hair was also adorned with gold powder, making him look like a little golden statue. The earrings on his ears swayed with his laughter, making him even more lively and adorable. His innocent eyes, protruding canine teeth, and shining expression shone brightly, more dazzling than the moonlight.
Its warm and bright appearance is like the embodiment of candlelight and the blazing sun.
Lu Xuejin felt inexplicably thirsty, perhaps because he had drunk too much soup today. The young man looked at him with a smile, and he thought that the little prince looked very approachable. Perhaps a kiss could quench his thirst.
The cat is cunning; it wags its tail at him. Should he pet it or not?
Lu Xuejin realized he was lost in thought and couldn't help but rub his forehead. The boy in front of him was incredibly perceptive and noticed his change in mood. He immediately moved closer and snuggled into his arms.
Now that he's grown taller and bigger, he can't fit in his arms anymore, but he still likes to act cute, so he leans on him, and he barely manages to catch him. The boy then happily hugs him.
“…Your Highness.” He couldn’t help but sigh.
"Brother, how are you feeling? You drank so much soup today, it's good for replenishing Changyou's yang energy," Murong Yue said to him.
So that's what he was planning. He did feel a bit warmer than usual, perhaps because of his closeness with His Highness. Seeing the boy hug him, looking up in his arms, about to touch his lower body, he instinctively stopped him.
"Your Highness, you mustn't," he whispered.
He sensed the aura emanating from the boy in his arms, an aura like a seductive enchantment, capable of making one lose their senses upon smelling it. Before he could react, the boy's ears turned a deep, almost blood-red, from his teasing. The boy, somewhat annoyed by his own reaction, forced himself to calm down, still clutching his sleeve.
"Brother, let me take a look. This is so unfair! You always peek at me while I'm bathing, and you take advantage of me. But you won't let me see. I want to see too. You were in the army camp and many people saw you. What's wrong with letting me see?" Murong Yue said unreasonably.
"I want to see my brother's. Brother, let me see him. Changyou brother."
Murong Yue's lips brushed against his ear, forcing him to turn his face away. The wet, soft kiss made his ear cartilage tingle, and his earlobes softened as well. The boy leaned in to kiss him again, his kisses still haphazard, yet he knew exactly where his skin was sensitive, always kissing him with mischievous intent.
The reckless rage mixed with a cautious gentleness made him momentarily distracted, and in that moment of distraction, the boy succeeded.
"Your Highness?" A bulge appeared under the covers, and he couldn't help but cover his eyes. Through the gap, he saw Murong Yue's profile. Murong Yue's face was flushed, and his lips were rosy. His legs revealed snow-white skin, and when touched through his clothes, red marks were left on his skin.
He looked at the man, and the slightly fluctuating expression excited the boy. The boy was always like a predator hunting, initially reckless and brutal, but once he sensed his prey's unease, he immediately calmed down, thus gaining the upper hand. The boy touched his skin, a sticky excitement rising in his eyes, a dark desire mixed within, and he gently touched him with his canine teeth.
Filthy things. Things of lust and desire.
In his youth, he often felt contempt for it. As a result, he was filled with panic during his youth, and he felt dissatisfied with everything that was beyond his control, everything that made him sick and weak, and everything that was beyond his control.
He often felt that His Highness was intelligent and resilient, yet also had a violent and gloomy side. Under his patient care, that innocent and intelligent side overcame the gloom in the shadows. It was as if there was an invisible chain in his hand, binding the boy and making him suppress his true nature and treat him with kindness.
But when he actually met him, he couldn't control himself, and his rationality and composure were completely devoured. The chain, on the contrary, bound him. He held onto the other person, unwilling to let go, letting the boy leave him with the dark side, tearing his flesh apart, leaving him only able to breathe weakly, and plunging him into an uncontrollable unknown.
He sealed himself within the chessboard, rewarding the boy who stepped in, unable to bear seeing the boy used as a pawn while he himself was completely plundered by the boy, his mind completely gone.
"Brother, if you feel uncomfortable, just shout it out. I want to hear it." Murong Yue leaned closer to him and tried to bite his lip again.
Lu Xuejin broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing the boy about to kiss him, he instinctively dodged. The moment he did, the boy opened his eyes and stared at him, his gaze clear and bright. The boy's handsome face tightened slightly, and he said unhappily.
"Even I dislike myself. I want a kiss."
"No kissing today, Your Highness. Go wash up. It's getting late, so get some rest..." Before Lu Xuejin could finish speaking, the boy's nose brushed against his and his lips pressed against his. He could see the boy's shy expression reflected in his eyes. After kissing him, the boy even licked his lips.
"..." He realized what was happening, and his thoughts were momentarily interrupted.
The next morning, Tengluo and Ziyan prepared breakfast.
Tengluo noticed that her young master was taking an unusually long time to wash up today. He brushed his teeth for so long and used the willow branch several times. She looked at him curiously and then glanced at the little prince opposite her.
His Highness's appetite was as good as usual. He ate half a bun in one bite, his eyes were clear, his cheeks were bulging, and he had a great appetite. He watched the young master wash up.
Murong Yue: "Brother Changyou, let's eat first."
Lu Xuejin then came over and sat down next to Murong Yue. Because the boy had kissed him indiscriminately the day before, he kept a little distance from the child today.
“Young master, when I went to the kitchen today, I saw them gathered together making meat buns. I noticed them, and they seemed a little embarrassed. These monks are so composed; should we go and ask them?” Tengluo said.
Upon hearing this, Lu Xuejin put down the bun she had taken a bite of and replied, "Since we haven't made things difficult for Tengluo, why don't we just ask her about the hidden story?"
“That’s right, he doesn’t seem to be a very bad monk. Otherwise, he should have knocked Tengluo unconscious and made her into buns,” Murong Yue said, naturally taking the bun that Lu Xuejin had taken a bite out of and taking a big bite himself.
"Brother, have this." Murong Yue took a new one and put it into Lu Xuejin's bowl, deliberately saying, "Brother Changyou, I washed my hands today, so don't worry."
His Highness was so vengeful; Lu Xuejin understood the unspoken meaning in the boy's words. He didn't reply, but simply took the steamed bun and served the picky eater a bowl of porridge. Normally, His Highness didn't like porridge, always complaining it was too hot, and he disliked vegetables, refusing all onions, ginger, and garlic, as well as anything with a fishy smell. He hadn't seemed so picky before, but as the wisteria-infused dishes became increasingly elaborate, the things he refused to eat grew more and more.
"Your Highness, please drink the porridge," he said.
“Not everyone is like His Highness,” Tengluo said. “These buns were given to us by them.”
Murong Yue pretended not to hear, turned around and spoke to Tengluo Ziyan, saying, "You don't know, yesterday my brother and I went deep into the temple. They hid a lot of things inside the walls. We'll ask them about it today, and if they don't confess, we'll arrest them."
Seeing the boy's deliberate act and noticing his bright smile, Lu Xuejin couldn't help but sigh, recalling the events of the previous day. He just couldn't do anything about it.
He held the porridge, scooped a spoonful of the soft, cooked porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and then brought it to Murong Yue's lips.
Murong Yue's eyes flickered with uncertainty as he glanced at Zhou and then at him, his aura shifting.
This time, the boy was willing to drink the porridge. He ate one spoonful after another as the boy ate, watching him intently the whole time. A smile lit up his eyes, and he deliberately left the white porridge on his lips unlicked, letting the boy watch him.
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