The teacup was knocked over, and the remaining liquid inside spilled all over the blanket.
Pei Zhengās breathing was slightly unstable as he let go of the little man.
Qi Changyiās eyes were hazy; crystal tears were beading at the corner of his eyes, ready to fall.
āDo not cry.ā
āI know,ā Qi Changyi choked slightly, and the tears instantly flowed out. āBut I canāt hold them in anymoreā¦ā
His heart was filled with grief, how could he still be doing this kind of thing? He was about to be married to someone else, yet he was still so deeply entangled with Brother Pei.
In his simple, pure mind, this kind of love could only exist between two people; there wasnāt room for a third.
Pei Zheng tossed a white handkerchief at him and spoke coldly, āWipe your face. When did you become such a crybaby?ā
Qi Changyi picked up the handkerchief and wiped away his tears. He neatly folded the handkerchief into a little square and handed it back to Pei Zheng.
Pei Zheng glanced at it but didnāt take it, that feeling of irritation had suddenly rushed back up again, and his temples had begun to throb in pain.
He pressed his fingers to his forehead several times, but there was no relief. In the past, when Qi Changyi had kneaded it for him, the pain would vanish instantly.
Pei Zheng leaned back against the soft cushions and closed his eyes, āMassage my temples for me.ā
Qi Changyi bit his bottom lip and didnāt move.
Pei Zheng opened his eyes and stared at him in silence; his gaze was so cold that it could freeze someone to death.
āThat little eunuch of yours, Li Yuā¦you really like him, donāt you? I wonder what you would do if he diedā¦ā
Qi Changyi was stricken with panic. He quickly crawled over and knelt beside Pei Zheng, the long chain dragging behind him. āBrother Pei, donāt hurt Xiao Yuzi, Iāll, Iāll massage them for you.ā
A pair of soft, delicate hands began to knead his forehead with just the right amount of strength.
Qi Changyiās knees were still swollen. It was so painful that he could hardly sit up straight, but he tried his best not to collapse onto Pei Zheng.
The carriage swayed and rattled slightly as it continued forward, Pei Zhengās eyelids fluttered closed and he dozed off.
A little while passed, and the kneading suddenly stopped. Pei Zhengās eyes were still closed, but he spoke irritably, āContinue.ā
Qi Changyi lifted himself slightly with his hands, and the pain in his knees was slightly alleviated. When he heard Pei Zhengās command, he hurriedly placed his hands back on the otherās forehead and continued to rub it. All the while, his entire body was shivering in agony.
He didnāt know how long they had been on the road; Qi Changyiās face was ashen and covered in sweat. At this moment, the carriage finally came to a halt.
āYour Highness, my Lord, itās getting late. General Zhao suggested that we stop at the inn up front and rest there for the night. We will continue traveling in the morning.ā
āMm.ā
Pei Zhengās eyes slowly peeled open, and Qi Changyi stopped massaging his forehead. Every muscle in his body was sore, and all his limbs felt as though they were about to fall off.
Pei Zheng untied the chains that bound his arms and legs. āBe honest with me tonight.ā
With those words, he stepped out of the carriage.
The skin on Qi Changyiās wrists had been rubbed raw; he clutched his hands to his chest and stood up to follow Pei Zheng. But his injured knees couldnāt handle the sudden movement, and one of his legs collapsed beneath him.
Li Yu hurried over to help the little Highness up. The little manās face was deathly white, which worried Li Yu.
Pei Zheng had already reached the innās front door. He looked back and called out, āYour Highness, what are you waiting for?ā
Zhao Litang, Aāmu Le and the other barbarian envoys were already inside; the other guards were setting up tents. They all looked up at the sound of Pei Zhengās voice.
Qi Changyi didnāt want to cause trouble, so he tried his best to stand up. However, he was in so much pain that he couldnāt muster the strength to do so.
Li Yu, upon seeing Pei Zhengās gaze darken with irritation, swallowed his fear and yelled, āLord Pei! His Highness is badly injured, he canāt walk, can you think of a way to help him?ā
Help him? Help him how?
Pei Zheng gazed at the pitiful little figure kneeling on the ground. Although he was annoyed, he had already begun to walk back toward him.
He bent down and picked Qi Changyi up bridal-style. Then, in front of everyone, he carried the little man into the inn.
Zhao Litang and the others were still standing in the lobby. They were all shocked when the two of them entered.
Qi Changyi was embarrassed to be seen by so many people in such a position. He struggled weakly and whispered in a quiet voice that only Pei Zheng could hear, āBrother Pei, there are too many people here, you can let me down now, I can walk by myself.ā
Unexpectedly, Pei Zheng hugged the little man even tighter. āIf you keep moving around, Iāll throw you out of the window.ā
Qi Changyi didnāt dare to move again and allowed himself to be cradled in Pei Zhengās embrace.
Zhao Litangās fists clenched. Just as he was about to step forward, he was pulled back by the lieutenant beside him. He shook his head lightly, and Zhao Litangās fingers slowly uncurled.
Aāmu Le merely smiled and observed the scene unfolding before him.
The innkeeperās assistant came out. At a glance, he knew that Pei Zheng and Qi Changyi were both distinguished guests. He quickly led them upstairs to the second floorās best guest rooms.
āMy Lord, weāve reserved the entirety of our humble inn just for you! We are truly honored by your presence.ā
The assistant was extremely chatty, āMy Lord, the girl youāre holding is so beautiful, she must be your wife. Tsk, tsk, tsk, so many customers come through the door every day, but Iāve seen anyone as pretty as her before! Youāre so lucky, ahā¦ā
āGet out.ā
These two concise words were filled with undisguised irritation. The assistant immediately ran out of the guest room in fear.
Pei Zheng placed Qi Changyi on the bed and called for one of the Imperial Physicians. He still had to make sure that the little man would arrive at the borderlands in one piece.
Qi Changyiās eyes widened slightly when he saw Jiang Yubai come in with his medicine box.
āI-Imperial Physician Jiang, you came too?ā
He was in such a strange new place, yet seeing a familiar face immediately put Qi Changyiās heart at ease.
āGreetings to Your Highness and Lord Pei.ā
Pei Zheng nodded lightly. He walked over to the side of the bed and ordered in a deep voice, āStay here. Wait for me to come back.ā
After those words, he turned and walked out of the guest room.
The moment Pei Zheng left, Jiang Yubai sighed in relief. He hurried over to examine Qi Changyiās knees and rummaged through his medicine box to find the ointment.
āYour Highness, you shouldnāt walk on your own for the next few days. Make sure to take good care of your knees, otherwise it will become chronic pain in the future.ā
Qi Changyi sat at the edge of the bed, and nodded obediently.
Jiang Yubai looked at his pale face, and his heart began to hurt. Anyone who met the sweet little Highness would want to scoop him up into their arms and protect him. Only Pei Zheng would be so coldhearted, and continue to hurt him.
Someone knocked on the door. It was Zhao Litang, who had personally come to deliver some food. Jiang Yubai bowed his head and left the room.
āChangyi, are you feeling a little better now?ā
Zhao Litang walked over to the side of the bed. His voice was filled with concern, āItās not convenient for you to go downstairs, I had the cook make something for you. Come here and have a taste.ā
Qi Changyiās hadnāt eaten anything all day; his belly was completely empty, but he had no appetite.
āThank you, Brother Tang. Just put it over there, Iāll eat it later.ā
Even his voice sounded so weak. Zhao Litang insisted firmly, āNo, come here and take a few bites. Iām going to watch you.ā
Qi Changyi stood up cautiously, and slowly limped his way to the table and sat down. It was only a few steps, yet his forehead was already covered in a thin layer of sweat.
He picked up a small pastry and stuffed it into his mouth. It had once been one of his favorite foods, yet he chewed it as if it were wax1.
Before he could swallow, Qi Changyi felt his stomach curdle. He leaned against the table and desperately tried to vomit, but there was nothing in his stomach to vomit out. The room was filled with the sound of coughing and dry-wretching.
Zhao Litang was both frightened and shocked. He quickly slapped Qi Changyi on the back, āAll right, all right, Changyi, you donāt have to eat it if you donāt want to. Eat it later, okay?ā
Qi Changyiās body straightened slightly. With red eyes, he nodded silently.
Zhao Litang walked around the room a few times. He opened the window and observed the surrounding area.
āIāll have someone help you move to the room next to mine. That way, I can take better care of you.ā
Pei Zhengās words flashed through Qi Changyiās mind, and he immediately shook his head, āBrother Tang, you donāt have to do that, I can stay hereā¦ā
Zhao Litang ignored his protests. He opened the door and ordered someone to change the little manās room right away.
Li Yu and two other eunuchs came in and supported Qi Changyi as they walked to the guest room next to Zhao Litangās.
Everybody in the lobby had finished eating, so they also returned to their rooms. The entire inn was plunged into silence.
Li Yu helped Qi Changyi lie down on the bed. He took off the little manās heavy red robe and undid his ink-black hair.
āYour Highness, donāt worry. Lord Pei is still discussing things with Envoy Aāmu Le, itās unlikely that he will return to his room tonight. Rest well, weāll be back on the road tomorrow.ā
The uneasiness in Qi Changyiās heart lessened slightly at Li Yuās words. He nodded lightly, wrapped himself in the quilt, and closed his eyes.
Once Pei Zheng came out of Aāmu Leās room, he immediately pinched his eyebrows with force.
At this time, everybody had already gone to bed; the inn was swathed in silent darkness.
Pei Zheng began to walk back to his guest room.
The negotiation with Aāmu Le did not go smoothly. He asked for too much, and Pei Zheng would not agree to his demands. In the end, both sides parted unhappily, having resolved nothing between the two of them.
He suppressed the agitation in his heart and pushed open the door. But the moment he stepped inside, his eyes immediately traveled to the empty bed. His expression changed in an instant.
Qi Changyi had just fallen asleep. He was suddenly yanked out of bed and pressed onto someoneās back. The sudden pressure made his stomach ache.
The black-clad Cheng Feng didnāt say a word. In two or three steps, he had already carried Qi Changyi back to Pei Zhengās room. Pei Zheng was sitting at the table. In his hand, he held one of Qi Changyiās half-eaten pastries.
Cheng Feng placed the little man back onto the floor. He walked out of the room and stood outside to guard the door.
Qi Changyiās knees were aching the moment his feet touched the ground. He held onto a nearby chair and slowly began to sit down.
āKeep standing.ā
Qi Changyi froze. He bent over slightly and clutched his thighs, his body racked with tremors.
Pei Zheng walked to the chair beside him and sat down. The little man was trapped between his long legs.
āI thought I told you to wait for me here. Who let you leave?ā
āIt, It was Brother Tang, he said it would be safer if I was closer to him-ā
Pei Zheng squeezed his slender wrist. āOh? But you were kidnapped right under his nose. Looks like Iāll have to deal with him for shirking his duties as a guard.ā
Qi Changyi looked up, his eyes filled with fear, āBrother Tang meant well, Brother Pei, please donāt punish himā¦ā
āYou dare to beg on his behalf? I am acting on His Majestyās will! Not even you can stop me from punishing him!ā
āI, Iā¦ā
āI thought you said that after you got married, you wouldnāt think about other men anymore. Yet you are still thinking about Zhao Litang! Could it be that those words were only meant to get rid of me?ā
Pei Zhengās grip tightened, and the delicate wrist in his hand was on the verge of being crushed.
āI, Brother Tang is like a big brother to me. Heās very nice to me. I donāt want him to get hurt because of me. Even, even though Iām about to get marriedā¦Iā¦Heā¦Brother Tang, heās like my family.ā
Pei Zhengās eyes turned scarlet. The little man was always trying to avoid and escape from him, but his bond with Zhao Litang had never changed. He was so angry, his fist clenched and he couldnāt control his strength-
Crack. That terrible sound echoed in the darkness; the delicate wrist in his hand had been dislocated.
Notes
Sorry for the late upload hnggh
Nothing better than listening to a TTS reader butcher all these names (I really do need a proofreader though jeesus)
Thanks for reading~ Do let me know if there are any issues.
1: å³åå¼č”: basically means that it doesnāt taste good