Chapter 182
After the grand court assembly and palace banquet, the situation in the capital seemed to have returned to its usual calm, but the undercurrents beneath the surface did not cease. The circumstances of different people had also quietly changed.
In stark contrast to his previous leisurely days, Sheng Xuan, the newly promoted General of the Valiant Cavalry and Deputy Commander of the Western Camp of the Capital Region, suddenly became very busy.
He was no longer the carefree young master who could leisurely visit the Su family every day and take Su Zhelan on trips.
The Western Camp of the Capital Region guards the imperial capital, bearing a heavy responsibility and involving numerous military affairs. He had just assumed real power and had been promoted exceptionally, so countless eyes were secretly watching him, waiting to see if this young and ambitious general's younger brother truly lived up to his title or was merely a figurehead.
He knew the burden on his shoulders was heavy, and he was determined to achieve something, to live up to the emperor's favor and his brother's expectations.
Every day before dawn, he would get up and rush to the West Camp to report for duty, handle daily military affairs, inspect the camp defenses, drill the troops, get to know the officers under his command at all levels, and also deal with the intricate interpersonal relationships and officialdom rules in the capital.
He was often busy until the sun was setting before he could return home, and sometimes he even had to stay overnight at the camp. Even when he occasionally had time to go to the Su residence, he was usually in a hurry, with a hint of fatigue between his brows. He could only exchange a few words with Su Zhelan before being asked to return by soldiers from the camp to deal with urgent matters.
Although he would still take the time to bring Su Zhelan some novel trinkets, the leisure and carefree attitude he once had seemed to have been greatly diminished by the heavy responsibilities that had suddenly been placed upon him.
Su Zhelan saw it all and understood, but she never complained. She would simply prepare a cup of tea for him when he came, or whisper a reminder to him to "take care of yourself" when he left in a hurry.
In stark contrast to Shengxuan's sudden busyness, Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun, after a series of complicated reports, court meetings, banquets, and the ensuing undercurrents following his return from the border inspection, finally stepped back from the limelight and was able to catch his breath, becoming much more relaxed.
His duties as military supervisor were complete, the official rewards had been bestowed, and the tests and turmoil he had to deal with had temporarily subsided. The daily affairs of the Crown Prince's palace were handled by his subordinates, and he no longer needed to personally attend to every detail. He was finally no longer the focus of countless eyes scrutinizing him, with every word and action magnified and analyzed.
This rare moment of leisure allowed him to relax his tense nerves and finally gave him the time and space to think about people and things he hadn't had time to consider before.
On this fine day, Su Zhelan was helping Mr. Su Yan sort medicinal herbs in the Su family's medicine shop when she suddenly heard that a guest had arrived in the front yard and specifically asked to see Su Zhelan.
Su Zhelan washed her hands with some doubt and went to the front hall. There she saw a middle-aged scholar dressed in the robes of an official of the Eastern Palace, with a composed demeanor. When the scholar saw Su Zhelan, he bowed respectfully, introduced himself as a clerk of the Eastern Palace, and then took out a beautifully made formal invitation card bearing the seal of the Eastern Palace.
“Young Master Su,” the registrar said respectfully yet tactfully, “His Highness the Crown Prince has recently found some free time and recalled discussing medicine with you, finding us quite compatible. His Highness has long heard of your insightful views on medicine and has specially sent me to cordially invite you to his residence for a chat, to enjoy tea and discuss medical principles. I wonder if you would be free tomorrow afternoon?”
This invitation was formally worded, with appropriate reasons, and was sent by an official from the Eastern Palace rather than a palace attendant—a perfectly proper "invitation." This demonstrated the Crown Prince's respect for Su Zhelan while also avoiding any potential gossip or criticism.
Su Zhelan was slightly taken aback. She accepted the heavy invitation and subconsciously looked at Mr. Su Yan beside her.
Mr. Su Yan glanced at the invitation, his expression calm, and said simply, "Since the Crown Prince has invited me, I should obey. Go ahead, and just be mindful of etiquette."
Su Zhelan then returned the greeting to the clerk, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, sir. Please inform His Highness that I will certainly keep my appointment on time tomorrow."
The following afternoon, Su Zhelan tidied herself up, changed into clean and tidy clothes, and then followed the carriage that arrived on time to the heavily guarded and magnificent East Palace.
Passing through layers of palaces, guided by eunuchs along the way, the atmosphere remained solemn and quiet, but lacked the secrecy and tension of the past.
Crown Prince Xiao Qiyun did not meet him in the main hall, but waited for him in a more elegant and quiet side hall study.
The hall was filled with the fragrance of books, and the furnishings were exquisite yet elegant. Xiao Qiyun was dressed in simple, elegant clothes and stood by the window, looking at a white magnolia tree in full bloom outside.
Upon hearing the announcement, he turned around with a relaxed and gentle smile on his face, lacking the deliberate majesty of a crown prince he usually maintained, and appearing more genuine.
Upon seeing Su Zhelan, Xiao Qiyun's smile deepened. He immediately raised his hand and waved gently, signaling all the palace servants standing in the hall to step down.
The palace doors closed silently, isolating them from the outside world, leaving only the two of them.
"I've been waiting for you." Xiao Qiyun's voice instantly shed all the majesty of a crown prince, carrying an almost languid intimacy.
He walked a few steps to Su Zhelan, reached out and naturally took his hand, gently stroking the back of his slightly cool hand with his fingertips, "I've been waiting so long my tea is almost cold."
Su Zhelan instinctively tried to pull his hand back, but Xiao Qiyun gripped it even tighter. He looked up at Xiao Qiyun and saw that the other's deep eyes were filled with undisguised pleasure and focus, staring at him intently, as if trying to draw him in.
"Why are your hands so cold?" Xiao Qiyun frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible heartache. Without saying a word, he pulled him to the soft couch by the window, pressed him down on the cushioned spot, and sat down close to him, still not letting go of his hand. Instead, he completely enveloped Su Zhelan's hand with his warm palm. "Are you not dressed warmly enough again?"
Su Zhelan was a little overwhelmed by his series of actions and questions. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she muttered softly, "...It's not cold."
"Stubborn." Xiao Qiyun chuckled softly, raising his other hand and gently brushing his fingertips across Su Zhelan's slightly reddened earlobe. The touch carried a hint of playful ambiguity. "Look, your ears are all red from the cold."
Su Zhelan trembled at the heat of his fingertips and instinctively turned her head to dodge, but Xiao Qiyun took the opportunity to put his arm around her shoulder and pull her into his embrace. The light and familiar scent of ambergris instantly enveloped her, bringing a comforting warmth.
"Don't move, let me hold you for a while." Xiao Qiyun's voice lowered, carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue and satisfaction. He gently rested his chin on Su Zhelan's head and rubbed it against her. "I was so busy the other day that I felt really relaxed only when I was holding you."
Su Zhelan quieted down, ceasing his struggles and letting him hold him. He could feel the strength of Xiao Qiyun's embrace and the warmth emanating from his body through the fabric—a possessive, unquestionable tenderness. He quietly inhaled, his nose filled with Xiao Qiyun's pleasant scent, and his heart involuntarily quickened.
"Would you like some tea?" Xiao Qiyun's voice came from above him, tinged with amusement. "I've been letting it cool for you all day, the temperature should be just right." As he spoke, he didn't immediately reach for the teacup. Instead, he lowered his head and placed a light kiss on Su Zhelan's hair.
Su Zhelan gave a soft "hmm".
Xiao Qiyun finally loosened his grip on Su Zhelan's shoulder, satisfied, but still put his arm around Su's shoulder. He reached for the cup of tea that had been kept warm on the small table next to him and held it to Su's lips: "Try it. I specially saved it for you. It's this year's new tea."
Su Zhelan took a small sip from his hand. The tea was at a perfect temperature, with a delicate aroma.
"Is it good?" Xiao Qiyun looked at him intently, as if Su Zhelan's evaluation was something of great importance.
Su Zhelan nodded: "...It tastes good."
Xiao Qiyun smiled and took a sip from the spot where Su Zhelan had just drunk from. Then he put down his teacup and looked back at Su Zhelan's face with undisguised appreciation and affection: "It's better that you're here. This tea tastes even better now."
He raised his hand and gently brushed Su Zhelan's lips with his fingertips, wiping away a non-existent water stain. His gesture was natural and intimate: "Were you bored at home? Have you missed me since we last met?"
Su Zhelan blushed even more at his direct question, her eyes flickered, and she was too embarrassed to meet his burning gaze. She could only lower her head slightly, but then nodded honestly: "...a little."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiyun's eyes almost overflowed with laughter. He leaned closer, his forehead almost touching Su Zhelan's, his warm breath brushing against her cheek: "Only a little? I think about it every day."
His voice lowered, becoming alluringly magnetic, "I'm thinking about it a lot."
Su Zhelan's heart suddenly raced, and he felt the air around him grow thin and scalding hot. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. He could only feel Xiao Qiyun's hand on his shoulder tightening, and his focused gaze seemed to melt him.
The undisguised longing and deep affection in Xiao Qiyun's eyes were like a flame, instantly igniting the equally fervent emotions that Su Zhelan had suppressed for so long.
Those restless thoughts, the thrill of receiving a letter, and the responses carefully hidden in the heart, all broke through all restraint and shyness at this moment.
Su Zhelan took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind, and suddenly tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and kissed Xiao Qiyun's lips.
Xiao Qiyun was clearly taken aback by this sudden initiative. His body stiffened slightly, and then a burning light flashed in his eyes. He almost immediately took the initiative, holding Su Zhelan's head tightly with one hand and wrapping his other arm around his waist, pulling him deeper into his embrace and returning the kiss deeply.
It was no longer the fleeting touch of before, but a passionate and lingering kiss, imbued with long-suppressed longing and intense possessiveness. Their lips intertwined, their breaths mingled, as if trying to draw out each other's souls. The hall was so quiet that only their rapid breathing and the soft rustling of their lips rubbing together could be heard.
After an unknown amount of time, Su Zhelan felt like she was about to suffocate. She gently pushed Xiao Qiyun's chest, and Xiao Qiyun reluctantly let go of her, but his forehead was still pressed against hers. Their noses touched, and their breaths mingled together in a hot embrace.
Su Zhelan's cheeks were flushed, her eyelashes were wet, and she was breathing slightly heavily. Her originally clear eyes were now covered with a captivating watery color, with a hint of bewilderment.
He looked at Xiao Qiyun, who was so close to him, his deep eyes filled with love and satisfaction that seemed to overflow.
Su Zhelan calmed her breathing, her voice still trembling slightly, but with an unprecedented softness and certainty, and said softly, "I know... in His Highness's daily letters... every word tells a story."
He paused, then looked directly at Xiao Qiyun. His eyes, which always carried a hint of timidity, now shone with clear understanding and a touch of shy courage: "I...understand everything."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiyun was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly, his laughter filled with pleasure and a sense of satisfaction at having his thoughts read. He raised his hand and gently stroked Su Zhelan's slightly swollen lips with his fingertips, his eyes burning with an astonishing intensity.
"So the divine healer... not only cures illnesses," his voice was hoarse, filled with doting affection, "but also reads minds." He leaned closer and lightly pecked Su Zhelan's lips again. "Then tell me, what am I thinking right now?"
Su Zhelan's cheeks burned even hotter under his gaze, but she no longer flinched. She simply lowered her eyes slightly and replied softly but clearly, "Your Highness must be thinking about something that shouldn't be said in broad daylight."
Xiao Qiyun burst into laughter, in an extremely good mood. He pulled him into a tight embrace again, resting his chin on the top of his head, and sighed contentedly, "Ze Lan understands me best. It seems I'll have to be more subtle when writing letters in the future, or you'll see right through me."
Su Zhelan leaned against his warm embrace, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling the vibrations from his chest, and couldn't help but let a sweet smile quietly curve her lips.
The hall was warm and quiet, the aroma of tea lingered, and the air was filled with an intense, sweet longing.
The two whispered to each other in the quiet study. Before they knew it, the sun outside the window was gradually setting in the west, and the golden afterglow cast long shadows on the floor through the carved window lattice.
The palace servants inside had already quietly lit the palace lanterns, and the soft light dispelled the twilight, illuminating the room in a warm and hazy glow.
Xiao Qiyun lowered his head and gently rubbed his chin against Su Zhelan's soft hair, his voice carrying a hint of lazy satisfaction: "It's getting late, would you like to stay and have dinner with me? I had them prepare some light dishes, you should like them."
Su Zhelan nestled in his warm embrace, tilting her head slightly upwards at his words, a hint of hesitation in her eyes: "...Your Highness, this...isn't this against the rules? I should go back, my master..."
"Rules?" Xiao Qiyun chuckled, his fingertips tracing his cheek. "In the Eastern Palace, my word is law. Don't worry, I've already sent someone to inform Su Yan's residence that you're dining here. I'll send someone to escort you back later." His tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Seeing that he had made all the arrangements, Su Zhelan felt a little uneasy, but more than that, she was warmed by his thoughtfulness and assertiveness, so she nodded gently: "...Mm."
Seeing that he agreed, Xiao Qiyun's smile deepened. He took his hand and said, "Come on, let me take you to try the kitchen's cooking. It suits my taste better than the imperial kitchen in the palace." He pulled Su Zhelan up, and the two walked side by side towards the outside of the hall.
The Eastern Palace was deep and its corridors winding. Xiao Qiyun held Su Zhelan's hand, walking leisurely, and quietly introduced the scenery along the way to him, as if he were really just showing a close friend around his residence. Su Zhelan followed beside him, listening to his gentle voice and feeling the warmth from his palm. The unease in her heart was gradually replaced by a strange peace.
However, this tranquility did not last long. Just as they reached a passageway leading to the dining hall, a eunuch hurried forward, looking somewhat troubled, and whispered, "Your Highness, the Second Prince is outside requesting an audience, saying... he has come to offer his congratulations."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qiyun's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, the gentle smile on her face faded slightly, and her tone became flat: "Tell him that I have guests today and it is inconvenient for me to receive them. I appreciate his sentiments."
Just as the eunuch was about to take his orders and leave, a voice carrying a hint of mockery and arrogance came from the other end of the passageway: "When did Your Majesty become so distant from your subject? You don't even want to see him anymore?"
Before the words were finished, the Second Prince, dressed in a brocade robe and holding a jade-bone fan, strolled over, fanning himself with a half-smile on his face, followed by two attendants.
He clearly didn't wait for announcements and barged in.
Xiao Qiyun's face instantly darkened, and he subconsciously pulled Su Zhelan a step behind him, using half of his body to shield her from him. This protective action, though subtle, was extremely natural and was noticed by the Second Prince, who was walking over with a smile.
The Second Prince paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the slightly thin, head-bowed, unfamiliar figure behind Xiao Qiyun. A quick, inquisitive glint flashed in his eyes. He snapped his folding fan shut, tapping his chin lightly with the fan rib, his smile growing increasingly meaningful: "Oh, it seems I've arrived at an inopportune time? I had no idea Your Majesty had such a… 'distinguished guest' today?"
He emphasized the word "distinguished guest," and his gaze lingered on Su Zhelan without any attempt to conceal it, with an unsettling scrutiny.
Xiao Qiyun held Su Zhelan even tighter, his expression slightly cold, his tone distant: "Second brother, what brings you here today?" He did not directly answer the question about Su Zhelan.
The Second Prince seemed not to hear his question. Instead, he stepped forward, pointed his folding fan at Su Zhelan, and asked with a smile, "Brother, who is this...? He looks unfamiliar. He is not from the palace, is he? To have you accompany him so personally, you must be extraordinary." His teasing and probing were almost undisguised.
Xiao Qiyun's expression darkened further. Knowing he couldn't avoid it, he could only introduce her in a cold, concise, and official tone: "This is Su Zhelan. She made significant contributions to medical treatment during the suppression of the cult in the Northern Frontier and is a meritorious official of the court. Today, she has been invited to the Eastern Palace to discuss medical principles."
He deliberately emphasized "meritorious individuals" and "exploring medical principles," attempting to position Su Zelan's identity within the scope of official affairs.
Standing behind Xiao Qiyun, Su Zhelan could clearly feel the slight tension in Xiao Qiyun's body and his displeasure. He kept his head down, trying to minimize his presence, but his palms were slightly sweaty. He could feel the Second Prince's scrutinizing and calculating gaze falling on him as if it were a physical presence, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Upon hearing this, the Second Prince raised an eyebrow and drawled, "Oh—? So you're a hero who eradicated the cult, and also a renowned physician? My apologies." Though he spoke of apologies, his tone lacked respect, instead carrying a hint of frivolity. "Mr. Su Zhelan… is truly young and promising. To be so favored by His Highness the Crown Prince, who personally 'discusses' him, his medical skills must be… miraculous?"
His words were ambiguous, his gaze shifting back and forth between Xiao Qiyun and Su Zhelan, and the smile on his face became increasingly meaningful.
Xiao Qiyun frowned, clearly extremely impatient, and said coldly, "Second brother, if you have nothing else, please leave. I still need to entertain my guests for a meal."
The second prince, knowing when to stop, quickly opened his folding fan and slowly waved it, saying with a smile, "Since Your Majesty has important matters to attend to, then I will not disturb you any longer. I will come to seek your guidance another day."
He gave Su Zhelan a meaningful look before turning around and leaving with his entourage.
Only when the Second Prince's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Xiao Qiyun's tense shoulders relax slightly. He turned around and looked at Su Zhelan, his eyes filled with a hint of apology and lingering coldness: "Are you alright? He's always like that, outspoken and unrestrained. You don't need to pay him any mind."
Su Zhelan shook his head and said softly, "It's nothing." But he felt a vague unease in his heart. The Second Prince's calculating eyes seemed to have already remembered him.
Xiao Qiyun grasped his hand and noticed that his fingertips were slightly cool, so he squeezed it tighter and his tone became gentle again: "Let's go, don't let irrelevant people spoil our fun. The dining hall is just ahead."
However, this disturbance cast a faint shadow over the previously warm and peaceful atmosphere.
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