Concern

Xiao Chongrui felt he had been far too careless. Before coming to the Chancellor's Residence, he should have checked the almanac for an auspicious time and day, burned incense and offered prayers, then tucked a few talismans into his robes before paying his visit. Now he had run into this mess—his luck was rotten to the doorstep.

Alas, what a miserable fate.

Xiao Chongrui watched Shen Tingjue being helped inside as the servants hurriedly brought water and added charcoal, turning the place into chaos. Standing beneath the corridor, Xiao Chongrui wore an expression of weathered despair as he wondered whether it was too late to pretend to faint dead away.

Dark Seven had carried Physician Zhang over his shoulder, vaulting over rooftops all the way and jolting him pale. He clung to a pillar, nearly vomiting, but before he could finish being sick, Steward Feng anxiously dragged him inside, pressed him down at the bedside, and urged him to take Shen Tingjue's pulse quickly.

Behind the bed curtains, Shen Tingjue's lashes trembled, his hands clenched tightly around the quilt, his pale face utterly devoid of color.

Physician Zhang took his pulse and inserted needles, then wrote a prescription and instructed the servants to fetch and brew the medicine. Seeing Steward Feng's eyes redden with worry, he said with an amused smile, "Rest assured, he is not seriously ill. This is actually a good sign. Perhaps before long, he will recover his memories."

Steward Feng sniffed. "Truly?"

Physician Zhang stroked his beard and nodded.

Steward Feng let out a heavy breath of relief.

The Second Prince, peeking around the doorframe, also let out a heavy breath of relief.

As long as he was fine. As long as he was fine.

He had scared the life out of him.

If something had really happened, the people of Chang'an City would have countless versions of "Prince Kang brought gifts to visit Young Master Shen, only to anger him into fainting" ready by tomorrow. Then his lifelong reputation would be ruined.

Dusk settled in.

Wu Dequan had stood watch by the door for a long while before Xiao Hanye finally returned. He hurried forward and took the cloak Xiao Hanye removed. "Your Highness, please wait a moment. This old servant will bring the meal."

Xiao Hanye gave an "Mm," changed into a dark purple wide-sleeved robe patterned with subtle designs in the inner chamber, and after dinner, stood beneath the eaves feeding the Gyrfalcon while listening to the shadow guard's report.

"Young Master Shen ate the delicacies Your Highness sent him with great relish. He must have liked them very much. He only complained that Your Highness had not delivered them personally and was very angry. He said he would do this and that to you, though he did not say what exactly, so this subordinate does not know."

Xiao Hanye: "..."

The shadow guard was still doing his best to recall. "However, the young master smiled rather cruelly at the time. I imagine his methods would not be gentle."

Xiao Hanye gritted his teeth. "There is no need to report such trivial matters."

The shadow guard paused, then said loyally, "It concerns Your Highness's safety. This subordinate believes it is a major matter."

Xiao Hanye's expression was complicated.

The shadow guard added, "Also, the young master suddenly had a headache this afternoon and fainted again."

Xiao Hanye paused, frowning. "What happened?"

The shadow guard tried hard to recall the situation and reported solemnly, "He was angered by Prince Kang. Prince Kang spoke ill of Your Highness in front of the young master. The young master was overcome with agitation, his blood rushing to his head. Clutching his head, he kept crying that it hurt. The Chancellor's Residence immediately sent for Physician Zhang. The young master is still unconscious now, which shows he was not angered too severely."

Xiao Hanye wore an odd expression, as if he did not quite believe it.

He had been so angered by someone speaking ill of him that he fainted on the spot?

Surely not.

They had been threatening to cut ties only two days ago.

The shadow guard said with certainty, "This subordinate lay hidden in the shadows, watching and listening the entire time. There can be no mistake. The young master fainted because Prince Kang was insulting Your Highness. He nearly coughed up blood."

Xiao Hanye was silent for a while, then waved a hand. "I understand."

The shadow guard had no sense of propriety at all and continued, "The young master had someone dig a pit by the eastern wall and set up a net over the roof. He said it was to guard against thieves. If Your Highness wishes to secretly visit him, remember to climb over the western wall."

Xiao Hanye kicked him. "Get lost!"

"Yes, sir."

The shadow guard cupped his hands in salute and promptly got lost.

Xiao Hanye stood beneath the corridor with his hands behind his back, his indifferent expression half-hidden in the light and shadow. Wu Dequan held his breath for a long while. When Xiao Hanye made no move, he paced about before cautiously approaching. "Your Highness, are you going?"

After all, the man had been angered because of him.

No matter what, he ought to go show some concern.

Xiao Hanye's gaze settled on the wind lantern hanging in the corridor, his eyes unreadable. "Go for what? I am not a physician. Can I take his pulse or insert needles? Besides, it is not as if this is the first or second time he has fainted. He will naturally be fine after sleeping."

Wu Dequan felt those words sounded somewhat too heartless. He opened his mouth, but unexpectedly met Xiao Hanye's gaze. Sensibly falling silent, he lowered his eyes and stepped back.

The wind and snow drifted gently. The lanterns beneath the eaves swayed, casting hazy light. As the long night lingered on the verge of ending, as dawn hovered on the verge of breaking, Shen Tingjue frowned tightly and let out a soft groan, hazily wrapping himself more tightly in his cotton quilt before turning over.

Pine incense burned in the room, faint and clean, with a calming effect. Yet for some reason, when Shen Tingjue smelled it in his dream, it became the unpleasant stench of blood. He saw himself leap forward to block a cold arrow shot from the forest, dodging flashing blades before falling into a bottomless ravine.

Shen Tingjue clenched the quilt. Sweat poured down him as he gasped for breath, yet he felt cold seep through his entire body, leaving his hands and feet icy and making him tremble uncontrollably.

Warm fingers lightly brushed across his brow and pressed against his throbbing temples. Shen Tingjue immediately reacted like a startled cat, suddenly opening his eyes and swinging a fist without hesitation. Yet midway through the strike, his entire body went limp, and he collapsed again.

Shen Tingjue buried his head in the bedding. Hearing laughter beside his ear, he gritted his teeth and waited for the dizziness to pass before opening his eyes again and staring at the uninvited visitor before him.

He had just had a nightmare. His eyes were red and damp, with a trace of lingering fright still visible, enough to make one's heart soften involuntarily.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

Keeping some distance from him, Xiao Hanye said coldly, "I came to see my chief shadow guard, Lin Zhao."

Not the young master of the Chancellor's Residence who had cut ties with him.

Shen Tingjue pulled the quilt up until only his eyes showed, looking at Xiao Hanye as he drew out a long, "Oh."

Xiao Hanye touched his slightly damp temple. "What did you dream about? Did you remember something from before?"

Shen Tingjue leaned his cheek into Xiao Hanye's palm and rubbed against it as though acting spoiled. "Nothing much. I only dreamed that I was hit by an arrow and fell off a cliff."

Xiao Hanye froze slightly. He opened his mouth, but for a moment, could not say anything.

Shen Tingjue propped himself up on one arm and moved closer to him. Xiao Hanye instinctively half-wrapped an arm around him, leaving them in a half-embrace. They were suddenly very close, their breaths nearly tangling together.

Shen Tingjue kept rubbing himself against Xiao Hanye's chest. Tilting up his head, he easily kissed Xiao Hanye's chin, then slipped his fingers inside his collar to touch his firm chest. Yet his face carried the innocent daze of someone not fully awake. "I had a nightmare."

Xiao Hanye allowed his fingers to move as they pleased, his eyes half-lidded. "So?"

There was a hint of seduction in Shen Tingjue's eyes as his fingertips slid downward along Xiao Hanye's chest. "I need to do something to make myself forget it."

Xiao Hanye restrained his breathing and finally seized his wrist. "We have not made up yet."

"Mm? Who? What happened between you and me?" Shen Tingjue rubbed his calf against him, the corners of his eyes lifting into a tender smile. "The one who wanted to cut ties with you was Shen Tingjue, not me. Didn't Your Highness just say that you came to see Lin Zhao? That is me."