Upon hearing this, Li Shu turned his head and looked at Qi Mingxuan in astonishment. “Take me to recuperate?”
Due to the shock, Li Shu’s eyes widened, resembling a startled rabbit. Qi Mingxuan chuckled behind his hand. Despite knowing Li Shu for so long, the most common expression he saw on the young man’s face was calmness. No matter what happened, the expression on the young man’s face remained serene, unaffected by external factors, giving Qi Mingxuan the illusion that he could leave at any moment.
Qi Mingxuan had a vague feeling that one day, the young man would leave completely, and there would no longer be any trace of the young man’s existence in the world. Just thinking about it made Qi Mingxuan anxious, like someone who had been in darkness for years. If someone has never seen light, they could survive in the darkness, but what if, one day, they met their own light?
How can they endure the boundless darkness again after seeing the light?
He didn’t know how to make the young man stay, how to preserve that unique light for himself. Despite being so close, he felt an invisible barrier separating them into two different worlds. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t overcome this barrier.
How could he accept this? For the first time in his life, he felt moved, and it would be the only time. He didn’t want to miss it. He didn’t ask for much in this life, only this one thing, craving mercy from fate.
“Where do you plan to take me? I only burned my leg, and the doctor said it’s not a big deal. Do I really need special leave?” Under Qi Mingxuan’s scorching gaze, Li Shu felt as if he had turned into a delicacy that had just been placed on the table, steaming and waiting for the master to pick up the chopsticks.
The young man looked at him with wide eyes, and there was actually a little fear in his eyes. Qi Mingxuan closed his eyes, suppressing the heat in his eyes. When he opened them again, the look in his eyes on the young man became gentle, lacking the previous intensity. Unable to resist, he ruffled the young man’s hair, saying gently, “Don’t be afraid.”
Suddenly being rubbed on the head, Li Shu’s eyes widened even more. Ever since he cultivated successfully, no one had ever touched his head. He was a great demon in his realm, but unexpectedly, he was patted on the head by someone from a small world!!!
[Host, calm down, calm down. Don’t get angry. The male protagonist doesn’t know your identity…] Seeing this scene, 1314 felt like its head was about to explode and it quickly explained. It didn’t want the first world to witness a brutal event where the host killed the male protagonist of the small world. At the same time, it complained in its heart: Male protagonist, can’t you just talk? Why do you have to use your hands and feet? Don’t you think it’s enough ?
[Why would I be angry?] Li Shu was puzzled. Contrary to the system’s concerns, not only was he not angry, he even found it quite comfortable. Qi Mingxuan’s palm was broad, the pressure was just right, and if he could transform into his original form and let the male protagonist stroke his fur, it would be even better.
Completely unable to fathom the host’s thoughts, 1314: […] ‘So, I was worrying for nothing.’
Ruffling Li Shu’s hair was entirely Qi Mingxuan’s momentary impulse. He realized what he had done and was about to retract his hand and apologize when he felt a soft strand of hair brush against his palm. Qi Mingxuan felt a slight joy. He discreetly observed Li Shu’s expression and on seeing that he showed no displeasure or objection, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He feared that a small gesture might once again create distance between him and the young man, a distance that had gradually narrowed.
Although reluctant, Qi Mingxuan withdrew his hand and hid it within his sleeve, idly twirling his fingers. The young man’s hair was even softer than he had imagined.
“There is going to be a big move in the court soon. Due to this injury, Zi Shu should stay away for a while. Given Zi Shu’s position in the emperor’s heart, if Zi Shu remains in the court, he will inevitably be involved in this matter. If he gets entangled, Zi Shu’s path ahead will be even more difficult.”
While saying these words, Qi Mingxuan maintained eye contact with Li Shu. The worry and concern in his eyes were so obvious, in addition, Li Shu could sense emotions. He knew that the male protagonist was sincere and didn’t want him to face danger. But why?
The relationship between the male and female protagonists hadn’t progressed much, yet the male protagonist’s happiness value kept increasing. This rise was certainly unrelated to the female protagonist. Li Shu had asked 1314 about it, but 1314 said happiness values couldn’t be traced to their origins, so he could only temporarily set aside this question.
[Host, the male lead’s happiness value increased by 5.]
[Are you still unable to detect the reason for the rise in the happiness value?] Li Shu asked.
After a while, 1314 responded dejectedly: [I’m still unable to detect it.]
The carriage wheels rolled steadily toward their destination.
Inside the carriage, Li Shu looked at the male protagonist who refused to take a step back and sighed. “Your Highness, I understand your intention, but there are things I cannot evade. Since I’ve chosen this path, I’ve naturally prepared for it.”
He knew the plot, and considering that Qi Mingxuan took him away without asking for his opinion due to concern for his safety, he couldn’t get angry with him.
How could Qi Mingxuan not know this? Ever since the young man caught the emperor’s attention and was selected as the top scholar, Qi Mingxuan knew that the young man’s future path would be filled with bloodshed. However, at that time, he and the young man were barely acquaintances, and he had no right to interfere with the young man’s decisions. If it were now, he would never allow the young man to walk such a path.
It was too late for the young man now, so he could only hasten his own steps to ascend to that position sooner. This way, he could protect the young man better.
“I know.” Qi Mingxuan covered his eyes with one hand. He had been mentally prepared for a long time but he was still worried. Facing the young man’s stubborn gaze, he had to compromise. “Stay overnight, I’ll take you back to the city tomorrow. The doctor said you might have a fever tonight, and I can’t rest assured.”
Qi Mingxuan had already taken a step back, and Li Shu had to agree, “Please let someone inform my mansion.”
“I’ve already sent someone.” Qi Mingxuan’s response this time was swift. It was a sudden idea to bring the young man to his territory. If the young man hadn’t been injured at this time, he would not have made this decision at all.
After spending so much time together, he didn’t fully understand the young man, but he had about sixty percent understanding. He didn’t deny that he had selfish motives in taking the young man to recuperate. He wanted to shelter the young man under his wing. However, because of his understanding of the young man, he knew better than anyone that the young man was not a delicate flower but a towering pine that could withstand the winds and storms on its own.
So from the beginning, he knew that the plan to hide the young man and avoid all dangers was impossible. When he spoke, he even prepared for the worst. The current result was much better than he had anticipated.
Li Shu didn’t know the twists and turns in Qi Mingxuan’s heart. He only knew that the male protagonist was determined not to let him return.
The carriage shook occasionally, and Li Shu felt sleepy due to the shaking. He leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes to rest. Seeing that he was sleepy, Qi Mingxuan didn’t disturb him any further and quietly placed a soft cushion over to make the young man more comfortable.
~
At the Li Mansion.
“Sister Qinghe, why hasn’t the master returned?” It wasn’t that the small maid was overstepping with this question, but Li Shu’s former colleague, Yu Rongxiu, had been waiting for Li Shu for a long time. He said it was an important matter to discuss with him.
“I don’t know. Looking at the time, Master should have returned long ago. Even if there are matters, he would send someone back in advance to notify. It’s rare to have a situation like today,” Qinghe was calmer than the small maid. Although she was anxious inside, she didn’t show it. “You go and take tea to Master Yu first. Say that our master has been delayed and hasn’t returned to the mansion yet. If Master Yu can’t wait…”
Before she could finish, the gatekeeper led a calm young man over.
“Is this Miss Qinghe?” The young man, dressed in dark-patterned martial attire, his hair tied high behind his head, had a handsome face and was polite, making it difficult to harbor ill feelings toward him.
Qinghe didn’t know the identity of the young man and nodded in confusion, “Yes, I am.”
The calm young man smiled and said, “My master asked me to give Miss a message. Master Li will stay in my master’s mansion today. You don’t need to worry.”
Qinghe couldn’t help but worry, but as a servant, she couldn’t take the initiative to ask about the master’s whereabouts. She suppressed the various doubts in her heart.
The young man remembered his master’s instructions, and when Qinghe looked over, he silently mouthed something.
Afterwards, he said aloud: “The message has been delivered. I’ll take my leave.”
The young man in dark attire moved like the wind, leaving no trace behind.
After instructing the steward to see the young man off, Qinghe stood there, full of uncertainty. If she hadn’t read it wrong, the young man just now mentioned the word “Qin”. Was the master staying with Prince Qin?
Li Shu trusted Qinghe who was left behind by the original owner’s mother. He didn’t deliberately hide things from her and even some matters passed through her hands. Therefore, she knew about the cooperation between her master and Prince Qin. However, her master usually wouldn’t get too close to Prince Qin. Did something happen?
But she didn’t even know where the master was, let alone his current situation.
“Sister Qinghe, about Master Yu…” the small maid in green stepped forward and spoke hesitantly.
“I’ll explain to Master Yu, you can go down. By the way, don’t spread a word about what happened in the courtyard today.”
With just a few words, the small maid knelt down immediately, earnestly assuring, “This servant’s mouth has always been tight. Sister Qinghe, rest assured, nothing about today’s events will leak from this servant.”
“Mmm, you may leave.”
Upon hearing this, the maid felt as if she had received a pardon and immediately withdrew. Her behavior wasn’t surprising; all the servants in the Li Mansion treated Qinghe with such respect. Being able to control the entire Li Mansion as a head servant was not only due to Li Shu’s favor. Her own abilities were undoubtedly noteworthy.
After handling matters in the courtyard, Qinghe went to meet the person waiting in the study. Yu Rongxiu was her master’s friend and she couldn’t afford to be negligent.
Yu Rongxiu waited for a long time without seeing Li Shu so he had no choice but to take his leave. He handed a sealed letter to Qinghe, emphasizing that she must deliver the letter to Li Shu personally and preferably without involving any third party.
“I know your master trusts you. This letter is very important; make sure to personally deliver it to your master. It’s better not to go through anyone else’s hands,” Yu Rongxiu reminded with particular concern before leaving.
“Master Yu Rongxiu, rest assured. I will ensure the letter reaches my master intact.”
Watching Yu Rongxiu leave, Qinghe carefully kept the letter, stood in the corridor, and gazed into the distance. The sun hung high in the sky, and a few white clouds occasionally drifted from afar. It was beautiful weather, yet an inexplicable sense of an impending storm lingered in the air.
She had watched how Li Shu went step by step from a seemingly insignificant and frail person in the Left Prime Minister’s residence to where he was today. She knew how difficult this path had been. She couldn’t assist her master much but could only pray for his well-being.
[Host, Qinghe already knows you are with Prince Qin. Yu Rongxiu visited the Li Mansion and handed a letter to Qinghe. The contents are unknown.]
