“So this is the sort of thing Your Highness likes?” Wei Fu immediately regained his confidence upon hearing that. Pinching his rough, hoarse throat into a deliberately delicate voice, he said, “Thank you for the praise. Shall I sing another song for Your Highness?” Even affection by association had its limits. Before Chancellor Wei’s singing voice, even crows would willingly admit defeat. Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s fingers moved, swiftly pinching his mouth shut and gently yet unquestioningly pushing him back onto the pillow. “Next time for sure. Focus on recovering first.”
The gauzy bed curtains filtered the daylight outside into something soft and hazy. Sitting at the bedside, a faint weariness from travel lingered between his brows. All the sharp edges and hostility he carried had been sheathed away, leaving behind only a mountain-like steadiness. With his imposing presence subdued, the beauty of his sculpted features emerged unobstructed, reminding Wei Fu of that silhouette long ago in the wild mountains at dusk, etched forever into his eyes and heart by the final rays of sunlight.
Wei Fu reached out and caught his sleeve. Staring silently at him for a moment with wide eyes, he still felt dazed. “I’m… not dreaming, am I?”
“I’ve already let you hug me, kiss me, and take all the liberties you wanted, and only now do you think to ask whether you’re dreaming?” Yu Gong Zhao Ye touched his forehead and lightly flicked it with a finger. “Why don’t you ask whether you’re the one who’s burned your brain out and started hallucinating?”
That sharp tongue was proof enough that this was the real person.
Only then did Wei Fu secretly relax. Following Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s sleeve downward, he found the ends of his hair. There was still a trace of moisture there. He had probably hurriedly washed up before entering the residence and had not yet had time to dry it completely. “Your Highness’s… cough, cough… business has already been taken care of? It was much faster than I expected.”
Speaking too much made him start coughing. Yu Gong Zhao Ye paused slightly. “Not entirely.”
Wei Fu turned aside and coughed twice more. “What happened? Did you run into some difficulty?”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye had rushed back to Bihan City because he wanted to tell Wei Fu about Jiang Feng Xun as soon as possible. However, back at Yinhe Tower, merely hearing Jiang Feng Xun’s name had nearly made Wei Fu faint. In his current condition, if he learned that Wei Huai Jun had long since passed away, Yu Gong Zhao Ye simply did not dare gamble on the outcome.
“Xiao Guan, I want to bring in a physician to examine you.” Holding Wei Fu’s wrist between his fingers, he checked his pulse. “The Royal Physicians still haven’t determined what poison you were given. The medicine they’re using may not even be treating the right problem. I want someone trustworthy to take another look. Only then can I be at ease.”
Though sick, Wei Fu was not foolish. “If a famous physician wants to examine me, I’d be delighted. Arrange it however you like… but don’t change the subject. Your Highness, what’s troubling you?”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye lowered his voice. “You.”
Wei Fu froze.
At first glance, it did not sound like a kind answer. But he knew Yu Gong Zhao Ye. This was a stubborn man who would rather carry a mountain himself than shift responsibility onto someone else. Although two and a half of every three sentences were usually spent teasing him, he had never truly said a harsh word to him.
Why would I make things difficult for him?
If it wasn’t because he disliked him being injured and troublesome, then it had to be the opposite. Yu Gong Zhao Ye did not want to see him hurt, yet the news he had carried back over thousands of miles was destined to worsen those injuries.
“Who’s in trouble?” Wei Fu jerked upright and seized his hand. “Xie You Lan? Or…”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye tightened his grip slightly, forcibly suppressing the turbulent emotions threatening to rise. “Let the physician examine you first.”
“Your Majesty, the Royal Army has reported that Qi Li Xiang, Deputy Commissioner of the Northern Dipper Division of the Royal Medical Academy, entered Chancellor Wei’s residence this afternoon and remained there for nearly three quarters of an hour before departing.”
The weather in Bihan City had already grown warm. However, because the king’s lingering cold had yet to improve, the doors and windows throughout the palace remained tightly shut, allowing not the slightest breeze inside. Fine beads of sweat had formed on the forehead of the attendant Tian Qing, while the pale cosmetic powder applied to Yu Gong Lie’s face remained perfectly intact.
“What prescription did he leave for Chancellor Wei?”
Tian Qing presented the medical records retrieved from the Royal Medical Academy.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, Royal Physician Qi Li stated that the previous prescription remains sufficient and did not issue a new one. He instructed that Chancellor Wei simply rest quietly and allow the toxins to leave his body naturally. There is no need for aggressive medicines, lest they damage his vital qi.”
Yu Gong Lie reviewed the records and nodded. “Qi Li Xiang specializes in treating injuries and poisons. Since he examined him and found no issue, it means the Royal Physicians handled matters properly. Very good.”
Having served Yu Gong Lie for many years, Tian Qing was among his most trusted attendants. Carefully studying the king’s expression, he cautiously offered his thoughts. “But he is a Royal Physician assigned exclusively to Yeguang. For him to suddenly pay a visit must mean Yeguang ordered it. Yet Your Majesty never authorized Yeguang to involve itself in this matter. Royal Physician Qi Li’s actions… may not be appropriate.”
The words overstepping authority remained unspoken, but both men understood the implication perfectly.
“Chancellor Wei was brought back by Yeguang. They bear responsibility for his protection. Given the seriousness of what happened, it is only natural for them to send Qi Li Xiang to examine him.” Yu Gong Lie spoke calmly. “Besides, his involvement is not necessarily a bad thing. Chancellor Wei has long known of Yeguang’s existence. If Yeguang remained completely uninvolved, he might instead feel that Longsha had treated him poorly.”
Tian Qing still looked uneasy. “My concern is that Yeguang may not stop at merely examining him. If they disregard protocol and begin investigating the case in secret…”
“What protocol?” Yu Gong Lie interrupted him.
“Th-that…”
Tian Qing found himself at a loss for words.
“Yeguang is different from the other government offices. It cannot be constrained by ordinary rules. Its greatest rule is that the interests of Longsha must always come first.” Pressing his fingers against his temple, Yu Gong Lie spoke tiredly. “I did not order them to investigate because there is no need. Chancellor Wei was attacked on Longsha soil. No matter who the culprit turns out to be, we cannot escape responsibility. At a time like this, instead of minimizing the damage, should we really start digging three feet into the ground to uncover even more evidence against ourselves? Are we not embarrassed enough already?”
Tian Qing bowed deeply. “Your Majesty is correct.”
“Have the Royal Army continue guarding the residence.” Yu Gong Lie tossed the records back to him. “Chancellor Wei needs rest. Do not trouble him with government affairs. Let the Cabinet deliberate and handle them instead.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“His Majesty never explicitly ordered Yeguang to participate.” Yu Gong Zhao Ye asked as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. “So you’re not going to investigate? Have you never heard the word secretly?”
Jin Han: “……”
The rear courtyard of Yeguang Palace was now saturated with the scent of medicine. Jin Han was reporting in the front hall, and smelling that medicinal aroma, he could not help thinking: You would know all about that. Not only did you secretly return to the capital yourself, you secretly brought someone else back too. Looking at the two of you, it’s practically as if you secretly got married behind everyone’s backs.
Yu Gong Zhao Ye was not someone who liked dwelling on the past or repeatedly savoring his own hardships. Yet at this moment, an indescribable anger rose uncontrollably within him. He had spent so much effort saving this person, spent so much fortune and fate just to find him again, and after looking away for only a moment, Wei Fu had been reduced to this state. Never before had he experienced so much helplessness and regret because of a single person. His hesitation, his retreat, his tendency to overthink and hold back… all the things he had convinced himself were for Wei Fu’s good had ultimately become poison flowing through Wei Fu’s veins.
Being touched until every hair on his body stood on end, Wei Fu could no longer keep up the pretense of sleeping. His eyelashes trembled. While thinking I’m not dreaming in broad daylight, am I? he cautiously opened one eye. The moment he did, he met Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s cold, sharp gaze, one so fierce it looked ready to kill.
Wei Fu blinked. Hm? Is that really the expression someone should make when they see me?
Seeing him awake, those clear amber eyes shifted slightly. Yet the expression did not soften. On the contrary, because his tone was so calm, the entire man radiated the oppressive gloom of a storm about to break.
“I was gone for a few days. It’s not as if I’ve been dead for more than ten years.”
Wei Fu: “…”
Do people with royal blood all speak such inauspicious words?
Rustling beneath the blankets, he slipped an arm out, caught the hand Yu Gong Zhao Ye was about to withdraw, pulled it closer, and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. His eyes curved into a smile as he silently mouthed the words:
I missed you so much.
At that moment, Yu Gong Zhao Ye suddenly felt that Cheng Yu was no longer the person in the world most resembling a puppy.
“And you’re still smiling.”
His voice drifted down softly, like a sigh.
“Does it hurt?”
Wei Fu looked at him steadily. Then, all at once, he braced himself against the bed and forced himself upright. Unsteady though he was, he decisively wrapped his arms around Yu Gong Zhao Ye and pulled him into an embrace, as though holding onto a block of ice that stubbornly refused to melt no matter how warmly it was held.
The one who looks like he’s hurting right now is you, Your Highness.
Long hair slid down over broad shoulders and back, smooth and dense as silk, giving the man leaning against him the perfect place to hide his face within that cool cascade.
Held in Wei Fu’s embrace, Yu Gong Zhao Ye felt body heat and heartbeats continuously transmitted through the thin layer of clothing between them. There was no proof of being alive more tangible than this. The lingering fear that had hung over him like a spider’s thread above a cliff finally settled once their skin touched.
Like a man thawing after being frozen solid, he slowly exhaled after a long while and gently smoothed a hand over Wei Fu’s back.
“I’m sorry, Xiao Guan.”
Perhaps surviving three brushes with death had given him courage to tempt fate. Wei Fu vaguely felt that the line between himself and His Highness could move just a little closer. So he turned his head and lightly pecked the tip of Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s ear, using that kiss in place of it’s alright.
Yu Gong Zhao Ye: “……”
Pinching the back of Wei Fu’s neck, he pulled him away and scolded him with a stern face and lowered voice.
“You’re already a sickly invalid and still so restless. Did all those medicines for clearing heat and detoxifying your body end up in a dog’s stomach instead?”
He did not even dare raise his voice while scolding him. Wei Fu was not afraid of him in the slightest. Tightening his arms around Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s waist and back, he pulled him closer once more, as though he could never hold enough of him, then contentedly rubbed his cheek against his shoulder.
This kind of affection, lacking much aggression yet utterly pure and overflowing with fondness, was remarkably effective against ailments such as saying one thing while meaning another and being impervious to both kindness and force. Entangled by him, Yu Gong Zhao Ye found himself completely helpless and could only let him have his way.
Only after quite some time did he realize something was missing.
“Wait.”
Wei Fu softly replied, “Hm?”
Yu Gong Zhao Ye frowned suspiciously.
“How come I haven’t heard you speak at all?”
Wei Fu: “……”
“Don’t play dumb.” Pulling himself free from Wei Fu’s embrace, Yu Gong Zhao Ye cupped his chin and examined him from side to side. “I heard your throat was injured, but that you could still talk. It shouldn’t be so bad that you can’t make a sound at all.”
Lowering his head and pressing his lips together, Wei Fu quietly took Yu Gong Zhao Ye’s hand. Looking as bashful as a bride about to lift her veil, he traced words into his palm:
My voice is rough and hoarse. It sounds terrible.
Turning his hand over, Yu Gong Zhao Ye trapped Wei Fu’s fingers within his own and leaned closer with obvious interest.
“If that’s the case, then I absolutely have to hear it. Go on.”
Wei Fu: “……”
What sort of hobby is that?!
He still remembered the first time he spoke after regaining consciousness. The atmosphere of grief and solemnity that had filled the room vanished instantly. Everyone had laughed as though the New Year had arrived early. Zhu Ling had needed two full days before he could speak to him without accidentally laughing.
Wei Fu shot Yu Gong Zhao Ye a resentful look full of silent condemnation. Unfortunately, His Highness the Wooden Block clearly could not understand such delicate emotions.
“What are you afraid of? It’s not like it can’t be cured.”
I’m afraid that when you’re eighty years old, you’ll still remember this voice and burst out laughing.
Secretly sighing, Wei Fu finally parted his lips and spoke. The resulting sound resembled a frog and a duck arguing for three days and three nights before joining together in a duet.
“It really sounds awful.”
It was not that he insisted on looking elegant and graceful every moment of every day, but he did harbor a small selfish wish. He wanted to appear in the eyes of the person he loved as a pitiful beauty weakened by illness, not a miserable and ridiculous fool with terrible luck.
Yu Gong Zhao Ye visibly froze.
Then he lowered his eyes and laughed softly.
“It sounds nice.”
He poked the unhappy corner of Wei Fu’s mouth until it lifted into a smile.
“You are Longsha’s number one songbird.”
Next
Futile Devices Scans 
Leave a comment