HXC Chapter58

The wind stirred his heart, a fluttering breeze like a butterfly spiraling around the ends of his hair, brushing against the long-parched strings of his heart.

 

Ji Zhen’s eyes widened in astonishment. Though surrounded by a bustling crowd, his gaze was fixed solely on the beautiful face two steps away. Shen Yanqing seemed to part the obscuring clouds, gradually walking towards him from a thousand miles away, from a blur to a clear image, from the unreal to the tangible.

 

Not far away, a craftsman was energetically forging molten iron into firework-like sprays. In those soaring sparks, frozen memories instantly came to life, unrolling scene by scene, layered and overlapping.

 

It was that fleeting glimpse on the long street, the unexpected reunion at the night market, and the red thread of fate that remained tightly intertwined despite being separated by a million people.

 

It was a destiny that others couldn’t break into, an inescapable ill-fated connection.

 

Ji Zhen nervously glanced at the jade bracelet in Shen Yanqing’s hand, but he did not reach for it. Instead, he recoiled as if he had seen something poisonous, but as he moved to retreat, Shen Yanqing took a swift step forward and seized his wrist.

 

The coldness of the palm passed through his blood, making Ji Zhen’s spine tingle.

 

Before he could struggle free, Shen Yanqing pulled him and ran into the crowd. Ji Zhen stumbled for a couple of steps, the sudden turn of events leaving him with only a faint gasp in his throat.

 

The two guards saw this and shouted in alarm while chasing after them. Ji An also cried out for his young master.

 

Shen Yanqing deliberately chose the most crowded areas, pulling Ji Zhen through the shoulder-to-shoulder night market before turning and disappearing into a narrow, dark alley.

 

Ji Zhen tried to call out, but Shen Yanqing wrapped an arm around his waist, pinning him against the wall, and covered his mouth with a hand to silence him.

 

The faint street light occasionally flickered into the alley. He and Shen Yanqing were just an inch apart with forehead to forehead, the tips of their noses were touching and their breaths mingling.

 

Outside, the street was filled with clamor and laughter, but in the dark alley, there was only the sound of heavy breathing.

 

Shen Yanqing leaned back slightly, meticulously studying the face of the close-at-hand Ji Zhen as if painting a portrait, but he saw only fright and unease in his eyes.

 

Ji Zhen was indeed afraid. After more than half a year, Shen Yanqing had appeared so unexpectedly. He was afraid of being confined again to a courtyard where the sky was only a small square, afraid of being separated from his elder brother, and afraid that his heart would be stirred again, giving rise to improper fantasies.

 

As Shen Yanqing slowly removed his hand from his mouth, Ji Zhen had no time to wonder why the other party was there. Instinctively, he tried to call for help, but the extremely short sound he made was swallowed by a deep kiss.

 

Shen Yanqing’s hand on his back moved upward to grasp the back of his neck, while his lips covering Ji Zhen’s. There was no gentle lead-up; he used the most fierce attack to force him to surrender.

 

A warm tongue drilled into Ji Zhen’s slightly parted lips, heavily sweeping against his upper palate. He tried to resist by raising both hands, but they were caught and pinned against the wall. Like a man encountering sweet dew after a long drought, Shen Yanqing gave him no time to breathe, desperately sucking on his lips and tongue, even swallowing his tongue as if to devour it.

 

It had been too long since Ji Zhen had been treated like this. He gradually found it hard to breathe, his body went limp, and he closed his eyes with tears welling up. The other party stirred his emotions in just a few movements, and he felt both angry and aggrieved. Hardening his heart, he used his teeth to force back the terrifying assault.

 

A taste of blood filled his mouth as Shen Yanqing frowned and licked his lower lip, which Ji Zhen had bitten until it bled.

 

In the dim light, Shen Yanqing’s eyes and the corners of his mouth were stark red. Ji Zhen timidly pursed his moistened lips, but he saw that Shen Yanqing didn’t seem to care about the bite at all. He even gave a faint smile, a blend of confusion and subtle pleasure, as if reassured that Ji Zhen still had the courage to bare his teeth at him.

 

After half a year apart, Shen Yanqing seemed to have become even more unhinged. Ji Zhen was too frightened by his reaction to move. Only when Shen Yanqing licked his lips and tongue again did he manage to force out a trembling whisper, “Let go…”

 

Shen Yanqing ignored him. He kissed him for a moment longer before pushing aside the fox fur wrapped around Ji Zhen’s neck and leaning in to kiss his neck.

 

The sounds of people were constant outside the alley, and although no one could see what was happening, Ji Zhen felt humiliated by Shen Yanqing’s brazen actions. He pushed back with all his might but couldn’t move him at all and said in a horrified tone, “In broad daylight…”

 

Shen Yanqing looked up, rearranged the fox fur collar for him, and repeated the words “in broad daylight” in a low voice, then gently asked, “What did you think I was going to do?”

 

Ji Zhen realized his misunderstanding, and his previously pale cheeks flushed red.

 

Shen Yanqing continued to hold him, refusing to let him go and keeping him locked in his embrace. The more Ji Zhen struggled, the tighter Shen Yanqing’s grip became.

 

Ji Zhen refused to give in, silently vying with the other party. Just as he was considering biting his shoulder, he suddenly remembered the arrow wound on Shen Yanqing’s shoulder blade and slowly closed his mouth.

 

Shen Yanqing simply held him, doing nothing else. Ji Zhen caught the familiar clean scent coming from the front of his robes and gradually stopped struggling. He said in a weak voice, “This is my elder brother’s and Jiang Yunyu’s territory. If you dare do anything to me, they won’t let you get away with it.”

 

Hearing this, Shen Yanqing pulled Ji Zhen even closer, his voice sinking as he asked, “You and Jiang Yunyu…”

 

Ji Zhen thought he was going to try to target Jiang Yunyu again and said threateningly, though without much conviction, “If you dare to do anything to him, I won’t let you off either.”

 

Shen Yanqing heard the protectiveness for Jiang Yunyu in Ji Zhen’s words, and a sudden, sharp pain flared in his chest. He lost control, almost demanding, “What’s your relationship with him that you get to stand up for him?”

 

The sharp tone made Ji Zhen tremble, but he still said firmly to the grim-faced Shen Yanqing, “We’ve known each other since we were children. We have a bond that others can’t easily compare to. Why shouldn’t I stand up for him?”

 

He and his elder brother and Jiang Yunyu were now on the same team, sharing in each other’s fortunes and misfortunes.

 

Shen Yanqing’s expression grew dark. Ji Zhen’s words provoked him, and he clenched his teeth, momentarily losing his composure as he said, “Yes, you and Jiang Yunyu are childhood friends, and your feelings are not superficial. In the past six months in the northern desert, you’ve probably forgotten that you’re a married person.” He leaned in closer, “But Ji Zhen, everyone in the capital knows that you are my wife. As long as I am alive, you and he can only have an unacknowledged relationship…”

 

After meeting again, they were once more using words to tear each other to shreds.

 

Ji Zhen listened to his nonsense, raising his voice, “I have nothing to do with you anymore.” He glared at him. “Besides, this isn’t the capital, it’s the northern desert.”

 

What right did Shen Yanqing have to try to discipline him like he did back at the Shen Mansion?

 

Courage born of indignation, Ji Zhen knew he couldn’t win an argument with Shen Yanqing, so he didn’t want to waste any more breath and pushed with all his might. “If you don’t let me go, Ji An and the others will tell my elder brother, and you won’t be leaving this northern desert.”

 

“I’ve already met Ji Jue.”

 

Ji Zhen was stunned.

 

Shen Yanqing finally calmed down and said, “The court dispatched me on a mission to Khitan. This morning, I entered Jiang Yunyu’s military camp, and tomorrow I will head to the Khitan territory.” He said in a low voice, brooking no argument, “You weren’t in the camp, but I recognized your tent at a glance. They wouldn’t let me see you, but when I rode my horse to the market, I still ran into you in this vast sea of people.”

 

Ji Zhen clenched his fists, his lips pressed together in silence.

 

“Whether you believe it or not, this time I truly came just to see you, with no other consideration.” Shen Yanqing smiled faintly. “You were right about one thing, I may not be able to leave here…”

 

Ji Zhen vaguely heard a deeper meaning in his words but couldn’t understand it. He wanted to ask Shen Yanqing where he was going but then felt he shouldn’t be concerned with the other party’s affairs anymore. “I’m going back now.”

 

Shen Yanqing didn’t restrain him this time, straightening his slightly rumpled clothes before guiding him out of the dark alley. He looked down and saw the colorful string bracelet on Ji Zhen’s wrist, and his heart felt a sharp pang of numbness.

 

The two walked along the gradually emptying streets. A child in foreign attire skipped by with a lantern while giggling, “Mama, mama, let’s go home…”

 

Ji Zhen looked down at his and Shen Yanqing’s long shadows stretched by the moonlight. He thought of the rumors he had heard over the past six months and had many questions, but in the end, he only quietly asked about the most immediate matter. “Why were you sent on a mission to Khitan?”

 

What was a Hanlin Academy scholar who worked with a brush doing, stealing someone else’s job?

 

Shen Yanqing held his hand tightly, not answering his question. Instead, he asked in return, “Have you met Khitan people?”

 

“I have.”

 

“When did you meet them?”

 

Ji Zhen only thought the other party was curious and didn’t think too deeply. “Last month, in the military camp. Yelu Qi came to visit.”

 

“The Eldest Prince of Khitan, Yelu Qi?”

 

Ji Zhen was too easy to trick into conversation, and he gave a soft “en.”

 

Shen Yanqing’s eyes deepened, and he asked no more questions. Less than half an hour later, they ran into Ji An.

 

The guards drew their swords at Shen Yanqing. Ji Zhen broke free and said, “Don’t mind him, let’s go.”

 

They had booked an inn early on. When they went upstairs, they found that Shen Yanqing had also followed them in.

 

Ji An couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, he didn’t do anything to you, did he? Should I have the guards chase him away?”

 

The night was deepening, and the wind outside howled like a specter, mixed with a few deliberately suppressed coughs.

 

Ji Zhen looked down at Shen Yanqing, who was clenching his hand into a fist and holding it to his lips. He replied to Ji An, sounding as if he didn’t care at all, “The great road is open to the sky; where he goes is his business. Let’s not stir up trouble.”

 

Ji An said, “Oh,” and then, still very curious about Shen Yanqing’s presence, stood guard by the door. “Young Master, you should sleep. I’ll watch the door for you.”

 

Ji Zhen lay on the soft bed, too tired to even speak. His half year of peace had been effortlessly broken by Shen Yanqing, leaving him so troubled that he couldn’t sleep.

 

He removed the string of beads he had won by tossing the rings; they held no real value and could be discarded without a second thought. So why did Shen Yanqing wear that cheap, colorful rope bracelet?

 

But more than that, he was now more worried about the purpose of Shen Yanqing’s trip. Ji Zhen didn’t believe Shen Yanqing’s words. The man had the ability to send Jiang Yunyu into battle, helped the third prince take down the Ji family, and knew his elder brother was not dead. For such a deep and cunning person to come to the northern desert just to see him sounded utterly absurd.

 

Was he trying to deceive him again in order to deliver another fatal blow?

 

Ji Zhen tossed and turned all night. The next day, as soon as it was bright, he changed his plans and headed straight back to the military camp.

 

Shen Yanqing was already nowhere to be seen in the inn. Ji An, who did not know the whole story, agreed, “We can see the sunrise anytime. We need to be wary of that Lord Shen. Let’s go back to the military camp. With the Eldest Young Master there, I’d like to see if he dares to bully you again.”

 

As a result, as soon as they returned to the military camp, they ran into Shen Yanqing after only a few steps. Ji An was dumbfounded, too shocked to even speak for a long time.

 

Ji Zhen ignored Shen Yanqing and went to his tent to change clothes. As soon as he entered, he saw a food box on the table.

 

He walked over and lifted the lid, only to find it filled with familiar pastries. On top was milk custard, which Ji Zhen had once adored.

 

He knew immediately who had left it there.

 

His eyes inexplicably grew hot. A moment later, he picked up the milk custard and took a bite. It was as sweet and soft as he remembered, but when he swallowed, a strange bitterness emerged.

 

The things tumbling within the rings of time have all lost their original flavor.

 

A long parting in this world does not turn to sorrow; who decreed that year after year, on the night of red lotuses, we must each fall into silent reflection, each knowing it alone?

 

The author has something to say:

When he sees Lord Shen, Little Melon Ji Zhen turns into the leader of the Bitter Gourd Team (angrily slams things): Let whoever wants to suffer this love go suffer it!