As it secretly watched, System 615 suddenly felt a clump of data block its vision. Before it could react, its consciousness was replaced by Little Orange Cat's.
It went into another brief bout of repairs.
Meanwhile, the two protagonists were still staring at each other.
"...Your Highness?"
Shen Yangge called out, then hurriedly shut his mouth. The look in Chu Xuanzhen's eyes was so deep that it seemed about to swallow him whole.
His black pupils were like bottomless pits.
The moment that thought entered his head, Shen Yangge closed his eyes. He thought this instinctive gesture might help calm his wildly pounding heart, but it did no good at all.
His racing heart only sped up. He even felt that if it kept beating like this, he would drop dead.
Suddenly, Chu Xuanzhen gently pressed a palm over his heart. The slight coolness felt rather pleasant, easing his taut nerves and flustered expression a little.
"Scribe Shen..."
Was he finally going to state his condition?
Skin him alive?
Or...
The tension Shen Yangge had just managed to ease came rushing back into his head. He tried to stay clearheaded, but his mind was utterly blank.
Why wasn't he saying anything yet?
What was he dragging this out for?
-Chu Xuanzhen, are you trying to worry... the old eunuch to death?
The old eunuch stationed at the palace entrance suddenly let out a violent sneeze. The young eunuch immediately edged discreetly to one side.
How could the old eunuch possibly miss his adopted son's little movement? He narrowed his aging eyes and deliberately rummaged through his sleeve as though searching for something.
Failing to find it, he said with a trace of regret, "Oh? Where has my handkerchief gone?"
"Father, why don't you use mine?"
The young eunuch's smile was