Chapter 123 I Love You

Chapter 123: I Love You

Further away, Xiao Jing, standing by the carriage, clutching his bleeding arm, his face dark as if he wanted to kill someone.

He had no time to wonder if Xiao Yan was really alive and standing here, or if he was a vengeful spirit that had turned into a demon, able to appear in broad daylight.

Watching the two holding each other tightly, as if there was no one else around, Xiao Jing shouted, "Guards!"

Guards swarmed in from all directions, blades drawn.

They surrounded Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci in a tight ring.

"Kill him!" Xiao Jing ordered, his eyes bloodshot and his voice hoarse.

Dozens of guards stepped forward in unison, their blades glinting coldly.

Xiao Yan shielded the person he was holding behind him, swept a cold gaze over them, and raised a golden plaque.

His voice was clear and forceful: "Are you planning to rebel alongside Prince Rui?"

The golden plaque of immunity gleamed in the morning light, and the guards all halted abruptly.

Xiao Yan glanced nonchalantly at Xiao Jing, whose face was pale from pain, and said coolly:

"Seeing this plaque is like having the emperor here in person. Prince Rui hasn't ascended the throne yet. Do you want to become rebels?"

The guards' hands, gripping their swords, began to tremble.

They looked at the golden plaque in Xiao Yan's hand, then at Xiao Jing's pale, twisted face, trapped in a dilemma.

Xiao Yan tucked the plaque back into his robe, took Liu Qingci's hand and said,

"Let's go."

The two walked out of the surrounding circle.

The guards subconsciously made way; no one dared to stop them.

They walked past the guards who fell back and finally left the palace road.

That day had been heavy with snow; today, the sun was shining brightly.

Liu Qingci, led by Xiao Yan, followed silently.

He didn't know where they were going.

All he knew was that this hand was warm, and the warmth traveled from his wrist to his eyes, making them sting.

Xiao Yan casually led a strong horse from the palace and, with practiced ease, lifted Liu Qingci onto it.

The two rode together, unimpeded, straight out of the palace gates.

As Xiao Yan rode along, he wondered where to go.

Prince Yu's residence had changed; even if he cleaned it up, he still detested the original owner's belongings, and it would take some time to sort out.

So he wandered aimlessly and ended up in a forest on the outskirts of the city, where no one was around, and it was silent.

The sound of hooves gradually slowed in the woods.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, dappling them with light.

Liu Qingci leaned against Xiao Yan's chest, silent the entire way.

He just looked down at the hand that always held the reins, right at his waist, so close that a slight movement could touch it.

Xiao Yan finally pulled on the reins and stopped.

"Are we here?" Liu Qingci asked.

Xiao Yan dismounted and stood below, looking up at Liu Qingci still on the horse.

After being stared at for so long, Liu Qingci blinked uncomfortably.

Just when Xiao Yan thought he would shyly look away... Liu Qingci stared straight back at him.

He even stretched out both hands toward him, his voice soft and gentle: "Lift me down."

Xiao Yan's breath caught, and his hands moved faster than his mind.

He grasped Liu Qingci's waist and lifted him down from the horse.

When his feet touched the ground, Liu Qingci staggered.

It wasn't that he lost his balance, but being held like this felt like a lifetime ago, and he wasn't used to it.

Xiao Yan supported his arm, waited until he was steady, then started to let go.

But Liu Qingci grasped his wrist.

"Xiao Yan."

"Hmm?"

Liu Qingci looked at him and asked, word by word:

"Are you real?"

Xiao Yan's brow twitched.

He looked at Liu Qingci, at the faint unease in those amber-like eyes.

That look held the fear of someone who, after too many losses, dares not reach for what he wants most.

Xiao Yan's heart felt as if it had been struck hard.

He took Liu Qingci's wrist and lifted his hand, pressing it against his chest.

"Feel it," he said.

Liu Qingci's hand rested there.

Through the fabric, he could feel the steady thumping.

Liu Qingci's fingertips trembled slightly.

"I'm real, Qingci. I'm back."

"I promised you."

Xiao Yan's voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing anything.

Liu Qingci listened, and suddenly his eyes stung.

He lowered his eyelashes, trying to hold back that stinging ache, but instead of fading, it only intensified, until his vision blurred.

Xiao Yan let go of Liu Qingci's wrist, raised his hand, and gently cupped his face.

His thumb brushed over the arch of Qingci's brow, traced across his eyelid.

"Qingci, haven't you asked me why I'm so good to you?"

Liu Qingci forced his stinging eyes open, looked up at Xiao Yan, waiting for him to continue.

"Because I like you. I love you."

"Back then I couldn't tell you—it nearly drove me mad! The truth is, all I ever wanted was to tell you over and over."

"I love you."

"You are the only meaning I have in this world."

"So as long as you are here, no matter how hard it is, I will always come back to you."

As Liu Qingci listened, the sting in his eyes could no longer be held back, and warm tears streamed down his face.

Those tears were scalding hot, falling on Xiao Yan's fingertips as if they would burn a hole right through his skin.

That day on the palace road in the heavy snow, he hadn't been able to feel the warmth—now, at last, he could.

Xiao Yan watched him cry, his own heart feeling as if it were being crushed piece by piece.

He used his thumb to gently wipe away the tears, but the more he wiped, the more they came, never-ending.

Xiao Yan had no choice but to kiss them away.

His lips landed on the corner of Liu Qingci's eye, moved to his cheek, kissing along the trail of tears.

Liu Qingci's lashes fluttered violently.

"Don't cry..." Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse. "You're breaking my heart."

Liu Qingci's eyes were completely red, tear tracks still glistening on his face.

His face was cradled in Xiao Yan's hands, the two of them only inches apart.

Suddenly, Liu Qingci tilted his head up slightly, bringing his lips a little closer.

So close that he could almost feel the lingering warmth on those lips.

"Kiss me."

Liu Qingci's voice was rough from crying, carrying a touch of softness, and a hint of pleading he wasn't even aware of.

His eyes were red, small teardrops still clinging to his lashes, his cheeks cupped in Xiao Yan's palms, his head slightly lifted, lips parted.

He had no idea what he looked like in Xiao Yan's eyes.

Xiao Yan stared at that innocent face, at those eyes that didn't seem to understand anything yet wanted everything.

He felt like he was going mad.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath.

He simply lowered his head and gently brushed his lips against Liu Qingci's.

Light as a feather landing on water.

Liu Qingci's eyes widened slightly.

Just that one touch, and Xiao Yan pulled back.

He pressed his forehead against Liu Qingci's, looking at him, and asked softly:

"Like that?"

Liu Qingci pressed his lips together, then gave a small nod.

Xiao Yan's eyes were deep and dark, bottomless, holding only this one person before him.

Liu Qingci nodded, but Xiao Yan didn't pull away.

He lowered his head again, and kissed his lips.

It was no longer the brief, feather-light touch from before.

When his lips pressed down, Liu Qingci's lashes fluttered wildly, his eyes widening slightly, startled by the sudden intensity.

But Xiao Yan didn't give him time to react.

His tongue pushed past the slightly parted lips, sliding in, with a desire bordering on greed.