Chapter 84
Su Zhelan's feelings were complex and hard to describe.
The excitement from the kiss hadn't subsided when Xiao Qiyun's instantaneous regained composure made him feel a distance. He understood the weight of the words "inappropriate," and he also understood Xiao Qiyun's respect and concession.
This restraint is protection and responsibility, but it also acts as an invisible barrier, standing between those brief moments of intimacy.
Upon reaching the entrance of the hot spring villa, Xiao Qiyun stopped. He turned around and looked at Su Zhelan.
“Today…” Xiao Qiyun paused, his gaze lingering on Su Zhelan’s face for a moment, as if he were carefully choosing his words, “…thank you for your willow ring.”
He raised his hand and gently touched the green in his hair, a faint but genuine smile curving his lips. "I like it very much."
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at Xiao Qiyun. In the twilight, Xiao Qiyun's eyes were deep, carrying a calm warmth that dispelled the last trace of tension from the riverside.
"I'm glad Your Highness likes it." Su Zhelan replied softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze lingered for a moment on Su Zhelan's slightly flushed earlobes, the blush appearing particularly vivid in the twilight. The faint, genuine smile on his lips did not fade.
"The timing is perfect." Xiao Qiyun's voice remained gentle, carrying a hint of barely perceptible ease.
"Let's go to the cafeteria. Mr. Su Yan and Gu Linzhao are probably waiting for us."
The two walked side by side through the corridor, heading towards the small dining hall deep within the general's mansion. The afterglow of the setting sun cast long shadows on the pillars, and the air was filled with the fragrance of grass and trees, and the aroma of cooking smoke drifting from afar.
Pushing open the canteen door, warm light and the familiar aroma of food wafted out. Sure enough, Su Yan, Gu Linzhao, and Sheng Xuan were already there.
Su Yan remained stern, sitting upright beside the main seat with a cup of tea in his hand. His sharp gaze swept over the two people who had just entered, especially lingering for a moment on the incongruous willow hairpin in Xiao Qiyun's hair. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he ultimately said nothing.
Gu Linzhao stood up with a gentle smile: "You've come at the perfect time; the food has just been served."
Sheng Xuan was idly poking at the rice in her bowl with her chopsticks when she heard the noise and immediately looked up.
When his gaze fell on Xiao Qiyun and Su Zhelan walking in side by side, his eyes lit up instantly, especially when he saw Su Zhelan.
But then he saw the irritating willow wreath on Xiao Qiyun's head! The verdant willow branches and the small purple flowers... Sheng Xuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and an unnamed fire flared up in his eyes!
Where did this thing come from? Who put it on him? Do you even need to ask?! It must be Su Zhelan! Sheng Xuan felt a tightness in his chest, and his gaze towards Xiao Qiyun instantly became filled with undisguised hostility and provocation.
"Your Highness," Sheng Xuan called out stiffly, a gesture of respect, but his gaze swept over Xiao Qiyun's willow-shaped hair ornament like a knife.
Xiao Qiyun seemed oblivious to the hostility in Sheng Xuan's eyes. He walked to the head seat with an unperturbed expression, his willow-shaped headdress swaying gently with his movements, particularly noticeable under the dining hall lights. He even raised his hand to adjust it, the gesture as natural as if it were his everyday crown.
Su Zhelan sat down in the seat below Xiao Qiyun, directly opposite Sheng Xuan. He could clearly feel Sheng Xuan's burning, accusing gaze, as well as Su Yan's sharp, scrutinizing look.
He lowered his eyes slightly, trying not to look at anyone, but his cheeks began to burn uncontrollably again.
Gu Linzhao keenly sensed the subtle atmosphere at the dinner table and quickly smiled to smooth things over: "Come on, come on, let's eat quickly, the food is getting cold. Zhelan, this soup today was specially made by Su Yan in the kitchen, with ginseng and astragalus, it's the best for replenishing qi."
As he spoke, he personally served Su Zhelan a bowl of soup.
"Thank you, brother," Su Zhelan said softly, taking the soup bowl.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat tense. Su Yan ate his meal in silence, while Gu Linzhao tried to liven things up, occasionally serving food to Su Zhelan and Sheng Xuan.
Sheng Xuan shoveled rice into her mouth, her chopsticks clattering against the bottom of her bowl. Her eyes would occasionally dart to the willow wreath on Xiao Qiyun's head, then she would glare fiercely at Su Zhelan, her eyes seeming to say: You actually made a flower wreath for him?!
Xiao Qiyun, however, appeared remarkably composed.
He ate his meal slowly and gracefully, occasionally exchanging a few words with Gu Linzhao and inquiring about military affairs. It was as if the wild willow headband on his head was an integral part of him, and he completely ignored Sheng Xuan's almost fiery gaze and Su Zhelan's embarrassment.
“Ze Lan,” Xiao Qiyun suddenly spoke, his voice gentle, breaking the brief silence, “Try this.”
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat. She looked at the piece of tendon in her bowl, then quickly glanced at Sheng Xuan, whose face was even darker across from her, and whispered, "...Thank you, Your Highness."
Shengxuan's chopsticks slammed onto the bowl with a soft "thud," a sound that was unusually clear in the quiet dining hall.
He stood up abruptly, the movement aggravating the wound on his left arm, causing him to hiss in pain. He gritted his teeth, picked up his bowl, and said gruffly, "I'm full! You guys eat slowly. I'll come find you tonight to change your dressing, Zhelan."
He emphasized the words "change the dressing" and glared at Xiao Qiyun, as if declaring his dominance. Then, without waiting for anyone else to react, he turned and strode out, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
An awkward silence instantly fell over the canteen.
Su Yan put down his chopsticks, his brows furrowed, his sharp gaze sweeping over the slammed door before returning to Su Zhelan. His eyes held a stern scrutiny, as if silently questioning: "That kid provoked you again?"
Gu Linzhao's smile faltered, and he quickly tried to smooth things over: "This child... his injury hasn't fully healed, and he's got a bad temper... don't mind him, don't mind him."
Xiao Qiyun's gentle smile remained unchanged, as if the farce from just moments ago had never occurred. He picked up the serving chopsticks, calmly took a bite of vegetables, and casually asked, "How is Shengxuan's injury healing?"
Su Zhelan's heart leaped into his throat. He felt Su Yan's scrutinizing gaze and Xiao Qiyun's seemingly casual yet sharp questioning.
He forced himself to calm down and answered in a low voice, "The wound... is healing well, but... it's easy to aggravate if I move too much, so I need to rest for a while."
Xiao Qiyun nodded, not pressing further, and simply said, "Well, I hope he behaves himself." His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
Su Yan snorted coldly and finally spoke, his voice hard: "If he continues to misbehave, his wound will reopen, and he'll be the one who feels the pain!"
After the meal, Su Yan got up and left first, and Gu Linzhao also cleared the dishes and went to the kitchen. Only Xiao Qiyun and Su Zhelan remained in the dining hall.
Xiao Qiyun did not get up immediately. He picked up his teacup and sipped slowly, his gaze fixed on Su Zhelan's lowered head.
“This willow ring,” Xiao Qiyun’s voice broke the silence, carrying a hint of barely perceptible tenderness and warmth, his gaze falling on the top of Su Zhelan’s lowered hair, “I like it very much.”
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat. She raised her head and met Xiao Qiyun's deep eyes. His gaze was calm, carrying a soothing power, as if to say: Don't worry about the farce just now.
"Mmm..." Su Zhelan responded softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Let's go," Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep and pleasant, with a hint of barely perceptible doting. "You've walked quite a distance today, you must be tired. I'll take you home."
He extended his hand with perfect ease, palm up, and stopped in front of Su Zhelan, a silent invitation.
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat as he looked at the hand with its distinct knuckles. Without hesitation, he gently placed his own hand in Xiao Qiyun's palm.
Xiao Qiyun's fingertips immediately closed, warmly and firmly enveloping his slightly cool fingers. The touch carried an electric current, instantly spreading throughout his body.
The two walked out of the canteen hand in hand.
As dusk settled, the lanterns under the eaves were lit, their warm glow stretching the shadows of the two figures, intertwining them.
The evening breeze was cool, but it couldn't dispel the warmth from our palms touching.
Neither of them spoke the rest of the way. The silence was no longer an awkward stillness, but a tacit understanding and tranquility.
Su Zhelan could clearly feel the warmth of Xiao Qiyun's palm, a silent declaration and reassurance. He turned his head slightly and stole a glance at Xiao Qiyun's profile.
Under the warm yellow light, Xiao Qiyun's features appeared exceptionally soft, and the green willow wreath in his hair swayed gently, like a secret mark belonging only to the two of them.
A warm feeling welled up in Su Zhelan's heart, and his fingers unconsciously tightened their grip. Xiao Qiyun seemed to notice, turned his head to look at him, and the smile in his eyes deepened. He gently stroked the back of Su Zhelan's hand with his thumb.
This subtle gesture, filled with intimacy, made Su Zhelan's ears burn instantly.
Soon, the moon gate of the hot spring villa came into view. Inside, the hot spring steam rose, creating a dreamlike scene under the moonlight and lamplight.
Xiao Qiyun did not stop at the courtyard gate, but naturally took Su Zhelan's hand and walked into the courtyard together.
The courtyard was quiet, with only the soft sound of the flowing hot spring water. Xiao Qiyun walked very lightly, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility.
When the door opened, there were no lights on inside; only moonlight streamed in through the window paper, covering the floor with a layer of silver frost.
Xiao Qiyun took Su Zhelan's hand and they walked inside together.
The room was filled with the familiar scent of herbs and the moist aroma of hot spring steam. Moonlight outlined the familiar contours of the room.
Xiao Qiyun released Su Zhelan's hand, but did not leave immediately. He turned around to face Su Zhelan.
Under the moonlight, the two were very close, so close that Su Zhelan could clearly see her reflection in Xiao Qiyun's eyes, and the undisguised tenderness in them.
“Today…” Xiao Qiyun’s voice rang out in the quiet room, lower than usual, with a slightly magnetic husky tone, “…Thank you.”
His gaze fell on Su Zhelan's face, and he raised his hand to gently touch the willow hairpin in his hair. "It's beautiful."
Su Zhelan's heart was pounding, and his cheeks were burning. He mustered his courage and met Xiao Qiyun's gaze: "If you like it... then that's good." His voice was soft.
Xiao Qiyun's fingertips slid off the willow ring and naturally touched Su Zhelan's cheek. The touch was slightly cool, yet carried a burning heat. His thumb gently caressed Su Zhelan's delicate skin, his eyes as deep as a whirlpool.
“It’s not just about liking it.” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was low, as if whispering, “It’s because you made it that it’s so precious.”
Su Zhelan felt her eyes getting hot, and subconsciously tilted her head slightly, bringing her cheek closer to Xiao Qiyun's warm palm.
Xiao Qiyun's breath hitched slightly. He leaned down, his forehead gently touching Su Zhelan's. Their noses almost met, their breaths mingling, carrying each other's scent.
"You've had a long day, get some rest." Xiao Qiyun's voice was filled with concern and reluctance. His warm breath brushed against Su Zhelan's lips and finally landed on her forehead.
"Goodnight," Xiao Qiyun said in a low, gentle voice. After saying that, he turned and left without lingering.
The door closed silently behind Xiao Qiyun, shutting out the cold moonlight and taking away the comforting warmth.
Su Zhelan stood alone in the moonlit room, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the forehead where Xiao Qiyun had kissed her, where the gentle touch and cool warmth still lingered.
He let out a soft sigh, walked to the low couch by the window, and slowly sat down, trying to calm his still somewhat disordered heartbeat.
Moonlight streamed through the window paper, casting a hazy glow on his slender figure. He closed his eyes slightly, savoring the lingering scent of sandalwood, Xiao Qiyun's incense, and the cherished warmth in the room. Yet, this tranquility was as fragile as thin ice.
Knock knock knock!
A sudden, rapid, and somewhat flippant knocking sound shattered the tranquility of the room, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat, and she abruptly opened her eyes, staring at the tightly closed door. That knocking sound... it was so familiar!
Before he could respond, a deliberately lowered but unmistakably excited and mischievous voice came from outside the door:
"Ze Lan! Open the door! It's me! Sheng Xuan!"
The voice paused, then resumed, tinged with undisguised smugness and a hint of smugness:
"—I've come to 'change the dressing' for you! Hehe, you haven't forgotten, have you?"
The words "change medicine" were emphasized, with an upward inflection at the end, full of ambiguous implications and a triumphant smugness.
Su Zhelan's heart sank to the bottom. The chaotic emotions that Xiao Qiyun had just soothed were instantly turned upside down! The comforting warmth on her forehead seemed to be instantly dispelled by the knocking, replaced by immense helplessness, tension, and an indescribable sense of exhaustion.
He subconsciously raised his hand and pressed his fingertips hard against the teeth marks on the side of his neck where Sheng Xuan had bitten him, which still seemed to be throbbing slightly.
What was bound to happen has finally happened.
He took a deep breath, forced himself to stand up, and walked towards the door. Each step felt like walking on cotton, heavy with reluctance.
Open the door.
Sheng Xuan's face, adorned with a radiant smile, immediately came into view.
He leaned against the doorframe, his injured left arm hanging limply, his other hand tucked into his hip, his posture both languid and slightly aggressive. The dim light of the corridor lamp fell on his face, outlining his sharply defined features.
"Oh! You're really here!" Sheng Xuan's gaze swept over Su Zhelan's face and body with unbridled fervor, especially when he saw his slightly reddened ears and somewhat disheveled clothes, his smile deepened.
"Did I disturb your 'rest'?"
Su Zhelan felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and her cheeks began to burn uncontrollably again.
He stepped aside to clear the doorway, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tension: "...Come in."
Sheng Xuan immediately slipped in like a slippery fish, slammed the door shut with a "bang," her movements so fast they created a gust of wind.
He turned around, his back against the door, staring intently at Su Zhelan, his smug smile undiminished.
"Tsk tsk," Sheng Xuan clicked his tongue, his gaze sweeping back and forth across Su Zhelan's face, his tone exaggeratedly teasing, "Why is your face so red? Could it be... that you were in the room with His Highness just now... um?"
He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, his gaze sweeping ambiguously over Su Zhelan's slightly swollen lips and neck, as if searching for some "evidence."
Su Zhelan blushed crimson at his blatant gaze and words, and glared at him angrily, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting! Sit down right now and check your injury!"
"Alright, alright, let me check your injury!" Sheng Xuan replied with a grin, but instead of sitting down, he took a step closer to Su Zhelan, instantly shortening the distance between them. Su Zhelan could even feel the aggressive heat emanating from him, carrying the scent of sunshine and sweat.
Sheng Xuan's gaze didn't linger on the wound, but instead fixed intently on Su Zhelan's lowered eyelashes and slightly pursed lips. The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of the gauze being removed.
“Ze Lan,” Sheng Xuan suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible probing and expectation, breaking the silence, “What…flavor do you like?”
Su Zhelan paused slightly as she unwrapped the bandage, then looked up at Sheng Xuan with a puzzled expression: "...The smell?"
"Mmm!" Sheng Xuan nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with a childlike excitement and mystery. "It's... perfumes and stuff. I've heard that there are a lot of strange and wonderful perfumes in the Western Regions, rose-scented, jasmine-scented, and... uh... ylang-ylang-scented?"
He tried hard to recall the vendors' descriptions at the market, his face showing a mixture of curiosity and eagerness. "Which do you prefer? Sweet? Or... something cooler?"
Su Zhelan's cheeks flushed instantly. He immediately understood Sheng Xuan's implication! This guy... was actually asking about this?!
He glared at Sheng Xuan with embarrassment and annoyance, then lowered his head to continue treating his wound, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible panic: "...I don't know. I never thought about it."
"Oh..." Sheng Xuan drawled out her words with a hint of disappointment, but then asked with renewed interest, "Then... then which one do you think smells better? Or... which one... um... is more suitable?"
As he asked the question, he leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with anticipation and inquiry, as if discussing something extremely important.
Su Zhelan felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze, her fingertips moving unsteadily. She forced herself to remain calm, trying to keep her voice steady: "...Anything...anything is fine. It depends on personal preference."
He glanced quickly at Sheng Xuan and added, "...just don't make it too strong."
"Okay! Got it!" Sheng Xuan grinned, revealing his white teeth, as if he had received some important instructions, and looked extremely happy.
He paused, his gaze falling on the wound on his arm. His brows furrowed again, a mixture of urgency and grievance in his eyes. "Then...Ze Lan, how long will it take for my arm...to fully heal? Look at these stitches..."
He pointed to the stitches. "When can they be removed? And... when will it... um... be completely healed?"
Su Zhelan carefully examined the wound. The redness and swelling at the suture site had subsided considerably, and the recovery was indeed progressing well. He objectively assessed, "It will probably take about four more days to remove the stitches. Once the wound is completely healed, the scab has fallen off, and there is no more oozing or redness, it will take at least two to three weeks. As for fully regaining strength and not affecting vigorous movements..."
He paused, looked up at Sheng Xuan's expectant eyes, and poured cold water on her hopes without hesitation, "...at least a month. During this time, you must avoid strenuous activity and exertion, otherwise it is very easy to tear again."
"Four days?! Two to three weeks?! A month?!" Sheng Xuan's face instantly fell, like a punctured balloon. His earlier excitement vanished, replaced by utter frustration and disbelief. "It'll take that long?! Then... what about what we agreed on before..."
His voice lowered, filled with immense disappointment and resentment, as he looked at Su Zhelan with accusatory eyes, "...Doesn't that mean we have to wait a long time?!"
Su Zelan was both annoyed and amused by his pitiful appearance.
He carefully applied new Jade Skin Ointment while re-bandaging the wound with gauze, his movements gentle yet firm: "Your wound isn't deep, but it's in a critical location. It's been stitched up with so many stitches, so you need to rest. You can't rush it."
Sheng Xuan leaned listlessly against the low couch, watching Su Zhelan's nimble fingers wrap gauze around his arm. Her focused and aloof demeanor made his heart itch, yet he also felt tormented by the "one-month" deadline.
He couldn't help but mutter, "Then... if the stitches are removed in four days... does that mean I'm already mostly healed?"
"Removing the stitches only means that the surface of the wound has begun to heal; the internal muscles and fascia will need more time to recover." Su Zhelan didn't even look up, neatly tying a knot. "Don't think about those things; just focus on recovering."
After bandaging the wound, Su Zhelan packed up her medical kit.
Sheng Xuan stood up reluctantly, his eyes still fixed on Su Zhelan, filled with deep reluctance and lingering anticipation.
He walked to the door, then turned back, still unwilling to give up, and asked, "...Really a month?"
Su Zhelan looked at him helplessly: "At least."
Sheng Xuan sighed heavily, like a defeated rooster, and dejectedly opened the door. The night wind blew in, ruffling the stray hairs on his forehead. He stood in the doorway, the moonlight illuminating half of his face, which was etched with utter despair.
"Fine..." he drawled, his voice filled with immense grievance and resignation, "...Then I'm leaving." He turned back every few steps, his eyes filled with the sorrow of an abandoned puppy.
After saying that, he finally disappeared into the night outside the door, his back view exuding a strong sense of "I'm so miserable".
Su Zhelan watched the direction Sheng Xuan had left in, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. He closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long sigh.
Finally... some peace and quiet.
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