Past Events

The incense burner smoldered with pine incense, white smoke curling upward, light and tranquil. Shen Tingjue ran his fingers over the gold thread on his dragon-patterned robe and said, "I actually remembered some things."

Xiao Hanye paused, then turned him by the shoulders, unable to wait. "What things?"

Shen Tingjue pointed at his cheek and grinned. "Kiss me twice, and I'll tell you."

Xiao Hanye: "..."

Xiao Hanye suddenly did not hold much hope.

Given Shen Tingjue's usual temperament, if he had truly remembered something, he would never have said that.

Shen Tingjue clung to his shoulders and tilted his head. "Don't you want to know?"

Xiao Hanye replied expressionlessly, "Tell me or don't."

Shen Tingjue leaned close with wide eyes, his entire face nearly pressed against Xiao Hanye's. Blinking, he egged him on. "You really don't? Really don't? Really don't?"

Xiao Hanye's head hurt even more from his nagging. "Get lost!"

The two were pressed tightly together in the narrow chair. Even a righteous gentleman would lose his composure after being rubbed against for so long.

Much less Xiao Hanye, who was no gentleman.

Shen Tingjue cupped his face with both hands and kissed him hard. Ignoring Xiao Hanye's glare, he settled back into the warm embrace and slowly said, "I remembered the day I was promoted to leader of the shadow guards. Your Highness personally descended the steps to bestow a sword upon me, saying that from then on, I would be the head of your shadow guards, your right-hand man, and that I must not disappoint your high expectations."

Xiao Hanye lowered his eyes and met his gaze.

Shen Tingjue puffed out his cheeks. "You were the one who told me not to disappoint your expectations, yet now you're the one telling me to be an idle man and stay out of court conflicts. What exactly do you mean?"

"..." Xiao Hanye found himself speechless. He pressed his lips together, then changed the subject without altering his expression. "What else did you remember?"

Shen Tingjue tucked his hands into his sleeves, his eyes carrying the gravity of someone recalling the past. "The time I followed you to Twilight Cloud Pass. Back then, the Northern Frontier was frozen solid, heavy snow sealing the borders. The court was deadlocked between fighting and negotiating peace, and they delayed sending money, provisions, and winter clothes. That battle was fought through countless brushes with death. We nearly died in the Northern Frontier."

He turned sideways and poked Xiao Hanye's shoulder blade. "I remember that Your Highness was badly wounded here. There was a shortage of medicine in the army, and the wound was nearly infected, yet you still forced yourself to lead the troops into battle. By the time reinforcements from the northeastern garrison arrived, you were done for."

Xiao Hanye's expression became complicated. "What do you mean, done for? Stop making everything sound ambiguous. I am very capable."

Shen Tingjue lowered his head and said nothing.

Seeing him nestled against him like this, Xiao Hanye could already vaguely guess why Shen Tingjue had been so unusually clingy these past two days. An indescribable emotion rose within him, throwing his thoughts into disorder. His gaze fell involuntarily upon the person in his arms, trailing from his fair neck into his collar.

Those were all places he had kissed and caressed.

Somehow, the relationship between them had long since lost the proper boundaries between master and servant.

It should not have been this way.

Yet it seemed too late now. A single glance or movement from the person in his arms made him want to offer up the love in his chest, a love that words could not convey. Even his joy, anger, sorrow, and delight were all because of him.

If he hardened his heart and drew a clear line now, it would be far too cruel.

After struggling for a long while, the Crown Prince once again gave in to his soft heart. He indulged him, stroking down the little shadow guard's back. "Getting hurt in battle is normal. Besides, that was years ago. It only left a scar and no lasting illness. It is insignificant old business, and you were not even the one injured. What are you moping about? Don't tell me you're using this as an excuse to cling to me."

Shen Tingjue neither spoke nor moved.

Xiao Hanye was skilled in both letters and martial arts, but he was not good at comforting people. After fretting over it for a long time, he patted Shen Tingjue's back. "Am I not perfectly fine now? You too... must be well. I don't want you involved in court affairs because... because... I don't want anything to happen to you again."

The Crown Prince had always been proud and unyielding. It was his first time saying something so candid, and he stumbled over the words, feeling awkward all over. When he received no response, he felt even more embarrassed.

Xiao Hanye's legs had truly gone numb. Annoyed, he raised a hand and pushed Shen Tingjue, only to discover that he was breathing evenly, one hand clutching Xiao Hanye's collar as he slept with a peaceful expression.

Xiao Hanye: "..."

He was asleep?

So he had not heard a single word Xiao Hanye had just said?

Xiao Hanye gritted his teeth and waved a fist at him, desperately wanting to throw him out the window.

Damn you!

What a waste of my expression.

Snow drifted down in flurries. The East Palace's underfloor heating burned brightly, sandalwood incense lingered in the air, and the bedding carried the Crown Prince's scent. Shen Tingjue slept so comfortably that he did not wake until the sun was setting.

Yet when he got up, he looked as though he had not slept enough. Yawning, he sprawled over the table and waited for the eunuchs to serve the meal. After mooching food and drink until he was full, he pestered the Crown Prince for a long kiss. Only then did he mercifully let him go and leave, fully satisfied.

The snowflakes were clear and crystalline. Shen Tingjue reached out to catch them, but his hand was quickly frozen, so he tucked both hands into his long sleeves.

During this time, he had not gone to the Imperial Guard Bureau or attended court. He had completely given up trying. Not only did the Chenghuan Emperor not interfere, he showered him with rewards and even granted him a title, practically treating him like a little ancestor. Naturally, no foolish official dared submit a memorial impeaching him for neglecting his duties.

The people of Chang'an City were mostly warmhearted. Knowing that the young master of the Chancellor's Residence was frail and prone to fainting, they worried greatly for him. Fresh eggs, vegetables, and fish flowed endlessly into the Chancellor's Residence, everyone saying that the young master needed to properly nourish his body.

The people's enthusiasm came partly because the chancellor was an upright official of the reformist faction, while the Eldest Princess was also a good person who regularly set up porridge stalls and performed charitable deeds, a truly noble benefactor. Of course, another reason was that the young master was handsome. Wrapped in fox fur, he looked exceptionally pale, refined, and noble. Everyone who saw him liked him.

In a private room at Drunken Immortal Tower, a man sat by the window. Hearing a commotion on the street below, he lifted the curtain and looked out, only to see several townspeople stuffing food into a young man's arms, their smiles especially warm.

Lu Qukun had only just returned from Yanbei to Chang'an to report on his duties and did not recognize Shen Tingjue. He therefore looked at the person across from him. "My lord, who is that young man? Why is he so popular with the people?"

Ji Zhang held the lid of his teacup and cast a glance out the window. "The son Shen Huaiwen acknowledged only a few months ago. A few days ago, His Majesty granted him a title as well. He is currently greatly favored and basking in boundless glory. When you and I see him, we must address him as Marquis."

Lu Qukun stroked his stubbled chin. "He has neither merit nor achievement, and he is still so young. His Majesty simply granted him a title like this? The Grand Secretariat had nothing to say?"

Ji Zhang said, "He is the Eldest Princess's son. Even if not by blood, he is now nominally His Majesty's nephew and the Empress Dowager's grandson. The imperial family dotes on him and wishes to grant him a title to elevate his standing. That is not some outrageous matter, nor does it affect the Grand Secretariat. Naturally, they would not oppose His Majesty over this. Instead, they would compete to help devise his title, hoping to win some favor before the Son of Heaven."

Shen Tingjue handed all the food to Dark Seven, keeping only a jar of preserved plums and dates in his arms to eat. Suddenly, he paused and looked up as if sensing something.

Ji Zhang tapped the lid of his teacup to clear away the foam. Seeing Lu Qukun practically stick his entire head out the window, his gaze fixed motionlessly on the person below, he could not help asking, "What are you looking at?"

Seeing that the other person had noticed his gaze and looked over, Lu Qukun withdrew his eyes and lowered the curtain. His thick, dark brows furrowed tightly. "Nothing. It's just that I feel those eyes of his... resemble someone."