Chapter 83
Xiao Qiyun slowly raised his gaze and it fell on Su Zhelan, who was still looking down. His gaze was deep and focused, carrying a heavy, soul-piercing scrutiny.
The gentle smile had vanished from his lips at some point, leaving only a profound and unfathomable complexity and pain, a feeling born from a deep understanding of everything.
He saw that Su Zhelan's collar had been slightly torn open in her haste, and the deep red and purple bite mark was clearly imprinted on her fair neck, like a silent brand.
The air was so heavy it was hard to breathe. Su Zhelan could feel the weight of that gaze. He kept his head down, his fingers gripping the spoon so tightly that his knuckles turned white, as if the small silver spoon weighed a ton. He dared not look up, gripped tightly by fear and a profound, almost tearing shame.
“Lotus seed soup…” Xiao Qiyun’s voice finally broke the heavy silence. His voice was slightly low, with a hint of dryness and undisguised hoarseness, as if he had just traveled a long way.
"If it's left out for too long, the taste will be bad." He didn't mention the medicine, the injury, or even the painful "come again tonight" that stung his heart.
He gently pushed the bowl of delicate soup closer to Su Zhelan, the silver-handled spoon touching her taut fingertips, carrying a silent urging and... a gentle stubbornness that was almost pleading—"Eat it while it's hot, and take care of yourself."
After Xiao Qiyun finished speaking, his gaze slowly moved away from Su Zhelan's lowered, vulnerable neck. He no longer looked at the mark, nor did he try to interpret the emotions in Su Zhelan's eyes.
"...Have you finished eating?" Xiao Qiyun's voice rang out at the right time, still gentle and calm. He began to pack up the food box naturally, as if it were just an ordinary morning.
"Hmm," Su Zhelan responded softly, her voice somewhat muffled.
Xiao Qiyun closed the food box lid smoothly and calmly. He didn't pick it up immediately, nor did he seem to intend to leave.
He picked up the cup of tea he had prepared for himself on the low table, held the rim of the white porcelain cup to his lips, and looked at a newly green willow branch peeking in through the window. He gently blew away the rising steam before speaking in a soft voice, as if it were a casual chat.
"Nothing much today. The weather outside is lovely. I imagine you must have been feeling quite cooped up these past few days, keeping you confined to your quarters?" He put down his teacup, his gaze finally turning to Su Zhelan, carrying a gentle warmth and a hint of inquiry.
"If you'd like, why don't you... come with me for a walk in the courtyard? Or perhaps you'd like to find a quiet place to sit?" His tone was clearly indulgent, as if he would gladly accompany Su Zhelan wherever she wanted to go all day.
Su Zhelan's heart felt as if it had been unexpectedly embraced by warm sunshine.
The chaotic thoughts that had been stirred up by Sheng Xuan's "announcement" and the teeth marks under his clothes instantly calmed down in the face of this pure invitation, which was free of any probing or pressure, and even a slight... subtle flutter of excitement arose within him.
He hadn't expected the Crown Prince to stay, much less that he would offer such...leisurely company.
He hesitated, then looked up at Xiao Qiyun. The Crown Prince's gaze remained calm, but a light seemed to flow within it; it was no longer a suffocating scrutiny, but a pure, gentle warmth awaiting his response. That warmth, like fine threads, entwined his flustered heart.
Going to Su Yan's place was certainly "official business," but at this moment, another temptation, almost never before experienced, of spending a whole day alone with the Crown Prince, quietly began to grow.
“…Okay.” Su Zhelan’s voice was very soft, almost fading away as soon as it left his lips, but the agreement was clear. He even nodded subconsciously, somewhat hastily.
A genuine smile, like a spring breeze brushing across ice, instantly spread across Xiao Qiyun's lips. That smile was gentle and soft, easily touching people's hearts and dispelling the last trace of coldness.
He even responded very softly, "Mmm," as if a long-awaited wish had been fulfilled.
The sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a clear, deep blue.
Xiao Qiyun truly spent time with Su Zhelan at the hot spring villa. The courtyard was lush with greenery and fragrant with flowers. The two occasionally exchanged a few words, but mostly kept each other company in silence. The atmosphere was no longer heavy; instead, it was filled with a peaceful and tacit understanding.
By late afternoon, the sun was beginning to set slightly westward.
Xiao Qiyun gently suggested, "There's a small river outside the courtyard. At this time of year, the water plants are lush, and the willows on both banks are sprouting green leaves. The scenery is quite pleasant. Would you like to come for a walk with me?"
Instead of being stuck in that embarrassing situation, why not embrace the vastness of nature?
Su Zhelan nodded almost without hesitation. He had a natural affinity for nature, especially with the Crown Prince. Escaping that cramped space, the unease he felt about "night" seemed to have been temporarily blown away by the wind.
It was a crystal-clear stream, winding its way down from the distant green mountains, its waters murmuring gently, unhurried. Just as Xiao Qiyun had described, the weeping willows on the banks had sprouted soft, slender branches, their tender leaves a vibrant, almost dripping green, like countless emerald curtains draped over the river's surface, swaying lightly in the breeze and casting shimmering shadows on the water. The air was filled with the dampness, the fragrance of earth, and the unique freshness of grass.
Xiao Qiyun and Su Zhelan walked slowly side by side along the riverbank, their shoes making almost no sound on the soft grass. A warm breeze rustled through the willow branches, and occasionally, early willow catkins drifted down like fine snowflakes.
They talked about the nameless wildflowers quietly blooming on the riverbank, the small fish whose silver scales occasionally glimpsed in the river, and the paddy fields where farmers were diligently cultivating in the distance. The tense atmosphere from breakfast was gone, replaced by leisure and peace.
As we walked, we came to a low, gentle riverbank. The grass here was particularly thick and soft, with several round stones of varying sizes scattered about. The sun shone warmly, and the river breeze brought just the right amount of coolness.
"Shall we rest here for a while?" Xiao Qiyun turned to Su Zhelan for her opinion.
Su Zhelan looked at the hillside. The sun-warmed grass exuded a pleasant fragrance, and several small clusters of purple daisies and yellow dandelions swayed in the breeze at her feet.
He nodded and sat down first on a flat, soft meadow at the top of the slope. Xiao Qiyun also calmly sat down half a step away from him, relaxed his posture, and gazed gently at the shimmering river.
Su Zhelan's gaze was drawn to the willow branches swaying in the wind on the riverbank. Their supple green seemed to flow with vitality under the sunlight. A thought struck him, and he stood up, walked to a weeping willow, and reached out to break off a few slender, soft twigs.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze, filled with gentle inquiry, fell upon Su Zhelan.
Su Zhelan returned with the willow branches and sat down again beside Xiao Qiyun. He didn't speak, but simply lowered his head, his fingers deftly turning the few green branches.
His movements weren't fast, but they carried a focused rhythm. The tender green willow branches weaved, intertwined, and knotted between his slender fingers, gradually taking the shape of a ring.
Xiao Qiyun watched quietly, without making a sound to disturb him. He had seen Su Zhelan handle medicinal herbs with efficiency and he had seen him concentrate when he painted, but this was the first time he had seen him so calmly handling these natural objects.
Those lowered eyelashes and slightly pursed lips exuded a rare sense of tranquility, as if they were immersed in their own world.
Before long, a simple willow ring took shape in Su Zhelan's hands.
He then picked a few small purple daisies in full bloom and a few beautifully shaped tender leaves from the grass beside him, and carefully, with a sense of cherishing, inserted them one by one into the gaps of the willow ring to decorate it.
After finishing all this, Su Zhelan finally raised his head and looked at Xiao Qiyun, who had been watching him intently. His cheeks were slightly flushed from focus, and his eyes were clear, carrying a hint of relief and barely perceptible anticipation. He held the willow wreath adorned with wildflowers in his palm and presented it to Xiao Qiyun.
“Your Highness,” Su Zhelan’s voice was soft, tinged with a hint of nervousness, but more so with sincerity, “this… is for you.”
Xiao Qiyun was slightly taken aback, then a deeper smile spread across his eyes. He neither refused nor immediately agreed, but simply twirled the willow ring in his hand again, as if weighing its significance.
A moment later, he looked up at Su Zhelan, his eyes filled with a mixture of indulgent helplessness and a hint of interest.
"I'm curious," Xiao Qiyun's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible teasing, "what would I look like wearing it in your eyes?"
Seeing the gentle smile and indulgence in Xiao Qiyun's eyes, Su Zhelan grew bolder. He pursed his lips, looking earnestly at Xiao Qiyun's incomparably handsome face, his tone carrying the sincerity unique to young men: "Your Highness is already exceptionally handsome, with outstanding bearing. This willow ring, though simple, carries a natural vitality and wild charm. If you wear it..."
He paused, seemingly searching for the right words, and finally chuckled softly, “...I suppose ‘a gentle breeze under the trees, a gentleman as pure as jade’ would add a touch of…unrestrained and free-spirited charm?”
Xiao Qiyun repeated Su Zhelan's words in a low voice, his smile deepening. Without further hesitation, he raised his hand and gently placed the willow wreath, which carried the scent of wildflowers and grass, onto his neatly tied hair bun.
The verdant willow branches set off his jet-black hair, adorned with a few small purple flowers, creating a wonderful harmony with his innate noble air.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the willow leaves, casting dappled shadows on his deep-set eyes, which surprisingly softened his usual solemnity and added a rare touch of wildness and vitality.
"How is it?" Xiao Qiyun turned his head slightly, looking at Su Zhelan who was somewhat stunned, with a mischievous smile on his lips.
Su Zhelan snapped out of her daze, her cheeks slightly flushed, but she nodded vigorously without hesitation, her eyes shining brightly: "Excellent! Your Highness... is indeed very suitable."
He paused, then added, "It's even more beautiful than I imagined."
Xiao Qiyun's gaze fell on Su Zhelan's flushed cheeks, and the boy's clear eyes were filled with undisguised admiration, as if he was truly amazed by her appearance at this moment.
Those eyes were so bright, like they were filled with starlight, or like they were reflected on the shimmering surface of a river, making you want to get closer and closer.
"Is that so?" Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep, with a hint of barely perceptible huskiness, as his gaze slowly slid from Su Zhelan's eyes to his lips.
Those two soft lips were slightly parted, breathing softly from the tension and admiration just now. They shone with a faint pink hue in the sunlight, like newly blooming petals, tempting one to pick them.
Su Zhelan seemed to notice the change in Xiao Qiyun's gaze. Her breath hitched slightly, and she subconsciously pursed her lips, her Adam's apple bobbing gently.
He instinctively wanted to back away, but behind him was soft grass, and Xiao Qiyun's gaze was like an invisible net, locking him firmly in place.
Xiao Qiyun raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching the willow wreath in his hair, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Since you think it looks good, then why don't you... take a closer look?"
His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. His slender fingers slid off the willow ring and instead touched Su Zhelan's cheek.
Su Zhelan's skin was delicate and warm, softer than he had imagined. Xiao Qiyun's thumb gently caressed his cheekbone, his gaze gradually deepening, as if brewing a silent storm.
Su Zhelan's heart suddenly raced, and his breathing became rapid. Xiao Qiyun's fingertips, though slightly cool to the touch, seemed to ignite the heat beneath his skin, making his whole body feel slightly hot.
He wanted to speak, but his throat felt blocked by something, and he could only open his eyes slightly to watch Xiao Qiyun's face get closer and closer.
"Close your eyes," Xiao Qiyun commanded softly, his voice carrying an undeniable gentleness.
Su Zhelan instinctively closed her eyes. The next second, Xiao Qiyun's lips covered hers.
It started as a light touch, like a test, or perhaps a confirmation. Xiao Qiyun's breath hitched slightly, and then he deepened the kiss.
His palm supported Su Zhelan's nape, not allowing him to back down. His tongue gently pried open Su Zhelan's teeth and plunged in, forcefully and gently invading every inch of his breath.
Su Zhelan unconsciously clenched the grass beneath her, her breath was stolen, and her heart was pounding so fast it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.
Xiao Qiyun's kiss was too deep and too hot, as if it wanted to engulf him completely. His tongue was entwined with Xiao Qiyun's, and his lips and teeth were filled with Xiao Qiyun's breath, which was cool and carried a faint sandalwood scent, making him dizzy and almost suffocating.
"Mmm..." Su Zhelan's moan escaped from between her lips, subtle and sweet, as if she had been bullied badly.
Xiao Qiyun's eyes darkened, and his hand slid down Su Zhelan's nape, along his spine, and finally around his waist, pulling him into his arms.
Su Zhelan's body was more supple than he had imagined. When he pressed her down on the grass, she seemed powerless to resist and could only let him take what he wanted.
"Your Highness... um..." Su Zhelan's voice was broken by the kiss, her fingers unconsciously gripping Xiao Qiyun's collar, as if she wanted to push him away, or as if she wanted to pull him closer.
His eyes were red, his breathing was rapid, and his whole body seemed to be enveloped in steaming heat, even the tips of his ears were red and bleeding.
Xiao Qiyun finally pulled away slightly from the kiss, giving Su Zhelan a chance to catch her breath. His lips remained pressed against the corner of Su Zhelan's lips, his breath hot, his voice low and almost dangerous: "Do you like it?"
Su Zhelan's eyelashes trembled, and he opened his wet eyes to meet Xiao Qiyun's deep, almost swallowing gaze. His lips were slightly swollen and his breathing was unsteady, but he still nodded honestly.
Xiao Qiyun chuckled softly, his fingertip gently brushing against Su Zhelan's lips before he lowered his head and kissed her again.
This time, his kisses were more unrestrained, and his hands were no longer still, slowly moving up along Su Zhelan's waistline, his fingertips lightly brushing against his ribs, causing Su Zhelan to tremble and let out a sweet moan.
"Your Highness...please..." Su Zhelan's voice trembled slightly, sounding like a plea for mercy, yet also like an invitation.
Xiao Qiyun's kiss slid down his lips to his neck, his tongue gently licking the sensitive skin. He felt Su Zhelan's breath catch in his throat and his body tense slightly. His hand finally covered Su Zhelan's chest, feeling his wildly beating heart through the thin fabric.
“Ze Lan,” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was hoarse, filled with intense desire, “do you know how uncontrollable you are right now?”
Su Zhelan's breathing became completely disordered. His fingers gripped Xiao Qiyun's clothes tightly, and his eyes were red. He looked as if he had been bullied badly, yet he was powerless to resist.
His voice trembled with a faint sob, yet was incredibly tender: "Your Highness... I..."
Xiao Qiyun didn't give him a chance to speak again, and lowered his head to kiss him once more. This time, his kiss was even more passionate, and his hands were even more unrestrained, as if he wanted to knead Su Zhelan into his very bones.
Su Zhelan tilted his head slightly between his lips, his breath unsteady as he whispered, "Your Highness..." His voice was lower than usual, slightly hoarse, "We're still outside."
His palm rested gently on Xiao Qiyun's shoulder, the pressure light yet clearly restrained. Although the corners of his eyes were still slightly red, his gaze had regained some clarity, and his jawline was slightly taut, revealing a rare determination.
Xiao Qiyun paused, his deep gaze sweeping over Su Zhelan's face. The young man's fair cheeks still flushed with emotion, but the aloof air between his brows had returned.
His lips were moist and slightly swollen, yet pressed into a restrained line. He looked like a warm-toned ink painting, bearing traces of the intimacy from before, yet exuding an inherent sense of detachment.
"Afraid of being seen?" Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep as he gently stroked Su Zhelan's lips with his fingertips, feeling her slight tremor.
Su Zhelan's Adam's apple bobbed, her gaze flickered slightly, but she quickly looked up and met Xiao Qiyun's eyes directly: "It's not appropriate."
His voice was soft, yet every word was clear.
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Qiyun suddenly chuckled softly, his fingers sliding down Su Zhelan's chin to the side of her neck, his thumb gently caressing the throbbing pulse there: "Then tell me what's appropriate?"
Su Zhelan's breath hitched slightly, but he didn't back down. His fingertips tightened and loosened on Xiao Qiyun's shoulder, like a silent struggle. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the willow leaves, falling on his eyelashes and casting dappled shadows that concealed the wavering in his eyes.
Xiao Qiyun stared at Su Zhelan's appearance, the darkness in his eyes gradually deepening. He slowly straightened up, casually putting the slipped willow ring back on, his movements elegant and composed, as if the loss of control just now had never happened.
But when he reached out and pulled Su Zhelan up, his palm lingered on her waist for a moment longer, with an undeniable force.
"You're right." Xiao Qiyun's voice returned to its usual calm, but a trace of lingering heat remained in his eyes. "This place isn't suitable."
He released his hand from Su Zhelan's waist, but his fingertips lightly brushed against Su Zhelan's taut waistline as he withdrew, bringing a slight shiver.
Xiao Qiyun calmly stood up, his tall figure stretching out in the setting sun, enveloping Su Zhelan who was still sitting on the grass.
He raised his hand, gracefully straightening his slightly disheveled clothes, and then adjusted the slightly crooked willow wreath in his hair. His posture became dignified and composed again, as if the person who had just lost control of his emotions was merely a phantom cast by the riverbank.
Su Zhelan's heart was still pounding erratically in his chest, and the burning sensation on his cheeks hadn't subsided. He watched as Xiao Qiyun instantly regained his composure, and that powerful self-control sent a shiver down his spine, bringing with it a sense of indescribable loss.
He lowered his eyes and silently straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, his fingertips touching the skin on his neck where he had been kissed, where the burning sensation still seemed to linger.
"Get up," Xiao Qiyun's voice rang out gently, with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness. He stretched out his hand, palm up, and stopped in front of Su Zhelan.
Su Zhelan hesitated for a moment before placing her hand into that broad, slightly cool palm.
Xiao Qiyun's fingertips tightened, steadily pulling him up. When Su Zhelan stood up, his legs were still a little weak, and his body swayed slightly. Xiao Qiyun immediately supported his elbow with his other hand.
"Be careful." Xiao Qiyun's voice was low, his gaze fixed on Su Zhelan's lowered eyelashes.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Su Zhelan's voice was barely audible. He quickly withdrew his hand, took a half-step back, and created some distance. He dared not look into Xiao Qiyun's eyes, only feeling an astonishing burning sensation on his elbow and palm where Xiao Qiyun had touched him.
A cool river breeze blew by, fluttering the hems of their clothes.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the river a molten gold, and the shadows of the willow branches were stretched long, swaying on the grass. The beauty and intensity of the previous moments were quietly diluted in this magnificent twilight, settling into a silent, lingering warmth.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze passed over Su Zhelan's head and landed on the shimmering river. He remained silent for a moment. When he spoke again, his voice had returned to its usual clear and gentle tone, but with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue: "It's getting late, we should go back."
"Okay," Su Zhelan replied softly.
The two walked back along the path they had come from, one after the other, in silence. Xiao Qiyun walked in front, his steps steady, his dark robes appearing particularly somber in the twilight.
Su Zhelan lagged half a step behind, her gaze falling on Xiao Qiyun's tall and straight back, and the willow wreath in his hair that swayed gently in the evening breeze.
That touch of verdant wildness, at this moment, seemed strangely harmonious on Xiao Qiyun's noble figure, carrying an indescribable gentleness.
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