TPATTHU Chapter 26
by VolareChapter 26: Not a Fleeting Dream
Someone broke in through the window.
“!!”
Shen Zhejiang was startled. Almost instinctively, he turned his face into Xiao Zhinian’s chest, completely avoiding the possibility of the intruder seeing his face. His complexion flushed slightly with embarrassment, reaching the point of extreme shyness.
This reaction amused Xiao Zhinian, who chuckled and leaned closer to Shen Zhejiang, teasing him with a smile.
“It’s Huai Wu. Teacher, do you not wish to see anyone?”
Meeting an acquaintance, Shen Zhejiang was even more unwilling to show his face. He momentarily abandoned the formalities between ruler and subject, lowering his voice to warn Xiao Zhinian, “Try saying one more word.”
Xiao Zhinian smiled without replying, leisurely pinching Shen Zhejiang’s waist and holding him firmly on his lap.
He was confident that, given Shen Zhejiang’s face-saving nature, even if he were to act more outrageously in public—kissing him, or doing something else—Shen Zhejiang would only verbally admonish him a few times and would never truly fall out with him.
However, Xiao Zhinian dared not act too recklessly.
It was the same principle as raising a cat. Teasing it was fine, but if you angered it, not only would you get a few scratches from its sharp claws, but you would also be unable to get any good out of it in the future.
Know when to stop.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything, is that alright, Teacher? Don’t be angry,” Xiao Zhinian finished whispering in Shen Zhejiang’s ear before turning to look at the young man standing by the window, covered in dust from his journey, “What is it?”
Although Huai Wu was young, he had lived on the streets since childhood and knew a little about those embarrassing things.
Seeing Xiao Zhinian holding someone, he was both surprised and embarrassed, stunned into silence.
It was the first time he had seen Xiao Zhinian gallivanting outside, and coupled with his wariness of strangers, he couldn’t help but habitually scrutinize the person in Xiao Zhinian’s arms, intuitively sensing that he wasn’t from Luo City.
The hand resting on Xiao Zhinian’s shoulder, the sleeve slipping down, revealing a section of fair and delicate skin. Although he couldn’t see the face, based solely on the figure, he was certain that it was a man.
The back was slender and upright, appearing to have none of the affectations of the male prostitutes in the brothels, but instead possessed a kind of unyielding spirit, like a black iron blade, not easily bending to another’s will.
Tsk, tsk.
So His Majesty liked to force others. He was not resting late at night but was instead here playing with a man. Truly, the world was going to the dogs!
Xiao Zhinian was very possessive, presuming that Shen Zhejiang was his, unable to tolerate others coveting him. He hugged Shen Zhejiang tighter and asked again in a cold voice, “What is it?”
Huai Wu remembered his business and immediately reported, “The old man lost too much blood and couldn’t be saved.”
“Dead?” Xiao Zhinian was somewhat surprised. “Forget it. You go down and keep an eye out for any suspicious individuals. Also, Yang Shihui—see who he’s been in close contact with recently. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Huai Wu responded, hesitating, but still not moving to leave.
Xiao Zhinian raised an eyebrow. “Speak if you have something to say. If not, then leave.”
Huai Wu clenched his fist, blurting out all the words in his heart, “Before, Your Majesty repeatedly said that you admired Shen Zhejiang, copying his calligraphy, staring blankly at his urn, and even in your sleep, you couldn’t utter a word without mentioning Shen Zhejiang. But now, you’re embracing someone else. Is this what Your Majesty calls love?”
So he was standing up for Shen Zhejiang.
Shen Zhejiang: “…”
Xiao Zhinian clearly felt Shen Zhejiang’s surprise. His expression displeased, he said, “Are you interfering too much in my affairs?”
“This subordinate dares not,” Huai Wu gritted his teeth, turning his eyes away in indignation, “This subordinate merely feels that Your Majesty is being hypocritical, no different from those who frequent brothels.”
These words were somewhat vehement.
Xiao Zhinian was so angered that he laughed. Originally, he wanted to clarify himself, but Shen Zhejiang was unwilling to show his true face, so he didn’t care much, acknowledging the accusation. “Alright, say what you will. Get out.”
Huai Wu turned around angrily and jumped out the window again.
As soon as he left, Shen Zhejiang immediately distanced himself from Xiao Zhinian, his body slightly flushed. He straightened his neatly folded clothes with an air of importance, but when he looked up, he saw Xiao Zhinian looking at him with a teasing smile. His movements paused.
“How was it, Teacher, playing the part of a pretty boy in a brothel?”
Xiao Zhinian truly touched him where it hurt. Shen Zhejiang replied with a straight face, “It was nothing. It’s late. Let’s rest early.”
“Good!”
Xiao Zhinian had been eagerly waiting for this sentence from Shen Zhejiang.
He blew out the candle, and the room fell into darkness. Not allowing Shen Zhejiang to go back on his words, he pulled him into the bed.
A bed only wide enough for one person was now crowded with two, making the space incredibly cramped.
Moreover, now that Xiao Zhinian’s shoulders and body had grown, he had the build of a grown man. Shen Zhejiang could only lie on his side, trying as much as possible not to touch Xiao Zhinian, shrinking into a corner of the bed.
“Does Teacher find me repulsive?”
“…No,” Shen Zhejiang subtly moved closer to the cool wall, almost pressing his entire body against it. He couldn’t see anything, but it was too hot. Xiao Zhinian’s warm, masculine presence was even more pronounced in the darkness, making his head spin. “The bed is too cramped. I’ll just sleep on the floor…”
“Shh!”
Shen Zhejiang’s back stiffened. “…What’s wrong?”
Xiao Zhinian moved closer to Shen Zhejiang, encircling him with his broad chest, and whispered in Shen Zhejiang’s ear in the same volume, “Someone’s there.”
Sure enough, they heard rustling sounds outside the house.
Shen Zhejiang fell silent.
Were they Xiao Jing’s people, or Yang Shihui’s people?
His thoughts were chaotic, and he couldn’t sleep, but the person behind him soon emitted even, steady breaths, seeming very at ease.
On the roof, the furtive Huai Wu quietly lifted a tile, craning his neck to peer towards the bed again and again. He wanted to see what kind of person could shake Shen Zhejiang’s position in Xiao Zhinian’s heart.
However, no matter how he strained his eyes, all he could see was Xiao Zhinian’s figure. He was so stingy that even half a corner of the man’s garment was concealed, leaving nothing visible.
–
The next day.
Shen Zhejiang woke up to find that the sun was already high in the sky. He had already missed the time for lecturing. He immediately came to his senses and turned over to get out of bed, but his waist was firmly held by Xiao Zhinian, and even his legs were intertwined with his under the covers, making it impossible to move.
But Xiao Zhinian showed no sign of waking up, sleeping so soundly as if he never did. Did he not have to attend the morning court?
“Get…”
Get up?
Was this too intimate of a way to call him? He felt that this kind of wording should be used by ordinary couples when calling their sleepy lover to get up.
Or should he change it?
“Your Majesty, please release this subject. This subject has matters to attend to and will take his leave.”
How was that?
What was the difference between that and fleeing the scene in a panic after losing his virginity?
Shen Zhejiang thought for a moment and decided to directly wake Xiao Zhinian. Just as he raised his hand halfway, the person behind him seemed to smell the scent of a meat bone, immediately following him and grasping the back of his hand.
Shen Zhejiang finally understood. Xiao Zhinian had been awake for a long time, only pretending to be asleep.
“Why not sleep a little longer? It’s still early.”
Xiao Zhinian’s voice was somewhat hoarse after waking up, but it sounded very comfortable.
Shen Zhejiang said in a muffled voice, “Your Majesty, it’s almost noon.”
The implication being that he should get up.
“Wait a little longer.”
Xiao Zhinian wasn’t in a hurry. This was the most peaceful sleep he had had in three years, a night without dreams.
He embraced Shen Zhejiang, repeatedly rubbing his chin against the top of Shen Zhejiang’s head with fascination. The repeated, real feeling dispelled Xiao Zhinian’s uncertainty, and his heart became more and more at ease.
Shen Zhejiang waited for him as he wished, but he did not know how long it had passed and Xiao Zhinian still had no intention of getting up.
“Your Majesty…”
Halfway through his words, a small official from the postal station knocked on the door, knocking and shouting.
“Lord! Lord, something bad has happened! Governor Yang ordered this official to report that the prisoner arrested last night escaped this morning!”