Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Seventeenth Chapter

On the emperor's birthday, the entire nation was illuminated throughout the night, and the palace was ablaze with lanterns. Lu Wuyou half-carried the limp Fang Zhihe in his arms as he headed toward the bedchamber.

Following the scent of fresh grass carried by the wind, Fang Zhihe drowsily leaned on Lu Wuyou's shoulder and mumbled incoherently, "Changlin—Brother wants... meat!"

Lu Wuyou slowed his steps and gently patted the emperor's backside, causing the emperor to furrow his brows in displeasure. "There's a bug, buzzing, buzzing on my butt, itchy." He reached behind to scratch the spot Lu Wuyou had just patted.

Lu Wuyou paused for a moment, then held him tighter. Unexpectedly, the man suddenly lifted his head to wrap his arms around Lu Wuyou's neck and even chuckled to himself.

"What's Your Majesty laughing at?" he asked curiously.

Fang Zhihe giggled twice, leaned in to kiss Lu Wuyou on the lips, then mumbled, "Just now, Father agreed to let Lu Yuntai and me go fishing outside the city together... I'm afraid of the bait, but luckily Father said it's not safe outside the city and told him to take me to the bookshop instead."

Lu Wuyou listened for a long while but couldn't figure out what was so delightful about this.

Fang Zhihe continued, "A few days ago, Changlin went fishing with him, and I was so envious, but I'm really scared of the bait. He made fun of me and didn't want to go out with me... Luckily, Father ordered him to accompany me, so now he has to obey." He wore a thoughtful expression, a smile on his lips—a sly, stolen joy.

Lu Wuyou remained silent, then thought for a moment and reached out to pinch his bottom again, continuing to walk while casually gazing at the scenery as if nothing had happened.

The poor emperor clutched his bottom, tearfully complaining that the bug had buzzed him again.

Lu Wuyou couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, quickly hiding it. He pushed open the bedchamber door, intending to lay Fang Zhihe on the bed, but Fang Zhihe suddenly reached out, grabbed his lapels, and yanked him toward himself.

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow and sneered as usual, "Are you really drunk, Your Majesty?"

Fang Zhihe ignored him, just kept pulling him.

Lu Wuyou couldn't be bothered to argue and let himself be dragged. When they were close, Fang Zhihe half-propped himself up to kiss him. Lu Wuyou propped his hands on the bed, looming over Fang Zhihe, and sneered, "Guess your lewd nature never changes, drunk or sober."

Hearing this, Fang Zhihe lifted his eyes, his apricot eyes shining brightly at him, tinged with a watery red haze. He was still drunk, and in his dazed state, he heard Lu Wuyou laughing at him.

He laughed along with him, tears shimmering in his eyes. "I... have learned about that kind of thing." He then pinched his earlobe, lowering his voice, "The eunuch in charge of the back palace said, if you do it often... it'll get softer, and you'll feel better."

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow at this. "What gets softer?"

A hint of confusion flickered in Fang Zhihe's eyes as he thought for a moment. "...Inside my butt, I've never tried my own butt, it's always hot, so it should be... soft?"

Lu Wuyou couldn't help laughing at that. The insults he'd had in mind quietly turned into something else. He leaned down, kissed Fang Zhihe's nose, then nibbled it.

Fang Zhihe let out an "ah" and said unhappily, "Why're you nibbling my nose!"

Lu Wuyou then nibbled his chin. Fang Zhihe's eyes reddened, and he sobbed twice, whining tearfully, "You're nibbling everywhere! Wuwu... why not nibble my mouth!"

"... " Lu Wuyou looked at him. "Pfft... cough."

Fang Zhihe sniffled and turned his back.

"No more nibbling, I'm precious," he mumbled, secretly grabbing a strand of Lu Wuyou's hair that hung beside his face.

Lu Wuyou looked down. After a long while, he reached out, pulled Fang Zhihe close, and lay down to sleep.

"Fang Zhihe," Lu Wuyou called.

Fang Zhihe opened his eyes, saying nothing.

Lu Wuyou waved his hand, extinguishing all the palace lanterns in the bedchamber, and said softly, "Playing dumb in front of me won't work."

Fang Zhihe stirred, tugging the strand of hair tighter.

Lu Wuyou said expressionlessly, "Why don't you get it? I just don't like you. Don't you understand what 'don't like' means?"

Fang Zhihe closed his eyes, hearing the other say one last thing, "Stop being foolish."

He squeezed his eyes shut, and a string of tears, like falling light, trickled into his dark hair.