Cen Yan was momentarily stunned. Then he realized something and chuckled softly. Zhuang Dongqing felt even more embarrassed, “You…”

Cen Yan quickly picked up the conversation, “Of course.” He cut off any chance of retreat, “No backing out.”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

Zhuang Dongqing lowered his head and covered his face, feeling a wave of heat in his palms. He murmured, “No backing out.” His voice was soft and muffled, but sticky and sweet, as if something had scratched at Cen Yan’s heart.

After a moment of silence, mainly to give Zhuang Dongqing time to calm down, Cen Yan caught a glimpse of his embarrassment out of the corner of his eye and didn’t provoke him again.

After a while, he said, “I’m quite curious.”

“Are you this nice to everyone?”

“?” Zhuang Dongqing replied, “Others aren’t his other father.”

“Like this,” Cen Yan lowered his gaze and smiled lightly, “It seems I’ve benefited from him.”

He sighed and added regretfully, “Maybe another day; I really don’t want to stir things up today.”

Zhuang Dongqing muttered, “Finally willing to admit you’re not feeling well!”

Cen Yan didn’t argue back this time. He closed his eyes and followed his lead, honestly saying, “Yeah, I feel unwell, no strength in my body, dizzy, my vision is blurry, and it’s hard to stand on my legs.”

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

He started to feel a bit anxious, not knowing how to deal with a patient like this.

Cen Yan looked at the top of the bed curtain and slowly spoke again, “But I feel quite happy inside.”

“You’re right; there are always some things you can do.” And only Zhuang Dongqing could do them.

Zhuang Dongqing felt a bit shy from the praise and lowered his head.

Cen Yan: “By the way, I’ve decided to keep this child.”

The topic changed quickly, and Zhuang Dongqing was taken aback for a moment before responding, “Oh, oh.”

“I know there will be a lot going on these days. I originally wanted to find a proper time to say it later, but since we’re already talking about him and you’re not leaving, I might as well say it now.”

“Oh.”

Cen Yan waited for a while, but when he didn’t see Zhuang Dongqing mention anything else, he was surprised, “You don’t seem surprised?”

Zhuang Dongqing: “Do you want the truth?”

“You can say it.”

“At the Wangfu, the food is good, and Manager Liu cares about me. I thought you would keep him.”

Cen Yan chuckled, “…That’s true.”

Words can be deceptive, but actions can’t fool people.

Zhuang Dongqing continued, “And you’re thorough and meticulous in your work. Even if you don’t want him, you would still make arrangements for us, so I’m not worried about that.”

Cen Yan: “You really trust me.”

Zhuang Dongqing said honestly, “I do trust you. You can manage such a large group of people at the Wangfu, let alone a child connected to your bloodline.”

Cen Yan: “You…”

“Who told you something?”

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t understand, “What do you mean?”

“Who said I could manage a large group of people at the Wangfu? Who was gossiping in front of you?”

“Oh, that. No one said anything,” Zhuang Dongqing admitted, “But I have eyes and can see for myself.”

He counted on his fingers, “First, the guards are all clear about who is who and what they do, which shows you care.”

“Secondly, the servants in the house mostly came from the fief, and very few were bought from the capital. I’ve talked to many of them, and none are dissatisfied with the Wangfu. They all feel the Wangfu is in a difficult position and hope to return to the fief soon. Some have been following you in the capital, while others were transferred from the Wangfu in the fief. You’ve sent back those who were too homesick. This arrangement is very thoughtful.”

“At least you treat them like people.”

“Lastly, there are the older grandmothers. There are a few elderly grandmothers in the Wangfu who say they are servants, but they are basically in retirement status. They only want to make some pastries, do tie-dye, or crafts, and don’t have much work to do on ordinary days.”

Thinking of something, Zhuang Dongqing looked back, “These two door curtains were dyed by the grandmothers, right?”

“Oh right, and the recent flower cakes were also made by the grandmothers.”

Cen Yan seemed a bit lost in thought, closing his eyes involuntarily, feeling… very hard to describe.

After a while, he spoke again, “You observe quite carefully.”

He wanted to brush it off casually, but his voice was hoarse, revealing the difficulty.

Zhuang Dongqing: “I’ve been observing for a while. At first, I didn’t know how you were, so I could only do this.”

Cen Yan: “So what do you think of me?”

Zhuang Dongqing scratched his head, “You’re someone worth entrusting.”

“Stable personality, careful thinking, a child following you won’t go astray.”

Cen Yan laughed, “People outside say I’m unpredictable.”

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t refute, thinking for a moment, “Maybe, but when I see you get angry, it’s always for a reason. I haven’t seen you get angry for no reason yet.”

The details were too specific, and Cen Yan was left speechless.

After a moment, he said softly, “You’re also quite good; you’ll teach this child well.”

Zhuang Dongqing had a very “real” quality, treating people sincerely and seeing the essence of things, which was rare.

“I’ve never taken care of a child, but I’ll do my best.”

Zhuang Dongqing took the initiative to interrupt the conversation, “Aren’t you tired? We’ve talked so much; do you want some water?”

“Let’s have a couple of sips.”

He helped him sit up to drink water, and Zhuang Dongqing seemed to discover something, happily saying, “Look, I can still lend you a hand here.”

Cen Yan: “Yes, compared to the young master, Liu Qi is just a decoration.”

“…”

Forget it, no need to argue with a patient.

He let him lie back down, and Zhuang Dongqing touched Cen Yan’s forehead, feeling it was fine, and sighed in relief.

“Really not going to sleep? You’ve been through a lot today.” He murmured softly.

Cen Yan: “I’m a bit sleepy.”

“Then should I go out?”

“…Stay with me a little longer.”

“Um, then don’t talk, let me just ramble about something?”

Cen Yan closed his eyes, “Okay.”

Zhuang Dongqing cradled his face, “What should I talk about…”

“Oh, it’s almost the beginning of summer, and a new batch of different flowers has bloomed in the small garden…”

“That crystal pork knuckle is really delicious, too bad you can’t eat it. Once you get better, I’ll have the chef make it again…”

“The red bean paste we made last night is also good, but the ingredients were too mixed up, so you’ll have to wait a couple of days to eat it. Summer is coming, and we can make mung bean paste. The grandmothers say to make it well and put it in the well to chill, then take it out when it’s nice and cold. I’m looking forward to it…”

It was either about playing or eating, and Cen Yan found it amusing in his heart.

But it was this kind of mundane chatter that made his eyelids grow heavy, and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

That day, Zhuang Dongqing left without him knowing.

*

The next day, once the immune reaction subsided, they could use a large dose of medicine.

What needed to be applied was applied, and what needed to be drunk was drunk.

After a day of medication, and another day, Cen Yan finally had some color back in his face.

Zhuang Dongqing didn’t have much to do, spending all his time in the west wing with Cen Yan, except for eating and sleeping. The west wing was also the core of the Wangfu, with news coming in and out. Zhuang Dongqing overheard some political movements.

After the old emperor officially recognized Cen Yan, the censors changed their focus from criticizing Cen Yan to criticizing the Third Prince.

The Third Prince had quite a few points to criticize.

Thus, the titles kept piling up, and the matters became more complicated, leading to a situation that seemed never-ending.

On the other hand, the major issue was the handling of the deposed Crown Prince.

Without Cen Yan in front to attract fire, the previously noisy issue of the deposed Crown Prince was brought back to the table. It was said that the officials argued endlessly in court every day, with no one giving way to the other.

“Did you find someone to criticize the Third Prince?” Zhuang Dongqing asked Cen Yan.

Cen Yan shook his head, “I’m not forming factions; it’s all the other princes’ underlings using my situation as an excuse to step on him.”

“Oh.”

“Then why hasn’t the deposed Crown Prince been dealt with yet?” Zhuang Dongqing asked, confused. “Is it okay to ask this? If not, you don’t have to answer; I’m just curious.”

Cen Yan casually replied, “There’s nothing you can’t ask.”

“After all, he was raised by hand. It’s hard to depose him, but they can’t bear to do it. It’s probably that kind of psychology.”

“But the factions of the former royal family must be eradicated. Once the emperor makes up his mind, it will be quick, but it’s not my concern.”

Seeing Zhuang Dongqing tilting his head slightly to look at him, Cen Yan joked, “You’ve been poisoned, and you’re recovering, so you can’t get involved.”

“Oh~”

Zhuang Dongqing suddenly realized that pretending to be sick had this effect.

However…

Looking at Cen Yan’s appearance, Zhuang Dongqing felt that it couldn’t all be considered acting; the poison was real, and the discomfort was real. Being a court official… was not easy.

Cen Yan was recuperating, and after a few days back at the Wangfu, Master Zhao let Zhuang Dongqing rest for a few days before giving him the medicine.

Drinking the medicine was fine, but there were some issues with the injections.

After one injection, Zhuang Dongqing was in severe pain.

After three injections, Master Zhao looked at Zhuang Dongqing’s pained expression and hesitated for a moment.

Zhuang Dongqing still held on, “It’s fine, keep going.”

Master Zhao gave him another injection. For the fourth one, Zhuang Dongqing didn’t scream but bit down hard on his teeth, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.

Master Zhao held Zhuang Dongqing’s wrist to check his pulse and didn’t dare to continue. After thinking for a moment, he sent someone to call Cen Yan.

“What happened?”

Cen Yan arrived quickly. As soon as he entered, he saw Zhuang Dongqing wiping his tears, his eyes red and nose also red.

Master Zhao recounted the situation, and Cen Yan looked at Zhuang Dongqing, pondering for a moment before asking, “What are your plans?”

Zhuang Dongqing stubbornly replied, “I still want to try again.”

“Alright.”

Cen Yan sat down and said to Master Zhao, “Continue; I’ll watch.”

Master Zhao checked Zhuang Dongqing’s pulse again, confirming it was okay to continue, and picked up the needle again.

With Cen Yan present, Zhuang Dongqing wanted to save face and tried to endure, but while he could swallow his cries of pain, he couldn’t hold back the tears. The second injection made him cry again, biting his lower lip, and tears flowed instantly, making him look pitiful.

Cen Yan took a handkerchief to wipe his face, moving slowly and showing no impatience. Zhuang Dongqing still wanted to continue, and after looking at him for a while, Cen Yan nodded. However, for the next injection, Zhuang Dongqing couldn’t endure it at all, and the pain made him feel dazed.

While crying, he unconsciously gripped Cen Yan’s hand tightly.

Cen Yan exchanged glances with Master Zhao, who checked Zhuang Dongqing’s pulse again. This time, he silently shook his head at Cen Yan.

Cen Yan understood and gently patted Zhuang Dongqing’s back, waiting for him to calm down before saying, “Forget it, no more injections.”

“He can’t take it.”

Zhuang Dongqing, feeling so unwell that his mind was spinning, instinctively said, “Then what about the toxins?”

Master Zhao looked at Cen Yan, who was wiping Zhuang Dongqing’s face while calmly saying, “Isn’t it not acting up right now? It’s been suppressed for so many days; let’s see how the medicine works first.”

“Master Zhao’s medical skills are superb; let him think of something else. There must be other methods besides injections, right?”

Zhuang Dongqing was coaxed and nodded.

Master Zhao couldn’t help but wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Once the two returned to the west wing, Master Zhao finally said with a bitter face, “Master, besides injections, I have no other methods.”

“Just drinking medicine won’t suppress it.”

Cen Yan, however, was calm, “I know.”

“I won’t go back on my word; you don’t need to test me.”

“Zhuang Dongqing has always been afraid of pain. If he’s suffering like that, have you thought about why he won’t give in?”

Master Zhao was taken aback.

Cen Yan then pointed out, “He’s shy and has a thin skin. You can’t expect him to ask for my help directly, can you?”

“Since it’s all settled, there’s no other way.”

“Then let him feel as comfortable as he can right now.”

Master Zhao understood; Cen Yan was just coaxing Zhuang Dongqing.

After another two days, Cen Yan could move freely and went to the east wing for dinner.

During these days, Zhuang Dongqing had been in the west wing a lot, and the two often had meals together. When Cen Yan arrived, Zhuang Dongqing didn’t think much of it and just welcomed him to sit down.

After dinner and some tea, Zhuang Dongqing relaxed in the courtyard.

He and Cen Yan each had a lounge chair, and suddenly they heard a couple of insect chirps. Zhuang Dongqing said, “It’s already the beginning of summer, right?”

Cen Yan nodded, “Yeah, it’s about to get hot.”

Zhuang Dongqing immediately looked forward to it, “Then my mung bean paste is coming soon.”

As the sky darkened, Cen Yan didn’t leave. When Zhuang Dongqing returned to the inner room, Cen Yan followed him. Zhuang Dongqing was puzzled and turned back to meet Cen Yan’s gaze, realizing something. They locked eyes for a moment, but neither said anything.

Cen Yan told Liu Fu to leave, and Zhuang Dongqing didn’t dare to look at Liu Fu, just lowered his head and repeated Cen Yan’s words, “Um, we have something to talk about; you… can go.”

Liu Fu left.

In the courtyard, it didn’t feel hot, but once they returned to the inner room, Zhuang Dongqing finally felt the early summer warmth and looked a bit uneasy.

Cen Yan noticed and teased, “Do you know why I followed you in?”

Zhuang Dongqing whispered, “…I know.”

“What for?”

Cen Yan was definitely asking on purpose!

Zhuang Dongqing: “…”

Zhuang Dongqing still answered, “To see him.” He pointed to his lower abdomen.

Cen Yan gave him an even more teasing compliment, “Our young master is really clever.”

Zhuang Dongqing’s ears turned red.

Before that bit of embarrassment faded, a pair of black boots appeared in his line of sight as Cen Yan walked up to him.

Zhuang Dongqing…

To Cen Yan’s surprise, Zhuang Dongqing looked at him in astonishment.

His eyes held only surprise, not shyness.

“What’s wrong?” Cen Yan was sharp.

Zhuang Dongqing’s expression became very complicated.

Cen Yan asked again, and he still spoke, mainly because this matter had become serious and couldn’t be hidden.

Zhuang Dongqing: “You seem to have become fragrant again.”

Cen Yan: “…”

A hand appeared in front of Zhuang Dongqing, and Cen Yan asked, “Shall I confirm again?”

Zhuang Dongqing nodded, sniffing the back of Cen Yan’s hand, and nodded again in distress.

It really was fragrant.

“Is it uncomfortable?” Cen Yan asked.

Zhuang Dongqing: “It’s okay, the scent is very faint.”

If Cen Yan hadn’t come close, he might not have even noticed.

“What should we do then?” Cen Yan said softly, not sounding like a question, his tone a bit airy.

Zhuang Dongqing had no idea; his mind was a mess, only thinking that the medicine wasn’t working and feeling troubled.

“No, we can’t ignore it?”

After a while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence.

Cen Yan shook his head, “That won’t do.”

Zhuang Dongqing looked up, confusion filling his eyes.

Cen Yan: “Will you listen to me?”

Zhuang Dongqing nodded.

He naturally trusted Cen Yan.

“Come, sit properly.”

As Cen Yan spoke, Zhuang Dongqing felt his body lighten as Cen Yan embraced him and sat him on the low cabinet. Just as he was about to move, Cen Yan held his arm to help him maintain his balance.

Zhuang Dongqing was confused and didn’t have time to ask when Cen Yan continued, “Close your eyes.”

Zhuang Dongqing’s actions were quicker than his thoughts; he closed his eyes and then asked, “Why do I need to close my eyes?”

“To prevent our young master from feeling shy.”

As he said this, Cen Yan pressed his body into Zhuang Dongqing’s, holding his chin with long fingers. The next moment, something soft covered his lips.

“Mm.”

All words were blocked between their lips and teeth.

The moment Zhuang Dongqing opened his eyes, that long finger covered his eyes again.

His vision was taken away, and his world was left with only sensations.

Zhuang Dongqing clutched Cen Yan’s clothes tightly.

Everything happened too quickly, catching him off guard as his lips were easily pried open, entangled in a kiss.

It was a heavy kiss, making his tongue tingle.

In the gaps where their teeth brushed against each other, he tried to push away the foreign object in his mouth, but as soon as he touched it, he was forced to chase after it.

Zhuang Dongqing’s eyes were dazed and moist.

He felt breathless, and his face grew hot.

Gradually, the fingers that were tightly gripping loosened, resting lightly on Cen Yan’s body…

In the end, he could only tilt his head back, mouth open, eyes unfocused, accepting it.

After a long time,

When his lungs felt like they were about to run out of air, Cen Yan finally let him go.

Zhuang Dongqing instinctively gasped for air, his back trembling.

His head buried in Cen Yan’s shoulder, and Cen Yan’s hand gently stroked his back, letting him take his time.

His voice was gentle, making Zhuang Dongqing almost forget that Cen Yan was the one who initiated it.

Once his breathing calmed down, he heard Cen Yan ask, “Is that scent still there?”

Zhuang Dongqing’s mind was in a jumble, so he leaned in to sniff Cen Yan’s neck and discerned, “It feels better?”

“Is there still some?”

“Yeah, but it’s fainter.”

“Shall we do it again?”

Zhuang Dongqing’s mind was too muddled to think.

So when the long finger hooked under his chin, making him look up, Zhuang Dongqing could only see Cen Yan.

This time, unlike the last, which was quick, this one seemed deliberate and slow.

At least it gave him time to refuse.

If he wanted to, he could push him away.

But Cen Yan’s face slowly enlarged, and a gentle kiss landed on his lips, and Zhuang Dongqing didn’t make any move.

Cen Yan even went too far, saying, “Open your mouth.”

Zhuang Dongqing obediently parted his lips.

Their lips and teeth reconnected, and Zhuang Dongqing belatedly realized he was kissing Cen Yan.

For the first time, while he was fully aware, he was kissing.

And he didn’t refuse.

“Do you want to hold me?”

In the gap, that low, husky voice suggested, while also softly kissing his lips and nose.

Zhuang Dongqing’s fingers trembled, and after a moment, he wrapped his arms around Cen Yan’s shoulders as instructed.