Chapter 34: Emotions Are Uncontrollable

Chapter 34: Emotions Beyond Control

Xiao Yan lay in the darkness, the screeching electronic voice still echoing in his mind, making his temples pound.

"Pipe down."

He interrupted Xiao K's howling in his thoughts, saying, "I heard you."

A feeling of absurdity washed over him like ice water, immediately cooling his fevered mind.

Xiao Yan propped himself up from the bed, pressing his hand to his forehead.

The brocade quilt slid from his waist, piling up beside him.

Liu Qingci was startled by the sudden movement and instinctively sat up as well.

In the dim light, he could only see Xiao Yan's sharp profile, his shoulders were tight, one hand seemingly pressed to his temple.

This wasn't the usual lazy Prince Yu; his posture exuded a tense, pent-up irritability.

Liu Qingci didn't know if he had somehow said something to displease Xiao Yan, or if the prince was just impossible to read. He hesitated for a long while, but ultimately a faint worry he didn't even fully understand got the better of him, and he tentatively reached out to tug at Xiao Yan's sleeve, whispering:

"Your Highness... what's wrong?"

Xiao Yan turned his head at the sound.

Because of the raised arm, the loose sleeve of Liu Qingci's nightshirt slipped down, revealing a pale expanse of his forearm.

In the faint light, his skin looked like polished jade, with smooth, delicate lines. As he tugged at the sleeve, his wrist bone protruded slightly.

Xiao Yan's gaze froze for a moment.

The turmoil in his chest only grew messier.

He abruptly looked away, almost roughly snatching the fallen brocade quilt and tossing it haphazardly over Liu Qingci's head.

"Sleep." His voice was raspier than before, carrying an unyielding firmness as he wrapped the quilt around him—including that distracting arm—and pressed him back onto the bed. "Close your eyes, don't move, and don't talk."

With that, Xiao Yan stepped past him and got off the bed.

Hearing the commotion, Liu Qingci slowly peeked out from under the quilt.

He only saw the tall figure, back turned to him, casually grab an outer robe, throw it on, and walk out from behind the screen that divided the inner chamber from the outer room.

He curled up in the bedding, his fingers unconsciously gripping the mattress beneath him.

Though confused inside, he obediently closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Xiao Yan walked out of the bedchamber and stood by the window.

The cold night wind struck his face, slightly dampening the inexplicable heat in his chest.

"Host, I know you're annoyed." Xiao K had almost calmed down, now more composed, and even started comforting Xiao Yan.

"But I really can't figure out why you suddenly apologized. (☉д⊙)"

All of Xiao Yan's strange behavior before could be explained as whims or momentary teasing.

But this sincere apology was inexplicable—and would never have come from the original character.

So this OOC was totally warranted.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath before speaking seriously:

"Look, Xiao K, as a human I have normal feelings. Especially late at night, when the prefrontal cortex is less active and cortisol drops, emotions get more intense."

Xiao K mused, "So because it's late at night, your feelings for Liu Qingci got out of control?"

Xiao Yan: "..."

He didn't even know what he was so annoyed about.

But Xiao K's words only made him more irritable.

He rubbed his face. "Never mind. I'll be more careful in the future."

The next morning.

When Liu Qingci woke up on the luxurious bed of Prince Yu's bedchamber, the spot next to him was still empty.

Morning light streamed through the lattice windows, and the chamber was shrouded in silence.

He paused for a moment before slowly sitting up.

Just as he was about to throw off the covers and get out of bed, he spotted a neatly hung set of brand-new robes on the screen not far away, along with a pair of soft-soled boots.

These were clearly prepared for him.

Liu Qingci dressed neatly and walked into the outer room.

Seeing him emerge, a young eunuch respectfully stepped forward: "Young Master Liu, would you like to have breakfast now?"

Liu Qingci asked, "Where is His Highness Prince Yu?"

The eunuch replied, "His Highness went to the horse-riding grounds on the outskirts early this morning. He instructed that if Young Master Liu woke up, you should have breakfast first."

Liu Qingci adjusted his sleeves and turned to leave: "No need. I'll return to the Listening Bamboo Courtyard."

"Young Master Liu, please stay!" The eunuch hurried a few steps to block Liu Qingci's way, smiling apologetically. "His Highness ordered that Young Master Liu must not leave the Moon Embracing Pavilion."

Liu Qingci paused, startled, and turned his head: "Why?"

"Well... this servant doesn't know either." The eunuch forced a smile. "But His Highness said that within the Moon Embracing Pavilion, aside from the study in the east, Young Master Liu may move freely. The heated study room has writing materials and books for your use, and the small garden at the back is quiet, where you can take a stroll. If you want anything to eat or use, just tell us."

Liu Qingci listened, his doubts deepening.

He stood still, silent for a moment, then sat down to eat the prepared breakfast calmly.

The riding grounds on the outskirts.

The early winter morning light was sharp, with distant rolling mountains still in autumn colors and sparse woods beyond the railings near the open grounds.

Under a pavilion by the track, several minor officials and guards responsible for taking care of the horses and grounds stood at a distance, their gazes fixed on the man in black robes mounted on a horse in the field.

It was Xiao Yan, who had come out here to the outskirts early this morning.

Xiao Yan was not wearing his princely attire today, only a sleek black fitted riding outfit, with his dark hair tied up with a simple hairband.

He had a bit less of his usual languid elegance, but gained a sharp, heroic spirit.

He sat upright on a relatively docile chestnut horse, gripping the reins properly.

But if you looked closely, you could see his lips pressed into a cold, hard line, and his face was stiff and tense.

Standing nearby was the riding instructor Xiao Yan had summoned.

"Your Highness, relax, relax!" he nervously instructed from the side, "Your waist and back should follow the rhythm of the horse's gait, don't fight it..."

After saying this, the instructor secretly wiped the sweat from his forehead.

What a rare sight—His Highness Prince Yu actually came to learn horseback riding in person.

The few petty officials under the awning were also whispering among themselves, their voices tinged with surprise:

"His Highness Prince Yu arrived before dawn. I thought at first he just wanted to mess with us, but he's actually really learning to ride."

"Today is really strange. Instructor Li has been teaching for so long and hasn't even been scolded."

Everyone knew that Prince Yu used to detest riding and archery lessons, avoiding them whenever possible. His equestrian skills were mediocre, getting by purely on his status.

Prince Yu was not fond of learning, and those tutors didn't dare to provoke him—if they did, they would be the ones to suffer. So Prince Yu was a rare sight for them.

But today, Prince Yu was inexplicably easy to talk to and diligent, as if he had changed his temperament.

Xiao Yan was naturally talented in athletics.

In his previous life, he was surrounded by many wealthy youths who considered horseback riding part of an elite education, but he had never learned to ride.

He was more into racing cars, as well as extreme sports like rock climbing and skydiving, because back then he needed a thrill that was out of his control.

Now, applying these athletic skills to learning to ride didn't seem like a bad idea.

"Your Highness is truly gifted!" the instructor said, his expression much more relaxed.

Xiao Yan had mastered the basics and was riding at a leisurely pace, swaying with the horse's gait.

Little K couldn't help but speak up: "Host, you ran all the way here early in the morning—could it be because you want to avoid Liu Qingci?"

Xiao Yan remained expressionless, looking straight ahead: "Nonsense."

Little K mercilessly called him out: "Then why did you sleep on the couch last night?"