Chapter 43 - 1#

Rong Jiu’s body was very cold, feeling like a dead person. Logically speaking, no matter what, a man in his prime shouldn’t have such a cold body.

The chill upon touching him startled Jingzhe greatly.

He stripped off Rong Jiu’s clothes, revealing his naked and muscular body, covered the man with the quilt, and began to rub his acupoints.

In the dark night, the solitary lamp could only illuminate a very small area, so Jingzhe fumbled bit by bit in the darkness, measuring Rong Jiu with his fingers.

Only when his limbs finally warmed up under Jingzhe’s efforts did he heave a slight sigh of relief.

“Don’t cry.”

Rong Jiu’s voice was mixed with a faint weariness, a rare drowsiness surging up, carrying a few threads of lingering affection.

Jingzhe: “I’m not crying.”

He wiped his face, only to realize that his face was still wet and cold, and added.

“This is rain that hasn’t been wiped dry.”

“Hehe.” Rong Jiu chuckled low, “Okay, it’s rain. Then Jingzhe, wipe your face.”

That voice was somewhat coaxing.

As if coaxing some little darling, which embarrassed Jingzhe a little.

He rudely wiped his face and moved his body outward.

When they got into bed, Jingzhe was afraid that his soaked clothes would wet the dry bedding, so he took off almost all his clothes, even his lower body… was the same.

Now it was just covered by the quilt and couldn’t be seen.

For Rong Jiu’s body, Jingzhe didn’t even realize for a moment whether his hidden secret would be exposed because of this.

When anxious, one couldn’t care about anything, but now seeing the person seemed to have recovered, Jingzhe moved his body awkwardly.

He put Rong Jiu’s half-dried hair back on the bed, pulled the soaked pillow and threw it on the floor, piling it up with those messy clothes.

Let the trouble of these beddings be a headache for him tomorrow.

Only then did Jingzhe have the leisure to wipe himself all over, and incidentally fixed his hair, lest it continue to drip water.

“Jingzhe, where are you going?”

He originally thought the man had fallen asleep, but as soon as Jingzhe moved slightly, Rong Jiu’s voice came keenly.

It sounded very sober.

Jingzhe said hesitantly, “Tonight was to search for His Majesty, that’s why I came out in the rain. Now I don’t know what the situation is outside, I want to go and see…”

He had just arrived at the Taishi Palace. If his whereabouts were unknown for this night, he would probably be interrogated tomorrow.

Leaving Rong Jiu here was even worse.

When Jingzhe wanted to inquire about the situation, he would incidentally look for Wei Haidong’s trace.

Regarding the question and answer with Rong Jiu just now, at first Jingzhe thought it was true. Later, on second thought, Rong Jiu’s abnormality today was probably because the toxicity in his body flared up again, which was why he was in the rain.

Jingzhe had the nature of a small animal. If Wei Haidong was a bad person, he definitely wouldn’t get close to him.

…Although a bit lackadaisical, he should still be considered a good one.

After finding Wei Haidong, he should be able to ask him to come forward and find an imperial physician to check Rong Jiu’s condition.

As for the punishment for trespassing into the palace and acting recklessly, Jingzhe would naturally bear it all.

Jingzhe’s thoughts in his heart had turned a hundred times, but what he said was only the sentence on the surface “inquire about the situation”, which also sounded very reasonable.

However, Rong Jiu’s fingers were distinct and bony, gripping Jingzhe’s wrist forcefully. The strength was so great that it could almost leave a deep mark.

Jingzhe smoothed his hair and sighed.

“Why are you disobedient?”

That voice carried a bit of gentle helplessness.

Rong Jiu: “Will obedient children get rewards?” The man’s flat voice said such words, and Jingzhe felt an indescribable sense of shame.

…What child, how old are you?

Jingzhe muttered in his heart but dared not say it out, only clearing his throat.

He lowered his head and kissed Rong Jiu’s nose.

It was cool, and subconsciously, he licked it again.

Realizing how shameful his behavior was with hindsight, Jingzhe suddenly straightened up and said a bit stiffly, “I will really come back, Rong Jiu, you believe…”

Before he could finish his words, a huge force dragged Jingzhe down onto the bed. Immediately after, the warm quilt rolled him in, and the two naked bodies pressed together.

Although it was for warmth, it was also a bit embarrassing.

Jingzhe’s whole body stiffened, not daring to move randomly.

If he moved and leaked something that shouldn’t be leaked, then it would really be over.

Patting Jingzhe’s back with a large hand, the man said lightly.

“Believe, and also disbelieve.”

Jingzhe felt that the weakness was still dormant in the man’s body. Obviously, that toxic flare-up wasn’t so easily endured.

“If you don’t believe, then forget it. You sleep first.”

Jingzhe said drily.

In this position now, it was not good for him to struggle.

In case his identity was exposed after struggling… Jingzhe wasn’t prepared for that yet.

Moreover…

Rong Jiu had always been a tough person. Suddenly revealing fragile fatigue in front of Jingzhe, how could Jingzhe bear for him to force himself to argue with him when he was unwell?

At worst, after Rong Jiu fell asleep, he would just get up.

Thinking so, Jingzhe stopped moving.

Being a good sleeping companion for Rong Jiu.

Jingzhe quieted down. Rong Jiu seemed to feel a little drowsiness, gently pinched the back of his neck twice, and then stopped moving.

Jingzhe listened to the man’s breathing.

Beside his ear was a clear beating. This powerful movement undoubtedly made Jingzhe somewhat grateful.

At least listening to this heartbeat let him know the person was fine.

Outside the palace, the pouring rain continued incessantly, as if there was a hole in the sky, pouring down the water of the Milky Way.

Wei Haidong wiped his face irritably, not caring about his soaked clothes at all. The frowned eyebrows on his determined face could almost squeeze a fly to death.

So much time had passed, and so many people were sent out, yet not even a trace of the Emperor was found.

The rain was really too heavy, submerging many traces in the torrential rain, making it difficult to track useful clues.

Where exactly did His Majesty the Emperor go?

“Commander, there are traces ahead.”

A person quietly lurked to Wei Haidong’s side, looking unremarkable.

Wei Haidong listened carefully, his eyebrows moved slightly, and he immediately led people to rush over.

Rumble—

He stood under the corridor, watching the huge thunder explode, and spat in his heart.

Can this damned heaven be quieter?

Wei Haidong looked at the ancient tree, then lowered his head to look at the traces on the steps. Although the wet marks spread over a large area, he could still tell that it should be the traces left by two people.

He narrowed his eyes and saw the wet handprint on the palace door in the lamplight.

Someone went in.

And there were only traces of entering, not exiting.

Wei Haidong raised his head, about to signal the people behind him to break the door, when he suddenly thought of something, abruptly held his fist, and looked around suspiciously again.

“Commander?”

Someone asked.

They didn’t know why Wei Haidong still didn’t give the order for this obvious trace of intrusion.

Wei Haidong restrained the expression on his face and said calmly, “No need to bother.”

That person obviously showed a stunned expression.

Don’t even need to bother with this?

He looked at the palace door, just about to say something, when he suddenly realized something, abruptly lowered his head, and dared not even speak.

Obviously, this subordinate realized something.

Wei Haidong nodded with satisfaction in his heart. Passable, not too stupid.

Tonight, Emperor Jingyuan woke up twice.

No matter the reason, even if the sky broke, there absolutely couldn’t be a third time.

Not to mention anything else, Zong Yuanxin was cursing loudly in the Taishi Palace.

When Wei Haidong took a small group of people back, he could still hear Zong, the imperial physician, jumping with rage.

“If you are hoping for him to die early, then keep tossing like this! I’ll see whether my medical skills are superb, or your Emperor’s life is tough enough to endure for how much longer!”

Zong Yuanxin said sternly, with unprecedented seriousness.

Ning Hongru went out to look for people. At this moment, only Shi Lijun was in the Taishi Palace. This female official’s self-restraint was quite impressive. Even if Zong Yuanxin pointed at her nose and cursed, she still remained unmoved.

However, seeing Wei Haidong return, Shi Lijun’s face still showed a bit of anxiety, and she walked up quickly.

“Did you find His Majesty?”

Wei Haidong nodded. Both Zong Yuanxin and Shi Lijun breathed a sigh of relief abruptly.

Zong Yuanxin also stopped cursing immediately: “Take me there quickly.”

Wei Haidong shook his head: “Didn’t you say not to disturb His Majesty? He should be asleep.”

Zong Yuanxin raised his eyebrows suspiciously: “Really? He could fall asleep so quickly after waking up?”

Wouldn’t it hurt like hell?

Of course, it didn’t hurt all the time. Sometimes there were other symptoms, but none of them could be considered pleasant.

Anyway, if Emperor Jingyuan could sleep until tomorrow, it would be the best.

“Even if he is asleep, I can guard by the side. When he wakes up, I can diagnose him immediately.” Zong Yuanxin settled for the second best, not thinking this was such an extraordinary request.

Isn’t it normal for a doctor to want to pay attention to the patient’s condition at all times?

Wei Haidong subconsciously glanced at Shi Lijun, frowned slightly, and didn’t agree immediately.

Shi Lijun was sharp and suddenly said, “His Majesty doesn’t want to be disturbed?”

Zong Yuanxin frowned. What kind of words are these? Emperor Jingyuan is asleep, where does willing or unwilling come from?

Wei Haidong said in a deep voice, “Logically speaking, he should be unwilling.”

Shi Lijun understood and said calmly, “Since His Majesty is unwilling, then let’s talk about it tomorrow.” Her gaze slowly fell on Wei Haidong, and he immediately understood the female official’s implication.

“Okay.”

Zong Yuanxin stood between the two, looking suspiciously back and forth, “What are you two making eyes at each other for?”

How come just by exchanging a glance, they understood what it meant? Can these eyes convey words? Or is it a meeting of minds?

Why is he the only one who doesn’t understand!

…

Jingzhe didn’t understand either.

By the dim candlelight, he counted Rong Jiu’s eyelashes one by one. He originally wanted to distract his strange mood in this way, wait for Rong Jiu to fall asleep, and then get up to clean up the aftermath.

…How did he fall asleep!

When Jingzhe woke up, it was already broad daylight outside the window.

The bright sun was shining high, as if yesterday’s storm had nothing to do with it.

It’s over, it’s over!

While screaming in his heart that it was over, Jingzhe looked at Rong Jiu, only to see the man embracing him with long arms and legs, his head resting on Jingzhe’s shoulder, revealing fluffy hair.

That heavy breathing, he should still be asleep.

Jingzhe rarely saw Rong Jiu sleeping so deeply. Even less so waking up to see someone beside him.

…It seems that last night was really difficult.

Jingzhe’s heart was filled with a messy ball of yarn. There was discomfort, even more bitterness, but also faint happiness and frantic unease.

He knew clearly that he probably couldn’t escape the punishment today. Even if he couldn’t escape, he still had to think of a suitable reason to extract Rong Jiu.

While thinking so, Jingzhe tried to crawl out of Rong Jiu’s arms.

Being naked, if he didn’t run now, it was obvious that the secret would be revealed.

“Jingzhe.”

Unexpectedly, he just turned over and was called. The man’s voice behind him had no sleepiness at all, as if he had been awake for a long time.

Jingzhe didn’t dare to turn his head, speaking with his back to him like this.

“You’re awake? Does it still hurt?”

“En.”

Jingzhe pursed his lips. What does “En” mean?

Does it hurt or not?

He wanted to turn his head to ask, but still held back the impulse.

“It’s getting late now. If you’re awake, get up.” After saying this, Jingzhe stuck out his upper body and hurriedly fished for clothes on the floor, revealing his fair back.

Rong Jiu looked at Jingzhe’s tight waist and raised his hand to touch it.

The smooth touch was quite different from the roughness on his hands and feet.

Jingzhe trembled, his body stiffened.

The palm spread on his lower back was no longer cold like yesterday, at least it had a little temperature. But for Jingzhe, such contact was undoubtedly a bit too intimate.

Although in several unexpected situations, Jingzhe had had intimate contact with Rong Jiu, in Jingzhe’s view, those were somewhat forced.

He was overly sensitive about these things.

Actually, looking at Rong Jiu’s sometimes slightly suppressed gaze, Jingzhe could somewhat feel that the man had desires for him, but he had never crossed the line.

He didn’t know whether to say he could endure, or Rong Jiu saw through the timidity in his heart.

Jingzhe picked up the clothes and draped them over his body indiscriminately.

After a night of tossing, these clothes were only half dry, but Jingzhe couldn’t care less.

With his back to Rong Jiu, he said urgently, “Right now, the Taishi Palace should know that we didn’t go to duty. You leave first later, I’ll go later…”

An arm blocked Jingzhe’s waist, not letting him move.

“What do you want to do?”

The slightly rising tail sound in the cold and indifferent voice seemed to carry a bit of curiosity and interest.

Jingzhe’s voice was calm, even a bit amused, “What can I do? Rong Jiu, you think too much…”

At this moment, slight footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Jingzhe’s voice stopped abruptly, and his body also stiffened slightly. After a while, he calmed down and immediately put on all his clothes in this strange posture.