Lu Ronghuai’s Heart Was Cut Like a Blade.
Chu Yuan thought he was still in Baochun Courtyard.
Le Shu was not there. With no one to assist him, he stood on one leg and hopped toward the inner chamber. He stumbled forward uncertainly. The moment he turned past the screen, he struck a waist-high table and knocked over a vase.
He fell to the ground. The movement tugged at his fractured right leg, and a piercing pain shot through him.
Darkness engulfed his vision. He could only crawl forward on the floor, disheveled and cautious, groping his way ahead.
When Lu Ronghuai entered, Chu Yuan’s hand was only a breath away from touching a shard of jagged porcelain.
“Careful.”
His heart lurched at the sight. In a few swift strides, he reached forward and lifted him into his arms.
Chu Yuan was suddenly suspended in the air. Startled, he clutched tightly at Lu Ronghuai’s neck. When he realized what he had done, he hurriedly pushed against him, struggling to get down.
Lu Ronghuai would not release him. He held him tighter and gave him a deliberate scare, “The ground is covered in shards. Do you wish to be pierced full of holes?”
Chu Yuan’s eyes remained dim and unfocused. A flicker of fear crossed his pale face, but he still refused to speak to him.
Lu Ronghuai did not hurry him. Carrying him clear of the debris, he seated himself in the inner chamber and settled Chu Yuan upon his lap. He bent to examine his leg.
“If you need something, tell me. Do not leave the bed. Your right leg is fractured. It requires proper rest.”
Seeing that the injury had not worsened, he finally eased.
Chu Yuan kept his head down. The coldness radiating off him could have put a thousand miles between them.
Lu Ronghuai studied his face as though he could never look enough. He brushed aside the loose strands by his ear. “Tell me. Why did you leave the bed, hm?”
Chu Yuan bit his lower lip. His body trembled.
Lu Ronghuai lifted a hand and grasped his narrow chin. Firm yet gentle, he forced him to release his lip. His rough, warm fingertip traced slowly over the tender flesh.
“If Ah-Yuan refuses to speak to me, then I shall hold you until you are willing to speak.”
As he spoke, he encircled him in his arms, resting his chin upon Chu Yuan’s shoulder. His lips nearly brushed the delicate skin of his neck.
After a moment of stalemate, Chu Yuan turned his head away in embarrassment.
He was flushed with restraint. His voice trembled faintly. Beneath the composure, there lingered a trace of confusion and grievance.
“I wish… to relieve myself.”
Lu Ronghuai was briefly stunned. Then a low laugh escaped him.
This awkward, living, breathing Chu Yuan, whether cold or indifferent, made him feel unspeakably grateful in this reborn life.
With tenderness, he stroked Chu Yuan’s hair, carried him to the chamber pot, and set him down. He added thoughtfully, “I will assist you.”
Chu Yuan’s face flushed instantly, crimson as polished jade.
Clenching his teeth, he stood stubbornly on one leg and evaded Lu Ronghuai’s supporting hand.
Lu Ronghuai stood behind him, arms hovering protectively at either side, ever watchful of his safety. He could not resist teasing, “Why be shy? You cannot see. As your husband, it is only natural that I assist my beloved consort in difficulty.”
“…”
With maintained decorum, Chu Yuan requested that he leave.
Lu Ronghuai saw the mingled shame and anger upon his face. His laughter was like the sound of a zither upon high mountains, clear and light.
“Such thin skin. Little Ah-Yuan will suffer from holding it in.”
He patted his slight shoulder and stepped outside.
Little… what?
Chu Yuan bit his lip fiercely. His entire body seemed steeped in color, vivid and heated.
“Call me when you are finished. I will carry you back.”
His voice, faintly amused, drifted in from outside.
Chu Yuan held his belt and remained still for a long while.
Xian Feng appeared outside just in time to relieve the tension.
“Your Highness, Eunuch Yuan Sheng has arrived.”
Eunuch Yuan Sheng waited in the front hall. Seeing Lu Ronghuai approach, he smiled amiably. “His Majesty has been concerned for Your Highness. He commanded this servant to visit and has bestowed upon you a century-old ginseng. He hopes Your Highness will recover swiftly.”
Lu Ronghuai curved his lips perfunctorily. “Please convey my gratitude to Father Emperor. You have troubled yourself, Eunuch Yuan Sheng. Xian Feng, serve tea.”
Eunuch Yuan Sheng waved a hand. “His Majesty awaits this servant’s return. I shall not drink tea today. On another occasion, I will properly taste the tea of Your Highness’s residence.”
Lu Ronghuai personally escorted him to the gate. “Travel safely. In a few days, this Prince will enter the palace to offer thanks.”
Eunuch Yuan Sheng nodded and descended the steps. “That would be most appropriate. Your Highness need not see me further.”
Lu Ronghuai watched until the carriage departed before turning back.
Xian Yu followed behind, carrying the ginseng box. “Your Highness, a few days ago the Empress also sent medicinal tonics. How shall we handle them?”
“My Prince Consort has injured one leg. In courtesy’s return, break two legs of the Crown Prince. Send those gifts back to him. We must not fail to honor the Empress’s kindness.”
Xian Yu grinned broadly. “Understood. This subordinate guarantees completion.”
“As for Prince Qi, he is quick-tempered and prone to heat. Send him an ice bed. It will cool our esteemed elder brother properly.”
A ruthless smile curved Lu Ronghuai’s lips.
Xian Yu shot Xian Shuang a knowing look. If one offended their prince, there were countless ways he would repay the slight.
Xian Shuang returned him a look of flat indifference.
They followed Lu Ronghuai back to Fuju Courtyard.
No sooner had they reached the entrance than Mao Shu hurried forward. “Your Highness, the Prince Consort insisted on returning to Baochun Courtyard. This old servant could not stop him. That boy Le Shu ran inside and helped him away.”
Lu Ronghuai’s expression changed abruptly. He turned at once and gave chase.
Chu Yuan’s injured leg slowed him. Leaning against Le Shu, the two had barely gone far before Lu Ronghuai caught up.
“Ah-Yuan, return with me.”
He dismissed Le Shu with a gesture and stepped forward to grasp Chu Yuan’s arm. His lips pressed into a straight line. In his urgency, his grip tightened without awareness.
Chu Yuan winced. His blood loss had already drained the color from his face. It blanched further, and his body swayed.
Le Shu watched in distress. Forgetting his fear, he blurted, “Your Highness, you are hurting Young Master.”
Lu Ronghuai stilled and forced himself to calm.
The cinnabar mole between Chu Yuan’s brows stood out vividly against his pallor. His dim eyes gathered a faint mist.
Lu Ronghuai released him at once, heart constricting. “I am sorry. I…”
“How long does Your Highness intend to torment me?”
Chu Yuan’s voice was quiet and measured. His face was composed.
Lu Ronghuai shook his head, then remembered he could not see. In a low tone, he explained, “I only wish to care for you properly. Ah-Yuan, how could I bear to torment you?”
Chu Yuan gave a faint, incredulous laugh. “What does Your Highness take me for?”
“In Your Highness’s eyes, I am perhaps but a dog you keep. One to bully and humiliate at will. I ask only that Your Highness show mercy. Chu Yuan… seeks nothing but death.”
Such self-deprecating words cut into Lu Ronghuai like a blade.
He could bear no more. He stepped forward and embraced him tightly. His eyes reddened. His voice broke. “Do you wish to pain me to death? Who permitted you to demean yourself so? You are never to speak thus again.”
Chu Yuan remained motionless in his arms. His gaze was lifeless. “Why must Your Highness pretend to such boundless devotion? Does it not disgust you?”
Lu Ronghuai’s heart clenched. He laughed bitterly, eyes rimmed red. “You believe my kindness to you is false?”
Chu Yuan did not answer.
His silence was answer enough.
Lu Ronghuai held his shoulders. He looked at him with undisguised feeling. “Ah-Yuan, give me one chance. I will prove it to you.”
“Your Highness has already proven it.”
“What do you mean?”
“At the New Year’s banquet, the one who sent men to kill me… was it not Your Highness?”
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Lu Ronghuai: Who is crying? How embarrassing.
Lu Ronghuai: Oh. It’s me. :)
Dear readers, the story will enter VIP next week. These next four or five chapters are shorter as I adjust the word count and build up drafts. Please bear with it a little longer. I love you all~
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