TPATTHU Chapter 71
by VolareChapter 71 Xiao Zhinian Waits for Nothing
Inside the carriage, Xiao Zhinian pinned Shen Zhejiang against the side, one hand protecting the back of his head, while the other pinched the fair and delicate back of Shen Zhejiang’s neck. Dense and persistent kisses relentlessly invaded Shen Zhejiang’s lips and tongue, leaving not a single gap untouched.
A heater was placed inside the carriage, pre-arranged by Xiao Zhinian out of concern that Shen Zhejiang might get cold when going out. At this moment, the heater was slightly red-hot, and the rising, scorching temperature intertwined in the air.
Shen Zhejiang still had that thick cloak draped over him, inevitably feeling increasingly hot. Fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and the corners of his eyes were flushed. While forced to respond to Xiao Zhinian, he didn’t forget to push Xiao Zhinian, signaling him to stop first.
“Wait…”
Wait for what?
Xiao Zhinian waited for nothing. The jealousy from just now was like an axe, cleaving open the floodgates that held back the beast within his chest. All reason instantly collapsed, and the floodwaters surged out.
He seized Shen Zhejiang’s wrists that were pushing him, pressing them to the side, and with a fierce force, once again lowered his head, nibbling at Shen Zhejiang’s earlobe.
“What did you agree with Han Zitang, tell me…”
Xiao Zhinian breathed heavily, pressed close to Shen Zhejiang’s ear, while intimately nuzzling him, his voice husky as he asked.
“Mmm…”
Shen Zhejiang was nearly in a state of dazed infatuation, his eyes half-closed, not quite hearing Xiao Zhinian’s words. He only felt that the breath brushing against his ear made him very itchy, and he slightly avoided it, only to be turned back by Xiao Zhinian.
Xiao Zhinian’s masculine aura was full of seduction. Rarely able to restrain himself at times like this, seeing Shen Zhejiang not answering, he asked again, “What is it, hmm?”
“…What?”
A gust of cold wind swept through, stimulating Shen Zhejiang to finally regain his senses with great difficulty. This time, without context, he heard Xiao Zhinian say this.
“Tell me about you and Han Zitang.”
Xiao Zhinian’s eyes darkened slightly.
He knew that Shen Zhejiang and Han Zitang had once been classmates and had a deep personal relationship. It wasn’t impossible that they had developed feelings for each other when they were young.
In other words, if he hadn’t forcefully inserted himself between the two of them, perhaps the person who would be by Shen Zhejiang’s side, his lifelong partner with whom he would live in harmony, would very likely have been Han Zitang.
Thinking this way, it was as if his whole person was soaked in a jar of vinegar.
Shen Zhejiang was stunned, meeting Xiao Zhinian’s gaze. With his clever mind, how could he not guess what Xiao Zhinian was thinking?
He sighed and slowly explained, “Zitang has helped me a lot. If it weren’t for him, how could I be here again in one piece to meet you? I promised three years ago that I wouldn’t return to the Capital City. It was indeed me who went back on my word first.”
Xiao Zhinian snorted resentfully, reached out and loosened the ties of Shen Zhejiang’s cloak at the collar, and before Shen Zhejiang could react, bit hard on his neck, his tone vague yet forceful, “You’re not allowed to call him that again! Also, you’re not allowed to go to Qingfeng Teahouse! I don’t allow it! If you dare to go, I’ll order people to tear down the entire teahouse!”
“Hiss!”
Shen Zhejiang frowned in pain, subconsciously pushing Xiao Zhinian’s shoulder.
In the past, Xiao Zhinian would definitely consider his feelings. Even if he nibbled, he wouldn’t use too much force, leaving at most some marks that would fade away in a couple of days.
But this time was different. Xiao Zhinian didn’t know what madness had possessed him, as if he wouldn’t be satisfied until he bit off a piece of his flesh.
Shen Zhejiang said urgently, “Xiao Zhinian! What are you doing? Let go!”
Rarely not following his instructions, Xiao Zhinian instead increased his force by another three points, ignoring Shen Zhejiang’s shouts, until a trace of blood entered his mouth, only then did it slightly clear his head, and he slowly released his mouth.
A tooth mark, seeping with blood, was clearly reflected in his eyes, shocking to the eye.
Reason returned, and Xiao Zhinian realized what a stupid and hateful thing he had just done. Jealousy was gradually replaced by apology: “Sir, I…”
“Han Zitang and I have known each other for decades, and we have always treated each other with courtesy, never having overstepped any boundaries,” the wound was still very painful. Shen Zhejiang didn’t need to touch it to know it was bleeding. He looked at Xiao Zhinian for a moment, pulled back his cloak, tidying it up one by one, already with some coldness, “If you don’t believe me, then so be it. I can’t prove it.”
It was over.
Shen Zhejiang was angry too.
Xiao Zhinian’s heart had already cooled a lot. He wanted nothing more than to slap himself twice to vent his anger. After thinking left and right, he had no choice but to shamelessly lean close to Shen Zhejiang’s side.
“I didn’t not believe you, Sir. It was my fault just now. I apologize to you. It’s just that I care about you too much and don’t want you to leave me again. Besides, that Han Zitang clearly has ulterior motives towards you. How could I just stand by and watch you be snatched away by him!”
Shen Zhejiang moved to a position farther away from Xiao Zhinian, turned his head to the side, his fingers inside his sleeves clutching the fabric of his clothes, and said in a deep voice, “Under the whole sky, there is no land that is not the Emperor’s domain, and all the land within thousands of miles belongs to His Majesty alone. What is it that His Majesty wants that anyone can snatch away?”
Cold and distinct, directly building a wall for Xiao Zhinian.
There was a gap between the two seats, but at this time, it seemed to be separated by the Chu River, clearly demarcated.
“…”
Xiao Zhinian was dizzy from being hit with “His Majesty” one after another. He pursed his lips, unable to say a word for a long time.
Shen Zhejiang wasn’t angry about Xiao Zhinian’s jealousy, but rather the misunderstanding or imagining of the friendship between him and Han Zitang. The friendship between gentlemen is light like water. No matter what, he and Han Zitang were innocent and clear.
In the end, Xiao Zhinian just didn’t trust him.
He simply closed his eyes, leaned against the side of the carriage to rest. He was tired and didn’t want to talk.
Xiao Zhinian had never seen Shen Zhejiang so angry, and he was frightened. A dignified Emperor sat blankly on the side, at a loss.
In normal times, as long as he lowered his head first and said a few soft words, Shen Zhejiang would make up with him as before. But why did Shen Zhejiang react so strongly when Han Zitang was involved? It was too abnormal. He couldn’t understand.
Each with their own thoughts, they returned to the Imperial Palace in silence all the way.
It wasn’t too late yet, but Yanqing Palace seemed overly deserted and bleak for some reason. Two pillar copper lamps stood quietly burning in front of the palace gate, and fine snow silently fell, enveloping a vast and desolate scene.
“Your Majesty, you’re finally back!”
Liu Bao held an oiled paper umbrella in his hand, and another one was tucked under his arm. A smile bloomed on his face as he respectfully welcomed them back.
Stepping off the carriage with the help of a footstool, Shen Zhejiang still had his hood covering his face, and without saying a word, he lowered his head and brushed past Liu Bao, walking inside.
“???”
Liu Bao looked back at Shen Zhejiang’s cold, frosty back with great confusion, and then turned his head to find Xiao Zhinian with a tense face, following behind. It was clear from his mood that he wasn’t in a good mood.
What was going on? After a trip out of the palace, how did it become like this?
Xiao Zhinian was immersed in a layer of gloom. Seeing Liu Bao still standing there, he scolded impatiently, “What are you standing there for? Come and hold the umbrella.”
Liu Bao shivered, responded with an “Eh,” and hurriedly ran over, shielding Xiao Zhinian from the wind and snow. He tactfully avoided topics such as lighting lamps, and said, “The wind is starting to pick up outside, Your Majesty, please enter the palace quickly.”
Liu Bao was shorter than Xiao Zhinian to begin with. When walking, the oiled paper umbrella always blocked Xiao Zhinian’s view of Shen Zhejiang gradually moving away, and even poked him on the head from time to time, making Xiao Zhinian’s heart even more irritated.
So he snatched it over. Xiao Zhinian said coldly, “You can’t even hold an umbrella properly. How did you become the Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial! Get down, go receive thirty strokes of the cane yourself!”
Having misfortune befall him, Liu Bao knelt down miserably, and resignedly said, “…This servant obeys the decree.”
At the same time, he wailed in his heart, when will Master Shen reconcile with His Majesty?!