TPATTHU Chapter 80

Chapter 80: He’s Clearly the One Inflicting Cruelty, Yet He’s Also the Most Aggrieved

This isn’t the way back to the palace.

Shen Zhejiang could vaguely discern it in the wind and snow.

As Shen Zhejiang had suspected, Xiao Zhinian, who had initially intended to confine him in Yanqing Palace, had changed his mind halfway through for some unknown reason.

It was only when the horse sped through the wide-open city gates that he realized Xiao Zhinian was taking him away from the Capital City.

Where to?

Xiao Zhinian didn’t say, remaining silent throughout the journey until they stopped in front of a row of wooden fences.

Shen Zhejiang barely managed to lift his eyes to look. It turned out to be a farm, vaguely familiar, when he heard Xiao Zhinian say in his ear,

“Does Taifu still remember this place? These are the berries you loved to plant here.” Xiao Zhinian helped Shen Zhejiang off the horse, still holding him, and walked towards the lighted house. “In the three years that you were away from the Capital City, I spent a fortune to buy this land. Every spring, when the plants grew, I would look at those ripe berries and think of Taifu.”

Knowing he couldn’t break free, Shen Zhejiang simply stopped struggling and listened to Xiao Zhinian recounting these old memories.

Xiao Zhinian said, “I originally planned to bring Taifu here next year to reminisce. You see, the shed over there has already been built, and it’s planted with grapes. And on that side, I planted some miscellaneous flowers and trees. They haven’t bloomed yet. It’s a pity I couldn’t wait.”

“……”

“And over there, I haven’t decided yet. Let Taifu decide then.”

The outline of the wooden house gradually became clearer. Shen Zhejiang looked in the direction he was pointing and indeed saw a wooden shed built not far away. It was very sturdy, unaffected by the night wind.

“Taifu doesn’t want to return to the palace, good, I promise you. But you must also promise me that you will never leave for all eternity.”

It was clearly a declaration of love, but for some reason, Shen Zhejiang felt a chill in his heart, a sense that once he entered, he would never see the light of day again, becoming someone else’s pet.

Xiao Zhinian pushed open the wooden door. The wind stopped abruptly, but the sudden warmth sent shivers down Shen Zhejiang’s spine.

Xiao Zhinian scanned the room and finally walked to the bed, placing Shen Zhejiang down. He said nothing, his eyes deep as he gazed at Shen Zhejiang, focusing on the snowflakes that clung to his temples.

Xiao Zhinian raised his hand to brush them away, but before he could touch him, Shen Zhejiang flinched away, this display of rejection left Xiao Zhinian saddened.

His fingertips paused in mid-air.

Why did he have to avoid him…

He could endure being beaten or scolded, but why, why did he have to avoid him?

“What exactly does Taifu want me to do?”

He even lowered himself, asking Shen Zhejiang with a pitiable tone.

“…Let me go.”

Knowing full well that Xiao Zhinian wouldn’t do that, Shen Zhejiang stubbornly spoke the words, adopting an attitude of opposing Xiao Zhinian to the end.

Because he was consumed with anger, Xiao Zhinian’s chest heaved. He stormed out of the room and quickly returned, holding a hemp rope as thick as two fingers.

Shen Zhejiang’s heart skipped a beat.

What was he going to do?

Before he could think deeply, Xiao Zhinian suddenly grabbed his wrist. Shen Zhejiang’s eyes widened slightly. Realizing Xiao Zhinian’s intentions, he forcefully tried to pull his hand back.

“Xiao Zhinian!”

But the other party looked at him, and his grip didn’t weaken at all. In fact, it became even tighter because of his struggle, as if he wanted to crush his bones.

Xiao Zhinian quickly wrapped the rope around Shen Zhejiang’s wrist. Almost at the same time, he caught the hand that was about to slap him, tying both hands together, ignoring Shen Zhejiang’s shouts, showing no sign of softening.

“Are you going to tie me up like a pet! Xiao Zhinian! Let me go!”

“If Taifu is not obedient, I have no choice but to do this,” Xiao Zhinian said in a low, hoarse voice. “I can agree to anything Taifu wants, except for this. If Taifu makes me angry again, don’t blame me…”

What else could he do?

What was he supposed to do? He just didn’t want Shen Zhejiang to leave him. Was he wrong?!

However, Shen Zhejiang was also infuriated by him, glaring at him angrily: “Do you think this can trap me? Xiao Zhinian, I am older than you, I am your elder, aren’t you afraid of what others will say of you…”

“Afraid of what?” Xiao Zhinian interrupted him. “I am not afraid of anything. At worst, they will condemn me for bullying my teacher and being an unpardonable tyrant. So what? I don’t care. At worst, Yan Country will be destroyed in my hands, and I will die with you!”

Shen Zhejiang stared blankly at him, unable to say a word for a long time.

It wasn’t that simple.

Xiao Zhinian didn’t know the truth. He didn’t know that their relationship was unacceptable, that it would be condemned.

Just then, a confused voice sounded in the room.

“Your Majesty?”

Shen Zhejiang found it very familiar. It sounded like… Huai Wen?!

Back then, when Shen Zhejiang was sentenced to death, Huai Wen wandered aimlessly with nowhere to go. After moving from place to place, Xiao Zhinian accidentally ran into him while traveling and settled him on this farm to manage it.

Huai Wen lived next to the wooden house. Hearing the noise here, he thought it was a thief and came with a wooden stick to take a look, only to see the Emperor.

No wonder he was so surprised. Xiao Zhinian only came once a year in the spring, and it seemed that there was more than just Xiao Zhinian in the house at this time.

Huai Wen poked his head in and looked towards the bed, instantly stunned.

“Lord Shen?!”

But Lord Shen had already… What was going on?!

Xiao Zhinian turned sideways, completely blocking Shen Zhejiang behind him, and scolded, “Get out!”

Huai Wen was frightened by his sudden rage and exclaimed “Ah!” Before he could say a word to Shen Zhejiang, he hurried out.

Xiao Zhinian returned to the bed, tied the rope to the head of the bed, and after thinking about it, tied a knot.

After doing these things, he refocused his gaze on Shen Zhejiang’s face, leaned closer, and calmed down a bit: “Huai Wen has been here all along. He used to serve you. You should get used to it. If you are more obedient after a while, I will untie you, okay?”

Xiao Zhinian used a pleading tone.

He didn’t really want to have such a stiff relationship with Shen Zhejiang. Now that Han Zitang had already set off for Qing Prefecture, and there was no one else to disturb them, it was time to ease things.

Shen Zhejiang said coldly, “Then tie me up for the rest of my life.”

The emotions that Xiao Zhinian had finally calmed were easily stirred up by Shen Zhejiang. His gaze darkened slightly, and without saying a word, he pinched Shen Zhejiang’s chin and bit him.

Shen Zhejiang resisted with all his strength, trying to avoid him, but it was still to no avail. He was ruthlessly pinned by the back of his head, and the air in his lungs was almost completely taken away in this kiss.

Rather than a kiss, it was Xiao Zhinian’s punishment for him, more brutal than ever before. Tenderness was nowhere to be found, as if he wanted to devour Shen Zhejiang alive.

Xiao Zhinian entangled with Shen Zhejiang forcefully, the sounds of their mouths sucking loudly, but he couldn’t feel a trace of pleasure or joy, and even felt endless bitterness.

He’s clearly the one inflicting cruelty, yet he’s also the most aggrieved.

Shen Zhejiang, ah, Shen Zhejiang, what am I supposed to do with you?