Chapter 24: Who Exactly Are You?

Chapter 24: Just Who Are You?

"Zhiyang, what are you doing in your room in the middle of the day?"

When Jiang Wang pushed the door open, he saw Ji Zhiyang sitting in a chair, deep in thought, facing the window.

He walked over and gave Ji Zhiyang’s arm a poke. "Zhiyang, why are you sitting here zoning out all alone?"

Ji Zhiyang gazed out the window and replied indifferently, "Just killing time, watching the view."

He looked somewhat exhausted, slumped so low in the chair that he seemed about to sink into it. His eyes were fixed on the swaying leaves of the ginkgo tree outside, like they could drop any second.

"What’s the big deal about a tree?" Jiang Wang noticed the tiredness in Ji Zhiyang’s eyes and the red marks on his neck. Concerned, he asked, "Zhiyang, are you okay? Are you sick?"

With that, he pointed at Ji Zhiyang’s neck. "Did you have an allergic reaction? There are so many rashes."

But these marks… why are they so big? His neck was almost covered, and the marks were quite dark.

Ji Zhiyang stiffened, then reached up to touch his neck, tugging his collar up. He coughed lightly to hide the flush rising on his cheeks, his voice hushed and a little flustered. "It’s nothing. It’ll go away in a couple of days."

This was all because of Gu Huai!

Who does he think he is, leaving marks like this?

That guy’s got no self-control!

Now I can’t even go out!

Next time, I’ll make him regret it!

Jiang Wang frowned at the marks on Ji Zhiyang’s neck. "It looks pretty serious. Maybe we should get a doctor."

Ji Zhiyang quickly shook his head, lowering his voice to stop him. "No, no need for a doctor."

Letting a doctor see these hickeys?

How embarrassing would that be?

He refused to be humiliated like that!

But Jiang Wang insisted, serious. "We should still check. These rashes… they don’t look right. I’ll go find a doctor now."

…This guy, why’s he so pushy!

What’s there to see? Nothing!

"Really, it’s not necessary… It’s… not a rash. Just mosquito bites," Ji Zhiyang lied.

"Mosquito bites?" Jiang Wang eyed Ji Zhiyang skeptically before leaning in for a closer look. "No way those are mosquito bites! What kind of mosquito could leave marks like this? They’re all over, and so big."

Ji Zhiyang fidgeted under Jiang Wang’s stare, his neck burning. He rubbed it absentmindedly and deftly changed the subject. "So, what brings you here all of a sudden? Is something up?"

Hearing that, Jiang Wang brightened up. "Oh, right! I almost forgot. Guess who I just saw!"

Judging by his excitement, Ji Zhiyang could already guess. He smiled and asked, "Who?"

"Guess! Someone we saw yesterday!" Jiang Wang teased.

Ji Zhiyang raised an eyebrow, pretending not to know. "Yesterday? Who?"

"Ye Qingqing!" Jiang Wang grinned slyly as he leaned in slightly. "I just went to find my brother and saw her coming out of the prince's study, her eyes red, like she’d been crying. What do you think she was doing with the prince? And why was she crying?"

Who knows?

...Probably some lover’s spat!

Love stuff is always messy to figure out.

He didn’t care and couldn’t be bothered anyway. Once his mission was over, he was out of here anyway.

When Ji Zhiyang stayed quiet, Jiang Wang pressed on, "Zhiyang, not even a little curious? You might not know, but before, she was—"

Ji Zhiyang shrugged, cutting him off. "Why would I care? Not my problem."

He couldn’t care less about Gu Huai and Ye Qingqing.

Their drama was none of his concern.

His only thought right now was to finish the mission and get out of there as soon as possible.

Jiang Wang scoffed. "I don’t get how you’re not curious at all!"

...This guy’s such a gossip!

Ji Zhiyang gave him a cool glance. "What’s the big deal? Even if she marries him, we won’t be VIPs."

"What are you talking about?!" Jiang Wang’s eyes widened. "Ye Qingqing is going to the Northern Li Kingdom for an arranged marriage in a few days..."

Ji Zhiyang: "An arranged marriage?"

She’s not marrying Gu Huai?

"Yeah, I heard the emperor has adopted her as his daughter and is sending her to marry the Northern Li king. She was just a concubine’s daughter before, never given much importance. But once she marries the Northern Li king, she’ll be moving up in the world—she’ll be set for life!"

Jiang Wang got more excited as he spoke, rambling on eagerly about every bit of gossip he knew. Just as he was getting carried away, Gu Huai walked in.

When Gu Huai walked in, Jiang Wang clammed up, snapping to attention with a stiff bow. "Greetings, Your Highness."

He fidgeted, scratching his head nervously, unsure if Gu Huai had overheard their conversation.

Gu Huai didn’t even glance at him, focusing instead on Ji Zhiyang.

Ji Zhiyang also stood and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Gu Huai gave a faint hum, walking over to the table and sitting down before asking in a low voice, "What were you two just talking about?"

What were they talking about?

What else could it be?

Talking about you, obviously!

This kid never shuts up!

Ji Zhiyang: "Uh..."

How the heck was he supposed to answer that?

He couldn’t exactly tell the truth, could he...?

The two remained silent for a while before Ji Zhiyang spoke, "Just making small talk."

Jiang Wang glanced at him and nodded repeatedly, "Yeah, just shooting the breeze!"

"Oh..." Gu Huai responded indifferently, not pressing further. He turned his gaze to Jiang Wang and said in a low voice, "On my way here, I saw Guardian Pei looking for you everywhere. Perhaps there's something urgent."

Guardian Pei's looking for me? What for?

He knows I'm with Zhiyang, doesn't he?

Jiang Wang blinked in surprise, then nodded, "I'm on it."

"Hmm." Gu Huai gave a slight nod, signaling Jiang Wang to leave first.

Jiang Wang turned to Ji Zhiyang with a grin, giving a playful wink as he stepped back. "Zhiyang, rest well. I'll come see you another day."

Just as he reached the door, he paused. "Oh, Zhiyang, that mark on your neck looks nasty! The more I look at it, the less it seems like a mosquito bite. You should get a doctor to check it out—what if it gets infected?"

Ji Zhiyang, who had been drinking tea, almost spit out his tea at Jiang Wang’s words and coughed violently.

Jiang Wang turned back to look at him, concerned. "Does it hurt?"

At this, Gu Huai's eyebrow arched. "Mosquito bite?"

Ji Zhiyang waved his hand while coughing, his face turning crimson from choking. "I... *cough*... I’m fine."

Jiang Wang nodded at Gu Huai, growing even more certain of his suspicions upon seeing Ji Zhiyang’s flustered state. He quickly said, "Take it easy for now. I'll get a doctor right now."

Gu Huai smirked, idly swirling his tea with the cup lid, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"No need!" Ji Zhiyang hurriedly refused. "I'm really fine."

This kid, I swear...

He turned and noticed Gu Huai’s amused expression, glaring at him fiercely.

You bastard, help me out here!

Why the silent treatment now?

Jiang Wang looked unconvinced and was already halfway out the door to find a physician when Ji Zhiyang grabbed his arm to stop him. "Really, it’s nothing! It'll be fine in a couple days."

Then, he threw a desperate look at Gu Huai, urging him to speak up.

Hurry up and say something!

If you don’t, he’s really going to bring a doctor here!

Then everyone will know you're the one who did this!

Noticing Ji Zhiyang’s desperate gaze, Gu Huai finally cleared his throat and said, "Indeed, it doesn’t look like a mosquito bite. You go ahead. I'll send for a doctor."

Only then did Jiang Wang nod in satisfaction and took off.

Ji Zhiyang: ...... !!

That absolute bastard!

Fuming, Ji Zhiyang stomped his foot, itching to punch Gu Huai's lights out.

Gu Huai watched his flushed-with-anger expression, a slight smirk playing at his lips as he leisurely picked up the teacup and took a sip.

His movements were elegant and languid, giving nothing away.

Ji Zhiyang glared at him, fuming with anger. "You did that on purpose?"

Gu Huai glanced at him. "Do I look that bored to you?"

Ji Zhiyang: "......"

Gu Huai set down the teacup and looked up at Ji Zhiyang, drawling, "Come here."

Come here? For what?

Ji Zhiyang eyed him suspiciously, brows furrowed with wariness. "Why?"

"When I say come, you come," Gu Huai's tone was indifferent, yet it left Ji Zhiyang with no choice.

Reluctantly, he shuffled over. The moment he reached Gu Huai’s side, his wrist was seized, and with a tug, he was pulled into Gu Huai’s embrace, arms snaking around Ji Zhiyang's waist.

Ji Zhiyang's face twisted in exasperation.

"......What are you doing?" Ji Zhiyang struggled, trying to push Gu Huai away.

This alpha was too dangerous...

Gu Huai lowered his head, meeting his gaze. "Just checking your mosquito bite... You're quite the little liar."

His eyes gleamed with amusement, his lips curving into a smirk—absolutely maddening!

Ji Zhiyang froze, his pale face burned red, even the tips of his ears turning red as well.

He glared at Gu Huai, grinding his teeth, wishing he could punch that smug face!

This bastard!

Next time, he’d get his revenge—he’d mark up his neck and chest with bites!

Gu Huai held him close, taking a deep breath before resting his chin atop Ji Zhiyang’s head, inhaling the faint scent of roses. After a brief pause, he suddenly asked, "Who exactly are you?"

Ji Zhiyang blinked in surprise. Why this question again?

He raised an eyebrow, answering leisurely, "Your Highness already asked this yesterday. I'm nobody special, now serving as Your Highness’s attendant."

"Is that so?" Gu Huai’s voice was cool. "Ji Zhiyang, you're quite the liar."

......What's so extraordinary about me?!

Ji Zhiyang felt a pang of frustration but forced himself to remain patient. "I don't follow what Your Highness means."

Gu Huai lifted his chin from Ji Zhiyang’s head, grabbing his chin to force him to meet his gaze. "Who are you really? There's no record of you anywhere in Yidu."

Compelled to look into his eyes, Ji Zhiyang saw scrutiny and probing within them.

The piercing gaze made Ji Zhiyang squirm, his heart stuttering.

What's this about?

Why bring this up now?

Had he... figured something out?