chapter 113

Chapter 113: Growing Suspicions

By the time the carriage arrived at Prince Jin's mansion, the raging fire had mostly subsided.

In the dim glow of the lanterns, faint traces of ashen smoke lingered. Amidst the charred beams and shattered tiles, orange embers flickered.

Shen He was about to disembark with Qi Zhuoyun, but a man who had jumped from the carriage held him back.

Qi Zhuoyun tilted his head up to look at him, gently coaxing, "Can Hehe wait patiently in the carriage for a moment, brother?"

The sense of panic in Shen He surged again as Qi Zhuoyun let go, but hearing his words, Shen He didn't protest. Instead, he obediently nodded and settled back, wrapping himself in his large cloak.

He peered out of the carriage window, observing the situation at Prince Jin's mansion.

His gaze followed Qi Zhuoyun's silhouette as he ventured further into the mansion.

"What should I do?" pondered Shen He.

What should he do?

What is Qi Yanbing to do?

Shen He clutched the furry edge of his cloak, anxiously wanting to scratch his own hand. His fingertips grazed his skin just enough to feel a sharp sting before he froze in place.

Slowly retracting his fingers, he resisted the urge to scratch and instead began to fidget with his sleeve.

Qi Zhuoyun wasn't away for long. He soon emerged and boarded the carriage, ordering the driver to return to the palace.

The ruins of Prince Jin's mansion would be cleaned up by others.

As expected, Prince Jin had left a body double with a similar physique to feign death, with identifiable tokens on him.

Going along with the intent, Qi Zhuoyun publicly announced the death of Qi Leyong and held a grand funeral in honor of Prince Jin.

As Qi Zhuoyun gave these instructions to the officials, Shen He remained inside the carriage, leaning into the corner, holding a warm hand around his waist that felt slightly hot at the palm.

He listened silently to the unfolding events that closely mirrored the original storyline, gradually lowering his head to rest it on Qi Zhuoyun's shoulder.

The conversation between Qi Zhuoyun and the person outside the carriage window paused momentarily. The grip on the young man's waist tightened slightly, and Qi Zhuoyun continued to issue orders with an unchanged expression.

Yet, his speech had unknowingly quickened in pace.

After attending to official matters and instructing the carriage to return to the palace, Qi Zhuoyun drew the curtains, finally able to turn and look at his young companion.

The boy he had raised, now resembled a forlorn kitten, snuggling up to him, seeking solace.

Qi Zhuoyun wanted to inquire, but remembering the boy's evasive demeanor earlier, he resisted the urge. Instead, he lifted him by the waist and drew him into his lap.

The kitten, lost in an inexplicable sadness, was startled, wide-eyed and gazing at Qi Zhuoyun, his desolate aura dissipating somewhat.

Qi Zhuoyun deeply disliked seeing Shen He in such a state.

In his heart, his cherished one should always be vibrant and joyful, like a tree nurtured by sunshine and rain, full of life and spirit, with nothing causing him such sorrow.

Not even Qi Zhuoyun himself.

If the boy chose to remain silent, he would not probe.

However, he could divert his attention and prevent him from brooding.

Before Shen He could regain his bearings, Qi Zhuoyun held him close and kissed his lips.

Shen He's already surprised eyes seemed to widen even more.

Indeed, he could no longer be preoccupied with the myriad of thoughts.

For his mind was a muddled mess.

Ever since moving back to the East Palace, there were frequent intimate gestures between Shen He and Qi Zhuoyun.

While not crossing any boundaries, actions like kisses and embraces were numerous.

Most were fleeting, just skimming the surface.

On the rare occasions when Qi Zhuoyun's mature demeanor overcame him, making it hard to breathe, it was always tender and slow, capturing his breath bit by bit.

For the first time, Shen He realized that kisses could not only be gentle and lingering but could also be fierce and overwhelming, leaving one defenseless.

With both hands pushing against the young man's shoulders, and his entire body cradled, the powerful hands supporting his neck and back prevented any escape, rendering all resistance futile.

Shen He felt a tingling in his lips and tongue, deprived of oxygen, his already foggy mind grew even hazier, and even the strength to resist faded, turning into a feeble clinging.

Qi Zhuoyun firmly held the waist of the boy in his embrace, drawing him close, feeling his rapid heartbeat and slight shivering. After what felt like an eternity, he released him, forehead resting against forehead, lips grazing each other, gently and patiently comforting the trembling figure, "Hehe, open your mouth, breathe, inhale."

The young man's pale face flushed a vivid pink, with raven-black hair cascading down. The radiant hue on his fair skin was like a stroke of rouge, bringing life and vibrancy.

His slender, alabaster fingers clutched at the fabric on Qi Zhuoyun's shoulder, eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably, as he obediently opened his mouth to breathe.

After inhaling just two cool breaths and replenishing his lungs with oxygen, his parted lips were met with an even more fervent onslaught.

Shen He was utterly dazed by the kiss.

The intensity of this embrace surpassed anything he had ever known.

By the time he was lifted from the carriage and placed on the couch, he was still in a stupor.

He looked rather dazed.

His rosy lips remained firmly pressed together.

Qi Zhuoyun knelt down, taking hold of Shen He's calves, personally removing his boots. He then leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on the young man's nose, asking with amusement, "Why does Hehe look so stunned?"

As Qi Zhuoyun approached, Shen He instinctively covered his mouth, tilting his head to glare at him.

That was intense! He almost felt kissed to death!

Dying from such an overwhelming kiss would certainly be a shocking way to go!

After the peck on his nose, Shen He realized Qi Zhuoyun wasn't going to kiss him again, making him feel somewhat presumptuous.

Shen He's cheeks turned even redder, a mix of embarrassment and indignation. He drew his legs up and rolled further into the bed, distancing himself from Qi Zhuoyun.

He covered himself entirely with the blanket, only to shiver from its icy touch!

What's it like when the quilt is cold as iron? This was it!

Out of consideration for Qi Zhuoyun watching him, he tried to endure the cold, thinking it would warm up after a while. No big deal!

He even rushed Qi Zhuoyun, saying, "Brother, it's late, and you have to attend the morning court. You should go to bed now."

Qi Zhuoyun, with a smile, lifted a corner of the blanket and asked, "My lord He, whose chamber is this?"

Shen He: "?"

In the dimness of the night, with the candlelight not illuminating everything clearly, Shen He had not noticed his surroundings, preoccupied with burrowing into the blanket. Only now did he realize that he was in Qi Zhuoyun's chamber.

Shen He: "..." The blanket he had just managed to warm up!

How infuriating!

He abruptly tried to rise, intending to adamantly state that he would return to his own room.

After all, it would be inappropriate for two men to share a bed, especially with Qi Zhuoyun.

Who knows if he's secretly plotting something?

After that intense, almost lethal kiss earlier, Shen He now felt he had seen Qi Zhuoyun's true colors.

The man might appear gentle in the daylight but reveals his true intentions when he catches him off guard!

Such sly cunning!

As he rambled inwardly, Qi Zhuoyun gently pushed him back, asking with a mischievous smile, "Does Hehe really not wish to sleep beside his brother? Do you want to send me away?"

Shen He softly huffed.

He no longer felt cold; instead, he felt rather warm.

Especially his cheeks and ears.

He felt as if his ears were burning and desperately needed to cool down.

Without even looking, he knew they must be as red as a ripe tomato.

Shen He muttered under his breath, "It's improper for two men to share a bed like this..."

Qi Zhuoyun was amused. The young man always had quirky phrases up his sleeve, which were both apt and entertaining.

Sitting upright, he sighed, "Alright then, I'll sleep in Hehe's room."

With that, he turned to leave.

Shen He: "..."

Suddenly, Shen He felt a sense of unease.

Pulling the blanket over his face, he closed his eyes resignedly, saying, "Fine, fine. I can't win against you. Come, sleep beside me."

With that said, the person completely wrapped in the blanket uncovered half of it, inviting the other to join.

Shen He was somewhat scared.

Now that he had calmed down, he began to realize that Qi Zhuoyun was likely trying to distract him.

His mood tonight was not the best.

He hadn't expected the person he had forgotten to be Qi Yanbing's elder brother.

He wished for someone's company.

He wanted Qi Zhuoyun by his side.

With that, he'd feel much better, or at least, not as afraid.

A slight shift beside him, and Shen He was wrapped in a warm, strong embrace.

The young man tenderly kissed his forehead, his voice slightly hoarse, "Relax, big brother won't do anything. I'm just here with you."

Qi Zhuoyun's body warmth was so comforting, Shen He couldn't bear to part even an inch.

He nestled in the young man's arms, nuzzling against his neck, unintentionally acting spoiled.

Moments later, the young man who had been disturbed from sleep earlier drifted into a dream.

He slept especially peacefully, probably having a sweet dream.

Qi Zhuoyun gazed down at him, touching the fingers of the young man that clung to his clothes, intertwining their fingers tightly. His deep eyes were filled with emotions.

What was he hiding from him?

His Shen He couldn't keep many secrets.

Especially not from him.

They shared an intimate bond, trusting and fond of each other.

Qi Zhuoyun didn't doubt that the secret Shen He was keeping from him was harmful.

He was more concerned about the opposite.

Was Hehe hiding something, perhaps something that was detrimental to him, which made him suddenly so anxious and uneasy, needing him to feel secure?

What could it be?

A myriad of thoughts raced through Qizhuo Yun's mind.

So many, too many.

From the time the child was as delicate as a snowball, prone to stumbling, he exhibited many unique qualities.

But he was just a child, still so adorable and endearing, so intelligent. Who would overthink those differences?

At most, people might think he was particularly bright and full of creative thoughts.

Those memories, like pages being flipped in a book, rushed through his mind, connecting dots and leading Qizhuo Yun to a ridiculous yet amusing suspicion.

His eyes suddenly deepened, filled with unspeakable emotions. Unconsciously, he tightened his grip on the person in his arms, ensuring no chance of separation or escape.

He wanted to find something to confirm his suspicion.

Or perhaps, find something to deny it.

Of course, he could never question his Hehe.

Not even a single word.

If Hehe remained silent, he would pretend to be oblivious, as long as Hehe was happy.

But he needed to understand: what was Hehe so afraid of? What was making him anxious?

Who might know?

Qi Yanbing, Liu Zheng, and Zheng Xueze had been close to Hehe since childhood.

They even set up a shop together, keeping it a secret from him for a long time.

Immediately, Qizhuo Yun knew who he should turn to for answers.

Qi Yanbing.

From him, Qi Zhuoyun could seek answers to his speculations.