He Would Not Let Him Go
Xue Yingying knelt before Chu Yuan, crying so pitifully that she looked like pear blossoms soaked with rain.
“Prince Consort, please save this servant. This servant does not wish to die.” Her eyes were swollen like walnuts, bloodshot throughout. From last night until now she had not even dared to close her eyes.
The moment she shut them, she would see Cheng Dawei and the others coming to kill her.
Chu Yuan lowered his gaze and met her pleading eyes. “Rise first.”
Xue Yingying shook her head through tears. “If the Prince Consort will not save this servant, this servant will remain kneeling here today and never rise.”
Fu Qing stood behind Chu Yuan and frowned fiercely. “You are threatening the Prince Consort. The Prince Consort has no obligation to save you.”
“This servant... this servant does not dare threaten the Prince Consort. This servant is truly too frightened. Please, in consideration of the information this servant has provided, save this servant just once.” Xue Yingying knocked her head repeatedly against the floor.
Chu Yuan said, “How do you wish for me to save you?”
“This servant is of base registration and has no qualification to leave Ping Cheng. If the Prince Consort could ask His Highness to remove this servant’s base status, this servant would immediately flee far away, hide her name and live in obscurity, never returning again.”
Just as she finished speaking, a knock sounded at the door.
Xian Yu and Xian Shuang were guarding outside. Xian Yu spoke through the door. “Prince Consort, Prefect Zhang has come upstairs.”
Chu Yuan looked toward Xue Yingying. “You arranged to meet Prefect Zhang today?”
Xue Yingying shook her head, bewildered. “This servant did not know Prefect Zhang would come today.”
In truth, Zhang Ze was the same as Cheng Dawei and the others. Most of them came at night to listen to music and discuss matters. It was rare for them to appear here during the day.
While they were still speaking, Zhang Ze had already reached the doorway. When he saw Xian Yu and Xian Shuang standing there, he started in surprise.
“The Prince Consort is here?” he asked.
Xian Yu nodded.
Chu Yuan’s clear and gentle voice came from within the room. “Prefect Zhang, please come in.”
Zhang Ze pushed the door open and entered. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Xue Yingying kneeling to one side, her face soaked with tears.
His eyes widened, and he looked toward Chu Yuan in confusion. “Prince Consort, what has happened?”
Chu Yuan rested his right arm against the edge of the table, his expression cold as he spoke. “Can Prefect Zhang not see? This Prince Consort is making trouble for Miss Xue.”
“This Prince Consort asked her to prepare tea. She cannot even manage such a small task. Do you think she deserves punishment?”
Zhang Ze immediately understood. At the welcoming banquet that night, Xue Yingying had openly tried to seduce Prince Li and angered the Prince Consort. No wonder he had come today to humiliate her.
He smiled mildly. “Naturally she should be punished. She cannot even do such a small task and has clumsily angered the Prince Consort. Hurry and kowtow to the Prince Consort and admit your fault at once.”
Xue Yingying lowered her head and responded softly. “Yes, this servant knows her mistake.”
She knocked her head three more times against the ground.
Chu Yuan lifted his teacup and gently blew aside the floating tea leaves. His dark eyes fell downward without warmth. “Rise. Today, out of consideration for Prefect Zhang, this Prince Consort will spare your life.”
Then he turned to Zhang Ze and invited him to sit. “Why has Prefect Zhang come?”
Zhang Ze cupped his hands. “This official was entrusted by General Fang. Three days from now an altar will be established in the city to conduct rites for the soldiers who perished in the mountain disturbance, to deliver their spirits. I came specially to invite Miss Xue to perform a dance.”
Chu Yuan nodded. “Fu Qing, serve tea to Prefect Zhang.”
Zhang Ze glanced at Fu Qing. “This maid beside the Prince Consort looks unfamiliar.”
“She was purchased only two days ago. Her work is quite efficient.”
Zhang Ze flattered him. “The Prince Consort possesses hui-nature and orchid-heart. Any maid favored by the Prince Consort must naturally be exceptional.”
“Will His Highness and the Prince Consort attend the rites in three days?”
Chu Yuan did not give a definite answer. “This matter will be relayed to His Highness.”
“Ah, that reminds me. This official selected two locations for the ritual. Might the Prince Consort take a look and advise which would be more fitting?” Zhang Ze took out a small booklet from his sleeve and respectfully handed it over.
Chu Yuan smiled. “Prefect Zhang should decide himself. This Prince Consort is unfamiliar with such matters and fears showing disrespect to the fallen spirits.”
Zhang Ze looked troubled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piling together. “This official is also doing such a task for the first time. Since I happened to encounter the Prince Consort today, please help this official. I would be deeply grateful.”
After repeated requests, Chu Yuan found it difficult to refuse further and accepted the booklet.
He examined the two locations Zhang Ze had chosen. In the end, his slender finger came to rest upon the second place.
“This one. The surroundings are open and the view is broad. When the people come to watch, there will also be enough space to accommodate them.”
Zhang Ze smiled broadly and said “good” several times in succession.
Chu Yuan returned the booklet to him.
To express thanks, Zhang Ze personally lifted the teapot and filled Chu Yuan’s cup. “Prince Consort, please drink tea. Many thanks for your guidance. This official offers tea in place of wine to toast you.”
“Guidance would be too much. Prefect Zhang already chose both locations well.” Chu Yuan lifted the teacup and took a small sip out of courtesy.
After the matter was finished, Zhang Ze soon departed.
Chu Yuan remained seated for a while longer before saying to Xue Yingying, “As for removing your base status, I will speak with His Highness when I return. Whether His Highness will help you, however, I cannot guarantee.”
Xue Yingying said, “For the Prince Consort to be willing to help this servant, this servant is already deeply grateful.”
She knew clearly in her heart that if Chu Yuan spoke, Prince Li would very likely agree.
“What hour is it now?” Chu Yuan turned his head to ask Fu Qing.
Fu Qing replied, “It is just noon. Does the Prince Consort wish to return?”
“Let us return.” Chu Yuan stood up, a faint smile passing over his lips.
Any longer and a certain someone would be stamping his feet.
The smile had not yet faded from his face when his body suddenly swayed.
“Prince Consort!” Fu Qing reacted quickly and caught him. Seeing his breathing grow rapid, her heart sank.
Her cry startled Xian Yu and Xian Shuang outside. Both rushed straight into the room.
Xian Shuang, voice sharp, “What did the Prince Consort just consume?”
Fu Qing answered quickly, “The Prince Consort only drank half a cup of tea. He ate nothing.”
Xian Shuang strode to the table, seized the cup Chu Yuan had just used, and brought it close to his nose. After smelling it, his gaze shot toward Xue Yingying like a blade.
“What was put in the tea?”
Xue Yingying’s face turned pale. She had not yet understood what was happening before that stare frightened her into retreat.
“There was nothing in the tea. Even if this servant were given ten livers’ worth of courage, this servant would not dare harm the Prince Consort.”
“Xian Yu, collect everything here and take it away. As for this person, bring her back to the Prince’s residence.” Xian Shuang’s expression was icy.
Xian Yu stepped forward and gripped Xue Yingying’s shoulder.
Xue Yingying cried out miserably.
Xian Shuang walked to Chu Yuan’s side. Supported by Fu Qing, Chu Yuan’s clear eyes had already grown hazy with moisture. His cheeks flushed rapidly, reddening like wine had risen to his face.
“I will take the Prince Consort back.”
Seeing Chu Yuan’s symptoms as deeply wrong, Xian Shuang felt his heart sink. He bent slightly, intending to carry Chu Yuan back using qinggong.
Just as he lowered himself, a figure suddenly appeared at the doorway.
“Your Highness!” Xian Yu called.
Lu Ronghuai walked in, his face set and grim. He gathered Chu Yuan into his arms, turned, and walked straight back out.
“...Your Highness.” Wind roared past his ears. Curled in Lu Ronghuai’s arms, Chu Yuan burned with heat, even the breath he exhaled scorching.
“Do not fear. I will take you back.” Lu Ronghuai’s voice was cold and steady as he carried him across the rooftops.
He carried him in his arms and flew back by qinggong, covering the distance at the greatest speed he could manage.
Lu Ronghuai laid Chu Yuan upon the bed.
“Hot...” Chu Yuan’s consciousness grew muddled. His brows knit faintly. Something felt wrong with his body. It was as though ants were gnawing inside his bones, waves of numb ache crashing through him.
His limbs were weak and soft, yet heat swelled painfully within him. Unable to bear it, he curled his body and fumbled clumsily at his clothing, trying to loosen it and relieve the tormenting heat.
Lu Ronghuai pressed down on his hand. His gaze was dark, yet his voice flowed gentle as water. “Ah-Yuan, be good. The physician will arrive soon.”
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Xian Shuang returned carrying a physician.
“Get over here quickly!” Lu Ronghuai turned his head, his expression fierce.
The physician stumbled forward in a panic. He had only glanced once toward the bed before Lu Ronghuai’s cold voice lashed out. “Look again and I will have your eyes out!”
The physician trembled and quickly lowered his head.
He cautiously reached out to take Chu Yuan’s pulse. “Ah... this... this is Half-Pot Spring.”
“What is Half-Pot Spring?” Lu Ronghuai frowned deeply.
“It is a rather well-known and potent aphrodisiac here.”
“Find a way to remove it.”
The physician shook his head like a rattle drum. “There is no way to remove it. The potency is far too great that ordinary antidotes cannot dispel it. If it cannot be relieved in time, the person’s meridians will swell and burst, leading to death.”
“This young man’s constitution is not especially robust. If too violent a method is used, it may harm his health.”
“Therefore some people here even use this medicine as a poison... It would be best to find a maid to serve this young man.”
The moment he finished speaking, Xian Shuang grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him out expressionlessly.
The door was pulled firmly shut.
Chu Yuan closed his eyes. His eyelashes were damp, the tip of his nose flushed red. His lips were vivid in color, parted slightly by the heat, revealing a glimpse of pink tongue.
Lu Ronghuai clasped his hand tightly, worry filling his eyes.
“Your Highness... it is so hot...”
Lu Ronghuai washed a cloth and wiped away the sweat from his skin. When the cool cloth touched his body, Chu Yuan gave a soft hum of comfort.
Yet soon the heat returned.
Sweat formed upon Chu Yuan’s brow. Helplessly, he leaned toward Lu Ronghuai, his expression full of suffering.
Lu Ronghuai’s throat ran dry. With aching heart he wiped the sweat from Chu Yuan’s forehead.
Chu Yuan, confused and dazed, clutched Lu Ronghuai’s sleeve and refused to release it, his voice soft as he murmured that he was hot.
After a quarter of an hour, Lu Ronghuai wiped his hands clean with the cloth and rose with difficulty, intending to leave the bed and wash the cloth again.
However, Chu Yuan hooked his arms around his neck.
He would not let him go.
Pitiful and endearing all at once.
“Ah-Yuan...” Lu Ronghuai drew a deep breath. “Do you still know who I am?”
“Your Highness...” Chu Yuan’s eyes were closed, the corners of them flushed red. The unbearable heat made him unable to endure it any longer, and he began to cry softly.
He felt terribly uncomfortable. Tears wet his cheeks. In his dazed state, Chu Yuan felt as though he were being roasted upon a steaming rack.
Lu Ronghuai’s heart ached terribly. He kissed Chu Yuan’s warm, fragrant lips and soothed him gently. “It is all right. Ah-Yuan, do not be afraid. I...”
Chu Yuan did not let him finish.
Following instinct, he wrapped his arms around the man’s neck and lifted his head to kiss him.
He did not know how to kiss, pressing forward clumsily without pattern. When the man did not open his mouth, Chu Yuan’s entire small face grew aggrieved.
Just as he withdrew in frustration, the man suddenly chased forward again and seized his lips in a fierce kiss, sweeping through like storming armies. The force of it made Chu Yuan tremble uncontrollably.
A moment later.
“Baobao, shall we consummate the marriage?” Lu Ronghuai spoke with strained restraint, his hoarse voice sounding beside Chu Yuan’s ear.
Tears slipped from the corners of Chu Yuan’s eyes. He only tightened his arms and held on, pulling the man close by the neck.
A smile flashed across Lu Ronghuai’s lips.
“Good.” The man lowered his head and kissed him again.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Congratulations to Lu Dog. His dog life has reached fulfillment.
(Please, censors, let this one through. I truly did not write anything explicit. I beg you, most humbly.)
0 Comments