Chapter 018: The Fool Doesn’t Want to Be Cured

Qi Zhen’s relentless coaxing paid off that very night.

Once the little fool rolled away, he openly scooped him back.

Coaxing him to take his medicine.

Lin Shouyan refused, saying it was bitter.

Qi Zhen said, “Good medicine tastes bitter.”

He coaxed him to be good and take a little more.

The little fool broke down crying, “Yanyan doesn’t want to get smarter!”

Qi Zhen couldn’t suppress his laughter, gently cupping Lin Shouyan’s cheeks and locking eyes with him.

Lin Shouyan stared back blankly. He saw the dark, stormy eyes that seemed to want to ravage him with just a gaze.

He leaned in slightly, only to gently peck his lips.

“You’re perfect just the way you are.”

So tender it was a mess.

Lin Shouyan’s heart raced, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

Qi Zhen…

Can he take this man away!!!!

–

The little fool was “sick,” feeling down.

Qi Zhen said, “If you’re not feeling well, don’t get up to secretly watch me practice swordsmanship.”

“……”

When did he find out?

“Rest well, learn a few less characters today.”

“Okay.”

“There will be a batch of new palace maids today. If someone unfamiliar talks to you, don’t respond.”

“Alright.”

“If they block you…” Qi Zhen paused, walked to the bedside, and placed a jade pendant in his palm, “I permit you to throw mud at them.”

Lin Shouyan chuckled, recognizing the jade pendant as the one he had won before.

“Brother, don’t you want this anymore?”

“You keep it for me.”

Qi Zhen pinched his nose. This reminded Lin Shouyan of last night, when Qi Zhen also pinched his nose, laughing and telling him to be quieter.

His face felt a bit warm.

Lin Shouyan straightened his persona, earnestly saying, “Yanyan will definitely protect this jade pendant well!”

Qi Zhen’s expression softened, a rare sight, as he touched his fair face, suddenly asking, “Yanyan, are you real?”

“Huh? I am.”

Are you crazy?

Qi Zhen withdrew his hand, “I remember, Yanyan’s courtesy name is Ming You?”

“Yes.”

“I see.” Qi Zhen paused again, “The imperial physician said your eight characters clash with Haitang, so don’t interact in the future.”

???

This is feudal superstition.

“But…”

Qi Zhen’s face darkened, “No buts, rest well.”

Before he could speak, Qi Zhen left.

Lin Shouyan couldn’t get up.

When Haitang came with her homemade pastries, he was half-asleep, vaguely hearing Qi Zhen’s voice, but it wasn’t clear.

Qi Zhen pushed the door open and entered.

The room was warm with charcoal, the little fool’s cheeks were rosy, soft to the touch, and warm. Just looking at him was endearing.

Even though he moved lightly, Lin Shouyan still woke up.

“Brother?”

His voice was light and airy, like a feather tickling Qi Zhen’s heart, making his blood warm and his breath heavy. But he couldn’t bear to disturb his good sleep.

Qi Zhen reluctantly withdrew his hand.

“Sleep, I’m just here to check on you.”

“I think I heard Haitang’s voice just now.”

Qi Zhen’s eyes cooled, his tone unchanged, “Asleep, dreaming of others?”

A dream…

Lin Shouyan closed his eyes in a daze. Suddenly, his side felt cold, and he was embraced around the waist.

Lin Shouyan woke up startled, “Crown Prince Brother, what are you doing?”

“I remembered, the imperial physician said, three treatments a day.”

???

Lin Shouyan quickly dodged, “I don’t want it, Yanyan doesn’t want to be treated. The medicine is too bitter!”

“That’s not possible, if you give up halfway, you’ll be even more foolish than before. Then you’ll be a little beggar on the street, everyone will chase you away, and you’ll only eat pig food.”

“……”

“Scared?”

Lin Shouyan was incredulous.

Does this person really have no conscience!?

Due to his fool persona, Lin Shouyan didn’t dare voice his complaints, only whimpering that he was scared.

Qi Zhen stifled a laugh, fed him the medicine, and then tidied himself up to discuss matters with the officials.

That afternoon, Haitang was sent to manage a large estate under Qi Zhen’s control.

It was a good position, a promotion.

But it also kept her far away from the little fool.

–

The new batch of palace maids in the Eastern Palace were assigned by Xu Fuquan to do some peripheral, unimportant chores. When Qi Zhen took Lin Shouyan to play under the corridor, Lin Shouyan saw them once.

A whole group of delicate young girls.

Timid yet curious.

When they caught a glimpse of Qi Zhen, their faces turned red. They’d sneak a quick look, then lower their heads, and then sneak another look as if they couldn’t get enough.

Lin Shouyan frowned.

He’s a handsome guy too!

He moved to the side, blocking Qi Zhen and trying not to look too “wise.”

Finally, those girls shyly glanced at him too!

After they left, Qi Zhen said, “You don’t need to do that, I won’t like them.”

Lin Shouyan was stunned.

Qi Zhen: “You did the same in Qianshan last time, you’ve gotten smarter, but this hasn’t changed.”

“……I”

Damn, can’t explain.

“You are smaller than me, you can’t block them.”

“……”

Misunderstand if you want.

Calling him thin, calling him short,

No need for that!

Qi Zhen said, “Why is Ming You so dumb? Still not fully recovered.”

???

!!!

“It’s not…”

Qi Zhen grabbed his hand, pulling him a step closer, the other hand naturally wrapping around his waist. It seemed gentle, but the force was irresistible.

“Sickness comes like a landslide, recovery is like drawing silk. The time is still too short.”

The deep, pleasant voice was right by his ear, speaking, with warm breath brushing his face.

Lin Shouyan slapped his chest with both hands, resisting, pulling away.

“Brother, aren’t you busy with your great endeavors?”

“Just dealt with one, the others are behaving well. It’s the end of the year now… do you think dealing with them is like cutting radishes?”

“I think brother is amazing, handling them with ease.”

Qi Zhen slightly curled his lips, “Nothing to do now, treating your illness is important.”

Well, I really have to thank you!

Lin Shouyan was a bit overwhelmed.

They stared at each other, and it seemed like the scent of plum blossoms drifted between them, faint and pleasant.

Qi Zhen’s eyes deepened, reaching out, his fingertip brushed past Lin Shouyan’s eye corner, hoarsely, “Are Ming You’s eyes always this moist?”

Like a misty water, easily reminding one of Jiangnan.

Lin Shouyan’s heart trembled.

This word, truly ambiguous and indescribable.

Ambiguous enough to make Lin Shouyan’s cheeks warm.

The fingertip that covered the eye corner slowly moved down, tracing Lin Shouyan’s features, finally pressing against his lower lip. Qi Zhen’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice hoarse.

“Ming You, open your mouth.”