Dong Xian heard a voice silently urging him to return. He rushed back to Yuyang Palace, yet the deserted entrance caused a chasm in his heart.
No one’s waiting for me, this is merely my own wishful thinking.
It was late into the evening, the lanterns hung on the pavilion swayed in the wind. Abruptly, a gale swept past and sent ripples across the small pond before him. Dong Xian strolled past it, his slender silhouette appearing on the slowly calming water surface White robes, black hair.
Can this face of mine really cause the downfall of a country?
The servants came and went, turning their heads to glance at him, yet no one said a word to him. Dong Xian simply shrugged his shoulders, not paying them any attention. On a sudden whim, he stayed silently standing by the lakeside, unwilling to return to his remote courtyard. Frigid winds swept past his slender figure, sweeping up his waist-long hair like a piece of fine silk fluttering in the evening breeze.
“Oh…”
Surprised at his own sigh, a touch of sadness appeared on his face for a moment. Thinking of Liu Xin’s cold eyes, Dong Xian grinned wryly. He knelt down and looked at the reflection in the lake that looked like an immortal from the heavens above. Dong Xian reached out to caress his face, it was as smooth as silk, with eyes like autumn waters.
Heartbreakingly handsome.
Out of ten performed missions, nine he’d successfully solved with his stunning appearance alone.
“Sadly, he dislikes looking at me…”
A strand of his hair was abruptly tugged. Before he could turn back, a hand raised his chin. “Who dislikes seeing you, my dear Lord Dong? What’re you talking about?”
Dong Xian turned around and met Liu Yun’s eyes, his slight smile. The long black hair was blown around Liu Yun’s hand by the wind. In surprise, Dong Xian’s heart skipped a beat.
“It’s nothing, I’m merely talking to myself out of boredom.”
It wouldn’t be hard to get rid of the little brat, but it would be annoying. Seeing the sparkle in Liu Yun’s eyes Dong Xian stood up and subconsciously looked away from him.
Liu Yun had been waiting in the garden the entire day; he had just seen the lone Dong Xian admiring the little lake and hurried over. He let go of his hair and held his hands instead, the slender fingers in his hold frozen blue. Liu Yun exclaimed “Why’re your hands so cold? Yuyang Palace forbids wearing additional layers, does it?” He slowly stroked the hands he held.
Dong Xian knew that this action was only a brief prologue.
He forced a smile and said, “It’s winter, the weather’s cold now. Would you like to have a seat in my chambers, Your Highness?”
The invitation caught him off guard, but Liu Yun still eagerly agreed after a moment.
“Please don’t dislike my humbled abode, Your Highness.”
Dong Xian maintained an amiable expression, but the instant he stopped speaking he withdrew his hand from its hold and left for his courtyard.
Feeling excited, Liu Yun hurriedly followed him. After they arrived at the cabin of a courtyard, he couldn’t hide his surprise. Liu Yun exclaimed, “That brat! Liu Xin is too cruel, he actually let you live in this crappy place.” Without noticing Dong Xian’s impatient expression Liu Yun muttered, “You must’ve suffered! If you follow me instead, I’ll treat you better than Liu Xin.”
As he spoke, his smile slowly turned wretched and his hands wrapped around Dong Xian’s waist without hesitation. Liu Yun embraced his slender body, praising, “Dong Xian, you really live up to your reputation! Finally, you let me have a taste of you.”
Dong Xian touched the soft whip wound around his waist. If I unwind it, I could kill this coward in an instant. It’s just…
Wang Mang had given his all, yet he didn’t expect him to hide a trump card up his sleeve. I can’t risk exposure, he thought wryly. The world knew that Dong Xian’s martial arts skills were ruined, how could he reveal the truth to this idiot? Dong Xian suddenly smiled helplessly, The world? No, Liu Xin and I are both aware that my martial arts skills still exist.
However, how does Liu Xin know?
He couldn’t think of an answer for a while.
Seeing Dong Xian’s distraction, Liu Yun hugged him tightly and hastily stole a kiss.
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.
Lips meeting his, Dong Xian turned his head aside in avoidance. His hands, which had killed people with a single swift swing of his whip, appeared too weak to push this playboy away from him at this moment. Successfully avoiding further kisses, he thought, Liu Yun isn’t a threat, he’s only lustful and lecherous. I ought to teach him a little lesson.
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Liu Yun sensed a sudden tingling sensation in his arms, Dong Xian secretly pressed the numb acupoints on both his hands. Liu Yun looked down at his hands but didn’t notice anything amiss; the sense of numbness only lasted for a moment. Liu Yun forgot about it, eager to get it on. Stroking the other’s hands, he stated, “Dong Xian, your beauty trumps age and seniority. Besides, I’m not too young to top you, you’ll understand later.”
Dong Xian wanted to laugh out loud, when he heard his hasty assumption. Unlike Wang Mang, he lacked the patience to deal with these arrogant and annoying dignitaries. Hiding the disdain and ridicule in his heart, he acted out a scene. Touching his own fair forehead, he leaned against Liu Yun’s shoulder for support. Dong Xian’s fine figure exuded an elegant fragrance, fascinating whoever smelled the unique scent.
“Your Highness Yun you think too highly of me.” Dong Xian added in a formal manner, “Shengqing should thank you for your kindness. However, he’s been on his feet for the entire day today and is feeling a little tired. Why not do this another day…”
“No! No way!” Liu Yun embraced him even tighter. Noticing his slight frown, as if he looked forward to making love, his heart skipped a beat. Restless and insatiable, Liu Yun simply led him to the side of the bed and added, “Picking a date isn’t as good as encountering a date. If you’re tired, just lay down. I’ll make you unable to think of anything else.”
“Why the hurry, Your Highness Yun?”
Dong Xian’s weak arms exerted slight strength, Liu Yun was pushed back a few steps and nearly fell down. “The floor here is a bit slippery, please be careful Your Highness Yun.” Dong Xian grinned in his heart, yet he stayed shy and docile on the surface. Using your skills in secret, makes your simple-minded opponent suffer without detection.
“What the–” Liu Yun exclaimed in surprise, unsuspecting of Dong Xian’s actions. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right there.” Liu Yun made up his mind, hugged him again and hurriedly tore open his white robe.
Dong Xian already put pressure on the acupoint on Liu Yun’s lower neck. If his finger lightly hit this fatal acupoint, he’d faint immediately and if not, he’d be feel numb for a while. Let’s see, what demands he’ll make then.
Unaware that his skin and flesh were about to suffer, Liu Yun was aroused by the fair figure’s acquiescing appearance in front of him. He lowered his head and abruptly took Dong Xian’s right nipple into his mouth.
The person pressing down on his body was busy sucking and biting his nipple. Dong Xian furrowed his brows, quietly raising his hand above Liu Yun’s neck to hit his fatal acupoint.
Since you like clouds and rain so much, I’ll let you sleep for half a month, you’ll certainly feel comfortable then.
Sweet dreams!
Dong Xian knew that he could knock out Liu Yun with about twenty percent of his strength. When he wakes up, he’ll certainly have forgotten everything that happened before he fainted.
So, I can successfully escape suspicion.
When he was about to make a move against Liu Yun, he abruptly heard light and hurried footsteps on the roof. Dong Xian listened carefully and halted his actions. The person above the room must be a skilled martial artist. At the moment, he’s hiding on the roof and I’m the only one in the room who hears him.
“Your Highness, don’t get too excited, someone’s coming.”
Despite Liu Yun’s puzzled expression, Dong Xian stood up from the bed then tied his long robe.
“Why’d you get up? Xian’er, I haven’t even started…”
Without a second thought, Dong Xian pushed aside the hand Liu Yun stretched out towards him. He clearly heard the man on the roof leap to the ground and walk to the door of his courtyard.
Dong Xian was caught up in thought, when the wooden door was suddenly pushed open from the outside; the door creaked on its hinges and slammed into the wall.
Liu Yun was startled by the sudden sound and jumped up. He turned his head to see Liu Xin standing mightily and majestically behind his back. Liu Xin’s chiseled countenance looked entirely enraged, his thick brows furrowed. Noting this Liu Yun couldn’t help but tremble. Forgetting that he needn’t fear him, for the two of them were nephews of the emperor and equal in status.
Sword-like brows and starry eyes pierced Dong Xian’s black pupils, Liu Xin attempted to repress his anger and coldly looked at him. The entire day he’d felt his spirit failing to keep its abode, yet he didn’t know why. While Liu Yun had brazenly waited in the garden, he himself wasn’t any less impatient. Throughout the day he’d looked out the window countless times, when he finally saw his slender silhouette appear by the small pond, Liu Xin was surprised by his own joy–
I’m this glad to glance at Dong Shengqing?!
However, what happened next made him absolutely furious.
At the moment Liu Xin and Dong Xian stood opposite each other The pair of bright black eyes before him didn’t avoid his hostile eyes. Dong Xian let him look him up and down, Liu Xin silently swept his eyes over every cun of his skin.
They appeared to be the only ones in the world, without room for a third party to intervene in their confrontation. But, Liu Yun came back to this senses and shouted, “Liu Xin, who let you in? This is Lord Dong’s private chamber.”
Acting as if he hadn’t heard his question, Liu Xin approached him step by step; his imposing manner terrified him, he appeared to be about to take his life.
Liu Yun tied to threaten him in a trembling tone, “What…
What do you want to do? Hit me, hurt me? I… I’ll report this to the Emperor!”
Liu Xin didn’t respond to him. He remained in front of Dong Xian, whose delicate and beautiful facial features were reflected in his black pupils. Dong Xian met his gaze, without retreating.
Slap–
The sound of a crip slap could be heard throughout the small chamber. Shocked by the abrupt sound, Liu Yun subconsciously touched his face but didn’t feel a burning sensation. Turning his head, he noticed that Liu Xin had hit Dong Xian, not him.
Expression dark in anger, Liu Xin harshly rebuked, “If you’re dissatisfied because your desires aren’t sated… Lord Dong, feel free to find someone to sate them to your satisfaction.” Liu Xin’s voice cooled, “I can’t control your actions outside of the palace, but don’t you dare defile the place I live in!”
The slap that struck him, hit extremely hard. Liu Xin had not held back in the slightest. Dong Xian raised his head, the corner of his mouth bled red blood. Wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, he abruptly laughed out loud.
Staring at him with eyes as sharp as swords, Liu Xin furiously fired back, “What’s so funny?”
Dong Xian’s smile receded, “I’m merely laughing at myself. I thought that even though I became your teacher Your Highness not only did I not impart any knowledge to you, I forgot to teach you the simplest of courtesies: respecting your teacher.”
“Your Highness Xin, you truly don’t pull your punches!”
Liu Xin held his chin in his hand and added, “Didn’t I already clarify, you’re only my tutor during our lessons, otherwise not.”
“A teacher for a day, a teacher for a lifetime.”
Dong Xian stated, “Turns out, there’s still time, Your Highness.” Blood flowed down the corner of his wounded mouth, dripping between Liu Xin’s fingers pinching his chin. Dong Xian laughed at himself again, “I haven’t yet fulfilled my task of teaching you, Your Highness Xin. Which is why you think of me like this, no? Since I’m partly at fault, you may punish me as you see fit.”
The red blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, further accentuated his fair and clear complexion. In contrast, Liu Xin’s wheat-toned fingertips were dyed dark red, blooming like a rose.
Liu Xin’s heart skipped a beat and he let go of the chin in his hands. Thinking of Dong Xian and Liu Yun being intimate with each other, he felt furious.
Thunder rumbled outside the room and a bolt of lighting tore through the dark sky. After a moment they heard the pitter-patter of rain pouring onto the roof. The northern wind howled and the damaged door creaked; the prelude to the storm sounded.
There was still a faint red hickey on Dong Xian’s upper neck. Liu Xin glanced at it from time to time, clenching his hands into fists. Recalling Liu Yun’s comment that he didn’t know how to ‘cherish the fragrance and pity the jade’ this morning, the flames of fury raged in his heart.
“Lord Dong, I only recognize you as my teacher during class. At other times, you’re merely my courtier.” Once Liu Xin made his point, he ripped off the engraved jade pendant from his waist and threw it out the window.
Staring straight at Dong Xian, he said, “A courtier must listen to his liege. Now, I order you to retrieve my pendant!” A second bolt of lighting rent the night and the torrential rain tore apart the sky. Recently, the weather had cooled a lot, it was rare for heavy rain to fall in early winter.
Dong Xian sighed, as he thought, A tiny jade pendant thrown into the garden is hard to find even in the daytime–
Let alone during a dark, rainy night.
Liu Yun intended to intervene to protect Dong Xian, “Do you think he’s a dog? Ordering him to find what you threw out…”
“Shut up!” Liu Xin glared at Liu Yun, a deterrent qi between his brows. His eyes as sharp and accurate as a goshawk’s.
Although Liu Yun was afraid, he continued to act like he was calm, and added, “I… I can tell that you aim for the crown prince title, even now… you’re putting on airs!”
Dong Xian’s remote courtyard attracted everyone’s attention, a number of attendants listened in at the entrance. Liu Xin hadn’t taken a rest yet and there was a thunderstorm raging above, thus they’d brought rain gear to escort him back to his main chamber.
Liu Xin raised his hand and told them, “It’s getting late, send off Cousin Yun.”
‘Send off’ had several meanings, yet the servants of Yuyang Palace knew what he meant. They instantly stepped through the door to take hold of Liu Yun. Regardless of his ceaseless shouts for revenge, they forced him out into the rain and past the palace gate. Suddenly, the lively courtyard seemed deserted.
Dong Xian’s eyelashes fluttered, then he took a hair tie from the bedside table and calmly tied up his long hair like a waterfall. Tying up the fine black hair into a ponytail, let it look like a piece of dark silk draped over his shoulders. Setting off his thin cheeks and fair face, an intoxicating charm in his every gesture. Liu Xin walked over and held Dong Xian’s black ponytail hanging down his back. Personality reflects appearance, he thought wryly. The hair wrapped around my hand is as attractive as its owner.
The same light and elegant style, the same… shamelessness.
Thinking of this, Liu Xin shook off the hair in his hand.
Looking at the level Dong Xian, he remarked, “According to local folklore, your beauty can cause the downfall of a country.” Liu Xin laughed, “Lord Dong, your thoughts?”
Dong Xian’s beauty’ll topple the dynasty–
This sounded sarcastic even to Liu Xin’s ears. Since when’re men judged by their looks, not their status?
“What Shengqing thinks doesn’t matter.” Dong Xian politely explained, “Since it’s said amongst the folk, you should ask the folk for their thoughts, Your Highness Xin. As a man, Shengqing hasn’t speared this much thought.”
Dong Xian questioned, “Your Highness, do you think I don’t deserve this title?”
Liu Xin chuckled lightly, “This title originates from a folktale which means it’s acknowledged by countless commoners. I dare not object.” Liu Xin narrowed his eyes, “I just don’t understand. Lord Dong, how can such a magnificent face match such a mean and filthy heart?”
Staring straight at Dong Xian he asked him, “How many men have taken you, other than Liu Yun? What about Wang Mang?”
Dong Xian smiled bitterly, Liu Xin’s hunch is correct–
My body is no longer clean.
However, Liu Yun didn’t manage to penetrate me in time and Wang Mang’s mind runs counter to everyone else’s. Contrary to expectations, most times I’m the one on top of him.
Realizing that he wouldn’t answer him, Liu Xin raised a brow and added, “What? Too many to count?”
Dong Xian remained calm and collected, despite the pricking thorns in his crude remark. Glancing at the torrential rain outside the open door, he then turned to look at Liu Xin, and asked, “It’s still raining and this is such a large garden… I’m afraid that it’d be difficult to find the lost item in the rain. Is this a precious jade pendant, Your Highness? Must it be found tonight?”
Turns out, he tied up his long hair to help find the pendant.
Liu Xin thought he’d long forgotten about it, but now that he mentioned it, he might as well retrieve it.
It is a precious jade pendant, after all–
The engraved pendant had been exactly the one he’d worn on his waist, when he first met Dong Xian.
It was carved out of expensive jadeite, but Liu Xin didn’t care about this. He insisted, “The pendant is engraved with my name. It’s the only one in existence, of course it’s important to me!”
Caught in the wind, the window slammed open too. Carrying a cold breeze into the room, chilling them to the bone. However, no matter how cold the breeze felt, it couldn’t be colder than Liu Xin’s stern eyes.
“Alright, wait a while for me… I’ll find it for you right away, Your Highness.” Dong Xian smiled a brief smile, brought along a petite paper lantern and resolutely walked out into the pouring rain, not bothering to take an umbrella with him.
Dong Xian’s back appeared slightly slumped, as if he’d seen through the realm of mortals and desired nothing.
Liu Xin was aware that he’d only recently recovered from his illness; his heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t stand staying in this chamber, so he followed the slender figure out into the thunder-storm and let the torrential rain pour down on him too.
