Chapter 48

Cheng Yun looked at him as if they were meeting for the very first time.

Wen Bie-sang maintained his usual cool and detached expression, his eyes resembling those of a cat that could never quite comprehend human speech.

Cheng Yun locked gazes with him for a few moments, then turned his back and stood in silence for a while longer.

He lifted his foot and walked out.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Wen Bie-sang wore an expression of faint disappointment, mingled with a touch of perplexity.

He lay back down and closed his eyes.

With his acute senses, Cheng Yun clearly heard the rustling sound of the other person pulling the quilt over himself. He walked all the way to the door, only to suddenly hear Xie Nihong’s voice: "Chief Steward Pang, I would like some more water, please."

Cheng Yun did not open the door.

He stood there for a moment, then went over to sit on the long couch, his gaze lingering on the inner chamber as a dull ache began to throb in his head.

The next morning, when Wen Bie-sang rose from the bed and stepped out of the inner chamber, he caught sight of the Crown Prince curled up on the long couch. Wrapped tightly in a heavy cloak, the prince kept his eyes shut, his brows knitted together in a deep frown, clearly having slept very restlessly.

All of his usual majesty had vanished completely, making him look rather like a grand tiger stripped of its magnificent pelt.

Wen Bie-sang walked over and squatted down beside the long couch.

Even though he merely watched without doing a thing, Cheng Yun’s eyelashes fluttered a few times before he slowly opened his eyes.

As their gazes met, the Crown Prince bolted upright from the couch, his heart pounding fiercely as he stared at Wen Bie-sang in utter astonishment.

Wen Bie-sang straightened up and sat on the edge of the couch. Cheng Yun immediately scooted away to the side, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Unbothered, Wen Bie-sang simply sat quietly and asked, "Why didn't you go out?"

"This is my bedchamber. Why should I go out?"

"Then why didn't you chase me out?"

Cheng Yun averted his gaze, his long, flowing hair shielding his ears. Beneath his high-bridge nose, his lips were pressed tightly together, and his profile looked somewhat aloof. "Because I said I would treat you well."

"Even if..." Wen Bie-sang fumbled for a newly learned word, "...to toy with you?"

Lowering his eyelashes, Cheng Yun got down from the couch and said, "Since you're both awake, have someone come in to tidy up."

"You haven't helped me dress in days," Wen Bie-sang said, remaining seated on the couch with his arms outstretched as if demanding an embrace. "Help me."

Cheng Yun turned to fetch his garments and brought them back to dress him. As Wen Bie-sang slid his arms into the sleeves, he looked at Cheng Yun’s exceptionally cold face and reached out a finger to gently hook the man's chin.

Cheng Yun tilted his head to dodge, continuing to fasten his robes. Wen Bie-sang then reached out to pinch his ear.

Frowning, Cheng Yun dodged once more and muttered in a low voice, "Stop messing around."

Once he was fully dressed, Wen Bie-sang remained seated on the couch, tapping his foot. "My shoes."

So Cheng Yun had to retrieve the shoes and drop them at his feet.

Wen Bie-sang didn't move. He simply kept swinging his feet lazily while fixing his eyes on him.

After a few moments, Cheng Yun squatted down in front of him again.

Wen Bie-sang reached out and gently stroked his head.

Cheng Yun’s breathing tightened slightly. With a gloomy expression, he raised his head. Wen Bie-sang’s hand was still resting on the crown of his head; seeing him look up, he tentatively withdrew his hand and watched him with uncertain, probing eyes.

The muscles in Cheng Yun’s jaw twitched as he slowly straightened his body.

Tall and long-legged with a face as dark as water, his mere presence was enough to instill fear.

Wen Bie-sang slowly drew his hand back, behaving as docilely as a small animal pulling in its claws, and lowered his head as well.

There was nothing hidden inside his cuffs this time; he had left his small crossbow on the bed.

Cheng Yun turned and walked out without saying a word.

Wen Bie-sang relaxed slightly, a trace of bewilderment flickering across his features.

After washing and grooming, Wen Bie-sang went to Xie Lingshu’s room. Having rested for the night, Xie Lingshu looked much better in spirit. A smile touched his lips the moment he saw Wen Bie-sang. "You're up so early."

"Mn," Wen Bie-sang replied. "When are you leaving?"

"Ah-sang!" Xie Nihong said with a hint of playful reproach. "My brother's wounds haven't healed yet, and you're already in such a rush to chase us away."

"I'm not chasing you," Wen Bie-sang said. "But once you leave Shengjing, you should be safe."

"After a while, Gu will lead a batch of supplies to the Thunder Fire Camp," Cheng Yun’s figure appeared at the doorway. He measured the distance between Xie Lingshu and Wen Bie-sang with a glance before stepping inside with his hands clasped behind his back. "By then, you can disguise yourselves as attendants of the Crown Prince’s estate and leave Shengjing."

Xie Lingshu nodded. "Much obliged. However, before we leave, there is still one more matter that will trouble Your Highness."

Cheng Yun let out an affirmative hum. "Gu already said that after the New Year, we will let you see Shen Yuerong. But whether you can take her away will depend on your own abilities."

"Can we go see her right now?" asked Wen Bie-sang. "I look very much like my mother; perhaps she will recognize me."

Xie Nihong chimed in immediately, "I look a lot like our mother, too."

"No," Cheng Yun said, casting a faint glance at Xie Lingshu. "At the very least, we must wait until his wounds are healed and bring Qi Song along. Should Shen Yuerong suddenly strike, we will at least have the means to protect ourselves."

"Your Highness is most thoughtful."

For several consecutive days, Lou Zhaoji strictly ordered Xie Lingshu to remain bedridden and rest. On this particular day, Wen Bie-sang brought over some fruit to see him, only to find the man propping himself up to get out of bed.

Stopping in his tracks, Wen Bie-sang asked, "Can you move around now?"

"Much better," Xie Lingshu said, steadying himself against the table as his gaze fell on the tray in Wen Bie-sang's hands. "For me?"

"Mn." Wen Bie-sang set the tray down, walked over to support him, and said, "The sunlight is quite nice today. You can go outside and bask in it."

Xie Lingshu looked into his calm face, shifted his gaze slightly, and said, "Sometimes I think your words are rather harsh, and other times I feel that this isn't so bad. At least right now, you are the only one who doesn't nag me about having to stay in bed."

"Your body belongs to you; you should know your own limits." The moment the two stepped outside, Pang Qi scurried over with sharp eyes. "Young Master, let me help support him."

"Go fetch the reclining chair I usually use and set it up so he can rest."

Pang Qi immediately instructed someone to carry out the reclining chair, then tried to take over supporting Xie Lingshu. Wen Bie-sang asked, "Can't you support him from that side instead?"

Xie Lingshu smiled faintly, the corners of his lips curving upward.

Left with no choice, Pang Qi circled around to the other side, looking somewhat distressed.

Once Xie Lingshu was comfortably settled on the chair, Wen Bie-sang retrieved the fruit he had brought earlier, sat down beside him, and began eating with great relish.

Xie Lingshu remarked, "I thought those were for me."

"Don't you have hands?" Wen Bie-sang countered.

Xie Lingshu pressed a hand against his wound, gesturing for him to look. "Busy."

Standing nearby, Pang Qi watched them with mounting anxiety, feeling as though ants were crawling over his hot heart.

Wen Bie-sang asked, "What do you want to eat?"

"The one in your hand." Wen Bie-sang popped all the dried fruit he was holding into his mouth, picked up a fresh piece, and offered it to him. Xie Lingshu opened his mouth, and Wen Bie-sang fed it to him.

Pang Qi’s eyes darted back and forth between the two of them, glancing anxiously toward the rear.

Xie Lingshu had already narrowed his eyes, as if overwhelmed by the sweetness. "A bit too sweet. Not as good as the ones back in our Gentlemen's City."

"It's fine," Wen Bie-sang said. "They're all marinated in honey, so they're bound to be sweet. Try this fresh one instead."

Abandoning the dried fruit, he pierced a piece of freshly sliced apple with a bamboo toothpick and handed it over. Xie Lingshu took it into his mouth and smiled inexplicably.

At that exact moment, Pang Qi caught sight of someone turning the corner in the distance. Cheng Yun stepped into view, casting a cool look toward Wen Bie-sang’s direction.

"This flavor is just right," Xie Lingshu said. "Give me another piece."

Wen Bie-sang promptly pierced another piece and extended it.

Cheng Yun stopped in his tracks.

Xie Lingshu opened his mouth wide, staring intently at Wen Bie-sang like a tiger eyeing its prey, and with a crisp *crunch*, bit clean through the bamboo toothpick—

When he snapped back to his senses, Wen Bie-sang was pulling the broken toothpick back. Though his expression remained blank, a glimmer of a smile danced deep within Xie Lingshu’s eyes, and the atmosphere between the two of them was remarkably harmonious.

"Oh, right," Wen Bie-sang asked. "Where is Xie Nihong?"

"Song Qianfan came looking for her early this morning. It seems they went to Young Master Chang San's courtyard."

Cheng Yun approached with a calm expression.

Pang Qi quietly took a step backward.

Xie Lingshu chuckled. "What? Missing her?"

"Not really," Wen Bie-sang said. "Does she know Song Qianfan likes her?"

"Even a blind man could see it," Xie Lingshu sighed softly. "Pity that the distance between them is too great. Ah-hong would never abandon her mother."

"You could have Song Qianfan marry into your family."

Xie Lingshu burst out laughing. Before he could reply, a voice rang out from behind: "Wen Bie-sang."

Both of them turned their heads. Cheng Yun was standing just a few paces away, saying coldly, "Did you put your undergarments under my pillow yesterday?"

Pang Qi stared blankly in shock.

Cheng Yun's face remained entirely unperturbed. Wen Bie-sang looked baffled, while Xie Lingshu’s expression altered abruptly.

He instinctively looked at Wen Bie-sang, who replied, "I didn't."

"Go check and see if they're there."

Frowning, Wen Bie-sang stood up and walked toward the bedchamber.

Xie Lingshu fell silent. Cheng Yun walked over and claimed the chair Wen Bie-sang had just vacated, casually asking, "The apples prepared by the palace's Fruit and Vegetable Bureau—are they sweet?"

Xie Lingshu glanced at him sideways. "Why doesn't the Crown Prince taste one and find out?"

Picking up an unused bamboo toothpick, Cheng Yun pierced a piece, popped it into his mouth, and said with a faint smile, "Gu finds them quite sweet."

Xie Lingshu then picked up his own used toothpick with deliberate pretense, tasted a piece as well, and smiled half-heartedly. "Not as sweet as the two bites Ah-sang fed me."

The two men locked gazes. The smiles on their lips did not fade, yet their eyes grew colder by the second.

Wen Bie-sang emerged from the bedchamber briskly. "They aren't there. I told you I didn't put them there."

Occupying Wen Bie-sang's seat without moving, Cheng Yun replied, "Then perhaps I remembered incorrectly."

"Ah-sang," Xie Lingshu said. "Suddenly I feel a chill. I'd like to go back and rest."

"Mn," Wen Bie-sang responded, stepping over to support him. But Cheng Yun had already reached out to cup Xie Lingshu’s arm. "Gu will help you. Spring has yet to truly arrive, and the weather remains fickle. Since City Lord Xie is nursing injuries from a mishap, he must still pay heed to resting."

"Many thanks for Your Highness's concern," Xie Lingshu said.

With a smile, Cheng Yun replied, "It is only right."

As Cheng Yun supported Xie Lingshu toward the left wing, Wen Bie-sang moved to follow, only to be abruptly intercepted by Pang Qi.

"Young Master, do you still want these?"

Wen Bie-sang glanced at the tray of fruit. "Yes."

He picked up the tray and followed the two men ahead of him. As they descended the steps beneath the long corridor, Xie Lingshu suddenly swayed to the side, his shoulder striking a pillar as he let out a sharp hiss of pain.

Startled, Wen Bie-sang hurried over with quick steps.

Cheng Yun had already reached out to steady him again. Sucking in a breath and pressing a hand against his abdomen wound, Xie Lingshu smiled palely. "Crown Prince... truly has never waited on anyone before. He uses far too much force."

Arriving on the scene, Wen Bie-sang exclaimed frantically, "Your wound is bleeding through! Pang Qi, go fetch Lou Zhaoji! Go, quickly!"