Chapter 69 [VIP]
Lu Xuejin touched Murong Yue's body temperature; the cold fragrance was tinged with the smell of blood. The boy beside her had become dirty, his face stained with gray and blood like a kitten. The boy's eyes shone with warmth; seeing that she was injured, his eyes turned into colorless glass beads, shimmering with iridescent colors under the halo of light.
Like the colorful caisson ceiling beneath the seats of gods and Buddhas in a temple, which had never been moved by worldly things before, it now evokes sorrow and grief.
"Brother Changyou, let me see your injury. That vixen is so wicked. If she wanted my life, why did she hurt you?" Murong Yue said, as she tried to lift his clothes.
He let the boy do as he pleased, and seeing the boy's concerned expression, he couldn't help but say, "It's just a minor injury, Your Highness, you don't need to worry. I have to thank Your Highness for everything today... Your Highness has grown up."
“It was my negligence that allowed her to find an opportunity,” Lu Xuejin said.
As he finished speaking, his gaze met Murong Yue's, and the scars were revealed when he lifted his clothes. The bright red flesh had not yet healed, and with the swaying of the carriage, the wounds would occasionally reopen, and beads of blood would seep out.
“How can you blame me, brother? There’s no need to blame yourself. This is an inevitable hardship on our journey. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gone through all this. Now that I’m injured, you’re blaming yourself for not being careful enough… What kind of logic is that?” Murong Yue said, gently touching the wound on his lower abdomen.
"Brother, does it hurt?"
With that touch, the blood droplets stained his skin. Lu Xuejin shook his head, watching the young man take out a handkerchief and bend down to wipe away the blood. He wondered if the injury had made him more sensitive, or if the young man's focused expression was simply captivating. With each breath, the young man's fingers brushed against his wound, and he felt as if this abdominal wound had been etched into His Highness's mind. He feared that in the future, whenever he saw the scar, he would remember His Highness wiping away the blood.
"I want to grow up quickly, become very strong, and never let my brother get hurt again," the boy asked him, while also talking to himself.
His handsome, aloof face was serious, and his dark, deep eyes were fixed on him, filled with a silent melancholy. His gaze touched him cautiously, as if he had made some kind of decision.
As he looked at the man, a soft sensation suddenly struck his heart. Touching Murong Yue's cheek, he felt as if being with the young man at this moment was like washing away all external things, leaving only two shapeless souls huddled together. He could feel the prince's clear and warm heart, unlike the withered and dark heart within his own.
“Your Highness, there’s no need to take it to heart. I’m only able to get out today thanks to Your Highness. Even if Your Highness weren’t so capable… I would still be very happy.” He said, carefully choosing his words.
"Brother..." he had barely finished speaking when Murong Yue grabbed him and hugged him tightly.
He leaned against the carriage wall, Murong Yue gripping his shoulder blade, worried that the carriage might aggravate his injuries. Murong Yue leaned closer to look into his eyes, seeing his own pale reflection in the boy's. Unlike his usual calm demeanor, his eyes were much more subdued due to his injury. He was now in a vulnerable position, and His Highness was treating him with great caution, yet he also sensed the change in His Highness's emotions and didn't know how to respond.
Before he could react, Murong Yue bit his lips. His lips were captured by the boy, the soft flesh melting into his bones, swallowing his breath and his throat. The kiss held a hidden joy, turning into a burning heat that threatened to scald his lips; he felt as if he were holding a piece of burnt candied fruit. He met the boy's smiling eyes, which, perhaps tinged with the scent of blood, seemed even more profound and melancholic.
The confidence in his expression, the way he chased after him as he approached, his hand brushing against his slender neck from his shoulder blade, the Adam's apple trembling slightly in the boy's palm with each breath—he saw through the boy's thoughts and couldn't help but turn his head to meet the prince's gaze. The prince's intentions were crystal clear.
His Highness's mind is not as pure as it appears; it sometimes carries a natural wickedness. Knowing that His Highness is prone to indulgence, he takes advantage of His Highness's favor and pushes his luck even further.
Murong Yue: "Brother is injured. I'll do it myself."
Sweat beaded on his forehead. He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He had only helped the prince once, yet the prince remembered him. This favor was already on his mind. He watched as the young man quickly took off his hooded robe and lifted his clothes. The curtains occasionally peeked out from the window. His sharp eyes peered at him closely, his canine teeth showing. He then closed the young man's hands and pulled him closer.
"Brother, help me feel it," Murong Yue said softly.
A layer of cold sweat broke out on Lu Xuejin's palms. His finger bones were enveloped by the boy's hand, and the boy's slender hand brushed against his fingertips, transferring heat to his palm. He could see the restlessness and unease in the boy's eyes. He was about to lose control as soon as he touched him. He leaned close to his ear and kissed and licked him, suppressing his irritability and patiently waiting for his next move.
"...Your Highness." He sighed. Now weak and unable to move, he felt that His Highness was deliberately acting this way with malicious intent. He was determined to take advantage of the situation and bully him today.
But seeing how lively the person was, he had no choice but to turn a blind eye and go along with it.
His fingers were held by the prince, and as he stared at the grotesque object, his palms suddenly burned, the heat seeming to pierce his hands. The calluses he had developed from writing were now being used elsewhere by the prince. He looked at it for a moment, then involuntarily looked away, deliberately avoiding the sight. He recalled how, when he was reading at his desk, he would always pick up a vermilion brush and continue writing.
Though he couldn't see him, His Highness's presence filled his surroundings. His Highness's gaze assaulted him, forcing him to draw his attention. His earlobe was brought close and held in his mouth. His Highness glanced at him and asked him a question.
"Brother, why are you closing your eyes? Do you feel like you've encountered something unclean?"
The warm, humid breath seeped into his ear, causing him to open his eyes involuntarily, his knuckles slightly curling as the boy immediately grabbed them. The boy's breath, damp and slightly flushed, carried a hint of pink as he replied, "Of course not."
"Mortals all have desires, but Your Highness follows your heart and is not a defiled thing."
Murong Yue laughed upon hearing this, a wild and unrestrained laugh, his eyes reflecting Murong Yue's image as he leaned in and licked the sweat from Murong Yue's face.
"Changyou is my desire. You don't have to do anything, just sitting here, and I can't control myself. You are a gift from God, otherwise I wouldn't be so happy for you. You are so beautiful, I want to possess you all by myself."
"..." Lu Xuejin heard His Highness's words but did not reply. He only counted the time, wondering when His Highness would finish. His side became wet and sticky, as if he had melted into a candy. His Highness was like a little bee holding a candy, bustling around and guarding him, refusing to let go. Sometimes he would lean in and kiss him, sometimes he would press his cheek against him, insisting on holding him tightly, and sometimes he would bite him.
An hour passed, and his hands were aching unbearably. He was held tightly in Murong Yue's arms, his face pale as he let the young man do as he pleased, his mind blank. His Highness had such energy; perhaps it was because he was getting old. He couldn't help but recall whether he had ever been so fond of playing around when he was young.
"Brother Changyou, I like you." Murong Yue leaned over and kissed him again. He leaned against the boy's side and opened his eyes. His ears were ringing. His heart softened because of these words. His Highness then dirtied his face.
A layer of white hair clung to his eyelashes. The boy beside him knew he had done something wrong, so he immediately dropped his previous domineering attitude and obediently clung to him, saying with concern, "Brother, let me wipe it off for you."
Murong Yue instantly transformed into an obedient figure, revealing his little tiger teeth and his eyes becoming clear and bright. He leaned in and kissed him on the ear, then on the eyelids, the forehead, the nose, and the mouth. Seeing Murong Yue's stunned gaze, the boy covered his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Changyou, I couldn't help myself. Will you be angry with me?"
"..." Lu Xuejin's eyelashes brushed against the boy's palm. The boy covered her palm while asking questions, and then obediently stayed by her side.
He felt somewhat helpless; after being tormented by the boy, he had no energy left to ask anyone more questions. He touched Murong Yue's hand, removed the hand that was covering his eyes, and looked up to see the prince's eyes sparkling and his cheeks flushed. He hugged him and showered him with kisses.
“…Alright, Your Highness.” He pressed the person down, and Murong Yue, who was sitting beside him, stopped moving, but was still half-turned and pressed against him.
They arrived at their destination just in time. After entering the city, they concealed their tracks and found a small courtyard to stay in temporarily. The courtyard was located on the edge of the city, in a secluded and sparsely populated area. There were only a few households in the entire alley, far away from the bustling areas.
"Your Highness, Young Master, we have arrived," Tengluo said, lifting the curtain.
Murong Yue: "Brother, let me help you down."
Lu Xuejin watched as the boy opened his arms to him. He wondered if it was just his imagination, but when he was sick and dependent on the boy, the boy seemed to become exceptionally excited, as if he were surrounded by a halo of light, and as if wings were about to grow.
"Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. You've had a long journey." He paused, and as he finished speaking, Murong Yue turned his eyes to him. Just as he was about to get off the carriage, the young man reacted even faster, slipping his arm under his robe and lifting him directly off the carriage.
Murong Yue: "Brother Changyou, I'm not tired. I'll take care of you since you're injured."
Suddenly lifted into the air, Lu Xuejin was unaccustomed to the position. He was lifted up in the boy's arms, and the prince seemed to lift him up with great ease, humming a cheerful song and exuding a pleasant aura. Fearing he would fall, he could only hold on tighter. His gaze swept over the red tassel on Murong Yue's ear, and the prince stared at him and laughed.
"Brother, do you remember how you carried me back like this before? At that time, I dreamed that I had met a god or Buddha who brought me back to my hometown from the snow. Now I am carrying my god or Buddha, heading towards a place of peace."
Seeing the boy's delighted expression, he disliked the posture but remained still, only sighing inwardly. Now, his words were becoming increasingly eloquent, filled with sweet talk, as if he wanted to bathe the boy in honey.
"Your Highness, why are you so happy today?" he asked.
Murong Yue looked down at him and replied, "Of course, I am just as happy as you are in my arms."
Tengluo and Ziyan went outside to patrol before returning, their carriage parked in the courtyard. Tengluo made sure the guards hadn't followed before closing the door and letting out a heavy sigh of relief.
“Young Master’s injuries need to be treated again, so I prepared some medicine on the way.” Tengluo took out her small medicine box.
Lu Xuejin sat on the edge of the bed, the candlelight flickered on, and Murong Yue, Tengluo, and Ziyan gathered around him. The three children were all waiting to see his injuries, their three big eyes fixed on him. He couldn't help but rub his forehead and reassure them, "It's alright now. Leave the medicine, I'll apply it myself. Tengluo already had it stitched up, it will take a day or two to heal."
Tengluo: "How can that be! I don't even know how well I sewed it myself, I have to see it with my own eyes."
Ziyan: "Young Master, let us take a look. Only after you've seen it can we feel at ease. Young Master hasn't been injured for several years. If we don't see the injury with our own eyes, we're afraid we won't be able to sleep at night."
Murong Yue agreed, "Brother, let me take another look. He was still bleeding just now. If we see him, we can make sure he doesn't just do things half-heartedly."
Lu Xuejin was speechless. The three little ones were huddled together, a sight that was hard to bear. Under their stares, he had no choice but to lift his clothes again and let Tengluo reapply the medicine to his wounds.
“Young Master, you must not move around too much these next few days. Just rest well and leave the rest to me,” Tengluo said.
Murong Yue: "I will take care of you, brother. Tengluo, go and cook. You don't need to stay here."
“That won’t do,” Tengluo said unhappily. “Your Highness is clumsy, please don’t make things difficult for the young master. I’ve prepared a small quilt for the young master. This bed isn’t soft enough, so I’ll lay out a few more layers for him later. If the young master needs to get up at night, he can just ask Your Highness for help.”
When cooking was mentioned, Tengluo worried that Lu Xuejin was hungry, so she slapped her forehead and said, "This servant will go cook first. I will cook some soft food today. Young Master needs to eat well... Ziyan should watch over His Highness. His Highness is also injured."
Murong Yue replied, "I only suffered minor injuries, just scrapes and bruises."
Lu Xuejin watched the three of them bustling about, and his expression softened. Ziyan sat beside him; she was usually quiet, and now she was staring intently at his injuries, lost in thought. He probably knew something, and with that thought, he gently grasped Ziyan's wrist.
“Ziyan, don’t blame yourself. You’ve done very well. I was safe and sound because of Tengluo by my side, and you safely dragged the official silver back… With you and Tengluo, I feel very at ease.”
Murong Yue: "Brother Changyou, I'm here for you too. I also want to put your mind at ease."
“Your Highness is the same; to me, you are all family,” Lu Xuejin smiled. He noticed a slight shift in Ziyan’s eyes, with a cheerful young man beside her. He hugged both Murong Yue and Ziyan at the same time, pulling them close together. Ziyan was uncomfortable with such intimate contact and felt a little embarrassed, but she did not resist.
“Brother and Sister Ziyan are also my family. Brother Changyou is the closest person to me in this world.” Murong Yue said softly, then leaned in and kissed him again.
They had kissed countless times today, and Ziyan, unfazed, watched the prince's joyful expression, which eased the pain of his injuries. Like a flame, the fire of memories ignited, no longer so heavy in his heart, and dissipated into embers.
After Tengluo finished cooking, Lu Xuejin rested by the bedside. He was usually this quiet and didn't move much, but things were different after his injury. The more he needed to rest, the more he wanted to get up and walk around.
His Highness stayed by his side, naturally not allowing him to wander off or move around. When it was time to eat, His Highness would help him to the table. Although he was injured, he wasn't so weak that he needed to be fed. His Highness picked him up and placed him on his lap, which made Tengluo's eyes widen in surprise. But the little prince didn't feel ashamed at all and insisted on taking care of him.
"Brother Changyou, would you like sweet or savory porridge? And do you want some steamed buns?"
Lu Xuejin was speechless, realizing that she was turning into a sweaty doll, and the kitten would take him everywhere and hold him in its arms like a steamed bun.
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