CH 28

The washroom was dense with steaming water vapor, Ye Zi had just walked in when he heard the sound of water coming from behind the silk curtain.

Ye Zi lifted the silk curtain and inside was a small pond carved with white jade. The small pool was filled with steaming hot water and half of Gu Yan’s body was soaked in the water. His long hair was casually scattered as he leaned against the side of the pool with his eyes closed to rest his mind.

His upper body is naked and his lean and well-proportioned muscles could be seen at a glance.

Ye Zi averted his eyes in haste and his steps paused for a moment before he walked over with the ginger soup.

Gu Yan opened his eyes and looked at him: “I’ve been calling you for a long time, why did it take you so long to come?”

“I was making ginger soup for you.” Ye Zi replied, putting the ginger soup on the table beside Gu Yan, “Drink it while it’s hot, to wash away the coldness.” 

Gu Yan didn’t move and said with a smile: “I want you to feed me.”

Ye Zi pursed his lips and the tips of his ears quietly reddened.

In actuality, Gu Yan had only been joking and didn’t plan on making things difficult for him. But just as he was about to speak, Ye Zi suddenly bent down and knelt down by the pool as he picked up the ginger soup.

Ye Zi obediently scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to test the temperature with his lips, and then brought it to Gu Yan’s mouth. Gu Yan was a bit overwhelmed as he drank the ginger soup from his hand. 

Brown sugar was added to the ginger soup, which made it sweet and spicy with a lingering aftertaste.

The bowl of ginger soup dispelled the coldness within him. Gu Yan let out a long breath and finally felt a bit more comfortable.

Ye Zi wiped the corners of his mouth with a silk handkerchief and couldn’t help but complain: “With a weak body like yours, why did you think you could jump into the water to save someone? There were so many eunuchs and palace maids waiting on the shore, did you really need to risk your life?”

Gu Yan laughed and didn’t take it personally: “If I didn’t jump into the water, then wouldn’t I have really become the assailant?” 

Ye Zi’s hand shook for a moment as he lowered his eyes: “Commandery Princess Changning, she…..”

“She jumped on her own, I have nothing to do with it.” Gu Yan spread out his hands, “You were also there, don’t accuse me wrongly.”

“Of course I——” Ye Zi froze, “You knew I was there?”

Gu Yan said with a straight face: “Even if my immortal plant is hidden among the flowers and plants, it is still the most unique and beautiful one, how could I have missed it?”

This unexpectedly warmed Ye Zi’s heart and he felt sweet all over. The anger and sullenness from this morning suddenly dissipated.

He tried his best to stop his lips from rising and returned to the topic: “But why did Commandery Princess Changning throw herself into the lake for no apparent reason?”

Gu Yan stretched his body in the water, his eyes slightly closed: “How would I know?”

He only knew that Wen Zhi died when she fell into the water during his house arrest in his previous life, but he didn’t know when she fell into the water. She could’ve done it sooner or later, but why did she have to pick a time when they were alone to fall into the water?

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And add to the fact that she was the one to jump in by herself.  

If Wen Zhi’s life was saved, then all would be well. But if she couldn’t be saved, the rift between the Prince Rui Manor and the Duke of Protection’s family would become even greater. 

Ye Zi said: “I heard that the Imperial physician has already come to see her. He said that luckily she was rescued in time, that there was no serious problem, and she should be able to wake up in a day or two. It’s just……”

Before Ye Zi finished speaking, he lowered his head, and suddenly he didn’t want Wen Zhi to wake up so soon.

Ever since he saw Wen Zhi fall into the water, he had some ominous suspicions in his heart.

In the novel, Commandery Princess Changning’s cause of death was only lightly glossed over with “she lost her footing and died.” Now, it seemed that her real cause of death wasn’t actually that simple.

Wen Zhi jumped into the lake in front of Gu Yan today and both Gu Yan and Ye Zi knew about it. However, others might not believe it unless Wen Zhi woke up and clarified the whole story, and cleared Gu Yan of suspicion.

But would she really help?

There was currently no evidence and Ye Zi wasn’t the type to easily judge someone by their malicious intent, but………if she didn’t want to involve Gu Yan, why deliberately pick a time when she and Gu Yan alone to jump into the lake?

Ye Zi was upset, but Gu Yan smiled softly: “What are you doing with a frowning face? Now I am the one being targeted, not you.”

Ye Zi muttered: “It’s because I’m worried about you.”

He paused and added: “The Empress, the Duke of Protection, including General Wen Yi, they have been fussing around so much because they have their eyes on you, haven’t they? Now that the Commandery Princess was in an accident, I am worried that they will take advantage of this issue.”

Gu Yan said: “Since you know they have their eyes on me, do you know why?” 

“The throne.” Ye Zi replied, “Nowadays, the ministers in the court are favoring the abolition of the Crown Prince and having the Third Imperial Prince succeed the throne. The Duke of Protection and the Empress belong to the Crown Prince’s faction so that’s why they are trying to pull in the Prince Rui manor. What they want is not you, Your Majesty, but to hold you in their hands as a way to control the old ministers behind you.”

Gu Yan was the only son of the former Crown Prince. Although he was now fleeing the battle for Imperial power and had lost his standing, his father’s confidantes, the group of old ministers in the court, were still standing behind him.

Controlling him meant controlling that group of people.

Gu Yan didn’t answer, but suddenly asked: “Are you hot?”

Ye Zi was taken aback and didn’t realize how the topic had changed so quickly.

Gu Yan lifted his hand and pinched Ye Zi’s face, rubbing his face with water: “Look at you, you’re sweating.”

The washroom was extremely hot due to the steam. After only staying for a short while, Ye Zi’s forehead had already developed a layer of fine sweat. His cheeks were flushed by the heat, making him extraordinarily beautiful.

Gu Yan became a little distracted after staring and grinned: “Why don’t you come in and wash up together with me?”

Ye Zi’s face got even hotter for a moment and he hurriedly stood up: “N-no thanks, you can——”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was suddenly grabbed by Gu Yan and pulled fiercely.

Ye Zi wasn’t able to keep his footing and fell into the water, causing waves of water to splash around.

Ye Zi’s clothes were immediately soaked and the moment he entered the water, Gu Yan thoughtfully stepped forward to protect the back of Ye Zi’s head to prevent him from choking on the water.

Ye Zi’s face flashed with a trace of shame: “You——”

But he soon lost his words.

The pool wasn’t small and it was more than enough to accommodate two adult men. Gu Yan slowly approached Ye Zi, forcing him all the way to the edge of the pool. Their postures were really ambiguous and Ye Zi was stiff all over. He didn’t even know where to put his eyes and he also didn’t dare to move.

Drops of water hung on Ye Zi’s eyelashes, trembling slightly.

Gu Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He patiently reached out to wipe away the water droplets on his face and said softly: “A Zi, you’re worried about me.”

Gu Yan paused and looked at him seriously: “……Why?”

Ye Zi was stunned.

“I threatened you to stay and pretend to be my Princess Consort, if something happens to me, you would be able to leave and regain your freedom.” Gu Yan said this almost close to Ye Zi’s ear and Ye Zi’s legs grew weak from his voice.

“……But you didn’t. Instead, you planned for me and worried about me.”

Gu Yan lowered his eyes to look at him and said in a warm voice: “A Zi, do you understand what you are doing?”

The bath was steaming and Ye Zi’s clothes were soaked and clung to his body, making him dizzy. However, Gu Yan decided to come closer to him again. Ye Zi’s heart was beating fast, his mind was in a daze, and he could hardly understand what he was saying.

Ye Zi couldn’t stand him being this close so he impatiently pushed Gu Yan’s chest and whispered: “Your Majesty, I can’t breathe……”

Gu Yan let go of him.

Ye Zi had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Gu Yan speak: “You don’t have to worry too much about this incident.”

Gu Yan said indifferently: “A mere Dukal household doesn’t deserve my attention so don’t even mention trying to manipulate me. To put it bluntly, even if I really pushed Changning into the water today, they wouldn’t be able to do anything to me.”

“The Emperor will not do anything to me because of an insignificant Changning, it’s not worth it and it’s not necessary. At most, I will be fined a few months of my salary and be told to reflect on my actions at home.” 

Hearing what he said, Ye Zi felt a little relieved.

He thought about it and added: “But I’m still a little worried……”

Gu Yan suddenly stretched out his finger and pressed it on Ye Zi’s lips. He sighed and rubbed his finger on Ye Zi’s lips for a moment: “A Zi, if you keep doing that, I’m going to punish you.”

Ye Zi felt like he was about to be cooked by the heat. He gulped and asked apprehensively: “W-What kind of punishment?”

Gu Yan laughed lightly and raised his hand to undo Ye Zi’s hair and his long hair fell like a waterfall.

He came up to Ye Zi’s ear and said with a smile: “The punishment?……Hmm, from now on, whatever I ask you to do, you are not allowed to refuse or resist, how about that?”

As he spoke, his fingers moved down slowly, and he slowly undid the first button on Ye Zi’s clothes.

Ye Zi’s brain exploded with a roar, suddenly understanding the meaning of Gu Yan’s words.

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Ye Zi couldn’t help shrinking back, but Gu Yan refused to let him hide. He approached him and trapped him in the corner of the pool.

Gu Yan observed his expression and urged in a low voice: “Say something, my beloved consort. This Prince is going to punish you now, do you accept the punishment?”

Ye Zi’s heart beat rapidly. He was shy and embarrassed and didn’t know how to react.

They were both men and after what happened yesterday night, Gu Yan was satiated but he wasn’t, so he naturally had some urges.

But if he were to do it with this person……wouldn’t it be a bit too offensive?

Ye Zi sneaked a glance at Gu Yan. The other person’s body was smeared with dense water vapor and his originally cold face looked hazy and gentle, and it was actually better looking than before. Ye Zi became a little distracted after staring and something moved quietly in his heart.

He moved his lips, with a little selfishness and expectation, and whispered: “……I accept.”

“That’s a good boy.”

Gu Yan smiled satisfactorily. He no longer hesitated with his movements and sharply plucked away the clothing that was in the way.

Ye Zi’s ink-colored long hair draped over his shoulders and his body was a light pink due to either his embarrassment or because of being soaked in hot water.

Gu Yan’s breathing was suddenly heavier.

He settled his mind, threw the soaked robe to the shore, took a soft cloth, and handed it to Ye Zi.

Ye Zi froze and didn’t take it.

Gu Yan raised his eyebrows at him: “Hurry up and take it.”  

Ye Zi could only take it as he asked in confusion: “For……For what?”

Gu Yan said: “So you can wipe my body for me.”

Ye Zi: “……”

Ye Zi felt that he might have been overwhelmed by the heat, became delusional, and misunderstood Gu Yan’s meaning. His hand trembled as he confirmed: “Weren’t you going to punish me?”

Gu Yan smiled: “Isn’t that what I’m doing right now?”

Ye Zi was shocked: “This is what the punishment entails?”

Gu Yan nodded: “Yes.”

Ye Zi was so angry that his chest was stuffy and he was about to burst: “Then why did you take off my clothes?” 

Gu Yan said seriously: “It’s too stuffy here, if you wear so much when you go into the water, I’m afraid you’ll pass out from the heat.”

Ye Zi: “……”

All the ambiguous atmosphere suddenly dissipated and Ye Zi angrily took the soft cloth: “Understood.”

Gu Yan held back his laughter, turned his back on him, and also instructed in a serious manner: “Be meticulous, don’t be lazy.”

Ye Zi gritted his teeth and huffed out angrily: “……Yes.”

Gu Yan naturally understood what Ye Zi wanted, but the person refused to face his feelings so Gu Yan had to think of ways to force him. If things went on like this, he didn’t believe that that person could continue pretending in front of him.

However, there was always a price to pay for being a douche.

So, Prince Rui, who was used to being pampered from childhood, experienced one of the most terrible body washes ever. Even when they went back to the bedchamber, he could still feel the burning and sore skin on his back.

Gu Yan looked at the little immortal plant that planted itself back into the pot as soon as it returned to the bedchamber, not talking and ignoring him, and shook his head helplessly.