In that fleeting moment of confusion, it actually made things easier for Zhuang Dongqing. He was already feeling dazed, and with the poison invading his system, it was impossible to maintain any rationality. So, Zhuang Dongqing’s cheek pressed against him, as if Cen Yan was some kind of miraculous elixir. He kept sniffing at his skin, breathing in the warmth that clung to his forearm. His lips parted, rosy and full, slightly ajar, glistening with a hint of moisture, swaying in front of Cen Yan, making it impossible for him to look away.

In almost an instant, a flurry of thoughts flooded his mind. He couldn’t help but recall many details from that night on Guangyue Platform. Zhuang Dongqing was clinging to him, crying and gasping for breath. He couldn’t articulate his feelings, refused to accept it, and complained, yet his hands were firmly wrapped around Cen Yan’s neck, holding on tightly without letting go.

In truth, Cen Yan had never really doubted that Zhuang Dongqing was a spy, but the reason was too sensitive to voice, so he kept it to himself, allowing Liu Qi, Hao San, and Xu Si to investigate. It was simply too personal. That night, at the beginning, it was quite difficult. It was clear that neither of them knew what they were doing. Zhuang Dongqing could only express discomfort, could only rub against him, could only stoke the fire.

After a hard-fought start, Zhuang Dongqing cried out, saying it hurt, saying… he couldn’t go on. Yes, he couldn’t go on. The arrow was on the string, imminent, ready to fire… he couldn’t go on. At that time, Cen Yan’s poison was also acting up, his mind not quite clear, driven by instinct, it was impossible to let go. Zhuang Dongqing was still trying to crawl forward, wanting to get off the bed… that position… being pulled back was inevitable.

Taking a deep breath, the difficult process of articulating his feelings made Cen Yan feel restless all over. Recalling this, it was clear he couldn’t stop; the warm, humid sensation resurfaced, washing over his nerves. It seemed he could still hear Zhuang Dongqing’s cries for help, but both of them were poisoned, and soon, those sounds changed tone. They became indecent, unfit for outsiders to hear.

Years of suppressed preferences were suddenly unleashed, spiraling out of control. After that, it became a chaotic mess. He thought Zhuang Dongqing was a courtesan because he could say anything. As his thoughts reached this point, many words flashed through his mind—what was held back, what was broken, what was… full, making it impossible to let him go…

At the end, Cen Yan remembered clearly because it wasn’t his choice to end it. Zhuang Dongqing had buried himself under the blanket, making it impossible to dig him out. But if one were to say he was sincere, Cen Yan didn’t quite believe it at the time because Zhuang Dongqing had buried himself under the blanket, only caring about covering his head, as if that was enough. He completely ignored the rest, collapsing, arching…

Cen Yan took a deep breath, thinking so much, but it was just a fleeting moment. Yet in that moment, he felt himself heating up. Suddenly, a soft touch on his arm, Zhuang Dongqing murmured, “It really smells good.”

With a soft thud, something cold pressed against his cheek as Zhuang Dongqing rubbed against him. Cen Yan’s rationality snapped. In his line of sight, those full lips seemed to want to wrap around his hand. Taking a deep breath, in the next moment, he scooped up Zhuang Dongqing and carried him straight out of the room.

Once outside, amidst the jarring bumps, Zhuang Dongqing’s rationality began to return, letting out a confused sound, “Ah?” Cen Yan set him down, half-supporting him, tilting his chin to turn his head to the side. At least he couldn’t lean against his clothes. “Wake up!” Cen Yan said sternly.

The night breeze flowed, and the air outside was much fresher than inside, combined with the slightly lower temperature of the night, Zhuang Dongqing slowly regained his senses, shaking his head in confusion, “Why is my head so… dizzy?”

Cen Yan asked, “Can you stand up?” Only then did Zhuang Dongqing realize he was leaning against Cen Yan, almost being held in his arms. He hurriedly tried to let go, but Cen Yan wouldn’t allow it. The moment he released, Cen Yan’s hand gripped him firmly, stabilizing his swaying form. “Stand steady before you let go, slowly.”

“Okay, okay.” Zhuang Dongqing’s head was still spinning.

“Master, there’s…” A guard heard the commotion and came out, seeing the two almost embracing, he froze. The next moment, Cen Yan barked, “Go back, don’t come over.”

“Yes.” The commanding tone made the guard’s body react faster than his mind, and he took a few steps back into the room. Once inside, he seemed to realize something and didn’t dare to speak, obediently squatting in the room.

Outside, Zhuang Dongqing, having exchanged air a few times, found his short breaths improving, and the heat in his body gradually subsided. Zhuang Dongqing was confused, rubbing his forehead, feeling very strange, as if… his blood was boiling. Something was surging beneath his skin.

“What’s wrong with me?” Zhuang Dongqing asked, puzzled.

Cen Yan simply said, “Stand for a while, get some fresh air, take a breather.”

“…Oh.”

With Cen Yan saying this, Zhuang Dongqing listened, and indeed, the uncontrollable feeling in his body gradually subsided with his breathing. Cen Yan’s gaze remained fixed on Zhuang Dongqing’s face, noticing he had regained some clarity, and then called for Liu Fu.

Liu Fu had just finished preparing hot water, fearing someone might want to drink water at night, so he had prepared water kettles for both rooms. He hadn’t even brought them inside when he heard Cen Yan calling him. When he stepped outside, he saw Cen Yan supporting Zhuang Dongqing, standing outside.

“What happened?”

Cen Yan said, “Come here, support your young master. I’ll go inside and get the blanket first.”

They were both dressed in their inner garments; it was fine when they first came out, but standing for too long made it chilly. Considering Zhuang Dongqing’s physical condition and recalling how when they first arrived at the Wangfu, Master Zhao had checked his pulse daily, always saying Zhuang Dongqing was weak and had a poor foundation, Cen Yan didn’t want to take any chances.

Liu Fu stepped forward, seeing he had stabilized Zhuang Dongqing, and Cen Yan went inside to get the blanket. Both blankets had been washed by Liu Fu and were clean. Each of their masters had one blanket, adding warmth and coolness.

He handed the blanket to Liu Fu, who draped it over Zhuang Dongqing, wrapping him up snugly, and Cen Yan turned back to the room. He opened the window for ventilation.

While doing these things, his mind didn’t stop turning. He had originally thought they could stay in this village for a while longer, but now, it seemed that wouldn’t be possible. After a moment, Cen Yan decided to have the guards go to the town tomorrow to send a message, letting the people from the Wangfu know to come and take them back to the capital.

Having made up his mind, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, not going outside, but leaning against the window with his arms crossed. He needed some fresh air too.

*

When Zhuang Dongqing returned, he was awake, and his face was flushed. “The room has been aired out; let’s… just leave it like this for now.”

Cen Yan wanted to change places, but where could they go? Zhuang Dongqing could stay in a decent room with Liu Fu, but having just been close to Zhuang Dongqing, if he were to let him share a room with the two guards…

In the end, Cen Yan relented, feeling it wasn’t so unacceptable after all. “Or do you think I should go…”

“Don’t, don’t, just like this, I’m feeling much better now.” Zhuang Dongqing said, realizing he was a bit too excited, lowering his head, feeling embarrassed to add, “It’s late at night, let’s not stir things up.”

“The wound has just started to scab over; it took a lot to get it to this point…”

The arrow wound was deep, meant to shoot Cen Yan off his horse with great force. It took seven or eight days to scab over, thanks to the last two days of washing and changing the bandages. If they stirred things up again…

Zhuang Dongqing himself was someone who didn’t like to be too close to straight men, and he had never lived in a dormitory, so he understood how awkward it could be (Liu Fu didn’t count; he was young, and besides, he really saw Liu Fu as a younger brother). Plus, Cen Yan had a cleanliness obsession; he would have to be crazy to let someone change rooms.

Thinking of something, Zhuang Dongqing looked up anxiously, “By the way, how’s your wound…”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Cen Yan, “It’s fine.”

“Oh, oh.”

The room fell quiet again.

With the conversation flowing, both of them felt a bit uneasy. Liu Fu didn’t dare to say much, just helped Zhuang Dongqing into bed, tucked him in, placed the water kettle down, and then left.

The oil lamp was blown out.

Cen Yan followed and got into bed, rustling around. Once the noise quieted down, Zhuang Dongqing spoke up, “I’m sorry about tonight.”

Cen Yan was calm, “What do you have to apologize for? It wasn’t your intention.”

Zhuang Dongqing was conflicted, “I don’t know, just…”

“I understand, don’t say anymore.”

“…Oh.”

Thinking Cen Yan was angry, Zhuang Dongqing closed his mouth. After a while, sleepiness washed over him, and he murmured, “Good night.”

Cen Yan didn’t quite understand what it meant, but he could sense the general idea. He replied to Zhuang Dongqing, “Sweet dreams.”

Zhuang Dongqing’s breathing had already become even, and he didn’t know if he heard it.

Was he angry…? Cen Yan wasn’t.

He just…

Took a deep breath and exhaled. Cen Yan still felt a bit restless, unable to shake it off.

It was hard.

When he took Zhuang Dongqing out, he realized it upon returning. Now, his heart couldn’t settle down. If he wanted to sleep, he was afraid it would take a while.

The wound on his shoulder was also affected; it wasn’t as easy as he had said, but now it had turned into a good thing. At least it could distract him a bit.

*

The next day, when Cen Yan woke up, he left the room, not daring to be in the same space as Zhuang Dongqing.

During breakfast, the guards set off for the town to relay the message to the Wangfu. Knowing they were going back, Zhuang Dongqing felt a bit happy.

It had nothing to do with anything else; it was simply that the conditions in this village were too rudimentary. Having lived in luxury at the Wangfu, Zhuang Dongqing wasn’t quite used to it.

The chefs at the Wangfu made dishes that were both fragrant and to his taste.

During the afternoon break, feeling Cen Yan’s distance, Zhuang Dongqing still pulled him along to rest together.

Cen Yan was still in recovery, and Zhuang Dongqing felt it wasn’t necessary.

Besides, after that one incident yesterday, he felt much better today. With the news, Liu Qi and the others would definitely come quickly; he… should be able to hold on until they returned to the Wangfu and saw Master Zhao.

Cen Yan didn’t want to, but couldn’t refuse Zhuang Dongqing. In the end, they decided to take separate breaks. Zhuang Dongqing, feeling fine, took a short nap and then let the sick one rest in the room.

In the evening, when the guards returned, they not only brought back vegetables and meat from the town but also successfully relayed the message.

The guard said, “At the latest, the day after tomorrow, there will definitely be news.”

Cen Yan dismissed it, “No, they’ll come tomorrow.”

He knew his subordinates well.

Zhuang Dongqing blindly listened to Cen Yan, happy, “That’s great.”

He could think of other things, “I wonder if the flowers in the courtyard are still blooming, if they can still make flower cakes at the Wangfu. Ah, I really miss Liu Qi and the chefs…”

Cen Yan couldn’t help but smile, “Eat.”

“Oh, okay.”

The plan was quite good, but unfortunately, things didn’t go as expected.

During the day, Zhuang Dongqing saw that nothing was happening, and at night, when he secretly watched Cen Yan, when Cen Yan asked, Zhuang Dongqing stammered again, just covering himself with the blanket, saying he was going to sleep.

He didn’t even look at him, and Cen Yan didn’t think much of it at the time.

But when the oil lamp was blown out and he closed his eyes to rest, he heard Zhuang Dongqing tossing and turning. After a few times, he sensed something was off.

“Zhuang Dongqing?”

“Mm?”

The voice was muddled.

“What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”

“Oh right, I can’t sleep… Sorry to disturb you.”

The voice was unclear, tinged with some confusion, sounding sleepy.

“…”

After two more turns, Cen Yan frowned and got up.

Calling his name, this time he only received a vague response. Feeling something was wrong, he reached out and touched Zhuang Dongqing, and Cen Yan immediately knew something was wrong; he was hot.

Not burning hot, but just by touch, he could tell it wasn’t a normal human temperature.

Having hidden it for so long, he didn’t know if he was dizzy or what. Cen Yan heard Zhuang Dongqing’s pained voice, murmuring, “You smell so good, especially good…”

“I have sinned, I didn’t mean it…”

Cen Yan’s heart softened, and he spoke gently, “It’s not your fault, I know, don’t do this.”

Zhuang Dongqing was in pain, “But you smell so good…”

His tone suppressed some desire, making Cen Yan feel restless.

He lit the oil lamp and looked at the bed; Zhuang Dongqing’s cheeks were flushed, and there were fine beads of sweat on his nose.

Cen Yan sighed.

He understood this situation; airing out the room wouldn’t help.

Master Zhao’s words echoed in his ears.

In fact, he had repeated them several times today, but Cen Yan selfishly hoped they wouldn’t be needed.

—”This kind of poison exists in the blood; simply put, it might be… the antidote for each other, but these antidotes need to be exchanged through intimacy to be effective.”

—”According to its own method of解法, that would be the best.”

—”But most of the poison in Young Master Zhuang has already been removed, leaving only a thin layer. If it weren’t too strange, and if it hadn’t been poisoned with a curse, I would have resolved it long ago… What were you asking, Your Highness? Oh, oh, other methods of解法, cough, back to the point.”

—”First, naturally, it’s about administering needles and medication. Young Master has it, but the dosage needs to be strictly controlled.”

—”If the needles and medication don’t work, we can first try some… relief, to let the residual poison come out and see if it eases.”

—”If that still doesn’t work, I’m afraid there’s only…”

At this point, the conversation stopped.

The unspoken meaning was understood by both Master Zhao and Cen Yan.

In that case…

Furrowing his brows deeply, after a moment, he slowly relaxed.

Having made a decision, Cen Yan blew out the oil lamp.

Returning to the bedside, Zhuang Dongqing’s temperature was even hotter.

“Move in.”

Zhuang Dongqing seemed to be in a daze; Cen Yan said it twice before he understood and shifted towards the inner side of the bed.

Cen Yan pulled back the blanket and lay down.

The bed was a bit small, but it was fine; they could just barely fit together.

However…

Zhuang Dongqing caught a whiff of Cen Yan’s scent and completely lost his ability to think, instinctively climbing up.

As soon as Cen Yan lay down, he was tightly embraced by Zhuang Dongqing, burying his head in his chest and sniffing.

As if he were some kind of spice.

Cen Yan didn’t stop him; occasionally, Zhuang Dongqing brushed against his wound, causing him to grunt softly, but he only patted Zhuang Dongqing’s back, telling him to take it slow.

His nose and lips brushed against the collar, touching his collarbone, and Zhuang Dongqing, like a little dog, burrowed into his embrace.

Cen Yan just kept stroking him, not scolding him.

After Zhuang Dongqing had sniffed him for a while, his mind regained some clarity.

Master Zhao’s judgment was correct; this kind of poison had its antidote in a person, and the scent, saliva, and even… could effectively suppress the toxin.

However, the effect of the scent must have been too weak, making it seem like it was triggering the poison instead.

With awareness, Zhuang Dongqing’s whole body stiffened, his mind blank, only his body slowly retreating.

He broke down, “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry…”

“I didn’t mean it…”

“I can’t control it, ugh…”

As soon as he moved, Cen Yan pressed down on his back, not allowing him to escape.

In the darkness, he couldn’t see, but he could hear Cen Yan’s voice steady, “I know.”

After a pause, he added, “Didn’t you ask me a question last time?”

Zhuang Dongqing felt extremely embarrassed, completely unable to think, “What?”

“You asked me if I only liked men.”

Zhuang Dongqing was dazed.

After a moment, he heard a soft sigh, and Cen Yan took the initiative to pull him into his embrace, saying, “I do.”