Chapter 85
Time flows like a stream, and the deep red scar on Su Zhelan's heart has faded, leaving only a faint pink mark. The marks from repeated blood draws on her wrists have also almost disappeared under her fair skin.
His complexion had improved considerably. Although he was still thin, the gloomy deathly aura between his brows had been dispelled, and his eyes had regained their clarity, carrying a subtle vitality, like bamboo shoots after a rain.
Shengxuan's left arm wound had long since been healed after the stitches were removed, leaving only a slightly grotesque but harmless scar.
He regained his former vigor and worked hard on the military training ground. However, every time he passed by Shuyu Courtyard, he would unconsciously slow down and look at the tightly closed gate with a complex emotion that was a mixture of expectation and anxiety.
The heavy leather satchel he had "swept" from the market in the Western Regions was hidden deep under his bed, like a powder keg waiting to be lit.
Xiao Qiyun remained the same composed and calm Crown Prince. He handled state affairs daily, checked in at the Grand Tutor's office, and then, without fail, appeared at Shuyu Courtyard, either to read with Su Zhelan or simply to play a game of chess quietly.
His gaze remained gentle, but it seemed to linger on Su Zhelan longer than ever before. Deep within that gentle gaze lay a waiting, a warm and reassuring anticipation.
Finally, Xiao Qiyun's birthday arrived.
The general's mansion was not lavishly decorated, but the atmosphere was still unusual.
The small flower hall in the inner courtyard of the General's Mansion, usually a place for meetings or rest, was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations tonight, exuding a rare festive atmosphere.
Several glass palace lanterns painted with auspicious patterns hung high, casting a warm glow. A round table covered with bright red brocade was placed in the center, already laden with steaming dishes, their aroma filling the air.
Today, Xiao Qiyun unusually changed out of his black everyday clothes and into a crimson brocade robe with cloud patterns, which made his face look like jade and his demeanor dignified.
He sat upright in the main seat, a gentle smile playing on his lips as usual, but the usual seriousness in his eyes seemed to be softened by the warm light, revealing an unusual ease.
Mr. Su Yan sat to Xiao Qiyun's right, with a cup of ginseng tea in front of him. His expression remained stern, but when his gaze swept over Xiao Qiyun, a hint of concern was revealed in his severity.
He gave the steamed sea bass a critical look, seemingly assessing its freshness, but ultimately, unusually, he offered no comment.
Seated to the left of Su Yan was Gu Linzhao. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with silver wave patterns on the cuffs, exuding a restrained heroic spirit. At this moment, he calmly raised his wine cup and said loudly to Xiao Qiyun, "Your Highness, happy birthday."
His voice was deep and powerful, carrying the calm demeanor of a chivalrous hero. "Gu Linzhao toasts you, wishing Your Highness lasting blessings and an everlasting peace to the land." With that, he calmly downed the wine in his cup, his movements swift yet not rough.
General Sheng Chi, sitting opposite him, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, raising his wine cup as well. He was not in military uniform today, but the majesty of a border commander was still evident in his brows.
"Your Highness, this humble general toasts you." His voice was steady and powerful, like a rock. "May Your Highness enjoy good health and rule over all directions. This humble general and the soldiers on the border are willing to be Your Highness's sharp blade, guarding the land and protecting the people." His gaze was firm as he drank the wine in his cup, his movements swift and decisive.
"Thank you, Alliance Leader Gu, General Sheng." Xiao Qiyun smiled, raised his glass, and elegantly drank the wine in his cup. His composure complemented the calmness of the two men.
His gaze swept over Su Zelan, who was sitting to his left, seemingly unintentionally.
Su Zhelan sat quietly, still thin, but the gloomy deathly aura between her brows had been dispelled, and her eyes were clear and bright, like new bamboo shoots after the rain.
His simple long robe made his fair skin appear even more pronounced under the warm light. Sensing Xiao Qiyun's gaze, he lowered his eyes slightly, his long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath his eyes, while a barely perceptible blush rose to his cheeks. He remembered that promise.
Sheng Xuan sat next to Su Zhelan, looking somewhat uneasy.
There was a glass of wine in front of him, but his mind was clearly not on it. His gaze was drawn to Su Zhelan as if by a magnet, sliding from her clear eyes to her slightly pursed lips, and then to her neck, which looked particularly slender and delicate under the light.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he thought of the heavy satchel hidden deep under the bed, a surge of heat rising in his heart.
He took a big gulp of wine, trying to suppress the burning sensation, but the spiciness made him wince.
"Sheng Xuan," General Sheng Chi put down his wine cup, looking over with a steady gaze and a gentle, elder-like expression, "why aren't you going to offer a toast to His Highness?"
When Sheng Xuan was called out, he immediately stood up, picked up his wine glass, and showed a bit of the unease typical of young people, but more so his displeasure at having his burning gaze on Su Zhelan interrupted.
He cleared his throat and said to Xiao Qiyun, "Your Highness! Happy birthday! I wish you... uh... good health and longevity!"
He managed to utter two words of blessing, then tilted his head back and downed the wine in one gulp, his movements displaying the agility of a young man.
"Okay." Xiao Qiyun nodded with a smile, his gaze lingering for a moment on Sheng Xuan's slightly impatient movements before returning to Su Zhelan.
Su Zhelan ate the food that Gu Linzhao had picked for her in small bites, her movements refined.
He felt the almost tangible, fervent gaze of Sheng Xuan beside him, and the gentle yet undeniably present gaze of Xiao Qiyun in the main seat, as if he were in two extremes.
He lowered his eyes, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.
The atmosphere gradually warmed up amidst the delicious food and drinks.
General Sheng Chi began to recount some of his experiences in the military camp, his tone steady and composed, carrying a sense of calm stoicism born of experience. Gu Linzhao occasionally added a few anecdotes from the martial arts world, his tone gentle yet captivating.
Although the two were not as boisterous as young people, their calm and composed demeanor, imbued with experience, filled the room with warmth. Even Mr. Su Yan, listening to them, subtly relaxed his tightly pursed lips and picked up his ginseng tea.
While everyone was chatting and laughing, Sheng Xuan secretly nudged Su Zhelan with his elbow.
Su Zhelan was slightly startled by his touch and looked up. Sheng Xuan's profile was clear and bright, his smile radiant and without a trace of gloom. His pure, possessive passion burned like a fire, making Su Zhelan's ears feel slightly hot.
He subconsciously tried to avoid that overly direct gaze, but the corners of his lips involuntarily curved into a very faint smile, and he softly hummed in response. This response made Sheng Xuan's eyes light up instantly.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, a servant brought out a huge, steaming white porcelain soup bowl containing a carefully prepared "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" soup.
"Your Highness, this is 'A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix,' wishing you a hundred birds paying homage and a phoenix soaring to the heavens," the steward said respectfully.
"A good omen." Gu Linzhao nodded calmly, raised his glass in a gesture of respect, "Everyone, let's drink to His Highness."
Everyone raised their glasses in celebration. Sheng Xuan couldn't wait to serve Su Zhelan a bowl of soup as well, and pushed it in front of him like a treasure: "Zhelan, try this soup! It's so delicious!" His actions were full of affection that left no room for refusal.
Looking at the golden soup and the floating "birds" in the bowl, and then at Sheng Xuan's bright and expectant eyes, Su Zhelan felt a warmth in her heart, but also a slight embarrassment.
He said softly, "Thank you." He picked up the spoon and took a small sip. The broth was rich and delicious.
He looked up and met Xiao Qiyun's gaze.
Xiao Qiyun's eyes were deep and gentle, filled with inquiry and concern, but beneath that gentle exterior, Su Zhelan keenly caught a faint, almost imperceptible shadow—a silent warning against Sheng Xuan getting too close, and also an expectation of his response.
Su Zhelan nodded slightly, a faint yet genuine smile curving her lips. This smile was both a compliment to the soup and a response to Xiao Qiyun's silent inquiry.
A deeper smile instantly spread across Xiao Qiyun's eyes, like a deep pool filled with tenderness as a pebble is thrown in.
The banquet drew to a close amidst the warm glow of the lights and the gradually subsiding laughter.
Alliance Leader Gu Linzhao was clearly in a very good mood today, and he drank more than usual. When he stood up, although his posture was still upright, his steps were slightly unsteady, and his eyes were veiled with a layer of drunken haze.
"Ayan..." He had barely opened his mouth when his voice became a little muffled than usual, carrying a hint of unconscious intimacy, and his arm instinctively reached out to drape over Su Yan's shoulder.
"Stand still!" Mr. Su Yan coldly rebuked, his brows furrowed and his eyes sharp as knives, instantly dispelling the haze in Gu Linzhao's eyes.
He grabbed Gu Linzhao's outstretched wrist with a firm grip, carrying an undeniable warning.
"Drunk like this, what kind of behavior is this!" His voice was deep and stern, but if you listened carefully, you could hear a hint of... helplessness beneath that sternness.
Even with his wrist gripped, Gu Linzhao didn't back down. Instead, emboldened by the alcohol, he tried to put his other arm around Su Yan's waist, a silly smile on his face: "Don't be so fierce... I'm happy today..."
"Slap!" Su Yan slapped away his restless hand without any politeness. The force was so strong that Gu Linzhao hissed and gasped, sobering up a bit.
"Stop fooling around!" Su Yan said coldly, his eyes like ice, but he grabbed Gu Linzhao's wrist and practically dragged him out. "Come back with me to sober up!"
Gu Linzhao stumbled as he was pulled, muttering things like "unromantic" and "old-fashioned," but his body was involuntarily dragged along by Su Yan, his tall frame leaning crookedly against Su Yan's seemingly thin but unusually strong arm.
The two pulled and scolded each other until their figures disappeared into the depths of the corridor leading from the flower hall to the guest courtyard, leaving only Gu Linzhao's intermittent complaints and Su Yan's deep reprimands drifting in the night wind.
General Sheng Chi watched the two figures depart, a faint smile appearing on his composed face. He then stood up and respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiao Qiyun: "Your Highness, it is getting late, and this humble general shall take his leave now."
"General, you've worked hard." Xiao Qiyun nodded and smiled.
Sheng Chi nodded to Su Zhelan and Sheng Xuan again, then strode away from the flower hall. In an instant, the noise subsided, and only Xiao Qiyun, Su Zhelan, and Sheng Xuan remained in the warm and inviting flower hall.
The previous liveliness seemed to have vanished, and a subtle silence, still carrying the lingering warmth of alcohol, filled the air.
Looking at Su Zhelan's quiet profile, Sheng Xuan felt the restlessness that had been suppressed all night rise up again.
He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady, and said to Su Zhelan, "Zhelan, it's getting late, shall I take you home?"
As he spoke, he stood up, staring intently at Su Zhelan with an air of undeniable authority, and even subconsciously took half a step toward her.
However, the moment Sheng Xuan finished speaking, another hand reached out even faster.
Xiao Qiyun did not get up. He simply turned slightly to the side, and his slender fingers, with an undeniable force, gently grasped Su Zhelan's hand, which was resting on her knee.
Su Zhelan's hand trembled slightly, but he didn't immediately pull it away. He raised his eyes and met Xiao Qiyun's gaze.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze remained deep, but beneath that gentle exterior lay a clear, weighty, and warm expectation. A gentle smile played on his lips, his voice low and clear, like jade striking jade, each word resonating deeply in Su Zhelan's heart.
“Ze Lan,” Xiao Qiyun looked at him intently, “Do you still remember our agreement today?”
Su Zhelan's heart skipped a beat. The painting of the promise, that afternoon by the window, filled with the scent of ink and the fresh fragrance of pine and cypress, that gentle kiss on the corner of her lips, a kiss both tentative and cherished... all the memories surged up instantly.
The faint blush on his cheeks quickly deepened, spreading to his ears.
He subconsciously glanced at Sheng Xuan, who was standing beside him, his face instantly darkening. Sheng Xuan's gaze was fixed on Xiao Qiyun's hand holding Su Zhelan's, his eyes filled with astonishment at being outmaneuvered, resentment, and an impending outburst of anger.
The air seemed to freeze.
Su Zhelan felt Xiao Qiyun gently tighten his grip on her hand, the force gentle yet carrying an irresistible pull.
He lowered his eyelashes, concealing the turbulent emotions surging within his eyes. He could feel Sheng Xuan's almost tangible, burning gaze, and he could also feel the resolute warmth emanating from Xiao Qiyun's palm.
After a brief silence, Su Zhelan finally raised her head.
He looked at Sheng Xuan, his clear eyes filled with a genuine apology and a barely perceptible struggle. His voice was soft, soothing, yet incredibly clear:
“Shengxuan… thank you. But… Your Highness…” He paused, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, but finally said it, “…I still have some things to attend to. You… should also go back and rest early.”
The last sentence, "Go back and rest early," carried a subtle concern, like a feather gently brushing past, yet it made Shengxuan's heart sink suddenly.
Sheng Xuan's face instantly turned extremely ugly. The words "Go back and rest early" were like a bucket of cold water poured on the fire in his heart, extinguishing his hope but stirring up even deeper grievances and resentment.
He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white, his chest heaving violently, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just gritted his teeth and glared at Xiao Qiyun like a wounded beast, then looked at Su Zhelan with resentment and grievance, his eyes seeming to say: You just left with him like that.
Xiao Qiyun's smile deepened, still gentle, but now carrying a hint of satisfied contentment. He took Su Zhelan's hand and slowly stood up, his movements elegant and composed.
"Then come with me." Xiao Qiyun's voice was gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of authority. He didn't look at Sheng Xuan again, but simply took Su Zhelan's hand and turned to walk out of the flower hall.
Pulled by Xiao Qiyun, Su Zhelan involuntarily stood up. His steps were somewhat unsteady, and as he passed Sheng Xuan, he couldn't help but glance at her quickly and with even deeper regret.
In that glance, there was helplessness, struggle, and a trace of confusion that even he himself had not fully sorted out.
However, it was only a glance. The next second, he was led by Xiao Qiyun into the cool moonlight outside the flower hall. Xiao Qiyun's steps were steady, and his hand holding his was warm and strong, leading him straight to the independent courtyard where the Crown Prince lived, located at the deepest part of the General's Mansion.
Sheng Xuan stood frozen in place, watching helplessly as Su Zhelan was led away by Xiao Qiyun and disappeared around the corner of the corridor. The words "Go back and rest early" still echoed in his ears, pricking him like needles.
He was the only one left in the flower hall, surrounded by a table littered with messy cups and plates and slowly cooling leftovers. The warm yellow palace lanterns cast a long, lonely shadow on him.
He slammed his fist into the pillar beside him, making a dull thud. The pent-up anger, disappointment, and frustration of being "sent away" were almost tearing him apart.
He ultimately said nothing, but kicked over an empty wine jar at his feet, letting the earthenware pot shatter in the silent night. Then, without looking back and filled with rage, he strode out of the flower hall and headed towards his own courtyard, in the opposite direction from Xiao Qiyun's.
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