Chapter 91: What Kind of Role-Play Is This?

Chapter 91: What Kind of Kinky Game Is This

Xiao Yan felt like that cold hand was squeezing his heart.

He looked down at the top of Liu Qingci’s head, at the few strands of soft black hair falling beside his pale cheek, at the hand clutching his sleeve, trembling slightly from the effort.

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

After a moment, he found his voice, hoarser than before: “…Okay.”

The two of them lay side by side on the big bed.

Xiao Yan had spent a long time in the palace and was now feeling slightly tired.

Liu Qingci was still gripping his sleeve, refusing to let go.

After a while, Liu Qingci shifted.

He turned slightly, tugging the sleeve he was holding toward himself.

Xiao Yan’s breath caught for an instant.

Today, Liu Qingci was unusually forward, as if he really needed him.

He lay on his side, facing him, the candlelight flickering across his calm face, casting an extremely faint warm glow.

That usually cold face had shed all its defenses and tension, appearing soft and peaceful in the dim light, like a tired bird that had finally made it home on a snowy night.

Xiao Yan’s heart melted completely.

Something melted in his chest.

He didn’t hold back anymore.

He slid his arm under Liu Qingci’s pillow and pulled him close.

Liu Qingci didn’t lift his head or open his eyes; he just pressed his forehead to Xiao Yan’s chest.

They both slept soundly that night, not waking until the next morning.

Liu Qingci slept well, and his foggy mind, clear from exhaustion, felt much sharper now.

Then he realized what he’d done and felt a wave of delayed embarrassment.

Yesterday… how could he have made such a request?

Liu Qingci’s ears began to burn.

Luckily, Xiao Yan had already gotten up—the other side of the bed was empty.

He lowered his eyes, gently pressed his palm against the empty spot.

It was cold.

Xiao Yan must have been up for a while.

He slowly sat up, his ink-black hair sliding over his shoulders and falling across his slightly open robe.

Just then, the bedroom door was pushed open from outside.

Liu Qingci almost instinctively looked up.

Xiao Yan stood by the door, his topknot neat and tidy, the morning light falling on his dark casual robe, softening even the cold lines of his silhouette.

The moment their eyes met, Liu Qingci’s heart skipped a beat.

“You’re up?”

Xiao Yan’s voice was warm and soft as he strolled over to him.

Liu Qingci kept his eyes down: “Mm…”

Then he suddenly blurted out, “Oh, and tonight I’ll sleep in the warm chamber bed…”

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow: “Huh?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Liu Qingci realized what he had said, and the tips of his ears turned crimson.

Although he had slept in Xiao Yan’s bed last night, that didn’t mean he would sleep there every night. Saying that made it sound like he meant it.

He pressed his lips together and shut up.

He just lowered his head, untying the sash he’d just tied and retying it.

Xiao Yan leaned against the bedpost, watching his reddened ears, watching his fingers pretend to be busy, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

“Fine~” Xiao Yan drew the word out, his voice laced with a smile, “You can sleep anywhere you want in this house, okay?”

Liu Qingci couldn’t even lift his head now.

However, this promise didn’t exactly work out.

Shortly after breakfast, Fu’an rushed in with a report, looking a bit troubled:

“Your Highness, Master Liu, last night’s snowstorm was too heavy. The eaves of the warm chamber got damaged, a few tiles broke, and cold wind is blowing right in. The craftsmen just looked at it and said it needs to be torn down and re-laid; it’ll take at least three to five days to fix.”

After speaking, Fu’an cautiously tested Xiao Yan’s expression.

Xiao Yan’s face showed no emotion, but there was a barely visible smirk at the corner of his mouth.

Beside him, Liu Qingci’s face suddenly went blank.

A place this luxurious and solid got damaged?

Xiao Yan was about to say something when Fu’an added:

“The craftsmen said it’s best not to stay there for a few days—too damp and cold. Your Highness, should we move Master Liu’s things back to the Bamboo Listening Courtyard for a few days?”

Xiao Yan paused, then shot a look at Fu’an.

Fu’an felt that look was icy—dangerous, even.

Seeing this, Liu Qingci hesitated and spoke:

“Maybe I’ll just go back to the Bamboo Listening Courtyard for a bit…”

“No need.” Xiao Yan paused, turning his gaze from Fu’an to Liu Qingci’s downcast eyes.

His voice went soft: “Didn’t you sleep pretty comfortably in the main hall bed last night?”

"Ahem..."

Liu Qingci almost choked on his own saliva.

After a long moment, he picked up the teacup and took a sip, lowering his head.

Inspiration suddenly struck Fu'an.

He quickly lowered his head, suppressing the laughter that was threatening to escape, and said respectfully, "Yes, this servant will go fetch extra bedding right away."

"Ah, truly, I wonder what kind of playful romance the Prince and Young Master Liu are playing at."

"Clearly they are so close, yet they insist on pretending to sleep in separate beds."

"See? Even Heaven couldn't bear to watch and brought them together."

With that thought, Fu'an bowed and withdrew, his steps much lighter than on the way in.

And so, Liu Qingci properly moved into the main hall of Lanyue Pavilion.

Thus beginning his life of sharing a bed with Xiao Yan.

These days, Liu Qingci was preoccupied with the Liu family's legal case, constantly worried and anxious.

Only when he heard news from outside about the case's progress would his mood improve considerably.

Days slipped by, and before they knew it, it was New Year's Eve.

Starting from the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Prince Yu's Mansion took on a new atmosphere.

Fu'an led all the servants of the mansion in a flurry of activity, their feet never touching the ground. Last year's lanterns were all taken down from the corridors and replaced with rows of brand-new crimson gauze lanterns.

The lantern surfaces were painted with auspicious subtle patterns. When the wind passed, the tassels swayed leisurely, like a corridor of falling red rain.

The gatekeeper's servant was testing firecrackers under the eaves. Strings of crisp bangs startled the winter sparrows roosting there, who fluttered across the green tiles covered with thin snow, sending down a shower of fine snowflakes, which were reflected by the red lantern light into specks of broken gold.

The servants all changed into new cotton robes made of blue satin, with fresh crimson silk sashes tied around their waists.

The entire mansion was bathed in warm red light and bustle.

Only Liu Qingci stood alone by the window, gazing at the red plum tree blooming bit by bit in the courtyard, lost in thought.

Suddenly, the hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the window.

Fu'an's figure appeared under the eaves, his expression was unusually excited. He even bowed faster than usual:

"Young Master Liu, His Highness requests your presence in the main hall. Someone from the Three Judicial Offices is here!"

Liu Qingci's heartbeat suddenly quickened.

He hastily adjusted his lapels and hurried to the main hall.

The doors of the main hall were wide open.

Only Xiao Yan remained in the hall, his back facing the door, his silhouette tall and imposing.

Liu Qingci's footsteps paused for a moment at the threshold.

Xiao Yan, however, seemed to have eyes in the back of his head.

He turned, his gaze crossing through the cold light that filled half the room and landing on the slender figure standing in the doorway.

"...The Three Judicial Offices' review has concluded." Xiao Yan spoke, his voice deep. "The case of Premier Liu's embezzlement lacks evidence; the original verdict has been overturned. He has set out for the capital this very day and will be home soon."

The firecrackers outside suddenly grew louder, one string after another, exploding loudly and cheerfully across the sky.

"It's New Year's Eve," he said.

His voice was very low, as if sharing a secret known only to the two of them.

"Qingci, you can reunite with your family."