chapter 101

Chapter 101: A Farewell with a Promise to Meet Again

Shen He, somewhat startled, recoiled. Qi Zhuoyun, sensing this unusual movement, leaned forward with concern, softly calling, "He?"

Shen He met the profound gaze of the young man. Backlit by candlelight, with his proximity and the intensity of his breath and eyes, everything felt tangible.

Shen He's burning sensation intensified. His pale cheeks flushed a deeper pink, making him wish he could step outside to cool off in the winter chill.

His heartbeat thundered uncontrollably. Overwhelmed, he raised his hands to grasp the one on his forehead, pulling it away, saying, "Brother, I'm just a bit warm, no need to worry."

He desperately tried to mask any hint of strangeness.

Qi Zhuoyun, his hand caught by the young man, didn't withdraw. He held the awkward position, studying Shen He's flushed face for a while before stating, "Your face is quite red."

Shen He drew back his hand, pressing his cooler backhand to his face, averting his gaze and chuckling, "Yes, it's rather warm. Likely because I just came inside. The sudden warmth is probably throwing me off."

Fearing Qi Zhuoyun might overreact and summon a physician, Shen He quickly added, "It's just a temporary thing. As long as you're not worried, brother. I'll be fine after some ginger tea, heh heh."

Shen He felt that perhaps his inappropriate feelings had led him to misconstrue the situation, making him feel like there was a hint of intimacy between him and his guardian.

Intimacy? Nonsense! This man was the epitome of straightforward masculinity, pure in his intentions of brotherhood, while he was misinterpreting things—such audacity.

Shen He tried to calm his racing heart, and upon seeing Lian Qiao bring in two bowls of ginger tea, finally relaxed a bit, "Brother, you should have a bowl too, to ward off the cold!"

Whenever the weather grew cold and Shen He stepped outside, Lian Qiao and the others would always prepare a ginger tea in advance, taking meticulous care to ensure he wouldn't catch a cold and fall ill.

Shen He thought with relief, "It's fortunate I didn't have to start from scratch. Otherwise, who knows how anxious my guardian might become? If I were exposed then, I'd be done for."

A smile curled at the corners of Qi Zhuo Yun's lips.

He watched the young man flusteredly move, one gesture following another, eyes filled with panic. The dense lashes quivered constantly, reminiscent of a butterfly's fluttering wings.

Seeing him in such a disarray stirred an overwhelming desire to pull him close and plant a gentle kiss.

He suppressed the urge, letting the corners of his lips drop into a look of concern. Taking a bowl of ginger tea, he said, "Alright, big brother will share both joys and sorrows with you. Are you satisfied now, Lord He?"

The young man immediately retorted, stomping his foot, "What are you talking about, big brother? I did this for your sake, not to make you suffer with me."

Grumbling, he leaned in and said, "If you don't want my ginger tea, so be it."

Shen He's territorial words amused Qi Zhuo Yun, "No, that won't do. This is the first bowl of ginger tea from He's house. How can I not drink it?"

Shen He, unable to contain his laughter, flashed a row of pearly whites and sat back down, gulping down the ginger tea.

The spiciness made him gasp, yet for some reason, it made him exceptionally happy.

His home?

His house?

Is this place considered his home?

Ha, thinking this way, suddenly this little house felt very homely.

Shen He cheerfully swung his legs, unwrapping a paper package on the table. Waiting for the young prince opposite him to finish his ginger tea, he eagerly offered a chestnut cake, "Big brother, try this."

Qi Zhuo Yun, being so busy, probably hasn't had the time to indulge in these snacks and drinks for a while.

Now that there's a break, it's time for him to taste them all.

Thinking this, Shen He felt he bought too little and should've brought more delicious things back.

Shen He couldn't help but say, "Big brother, the next time you leave the palace to visit me, send someone to inform me in advance. I'll buy delicious things for you!"

Qi Zhuo Yun said, "Alright."

He felt profoundly contented.

To be suddenly beside the one he's longed for after such a prolonged absence, there's nothing in the world that could make Qi Zhuo Yun happier.

He wondered to himself, to what extent had his beloved He grown fond of him?

If he were to disclose his feelings to He, when might He willingly accept them, joyfully staying by his side and never leaving?

……

Shen He grappled with his feelings late into the night, contemplating whether to ask Qi Zhuo Yun to stay. Even if it meant staying awake all night, chatting together wouldn't be bad.

But Shen He lacked confidence in his restraint. What if he unintentionally revealed something in his sleep or did something come morning? It'd be disastrous.

He battled internally for half an hour, eventually resolutely suppressing those inappropriate thoughts.

They had agreed to remain pure as brothers! He couldn't be so indecisive and hesitant!

If they shouldn't sleep together, then they shouldn't, regardless of how long it's been since they last met!

As long as his mind wasn't free from such thoughts, he ought to have the awareness not to share a bed with a straight man.

Shen He mentally fortified himself, hardening his heart like stone to ensure he'd be firm when denying Qi Zhuo Yun later.

To his surprise, there was no need for such mental preparation or to contemplate refusal.

The other man was incredibly busy. Taking a brief respite, and as the night deepened, he bid Shen He farewell and decisively left without hesitation.

Shen He: "?" So, was he overthinking and being overly sentimental on his own?

Damn it!

How infuriating!

Shen He berated himself internally, feeling quite embarrassed.

As he watched the other mount the carriage, the mortified young Shen master vented his frustration by silently yelling and shadow-boxing the ground below.

"He," the curtain of the carriage lifted, and Qi Zhuo Yun, with a hint of amusement, looked at Shen He, whose eyes flared with minor indignation, "What are you doing?"

The young Master Shen halted his antics in an instant, feigning nonchalance as he laughed, "Just stretching to get the blood flowing."

Qi Zhuo Yun gazed at him gently, neither exposing nor teasing the youth, his deep voice softly uttering, "Goodbye."

With hands clasped behind him, Shen He paused, then quietly whispered, "Goodbye, big brother."

His demeanor was so endearing that it could melt one's heart into a warm puddle, reminiscent of a docile and adorable kitten looking up, awaiting affectionate strokes and kisses.

Qi Zhuo Yun's throat moved subtly, gripping his left hand and taking a discreet breath before finally lowering the carriage curtain, the sound of the carriage gradually distancing from the young man.

Shen He stood at the door for several minutes before softly questioning himself, "Did I forget to say goodbye?"

Hence, Qi Zhuo Yun took the initiative this time.

Shen He was always the one to initiate goodbyes with others.

He appreciated such farewells, feeling they implicitly promised a future reunion.

However, this was the first time he had heard someone else initiate this gesture towards him.

To be more precise, it was the first time someone in this world had proactively said the words to him.

In the modern era, "goodbye" is a common phrase. Rather than promising another meeting, its significance is often more about courteous parting. Many prefer the lively "bye-bye," where the idea of "promising another meeting" fades entirely.

Shen He had never perceived a distinction between these terms.

The sole reason he avoided "bye-bye" was its apparent non-existence in ancient lexicons, making it incomprehensible to many in that time.

At this moment, Shen He suddenly discerned the vast difference between the two phrases.

He also realized how delightful it is to hear a proactive "goodbye" from someone earnestly anticipating the next encounter.

Delightful, indeed.

To put it bluntly... overwhelmingly joyful.

This thought surfaced in Shen He's mind.

"Goodbye, goodbye." Shen He pursed his lips, murmuring the words twice, his eyes lighting up with joy.

Until next time!

Zhongyan, not understanding the young master's thoughts, responded after hearing Shen He's words, "It seems Young Master did not, indeed."

But why would forgetting to say goodbye make him so elated?

Shen He didn't elaborate; it was a little secret just for himself.

His steps quickened as he headed inside, and Zhongyan, without further pondering, hurriedly followed his master with the lantern.

*

Their next meeting took more than a month.

When Shen He truly met Qi Zhuo Yun again, it was on the eve of the Lunar New Year, during a palace banquet.

The Emperor seemed rejuvenated, likely due to the prayers and blessings chanted by the monks and Taoist priests.

In any case, the Emperor was exceptionally pleased, probably feeling rejuvenated and hoping for many more years of life. Thus, the palace banquet was organized on an unprecedented scale.

Numerous bald monks and Taoist priests were personally invited by the Emperor to attend.

Shen He was ushered into the palace by someone sent by Qi Zhuo Yun.

Before entering the palace, envoys from the Duke's residence arrived but unexpectedly encountered the Crown Prince's carriage.

Consequently, the Duke's carriage had no choice but to turn back.

Young Master Shen's seat remained by the Crown Prince, sharing a table with him.

As Shen He settled down, the Fifth Prince, not far across, noticed him.

Shen He was prepared for a glaring contest with the Fifth Prince. Surprisingly, after a brief glance, the Prince looked away, took his cup, and began drinking, seemingly disinterested.

He appeared downcast, even his complexion looked off.

What happened?

Shen He wondered.

He couldn't help but observe the Fifth Prince a little longer. The Prince had always met Shen He's gaze with hostility; this listless demeanor was uncharacteristically unlike him.

The fifth prince showed no intention of looking up.

Shen He sneaked a few glances at Qi LeYong.

... I wonder how far the storyline has progressed.

The state the fifth prince is in probably has something to do with Qi LeYong, doesn’t it?

Shen He thought, if the fifth prince wisely kept himself out of Qi LeYong's affairs, he might consider speaking on the prince's behalf in the future, preserving his title, letting him remain a powerless but leisurely prince, living a carefree retired life like himself.

But if he gets involved with Qi LeYong, it would be difficult for Shen He to intercede.

Shen He tapped on his wine glass. Unbeknownst to him, as he looked away, Qi LeYong from across the table fixed his gaze intently on him.

That look was particularly peculiar. Previously, whenever Qi LeYong looked at Shen He, it was hardly friendly. But now, there's a mix of mockery and malice.

Qi LeYong never harbored ill intentions towards Shen He.

As a child in the Imperial Garden, after being hit in the face by Shen He, who was then a young heir with baby teeth, Qi LeYong was the one scolded. Since then, he knew messing with Shen He only invited trouble for himself.

Shen He, after all, had a highly meritorious grandfather, a constantly doted-on aunt, a deceased mother, and a worthless father, making him both powerful and pitiable.

Even if Qi LeYong bore no malice, it's hard when Qi ZhuoYun harbors ill will against young master Shen.

In good spirits, Qi LeYong lifted his wine glass and invited the fifth prince, "Fifth brother, join me for a drink."

The fifth prince glanced at him and, holding his wine glass, took a large sip without any response.

Qi LeYong wasn't offended and seemed to be in a good mood.

While they drank, Shen He lifted his glass, took a sniff, and then started scanning the room for Qi ZhuoYun.

Good, he's still busy; maybe Shen He could take a secretive sip.

It smelled peculiarly fragrant, even more so than what Qi YanBing had brought last time.

Remembering his last drunken episode, Shen He, bringing the wine to his lips, discreetly pushed it away.

Better not to drink at all.

The cabinet can be locked for a day, two days, or even years. But the incessant lure of alcohol can erode the mind and corrode one's willpower. This gate mustn't be opened!

"Xiao He — Xiao He —" As Shen He was savoring the aroma of the wine, his mouth watering, he heard a soft whisper calling his name.

Shen He turned his head, scanning through the dimly lit shadows, but found no one.

"Over here! Look down!" The whisper directed him.

Shen He turned and saw Qi YanBing hiding behind a large potted pine tree, nearly bursting into laughter.

He cautiously surveyed the room, spotting the Empress Dowager seated at the head. He discreetly signaled his aunt, hinting he wished to slip away unnoticed.

The Empress Dowager smirked and waved him off with a playful flick of her fingers.

Shen He put on a cheeky grin, giggled, and stealthily snuck out alongside Qi YanBing.

Once outside the banquet hall, Shen He took a deep breath, "What did you want to say, brother? I didn't bring my cloak, it's quite cold out here."

Qi YanBing draped his large cloak around both of them, sharing the warmth.

With an arm around Shen He's shoulder, he led him to a quiet corner, whispering, "I finally got away. Did you see my eldest brother? With that stern face, I swear he's scarier than the King of Hell!"

Shen He objectively remarked, "Well, he may have a cold expression, but he's quite handsome. The King of Hell would be much scarier than the Crown Prince."

Qi YanBing chastised, "Don't be deceived by his looks! Sure, he's attractive, but he's colder than the King of Hell himself!"

To rally Shen He to his side, Qi YanBing recounted his elder brother's ruthless past: "Do you know that after our father died, he, at fifteen, went to the army as soon as his mourning period ended? Our grandparents couldn't stop him. He sneaked out in the middle of the night, stealing a horse and disappeared. We didn't hear from him for over three years. We all thought he was dead until he finally sent a letter home saying he had risen to a leading position in the army. Our grandmother and mother had shed countless tears for him in secret..."

Shen He counted on his fingers, "How old were you then? How do you know all this?"

Qi YanBing hesitated, "My age doesn't matter. What matters is that everything I've said is true. Just remember, my brother is extremely cold-hearted. He doesn't care about our family. Not a bit!"

His final grumble was particularly disgruntled.

Shen He felt there was a familiar ring to the story. The tales he heard about the Crown Prince of Heng in the capital were different, suggesting he pursued his studies abroad before joining the army after coming of age.

Before he could ponder further, Shen He tried to console Qi YanBing, "Blood ties are strong. Maybe the Crown Prince felt the need to step up after your father's death. With you still at home, he might have ventured out with peace of mind, thinking you'd uphold the family's honor." Isn't that usually the storyline?

Qi YanBing remained unconvinced, harboring resentment toward his brother but seemingly suppressing it due to fear.

Shen He found the situation amusing, though he had to stifle his laughter, fearing it might infuriate Qi YanBing.

He asked, "Brother, did you bring me out here just to tell me all this?"

Qi YanBing quickly replied, "Ah! I almost forgot! The reason I called you out was to warn you about those monks and priests. If there's anything you need help with, just let me know. I promise I can handle it!"

Even though Qi YanBing might come off as naive, he is genuinely loyal.

Shen He was genuinely touched.

He acknowledged Qi YanBing's concern, saying, "Don't worry, brother. I'll steer clear of them. You have my word."

Qi YanBing whispered to Shen He, "Never let your guard down thinking the Emperor's health is improving, and they will soon leave the capital."

Qi YanBing lowered his voice further, fearing others might hear, "I don’t know if the Crown Prince has told you, but the Emperor's condition might be a temporary improvement. Those monks and priests swarm the palace daily. My brother once suggested expelling them, angering the Emperor, who punished him with house arrest for half a month... Just be very cautious. If necessary, stay indoors and wait for things to settle."

Wait for the Emperor to truly recover.

Or for the Emperor to pass away.

Shen He instantly grasped the unspoken implications from Qi YanBing.

A chill ran down his spine, as if he'd backed into a wall with no room to retreat.

If the Emperor was about to pass on, didn't that mean Qi ZhuoYun would soon ascend the throne?

If Qi ZhuoYun's coronation was imminent, the story was nearing its climax, which meant Shen He had to expedite his departure from the capital.

Shen He stared blankly at the falling snowflakes in the warm orange glow of the lanterns.

Each flake seemed fluffy and delicate.

He softly asked Qi YanBing, "Brother, if one day I wish to leave the capital and live somewhere else for a while, where do you think would be the best place?"

He pondered aloud, "A place where summers aren't too hot, and winters bring snow..."

Recalling the real reason for his escape, he added, "A place renowned for its beautiful men and women. Do you know of such a place?"

Qi YanBing tilted his head, observing the young man's expectant look, waiting for his answer.

Was it his imagination? Why did Shen He's last words sound a bit discontented?

It must be a misunderstanding; after all, why would one be unhappy about discussing fun places?

Qi YanBing tapped his knee confidently, "Why even ask? The regions around LiangHuai, of course! LiangHuai is prosperous, not too hot in the summer, and enjoys snowfall during the coldest winters. Best of all, it's Zheng XueZe's hometown. If you're looking to have fun, bring him along and let him play the gracious host!"

Shen He furrowed his brow in skepticism, "Are there many good-looking people?"

He was, after all, on a mission to find a handsome boyfriend to mend his broken heart.

Qi YanBing remarked, "Rumor has it there are plenty. If in doubt, just look at Zheng XueZe. Isn't he quite the looker? He's from LiangHuai. We can always ask him about it in the future."

Shen He felt relieved, thinking, 'Great! I've decided where I'll be living in the next few years!'

LiangHuai it is!

The two chatted with great enthusiasm, deeply engrossed in their conversation.

They were so focused that they didn't notice when their silhouettes were overshadowed.

"Qi YanBing." A cold voice resonated from above them.

Before Shen He could react, Qi YanBing, whom he shared the cloak with, jolted in alarm and quickly stood up, face pale, "Elder Brother."

Shen He, still squatting, looked up to meet the icy gaze of the Crown Prince of Heng, the scar on his jawline making him appear even more menacing, and stuttered, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

Shen He retracted his earlier thoughts.

The Crown Prince is genuinely terrifying!

Help! So intimidating!

Is this the legendary aura of menace?

No wonder Qi YanBing is so afraid!

The Crown Prince of Heng looked down, his tone still frosty, "Young Master Shen."

Being regarded with such a gaze by the Crown Prince, Shen He suddenly became acutely aware of his current posture. Clutching the cloak, he hastily stood up.

Standing too abruptly, his vision dimmed for a moment, and Shen He nearly made a spectacle of himself, nearly collapsing into the snow before the formidable prince.

Thankfully, such a mortifying scene was avoided.

A strong and steady arm reached out in front of him, supporting and half-pulling him into an embrace.

The scent of damp and cold from melting snow tickled his nostrils, intermingled with an indescribable scent that gave Shen He immense comfort.

The person holding him gently patted his back twice, like one would comfort a child.

The gesture was fluid, executed with ingrained expertise.

Qi Zhuoyun bent his head to look at the top of the young man's head, where he had buried his face, and asked, "Is Hehe hurt?"

"It's not that easy to get hurt, it's not like it's just piled snow that would scatter at a kick. I'm fine," Shen He replied.

With a sigh of relief, Qi Zhuoyun continued to hold the young man close, looking at another man across the way who had a similar stature but emitted an icy and fierce aura, "Your Highness."

Qi Chengfeng bowed, "Your humble servant pays his respects to the Crown Prince."

His bow was flawless, yet his attitude lacked any hint of reverence for the Crown Prince. Without waiting for Qi Zhuoyun's permission to rise, he straightened up and shot a glance at Qi Yanbing, "Return to your seat now."

Qi Yanbing took a deep breath, wanting to argue with his own brother, but didn't dare to and resentfully turned back to the banquet.

Qi Chengfeng's gaze shifted to Qi Zhuoyun, paused briefly on the young man in his arms, then walked away with long strides.

Shen He's fingers clutched Qi Zhuoyun's sleeve. Hearing the footsteps fading in the snow, he finally sighed in relief and whispered, "He's so intimidating. No wonder Qi Yanbing is afraid of him..."

Qi Zhuoyun's fingertips brushed the strands of hair on Shen He's face, tucking them behind his ear, and soothingly said, "Hehe doesn't have to be afraid of him. With big brother here, he wouldn't and couldn't harm Hehe."

Of course, Shen He wasn't afraid that the Prince would do anything to him. After all, he had no quarrel with the Prince. Why would he harm him?

He was intimidated by the Prince's aura.

Shen He murmured, "Big brother, you've been so busy at the palace banquet. I hardly saw you."

Qi Zhuoyun pinched Shen He's nape playfully, "So Hehe missed big brother and came out to find him?"

His palm and fingertips weren't cold, ensuring Shen He didn't feel frozen, but rather warm and comforting.