Chapter 72

Chapter 72

The Emperor’s pronouncements were as immutable as gold, ringing with unquestionable authority, yet Shi Cangfeng’s expression darkened completely. He opened his mouth several times, but found no opening to interject.

Once the initial shock wore off, Shi Jian quickly stood up to express his gratitude to Abis Norman, then attempted to take his leave. However, the Emperor preempted him with a question: “Earlier, you showed concern for Shiyun’s injuries. It seems you two are quite close. Since you’re already here, why not visit him before you go? It would be a shame to leave empty-handed.”

At the mention of Gu Shiyun, Shi Jian’s rehearsed farewell died on his lips. He glanced subtly at Shi Cangfeng and noticed his father’s expression seemed… angry?

He averted his gaze and replied softly, “Back in the ruins of the extremist base, it was Senior Gu who saved me. He was severely injured because of it, and I haven’t had the chance to see him since. I don’t even know how he’s doing now.”

Shi Jian usually referred to Gu Shiyun by his full name, occasionally teasingly calling him “Minister Gu” when feeling mischievous, but rarely used “Senior Gu.” The term felt foreign on his tongue.

Abis Norman seemed even more pleased by Shi Jian’s concern for his son and smiled. “Then let me take you to his chambers. You two can reminisce.”

Shi Jian nodded. “I hope I’m not imposing, Your Majesty.”

Shi Cangfeng wanted to stop them. His battlefield-honed instincts screamed that keeping Shi Jian here any longer would only escalate the danger. But the two had already agreed, leaving him no grounds to intervene. He considered following, but Abis Norman suddenly turned back, and Shi Cangfeng immediately sensed trouble.

Sure enough, the Emperor said, “Shiyun’s condition is still unstable. Too many high-ranking Alphas near his territory might trigger a loss of control. I must regretfully decline your company, General. I hope you understand.”

With the Emperor’s deferential tone, Shi Cangfeng could only force a smile that didn't reach his eyes and say, “Of course,” though his molars nearly cracked from clenching. He struggled to restrain himself as he was left behind in the reception hall, attended by the head guard, pacing like a caged animal while anxiously awaiting Shi Jian’s return.

Shi Jian remained vigilant throughout the walk, but the Emperor merely led the way, occasionally turning to exchange light remarks. His demeanor was completely normal, so Shi Jian gradually relaxed.

Gu Shiyun’s chambers were located deep within the living quarters. The head maid opened the door for them, and Shi Jian politely glanced around—the decor was understated opulence, fitting Gu Shiyun’s style.

With a look from Abis Norman, the maid silently withdrew, closing the heavy ornately carved mahogany door behind her.

“This is the sitting room. He’s in the bedroom,” Abis Norman guided Shi Jian inside.

Shi Jian looked toward the large bed by the window. Gu Shiyun lay there, his breathing shallow and labored, his chest barely moving. If not for careful observation, he might have been mistaken for a lifeless corpse.

Shi Jian couldn’t describe what he felt at that moment. His first thought was utter disbelief—how could an S+ Alpha be so grievously injured? Barely breathing, hovering between life and death—

Just how severe were the wounds he’d sustained protecting him?

A bitter taste rose in Shi Jian’s mouth, his heart cold and aching as if drowning in icy water. Was this... pity for Gu Shiyun? Yet he couldn’t help but resent the man. If he hadn’t turned back to save him, hadn’t shielded him from the explosion and flying debris, he wouldn’t be lying here now. They should have stood shoulder to shoulder, receiving accolades from the Federation’s highest ruler, the Empire’s Star medal pinned to both their chests.

But now, after seeing Gu Shiyun’s true condition, all that was gone.

The comrade who’d saved his life, the senior he owed a debt to, the admirer who’d whispered love against his lips in danger—might never respond to him again, nor hear his answer.

Shi Jian’s body stiffened as muscle memory carried him to Gu Shiyun’s bedside, where he studied him intently.

Abis Norman appeared as silent as a shadow behind him. His sudden voice startled Shi Jian, who whirled around in shock to find the Emperor standing barely a fist’s width away. In his panic, he stumbled back, landing on Gu Shiyun’s bed—and realized he was sitting on the unconscious man’s hand.

“...Your Majesty?” Shi Jian swallowed hard, daring to prompt him when the Emperor seemed lost in thought.

Abis Norman did refocus, but his gaze was unsettlingly predatory as it locked onto Shi Jian.

At this proximity, Shi Jian could see his own reflection in the Emperor’s eyes. His throat bobbed nervously as his mind raced for an escape.

Then Abis Norman spoke, his words so brazen they instantly flushed Shi Jian’s cheeks, his entire body burning like freshly steamed pudding. He balked at the thought that such shamelessly indecent words had come from the ruler of the Federation.

“You’re very soft there.”

Where?!

Shi Jian was utterly bewildered.

Abis Norman closed the distance between them, his breath brushing the dazed boy’s ear as he murmured, “My son is dying, and his little boyfriend comes only to sit on his hand—are you trying to hasten his death?”

The implication that Shi Jian was some insatiable seducer made him burn with equal parts shame and anger.

“Your Majesty!” Shi Jian protested, belatedly realizing he needed to move and scrambling to stand. “Please... show some respect!”

A large hand pressed down on his shoulder, its heat searing even through fabric, like a branding iron, intensifying his unease.

Abis Norman chuckled. “What? Do you think it improper for me to toy shamelessly with my son’s beloved at his sickbed? Or do you find your Emperor too indecent?”

Even if that was exactly what Shi Jian thought, he hadn’t forgotten whose territory this was. Still unsure of the man’s intentions, he tread carefully. “Senior Gu and I aren’t what you assume. Please stop testing me!”

“Not what I assume?” Abis Norman glanced past Shi Jian at Gu Shiyun’s motionless form before refocusing on him with that unnerving gaze. “Yet Shiyun told me you’re his cherished Crown Princess—my future daughter-in-law, the Federation’s next Empress. Unless I’ve misunderstood, and you’d prefer to skip that step... to become my Empress directly?”

Shi Jian’s eyes flew wide with shock. His instincts about Abis Norman had been right all along—this wasn’t a test or a joke. From the start, the Emperor had marked him as prey he was determined to claim.

But this was too sudden! Too far beyond Shi Jian’s comprehension! It defied all reason!

He struggled to rise, but Abis Norman’s digging fingers tightened their grip, immobilizing him.

“You’ve feared me since we met. Why? I won’t eat you.”

Bullshit. Shi Jian glared back coldly.

“No Emperor behaves like you... Whatever you want, I have neither time nor energy for it.” He invoked Shi Cangfeng, hoping to curb the man’s audacity. “My father will worry if I’m gone too long. I must return.”

Unfazed, Abis Norman smiled nostalgically. “You’re just like when you were small—shrinking into General Shi’s arms at the first sign of fear, watching with those sapphire-blue eyes, like an instinctively wary fawn.”

Shi Jian froze. What did that mean? Had they met before? He had no memory of it.

Abis Norman wasn’t discouraged. “Don’t blame yourself. You were too young to remember my visit to the Ninth Military Region. I saw you during the New Year celebrations at the border—your father held you in one arm, bundled tightly against the borderlands' howling sandstorms. I pinched your cheeks back then. You were much more obedient.”

Fragments of memory clicked into place in Shi Jian’s mind—a younger version of himself peeking out from his father’s warm military greatcoat as a tall, smiling man approached, removing his gloves to pinch his face.

That man had been Abis Norman, unchanged except for the years weighing on his demeanor.

—Or rather, a gentler version of Gu Shiyun.

“So what?” Shi Jian remained guarded. “Meeting you as a child doesn’t excuse you speaking so inappropriately to your son’s junior while he lies gravely ill. If this continues, I’ll tell my father everything, and the Upper House will have your head!”

Abis Norman laughed. “Such fire in your temper! Quite unlike the pitiful act you put on to beg for that pardon. Little master, you’re quite the actor—no wonder even Shiyun was fooled.”

Shi Jian bristled at the repeated mentions of Gu Shiyun, each one reminding him he was still sitting on the man’s hand. His face burned. “Stop dragging Senior Gu into this!”

But Abis Norman dropped a verbal bombshell: “Dragging him in? But ‘Gu Shiyun’ is merely my spirit. Everything he feels, I feel. When I called you soft, I spoke the truth—so very soft, like clay that molds around your fingers.”

Shi Jian stared, unable to process the horror of what he’d just heard—

‘Gu Shiyun’ was his spirit?!

How could that be?! How could one person be another’s spirit?!