Chapter 146
As dusk tinged the eaves of the mansion with a purplish-gray hue, an inconspicuous green-canopied carriage quietly entered through the side gate.
The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs, making only a very soft rumble.
Xiao Qiyun lifted the car curtain, jumped down before the car had come to a complete stop, and turned to stretch his arm into the car.
"Be careful." He said in a very low voice, steadily supporting Su Zhelan's outstretched elbow. Su Zhelan's feet wobbled as soon as they touched the ground. The days of running around and old injuries had made his face as pale as paper, and fine beads of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.
Xiao Qiyun immediately tightened his arms, almost pulling her halfway into his embrace. His black cloak silently unfolded, wrapping around Su Zhelan's slender figure.
"No need to disturb anyone else," Xiao Qiyun whispered to the approaching old butler, his gaze sweeping across the silent corridor. "Is Mr. Su Yan here?"
"Your Highness, Mr. Su Yan went to the east of the city for a free clinic this afternoon and has not yet returned," the steward reported with his head bowed, his worried gaze sweeping over Su Zhelan's lowered eyelashes.
Xiao Qiyun nodded almost imperceptibly: "Understood. Prepare some light food and hot water and send them to Shuyu Courtyard." He said no more, his arm steadily supporting Su Zhelan's weight, leading him through the familiar corridor.
As night deepened, the silk lanterns hanging under the eaves lit up one by one, their dim yellow light stretching and shortening the shadows of the two people leaning against each other, their footsteps so light they were scattered by the wind.
The familiar sulfurous scent still lingers in the air of Shuyu Courtyard, and a warm feeling washes over you.
Xiao Qiyun settled Su Zhelan on a soft couch by the window, which was covered with thick brocade quilts. He knelt down and naturally removed Su Zhelan's dusty boots and socks, revealing her slender ankles.
"Take a break first." Xiao Qiyun got up, poured a glass of warm water and handed it to her, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against Su Zhelan's cold hand. "It's good that Su Yan isn't here, so he won't nag." His tone was calm, but there was a barely perceptible tension in his eyes.
Su Zhelan took the water cup and sipped it slowly. The warm water seemed to dispel the chill. He looked up at the familiar courtyard outside the window, where steam rose from the hot spring under the moonlight.
"I'll go check the hot water." Xiao Qiyun turned and walked towards the hot spring behind the screen, his footsteps disappearing into the rising steam.
Su Zhelan leaned back on the soft pillows, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. He closed his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the edge of the small table.
The faintest footsteps seemed to come from outside the courtyard, approaching gradually, carrying a familiar sense of urgency.
Before he could even open his eyes, the carved wooden door of Shuyu Courtyard was suddenly pushed open!
"You damned brat! You didn't even come back—" Su Yan rushed in, his anxious scolding abruptly cut short.
A splash of water came from behind the screen, and Xiao Qiyun turned out at the sound. He was only loosely draped in a middle garment, the collar slightly open, and water droplets still dripping from his hair. He had obviously just come out of the hot spring; his clothes were half-wet and clung to his chest, and there were water stains on his forehead.
“Master…” Su Zhelan struggled to sit up straight.
Su Yan's gaze was like lightning, instantly sweeping over Su Zhelan's tired face, then over Xiao Qiyun's crown prince's casual clothes that he had obviously just taken off and were still damp, before finally landing on Xiao Qiyun's appearance, which clearly showed that he had just come out of the hot spring and hadn't even had time to tie his robes properly.
A vein throbbed on his forehead, his face turned ashen, and his finger pointing at Xiao Qiyun trembled.
"You...you..." Su Yan's voice rose in anger, "You usually seem so calm and composed, how come you...you just got back..."
Xiao Qiyun remained calm, simply raising his hand to slowly and methodically close his open robe, his fingertips gracefully tying the ties of his inner garment.
His gaze calmly met Su Yan's anger, his voice steady and composed, revealing not a trace of emotion:
“Mr. Su Yan, please calm down. I was just testing the temperature of the hot spring.” He turned to the side and pointed to the direction of the steam rising behind the screen. “Ze Lan has been traveling for days and is exhausted. A soak in the warm water will be good for him.”
He paused, his gaze falling on Su Zhelan's pale face, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern, "When I leaned in to test the water, my clothes accidentally got a little wet, not as you think."
Su Yan's anger was momentarily choked by this overly calm explanation. He looked at Xiao Qiyun suspiciously, then at Su Zhelan on the bed, who indeed looked tired and showed no signs of distress. Although his anger had not completely subsided, he could not find any more direct evidence.
He snorted heavily, his sharp gaze sweeping over Xiao Qiyun's wet hair and clothes: "It had better be this way! To test the water temperature, you have to take off your outer robe? Making yourself look so disheveled?"
Xiao Qiyun nodded slightly, his expression remaining calm: "It's humid and hot by the pool, and the air is heavy. It's inconvenient if my outer robe gets wet."
He looked up at Su Yan, his tone returning to its usual gentleness: "Master, you've come at just the right time. Zhelan is weak and has had a long journey. She needs you to check her pulse and prescribe some calming and nourishing remedies."
These words were perfectly worded, explaining the reason while steer the conversation back to Su Zhelan's health, leaving Su Yan with nowhere to vent his anger. He could only put on a sullen face and refocus his attention on Su Zhelan.
Su Yan walked to the soft couch with a grim face, his sharp gaze sweeping over Su Zhelan's pale face. He snorted coldly, but finally reached out and placed his fingers on Su Zhelan's wrist. The skin his fingertips touched was icy cold, and the pulse beat weakly and rapidly beneath the thin skin.
Su Zhelan's eyelashes trembled slightly. Before Su Yan's fingertips could press down, he seemingly unintentionally withdrew his hand slightly, his voice weak but with a hint of deliberate ease: "Master, I was just a little bumpy on the road, I'll be fine after a rest."
He paused, then turned his gaze to the silent Xiao Qiyun beside him, his tone filled with concern, "As for Your Highness, you've been busy with military affairs for days, and the journey has been tiring. You seemed to be feeling a little unwell when you were testing the water temperature just now. Now that Master is here, why don't you take a look at Your Highness as well?"
Xiao Qiyun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at Su Zhelan, immediately understanding his intention. He coughed lightly in agreement, his tone gentle: "It's nothing, just a small matter, no need to trouble Mr. Su Yan."
Su Yan's gaze swept suspiciously back and forth between the two. Su Zhelan's overly pale face and evasive eyes hadn't dispelled his doubts, but her words had shifted his focus. He glared at Xiao Qiyun irritably and gave a heavy snort:
"What do I care! He's the Crown Prince, the Imperial Medical Bureau will take care of him. Even if he's really unwell," he glanced at Su Zhelan, his tone laced with obvious annoyance and a hint of barely perceptible sourness, "you'll take his pulse and prescribe medicine for him, won't you? Why should I interfere!"
Having said that, he abruptly turned away, no longer looking at the two people on the bed, and stormed towards the door. At the door, he paused, then, without turning back, tossed out, "Lie still! Have someone bring the medicine over in a bit! Don't wander off!"
The carved wooden door was slammed shut with a loud clang, indicating that the owner was still angry.
The room fell silent, with only the gentle gurgling of the hot spring water and the soft sound of the wind outside the window.
Xiao Qiyun stood there, staring at the closed door. After a moment of silence, he slowly turned to Su Zhelan. His gaze was complex, carrying a mixture of understanding and helplessness.
Su Zhelan's tense shoulders relaxed, and he let out a long, silent breath. He sank into the thick brocade quilt, no longer trying to hold on.
He turned to his side, burying his face in the soft pillow with a faint scent of agarwood. His long, dark hair was scattered around the pillow and his neck, revealing a pale profile. His body was slightly curled up, and the lines of his back were clearly visible beneath his thin undergarment.
Steam rose from the hot spring pool, casting a hazy glow under the candlelight. Su Zhelan's breathing gradually became long and weak, but her brow remained slightly furrowed, revealing a deep weariness.
Xiao Qiyun watched him silently. The composure he had shown in front of Su Yan had vanished, leaving only a deep, dark look in his eyes. He slowly walked to the bedside without making a sound.
His gaze fell on Su Zhelan's bloodless lips, then moved to his slightly heaving, thin chest, and finally settled on his tightly furrowed brows.
An indescribable emotion welled up in Xiao Qiyun's eyes. He reached out, his fingertips stopping in mid-air just before touching Su Zhelan's hair scattered on the pillow.
A moment later, he withdrew his hand, bent down, and very gently pulled up the black cloak that had slipped to the edge of the bed, covering Su Zhelan completely, even tucking it in carefully over her shoulders.
The night was as dark as ink, and the dust from the training ground still clung to his armor. Sheng Xuan strode through the corridors of the general's mansion, his sweat-soaked undergarment clinging to his back, chilled by the night wind.
He had just removed his armor when a servant came running up to him, panting, and reported, "Young General! His Highness the Crown Prince and... and that young master, returned to their residence this evening!"
Sheng Xuan's steps abruptly halted, as if driven into the bluestone slab by invisible nails. He whirled around, his black iron wrist guard striking the sword at his waist with a crisp clang.
"Really?!" The voice boomed in the silent corridor, filled with disbelief and astonishment, but then a burning light involuntarily shone in his eyes—he's back? He's back?!
"Yes...they arrived in the evening." The attendant was somewhat flustered by his sudden sharp and bright gaze. "His Highness the Crown Prince ordered that nothing be made of it, and went directly...directly to Shuyu Courtyard to settle Young Master Su..."
"Evening?" Sheng Xuan's brows furrowed into a knot, and an inexplicable anger mixed with an inexplicable urgency suddenly surged up.
He shoved aside the servant blocking his way with such force that the man staggered several steps, his chest feeling like it was stuffed with a tangled mess. He had been thoroughly humiliated by Sheng Chi's training in the drill ground, his mind preoccupied with how to "pass by" Shuyu Courtyard on his way back, only to find out that the servant had already returned? And he was told "not to make a sound"? Why wasn't he told?!
He practically ran towards the direction of Shuyu Courtyard, his boots stomping rapidly on the stone slabs, startling the guards on night duty along the way.
The slight annoyance at being kept in the dark prickled like a thorn, but more than that, there was a burning anxiety: How is he? Is he tired from the journey? Is that hypocritical Xiao Qiyun pretending to "take care" of someone again?
The carved wooden doors of Shuyu Courtyard were tightly shut, letting in a warm yellow glow and a faint mist. Sheng Xuan stopped outside the door, his hand already on the door panel, his heavy breathing condensing into white fog in the cold night.
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to burst through the door, but the fire in his chest and the burning desire to see the person immediately only intensified. Finally, covered in the dust of the training ground and chilled by the night wind, he abruptly pushed the door open!
The door hinges creaked jarringly, shattering the silence of Shuyu Courtyard. Sheng Xuan, covered in dust from the training ground and chilly from the night wind, rushed in, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room anxiously. His voice was breathless and tinged with barely perceptible grievance: "Where is he?! He came back without a word!"
"Silence." A deep and clear voice immediately rang out, carrying an undeniable force.
Sheng Xuan suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked in the direction of the sound. Xiao Qiyun had already gotten up from the low stool beside the couch and was standing in front of the soft couch, his figure blocking the figure curled up on the couch.
The candlelight illuminated his serene profile, and his usually gentle eyes now appeared cold and sharp, staring directly at him.
Xiao Qiyun raised a hand, his index finger to his lips, making a clear and stern gesture for silence. His gaze fell sharply on Sheng Xuan's face, his voice low but clear, carrying an undeniable weight: "He's tired, he just rested." He turned slightly to create some space, gesturing for Sheng Xuan to look at the couch.
Sheng Xuan followed his gaze. Su Zhelan was nestled in a thick brocade quilt, her body completely covered by a black cloak, only revealing half of her pale profile and her dark hair scattered on the pillow.
His eyes were closed, his breathing was shallow and long, and his brow was slightly furrowed. He was completely unaware of the noise around him.
Sheng Xuan's initial anxiety and slight anger vanished instantly upon seeing Su Zhelan's appearance. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but his throat seemed to be blocked.
He subconsciously slowed his pace, even holding his breath, afraid of disturbing the sleeping person. His gaze lingered on Su Zhelan's pale face for a moment, then shifted to Xiao Qiyun, who was blocking the way in front of the bed. His eyes were complicated, filled with worry, annoyance, and a hint of impatience that he had forcibly suppressed.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze remained fixed on him. Only when he saw him quiet down did he slowly lower the finger he had been holding to his lips, but the warning in his eyes remained undiminished. He nodded slightly, his voice still low: "We'll talk about it tomorrow." His tone was not one of discussion, but of informing.
After speaking, Xiao Qiyun stopped looking at Sheng Xuan, turned around and walked towards the door with steady and silent steps. He stopped by the door, turned to the side, and looked calmly at Sheng Xuan, who was still standing in front of the bed. He silently made a "please" gesture, his posture composed but carrying an undeniable sense of dismissal.
Sheng Xuan clenched and unclenched his fists at his sides, his Adam's apple bobbing. He took one last deep look at Su Zhelan, who was sleeping soundly on the bed, her pale and tired face making his heart clench with anxiety.
He knew that saying anything more at this moment would be futile and would only disturb the person's rare peaceful sleep. He glared fiercely at Xiao Qiyun, his eyes filled with resentment, frustration, and annoyance at Xiao Qiyun's matter-of-fact attitude, but ultimately remained silent.
Sheng Xuan gritted her teeth, whirled around, and stomped her boots heavily on the floor, her anger still simmering, as she strode toward the door. As she passed Xiao Qiyun, she deliberately bumped into his shoulder with considerable force, her gesture clearly provocative and displeased.
Xiao Qiyun remained completely still, not even glancing away, as if the collision was nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing against his clothes. He simply watched calmly as Sheng Xuan's angry figure disappeared outside the door, then followed her out, gently closing the carved wooden door of Shuyu Courtyard behind him.
With a soft click, the door closed, shutting out the warm yellow light inside and the sleeping person.
Outside the doorway, the night breeze was even cooler. Sheng Xuan stood a few steps away, his back to the door, his chest still rising and falling slightly, clearly still catching his breath. Xiao Qiyun stood behind him, the moonlight outlining his calm and upright profile.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow." Xiao Qiyun's voice rang out in the quiet night, still those four words, calm and unwavering.
Sheng Xuan turned around abruptly, his tightly furrowed brows and suppressed impatience clearly visible in the darkness. He lowered his voice, his tone sharp and harsh, carrying the blunt awkwardness unique to young men: "I know! Enough talk! Hurry up and get going!"
Looking at Sheng Xuan's appearance, Xiao Qiyun's lips seemed to twitch slightly upwards, or perhaps it was just an illusion caused by the light and shadow. He didn't say anything more, only nodded slightly, his tone still calm: "You should also get some rest."
After saying that, he didn't linger. He turned around and walked along the corridor toward his own courtyard, his steps unhurried, and soon he blended into the deep night.
Sheng Xuan stood there, staring at the direction where Xiao Qiyun had disappeared for a few seconds, then turned back and glared fiercely at the tightly closed door of Shuyu Courtyard, as if she wanted to glare through it.
He scratched his head in frustration, his chest heaving a few times, and finally could only let out a heavy "humph." Filled with lingering anger and unvented frustration, he trudged heavily towards his courtyard. The night wind blew through the corridor, leaving only the distant, clearly annoyed sound of his footsteps.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
