chapter 115

Chapter 115: Losing Composure

Qi Yanbing hesitantly entered, only to be sent out in a daze.

He felt completely lost, unsure of what he had come for or what he had said.

He could only murmur to Zhong Hong, "Eunuch Zhong... did I say anything wrong?"

Zhong Hong, still with that ever-present smile, leaned in and mimicked Qi Yanbing's tone, "My little prince, how would this humble servant know? Who can predict His Majesty's thoughts?"

Qi Yanbing had no choice but to leave, his heart filled with unease.

Inside the palace, Qi Zhuoyun released the crushed herbs in his hand.

There were tiny bloodstains on his palm.

His face was expressionless, his jawline taut, and his dark eyes were as deep and turbulent as thick ink.

Countless images flashed through his mind, linking together to reveal a truth he had overlooked for years.

His beloved Hehe was not from this era, but from the future.

The so-called flying birds that carried people in the sky and the dragons on the ground were man-made tools.

Just like the wind-up fans they have now, which function automatically without anyone operating them. In countless years, the ability to fly or dive into the ocean might not be far-fetched.

Just as hundreds or thousands of years ago, when their ancestors lived primitively, it would've been hard to imagine the luxuries of today, like palace lanterns and horse-drawn carriages.

His Hehe came from the distant future, which is why she knew so many unique things.

Qi Zhuoyun thought of the news he had received: Shen He approached Sui Yunxing, who was close to Qi Leyong, and then persuaded him to distance himself from Qi Leyong. Shen He never got involved in power struggles. When she approached Sui Yunxing, Qi Leyong hadn't fully trusted him yet.

Moreover... Sui Yunxing was the hidden son of Pang Zhiyan from years ago.

Qi Zhuoyun wasn't sure if Shen He was aware of this, but the established facts were clear.

Someone who was supposed to rebel alongside Qi Leyong now risked retribution and remained in the capital, refusing to work for Qi Leyong.

If Qi Leyong and his followers weren't dealt with thoroughly, Sui Yunxing would likely face retaliation from Qi Leyong's men in the future—of which he was probably very aware.

Despite this, Sui Yunxing made his choice.

All because of Shen He.

There were countless signs... the people Hehe has liked or disliked since childhood, all had discernible patterns.

Even when he was a powerless young crown prince and Shen He was no taller than a ball of snow, the officials in the Eastern Palace who Shen He favored or disdained perfectly aligned with his own sentiments.

How would outsiders know of his concealed animosity with the prince's tutor when on the surface he was respectful, but in truth, his genuine bond was with Song Lin'an? Yet, from a very young age, Shen He didn't particularly favor the tutor.

Qi Zhuoyun suddenly felt a pang of unease.

He believed he knew the child he had raised since infancy, but there seemed to be many differences from his perceptions.

If he could mysteriously arrive here, could there come a day when he'd vanish just as mysteriously?

Qi Zhuoyun's heart raced; he felt as though something vital had been drained from him, leaving a sensation of weakness.

He stood up, his face still calm, but he grasped the edge of the table and strode out.

He needed to return to the Eastern Palace, to see for himself.

Without seeing, he couldn't find peace.

Qi Zhuoyun, always logical throughout his life, now crumbled into a state of frantic urgency, resembling a hapless ordinary man.

In this matter, he was no different from any commoner.

He could bind someone to his side, clutch their hand every day, or embrace them every night.

But if a soul departs, intangible and invisible, what could he do?

A sharp cry echoed in Qi Zhuoyun's ears. With his jaw clenched, he quickly exited and prepared his carriage to return to the Eastern Palace. Zhong Hong, bewildered, could only follow closely behind, witnessing the stress-induced veins appearing on the emperor's neck and forehead, thinking anxiously about what exactly the young prince told the emperor to provoke such a reaction.

His heart beat furiously, as if it might burst from his chest.

A dull pain radiated throughout his body.

The cold winter wind couldn't bring clarity to Qi Zhuoyun's mind.

He entered the palace and with bloodshot eyes demanded from Zhong Yan, "Where is Hehe?"

Zhong Yan jumped, his voice trembling, "The young master should be... in the study reading."

Zhong Yan was frightened, as were Lian Qiao and He Ling inside the palace. They knelt down, drawing near the young emperor whose face revealed a hidden fierceness beneath a calm facade. "Your Majesty, if you seek the young master, may we fetch him for you?"

Qi Zhuoyun, without a backward glance, strode rapidly toward the study, almost in a frenzied run.

Zhong Yan and Lian Qiao, disregarding palace etiquette in their fear, worried about what this erratic emperor might do to the young prince. They hastily rose and followed him, their faces pale with anxiety.

Shen He lay on a soft cushion. It had begun to snow again in the afternoon, and he read his book under the bright snowlight.

He heard footsteps approaching and voices anxiously calling out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"

It was Zhong Hong's voice.

Brother is back!

Joy surged in Shen He, and he promptly tossed his book aside, preparing to greet him.

Before his feet touched the ground, the door was thrust open, and the tall figure of the young emperor entered, bringing with him the cold winter air.

Shen He's eyes gleamed with delight, lips curving upward in anticipation.

Yet, for a surreal moment as the emperor entered, there was a wild, frosty aura surrounding him, as cold and biting as the winter wind.

The edges of his robe fluttered, suggesting he had hurriedly braved the chilly wind to get here.

As the robe settled silently, the emperor seemed to transition back to the gentle and familiar demeanor Shen He had known for years.

A tad confused, Shen He uttered, "Brother?"

Qi Zhuoyun approached, standing right before Shen He.

Shen He noticed snowflakes on the emperor's hair and shoulders, and even a few on his eyebrows and lashes.

It appeared somewhat comical, yet incredibly charming.

Kneeling on the couch, Shen He, slightly elevated, propped himself up on Qi Zhuoyun's shoulders. He gently brushed off the snow, then shyly leaned forward and planted a kiss on the emperor's lips.

So cold, thought Shen He.

The veins on Qi Zhuoyun's neck had mostly settled, but remnants of the stress-induced redness lingered in his eyes, which Shen He could clearly see.

Shen He assumed the emperor had red eyes from a lack of rest and decided to, somewhat begrudgingly, set aside his pride and act a little coquettish with his boyfriend.

The young man's eyes sparkled, his face radiant with youth and vitality, making him appear especially enchanting, even in the midst of winter.

With a playful grin and arms spread wide, he softly asked, "Brother, do you want a hug?"

He's mine.

Qi Zhuoyun thought.

Always has been.

And only ever will be.

From the very beginning, it was destined that he would be his.

That's why he could never let go.

He would hold his treasure tightly, hide him away, ensuring no one could ever take him.

Qi Zhuoyun leaned in, embracing Shen He.

His hold was so tight, as if trying to meld Shen He into his very being, wishing to keep them forever intertwined.

Soon, Shen He regretted initiating the affectionate gesture.

What had he gotten himself into?!

He merely wanted to comfort his hard-working boyfriend, not seduce him!

Only hours earlier, Shen He had experienced Qi Zhuoyun's overwhelmingly passionate way of kissing.

He had thought such fervor might only occur once in several months.

Who would have guessed that in just a few short hours, he'd be overwhelmed again?!

Initially, Shen He resisted. This intensity of affection was slightly intimidating, a bit too much for him.

Unfortunately, there was no room for refusal.

He felt weak, relying on Qi Zhuoyun's strong arms to hold him up, nestling closely against his chest.

Tears welled up in Shen He's eyes, blurring his vision and clouding his mind.

His world seemed to flip upside down, unsure of when he transitioned from standing upright to being pressed down onto the ground.

Everything he heard, tasted, touched, smelled, and felt revolved around Qi Zhuoyun alone.

A slight shiver ran through Shen He.

The tears flowed more freely, and for a moment, he thought he might meet his end right there.

"Hehe, breathe," murmured a voice, young and deep, with an indescribable, subtle roughness. It felt like a gentle scrape against Shen He's eardrum, sending shivers from the base of his ears, down his neck, and along his spine, as if he'd been electrified.

Such a voice whispered intimately into his ear, kissing him gently.

Shen He's tears intensified.

Leaning back against Qi Zhuoyun, embraced within his arms, Shen He felt like a taut string.

After an extended silence.

The string snapped.

All Shen He could do was lean against Qi Zhuoyun, shedding silent tears.

"Hehe, Hehe," Qi Zhuoyun whispered his name over and over, using a clean hand to caress Shen He's face and wipe away the tears.

Perhaps feeling his efforts were in vain, Qi Zhuoyun repositioned Shen He to face him, leaning in to kiss away the wet tracks on his face.

The hand resting below was busy addressing a certain matter.

Shen He didn't dare to look down, overwhelmed by embarrassment, only able to tilt his head up and passively accept the kisses.

It was overwhelmingly intense.

For some reason, Shen He was reminded of their very first time.

Back then, more than the thrill, his mind was consumed with the thought: Engaging in such acts with a straight man meant he was doomed.

Now, no such thoughts plagued him.

Nestled in Qi Zhuoyun's embrace, Shen He murmured with a hint of indignation, "There are people outside. Why would you do this so suddenly?"

Qi Zhuoyun tried to console him: "I'm sorry, next time I'll keep them far away. Would that be better?"

Shen He: "..."

His embarrassment deepened, haunted by Qi Zhuoyun's promise of a 'next time.'

However, he slowly realized something was amiss.

He whispered, "Brother, is something troubling you?"

Qi Zhuoyun didn't answer. Instead, he continued to kiss Shen He gently, on the corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose.

The downcast gaze from dark eyes brimming with tenderness had a hint of red, adding a different flavor to the affection.

Feeling a tad exhausted, Shen He asked softly, "Are we done?"

The blush on his cheeks and the way he avoided looking down made Qi Zhuoyun want to indulge further.

But he restrained himself. Reason returned quickly, making boundaries crystal clear, ensuring he wouldn't cross any lines at inopportune moments.

When it came to Shen He, Qi Zhuoyun was exceedingly irrational, yet paradoxically rational.

Discarding the cloth, he straightened Shen He's clothes, gently pinched the nape of his neck, wiping away the faint sweat on his temple, saying, "All good. No one will notice, don't worry."

Shen He whispered again, "So, can you tell me now?"