“We could not bear it.”
Ji Yue hesitated to speak, and Wei Lian’s heart sank gradually.
It was unclear what exactly he was feeling, was it sad or was it disappointed? Accompanied by the pain in his body, it brought a trace of indescribable irony.
He was tired.
Everything seemed to go back to the starting point after all the events.
Ji Yue turned back, picked up the bottle and returned to the bedside, handing it to Wei Lian, “This is the antidote.”
Wei Lian was so angry that he did not want to take it.
Ji Yue explained without changing his expression, “If you take this antidote continuously for one year, the toxic will be relieved automatically. There is no other antidote.”
Wei Lian looked up and stared at him without blinking.
“Really.” Ji Yue said sincerely.
Wei Lian wondered, “Then how do you control your shadow guards…?”
“They don’t know this, but once the year has passed, what we give them is not the antidote, but a new poison. This way, the control stays for another year as a new cycle starts.” Ji Yue told the lie on the spot, no redness on his face and no changes to his heartbeat. “This is a secret. We told only to you. You better say nothing of it.”
He was apologizing inside.
He did not want to be in a rigid fight with Wei Lian because of this, so he could only deceive the youth like this.
He actually thought it through. Wei Lian chose to hide things from him, because the youth did not like him enough.
No matter, give him another year to cultivate their feelings. He believed Wei Lian would not lie to him once the year was up.
Once the time was up, he would secretly replace the temporary antidote with the real one and completely detoxify Wei Lian’s poison. As long as Wei Lian timely takes the temporary antidote, there would be no side effects. If he could buy himself another year, why wouldn’t he?
The worst outcome would only be…that Wei Lian continued to keep things from him.
Ji Yue’s eyes darkened.
If that was the case, he would probably be very sad.
But he would still give the real antidote to Wei Lian.
If a year’s time could not move a person’s heart completely, then he would free Wei Lian. Ji Yue did not want to force an unwilling individual, as well as imprison Wei Lian in a cage, both of which would bring nothing but pain to both of them.
A small part of this was selfishness on Ji Yue’s part, wanting enough time to fight, so that Wei Lian would open his heart and completely accept him.
One year. He would give himself a single year.
_
Wei Lian: “…”
If that was really the case, then it was quite sad for those shadow guards, who were deceived in circles.
As for taking Ji Yue’s words into account, Wei Lian believed him seventy percent.
Seven points were out of love for Ji Yue, and three points were left to sate his vigilant side.
Otherwise, if this was from another person’s mouth, Wei Lian would believe not one word and investigate himself.
It was undeniable that the original melancholy in his heart suddenly loosen up, flew away from Ji Yue’s words.
That was all he wanted.
Not the antidote, but Ji Yue’s honesty.
But he still could not reveal that the one who had fought Ji Yue tonight was himself.
His Master once said that before he reached the coming of age, he would be faced with a life-or-death situation. He always kept this warning in mind.
Now, he was less than two months from his coming of age. If he could bear it for another two months, he would not continue to pretend like this.
Wei Lian cherishes his life. During his solitary life, he strived to stay alive. Now, he was bound to a loved one, making him want to stay alive even more.
He would not risk his life.
Both of them have their own thoughts, but flawlessly showed nothing on their face, giving away nothing to the other.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
_
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But at the end of the day, it was himself of all people.
Wei Lian was born frail and beautiful. His delicate body leaning quietly on the daybed, looking much paler than usual. Along with his head lowering in silence, it would get sympathy from anyone.
The bloodstains on the snow-white neck were bringing pain to his heart, and the clavicle was in a similar state. It was even harder for Ji Yue to look at the youth’s bandaged arm.
Even though he knew that Wei Lian was not weak, it still brought pain to his heart.
Ji Yue could not stop himself from asking, “Does it still hurt?”
Wei Lian: “…”
No kidding! It wasn’t like he had no sensory pain.
It was very hard to take for Ji Yue, and he did not want to show self-blame, so he looked more grievous than Wei Lian.
“Earlier, when the physician bandaged you, you did not make a sound.” Ji Yue unhappily pointed out.
Wei Lian once said that he was afraid of pain.
But in reality, he was very cruel.
Able to inflict pain on himself.
Just knowing Wei Lian’s strong and forbearing made Ji Yue more distressed.
Ji Yue still remembered the first time he did that with Wei Lian. Wei Lian was in severe pain, but he just bit the back of his hand and refused to make a sound even when he bled from the biting.
He looked at the two deep rows of tooth marks on the back of the youth’s pale hand, half angrily held down the injured wrist and ordered him not to bite. Wei Lian sunk into the bed and created creases from grabbing the sheet. The sound was bits and pieces, but he still refused to ask for mercy.
Afterward, Wei Lian’s half-lidded eyes were covered in fog, and his body trembled with pain. Even so, he still refused to shed a tear, always showing a trace of stubbornness.
That was when Ji Yue learned that the youth, who said he was afraid of pain, was actually determined to endure, so deep that it was engraved into his bones.
But his body became accustomed to it after having done so many rounds on the daybed. Later, when Ji Yue convinced Wei Lian through sleeping, especially for the drunken Wei Xiao Lian, the youth would be so well-behaved and soft beyond words. All of his enforced bones would melt into a puddle of water. He sobbed without restraint, pleaded for mercy, indulged in debauchery and hid in his arms, crying out he was in pain but in a coquettish manner. When he was angry, he had the gut to kick Ji Yue out of bed. When he was happy, he would give Ji Yue a kiss. During that time, there was a smile and light in his eyes.
At least on the bed, to Ji Yue, Wei Lian let his nature run free.
To be honest, Ji Yue likes this kind of Wei Lian.
Not the wanton part, but him crying out when he felt pain, sobbing when he was wronged and begging for mercy when he was at his limit, instead of suppressing these inside.
Ji Yue would comply with the youth in everything.
Being strong is a good thing, and being able to endure is also a fine quality. But he did not need them here. Wei Lian did not need to tolerate or endure for him, those were skills that only the ones that had suffered would need to learn.
Ji Yue wants to give Wei Lian all the sweets in the world, such as rabbit shaped cakes, the tanghulu like the one from the Lantern Festival, or a bowl of hot sesame glutinous rice balls.
But he still let the youth suffer.
Under his own doing no less.
So, why wouldn’t this bring him distress?
_
Wei Lian could sense Ji Yue’s low mood and thought it was from him being injured.
He said seriously, “At that time, I was in too much pain to make any noise.”
What he said was half true.
Wei Lian did not like pain, but he could stand pain.
He could tease Ji Yue and act coquettish for some unimportant things, he could also bear unspeaking events without saying a word,
So, this degree of pain was nothing.
Ji Yue wasn’t buying this crap.
Besides feeling sad and self-blame, he was also angry.
Especially when he saw Wei Lian’s neck and leg injuries, it wasn’t a single reason that caused his outburst of anger.
These two injuries were definitely made by Wei Lian himself.
The youth did not place value on his own body.
But Ji Yue could not act upon this anger, he could only sulk alone.
“Besides.” Wei Lian looked at Ji Yue’s arm. “Aren’t you also acting as if nothing had happened to yourself?”
Ji Yue himself was a wounded man as well.
Wei Lian wanted to move Ji Yue’s sleeve up to get a better look at the injury, but firstly, it was not convenient for him to move, secondly, he couldn’t be of any help, because he couldn’t expose his medical skills, lastly, Ji Yue’s injury must have been checked by many physicians already, so nothing for him to do.
There was no part for him to play.
If the other person could run and jump, as long as his heart was beating, he was fine.
Being stabbed for no reason had also brought out some anger in Wei Lian.
“We have gone through hundreds of battles, and we lost count on the number of injuries we got, so how could it be compared to yours?” Ji Yue replied unhappily.
Even if Wei Lian had bought up the question, he was still going to proceed with caution.
Wei Lian said politely, “Then Your Majesty should return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and rest early. This subject is going to bed.”
Ji Yue blurted. “Are you in such a hurry to chase us out?”
Wei Lian replied in surprise, “Your Majesty wants to stay here?”
He sighed softly and lamented, “Please forgive this subject for not being able to serve Your Majesty because of the injuries. This subject suffered serious injuries that will take a hundred days to heal, so this subject will not be able to serve Your Majesty in the next hundred days.” He tried to hide the uncontrollable excitement in his tone, “You are best to go back.”
It suddenly occurred to him. He was hurt, and Ji Yue was hurt as well, it meant they could self-restraint!
What an amazing thing to happen!
Although at first, it was Wei Lian who seduced the other person to the bed, later, when Ji Yue had a taste of the forbidden fruits, the tossing and turning became fiercer, to the point of frustrating Wei Lian.
It was rare to be able to rest openly. Wei Lian was very happy.
He held back the urge to smile and said sincerely, “Your Majesty needs to recover at the earliest possible time as well.”
Ji Yue looked at Wei Lian, who took on the role of a dramatist, and choked silently.
Don’t think we could not hear the joy in your tone.
He almost burst out laughing from the absurdity.
He turned and said, “We will be leaving.”
Wei Lian respectfully sent Ji Yue off, “Your Majesty, please watch your steps.”
Ji Yue could not resist looking back, “We are really leaving.”
Wei Lian nodded. “Please take care.”
Ji Yue walked to the door and suddenly turned his head back unconsciously, “We…”
Wei Lian said expressionless, “Leave faster.”
“…” Ji Yue said, “Then you rest well and try not to sleep on your wounds. Remember to change the bandages and medicine timely. Don’t leave the bed for the following days. You don’t need to worry about things in the palace…”
He nagged about each thing, more so than the elder ladies in the palace.
Wei Lian just buried himself in the quilt and ignored him.
Ji Yue looked at him quietly for a long time before pushing the door and walking out.
_
The night outside was as cold as water as the cold breeze blew on his face.
His heart was heavy.
No matter the jest, he could not escape the erosion of self-blame.
There was no way for him to be blind to it. Wei Lian’s face was as white as paper. He even hid his heavily injured left arm under the quilt, not letting him see it.
The youth must be in immense pain.
Ji Yue did not dare to face the youth with red face and eyes. He cried before Wei Lian? Just the thought of it was very humiliating.
He traveled back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation like a wandering soul. Once he entered, the first sentence he gave was, “Bring wine.”
Li Fuquan was stunned. “At this hour…?”
It was already so late. Why would His Majesty drink wine instead of having a restful sleep?
“We told you to get to it, less nonsense.” Ji Yue whispered, “We want to drown our worries with wine.”
Li Fuquan murmured, “…Understood.”
…
He raised his cup to invite the moon to drink. Along with his shadow, they became three thinking friends.
Li Fuquan looked at Ji Yue, who was getting drunk under the moon in front of the window. Anxiety filled his face. “Your Majesty, please stop drinking.”
It wouldn’t hurt to drink alone, but His Majesty obviously had something hidden in his heart and did not want to say it.
Ji Yue shook his wine cup, and his gorgeous sharp eyes were half drunk. “Li Fuquan, if someone in this world deceived us, what should we do?”
What other answer was there? Li Fuquan firmly recited, “The crime of deceiving the ruler should be put to death.”
“Not allowed!” Ji Yue immediately rejected, “We can’t bear it.”
Li Fuquan was shocked.
There was only one person who His Majesty could not cause pain on…
Li Fuquan lightly patted his mouth and regretted that he had spoken without consideration.
As it turned out His Majesty and Young Master Wei had a falling out?
“We also lied to him… We lied about how the medicine…could only be relieved after one year.” Ji Yue suddenly chuckled, closed his eyes and lay down on the table. “We want him to stay. We are so afraid that he will leave. We even hurt him today. Is he mad at us for this…?”
Li Fuquan could not comprehend what His Majesty was going on about.
What about this and that?
But he could see that His Majesty was very sad.
His Majesty had a deep relationship with his mother, Yun Ji, when he was young. The day of her death, she agreed to play in the snow with Ji Yue the next day. That night, he watched his mother be pushed into the well.
Later, His Majesty raised a rabbit, took good care of it and fed it. The untamable rabbit ran into the Queen Dowager’s arms and was ordered to be brought to the table by His Majesty that night.
Later, His Majesty loved this falcon, which the Queen Dowager used to threaten His Majesty. In the end, His Majesty shot the bird dead himself.
His Majesty had few things he cherished. Whenever there was, they would always leave him in the end, and never with a good ending. So, His Majesty never dared to cherish anything again.
If he has a beloved, he must be careful and thoughtful, for the fear that the person would leave him like those people and things in the past.
So careful that he dared not to inquire about it.
Li Fuquan guessed that His Majesty was upset by Young Master Wei’s injuries today. There were always dangers around His Majesty, and those close to His Majesty were consistently among the same dangers. His Majesty must be afraid that Young Master Wei would leave him like Queen Dowager Yun, the falcon and the rabbit for various reasons.
The shock from today all arose from the unbearable pain experienced in the past.
Li Fuquan carefully advised, “Your Majesty, Young Master Wei will not be angry with you.”
“He must be angry.” Ji Yue said sadly, “He ignored us.”
“Young Master Wei has a sharp tongue, but a soft heart.” As His Majesty’s personal attendant, Li Fuquan rarely witnessed Ji Yue’s fragile side. He was so troubled that he suddenly thought of something and blurted it out, “Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, the young master knew that you had insomnia in the past and specially ordered this servant to change the scent in your palace into a secret receipt from the country of Chu, that specialized in calming the minds, so that you can sleep soundly even if he is not by your side.
“Then once, the palace worker accidentally made a tear on your favorite imperial black robe with the golden five-claws dragon. It was the young master who fixed it himself with a needle and thread.
“And every day you go visit the young master, he might appear unconcerned. But when you are away, the young master would always ask for your whereabouts several times a day. If he learns that you are discussing official business with ministers, he will not bother you, but sighs about how this palace was so boring. If you are not busy, the young master will go find you, saying how there is always joy being with you.
“…These things, the young master viewed them as insignificant and never allowed this servant to say them.”
Some things, even he could not do so thoughtfully.
“The young master is from Chu, and this servant had some prejudice against the young master at the beginning. It was from these little things that my view has gradually changed.” Li Fuquan sighed, “Your Majesty, you don’t have to worry.”
In this world, no one loves you more than Wei Lian.
Translator has something to add:
Teo: These two are just making me cry so much Q_Q. Li Fuquan MVP.
Thank You for the chapter ｡✰✧(♡´❍`♡)✧✰｡
Li fuquan😭❤️