Chapter 15

Chapter 15

As dawn approached, Xue Fuguang drifted off into a fitful sleep.

Perhaps it was the long-absent pain that stirred his memories.

He dreamt of his past life, of being a child held by his older brother, learning to ride a horse.

The glaring sunlight nearly prevented him from opening his eyes, and a dazzling white sheen covered the verdant meadow. His brother held him from behind, urging him to grip the reins firmly, encouraging him, "Aru, you hold the reins. Big brother is right behind you, don't be afraid."

Xue Fuguang’s hands were not big enough to hold the reins securely; he clutched them tightly in his palms, the overwhelming panic making him want to cry, but the person behind him resolutely dismounted. Xue Hongwen, with a youthful face, patted his back and looked up at him: "Aru, your brother is here, I will always protect you."

His brother's smile was gentle yet strong, offering Xue Fuguang immense comfort and calming his frantic heart.

The horse beneath him began to stride more broadly, and his brother, riding another horse, followed closely beside him.

In the next instant, for some reason, his horse bolted, running wildly ahead.

Xue Fuguang felt as if his hand would be torn off by the stiff reins, his face being slashed by the wind, the roar of the air and his brother’s blurred shouts in his ears: "Aru—"

A searing pain struck him, and he was flung to the ground; as the horse's hooves reared high, about to crush his skull, someone rolled him away in their arms.

Xue Fuguang's eyes widened as he watched the horse's hoof come crashing down, not on him but on his brother's back, transforming into a feathered arrow that ruthlessly pierced through his brother's chest.

He watched, helpless and bewildered, as the scene unfolded before him.

Pain radiated from his broken leg, a surge that made him want to cry.

"Aru—"

Someone was calling him.

A young woman’s cries were so intense they almost drew blood, begging him, "Aru—child, save the baby in your sister’s womb, he hasn’t had the chance to come into this world, to call you uncle..."

"Aru—"

The scalding blood in his arms soaked through his robe.

Following the voice, he looked down to see the head he was cradling.

It was his father, the king.

His father's gaze was locked on him, his words accompanied by the fresh blood spilling from his mouth: "Aru—live well, do not let these evildoers have their way!"

The pain climbed from his leg into his heart, spreading throughout his body as if not only his leg bone but hundreds of bones throughout his body were shattered, piercing into the flesh, making him wish for death to escape the agony.

He was in so much pain.

The pain was truly unbearable.

How can a person endure such pain?

How can one live on in the face of such overwhelming pain?

"Master..." a voice muffled as if through cotton, echoed faintly.

"Young master," another called to him.

"...Aru, wake up."

Xue Fuguang opened his eyes, feeling a sour burn, his vision blurred.

The pad of a finger wiped by the side of his eye, clearing away the cold tears that had spilled over. After this gesture, the hand was quickly and carefully withdrawn, and in a low, weak voice, he was called, "Master."

Xue Fuguang blinked, bringing into focus the face that was uncomfortably close to his own. He was momentarily stunned before recognizing the sharply featured face.

He furrowed his brow, but before he could speak, Mu Jianshu pushed himself up, retreating backwards: “I have been presumptuous.”

Xue Fuguang emerged from the suffocating dream that had left him gasping for air, his mind clearing slightly. He lightly commanded from beneath his covers, “Lie back down.”

Mu Jianshu hesitated for a moment before lying back down on the bed and pulling the covers over himself.

The daylight had already flooded the outside world, and judging by Mu Jianshu’s current state, there was no longer any concern for his life.

Xue Fuguang lifted the bed curtain on his side, summoning Shao Jing.

Shortly after, Shao Jing entered with water for washing, treading lightly as Xue Fuguang cleansed himself before heading to fetch the medicine: "Master, the medicine has been prepared."

With dark circles under his eyes, Shao Jing had spent a restless night full of worry and had dealt with many matters for Xue Fuguang.

Seeing Mu Jianshu awake, he thought his master could finally be at ease but felt displeasure too, saying in a low voice, "I don't know if the master owes you anything, you cause trouble outside, and he has to cover your tracks... Already frail, and he injured his leg for you..."

“Shao Jing, that’s enough,” Xue Fuguang interjected, taking the medicine from him.

It was a bowl of black broth.

He turned his head and commanded, “Drink it.”

At his command, Mu Jianshu obediently lifted the covers, took the bowl, and drained it in one gulp, then lay back down under the covers.

His gaze was fixed on Xue Fuguang, unwavering until he felt his stare was an intrusion and quietly shifted his focus to the hem of Xue Fuguang’s garment.

Shao Jing watched intently, his mouth twitching slightly at the sight of that handsome face performing these acts.

After a while, Shao Jing went to fetch a second bowl, claiming to others that the young master was reluctant to drink the medicine and that the first bowl had cooled, necessitating a fresh brew to maintain the potency.

Such excuses could indeed breed suspicion over time, but for the moment, there was no better plan.

Fortunately, Xue Fuguang's bad reputation was well-known enough, and everyone in the household was aware of his past fastidiousness; no one dared to comment. They would just brew the medicine a few extra times, no one else’s silver was needed.

But that’s a matter for another time. Shao Jing stepped out to tend to the aftermath, and the bed curtains were drawn, leaving just the two of them in the chamber.

Mu Jianshu might as well have wished to meld into the wall to avoid being close, while Xue Fuguang watched his movements, feeling the urge to frown again.

For the first time in a rare occurrence, the clamshell of a book, Mu Jian Shu, took the initiative to speak.

In a hushed tone, he said, "Your Highness... why would you save someone as insignificant as me? My life is of little value; it's not worth your sacrifice."

By addressing him as Prince Xue Fu Guang and not just as master, he was making it clear that he wasn't going to feign ignorance any longer and intended to lay bare the matter of identity between them.

With injuries so severe, Xue Fu Guang was no fool; such wounds could not be concealed.

Xue Fu Guang propped himself up against the mattress, wedging a pillow behind his back, and counter-asked Mu Jian Shu, "What do you think?"

Mu Jian Shu remained silent.

Yet his gaze was firmly locked onto Xue Fu Guang’s face, as if wishing to burn holes into his skin with the intensity of his stare.

Why did he save him, indeed?

And why would he go as far as to sustain injuries himself just to cover for him?

Mu Jian Shu lay in the blankets, staring at the pale lips and sharp chin of Xue Fu Guang, his fingers clenching into a fist and then slowly releasing.

Xue Fu Guang tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Since you won't speak, then I shall."

"I care not who you are, but since it was I who saved your life, it belongs to me now."

Xue Fu Guang asked, "Do you object?"

Mu Jian Shu looked at him blankly, "No, no objections..."

Beneath the covers, his ears burned as if aflame. His dark eyes seemed to suddenly flicker with a burst of fire, trembling and gleaming.

Xue Fu Guang couldn't see the bright red of his ears hidden under the blanket.

He emphasized, "Remember what you've agreed to today."

Mu Jian Shu repeated Xue Fu Guang's words, "My life belongs to my lord."

Xue Fu Guang was finally a bit pleased.

After a long while, perhaps as the medicine took effect, Xue Fu Guang curled up within the blankets and fell asleep again.

Mu Jian Shu stared at the pale cheeks so close to him, extending a hand hesitantly, daring not to touch.

His crown prince, his master.

Whatever he desired, he would be given, even if it were his very life.

He clasped Xue Fu Guang’s hand, kissing the fingertips gently, his voice hoarse as he called out, "Ah Ru..."

The thought of restraint made him stop there; he placed the prince’s cold hand back under the covers.

Eventually, he too closed his eyes, his fingertips dangling within the blanket, brushing against a strand of Xue Fu Guang's hair, tangling between his fingers.

*

In these troubled times, the people of the capital felt endangered.

The imperial guards found something on an assassin which confirmed that the crown prince's attack was the doing of a spy from an enemy nation.

None of the capital's nobility could be sure that they wouldn't be the spy's next target.

After all, most officials in the capital held high ranks and wielded great power; eliminating one, though perhaps not as beneficial as the crown prince, would still be a significant gain for an enemy state.

Amidst this turmoil, the significance of Gao Deshen, who had lost his tongue and hands, diminished to the point where no one had the leisure to pay him any mind.

Du Ru'an was released from the imperial prison less than ten days later by an edict directly from the emperor himself.

As he walked out of the prison, despite looking a bit haggard, he was still the graceful gentleman of the capital he had always been.

The entire residence of the Prime Minister held a banquet to welcome him back and cleanse away the dust of the road.

Upon his return, a bath infused with pomelo leaves was prepared to dispel the prison’s grim aura, and the kitchen prepared an elaborate feast, each dish exquisitely made with rare ingredients.

The Prime Minister's wife had changed into new clothes along with Du Ruqing, and had also prepared a set for Du Ruan, eagerly awaiting his joining them at the table.

Having endured hardships in prison, he listened to the endless screams within the cell walls day and night. Although he wasn’t subjected to physical torture, the ordeal had taken a significant toll on his spirit.

The sight of his pale face and the dark circles under his eyes deeply pained the Prime Minister’s wife.

She had only given birth to the daughter Du Ruqing and had no other children, thus she truly cherished Du Ruan as if he were her own son.

Du Ruan, seeing the piled dishes in the bowl, said softly, "Mother, rest assured, I didn't suffer much in prison."

Du Ruqing sighed, "How could that place be fit for anyone? It's fortunate that His Majesty was insightful and did not allow brother to be tortured. You should eat more to recover."

As the mother and daughter busied themselves, the head of the family, Prime Minister Du Chengfeng, was left feeling neglected.

He remained silent, his face expressionless.

Suddenly, Du Ruan said, “It’s not that His Majesty is insightful, it’s just that I am more useful than that good-for-nothing Gao Deshen.”

Du Chengfeng shouted, “Ruan!”

He slammed his chopsticks on the table and scolded, "Have you lost your senses after spending ten days in the imperial prison? Is that language befitting of you?"

Author’s note: Ah Ru: I saved the antagonist in the original text; now he’s a blade in my hand.

Mu Jian Shu: He would hurt himself to save me = He loves me = He is my wife!

A career-driven person is forced to involve a romance-seeking partner in their business affairs (√)