Chu Yun tried to sit up in bed, but was pushed back down softly by a panicked Chu Hean.
"Don't strain yourself."
"Xiao Zai, where is Xiao Zai?" Chu Yun asked, almost choking on his grief.
Chu Hean's face did something complicated. "He's alive, he's...resting."
The wave of relief that hit Chu Yun was so powerful it almost bowled him over. Xiao Zai was well. But even as the relief coursed through him, Chu Yun still thought something was amiss.
"Resting?" Chu Yun asked, looking at Chu Hean's face for any tells. "How long has been resting?" He stopped. "How long have I been sleeping?"
Chu Hean grimaced, looking away from Chu Yun with a guilty look. "Well, uhm, it's been a week."
"A week," Chu Yun repeated, trying to make the words sound normal, getting used to the weight of them. "Has he woken up at any point? Have I?"
Chu Hean kept looking away. "He hasn't, but you've had nightmares, talked in your sleep."
That didn't sound good, it meant that he wasn't doing that well. His injuries must be more extensive. Chu Yun swallowed drily. But he was alive -- Chu Yun had to focus on that.
With great effort he scooted back against the headboard. Chu Hean helped him with a hiss, supporting his back.
Chu Yun immediately remembered his other great fear. His hands flew to his abdomen. He let out a sigh, at feeling the familiar bump, no different than the last time he had touched it.
But would that even be enough to assure him that everything was well with the baby?
Chu Hean seemed to read the frightened question in his eyes. "Everything is fine with the child, as far as the physicians can tell but...," he sucked on a breath, closing his hand around Chu Yun's wrist. "It was a close thing. Both of you almost died."
Chu Yun raised a hand before the man could finish addressing him. "I want to see his Majesty."
Without another word, the guard opened the door for him. "His Majesty's royal dam is currently visiting with him."
That was to be expected. Chu Yun assumed that Gu Wei hadn't left Xiao Zai's side since he was brought unconscious into the palace.
The room looked exactly the same as he remembered, except for Xiao Zai lying in bed, and Gu Wei's hunched form by his side. But it wasn't only him in the room, the silent Jin Luan was there too, a few paces away as if wanting to give father and son some privacy.
Gu Wei turned around the moment he heard the door opening, his eyes widening when he saw Chu Yun being held up by Chu Hean.
He got up and rushed towards Chu Yun, his fine robes fluttering behind him with his hasty steps. Chu Yun had no idea what he was going to do until he felt arms looping across his shoulders softly.
"I was so worried about you," Gu Wei said, sighing in obvious relief.
Awkwardly, Chu Yun patted his back while exchanging a confused look with Chu Hean -- who didn't understand the motive for his confusion to begin with.
He had never considered that Gu Wei might hold him in any kind of regard, that was all.
"How is Xiao Zai?" he asked, clearing his throat.
Gu Wei pulled away from the embrace, perhaps a little flustered at his display of emotion. "His condition is stable, but there have been no changes."
That wasn't all that optimistic, but Chu Yun still nodded before moving away and making his way to Xiao Zai's bedside.
It was shocking how peaceful he looked. Perhaps paler than usual, but other than that he could have been resting for a moment, and could wake up at any moment.
He ran the back of his fingers down Xiao Zai's warm cheek. "I'm here now, I'll take care of everything."
Behind him, Gu Wei spoke up, all traces of soft emotion gone from his voice. "Perhaps you could start by doing something about Lieba Chun's arrest? The Xiongnu are growing restless."