bookrandom Chapter 1324 Not good
Chapter 1324 Not good
"The doctor advised you to rest, but you insisted on being stubborn and drinking." Zhan Xuan's tone carried a hint of reproach, but his fingertips had already skillfully untied the sash of his inner garment.
Ye Li lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze, a faint blush rising at the tips of her ears: "Your Majesty's personal intervention is too much for me."
His voice was slightly hoarse. The anger and injuries of the past few days had left him exhausted. Now, in front of Zhan Xuan, he let down his guard and felt somewhat helpless and embarrassed.
Zhan Xuan didn't say anything, but carefully picked him up horizontally.
Ye Li exclaimed in surprise, instinctively grabbing his collar. The crisp ambergris scent emanating from him mingled with a faint fragrance of ink, creating a reassuring aroma.
A warm hot spring had already been prepared in the bathroom, with a few fresh mugwort leaves floating on the surface. The rising steam blurred Zhan Xuan's handsome features and dispelled some of the silence in the room.
Zhan Xuan gently placed Ye Li into the water. The water temperature was just right, and the warmth instantly enveloped his icy body.
Ye Li sighed comfortably, his tense shoulders and back gradually relaxing.
Zhan Xuan squatted by the pool, picked up a bath towel, and gently dried his wet hair. "You are so lucky, to have me serve you personally every time."
He suddenly spoke, his voice low and gentle, a stark contrast to his usual imposing presence in the court.
Ye Li looked up at him, her gaze meeting his deep eyes, which were filled with concern and tenderness, warming his heart.
He said softly, "What virtue or ability do I possess? If Your Majesty is unwilling, you need not concern yourself with me!" He paused, then added, "I will not admit my mistake, for I have done nothing wrong!"
Zhan Xuan's eyes darkened slightly as his fingers traced along the man's smooth shoulder, the touch cool to the touch: "Was that my fault? Did I deliberately try to spite you?"
His gaze was intense, fixed on Ye Li's eyes, as if trying to see through his thoughts.
Ye Li's heart skipped a beat. He avoided his gaze and looked at the ripples on the pond: "Your Majesty and I have grown up together since childhood. Your Highness has treated me with kindness as heavy as a mountain. I am willing to follow Your Highness to the death. Even if you are wrong, I will never hold it against you."
His tone was firm, and every word he spoke was filled with sincerity.
Upon hearing this, Zhan Xuan's eyes softened even more.
He picked up a soapberry from the side, rubbed it carefully to make lather, and then gently applied it to Ye Li's back.
His fingers traced the bluish-purple scars on his back, his expression complex and somber.
He said with heartache, "Silly thing, all these injuries you suffered were for me. How could I ever betray you in this life? Even if you wanted my life, I would give it to you, let alone give Pang Qiang a child!"
Then he whispered in his ear, "My greatest wish in this life is that you, Ye Li, will live a peaceful and prosperous life!"
Ye Li's body stiffened slightly, and scalding tears uncontrollably slid down, dripping silently into the hot spring.
Zhan Xuan noticed his unusual behavior, stopped what he was doing, leaned closer to him, and brushed his warm breath against his ear: "What's wrong?"
Ye Li sniffed, forcing back tears, "I just feel that to be treated so well by Your Majesty, I have no regrets in this life."
Zhan Xuan sighed softly and reached out to pull him into his arms.
The water rippled gently, and the misty vapor blurred the figures of the two people.
He held Ye Li tightly, as if trying to meld him into his very bones: "Silly boy, you're mine. If I don't protect you, who will I protect?"
Ye Li leaned on his shoulder, feeling his strong heartbeat. The grievances and unease in her heart gradually dissipated, leaving only warmth and peace of mind.
He closed his eyes, letting Zhan Xuan wash his hair and body gently and meticulously, as if he were handling a rare treasure.
The warmth of the hot spring gradually seeped into his bones, and Ye Li's complexion regained some color.
Seeing that he looked relaxed, Zhan Xuan picked up the brocade cloth and carefully lifted him out of the water, gently wrapping his body in a bath towel: "Let's go back to bed and rest." He looked down at the person in his arms, his gaze so tender it could melt hearts.
Ye Li obediently leaned against him, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and gradually felt sleepy.
Zhan Xuan gently placed him on the bed, covered him with a brocade quilt, then sat on the edge of the bed, picked up a comb, and carefully combed his wet long hair.
The flickering candlelight illuminated the two figures leaning against each other, creating a warm and tranquil scene.
Ye Li squinted, feeling the gentle touch of his fingertips, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips: "Boss Xuan, I'm very happy!"
"I'm so happy to be with you," Zhan Xuan's voice was as gentle as a whisper. "Sleep peacefully, I'll watch over you!"
Ye Li nodded and slowly closed his eyes.
He quickly fell into a deep sleep. Zhan Xuan looked at his sleeping face with tenderness and affection in his eyes. He gently tucked the blanket around him, then sat by the bed, quietly watching over him, not sleeping a wink all night.
As dawn broke, the people of the capital of Li Kingdom were not yet fully awake. Only around the long pavilion outside the city gate stood several squads of imperial guards, their black armor and silver spears gleaming coldly in the early sun.
Zhan Xuan was dressed in a black brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Although he was only twenty years old, he had already inherited the composure and dignity of his father.
He stood with his hands behind his back in the pavilion, gazing into the distance at the end of the official road. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the jade pendant at his waist. His expression was calm, but he could not hide the affection and reluctance in his eyes.
Before long, a procession of carriages slowly approached, led by Zhan Yan and Lin Yiwan.
Zhan Yan was nearing middle age, and his dark blue brocade robe made him appear even more composed and reserved. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes recorded the marks of time, but they did not diminish his former heroic spirit in the slightest.
Lin Yiwan was dressed in an elegant light blue dress, with a veil on her head and a light veil covering her face, revealing only a pair of gentle eyes. When she looked at Zhan Xuan, her eyes were full of tenderness and affection.
The carriage stopped, and Zhan Yan helped Lin Yiwan down from the carriage and walked straight towards Zhan Xuan in the long pavilion.
"Xuan'er." Zhan Yan spoke, his voice gentle yet slightly hoarse, perhaps from the early morning journey, or perhaps from the sadness of impending parting.
Zhan Xuan turned around, strode forward, and bowed deeply to the two of them: "Father, Mother." He raised his head, his gaze lingering on the two of them for a moment, and a slightly forced smile appeared on his lips. "You must be tired from the journey back to Shengchao. Please rest in the pavilion for a while."
The servants had already prepared hot tea and poured three cups. The rising steam blurred the three people's features.
Zhan Xuan picked up a teacup and presented it to Zhan Yan with both hands. He then offered a cup to Lin Yiwan before finally picking up his own cup and saying in a deep voice, "The journey back to Shengchao is long, and I will not be able to accompany you. Father and Mother, please take good care of yourselves."
Zhan Yan took the teacup, took a small sip, and looked at his son's tall figure with a look of relief and expectation: "Xuan'er, don't worry, your father is in good health and will definitely be able to protect your mother and your sister!" As he spoke, he held Lin Yiwan's hand beside him, and the two smiled at each other, full of tacit understanding.