Once he finished repeating himself, Chu Xuanzhen withdrew his hand, his knitted brows relaxing slightly.
"Your Highness, have you eaten?"
At a time like this, he needed to change the subject.
His voice did not sound old or unpleasant. Instead, it had an indescribable maturity and elegance.
After sitting for so long, Shen Yangge's lower back began to ache. He wanted to lean back, but the chair had no backrest, so he slowly stood up.
Although he had aged, his height remained exactly the same. When he first looked in the mirror, he had wondered whether growing old would change his height as well.
The light in the room flickered. A breeze blew in, suddenly extinguishing the oil lamp on the table. Afraid his old bones might take a tumble, Shen Yangge reached out to brace himself against the edge of the table.
But as he extended his hand, a cool warmth spread across his palm and between his fingers. Then his hand was clasped.
Chu Xuanzhen carried a faint, inexplicable fragrance, and his body temperature felt no different from usual. Yet for some reason, when Chu Xuanzhen clasped all five of his fingers, Shen Yangge felt that his grip, compared with before,
was much lighter.
Wait, what was he thinking?
Shaking those jumbled thoughts out of his head, Shen Yangge clasped Chu Xuanzhen's fingers in return and gently stroked them.
Then Chu Xuanzhen spoke. "Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Shen Yangge obediently shook his head. "No."
"Good. Tell me if you feel any discomfort."
"As you command."
The two fell silent for a moment before Chu Xuanzhen sat down beside him. "I haven't eaten."
Hearing this, Shen Yangge opened his mouth, about to ask whether he should have someone bring another bowl and pair of chopsticks.
But Chu Xuanzhen