Xiao QingYan said that he would come back at night, so Xu ChangAn thought his words must not have been a blatant one, but he would definitely suddenly come out of nowhere.
Xu ChangAn had been watching the room carefully since he knew the sky had darkened. He thought that today he must know where Xiao QingYan came from. He had been checking everywhere, but there was no secret door at all!
Because he wanted to know how Xiao QingYan came in, so he had been lighting the lights in the room, but after careful consideration, Xu ChangAn got up and put the lights out. Xiao QingYan did not want to let others know that he would come here at night. It would be troublesome if the others know that he was here.
“…” When did he come? Just like before, Xu ChangAn just got up and blew a candle, and when he got back to the bed, Xiao QingYan was already in bed.
“Why did you go to bed so early? Don’t you need to make my clothes? You don't want to continue?” When Xiao QingYan came in the afternoon, naturally he saw the things in Xu ChangAn's hands, but at that time he had important words to say, so he did not mention them intentionally. Now that they had a long night, he remembered the scene he saw at that time.
“…” Did not know where Xiao QingYan came from, it was enough to make Xu ChangAn depressed. Now that Xiao QingYan wanted to mention this subject, he felt even more reluctant to answer. Make clothes? Just imagined it would make him feel headache, it was hard to imagine despite everything he would still doing it?!
“Why don’t you talk? Don’t tell me you’re asleep.” When Xiao QingYan’s Imperial Mother died, he was over ten years old. He remembered many things between his Imperial Father and his Imperial Mother. He knew that all his Imperial Father’s inner clothes were made by his Imperial Mother, and that she could not make clothes. It was not so much as clothes than a few pieces of cloth, but his Imperial Father still wore those rough inner clothes made by his Imperial Mother.
Xu ChangAn did not think Xiao QingYan came here tonight to joke with him. Did Xiao QingYan have something else to explain to him? Without answering Xiao QingYan’s words, Xu ChangAn only opened his mouth and said, “Your Highness…”
“Right! How about the medicine I gave you this afternoon? Is there anywhere your body feel uncomfortable?" Despite Xiao QingYue’s assurance and the examination he let others did, Xiao QingYan still felt a little uneasy. He wanted to hear what Xu ChangAn had to say about the pill he had eaten in order to put the matter down.
Xiao QingYan had some regrets when he was thinking about it. He knew he shouldn’t let Xu ChangAn take the risk of taking the pill. Although Xu ChangAn's health was not good, but neither could he unable to nurse his health back; it would only take a little more time.
It was not worth it to make him feel in a mess now.
When asked about the efficacy of the medicine, Xu ChangAn remembered what he had eaten in the afternoon, because there was no reaction after eating, he did not care about it. Now that Xiao QingYan asked, he realized that it was not unresponsive either.
“… my stomach feel warm and comfortable, but only a little. I just feel a little bit better than before. If I don’t pay special attention to it, I don’t feel much."
“That’s good. QingYue said that this is a medicine to regulate and nourish the body. The various herbs inside are extremely difficult to find and very precious, no adverse reactions should be good."
The two people lay in a bed together. Xiao QingYan’s words rung in his ear; his words were all concerned about him. Xu ChangAn would not be indifferent even if he was dull and insensitive. Unconsciously, he felt some burning on his face. Xu ChangAn stretched out his hand and grabbed the quilt beside him. He held something in his hand like a supporting force. He dared to turn his head gently and said softly to Xiao QingYan, “Thank you.”
“Come here.”
“…” Wanted him to go where? They were already close to each other!
“Come here a bit closer, I have something to say to you.” Xu ChangAn stayed where he was, so Xiao QingYan moved himself. He told people to come a bit closer, but he leaned over to Xu ChangAn himself.
“That day, didn’t you tell me you wanted to go out? In a few days, you can talk to Imperial Father himself. Imperial Father…. will promise you.”
“Can I?” He thought Xiao QingYan didn’t take his words that day seriously. Did he remember them all the time? And… yet why should such a thing be told to the Emperor? Didn’t Xiao QingYan just promised him can go out?
When he thought of his original plan, Xu ChangAn's heart felt many… indescribable emotions. He knew that no matter what he gave up to gain something, there was no way to achieve the best of both worlds.
“Your Highness… Thank you." Whether it was about Xu family or his personal affairs, Xu ChangAn wanted to say thank you to him. He knew in his heart that the way Xiao QingYan treated him was good enough. Furthermore, there was no room to feel sorry for him; it was his own unwillingness to refuse to accept his fate.
Once the heart had made a decision, Xu ChangAn would not have any tangles, and could be calm with the person beside him. Even if they wanted to be near each other, he would no longer feel nervous and no longer show a sense of rejection.
Xu ChangAn’s response, Xiao Qingyan could naturally perceive. He felt that Xu ChangAn did not reject his approach, his heart happy, he directly reached out to grab people towards the bosom, and the two instantly became an embracing posture.
Such an intimate posture, practically breathing in each other nose, Xiao QingYan had never thought Xu ChangAn actually did not refuse. For a moment, his heart felt excited, and he did not think much, he reached out to touch Xu ChangAn’s face, and then accurately kissed him towards the tightly close mouth.
After hesitation, Xu ChangAn reached out and hugged the man who had changed his position and pressed down on him.
Suddenly there was a little sadness in his heart. He thought it would be better if he was a woman. He would not have to tangle with Xiao QingYan’s offspring or to worry that he would become a five-big-three-thick[1] adult man after three or five years, which would make Xiao QingYan disgusted.
Perhaps… If Xiao QingYan was not a prince but a princess instead, he would give up his life’s fame and reputation, and lived a smooth and steady life with him. Unfortunately… Everything was useless. He and Xiao QingYan were both men.
It was clear to him that loving a man, was just a temporary enthusiasm. When he calmed down, nothing of it would have any importance for his future prospect. After the incident this time, Xu ChangAn's doubts from before were no longer exist. He understood; Xiao QingYan absolutely had no feeling of that male had towards a female for that Nan Xi, and his external performance must have its own purpose.
This Nan Xi suffered a great loss, but Xiao QingYan just came to put a play with him. Even now, he could sneak into his own place. He didn’t care about that Nan Xi. In any case, his performance did not seem to have Nan Xi in his heart.
Xu ChangAn had a terrible conjecture when he calmly thought about all the things he had done since his marriage to Xiao QingYan and the Emperor’s various attitudes towards Xiao QingYan. However, as soon as that idea came out, he forced it down and was not prepared to think more.
The Emperor’s mind was the most difficult to understand. Maybe it was just him, who thought too much about it.
After this drugging incident of Xiao QingYan, the people in Wang Residence once again recognized the fact that there was Wangye’s special favor for Miss Nan Xi in Tongxin Garden, and nobody in the residence could offend Miss Nan Xi.
Min Yu, the culprit in this incident, was directly locked up although she had not been abandoned by Wangye, but now she was like a prisoner who could not leave her unmanned courtyard at a single step. And Wangfei, who failed to persuade Her Highness the Princess, and let the princess hurt Miss Nan Xi, was also locked up by Wangye. For these days, he was not seen to leave the courtyard, and people in Wang Residence also dared not go to see the person.
Nan Xi herself was an expert of making medicine, although her face injury was serious, but it was slowly recovered. Although she suffered a great loss this time, she still learned the lesson from those who she should learn it. The only complaint was that she never had the chance to take Xiao QingYan’s medicine after that. Xiao QingYan seemed to be particularly busy these days; he got up early and returned late every day. He could only sit in her courtyard for a while after he returned to Wang Residence and left again.
Chunyu's marriage ceremony was coming soon. Xu ChangAn could not go out of the residence; he could only let people called the old manager to come to Wang Residence. After he talked about Dongxue to the old manager, he let Dongxue go out of the residence with the manager directly.
“Trouble you with Dongxue. You know so many people, you can find a good family for her.”
“What is Master saying? This old slave had no children in this life, would certainly treat Dongxue as his own daughter.”
“Wangfei! Wangfei, maidservant don’t want to marry… Don’t want to marry so early! Wangfei, you have always been serving by maidservant and Chunyu. Chunyu is about to get married. How can you drive maidservant away at this time? Put maidservant beside you, and wait until maidservant teach two handy maids for you, only then let maidservant go." Dongxue knew that her young master's attention had been made and neither did he want to say anything more, but now letting her leave, she was really not at ease.
It was fine if Wangye was kind to young master. But young master in such a situation at present, how could she leave?!
“Master, what this maid Dongxue said is right. What do you think about this: this old slave will first look for a family for this maid and then took her out of the residence after a few days?"
“Wangfei…”
“That would be fine. Manager, you’ve taken a lot of trouble." Looking at Dongxue like that, Xu ChangAn also knew that the girl was absolutely reluctant to go out of the residence now, so then waited for a little. With Young Master’s words, Dongxue was at last reassured.
These days, although Xiao QingYan never came to the main courtyard in the daytime, he rested here almost at night in Xu ChangAn's place, therefore Xu ChangAn was able to know a little about what Xiao QingYan was busy these days.
Xiao Qingnian, the Second Prince, would win the crown at the beginning of the year, but until now he had never made any accomplishment. In the last few days, the Succeeding Empress had been working to mix with others for the Second Prince; she wanted to arrange him an assignment so that he could show off.
Because of Min Yu’s affair, her elder brother was transferred faraway, and the empty position naturally had to be filled in. Therefore, the Succeeding Empress wanted the Second Prince to go to the Ministry of Rites first to develop his skill; there would be no mistake left or right in there. In addition, the New Year was approaching near. When that time came, let the Second Prince prepare the New Year’s Eve Banquet, so that he could show his face in front of the Emperor, then he would be set up after the year.
Xu ChangAn was clear about Xiao QingYan no longer in the residence for long besides being really busy, he did not want to deal with that Nan Xi. Today was the 15th. According to the rules, Xiao QingYan must be here today. On this day, Xiao QingYan would not have to worry about anyone knowing he was here.
From the start of dinner time, Xu ChangAn felt that his body was not right. What weather was it now? It was already winter, but he would feel hot and sweating. By the time when dinner came, he really couldn’t stand it anymore. Earlier, he had the people prepared him a couple of barrels of warm water, he went to prepare to take a bath and rest early.
“What’s going on…” Because of his fever, Xu ChangAn let people prepare warm water. It was only a little heat, but after soaking in the water, he still felt that the water temperature was too high. Touching his forehead, it was indeed sweating! And… And now he felt not only hot, but also a little uncomfortable in his stomach, and the slight pain was slowly increasing.
“Hurts…” Xu ChangAn wanted to get up, but he didn’t even have the strength to stand up.
“Dongxue!” Xu ChangAn always disliked maidservants waiting beside him when he took a bath. Dongxue waited outside the door for her young master. But today, her young master seemed to take a long bath. How long had it been? Wasn't he afraid the water would turn cold?
“Wangfei?” Did Young Master fall asleep in it?
“What’s wrong?” Xiao QingYan stepped on time and thought Xu ChangAn should have taken a bath by this time, but when he saw Dongxue was waiting at the door of the bath chamber, he knew Xu ChangAn was still there.
“Wangye? Maidservant paying respect to Wangye! Wangye, you go in and have a look. Wangfei has been in for a long time, but he hasn’t come out yet. Maidservant is afraid that Wangfei will catch cold if he falls asleep in it. You should go and have a look."
“You all retreat first!” As soon as Donxue's voice fell, Xiao QingYan drove people away and hurried in.
Before he entered the door, he saw Xu ChangAn leaning on the bathtub, but it didn’t seem like he was asleep, rather it seemed like he was suffering somewhere.
“What’s wrong? Where does it feel unwell?"
After hearing Xiao QingYan’s voice, Xu ChangAn slowly raised his head, but soon he could not help burying his head again. His stomach ached and he had no strength at all. Looking at Xu ChangAn’s uncomfortable appearance, Xiao QingYan didn’t say much. He quickly picked up the person and put him on the bed in a few steps. Then he quickly put clothes on the body at will.
“What’s the matter? Where does it feel unwell? In the end, what is going on?!” Looking at Xu ChangAn’s uncomfortable appearance, Xiao QingYan’s heart was anxious. This person was still well at dinner time, how suddenly it happened like this?
“Hurts… stomachache…” It was not that Xu ChangAn never had a stomachache, but he felt the stomachache this time was different from before! Even if he had eaten something bad in his stomach before, he would have an upset stomach, but the pain would never be so intense, and he could tolerate it a little, but this time it was different… Very painful, very uncomfortable, his stomach felt like being skewed by a knife, and like tens of millions of ants gnawing on it, this feeling really made life worse than death!
Xu ChangAn was not only sweating, his face was as white as paper. He even had no strength to open his eyes. He had been hiding his eyes. If the severe pain did not make his body tremble, Xiao QingYan had no doubt that he would look like a dying man now.
“Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry! I’ll call the Imperial Physician right away!”
“Your Highness! Don’t… Can't!” These days Xiao QingYan deliberately being rash to him, wasn't it to give Nan Xi a show? But now he was not feeling well, but Xiao QingYan was anxious to go invite the Imperial Physician. Like this, would not all the previous work be in vain?!
“Medicine…” It should have something to do with that medicine… Thinking about it carefully, since he took the medicine, his body had been slightly feverish. Today, before his stomach ached, his body could not stand the sudden heat!
Xu ChangAn said medicine, Xiao QingYan naturally thought that he wanted to take some medicine, but he refused directly: “How can a medicine be eaten randomly? How can you take medicine at random without letting the imperial physician look at your body? Don’t be afraid. I’ll send someone into the palace right away. The imperial physician will be here soon! ”
“Your Highness! No… That, that medicine…” Intermittently he said it was the medicine that Xiao QingYan gave him to eat. Xu ChangAn was just suspicious, but Xiao QingYan seemed to be completely sure after listening to it.
“Don’t be afraid!” Since it was that medicine… Xiao QingYan regretted the origin of the medicine. He knew he shouldn’t have gambled on this one. It came from Nan Xi. How could it possibly be a good thing?
“Your Highness… You… You knock me out! It hurts so much… It hurts so much!”
“ChangAn…” Xiao QingYan had no other choice, even if he couldn’t bear it. After he had knocked the person unconscious, he put him in bed and got up to blow out the candles in the room. Then he went to bed himself.
When he went to bed, he held the person in his arms, and then he reached to the edge of the bed inside. Who knew what he pressed, next to the wall of the bed curtain, a secret door opened. Holding the person in his arms, he rolled over and they disappeared into the darkness. Xiao QingYan opened his eyes, it was the other side of the world.
Since it was related to that medicine, there was nothing he could do even if the imperial physician came.
Placing the person on a small wooden bed, Xiao QingYan rummaged over a row of bookshelves; did not know what he was looking for. Although Xu ChangAn was knocked unconscious, Xiao QingYan was reluctant to hit too hard after all. Xu ChangAn’s stomach was uncomfortably tight and soon was awake. When Xu ChangAn opened his eyes, he saw Xiao QingYan, but when he saw the room in front of him, he was confused. “Your Highness… Where is this?” This was not the Wang Residence. Where did Xiao QingYan take him in the evening?
Hearing Xu ChangAn’s voice, Xiao QingYan rushed to the person’s side to see whether Xu ChangAn was still suffering. He was endlessly worried. How could he not find it?
“Is it still hard to bear?”
“Not as bad as before.” It should have been almost two hours since he felt my body was feverish. Although his stomach was still uncomfortable, there was no pain in his stomach, and he could speak smoothly.
“Your Highness, where is this?” Xiao QingYan could not take him out of the residence so blatantly. How would he explain with Nan Xi tomorrow?
“This is Wang Residence. Don’t worry. No one else will find it.”
“Wang Residence?”
“Hmm, Wang Residence. You should also be curious about where I came into our room on usually. This time let you will know."
“… Is my room really has a secret door?" The original guess was right, ah, really a secret door.
“Why is it only your room? That’s ours.” Seeing Xu ChangAn seemed a little better, Xiao QingYan could also have the mind to tease him. The intention was just to tease him a little, but the words fell, seeing his face embarrassed, Xiao QingYan suddenly felt a little warm in his heart.
Not wanting to continue talking to Xiao QingYan about the room, Xu ChangAn began to look at the room in front of him. It was not like a study or a drugstore, but rather like a junk room. It seemed to have everything in it, but there were some strange things.
“Here…”
“All of these things are related to southern Xinjiang. You don’t know, Nan Xi is actually from southern Xinjiang.” This point about Nan Xi had never been concealed. But what Nan Xi said and what Xiao QingYan knew it was the difference between heaven and earth.
As soon as Nan Xi entered Wang Residence, Xiao QingYan had been told that her mother was from Southern Xinjiang, but she had never been to Southern Xinjiang since she grew up in the Great Xiao Dynasty, and her mother died when she was very young.
“People from Southern Xinjiang?” Only by knowing such an identity, Xu ChangAn instantly thought about Xiao QingYan’s attitude towards Nan Xi since these days.
Nan Xi would not come to Wang Residence for no reason. She had spent so much time in Wang Residence, in order to inquire about Xiao QingYan or the Great Xiao. Xiao QingYan deliberately showed his trust in her, presumably in order to let her pass on the message he wanted to convey. After all, things passing through the mouth of Nan Xi would be more trusted by others.
“Yes, she’s from Southern Xinjiang, so… Don’t worry.” Xiao QingYan’s heart had been concealing things, and after publicizing them to his mouth, he immediately relaxed a lot. In the future, it would be better not to conceal anything from Xu ChangAn, at least to let him rest assured not to think about it.
“Your Highness…”
“Hmm?”
“You…” Very well, if there was no him as Xiao QingYan's obstacle, Xiao QingYan should be the best candidate for the heir apparent of the throne. If someday he became the Lord of all the people, it should be a blessing to the people.
Footnote:
[1] (idiom) Describe people who are tall and strong and burly. The top five: refers to the big hands, big feet, big head; three thick: thick legs, thick waist, thick neck.
Translator: I know I want to pinch ChangAn cheeks so bad~