Chapter 186: Chapter 186 Prince Longevity (16)
 

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The boy was clutching a corner of her coat, the other half trailing on the ground, as his calm, light brown eyes stared upward.

Like a doll abandoned by someone.

Soulless and lifeless.

Utterly silent.

It was heartbreaking to see… and yet frightening.

Chuzheng composed herself and turned her head back, continuing to walk away.

In her heart, she silently thought, “Even if he’s sick, I can’t suffer in his place!”

Staying here is pointless.

Yes!

Right, quickly leave!

–

Chuzheng returned to the bedside with a storm in her eyes, and the boy immediately reached out to grab her.

His eyes, unwavering, fixed on her.

“I’m not leaving,” Chuzheng said fiercely.

So annoying.

At this moment, Chuzheng was very irritated.

She was somewhat unable to pinpoint the exact reason for her irritation, making her even more irritable and seemingly more aggressive to others.

The boy seemed to hear her and slightly loosened his grip.

When Xiao Guizi came in, Yan Gui had already fallen asleep; laying on his side, his hand placed outside the quilt, was being held by Chuzheng.

Xiao Guizi: “…”

Miss Cheng actually took advantage of his Prince!

Should he protect the Prince’s innocence?!

“Miss… Miss Cheng,” Xiao Guizi cautiously moved over to Chuzheng, “It’s already dark, aren’t you leaving the palace?”

Chuzheng gestured to Xiao Guizi to look at their hands, “Have your Prince let go of me.”

She wanted to leave too!

But she couldn’t!

What could she do about it!

She was helpless and pitiful too!!

Xiao Guizi: “!!!”

It’s not that Miss Cheng was taking advantage of the Prince!

“Miss Cheng, I’m sorry, the Prince… The Prince might be delirious because of his sickness,” Xiao Guizi hurriedly apologized.

When the Prince was sick, he was mostly very quiet, taking medicine when told and sleeping when asked to do so, never doing anything like this.

Why was he now holding onto a lady’s hand and not letting go?

Xiao Guizi didn’t dare wake up Yan Gui; seeing Chuzheng’s cold and clearly impatient face, he went forward and tried to pry Yan Gui’s hand open.

He hadn’t even pried a finger loose when Yan Gui opened his eyes.

Xiao Guizi inhaled sharply, “Prince, it’s nighttime, Miss Cheng has to leave, please let her go first.”

Yan Gui looked at him, and instead of letting go, he pulled even tighter, as if Xiao Guizi was some villain trying to steal from him.

Xiao Guizi: “…”

The Prince was obedient when sick, but also stubborn to a fault that no one could persuade.

“Forget it,” said Chuzheng, “Let him sleep.”

Xiao Guizi was startled, then hesitantly said, “Miss Cheng, it’s not good for your reputation to stay here.”

The Prince’s innocence!!

“Who would know?” Chuzheng glared at him coldly.

“…”

–

Xiao Guizi didn’t sleep all night and stood guard outside the hall, fearing some accident might befall the Prince.

After all, his Prince was really good-looking.

What if Miss Cheng couldn’t restrain herself and did something to the Prince?

How did he agree to let Miss Cheng stay?

Definitely not because Miss Cheng appeared very fierce.

Definitely not!

But the night passed without a sound coming from the hall; it was as silent as if no one was there.

As daylight began to brighten, Xiao Guizi hurried to prepare the medicine and went in under the pretext of delivering it.

Xiao Guizi looked towards the bed and suddenly stopped.

The young girl was leaning against the bed, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, and the morning light intermingled with the shadows, casting a warm glow upon her beautiful profile.

The cold arc of her profile seemed much softer.

The boy lay in her arms, hands wrapped around her, sleeping soundly, with the quilt draped over his shoulders, revealing only his delicate face.

The scene was indescribably harmonious, almost making one reluctant to disturb it.

Xiao Guizi: “…”

He hesitated, about to leave, but Chuzheng was already awake.

Her eyes, cold and clear, swept over as she reached out to pat the boy’s face, “Get up and take your medicine.”

“`

Xiao Guizi: “!!”

How could one ever slap the Prince’s face!

The young man seemed to freeze for a moment, shrinking into Chuzheng’s embrace, and it took quite a while before he slowly opened his eyes.

Yet Chuzheng, with malicious intent, stuck out a finger and poked his face.

It’s quite soft too!

Chuzheng, as if discovering a new continent, kept a straight face and poked several more times.

Xiao Guizi: “!!”

Don’t bully Prince when he is sick!!

Miss Cheng, stop it!

Men and women should not touch, ok!

The young man, now fully awake from the poking but showing no signs of anger, simply lay in her arms, allowing Chuzheng to continue prodding him silently, like a delicate doll.

“Prince, the medicine has cooled down,” Xiao Guizi said, coming to the rescue of his lord.

Yan Gui slightly lifted his head, and Chuzheng’s finger landed on the boy’s lips.

The warm and soft lips felt like cotton, very plush.

The young man’s eyelashes trembled lightly.

Chuzheng swiftly withdrew her finger, but the burning sensation at the tip could not be dissipated.

Chuzheng felt the person in her embrace was somewhat hot to touch.

Chuzheng steadied herself and calmly extended her hand: “The medicine.”

Xiao Guizi quickly handed over the medicine.

Chuzheng adjusted her position, cradling the young man in her arms, and fed him the medicine directly.

Spoon?

Wishful thinking.

Chuzheng went straight for feeding with the bowl.

Yan Gui drank with a frown and ended up choking a little, setting off a round of coughing.

“Prince dislikes bitterness.” Xiao Guizi offered a cup of water: “Please trouble Miss Cheng to feed the Prince some water.”

“Xiao Guizi, Xiao Guizi…”

Someone outside was calling for Xiao Guizi, who hurriedly set down the water and scurried out.

If someone burst in now, all would be lost!

Only Chuzheng and Yan Gui remained in the room.

Chuzheng looked at the young man’s unchanged expression and serene eyes… Was this really how he showed his distaste for bitterness?

Chuzheng searched her clothes and pulled out a packet of candied fruit she brought from Juyuan Pavilion.

She opened it and selected one piece to offer to the young man’s mouth.

The young man gave her a quiet look, his rosy lips parting slightly.

Chuzheng pushed the candied fruit inside, and his tongue curled around her finger, even licking it like a small dog.

Lick, why are you licking me!!

Chuzheng: “…”

Chuzheng pressed down slightly with her fingertip, pinning his tongue.

Yan Gui raised his eyes.

His light brown pupils seemed innocent yet bewildered.

His tongue against her fingertip, he gently suckled once.

Chuzheng: “!!!”

Chuzheng was inwardly panicking.

In an instant, she composed herself, tossed him onto the bed: “Get well, I’m leaving.”

The young man lay on the quilt, his black hair scattered, surrounding his slender body.

Chuzheng left without looking back.

Yan Gui didn’t move for a long time, but then he touched his lips and his tranquil eyes began to ripple.

“Cheng… Chuzheng.”

The young man’s gentle voice echoed through the palace.

Golden sunlight slanted through the broken windows, surrounding the young man like a serene and beautiful painting.

–

When Chuzheng returned to her residence, she was startled by Lv Zhu’s red, swollen eyes.

“Miss, where have you been?” Lv Zhu’s voice was hoarse, her relief evident as she rushed over: “You scared me to death, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

Lv Zhu’s mind had raced with thoughts of her miss being kidnapped, attacked, or bullied… all sorts of strange scenarios.

She had nearly gone to the authorities.

But she couldn’t.

If Miss had not returned home for an entire night, who knows what rumors would start, which would be harmful to Miss’s reputation.

Chuzheng assured she was fine, but Lv Zhu didn’t quite believe her until she had thoroughly checked her over.

“Where did you go?” Lv Zhu held back her tears, her worry unabated.

“…” Chuzheng looked at Lv Zhu with composed eyes: “I got lost.”

Lv Zhu was skeptical but dared not ask further, cautioning: “Miss, you can’t go out alone next time. What if something happened?”