Chapter 134 Someone Is Thinking of Him

Chapter 134: Someone Is Thinking of Him

Madam Liu wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, choked with heartache: "You were so badly hurt back then, and now your back is covered with deep and shallow scars. Every time I think of it, my heart feels like it's being cut by a knife..."

Liu Qingci listened to these words, and something seemed to grip his heart.

He knew his mother cared for him, but the person who hurt him was indeed already dead.

He reached out and held his mother's hand.

"Mother," he said softly, "it's all in the past."

"Yes, it's all in the past, that person is already dead." Madam Liu held back her tears and took a deep breath. "Even if he turned into a vengeful spirit, he could still be subdued!"

"Prince Rui really went to great lengths this time—he invited Master Yuanjing from Huguo Temple, a senior monk who has cultivated before the Buddha for decades. Once he performs the rites, no vengeful spirit will escape."

As Liu Qingci listened, he suddenly felt a bit amused.

Xiao Jing was usually so strategic, but when his conscience was bothering him, he turned out to be this scared of ghosts.

But since his mother had said so many worried words, he could only answer softly, "Mm."

Seeing her son so obedient, Madam Liu touched his face with worry.

"Have you been frightened these days in the palace?" she asked. "Even though Prince Rui treats you well, all those rumors flying about must have made you unsettled, right?"

Liu Qingci shook his head, his tone gentle: "No."

Madam Liu sighed: "That's good. Eat a proper meal tonight and rest early. Tomorrow I'll have someone go to Huguo Temple to get a peace charm for you to wear..."

As she spoke, Madam Liu's gaze inadvertently swept over Liu Qingci's collar.

A faint, light red mark lay on his pale skin, like a petal of plum blossom that had accidentally fallen on it.

Her words came to an abrupt halt.

Madam Liu's heart suddenly jolted.

She had lived for decades; she was no naive young lady from the inner chambers. She certainly knew what that kind of mark meant.

But Qingci...

Countless thoughts flashed through Madam Liu's mind in an instant.

Had Qingci found a girl he fancied?

No, that's not right.

She knew her own son—Qingci was definitely not the type to pledge himself to a girl in secret. From a young age, she had taught him that matters between men and women required an open engagement and proper marriage, and he was not allowed to be reckless.

Then who was it?

Was it someone in the palace... Prince Rui?!

Madam Liu's pupils dilated in shock, as if she had glimpsed some earth-shattering secret.

Her son actually... liked men?!

No, more importantly, did Qingci like Prince Rui?!

No wonder Prince Rui had directly summoned Qingci into the palace and had him stay for half a month.

No close friend ever acts like that!

Her gaze lingered too long, and Liu Qingci noticed something was wrong.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

Upon hearing her son's voice, Madam Liu hastily averted her eyes. She stood up in a fluster, her voice quieter than before:

"Nothing... nothing. I'll go check on the kitchen."

Madam Liu all but fled the main hall.

She walked briskly, through the corridor, around the screen wall, and finally stopped at the kitchen door in the back courtyard.

The kitchen was heavy with the smell of oil and smoke. The cook was busy at the hearth and hurriedly bowed when she saw her. Madam Liu waved her hand, gesturing for them to continue, but she stood at the door, her mind in a turmoil.

After mulling it over, she still felt uneasy, so she hurried off to drag her husband over.

Liu Wenyuan was led by his wife to the corridor, with a mysterious look on her face, still unaware of what was happening.

Liu Wenyuan looked at her, frowning slightly: "What happened?"

Madam Liu took a deep breath and lowered her voice: "Let me ask you—this Prince Rui... how is he in the court?"

Liu Wenyuan looked at his wife, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Why the sudden interest?"

Madam Liu clutched her handkerchief tightly, her voice trailing off: "You... tell me first."

Prince Rui had previously been on good terms with Qingci and had come to the Liu residence many times. Madam Liu had met him, but truly knowing a person wasn't that simple.

Liu Wenyuan pondered for a moment: "Prince Rui is deep and crafty, ruthless in his tactics, and calculating. Of course... none of these can really be called flaws, but this man places too much value on power."

Madam Liu's heart sank.

Liu Wenyuan continued: "That he could rise from being an unloved prince to his current position is due to more than just luck. How many of those who opposed him at court are still left standing?"

"Then... someone like that," Madam Liu stammered, "do you think he might treat Qingci... poorly?"

Liu Wenyuan was confused: "Why are you so concerned, my lady?"

Madam Liu wanted to speak but held back, finally letting out a deep sigh.

She wasn't so narrow-minded.

It was one thing for her son to be into men, but at least it should be with someone good to him!

As for this Prince Rui...

Madam Liu didn't know if he could be a good emperor, but she knew he definitely wouldn't be a good match for her child.

In the main hall, Liu Qingci sat alone.

He thought of the meaningful look his mother had given him before she left, and he felt inexplicably awkward.

Liu Qingci touched his collar area, returned to his room, and then looked at himself in the mirror.

He only then noticed the hickey he hadn't hidden on his neck.

The purplish-red mark had already faded slightly, turning into a rosy red.

Liu Qingci sat in front of the mirror, blushing, his mind full of images from two nights ago.

At that time, he had gone completely limp, dizzy from the hot spring, and breathless from Xiao Yan’s kisses.

Xiao Yan had held him and kissed him from head to toe, refusing to let go of a single inch of skin.

When he woke up, he knew his body was covered in hickeys of varying intensities, but he hadn’t noticed there was one on his neck that couldn’t be hidden by clothes!

Liu Qingci buried his face in his hands, overwhelmed with shame.

He stood up, walked to the wardrobe, and picked out a robe with a higher collar.

He couldn’t let mother see this again.

From now on, he couldn’t let Xiao Yan suck on his neck anymore!

Just as Xiao Yan arrived at Prince Yu’s residence, he sneezed for no reason while stepping out of the carriage.

He rubbed his nose, feeling that the weather wasn’t cold at all.

The corner of Xiao Yan’s mouth curved up, and he reached a conclusion.

Someone must be thinking of him.

Night had fallen, and the main gate of the residence looked somewhat gloomy in the dim light.

Xiao Yan strode inside, just in time to run into Fu'an, who was heading out.

The moment he saw Xiao Yan, Fu'an looked as if he had seen a ghost.

The sky was already dark, and the residence had no lights on. As the wind blew, Xiao Yan’s clothes rustled.

Fu'an opened his mouth and screamed, “Ah——”

Unable to tolerate it any longer, Xiao Yan raised his voice:

“Shut up! I am not a ghost.”

Fu'an was cut off mid-scream and didn't dare continue, so he watched cautiously as Xiao Yan strolled into the residence as if he knew the way by heart.

Moonlight poured down, casting Xiao Yan’s shadow elongated on the ground.

Fu'an's panic gradually subsided.

“Your… Your Highness? Is it really you? You’re not dead?”

Resigned to his fate, Fu'an stepped forward, flattering him,

“I knew Your Highness was blessed with great luck! After seeing you that night, your old servant tidied up the residence, waiting only for your return…”