Chapter 122: Zhi Zhi is About to Leave

Chapter 122: Zhi Zhi is About to Leave

When Shen Zhixue woke up, the first thing he felt was intense discomfort.

The situation was overwhelming.

He bit his lower lip lightly and raised his sore arm, wanting to see how many hours had passed.

The light from the holo-screen was too bright, and it felt a bit blinding, so he squinted his eyes. When he finally saw the time, he realized that the night had already passed, but the room was still pitch black.

Jiang Huizhou's arm reached over from behind and turned off the holo-screen, whispering, "It's still early."

Shen Zhixue murmured softly, "I’m so uncomfortable."

Jiang Huizhou let out a raspy chuckle from behind, and his large hand rested on Shen Zhixue's stomach, gently massaging it. "Sorry, does this feel better?"

Shen Zhixue pushed his hand away.

Jiang Huizhou sighed leisurely, "What do you want to do?"

Shen Zhixue moved slightly, only to feel a sharp pain in his abdomen, forcing him to give up on the idea of getting up early. He muttered, "How much longer?"

Yesterday, he was so out of sorts that he had no idea when Jiang Huizhou had formed the mating knot.

"One more hour," Jiang Huizhou said playfully, thrusting his lower abdomen slightly, causing Shen Zhixue to let out an uncontrollable, desperate gasp. "Want to sleep a bit more?"

Shen Zhixue spoke indignantly, "Doesn’t seem like you want me to sleep. Stop moving, it's so sore."

"Alright," Jiang Huizhou sighed. "Sorry, let me massage it for you, and it won't feel so sore."

His skilled fingers covered Shen Zhixue's waist, gently massaging at a steady pace. The soreness indeed eased a lot, and Shen Zhixue lazily asked, "When did you learn this technique?"

"First time," Jiang Huizhou replied softly. "After I made you unable to get out of bed, I went to ask the doctor if there was any way to make you feel better. He told me that a massage afterward could make an omega's body feel more relaxed... I couldn’t bear to let another massage therapist see you like this, so I learned it myself. How does it feel? Pretty good, right?"

Shen Zhixue pressed his lips together and didn't speak. He always managed to soften people's hearts with such details.

Seeing him silent, Jiang Huizhou leaned over to kiss the back of his neck, his voice filled with satisfaction and pride. "You carry my scent now. Any Alpha who gets close to you will know that you're mine."

Shen Zhixue nodded slightly, then suddenly said, "I'm so tired, I want to sleep a bit more."

"Alright," Jiang Huizhou pulled him close. "Sleep as long as you want."

Shen Zhixue didn't speak. He actually wasn't sleepy at all; he just didn't want to talk to Jiang Huizhou, afraid that he might give himself away if they spoke any more.

The room quickly grew quiet once more.

An hour passed by quickly, and Shen Zhixue felt Jiang Huizhou's movement.

He pressed his lips together, suppressing the gasp in his throat.

Jiang Huizhou hugged him and sniffed, then got out of bed.

After a while, Jiang Huizhou returned, his body damp, and gently kissed Shen Zhixue's forehead. "Are you awake?"

Shen Zhixue opened his eyes and saw him holding a tray. "Eat something, or take a bath? The water's ready for you."

Shen Zhixue nodded, but when he got out of bed, he found that his legs couldn't lift at all.

Because, even now, Shen Zhixue still felt like he was in a daze.

Jiang Huizhou squinted and smiled, bending down like a big dog to scoop him into his arms: "I'll carry you there."

Shen Zhixue turned his head, the tips of his ears dusted with a faint pink.

Jiang Huizhou, acting overly affectionate, licked him all over, only to be slapped by Shen Zhixue, who then cleaned him up and carried him to the table.

After a few bites, Shen Zhixue frowned and shook his head: "I can't eat anymore, take it away."

Jiang Huizhou leaned in, gently urging him: "Is it not to your taste? Have a little more?"

Shen Zhixue really had no appetite, so he just shook his head and fell silent.

Jiang Huizhou lifted his chin, wiping the traces of porridge from his lips: "What's wrong with you?"

"Just too tired," Shen Zhixue smiled. "I want to sleep a bit more, is that okay?"

Jiang Huizhou could only carry him to bed, seeming somewhat annoyed: "The doctor didn’t mention that marking an omega would be this exhausting. I should have prepared more."

Shen Zhixue lay in bed, looking at him with bright eyes: "It's actually okay, just need some sleep."

"Whose heart is breaking?" Jiang Huizhou leaned by the bed, pinching his cheek: "Naughty Zhi Zhi."

Shen Zhixue lowered his gaze, looking very sleepy.

Jiang Huizhou gently nuzzled his forehead: "You rest now. I’ll take care of a few things and be back soon, alright?"

Shen Zhixue nodded, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.

Not long after Jiang Huizhou left, Shen Zhixue received a communication request from Her Majesty.

He struggled to sit up, tidied himself, left the bedroom, and headed to the location indicated on the communicator.

The Empress sat in the garden, observing Shen Zhixue’s gait, a playful smile on her lips: "I was wondering why I could detect such a strong pheromone from a distance. Did he mark you last night?"

Shen Zhixue avoided the topic, saying: "Is it done?"

"Mostly, Fidel is now in the dungeon," the Empress seemed to have lifted a weight off her mind, her mood improved: "Last night Fidel indeed came to the palace, trying to take you away. Jiang Huizhou and I were prepared, stationing heavy security around your room."

Shen Zhixue couldn’t understand: "The Duke of Fidel is not a fool, he knew there was a trap, why did he still come?"

The Empress looked at him and said: "As I’ve said, even the smartest person can act foolishly when obsessed. Perhaps Jiang Huizhou is the same. If he mistreats you in the future, let me know, and I’ll help you."

Shen Zhixue raised his eyebrows, smiling: "That’s perfect, I actually need your assistance with something."

The Empress raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"I want to leave for a while," Shen Zhixue said: "Could you provide me with a starship or something similar? I’ve just checked, and the Federal Palace doesn’t seem to expedite contraceptive deliveries. Could you help me with this?"

The Empress was surprised: "I thought you were willing to be marked, but..."

Shen Zhixue shook his head: "I’m sorry, but I’d rather not discuss him further."

The Empress paused: "I can arrange a starship for you, but contraceptives are beyond my authority. Perhaps you should consult Jiang Huizhou; he will respect your decision."

Shen Zhixue looked up, his gaze somewhat vacant: "Alright, never mind. The starship will suffice."

—

In the underground dungeon, Fidel leaned against the corner, gazing at the faint light streaming through the small window.

Soon, footsteps echoed, followed by the iron door clanged, which slowly opened to reveal Jiang Huizhou and the Duchess of Fidel at the entrance.

Jiang Huizhou spoke indifferently, "You’ve got half an hour."

The Duchess nodded politely and said softly, "Thank you."

Jiang Huizhou paused and then added, "You’re sane."

The Duchess glanced up with a faint smile.

He said, "You didn’t confuse me with Young Fedel."

The Duchess replied, "Yes, I know you’re not my son."

Jiang Huizhou frowned, puzzled by the Duchess’s words.

"But, like my Young Fedel, you’re pitiable," the Duchess said slowly. "Thank you for letting me feel like a mother."

"So, I apologize," she added.

Jiang Huizhou let out a scoff, "What are you apologizing for?"

The Duchess fell silent and stepped inside.

Jiang Huizhou leaned against the wall, mulling over her apology. Soon, he sensed something was wrong.

Why did the Duchess apologize to him?

She’d done nothing wrong—in fact, she’d helped him. So, this apology was...

He suddenly realized the Duchess’s only oddity was insisting on entering the palace with Shen Zhixue and being alone with him!

Jiang Huizhou’s heart pounded as he rushed out of the underground palace toward Shen Zhixue’s chamber.

In the dungeon, the Duchess gazed silently at Fidel and said, "You must be exhausted too."

Fidel's gaze was tender, and he smiled, "A little, but I’m better now."

The Duchess crouched before him, "What a shame. Why did you fall into the trap?"

"Because you told me to," Fidel replied lightly. "So I came."

The Duchess’s eyes turned crimson, filled with hatred, "I told you to die earlier. Why didn’t you?"

"I’m sorry," Fidel's voice lowered. "Back then, I thought we could start over, that your love for me wouldn't be so easily extinguished, that we could return to the beginning. It wasn’t until later, when you told me you were leaving, that I realized you might never forgive me."

The Duchess remained silent, just watching him quietly.

"When I found out you never really left, that you were always there, just unwilling to face me," Fidel sighed, "I felt like it was all meaningless, this constant scheming and strategizing to make you love me again... it’s so pointless."

The Duchess looked at him and said hoarsely, "You deserve to die."

Fidel chuckled very softly.

He had schemed and turned into a soulless madman, just trying to grasp the shadow of his youth.

But he was wrong. Schemes and conspiracies, killing and hatred, could not bring back love.

They only created more and more hatred and resentment.

A dagger pierced his chest, and blood dripped from the blade. If only he had realized it sooner.