MLIAM Chapter 48
by VolareYu Shuli smiled, meeting the deep, somber gaze of the young maidservant head-on, “Is that so? The winds shift, and who wins or loses is still unknown. Let’s wait and see.”
The maidservant didn’t flinch. She touched the wound on her neck, gave a cold snort, and left.
After drinking the medicine, Wei Yan’s vomiting blood subsided a bit, but his face was still deathly pale.
Yu Shuli opened his arms and embraced him, wiping the medicine stains from the corner of his lips before moving the medicine bowl away, asking, “Wei Yan, what exactly is going on with you? Are you poisoned again? I remember that apart from the cold, everything else was getting much better.”
Wei Yan leaned against Yu Shuli’s lap, turning his head to look at him, “Call me Xianqing.”
With a “clang,” the medicine bowl fell to the side of the bed. Yu Shuli pursed his lips, saying nothing.
Wei Yan moved his head over, burying his cheek in Yu Shuli’s lap, his body clinging to him tightly, looking at Yu Shuli with fear.
As soon as Yu Shuli moved, Wei Yan’s fingers hooked onto the hem of his clothes. “You promised you wouldn’t leave.” His voice was low and soft.
Yu Shuli hadn’t seen Wei Yan like this before, feeling both distressed and irritable. He felt an indescribable emotion erupt in his chest. “You have to tell me what happened. Why are you in this state? Who is that maidservant, and who arranged for those servants and guards?”
Wei Yan lowered his head. “Ji’an, I can’t say right now…” Some things, he wished he could bury in his heart forever, not wanting Yu Shuli to know about those dirty, disgusting things from the past.
Having amnesia also has its advantages.
Before he could resolve everything, he hoped that those restrictive, oppressive past events would only trap him alone, and not torment Yu Shuli.
Yu Shuli laughed in anger, “Can’t say? You don’t trust me? Then why did you keep me here?” He made a move to get up, his expression and posture suggesting he wanted to never see him again and grow old and die apart.
A great wave of emotion washed over Wei Yan’s eyes, and a burst of pain shot through his body. “Of course I trust you… I just…”
Keeping him here was just out of greed.
In fact, the earlier deal with the Second Prince was very clear: Yu Shuli couldn’t get involved in this matter.
Even if the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement in the end and things fell apart, he should have sent someone to stop Yu Shuli and send him away before he even entered the city.
But it had been too long since they last met, and Wei Yan missed Yu Shuli a little.
He was also eager to know how Yu Shuli would choose between the Second Prince and himself when faced with the difficult choice of having to choose one or the other.
The dark and possessive desire in his heart ultimately prevailed over the desire to protect, so all of Yu Shuli’s letters were suppressed by him, and none were replied to.
It was all to make him worry.
Yu Shuli had indeed come.
Disregarding the Second Prince’s arrangements, he came directly to Quzhou.
Wei Yan felt a mix of joy and worry in his heart.
The joy was that he had won the bet; Yu Shuli had chosen him.
The worry was that, with the help of Imperial Physician Yang, the poison that had been suppressed in his body for so many years was completely triggered by a cup of poisoned wine from Marquis Xunyang at the banquet in Quzhou.
Before he could even properly protect Yu Shuli and help him leave, the poison directly took effect.
He vomited blood miserably, a chaotic mess, losing control of his mind, and was threatened with the antidote.
Yu Shuli saw the most vulnerable and embarrassed side of him.
Wei Yan’s chest emitted bursts of moans, and the shame almost drove him crazy.
But Yu Shuli treated him so gently.
So gently that Wei Yan greedily wanted to receive more care, as if that would stop the pain in his body.
Desire was an endless bottomless pit, devouring his faltering heart.
He thought, if Yu Shuli could always treat him like this… the throne didn’t seem so important anymore…
Yu Shuli was about to stand up when a pair of hands tightly clasped his waist. “I do trust you… it’s just… I would never harm you. Give me some more time, and I’ll send you away.”
“Send me where? Quzhou?” Yu Shuli raised an eyebrow. “I came in with an Imperial Decree. Why should I leave?”
“Ji’an, it’s not safe here.” Wei Yan leaned against Yu Shuli’s leg. “Listen to me, leave Quzhou. Soon, everything will be over.”
“Over?” Yu Shuli pushed him away, sneering. “Are you referring to the Crown Prince’s rebellion or the Third Prince’s ascension? Whose side are you on? What was your purpose in being so close to me earlier? Are you just toying with me?”
A series of questions, like a barrage of cannon fire.
Wei Yan looked up, his already pale face turning even more ashen. His eyes held a collapsing despair. “I… I’m not… you can’t wrong me!”
“Whether you are or not, I will investigate myself.” Yu Shuli pried open Wei Yan’s hands, standing up. “It’s getting late. Prime Minister Wei is frail, so rest well.”
Wei Yan’s hands froze in mid-air, as if a piece of his heart had been cut out.
He wanted to get closer to Yu Shuli, wishing he could reveal all the facts of the past and pour out his grievances, wanting him to hold him and comfort him. At the same time, he was worried about the danger in Quzhou, and that Yu Shuli’s stubborn temper would easily lead to wasted efforts, wanting to send him away as soon as possible.
The conflicting and entangled emotions were tormented by the illness, becoming increasingly lingering.
Yu Shuli casually took the medicine bowl from the bedside table. “I’d really like to know what kind of good stuff is in here. Why don’t I go investigate?”
Seeing him take the medicine bowl, Wei Yan’s expression changed, and he almost uncontrollably fell off the bed, trying to snatch the medicine bowl. “Don’t…”
“It seems there is indeed something fishy.” Yu Shuli looked at him with a complicated expression. “What exactly is this medicine that makes you react like this?”
Wei Yan started coughing again, even more severely than before. His chest rose and fell violently. “In short… don’t worry about it… I beg you, don’t worry about it…”
Yu Shuli “tsk”ed, ignoring him, and silently gripped the medicine bowl, opening the door and leaving.
Wei Yan lay on the ground, panting softly. After a moment, he coughed up another mouthful of dirty blood.
A trace of chaotic ferocity appeared on his face. To maintain consciousness, he bit down on his own arm, then crawled to stand up, but his limbs had already begun to stiffen, beyond his control.
In a panic, he lost control and vomited all the medicine and the little food left in his stomach, leaving a foul and pungent smell on the ground.
Soon after, the door was opened again with a “creak.”
Wei Yan’s voice was as gloomy as if it came from hell, with a hint of madness and despair, “Get out.”
Yu Shuli kept a straight face, as if he hadn’t heard, still walking over with heavy steps.
The man was lying on the ground, his chest stained with a pool of black, filthy blood, and the ground was even more of a mess from his vomit.
Yet, he didn’t move at all, as if he had long lost the will to live.
If he ignored him, given his physical condition, he might die here today.
While Yu Shuli cursed himself for being soft-hearted, he still walked quickly towards Wei Yan.
Hearing the familiar footsteps, Wei Yan suddenly looked up, the ferocity on his face instantly disappearing, his breathing rapid and a little unbelievable, “Ji’an.”
A tear lightly fell from his moist eyelashes.
He frantically tried to hide the filthy marks on his face, but how could he hide them?
“Ji’an, don’t look at me…”
Yu Shuli met his red eyes, and half of his arrogance dissipated in an instant. “I’ve already seen it. What are you going to do about it?”
Wei Yan felt as if the sky had fallen, covering his face. “It’s too ugly like this…”
Yu Shuli pulled away his hand. “What haven’t I seen you like? What are you hiding?”
With a hint of helplessness and pity, Yu Shuli squatted down, pulling him up and carrying him on his back. “I’m really afraid of you.”
Wei Yan felt Yu Shuli’s body temperature, and his body gradually warmed up. The shame gradually disappeared, and he clung to him almost greedily. As soon as he touched Yu Shuli’s body, he began to tremble, clinging tighter, fitting tightly against his back, letting out a long-lost sigh of satisfaction.
Yu Shuli “hissed,” but didn’t throw him off, only muttering, “Are you trying to strangle me?”
Wei Yan leaned close to his ear, his warm breath washing over him. “Ji’an, why did you come back?”
Now that he was back, his own plan seemed impossible to continue.
Those fleeting, dark thoughts would eventually have to dry up in the darkness. Wei Yan felt as if he saw a glimmer of light again.
Yu Shuli took a few steps with the man on his back, murmuring, “Wei Yan, I haven’t seen you show weakness before. That’s why I’m a little worried.”
Wei Yan was startled, and the arms clinging to him trembled. “Aren’t you afraid that I’ll rebel?”
“Rebel if you want. I’ll rebel too.”
“It’s different, Ji’an. You haven’t given me an answer to my question.” Wei Yan buried his head on Yu Shuli’s shoulder, suddenly changing his mind. “Forget it, I won’t ask.”
Yu Shuli couldn’t see his face, but he could feel his emotions. He supported Wei Yan’s legs, lifting him up a bit, asking in a low voice, “Is that medicine poison?”
Wei Yan’s eyes widened suddenly, his hand trembling, almost instinctively letting go of him.
Yu Shuli didn’t let him get his way, instead holding onto his legs, binding him tightly to his back, continuing to ask, “That medicine, is it also addictive? Is it harmful to the nerves?”
Wei Yan’s teeth chattered violently, not daring to answer anymore, only pushing him away. “Don’t ask anymore… you should leave Quzhou…”
“Fine, I won’t ask.” Yu Shuli pretended to throw him down. “Then you can fend for yourself. I won’t care about you anymore.”
The word “anymore” once again struck Wei Yan’s lungs.
His body trembled violently, then he clung tightly to Yu Shuli’s back, trying to restrain him like a rogue. “You can’t not care about me…”
“Why?”
“Because… because…” Wei Yan “becaused” for a long time, unable to come up with a result, his voice hurried, with a hint of crying.
After a moment, his hand loosened in despair, as if he no longer had any reason or excuse to be willful.
He had been too presumptuous today because of the poison and the addiction.
Wei Yan thought, he couldn’t push his luck any further. He would be hated.
He had tasted the bitter fruit of that time once. He couldn’t bear it anymore.
Who knew that Yu Shuli wouldn’t let go, but would steadily support him, answering for him, “Because you and I are married.”
“Anyone who bullies my husband, I will repay them a hundredfold.”
Wei Yan couldn’t help but steal a glance, the young man’s eyes bright, his voice clear, the promise of the vow deafening.
Wei Yan’s heart and soul trembled, a little redness at the base of his ears, accompanied by the sound of his heartbeat, instantly spreading and sweeping throughout his body. Two streams of heat on his cheeks quietly disappeared into Yu Shuli’s hair, unseen.
Yu Shuli carried the man on his back, walking through the courtyard, facing the dozen or so guards who were watching him from the shadows. He tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a contemptuous smile. “I advise you, if you want to attack me, choose a few with better martial arts skills. A dozen or so trash are not enough for me to see.”
Yu Shuli’s ruthless methods and superb martial arts skills were well known.
The eager guards could only watch him leave with Wei Yan with complicated expressions, none daring to act rashly.
Wei Yan’s cheek was pressed against Yu Shuli’s back, listening to his own rapid heartbeat, feeling that the happiness and completeness of his life were nothing more than this.
Unfortunately, everything was too short, just a dream he had woven. He had already enjoyed what he deserved, so naturally, he couldn’t drag Yu Shuli down any further.
So, just as Yu Shuli was about to step out of the residence, Wei Yan grabbed him.
He lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Yu Shuli, “Ji’an, I can’t leave.”
“Wei Yan.” Yu Shuli’s expression was cold. “If you do this again and again, I will get angry.”
Wei Yan didn’t answer.
“No matter what happened these past few months, can’t you discuss it with me properly? Do you have to insist on going your own way?”
Wei Yan’s face was hidden behind, Yu Shuli unable to see his expression, so he could only continue, “Wei Yan, I don’t believe it.”
Wei Yan raised his head, seeing the golden light in Yu Shuli’s hair in the sunlight.
“I don’t believe you would betray me.” Yu Shuli chuckled. “Call me stupid if you want, call me a fool if you want. Chen Li once reminded me not to easily trust you, but I have always felt that you wouldn’t harm me.”
“I lost three years of memories, but I can still tell good from bad. Your kindness to me doesn’t seem fake.” Yu Shuli turned his head, meeting Wei Yan’s dazed and helpless gaze.
“The matter of the throne is ultimately between you and the Second Prince; I won’t participate.” His eyes sparkled as he looked at Wei Yan, blinking. “However, it’s best if you resolve it in a civilized way. I don’t want anyone to get hurt between you two. After all, one is my husband, and the other is my superior.”
After a long time, Wei Yan’s Adam’s apple moved, finally sighing, once again defeated in front of Yu Shuli. “You shouldn’t have come.”
“Quzhou is now like a tiger’s den, and I’m afraid I can’t protect you.” Wei Yan lowered his eyes slightly. “I can ignore everything else, but I can’t watch you be in the slightest danger.”
Yu Shuli looked at him, saying, “This is an Imperial Decree. Do you want me to disobey Imperial Will?”
“Once this matter is over, who cares about Imperial Decree? Who can control you then!” Wei Yan had never said such arrogant words so openly. “Whoever dares to touch you, I will kill them.”
“Am I someone to be slaughtered at will?” Yu Shuli glared at him. “You think that by hiding everything from me, blocking everything in front of me, not letting me know, is good for me? Wei Yan, you underestimate me too much.”
Wei Yan paused.
Yu Shuli continued, “You even dare to swallow poison, yet you don’t dare let me suffer a little bit, unwilling to let me share your joys and sorrows. What kind of husband and wife is that? Wei Yan, don’t make me look down on you.”
Wei Yan’s eyelashes trembled, his heart feeling as if a raging fire was sweeping through, igniting his barren lands. If he allowed this fire to burn, it would eventually incinerate his entire being.
His emotions had always been very passive, initially driven by Yu Shuli, but these emotions gradually became uncontrollably hot and unstoppable.
By the time he himself reacted, this feeling had already exceeded the boundary of ordinary friendship, boldly changing its nature.
But to Yu Shuli, he was like a fish facing the unattainable sun, wanting to get closer to the light, but the light didn’t need him.
He had thought that if he could break through the surface of the water by chance and be illuminated by that light for a moment, it would be enough for him to savor for a long time.
He never expected this marriage to last long.
It was something he had cheated for.
It was something he had deceived him into because he had become greedy after seeing Yu Shuli’s amnesia.
When Yu Shuli recovered his memories, when everything was settled, he would become nothing more than a dispensable “old friend.”
How could he drag his light into the depths?
So, in the beginning, his original plan was to quickly cut ties after Quzhou.
He would become the infamous traitor.
And Yu Shuli would become the loyal minister who had successfully suppressed the rebellion.
But later, his heart tore and screamed, suddenly feeling unwilling.
He wanted to get Yu Shuli… no matter what means he used.
Thus, the coveted throne became a hot potato.
A voice seemed to be saying: Pull him in together. Since you like him so much, you must hold him tightly. Otherwise, if he recalls the past one day, he will definitely tear things apart until there is nothing left. It is better to cook the rice now, Yu Shuli is soft-hearted, maybe things will be half pushed and half accepted by then. Being able to be entangled with him hysterically for a lifetime is much happier than being alone.
Another voice was scolding himself: Are you trying to kill him? Do you want him to bear the infamy for the rest of his life? Rebellion and power-grabbing are not enough, you still want him to face the worldly views, to be pointed at and gossiped about for the rest of his life? He should have his own life, cleanly climb to a high position, marry a noble lady, have children and grandchildren, and not accompany a traitor, to be scolded by the world.
“Wei Yan,” Yu Shuli’s tone deepened. “You know what kind of person I am. Hiding things from me won’t make me retreat. I’m just not someone who will back down in the face of difficulties. My brain doesn’t work as well as yours. If you don’t want me to investigate myself and get hurt badly, you should discuss things with me more.”
Wei Yan finally understood that Yu Shuli would not give up this time, and he finally gave a wry smile, remaining noncommittal about Yu Shuli’s words.
Just as he said, Yu Shuli was reckless and straightforward. If he were to do it himself, he would only be in more danger.
After a long confrontation and silence, Wei Yan finally retreated step by step, and after weighing the pros and cons, finally opened his mouth. “I was wrong.”
Seeing him sincerely admit his mistake, Yu Shuli’s anger subsided a bit. “That’s more like it. One moment you’re driving me away, the next you’re not letting me leave. It’s all so inexplicable. Explain everything honestly later, what exactly is going on, and why did you end up like this.”
He touched Wei Yan’s forehead, testing his temperature, his tone softening a bit. “I’ll take you to see a doctor now. The temporary Prime Minister’s Residence in Quzhou is not right. You can’t stay here. You have to come with me.”
Wei Yan was infatuated with Yu Shuli’s thoughtfulness, but he also felt ashamed of the concern he had gained through his own despicable weakness.
He had been a little too willful today.
His Adam’s apple moved, and Wei Yan wanted to leave with Yu Shuli with all his heart, but he could only shake his head. “Ji’an, I can’t leave.”
Just as Yu Shuli was about to get angry, Wei Yan explained, “Your friend, Dong Siwen, is in their hands.”
Yu Shuli was stunned, instantly flying into a rage. “What did you say?!”