chapter 72

Chapter 72: Such a Pitiable Cry

Shen He made his way back to the Eastern Palace.

Dismounting his horse, he began walking slowly into the palace. Gradually, his steps quickened until he was running.

People along the way spotted him, calling out, "Young Master!"

Shen He didn't have the time to respond. He had a peculiar feeling that Qi Zhuoyun was currently in the Eastern Palace, waiting for his return.

He dashed into the main hall, bursting through the doors. Turning his head towards a small couch, he saw the tall and slender silhouette as expected.

The young man had his back to the entrance, already having changed out of his court robes into his usual attire.

Today, he was still dressed in black, as if he held a special affection for the color. The deep shade added to his composed demeanor, yet also made him seem cold and unapproachable.

The very image of a true ruler. The crown prince of today, the emperor of the coming years.

He was in conversation with Zhong Hong.

All Shen He could hear was the pounding of his own heart due to his rapid sprint and his heavy breaths.

He couldn't make out what Qi Zhuoyun and Zhong Hong were discussing.

Shen He thought, "Ah, what was I going to say?"

He had forgotten.

All he knew was that the moment he saw Qi Zhuoyun, overwhelming sorrow washed over him.

The emotions he had been accumulating on his way back to the Eastern Palace were unleashed, spilling out uncontrollably.

Like a small creature, Shen He darted straight toward Qi Zhuoyun.

Qi Zhuoyun barely had time to turn around before the young man collided with him in a full embrace.

The force of Shen He's charge pushed Qi Zhuoyun back two steps. Swiftly, one arm wrapped around the boy's back, and the other soothingly cradled the nape of his neck.

Qi Zhuoyun was incredibly attuned to Shen He's emotions.

Especially when Shen He was acting so out of character.

Knowing that the young man might not want others present, he gently pressed Shen He's head into his chest and told the others in the hall, "Everyone, please leave."

Everyone promptly dispersed, closing the hall's doors behind them.

Zhong Hong was no exception.

Qi Zhuoyun gently massaged the warm, delicate skin at the nape of Shen He's neck, his deep voice softened, teasing with a hint of huskiness, "What's the matter, He He? Did the joy of securing the top spot, becoming the third-best scholar, overwhelm you to tears?"

Just moments ago, he was discussing with Zhong Hong about rewarding Shen He, to properly celebrate his achievement.

His young scholar was truly precious. Today he is the third-best, but in the future, he would be the top scholar.

His playful words fell on the young man's ears, only to elicit a soft sob.

It sounded as if Shen He had tried hard to hold back, but couldn't suppress that hint of a cry.

The mirth in Qi Zhuoyun's eyes vanished in an instant, his expression turned tense. Reaching a hand to his chest, he lifted Shen He's face, only to see it stained with tears.

Eyes reddened, crystal-clear tears cascaded down as he blinked, sliding over his cheeks, lingering at the tip of his chin, ready to drop.

Shen He felt utterly embarrassed, his face forcefully raised to reveal his tearful appearance. He hastily wiped his tears with both hands.

After a brief swipe, his wrist was caught by Qi Zhuoyun.

Qi Zhuoyun pulled him close, enveloping him in an embrace and sitting down by the small couch.

Even though Shen He didn't sit, Qi Zhuoyun didn't insist. Instead, he held him between his legs, slightly tilting his head back to look into Shen He's eyes: "Why are you crying, Hehe? Did someone upset you outside? Perhaps you encountered someone disrespectful during the announcement of the rankings, or something else happened? Tell me, and I'll teach them a lesson for you, alright?"

Shen He pursed his lips, feeling even more overwhelmed upon seeing Qi Zhuoyun's concern.

As his sadness welled up, the tears he had tried to suppress rushed forth once more. He took a deep breath, and a trail of tear droplets tumbled down.

Internally berating himself, he thought, "Why am I so weak? The protagonist isn’t crying, yet here I am sobbing as if I've suffered the most."

"So melodramatic," Shen He mused.

Yet, as he criticized himself, he grew more upset.

Qi Zhuoyun even took the time to care if someone had bullied him.

Nobody ever stood up for Qi Zhuoyun.

Shen He felt frustrated. Why would a protagonist of a feel-good story experience betrayal from the younger brother he raised himself?

How would Qi Zhuoyun feel if he knew the "Shen He" of the future would betray him?

Shen He, looking at the present Qi Zhuoyun who was eager to avenge him, found it impossible to match the descriptions of the shallow characters from the original text to this living being.

He's a real, breathing person.

"He's a human, named Qi Zhuoyun, not just 'the protagonist'," Shen He pondered.

"He's 'the protagonist', undoubtedly formidable, unbeatable, and unstoppable by anyone."

Strength and vulnerability aren't mutually exclusive; power and fragility can coexist within a single person.

As long as he's human, he can get hurt, feel sadness, experience emotions, and crave love and care, no matter how resolutely stoic or imposingly powerful he may appear.

Shen He blinked, bringing clarity back to his vision. Staring at Qi Zhuoyun's face, his voice tinged with nasal thickness, he asked, "Brother, just hypothetically, if one day I were to betray you, what would you do?"

Qi Zhuoyun seemed taken aback by the question.

He looked up, the reflection of Shen He's face mirrored in his deep, dark pupils, with a hint of worry arising from Shen He's words.

He gazed intently at Shen He's moist lashes and eyes shimmering with tears.

Such a pitiful sight.

"So pitiable," he thought.

His beloved was too tender-hearted to ever betray him. Even if everyone else in the world did, this child he raised would never.

...But if that day ever came...

A pang of distress hit Qi Zhuoyun, but it wasn't anger over the idea of betrayal; he figured he'd probably accept it.

Because he was the tainted one.

He had harbored impure thoughts.

Attempting to tarnish the innocent boy before him, staining him with his own colors.

He pulled Shen He close, allowing him to lean against his chest. One arm wrapped around the young man's back, drawing him close, while the other took Shen He's hand, pressing it to his own heart.

Shen He felt the warmth radiating through layers of fabric into his palm and the strong, steady heartbeat beneath.

It resonated through skin, flesh, and bone into his ears.

Qi Zhuoyun whispered, "If you truly wish to do so, brother can hand you the dagger."

Shen He flinched as if scalded.

Quickly shrugging off that discomfort, he yanked his hand away, exclaiming, "How could you be like this?!"

Shen He's lashes were still wet, a clear tear drop clinging to his chin. With widened eyes and an incensed demeanor, he said defiantly, "If someone betrays you, why would you offer yourself up to them?! If you hand them a dagger after they've betrayed you, do you really expect them to show mercy?!"

It's infuriating, this clueless protagonist of his!

Even if it's your own child, there should be limits to trust, right?

Shen He fears that one day, when Qi Zhuoyun marries and has his own children, his own son might harm him!

At that thought, Shen He gulped, recalling that, according to the upcoming plotline, the emperor too would meet his end at Qi Zhuoyun's hands.

In any case, this can't continue!

Shen He thought, "I would never betray Qi Zhuoyun!"

This naive lad must have been starved of affection growing up, easily swayed by anyone showing him a hint of kindness.

Handing over a dagger willingly? He's never seen such folly!

Even though, in his emotional state, Shen He wasn't considering the fate of the "Shen He" in the original text, he knows he'd never betray Qi Zhuoyun.

Moreover, compared to the original script, Shen He trusts the Qi Zhuoyun he's known for years much more.

This is the protagonist he watched grow up.

No, it's Qi Zhuoyun.

He's a world apart from other nobles; not even punishing palace maids or eunuchs recklessly. How could he possibly be the ruthless character from the original, who would watch someone torn apart or set a house on fire, annihilating an entire family?

Despite Shen He's rebuke, a smile crept onto Qi Zhuoyun's face. He pulled Shen He closer, made him sit on one of his legs, locking Shen He's calf with his other leg, and said, "Brother behaves this way only with Hehe, not with others."

Qi Zhuoyun said, "So Hehe won't betray me, no matter what happens in the future?"

With his fingertips, he gently wiped away the tear streaks from the boy's soft cheeks, drying the moistened skin bit by bit.

A sense of responsibility burgeoned in Shen He's heart.

This sense of duty overshadowed the slightly peculiar atmosphere of the moment.

With pursed lips, Shen He nodded emphatically.

He embraced Qi Zhuoyun's shoulders, reassuringly saying, "Brother, I will never betray you. It was just a hypothetical!"

He's aiming to be the protagonist's top sidekick!

Well, perhaps he can be of some assistance in the future.

On second thought... it seems there's not much assistance he can provide.

He won't participate in the upcoming rebellion; with the Second Prince's forces reduced by half, there won't be much of an impact.

For this, Shen He felt a hint of embarrassment.

On the rare occasion he wants to pull himself together and take initiative, he realizes that during times when he could help, he was too young and Qi Zhuoyun had already handled everything.

Now, he can't be of any assistance.

Shen He let out a long, melancholic sigh.

Seeing Shen He's mood improve, Qi Zhuoyun discreetly wrapped an arm around his waist, resting his chin on the young man's slender shoulder, his voice tinged with amusement, "What's gotten into you today, Hehe? Care to share with your brother?"

By now, Shen He had considerably calmed down, realizing how much of a scene he'd made.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, his soft, pale cheeks puffed out in annoyance, "It's nothing. Earlier at the Duke's mansion, Shen Cong... my father, returned for a visit. We had a disagreement, and it made my grandfather ill."

Qi Zhuoyun pinched the boy's cheeks, causing Shen He to let out a "poof," as if deflating.

Deep in thought, Qi Zhuoyun pondered Shen He's words, piecing the story together bit by bit from Shen He's reactions.

After a few moments, Qi Zhuoyun ventured a guess, "Because of Shen Congyun, did you think of my father, the emperor?"

He continued, "Are you concerned for me, feeling that my father wasn't kind to me and fearing that I might be deceived by those close to me in the future?"

Shen He was taken aback, "I, uh..."

He stammered, thinking, "Did I accidentally spill some beans earlier? What did I reveal?"

With all that he had pondered on his way back, the sudden bout of tears, and the odd question he posed, how did Qi Zhuoyun manage to connect all the dots!?

Is this the level of intelligence reserved for the protagonist?

No, it's Qi Zhuoyun's intelligence.

No wonder he's the emperor. If not him, then who?

That fool, Qi Le Yong?

Before Shen He could make sense of it all, Qi Zhuo Yun, with a gesture of affection, wrapping Shen He in his arms, said, "There's no need to worry, nor to be heartbroken. I'm doing well now. Even the Emperor cannot trouble me any further."

The only one who can truly trouble him is this young man in his arms, who, with just tears in his eyes, leaves him at a loss for what to do.

Those who shed tears out of concern for him.

His treasure.

Qi Zhuo Yun leaned on Shen He's shoulder, and from an angle hidden from Shen He's view, his gaze was deep, with a greed so intense it seemed it might spill out.

How could one not love such a treasure?