Huang Yiming gazed at Li Jie, his heart burdened by a complex tapestry of emotions. The crown prince’s response to his father’s words unfolded in an unexpected manner. Foreseeing a surge of anger, frustration, or sorrow, Huang Yiming was instead met with a demeanor that suggested Li Jie had acknowledged the emperor’s words as an unfortunate reality while clinging to their bond as a precious connection.
“I can’t fathom your composure,” Huang Yiming finally uttered, his voice carrying a touch of concern. “After everything that transpired, how do you not harbor resentment towards His Majesty?”
Li Jie met his gaze, confusion brimming in his eyes. “Why should I be angry? My frustration lies in the fact that he directed those words at you, someone I hold dear. Our friendship deserves respect, not to be diminished by unfounded accusations.”
A lump formed in Huang Yiming’s throat, the weight of his friend’s words settling in. Li Jie’s unconditional support and unyielding faith in their bond stirred him profoundly, but there was a realization—a painful one. Despite the emperor’s hurtful comments, Li Jie cherished their friendship above all else. Huang Yiming found himself helpless, unable to alter the course when he understood that the essence of their relationship, and only that, was what Li Jie treasured.
“I… I’m sorry,” Huang Yiming murmured, his voice a faint whisper. “I should have defended you.”
Li Jie’s grasp on Huang Yiming’s hand tightened, his expression softening. “Ge, it’s not your fault. You’ve always stood by me. I don’t need you to prove anything.”
A swirl of emotions overwhelmed Huang Yiming—gratitude for Li Jie’s unwavering trust and acceptance, yet an undercurrent of profound sadness for his friend. The weight of expectations and critiques inherent in being the crown prince had burdened Li Jie, and the emperor’s harsh words had only compounded that load.
A hushed stillness draped the room, allowing the two friends to navigate the labyrinth of their thoughts and feelings.
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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Silence lingered between them as Li Jie and Huang Yiming proceeded to his chamber, seemingly unperturbed by the potential whispers that might swirl after witnessing the crown prince allowing his friend into his personal space, mere days after rumors regarding his alleged homosexuality had started to circulate. Perhaps he was too stunned by his father’s words to concern himself with appearances, or perhaps he had resigned himself to the inevitable intrusion of palace gossip into his life.
Throughout the journey, Huang Yiming clung to Li Jie’s hand, offering silent support as they entered the chamber. Without hesitation, Li Jie moved toward his bed and sank onto it with a soft thud, his gaze appearing distant and troubled in Huang Yiming’s eyes.
“Ge…” Li Jie sighed, a helpless chuckle escaping him. “I apologize for not being able to protect you.”
Taking a seat beside Li Jie, Huang Yiming absentmindedly removed the jade hairpin from the crown prince’s hair, placing it gently near the bed. As Li Jie’s silky hair cascaded down, Huang Yiming began to caress it, his touch infused with a blend of comfort and an unfamiliar tenderness that Li Jie found perplexing.
“Why are you apologizing?” Huang Yiming finally spoke, his voice gentle yet filled with conviction. “You are not weak, and you are more than deserving of the throne. Your father had no right to utter such lies.”
Li Jie looked up, his eyes reflecting a blend of gratitude and lingering pain—an unexpected response given the crown prince’s usual stoicism in the face of adversity.
Before Huang Yiming could utter words that might later become regrets, a knock on the door disrupted their moment. Huang Baozhai burst into the chamber with her customary exuberance, utterly oblivious to the scene she had unwittingly stumbled upon.
“Hey, my love and my shadow!” she cheerfully greeted them, oblivious to Huang Yiming’s proximity to Li Jie. “Are you done with the begging?”
Huang Yiming began to respond but halted upon noticing Li Jie’s attentive demeanor. Instead, he simply affirmed, “Yes, it’s over now.”
Seating herself on the opposite side of the bed, Huang Baozhai remained blissfully ignorant of the tension lingering in the room. “Ah, Li Jie, I see you’ve claimed your territory on the bed again. So typical of you.”
Li Jie shot her a glare and retaliated by tossing a pillow at her face, a rare moment of playfulness amidst the prevailing heaviness. Huang Baozhai effortlessly caught the pillow and returned the favor, their impromptu pillow fight momentarily lightening the atmosphere.
Driven by curiosity, Li Jie finally inquired, “So, why haven’t you been bothering anyone these days? Did something happen?”
Huang Baozhai sighed. “Just some issues with our mother, nothing major. The usual lectures about being a graceful lady, I suppose. I left the room after a few minutes.”
Li Jie chuckled, appreciating Huang Baozhai’s adeptness at deflecting their mother’s expectations. “You’ve become an expert at blocking her out.”
Huang Baozhai’s laughter resonated, infusing the room with a comforting warmth. “She’s already disappointed that I won’t be the future empress. Now she’s planning weddings for you and Yiming!”
Li Jie smiled, concealing an unsettling emotion that surged within him. “She’s… really something. Honestly, it’s kind of amusing how I’m going to disappoint her twice.”
Huang Yiming swallowed hard. His sister’s intentions were well-meaning, but Li Jie’s response created a complex swirl of emotions within him. There were moments when he wished to shut out the world around him, yet Li Jie had established clear boundaries, and Huang Yiming felt a profound guilt even considering crossing them, let alone attempting or uttering something.
Undeterred by the reactions of the two males, Huang Baozhai pressed on with her matchmaking musings. “Think about it, though. Marrying your best friend, someone who knows you inside out. It’s the perfect dream, isn’t it?”
Huang Yiming’s desperation to halt his sister’s matchmaking endeavors intensified, but Huang Baozhai remained blissfully unaware, fully immersed in her role as the matchmaker.
“Even if I desire stability, I yearn for it with someone who’s special in a different way,” Li Jie chuckled, deflecting her once again. “If I’m going to genuinely be with someone, I want to love them differently than how I love others.”
Both Huang siblings were caught off guard, their faces tinged with embarrassment. An awkward silence filled the room, but Li Jie maintained an innocent smile.
Certain truths were better spoken aloud, even if they led to an uncomfortable silence.
Why isn’t there more of this 😭😭
😆💛