Chapter 25: So Spicy

Chapter 25: So Spicy

Liu Qingci obediently stepped forward.

The already close distance between them became even closer.

Liu Qingci stood rooted to the spot, staring at Xiao Yan's cold, hard profile.

Qingci…

This was the first time he had heard that form of address from Xiao Yan.

Ever since he was brought into Prince Yu's residence, Xiao Yan's forms of address for him had been either an indifferent and impatient use of his full name, or a sarcastic and mocking "Young Master Liu."

These two words, spoken by Xiao Yan, were not intimate in tone, nor deliberately softened; they simply slipped out of his lips, plain and light.

Yet to Liu Qingci's ears, the cold, dead heart in his chest felt as if it had been scalded in an instant.

He instinctively looked up at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan was also looking back at him.

His jaw was slightly tense, his fingertips still lightly tapping the armrest.

"I am injured."

Liu Qingci's eyes flickered, his gaze falling on Xiao Yan's bandaged hand.

Before he could ponder what Xiao Yan meant, he heard him continue,

"Though not done intentionally by you, it is still because of you."

The words were light, yet they carried a weight that slammed heavily onto Liu Qingci's heart.

The faint glimmer of light that had just risen within him was instantly swallowed by a heavy sense of guilt.

Liu Qingci bowed in apology: "Your humble subject is guilty…"

Xiao Yan asked, "Tell me, shouldn't I punish you?"

Liu Qingci's face paled even further.

Looking at that bandaged hand, a sharp pang seized his heart.

Yes, regardless of the cause, the result was that Prince Yu was injured because of him.

A prince injured—this was a responsibility no one could avoid.

He lowered his head again, not daring to meet Xiao Yan's eyes, his voice dry and tight, with an almost imperceptible tremor,

"Please… punish me, Your Highness."

Xu Ming was still kneeling on the ground.

Listening to their exchange, a glimmer of joy rose in his heart.

So His Highness was still on the Xu family's side after all!

Who does Liu Qingci think he is? His Highness was going to punish him anyway!

This thought slightly loosened his strained nerves, and a vicious anticipation rose within him.

He could almost envision the punishment awaiting Liu Qingci—perhaps a more humiliating public beating, or some other torture…

Xu Ming couldn't help but stealthily raise an eyelid, his gaze fixed firmly on Liu Qingci's thin, rigid back, awaiting the satisfying punishment.

Fu'an stepped forward smartly: "Your Highness, shall I prepare which kind of torture device?"

In the past, at such times, His Highness had loved to torment people in public, sometimes even taking pleasure in doing it himself.

This was well-known to all—Prince Yu's twisted amusement.

"No need," Xiao Yan waved his hand in refusal, thoughtfully saying, "Just slapping him is the most satisfying."

Fu'an's brow twitched, and he cast a sympathetic glance at the ashen-faced Liu Qingci.

His Highness's thoughts were becoming harder to guess!

He had just thought Liu Qingci was favored by His Highness, and now His Highness was going to humiliate him in public again!

Fu'an said fearfully, "Your Highness has just been injured. For the sake of your precious health, it would be better to have someone else do it…"

Xiao Yan cut him off: "I don't want to do it myself."

"Qingci, you go hit him." Xiao Yan tilted his chin, pointing at Xu Ming, who was prostrate on the ground, and ordered with an indisputable tone, "Don't stop until he coughs up blood."

"What?!"

Xu Ming, as if struck by lightning, stammered in shock: "Me? No, Your Highness!!!"

Wasn't Liu Qingci supposed to be punished? Why was he the one getting beaten?

And by Liu Qingci of all people!

Xiao Yan said, annoyed, "So noisy. Gag him."

Xu Ming's mouth was soon stuffed with a cloth gag, leaving him only able to let out muffled "mmph mmph" sounds, unable to utter a word.

Xiao Yan's ears finally had peace.

He lifted his gaze and signaled Liu Qingci with his eyes, meaning he could begin.

Liu Qingci still seemed stunned.

He took two steps toward Xu Ming, but Xiao Yan called him back.

"Wait."

Liu Qingci turned to look at him.

Xiao Yan picked up a pair of bandage scissors from the tray.

"Rip—"

He neatly cut a strip of silk lining from the inside of his own sleeve.

Then he crooked a finger at Liu Qingci.

Liu Qingci, puzzled, walked over again.

His hand was held by Xiao Yan, and the strip of silk lining was wound layer by layer around his palm.

"This hand is for wielding a brush and writing poetry—clearly not suited for hitting people." Xiao Yan tied the ends of the fabric into a knot on the back of his hand, examined it, and nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, remember what I said: put some muscle into it, and don't stop until he's spitting blood."

The silk was smooth and slippery, lashing across the face like the tip of a whip—deceptively gentle, yet capable of multiplying the pain.

Liu Qingci had delicate skin and soft flesh. Getting him to beat Xu Ming until he spits blood might be a bit challenging.

With his hand wrapped in cloth, the task should be much easier!

"Go ahead," Xiao Yan said.

Liu Qingci lowered his eyes. "Yes," he said.

So this was the punishment?

Not making him endure the pain himself, but letting him personally inflict that pain on the one who harmed him.

He stood before Xu Ming, who lay limp on the ground like a dead dog, staring up at him in terror.

That face was filled with despair and bitterness—overlapping with the smug, hypocritical expression he had worn three years ago when he framed Liu Qingci.

Liu Qingci's breath suddenly quickened, his chest heaving violently.

He had never imagined that one day, in such a setting, in such a manner, he would personally claim justice from Xu Ming.

The grievances that had built up over three years, combined with today's anger, could finally find a tangible outlet.

He slowly turned his head to look in Xiao Yan's direction.

Xiao Yan met his gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly, as if to say: What are you waiting for?

Liu Qingci took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress all the pent-up emotions in his chest.

"SLAP—!!!"

A crisp, resounding slap exploded.

Xu Ming's head was knocked sharply to the side, and though his mouth was gagged, he could only whimper.

You could tell he was getting beaten badly.

"Oh my god, the protagonist bottom actually has such a fierce side?!" Little K, who had been silent for a long time, finally couldn't help but burst out, a pair of dazed eyes flickering on the pixel screen. "I knew the protagonist bottom's character was cold and stubborn, but I didn't expect him to be so... so..."

Before he could finish, Liu Qingci's second slap came down.

Little K didn't know what word to use anymore.

Xiao Yan rubbed his chin and finished his sentence: "So hot."

Little K: "Huh???"